Restaurants
Banh Mi Boys
Banh Mi Boys have returned from a hiatus at the corner of Queen and Spadina. It seems the Boys have retreated during their winter break for a complete reno having been closed for several months. Ditching the cheap and cheerful, they've arrived with a new sleek look and expanded menu. But for all that cackle and spackle, do the sandwiches offer more than the joints up Spadina?
In the vein of Salad King, Banh Mi Boys have added a glossy interior that masks any trace of their former self. Ample tables and counter seating are a welcomed addition - no longer just a grab-and-go place.
The menu is extensive for Banh Mi sandwiches ranging from duck confit ($7.49) and squid (5.99) to a more apt beef cheek (5.99) and pork belly (5.99). Modern additions that elevate this type of Vietnamese street food. A little late to the party, tacos (3.99), were added by customers requests. Steamed Bao fried chicken (3.49) definitely leapt off their flat screen menu - what did not was the Kimchi Fries that looked nothing more like luke warm kimchi smothering soggy fries.
We ordered: Pork Belly and Beef Cheek Banh Mi with a side of Jicama Papaya Salad (2.99) and the Steam Bao Fried Chicken. Within minutes, the place was slammed with a line up nearing the door - even still, our order was up in under fifteen.
The Banh Mi is good, not stellar, but maybe I've been spoiled by Matty Matheson's version. Way too many carrots and not nearly enough cilantro or scallions, the sandwich became more of a slaw towards last bite. Still, the price is on point and the ingredients are top notch - especially the baguette. The five spice pork belly was the favourite of the two.
Fried Chicken Steam Bao is a concept done right! The meat, moist and tender, is covered by a spiced panko crust with a dollop of spicy mayo. Oddly, it reminded me of a country fried steak on a biscuit. The Papaya Salad brightened the rest of the meal and was a good note to end on.
Last Fall, Bahn Mi Boys were the new kids on the block but much has changed in their absence. Just a stones throw, Come And Get It has become the go-to-go sandwich place of late catering to the biz lunch rush; albeit different menus but similar concepts, so let the boys duke it out and may the best sandwich win.
Photos by Peter Henderson
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This place. Is not good. At best, it’s average. Nothing really setting it apart from what you can get up the street besides a hipster name and t-shirts.
The whole phenomena of street food, food trucks and food stalls has opened up the door for every wannabe with a half-cooked idea and a somewhat clever name to buy in. People chomping at the bit for this allows a sub-standard product to pass as something great.
Having visited here, I can say on every tier this business fails. Product is standard, buns are standard, toppings(where you can really get creative and interesting and set yoursef apart)are nothing other than mandolined daikon, carrots and if they have them cucumbers. They didnt when I was there but they had a plethora of half-assed excuses as to why not. Sauces? Straight bottled stuff. Service was messy , unorganized, unfriendly and stale. A business like this needs personality and exuberance and the front and a quality driven product as the anchor. Bahn Mi Boys has neither. They have cool t-shirts though! Guess that’s all you need these days. Smoke. Mirrors.
I’m reminded of the dreadful Agave Y Aguacate. Another street food spot propped up by the public for some reason beyond my grasp. Same disorganized service, mediocre product and hype. Businesses need to be ready and prepared. Trialed and tested and not some fly-by-the-seat attitude or calls for forgiveness based on being new or busy. Maybe a valid excuse if the product was free but it’s not.
Fail.
This just opened up so let them get their bearings straight. I hear McDonald's has some amazing toppings and are quick as lightning. Or give it another try in a month. Everyone, even businesses, deserve a second chance.
I'm just glad I can get a banh mi without having to walk up to Chinatown. Yesss!
It's your given right to support and like mediocre product. However, I don't subscribe to that notion, thank-you. Using McDonalds to justify bad and slow service of a sub-standard product is lame. Sorry, it's a business not a hobby. Run it right and offer me something unique with maybe a smile? Too much to ask for? Not for you, apparantly. Good luck with that.
I won't be back, ever.
What would you suggest in terms of improvements? To what standard are you comparing? There are a lot of fantastic little dives in that area, but none of them are really spectacular in terms of fine dining or haute cuisine. Nor should they be. People in that immediate area are looking for something to hit the spot, not a Michelin Star experience.
i've never been to banh mi boys, but i look forward to trying out one of their sandwiches.
btw, macdonald's makes millions of dollars a day, just saying..
