**** This location has become Cali Banh Mi
I'd been waiting a while for Cali Baguette Express to open on Convoy. I figured that by the time we returned from vacation CBE would be open.... and we were kinda close; they opened the Saturday after we returned.
Banh Mi has been conspicuously absent from this part of Kearny Mesa for years. I know we have Sau Voi Deli in the 99 Ranch Market shopping area.... but I've never been a fan. The Missus enjoys the Banh Mi from Cali Baguette, and the Mira Mesa location tied for first on our MM Banh Mi sampling. The Missus was happy that we wouldn't need to drive down to the El Cajon Boulevard location when She craved a Banh Mi. The shop is bright and sunny; stack of canned Pate stacked up nicely, Cha Gio and Banh Pate Chaud in bright metal pans under the heat lamps.
On my first visit I went with, well good ol' #1, the Dac Biet (special - $3).
The bread didn't hold up well on my trip home, but otherwise this was pretty much the same as I've always had on my visits to the other locations, save one thing. There was muc more pate on it then usual, which was a mixed blessing....good for flavor, bad for bread.
I'm not sure what time this location opens, and keep on forgetting to ask. I do know when I pass on my way to work they aren't open yet. Too bad, because I enjoy the Banh Mi Trung (Egg - $2.75), which seriously beats out any other "Mc-whatevers" in my book.
At the ECB location, I've actually watch the women there crack the egg into the deep fryer! I don't think they do it that way at this location, but the combination of crunchy pickled daikon and carrots, the Maggi (which tastes good on everything), light a flakey Banh Mi really does it for me. This time the bread was very good!
I've never been a big fan of the Banh Mi Xiu Mai (meatball) at Cali Express.... I prefer the version at Saigon Sandwiches and Deli, but I thought I'd give it another shot.
And though the bread was perfect, I really didn't care for the crumbled very wet meatball...... the texture was too wet, almost like snot, not great mouthfeel.
Overall, I'm happy to see Cali Baguette Express..... when the weather gets a bit warmer, I'll probably be stopping by quite often on the way home. All I can really say is..... it's about time!
I nearly forgot a question I had..... has anyone ever tried the soup or rice dishes at CBE? There's a menu of stuff like Bun Bo Hue, Bun Rieu, and even Bo Kho, but I've never seen anyone (other then the owner, or the owner's kids) eating the stuff.
Cali Baguette Express
4425 Convoy Street
San Diego, CA 92111
Hi Kirk, I visited right when they opened and had very soggy uninspiring banh mi right at the store even. I'm glad to hear they've improved some how conveniently they're located. :)
Posted by: Dennis | Monday, 23 May 2011 at 08:57 PM
yeah banh mi :)
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 24 May 2011 at 12:21 AM
Hi Dennis - You should compare them to their other locations...... I think they're still lagging behind a bit.
Hi Kat - It seems a little cold for Banh Mi here right now, but I had to check it out.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 24 May 2011 at 06:42 AM
Hi Kirk! I've had the BBQ pork and the BBQ short ribs rice platter at the MM location. They were okay but nothing to rave about.
Posted by: Carol | Tuesday, 24 May 2011 at 07:14 PM
Hi Kirk only other been to is one off ECB (by Pho Ca Dao) which isn't my favorite by far but here they didn't even bother toasting the bread on my sandwiches both times. :(
Posted by: Dennis | Tuesday, 24 May 2011 at 08:04 PM
Hi Carol - That's what I thought.... I've never seen anyone eating them.
Hi Dennis - When you get a warm fresh baguette from CBE it's much better then the stuff that's delivered from either Le Chef or Paris Bakery.... It's about as close to what we had in VN then anyplace else in San Diego.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 24 May 2011 at 08:43 PM
Hi Kirk -
I've had the BBQ short ribs from the MM location as well, I thought they were okay. I also like the meat pastry thing that I keep forgetting the name of...
Posted by: Mary | Thursday, 02 June 2011 at 12:57 PM
Hi Mary - Thanks for confirming that the plates aren't really worth it. Were you thinking of Pate Chaud???
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 02 June 2011 at 10:53 PM
We live in MN and constantly craving banh mi from Cali baguette. The bun rieu is delicious as well. Wished we could get good Vietnamese food in MN.
Posted by: Teresa | Saturday, 25 June 2011 at 03:54 PM
Hi Teresa - OK, maybe I need to try the Bun Rieu.... thanks for taking the time out to comment!
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 26 June 2011 at 06:51 PM