.... I want to start off by saying I am Vietnamese ... There is nothing I want more than for Bloomington to open up a legit Vietnamese restaurant, with the perfect Pho. (A girl can dream...) Rush hour makes me mad, because it's the only Vietnamese available in town ... And it's just slacking . The Bahn mi sandwich has great flavors but not that "authentic vibe", and the "pho" is ... Let's not call it that ... Pho has everything to do with the broth ... Throwing in a beef bullion cube and calling it pho is NOT OK. I gave it 3 stars (being nice) because I really want to like it ... It just needs work.
(3)
Ilona H.
Fresh, fast and oh so delicious! Try everything!! I particularly like the "anger management" noodle soup and salads. Also look for the specials!
(5)
Christina F.
The flavors are good, especially the banh mi, fried rice, and Thai iced tea. The prices are cheap, especially when you order a daily special or pay in cash (5% discount). Why wouldn't you eat here?
(4)
Regina W.
It took me months to actually figure out that Rush Hour Station was a restaurant rather than a convenience store because of the name alone. To my pleasant surprise though, not only is it a restaurant, but one of the best value restaurants that Bloomington has to offer. It's speciality is Vietnamese Bahn Mi Sandwiches--the only place in Bloomington you can find them--but in addition to that, it also offers salads, hot soups, and everyday and day specific specials. The food is fresh, delicious, and CHEAP. Just look for the giant red sign outside that advertises $4.25 for Asian Sandwich. For sandwiches, you pick your protein (meat and vegetarian options) and then your sauce (10 different ones available!). The bread always tastes fresh and the multiple vegetarian sandwiches I've had here have always been outstanding. Definitely a casual place though were you order and pay at the counter. Great place to go alone or with friends, but not the kind of atmosphere for a fancy date. Definitely recommended!
(5)
Melissa T.
Love the beef and meatball pho! Every time when I go there I'll get pho. It's awesome but a little bit greasy sometimes.
(5)
Laura K.
Consistently tasty speedy fresh food. Love the banh mi sandwiches (as far as I know, the only banh mi in town) and the ramen soups. The owner is friendly and helpful. Yummy!!!!
(4)
Dalia M.
It's cheap so there's that. I came here and got the pork sandwich hoping to be reminded of sandwiches like this I had, had in the past. Unfortunately, it was pretty bland and did not satisfy the craving. Sampled the pho - Mandalay's is better. Unsure of all the fabulous reviews but maybe it was an off day. Or maybe I just like more flavor. Not on my return list but for a cheap meal for undergrads, I can see it being satisfactory.
(2)
Robin K.
Delicious food. Super friendly service. Games! I came on Chinese New Year and got a free Thai Iced Tea!
(5)
Franklin D.
Came here hoping for some decent Bahn Mi. It was OK... anything with sriracha on it is going to taste decent. But the meatballs... dang. These are the exact same ones I used to get at the grocery store, thaw out, and put on little sticks to cook when I make hot pot. I don;t know what my point is... I ate the sandwiche anyway.
(3)
Michael F.
Very kind service. Came in around 5 minutes after opening and they were excited to serve me. Delicious chicken Raman soup. Throw in some spicy garlic chili and its got a nice kick! Lovely outdoor patio! Wish more people knew about this gem.
(5)
John Z.
Try the anger management. This place is affordable and has great food. Friendly staff, quick service and good everyday kind of food.
(5)
Sun R.
First time here, and I am amazed. Had the beef sandwich and beef pho. Pretty good flavor, close to what I had in Brooklyn. It is not the fake Asian fusion, it is truly authentic. Most of all, it's cheap.
(5)
Jing C.
We went during a not so rushed hour. In July not many people are on campus so business is slow. Idk if this is an excuse to why my beef pho soup had tough grey slices of beef as if it was cooking for hours. The authenticity is not very good unless you have never had pho. There is a fine line between beef soup and pho. The broth here could have had more flavor. The rice noodles were the cheap brand and had no bite to them. Ingredients are very basic and not very authentic. The meatballs in my "You Complete Me" pho tasted like IKEA Swedish meatballs.
(2)
Rocky F.
