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| - Oh holy damn. Cheap, fresh, tasty lunch eats.
A line snakes nearly out the door into the wintry December daylight. Single file, they wait, corralled by stainless steel prep counters and, beyond them, the open kitchen and the smell of sizzling pork belly. I join them.
"Five spice pork belly banh mi, please."
As with so many momentous utterances, it sounds prosaic in the moment. Only through the lens of history can we see those moments -- inflection points, say academics -- when the world changes and a new reality is ushered forth.
"As for toppings, make it tasty."
The new reality is this. Meat cooked fresh to order. Vietnamese sandwiches. Korean tacos. Vegetables to balance and excite the palate. Something called "luck sauce." Prepared with a smile, by people who want you to enjoy it. Cheap.
Pro-tip: Luck sauce. Do I need to say it again? Do you feel like you have all the luck you want in life? Not interested in any more luck today? Luck sauce.
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