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Le's Sandwiches & Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Vietnamese Restaurants Sandwiches Vietnamese, Sandwiches [Edit]
4520 North Tryon StCharlotte, NC 28213
(704) 921-7498
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Fri 9 am - 6 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am - 6:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Brigs offers a huge variety of Breakfast items, hot sandwich platters, and really cool salads. In addition to the $5.99 Weekday Breakfast Specials… read more »
46 reviews for Le's Sandwiches & Cafe
Review Highlights
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"Tonight I had the grilled pork banh mi." In 9 reviews -
"It was my first taste of daikon and pickled veggies." In 3 reviews -
"The baguette bread was lightly toasted and pleasantly..." In 7 reviews
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46 reviews in English
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Review from Bruce K.
4/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
If I have to get a Banh Mi sandwich in Charlotte, this is the spot. This place neatly tucked in Asian Corner provides cheap and delicious sandwiches. I usually order the original number one, which is Le's Combination, but this is because I remember growing up and eating these. You can order the longer type of bread (baguette) and savor more of your sandwich. It's not that much, usually just $.50 more depending on the sandwich.
Yes this place is awesome, but the tricky part is getting through that parking lot! Now we all know, and if you didn't know, that Asian Corner has some of the biggest pot holes in Charlotte. (I heard they were going to fix it a few months ago, but well it's still the same) Its called Asian Corner because in my opinion you have to corner your car around pot holes to get there. But once you're parked and secure, the fun begins!
I have to warn: ***Le's Only Accepts CASH*** So, bring out those dollar bills and put away those plastic cards. After you get your sandwich and take your first bite, you will understand why dodging all those pot holes was worth it. Come here and give yourself a pat on the back from parking and take a bite out of amazingness. -
Review from Will H.
4/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wanna feel like you're taping your own episode of Anthony Bourdain's 'No Reservations' in Charlotte? Let's rundown your checklist as we head over to Le's:
1. You, the pious foodie, makes a pilgrimage to a part of town not showcased in the city's tourism materials, where you will be greatly outnumbered by people you never knew inhabited said city speaking a language that you cannot begin to decipher. CHECK.
2. In search of ethnic cuisine that is either hard to find or lacks authenticity at the more "main stream" food establishments. CHECK.
3. In a place that, upon first encounter, has you thinking, "There's no way this can be sanitary!" CHECK.
4. And, after throwing all caution aside, you dig in and find mastery in the most unlikeliest of places. Nirvana ensues. CHECK CHECK.
That is a trip to Le's and if the above appeals to you at all (along with the Viet-French fusion that is the banh mi sandwich) this is a must for Charlotte adventurers. No big menus, no table-side service, no inkling this place even exists until you walk thru the rundown bomb-shelter of a mall and stumble upon this bustling corner shop. Blind trust is finally rewarded.
Le's does one thing only and one thing well: the banh mi sandwich. The freshest of French baguette- crisp on the outside, creamy smooth inside- kept warm till serving time. The heat of fresh jalapeno and the fresh earthiness of cilantro. Pickled vegetables layered in between. Sounding good? At less than $4.00 a piece, you'll likely find yourself wanting more than one, but bring your Benjamin's, no plastic accepted here.
As Anthony quips, "What can I say, I happen to be an aficionado of the dive bar." Le's fits that bill and is proof that just because it's a dive does not mean it can't also be a little piece of heaven. -
Review from Margaret F.
Pineville, NC
4/12/2012
To be completely honest, the only place I've had bahn mi is from Le's, but it's so flinging flanging good that I don't think I'd ever want to order it anywhere else. I'd be afraid of wasting my money on something that can't compare to Le's.
Food:
I make a trip there about once a week on my lunch break from work. I am working my way through the menu and so far I think the #5 is my favorite - grilled cured pork. There are some that I don't care for as much, but that's just because of my personal taste preferences. The quality is always 100%. The bread alone puts most places in Charlotte to shame. Crisp, tangy veggies, jalapenos and just the lightest touch of mayo gives every bite of your sandwich a great multilayer flavor.
Service:
Mr. Le recognizes me when I walk in and is always so friendly and attentive. "To go, right? Spicy, right? Thanks for coming, see you soon!"
Location:
You won't find me complaining about the location. Not everything in Charlotte looks like Ballantyne but I think some people just don't like to travel outside of their protective bubble. Here is my strategy for the parking lot: Enter from N. Tryon at the entrance with the road that goes closest to the strip mall, drive down the road closest to the strip mall and park near the 2nd entrance. When leaving, go to the back of the parking lot, take a left and you will be lead to an exit with a stop light.
PS - Just in case you missed it in the other reviews...cash only! Dig through your couch cushions and come up with $3.50 for an awesome sandwich. -
Review from Audrey W.
