A Vietnamese sandwich with garlic butter inside sounds like a small detail. I can’t stop thinking about it.
It shows up in the bánh mì at a casual spot that also pours bubble tea.
The menu goes far beyond one sandwich. Pho gets the most mentions, and noodles and rice plates fill out the list.
I like a place where the food does the talking. Ohio has plenty of strip-mall surprises, but few carry a menu this deep.
Ready to find out which one it is?
A Strip-Mall Kitchen With A Big Vietnamese Menu
Mi Li Cafe sits in a shopping plaza on the east side of Columbus, and it’s easy to drive past. The restaurant calls itself a casual Vietnamese spot with a classic menu.
Bánh mì, noodles, rice dishes and bubble tea are the headliners.
That description is short, but the menu behind it is wide. Pho gets the most mentions among visitors, with bánh mì next in line.
Vietnamese food as a whole comes up often too.
The Ohio angle makes this fun. A strip-mall storefront is the kind of place many people pass on the way to somewhere else.
Here, the stop itself is the destination.
The setting is simple, and the food is the draw. A sandwich shop and noodle house share one kitchen, plus a bubble tea menu on the side.
That mix is rare enough to deserve a detour.
The rest of this guide walks through what to order, when to go and how to plan a visit. Consider it a map for a first trip.
Where To Find It On Emporium Square
The address is 5858 Emporium Square, Columbus, OH 43231. That puts it on the northeast side of the city, near the Cleveland Avenue corridor.
Drivers coming from the I-270 side will find it simple to reach.
Parking is part of the strip-mall deal. Plaza lots usually let you pull up close and walk right in.
That makes takeout runs especially easy.
Mi Li Cafe has a loyal base of Columbus diners. One visitor described it as a gem on the east side near Cleveland and 161.
Another said the carryout pho was ready in about ten minutes.
Ohio has plenty of drivable food stops, and this one suits a weeknight or a weekend outing. Punch the address into your phone and give yourself a little extra time to find a spot.
Once inside, the menu takes over. Let’s start with the headliner everyone talks about.
The Bánh Mì That Earns The Headline
Crusty bread is the first test of any bánh mì. Diners at Mi Li Cafe have called the bread perfect, and one said it had just the right amount of toast.
That’s high praise for a sandwich built on a baguette.
Fillings get attention too. One regular noted the right amount of pâté and flavor in the sub.
Another said the sandwich comes with garlic butter added.
Bánh mì is the second most mentioned topic here, right behind pho. That tells you plenty about how often it lands on the table.
Kids seem to like it too, since one parent said the sandwich was excellent.
Is it Ohio’s best? That’s a big claim, and taste is personal.
Still, the sandwich has a loyal following, and the bread alone makes a strong case.
Order one with a side of egg rolls and you’ve got a lunch worth driving for.
A Steaming Bowl Of Pho Takes Center Stage
Pho leads the mentions here by a wide margin, with 226 of them. That makes the broth the unofficial star of the building.
Plenty of visitors say it’s among the best they’ve had in Columbus.
The choices are broad. Diners mention the special combination bowl, chicken pho and beef versions with tender slices.
One fan called the herbs spot on.
Sizes come large and extra large. A regular who likes leftovers orders the bigger bowl of chicken pho for exactly that reason.
It’s a smart move on a cold Ohio day.
Condiments matter too. The kitchen offers a range of chili sauces, and oil with garlic peppers gets praise for changing the whole bowl.
Tweak it until it tastes like yours.
Some diners prefer a bit more beef, so ask about extras if you’re hungry. Either way, the bowl arrives hot and ready to warm you up.
Bún Bò Huế For The Spicy Broth Fans
Pho is the famous one, but bún bò Huế is the quiet favorite. A visitor called it a must-try besides pho.
It’s one of the menu’s standout noodle soups.
The broth is listed as spicy. One diner said it came across as pretty mild once the chili oil was added on top.
That makes it approachable for people who want flavor without a lot of fire.
The extra large size is good for sharing. Split it with a friend and add an appetizer or two.
It turns lunch into a small feast.
Another diner found the version decent, though not as strong as the sandwich. Everyone’s palate is different, so it’s fun to compare notes.
With nine mentions, it’s not the loudest item on the board. That’s exactly why it feels like a secret worth sharing with fellow noodle lovers.
Rice Plates With Grilled Pork And A Sunny Egg
Noodles get the spotlight, but the rice plates deserve a seat at the table. The combination rice dish is a favorite for brunch.
It comes with a variety of goodies in one tidy plate.
One diner loved the sunny side up egg over rice. The pork was marinated well and full of flavor.
Another praised the lemongrass-style marinade on the grilled pork.
A few visitors wanted more meat on the plate. If that’s you, consider asking about extras.
Also note that an egg may cost extra on some dishes.
Viet pork rice also earned praise, with juicy meat and decent sides. One diner liked it even more than the pho.
That’s a bold take in a pho kitchen.
Rice plates are a great pick when you want something hearty without broth. They also travel well if you’re ordering carryout for a busy night.
Rolls, Wontons And Other Starters Worth Ordering
Starters round out the table nicely. Egg rolls, summer rolls and fried wontons all show up in diner mentions.
They’re easy to share while the soup cools.
