It was a lot.

We started at what I call Vietnam 1 Saigon, and here's what we got.
≡ Click to see image ≡
That's a veggie special for me and a classic special for G. Mine was craptastic and tasted somehow Japanese and not Vietnamese. G liked his a lot and I think it was his favorite of the night.

Next we tried to go to Bahn Mi Saigon Bakery but it was closed, so we walked further down Mott to Paris Sandwich.
The only veg option was fake chicken which I refuse to eat, so I got a green tea waffle for $1 (which was awesome!) and G got this sandwich:
≡ Click to see image ≡
He liked the jalapenos and the bread but not the meat. Also there was no pate so he rated this below the first.

Next we walked over to Sau Voi, but that was closed too. Sad.

We backtracked and headed up to An Choi, but on our way I saw a place that looked like they had Banh Mi on the menu, so we went in. It was New Tu Do, and it was awesome. It's more of a sit-down place that offers soups and noodles and less of a sandwich-based joint like the others we went to.
I ordered a tofu for me and a classic for G but somehow they both came back tofu. Oh well. Here it is:
≡ Click to see image ≡
It was very fresh and had the big slabs of tofu that I like and a good flavor balance.
G didn't like it that much and said it was kind of like a sub/football watching version of a banh mi. I think he was just spoiled by the good bread that I didn't get to try at Paris Sandwich.

Last (and in my opinion least) was An Choi. The restaurant is hipper, more polished, and classier than the others we went to, but in a bad way. It is street food dressed up and reinterpreted when it doesn't need to be.
Here was the classic sandwich (sorry about the lack of lighting)
≡ Click to see image ≡
I didn't even take a pic of mine because I didn't like it at all. I got the portobello one and it was way too vinegary without being sweet or balanced. I gave the rest of it away on my way home.

It was a fun night and I have many leftovers!
In all, my favorite place (Hanco's in Carroll Gardens) still won out. Both G and I preferred their version of the classic and tofu (respectively) and I am glad I live in their delivery zone.

Go Bahn Mi!

omg. I miss Vietnamese food. Scratch that, I miss living in Hanoi. Let the moving countdown begin, only 3.5 months until I return. Come on, August! Banh Mi (spelled My in many VN places) is definitely one street food that I miss. Mmm.

Oh, hell, now I need one, and the only places I know in the DC area are out in the suburbs. Roast pork is my favorite.