Really delicious! We were having pedicures next door at MaiSunami and decided to treat ourselves to lunch at Rush Hour Station. The young lady who took our orders wasn't exactly Miss Personality, and didn't bother to point out the specials board to us. (and we didn't notice the special board until we saw the people behind us ordering, grrr.) I am thinking she is not unfriendly, just shy? Oh well, next time we will know to check out the specials. I had the lemongrass chicken sandwich and Jean had the vermicelli salad. They were both excellent. The veggies on my sandwich were fresh and tasty. Service is fast. We enjoyed it. Nice to get flavors like this in the Midwest.
(4)
Liz K.
Awesome pho awesome sandwiches. Rice dishes and vermicelli dishes are ok. Love this place!!
(5)
Katie M.
I'm in Bloomington for work and I stumbled on rush hour station because Bombay cafe was closed. Im so happy I did!! The Gyoza was out of this world! By far the best I've ever had. I just got take out but the lady I talked to was very helpful and nice. Highly highly recommend
(5)
TD L.
Like Jason F. (a fellow classmate) says, this place is worth a stop. The sandwich I had was delicious...hey, it motivated me to sign back into this account simply to write a review. They are nice, the service was prompt, and it was cheap. Really cheap. I love you Bloomington Sandwich, but this is great Banh Mi for 4 bucks. Bottom Line: Take a chance. Instead of walking by, walk in. You won't regret it.
(5)
Jeremy P.
I am really surprised at all of the four- and five-star ratings for this joint. Yes, I am happy that there is a place in B-town that serves Bahn Mi: after all, everyone deserves easy access to these yummy sandwiches. But RHS is plagued by an extreme case of B-town restaurant-itis: crappy presentation. If I could give 1.5 stars, I would. I realize that not every restaurant is going to place the same emphasis upon decor and ambience, and some places actually want you in and out quickly. But the inside of RHS was disgusting and totally uninviting. There were tables with gooey food caked on them, there were strange piles of stuff in random places, and the menu was so poorly arranged. The plate my Bahn Mi was served on was filthy. The underside had some mysterious residue, probably sauce from a previous meal. My sandwich had a clump (re: large wad) of rotting cilantro. It was turning brown and wilting, yet they put it on my sandwich. And the avocado was mysteriously not ripe, yet it was 50% brown/black already. I won't discuss the flavor or quality of the ingredients because I believe that all of the other violations make them moot. Maybe not everyone has had the same experience at RHS, or maybe I just picked the wrong day to be a patron. But c'mon, people! If we don't demand for our restaurants to be clean and presentable, then we will keep getting more of the same. I believe that a letter grade system needs to be employed in the kitchen inspections of Bloomington. I am sure that RHS would have gotten no higher than a C the day I ate there. Oh, and put a friggin' lock on your bathroom door. It was not fun to be mid-stream and have a random girl walk in on me.
(2)
Yvonne M.
New favorite Asian place in town! Extra stars go to serving yummy Thai iced tea and Vietnamese iced coffee. I'm not a big fan of sandwiches but the rice entrees are absolutely delicious. The Asian BBQ pork actually tastes like Mexican carnitas! Since I found this place, my hubby has stopped having the tacos cravings we used to travel to Indy for.
(5)
Susan M.
It's my favorite place to eat in Bloomington. Robin is a fantastic cook, and there are always many vegetarian and gluten free offerings. It's convenient, quick, and inexpensive. I take people there all the time, and everyone I take loves it.
(5)
Danielle B.
I was really hesitant about Rush Hour at first, the outside of the restaurant looks more like a store than an eatery but much to my surprise they actually have amazing food. Getting one of the sandwiches is a MUST they have like ten different sauces to choose from so that is a really cool aspect not to mention the lemongrass sauce and the Asian bbq sauce are delicious. I tried the Beef bbq sandwich which came on a delicious Italian style roll and was layered with cucumber, carrots, jalapenos and fresh cilantro, it was one of the best sandwiches Ive ever had in btown! The staff were very friendly and very prompt! The best part was the price! This place is SO CHEAP! I will definitely keep this place in my rotation!
(4)
Tiffany H.
I don't understand all these great reviews. I had the "beef noodle soup" which was a botched attempt at pho, and some banh mi. Neither of which were tasty nor authentic. The soup: noodles weren't fresh, noodles were undercooked, broth was murky, and the vegetables were cooked when they shouldn't have been. As for the banh mi, I don't want to even call it banh mi. It is a mediocre sandwich on a good baguette. The bread was the redeeming quality here. However, the meat was overdone and salty, the carrots weren't even pickled like it would be in an authentic banh mi sandwich, and the other vegetables were so thin they wilted from the meat. Overall, this place was nothing special. Being Vietnamese, I wouldn't take my parents here.
