Ba-Le Sandwich Shop

I just love the lemongrass chicken Bahn Mi sandwiches. I get them on every island. Very authentic & great customer service!

Outstanding food! This is my family’s favorite restaurant-​The one we all agree on when we go out. I have been bringing my kids here since they were born, and some have chosen this place for their birthday dinners. Sure, the place appears to be a dump, but I’m afraid if it was fixed up, it would be ruined!
I have tried almost everything on the menu. The bitter melon (I get it with tofu) is outstanding-​better than any I have had on the island! My kids love the chicken choi sum with cake noodle-​One order is enough for all three kids. The lemon grass chicken, the short ribs, the fish– all good. The sandwiches are excellent… and the ph!
I thought the server was a grouch at first, but I quickly realized that she works harder than anyone I know-she’s a professional and, in truth, she has a heart of gold. I learned long ago that people who are comforted or impressed by a BS smile are easy to fool.

I love the banh mi. I always get my standard fixings — pâté with steamed pork and extra pickles. Can’t speak for the other dishes, though.

This place is great for those days when you just don’t know what to eat. Can’t go wrong with anything but my favorites are the lemongrass chicken sandwich, eggplant chicken, and tuna summer rolls. Heads up — CASH ONLY.

I’ve tried many places but I always come back here. They are super nice n friendly. Must bc a goods place bc they are always busy. All of there food is ono I try to eat something different every time. There phở base doesn’t taste all fishy.

One of our families regular stops for a quick dinner. Sandwiches on french bread are great… Chicken curry is always a winner! Friendly staff, husband & wife team that work very hard.

Although I lived in Kaneohe for 15 years (for 5 years only two blocks from Ba-​Le) I never made a visit to the restaurant until today. I’m sorry I stayed away for so long. I bought a really delicious sandwich here today, and it’s sad to realize I missed out of this pleasure for so many years. (Note to myself: be more adventuresome and try new places! Life will be more enjoyable if you do!!)
I have 4 whacko friends in Kaneohe. All work in the same office, and once a month I pay them a visit. We have a great deal. I enjoy their company and they let me buy them lunch. I usually go to Dean’s, but today he was closed today so they suggested Ba-​Le. Thank you whacko friends!
We all ordered sandwiches (Banh Mi), 4 tuna and 1 vegetarian, all on croissant bread. I phoned in the ordered and it was ready in about 10 minutes. Everyone at lunch commented on how wonderful the sandwiches tasted.
The croissant rolls very fresh, big and fluffy. The tuna sandwiches were made with tuna and homemade mayo, lettuce, tomato, swiss cheese, jalapenos, onions, and spices. I’m getting hungry for another one just writing about it.
The Vegy sandwich was interesting: fried tofu, jicama, potatoes and vermicelli. My friend raved about it. So we all had a great lunch and vowed to order again and try their other offerings. Ba-Le’s going on my lunch list for Kaneohe for sure. So if you are every in the area, don’t be like me and ignore them. Give them a try. I think you will be pleased.
Ba-​Le Kaneohe is located on Kamehameha Hwy in a 2 story building half-​way between the Shell and Lilipuna Rd. It’s across the street from Fresh Catch. The parking lot is small, but people come and go frequently, so if it’s full, you’ll usually find an opening after a short wait.
One reviewer last year commented on the cleanliness, but I found the place ok and wouldn’t mind eating here. It’s an old building and a busy shop but not objectionable in my opinion. There are only 3 or 4 small tables, so if the place is busy it’s better to order take-​out. A lot of Kaneohe places are like this, and my secret is to drive to the Windward Mall food court and eat there. Works for me!
The lady behind the counter is business like and someone thought she was unfriendly. But she’s not rude, so I’m all for giving her a break. I’m sure she works very hard and as long as she makes wonderful food, I don’t mind.
As already mentioned phone orders accepted, but CASH ONLY.

Spring rolls, and beef chow fun are my usual staples. The food is typical of the franchise, tapioca, jello, and the mango pudding and such.

We got the BBQ chicken and lemongrass chicken sandwiches. Good price and size, flavor was good (we prefer the lemongrass), and lots of veggies. Only criticism was the french bread didn’t seem fresh (seems odd for a ba le), will try croissant next time.
Also got the chicken bok choy with cake noodle which was yum! Will definitely come back for this.
The lady who took our order was nice and we didn’t have to wait too long. Tiny seating area. It’s a hole in the wall kind of place.
Cash only.

