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Where do I begin? While deployed in Aurora, Colorado. My first foodie destination so I decided to check out a Vietnamese spot called 5280 Banh Mi Grilled. I love good authentic Vietnamese food and I especially enjoy a good Banh Mi sandwich. They had really good reviews. I decided to bring along one of my coworkers. It was here first time eating vietnamese food. I initially checked intoYelp so that I could take my pictures. It’s a very small spot not and eat in joint more like an order to go. I hadn’t eaten all day so my belly was ready. I ordered the shrimp rolls, spicy smoked pork Banh Mi & the grilled chicken rice bowl. All orders were cook to order but none of my dishes were hot and we waited like 25 minutes before our orders were ready. From what I saw there is no way that food was cooked to order. More like warmed up leftovers. I tried the grilled chicken bowl first. They weren’t skimpy with the rice but very skimpy with the grilled chicken, they also included a salad that overpowered the container. they included one of the nastiest egg rolls I’ve ever eaten. I’m not sure what that egg roll included but it had an awful taste. I decided to try the smoked spicy banh mi sandwich. The ciabatta bread could’ve been toasted a bit longer and the layers of cucumber, julienne sliced veggies with a lite mayo with fresh cilantro just didn’t cut it for me. When I received my order I immediately open my containers to take pics of course. The man behind the desk said there’s no eating in here. I stated to him I’m not eating. I’m an yelper and I’m taking my pictures. I stepped out with my coworker to the store, not 5 minutes after trying that food. I experienced the worst stomach ache. I was calling on all the foodie Gods please don’t let me have food poison. Thank God I made it to my room. As to not speak TMI, I had to remove all that food from my kitchen. I’m very disappointed with the service and especially the food. So go at your own risk I’ve learned my lesson. To all my Yelpers until my next foodie adventure. #FOODIE4LIFE!!

Pho & Po Boy Menu with Prices 1827 SW Green Oaks Blvd #149, Arlington

Always like trying new places and read the reviews and saw how much shrimp they put on their poboys and it was on the way to Six Flags so decided to try it. Hubby thought of reserving ahead which was a wise choice bc food was ready when we got there. Ordered 3 shrimp poboys, 1 fried chicken, 1 grilled pork which is basically like banh mi. It’s Vietnamese owned poboy place so was expecting banh mi. Their poboys were 6.99 each and loved how fries were included. Got there and order waa ready. There’s a cute flower wall for pics inside. Firemen were waiting for their food lol and restrooms were clean. Got our order and ate in the car. Not the easiest to even tho there’s take out boxes. It’s messy with the sauce. I was impressed with how much shrimp they put in and the chicken tenders were huge. Liked that. The fries were Cajun style n a bit too spicy for little ones. My regret is ordering ahead bc it wasn’t as fresh as it could be. Fries were a bit stale. But I liked the fried popcorn shrimp tho. It was alot. However I m picky on my bread n this wasn’t banh mi bread like someone mentioned and the grill pork tasted like banh mi but not the bread. It wasn’t bad but chewy. The tenders were good but nothing wow. I like how they have alot n the shrimp was good n plentiful but the sauce and slaw like fixings were ok. Idk what I was expecting. Louisiana poboys at Parkway? Either way. It was fine and filled our tummies. Way too big for 1 person n lots of fried food here. Not sure if we will be back but maybe for their actual nonfried seafood?