(2)
John T.
Gold in a strip mall! Delicious sandwiches, friendly staff, pleasant atmosphere, great prices, really close to school and home. All boxes checked: winner!
(5)
Ron P.
If there is a better place that serves excellent Asian food at the same or cheaper price in town, I'm not aware of it. And I've lived here for 30 years. Don't expect to get wowed by the ambiance, but do expect to be impressed by the value and quality. The sandwiches are great, with plenty of sauces from which to choose. My dentist's office is in the same strip and after a visit, I reward myself with a visit to RHS. Try it.
(4)
Bloom B.
Such a huge fan! I got the Asian pork sandwich w/ lemongrass, jalapenos, and all the normal fixings (which includes pate) and I've been blown away both times. Thai iced tea is as good as Siam House and My Thai, and costs less. Pineapple curry today was perfection, too.
(5)
Talia C.
I have tried three times, on very spread out occasions, to like this restaurant. The first two times I went were closer to when it originally opened, and the main takeaways each time were okay sandwiches and a horrible horrible cleaning solution smell that made it gross to consume food while taking in that kind of odor. The ambiance has improved significantly since then as there were no weird smells today and it's actually kind of cute inside now. So I can write off the other two occasions as just being a new business and trying to figure out what works for you. Today though - there was no music and only a few patrons, which made for an uncomfortably quiet experience, even when just waiting for takeout. When placing my order, I noticed that everything was listed in English (Asian beef sandwich, Be Kind To Each Other Soup, etc.). Maybe it's just me, but I love to see the items as they are actually called (in Vietnamese with English characters), so 1) I was a little disappointed and 2) wasn't sure how to order what I was really wanting. I asked if they offer banh mi sandwiches and the cashier replied that she wasn't sure. Really? How do you not know if you have one of the most commonly offered Vietnamese sandwiches available? Apparently it is offered there, by the way, since other reviewers mentioned it specifically. Anyway, I ended up asking her her favorite entree, which she mentioned was the drunken noodles. She said they're very spicy, which I was excited about, so I went for them along with a thai tea. The thai tea was bland and definitely not authentic - kind of like a boring, orange colored water. The noodles though - BAD. The sauce was grossly sweet (not spicy at all), the noodles mush.. Even the colors were a little radiated looking, which I assume is a result of 1) using poor quality ingredients and 2) overcooking said ingredients. I could write all of this off as a weird day, but three strikes and you're out is my usual policy. I will say that they were very fast and reasonably priced though, so at least there's that. There's also parking available. Oh I forgot to mention that I had actually tried to go here yesterday for lunch since they are supposedly open on Mondays. However, they were closed. Weird.
(2)
J C.
I'm having a bit of a moral dilemma about what to rate this place. It's a bizarre amalgamation of convenience store and Vietnamese cafe, and also serves other odd dishes including breakfast omelets topped with fries and raisins? Looking over the menu, I imagined the veins that would pop out of Gordon Ramsey's face if this place ever went on Kitchen Nightmares (which it arguably could). When I went it was basically empty, and manned by one lonely dude who wasn't exactly efficient in the kitchen. Although we were the only people waiting, it took us about 40 minutes to get all of our food. That said, the banh mi I had was quite delicious, and as cheap as it should be! They obviously specialize in these Vietnamese sandwiches and I really wish they would go with that, rethinking their marketing strategy -- maybe many people around here wouldn't be interested in trying Vietnamese food, but I love it, and had no clue they served it up at this weird little place until seeing a picture here on Yelp. We also had a soup that approximates pho, though obviously not made with the delicate, complexly spiced homemade beef broth that restaurants specializing in pho make in giant, extremely time-consuming batches (I certainly wouldn't expect it to be considering the breadth of the menu). It was still tasty enough, but the portion was small and pricey. I would stop by here again at lunch time to see if they can actually turn out a sandwich quickly. If not, I probably won't go here a third time, because banh mi are actually pretty easy to make and something we do at home all the time. Even so, anyone who has never tried banh mi should absolutely go -- they are my favorite sandwich, ever, and done very well here.
(4)
Lynn J.
Try rush hour. It's flavors are sort of different and you may really like it. I like their pot stickers especially well. And there is parking.
(3)
Alan B.
