Imagine this scenario where you happen to watch a very wholesome video of porpor ordering a lap cheong egg and cheese at this restaurant somewhere in New York. The launch of the sandwich came on May 2nd, I believe - out of reach for attendance for a guy sitting at home in Honolulu, Hawaii. Thankfully someone responded to my comment on one of their videos and confirmed the sandwich would be available for the entire month. Today was the day I snuck out of the conference I came to New York to attend and made my way to Little Kirin for lunch because who wants to eat boring conference-provided lunches anyway? Upon entering the restaurant, I saw that the "special" was to be ordered at the front in person rather than the menu near the entrance - which in turn, actually allows you to interact with the chef of this fantastic dish. Believe me when I say this sandwich was the perfect blend between my childhood and adulthood. You have the classic, quality lap cheong layered with a nicely fried egg and melted cheese - brought together between a ginger scallion sauced "soft bun" as porpor would say. For just $10, you get to experience what is a contemporary twist on the classics. My mouth was met with flavors in a combination that could be featured in a Hong Kong version of Ratatouille. I am thankful to have the opportunity to make the journey to Little Kirin from across the country. There are very few meals in my life that leave a lasting impact and I can only imagine I'll remember this day for years to come or at least until my next visit - armed with wet wipes, of course. Thank you for your collaboration and creation. Truly delicious. read more

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So I had been wanting to try their pho sandwich for the longest time. My coworker made it happen during one of her recent errands. The sandwhich was pretty good. Even better after we added some Sriracha. It was loaded and the meat was tender. When getting this of course I had to get their broth as a dip. I was not aware that I had to purchase that separately but I did anyway. The broth was unfortunately very disappointing. Despite being advertised for being a traditional, aromatic beef broth simmered for hours, it was missing a lot of depth and flavor. It was just salty. I would not get this again. Since I work around a couple vietnamese restaurants, I think I would just opt to purchase one of their broth as a dip next time. We also tried their loaded tots. It was amazing. Looks simple but honestly, it was just simply delish. It was just the right amount of sweet, savory and tangy. I would definitely get their sandwich and tots again but not often because $21+ for a sandwich meal is pretty hefty in my opinion... I'll do more once I win that lottery. read more

Little Kirin - Loaded Tots - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

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How is lap cheong egg & cheese NOT already a thing everywhere? The Hong Kong girl in me was SCREAMING after my first bite!!! ＊Lap Cheong Egg & Cheese $10 They're using Chinese sausages from Quang Tran and they do NOT skimp. Literally lap cheong in every bite, and slightly charred from the grill. The brioche bun was SO soft, and the ginger scallion aioli + melty cheese + runny egg yolk just melted into it. Everything together was actually insane and I can't go back to a regular BEC anymore lol. I already know I need to go back and try more from Little Kirin. This limited-time porporeatsgood collab runs all month in May, and $1 from every sandwich goes to Welcome to Chinatown to support the community. read more

Little Kirin - Lap Cheong Egg & Cheese Sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

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Unreal. It's so sweet surprisingly! Every bite was a savory yet sweet dessert it felt like. The pho sandwich with pho broth is delicious. We got the half and it came out to about $15. Lots of beef on the inside. When we entered the staff gave a sigh which wasn't really appreciated when we came in :45 before closing time. Didn't feel welcome. read more

Little Kirin - The Pho Sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

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I'd been dying to try Little Kirin after it was featured on the New York Times cooking YouTube channel. The restaurant did not disappoint! I was served by the owner, who brings good vibes to the restaurant and is clearly dedicated to making sure he serves customers an exceptional meal. The pho sandwich is a fun menu item but not just a gimmick. The sandwich was delicious and well packed with herbs, and drinking the remains of the pho broth consommé was a nice way to end the meal on a cold day. The tater tots were also tasty. The restaurant is on the smaller side, but I was able to get a table during lunchtime. There's no restroom for customers, though, so be prepared for that when you visit. Definitely a restaurant I would return to. I'm looking forward to trying more items on the menu the next time I'm in the East Village! read more

I came here with my friend to try their pho sandwich, but I thought it was just okay. Inside is super cute though with lots of plants and lights. The sandwich took a bit of time, maybe 10-15 minutes. The pho sandwich honestly just tastes like bo kho. It was not necessarily bad, but I was not blown away. read more

Little Kirin - The Pho Sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

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Me and my friends went and really enjoyed it! Food was great, staff were friendly and place was super clean. Heads up, it's a bit small with limited seating. Since it's mostly sandwiches that isn't a major problem! Such a great place! read more

Little Kirin - Grandma's Braised Pork - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