Quoc Bao Bakery – Menu with Prices – 3419 W Walnut St #104, Garland

This place is so amazing that I went two days in a row, and I live 30 minutes away so that’s saying a lot! What really stole my heart was their Vietnamese coffee. For $3 (the sign says $2.75), you’ll get a tall cup of iced deliciousness that even Starbucks can’t replicate. Seriously the best Vietnamese coffee I’ve ever had and that’s coming from someone that grew up on Vietnamese coffee. Now on to the banh mi. I’ve definitely had a lot of banh mi in my lifetime, but I will say that the sandwiches from Quoc Bao are one of my top favorites due to the generosity of the meat portions, flavor, and the pricing! For less than $15, my boyfriend and I got 4 sandwiches and one iced coffee. (On a previous visit we also had Thai tea but I didn’t think it was that impressive, definitely go for the coffee). The bakery has a buy 3 get 1 free deal for the sandwiches so we took advantage of that offer. We ordered the rolled ham, meatball, grilled chicken, and roasted pork. All were delicious and had great flavor. The bread was crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and the meat was perfectly seasoned. If I were to rank them, I would say the rolled ham was my favorite because it’s reminiscent of my childhood, second favorite would be the roasted pork, third would be the grilled chicken, and least favorite would be the meatball. The meatball sandwich wasn’t really filled with meatballs, but rather chunks of ground pork instead of uniform meatballs. The rolled ham didn’t have as much meat as the other sandwiches but the flavor profile makes up for the lack of meat. The other sandwiches had large portions of meat packed with great flavor, which I appreciate. I recommend ordering ahead of time by phone as the bakery is always packed and cranking out orders, so it will definitely reduce waitintime. When you place an order, it’s easier to order by the menu number than the name of the sandwich (ex: say you’d like a #1 instead of saying rolled ham). It will make the ordering process so much smoother. I also recommend asking for the veggies on the side to avoid making your bread soggy. I called to put in my order and they told me it would be a 20-25 minute wait so I’m glad I called beforehand. If this is your first time trying Banh mi, I recommend either the roasted pork or the grilled chicken for sure! You won’t be disappointed.

Banh Cuon Thang Long – Menu with Prices – 3347 Belt Line Rd, Garland

Ok… so I’ve waited a little bit to write this review because I wanted to be rational and fair. My experience of Banh Cuon Thang Long is nothing but poor. I honestly don’t know how this establishment is still in business when Texas has such a vast selection of delicious Vietnamese restaurants with proper service. So.. here’s the story: My husband and I were on our way home to Oklahoma from Austin, Texas. We stopped by the Saigon mall to do a little shopping and grab some food before heading back. We saw this place and decided to try it because it’s not everyday you eat banh cuon! Anyway you could say this is a mom and pop’s kind of place. It’s hidden, old, quiet, and small. The inside is nothing impressive. Just like any Vietnamese family business around. There was no one at the counter or eating in the restaurant so we approached the counter and looked at the picture menu above to see what we’d want. Then, an old gentleman comes out. In Vietnamese, I asked him if we need to sit down or order there at the counter. He said we can do either. So I asked a few more questions to narrow down my choices and finally we ordered two banh cuon and an order of egg rolls appetizer. We then go to sit down. Next, we waited and watched as people started coming in for take out and dine in orders. It was then I noticed that people were getting their foods whether dine in and take out before us! We thought well maybe they called ahead. Anyway, about half an hour has passed and I approached the counter and asked the gentleman if we can have drinks since no one has brought out our drinks. I then asked how long the food would be. He said, it’s almost done. Ok… we waited more. 20 minutes later I’m fed up. It’s been almost one hour since we got there. I asked again and once again he said almost done. We then told him to forget about it because we can’t wait anymore. It was then he said wait and let him check. Turns out our food has been done. He said because we ordered egg rolls the food didn’t come out because he wanted to bring it all out at once. When he brought out our food it was in a styrofoam containers in the plastic bag! I was livid. Of course by then I told him to forget about it. I mentioned that we were just visiting the area so there’s no way we could take the food to go.. where would we eat it?! Ever try eating something with fish sauce in the car? Gross! The car will smell for years! Anyway, he has the nerve to tell me that if we wanted to eat there we should have said so. Listen, I speak fluent Vietnamese and I did say so twice! Poor customer service and rudeness will not thrive in the business world. There’s a million restaurants in Texas, I’ll pick another one. Thanks.