Best sandwiches in Bloomington. Period. Rush Hour Station is located in the shopping plaza just across the street from Burnham Rentals on the corner of 3rd and Dunn. I went in this afternoon to give it a go. I ordered a pulled beef sandwich with herbs and vegetables (the #1). It had tender, marinated beef that was slow cooked in some kind of tangy sauce. Sriracha gives it a good kick. It was topped with shredded carrots, onions, cucumbers, bok choi, and lemongrass, and sandwiched (of course) between two slices of very fresh french baguette which was soft on the inside, but had the perfect crunch on the outside. And the price tag for this bad boy? $3.50. For an 8 inch sandwich with some of the best quality ingredients I've seen in this town. It was so good that, even though I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy in the form of a Corporations final in 18 hours, I'm taking the time to write this review. Don't walk; RUN to this place for your next lunch.
(5)
Lisa M.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Bloomington. And considering how much good food there is in this town, I'd say that's a pretty glowing recommendation! They have the best sandwiches in town (banh mi), and the Vermicelli salad (with the egg rolls) is also excellent. The owner, Robin, is also very friendly and kind--she always works to make sure that your food is just how you wanted it. Even better is the fact that the food is very affordable for a quick lunch. I definitely recommend it.
(4)
Bradley G.
This place is wonderful! For $5, I got a big sandwich full of fresh veggies (cucumbers, carrots, onions, and jalapenos), pulled beef, and delicious "Asian BBQ" sauce. Everything on their menu looks so good, I want to try everything! Definitely going back soon.
(5)
Jason F.
Don't let the location or the low prices deceive you - this place is awesome. I walk by Rush Hour on a daily basis and just thought 'Hey, these sandwich prices are so low, how good can it be?' I was an idiot. Today I pulled the trigger, followed Alan B.'s advice and got the pulled beef sandwich. It was the tastiest sandwich I've had in a looong time and was plenty of food. Would've taken about $8 at Jimmy's to compete with the quantity. Total price at Rush Hour? $4.60. The food smokes Jimmy John's and Which Wich, the prices crush Penn Station/ Dagwood's, and the owner is super friendly. If you want a cheap and delicious lunch spot, this is it. SUMMARY: Don't be an idiot like I was. Go to Rush Hour.
(5)
Ravtaj S.
Excellent sandwiches with meat and sauce choices ! Both korean and wendale sauces nice n spicy .. pretty good options for lunch and dinner .. Innovative soups and salad options too.. Great place worth a try..
(5)
Luis R.
Not bad for Bloomington but a few concerns. Some of the employees aren't exactly "clean-cut", and the tables are consistently dirty and need wiping down of the items (salt and pepper shaker, napkin holder, etc). I'm also surprised at how long it takes for your food even though it's never been busy when I've visited. Don't get me wrong, it's not filthy, it's just that the food is pretty good for Midwestern Vietnamese but a few changes would make it great including the ones I mentioned before. Also, Pho soup should come with basil, jalapeno, lime, sprouts, etc. If I could give it a 3.5 star rating I would because obviously we've gone several times but I doubt we'll keep going if it stays the same.
(3)
Kellie M.
Incredible sandwiches. The sardine sandwich was easily the most amazing sandwich I have ever eaten. The beef and pork are pretty spectacular as well. I think I might have found a new favorite Bloomington take-out place. You are a fool if you do not try Rush Hour Station.
(5)
Ethan G.
great food, great prices. The burgers in particular are delicious, and the toppings are imaginative and tasty. And the people! Some of the nicest people I've ever met.
(5)
Sarah H.
The food here is fresh and really tasty. I don't eat meat and there are lots of veg. options. We have kids and they're always satisfied with the food and it's casual enough that we don't worry about bringing them. The owner is really nice to the kids too, which only makes the experience better. Also they have free parking, ever more appealing with the parking meters all over town...
(5)
Sally S.
Ok so yes this place is in an awkward strip mall, and yes its kind of jank inside, but honestly, you're not going to get a better sandwich in Bloomington. Good amount of options so that if you go quite often you're never bored. And SERIOUSLY tasty. As a senior foodie who grew up on the east coast, I think Rush Hour Station could compete with some of the better sandwiches I've had! TRY IT!
(5)
D Y.
the best sandwiches in town! i always order the chicken stir-fry and it's delicious! love the veggies and cilantro in it. it's the only place in bloomington that serves good food for low price. always fresh and tasty.
