Good Morning Vietnam
It’s time people knew who you were. As much as you love being seen at Charleston’s newest restaurant, you need a place where they know your name– and your order– the moment you walk in the door.
A place that’s fast and inexpensive wouldn’t be too bad, either.
At Bon Banh Mi, the soon-to-be open vietnamese sandwich mecca located at 162 Spring Street, co-creators Jason Sakran and Jeremy Spencer aim to do just that.
The hilarious dynamic duo have been serving up banh mi sandwiches so good they should be considered a gateway drug at the downtown farmer’s market for a while now as Charleston Street Hero*.
“Our plan was always to look beyond the farmer’s market,” says Jeremy. When you’re craving a five spice pork banh mi on a Tuesday night you’ll be glad of it.
Everything at Bon Banh Mi, which is scheduled to open the beginning of August, is under $10. With the exception of salads, wine and beer, fans of Charleston Street Hero will have to look hard to find much of a difference between what the two establishments offer. Then again, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? “These sandwiches still punch you in the face every single time,” says Jeremy of their banh mi’s nirvana-inducing flavors.
“You’ll be able to get a good sandwich at a great price and leave without feeling robbed,” says Jason of the Bon Banh Mi menu. Aside from staying true to their dedication to use “responsibly sourced ingredients” and continue to serve the best sandwich in town, the duo’s goal is to “shatter the notion that you can’t have a stellar dining experience for less than $30 dollars an entrée.” At times, they feel Charleston restaurants emphasize “knock your socks off food” without much thought to incredible service.
“It’s not just local about the food, it’s local about the attitude,” explains Jason.
The two have “made a conscientious effort to get to know the Charleston Street Hero regulars,” their first and last names and even remember details about their families. Jason and Jeremy plan to do the same at Bon Banh Mi. They envision the new digs as “a bustling, chatty café where you might hear the music or you might not because there are two guys in the corner talking,” says Jeremy.
Bon Banh Mi promises to be a place of character filled with characters, one of which will be you.
*Rules prohibit Spencer and Sakran from owning a brick and mortar restaurant and operating Charleston Street Hero simultaneously. Not to worry, Charleston Street Hero will still be serving up your favorite Vietnamese sandwich each Saturday at the farmer’s market, but at the hands of new owner, Morgan Walker.
Bon Banh Mi
162 Spring Street, Charleston, SC 29403
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Story by: Annabel Jones
Photos by: Drew Somerville
