If you\u2019ve lived in the San Jose or the greater south Bay Area, chances are that you will instantly recognize the Lee\u2019s Sandwiches name. Serving Vietnamese Banh Mi, “European style” baguette sandwiches, Vietnamese iced coffee, and a delightful array of Vietnamese quick eats, Lee\u2019s Sandwiches has become a beloved fixture in the South Bay Area.
Back in 1983, Chieu Le and his wife Yen Quach laid the foundation for Lee\u2019s Sandwiches with their first location in Downtown San Jose. The rest is history with an expansion of over 60 locations across Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia and with international locations in Ho Chi Minh City and Taipei.
Now, fast-forward to today, and the Lee\u2019s Sandwiches empire is still expanding, but with a fresh twist. The spotlight shifts to the next generation of the Le family, spearheaded by Thang Le, the owner of the latest Lee\u2019s Sandwiches establishment in Santa Clara, California. The Discover Santa Clara team got a chance to sit down with Thang Le to learn what drove him to open this location in Santa Clara.
Approaching this location, you\u2019ll spot the familiar Lee\u2019s Sandwiches branding, but step inside, and you’ll notice deliberate changes that bridge the gap between tradition and the modern era.
As soon as you walk in you are greeted by vibrant colors, a modern restaurant design, an Instagrammable LED sign saying \u201cI Love Banh Mi.\u201d However, nods to the Lee\u2019s Sandwiches’ historical roots and Vietnamese heritage remain intact. A wall blurb shares the Le family’s history, and a striking mural of the historic town of Hoian, complete with traditional Vietnamese lanterns, adorns the space.
Thang, the youngest of nine siblings, initially had no plans to join the family business. After college, his family persuaded him to reconsider, and he eventually agreed. However, Thang wanted to do things his way, adding a bit of modern flair to his business approach.
New changes such as adding vegan items to the menu, are something he has been proud of. The Vegan Lemon Grass Chicken is one of his favorite\u2019s dishes from Lee\u2019s Sandwiches vegan line.
\u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to modernize Lee\u2019s Sandwiches and make it more approachable to everyone, not just the Asian Market. We love our Vietnamese customers and our Asian customers; they have been our bread and butter.\u201d Said Le \u201cBut I want to bring Banh Mi to the masses. Just as how the burrito has become so famous everywhere you go, I want Banh Mi to be the same.\u201d
Thang’s vision extends beyond the traditional Asian audience, and Santa Clara Square was the natural next step. Situated amidst the dynamic landscape of Silicon Valley tech professionals, local Santa Clara residents, students, and a continuous influx of out-of-town visitors, this location provides a gateway for fresh faces to discover and embrace the Lee\u2019s Sandwich brand.
If you find yourself in Santa Clara, we invite you to visit Lee\u2019s Sandwiches and experience Thang\u2019s unique vision firsthand. Discover for yourself what makes this dining destination truly exceptional.
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He gets the unstoppable #1 Lee’s Combination Banh Mi paired with a Vietnamese Iced Coffee. (ProTip: Ask for that extra-strong brew if you’re in dire need of a caffeine rocket launch!)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Her signature combo? The fabulous #6 BBQ Pork Bahn Mi with a French baguette, and for a twist, she adds a side of curry, because why not spice up life and lunch? Introducing \u201cSavoring Santa Clara,\u201d an exciting new series brought to you by the Discover Santa Clara team. In this series, we will be shining a spotlight on noteworthy restaurants in Santa Clara that we believe deserve your attention.Katelyn Studebaker, Director of Marketing\u2019s Go to Order:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lee\u2019s Sandwiches Santa Clara Address:<\/strong> 3243 Coronado Pl Santa Clara, CA 95054<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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