Nammi at the Summer Block Party

Sadly, I haven't found a great Banh Mi in Dallas.  I've tried some of the supposed best in Richardson, and my favorite Vietnamese restaurant (Vietnam) should frankly just take theirs off the menu. 

So the bar was pretty low and I was pretty excited to try this.  Banh Mi's to me are the quintessential Vietnamese food - it reflects perfectly it's French influence/occupation/history with the use of a baguette and in some cases, pate.  Then, combined with Vietnamese influences like marinated meats, Vietnamese meatballs, cilantro, jalapenos, and pickled carrots/daikon, and you have one of the most perfect sandwiches...ever.  Everything starts with the bread: a nice crunchy/crispy exterior with a soft, chewy interior.

Well, this truck delivered...certainly the best I've had in DFW.  I think those used to getting banh mi's might get a little sticker shock - $6 for a decent size (almost foot long)? sandwich versus traditional Vietnamese sandwiches which are usually underpriced around $3-$4.  We got the pork - nice large pieces which had a great flavor (cooked on the flat top), and marinated in a nice flavor but sort of an unappetizing neon purple color (which I've seen before) - it sort of made us think nuclear.  I don't think it had pate, but instead I think it had a sriracha mayo - they also had a green (avocado) ranch sauce that tasted like nothing, really.  

The "fusion" component (which is advertised) is taking the meat from the sandwiches and selling them in tacos.  They also served what looked like nice summer rolls. Right now, they are setting up shop periodically here and there - at Siegel's, One Arts, and Design district….check their website/twitter feed for their schedule!