A handful of Columbia-area banh mi sandwich shops eye upcoming openings
It looks like this will be the year of banh mi in the Columbia area.
Banh mi is a type of Vietnamese sandwich typically built on a baguette, and the style has continued to gain popularity in the U.S. in recent years. And it seems like the Midlands is set to get an infusion of shops where banh mi and other treats will be available.
Over in Cayce, the Little Bee Bun Mee company is being prepared at 906 Knox Abbott Drive, right next door to Duke’s Pad Thai restaurant. The arrival of Little Bee has been teased for some time now, but recently the shop has stoked anticipation on its social media channels.
“Buzz buzz we’re coming to Cayce this Spring,” Little Bee posted on its Facebook and Instagram pages on March 13. It also made Instagram posts on March 16 touting a spring 2023 opening. The shop’s website lists it as “coming soon.”
Meanwhile, there are plans for a Paris Banh Mi restaurant in northeast Columbia, at 3071 Longtown Commons Drive. That’s just off Clemson Road, near the Lexington Medical Center Northeast facility and across the road from Lowe’s Home Improvement.
Paris Banh Mi has locations in Florida, California, Colorado and elsewhere. The Columbia restaurant is listed in the “upcoming locations” section on the Paris Banh Mi website, with a projected opening later this spring.
The State previously reported that Banh Mi Boys, a company that started in New Orleans, will also be hitting the Midlands scene. Banh Mi Boys will open in late April or early May at 625 Whaley St. suite C. That’s right across the street from The Olympia Mills, a massive apartment complex that is popular with students, located about a mile and a half north of Williams-Brice Stadium.
