Ba-Le Sandwich Shop

Ba-​Le has to be one of my favorite sandwich shops, and now, the Kaheka location is also my fave.
Parking is really easy if you chill when driving around. Free covered parking located across the street, if you don’t want to park in the sun. There are also a bunch of metered stalls all around the block. A
Ba-​Le shares a dining room with Yummy Korean BBQ. Not the cleanest, but quite a few tables, in an Air-​conditioned space. B
Ba-Le’s counter person was very nice. Took 4 orders at once, called the orders back, rang each one up, then called us as the orders came up. However, she did forget to make one man’s sandwich. Good thing he was patient and non-​confrontational. B
We ordered summer rolls, chocolate tapioka, chicken sandwich and lumpia.
The summer rolls (2) were stuffed with rice noodle, veggies and whole cooked shrimp. Served with some kind of dipping sauce. A
The chicken sandwich was almost perfect. I ordered it with extra mayo because the chicken is usually dry. That didn’t happen, and it was really dry. The pickled carrots and daikon were crunchy and so fresh. The baguette was perfect. It was still warm and crispy on the outside. My tastebuds were dancing with joy. A+
The lumpia was tasty but cold. I don’t care for cold lumpia. C
I will definitely be back to to this location for my sandwich fix, but will speak much slower when ordering.

i normally don’t post things like this, but DON’T eat at bale from don q. the lady has a glove on; but she used it to answer the phone & make a phone order, eat HER own piece of bread at the same station that she is making the summer roll and never changed her glove once. also to point out, she is RUDE as heck!

Two words: banh mi.
Let me tell you a story, (you can skip this part, might be boring) I remember growing up my mom, Aunty, and gong gong would take us out to Chinatown every weekend to eat. Mom always picks phở (you know the one with the long long line by the river. I have a review about that place.) Anyway, my Aunty one day decided let’s eat theses sandwiches, she bought me this turkey banh mi… OMG it was so crispy and good. Of course now vs back then the quality of food has decreased. It was like $ 3 back then. umm wait why did I share this story? Oh right, that’s when I first knew what banh mi was. Sometimes I nagged my aunt until she bought me that for our weekend lunch. (I was her one and only niece at that time so she didn’t have a choice, I knew she loved me haha Who could tell this cute little girl no?)
I come to Bale only for lemon grass chicken banh mi. Sometimes summer rolls depending how I feel.
If you don’t know what banh mi is.
It’s basically a Vietnamese sandwich. I think it’s a French bread with choice of meat the All banh mi comes with pickled veggie like daikon and carrots then «2 long pieces» of parsley. I like the pickled vegetables… I’m a fan of vinegar and things that are pickled.
I noticed each location has a little different menu. Like the one by Ward sports authority they serve durian ice cream. Similar items but more variety. This one is very simple/​basic options. Sandwich, one type of phở, spring roll with noodles, Vietnamese coffee, pad Thai… etc
Location: next to don quijote, they share same area as yummys. This girl who made the sandwich she was very slow… I’ve been here before and the other lady is fast, she can multitask. Rings you up and makes other sandwiches. She had 2
microwaves going and the oven at the same time.
This girl is younger but took her a while to notice I was waiting to order. Or I was just hangry and impatient.
Price: ehh I feel like almost $ 7 for a sandwich is ok but part of me feels like it’s expensive for how little chicken I get.

Super upset because I just paid $ 18 for 3 sandwiches for takeout. I get home and discover my sandwiches were on Hoagie rolls! Not even French bread?! If I wanted a hoagie I would’ve went to Safeway and made my own damn sandwich. Ewww, nothing like eating pickled vegetables on soft bread

I really like Ba-​le sandwich shops, I go to the one in Manoa for their Family Happy Hour once a month… My husband wanted to eat Yummy’s so I decided to get a sandwich and summer roll for myself. We went at lunchtime on a Sunday but there were two ladies waiting for an order of sandwiches, and a couple other people hanging around. I went up to the counter to order and was just bluntly told me to wait. I sat there waiting. while two ladies were making sandwiches… for like 10 minutes. After a while another lady came up to the counter and they took her order right away, didn’t even bother to tell me they were ready to take orders. I walked up and waited standing at the counter for another 5 minutes, was ready to go to Yummy’s instead but finally they took my order and had it out right away. It was OK but their French Bread is kind of hard.
oh and why do they have pictures of stuff that’s not on the menu? croissant sandwiches, fresh juice, etc. pictures all around but not on the menu.

Is it possible to give half a star? Bought phở, a spring roll and two Pepsis. Lady at the front repeated the order back to me before ringing me up, tried to swipe my card multiple times then looks up and says she can’t swipe my card. I asked her to manually punch it in. She doesn’t know how. Meanwhile guy in front of me is waiting for his sandwich that they burned previously so had to do again. I give her cash. Food is ready, spring roll is sopping in oil, phở was ok… no drinks. I asked for my Pepsis, she says she didn’t ring me up for them. Okay, I said, I’ll pay for them now. She proceeds to fill up cups w soda, then said the Pepsi just ran out. Seriously?! Running out of soda may not be the biggest deal, but nothing went right here, today and they should have someone in the front who can at least work their machines and keep stock of food… I didn’t see a massive crowd rushing them down… it was slow as heck. This place had zero customers beside me and the guy before me… now I see why… won’t be back.