Cafe Mi Quang – Menu with Prices – 3324 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia

This restaurant is one of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants in Philadelphia area. My mom’s friend knew about this restaurant and recommended to my mom. My mom ordered some take-out for me to try before and I was in love!!! I love their Mi Quang. They have three kinds of Mi Quang: Special Mi Quang, Shrimp and Pork Mi Quang, and Shrimp and Chicken Mi Quang. Special Mi Quang has Chicken, Pork Ribs, and Shrimps. And I usually order this one every time I’m there. The chicken was fried to golden. It was crispy outside and tender in the inside. I can still taste the sweetness of the meat and the juice when I took a first bite. Omg pork ribs were so soft. When I took a bite, I can feel the meat separate perfectly from the bone!!! I also love their crab noodle soup (Bun Rieu). The broth was super flavorful and savory. I appreciate their herbs and vegetables side dish. They included lots of fresh herbs that lots of restaurants don’t offer. Their Vietnamese hoagies or AKA Banh Mi are the best Banh Mi that I’ve ever had. I believe they have grilled Pork, Ham, Meat Ball, and Pork Belly. My all time favorite is the Pork Belly. Just like other dishes, the restaurant took their time to prep their banh mi. Banh Mi is fresh and crispy. Pork Belly are flavorful, savory, juicy, tender, and addicting!!! I appreciate the fact that they put the veggies and the sauce on the side, so the banh mi wont get soggy. I love that they place banh mi in a styrofoam container, so your banh mi wont get smashed or squished (which happens very often with other places.) Its the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. However, last time I went, I don’t see them putting them in those styrofoam boxes anymore :(( sadddd! Please keep the boxes, they make a big difference! I almost gave up on going to Vietnamese restaurants because they always failed me in the past. I would like a Vietnamese restaurant at the beginning, then after awhile all the restaurants were trying to cut corners and then the quality weren’t the same anymore. Consistency is important when it comes to business, especially restaurants. Cafe Mi Quang has kept their quality consistently. Even though it takes me 40′ drive to get here, I don’t mind as long as the food is great! Please keep up the work, and don’t cut corners. Bring the styrofoam boxes back! We love them!

Kim Land Food To Go – Menu with Prices – 3347 W Walnut St # 117, Garland

I’ve lived in Dallas for almost 10 years and have only found 2 places that make a proper banh xeo. Unfortunately the first place I found is now closed, but it was so delicious. It was called Lemongrass in Deep Ellum. So when my Vietnamese friend told me about the hole in the wall to-go restaurant next to Hiep Thai grocery store, I was super excited to check out the banh xeo. There’s no English anywhere inside, but don’t be scurred to check this place out. That’s how you know this place is authentic, right? Plus, I mostly spoke English to the cashier/waitress and maybe a smattering of my broken Vietglish, so you definitely can order food here without having to take your Vietnamese friend. There are only 3 tables inside as they mostly do take out orders, but we scored a table and ordered banh cuon and banh xeo. Each order of banh xeo comes with 2 big, crispy, hot, and delicious pork and shrimp and bean sprouts. Also comes with a side of lettuce and veggies. Totally worth it. One order could feed two people but you’d still be hungry. The yellow color comes from turmeric by the way, not eggs. There’s no egg in this dish. To eat banh xeo, cut like a palm sized amount of banh xeo off with the fixings inside and get some lettuce to wrap up the banh xeo like a taco and then dunk it in the nuoc mam fish sauce. Pretend it’s like French dip roast beef sammie. Anyway, they accept credit cards, too.

Tan Hoang Huong – Menu with Prices – 5015 W Edinger Ave H, Santa Ana

This place has very good banh mi! They’re always pretty packed every time I come… Especially in the early morning and around lunch time. My favorite things to get here are the #3 banh mi nem nuong or grilled ground pork baguette and the #10 banh mi op la out sunny side up egg baguette, because everything with an egg added to it is good lol! The banh cuon is not impressive, and I would probably rate it at 2.5 stars. Tastes a little flat and flavorless. I really enjoy coming here for the sandwiches and sweet rice to-go plates. They have xoi dau phong or steamed peanut sweet rice, a simple but tasty item. My favorite is the XOI KHUC, a sweet rice pocket with green flour and rice on the outside, filled with savory mung bean and small pieces of ground pork… probably not very healthy but quite tasty! I also like their xoi ong dua, or coconut mung bean sweet rice with chopped peanut and sugar dip- 4.5 stars. In case you are curious, the spring rolls here are not good. They’re average, and I would only eat them in the event I was hungry and nothing else was around. Do not order any drinks here- they are watered down. Also, be sure to drop by in the morning if you can as a lot of the items, especially the to-go plates, are hot and fresh! Happy eating!

