Vietnamese sandwich shop deserves a Bao from students

Baoguette’s sandwiches and strong New York following provide motivation for students to make the trek down to the Financial District for a taste of banh mi.

Perhaps none of Michael Bao’s eateries have made as lasting an impression as his Vietnamese sandwich shop, Baoguette. It’s Shake Shack’s Asian counterpart—with shorter lines and fewer addictive items on the menu—and boasts one sandwich worth getting that puts all others to shame. Behold the Baoguette, a concoction that produces an epiphanic reaction. A poster outside of the entrance deconstructs its nine different layers, but one bite explains it all.

Like any self-respecting baguette, the crust is browned, served warm and crunchy—a perfect introduction before Bao goes in for the kill. Thick chunks of pork pâté and a stack of thin pork terrine slices double up in a hot mess of green chilies, black peppercorn, and spicy Sriracha sauce. Pickled carrots, cucumbers, and cilantro add a refreshing twist. It’s massive, and for $6, it makes any student wish Bao would consider opening a location near campus.

Aside from the main act, there are four other sandwiches. The Sloppy Bao—an interesting take on the American sloppy joe—showcases ground beef spiced with curry instead of tomato sauce. Other components include thin slices of green mango and lemongrass, as well as a touch of basil and cilantro. While the filling isn’t enough to warrant a sloppy reputation, somehow, after a few bites, it doesn’t matter. Every bite just keeps getting better, thanks to a few squirts from hot chili sauce bottles innocently sitting on the counter.

Summer rolls and salads like the green papaya with tiger shrimp, mint, peanut, and lime dressing provide healthier options. A trip to Baoguette, however, isn’t the time to worry about dieting. Instead, it’s the time to revel in a succulent marriage of pork, bread, and spices. Never mind the bare interior resembling a Subway with yellow walls, a small counter, and a few bar stools. Besides, the disappointing atmosphere places greater emphasis on the food, for it’s the Baoguette that’s worth the pursuit.