Lee's Sandwiches

[eataroundokc.com]

Are they open in the mornings? If so, how early? The say free wifi and coffee so I wondered if they had breakfast?

[6string79]

Are they open in the mornings? If so, how early? The say free wifi and coffee so I wondered if they had breakfast?

They open 6am-9pm daily. Their food can be eaten anytime really. Viet xiet can be eaten anytime of the day..it's just universal like that.

[eataroundokc.com]

Awesome! 6am with free wifi -- a dream come true. This has great potential to provide an alternative to Panera for me. It's tough to find places open that early. I will check it out soon in the AM.

[MoeStooge]

As an okie that's been living in Orange County for the last 5 years and has to move back soon, I'm happy to hear this place is open. There is one near where I work that I go to for lunch some times.

Lee's doesn't have the best Banh Mi sandwiches around, but I hope they do well. I'll have to try Saigon Baguette and any other place in that area once we move back. I am totally spoiled by all the really good vietnamese food in OC. I will really miss Bun Bo Hue

[eataroundokc.com]

I stopped by at 6am on Monday but discovered they are cash only. Having no cash, I had to move on this time. I have to admit, I was surprised by the cash only for such a large chain. It seems that their long term plans are to offer an ATM in the restaurant, but it was not yet operational when I was there. If you can pull it off, that seems like a great business plan -- avoid all discount rates and make money on the ATM fees. But, it sure is inconvenient for guests like me who never carry cash.

[6string79]

I stopped by at 6am on Monday but discovered they are cash only. Having no cash, I had to move on this time. I have to admit, I was surprised by the cash only for such a large chain. It seems that their long term plans are to offer an ATM in the restaurant, but it was not yet operational when I was there. If you can pull it off, that seems like a great business plan -- avoid all discount rates and make money on the ATM fees. But, it sure is inconvenient for guests like me who never carry cash.

I believe their credit card machine is down. All the other Lees have the credit card machines.

[6string79]

After going there like 6 times since they've been open. I'm officially sick of the place...my favorite thing there is the LEE'S ICED COFFEE...it's bomb.

If you want baguette sandwiches, go to Lang's Bakery in the Little Saigon shopping center near Super Cao Nguyen supermarket. Their sandwiches are 10x better and cheaper to boot. That is a true cash only place..ma and pa style.

However, I do like Lee's ..it's a good place to take the dates for a quick meetup.

[ksearls]

6string!!!! I am so glad you said that! I think I may be a Lee's Ice Coffee addict! I am thinking about it night and day (especially night because I can't sleep anymore from all of the Lee's coffee).

And, their $1 baguettes and croissants are great! Try the ham & cheese croissants.

I think I will go there now!

Bye

[metro]

I went there yesterday for a cup of coffee and to see what the hype was about. I had the iced cafe mocha. It was excellent however they used wayyyyyyyyy too much ice in the coffee and they rang me up and gave me a small when I ordered a large. I tried to clarify it with them, but they didn't speak good English. The place is huge and clean, but is a little overwhelming the first time I went in. They have several counters/sections you can order from, depending on what you're ordering. Since I don't speak Vietnamese, it was a little intimidating even though everything is in English and Vietnamese. I suppose that's how they feel when they visit a nice American restaurant.

Anyhow, again the coffee was great, just not very much with all the ice. I also got a $1 butter baguette. I took it home for dinner last night and it was good. It was a little on the dry side from the get go, but just steamed it a little bit and it and added a little butter and it was great!

[FritterGirl]

Ok. So I had to take Ms. Searls' advice and head over to Lee's for the iced coffee. I walked in about 7:40 this morning.

As others noted, it was large, bright and very clean.

I was a bit confused at first as to where to go, so I just looked for the drink menu.

I ordered the famous "iced coffee." It was already ready when I got there. I suppose they were expecting a few folks to come in, so they already had about 3 or 4 made in advance ready to go. It was a bit strong at first sip, but quite good. I do agree with metro about the ice, though. Almost as much ice as a Sonic drink (light, crunchy ice, too), so I kind of had to ask myself "where's the coffee?" But, it seemed to last for awhile, so it turned out okay.

Their smoothie menu definitely sounded intriguing (avacado smoothie, anyone?), so I might have to indulge in one some day.

I also grabbed an Almond Croissant (was really hoping they'd have Pain au Chocolat given their french influence, but alas...). Croissant was nice. Not to heavy, not too dry. But, it was also a bit light on the almonds.

As I was walking out, I noticed a rather large counter filled with their "day old" supplies. As it was early, I'm guessing this will have been gone by the end of the day. At least I hope so. If not, I hope they work out arrangements with the Regional Food Bank for a pick up. I would really hate to see that much bread go to waste.

Will definitely try it again, and am anxious to try a sandwich when I can venture over for lunch.

[metro]

Introducing Lee’s to OKC
Journal Record
March 18, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY – Minh Nguyen is looking forward to building a satellite network of restaurants across Oklahoma City around his new Lee’s sandwich shop on North Classen Boulevard.

Backed by a Small Business Administration loan, Nguyen helped the Lee’s chain jump from California earlier this month. Nguyen has been overwhelmed by the customer response, which has had a larger number of non-Vietnamese than he had hoped for.“It’s been beyond my expectations,” Nguyen said. “So far 50 percent have been Caucasian. And I have no problem with that, considering there are 600,000 people in the city who might like to try our product.”

