Bahn Mi Ba Le in El Cerrito

Evidently you can still get three dollars banh mi in 2019 just need to do some research and travel. This shop has markings from the 90s your typical viet deli cafe scene. It actually remind me of a deli in Tampa many years ago when I was living there. Seating is very limited to a few tables out front mostly take-out and parking is a challenge depending on your vehicle size. You might encountered some wait time due to one person working the front, but if you've already place your order there's no need to worry the guy won't forget. Grilled pork sando was a bit on the drier side, but tasty and flavorful baguette roll crunchy. Definitely a hidden gem in today's economy as you won't find anything cheaper and delightful as this place.

EXCELLENT FOOD. OVER 20 YEARS AGO, THE OWNER USED TO HAVE THE OLD SAIGON LOCATED IN THE SAN PABLO SHOPPING CENTER BY THE OLD LUCKY'S. OLD SAIGON WAS THE VERY FIRST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT IN THE SAN PABLO/RICHMOND AREA.

Very fast and cheap. Very few spots to sit, better for take out. Also has a decent selection of premade food to grab and go if you don't want to wait 3 minutes for a sandwich. I got breaded and fried bananas that way, which were delicious.

Best & cheapest Banh Mi in the East Bay! Friendly & fast too.

Cheap, yummy, and fast! Friendly service, large menu with everything from vermicelli bowls to bahn mi, to sticky rice desserts. Cash only, only 2 tables to sit, more of a to go spot.

Best bahn mi in the bay

Mom and pop place. Good stuff and on my list of local places to eat. Very affordable as well. Cash only

Great freshly made Sandwiches for a pittance. Also Soups, Noodle Dishes Penny Royal and Aloe Drinks. Do not park in the Bus zone in front!

Sandwiched is good but bread can be more crispy and a little bit more hollow. Price is good.Small place but fit the atmosphere.

Super yummy and insanely affordable vegan sandwich! Addictive in all the right ways.

Good place to be at and eat.

Good sandwiches and cheap

Delicious, fast, and cheap!

If you havent had a sandwich from here. You are missing out.

Hole in a wall place. Been coming here for 10 yrs. If you've had Vietnamese sandwich before, this one is great. They used fresh sandwich and it's a great size too. The veggies they put is great and the meat is ok too. Fast service (unless there are 10 sandwich order ahead of you). I remember when they used to be $1.50 for a bbq chicken sandwich. Now it's $3 which is still decent for the area. They have rice plate too (ready for take out), noodles, drinks, and dessert. Cash only 😬

Hands down the best bahn mi sandwich shop East of Oakland. Sandwiches are around $4.25 and are made fresh on the spot. They also have rice plates and serve pho.

Wow this place looks pretty sketchy from the outside but the food is SOO good and SOO cheap!

I love Bánh Mis (Vietnamese sandwiches), and his menu's pretty affordable (especially in El Cerrito), but 2/3 of the time he always gives me STALE bread! Almost all of the time when I go he always has a big group of Vietnamese families or friends sitting outside eating-- I REALLY doubt he would be so popular with fellow countrymen if he was passing off stale bread to everyone! So maybe I'm paranoid but it seems like just because I'm an ABC and speak only English, he's being selective about who he give better quality ingredients to.

Tasty sandwich. Love the price; cheaper than your morning starbucks. Can be busy at breakfast and lunch since the owner is the only one taking the order, make the sandwich, and ring you out.

Was in the mood for a Banh Mi sandwich. My little sister recommended Banh Mi Ba Le in Oakland. Her recommendation plus the impressive reviews was more than enough reason to drop by. Low prices are a absolute positive! My Grilled Pork Banh Mi Sandwich was good. Bread was nicely toasted and crunchy. Good balance of veggies to meat. It was not the best Banh Mi sandwich I've eaten, but it was tasty. Look forward to returning and trying their Meatball with Egg Banh Mi!!

Delicious Vietnamese food! The banh mi sandwiches on crusty french rolls are fantastic!

Good Vietnamese sandwich& rice noodles soup(bun bo hue) here with a reasonable price for everyone...love it

Very good Bahn Mi great price

Always love this place. Best bahn mi around and reasonably priced. Cash only though

You simply cannot get a better, cheaper lunch in the area, so ignore all those fast food chains. The Banh Mi are made to order and they are all great. Stray outside your comfort zone and order a sandwich filling other than the BBQ chicken, and you won't be disappointed. A small selection of other great Vietnamese snacks in this little hole-in-the-wall.

Delicious, quick, friendly...I've bean coming here for years and it's the best banh mi in the bay def!!

Great lil place for vietnamese sammies, 3 buck 50 for most. Its also surrounded by other Asian eateries - Japanese, Lao, Thai and Taiwanese. Plus an Asian massage place if you're into that kinda thing.

This place has very goood dishes

This is our "go to" place for Vietnamese sandwiches. We often go out for hiking with friends. We stop by here in the morning and pick up what we need. We usually end up getting our usual "grilled pork" but also pick up the different "flat noodle" lunch also. It is popular so if you know what you want, call ahead and pre-order for pick up.

Cheap banh mi and fast service.

Had a awesome experience in here with my daughter. The food was served quick and the service is just good. Prices are affordable.

Lived for many years near Westminster CA and many excellent banh mi shops. This shop is up there with the best. Fair price and fresh meats.

Most authentic Vietnamese deli I've been able to find in the Bay area. Just like from the streets of Saigon. Is cash only, but that's to be expected.

My favorite Vietnamese sandwich place and it’s affordable . FYI, CASH ONLYYYYY

Super tasty bahn mi! I think I've tried almost all the sandwiches and haven't been disappointed yet... Even the vegetarian! They have a good selection of beverages and dessert items too! Don't assume that this little shop doesn't make some bomb bahn mi.

Best affordable Vietnamese sandwich!! Period! Number 8 - Grilled Pork Sandwich plz! I’ve changed my luck number to 8 coz of this joint ! Gracias!

Great banh mi dac diet, really cheap and fast. Best I’ve had so far in the bay.

Best deal in town. We've been coming here for over 10 years. The whole family loves his delicious food.

Awesome Bánh mì at crazy low prices. The bread alone is worth a trip. Try the Bún bò Huế. One cramped table inside, some tables at the parking lot outside.

Consistently good Vietnamese sandwiches and salads for very reasonable prices. Cash only and only two tables.

Pretty good, bread was a little hard though.

Sooo good and cheap! 100% recommend

Exactly what it needs to be. Tasty, cheap and unpretentious. My go to is the #2. Satisfying airy crunch from the toasted bun, followed by the classic Banh Mi crunchy assorted vegetables, savory sliced meats and lingering kick from jalapeno. Under $4. Crumbs everywhere. A nice treat before heading to Richmond Costco.

Love this place. Great sandwiches and soup.

Good banhmi... They have pho also. Only one table inside and one outside.

Best banh mi in the bay!!!

Love the ham & headcheese sandwich and spring rolls! The price is good too. My favorite Vietnamese sandwich place.

Cheap and delicious banh mi. The sandwiches are really good, all they would have to do is add a drive-thru, throw in vietnamese Ice coffee and then take over the fast food world =)

Vietnamese sandwiches there are the best i have ever tasted in my life. No place compares to this one and I'm so sad to have moved but I'll never forget the taste

Great variety. The wait is a bit longer for the soup options.