(5)
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Address :421 E 3rd St,Ste 8
Bloomington, IN, 47401
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Rebecca N.
.... I want to start off by saying I am Vietnamese ... There is nothing I want more than for Bloomington to open up a legit Vietnamese restaurant, with the perfect Pho. (A girl can dream...) Rush hour makes me mad, because it's the only Vietnamese available in town ... And it's just slacking . The Bahn mi sandwich has great flavors but not that "authentic vibe", and the "pho" is ... Let's not call it that ... Pho has everything to do with the broth ... Throwing in a beef bullion cube and calling it pho is NOT OK. I gave it 3 stars (being nice) because I really want to like it ... It just needs work.
(3)Ilona H.
Fresh, fast and oh so delicious! Try everything!! I particularly like the "anger management" noodle soup and salads. Also look for the specials!
(5)Christina F.
The flavors are good, especially the banh mi, fried rice, and Thai iced tea. The prices are cheap, especially when you order a daily special or pay in cash (5% discount). Why wouldn't you eat here?
(4)Regina W.
It took me months to actually figure out that Rush Hour Station was a restaurant rather than a convenience store because of the name alone. To my pleasant surprise though, not only is it a restaurant, but one of the best value restaurants that Bloomington has to offer. It's speciality is Vietnamese Bahn Mi Sandwiches--the only place in Bloomington you can find them--but in addition to that, it also offers salads, hot soups, and everyday and day specific specials. The food is fresh, delicious, and CHEAP. Just look for the giant red sign outside that advertises $4.25 for Asian Sandwich. For sandwiches, you pick your protein (meat and vegetarian options) and then your sauce (10 different ones available!). The bread always tastes fresh and the multiple vegetarian sandwiches I've had here have always been outstanding. Definitely a casual place though were you order and pay at the counter. Great place to go alone or with friends, but not the kind of atmosphere for a fancy date. Definitely recommended!
(5)Melissa T.
Love the beef and meatball pho! Every time when I go there I'll get pho. It's awesome but a little bit greasy sometimes.
(5)Laura K.
Consistently tasty speedy fresh food. Love the banh mi sandwiches (as far as I know, the only banh mi in town) and the ramen soups. The owner is friendly and helpful. Yummy!!!!
(4)Dalia M.
It's cheap so there's that. I came here and got the pork sandwich hoping to be reminded of sandwiches like this I had, had in the past. Unfortunately, it was pretty bland and did not satisfy the craving. Sampled the pho - Mandalay's is better. Unsure of all the fabulous reviews but maybe it was an off day. Or maybe I just like more flavor. Not on my return list but for a cheap meal for undergrads, I can see it being satisfactory.
(2)Robin K.
Delicious food. Super friendly service. Games! I came on Chinese New Year and got a free Thai Iced Tea!
(5)Franklin D.
Came here hoping for some decent Bahn Mi. It was OK... anything with sriracha on it is going to taste decent. But the meatballs... dang. These are the exact same ones I used to get at the grocery store, thaw out, and put on little sticks to cook when I make hot pot. I don;t know what my point is... I ate the sandwiche anyway.
(3)Michael F.
Very kind service. Came in around 5 minutes after opening and they were excited to serve me. Delicious chicken Raman soup. Throw in some spicy garlic chili and its got a nice kick! Lovely outdoor patio! Wish more people knew about this gem.
(5)John Z.
Try the anger management. This place is affordable and has great food. Friendly staff, quick service and good everyday kind of food.
(5)Sun R.
First time here, and I am amazed. Had the beef sandwich and beef pho. Pretty good flavor, close to what I had in Brooklyn. It is not the fake Asian fusion, it is truly authentic. Most of all, it's cheap.
(5)Jing C.
We went during a not so rushed hour. In July not many people are on campus so business is slow. Idk if this is an excuse to why my beef pho soup had tough grey slices of beef as if it was cooking for hours. The authenticity is not very good unless you have never had pho. There is a fine line between beef soup and pho. The broth here could have had more flavor. The rice noodles were the cheap brand and had no bite to them. Ingredients are very basic and not very authentic. The meatballs in my "You Complete Me" pho tasted like IKEA Swedish meatballs.
(2)Rocky F.
