Quick, what comes to mind when someone suggests Asian takeout?
Sandwiches.
Hmmm, interesting. That wasn't even on our radar until local businesswoman My Dinh opened Asian Sandwich Deli, the newest and possibly most unusual entrant to the city's plethora of Asian fare.
Her sandwiches are modeled after those you would find in Vietnam. They're not fat on fillings, but they overflow with flavor, much of it fueled by fresh cilantro and thin-sliced, fresh jalapeños.
Those peppers give a sizzle to the thinly shredded tofu sandwich ($2.50). The tofu shares space in the oversize, fresh-baked French roll with an Asian slaw of shredded carrots and cucumbers.
The peppers weren't as prominent in the grilled pork ($2.50), but those chunks of tender, moist pork were tasty. Ditto the meat in the combo ($3), the shop's most expensive sandwich.
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Combine the sandwich with a serving of bean sweet rice ($2), sticky white rice served with beans and topped with accompanying sugar, for a whole new take on a happy meal. Or spice it up a beat with the savory sausage rice ($2.50), sporting thin slices of traditional Chinese sausage. (It will remind you a bit of pepperoni, only not as spicy.)
If you're really adventurous, order the rice and pork wrap ($3), a big square of slow-cooked rice with pork paste in its center, wrapped in banana leaves. The texture leans on the pasty side and the rice cake is green beneath the banana leaf from the cooking. But don't let that frighten you off; it's actually a hearty dish.
Or stay the path and visit the 5-month-old eatery's selection of traditional Chinese dishes, from fluffy fried rice ($4.50) or fried noodles ($5), both boasting chunks of pork and chicken, to the traditional shrimp and pork spring roll ($3), which comes three to an order.
The spring rolls are heavenly, delicate rice wrappers fat with shredded veggies and the chosen filling including the traditional pork and shrimp and that delicate and savory Chinese sausage.
Asian Sandwich Deli — which is Dinh and her family's foray into food; she also runs a travel agency — also features traditional Asian drinks from Vietnamese coffee and Thai tea ($2.50) to flavored tapioca drinks ($3).
1710 E. Speedway, 326-3354
● Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays
● Et cetera: Delivery available