Café Au Lait
3290 N Ridge Rd,Ste 105, Ellicott City, MD, 21043
Café Au Lait Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Ellicott City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ellicott City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ellicott City for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
3290 N Ridge Rd,Ste 105
Ellicott City, MD, 21043 - Phone (410) 313-8838
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:30 am - 5:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Mike F.
Best Ba Minh's that I have had in the area. Staff are very friendly and prices are decent. Have been here three times and enjoyed the food every time. Sadly they are closed now Aug 2015
(5)Gina J.
Needed a quick lunch... I had never eaten there before. Amazing pork sandwich...recommended Nice customer service... Clean and reasonable prices. Can't wait to eat there again
(5)In Y.
I am a frequent customer there. There hasn't been a time I wasn't happy with quality of the food and their service. It seems to be that it is a family business and they have small but nice selection. Nice location with plenty of parking available. Don't forget to check out their smoothies. My favorite is Kiwi Avocado.
(5)Kris L.
Stopped by for a bahn mi pick me up! tried the bbq pork Bahn Mi and it was tasty but not amazing. (There are no good Bahn mis in this area and it was better than nothing!) However, this restaurant unfortunately was a complete turn off as there was a huge bug crawling along our table! We told the worker about ur who just seemed very nonchalant about it and didn't make a move to do anything about it! Not a horrible Bahn mi but I really cannot return to a restaurant crawling with BUGS!
(2)Jason L.
I was referred here by a fellow YELPer to try a Banh Mi sandwich closer to me and said "why not?". Well I have to say that I was NOT satisfied at all. First I asked for a Grilled Pork and got a Classic Pork with Pate and Ham...yuck!!!! I returned and got the grilled pork I asked for, but it was nothing close to other Banh Mi sandwiches I have had elsewhere and further from me.
(3)Amy P.
We ordered Vietnamese iced coffee, mango smoothie and pork banh mi. Everything was delicious! Coffee had strong coffee flavor just the way I like it. Mango smoothie was very fresh and refreshing, made with real mangos. Pork banh mi was so good, bread was crispy and the the vegetables and the pork in the sandwich was fresh and very flavorful. I'll definitely be coming back for my Vietnamese sandwich fix. Only complaint I had was that it took longer than expected to get one sandwich. I wouldn't have minded the wait if I didn't have somewhere to be. Other than that, all was good.
(5)Sherry F.
Came here for a late Saturday lunch (~2:30 pm) and there were a few groups sitting around enjoying their food. Simple decor, comfortable seating for couples and small groups, and looked well maintained. Bf and I each ordered a classic banh mi and shared a Cafe Au Lait House Special (Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk! :D). Food came out very quickly and our server quickly brought us some Sriracha and little cups of water as well, so accommodating! The banh mi was really good and surprisingly filling! Bread was toasted well and has a nice, light savory taste, though the inside was a little bit tough...though that might be more of a personal preference. Filling (cucumbers, jalapenos, various Vietnamese meats, carrots, & cilantro) tasted as expected and everything was very fresh! And the coffee was a great complement to the food - perfect balance of the sweet condensed milk and rich coffee taste. Looks like I'll be coming back here for lunch on weekends! :9
(4)Will M.
I'm shearing they're closed. I've tried to go four times in the last two weeks, the same "sorry, closed for the day" was posted on the door. Anyone have any info? I've been coming from Baltimore City for their delicious sammiches. Any info?
(5)Emily L.
Nice little place. It's a little bit out of my way but I could see myself coming back here again. Met a friend here for lunch. She wasn't all that hungry and got a Pineapple smoothie. I was hungry and got a shrimp salad sandwich on wheat and a green tea. The cashier was very nice and informed us that he would bring everything out shortly. Within seconds the smoothie and tea came out and the sandwich followed shortly thereafter. My sandwich was just loaded with shrimp salad, like it kept falling out there was so much put in it! I really enjoyed that. It's always very satisfying to use a fork and spoon the leftover salad after eating the sandwich. The bread was a nice whole wheat that was nicely tossed. The shrimp salad was good and not too salty. I could have seen it using a little bit more Old Bay or something, but it was still pretty good. The lettuce and tomato on the sandwich were good. Not the best quality, but it's rather hard to find good summer produce in MD during winter, so I don't count that against them at all. My friend and I did sit there in the place for a couple of hours and the cashier was very polite, never seemed to mind that we were there for so long. I did order a cookie later because I always feel guilty sitting in a place like that for a long time. They have a wide variety of baked goods, including Red Velvet cookies!!! I ordered that and it was very good! Nice and soft, but chewy. My only complaint is that this place is a bit out of my way. It's in an area off of Route 40 that's a bit hard for me to get to, but that isn't the place's fault at all. If I worked in one of the office complexes that the place is in I'd probably got there for lunch a lot.
(4)Ann K.
The bahnmi is ok. The service can be improved. I had to wait 20 minutes to get a to go bahnmi and a drink. I ordered classic bahnmi with nam neung and got extra charged but the nam neung was not added. See picture. I should have checked my order.
(2)Jim S.
My dad had an appointment with a nuerologist and the building, While he was waiting my son and I went to get drinks were suprised by the menu. I saw the words Bahn Mi and decided i wanted one. I ordered the classic. It came out and was pretty darned good. It really needed a bit of heat and the bread was actually a little hard. Still, it was delish! My son got the ham sandwich on sourdough. The sandwhich was pretty substantial, nice and thick and fresh looking. He confirmecd that it was really good. I will be going back!!!
(4)Thuy V.
