After over 35 years in the business, family-run banh mi shop and Vietnamese deli Ba Le isn't slowing down. They're actually doubling down.
Launched in 1987 in Vancouver by Ong Ba Le and Ba Ba Le, Ba Le is a Vancouver staple, particularly the shop on Kingsway, though they have had one on East Broadway since April 2018.
This month, Ba Le opened its first Richmond location, at 140-12560 Bridgeport Rd. Now the business is gearing up to welcome Vietnamese sandwich fans (and the banh mi-curious) to another Lower Mainland shop.
Ba Le is opening at 3779 Rupert St (at 22nd), and according to recent comments on social media, the doors could be open as soon as next month. "Aiming for early June!" owners wrote in response to a comment asking about the new East Van shop.
In addition to the four Metro Vancouver locations, Ba Le also has a store in Victoria on Fort Street.
Ba Le is known, of course, for their signature line-up of traditional banh mi sandwiches, served on freshly-baked baguettes.
"Our uncompromising commitment to quality, grounded in our Vietnamese roots, ensures that every bite takes you to Vietnam," describes the restaurant.
The shop's most popular sandwiches are the shredded chicken, grilled pork, and the cold cut special, however, they also have several other options, like meatball, beef, shredded pork, or veggie.
In addition to traditional banh mi, Ba Le's deli section has take-out meats, bread, and condiments, as well as snacks (chips, peanuts) and desserts, like caramel flan or banana pudding. They're also serving up spring rolls, rice or noodle bowls (com and bun), smoothies, coffee and tea drinks, and canned soft drinks.
While Ba Le will soon have five locations up and running, the clock is potentially running out for 701 Kingsway. The site is poised for redevelopment under the Broadway Plan and a proposal is in for a 24-storey tower with 201 rental units and ground-level retail to replace the current structure.
Ba Le could re-open in whatever new building goes up there, however, it is too soon to say what will end up happening.
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