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Bun Mee
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Bun Mee
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Vietnamese banh mi specialist known for crisp baguettes, bright pickles, and fast counter pacing. Downtown workers lean on it for flavorful, affordable sandwiches with reliable turnaround.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Combo banh mi, Five-Spice Chicken banh mi, Hanoi-Style Crispy Catfish
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Snappy, herb-packed banh mi with balanced sauces and crunch.
Who should go: Flavor-first budget lunchers
When to visit: 11:00–11:20am for first hot bakes
What to order: Classic Combo; Five-Spice Chicken; Crispy Catfish
Insider tip: Add a fried egg to the Crispy Chicken or Catfish for extra richness.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited metered parking along Market and 2nd; best access via nearby garages on Stevenson or Mission Streets.
Dress code: Casual—office attire or streetwear both fit fine.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush; quiet and conversational outside peak hours.
Weekend wait: Closed evenings; lunch-only service.
Weekday lunch: Expect 5–10 minutes at peak, mostly grab-and-go flow.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – tofu and eggplant options available on the regular menu.
Vegan options: Yes – 1–2 plant-based banh mi and customizable sides.
Gluten-free options: Limited – rice bowls available but baguettes contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date—it's a counter-service lunch stop with limited seating and quick turnover. Better for casual coworkers or a shared bite before errands.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t needed; most guests order takeout or grab one of the small inside tables during off-peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Somewhat—kids who enjoy mild flavors or crispy chicken sandwiches will be fine, but it’s designed for adults on lunch breaks without high chairs or kids’ menus.
Best For
Better for: Fast, flavorful Vietnamese sandwiches with fresher bread and punchier pickles than most FiDi lunch counters.
Skip if: You’re seeking a sit-down experience or need gluten-free bread options.
Bun Mee
8.3
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Vietnamese sandwich shop known for creative, substantial banh mi and crisp fries right off Market. Quick counter service and steady quality make it a dependable FiDi staple.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Belly Banh Mi (Belly Bun), Sloppy Bun (Vietnamese-style), Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Inventive banh mi with bold flavors and reliable execution.
Who should go: Sandwich lovers who want Vietnamese classics
When to visit: 11:30–12:00 or after 1:15 to avoid rush
What to order: Belly Bun, Sloppy Bun, iced coffee
Insider tip: Ask for extra jalapeños and add a side of fries to share.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in FiDi; best bet is nearby paid garages on Sutter or Bush. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual – office attire and jeans are both fine.
Noise level: Moderate – lunchtime gets busy, but you can still hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Closed evenings; no dinner service.
Weekday lunch: Expect 5–15 minutes during peak lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – tofu banh mi and veggie spring rolls available.
Vegan options: Limited – can request no mayo on veggie banh mi.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free bread; salads are the safer option.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual lunch date than a romantic dinner – quick service and shared fries can be fun, but the counter-style setup isn’t intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes – counter service only, first-come seating. At peak times you may need to share a table or take food to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like sandwiches and fries; no special kids’ menu, but food is approachable. Space is tight for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Creative, hearty banh mi sandwiches with strong flavors and quick service compared to more traditional spots.
Skip if: You want a quiet sit-down meal, dinner service, or extensive gluten-free options.
Bun Mee
8.0
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Business Lunch Power Players
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Counter-service bánh mì shop known for crisp bread, bright pickles, and flavorful proteins that work for quick FiDi lunches. Lines move fast and the build leans fresh and herb-forward over heavy sauces.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pork Belly Bánh Mì, Lemongrass Chicken Bánh Mì, Salt & Pepper Tofu Bánh Mì
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: FiDi’s speedy bánh mì stop with bright flavors and quality bread.
Who should go: Office diners craving fast Vietnamese sandwiches
When to visit: 11:00–12:00 for shortest lines
What to order: Pork belly bánh mì; lemongrass chicken bánh mì; tofu bánh mì
Insider tip: Ask for extra herbs and jalapeños for a sharper, fresher bite.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in FiDi is limited and often metered; best bet is nearby garages on Bush or Pine if driving.
Dress code: Casual—office attire is common, but anything comfortable works.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch rush; quieter mid-afternoon.
Weekend wait: Closed in evenings—lunch-only spot.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes in line during peak 12:00–1:00pm; minimal wait before noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—options like tofu bánh mì and veggie spring rolls.
Vegan options: Limited—ask for tofu bánh mì without mayo or fish sauce.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free bread; most sandwiches contain wheat baguettes.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s counter-service and geared to fast lunches. Better for casual bites than romantic occasions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t taken; counter seating is grab-and-go style.
Is it kid-friendly? Kid-tolerant but not designed for families; limited seating and no kids’ menu, though sandwiches can be shared.
Best For
Better for: Faster turnaround and lighter, herb-forward bánh mì than most sandwich spots in FiDi.
Skip if: You want a sit-down Vietnamese meal with pho, rice plates, or dinner service.