One of my New Years Resolutions was to be more conscious about my diet, not that I’m on a diet, but diet as in my eating habits. As most of you know I’m a sugar whore. Recently a coworker opened up my eyes when he said in a serious tone, “hey you should really watch out because your gonna get diabetes.” I was in the process of eating my second piece of Tiramisu after I had already eaten two chocolate cream puffs. That’s when I put my fork down and decided I really gotta change. In an effort to consume less sugar I try not to make eye contact with any bakeries. On this day I fucked up and looked. My eyes locked in, particularly on the word bakery. Oh, holly hell, fuck it, it doesn’t hurt to look. I’ll just look.

I was pretty surprised when I walked inside to see the place so clean and modern looking.

Behind the counter was two chalkboards that listed a sandwich menu and a cafe menu. Looks like this place offers more than just sweets.

These pictures actually makes the place look  larger than it actually was. The place reminds me of Satura Cakes because of it’s modern clean lines.

Even though I was good and didn’t eat any sugary sweetness it still doesn’t hurt to take a look.

Elvin’s danishes are really pretty.

And very tempting.

Alright, enough with the sweet seductions, let get down to business. I ordered Elvin’s Special Sandwich, $6.95, which was an Americanize Vietnamese sandwich. The traditional Vietnamese sandwich has the weird Asian meats, like steamed pork. Instead traditional American looking meat was used, like ham and chicken. The sweet, pickled carrots and radishes were there along with cilantro all on a French roll. I requested mine with no mayo and the sandwich came with a puny pickle and fresh cut pineapple. I was really happy with my sandwich. The change in meats was a nice fusion and may just entice others to try it. And when I say others I mean, non Asian folks that aren’t familiar with the traditional Vietnamese sandwiches. If this is you, feel free to read some of older post on Vietnamese sandwiches, Bale, French Cafe.

Ray ordered the Chicken Sandwich, $6.95. This sandwich tasted as good as it looks. It came with all the trimmings, lettuce, cheese, tomato, mayo and the chicken was a real chicken breast, grilled. I think it came on a soft focaccia bread. Whatever kind of bread it was, it was super soft and delicious. Ray absolutely loved his sandwich and of course I got to try it and it was pretty amazing.

If your a sandwich whore you guys should give this place a try. I’m definitely a fan. Enjoy!

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Elvin’s Bakery
600 Kailua Rd # 104
Kailua, HI 96734

Get Directions(808) 262-1688

When I was a kid my mother use to take me to San Jose on her days off. San Jose has a huge Vietnamese community that made my mom feel right at home. We would drive an hour just for some pho, then before we drove back home we would make a stop at a deli to stock up on some Vietnamese sandwiches.

If your not familiar with a Vietnamese sandwich it might look a little odd at first. A basic one, like the one you see above will consist of pork sausage, pickled sweet and sour carrots and radishes, cilantro, meat paste, mayonnaise, and sometimes a few fresh slices of jalapenos on a French roll. These have to be one of my all time favorite sandwiches.

This one was really good. However, I didn’t really care for the fish sauce they put on it because it made the sandwich a little too salty for my liking.

Summer Rolls, $4.29. These were large and nicely rolled. I liked that it came in a combo pack of one shrimp and one shredded pork roll.

As for my dessert I couldn’t decide between almond jello or tapioca so I got them both. At the low rate of $1.50 I could afford to treat myself. The almond jello was good but the tapioca one was really mushy and soft. I don’t think it was overdone, just probably sitting there too long.

Bale Sandwich Shop is one of the largest local chains in the state. With two locations in Maui, one on the big island, one on Kauai, and about twenty here on Oahu this place has really prospered and grown.

Overall I’m pretty satisfied with this place. The prices were fair, food was good. Just don’t order the tapioca unless it looks fresh and remember to ask for the sandwich without fish sauce.

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Ba Le Sandwich & Vietnamese Shop
333 Ward Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 591-0935

Don’t let the name fool you. If your in the mood for European food this isn’t the place for you. I think the only thing that can be considered French here is the croissant and the French bread or baguette that the sandwiches are made with. At lot of Vietnamese dinning establishments will refer to themselves as “French” this is because in 1900 Vietnam became a colony of France with the French in control of all the levels of government. That all for the fun facts lets get on with the food. I got a steamed pork sandwich. If you have never had a Vietnamese style sandwich and your totally open to trying new things, then you should definitely have one. I’ve been eating steamed pork sandwiches ever since I was a little girl. My mom use to take me to the Vietnamese sandwich shop in San Jose, California. I love them. However, they aren’t for everyone. My fiance absolutely loves sandwiches, but refuses to even try these sandwiches. He won’t even take a bite because he says he already knows he’s not gonna like it.

A very friendly China-men greeted me at the window. I don’t know if he was nice to me because I was of the same ethnic background and spoke to him in Cantonese or maybe he was physic and knew I wrote a food blog and he wanted me to give him a good review. I guess we’ll just never know.

A typical “French” (Vietnamese) sandwich will consist of cilantro, steam pork meat, sweet and sour (pickled) radishes and carrots, meat paste spread, mayonnaise, raw hot peppers and sometimes cucumber.

The sandwich cost me under $5.00. I asked for extra pickled radishes and carrots and it was given with no additional charge. Pickled radishes and carrots are used a lot in Vietnamese food. I brought my sandwich home and ate every last bite.

Among sandwiches they also have milkshakes, fresh coconut, fruit, and shaved ice. Yum. The French cafe is located in the heart of Waikiki on Kalakaua St inside the International Market Place. There’s a large food court there so if you don’t fancy yourself a “French” sandwich that’s cool, eat something eles.

Directions to French Cafe