Met a friend here for lunch and coffee. Was comfortable and clean in a small strip mall. Guy running the show was cool and offered to add flavors to cafe au lait based on my tastes. The char sui banh mi was ok. Bread is very good as mentioned but I would not say the most authentic banh mi. Probably very good for the area. Would frequent if I lived nearby.
(4)Gen H.
We decided to try this place several months ago, based on good Yelp reviews. Our standards are high since my husband is Vietnamese and we have eaten in Eden Center in VA, OC in California (but have found excellent banh mi shops not too far; e.g., Silver Spring). These were the worst banh mi he and I have ever tried. We couldn't even finish our sandwiches..and we are not the types to waste food typically. The bread was dense and hard, the filling was bland, not high quality meat. I was very disappointed; I guess we expected too much. Notice this area is not popular for Vietnamese food.
(2)Katherine C.
Was looking for a nice lunch place close to home, and I'm so happy I decided to check out Yelp for suggestions! On the way there, I actually passed the place and called for directions. The owner was happy to direct me. I would never have guessed it was in such an unassuming office building. My friend and I spent a long time staring at the large menu above the counter, but the owner directed us to the paper menu they had, which was updated with all the newest options. We ended up ordering the roasted pork and the grilled pork banh mi, two shrimp summer rolls, and a strawberry smoothie. Atmosphere - definitely an excellent place to meet a friend for lunch. It's very relaxed and casual. The restaurant is also very clean and well maintained. Service - I really have to give props to the owner Eric for being so accomodating. He helped explain some of the items on the menu and was very friendly. Our order ended up getting directed to the wrong table, and in return, he offered us another smoothie on the house. Food - everything was delicious and as tasty as I expected, and at a reasonable price. As one of the few places to get banh mi around here, Cafe Au Lait does it well! I'd love to go back again, and I definitely recommend it.
(5)Danny C.
I can't seem to understand why my 4 star review of this place disappeared. Well this'll be the shorter version of my previous review. This place has non-traditional Banh Mi. A different type of bread, different type of meat and similar pickled veggies. The place has reasonable prices considering it's Banh Mi and the owner there was very nice. If you're looking for the traditional Banh Mi then go to the Eden Center in Virginia for that, however, if you're looking for a change or you've never had Banh Mi before then go here. This is a great place to try Banh Mi!
(4)Puneet M.
Big Fan of Cafe Au Lait! My wife and I were in the mood for something new so we searched Yelp and found Cafe Au Lait, boy were pointed in the right direction. Cafe Au Lait is a nice small cafe type place where you walk up to the counter, order and then fight your stomach from jumping out and running to the kitchen. We ordered a coffee and two Banh Mi sandwiches... one veggie and one lemon grass chicken... new for both us since we had never had a banh mi sandwich. Let me tell you this.. I think I have found my new fav. sandwich! A banh mi sandwich is just a flavor explosion in your mouth and Cafe Au Lait does a spectacular job! Lets start with the bread... great bread that is slightly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Next up the toppings, the toppings are not your standard lettuce, onion tomato... no they are carrots, cucumber, jalapenos if you so please and a fantastic dressing/sauce. The combination of tang, crunch, and savory all rolled into one sandwich with the the chicken adding the protein and heft, you can't go wrong! The lemon chicken is great as well, soft, well cooked but not dry and still full of flavor. Overall the Banh Mi has opened my eyes to a brand new type of sandwich. Cafe Au Lait does it right with good service and decent prices as well... you also get a nice tingly feel when you know you are helping out a mom and pop shop. Overall, great food, good service and good value... thats a home run for me! So will I go back to Cafe Au Lait... for sure.. heck I already have numerous times! So open your eyes and your taste buds... the next Banh Mi is on me! Cheers!
(4)Ruth A.
I visited sometime in December, and tried the pork and lemongrass chicken banh mi. Both were so good and so filling, too. My friend and I were actually going to get just the lemongrass chicken, but the guy at the register strongly recommended that one of us get the pork banh mi, and I'm so glad he did. I would love to come back and try out other items on the menu.
(4)Tunaidi A.
Cafe Au Lait is a great find! Where else in the area can you get bahn mi? No where! The bahn mi here is great, with several varieties offered. In addition, Cafe Au Lait boasts a decent selection of breakfast items, gyros, and drinks/smoothies. Prices are reasonable, and you'll likely be getting a good bang for your buck.
(4)Te T.
If you've never had a banh mi, this is the place for your first experience. Delicious, fresh and filling. The young man who always seems to be at the counter is extremely helpful and wears a smile 24/7. I've had the lemongrass beef, lemongrass chicken and roast pork banh mis, all stellar. Not open for dinner so don't dilly dally.
(4)Ayumi C.
This place is so nice. The environment is peaceful and chill. The food is amazing. Drinks are so good (especially avocado smoothie). Perfect place to get online and Surf the web or do homework. I love this place!
(5)Jenny L.
My first time here, and it surely won't be my last! The grilled pork sandwich was amaze balls. It's served on a crunchy, toasted baguette with cucumbers, carrots, jalapeño, and cilantro. If you add Sriracha to the sandwich, it's perfect. The smoothies are made with real fruit and taste delicious! I would recommend the strawberry and pineapple combo. And Eric is super nice and knowledgable. Ask him anything! **Word of advice: don't order the Classic Bahn Mi unless you are okay with eating pork liver!**
(5)Evan G.
Delicious pastrami sandwich. Perfect balance of ingredients, freshly prepared. Worth the 25 minute wait. Chocolate croissant was good too. I will definitely be coming back here.
(5)Dan A.