The Lee’s concept started in the 1980s when the Le family immigrated to San Jose, Calif., and started selling Vietnamese-style sandwiches, and formally entered the market with the first of about 30 shops in 2001. The to-go restaurants now offer a mix of traditional Vietnamese flavors such as inexpensive banh mi sandwiches – seasoned with pickled carrots, daikon and cilantro – and non-Vietnamese standards such as ham and cheese served on baguettes or croissants.

Other products include fresh pastries, ice cream, smoothies and shelved packaged foods such as pate. Nguyen’s restaurant, as the first in the metro area, will serve a unique support role for the other shops he has planned. A large portion of the store’s indoor space is set aside for the production of bread products that will be shipped to other Lee’s.“It is important that the baguettes and pastries always taste fresh and excellent,” he said. “It is what people will expect.”

The building was a perfect match for Nguyen’s needs. It had been built for another businessman with an Asian smorgasbord in mind, but quickly closed for undisclosed reasons. The extra space worked well for the bakery area, which is visible to diners via a large glass wall. And the building is on the northern edge of the Asian District north of NW 23rd Street along Classen.

The Shepherd Mall office complex and Oklahoma City University west on 23rd are large bases of potential customers for Nguyen to tap into. Nguyen ate at Lee’s for the first time about three years ago on a trip to California; he was sold on the restaurant immediately and wanted to bring it to the metro area.

Nguyen said he’ll need about six to eight months to gauge the market response to Lee’s before he can start looking to open other stores. He’ll likely look for venture capital investors, he said, because he enjoys running the business himself.



Minh Nguyen, owner of Lee’s Sandwiches, stands in front of the newly opened business’s pastry counter Monday afternoon. (Photo by Kendall Brown)

[alan]

tried it today for the first time. Had one viet and one euro sandwich. both very good and very cheap. then tried their ice cream; one chocolate, one kiwi and one coffee. also good and cheap. we'll be back. best "chain" sandwich place in town.

[kevinpate]

Hmmmm, a thread comes back to life after a near on two year nap. Maybe I just figured out lunch come Wednesday.

[alan]

Hmmmm, a thread comes back to life after a near on two year nap. Maybe I just figured out lunch come Wednesday.

LOL, i figured it was better than starting a new thread.

[Armani]

I never seem to get a good sandwich when I go. I guess you have to know what to order and know what's in it. I ordered the vegetarian sub and did not like it one bit...I tried to give some to my dog to finish and she looked at me like I was crazy.

The iced coffee is just like the little brown cans called Mr. Brown. You can buy em at cao nguyen

[Euphoria]

I have a co-worker that is kind enough to feed my addiction with ham and cheese croissants for breakfast. At two bucks a pop they're bigger, more filling, better tasting, and a bigger bargain than grabbing McWhatevers on the way to work in the morning.

Really wish they took a card though, or had an ATM that dispensed something smaller than a 20.

[Fastfwd]

I go for lunch on occasion…… it’s like $2.50 for a 10” baguette sandwich. Agreed that they aren’t stuffed with meat, but for the price they aren’t too bad. Grab a couple of spring rolls with dipping sauce and you’ve got a pretty tasty lunch on the cheap.

Bánh mì - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I like the combo of carrots and cilantro and whatever they put in there….good stuff!

[Jethrol]

Lee's rocks....if you're looking for a tasty sandwich for under $7 this place can't be beat IMO. I've tried a couple of different ones and I like them a lot.

I also love the open atmosphere and bakery. I don't know why, this is really a cool little shot. Too bad it took me 2 years to discover it.

[Dustin]

I will never go to another sandwich shop after tasting Jersey Mike's Italian Sub. Best sandwich around!

[BBatesokc]

Couldn't find a thread on Lee's Sandwiches on N. Classen Blvd. so I thought I'd mention it.

This place is the only destination sandwich shop for my wife and I the last couple off years. The selection is as big as the restaurant itself and the prices are great too.

You can get a sandwich, chips and soda for $4.

We usually split a ham, turkey and cheese on croissant with the pork and shrimp rolls ~ less than $8 and plenty of food for two.

The ingredients are always so fresh and the sandwiches taste like you always hope one at home will, but never does.

We occasionally try one of their ethnic selections of drinks and desserts - some are pretty scary looking.

The only thing I don't like is their 'gourmet ice cream.' We've tried 4-5 flavors and didn't like the taste or texture of any of them. If you haven't tried this place, you should. Its good on your appetite and your wallet.

[Matt]

Couldn't find a thread on Lee's Sandwiches on N. Classen Blvd. so I thought I'd mention it.

Lee's Sandwiches: the biggest sandwich shop ever?

Neptune's - Lee's - Subway ?????

[BBatesokc]

I assumed it had been covered. Why is it that often when I do a search I get no results? I searched for "Lee's" prior to my posting and got ZERO RESULTS.

Okay, by zero results I mean nothing I was looking for.....

I actually got;

Bicycle Alley Closes After Three Years

Where are all the former news anchors?

California Dreaming?

New $50 bills

[Easy180]

When I search I can't find crapola either

Buddy told me about this place last year but have yet to try it

[Matt]

Why is it that often when I do a search I get no results?

The search function sucks now. I don't know why that is.

I found the Lee's threads by looking at the tag cloud, under "sandwiches."

[jstaylor62]

Lee's Sandwiches: the biggest sandwich shop ever?

Neptune's - Lee's - Subway ?????

Yes, it is physically larger than any other sandwich shop...