A pho sandwich. Just hearing this intrigues me as this is my first time seeing a pho dish in bread form. My boyfriend and I wanted to try this concept and got the pho broth that's right for a cold day. Broth was excellent and I tasted all the ingredients in pho broth: hint of star anise, onions, beef brew, five spice and some marrow fat - good for dipping. The sandwich has all the ingredients in a pho bowl. What was noticeable was the thick cuts of beef shank in the sandwich. It can be tricky dipping the sandwich in the broth without any ingredients falling out, so exercise caution. Don't dip too lightly into the broth as you'll need a significant amount of soup to make the bites easily to rip up and dunk in. Use a spoon to scoop the broth on the sandwich to fully soak in. The staff and speed of the service was good and fast. Small establishment you'd expect in the East Village and perfect quick stop bite if you're in the area trying the neighboring bars. Overall this dish reminds me how I grew up still not wanting to finish my pho bowl without noodles but still continuing the broth slurping with a nice toasted baguette. read more

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I saw a YouTube video on this place and was excited to try, but it was so disappointing. The bread was the worse part. I don't know exactly how to describe it, stale would probably be the best word, but even then it's not accurate. I ended up picking the meat off from the outside and eating it with the broth. I do agree with another review saying the broth is mandatory with the sandwich. Otherwise, the sandwich wasn't that flavorful. I wish the broth was served hotter. The broth wasn't that good, it was decent but I didn't taste the X amount of hours simmered flavors. read more

Little Kirin - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

Grandma's braised pork from Little Kirin is, simply, one of the absolute best "bowl" lunches you can get in this city.

Believing the hype! Ok I admit I'm 3 years late to the hype because they opened this shop in 2022 but I'm here now. Will be back for sure! Located on St Marks (technically 7th Street) and 2nd Avenue, a small storefront with a bright yellow bubbly sign (literally bubble letters), the inside decor is lively and cheerful with black and white, pops of yellow, and food motifs decorating the whitewashed brick walls. Seating is minimal at 3 tables of 2, and on a sunny Saturday afternoon at 5pm pretty empty. Staff was courteous and helpful and my food was ready within 10 minutes of placing the order in person at the front counter. They also have tablet you can order at the front of the shop right inside the door. I got the following for takeout to bring over to a friend's place: GPS Bowl $16.49 - Garlic Pepper Steak. Pineapple jalapeno slaw, pickled watermelon radish, over jasmine rice. WOW, packed with flavor, the beef marinade was delish and the portions generous. The pickled radish slices and slaw complemented the savory meat. The hit of the evening. The Pho Bowl x2 - $18.49 each Slow braised beef, onions, scallions, cilantro, thai basil, thin sliced jalapeno, crispy shallots, hoisin over white rice. The bowl version of their signature pho sandwich, it was delicious and served with a generous amount of braised beef according to my friends. I will surely be back to try the sandwich! Salmon Katsu Bowl $16.49 Panko crusted salmon, shaved lettuce, tomato, pickles, cajun tartar sauce on white rice. A solid salmon katsu, crispy, not too oily or salty, a lotta salmon and a lotta love. The tartar sauce and pickles added a nice tang that broke up the fried flavor. Thumbs up. I'm a fan! Thanks for this delicious experience and can't wait to try their loaded tots and their Bodega and Hangover Cure. read more

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After trying to hit the overcrowded Japanese food festival and failing, I was so happy to find this hidden gem! It's a tiny joint with limited seating, but packs a tasty Asian fusion menu. We ordered the Grandma's braised pork and the Salmon Katsu Po Boy on ciabatta. The sandwiches are huge and the bread has a nice toast with a soft inner. I thoroughly enjoyed my panko crusted salmon combined with the textures of the crisp produce and the cool Cajun tartar sauce= marriage in heaven ! My mouth is just watering thinking about this sandwich lol The braised pork sandwich was ok, maybe should have tried the ever popular pho sandwich. Next time! Great friendly service, great food, cute neighborhood They've got a punch card too for a free meal after so many visits. read more

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This Asian fusion pho-Bahn bi and tater tots were so delicious and flavorful. It was a great meal! read more

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The pho broth and the sandwich were both great on their own. Dipping the sandwich got messy for me, so I started scooping up spoonfuls of broth into the sandwich. My boyfriend planned to only try my order, but he liked the broth so much he went to order just the broth. He also liked the bread so much that he asked where it was from (a secret). The staff was friendly. There wasn't much seating, but it was casual and cozy. read more

Little Kirin - The Pho Sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

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Little Kirin started off as a pop-up at Greenpoint Terminal Market, and they had opened up their first brick-and-mortar back in '22 - The menu has some Asian fusion fare, focusing more on Vietnamese flavors - we were curious about The Pho Sandwich, which was a ciabatta filled with slow-braised beef, onions, scallions, Thai basil, thinly-sliced jalapenos, crispy shallots, and hoisin. We opted out of cilantro, and we also ordered a cup of Pho Broth. The banh mi sandwich was a tasty surprise - the bread was crusty and yummy, which we were thankful for! The sandwich itself was stacked, as there was just so many slices of the beef and other toppings - very generous portions! The pho broth really wasn't needed for that dipping/au jus type of a situation, but it was good to just drink the broth on its own. Staff were kind, and there's limited seating inside; there seems to be a steady flow of pickup orders. Nice spot to grab some eats! +The Pho Sandwich +friendly service read more

