Phở Hòa Lāo

This place continues to be one of the best value banh mi places in the Bay Area. They also have other food like chow fun, fried rice, chicken leg and more. Portions continue to be fair with lots of meat in the middle. Prices have climbed a little because of inflation but that makes sense. Ordering starts in a line along the counter. Usually pretty organized. Parking is okay.

I'm not sure how I managed to miss this place as a Oakland native. I've been going to the sister restaurant in Oakland Chinatown for years, until they closed recently. If you feel comfortable going to dives, then the angels will sing when you walk through the door. They have an overwhelming selection of Vietnamese food, at good prices and plenty of seating. If you aren't familiar with the cuisine, then there will be a lot of pointing at what you want to try. You can order sandwiches, noodle soups or multi-item plates. For multi-item plates, just select from the numerous buffet items and they will put together a container of food for a fair price. I ordered 3 items. It is all so delicious and satisfying. I'm kicking myself for not finding this place sooner.

Another Oakland gem 💎 Seriously good food. The hit table stuff is always fantastic. Kinda drives me crazy waiting in line cause I know when i get to the front I have to decide. Everything is seriously tasty. The pre pared to go dish is also solid and travels well. The bahn mi are great. Try the curry chicken or tofu. The fresh soy is also nourishing and refreshing. And for the price, there are few other restaurants that can compare to the value and quality. So good.

3.50 for bahn mi. that alone is five stars. but their massive selection of other hot foods, catering style, for equally reasonable prices means you'll never run out of variety. one of the best, easily accidentally overlooked restaurants in the area. the staff are always really kind, and there's so much space to sit inside. its closer to a fast food atmosphere, but the quality of food is equivalent to other Vietnamese restaurants nearby, 6 stars

I love their Vietnamese coffee. My boyfriend loves their Bahn Mi sandwiches. Today I tried an entree dish with fried rice, chow fun and BBQ pork. It was really good and a really nice portion! I added a little soy sauce for taste and that was about it. They also have a new updated menu! It's much easier to understand and helps out when ordering. I think I'll try a Pho Bowl next time.

This is real Saigon Street Food. Chicken sandwich is absolutely die for, the spring rolls, fresh rolls, soup, and other dishes, are fresh, economical, and best of all, you can feed two people with a variety of flavors and dishes, for under $20. This place is outstanding, and has been my Oakland standby for years. I highly recommend it!

It's more of a grab and go kind of place, but the food is off the hook, and the ladies behind the counter are super friendly and quick to help you out. The atmosphere is built for efficiency, so it's not exactly cozy.

Great food! I love their egg rolls. Staff is very eager to serve you.

My daughter and I walked here. My first time and it's a nice hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant. We both ordered the vegetarian Bahn mi sandwich, shrimp salad rolls and a sesame ball for dessert. I give this place a 5 star. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #HoneydewBoba #ShrimpSpringRolls #VegetarianBahnMiSandwich

Variety of finger food and to-go lunch boxes. They're all from 8/10 - 10/10. For example: $4.5 for banh gio, $1.5 for banh quai vat.

One of the best places to get a bahn mi and other Vietnamese dishes in Oakland. The original combo bahn mi with its pretty decent price and taste is the star of this place. I also highly recommend the shrimp spring rolls that are on the grab-and-go table, the Pandan and coconut jelly dessert drink(Che Banh Lot) that's located in the fridge, and the banana egg roll (near register counter). Line moves pretty quickly and your sandwich comes around in a few minutes. Props also to the artist who did all those big stop blocks outside the shop to look like popular Asian food items....i.e. Sriracha, shrimp chips,fish sauce, and etc lol.

Love a good banh mi that comes from inside a market deli. We came for a sandwich and wanted so much more. Lots of choices from the hot bar made us want to come back. We got two banh mi’s on this visit and a couple spam musubis. So good.

Great place to get banh mi as well as some take out dishes. Also has a good assortment of grab and go dishes. The checkout process is a little confusing. Don't get in line if you aren't ordering food to go. Go to place to get sesame ball dessert snack.

