The Hog from Xe May Sandwich Shop

Unfortunately I never really acquired a taste for banh mi. Which is a shame, because these Vietnamese sandwiches are probably the best bang for your buck when it comes to a flavorful under-$5 meal. I’ve had banh mi from Saigon Bakery and elsewhere that I’ve mostly enjoyed. But sometimes, there is an aura I can’t quite stomach between the liver pâté, headcheese, fish sauce, and pickled vegetables. I’m all for variations on tradition, though. Enter the Hog from Xe May Sandwich Shop.

The Hog keeps it real with pickled carrots, cucumber, and daikon, but replaces the funky bits with tender, juicy grilled pork, scallion oil, fried shallots, and chili mayo. It’s served on an absolutely perfect fresh roll that’s crusty but not too hard or a flaky mess in the making. To answer the inevitable question of spicy or mild, the chili mayo gives the mild version a pleasant kick, so I usually order it that way. The spicy version amps it up with jalapeños and Sriracha—I’ll ask for medium spice when I’m feeling non-comittal. At $6, it is pricey for bahn mi, but not too bad.

The East Village has no shortage of banh mi places, including Baogette, Banh Mi Zon, and Nicky’s–which is now apparently called Vicky’s. Xe May has become my go-to spot, though. Seating is extremely limited and takeout requires at least ten minutes’ idling, but the guys here are ridiculously nice and the quality is great. If you need another reason, it’s practically next door to Puddin‘, which is worth a try on its own.

Xe May Sandwich Shop
96 St. Mark’s Place between First Ave. and Av. A.
Sun-Thurs 12pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-1am