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Ten Non-Traditional Takes on Banh Mi in D.C.

From vegan takes to banh mi burritos, it seems every restaurant has its own take on the banh mi.

by Ross Perkins
View as Map
Mama Rouge
| R. Lopez
by Ross Perkins

It isn't tough to find a banh mi in the D.C. area — especially if you're willing to trek out to the Virginia suburbs. But the Vietnamese sandwich has gotten so popularized that many restaurants are putting their own, less traditional spins on the dish. Here are 10 sandwiches that offer something beyond the combination of baguette, pickled vegetables and classic fillings.

Curious about traditional versions? Consult Eater's Banh Mi guide.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Bacon N' Ed's

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Silver Liners should not want for banh mis. Especially for banh mis featuring fried chicken. Chef Ed Hardy operates this "bacony food truck" will make sure eaters will get their banh mi and their fried chicken too. Check Twitter (@BaconNEds) to find out where the sandwiches are being served.

Reston Station Boulevard, Reston, VA 20190

Bar Pilar

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This 14th Street mainstay has an eclectic menu, including a banh mi with coconut pork shoulder. The sandwich comes with a pho dip.

1833 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 265-1751
(202) 265-1751

Also featured in:

Bistro Bohem

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This may be a Czech restaurant in Shaw, but on the restaurant's brunch menu, Eastern Europe meets Southeast Asia with their chicken schnitzel banh mi.

600 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 506-0019
(202) 506-0019

Also featured in:

BONMi

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Named after the sandwich, the restaurant goes for a "build your own" style to the Vietnamese sandwich. With five fillings, including 18-hour beef and chili garlic tofu, and five sauces to choose from, there are at least 25 different banh mis available. And that's before customers really get creative.

900 19th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 785-0012
(202) 785-0012

Also featured in:

Duke's Grocery

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Its proper burger may get all the attention, but Duke's Grocery in Dupont sometimes has a banh mi with marinated catfish on its menu. The restaurant's offerings change all the time so check its Facebook page to see the latest menu.

1513 17th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 733-5623
(202) 733-5623

Also featured in:

Loving Hut

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Even vegans can enjoy the Vietnamese sandwich. At Loving Hut in Falls Church, the restaurant loves vegans and offers them (and others who are not in a meaty mood) a BBQ soy vegan banh mi.

7399 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 942-5622
(703) 942-5622

Mama Rouge

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Formerly Bangkok Joe's, Mama Rouge carries a coconut shrimp banh mi with pommes frites. And what Mama Rouge has to offer to seems to be pleasing the masses. All of the restaurant's banh mi offerings can also be served on a croissant.

3000 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-4422
(202) 333-4422

PhoNation

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This popular food truck is always roaming the streets of DC. And when hungry office workers come to the window, they order the burrito banh mi. It's all that's good about a traditional banh mi but wrapped in a tortilla so the sandwich is easy to grab, go and enjoy. Follow them on Twitter (@DCphonation) to find out where the food truck will be next.

Washington, D.C. 20006
(703) 203-3657
(703) 203-3657

Proof

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The Chinatown restaurant has a "banh mi-inspired shrimp burger". And this sandwich is notable enough to be considered one of DC's 30 most iconic dishes.

775 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 737-7663
(202) 737-7663

Also featured in:

Sprig & Sprout

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Glover Park's Sprig & Sprout has banh mi baskets with more than half a dozen fillings, including beef or pork meatballs and lemongrass chicken. The least traditional of the bunch features a pork meatball in a "Viet" tomato sauce.

2317 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-2569
(202) 333-2569

Also featured in:

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Bacon N' Ed's

Reston Station Boulevard, Reston, VA 20190

Silver Liners should not want for banh mis. Especially for banh mis featuring fried chicken. Chef Ed Hardy operates this "bacony food truck" will make sure eaters will get their banh mi and their fried chicken too. Check Twitter (@BaconNEds) to find out where the sandwiches are being served.

Reston Station Boulevard, Reston, VA 20190

Bar Pilar

1833 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

This 14th Street mainstay has an eclectic menu, including a banh mi with coconut pork shoulder. The sandwich comes with a pho dip.

1833 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 265-1751
(202) 265-1751

Bistro Bohem

600 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

This may be a Czech restaurant in Shaw, but on the restaurant's brunch menu, Eastern Europe meets Southeast Asia with their chicken schnitzel banh mi.

600 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 506-0019
(202) 506-0019

BONMi

900 19th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

Named after the sandwich, the restaurant goes for a "build your own" style to the Vietnamese sandwich. With five fillings, including 18-hour beef and chili garlic tofu, and five sauces to choose from, there are at least 25 different banh mis available. And that's before customers really get creative.

900 19th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 785-0012
(202) 785-0012

Duke's Grocery

1513 17th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Its proper burger may get all the attention, but Duke's Grocery in Dupont sometimes has a banh mi with marinated catfish on its menu. The restaurant's offerings change all the time so check its Facebook page to see the latest menu.

1513 17th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 733-5623
(202) 733-5623

Loving Hut

7399 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22042

Even vegans can enjoy the Vietnamese sandwich. At Loving Hut in Falls Church, the restaurant loves vegans and offers them (and others who are not in a meaty mood) a BBQ soy vegan banh mi.

7399 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 942-5622
(703) 942-5622

Mama Rouge

3000 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Formerly Bangkok Joe's, Mama Rouge carries a coconut shrimp banh mi with pommes frites. And what Mama Rouge has to offer to seems to be pleasing the masses. All of the restaurant's banh mi offerings can also be served on a croissant.

3000 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-4422
(202) 333-4422

PhoNation

Washington, D.C. 20006

This popular food truck is always roaming the streets of DC. And when hungry office workers come to the window, they order the burrito banh mi. It's all that's good about a traditional banh mi but wrapped in a tortilla so the sandwich is easy to grab, go and enjoy. Follow them on Twitter (@DCphonation) to find out where the food truck will be next.

Washington, D.C. 20006
(703) 203-3657
(703) 203-3657

Proof

775 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

The Chinatown restaurant has a "banh mi-inspired shrimp burger". And this sandwich is notable enough to be considered one of DC's 30 most iconic dishes.

775 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 737-7663
(202) 737-7663

Sprig & Sprout

2317 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Glover Park's Sprig & Sprout has banh mi baskets with more than half a dozen fillings, including beef or pork meatballs and lemongrass chicken. The least traditional of the bunch features a pork meatball in a "Viet" tomato sauce.

2317 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-2569
(202) 333-2569

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