CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Huong Lan Sandwiches is opening a new location in Citrus Heights. The popular Vietnamese sandwich shop already has locations in Rancho Cordova, Folsom, Sacramento, and Davis. The new Citrus Heights spot will be in the Copperwood Square shopping center.

Tim Lam, the owner of the new Citrus Heights location, already owns locations in Folsom and South Sacramento. Other members of the Lam family own more spots in Davis, Newark, Fresno and beyond. There is also a popular Rancho Cordova location.

In Citrus Heights, Huong Lan will be located in part of a 5,400-square-foot building, which will be split with a hair and nail salon. The space faces a busy corner Starbucks location and is also anchored by Planet Fitness and FoodMaxx. The end space location also includes a drive-thru – a feature that is currently unique only to the Folsom location. Lam did not respond to interview requests, but is represented by Broker Andy Jonsson, who recently told the Sacramento Business Journal the restaurant hopes to open within the next six months.

Huong Lan features a traditional Vietnamese quick-stop eatery menu, including pho and vermicelli bowls. But the true superstar of the chain’s menu is its Banh Mi sandwiches. These sandwiches come in a variety of combinations, and all are sold for under $7, with the majority in fact costing only around $5. This is a major pull for customers, considering the fact food prices have dramatically increased in recent years.

Huong Lan’s Banh Mis are also popular because they bake their bread in-house. Some customers from the surrounding locations have reported a bit of a delay when ordering one of the sandwiches while more bread is being baked, but all agree it’s worth the wait.

Steven Osterback, a regular visitor of the Folsom location, calls the chain "clean, friendly, authentic and fast." And as for that bread, "It's the best bread I've had in Folsom."

Another unique feature to Huong Lan is that you don’t always have to wait until lunchtime to enjoy. While hours have not yet been announced for the Citrus Heights location, the Sacramento location opens at 7 am so customers can grab a Banh Mi Op La (french roll served with ham and sunny side up eggs) for breakfast. Other locations within the chain open at 10 am and also include this dish on their menus.

If you’re new to Vietnamese cuisine, don’t be intimated by the authentic names for the dishes – Huong Lan’s colorful menus include accurate photos of every drink and plate sold. It’s a great spot for newcomers, and Citrus Heights residents will soon be able to experience for themselves what’s so great about this longstanding chain.