Really delicious! We were having pedicures next door at MaiSunami and decided to treat ourselves to lunch at Rush Hour Station. The young lady who took our orders wasn't exactly Miss Personality, and didn't bother to point out the specials board to us. (and we didn't notice the special board until we saw the people behind us ordering, grrr.) I am thinking she is not unfriendly, just shy? Oh well, next time we will know to check out the specials. I had the lemongrass chicken sandwich and Jean had the vermicelli salad. They were both excellent. The veggies on my sandwich were fresh and tasty. Service is fast. We enjoyed it. Nice to get flavors like this in the Midwest.
(4)Liz K.
Awesome pho awesome sandwiches. Rice dishes and vermicelli dishes are ok. Love this place!!
(5)Katie M.
I'm in Bloomington for work and I stumbled on rush hour station because Bombay cafe was closed. Im so happy I did!! The Gyoza was out of this world! By far the best I've ever had. I just got take out but the lady I talked to was very helpful and nice. Highly highly recommend
(5)TD L.
Like Jason F. (a fellow classmate) says, this place is worth a stop. The sandwich I had was delicious...hey, it motivated me to sign back into this account simply to write a review. They are nice, the service was prompt, and it was cheap. Really cheap. I love you Bloomington Sandwich, but this is great Banh Mi for 4 bucks. Bottom Line: Take a chance. Instead of walking by, walk in. You won't regret it.
(5)Jeremy P.
I am really surprised at all of the four- and five-star ratings for this joint. Yes, I am happy that there is a place in B-town that serves Bahn Mi: after all, everyone deserves easy access to these yummy sandwiches. But RHS is plagued by an extreme case of B-town restaurant-itis: crappy presentation. If I could give 1.5 stars, I would. I realize that not every restaurant is going to place the same emphasis upon decor and ambience, and some places actually want you in and out quickly. But the inside of RHS was disgusting and totally uninviting. There were tables with gooey food caked on them, there were strange piles of stuff in random places, and the menu was so poorly arranged. The plate my Bahn Mi was served on was filthy. The underside had some mysterious residue, probably sauce from a previous meal. My sandwich had a clump (re: large wad) of rotting cilantro. It was turning brown and wilting, yet they put it on my sandwich. And the avocado was mysteriously not ripe, yet it was 50% brown/black already. I won't discuss the flavor or quality of the ingredients because I believe that all of the other violations make them moot. Maybe not everyone has had the same experience at RHS, or maybe I just picked the wrong day to be a patron. But c'mon, people! If we don't demand for our restaurants to be clean and presentable, then we will keep getting more of the same. I believe that a letter grade system needs to be employed in the kitchen inspections of Bloomington. I am sure that RHS would have gotten no higher than a C the day I ate there. Oh, and put a friggin' lock on your bathroom door. It was not fun to be mid-stream and have a random girl walk in on me.
(2)Yvonne M.
New favorite Asian place in town! Extra stars go to serving yummy Thai iced tea and Vietnamese iced coffee. I'm not a big fan of sandwiches but the rice entrees are absolutely delicious. The Asian BBQ pork actually tastes like Mexican carnitas! Since I found this place, my hubby has stopped having the tacos cravings we used to travel to Indy for.
(5)Susan M.
It's my favorite place to eat in Bloomington. Robin is a fantastic cook, and there are always many vegetarian and gluten free offerings. It's convenient, quick, and inexpensive. I take people there all the time, and everyone I take loves it.
(5)Danielle B.
I was really hesitant about Rush Hour at first, the outside of the restaurant looks more like a store than an eatery but much to my surprise they actually have amazing food. Getting one of the sandwiches is a MUST they have like ten different sauces to choose from so that is a really cool aspect not to mention the lemongrass sauce and the Asian bbq sauce are delicious. I tried the Beef bbq sandwich which came on a delicious Italian style roll and was layered with cucumber, carrots, jalapenos and fresh cilantro, it was one of the best sandwiches Ive ever had in btown! The staff were very friendly and very prompt! The best part was the price! This place is SO CHEAP! I will definitely keep this place in my rotation!
(4)Tiffany H.
I don't understand all these great reviews. I had the "beef noodle soup" which was a botched attempt at pho, and some banh mi. Neither of which were tasty nor authentic. The soup: noodles weren't fresh, noodles were undercooked, broth was murky, and the vegetables were cooked when they shouldn't have been. As for the banh mi, I don't want to even call it banh mi. It is a mediocre sandwich on a good baguette. The bread was the redeeming quality here. However, the meat was overdone and salty, the carrots weren't even pickled like it would be in an authentic banh mi sandwich, and the other vegetables were so thin they wilted from the meat. Overall, this place was nothing special. Being Vietnamese, I wouldn't take my parents here.
