Local Review: Banh Mi Che Cali - Banh Mi Dac Biet and Cafe Sua Da - Alhambra, CA

Banh Mi Che Cali is a chain of Vietnamese eateries, mostly in the southern California area. They specialize in banh mi (bread) sandwiches and che desserts but also have other dishes and baked good such as pho, nem nuong, and bo kho. The one in Alhambra on the northeast corner of Valley and 7th, also has a deal where you can buy one Tapioca or Pudding Milk Tea ($2.00) and get one free.

What you see above is my typical purchase from Banh Mi Che Cali: a Banh Mi Dac Biet ("dac biet" means "special") and an eye-opening Cafe (or ca phe) Sua Da ("ca phe = "coffee", "sua" = milk, "da" = "ice"). Banh Mi Che Cali is my favorite place of Cafe Sua Da, I can't seem to replicate the flavor at home and it only costs $1.50. The sandwich was $2.00.
I really like their bread, which they bake onsite, it is very crusty (and crumbly! I wouldn't recommend eating it in your car... someone else's car maybe...) and has a distinct butter flavor that you can smell. I would have prefered the pickled carrots and daikon were a bit crisper and would love it if they put a nice cruncy cucumber spear in it like some places do. It just adds a nice bit of texture and refreshment. It's still pretty good though. Dac Biet usually just means they put Vietnamese ham (it has more flavors than your regular store bought variety.) and head cheese (it's a type of meat, you probably don't want to know... but it you can't resist click here for more information). They also have the longer, slimmer variety sandwiches that have come to be so in vogue lately but I prefer the old school type that's a bit more stocky.

They even have a location in Toronto!

Banh Mi Che Cali
647 W Valley Blvd
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 293-8396