Charlotte, NC
4/11/2012
Upon Nicole's recommendation for the best Bahn Mi's in Charlotte, I located Le's and made the trek over to this semi-abandoned strip mall.
After ordering the #6 pork, I realized neither I nor my bf had a dime on us (only accept cash). The owner was very understanding and held our order while we took to the streets for an ATM.
Not only were their sandwiches, coffee, and owner amazing but they had a very intriguing selection of pre-packaged goods on the counter that were very interesting to look at.
Love having some eye-candy while I'm munching!Listed in: Get Some!
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Review from Danielle G.
Charlotte, NC
2/25/2012
There is a reason why this place is so popular. Le's is cornering the Charlotte market on one of the most popular sandwiches ever made: the Banh Mi.
Not only is it complex, has an interesting history and is overall delicious, but it also has an underground cult following. From "Battle of the Banh Mi", celebrity chefs devoting entire episodes of their shows to the banh mi, and numerous shops in any China Town producing only banh mi, this is one of the most complex and versatile sandwiches there is... also one of the most delicious.
Whenever I went to Boston, I would always go to one shop in China Town and stock up about 7 banh mi to take home with me (not including the one I ate there). It didn't have any sign out front, and was about as big inside as a large walk-in closet. I had been to multiple Vietnamese restaurants in the Charlotte area in hopes of finding Banh Mi or asking if they knew of a place that made them, and all I would receive is a sad shake of the head.
Then... there was Le's. I saw it on the top restaurants in Charlotte, checked it out.... and went that day. I got three. They are delicious, the people who own the shop are great, and the sandwiches are cheap as usual. They also make delicious bubble tea (my favorite) and have some bulk items you can purchase. I just wish I lived closer so I could satisfy my cravings regularly. This is a sandwich worthy of obsession, and I've compiled a neat little history lesson, ingredients, and link to best illustrate why:
Bánh mì [bn mi / mî] (noun):
Arguably the best sandwich in the world, banh mi literally means bread in Vietnamese. The baguette, more specifically, was introduced to Vietnam by the French during their colonial occupation. The Vietnamese created a delicious fusion of the bread with their local flavors, much to the delight of all.
You typical banh mi includes:
Seasoned grilled pork belly, a vinegar-based slaw made with julienned carrot, daikon, cucumber, cilantro, and an amazing sauce comprised of an amalgam of mayo, fish sauces, and spices. Other main proteins are available, such as beef, chicken, and meatball.
More complex banh mi includes the above as well as jalapenos, a special ham made with pigs ear for crunch, cha lua (steamed pork roll seasoned with fish sauce), nem nuong (minced bbq pork with sweet glaze), pickled carrots and daikon, and pork liver pate.
A pictorial to a better understanding of the banh mi:
http://www.nytimes.com... -
Review from Chad E.
1/11/2012 ROTD 4/4/2012
Le's rocks. Unfortunately, those rocks end up in the parking lot of the mall. If I were to put much thought into it, calling this abomination a mall is a real stretch of the imagination, because the only thing that makes it a mall is that there is one big building with some smaller shops inside.
But it is definitely worth braving that parking lot, because the place is worth the trip. The proprietor of Le's actually started the perhaps even sketchier Thanh Huong on Central many years ago, but decided to move on, and now has this sandwich shop, focusing on what he loves: The banh mi. Several places in Charlotte supposedly offer the simple sandwich, but when you go to order it, they are often out.
They say it is because of the bread. Interestingly, you can actually buy the bread here at Le's for a paltry $0.60 a loaf. Regardless, do yourself a favor and order a couple extra. One for the ride home, one for after you get home, whatever. That way you do not have to take a few hundred miles off the undercarriage of your car by braving the parking lot when you crave another of those awesome sandwiches.
And make sure you get one of the pressed sugar cane drinks too. It complements the heat of the sandwich nicely, is something you cannot find anywhere else that I know about and is not nearly as sweet as you would think pressed sugar cane to taste.Listed in: The DL on the QC, Tryon Street Eats, 2012-01, Holding Out for a Hero, ROTD, Baby!
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Review from Rod O.
Charlotte, NC
1/10/2012 3 photos
Yes! Banh Mi YES! YEST! FANTASTIC and this is my fourth meal today in 6 hours, so I'm not even a little hungry!
Mr. Le asked me if I had ever been here and when I said no, he said get the #6. He was correct. An EXCELLENT choice! This one is similar to a Banh Mi I have eaten in Union County. The #6 is a Grilled Pork with lots of Cilantro, carrots, cucumbers, hot peppers, pickled Daikon on a fantastic Roll (I not not know how to spell Baguette). As I requested: NO Butter! NO Mayo!
Totally Affordable! Most of the Sandwiches are under $4.00 and they are plenty big unless you are a Wild Boar in Training like me. I'm thinking about getting Mr. Le to make a Special Sandwich for me and I'll pay him more than he asks! I know I'm crazy.
