Midtown Lunch

The hunger for Vietnamese sandwiches knows no bounds (unless you make crappy ones), and with that comes a new branch of Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches on Nassau St. (at Ann). They are already a sort of institution in Brooklyn and the East Village with cheap and tasty sandwiches. I was walking to get myself some street meat and then I spotted a grand opening sign in a mini-mall of sorts and Nicky’s became my new lunch destination.

They offer five sandwiches in the little shop, along with a couple of options over rice or vermicelli, and bubble tea and smoothies. Its size is similar to Baoguette a couple of blocks away, but they managed to squeeze in a couple of two-person tables and a window bench.

I went with the pork chop banh mi ($5.75), spicy, on white bread. They do offer wheat bread, but that seemed kind of wrong for a banh mi. It took a little while to get the sandwich, but they were really friendly on what may have been the first day of business so I wasn’t judging.

The sandwich wasn’t as big as what you get at other shops, but it’s also slightly cheaper at $5.50 to $5.75. I liked the light mayo application and the balanced approach, with the roll not humongous and the sandwich not stuffed with carrot or cilantro, and a good portion of meat. That being said, the pork was pretty gristly and when I tried to bite through a piece I would end up pulling the whole thing out.

I liked my lunch, although I can’t call it the best banh mi I’ve ever tasted. Again, they just opened so I’m not going to judge too harshly. Also, for those of you wanting for pho without having to go to Chinatown, it sounds like your wish will come true in a few weeks.

Nicky’s Vietnamese Sandwiches, 99-C Nassau St. (at Ann), (212) 766-3388