Natalie’s Baguette | Banh Mi, Crepes and beignets | Vietnamese Sandwiches – Menu with Prices – 10407 Main St, Fairfax

I usually go to Eden when I’m craving for banh mi, but I didn’t have enough tome to drive out for my lunch today so I yelped looking for a closer place that serves banh mi. I work at GMU and we have a banh mi stand at the Johnson Center, but it isn’t authentic at all so I don’t bother to go there. I found this place and looked at the pictures, figured it would satisfy my craving but unfortunately I was left disappointed. In the picture of the “deconstructed banh mi” I was under the impression I would have pate on my sandwich, but I didn’t. That could be a simple misunderstanding, so no stars knocked off for that. However, they didn’t include that much of the hot green pepper and my sandwich was… soggy… it didn’t seem fresh at all. I want my banh mi to be crunchy on the outside and nice and soft on the inside- this was just… meh. I’m also a little disappointed that they don’t serve goi cuon- I got one of the egg roll and spring roll with the pork and it just wasn’t good. Eggroll was also soggy, soft, and… dripping with oil while the spring roll was just left with more to be desired. I really wanted to like this place so I didn’t have to venture further out- but I think I’ll stick with falls church for my Vietnamese food fix. I’ve included a pic- it might look halfway decent but… the taste just wasn’t there.

Four Sisters Grill Menu with Prices 3035 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington

First of let me tell you I’m from New Orleans which is where the holy land of Vietnamese food is at. Craving just thinking about New Orleans food where everything is good. Since living here in the northern Virginia area… nothing comes that close. I heard from locals that this place was good but with many failed advice, I was super hesitant. When you first enter, it’s a restaurant vibe with a fast food type of menu on a screen that feels like when you walk into a McDonald’s place. (Just felt like it cheapen the value of the food but the quality of the food is good!) I would recommend a lamented menu for customers when they first enter. Their Grilled Pork Banh mi is so good. The French bread was soft with the right amount of butter mayo and veggies. Pork was marinated flavorfully. Only 2 options for Pho. Chicken or Steak Beef. Steak Beef pho was good but the broth was a little to clear/light. Usually beef broth have a darker color. Prices was affordable. I think a regular pho bowl was $9.50 Banh mi $7ish Thai tea Side of egg rolls (added to my BF grilled pork rice noodle bowl) Grilled Pork with Rice Noodles (they add a lot of bean sprouts to fill the bowl so ask for none or very little) Total was $38 which is pretty affordable for the Clarendon area Side note: there was a paper sign that said the no longer serve smoothies.

Little Shop of Mary – Menu with Prices – 2205 Torrance Blvd, Torrance

(Food) For context, I have eaten a lot of banh mi in my life. The best is Banh My My Tho in Alhambra which I use as the gold standard. With that said I got the most popular banh mi here, the roasted pork. It was okay. It was just savory pulled pork and pickled onions and a house sauce. The banh mi is not BAD, but for almost 10 dollars it was puny and it strayed way too far from the traditional Vietnamese sandwich. Where are the pickled carrots and radish? Cucumber? Perhaps their other options are better but for 10 bucks I would not come here. You’re better off at the local Lee’s Sandwich for 6 bucks which offers a sizeable sandwich with traditional flavors for the price and that is not saying much about this place… I also advise against ordering their milk tea. I thought I would give the benefit of the doubt because of the good reviews but boy was I wrong. (Service) Standard. (Venue) As the title says, this shop is literally little. 5/10 would not banh mi again.