I'm the only non-Asian person eating or even ordering here, so that is cool! Some of the patrons asked me how I like it and told me to come back and get a different one each time! I saw some more choices I bet I would love!
First Note: CASH ONLY! So remember bring folding $ No Plastic, No Checks, No Monopoly $!
No te: Hopefully you will not need a rest room - Le's does not have one and that is all you should know. If you have to go I suggest you plan ahead and go right before you arrive. READ C A R E F U L L Y You do not want to visit the Mall rest rooms... It is probably not safe in any meaning of the word and in no way can I use the word clean because it does not apply!
Last NOte: Today was my first visit to Mr. Le's, though it was my second visit to this Mall - It has been three or four years since I have been here and it was not in good shape then - It has gone from sketchy to approaching scary. Le's is nice and clean, the Mall he is located in is the opposite! I recommend as always: beware of your surroundings, travel in a group, act confident (even if you are not) and if you are trained and certified this would be a time not to leave home without "it" (I'm not talkin' AMEX) Le's is Cash only. I'm not talking about Cousin It either, though Cousin It may be some help here!Listed in: Recon, Here's the Owner, Name It, Smoothe Operations, Faster than a Speeding Ticket
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Review from Shauna H.
1/23/2012
I decided to check this place out Saturday afternoon and we liked it so much we went back Sunday!
First, cheap yep $3.50 per person. Don't be fooled by the price this isn't a child-sized portion either.
We were able to eat there but the seating is quite limited. That being said, that particular restaurant is clean and tidy (though not much to look at), but the surrounding mall is somewhat abandoned/dirty.
Service is super-fast ...as in 2 minutes later you will have you sandwich in hand. We couldn't bring ourselves to venture past the #6 as it was perfect. I will say it tasted better when we ate it there as the bread hardens slightly on the take-out drive home.
We had some beverage options aloe juice ( a personal favorite of mine-so refreshing), white-gourd juice (tasted like amaretto but neither of us enjoyed it), and a strawberry sunrise bubble-tea ( I hate nesquik, and the flavor was very similar...wasn't a fan).
We also had the sunflour cookies, which were visually appealing but skip-worthy.
I will stick to the banh-mi sandwiches and aloe juice and be on my merry way! -
Review from Bill A.
Charlotte, NC
4/11/2012
Felt like a Tarantino movie....
Been reading about Le's for some time and craving the amazing combination of crispy / crunchy / sweet / sour / hot and unctuousness that is Banh Mi. I heard Mr. Le had the best in town.
Pulled into the broken down parking lot, and headed toward the entrance, half way to the door, turned around to make sure the car was locked.... I enter at the wrong side so walk through a large empty echo-y building, no sign for the place, no people, no business. I turn to the right and continue walking... past the shuttered stores with old orthopedic barcaloungers and dated travel posters, past the two Asian gentlemen smoking cigarettes in a dimly lit doorway. I hear my own footsteps and fully expect to be relieved of the twenty I just got from the ATM. In the distance I see "Le's Sandwiches", it seems darker than it should, but pick up the pace because I have found the place. I get to the door, it says "Closed Wednesday" I am crushed...
Back the next day, I am rewarded, it IS the best Banh Mi in town. I get a #6, and a water. sit at one of the few tables, eventually look up and there is a table of four smiling at me. They tell me they drive 45 min from SC once a week to partake in Mr. Le's Sandwiches. #6 is so good I want more, it's so cheap I can afford more, and small enough that I can eat more, so get a #8. I talk to Mr. Le about his bread and the finer points of rice flour vs. high gluten, then I notice he walks across the hall to the Chinese place and has his lunch delivered.
I may try that next time... -
Review from Robert S.
Charlotte, NC
Everyone says order the number 6 and they're right. $3.50 gets you an amazing sandwich in an interesting location and I'm sure a few stories to tell.
Be careful because the other review are correct in saying this sandwich can be spicy. We've eaten here twice, the most recent we had a much better experience with more care taken to deseed the peppers. However the first time we at there both of us were pretty uncomfortable for about a half hour after eating with our mouths on fire.
A must go experience, don't let the outward appearance of the mall foul you. -
Review from Michelle K.
Charlotte, NC
3/27/2012
Heaven on earth! Sandwiches are the best banh mi in town!
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Review from Tramela M.
Charlotte, NC
1/17/2012
Well, this is my first time trying a Banh Mi sandwich, let alone vietnamese food. I really enjoyed it!!! It is different then the usual subs that you can get at those chain stores around town. Now the area/ shopping center that Le's Sandwich Cafe is a little sketchy and I never thought about going there before hearing about this place. So I put my big girl panties on and trekked to Le's Cafe to be a little adventurous with my husband.