Just got a Turkey sandwich and a lemonade for $ 10.84. I walked to my car took a sip of the lemonade and it was soooooo gross! It tasted like really old Minute Lemonade. It was really sweet with the most horrible after taste. I swear it was Minute Lemonade sitting in a cup for weeks. She just added a slice of lemon and ice to it.
My Turkey Sandwich was so toasted it was falling apart as I ate it. It was super dry and crumbly that most of it fell in my lap.
The guy after me only ordered a banana lumpia. I don’t know what happened but I heard him tell her «Treat your guests with courtesy. Do you know what that means?» I turned around and just saw the lady at the counter giving him the meanest stink eye.
I will never come here again!

I went here to order my favorite sandwich and asked the lady at the counter if they sold the 1lb block of pâté they use for the sandwich. I used to buy it from Chinatown once in a while and it was very affordable, about $ 6 a lb. The lady gave me mix signals whether or not she would sell it to me. Then she asked how much it was at the other store and I replied «I think about $ 6 but that was a long time ago». I asked her again if she would sell it and she said it’s too expensive so I asked how much and she replied $ 12. She was just trying to rip me off!
I was pretty irritated at her, but didn’t say anything because I know I probably could find another Bale that would sell it to me for a reasonable price and I did. I don’t think I will ever come here again. The lady was just plain rude.
You are in the business of selling food and should be treating customers with respect. Not trying to rip them off. I get you need to make money to pay the bills but what happen to being courteous and kind to your customers? If you don’t sell a certain item just say it nicely and not like you are something above your customers. Restaurant business is hard and most places do not last. People prefer places that give great service even if the food is mediocre. I know I do.

Their service is horrible and the establishment looked really filthy. I asked for the Thai tea but when I took a sip of it, all I was able to taste is spoiled milk. GROSS! The area that they kept their Thai teas were also unsanitary. Never ever coming back again! Beware! Don’t waste your time here!

Just a convenient place to frequent when I have that taste for a loaded Vietnamese sandwich, phở, or even a banana lumpia!

I was totally unaware that there was a Ba-​Le at Don Quiote. It’s hidden in Yummy’s! So, I got excited because I used to love the one at Sears Ala Moana.
Unfortunately, this one is not that good. I got the chicken, pâté, turkey combo with the french baguette. Some reason, the pâté didn’t taste too good. I also got 2 spring rolls but only ended up eating 1 because that too wasn’t too good. They didn’t fry it good.
Afterwards I felt really groggy and oily from the food for hours. It was quite unpleasant. I don’t think I would return…

Friendly smile with quick services making sandwiches! One of my favorite spot for vietnamese sandwich!
French loaf baget stuffed with pâté, veges, and seasoning spices. Broke my mouth… so ono!

I’ve had the phở and miscellaneous sandwiches here and they’re good, but honestly there are much better places. BUT. I have to say, there’s nothing like a Baale tofu sandwich! Lightly toasted French bread, pickled vegetables, cucumber, parsley, mayonnaise (just a little), tofu slices and add a ton of sriracha. oh man! Their tofu sandwiches are such a treat! And only $ 6.02 :) not too shabby

2 sandwiches for $ 15?! yeahhh okay, that’s not okay.
I really like Bale, I mean it’s always simple and fairly cheap and delicious.
I came here because what mama wants, mama gets and my mom wanted a sandwich and since the usual ward location we go to was closed, this one will have to do. I’ve been here a handful of times, but after being charged what we were charged and the portion to what I received, i’m pretty convinced now that this place isn’t the greatest and you definitely don’t get consistency for the price you pay.
Usually it’s about ⁵⁄₆ dollars at the most for a chicken sandwich with extra veggies. During the day, extra veggies, means nothing. You get the same amount as you regularly would also missing cucumbers! i love my cucumbers, yet you withhold me from that & i’m paying extra… not okay. At night, they loaded those veggies, to the point i felt like asking can i have chicken with my sandwich?
Bale, you’re convenient to my work location, but you’re on suspension until further notice.

