A-Chau a little Vietnamese "deli" located on the corner of El Cajon Blvd and Menlo Ave, has a very unique distinction.
A-Chau sells the only Banh Mi that can fill me up! And even though I know this I keep on buying spring rolls, egg rolls, or something else to complete the meal.
I guess I'm unable to deal with the reality that an "oinker" like me can fill up with a sandwich that costs $2.50! I've had many a Banh Mi in my time, but this unassuming sandwich can, for some reason make me feel stuffed. Trying to deal with emasculation via a char-broiled pork sandwich is not an easy thing. I usually end up giving the spring rolls or egg rolls away....to this day I haven't tasted the spring rolls. I've tried to understand how this happens. What I have noticed is that the bread that A-Chau uses is not as crusty as the usual roll, being a bit softer and doughy, so those who believe that it's the baguette that makes the Banh Mi may not enjoy this sandwich. In addition the pork is a bit richer than in most Banh Mi's I've had, so I definitely couldn't eat this every day.
There is a very liberal amount of hot green chili's in these sandwiches, those who are sensitive to this should probably ask to not have them. As far as the Banh Mi is concerned it's pretty good, not the best I've had, mainly because the veggies are a bit tasteless and the bread somewhat doughy, but the pork makes up for that.
There are quite a few dishes available, hot table and vermicelli dishes, as well as pre-packaged snacks. 3-4 tables adorn the interior of the restaurant, though it's very apparent that most of the business is a very brisk take-out. The parking lot can be an adventure due to the fact that there are just a few spaces that two restaurants and a Vietnamese Market share. The clientele is varied and the menu English friendly, and the service is efficient and fast. Most sandwiches range from $2.25 - $2.75. As for me I still haven't made it past the Char-Broiled Pork sandwich (Thit Nuong) , though I'll keep trying!
A-Chau
4644 El Cajon Blvd Ste 111
San Diego, CA 92115
Hi Kirk,
Do you think the banh mi here is better than the banh mi at Ba-Le? I love the lemongrass chicken banh mi at Ba-Le.
Posted by: Reid | Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 03:48 AM
Reid - I like the bread at Ba-le better - though not all Ba-Le's are created equal - we have a couple here and they are all different - I believe they are franchises - guess I'll do a review soon on my favorite Ba-Le.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 16 June 2005 at 07:09 AM
A couple of days ago, Tina and I happened into A Chau and each ordered a banh mi. They were exactly like they were when you wrote this post (5 years ago). Big, full of good meat - especially nice pate - but the bread is still too doughy and the pickled veggies too meek and mild. One other complaint was that the sandwich was not well assembled, all the chilies being at one end and the cilantro at the other. Still, however, not a bad banh mi (price for dac biet is now $3.50).
Posted by: ed (from Yuma) | Monday, 21 June 2010 at 01:29 PM
Hey Ed - You know A Chau is so inconsistant.... they've also screwed up my order a number of times. And when I point it out, they act like they really don't care.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 21 June 2010 at 02:32 PM
Funny, I'd forgotten that Tina and I had been there in the past (welcome to senility, ed). I just went there again and things haven't changed - except the dac biet is now $3.75. This time, though, I liked the sandwich quite a bit.
Posted by: ed (from Yuma) | Tuesday, 05 April 2011 at 07:43 AM
Hi Ed - I've still goteen more lousy sandwiches than good ones from A Chau.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 05 April 2011 at 03:41 PM