You wouldn't expect there to find a great banh mi in the middle of an office building... but somehow that's exactly what Cafe Au Lait is. And that is pretty awesome, especially because banh mi sandwiches (Vietnamese sandwiches) are hard to come by in Baltimore and its surrounding areas. Now if a restaurant finds itself in a "monopoly" of a certain item in an area, sometimes they churn out mediocre products because they know they can. But despite the lack of competition in the area, Cafe Au Lait makes a very good banh mi sandwich. It's a pretty authentic banh mi too... it has everything you'd expect to find in a banh mi sandwich. But the true star of the sandwich is the bread. It is crispy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside... just like it should be. There are different types of banh mi here but you can't go wrong with any of them in my opinion. Cafe Au Lait also has some great smoothies. I especially liked the avocado smoothie. It sounds weird but trust me on this one--it's good. It's certainly worth a trip here if you have a banh mi craving!
(5)Nicole B.
Visited for the first time today. I had the pleasure of enjoying the grilled pork bahn mi. The bread was crusty but not hard enough to chip a tooth. The meat was seasoned well and the veg was perfect. Very polite and quick service. I will definitely try to come back in the future.
(5)Laura P.
I go to school about 10-15 minutes from here and this place is always one of the top options for my friends and I! Service is WONDERFUL, the owner?/cashier is soooo pleasant and helpful, not to mention cute! He comes around to check up on us every time, now that's great service! And the food..the foooood. Let's just say their banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) is on point (really flippin' good) - and that's coming from someone that used to go to Eden center (Vietnamese town in VA) almost every weekend, so I know my banh mi. Their smoothies and coffee is really good also! Nothing bad to say about Cafe Au Lait!
(5)Jon S.
I've only had the Bahn Mi from here but it was excellent just like the Vietnamese places I used to visit when I lived in Houston, which has a vibrant Vietnamese community.
(5)Kenneth Y.
This place has it all. The comfortable atmosphere, great food, and great people. I came in after seeing it's many reviews on Yelp and it did not disappoint. Over y last three visits, I have ordered a Roasted Pork Banh Mi, an order of Shrimp Summer Rolls, an iced Cappuccino, a Southwestern Salad, and a banana-avocado-strawberry Smoothie. When you walk in, you immediately notice how clean and neat everything is. The person manning the counter is always polite and has great suggestions. Today, I came in to get an iced cappuccino and immediately after I finished paying, the server asked me if I ever tried Thai tea. I replied no, and he asked me if I would like to try it. It was pretty damn good. Banh Mi- best I've ever had in Maryland. The bread is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, the vegetables were nice and crisp and the pork was very tender. Smoothies - I have not had a bad smoothie from them. Avocados in smoothies is legit. Summer rolls - always order the three piece. The two piece will have you regret not ordering three. Southwestern salad- chicken was cooked nicely and the dressing says southwestern all over it. Iced cappuccino- I'm not a coffee connoisseur, but I thought it was quite good. Thai tea- it's and off-menu item at the moment, but I will definitely be ordering it the next time I come back. This place is easy to overlook when you're driving on 40, but definitely give this place a visit, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Eva J.
I always get their Char-siu pork bahn mi! It's so delicious and their bread has a very distinct texture. Crunchy and chewy, that's the best way to describe it! And when you bite into the sandwich, you can experience a burst of flavors from fresh ingredients they use.
(5)Melanie R.
I really stepped out of my food comfort zone on this one folks. I mean really..I am from the south. I saw all these awesome reviews on Yelp and decided to give it a try. If you know where Walmart is...it's on your route. (the one in Ellicott City) Well I ordered a Vietnamese Chicken Sub and a Shrimp Salad Roll. So this was my very first experience with this food. The sub roll was on a nice warm piece of fresh ciabatta bread, and was filled with bold veggie flavors of carrots, cucumber, peppers, and cilantro. It was totally unusual for me..but it was good. The Shrimp roll was wrapped in a clear kind of shell...not certain of the name of it, however it seemed healthy. Inside was stuffed with shrimp, lettuce, carrots, and some rice noodles, served with a pretty yummy peanut dip. Overall..the place was super clean and new. I am pretty sure the Owner took my order, and there was a nice little elderly man working the kitchen. They also have coffees, salads, and Smoothies. He told me he did not want it to be primarily Vietnamese, so they do have other stuff. Give it a try..
(4)Rob N.
The owner of Cafe Au Lait reached out to me when I was lamenting the lack of a good banh-mi sandwich in the area. Despite it's blossoming Asian population, much of the Ellicott City area is Korean, not Vietnamese, and the pho places specialize in noodles and soups, not sandwiches. So, off to Cafe Au Lait it was! It's a typical office-park lunch place, but with little modern touches to the signage and decor. The thing that may surprise you, however, is the little bit of Asian flair sprinkled into the seemingly straight-forward cafe/deli menu. So - about that banh-mi. First of all, they got the bread right. That's important - really important. While not exactly a classic baguette, the roll is almost a ciabatta style that's perfectly crispy on the outside with just the right pillowy/chewy texture inside. The fillings seem to be a light smear of chicken liver pate, ham, pork roll, carrot, cucumber, cilantro, and green chiles, finished with the expected sweet mayonnaise. I like this sandwich, and the bread really makes it. It's a tasty, crunchy stack of savory, sweet, tart, and spicy flavors. Next time, I think I'll ask for extra cuke and carrot, 'cause I love pickled veg. It'd really be cool if they started offering different varieties of this style of sandwich - vegetarian, pate and pork belly, etc. The owner, Alex, is very personable and friendly. The business is new, so he's genuinely interested in feedback. Other high points: tasty cranberry chicken salad that the missus had made as a sandwich, and a not-too-sweet, refreshing strawberry pineapple smoothie. We were also offered some complimentary spring rolls: big and bursting with noodles, pork, and shrimp. Vietnamese-style iced coffee can be made as sweet as you prefer. I hope these guys do well. The cafe's clean, the food's really good, and the service is both prompt and friendly. And here's hoping that more of the Asian flavor keeps sneaking onto the menu board. UPDATE: As others have noted, the char-siu banh-mi is worth a try. It's damned close to the sandwich that introduced me to banh-mi over two decades ago. And there's more coming according to the owner. Stay tuned and keep checking in with Cafe Au Lait for your Vietnamese-style sandwich needs.
