16 November 7 - 13, 2024 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents meats are ready by 9 a.m. If you buy five sandwiches, you get one free. Still, they cost just $5 before tax. But because the banh mi uses only a few ingredients, Ba Lee can stick to the basics and do it well, creating the seven memorable sandwiches on the menu: pate ham, special combination, chicken, crushed meatball, grilled pork, pork roll and shredded pork with pork skin. The only way to customize your sand- wich is to remove any fresh toppings, but they’re best enjoyed exactly as they are. We tried the two most popular sand- wiches: the No. 2 special combination, which starts with a layer of pate spread and butter, then stacks head cheese (a cold cut made from a pigs head), ham and chả lụa (sausage) with all the fresh toppings; and the No. 5, made with signature grilled pork. Each sandwich is the perfect example of the art of the ratio and balance of textures. A fresh baguette with an ASMR level of crispiness and a soft, pillowy inside holds the sandwiches together. It’s cut in half and spread with butter and pate for a balanced moisture level — not too wet, not too dry. The pickled daikon and carrot are sour and crunchy, perfect with the caramelized grilled pork. Fragrant cilantro and spicy jala- penos round off the fresh element. Looks are deceiving as you’d assume the sandwiches would be vegetable-heavy. Instead, the first bite proves it to be all of the above: as salty and sweet as it is savory and acidic. We enjoyed the grilled pork more than the combination, but that depends on how you prefer your banh mi served, hot or cold. We look forward to trying the crushed meat- ball and shredded pork next. If you thought the wonder stopped with the sandwiches, you’re wrong. The simple drink menu offers classic Vietnamese choices: sugarcane juice, young coconut, co- conut sugarcane, thai iced tea and Vietnam- ese iced coffee. You don’t come across fresh sugarcane juice on the daily, or even monthly, in Dallas, so this was an obvious order. If you’re nosy, you can watch as the raw sugarcane is fed through a small machine in the back. The re- sult is a mild, earthy drink that’s refreshing as it is sweet. Had it not been 4 p.m. on our visit we would have gotten a Vietnamese coffee as well, but we wanted to be well rested that night and we all know how strong Viet-style coffee is. There’s an unspoken rivalry with Red Bull. Ba Lee Sandwich Shop, 1927 E. Belt Line Road, Carrollton. Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; closed Sunday – Monday. ▼ DIETING A SLIMMER SMOOTHIE SMOOTHIE KING ADDS OZEMPIC- FRIENDLY OPTIONS TO MENU. BY LAUREN DREWES DANIELS S moothie King is a clever little drink maker. The Dallas-headquartered chain with more than 1,300 stores across five continents has announced a new GLP-1 Support Menu made up of five smoothies specifically designed for people using GLP-1 agonists, a class of medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Two popular drugs in this class, also called semaglutides, include Ozempic and Wegovy. In very unscientific terms, some people, but not all (like James Corden) are less hun- gry when taking this class of drugs, leading to weight loss. According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, roughly 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 drugs, “even if unaffordable.” The new Smoothie King menu is to sup- port people taking these medicines; mean- ing the drinks are designed to aid in weight loss. Each drink has protein, fiber and “zero grams added sugar.” Four of the drinks have about 200 calories (for a small, 20-ounce). One option, the KETO Champ, is a bit more caloric with 435 calories in 20 ounces. Other ingredients include variations of nut butters, fruit, ginger, carrot, kale, spinach and Califia Farms Almond Milk. The drinks are packed with protein (20 to 61 grams) and fiber (2 to 15 grams). Aren’t Smoothies Healthy Already? Here’s the deal: a regular smoothie at Smoothie King isn’t the healthy drink some may think it is. Let’s take the Vegan Nutty Super Grain smoothie. Sounds super healthy, right? It’s made with bananas, pea- nut butter, apple juice blend (red flag), Cali- fia Farms Almond Milk, 100% cocoa, vegan-plant-based protein and Super Grains Enhancers. A 32-ounce serving, or medium, has 780 calories. A Big Mac has 590 calories. But the smoothie has 28 grams of protein, you pro- test. A Big Mac has 25 grams of protein. You’re better off with a Big Mac with all its super taste enhancers. What Smoothie King has done with the GLP-1 menu, which was created through a partnership with Ochsner Health a non- profit health organization, is create a healthy menu — for anyone. Dallas-based registered dietitian Amy Goodson says that while some Smoothie King drinks offer adequate protein, many of them are out of balance in carbohydrates and protein. “Many people don’t think they’re drink- ing that many calories and often consume these types of smoothies with a meal or snack when they should really be the meal or snack,” Goodson says. Should Anyone Get These? After looking at the GLP-1 menu, Goodson, who runs The Sports Nutrition Playbook, says these new options are ideal for most people because they are a better balance of carbs and protein, are lower in sugar and, as a result, lower in calories. “I really wish the menu was not called a GLP-1 menu, as these smoothies fit into a balanced diet for many people whether you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight,” Goodson says. For example, a Slim-N-Trim GLP-1 Mango Greens is made with mangoes, Greek nonfat yogurt, Califia Farms Al- mond Milk, Slim N Trim Blend, organic kale, ginger and spinach. A medium (32-ounce) has 26 grams of sugar for 310 calories, 8 grams of fiber and 33 grams of protein. Goodson says using more whole foods like fruit, vegetables and nut butters with protein and re- moving sugars, is a more balanced smoothie for anyone. She didn’t offer any comments on a Big Mac, but says that everyone needs to choose options that best fit their lifestyle. We at the Observer say it’s all about balance: a smoothie at lunch one day and maybe a Big Mac the next. Lauren Drewes Daniels Smoothie King has launched a line of GLP-1 smoothies. City of Ate from p15 WHAT SMOOTHIE KING HAS DONE WITH THE GLP-1 MENU . . . IS CREATE A HEALTHY MENU—FOR ANYONE. 1713 N Market St. - Dallas - TX 214. 468. 4729 Reserve a Table at TheLiamsSteakhouse.com in Dallas’ NOW OPEN www.dallasobserver.com/signup go to WEEKLY EMAIL D SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY EMAIL LIST for feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more!
