Planning a trip to Chicago?
Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to.
Ba Le
Vietnamese Restaurant and Sandwich Spot$$$$
Uptown, Chicago
This Vietnamese restaurant is famous for their sandwiches. It's one of the most popular in the city!
"Can't go wrong with the Special, a traditional banh mi."(24 Tips)
"I Love the BBQ Pork sandwich only $3.95! WoW cheaper than subway lol"(11 Tips)
"... ham, headcheese and pork roll)"(3 Tips)
"Nomm the Veggie Avocado Sandwich"(3 Tips)
86 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- bánh mì sandwiches
- BBQ pork
- casual
- macaroons
- smoothies
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
I can't stop eating here! Their sandwiches are super good! Haven't had the American sandwiches yet but all the traditional Vietnamese ones have been knockouts. Best flakey bread I've had in a while.
Mike TareelapFebruary 3, 2013I love this place, all of the worlds flavors crammed into their sandwiches. Cool! I would love to see a Chicken Satay sandwich from them one day, if they do? I'll give my right nut to cancer research.
AFAR MediaAugust 4, 2014You can’t go wrong with the Bun Thit Nuong—piping-hot grilled pork, cold rice vermicelli, veggies and a housemade lemon fish sauce. Read more
Chefs FeedApril 15, 2016I crave this flavor-packed lunch: crispy French bread, perfectly seasoned pork, daiko, cilantro, carrots, and serrano chilies. Read more
- Affordable counter-service dine-in or take-out neighborhood shop; popular for bánh mì and other Vietnamese snacks and staples
- Beef Brisket Noodle Soup (Beef brisket, beef based broth, rice noodle, onion, scallion, and cilantro)
If you can't figure out which kind of smoothie you'd like, pull a wild card and spring for the fresh sugar cane juice. It's less sweet and more flavorful than you might expect.- SPECIAL (ĐẶC BIỆT) Original Saigon-style bánh mì (combination of pate, ham, headcheese and pork roll)
Henry W. NgDecember 16, 2019Get a cha chien (pork roll). You can slice it up for sandwiches, soups, salads, or pair with steamed rice dishes.
Have been coming here daily since I was, 7 or 8. Place is usually pretty busy. Anyone around Uptown knows what a gem this place is. Best Viet sandwiches ever for 2.95! Get it, get it.
Bahn Mi sandwiches, on baguettes with daikon, jalapeño and cilantro. They're all good, but especially the ones with "sautéed" in the name
Melissa AuFebruary 14, 2015$4.95 for a Vietnamese sandwich?? Yes please! They're fresh and delicious. My fav is the Chinese pork sandwich (#4 I believe).
Paul TziridesJune 10, 2012The Vegetarian/Avocado Vegetarian sandwich is AMAZING. So many unique flavors! Try it with jalapeño peppers for an extra kick, and make sure you skip the mayo.
Their sandwiches are great. I usually get a banh mi and 1 other item; it's like a mini grocery store.
Time Out ChicagoDecember 6, 2011Try the Rau câu from our 100 Best list: Stiff coconut custard flavored with grassy pandan leaf and poured into a skinned coconut shell to set.
Christine TranNovember 17, 2013This is a great place for a quick eat at an affordable price. Everything is yummy.
Sandwiches about a dollar more these days but so worth it still (BBQ pork 4.95$). Tons of new menu items in 2013.
BBQ pork and ba le special are my favs, but I've never been disappointed with any of the sandwiches. Great spring rolls too. All at a great price!
Laura PearceAugust 31, 2014BBQ pork is my go to, but all of their sandwiches are really flavorful on delicious crusty bread.
Ami MarieDecember 27, 2013Everything's great the smell draws you in the prices make it hard to choose the value you get unbelievable!
Fantastic bahn mi, be sure to get #14 with no mayo. Also, check the cooler, they have coconut water but you have to look for it. Read more
I've tried a dozen sandwiches on the menu and nothing else comes close to BBQ Pork. Load it up with all the toppings.
Autumn ChoiJune 25, 2019Not only good bahn-mi but also a selection of premade items, perfect for a quick bite.
The chicken sandwich I had was grate! Try the eggrolls too, bangin! First time here.- The owner went to my alma mater (the French pastry school) so he knows what he's doing when it comes to bread and desserts. And everything really.
Bill PeelerApril 21, 2017Amazing shopping for a wide variety of authentic Vietnamese food. You HAVE to check it all out --
I'm that n****, boy they love me in the streetsI'm not tryna find nobody else to beatI'm the one they come to see because they allBelieve me. - bahn mi from Ba Le
Nate BJanuary 20, 2010The number 9 is awesome, also try the Pork/sticky rice ball thing. Watch out for those jalapenos in the Bahn Mi though, I bit into one and it was hot, hot, hot.
good introduction to these sandwiches! I did the pork roll and it was grrreeeaatt
Spicy veggie avocado salad rolls - $5 tasty and filling!
Cynthia Lira- AyalaMarch 29, 2011Excellent mousses and smoothies and they have a bunch of different kinds! And this place has free parking!
Buy 5 get 1 free. Best banh mi sandwiches. Get the special or bbq pork or both!
Bbq pork and lemongrass pork! Yum yum! I recommend almond tea
#3 is AWESOME!!! ;-) Chicken banh mi delicious. All their sandwiches are fresh!! =)
Stephen LegaultMarch 12, 2013Feel good Uptown, your excellent, affordable lunch awaits you at Ba Le!
I'm addicted to the BBQ pork. It's the most affordable addiction I've ever had.
263 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Closed until 7:30 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 7:30 AM–9:00 PM
(773) 561-4424
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
See More
You might also like
Places people like to go after Ba Le
- 7.1
"Get the #15 Le's special pho!"
Karen - 7.8
"Very cool this stays open until 11pm and is nice alternative to grocery store plus you can get anything you might need besides food that is. I get most everything here on my way home"
Photo Larry
- 8.5
"Fresh steamed buns and pies. A wide variety and super cheap!"
Autumn Choi
Appears on 184 lists
Created by Jason James
175 items • 57 followers
Chicago's Best Asian Restaurants - 2012
Created by Best of Foursquare
10 items • 41 followersCreated by Gregory Carter
97 items • 99 followers