(5)Matthew T.
Ordered a classic banh mi. Although not a traditional vietnamese baguette, the bread they use (i think ciabatta) goes really well with all aspects of the sandwich. Nice people and looks good. I will return to get my fix. Awesome.
(4)Wj C.
My wife and I have eaten here twice now and on both occasions we have ordered the awesome banh mi sandwich at this small cafe in Ellicott City. The banh mi sandwich here is by far the best in Maryland and I would actually say that it is better than the sandwiches you can get at Eden Center or other banh mi shops in NoVA. What sets this place apart from the other places is the bread they use. It's artisan quality and served warm with the fresh and tasty ingredients (meat, pate, jalapeños, pickled carrots and radish, and cilantro). This is not your typical buy 5 get 1 free banh mi joint. The banh mi here is gourmet. This cafes' menu is geared toward the lunchtime office crowd with mostly salads, wraps, and sandwiches (pastrami, roast beef, and the like) but their few Vietnamese offerings consisting of goi cuon and two different banh mi offerings are incredibly good. You cant even tell that this is a Viet banh mi cafe. Thank God that there is finally really good banh mi in the Baltimore Howard County area. Ppl in the DC area should come check it out this little known secret gem of a sandwich shop. It' worth the drive.
(5)R S.
It was fresh. It was fast. It was a bit "work lunch room" for me. I had a salad. The coffee was great! Go, try it. It's a good lunch place for on the fly.
(4)Emily L.
Authentic Vietnamese Banh Mi has been one of my biggest curiosities since I watched a documentary on sandwiches several years ago. (Yes, there is a documentary about sandwiches, and yes, I have watched it. What's your point?) So I was surprised and thrilled to discover this little gem of a cafe so close to home. We went for brunch about 11:30 and were a little disappointed at seeing only two banh mi options on the menu. After hemming and hawing for a minute, we were rescued by the friendly young man behind the counter, who told us there were several additional options not on the menu: roasted pork, lemongrass beef and chicken, and vegetarian. We both changed our orders and sat to wait. He brought us drinks first: their house special cafe au lait, with sweetened condensed milk and very strong coffee, was spectacular. A bracing hit of caffeine, but not too much acid -- just a full-bodied roast tempered with creamy sweetness. The server returned with a question: did we like spice? Yes, though we appreciated his asking. Sandwiches followed: chewy, crusty baguette filled with tender, flavorful meat, fresh herbs, and crunchy pickled vegetables. It was a beautiful meal, full of diverse colors and textures. I was a little disappointed that whatever spice he had added was concentrated almost completely on one side of one half, which was really spicy; the rest of the sandwich was a little sweet for me, as opposed to the sour-spicy-sweet trichotomy I crave from Southeast Asian food. But it was impossible not to enjoy a meal in the clean, bright room, with fresh orchids on the tables. We will definitely return! P.S.: Yelp mobile users will discover a checkin offer of $1.19 off a smoothie: they're $3.95, so a puzzling deal, but why not try it? We were too full after our sandwiches and coffee, but saved it for later.
(3)Casey E.
I'm a HUGE fan of banh mi. I'm pretty obsessed actually. I have my own recipe I like to make when I have the time, but I wanted to check out Cafe Au Lait because I've heard good reviews. I tried the grilled pork banh mi and it was delicious! The baguette was crusty on the outside and chewy in the middle. The grilled pork was very tasty and was complimented well with the pickled daikon and carrots and fresh cucumber slices. You can even ask for your sandwich to be "spicy" like I did and they'll throw on a few slices of jalapeno. I only wish there was sriracha at the tables for people like me who really like to kick it up a notch. Parking was easy, the restaurant was quiet, and the boy at the counter was very friendly! The only thing keeping it from getting five stars is the fact that I waited thirty minutes for my sandwich to be made. I'm not sure what took them so long as it was the only item I ordered, but he did come around and asked me if I wanted a cup of coffee while I waited.
(4)Danny L.
Fantastic food. Way better than your typical sandwich shoppe. Flavorful, fresh ingredients. The only knock is the slowish kitchen as each sandwich is made to order.
(4)Jonathan P.
The best Banh Mi sandwiches around! The pork is my favorite with the crunchy, baguette and the jalapeno adds just enough kick to the sandwich. If you're looking for a cheap delicious meal Cafe Au Lait is the place to go. Fast, Friendly and a convenient location.
(5)Omar S.
Delicious Bahn Mi, good service. From outside, this place looks like a typical office-park cafe, but there's serious goodness inside. Some of the best bahn mi I've had, and close to home, in a section of Howard County with nothing else of this sort. The GF and I have repeatedly had the grilled pork and the lemongrass chicken, very delicious. The "coldcut" version isn't bad either. Recently they have introduced savory pastries also, that are cheap and tasty (2 or 3 bucks). The bahn mi are flavorful, crisp/fresh vegetables, on crusty fresh french bread. It takes a few minutes to make them (definitely tastes fresh too). For the same price or cheaper than any chain sandwich shop, you can have delicious ethnic sandwiches (and get to explain to your incredulous friends what a "bahn mi" is). The owner is friendly even at closing time, and the food has been good every one of the dozen times we've been. Have not tried any of the other food yet, just bahn mi and pastries. Only complaint is the place closes on the earlyish side (5pm officially tho sometimes open later). Highly recommended.
