SOUP AND SANDWICH: Not quite Saigon style. - IMAGE: Liz Devine
Banh mi price inflation is a hot button for foodniks. Is
it reasonable to double the price of cheapo Vietnamese sandwiches when
they’re composed of midgrade ingredients and served in swankier digs by
white people in black shirts? On the other hand, is it offensive to
suggest Asian immigrants should sell their wares for $3.25 when people
happily pay $10.95 for a salami sandwich at Kenny & Zuke’s?
For a
bourgie take on banh mi, try Double Dragon, a new Southeast Division
Street joint owned and operated by Rob Walls, a former Bunk Sandwiches
artist. It clearly isn’t aimed at An Xuyen Bakery regulars (“Banh mi is a
certain kind of sandwich that was invented in Vietnam. Have you heard
of it?” the restaurant’s website asks) and won’t please traditionalists.
Double Dragon bakes its own bread daily, and it’s thick, hearty
stuff—unlike Best Baguette’s crisp-shelled but wispy bread, which is
pulled from the oven hourly. Including a side of deeply browned potato
chips is another move toward bahnality that’s likely to raise some ire.
Toppings—cilantro, jalapeño, pickled carrots and daikon—are essentially
per standard. The bright orange meatballs of “beef, pork, secrets”
($7.50) were our favorite filling, pairing nicely with the crisp, purple
jicama slaw ($2.75). Pork belly ($7.50) flavored with pineapple and
brown sugar was more fat than flavor. The slow-cooked, hoisin-heavy
pulled pork ($7.50) is a better piece of pig. Order the excellent
roasted carrot soup, rich with coconut milk and tangy with basil and
green salsa, and you’ll be less interested in driving out to 82nd
Avenue.
- Order this: Meatball banh mi ($7.50) and a small roasted carrot soup ($3.25).
- Best deal: Rainier tall boy ($1.50).
- I’ll pass: Anything with pork belly.
EAT: Double Dragon, 1235 SE Division Street, 230-8340, doubledragonpdx.com. 11:30 am-9 pm daily. $$.
