Today, in Vietnam, the loaves go for about 10 cents in U.S. money. Sandwich kiosks stuff them with goodies and mark them up to 30 cents each. Schoolchildren, adults, merchants and beggars alike all regularly chomp on these subs, the Vietnamese equivalent of the American hamburger and hot dog combined. In fact, Vietnamese subs have made a beachhead in the South Bay. They cost more on these shores, but they'll abate hunger for less than a cup of coffee.
Vietnamese subs are the one-dollar wonders.
Well, let's inventory what gets loaded into the sub. Then it is jammed with fresh cucumber, onion, cilantro, pickled daikon, pickled carrot and sliced hot pepper. What really gives the kick is the sauce, a mixture of vinegar and soy sauce. These hoagies are suitable for the novice because the hot pepper and sauce are omitted. This place is about as far north in the valley as a hungry Joe can go to get a Vietnamese fast-food meal for spare change.