(5)Vicky D.
Being Vietnamese and from California, I always seek out good Vietnamese food when I hear about it in the Baltimore area since it's so sparse. Found this place on Yelp and took the bf to try it since he likes the banh mi I bring him from Cali. This place is definitely close to the real deal, with both American and Vietnamese style sandwiches. The cafe sua da is legit, possibly even better than the one I had at The Bun Shop downtown. It was made fresh and strong, just the way I like it. We split the lemongrass chicken and the pork banh mi. I was surprised to find the bread more like ciabatta than like a baguette, but this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It didn't tear up the roof of my mouth like baguette often does (although the good banh mi places in Cali don't have this problem ... but I digress). The cashier informed us they don't put mayonnaise on the sandwiches anymore, which was a plus cuz it really wasn't necessary. The pork was definitely the better of the two. BF complained that his first bite of the chicken sandwich had a large chunk of fat, which was unappetizing. But the pork was sweet and perfectly cooked. The taste overall was close enough to authentic that I would come back here. The sandwiches are a little pricier than what I'm used to, but since they are the only restaurant in the area meeting this demand they can charge whatever they want.
(4)Emily C.
I came here the other day craving a Bahn Mi, because of I haven't had one in months. Being vegetarian, finding a good bahn mi is difficult. I have to say, the eggplant vegetarian bahn mi here is great! However, if you come here expecting a traditional bahn mi you may be disappointed. Instead of a french bread, they use something closer to a ciabatta roll, much thicker and dense than I am used to in a bahn mi. The eggplant, was cooked perfectly and though it could use a tiny bit more seasoning. I had to add a bit of sriracha to get full flavor. Overall though, a great sandwich. I also had the avocado & kiwi smoothie (I had originally wanted avocado only, but they suggested this combination) and it was sooo delicious! Service here is also excellent. Will definitely come back if I'm in the EC area :)
(4)Karri V.
FINALLY stopped by here and man am I glad I did. The gentleman at the counter seemed to know exactly what I wanted before I even knew. Once I mentioned Yelp he knew I was interested in the bahn mi. He also suggested the avocado and kiwi smoothie. Now, I'm not big on avocado but seriously, get that smoothie. My husband was very jealous of my endeavor so we plan on going back tomorrow for the bahn mi and a smoothie. Great value, great flavor, fresh ingredients and friendly service. What more do you need?
(4)C D.
Good sandwiches and drinks. Clean and friendly family owned business. owners only fail to realize they should be more mindful of the pickled vegetable odor that permeates the dining area.
(4)Mike H.
I hate/love this place. It was amazing but it makes me feel like I've wasted my life eating crappy bahn mi before this. Owner was great, food was quick, I'm full but I don't feel like a glutton. My office is about 2 minutes away. I will be there twice a week...at least. I gave it 5 stars but that is just for the bahn mi, the decor is sparse but service is friendly.
(5)Ronald L.
This place doesn't mess around with their bahn mi sammiches. Meats are imported from the west coast. #delicious
(5)Phillip G.
I had the Banh Mi (beef) and it was delish! FYI - They have more varieties of the sandwich available - helpful staff told us before we ordered . Hopefully,they will upgrade the menu.
(5)My D.
I go to this cafe a lot, i love their grilled pork bahn mi, and i also like their soup, I like how they have a different kind of soup each day. But i think they should expand their business hours, sometimes i can't get there on time. Overall, this is a great cafe with a great atmosphere.
(4)Stephen E.
Went into Cafe Au Lait today to see what's new. Eric offered me an opportunity to try a new wrap... Grilled lemongrass chicken with greens,sliced jalapenos and a lime, cilantro,coconut chutney... ...chilies, cumin cilantro.. Now, I've travelled, I've been about a bit. Wise to the ways of the world. Used to play cricket. Never had a sandwich this interesting. I'd say this is very good. My son, on the other hand, would say.... "Dude, this sh*t is ill!" I'd be inclined to agree.
(5)Danielle N.
I have been there a bunch of times for breakfast. There Bahn mi is excellent. Well, it's actually the only I've ever had. It still tastes great! There food is very fresh. The coffee is good and so are the smoothies. They use real fruit in the smoothies. I still need to try the rest of the menu.
(4)Jacqueline T.
If I could, I would rate it 4.5 stars. Food/coffee, excellent. Customer service, excellent. The only thing that knocks half a star off are their business hours. Before I leave for work, most of the times, they're closed and when I come back from work, they're closed. Bummer... Try this combo: avocado kimi smoothie.. mad good; owner recommended it.
(4)Kat L.
The banh mi is absolutely delicious! The restaurant's only crime is that they close too early! Great value found here.
(5)Shiehan C.
I love the banh mi! It's not actually listed on the menu right now, but the owner will mention it to you if you ask. I've had the lemongrass chicken banh mi and the regular pork banh mi, both delicious! The location is very convenient for me - across the Shopper's on Rt40 and next door to the UMD-HoCo extension. The hours are terrible if you don't work around the area though. They close at 5, and since I don't work in Columbia anymore, I can't come around for lunch except on Saturdays. I'm guessing because this place is new, they're still trying to get a feel for when customers come in and so on. Their regular sandwich (non-banh mi) menu is pretty extensive, and I've seen other patrons enjoy it. For me, it's all about the banh mi, as every other Vietnamese place in Howard County is a pho place.
(4)Janice L.
