Minh Tan Bakery

Minh Tan Bakery in Inala is a Vietnamese bakery that people talk about for one thing above all: the banh mi. Ask around Brisbane's banh mi crowd and this name comes up in the same breath as the Darra shops, with plenty of fans happy to put it on top.

The bread is the starting point. Locals describe a crisp crust and soft middle, baked in-house and fresh from the oven, which makes a real difference once it's loaded up. The fillings are generous, with a good balance of rich pate, butter, pickled vegetables, herbs and chilli. The cold cut roll, the traditional pork and the stir-fried chicken all have their followers.

The crispy pork roll is the one that gets the most excited chatter. We hear the crackling is the real thing, crunchy all the way through rather than sticky or overcooked. A couple of practical tips from regulars: the crispy pork isn't made on every trading day, so ask before you set your heart on it, and if you want pate on that roll, say so when you order. One out-of-towner reportedly flew in just to try a roll and ate the leftovers on the flight home.

Beyond the rolls, this is a proper bakery counter with western-style snacks and desserts, including apple turnovers. Opinion on the sweets is a little more mixed. One local found the mango dessert pleasant and not too sweet, though not as special as the online buzz suggested.

What keeps people returning is the people behind the counter. Staff are friendly and quick, and one regular says they remember customers by name and chat about Vietnam and travel. Prices are seen as fair for the size of the rolls.

You can dine in or take away, and there's coffee on offer. There's a free car park with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, and they take cards and mobile payments. Check the hours before you head in, as the shop is closed one day a week.