(2)John T.
Gold in a strip mall! Delicious sandwiches, friendly staff, pleasant atmosphere, great prices, really close to school and home. All boxes checked: winner!
(5)Ron P.
If there is a better place that serves excellent Asian food at the same or cheaper price in town, I'm not aware of it. And I've lived here for 30 years. Don't expect to get wowed by the ambiance, but do expect to be impressed by the value and quality. The sandwiches are great, with plenty of sauces from which to choose. My dentist's office is in the same strip and after a visit, I reward myself with a visit to RHS. Try it.
(4)Bloom B.
Such a huge fan! I got the Asian pork sandwich w/ lemongrass, jalapenos, and all the normal fixings (which includes pate) and I've been blown away both times. Thai iced tea is as good as Siam House and My Thai, and costs less. Pineapple curry today was perfection, too.
(5)Talia C.
I have tried three times, on very spread out occasions, to like this restaurant. The first two times I went were closer to when it originally opened, and the main takeaways each time were okay sandwiches and a horrible horrible cleaning solution smell that made it gross to consume food while taking in that kind of odor. The ambiance has improved significantly since then as there were no weird smells today and it's actually kind of cute inside now. So I can write off the other two occasions as just being a new business and trying to figure out what works for you. Today though - there was no music and only a few patrons, which made for an uncomfortably quiet experience, even when just waiting for takeout. When placing my order, I noticed that everything was listed in English (Asian beef sandwich, Be Kind To Each Other Soup, etc.). Maybe it's just me, but I love to see the items as they are actually called (in Vietnamese with English characters), so 1) I was a little disappointed and 2) wasn't sure how to order what I was really wanting. I asked if they offer banh mi sandwiches and the cashier replied that she wasn't sure. Really? How do you not know if you have one of the most commonly offered Vietnamese sandwiches available? Apparently it is offered there, by the way, since other reviewers mentioned it specifically. Anyway, I ended up asking her her favorite entree, which she mentioned was the drunken noodles. She said they're very spicy, which I was excited about, so I went for them along with a thai tea. The thai tea was bland and definitely not authentic - kind of like a boring, orange colored water. The noodles though - BAD. The sauce was grossly sweet (not spicy at all), the noodles mush.. Even the colors were a little radiated looking, which I assume is a result of 1) using poor quality ingredients and 2) overcooking said ingredients. I could write all of this off as a weird day, but three strikes and you're out is my usual policy. I will say that they were very fast and reasonably priced though, so at least there's that. There's also parking available. Oh I forgot to mention that I had actually tried to go here yesterday for lunch since they are supposedly open on Mondays. However, they were closed. Weird.
(2)J C.
I'm having a bit of a moral dilemma about what to rate this place. It's a bizarre amalgamation of convenience store and Vietnamese cafe, and also serves other odd dishes including breakfast omelets topped with fries and raisins? Looking over the menu, I imagined the veins that would pop out of Gordon Ramsey's face if this place ever went on Kitchen Nightmares (which it arguably could). When I went it was basically empty, and manned by one lonely dude who wasn't exactly efficient in the kitchen. Although we were the only people waiting, it took us about 40 minutes to get all of our food. That said, the banh mi I had was quite delicious, and as cheap as it should be! They obviously specialize in these Vietnamese sandwiches and I really wish they would go with that, rethinking their marketing strategy -- maybe many people around here wouldn't be interested in trying Vietnamese food, but I love it, and had no clue they served it up at this weird little place until seeing a picture here on Yelp. We also had a soup that approximates pho, though obviously not made with the delicate, complexly spiced homemade beef broth that restaurants specializing in pho make in giant, extremely time-consuming batches (I certainly wouldn't expect it to be considering the breadth of the menu). It was still tasty enough, but the portion was small and pricey. I would stop by here again at lunch time to see if they can actually turn out a sandwich quickly. If not, I probably won't go here a third time, because banh mi are actually pretty easy to make and something we do at home all the time. Even so, anyone who has never tried banh mi should absolutely go -- they are my favorite sandwich, ever, and done very well here.
(4)Lynn J.
Try rush hour. It's flavors are sort of different and you may really like it. I like their pot stickers especially well. And there is parking.
(3)Alan B.
