You've hoofed it to Argyle for Vietnamese banh mi (and loved every minute), but now you can stay south of Fullerton to sink your teeth into the new Saigon sub scene.
The cherished Nhu Lan sends its airy baguettes down to Bucktown's Bon Bon (2333 W. North Ave.; 773-278-5800), a four-month-old Vietnamese sandwich shop with five selections ($4 each), from traditional to lemongrass-tofu.
Ba Le ships five dozen sandwiches to Downtown Farmstand each Tuesday. Loopers can choose from chicken, barbecue pork, cold cut or tofu banh mi ($3), if they act quickly--the sandwiches usually sell out by 2 p.m. (though the Farmstand will hold one if you call ahead).
At Vella Café in Logan Square, the vegetarian tofu banh mi flaunts Red Hen bakery's ciabatta, but the fixings are traditional: pickled daikon and carrots, cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro and chili mayo ($7). Note: Vella will close in August to make way for Bill Kim's Belly Shack, but Kim is entertaining the idea of Korean-style banh mi.
Meat seekers may opt for pork belly banh mi with housemade pâté served on a French baguette, at Rootstock in Humboldt Park (pictured, $8).
Or head toward the Mag Mile and Ajasteak, where the lunchtime banh mi "hiro" comes in slider form: three brioche buns stuffed with ginger-garlic catfish ($13) or lime-and-sake-marinated grilled chicken ($12) come with togarashi-chili mayo, pickled shallots, mint, cilantro and dill.
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