Riviere Modern Bahn Mi

[Oski]

While it was a decent enough banh mi when we went a while back, I can’t get over the prices. $9 for a banh mi that is equivalent to some of the old school establishments. Just not worth it, imo.

But it's ok that a hamburger or a pizza cost $9?

[soonermike81]

But it's ok that a hamburger or a pizza cost $9?

Sure. If the average price of a good hamburger is between $8-10, I’m going to have difficulty paying for a hamburger priced between $16-20. Unless it’s significantly better. I can go get a banh mi elsewhere for $4-5. Rivière isn’t much better, imo, so I can’t justify the $9 price for it. Just my opinion.

[TheTravellers]

Sure. If the average price of a good hamburger is between $8-10, I’m going to have difficulty paying for a hamburger priced between $16-20. Unless it’s significantly better. I can go get a banh mi elsewhere for $4-5. Rivière isn’t much better, imo, so I can’t justify the $9 price for it. Just my opinion.

Having had a few banh mis here in OKC, I thought Rivière's were pretty decent for the money - who serves the $4-5 banh mis that are as good as Rivière's? I'd like to try them.

[soonermike81]

Having had a few banh mis here in OKC, I thought Rivière's were pretty decent for the money - who serves the $4-5 banh mis that are as good as Rivière's? I'd like to try them.

Literally every banh mi place town sells in the $4-5 range. Even Viet restaurants that have banh mi on the menu are in that range. Only places that I know that are slightly higher than the average is Magasin Table and Riviere. Riviere has the highest priced banh mis by far. But you may feel that the quality is that much better to warrant the price, which is fine. I've only had once experience there and the food was fine, just not enough good enough to frequent often.

[borchard]

I love their Yellow Curry. Only thing Ive had there since I discovered it :-)

[soonermike81]

I love their Yellow Curry. Only thing Ive had there since I discovered it :-)

It completely slipped my mind that they have other options on the menu other than banh mi. If we happen to make it back that way, I would be more than willing to try the other options. I love all types of curry.

[Thomas Vu]

Literally every banh mi place town sells in the $4-5 range. Even Viet restaurants that have banh mi on the menu are in that range. Only places that I know that are slightly higher than the average is Magasin Table and Riviere. Riviere has the highest priced banh mis by far. But you may feel that the quality is that much better to warrant the price, which is fine. I've only had once experience there and the food was fine, just not enough good enough to frequent often.

Yeah <$6 is the norm, or it should be, among banh mi places.

[Jeepnokc]

Yeah <$6 is the norm, or it should be, among banh mi places.

Where are the best banh mi places?

[Pete]

Where are the best banh mi places?

Lee's Sandwiches on Classen is very good and quite reasonable.

Plus, they now have a drive-thru.

[DoctorTaco]

Where are the best banh mi places?

https://www.yelp.com/biz/banh-cuon-n...-oklahoma-city

Banh Cuon Nhu Lan off 23rd and Classen is a cult favorite.

[Thomas Vu]

Where are the best banh mi places?

I prefer magasin table, myself. Quoc bao is a popular choice. Having said this I'm never fiending for one or anything.

[Pete]

Magasin Table is just so good all the way around.

Doesn't get nearly the talk it deserves.

[TheTravellers]

Magasin Table is just so good all the way around.

Doesn't get nearly the talk it deserves.

We like them and Riviere, pretty sure Lee's isn't in the same category taste-wise (we've been to each place a few times), and they're not price-wise. I wouldn't consider Lee's to be one of the best banh mi places, but will give Quoc Bao and Banh Cuon Nhu Lan a try, thanks.

[Jersey Boss]

I've been happy with the sandwiches at Lang Bakery. You can pick one up for a fiver.

[shawnw]

Literally every banh mi place town sells in the $4-5 range. Even Viet restaurants that have banh mi on the menu are in that range. Only places that I know that are slightly higher than the average is Magasin Table and Riviere. Riviere has the highest priced banh mis by far. But you may feel that the quality is that much better to warrant the price, which is fine. I've only had once experience there and the food was fine, just not enough good enough to frequent often.

is "downtown prices" a thing? since the two higher priced places mentioned are both downtown

[Urbanized]

is "downtown prices" a thing? since the two higher priced places mentioned are both downtown

Yeah, absolutely they are. Without question it is more expensive to do business downtown. And as someone who works downtown and lives near downtown I’m always willing to pay for the convenience to not have to drive to a far-flung corner of the city to enjoy a quality representation of a food that may be in concentrated abundance in another part of town.

Places like Rivière or Magasin might not have downward pricing pressure from close by competitors, but they also have upward pressure from higher rent and other factors. I think both of those places are worth every penny. I’m at Magasin in particular probably 3-4 times a month.

[soonermike81]

is "downtown prices" a thing? since the two higher priced places mentioned are both downtown

I would assume so. At least in this case, it is. And like urbanized said above, it’s most likely not an issue if you live/work downtown and don’t want to drive up to 23rd and Classen for a banh mi. We don’t live downtown, so it doesn’t make sense for us to drive out of our way to pay more for Rivière’s banh mi.

On the other hand, I used to make weekly trips with my son to Magasin Table for their pho. To me, they had the best broth in town and I was absolutely willing to drive further AND pay more than the norm for their pho. Actually haven’t been in quite a while, but I heard they took pho off the menu. Unfortunate if true.

[jompster]

My better half grew up in Vietnam, so we go have banh mi at the minimum once weekly. I don't do Lee's because their baguettes are too stiff (I prefer Lee's sandwiches on a croissant), but I usually like Lang Bakery, Quoc Bao, or Bistro B. All are well-priced and all are delicious.

[Urbanized]

...I used to make weekly trips with my son to Magasin Table for their pho. To me, they had the best broth in town and I was absolutely willing to drive further AND pay more than the norm for their pho. Actually haven’t been in quite a while, but I heard they took pho off the menu. Unfortunate if true.

Nope, they still 100% have pho. Today they offered filet mignon, oxtail, meatball, brisket, chicken, rare steak, combination and vegan.

[soonermike81]

Nope, they still 100% have pho. Today they offered filet mignon, oxtail, meatball, brisket, chicken, rare steak, combination and vegan.

That’s good to hear! Their pho is awesome. I really need to make it back over there soon

[zefferoni]

I think part of the price premium is the 'fancy' ingredients and sides. I feel like a traditional banh mi for $5 at other places is the right price, but I'm cool with paying a couple dollars more for a French Dip banh mi and some mac and cheese is alright too.

[Thomas Vu]

Nope, they still 100% have pho. Today they offered filet mignon, oxtail, meatball, brisket, chicken, rare steak, combination and vegan.

It was off during the summer, and was phased back in during fall