Welcome to Pho Banh Mi Che Cali
At Pho Banh Mi Che Cali, the heart of Vietnamese and Thai cuisine beats strong in Pasadena. This beloved gem offers a cozy, casual atmosphere where every dish is crafted with love. Signature offerings like their savory Pho, aromatic Banh Mi, and crispy spring rolls highlight a menu brimming with fresh ingredients and authentic flavors. Customers rave about the generous portions and affordable prices, making this spot a favorite for locals and students alike. With options for everyone, including vegan and vegetarian dishes, Pho Banh Mi Che Cali is not just a restaurant—it’s a culinary experience that celebrates the richness of Vietnamese heritage.
- 1525 E Colorado Blvd Pasadena, CA 91106 United States Hotline: (626) 356-0404
Welcome food lovers! Today, we embark on a flavorful journey to Pho Banh Mi Che Cali, a delightful Vietnamese eatery nestled on 1525 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106. This gem specializes in authentic Vietnamese and Thai cuisines, serving up an enticing array of dishes that cater to a variety of dietary preferences, including vegan options and hearty selections for the meat lovers.
Pho Banh Mi Che Cali is not just a meal; it’s an experience. As you step inside, you’re greeted by a welcoming ambiance, where the charm of worn tables tells a story of rich history and heartfelt culinary dedication. This casual dining spot boasts outdoor seating, making it an inviting choice for lunch or dinner with friends and family. With a moderate noise level and a relaxed vibe, it's perfect for groups or a cozy dinner with your loved ones.
Now, let's talk about the standout dishes that customers rave about:
- Banh Mi Sandwiches: The Baguette Banh Mi is a must-try, featuring a delectable house special of Vietnamese ham and meatloaf, layered with rich pâté, crispy cucumbers, fresh cilantro, and zingy jalapeños. Every bite is a delightful blend of textures and flavors, with a price that won't empty your wallet at just $7.75!
- Pho Noodle Soups: The signature Special Combination Pho brings together rare steak, well-done brisket, and beef balls in a rich broth. Cooking skillfully to perfection, the broth is deep and flavorful, making it the ideal comfort food for noodle soup lovers.
- Appetizers: Start your meal with their famous Shrimp Spring Rolls — fresh rice paper wrapped rolls paired with a signature house peanut dipping sauce. Customers can't stop praising the crispy and savory Egg Rolls, which are an irresistible addition to any meal.
Afternoon visits are especially rewarding, as this restaurant offers Happy Hour Specials with free boba drinks for those ordering pho items from 2 PM to 5 PM, giving you even more reason to indulge in their delightful offerings.
The restaurant is well-equipped for a variety of needs, including takeout, delivery, catering services, and even dog-friendly options. Not only is it wheelchair accessible, but patrons can also enjoy the convenience of accepting credit cards and digital payments via Android Pay and Apple Pay.
With glowing reviews from satisfied customers — including anecdotes about the tender, meaty broth in their pho and the burst of freshness in their banh mi sandwiches — Pho Banh Mi Che Cali has truly established itself as a beloved staple in the Pasadena area. One customer expressed their excitement, remarking, “I can’t even pick a favorite; everything is next-level delicious!”
In conclusion, Pho Banh Mi Che Cali stands out for its exceptional food, warm environment, and affordability. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Vietnamese cuisine or someone exploring new culinary horizons, this restaurant promises to deliver flavors that linger long after your meal. So gather your friends, head over, and revel in all that this culinary treasure has to offer!

I absolutely love finding hidden gems like Phở Bảnh Mì Chè Cali! From the moment I walked in, I could tell this place was special. Yes, it has an older look with worn tables, but let me tell you it's spotless and has so much charm! The staff is incredibly sweet, and I love that it feels like a family-run restaurant. There's something about places like this where you can truly taste the love in every bite. Now, let's talk about the food... WOW. I had their pho, banh mi, and spicy fried rice with chicken and shrimp and honestly, I can't even pick a favorite. Everything was next-level delicious! And as a huge fried rice fan, I have to say this is my top fried rice from any restaurant, period. Oh, and their egg rolls? Crispy, flavorful, and ridiculously good. Portions are generous, prices are fair, and the experience is just all-around amazing. This is one of those places I'll be telling everyone about. If you're thinking about trying it just go!

Do they need to be more clean and wipe tables down? Yes. Do I wish they wouldn't leave the pho fixings out? Yes. However, I love this place. It's affordable and delicious. Their banh mi is fresh and delicious with homemade baguette. They serve the spring rolls with all the fixings, which a lot of Vietnamese restaurants don't do anymore. The chicken wings are crispy. And their pad Thai is also very good. I haven't had their pho though, so I cannot review that. But overall, I'm really pleased with this place, and it's the only place in the area that I get banh mi.

I came here looking for pho as a breakfast/brunch item because I love a savory breakfast. I came here with relatively low expectations, but was surprised that the pho was quite tasty! There's a generous helping of noodles, and a decent amount of meat, for the reasonable price of 12.50 for the special pho. . the broth had a full body (meaty) and good mouth feel. There wasn't a great amount of spices or seasoning that came through, but the meaty slow cooked flavor of the broth definitely shone through. A solid four out of five Service was not especially fast, nor was the banh mi anything to write home about, but given that it's open early, I will definitely come here again!

I ordered the party tray of 30 egg rolls. It was hot and ready when I arrived at the restaurant for pick up. The rolls were really crisp and flavorful. My colleague and I enjoyed it very much. Will definitely return again to try the other food items.

The food here was ABSOLUTELY amazing. I'm a fanatic when it comes to Vietnamese cuisine. It's also the fact that this place is affordable too?? Like POP OFF. My friend she got the Chicken Pho and I got the Bun Bo Hue aka Spicy Beef Noodles !! Each of our bowls were only $12.50 plus we both got free Boba! During their Happy Hour (from 2pm to 5pm) they give out FREE BOBAs with the purchase of Pho items! The people there work fast and great! Only had to wait a few minutes for our food to come out as well! The ambience there is chill yet very energetic. During its peak hours the place was bustling with college students considering it's also right across from PCC (Pasadena Community College).

We stopped here after browsing through the Pasadena City College Flea Market across the street and I am glad to have found this convenient spot. Casual interior, easy side street parking, and fair prices! My boba milk tea was good as well as the Vietnamese iced coffee (I prefer to let the ice melt a little as it is pretty strong!). I would have to try more items on the menu to give a more complete review, but left satisfied after my first visit!

The food is always fresh and delicious here. The cashier is attentive. The place is organized and clean. I enjoy coming here!

Sometimes you can find me here two times a week, and sometimes, not for an entire month. As I write this review, I am planning my next visit for the delicious Vietnamese fare. Their Bahn Mi sandwiches are second to none and packed with so much fresh and delicious flavor! I have tried their sandwiches and their pho and both are great options. I tend to lean toward their sandwiches; plus, they're super cheap! Some locations even have a buy two get one free sandwich special (not the one in Pasadena, sadly!) They do give you a free honey drink if you buy 2 sandwiches, but it tastes like you're drinking a bottle of Chanel no.5. This is a great place to dine with your friends, but I usually just take it home to go. The parking situation at this location is a pain in the butt, but I rarely have problems.