Fresh rolls get notice for being made with care, neat and tidy. One visitor noted chicken rolls with warm chicken and chilled vegetables.
Shrimp and beef versions also appear in diner photos.
Fried wontons come out very crispy. Another diner picked them as a first order before moving to pork and rice.
Not a bad way to kick things off.
Other bites include a crepe wrapper with minced pork. It’s another dish that earns a solid thumbs-up.
A fun fact: the sticky rice is loaded with extras like Chinese sausage, crispy peanut and mushroom. Add a few small plates and the table fills up fast.
Bubble Tea And Vietnamese Coffee To Wash It Down
Drinks give the meal a second act. Bubble tea is part of the official description, and it’s one of the most mentioned topics.
Vietnamese iced coffee gets a nod from several diners.
A salty lemonade was called refreshing. A blended strawberry drink also earned praise.
Those options make the menu a bit more playful.
Not every sip wins over everyone. One diner found the Thai tea a bit bland.
Another said the boba price felt a little high.
Supplies can run low, too. One visitor said the shop had run out of boba on their trip.
Ask before you set your heart on a flavor.
Still, a cold drink with a hot bowl of soup is a classic pairing. Coffee with cream also appears in photos.
Grab one for the table and see which one wins.
Family-Run Charm In A Small Dining Room
Space is limited, and the room reflects that. One diner described it as a little small with several screens.
That gives it a casual neighborhood feel.
Mi Li Cafe feels like a family-run spot to some visitors. Service is described as attentive without hovering.
Another diner called the staff sweet, welcoming and full of smiles.
One regular calls it a favorite for a quiet solo lunch or dinner. That’s a good sign for anyone who likes eating alone with a good bowl.
Several diners mention a clean room too.
Wi-Fi is not provided, so plan to unplug. That’s a nice excuse to focus on dinner.
Busy times fill the room fast. One diner still found no wait on a packed day, and another saw food arrive quickly on a Saturday afternoon.
Either way, the pace stays friendly.
Who Will Love This Spot Most
First-timers to Vietnamese food are in good company here. Several diners say this was their first taste of the cuisine.
They report enjoyable meals full of surprises.
Longtime pho fans have claimed it too. One diner moved over after another favorite spot closed.
Others call it their go-to in Columbus for many years.
Solo diners get a warm welcome. Families fit as well, since one parent mentioned their son enjoyed a sandwich.
Couples looking for a cozy bowl on a cold night will find the same.
Big eaters should plan ahead. Some diners wanted bigger portions of meat, so consider the larger sizes and extras.
Sharing plates also helps.
This is a casual room, not a fancy night out. That’s part of the appeal for anyone who values flavor over frills.
Hours To Keep In Mind Before You Go
Plan around Wednesday. Mi Li Cafe is closed that day.
Every other day it opens at 10:30 AM.
Closing time is 8:30 PM most nights. Sunday wraps up earlier, at 8 PM.
That leaves a wide window for lunch and dinner.
Hours can change, so double-check the restaurant’s official listing before you drive over. A quick look saves a wasted trip.
It’s a good habit for any small spot.
Carryout works well here. One diner picked up pho on a Sunday afternoon and had it in about ten minutes.
That’s handy for busy schedules.
Weekend afternoons can be busy. If you want a calmer meal, aim for a weekday or an off-peak hour.
Either way, the kitchen keeps a steady pace.
What To Expect From The Bill
Value comes up a lot. Many diners call the pricing reasonable or affordable.
One even described great prices alongside large portions.
That doesn’t mean every dish is huge. A few visitors found the grilled pork portions on the small side.
Others wanted more beef in the pho.
The fix is easy. Order a larger bowl or add extras.
Sharing a few appetizers can round things out too.
Drinks are where the cost can climb. One diner found the boba a little high.
Compare that with the main dishes and decide what suits your budget.
Menu prices change, so check the current listing before you go. Cash and card policies are worth confirming too.
A little planning keeps the meal stress-free.
Tips For Ordering Like A Regular
Start with the classics. Pho and bánh mì are the safe bets.
Add a roll or wonton starter for variety.
Play with the condiments. The kitchen offers plenty of chili sauces, and one diner tried them all.
Garlic peppers and oil can change the bowl.
Ask about sizes. Large and extra large bowls make sense for big appetites or leftovers.
If you’re sharing, the extra large bún bò Huế is a smart pick.
Try something new on repeat visits. Sticky rice, crepe with minced pork and combination rice all earn praise.
One diner who tried the crepe called the flavor great.
Not every dish pleases every guest. One diner found a pho a bit salty on one trip.
Taste, adjust and order what you like best.
Why Columbus Keeps Coming Back
Some regulars have eaten here for nearly a decade. That kind of loyalty says plenty.
It’s a quiet vote of confidence.
Consistency shows up in many comments. Food comes out hot, service is kind and the menu has depth.
That mix makes a strong neighborhood favorite.
No restaurant wins everyone. A few diners wanted more beef or less salt.
That’s normal, and it keeps the conversation honest.
So is it Ohio’s best bánh mì? That’s a fun debate to settle with your own taste buds.
At minimum, it’s a sandwich worth the stop.
Mi Li Cafe at 5858 Emporium Square is a modest address with a big menu. Grab a friend, split a few dishes and see what you think.
The strip mall may never look the same again.
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