When Thanh Quoc Lam boarded a boat leaving Vietnam for a Malaysian refugee camp in 1979, he possessed little more than a small sum of money and a very limited knowledge of English. Now in his grasp is Ba-Le Sandwiches & Bakery, the largest purveyor of baked goods to airlines, hotels, supermarkets and restaurants in Hawaii. He also oversees more than two dozen neighborhood sandwich shops across the state, fusing the cuisines of France and Vietnam to produce a casual menu of sandwiches, appetizers, noodle dishes and other traditional Asian entrées. The standouts are the stellar sandwiches (crusty rolls stuffed with barbecued meats, tofus, pickled vegetables and flavorful sauces). No alcohol available. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Voted Best Sandwich in the 2008 The Honolulu Advertiser readers poll.