We walk in around lunch and ordered the #6 grilled pork that everyone on Yelp recommends. They also have bubble tea, which I loovvee, so I ordered a Taro bubble tea with tapioca pearls to go as well. My husband being the overly cautious foodie that he is was not feeling the vibe of the location or scenery and did not ordered anything, even though the Sanity rating was in the high 90's. (He later regretted it after I let him have a very tin bite).
So overall the Taro Bubble Tea was everything that I expected to be and the Banh Mi sandwich was delicious. The ingredients were fresh and prepared well, but I did not get any spicy notes. However I do regret not getting two. It was fresh and light and just what I needed for lunch.
Highly recommend, but I give them 4/5 stars because it did not knocked my socks off. -
Review from Danielle P.
Charlotte, NC
11/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
If Disney World is the happiest place on earth than Asian Corners Shopping Plaza is hard in the running for the sketchiest place on earth. That being said, it is worth the trip to get one of Le's delicious bahn mi.
I went with the, seemingly bordering on iconic, #6 and for a mere $3.79 in coin of the realm I was given an unassuming white bag and sent on my merry way. Only when i got back to my office and dug in did i discover the perfectly crispy bread, sweet (but not too sweet) pork, crunchy veggies and fragrant cilantro. I really planned to save half for lunch tomorrow, I swear - plans change.
The food is absolutely 5 stars, and if you can get someone to go and pick it up for you you will have one of the most perfect lunches there is, but I have to take one star for location. I mean really, it is a s*%t hole. (And yes I'm sure that's why they are able to stay so cheap, but thems the breaks.)Listed in: I have $5 cash; let's have…
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Review from Claudine S.
Charlotte, NC
12/25/2011
We've thus far had many a take-out experience here and never once has it fallen short of incredible!
Everything is so incredibly fresh, seasoned and delicious!
This is a must go to place for an incredible sandwich that is diff from the norm!
YUM -
Review from Nicole W.
8/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm so glad I finally went to Le's Sandwich Shop. While it's definitely not in the nicest area of town and the area looks pretty sketch-tastic, the sandwiches are absolutely worth the trip.
I don't want to completely echo what all the other reviewers are saying but here's the low down:
-Incredibly friendly owner
-The sandwiches are $3 each and are damn delicious.
-The baguettes are super fresh provide the perfect amount of toasty crisp
-The #6 is delightful. Grilled pork, pickled veg, spicy jalapeno, bunches of cilantro, special sauce. Get one. Get two. Get three to go.
It is the best bahn mi sammie I've had in a very long time. Even though Le's isn't much to look at, the sandwiches are unearthly good. If this place was closer to home, I'd probably set up a cot and live there.Listed in: Super Subs & Sandwiches, Feeling Exotic?, Eating on The Cheap
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Review from Marika K.
Berkeley, SC
3/10/2012
Awesome. Drove up to the shopping mall and had a moment where we thought "maybe not" but are so happy we persevered. Puts all other Banh Mi I have had to shame. Loved it. So fresh and full of flavor. Baguettes were stellar.
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Review from Sam J.
10/10/2011
ADVENTURE EATING, CHARLOTTE STYLE....
Bahn Mi, Oh My.
Pros: I ordered the #6, which seems to be the initial "go to" recommendation. France's contribution, during their occupation of Vietnam, means the sandwich bread is an extremely fresh and crusty baguette. Mais oui! The grilled pork, pickled daikon, and carrots were tasty. I didn't care too much for the cilantro. It looks like the stuff they used to garnish plates with back in the 70's. The foot long sandwich costs a whopping total of $3.79, which is a bodacious amount of food for the money. Blows Subway's "Five dollar foot long deal" out of the water.
Pros: The wait to place my order was brief, and the sandwich was prepared as fast as a Texas rodeo contestant can hogtie a calf. They feature Bubble Tea, otherwise known as the Vietnamese fire extinguisher! I like the crunchy "sunflower" cookies in front of the cash register - they're purty and fun to eat. ;0)
Cons: The only problem that I had with the sandwich, is that it was almost nuclear HOT at first. Yowsa! I exxxhaled after taking my first bite, and the potted plant on my desk died! I removed the offending peppers and managed to eat the whole thing. I didn't like that plant anyway.....
Cons: Everyone has already alluded to the fact that the restaurant is located inside a really rough, downtown Mogadishu Somalia, looking mall. The parking lot "road," and I use that word lightly, connecting Sugar Creek to North Tryon is all but undriveable because of the large potholes. They don't need speed bumps, because the entire road "IS" a speed bump. I go cross country, across the parking lot heading towards the front entrance, and I avoid the "road" whenever possible.
CASH only peeps!
Summary: This place has really delicious sandwiches at a very cheap price. Don't wimp out. Pack your mace. Put your head down. Grit your teeth. Try the BAHN MI!
