Benjamin Murray wasn’t the only chef who pivoted to a home pop-up during lockdown but the former chef de cuisine at Pao by Paul Qui is one of the few to see his Instagram business turn into a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Benh Mi’s is Murray and partner Michael Kaplan’s adorable Vietnamese sandwich shop on Española Way, a busy pedestrian street lined with cuisines from all over the world. Cindy Kam designed the small space, drawing inspiration from the neighborhood’s Art Deco architecture as well as the Asian menu. There’s indoor seating and outdoor tables, where most of the action takes place on the busy strip.
At Benh Mi, guests will find the namesake bánh mis in all sorts of inventive variations, including stuffed with lemongrass meatballs or flavorful roasted pork. There's also the extra crunchy spicy chicken tender option that's destined for popularity, especially among fans of Publix’s culty chicken tender sub. Lest you get the two confused, Benh Mi’s chicken is tender, crispy and served with house-made sauces, like yuzu kosho ranch and tamarind BBQ. Murray also dabbles in other Vietnamese staples, like vegetable spring rolls and green papaya salad, among the different snacks available.
