The trickiest part of visiting this unassuming Lynnwood favorite might be navigating the parking lot during peak business hours. The hassle is well worth it, though, for the variety of banh mi that includes grilled meats (pork, chicken, and beef), tofu, ham, BBQ pork (or ham with BBQ pork), and what looks like a Northeastern U.S.–inspired section of the menu — brisket, pastrami, and Philly cheesesteak.

The name reflects the initial location (in the Little Saigon neighborhood) of this beloved deli before it opened the now-remaining location in a Korean strip mall in Edmonds. While there are a few appetizers, entrees, and other Vietnamese treats, the bulk of the business focuses on excellent execution of four types of banh mi: chicken, cold cut with pate, tofu, and the signature grilled pork.

Located on Highway 99 in Edmonds, Rise and Shine meets wholesale demand for crackly baguettes while also serving rotating specials like banh mi chao (“breakfast” skillet), bo ne (Vietnamese beef stew), and banh mi made from the baguettes. All the sandwiches, including the lemongrass-infused grilled beef, the tofu and mushroom, and grilled pork and fried egg, are freshly prepared.

Saigon Drip Cafe brings a variety of Vietnamese fare to Pioneer Square, but it’s a pair of beef banh mi that is particularly intriguing. The Banh Mi Dip contains brisket, pate, and grilled onions, and comes with a side of beef bone marrow soup for dipping. There’s also a Beef Blitz that has grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves, with the usual pate, pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, cilantro, mayo and soy sauce filling the grilled baguette.

Often confused with the nearby Saigon Vietnam Deli (also a good choice) on the same block of Jackson (and unrelated to Saigon Deli in the University District), Saigon Deli is a long-time favorite for banh mi and other Vietnamese deli delights. Portions of BBQ pork and roast chicken, for example, are generous. While the line can be long at lunchtime, the sandwich makers assemble banh mi orders rapidly, wrapping filled crusty baguettes in white paper, rolling on a rubber band, and placing each one in a plastic bag with a napkin in an orderly fashion.

This sliver of a store in West Seattle justifiably draws crowds for its four banh mi offerings. It is especially known for its mayonnaise and liver pate, both made fresh daily. That pate is spread lightly on the grilled pork and grilled chicken sandwiches, with a more generous layer on the “classic,” which includes sliced jambon, sliced pork roll, and dried shredded pork. Oh’s also has a wide variety of milk tea, iced tea, smoothies, and other beverages.

It started as a pool hall selling Vietnamese sandwiches about 30 years ago, and though the menu has expanded since then, the banh mi are still the highlight here. The BBQ pork and Vietnamese sausage banh mi is especially popular, and they are reasonably priced at $6 each (definitely add a lightly fluffed scrambled egg). Get them to go or to dine in — with an option to play pool as a bonus.

This corner storefront (with a handful of outdoor tables and chairs) in Georgetown is a popular spot for a small selection of pastries and a variety of Vietnamese coffee drinks—plus whole beans by the bag. There are also a number of banh mi sandwiches of regular and mini size made with baguettes from Q Bakery. The Nem Nướng Hà Nội has lemongrass in the pork sausage patty and fine shreds of refreshing mint. Vegetarian options include coconut curry tofu as well as claypot-braised “veggie fish.”

At Q Bakery, customers buy bread by the bagged bunch. The bakery also offers banh mi, with classic flavors like grilled or BBQ pork and shredded chicken. There are also some less-common options ones as well. Banh mi ca moi comes with tinned sardines in tomato sauce, the vegetables countering the sandwich’s fishiness. Even better is banh mi chao tom, with a shrimp paste “cake” that’s squishy and slightly salty, a perfect par to a fried egg.

The banh mi at this White Center spot are grilled to order, so it’s best to dine in or to eat them as soon as possible when ordering to-go. For the dac biet, the cold cuts are sliced in-house and are thicker for a meatier experience. The grilled pork is a little non-traditional but still delicious with vinegary pepperoncinis to supplement the jalapenos, plus red onions and cooling slices of tomato.