If you dislike Banh Mi Boys, you dislike food and dining, in general. Or you dislike Banh Mis. Or you just have zero credibility. Banh Mi Boys is an A+. Let the line-up of people out the door tell you what's good. Not this tasteless hack.
As for the review, your description of the kimchi fries, is a bit misleading considering you didn't actually try it. I too was a bit skeptical but having had taken a bite out of my friend's, I will definitely be ordering it too next time.
I haven't been back since the reno because, as I stated earlier, I won't be back. No need to for me. City is full of options. Also, I don't need flashy decor or branding to win me over either. Maybe others do? What it boils down to is that it doesn't really matter what I think does it? There are already lineups out the door! Kudos to them for casting their net and landing a haul. Truly. Some people think Korean tacos and steamed buns are a revelation. Revel away! Maybe its not really about my tastes? Maybe others just haven't shared the same food experiences as I? The end of the day...who fucking cares? Bon Appetit!
I haven't been back since the reno because, as I stated earlier, I won't be back. No need to for me. City is full of options. Also, I don't need flashy decor or branding to win me over either. Maybe others do? What it boils down to is that it doesn't really matter what I think does it? There are already lineups out the door! Kudos to them for casting their net and landing a haul. Truly. Some people think Korean tacos and steamed buns are a revelation. Revel away! Maybe its not really about my tastes? Maybe others just haven't shared the same food experiences as I? The end of the day...who fucking cares? Bon Appetit!
The ordering system is much improved since the pre-reno launch, which was shambolic. Food is still pretty great for the prices charged.
My only hope is that they try and work on speed a bit more -- the lines get long awfully quick, and that will cost them customers.
I was kinda excited to try this place but the prices are not justified.
I won't pay for the hype
its all burger joints in the area
i have never been to another restaurant that was so very delicious and tasty. the service is excellent, and staff very very friendly.
i am Vietnamese, and i can tell you that this is very authentic. just like back home.
please visit at 392 Queen St. West.
Owner is very nice. The place is clean and flavours are authentic.
You can't get cheaper price any where in Toronto. Please support them. You will feel very glad!
Why spend money at Mcdonalds when you can get better food here? Place is very clean and run like professionals. Every day I come.
Support them please!
Finally, banh mi for white folk!
...
But really so many shills. Its pretty obvious Bao Bao (5:06), Mr Tien (5:33) and Jen (5:36) are the same astroturfer. If this is what you need to do to drum up business, chances are your product sucks.
Besides being a tremendous useless waste to the environment, these guys don't know the first fucking thing about customer service. What sort of restaurant won't give a cup of water to customers who don't want to order a drink? Assholes. I'm not here to drive up your bottom line. If you're making money on your overpriced food (one would assume) you can handle the odd customer asking for a cup of water. I told them to forget it and walked out.
Come and Get It right around the corner is incredible (and like every other restaurant in the world, will give you a cup of water upon request). Banh Mi Boys need to get their head out of their ass.
however, the steamed buns and tacos are amazing and cheaper.
however, I repeat the baos are decent and I can't really think of many other places in Toronto that do them like this.
too bad they just copied Baohaus, Eddie Huangs place in NYC.
to be honest, it seems like they are just going through the motions of trying to make great "street food" without really having the passion. the whole thing is just hopping on established trends in cities with deeper food culture.
DT
Been there enough to know that Kalbi Beef Taco, Bao or Bahn Mi are all AMAZING. Service is always polite, cheerful and quick even when it's busy, its not that long of a wait for your food. I always get Kimichi fries with my girlfriend with extra pork and they never disappoint!
We always get our food with medium or medium hot extra spice for everything. AND, everything goes down nice with a legit can of Cherry Coca Cola for a good price as well!
The only con of this place is the size because it really can get crowded to the point where vultures of people wait till you leave one of the 5 small tables inside if you wish to eat there. Otherwise, better off buying your food for take out and then going to McDonalds right beside it to buy a drink if you wish, and eat your food there!
Although the price does not factor into how good it taste, it is a big factor for many in terms of having a bang for your buck and I did not get my bang for my buck that I paid.
The service is mediocre, its not the greatest but its not the worst. You can't really expect too much.
"Banh Mi for white folks" pretty much sums it up.