This will be the closest banh mi to home (Houston) I'm willing to drive to. I know I hear all the good stuff is in Eden. But no thanks. I hate driving in Maryland period! We love the grilled pork banh mi. It tastes yummy! Although its slightly different than our traditional banh mi from home. The bread is not the French baguette. I don't taste the egg yoke mayo if there is any. I didn't pry open the sandwich. No special meatball. Just slight changes bc the region but ultimately the sandwich is still yummy! We ate it 2 times in a week. The cafe sua da, vietnamese iced coffee is a little bitter for my taste. I asked for more condensed milk one time and he steamed it up with water. I think that watered it down for me. I guess I'm used to old school little steel coffee presses and putting the condensed milk on the bottom of my glass. Oh well, my "ethnic" husband likes it though. :) We will definitely be coming back! Oh a recommendation to the owner, will you be offering a first responders, police, EMS, military discount? That's an easy way to bring in us folks! :)
(4)Kevin H.
Great bagel - it was soft, perfect amount if cream cheese, and cut in half. Just the way I like it. I also had lunch. The specialty sandwich was very good.
(5)Lucy V.
I'm always hanging around the Howard County area, so when I heard that there is a new banh mi place in Ellicott City, I knew I had to try it. Finding a great banh mi place without trekking an hour? It was a dream come true. The char siu (roasted pork) banh mi is delish! Also, the summer roll (it goes by salad roll on the menu) is sooo yummy. The summer roll is great on its own, but the sauce really makes the dish! As far as the customer service, it is excellent. Always friendly and helpful! Also, this place has free wifi so it's a perfect place to grab some coffee and spend some time studying or doing work :)
(5)Ed D.
Have had several sandwiches, several soups and today got two salads for my wife and I . As always they were delicious! Food has great flavor, good size, and appropriately priced. Parking is plentiful. Location is in office building which will surprise some. Eric is great. Very helpful .
(5)Maya K.
This place was a really excellent find - the kind of spot we would never have gone if it weren't for Yelp. It's in a completely uninteresting strip mall just a little ways out of Ellicott City. I certainly can't speak to the authenticity of the sandwiches, but I can speak to how delicious they were. The guy behind the counter was super friendly and recommended their grilled pork bahn mi, which was a new addition and not yet on the large menu. We shared that, a vegetarian one, and a lemongrass chicken one. The pork was definitely the winner though the lemongrass chicken was also delicious. The vegetarian one could have used a little more pizzazz to compensate for the bland tofu, but wasn't bad overall. We also got a couple of really excellent smoothies and exceptionally good cookies. All this for a very affordable price in a nice, clean, low-key restaurant. What's not to love?
(5)Sarah A.
I don't have any words that can explain how awesome the customer service is here...duh 5 stars! Their pork roll is def a must try, with extra pickled veggies! As a healthy dessert, get the strawberry-pineapple smoothie. The best off-menu concoction you will ever encounter. Will definitely stop by here again and get my smoothie fix, the very few times I'm in the Ellicott City area!
(5)Mimi L.
Coming from a viet girl, this is where to get banh mi!!! SO GOOD, and fresh. There is no other place in town to find banh mi and I was so happy to have found this place. Only bad thing is that they close too early!!
(5)Chris C.
Great banh mi sandwiches, if small. You may need 2 to fill you up but the taste is right on.
(4)Ari D.
Good food, great prices, and easy access and parking if you're not already in the office building. Fill up on lunch, then hit the H-Mart across the street for supplies.
(5)Ruth G.
Came here today for the first time and it was very yummy. I got the famous Banh Mi sandwhich which was very flavorful! It's a pork sandwhich with veggies. Even though i wished the sandwhich had more meat than bread, i still enjoyed it. I tried their Mango-Pineapple smoothie and it was delicious! My friend got the Avocado-Kiwi smoothie and she very much enioyed it! The only bad thing about this place is that they close at 5PM :[ even though the cashier told us to "take our time no rush" i felt bad and very much rushed (we got there at 4:40PM) ... anywayss, you gotta check this place out!
(4)Rekha T.
This is place is awesome. I have only tried the vegetarian Banh mi but each time its been great! Great place, great food and its a local mom and pop...what else do you need? :)
(5)Todd M.
And I thought this was just another coffee shop! The other day I was skulking around yelp looking for something new and different when I came upon Cafe Au Lait. A Banh Mi shop right here in Ellicott City?? No way!! YES way!! I headed there for lunch today. Grilled pork Banh Mi with the works and a Cafe Au Lait House Special Coffee on the rocks. The bread was fresh, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Love the pickled veg and the pork was very tender and nicely seasoned. The House Special Cafe had quite a kick and was most tasty! I first tried Banh Mi at Lee's several years ago in Garden Grove CA and was hooked. Only problem is that the trade show that took me to Anaheim every year is a non event now that I am retired. So, imagine my delight and surprise. I give Cafe Au Lait "two snaps and around the world"!! (A Living Color reference) That equates to 5/5 in yelp talk. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
(5)Trevor B.
Shout out to Yelp for helping me locate the one and only (as far as I know) banh mi shop in the B'more metro area! If you've never tried banh mi, do yourself a favor and stop by Cafe Au Lait for the roast pork sandwich. Even if you're a banh mi veteran, go ahead and do the same. Not sure how it took me so long to find out about this place, but up until a few weeks ago my understanding was that the closest banh mi was waaaay down in Seven Corners. In my opinion, banh mi are some of the most delicious and satisfying sandwiches around, and Cafe Au Lait offers several variations on the Vietnamese sandwich - roast pork, BBQ pork, lemongrass chicken, etc., etc. It's probably a good thing it's kind of a hike for me to get here; otherwise I'd probably be in here every other day. The bread is on point and roast pork is tender and perfectly seasoned; toss in some fresh cilantro sprigs, pickled vegetables and jalapeno slices, and you've got yourself one hell of a snadwich. In addition to the banh mi, they've got some great coffee drinks - iced macchiato and cafe au lait specials are both awesome for sweaty B'more summer days, and pack enough caffeine to get you through the afternoon hump. Haven't tried the smoothies but from others' reviews, it sounds like they're pretty good as well. Need this place to stick around for a long time, so go check em out!
