Eat Athens: New downtown Vietnamese option is a blast of flavor and variety

For fans of pizza, burgers and tacos, the culinary landscape of downtown Athens has no shortage of options that'll be pleasing to the palate. Those who enjoy Vietnamese food have been able to rely on Mother Pho for decades, but new flavors and experiences are always welcome. And why not add a sixth place to get boba drinks? Some might argue that they should be available on every street corner.

Paris Banh Mi Cafe and Bakery opened at 163 W. Clayton St. on Saturday, Nov. 18. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the chain restaurant location is a solid option for folks who are looking to add a splash of new flavor to their mid-morning or lunch routine or grab a fast and interesting dinner before attending a downtown event. But how does it stand out from other Vietnamese eateries in Athens?

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Founded by Hien Tran and Doan Nguyen, Paris Banh Mi is based in Orlando, Florida and operates dozens of locations across the United States, including one in Duluth and another in Snellville expected to open in December. The banh mi sandwiches they specialize in have been a dominant part of Vietnamese cuisine since the 1950s, which is why they can also be found at other Athens eateries like Mother Pho, Bon de Paris and Just Pho.

The colorful and brightly-lit interior of Paris Banh Mi is welcoming for those who have never tried Vietnamese food before and celebratory for those who love it. There is plenty of space to stand and look over the wide variety of menu options, gaze upon the display of delicious-looking baked goods and desserts or grab some pre-packaged Asian snacks and drinks from the front cooler.

As far as the menu goes, there's not much of a difference between Bon de Paris and Paris Banh Mi. There are several options for banh mi sandwiches served with pork, chicken or beef bathed in that instantly addictive sauce and wrapped up in a baguette or croissant. The boba drink menu is similarly vast and offers endless flavor opportunities, most of which compliment the sandwiches well. There are also colorful corn dogs like the kid Mochinut serves, including one that is rolled in blue Taki chips.

When the Banner-Herald paid a visit, we went with the standard pork banh mi sandwich on a fresh-baked baguette that was the perfect balance of softness and outer crunch. We've had these at every Vietnamese restaurant in Athens, and the one at Paris Banh Mi struck a perfect balance of bread to ingredients without falling apart. The crème brulee matcha drink contained less than its tall stature suggested, so we tried a kiwi soda from the front case that ended up being a better chaser for the meal.

To view the full menu at Paris Banh Mi, visit parisbanhmi.com/order-website/view-menu.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Eat Athens: Paris Banh Mi adds more Vietnamese flavor to downtown