BaLe Linda Vista Reopens

*** Bale has closed and is now Farm Sandwiches and Market.

So finally, Ba Le on Linda Vista resurfaces. The sign on the "old location" said the end of May, but when I took that photo it was already June! And when I shopped a Vien Dong Market a few days later, that sign was gone. This past weekend, I noticed that Ba Le had indeed taken the place of the old Dai Tan Supermarket, which had been there for quite a while.

In spite of the looks, there is quite a bit of parking further down the lot, where you're not packed in, and people aren't backing into you(I saw a little Vietnamese Lady driving a BIG SUV, hit another parked,  BIG SUV, and she just kept on going...). As I walked in, I wondered what the heck Ba Le was doing with a market....but I guess that's the plan.

Seeing that the sandwich counter is not yet completed, I inquired about Banh Mi, and was told, that even though the counter, and seating area wasn't finished yet they were serving Banh Mi. And the current special is; buy 2 get 1 free. So I placed my order, and seeing the chaotic situation; a line of grocery customers, I took a walk around the market.

Dai Tan never struck me as being the cleanest looking market, but the place has been cleaned up a bit, and the lighting is much better. The produce looked fresh, and there was quite a steady flow of customers.

Which meant I'd probably be waiting a while, so I took a seat. Surprisingly, a few minutes later one of the Gentlemen comes walking out of the back of the market with 3 Banh Mi. Which I paid for, than proceeded to hightail it out of the parking lot, before a little lady in a BIG SUV had a chance to hit my car.

So, what did I get? Well let's start with the Dac Biet (special - $3.50):

In my visits after my post on the old BaLe location, I found the sandwiches to be inconsistent. There was a tendency to over-margarine, than over toast the baguette, making the bread crouton-hard...the stuff that rips up the roof of your mouth. This would obviously distract from the decent crust-to-bread ratio. Today, the baguette was okay, slightly crusty, but nothing special. The meats were piled to each side of the baguette...the ham on one side, the Cha Lua on the other...kind of strange. All of the meats, and the pate were very mild in flavor, if not down-right bland. The jalapenos were quite mild on this day. All in all, nothing special....

The Xiu Mai(meatball sandwich - $3.00):

The crumbled Xiu Mai(meatball) had a very mild flavor...sort of like what could be described as a "pork meatloaf". Not bad, even though I enjoy a more assertive flavor. Because of the juicy meatballs, this Banh Mi got soggy pretty quickly, but at least it wasn't dry.

As for the Banh Mi Bi, the Missus didn't feel like eating it, so I took it for lunch, well, breakfast the next day. I won't go into that, "Bi-cause" I wouldn't want to wish that decomposed sandwich on anyone. It just is not a fair assessment of the Banh Mi.

With regards to the Banh Mi, not much has changed at BaLe. If you enjoyed the sandwiches at the former location, you'll enjoy them here. But at least now you can catch up on some shopping while waiting for your sandwiches. All sandwiches run from $3 to $3.50.

BaLe Supermarket and Sandwiches(In the former Dai Tan Market location)
6959 Linda Vista Rd.
San Diego, CA

Comments

[[eatingclub] vancouver]

Sugar cane stalks? Wow!

I like the looks of those banh mi: they're loaded with pickled vegetables. Here, they can be a bit stingy with pickled vegetables.

[Denny]

Everytime you do a piece on Banh Mi, I have to get some on the way home. LOoks like a decent amount of "pickles".

[kat]

is it the same company as the ba-le in hawaii? looks delicious!

[Dennis]

Buy 2 get 1 free? I'm there! I must try Cafe Dore soon too. What's this I here about a breakfast Banh Mi?? OMG that a must try!

[nhbilly]

Did you at least take down the license plate and leave a message for the "victim" I would and I hope if something like that ever happen to me someone who witness it would report it too.

[nhbilly]

Atleast the sandwich has a slice of cucumber I don't think any shop in OC does it anymore I guess they just nickel and dime-ing us now.

[Sandy]

I can't tell if there is jalapeno in any of your sandwiches. I usually take them out of my banh mi anyway.

For me, it's another story with pho and jalapenos; I usually add it to my broth for flavor, then fish it out. But at Pho Ca Dao earlier this week, they weren't serving jalapenos, and posted a sign to apologize for the lack due the latest salmonella scare.

[Denny]

Just got back from Ba Le and it was just as described. The Banh Mi were good and "mild". Had the #1 #3 and the bbq pork. The thing that got me was all the durian EVERYWHERE.

[Denny]

As a side note, my banh mi came with both cucumbers and jalepenos.

[Alice]

I live in North County (Vista) and have ordered BBQ Pork Banh Mi at several places. The best, most flavorful at Pho Lucky in Vista, and the longest (about the length of your forearm) at Royal Pho in Vista.

I ordered a BBQ Pork Banh Mi at Pho Hong Cali in Escondido and it had a weird, green jelly slathered on the roll. It tasted like green apple and looked and tasted odd. Do you know what this is, or if this green jelly is common? Their broth and veggie prep on other dishes is awesome, but the green jelly turned me off to ordering sandwiches here.

Thanks for your awesome pics, recipes, and restaurant commentary.

Alice

[asador]

whoa they put margarine into bahn mis?

I thougt only sweet mayo...

Margarine isn't healthy cuz it's trans fat.

[Passionate Eater]

An old lady hit you w/an SUV? Tell me that you, the boyz, and the Missus are okay! Insurance issues can be a pain, just remember to get witnesses and start calling up her insurance co. ASAP. I hope you all are doing well, and that she didn't cause too much damage to your car.

[Kirk]

Hi JS - They do give a good amount of pickles.

Hi Denny - It's a bit too mild for me, but I'll settle for it in a pinch. BTW, do you mean Jackfruit or Durian...they had some huge Jackfruit.

Hi Kat - No, sorry...BaLe is a franchise, and there are 2 different ownership groups in SD.

Hi Denny - It's called Banh Mi Trung - Egg Banh Mi. Some places will put Cha Lua in as well. Some places will add Maggi, which gives it a nice flavor. Banh Mi, it's what's for breakfast.

Hi Alice - Green jelly? Hmmm...I've got to check it out! Thanks for the lead.

Hi Asador - In VN, they put either "tub butter"(I think it's margarine) or mayo on the Banh Mi. It's the same here...if you look closely at the Xiu Mai photo you'll see the smear of yellow on the bread. BaLe on Linda Vista, and Mira Mesa both put margarine(could be Sysco liquid butter) on the bread.

Hi Billy - I didn't need to, one of the ladies shopping knew the owner of the SUV that was hit....apparently that person was shopping somewhere else....No cucumber in Banh Mi....come to think of it, I think some places here aren't putting those in the Banh Mi anymore either.

Hi PE - Don't worry, we weren't the one's hit....I just witnessed a lady backing into a parked car.