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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Annie’s Vietnamese Sandwiches brings new bánh mì option to Iowa City
New restaurant becomes one of first in Iowa City to specialize in the Asian sandwich
Jan. 13, 2026 6:00 am
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IOWA CITY — A new restaurant has set up shop for a Vietnamese specialty.
Annie’s Vietnamese Sandwiches Shop, opened Sept. 2, brings to life a menu focused on the bánh mì — a classic sandwich that marries Vietnamese meats and fresh vegetables with influence from the southeast Asian country’s past under French colonialism.
Following Yummy Banh Mi’s Hiawatha opening in 2023, Annie’s Vietnamese Sandwiches is one of the first shops in Iowa City to specialize in the sandwich beyond a single menu item.
If you go:
Address: 221 S Gilbert St., Iowa City
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Shop closes early when sold out.
Phone: (319) 333-3039
Website: avsandwiches.com
Details: Find a solid selection of affordable bánh mì sandwiches, starting at $7.50, for carryout or limited bar seating. Add on egg rolls, spring rolls or a drink from a small selection of tea and Vietnamese coffee options.
What’s inside
Inside an unassuming downtown shop, couple Annie and Travis Duong take pride in serving a taste of home.
Their shop brings new life to the small, mostly carryout business that Travis said was previously home to another restaurant years ago.
The first venture in restaurants comes after 14 years as residents in Iowa City. For nine years, Annie worked for Venus Nails & Spa; Travis worked as a casino supervisor.
To them, the choice of bánh mì, was obvious. Annie, a native of Saigon who enjoys interacting with students, cared about creating a product that was affordable.
“It’s famous around the world. Why not bring it here?” Travis said.
Annie’s Vietnamese Sandwiches, while not the first in Iowa City to serve bánh mì, opens as one of the first to specialize in the sandwich.
The simple menu offers six configurations with traditional meat fillings including Vietnamese ham, braised pork belly, Char Xiu pork, breaded fish cake and vegetarian. Each option is topped with Vietnamese mayonnaise, a signature brown sauce, fresh vegetables and an optional pâté.
The Duongs take pride in guaranteeing fresh, French-inspired bread baked daily; leftover bread is not used the following day. Each sandwich loaf offers a crust that crackles with each bite, yielding to a soft, pillowy interior.
The rich Vietnamese mayo, made from egg yolk, offers a buttery contrast to American mayo with a thick consistency that buffers fresh cucumber, jalapeno, carrots, cilantro and pickled daikon radish with a creamy sweetness.
Annie’s signature savory brown sauce, another staple of bánh mì toppings, stands out with a blend of onion, garlic, soy sauce, tomato juice, lemon and vinegar.
Round out your meal with an order of fresh spring rolls stuffed with fried fish cake or shrimp, or fried egg rolls made with a combination of pork, shrimp or vegetables.
Teas including jasmine, lychee and peach round out the menu in hot or iced varieties, in addition to two Vietnamese coffee options.
Enjoy all of it for carryout or on a limited number of bar stools right inside the door.
But don’t wait until closing time. Like many good restaurants, Annie’s only remains open while supplies last each day.
Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.
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