Sandwiches are an unglorified mainstay of many cuisines, but at Paris Banh Mi, they’ve garnered the recognition they deserve by reflecting the elements of one culture merging with another.

The Menu

Banh mi with a variety of main ingredients has the most prominent spot on the large menu board above the area where food is prepared. Other Asian dishes include bao buns, pho and Korean hot dogs.

Paris Banh Mi is also a bakery with a variety of freshly made sweets.

Critic’s Tip

The menu lists two prices for every item. If planning on paying by credit card, be aware that prices are slightly higher than if paying with cash.

On the Table

Bao buns are among my favorites and there were several choices for fillings. Pork belly ($9.28) is available on weekends, so that was an easy decision. The order included two steamed, fluffy, snow-white buns. They held crispy pieces of tender, decadent savory pork, cilantro, carrot sticks and cucumber. 

With a dozen banh mi options, there is something for everyone. We selected grilled pork ($10.31). Fresh veggies and thin slices of pork were stuffed inside a baguette slathered with butter mayo and a house sauce. The bread was perfection, and reflected the sandwich’s French roots. It was brittle, so crumbs fell away with each bite while the inside was soft and chewy. 

The baguettes were cut in half and wrapped with paper to help hold everything in place. This also made it easier to pack up what wasn’t eaten to save for later.

It wouldn’t be Vietnamese cuisine without noodle bowls. Ours featured chicken ($15.48), with the house sauce (peanut sauce was the alternative). Shredded chicken, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, greens and cilantro sat on a bed of rice noodles. This arrived in a takeout container with the soy-sauce-based sauce and peanuts in smaller containers to pour over the top of everything. This was not only refreshing, but felt very healthy.

With that in mind, we enjoyed strawberry milk ($7.74) and a slice of crème brulee cheesecake ($7.74). The 16-ounce drink tasted like a strawberry milkshake. There were many flavors of milk, teas and coffees to choose from.

 The cake was silky smooth ,but it was difficult to identify crème brulee as the main flavor.

The Venue

Paris Banh Mi does a big takeout business, thus the plastic serving containers and flatware. This also makes it a busy place. Food took a little longer than expected, but it wasn’t surprising given that most things are made to order.

The interior is long and narrow with an aisle separating the seating section from display cases in front of the kitchen prep area.

Orders were placed at the counter and numbers called when food was ready. The place was bright, clean and redolent of a French bistro with some Asian influences.

Afterthoughts

Banh mi has a rich history. According to the restaurant’s website, the baguette was introduced to Vietnam in the mid-19^th century. The sandwich was created later and became popular. It’s easy to see why.

Staff was friendly and patiently answered questions about the menu – even though there was a line behind me.

Know Before You Go

Paris Banh Mi

Vietnamese sandwiches and Asian cuisine

Location: 6472 Templeton Gap Road 

Contact: 1-719-559-1002; parisbahnmi.com 

Entrée Prices: $3.50 to $15.48

Hours: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Details: Credit cards accepted. Wi-Fi.

Favorite dishes: Grilled pork banh mi and pork belly bao bun.

Other: Gluten-free and vegan options available.

El Paso County Health Department inspection: 53 of 56 areas in compliance (March 2026)