Want to meet the Missus's latest obsession? Here it is:
Yes, it's Banh Mi. Banh Mi Bi…..the version with shredded pork skin as the filling. I don't quite know how this one came about, but 2 weeks ago, it became "all about the Bi!" So after eating Banh Mi Bi just about everyday for the last 2 weeks(that's a lot of Bi!), the Missus came up with Her 3 favorites. So I decided to see, if the Missus knew Her Bi(that kinda rhymes, doesn't it?).
In a blind tasting of Her 3 favorites, She identified each sandwich and where it came from, based on taste, texture, bread, and of course Bi.
So here they are:
**** Cafe Dore has closed
Bi – 1: Cafe Dore($2.75):
The Missus says: "it's all about the Bi, great ratio of meat to skin(meatiest Bi), nice condensed pork flavor, Bi is always moist, with hints of sweetness. The bread is okay, on any given day Cafe Dore or Saigon will have better bread. The cilantro is a lost cause, too stringy, and the pickles are just average. Best flavor and texture overall."
Cafe Dore
4135 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105
Bi – 2: Saigon Sandwiches and Deli($2.75):
Amazingly, Saigon Sandwiches and Deli, right next door took second place. Even though they reside next to each other, Cafe Dore and Saigon have distinct personalities. Cafe Dore being a Viet Coffee shop, is overwhelmingly male; the Missus was the only female in the place during a recent meal(post is forthcoming). Saigon, is a combination convenience store/snack shop, and the clientele is about two-thirds women and children.
So what about the Banh Mi? The Missus says:"Too much skin to meat, meat is on the dry side, the amount of roasted rice powder makes this sandwich stand out. It adds nice texture. The pickles are usually very good, refreshing sour with some spiciness. Too much pickles relative to Bi. Bread is usually good. Larger sandwich that Cafe Dore"
Saigon Sandwiches & Deli
4133 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92105
Bi – 3: Kim Chan Sandwich Shop($2.50):
**** Kim Chan has closed
The Missus says:"Bread is sometimes soggy, too much mayo kills the flavor. This place has the spiciest peppers that overwhelms the mild flavor of the Bi. Too little Bi relative to veggies, pickles, and bread."
I noticed something interesting when waiting for the sandwich. The gentleman first made the sandwich, wrapped it up, than proceeded to heat the sandwich…..
Kim Chan Sandwich Shop
4712 El Cajon Blvd Suite N
San Diego, CA 92115
Others that didn't make the cut include Bale…..
So there you have it…….it's all about the Bi.
Another short lived obsession:
After enjoying the Nem Chua I brought home from the Tet Festival, the Missus started seeking out different versions of this tasty sour pork sausage. So here we have a rarity……parallel obsessions!
The winner? The version from Kim Chan, though the smallest, and most expensive($6) was the favorite. It had the best texture(even though it had the least amount of pork skin), and flavor(hints of garlic, chilies, peppercorns).
The version from Bale in Mira Mesa was okay, but had too many peppercorns, and was too sour. In third was bought from Saigon Sandwiches & Deli, very tough, and bland.
Did I mention why this was a short lived obsession? When it was explained to the Missus that this was not a "cooked" sausage, in fact it is a fermented sausage….for some reason this ended the Missus's obsession.