LE'S SANDWICH SHOP
Location: 4520-41 N TRYON ST CHARLOTTE, NC 28213
Facility Type: Restaurant
Inspection Date: 04/20/2012
Activity Type: Inspection
Score: 94 AListed in: My Favorite Restaurants, Unique Nosh
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Review from Ha N.
Chapel Hill, NC
1/22/2012
This place has never made a sandwich that I don't like. The sandwich I usually get is the Banh Mi Thit Nguoi...and occasionally the Banh Mi Nem Nuong. The sandwiches here are always so satisfying. You can feed a person for around $3.50....which is a great deal. I've found that the pickles are really important when eating a Vietnamese sandwich, and this place has really good pickled carrot and daikon. Furthermore, the meat is always tasty and lean. My family has gotten the sandwich from the nearby Vien Dong supermarket before and the meat in there was so fatty....there was barely any real meat! But this sandwich is lean, refreshing, tasty, and you would almost always want more. My family and I travel a lot, and we always go to Charlotte to buy some sandwiches before our road trips, so I've pretty much had sandwiches from all the sandwich shops that are worth mentioning. This is, by far, the best.
Another thing that they have that I absolutely love is the Cane Juice drink. It's a childhood favorite of mine from living in Vietnam, and there have been attempts in the area to make fresh cane juice, but this place has the best. I love getting those in the summer time when I drop by to get a sandwich. If you've never had it, I think it's worth trying. It's pressed cane juice with a squeeze of either lime or this small little green citrus fruit that I think is called Kalamansi (?). -
Review from S. A.
Charlotte, NC
11/30/2011 2 photos
After seeing so many wonderful reviews, I couldn't wait to try the #6. *snicker*
Well folks, my daughter and I rushed out to Le's last evening, after a late library run.
The proprietors are indeed very nice people. It's possible I look like someone familiar with the language as the mom began talking to me in her dialect. She also let me taste the carrot-daikon mix when I inquired about the pickled veggies.
Thank you mom. It was my first taste of daikon and pickled veggies. Yum!
The Mr. explained that we could have our sandwich dressed there or we could have all the fixings and take it all home to assemble. He said if we took it home to make it, be sure to lightly toast the bread. Good info.
The #6 was everything everyone said it was. The only thing that could have made it better would have been cold drink to wash it down with, which we forgot to purchase in our excitement.
My daughter got the #2 (grilled chicken bahn mi) and she loved it.
We also got a cool snack called the Sunflower Cookie. $1.75 for three (or was it four?) flower shaped confections that I couldn't get enough of. Each cookie (the taste reminded me of a cross between a fortune cookie and the fried crunchy strips you get with Chinese take out but airier and not at all greasy) is 3-4 inches across.
Big but they're so light, you can eat several and still want more. Or maybe I'm just piggish with these things. They were just so unexpectedly good. Just the right hint of sweetness.
I have a feeling our Friday Harris Teeter sub run has now become the Friday Le's bahn mi run.
So since yesterday was Tuesday and Friday has yet to arrive, this will be a double bahn mi week for us.
I guess it would be fair to let the hubby in on our latest find. -
Review from Misha T.
2/19/2012
Best Banh Mi in town so far. I really wish they had some other deli stuff like banh cuon or sticky rice. Still, I can't really complain about that because they're a sandwich shop that makes excellent sandwiches.
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Review from Tonya P.
Charlotte, NC
7/16/2011 3 photos
Every time I drive around Sugar Creek and Tryon, I think it is time to try Le's Sandwiches and I never stop. Today I was craving Middle Eastern food, as much as I wanted tabouli, I decided today was the day for bahn mi from Le's. Yes, today is the day!
It is everything a foodie, eatee, adventure eater, tourist, you name it, it fills the void. Off the beaten path- check, inexpensive -check, fresh ingredients
-check, friendly service- check, in a shopping center that feels like it's abandoned - check. A little sketchy, where you see all walks of life- check.
A funnel cake vendor in the parking lot-check. A group of car detailers in the parking lot- check. A huge Asian market to stock the pantry -items that are a million dollars at Harris Teeter- check.
Props to a simple menu, fresh ingedients, made with love and reasonably priced. Le is the man. -
Review from Graig M.
Chapel Hill, NC
2/14/2012
Try the meatball banh mi. It was surprisingly good with nice spice.
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Review from Kia T.
Charlotte, NC
3/21/2012
Le's Banh Mi is freakin' delicious. Run, don't walk. The End.
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Review from Jimmy D.
6/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I'll admit I'm a bit scared walking into this strip mall that looks sketchy on the outside and a ghost town on the inside. But I'll brave the dangers to get to this delicious banh mi shop!
Yummy crispy baguettes slathered with some sort of butter inside with your choice of meats then topped off with a fragrant corsage of cilantro and crunchy pickled veggies. You definitely get a nice mix of textures in every bite.
Skip going to subway the next time you're in this section of town and go for a banh mi instead for a delicious experience! It's cheaper too! -
Review from chrystal t.
