07/30/08

MSG Reaction

by Silentyrs

If you have allergies, avoid the seafood claypot. I had to rush outside because of a severe MSG reaction. I should have known better than to order it in the first place as most soup bases list Monosodium glutamate as an ingedient. =(

Sad ending. I was hoping for a nice night out.

• Pros: Quick Service, nice atmosphere, large selection
• Cons: not allergy safe

07/13/08

Worst Vietnamese food

by vietreviewer

I've been to dozens of Vietnamese restaurants from Virginia to New York, and this was the worst I've seen. The Bo Luc Lac (steak) was tiny over-cooked cubes of tasteless meat covered in a mucky brown sauce. The chicken lemon grass was slabs of rubber dunked in a mysteriously tasteless brown sauce - with only a slight aftertaste of lemon grass - more a memory of what it should have tasted like than an actual taste.

It was as if a chef from a bad Chinese food takeout had stumbled into the kitchen and taken over. The staff wouldn't have noticed because they hovered around the cash register, and quickly told us they didn't speak Vietnamese. I'm sure the restaurant name was "Vietnam Restaurant" but it was more like a cheap Chinese takeout you'd find in a bad dream. Don't go!

• Pros: None
• Cons: Tasteless overcooked food

04/19/08

Best spring rolls

by justjoe3

Best crispy spring rolls I have had since I was in Vietnam. When I was station there I used to go to the homes of several of the Vietnamese women's homes who worked on our compound. They would always serve these and give me a bag of 'leftovers' to bring back to the compound - very fond memories. Great menu, great food, great service, and good prices. I had the Bun Cha Gio with the Grilled Meatballs. It was very tasty. I'll be back.

• Pros: Spring Rolls
• Cons: None

09/07/07

good service, wonderful food a little more pricey than Washington Avenue

by tony_ardmore

Viet Nam is one of my favorite places. I don't know why I haven't written about it before. First, they don't take reservations, so, on Friday and Saturday, it's good to go early - around 6:30 to 7.

The menu is extensive. If you're not familiar, do not be shy about asking your server. The staff is most helpful. I have even had times when they say "not" to order something.

Portions here are ample. So, even though you get the impression that each person gets an individual entree, you can certainly share, as you do in a Chinese restaurant. This is an important thing to remember - because you really don't need an individual dish per person.

Everything I have had there has always been very good, but when sharing, I would move to such things as the shrimp, scallops, squid with salt and pepper. This is a great dish and , with the rice, is sufficient for two.

Clay "dish"items are also very good, but not always enough to share. ( They are not called clay "dish" but the mindless guardians of this site prohibit the use of the actual term Another good bet are the tepid noodle dishes - especially the one with crispy pork rolls.

Everything here is really quite good. BUT - the essential is that you ASK THE SERVER.

Having said all this - if you want a far less expensive and simpler VietNamese cuisine where VietNamese go to eat, head to Washington Avenue - Nam Phuong.

• Pros: very good food, good service, helpful
• Cons: a bit more expensive than Washington Avenue

07/31/07

Food it is good, opinions not

by nanijane

I have been a long time customer of the Vietnam Restaurant when I lived in Philadelphia. The food is great, the restaurant is clean, and service is quick. However, I did not appreciate it when a maitre'd commented on my top in Vietnamese thinking that I would not understand her. Her tone and attitude was rude when she said, "Look at that little girls shirt" to the waiters, who all gather between the bar and the registers immediately looked at my shirt. I was almost about to leave, but my guest and I had spent quite a bit of time manuervering through downtown traffic getting there. Not that I want to stop coming there, but when a cockeyed hostess speaks ignorantly about a customer behind their back, it simple makes me lose any appetite I have for the food. Not to mention, I wore nothing risque, as other women there wore things exactly like mines or even more revealing. If a special dress code to wear things that cover you from the top of your necl down in the middle of hot 90 degree weather, then it should be specified clearly or just simply don't seat me.

• Pros: good eats at affordable price
• Cons: parking is scarce, judgemental hostess who talk behind your back when they think you don't understand them in their native tongue

04/16/07

Authentic fabulous Vietnamese food

by tdn115

I love going to Vietnam. When ever I bring a friend to try Vietnamese food here they love it and always want to go back! The BBQ platter is great, although I always end up filling up before the entree comes out! The spring rolls, broken rice and (Bun) vermicelli entrees are a must try. It does get crowded so come early and parking is not the best. Don't forget to ask for Spiracha and Hoisin (sweet hot sauce and a BBQ type sauce) to spice up your dish! The staff are friendly, very quick and knowledgeable about the menu. I heard that they put in a bar on the top floor, but I have yet to check that out. The Pho is good here although, Pho 75 on Washington does offer larger portions and a larger variety, but if you want something other then that this is the place to go. Another perk is that it's easy on the wallet for the amount of food!

• Pros: Big Portions Great Price Delicious
• Cons: Can get crowded, parking

04/14/07

cheapest gourmet meal

by pennfoodies

so affordable and yet competitive with every great restaurant in philly...everything is delicious...great portions, friendly service, authentic

12/07/06

I love this place!

by tamablue

I have been going to vietnam for 7 years and I always get the exact same thing -- I long for it, it's THAT good. The service at Vietnam is excellent and I love the new, more modern additions to their drinks menu (though it was always fun to roder goofy cocktails like a Mai Tai or a Drunken B astard). The food is always deliscious and the prices are incredible -- if you don't have anything to drink you can have a huge meal for two and spend less than $35 TOTAL. I highly recommend it!

• Pros: The food is cheap and delicious
• Cons: The service is sometimes TOO fast - it's nice to hang out for a bit between courses

11/20/06

Vietnamese food at its finest

by trishbiedron

Vietnam is great Vietnamese food, even for those who don't usually eat it. Great atmosphere and good prices, I recommend the Bun!

10/11/06

Good clean fun...

by katygrl1

Very reasonably priced, clean and inviting atmosphere, good portions, good service. Two can eat and enjoy a drink for under $30... not a bad deal.

• Pros: Very reasonably priced (don't know if I would call it "cheap")
• Cons: Parking.