Best sandwiches in Bloomington. Period. Rush Hour Station is located in the shopping plaza just across the street from Burnham Rentals on the corner of 3rd and Dunn. I went in this afternoon to give it a go. I ordered a pulled beef sandwich with herbs and vegetables (the #1). It had tender, marinated beef that was slow cooked in some kind of tangy sauce. Sriracha gives it a good kick. It was topped with shredded carrots, onions, cucumbers, bok choi, and lemongrass, and sandwiched (of course) between two slices of very fresh french baguette which was soft on the inside, but had the perfect crunch on the outside. And the price tag for this bad boy? $3.50. For an 8 inch sandwich with some of the best quality ingredients I've seen in this town. It was so good that, even though I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy in the form of a Corporations final in 18 hours, I'm taking the time to write this review. Don't walk; RUN to this place for your next lunch.
(5)Lisa M.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Bloomington. And considering how much good food there is in this town, I'd say that's a pretty glowing recommendation! They have the best sandwiches in town (banh mi), and the Vermicelli salad (with the egg rolls) is also excellent. The owner, Robin, is also very friendly and kind--she always works to make sure that your food is just how you wanted it. Even better is the fact that the food is very affordable for a quick lunch. I definitely recommend it.
(4)Bradley G.
This place is wonderful! For $5, I got a big sandwich full of fresh veggies (cucumbers, carrots, onions, and jalapenos), pulled beef, and delicious "Asian BBQ" sauce. Everything on their menu looks so good, I want to try everything! Definitely going back soon.
(5)Jason F.
Don't let the location or the low prices deceive you - this place is awesome. I walk by Rush Hour on a daily basis and just thought 'Hey, these sandwich prices are so low, how good can it be?' I was an idiot. Today I pulled the trigger, followed Alan B.'s advice and got the pulled beef sandwich. It was the tastiest sandwich I've had in a looong time and was plenty of food. Would've taken about $8 at Jimmy's to compete with the quantity. Total price at Rush Hour? $4.60. The food smokes Jimmy John's and Which Wich, the prices crush Penn Station/ Dagwood's, and the owner is super friendly. If you want a cheap and delicious lunch spot, this is it. SUMMARY: Don't be an idiot like I was. Go to Rush Hour.
(5)Ravtaj S.
Excellent sandwiches with meat and sauce choices ! Both korean and wendale sauces nice n spicy .. pretty good options for lunch and dinner .. Innovative soups and salad options too.. Great place worth a try..
(5)Luis R.
Not bad for Bloomington but a few concerns. Some of the employees aren't exactly "clean-cut", and the tables are consistently dirty and need wiping down of the items (salt and pepper shaker, napkin holder, etc). I'm also surprised at how long it takes for your food even though it's never been busy when I've visited. Don't get me wrong, it's not filthy, it's just that the food is pretty good for Midwestern Vietnamese but a few changes would make it great including the ones I mentioned before. Also, Pho soup should come with basil, jalapeno, lime, sprouts, etc. If I could give it a 3.5 star rating I would because obviously we've gone several times but I doubt we'll keep going if it stays the same.
(3)Kellie M.
Incredible sandwiches. The sardine sandwich was easily the most amazing sandwich I have ever eaten. The beef and pork are pretty spectacular as well. I think I might have found a new favorite Bloomington take-out place. You are a fool if you do not try Rush Hour Station.
(5)Ethan G.
great food, great prices. The burgers in particular are delicious, and the toppings are imaginative and tasty. And the people! Some of the nicest people I've ever met.
(5)Sarah H.
The food here is fresh and really tasty. I don't eat meat and there are lots of veg. options. We have kids and they're always satisfied with the food and it's casual enough that we don't worry about bringing them. The owner is really nice to the kids too, which only makes the experience better. Also they have free parking, ever more appealing with the parking meters all over town...
(5)Sally S.
Ok so yes this place is in an awkward strip mall, and yes its kind of jank inside, but honestly, you're not going to get a better sandwich in Bloomington. Good amount of options so that if you go quite often you're never bored. And SERIOUSLY tasty. As a senior foodie who grew up on the east coast, I think Rush Hour Station could compete with some of the better sandwiches I've had! TRY IT!
(5)D Y.
the best sandwiches in town! i always order the chicken stir-fry and it's delicious! love the veggies and cilantro in it. it's the only place in bloomington that serves good food for low price. always fresh and tasty.
(5)