My colleagues Rafi, Barry, Nick and I just had some tasty bahn mi from the new Baoguette sandwich shop at 61 Lexington near 25th Street. I'm happy to report that both their chicken and pulled pork variations were mighty tasty, heavy on the pate, full of fresh and pickled veggies, and nestled in a perfectly crispy and doughy french baguette.
Traditionally bahn mi use the sweetened Chinese-style roasted pork, but I liked the pulled pork variation. Definitely a strong contender to Nicki's and Saigon Bahn Mi. And around the corner from my office!
The sandwich shop is barely big enough for five or six patrons at a
time, with a frenzied sandwich assembly line taking up most of the
place. They also have summer rolls, spring rolls and papaya salad with shrimp available, but nothing vegetarian friendly as far as I could see.
Once they get the Vietnamese coffee going, as well as their catfish and "curried corn beef" bahn mi on the menu, I'm sure I'll be a regular.
UPDATE: I just had the catfish sandwich. I have to say… needs some work. Great idea, but the flavors were unbalanced to me.
i checked baoguette out today and got the baoguette. the roll was delicate and perfectly crisp, but i thought the filling was a little too fatty, and they put too much mayo. not that i’m complaining– truth be told, i scarfed down that puppy like it was nobody’s business. i’ll be back for sure, but wasn’t as impressed as i thought i would be, and i still prefer the $3 bahn mi i used to get at the cd shop on the corner of lafayette and walker. however, i do have to say that this is the most exciting thing to happen to my work neighborhood lunch options in years!
Karol, I also like the bahn mi from that place on Lafayette and Walker. Totally different kind but satisfying in their own way.
i love baoguette, their banh mi can;t find no where else. plus , i don’t want to spend $4 for subway to chinatown, to get a $4 sandwich.