I haven't been to Ba Le for years since their health code violation years ago but since I was in the area and looking for a quick snack I decided to drop in as long as they had the green pass sign on their window.
I decided to order a few cold cut banh mi sandwiches ($2.60). I always liked the fact that Ba Le used the baguette style bread which was good but the quality of meats used was not too good, even though it's only $2.60, they should be using meats that aren't so fatty and meats that haven't been defrosted which affects the flavour.
For the downtown core, my first preference for traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches would be Rose's cafe but overall Que Huong on Finch Ave West in the west end makes the best traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches in the city.
FYI: They also offer Vietnamese food other than banh mi sandwiches but the selection is limited.