It’s hard to believe it’s been almost four years since the husband-and-wife kitchen team of Chad Newton and Gracie Nguyen announced their plans to open East Side Banh Mi at 1000 Gallatin Ave. in the former home of Pepperfire. The couple quickly earned a loyal legion of fans, and chefs clamored to participate in ESBN’s series of chef-inspired special sandwiches to accompany their already-inventive menu of Vietnamese-inspired dishes.
To celebrate their upcoming anniversary, Newton and Nguyen are again inviting local chefs into their kitchen, this time for a series of pop-ups and residencies throughout 2024. Through their parent brand You Are Here Hospitality, the couple has consistently sought out ways to mentor the next generation of chefs through an incubation program and other community-focused events. As part of their celebration, they will open up their space to up-and-coming chefs in the form of ongoing residencies.
Below is a list of what they already have scheduled. (Some events are still in the planning stages.)
Breadwinner Lunch Shop – ongoing residency scheduled for the first three Sundays of each month (sometimes the fourth where applicable)
Pizza Lolo — Feb. 25
'Scuits — March 28
Dreamburger — May 26
Noko — TBA
Redheaded Stranger — TBA
Egg Drip — TBA
Additionally, East Side Banh Mi has partnered with Fresh Creative Studios to refresh the design of their space, including new signage and window graphics and fresh colors throughout the restaurant. What hasn't changed is their dedication to fresh ingredients, excellent service and the friendly vibe of the dining experience.
Most people don’t know it, but there’s another East Side Banh Mi location on the west side (of the country). A ghost kitchen operation in San Mateo, Calif., known as the Noshery, offers a version of the ESBM menu for Bay Area diners, but only we are fortunate enough to actually have Chad and Gracie as part of our local culinary community. Drop by to wish them a happy birthday and thank them for bringing their talents to Music City!
