Lu's Price Increase

Chinatown has always been a haven for cheap fare. Imported DVDs, CDs, slippers, designer knock-offs, and all kinds of food. One of the best kept secrets: Vietnamese sandwiches (or Banh Mi). Once upon a time Bostonist could go to Lu’s Sandwich shop, formerly Thai Binh) and score a tasty Vietnamese coldcut or beef sandwich for only $2.25, and formerly $2. With the MBTA fare to get there and back it would still be under five bucks for lunch. A couple weeks ago we stopped in to find that Lu has rearranged the counter, but still offered the same fare just as fast. Yesterday we stopped in and found that the price had gone up a whopping ten percent. A current price of $2.50 is still a deal. A hold over from when the French colonized Vietnam you get a crusty French roll to start, Vietnam didn't really have wheat breads until the French. They toast it for about 30 seconds, slice it open, fill it with cilantro, pickled carrots, shredded cucumber, your choice of meat, and a tangy sauce. You can ask for hot peppers if you like. The sandwich is slid into a wax paper bag and handed over for your enjoyment. Now that Bostonist can save 50 cents every time we get a sandwich we’ll just go over to Mei Sum at 36 Beach Street.