Sunday Sandwiches - A Revisit to the Philadelphia Sandwich Company and a Visit to Cali Banh Mi (Convoy)

Revisiting the Philadelphia Sandwich Company:

So, after getting that weird answering machine message from The Sandwich A'Fare and deciding to drive past and figure out what was going on....well, I still needed lunch. So, I just went ahead and called in a takeout order to the Philadelphia Sandwich Company. As before, I ordered the "Joe's Special".

It's kinda interesting as this time around they included a fork wrapped with my Cheesesteak?

Lots of mushrooms and peppers on this one this time around. The bread, which was an Amoroso, was on the soggy side, the meat a bit too chewy and bland.

Though I did learn something......the nice woman working recommended I get some hot sauce for my sandwich, which I took....tasted like Frank's Red Hot.....but strangely, it added acidity, heat, and most of all, more flavor to the rather bland sandwich.

Go figure......

I do like the folks working here....wish the Cheesesteaks were a bit better though......

The Philadelphia Sandwich Company
6904 Miramar Rd. Suite 207
San Diego, CA 92121

Cali Banh Mi (Convoy):

After doing a bit of shopping at Nijiya I headed home, but wanted a bite to eat. I decided to stop in at Cali Banh Mi. I hadn't been to the place since it changed from being a location of Cali Baguette Express.

There were benches set-up for distancing from the counter.

I got a simple Banh Mi with Egg......I tried to order an Op La; but the young man had no idea what I was saying.....I'll give him the benefit of the doubt....that my pronunciation just sucked.

This wasn't terrible, but the banh mi was too chewy and doughy, lacking in the light, flakey-crustiness of a good banh mi. The fillings were fine, if a bit on the stingy side....even for a Banh Mi....where I usually argue that proportion is the most important thing. So, after this location, along with multiple visits to the Garnet Avenue locale, my opinion remains the same. Americanized Banh Mi not to offend......

Cali Banh Mi
4425 Convoy Street
San Diego, CA 92111

Comments

[RedDevil]

Hmm cheesesteak! I surprisingly like Jersey Mike’s version, not much of a stickler for authenticity. Yet to find a banh mi place with great bread in SD, though K sandwiches is decent. Thanks for the blog and happy belated birthday to your wife!

[kat]

hoping for better sandwiches for you:)

[Kirk]

Hi RD - I thought Banh Mi Bakery was the best of the "baked inhouse" set.....though last time I looked they were still closed. Thanks so much for the birthday wishes!

Thanks Kat!

[alnc]

The inconsistency of bread in SD astounds me and I wonder why. I grew up in a city where most restaurants bought their bread from bakeries who specialized in making the particular bread and rolls that the food required. Consistency was a given. I bought a sub the other day and the bread was mushy and stale (hard to do both but they did.)The only bread that seems to usually be good is the bolillo rolls in Mexican restaurants. (sorry about the rant)

[Kirk]

Yes, it's rather strange alnc. Paris Baguette, which supplies a lot of banh mi to various shops is pretty consistent when you purchase the bread at the bakery....however, shelf life on banh mi is a rather small window and is changes quite quickly.