There are several places that are my go-to lunch or dinner places whenever I’m looking for a stand by or am in a rush and since I go to them so often, it doesn’t even occur to me to blog about it. 
One such place is Viet Sub, which opened last summer on Robson Street and is very close tow here I work. I was thrilled that I no longer needed to hike over to Chinatown to satisfy my Vietnamese sub craving.
Although Viet Sub also has pho and salad rolls, the subs are definitely the best thing they offer.
I’ve tried all their subs by now and I like them all to varying degrees but my regular standby version is the cold cut sub ($3.25). I think bread plays a huge part in Vietnamese subs and can make or break them; in the case of Viet’ Sub’s bread, it is crispy on the outside and is not too doughy. The types of cold cut used seem to vary from day-to-day but generally have at least Vietnamese bacon and ham. They are quite generous with the amount of meat they put in and it is a good ratio of meat to veggies (i.e. cilantro and pickled radish & carrots). You also have the option of adding Jalapeno peppers but you have to request them when you put in your order.
My only complaint is that the pate seems to be absent from these subs but Viet Sub attempts to compensate for this with a nice drizzle of their special sauce. Other than that small complaint, I am very happy that yet another cheap and tasty lunch option is now available downtown. When I feel like splurging, I also enjoy ordering the special sub ($3.75) or the BBQ sub ($4.25). In terms of sauce and flavouring, they are both quite similar except the special sub has cold cuts whereas the special sub has a combination of pork, beef, chicken, and meatball.
Details:
542 Robson Street, Vancouver
Tel: 604-569-3340
Summary:
Food: 
Service: n/a
Price: $
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Lots of love for Viet Sub by the blogging community lately… LOL… Solid banh mis in downtown for sure!
nom nom nom! i haven’t had viet sub in foreveeer. that looks so yummy!
@Sherman – haha, I know, what a coincidence!
@Pick – yes, so yummy…in fact, I may go and get one for lunch today :p
HAha I still remember we used to tweet about this a lot when it first opened. I haven’t had their sub for a while, I am a regular for their pho. It’s for sure not the best pho but pretty decent in quality and price in dt area =)
@La Petite Vancouver – haha, I know! And it took me this long to finally blog about it!
I haven’t tried their pho yet though…have you had the pho at La Joyeaux Cafe? That’s quite good and price is reasonable too!
Gigi, I don’t agree with your rating for this one
I been to Viet Sub twice and am not impressed with the bread here or the price or the quality! I guess I’m spoiled by Chinatown and Kingsway! But I really don’t think they make their own bread here unlike the other places.
Back in Toronto I used to have subs for $1 and splurge at $2. Here in Vancouver I think $2.50 is my limit.
@Thu – I totally agree with you that there are better and cheaper options in Chinatown and Kingsway but you also have to admit that for a location right downtown on Robson Street, Viet Sub is a pretty good alternative. I don’t think there are any other lunch places that offer lunch/sandwiches for $3.25 in the same area :p By the way, I think a lot of the other places get their bread off location (even Ba Le before this year used to buy their bread from other places)…I’m ok with that as long as the bread still tastes good. $2.50 is still quite cheap if you’re able to find it though! The cheapest I’ve been able to find is Ba Le at $2.75…which places do you recommend? I know you are quite discerning when it comes to Vietnamese food
I would like to agree with Gigi. If you are familiar with Vancouver’s downtown core, there are no other places with “decent” banh mi. Of course if we compare to the very best in town such as Ba Le, Tung Hing, Au Petite and the sort, there is no contest hands down. Now about the pricing. Wow, they are cheap in TO. There is nothing cheaper than $2.50 here even for the basic banh mi.
I work near Chinatown. What are some of your recommendations of Viet subs in that area?
Thanks!
I just read your blog about La Joyeaux Cafe and I am surprised to know they serve pho !! lol I should give it a try =)
@martie – The one I frequent the most is Ba Le at E. Georgia and Main…the subs range between $2.75-3.50 there I believe.
Let me know how you like it!
@La Petite Vancouver – haha, you totally can’t tell from the outside that they also serve pho
Yeah you’re right Gigi there’s no alternative downtown.
I’m going to have to drive down Kingsway soon and confirm the name I like this place that I think is called Kim Chau. It’s actually the same chain from Toronto I used to go to for $1 subs…however I think its $2.50 or so. I like Ba Le and Tung Hing too.
As for Chinatown, I’ve only been to Ba Le so I’m not sure what else is good.
My trick when I was a poor student was to buy a bunch of fresh vietnamese baguettes and make my own sandwiches for lunch. Used to get them 4 for $1. I think they’re 50 cents each at Ba Le in Chinatown.
I can’t wait until the day Lee’s Sandwiches makes its way here from Cali. It’s like the Vietnamese McDonalds – clean restaurant, everything is in english, there’s subs and croissants with either the Viet toppings or Bacon/Cheese/Ham/etc. http://leesandwiches.com/
That would be a big HIT on Robson.
@Thu – wow, you make your own subs! That’s pretty ingenious
I checked out your link for Lee’s…sounds like a great idea. I’ll have to check it out the next time I’m in Cali
Actually, there are other Vietnamese places in Downtown, one of them being One Saigon in Hornby. Unfortunately, their offerings are more expensive compared to Viet Sub’s (an extra $1). They have (used to have?) specials on Thursdays, where you can get 2 banh mi for $7.50.
@KimHo – how do you find the One Saigon subs when compared to Viet Sub? I’ll have to give it a try one of these days
On that note, I need to try it too!
@Sherman – same here! I almost went today but I was still full by the time I got off work
Viet Sub => One Saigon
@KimHo – thanks for the mention. We still have our Thursday special. 2 Banh Mi for $7.50 all day.
I went to Viet Sub the other day – thought the subs were ok for price/location. I also ordered a salad roll on the side… and that was *not* so ok…
@elletee – haha, yeah I heard from several people that the subs are the best things there and the other things aren’t very good! So as a result, I’ve only tried the subs…