Charlotte, NC
10/6/2011
I found out about Le's yesterday and went for lunch today. I got the #6 pork sandwich that got all the raves. I was going to get a variety of sandwiches to taste, but it's pretty much 1 chicken sandwich, 1 meatball sandwich (pork meatball?) and 5 or 6 different pork sandwiches.
The sandwich was really good. The pork had a great tasting marinade. The bread and the veggies were fresh. Service was super friendly.
There's all sorts of candies and puddings? Not quite sure what it was but plenty for adventurous eaters to try. You don't have to be too adventurous an eater for the sandwiches though. They also have bubble tea.
The only negative is location, which isn't that big of a deal. I felt a little uncomfortable the first time I went to that strip mall, but I got over it quickly. -
Review from Tee M.
Charlotte, NC
9/17/2011
Pros: Cheap $3 sandwiches ( they are small, so don't expect a Subway-type sandwich). Tasty.
Cons: Ghetto strip mall, takes cash only, no AC in summer -
Review from Mike K.
2/8/2011 ROTD 7/1/2011
If banh mi is done right, it is the indisputable king of food value. Le's does it right.
You can get a filling #6 (grilled pork) sandwich, on a baguette, topped with pickled carrot, radish, and cilantro, for $3. THREE DOLLARS. And it's delicious.
If you call ahead and order a bunch of sandwiches (for all your friends/workmates/superbowl party platter), they will give you the option of packing the cold veggie toppings separately, so you can assemble them on your own and avoid the bread getting soggy from the veggie juice in transit.
Add to that friendly and speedy service, and everybody's a winner.
Top notch! -
Review from Robert H.
Charlotte, NC
12/14/2011
First, a customer service story. I went there last Saturday for the first time. The place is in a sketchy area and is a little hard to find. You have to enter the "mall" go down and it is on your right (A little tip. If you are looking at the building from the Sugarcreek side there looks like there are two entrances. Go to the one on the right. About 2/3 of the way down. The one on the left is locked) So, I go in on Saturday and get a couple of sandwiches. I went with #6, and the owner (a very nice, helpful man and I am ashamed I don't know his name) suggested #7 and #8. I took them over to a friends and went in. I could not find my phone anywhere. I borrowed my friends and started dialing. No answer. Walked out to my car and repeated the process. No answer. I knew I had it with me at the restaurant because I had used the navigation app to get there. I freaked out. I figured I might have dropped it in the parking lot and if you know where that is I figured my phone was now probably dialing every country in the United Nations and I would be receiving a huge bill on my next billing statement. I jumped in the car and hauled ass over there and ran in. I asked if I had left my phone. He said no, I saw you leave with it. I went back out and scoured the parking lot and no luck. I figured it was gone. When I got home I got my phone and called again and this time I heard a faint ring. Somehow the phone had been wedged in the car seat and I did not hear it or it did not ring. Christmas had come early. My entire life (what little there is) was on that phone. I was totally relieved. So I go back in on Sunday around noon (I had been craving them again since my first bite of one) and the place is jammed packed. There must be 20 people in front of me and the nice owner is taking orders and is clearly busy. He spies me in the back and says "did you find your phone?" I told him I did and I appreciated him asking. He smiled and said "I am glad. I knew you left with it." and went back to ringing up the orders. In this day and age it is so rare to get customer service. Totally impressed me.
Ok now about the food----I could eat at this place everyday. I could eat them for breakfast. They are all fabulous but I have to say that the #8 is my fave. Coldcuts. I don't know what but they are good. The pickled veggies are awesome the fresh herbs on top (mint? and cilantro?) are a brilliant touch. I have had Bahn Mi a couple times before but nothing that rivaled this. The bread is spectacular. I ordered five sandwiches and a coffee and the bill was just north of $20. Are you kidding me? What a bargain. I took the sandwiches over to my buddy and his wife's house for football Sunday and we cut them up and everyone had some of each. They all echoed my sentiments. My buddy's wife's friend called me the next day and asked me the address and name of the place. She does not live here but she said she had to go there as soon as she comes back to visit her family. She could not stop raving about them. -
Review from Karl M.
2/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Screw Subway's "Februany" Footlong for Five Dollars. Come to Le's and get a delicious Vietnamese footlong for only $3.50. You can get one slightly smaller for only $3.
This place is truly a hole in the wall. Le's is tucked away inside a Chinese strip mall that has a parking lot with more potholes than parking spots. Le's is so obscure, I couldn't even see a sign for it on the outside of the strip mall. It was only once I explored around inside the "Chinese Food Court" that I found it.
The sandwiches are legit. Well seasoned pork, nicely cooked vegetables, a crispy soft warm baguette, and super cheap!
And if you want, you can pick up a cuttlefish for the road, which they neatly sell packaged in zip-lock bags. I love it. -
Review from Tae-Sun K.
