Cali Baguette Express - Reviews

Cali Baguette Express is a mid-sized, unassuming, and no-nonsense shop in Mira Mesa, offering a value-oriented spot for fresh-daily Banh Mi 🥖. The foundation of their Banh Mi is strong, with sandwiches built on thinner French baguettes that boast a shiny crust and a moist, chewy crumb. The Chicken Banh Mi ($7. 95) was a highlight, with the lemongrass flavor really shining through in the chicken slices. The Tofu Banh Mi ($7. 45) is also a good value, containing a generous amount of rich, marinated tofu. However, while the bread and proteins were good, the vegetables fell short. The pickled daikon, carrots, and jalapeños lacked crispness and acidity. Without that punch of acid and spice, the sandwiches were a bit flat. For sides, the Spring Rolls with Shrimp & Pork had a soft and moist rice paper wrapper with great texture, but the pork flavor dominated the roll. If you prefer charbroiled pork in your spring rolls, you might want to skip this side. Overall, it's a decent place to pick up a quick, budget-friendly meal.

My experience at this restaurant was absolutely the best! We love getting the Cali special or the pork banh mi. Adding the meat pies and egg rolls is a must. We also can't go wrong with the iced coffee or taro milk tea. But honestly, the main reason we come is to chat with Kim.

This morning I bought 2 loaves of bread. When I ate them, the bread was really bad. I also purchased a grilled meat sandwich. The meat was very crumbly and had a sour smell.

My experience at this restaurant was marked by friendly service and outstanding bread. While some reviews have mentioned a lack of meat in their sandwiches, I did not experience this. Both my BBQ pork and baguette were served piping hot, arriving within three minutes of ordering.

My experience at this restaurant was exceptional, primarily due to the freshly baked bread, which they make daily in-house. You can truly taste the difference; it's perfectly crispy on the outside and moist and soft on the inside. I was genuinely surprised by how good Bahn Mi bread can be! The lemongrass beef was seasoned slightly better than the bbq pork, but both meats were well-seasoned, not fatty, and not burnt. The pickled and fresh veggies were all fresh and well-prepared. The portion size was just right, though I could have eaten more because it was so delicious! I'm eager to try their bbq pork with pate and fried egg next time. I would recommend this place 100%!

My hunt for good banh mi in SD is over! Their fresh baked banh mi nails the thin flaky crust and pillowy soft inside. Their fillings really take it home. 10/10 😋

My experience at this restaurant was largely positive. The customer service was good, and the food was also good, with decent prices. I appreciated the good vegetarian options. We tried the veggie loaf sandwich and the tofu sandwich, both of which were satisfying. The mung bean balls had a good amount of filling, and the banana rice side dish was a nice accompaniment. The bread was fresh and crisp. However, a significant drawback was the lack of air conditioning, which was noticeable. It also didn't seem like they offered gluten-free bread.

My experience at the restaurant was excellent, as usual. I called ahead to place my order on my way over, and my food was ready by the time I arrived. I ordered my usual: grilled chicken with added pork. I believe that two meats are better than one!

My go-to spot for Bahn Mi sandwiches, especially because they open early and I can grab some meals for a hike or road trip. The other food and snacks items are also excellent. They have Pandan cake!

My experience at Cali Baguette Express was quite disappointing. I ordered a beef sandwich with jalapenos and paid, including a digital tip. While waiting, I observed that the beef sandwich was given to the customer who ordered after me, and then another customer received three sandwiches. When I inquired about my order, the staff member provided my sandwich with an attitude. Upon checking my order in my car, I discovered that the jalapenos were missing. The apology offered also lacked sincerity. I will not be returning to Cali Baguette Express.