After my less than satisfying revisit to K Sandwiches, I decided to head on over to Cali Baguette Express, the City Heights location, not the Mira Mesa location, which I really haven't ever really enjoyed. Way back in May of 2008 when I did my first posts on Cali Baguette Express, my first thoughts was that this is what K Sandwiches could be. Eventually, the place expanded, with a location on Convoy, which eventually became Cali Banh Mi (I'm sure there's a story there). My visits to both the location on Garnet and the Convoy location have really not been satisfying.
Well, enough of that; it was time for a banh mi.
Over time, the menu at CBE sure has expanded, with everything from pho/bun, to plates of grilled pork and such. Of course, I was here for the banh mi.
I ordered my usual Banh Mi Pate Cha which is now $7.50, pretty much the going rate for banh mi these days. A quick check on my last visit in November of 2021 reveals a price of $5.
I could see that the bread was still being baked inhouse.
I placed my order with the very nice young lady and took a look around the shop while I waited. My goodness, all the tchotchkes!
Once ready, I got my sandwich and headed home.
I must have hit the lottery on this day, because the bread was still slightly warm. It was yeasty and somewhat "crackly". Maybe the best bread I've had here.
And the banh mi had that ever so elusive item these days, an actual slice of cucumber. Not as much pickled veggies as before, but acceptable. The cilantro featured mostly leaves, which I was pleased about, though it was piled in the center of the sandwich. I went and spread it out. One of the two slices of jalapeno was fairly potent.
There used to be four slices of cha lua across the sandwich, but on this day I counted three. Yes, I know, who the heck counts the slices of meat in a banh mi….I guess I do. Even though you can't really see it, there was a light smear of pate, which I could actually taste.
Overall, not a super stuffed sandwich, which I kind of enjoyed. While I think CBE has been surpassed by other banh mi shops in the past few years, it's still not a bad option in my mind
I've been having fun revisiting all these banh mi shops….I hope you're enjoying these posts!
Cali Baguette Express
5125 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92115
Current Hours:
Daily 6am – 8pm
I haven’t been here in years either
nice that it was decent
Hopefully you get to catch up on things Franklin!
Yes, I was quite happy Kat!
I still think Avian is the best
The banh mi at Avian is definitely more “stuffed” ST.
Is this the only Asian restaurant in San Diego not counting Panda Express that has a drive-through? It’s the only one I know of. I have been getting the number six (BBQ pork) with fried egg occasionally for years and it is now $10.50 plus tax. Sometimes it is worth it. Sometimes … nope. Bread quality is always the variable.
I think I’ve seen one other ABC restaurant in East County that had a drive thru CR! And Pho Leo has a window that looks like a drive thru, but is just for walk up to go orders. Yeah, banh mi prices have been rising steadily!