Saigon Cafe on the loop across from lowe's. Supposed to open around the end of July. Will also have malaysian food, whatever the hell that is. And Chinese. Hope it's good.

Janag, since you will be there on day one, please report back here with your findings

No, not day one, but soon after.

Yeah, gotta let the crowds die down, and get the kinks worked out. I love Vietnamese food. Hope this place is good.

Oh heck yeah.. I LOVE Vietnamese food. Probably the only reason why I miss living in Fort Worth.

Hope it is good also!

Let's see how long this one lasts. Nothing has ever lasted very long in that building.

Anybody tried it yet?

I am going to suggest eating there to my wife tonight.

Went yesterday for lunch... it was decent, but need to go back and try other entres. I got a vermicelli bowl with some spring rolls. I want to try the Pho next time.

The problem is that I am comparing it to a REALLY good Vietnamese restaurant in Fort Worth... and it was just a little different.

The main problem I saw is that they were trying to do too many Chinese food items... they really just need to focus and prefect the Vietnamese/Southeast Asian cuisine.

I agree, jpb.

When they try to appeal to the local population who is afraid to try different things, they become mediocre at doing too many things, and not great at one thing.

I'm disappointed. I was hoping it was strictly a Vietnamese restaurant.

Haven't been. Did go to the Thai place in downtown temple recently and thought it was pretty good. Recommend the Tom Kha - chicken/coconut milk soup. Good stuff.

O.K., went back for lunch today... had to try the Pho. It was actually really good. Much better then the Vermicelli IMO. I had to ask for mint though... which I find weird, unless they just don't expect anyone to want it here.

Disappointed they don't have boba bean drinks though... we always had fun with those. The manager said the owner thought about offering those, but figured not many people would want them and evidently the tapioca beans go bad fairly quickly.

That is weird that you had to ask for the mint.

It's always on a separate plate, without asking.

I actually prefer the vermicelli most of the year, since it's so hot here. Pho almost seems too warm for this climate.

Pho is noodle soup right? I've seen some pho menu items that had some downright nasty schiiiitt in them. " Rare" beef tendon anyone? Yikes!!!

Pho has some kinda meat in them... Traditionally you would add thin slices of raw beef in the Very hot soup... cooking them to rare or medium rare. I prefer to have my meat a little more cooked than that, which is always an option.

I like vermicelli also Jan, but didn't like there version compared to the ones in Fort Worth.

They did give me basil and cilantro... just no mint.

Another thing I wish they did, and I might ask for this next time I am there, is to serve lettuce leaves with the spring rolls, with the herbs, and fish sauce instead of the Thai peanut sauce...

OK, so they don't serve mint by default, and no lettuce/fish sauce/ herbs with the egg rolls.

Are we sure this is a Vietnamese place?

As for the Pho, yeah I have had that type before and it was good (a little more cooked) I've had good meatball Pho, too.

But tendon, tripe, or whatever - forget it.

Also, not a fan of those bean teas, and not sure the Temple crowd would be either. Who knows though. Sushi places have sprung up everywhere and who woulda thought Central Texans would take to raw fish like they have!!

I'll have to go try Saigon soon.








[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 8/4/2010 3:01p).]

Alright, checked it out today. Not what I am used to. Not poor quality at all. Just unexpected. Ordered the egg rolls, forgetting this thread. Thet arrived, but no lettuce, no herbs, no fish sauce. Asked the waiter for all those, and he pointed to the soy sauce as if to say "there's your sauce, it's right in front of you". I repeated the request, and was a little more specific. He brought some fish sauce but no greens or herbs. I didnt push the issue as the language barrier was a little tedious. As for quality, no issue there. The rolls were good. Just "incomplete".

Ordered the vermacelli with char-broiled pork. Again, good quality, fresh ingredients, etc., but incomplete compared to what I am used to. No herbs, no mint, just meat, noodles, and a little cucumber and lettuce.

Overall, the food is good quality, the place s clean, and the service was prompt. The offerings were just not what I am used to. I'll go back if I have a craving.

I will say there is a large chinese menu selection, and a malaysian menu which looked interesting. May try one of thoae items next time.

Edit - I did get out of there for less than $10, not including tip. So, not bad.








[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 8/8/2010 1:56p).]