Today's Best Lunch: New Vietnamese At Fillmore's Bun Mee
April 4, 2011 | City's Best | By Shyla Batliwalla
From tacos to pork buns, there's not a country that doesn't love serving meat between bread
And as a devotee of all things meaty, I've never met anything between bread I didn't adore.
So it's no surprise I was first in line to try Bun Mee, a brand‐spanking‐new Vietnamese sandwich eatery on Fillmore. One bite later, I knew I'd found my new favorite lunch spot.
While we San Franciscans are already well versed in the art of the bánh mì, Bun Mee is taking these Vietnamese classics to a whole 'nother level. With their too‐cute‐for words red scooter logo and sleek modern décor, they've introduced us to a new way to enjoy a sando we already adore.
Owner Denise Tran is a Vietnam‐born, New Orleans‐raised S.F. transplant.
Her bi‐continental roots show up on the menu with dishes like the Hanoi‐Style Crispy Catfish served with red curry aioli. Purists can try the traditional Sloppy Bun (red curry ground beef, house garlic aioli, shaved onion, Thai basil, jalapenos), recommended with a fried egg on top, or the Bun Mee Combo (hand‐carved roast pork, paté de campagne, mortadella, garlic aioli, shaved onion, pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, jalapenos and cilantro).
In addition to their nine different bánh mì options, Bun Mee's menu also includes salads, entrees, starters and sides. For the salad aficionados, there's the Vietnamese "Caesar" Steak Salad served with grapefruit and tea egg or the Mekong Shrimp Salad with mango and tofu. Pair your meal with a side of sweet potato fries served with red curry aioli or the fresh and traditional salad rolls, made with sliced pork, prawns, vermicelli noodles, pineapple, pickled shallots, and fresh herbs, served with nuoc cham sauce.
You've got to go to Bun Mee now. You can't keep these cute new buns waiting.