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JoJu
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
JoJu
8.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
JoJu’s Midtown outpost brings the Elmhurst-born banh mi shop to 5th Avenue with modern Vietnamese sandwiches, rice bowls, and loaded fries built for office-hour lunches. Fans praise the crackly bread, deeply marinated proteins, and efficient counter system that keeps lines moving even at peak weekday rush.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Sweet (JoJu) Banh Mi, Caramel Pork Bowl, JoJu Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Modern Vietnamese banh mi and bowls with serious flavor and speed.
Who should go: Office workers craving upgraded banh mi and loaded fries.
When to visit: Weekday lunch rush for peak energy and fresh bread.
What to order: The Sweet (JoJu) Banh Mi, Caramel Pork Bowl, JoJu Fries.
Insider tip: Order ahead online to skip the kiosk line during peak lunch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on 5th Avenue and typically competitive during office hours; opt for nearby paid garages on 43rd–46th Streets if driving.
Dress code: Casual — office attire, jeans, and athleisure are all common for quick counter-service meals.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush with steady counter traffic; easy to hold a short conversation but not ideal for long chats.
Weekend wait: Minimal wait or none, as this location is primarily a weekday lunch destination.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes for ordering; food comes out quickly even during peak rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — tofu and vegetable-based banh mi and bowl options are available.
Vegan options: Limited — customizable bowls can be made vegan, but some sauces contain dairy or fish elements, so check ingredients.
Gluten-free options: Partially — rice bowls work for gluten-avoiding diners, but banh mi bread and some sauces contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a traditional first date — it’s fast-casual, counter-focused, and optimized for quick meals. Better suited for a casual meetup or shared lunch break.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served, but turnover is fast. Expect to hover briefly during peak weekday lunch hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids who enjoy sandwiches and rice bowls; no special amenities like high chairs or stroller space, so it’s less ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Fast, flavorful banh mi and bowls delivered with speed and consistency at a price point well below most Midtown lunch options.
Skip if: You want a sit-down Vietnamese meal with pho, cocktails, or extended seating — this is a quick-stop, counter-service experience.
JoJu
8.0
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
This Midtown outpost of JoJu brings Queens-born modern Vietnamese banh mi to a Fifth Avenue side street behind Barnes & Noble. Office workers line up for crusty baguettes stuffed with bulgogi, seitan or classic cold cuts plus loaded JoJu fries that turn lunch into more of an event.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Sweet (JoJu) Banh Mi, Beef Bulgogi Banh Mi, JoJu Fries
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Queens-born shop focused on modern, flavor-packed Vietnamese banh mi and fries.
Who should go: Banh mi fans craving bold flavors near Grand Central.
When to visit: Early or late lunch to dodge the peak office rush.
What to order: The Sweet (JoJu) Banh Mi, Beef Bulgogi Banh Mi, JoJu Fries.
Insider tip: Order ahead online; they’ll call your name at the pickup window.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Fifth Avenue side streets is limited during business hours; best bet is nearby paid garages on E 46th–E 47th Streets.
Dress code: Completely casual — office attire, jeans, and gym clothes all fit in.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch rush with order-calling; otherwise easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Typically no wait; many nearby offices are closed.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes depending on peak commuter and office traffic.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — seitan and tofu-based banh mi options plus customizable toppings.
Vegan options: Limited but workable — seitan banh mi without mayo is the main option.
Gluten-free options: Minimal — traditional baguettes contain gluten and no gluten-free bread is offered.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something extremely casual — it’s more grab-and-go counter service than sit-down ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations; seating is limited but turnover is fast, especially outside the noon rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy bold flavors; no special children’s menu, and the tight space may be challenging for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Creative, generously stuffed Vietnamese-style sandwiches and loaded fries delivered quickly at a low price point.
Skip if: You need gluten-free bread, a spacious dining room, or a leisurely sit-down meal.
JoJu
8.2
JoJu’s Midtown outpost specializes in modern Vietnamese banh mi, loaded fries and rice bowls that stay comfortably under typical Midtown lunch prices. Lunchtime hours and counter service skew this toward office workers grabbing customizable sandwiches and snacks to go.
Must-Try Dishes:
Caramel pork banh mi, JoJu fries with egg and spicy mayo, Lemongrass chicken rice bowl
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Banh mi built with modern toppings, big flavors and Midtown-friendly pricing.
Who should go: Office workers craving a punchy, under-$15 Vietnamese lunch.
When to visit: Arrive before 12:30pm to dodge the peak lunch rush.
What to order: Caramel pork banh mi, JoJu fries with egg, lemongrass chicken bowl.
Insider tip: Combine a sandwich and shared fries—portions are generous enough to split.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce on Fifth Avenue; rely on nearby garages along 40th–42nd Streets if needed.
Dress code: Casual—office attire, athleisure and grab-and-go wear all fit the norm.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch but still workable for brief conversations.
Weekend wait: Not applicable—location operates primarily daytime with no typical dinner rush.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes during peak, often no wait before 12:30pm or after 1:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian banh mi, tofu options and customizable bowls.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—request tofu and omit mayo-based sauces.
Gluten-free options: Partial—rice bowls are a safe choice, but banh mi baguettes are not gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for a quick, low-key lunch; the counter setup and fast-casual pace aren’t ideal for a lingering date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t used. Seating is limited, so plan for takeout if arriving at peak lunch hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for older kids who can handle bold flavors; no dedicated kids’ menu or space, and seating is minimal.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable Vietnamese sandwiches with customizable toppings at Midtown speed.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal, a quiet environment, or extensive vegan/gluten-free options.