Great teriyaki fish! The guy even remembers my order! Great service but just have to improve on the [clearing] your place part.

I’m writing this review on behalf of my mom who does not have a Unilocal account but really wanted to give this Bale a review. She loves this location so much (and so do I compared to the others I’ve eaten at). Our favorite is the garlic chicken. They cook it just right and the garlic is fresh and generously given (I love my garlic!) The family that owns this one is really nice to us. It might be because my mom is so overly friendly to everyone and anyone she meets. I always like getting the chocolate tapioca because I love anything chocolate. The taro tapioca is really good too! Overall great place if you are in the mood for Bale and are in Kaneohe!

I would rate this place zero stars (if that were an option). The owners should consider closing their shop for a few days and CLEAN. As soon as you walk in, the place is noticeably dark, cramped, and dirty. The front of the shop is also used as storage space. My husband and I had a craving for Vietnamese food and thought Ba Le is a chain, it must be similar to the ones we know back home… It is not.
We ordered the grilled pork chop and lemongrass chicken plate and grilled shrimp and lemongrass chicken. The chicken was disgusting, probably one day away from getting tossed. I can’t believe these owners take money from patrons and serve such low quality food. We could not swallow one piece of the chicken and ended up dumping all the food and wasted money.
we did not have their banh mi sandwiches. However, judging from the low quality of ingredients we received in the rice plates, I doubt the sandwiches are good.

I’m always a fan of Baale Banh Mi sandwiches, but I have to say this location is not one of my favorites due to being very small and not-​so-​clean. My husband and I were thinking of eating here (those perfectly toasted Banh Mi’s can get hard/​stale pretty fast!), but after seeing the inside, we quickly asked for it «to go» and sped home!

Love the grilled ahi!

I like this place. I usually get the same thing all the time. A tuna sandwhich with a order of beef chow fun with no onions (I hate onions) :-D. This place is small and a hole in the wall thats why they have so few reviews. The people who work here are a bit interesting. I wouldnt call them mean. But they dont really smile. They make good food. The only problem most people might have is the minimal parking in this area. Lucky for me I usually walk in Kaneohe some dub me the «Walking Man» But thats another story. I usually go here if I have a late shift at my 2^nd job. All I can say is give it a try and order something. Peace out and chill it have a nice day.

I wish I could give Ba-​Le a four star, but that would only be basing my rating on the food. The food here is really good. I love eating the sandwiches. Unfortunately the breads offered at the Kaneohe Ba-​Le are French Bread and Croissant. (At the UHM Ba-​Le, Multigrain and a bunch of other breads are offered). The sandwich prices range from $ 4.75 to I believe $ 6 something? I always get the Tofu sandwich, but they do have pastrami and other meats.
The Phở is really good too. I don’t get it too often though because usually when I go to eat Phở they’re not open. They also offer rice plates with different types of meat. This past time my BF & I went, my BF tried the Garlic Chicken. I tried a bite, and I thought it was really good. It wasn’t too garlic-​y AND it has a BBQ kind of charred (not burnt) taste. When I get a plate, I usually get the Lemongrass Chicken. Next time I think I’m going to try the Lemongrass Tofu. The plates come with pickled dikon and carrots with a little salad.
Unfortunately I had to give this Ba-​Le a three stars because the service here isn’t too good. The woman who I think is the owner isn’t very friendly. I’ve come here multiple times and every time I go she doesn’t seem happy. I know she can be a nice person because I’ve been to Ba-​Le when she’s had a customer she knows. I’m not sure if she prejudges because my BF & I look like younger customers than she’s used to. I’m not asking to be waited on hand-​and-​foot. A smile or a thank you would be nice especially when I’m trying to be pleasant.
This place is CASH ONLY.

Stopped by and picked up summer rolls, rainbow jello cup and a sweet potato pudding cup. Everything good, next time I’ll get a tuna sandwich. That’s my fav here!

I used to get sandwiches here all the time… How things have changed! My sandwich was half the size it was when I last had one and the ingredients weren’t fresh… So, not only was it skimpy, it was old and skimpy… WTH…