(5)Dee F.
So I've been back a couple times now, had a few banh mis (they are as good as they look) and a lot of different smoothie combos and coffee drinks. Always impressed by and appreciate the customer service-- Eric (the manager) is really considerate to his customers, and doesn't mind making a customized/off-menu drink for you. This time I'm having a Thai iced tea, which I was surprised to learn is brewed from actual tea, not from a powder mix like some other places make it. Real tea (in addition to their real-fruit smoothies) always adds extra points in my book!
(5)Margaret N.
Got the spring roll with shrimp and they literally put one piece of shrimp in each roll. The sauce it came with was straight up peanut butter. Bahn mi was so bad... The bread is so stale and the meat wasn't really marinated.
(1)Alice H.
I ordered the grilled pork banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich). The filling was pretty standard - sweet pickled radish & carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, jalapeno, and grilled pork. The bread was toasted with butter. I've typically had the bread served cold, but it was still good. The pork was nicely marinated and had plenty of flavor. Most banh mi I've had in Baltimore City aren't authentic and the places tend to make their own take on banh mi and not necessarily try for authenticity (they either add other random sauces or the meat comes out too dry/tasteless), so I appreciate that this place offers the closest rendition to the real thing in the area. My only "complaint" is for the amount of filling, the bread seemed a bit much. A smaller baguette or more filling would have helped with the proportions of everything. Each sandwich is around $6 - not a steal, but not bad either. Not the best banh mi I've had, but definitely the best in the area.
(4)Elise N.
Fresh, high-quality banh mi. The bread is more dense than the usual crisp-outside-but-light-airy-inside bread used in typical Vietnamese sandwiches. It's still good, though! Don't get me wrong. Just different. $6 is pricey for banh mi (compared to California), BUT you get a very good sandwich packed with lots of flavorful ingredients. Plus there aren't many options for banh mi around that I know of. It was worth the drive from Baltimore.
(4)Wayne G.
We've ordered pork and beef sandwiches, coffee and a smoothie on a especially hot day. Customer service is first rate, the food is fresh and well seasoned, and the coffee is smooth. This is better than the places in Eaton Center and a lot closer. We've been pleased with the food and service on every of our roughly 25 visits. The family and extended members are all kind.
(4)Alaina G.
The grilled pork Banh Mi is excellent! So flavorful! Great find in the bottom of a business building. Have not tried any of the drinks or smoothies, will have to on the next visit. The gentleman at the register is very friendly...only complaint is the service can be a little slow. The making of sandwiches seems to take awhile. Great food but not for a day you're in a rush.
(5)Amanda H.
I've driven past this place hundreds of times and always just assumed it was a coffee shop, but while trying to find something new for lunch today, my husband noticed the description on Yelp mentioned Vietnamese food, so we decided to try it out and oh my goodness, I'm so glad we did. I've finally found somewhere that does a banh mi right and to think I'd passed it so many times!! My husband got the turkey sandwich and said it was great and I got the grilled pork banh mi and strawberry smoothie. We will MOST definitely be going back!! The service was excellent, the prices are great, and the food was outstanding!
(5)Matthew K.
Best (only?) banh mi in Hoco. I can't say I've gotten anything else, but when you got a banh mi, who needs anything else! :-) Wife also got a kiwi avocado smoothie and loves it. Friendly folks. Clean place. Nothing but positives.
(5)Brad I.
This place serves up the most superlative banh mi sammys in the greater Baltimore area, only locally rivaled by select restaurants in Fall Church. Whenever I go, I have a 2 sandwich minimum to satisfy my inner fat kid. The classic banh mi with head cheese is a must for all first timers, though you can't go wrong with any of their variations. Upon recommendation by the staff, one time I had the classic combined/double meated with the grilled pork, which turned out to be fantastic. As many previous reviewers have mentioned, the bread really puts this place on the map. The fresh baked rolls have a soft inside and a crusty exterior, providing a nice bite and a sturdy vehicle for all meat/veggie passengers on board. All the veggies and cilantro are fresh to the taste and are carefully julienne to give the sandwich a great consistency. Simply put, put down your cardboard subway sandwich and get down to Café Au Lait to experience what a real sub should taste like!
(5)Scott H.
Just tried the Banh Mi based on reading all the Yelp reviews. WOW. Never had one before but it was an amazing sandwich. Fresh bread, crisp vegetables and roasted pork. My new favorite sandwich. I definitely will be back for more. Here's a quick overall impression of the restaurant too. It was very clean, the staff was helpful, nice and inviting. The menu looked like it had a lot of other standard lunch items, smoothies and coffee drinks. I wouldn't hesitate to go here again. It might be a nice place for a working lunch or to meet a client for coffee.
(5)Sam O.
awesome place, owners are really nice (family owned). The Char sui even though may not be on the menu is the sandwich to go with (Warning comes with jalapenos). But the owner took the time to explain his vision and what he likes and doesn't like. And the bread may not be traditional but he's trying to make it more unique. It is a little bit expensive for bahn mi though. Others are at least $1 cheaper but there still isn't much competition close by. Def adding this to the rotation of lunches. Their smoothies taste very similar to the smoothie stand in the mall (I say its a good thing).
