A few months ago, as part of the epic Orlando Weekly Banh Mi Battle, I got the chance to visit Banh Mi Nha Trang to pick up some new banh mi from their shop for the first time to enter them into the competition. Although they did not win 1st place (the honors went, to the deserving Boston Bakery across the street), Banh Mi Nha Trang which just opened a few days prior placed 2nd for best banh mi in Orlando.
It is a bit hard to find Banh Mi Nha Trang as it is tucked away in a courtyard on Colonial Drive just to the east of the intersection with Mills Avenue. I like to tell people its in the strip between Lollicup (now renamed Chewy Boba Company) and Saigon Market with the big yellow flag on the flag pole. You have to park in the rear and walk through to the courtyard to reach Banh Mi Nha Trang. Its an unassuming hole in the wall of a place to say the least, but its these holes in the wall that most often have the most heart in their food. The place is a mom and pop type joint, run by a lovable, friendly and always smiling Vietnamese lady. Her English is not good at all yet but you can pretty much order the same banh mi you can as the other banh mi joints. They also sell home made nem chua pickled meat and cha lua pork roll meats.
They specialize in banh mi Nha trang, a banh mi from the south central coastal region of Vietnam and topped with a special garlic fish sauce and peppery goodness. The sandwich is full of various cuts of Vietnamese deli meats like cha lua pork roll, cha siu roast pork, and pickled carrots and daikon veggies. The bread is also different from the other banh mi places as it is a bit softer and more chewy.
The banh mi dac biet Nha Trang is $2.50 (the cheapest price you’ll find for banh mi in Orlando) and if you buy 5 you get 1 free. Tips: its cash only for the moment so remember to bring some when you go.
The Banh Mi Nha Trang Dac Biet – a great sandwich for $2.50~
Scenes from the Orlando Weekly’s Banh Mi battle
I'm new to the area and really love the tips from this blog! Tried out the banh mi both at Boston Bakery and Nha Trang and NT wins hand down! The combination at NT has a certain creamy unctuousness to it that I have never before experienced. Utterly delightful. BB seemed like just a pile of cold cuts, very good cold cuts, but cold cuts. Plus, the owner of NT is really charming and seems to care a great deal that you like her product. She'll even show you her son's wedding pix. BB could give a rat's a** about you or your satisfaction. Thanks again for all the effort you put into such a helpful blog!
any time anonymous! im glad i could spread the word! your observations are spot on lol
[…] including Publix, there is Banh Mi Nha Trang, Boston Bakery, Yum-Mi Sandwiches, Pho 88, Vietnam Cuisine, Hawkers, among many other local […]
[…] Banh Mi Nha Trang – specializing in Nha Trang style banh mi (with a hot chili fish sauce added), this hole in the wall is run by a Vietnamese couple with hearts of gold. Ms. Nguyen’s sweet smile, slightly limited English, and affectionate “See you tomorrow!” will definitely win Anthony’s heart. […]