Back when they still had their location in Chinatown, this was the only place I’d buy Banh Mi sandwiches before they went mainstream. We’ve been their customer for almost 30 years. Now that they only have this location open, we STILL only go here to buy Banh Mi sandwiches. It’s pretty much the best in Nor Cal.

Good food unbeatable prices

Jeff Downing

Love a good banh mi that comes from inside a market deli. We came for a sandwich and wanted so much more. Lots of choices from the hot bar made us want to come back. We got two banh mi’s on this visit and a couple spam musubis. So good.

Litea

One of the best places to get a bahn mi and other Vietnamese dishes in Oakland. The original combo bahn mi with its pretty decent price and taste is the star of this place. I also highly recommend the shrimp spring rolls that are on the grab-and-go table, the Pandan and coconut jelly dessert drink(Che Banh Lot) that's located in the fridge, and the banana egg roll (near register counter). Line moves pretty quickly and your sandwich comes around in a few minutes. Props also to the artist who did all those big stop blocks outside the shop to look like popular Asian food items....i.e. Sriracha, shrimp chips,fish sauce, and etc lol.

D. Pham

Great place to get banh mi as well as some take out dishes. Also has a good assortment of grab and go dishes. The checkout process is a little confusing. Don't get in line if you aren't ordering food to go. Go to place to get sesame ball dessert snack.

J.D. Hernandez

Back when they still had their location in Chinatown, this was the only place I’d buy Banh Mi sandwiches before they went mainstream. We’ve been their customer for almost 30 years. Now that they only have this location open, we STILL only go here to buy Banh Mi sandwiches. It’s pretty much the best in Nor Cal.

Phuong Le

Variety of finger food and to-go lunch boxes. They're all from 8/10 - 10/10. For example: $4.5 for banh gio, $1.5 for banh quai vat.

Bahn Mi Sandwiches are OFF THE HOOK! Bread is high quality, meats are good, Can never go wrong with a bahn mi sandwich! Egg rolls are 💣 too! 💯

Eggrolls are the best here my brother will only come here to get his egg rolls me of course I always love the barbecue chicken sandwiches so good so fresh and also the pad Thai fire gotta love the mom n pops stores in the hood, they always come through for a quick simple meal

Hard-to-beat local spot for Vietnamese food. A great selection of take-out options at a great price; grab a Banh Mi and eat it over by the lake.

The foods in general is very good. The hot foods are also good too. The banh mi is probably the best in the Bay Area, even when compared to those banh mi sold in San Jose and San Fran. The staff is pretty friendly and polite. I always go there whenever I pass by Oakland. The parking can be challenging at times, especially since it is Oakland. If you know what you want to buy, call and order ahead, and when you get there, double park outside and go in and pay and pick up the foods. The OPD are pretty much OK with it and I have ever seen they issued a parking ticket to anyone for double parking outside. Last is they used to have seatings but now there is more, so it is strictly a to go food shop.

James C

Great food! I love their egg rolls. Staff is very eager to serve you.

desirae velasquez

Eggrolls are the best here my brother will only come here to get his egg rolls me of course I always love the barbecue chicken sandwiches so good so fresh and also the pad Thai fire gotta love the mom n pops stores in the hood, they always come through for a quick simple meal

Max Haber

Hard-to-beat local spot for Vietnamese food. A great selection of take-out options at a great price; grab a Banh Mi and eat it over by the lake.

I always get the chicken sandwich. It's the best one. Sometimes I'll order just the chicken for dinner, about $3.50 each, if I don't feel like cooking a main protein dish at home. Bring cash or there's a extra fee for using card.

Delicious Vietnamese sandwiches and for a good price too. I definitely recommend this spot.

They have really good Vietnamese sandwiches and smoothies. I don't eat from the ready made, hot food to go table, but it's not because of them, it's anywhere. I just don't trust unprotected, uncovered, pre-made food. That's just my personal preference. It looks really delicious though. But for Vietnamese sandwiches, this is hands down one of my favorite spots. Freshly made, made to order and fantastic prices! FYI, they do not have dinner service.