To my opinion, I compliment this Ba-​Le of Don Quijote to be a little taste better than the Ba-​Le of the UHM campus. Though, I had better Banh Mi from Mainland U.S. & Vietnam so unfortunately, this Ba-​Le is not good enough.
Here’s what I like:
1. Banh Mi use the correct bread which is the French Baguette. The pickled carrots is also correct too (though I felt it lacks flavor, please read my suggestions below).
2. You serve phở & Com Tam dishes. Not bad in taste for both of them. Though, it does need some work (please read my suggestions below).
3. Egg rolls not bad. Also, slightly needs work. Please read my comments below.
Now the following below are suggestions to improve your business:
1. The price. I understand that we’re in Hawaii & Hawaii is notorious for costly everything though I am from Mainland U.S. & other Mainlanders would like it if the price is as cheap & comparable as Mainland U.S.
2. Banh Mi. Meats needs to be a little more marinated to make it taste fresh. Put a little bit (ONLY A LITTLE BIT, no more no less) of pâté & butter to the sandwich.
3. For the pickled carrots to the Banh Mi, I would recommend the pickled solution should contain small amounts of sugar, salt, and fish sauce to the vinegar/​water mixture; hopefully it will make the pickled carrots taste better.
4. For the phở. The broth is a bit incorrect. Correct broth should be simmered cowbone top it off with star anise, ginger, & roast onions. Plus, for the meats, slice the meat a little bit thicker & try not to clump up the Banh Phở like a ball.
5. For the egg rolls. Needs to add more to make the radius of the egg rolls bigger in size.
6. For the Com Tam. Not bad. Should put some shredded pork & egg & egg patty to top it off to the grilled meats dish. Grilled meats, try not to marinated too sweet. It’s a bit too sweet. SLIGHTLY reduce the sweet amounts for the grilled meats & I think you’re getting there.
Overall, not bad Ba-​Le of Don Quijote. Though a lot of work still needs to be done to improve your business. I’ll be open-​minded to one day try your restaurant again. I hope that day you’ll follow my suggestions stated above to make the food taste better to attract the tourists (especially about the price).
Therefore, 2 stars out of 5 from me. Still a lot of work to do & good luck with your business.

I walked into Ba-​Le at Kaheka to eat but no one was at the counter. I waited 5 minutes and still no one came to the counter to check if any customers were there. I could see that there was a guy in back cooking and so I called out to the guy but he either ignored me or couldn’t hear. They will lose a lot if business like this. I went next door and ate at Yummys instead.

Fresh made sandwiches are great, especially the lemongrass chicken. Hidden in a side store with Yummy next to Don Quijote.

$ 2.08 for 2 spring rolls. Sounds like a rip off, but relatively speaking, it’s not really. Dine-​in Vietnamese Restaurants charge way more for two measly spring rolls. At least the ones at Bale have some girth… Not enough to where I’d need both hands to enjoy, but enough to where there’s more than just a tablespoon of filling.
Plus, they’re pretty tasty for the «low» price.
Every time I’ve gone to this Bale, service has been very friendly. The cashier always heats (asks me first) my spring rolls, so they’re hot and crispy for me to eat. :)
(They are extremely nice even after they’ve seen me order a plate at Yummy Korean BBQ instead of at Bale. Hehe.)
Aside from the spring rolls, I have tried a few other items off the menu that weren’t too memorable. Decent, but not memorable (i.e. the sandwiches are okay, but I’ve had much better).
Another thing I hadn’t mentioned yet is convenience. This Bale is located in the pseudo food court by Don Quijote, opposite the U-​Choice side, sharing the clean and well-​kept space with Yummy Korean BBQ. And bc it’s on the Don Quijote lot, there’s ample free parking.
As a whole, this Bale is not half bad. I like their reasonably priced spring rolls — they are a decent quick and cheap snack; service is nice and friendly; the eating area is clean; and it’s convenient, convenient, convenient! Yay.
Unilocal 365 — #193/​365

I miss being on the UH campus almost solely for the Ba-​Le/​Manoa Gardens bar. The bánh mì there were always perfect. (And I could wash them down with as many giant plastic cups of varying draft beers as I wanted.)
This location, however, disappointed. The bun, though nicely toasted, couldn’t make up for its dismal filling. The greasy, underseasoned lemongrass chicken tasted nothing of lemongrass, and there was just a tiny bit of mayo and a sparse pinch of pickled veg. It was one of those problematic moments that I rarely have when I eat out on the mainland — I wanted to crash the kitchen and show them how to make their wrongdoings right.
Phở was equally dismal, with unremarkable broth, overcooked noodles, freezer-​stale meat, and droopy basil. Fine, the sprouts were sprightly. No further redemption. And how am I supposed to eat phở properly with an AMERICAN soup spoon?

I came here on a slow afternoon for a quick sandwich to go after going to Don Quijote. Well… the woman (I’m assuming owner) couldn’t peel herself away from her phone slow enough to help me. Seriously. The entire time she took my order, took my payment and made my sandwich — she was stuck to that phone of hers. I kind of just stood there looking at her and the kitchen… and well… the kitchen looks so unsanitary. I hate to say it — but it did.
And the glove she used to make my sandwich — it was so wrinkled… I know she uses that glove just for show. And I wasn’t a big fan of her using her other free hand that was holding her phone… to also touch my sandwich. And various points of making my sandwich — she would pause her actions because her conversation apparently reached some peak points. Are you kidding me?
I couldn’t wait to get out of there fast enough. I don’t plan to return.