Charlotte, NC
11/20/2011
Move over subways and hoagies, make way for banh mi. This is a wonderful little place located in the Asian Corner mall. You'll have to navigate the gauntlet of vietnamese shops, and walk through all the indoor smoking and fishy smell to find it .... but it's worth the effort. I recommend the #1 and #6 but looking forward to trying more.
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Review from Joshua L.
Buffalo, NY
11/30/2010
The baguette, freshly baked, is the greatest gift the French left Vietnam after colonial rule, back when they referred to the peninsula as French Indochina. Little did the French know that the locals would convert a colonial relic, perhaps an unhappy reminder of a time where the people on the peninsula were subjugated, into something delicious and beautiful by combining the baguette and pate from the French with typical local ingredients.
I'm of course referring to the Vietnamese sandwich known as banh mi, aka "The People's Sandwich" (my own term) but then again most people reading this review are familiar. Or at least you should be, because if you aren't, as far as I'm concerned you are missing out on an epicurean delight that is worth seeking out. As is the case with a lot of food from local immigrant communities, those who dig around are the ones who are richly rewarded. Which brings me to Le's Sandwiches.
As has been documented by other Yelpers, Le's is located within an Asian pedestrian mall that you might suspect is effectively abandoned. Walking into the mall you quickly realize that this is basically the case at Asian Corners. You would never suspect that this place houses a small restaurant that serves wonderful banh mi.
Forget the "sketchy" aspect - this is normal and real life for a lot of people, especially within immigrant communities. Put the suburban, culturally sanitized perspective aside and realize that dining out as we know it is a culinary anomaly in the larger context of things. In other words, man/woman the hell up and just go get your damn sandwich, capisce? You won't regret this trip and I bet you'll be slinking back, maybe with a friend who hasn't tried a Vietnamese sandwich before. I would if I lived in Charlotte.
Tonight I had the grilled pork banh mi. I don't have words for the experience of a warm baguette in your hands filled with meat, pickled veggies, cilantro, etc. The combinations available to you with banh mi can be foreign; however, what will not be foreign to you is the taste of home that you get. You quickly understand that this is comfort food from a culture on the other side of the world. This is why seeking out food like this is so addicting to me - I'm obsessed with learning about cultures through food.
The sandwiches are very good, friggin' cheap and the service is friendly (this is a mom and pop sandwich shop - mom made my sandwich today!). It may be possible to find banh mi elsewhere in Charlotte, but as an out-of-towner who is only passing through, I would urge you to consider taking this food field trip. It's a mile from Smelly Cat, you greasy hipsters!
For the banh mi and a drink - $4.92 after tax. Take a guess what I think Mickey D's can do with their value meal!
Cinco estrellas. I'm a fan but if I lived in Charlotte I'd be a superfan. There would be a Le family portrait with me superimposed within.
TIP: The drink case. When in doubt reach for a can of the lychee and get your drink on. It's pleasant and sweet, a nice refresher against the pepper in the banh mi you are inhaling/eating. Don't forget to shake first. Your booty then the can. =P -
Review from Brian L.
Updated - 12/6/2011
since eating here 2 months ago, i've gone another 3-4 times. the price is very reasonable and the taste can't be beat. I've talked with Mr. Minh, the owner i believe, numerous times and he's a great guy. i'm looking forward to next time
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/15/2011
Who knew this place was so "on the radar." Based on the multitudinous reviews, a lot of people have… Read more »
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Review from Holly B.
Blair, NE
3/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Oh Banh Ti, how I have missed you!
Cute mom and pop sandwich shop with some homemade goodies on display, tables, so it does not feel like a mini-market.
Located in a semi-derelict Asian mall which I hope does not close. Rap/Hip Hop stores also here. And a few homeless people. -
Review from Phil P.
Charlotte, NC
10/21/2011
This place gets 5 stars for the Sandwiches and total experience. Once you get here and see the location you'll realize how good the Sandwiches are.
Don't take your mother in law.
Highly recommended. -
Review from Sanjib S.
Charlotte, NC
1/10/2012
They make great sandwiches. I have been going here even before they moved to this location. In the past, they were inside a Vietnamese grocery store. I like there chicken sandwich and the vegetable sandwich. The ingredients are fresh and the service is always good.
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Review from Catherine W.
Thousand Oaks, CA
2/2/2009
I finally am catching up with my reviews after making Le's a semi-regular lunch spot, thanks to Tony C's favorable recommendation. By now, you have read all about the location, tucked away in what looks to be a dying mall in dire need of renovations where even the parking lot is scattered with weeds growing in between the cracks.
Despite the rundown setting, Le's Sandwiches & Cafe serves up great sandwiches. Fresh bread, good veggies and friendly service. This is probably the most authentic Vietnamese food establishment I've seen in Charlotte. I always go for the white ham and pate sandwich. You can order the bread regular or "long" baguette style.