I had three items $7 with tax, all tasty with customer recommended chicken skewer the best. Chow Fun noodles needed more flavor and were sticky or it would be a 5 rating. $3 to $3.50 for a nice size carton of anything, they say it's medium. Parking is difficult so I parked at nearby Peralta Park and had a nice walk and picked up fresh produce on the way back.

They have THEE best eggrolls in Oakland in my opinion and I truly enjoy the pork belly bahn mi and iced coffee! They have something for everyone to enjoy since they have such a great variety of items. I just think they can get better wifi so that they don't inconvenience customer who use their phones to pay. It's happened a few times but they are easily forgiven due to good food and great service. I just call ahead to make sure it's working now 😊

Other than the usual long wait for food to be done and ready this place serves delicious food. I believe orders on the phone are processed on a higher priority. Food is usually fresh and tasty. Not sure about the end of shift production based on personal experience since I was a long time customer before I moved out of state. Location is fairly clean for the most part but one has to be aware and alert outside especially if you aren't familiar to Oakland East 14th St diverse neighborhoods lol.

Fresh and perfectly prepared! This rating is only about the food; the location and parking are substandard, dining room is unkempt cafeteria style - but like so many other such places - the food is worth the climb through the hole in the wall.

This spot may lack ambiance—think less “charming bistro” and more “four walls and a countertop”—but it delivers a piping hot performance esp with its stellar banh mi.This place is also my go-to spot for party-sized goodies!Awesome egg rolls and noodles. it’s the culinary equivalent of a trusty old friend—this place is a solid choice, every time

I tried their #1 Banh Mi, which is the original combo with ham, headcheese, pate, and mayo. It was really delicious, and the ingredients were fresh. The sandwich was packed with flavor and had the perfect balance of textures. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a tasty and affordable meal. At just $6.50 for a Banh Mi!

Definitely worth visiting. The food is not "exceptionally great" but it is cheap and such a classic and special Vietnamese "to go" spot that you'll be happy you went and glad to support such a local establishment. I ordered the fried rice (perfectly executed, clean, and delicious) The chicken leg (good but far from great in its lack of lemongrass flavor which would have been amazing) Chow fun (hard pass... Greasy and far inferior to the fluffy fried rice unless you really have a hankering for some noodles to go with your main)

Authentic grab-and-go Vietnamese deli — diverse array of rolls, fried goodies (pork pie, chicken egg roll), and noodle salads pre-packaged on-site for the taking. Asian snacks also available. Will be back to try the hot bar, with more than 20 different options.

Sandwiches Banh My are good and not expensive but our all time favorite, we always got banh my here , banh my cha (#3) just $3.25, and most expensive banh my just $3.75, it good for me eat two breakfast ( i just eat 1/2 banh my and already full) they have ton of food but i never try, recommend for everyone to try

AJ F

This spot may lack ambiance—think less “charming bistro” and more “four walls and a countertop”—but it delivers a piping hot performance esp with its stellar banh mi.This place is also my go-to spot for party-sized goodies!Awesome egg rolls and noodles. it’s the culinary equivalent of a trusty old friend—this place is a solid choice, every time

Alice Hou

I tried their #1 Banh Mi, which is the original combo with ham, headcheese, pate, and mayo. It was really delicious, and the ingredients were fresh. The sandwich was packed with flavor and had the perfect balance of textures. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a tasty and affordable meal. At just $6.50 for a Banh Mi!

