BMT Viet - Brisbane

Ever since I noticed that this was in the Roma Street Station food court, I knew exactly when the chance to try it would have been. That was going to be before getting a train down to my parent's place on the Gold Coast, just as a perfect way to wedge getting it in. Which is exactly how it went starting the weekend around Christmas. Getting to Roma Street Station around 3 in the afternoon, there was a bit of time beforehand to get a bite to eat, and I hadn't had anything since about breakfast time. So that was my cue to go to here. In fact, a few places had opened up giving diners a bit more choice than the usual fast food giants that take up the attention there. Service was all-round pretty decent. It is one where you are given a ticket and called out when it is ready, and that took a few minutes between ordering and getting the food. Not really a whole lot to it but being decently efficient, and seeing the items be ready made in front of you. It did take a while to be noticed at the counter, but in defense the guy was at the back and facing perpendicular to the counter. A bit of an apology later, and he was then readily taking the order. It is early days, so little touches here and there can be done to smooth the operations. All that is needed is to get a bell here, stick it to the counter, and future customers can ring it for attention. No hard feelings on the greenhorn here. Not much is able to said about the surrounds, as it is a food court and in honesty probably one of the most decrepit looking ones that I have seen. Considering the number of people who would use it to get to work or home from the many parts of Brisbane and beyond (bus, train and Greyhound) - and even with the possibly lovely Hotel Jen just adjacent - you would think that they would give it a little more care. As for the actual eatery itself ... this is in a food court. This is one you can walk into the shopfront, that is within a meter of the entrance. It has a pretty simple set up, with the ordering place to the left and hotbox to the right, and a few pictures showing some items not on the menu per se. That last one is a touch I have always liked about Vietnamese eateries. From the menu, the range of items is essentially bahn mis, some noodle soups (no pho as far as I an concerned), some rice dishes, vermicelli salads, goi cuon, and a few little extra snacks. There are a few drinks as well to go on the side, refreshing and cool. Someone learnt the K.I.S.S. principle about service and business, and that goes to show right here. If it isn't a phrase I will be using it here, but to how an American might view "burgers and fries" that is basically what "bahn mi and coffee" has become to me. Close to every time I go somewhere and get this combination, I basically know what I am going to get. And even closer to every time I leave satiated and impressed. It is a simple combination, and one that I readily seek out because I find it filling and there is always one or two places close by that do it. .... I just like bahn mi, and especially love the Vietnamese-style coffee to go with it. Lots of people must go for this, as they had a good value savings combo of these two items. So if were not already apparent, the items that I ordered were a bahn mi and coffee. The variety of sandwich that I got was the pork combination, and there was the usual request of getting it with a heaping of chilli (emphasising that request). It was the classic, with grilled pork, pork loaf, and meatballs all on a baguette with the usual cucumber, coriander, carrot, and pate with mayonnaise this time. If you've had a Vietnamese ice coffee, you know what was there ... peculated coffee mixed with sweet condensed milk. Both of them were really tasty, and like a burger and fries I generally now what I am going in for. That is not to say they are all the same, and some are better than others. I have yet to find one that I haven't liked, and this time around I was pretty impressed. The bahn mi was bigger than normal, and this time filled up pretty well. The pork meat from each cut was delicious and tender, with the meatball being my favourite because of the slight flavour of honey coming from it. Also, they did not get outsized by the vegetables - which themselves were crunchy, and the herbs had their flavour plus the bite of chili was there. It would not be complete without a rich crunchy roll, and delicious pate that is like butter amped up - and who can say no to mayonnaise on a sandwich? Plus, the strong flavour, the cold temperature, and the rich texture of a nice iced coffee really completes it all - and is needed for chilli fiends, eh? Not really a lot, but it did me well until I arrived at my parents for another coffee (that time, espresso). What they have said with the bahn mi here is it is arguably the best sandwich. If I don't agree with that, the number one might well be a Cubano ... but let's just say that I have really enjoyed bahn mis due to how reliable they are (they are pretty damn good nevertheless), as well as the fact that they are one filling snack where change can be gotten from a tenner. Mileage may vary if we are talking about getting a coffee in tow, though to be one feels incomplete without the other. That sums up this little pocket, showing that I am quite optimistic about it and that it is a welcome addition to this sad food court. Plus, a four-score from me here is complete bias because of the praises I have of a bahn mi. They are often robust, a combination of fresh and full-on flavour, and there is just something about the way the Vietnamese prepare their coffee. No watching the show here, but it ain't that kind of place. TL;DR: It is a simple Vietnamese takeaway that is a breath of fresh air in comparison to what else is around. The menu is most of the simpler street foods to prepare and serve, all being quick and pipping hot, done in a quick and orderly fashion. About 90% of it can be gotten with a tenner plus getting some change back from it, which also works in its favour. It is what it is, and it is all that is needs to be. Few excuses have me going to get a bah mi as is nowadays, and there will be more times using the train to my parents, so piece those together and you have my perspective on BMT Viet.

Ever since I noticed that this was in the Roma Street Station food court, I knew exactly when the chance to try it would have been. That was going to be before getting a train down to my parent's place on the Gold Coast, just as a perfect way to wedge getting it in. Which is exactly how it went starting the weekend around Christmas. Getting to Roma Street Station around 3 in the afternoon, there was a bit of time beforehand to get a bite to eat, and I hadn't had anything since about breakfast time. So that was my cue to go to here. In fact, a few places had opened up giving diners a bit more choice than the usual fast food giants that take up the attention there. Service was all-round pretty decent. It is one where you are given a ticket and called out when it is ready, and that took a few minutes between ordering and getting the food. Not really a whole lot to it but being decently efficient, and seeing the items be ready made in front of you. It did take a... read more

Super nice staff, great eating in street style, gottes prices – what is not to like!? very surprised to find such a place in the roma st transit centre. get up!

I was here, I tried it because I had a one and a half change in the run of time for my bus, the worst cold vegetarian earlylings iw ever had the satay vegetarian satay was full of tofu I asked for extra green and sweet, but was giving 95 tofu disappointed!

Amazingly fresh. always happy with my meals . fast and friendly staff. this place is located above the railway station roma street .