(5)Katherine J.
A hidden gem! The grilled pork bahn mi is the only choice here. Delicious and affordable. And Fred, the kid working the register, is always super friendly. The grilled beef bahn mi is good too.
(5)Wesley M.
yelps review was on point. This place is great. I'm a huge fan of the Vietnamese chicken sub. This is my new favorite place.
(4)Sami E.
We tried the grilled pork and lemongrass beef bahn mi and there were excellent. Everything was really fresh and the sandwiches came out nice an warm.
(5)Frank B.
AHHHHHHH the grilled pork banh mi is sooooooooooooooo good! The hot soups are awesome too! Great place, inexpensive, tasty, fresh, clean, friendly! AWESOME! :)
(5)Ed B.
Really like this place. Sandwiches are a little small but are reasonably priced. Everything is fresh and tastes great. I do wish they had a better selection of side items (they only offer chips). Selection of smoothies is great!
(4)Casey D.
The house cafe au lait is fantastic. Espresso is flavorful and just the right balance with the condensed milk. Speedy, friendly service too.
(5)Chris S.
Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! Just the best banh mi I've had in Maryland. The smoothies--OMG, so fresh, so yummy, just top notch. Wonderful, friendly service. Reasonable prices. What's not to like? Oh yeah, their hours...if only they were open later, so this could be more than our Saturday lunch place.
(5)Eunice K.
i wanna go again for another banmi. tried the one that wasnt on their menu. the pork (i think that was the meat we got) had this flavor that most chinese pork dishes have.. idk what the flavor is but it kinda makes the meat turn more red/orange? idk. well it was good and service was AMAZING!
(4)Ariana S.
I'm going to miss this place now that I've moved away. The owner is a cool guy intent on making good food. I love the Cafe au Lait coffee adn the banh mi's. Oh, and they have wireless! Check it out!
(4)Emily P.
Loved their squash soup as well their grill pork sandwich! A little out of the way and a bit more pricier than other banh mi restaurants I've been to...but still delicious!
(4)Peter P.
As others have pointed out, Banh Mi is on the money. It's delicious! I get roasted pork Banh Mi with strawberry/pineapple smoothie and I'm good to go. They also have great view along with free wifi so its awesome place to work/chill as well. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Quinn T.
It's a little hidden, right behind Shoppers. The cafe au lait is really delicious, just the right amount of condensed milk. But they can customize it for you depending on how sweet you like it. The banh mi is amazing! It's hard to find a decent banh mi place in the area but this place has to take the cake. It's really neat and clean inside. Oh and there's a super cute guy who makes the coffee! ^.^
(5)Vicki E.
Love the pork banh mi sandwiches! Now I'm addicted to the rolled salad (like a salad wrap) with peanut sauce. Decor is fast-food style, and you order at the counter. I've always found the staff to be pleasant and helpful.
(5)Gloria C.
Never knew this place existed until a friend mentioned it to me. Apparently, it just recently opened. Cheap eats! This place has the best smoothies!!! I had the avocado smoothie and the Cafe Au Lait house special coffee which is also known as the vietnamese iced coffee. NOM! The cafe is spacious and comfy place to hang out at. The staff are nice and fun to talk to. Definitely check out this cafe. :)
(5)Alice Y.
Yummy yummy yummy!!! The sandwiches and the smoothies :D
(5)Rosanna W.
pork roll sandwhich & i love the mango smoothie!! i went back to try out more smoothies, and it was so good. people who work there are also really nice. would def recommend!
(5)Ryan S.
I was at the Carmax when I asked one of the mechanics where to grab a bite. Oh man, he didn't tell me about the Banh Mi, so glad I went and discovered what has to be the best Banh Mi sandwich in MD. I live in Baltimore City, have been to Southeast Asia, and eaten many places, this place knows what it's doing. The real deal! Get the roasted pork, so good!
(5)Taylor C.
Driving home from pa and needed a quick bite to eat and boy did I get lucky. The food is delicious and the owner is even nicer. Try the Vietnamese sandwiches!
(5)C W.
I often see coupons for this place in the monthly mailers and was thrilled to see that they sell banh mi. I stared at the menu for a good minute, when the guy behind the counter asked if I was looking for banh mi. He then handed me a smaller menu. I ordered the grilled pork and a Vietnamese iced coffee (these go hand-in-hand...well really I use any excuse to get an iced coffee). The sandwich was well made; however, I wasn't a fan of the bread. I prefer crispy French baguette. The iced coffee was good.
(3)Andrew G.
Have been back several times now and am making my way through the varieties. I have now tried the grilled pork and roast pork along with the classic that I had on my first visit. I'm still loving this place as is is my wife. The owner suggested that next time I should try the grilled meatball bahn mi. I look forward to it. I just wish they were open on Sundays but I guess everyone needs a day off.
(5)Jon W.
Amazing new place I found on the corner of Ridge road as you're going to Wal-Mart. Smoothies were delicious and I like the sandwiches they serve. Will definitely come again.
(5)Angela Y.
I saw those great reviews on this place and decided to have lunch there today. We ordered grilled pork banh mi and pork roll banh mi and they were both very good. Grilled pork was very flavorful. Their bread is better than the usual bah mi bread, however, I do personally prefer the more pillowy kind of bread. I will definitely go back and try other banh mis. BTW, the owner/server was super friendly and made great recommendation.
(4)Paul k.
had a bite of my first banmi(pork)...legendary, also had their pineapple strawberry smoothie which was really good. only thing is i wish they were open till later :c
(5)