So after three attempts to get a banh mi sandwich from My Gourmet Kitchen—which, on Friday, added a very intriguing sign to their window advertising “Bon Bon Vietnamese Sandwiches” and featuring an adorable, Japanime-style, pigtailed kid licking her lips and holding a baguette—I finally got the man behind the biz on the horn.
Me: What’s the deal with the hours?
Tim Holloway: Well, I set up inside my friend Angie Lebedine’s shop My Gourmet Kitchen five days ago, and I was just going with their hours, which are a bit limited [Ed. note: The place was closed when I stopped by Friday night at 7:30pm, Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.) So now I’ve decided to have my own hours, which will be 11am to 7:30pm every day.
Me: Perfect. So what’s the deal? Are you a chef? Lived in Vietnam? What’s your story?
Holloway: Well, I lived and traveled throughout Asia, but I’ve been in Bucktown for 11 years. I’ve always felt that the neighborhood could use a good banh mi shop, since there are only really three in the city and they’re up north, and so after some recent, uh, shall we say, corporate restructuring, I have the opportunity.
Me: What makes your banh mi great?
Holloway: I’m really concentrating on upscale proteins, using really good quality meats, making the char siu (roast pork) myself, making a savory caramel sauce with fresh ginger to simmer the chicken in, and of course doing the traditional with ham and pate.
Me: And did I see something on your menu about beignets and Vietnamese coffee?
Holloway: Well, I tried that but only two people came by so now I’m waiting to build up the commuter clientele before I reintroduce the breakfast special. Need to get the demand. But I started out my first day selling two banh mi and today I sold 40, so it looks like something is happening.
Bon Bon Vietnamese Sandwiches (2333 W North Ave, 773-278-5800).
Ed note: Now, armed with knowledge and proper hours, nothing and no one will stop me from getting my hands on one of those banh mi. Anyone out there tried it already? How is it?
I had the Char Siu this past weekend—super fresh tasting and at $3.99 quite a steal. The Vietnamese coffee perked me up, too. This place is just a block away from my pad so I’m planning on becoming a regular.
Excited to try them. I live up the street and the hours are rough for this commuter. If I get home at a decent time, I make dinner at home. If I’m not, I eat out, but they’re usually closed by that time.
Ba Le on Broadway and Argyle has had Vietnamese sandwiches for years made not by white guys. Where ya been?
Hi Vanessa. Yeah, we’ve actually covered Ba Le quite a bit (http://www.timeout.com/chicago/restaurants/andersonville-edgewater-uptown/7838/ba-le) but we use the blog to let people know about new options as we come across them. We felt that not only is Bon Bon noteworthy because it’s a recent opening, but because there really aren’t any places for banh mi in that specific neighborhood. Of course we respect your right to comment, but I’m not really sure that a chef’s race has much to do with their ability level. I’d guess that Rick Bayless’s many Latino cooks would say they might have even learned a thing or two from him over the years. You never know!
This place is great! I’ve been there 4 times now, and I am officially addicted to the portobello sandwich. With a savory garlic lime sauce and the special Maggi sauce, these bahn mi are fresh and satisfying. I happened to be up on Argyle this week and went in to try Ba Le’s vegetarian bahn mi. After Bon Bon, this experience was extremely unsatisfying. I don’t care who’s making it; if I have the choice between a pile of fried noodles and tofu with one sprig of cilantro and a sweet, savory spicy fresh sandwich stuffed with crunchy toppings, I know where I’m going: Bon Bon. Their hours have been consistent since I’ve been going, and the additional Asian treats (like sweet buns with red bean or chestnut, or chrysanthemum tea) are a great way to get the little taste of Argyle street on the near northwest side.
I went by and tried their CLASSIC. I’m a huge Bahn Mi fan and they were DELICIOUS! The bread is just as fresh but less crusty so it won’t hurt the top of your mouth when you bite into it. I think I prefer the bread over the denser version at Ba Le. Just glad I don’t have to go all the way to Argyle anymore!
To clear the record - the owner - Tim Holloway - is actually half asian…