This restaurant in Berea, Ohio continues to offer great food

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BEREA, OH - When I was a kid, I would often eat banh mi, which is a Vietnamese sandwich that is served on a baguette. I would always have the banh mi dac biet, which comes with Vietnamese-style cold cuts. When I was older, I would try versions with grilled pork, grilled chicken, and char siu, and while they weren't bad, the banh mi dac biet continues to reign supreme in my heart.

Feeling nostalgic the other day, I went to Nam Wah - which is a restaurant located in Berea at 392 W Bagley Rd - for lunch. Their menu has a couple of banh mi options: grilled chicken, grilled pork, grilled beef, and deli (aka banh mi dac biet). I, of course, went for the deli banh mi ($6.95). In addition to one of my favorite sandwiches of my childhood, I got shredded pork summer rolls ($6.45).

First, I tried the summer rolls. The rolls were filled with a good amount of shredded pork that was lightly spiced, lots of rice noodles, and lettuce. They were tasty, especially when dipped into the accompanying sweet and savory dark brown sauce with peanuts. I only wish that there were other vegetables in the summer rolls since lettuce is not the most exciting of veggies.

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After I finished the summer rolls, I took a bite of the banh mi, and it was like transporting myself back to my childhood. Well, with a few exceptions. As a kid, I was somewhat of a picky eater, and I would make my parents take the pate, pickled veggies, and jalapenos out of the banh mi. As an adult, however, I've grown to like the pate and veggies, and recognize that a banh mi isn't truly complete without them.

Nam Wah's banh mi was delicious, and I could have easily consumed two (or three) of the sandwiches. The baguette was soft on the inside yet had a crusty exterior with a nice chew. The sandwich was also packed with plenty of meat (there were generous amounts of cha lua - a Vietnamese pork sausage - as well as a few slices of Vietnamese pink ham), pate with a tasty mayo-like sauce, and veggies such as pickled daikon, carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, and jalapenos. Oh, there were jalapenos, more than my wimpy mouth expected and which made for a spicy sandwich. Next time I get the banh mi, I might ask the staff to go easy on the jalapenos.

If you want to check out the restaurant for yourself, you can find it at 392 W Bagley Rd, Berea, OH 44017. The restaurant is open 6 days a week, Tuesday to Thursday from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, Friday from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM, Saturday from 12 PM to 10:30 PM, and Sunday from 12 PM to 8 PM. It's closed on Mondays.