Dave Young

Definitely worth visiting. The food is not "exceptionally great" but it is cheap and such a classic and special Vietnamese "to go" spot that you'll be happy you went and glad to support such a local establishment. I ordered the fried rice (perfectly executed, clean, and delicious) The chicken leg (good but far from great in its lack of lemongrass flavor which would have been amazing) Chow fun (hard pass... Greasy and far inferior to the fluffy fried rice unless you really have a hankering for some noodles to go with your main)

Christopher Chung

Authentic grab-and-go Vietnamese deli — diverse array of rolls, fried goodies (pork pie, chicken egg roll), and noodle salads pre-packaged on-site for the taking. Asian snacks also available. Will be back to try the hot bar, with more than 20 different options.

michael tran

Sandwiches Banh My are good and not expensive but our all time favorite, we always got banh my here , banh my cha (#3) just $3.25, and most expensive banh my just $3.75, it good for me eat two breakfast ( i just eat 1/2 banh my and already full) they have ton of food but i never try, recommend for everyone to try

Justin Webb

Fresh and perfectly prepared! This rating is only about the food; the location and parking are substandard, dining room is unkempt cafeteria style - but like so many other such places - the food is worth the climb through the hole in the wall.

Very quick and great. Spring rolls were fresh and filling, although they looked small, they were tightly packed some how. Bahn mi was a little dry, but the daikon carrot combo was on point

Its a reason why they're one of the OG Vietnamese sandwich shops still around. Pro tip: you can buy the pate and "butter" by itself to make your own sandwiches at home too!

Great variety of Vietnamese Food and snacks to choose from. Prompt service, Excellent value and Affordable prices.

Jen Hinh

Its a reason why they're one of the OG Vietnamese sandwich shops still around. Pro tip: you can buy the pate and "butter" by itself to make your own sandwiches at home too!

brandon oswalt

Very quick and great. Spring rolls were fresh and filling, although they looked small, they were tightly packed some how. Bahn mi was a little dry, but the daikon carrot combo was on point

An inexpensive, fast way to grab some Vietnamese foods. Price and food selection is typical for this type of establishment. It can be crowded during peak hour but the wait is usually short. Credit card is accepted.

The price on their website doesn't match the price on Google maps or in-store. They don't have all the price listed and there is no lunch special. Other than that, the prices seem fair and one of the employees was friendly. Unfortunately, they allow elderly to cut the line and the clientele can be rude/entitled.

Anon

The price on their website doesn't match the price on Google maps or in-store. They don't have all the price listed and there is no lunch special. Other than that, the prices seem fair and one of the employees was friendly. Unfortunately, they allow elderly to cut the line and the clientele can be rude/entitled.

Mediocre food, dirty tables that they don't care to wipe even if there is plenty of time, and the service isn't anything to write home about -- they can't even say thank you nor smile. Pho Dac Biet consisted of super tough rare steak, beef balls and tiny pieces of tendons that were super tough. I chose this place because they had lotus salad, but that wasn't very good either. They are really inexpensive, however, so if you are on budget it may be a good spot.

Went on Vietnamese New Year day, the place was packed, wait over 22mins for our noodle soup. Complaint to lady boss (Lily) all she said, we backlog nothing else, she didn't go check the kitchen and told us to wait. If I didn't have to pay upfront first, I've would already left restaurant.

Yoshika Hedberg

Mediocre food, dirty tables that they don't care to wipe even if there is plenty of time, and the service isn't anything to write home about -- they can't even say thank you nor smile. Pho Dac Biet consisted of super tough rare steak, beef balls and tiny pieces of tendons that were super tough. I chose this place because they had lotus salad, but that wasn't very good either. They are really inexpensive, however, so if you are on budget it may be a good spot.

JT JT (DJ)

Went on Vietnamese New Year day, the place was packed, wait over 22mins for our noodle soup. Complaint to lady boss (Lily) all she said, we backlog nothing else, she didn't go check the kitchen and told us to wait. If I didn't have to pay upfront first, I've would already left restaurant.

The banh mi here gave me food poisoning. Never coming back. Pretty sure I'm going to have to go to an urgent care. also if you notice their prepackaged food sits on a counter without any temperature control for who knows how long during the summer months with doors wide open.

Delicious diarrhea inducing food. It was good until it hit... Ate the food twice and it confirmed it. Read some of their reviews and some people had similar complaint

Jennifer Z.

Delicious diarrhea inducing food. It was good until it hit... Ate the food twice and it confirmed it. Read some of their reviews and some people had similar complaint