Phá»? Lê – Menu with Prices – 2100 SE 164th Ave, Vancouver

It’s rare I leave a review of a Vietnamese place that is this low. We went in and sat down to order. The menu was very plain, but looked decent. We ordered the regular salad rolls (pork and shrimp) as well as the chicken salad rolls. The pork and shrimp were decent, but light on the herb flavor. The chicken salad rolls were bland. Boiled chicken, rice noodles, and rice paper is pretty bland (no herbs of any kind, really?) My partners dish came first. He ordered the chicken vermicelli bowl. Despite the menu saying it was grilled, it was clearly stir fried chicken and very saucy. It wasn’t pleasant. They served it with what they called “sweet and sour sauce” which smelled strongly of vinegar but tasted like a very mild fish sauce with sugar and chili’s. Our friend had the pork version, which again was fried, not grilled. The bowl was quite bland over all. Lastly I had the 11. Pho dac biet – not bad broth, very clear, with a good portion of meat. The Tripe and tendon were tender, and the noodles fresh. This dish saved this review from being one star. The servers were friendly enough but the decor is weird (someone’s art/photo projects on the wall) and is taped awkwardly around. We won’t be back. Go to the Vietnamese place across the street. It’s SO much better.

Kimlan Sandwiches – Menu with Prices – 1035 N Broadway, Wichita

I’ve been wanting to try this place. I’ve read many really good reviews! So, on my day off today, after waking up from a nap, I was hungry! I first thought about getting a burger from one of our local burger places. Then I remembered Kimlan! I looked them up to find their hours and had only 30 minutes to get there! I’m about 20 minutes away. So I flew out the door! Fortunately I made it on time! I was torn between the Banh Mi Thit Nuong: thinly sliced pork marinated in lemongrass-soy dressing, no mayo. Or the Banh Mi Xa Xiu: sliced Chinese bbq pork. Both come with picked carrots, jalapeno, cilantro, cucumber and mayo (on the Banh Mi Xa Xiu). They were out of the Banh Mi Thit Nuong so that settled my decision! It was really, really delicious!!! Absolutely loved it. I bought 2 so I’d have one for work lunch tomorrow. Glad I did. The bread is light, airy and crunchy. My one issue, which was the reason for just 4 stars, was that IMO, it could have used more meat. I thought it was kind of sparse. Although at just $3.50 for a very decently sized sandwich, it was alright. I ate it at home and added some chicken breast I had. I also ordered some Crispy Egg Rolls ($2.00 for 3) which I would refer to as Spring Rolls (the smaller, thin wrapped rolls), with the fish sauce dipping sauce. They were also good. Typical Spring Rolls. So, all in all, I was very pleased with my meal! I will definitely go back! I want to try the one that they were out of tonight. Also have to try their Bun Thit Nuong Cha Goo: grilled pork & egg roll vermicelli ($6.75). That is one of my favorites! Their prices are incredibly reasonable!

Crown Fried Chicken – Menu with Prices – 11111 Jefferson Ave, Newport News

So, it’s Thanksgiving and I’d planned to have dinner with my daughter and her family. I call her at 1pm to ask what time should I be there and she’s out shopping and haven’t started cooking yet! Driving up and down Jefferson , and nothing is open until I spot Crown Fried Chicken. I’m famished and decided to check them out. It’s a small place with seating for maybe 10-20 people.You order and pay at the counter, if it’s dine in then you take a seat and someone brings your food to the table.I ordered the fried chicken which comes with 1 or 2 rolls to go.There was no wait time because a guy came from the kitchen with some freshly fried chicken.I paid for my order which came up to a little over $9 with taxes which I thought was a bit steep but just thought whatever.Sitting in my car the aroma blew me away and I just had to have a peek. Whoa, am I seeing correctly?So I counted the pieces, 4 drumsticks, 2 whole wings,2 thighs and a breast plus 2 rolls? I gotta try this chicken right here right now! Damn, it’s possibly the best fried chicken I’ve ever eaten, and I’ve eaten a lot of fried chicken in my travels up and down the east coast.Crispy on the outside, perfectly seasoned, moist on the inside, not greasy at all.I particularly liked the dinner rolls instead of a biscuit, which can sometimes be a bit heavy laden.The pictures I’ve included only shows about 4 pieces of chicken, that’s because I ate the others before I got home, which is only about 3 miles.This is definitely my new chicken spot!