For those of you new to banh mi, the bread is light and crisp, you can choose your meat and all come with pickled daikon and carrot slices, cilantro and peppers - a surprising taste combination that is simply excellent. (Take the peppers out unless you like really spicy food; they are hot.)
The Vietnamese coffee here is just OK, a bit on the pricey side (I'm used to paying $1.50), a little too dark for me (I've had better), but I must urge you all to try this place. I tried the Bubble Tea (Green Tea Latte with Boba) - well made, but the boba was a tad hard here and there.
Still Le's is quite the find and is the only place I go to out here to fix my Banh Mi craving. And now, I must footnote to say that if you are in So Cal, go to Banh Mi Che Cali for the best sandwich ever. But, at Le's you can just get a glimpse of what a great Vietnamese sandwich is like.Listed in: Charlotte - Must Trys, Charlotte VC (Vietnamese…
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Review from Freda Z.
Charlotte, NC
1/26/2009
Warning! Unless you're an intrepid foodie or otherwise familiar with Asian Corners, you could easily be thrown off course by these reviews. This place, like Asian Corners, is- pardon the bad pun- pho real. No frills, no fuss, and yesterday- January 24- no heat in the mall area. That didn't stop a throng of happy Asian kids from riding bikes and rollerskating in the mall courtyard area. Come to think of it, what a great place for kids to go- sort of like the malls of my childhood- where kids were free to roam while parents' watchful eyes were ever-present. No, this place is located in the heart of Charlotte's "China Town,' an authentic spot for those serious about authentic Asian food.
Le's Sandwich Shop, which has received some recent mention in local media, is absolutely worth seeking out. If for no other reason, it is fascinating to witness this "hidden" part of Charlotte. Parking lot potholes and sagging ceiling tiles notwithstanding, the Asian Corners shopping center is a piece of Asian-Americana not to be missed.
And the banh mi sandwiches??? Mais oui! The baguette bread was lightly toasted and pleasantly fluffy inside. I ordered the #6 pork sandwich, and it came loaded with succulent sliced seasoned pork, thinly sliced onions, thinly sliced peppers, cilantro and- nothing else! THAT was the beauty of the sandwich: its simplicity was unmarred with too much stuff. There was, however, a jar of hot sauce, plus salt and pepper on the counter. The price tag? Three bucks.
I also tasted the Taro bubble tea, which on a freezing cold day, was probably not the best idea. As bubble teas go this was good. It was also made-to-order as the constant whirring of the blender reminded me.
Go for experience. Go for the low price. Go for the taste. But by all means go experience this authentic Vietnamese taste treat. -
Review from andrew r.
Charlotte, NC
8/16/2011
I don't write reviews for retaurants very often, but Le's is worthy of a 5 star review. It is absolutely fresh, delicious, and fantastic. I am now a huge fan of this little sandwich shop. It's a Mom & Pop establishment, and a mother in-law too. They're tucked away inside the "food court" area of old strip mall. You won't find them driving by, you'll have to walk in and look to your right.
They are very pleasant when greeting their patrons and helpful in explaining what's on their sandwiches. He told me the difference between the number 4 and number 6 on the menu, and I ordered both so I could determine which I prefered. In the end, I found that much like the other reviewers, I too am a fan of the number 6.
I paid 7 dollars for two foot long sandwiches that were better than anything you could ever get at any chain restaurant. Everything about my experience was 5 star, from the food to the service.
I am a new fan and will be dining there frequently, you should too. -
Review from Charlotte V.
Charlotte, NC
Best sandwiched in the Queen City. Try #6. Cash ony
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Review from Hailey H.
oh, that crispy baguette, the delicious pork, those fresh crunchy vegetables... and a bouquet of cilantro. for $3.50??
I've been sold on the #6, the grilled pork, but last time I tried the #1 (with three types of pork) and I might have a hard time ordering something different form now on. Amazing. (Though as awesome as the flavors are alone, I'm such a condiment queen I have to squeeze some hoisin sauce onto it when I get home.) They also offer just vegetables and a grilled chicken options, among a few others.
Also, as much as I didn't want to think about mayo being spread on the baguette in the past, a tablespoons worth in my last few bites made me face the facts- I'm not really eating as healthy as I was telling myself I was, but hey, it's still a better option than some lunches (and they're more than happy to make it without)
The husband and wife duo are adorable, and it seems only the man speaks english as the woman always slides to the side when I walk in. He's always curious about what I've purchased next door at the market and is incredibly friendly. Along with sandwiches they also sell some sausages, rice cakes, beef jerky, and lots of candied items.
Do not miss it! I went to the market for months without knowing this place was just behind it, and then was a little unsure about whether or not to try it - but do yourself a favor and go! and yes, beware the parking lot!
