Recently opened (@ 4/18/13) owner operated, small restaurant makes the third Vietnamese eatery in Bend where once there were none. Food is really good and prices for each of the items on the traditional Vietnamese menu seem 15% to 20% lower than the other two Bend Vietnamese restaurants. (Both of those other restaurants, one on 97 north and one downtown, are owned by another person.) If we're craving Vietnamese food, Dang's is our new "go to" place.
LOCATION:
Located in a storefront that shares a parking lot with Outback Steakhouse just off of Highway 97, aka 3rd Street. While not the most beautiful of locations, it does provide the benefit of a private parking lot.
AMBIANCE:
Ambiance is spare, but sparkling clean. As interesting choice, country western music is played on the sound system but at a nice low level to allow conversation. I like it!
Seating for maybe 45 at a combination of red vinyl booths and wooden tables and chairs. Nice space between tables.
As you open the door you are greeted with the aromas of grilled pork and steaming broth and fresh herbs. It smells like good food and the promise is delivered on when the food reaches your table.
MENU:
The menu is broken down into appetizers, Pho (noodle soup), Com Dia (rice platters),Bun (vermicelli rice noodle bowls), Bahn Mi (sandwiches) and also include a couple of Vietnamese specialties, like a rice flour crepe called Bahn Xeo. Also on the menu are a few non Vietnamese items that seem to show up at all local Vietnamese restaurants, like Teriyaki and Yakisoba noodles. There are roughly 20 varieties of Pho offered and although this is traditionally made with beef, there were half a dozen options that did not include beef, one of which was vegetarian. Very nice.
AUTHENTIC FOOD:
Our server told us the owners are natives of Vietnam who found their way to Central Oregon via the San Francisco Bay area. The cook who came out of the kitchen to help deliver food was Vietnamese and the delicious flavors in the authentically prepared food demonstrated he was practiced in his craft.
The salad rolls here ($4.00 vegetarian and $4.50 with shrimp and pork) are the best we've had in Central Oregon. The grilled lemongrass Banh Mi which is delicious and easily shareable by two is the best bargain on a Bahn Mi in Bend at only $3.95 for tofu or $4.95 for chicken or pork or $5.95 for beef.
My husband and I also enjoyed Banh Xeo ($9.50), a large rice flour crepe , folded over a fiilling of pork, shrimp and bean sprouts. This dish was served with uber fresh leaf lettuce and fresh mint and sweet - sour - salt perfect traditional nuoac cham dipping sauce. We noted for each of the dishes we ordered how fresh were the raw veggies and herbs used with or in the food. Delightful.
Pho ordered at an adjacent table arrived to perfume the space with the fragrant broth. We don't eat beef, but one of the seafood or vegetarian options will be on our "to try" list soon.
Don't miss the house made pickled sweet / hot peppers that are in a condiment jar on each table. A blend of what seems to be Serrano and Jalapeno peppers, these add a delicious kick.
VALUE:
Prices range from $4.00 for vegetarian salad roll (easily shareable by two) that comes with peanut sauce to small bowls of Pho for $7.95 and large bowls for $8.95 to $11.50 for the special combination Bun that includes egg rolls, shrimp and pork. Dinner for two of salad rolls, Bahn Xeo and Bahn Mi was only $18.00 before tip.
LIBATIONS:
No liquor license but soft drinks and traditional Vietnamese beverages are available. The latter including Vietnamese coffee, hot or iced, mango shake, avocado shake, Thai iced tea and for the very brave at heart even Durian juice. (Go ahead and drink that, I double dog dare ya. :-) )
SERVICE:
Our server was very friendly, personable and welcoming.
THIS N THAT:
1) UNIVERSAL ACCESS: Fully accessible from parking in lot (including ADA parking) through level in entry and throughout.
2) HOURS: Seven days a week, roughly 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
3) TAKE OUT: They have it! read more