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Small in space huge on taste. Everything on the menu is the correct choice but it's the Pho Sandwich that's the stand out. Now please remember make it the full experience and add the broth for dipping. Very clean and owner is super hospitable. A beautiful addition to the East Village and of course, a change of pace from the typical burgers and pizza around the area. read more

Solid, unique pho sandwich with dipping broth! Love the concept and meat was juicy and not dry. Would have loved a touch of lime/acidity in there but was overall tasty and fun. read more

Little Kirin - The Pho Sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

Not exactly Bánh mì really, but these are lovingly crafted sandwiches with an Asian kick The place is small with some seating. It is mostly a take out place, so I got several items to go with my son. The Xiu Mai Pork Meatball sandwich on ciabatta was my absolute favorite. I loved the addition of jalapenos and thai basil pork meatball with the traditional tomato sauce and melted mozzarella in regular Italian meatball sub. The thai basil and jalapenos kicked up the flavor. Next up was my second favorite the crispy fried chicken with buttermilk fried chicken, shaved lettuce, pickled carrot and daikon, ginger scallion aioli, on a brioche bun. The topping and breading on the sandwich made it very tasty. The pho sandwich had slow braised beef, onions, scallions, cilantro, thai basil, thin sliced jalapeno, crispy shallots, hoisin on soft ciabatta. This is the one most people like but something was lacking for me. I do wish the bread was not soft ciabatta and it was crustier like a traditional banh mi baguette. Also, it did not taste like pho to me. I tried 2 different Pho sandwiches at the nearby Sunny and Annies, each with different ingredients and both tasted like actual pho on bread. I wish this sandwich tasted more like this. The sandwich was good but did not taste like actual Pho. I loved the tots with sesame aioli, ginger scallion aioli, scallions, pickled red onions. They were nice crispy and hot and tasted great with the sauces and toppings I would pickup a sandwich again if in the area and would like to try the grandmas pork sandwich next time. read more

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Naturally, I had to come here. I had to order the famous Pho Sandwich, naturally. The food comes out fast and the staff is incredibly accommodating, intelligent, and well put together, naturally. Unfortunately I had to take away a few things from the sandwich because onions and I do not get along, naturally. They also offer a value card of order 10 sandwiches or bowls (yes, they also offer rice bowls, but NO NOODLES), and your next sandwich or bowl is free, naturally. The sandwich comes out fast and though not a huge portion, it is the perfect size with the perfect amount of meat. It can also come with a fried egg, but it really tastes like you are eating a Pho sandwich, naturally. For an extra cost, it also comes with a broth for dipping, but you are going to want this, as it acts like a consommé or an au jus for you roast beef lovers, naturally. I spoke to the owner at length about how outstanding the sandwich was, and how I look forward to returning and trying another one of the sandwiches. He half jokingly responded back that he would be here. Naturally. read more

Little Kirin - The Pho Sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

10/10!!! These sandwiches are to die for. Came during lunch on a Tuesday, and got the Pho sandwich with pho broth and the Grandma's Braised Pork Sandwich. Wow, the pho sandwich is truly all the flavor of pho packed into a hoagie roll. It was epic. The bread really sops up that broth but still doesn't fall apart. I think the added moisture is nice from the broth, but the sandwich really can stand on its own. The Grandma's Braised Pork Sandwich really felt more like a classic. Nice fatty pork, with plenty of pickled veg on top, yummy creamy sauce. That's a sandwich I could eat everyday. It's a small shop, cozy atmosphere, no bathroom sadly. The owner seems like a real stand up dude, super friendly. Will be recommending! read more

Little Kirin - The Pho Sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

One of my favorite sandwich places in the city. I've had the pho sandwich with pho dipping broth, salmon katsu po'boy, and Vietnamese meatball parm. While the meatball parm's my favorite, all are excellent: flavorful, perfectly cooked meats layered with veggies and herbs, encased in bread that's crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. They have a stamp card, and I've made good progress on filling it up from my multiple visits here. It's a major testament to the quality of their food considering all the excellent spots to eat at in New York. read more

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Pho sandwich, pho real! Pho in sandwich form, not what I would expect to work, but it does! Pho is definitely what I would call a multilayered burst of flavor in each bite. Some heat from the jalapeño, a hint of sour from the lime, a little crunch from the fresh bean sprouts and onions, earthy notes from the Thai basil and scallions, and most definitely a strong traditional beefy flavor from the slow roasted brisket. Complete the bite with the dipping broth and you've got everything from Pho in a handheld. The price of the sandwich is misleading, it's enough to share as it stands today, with some sides. I'll be back again soon for another bite. read more

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The little I've tried from little Kirin has been good . So far , their bbq grilled chicken rice bowl is my favorite . They also often add new menu options so be on the lookout out . read more

Little Kirin - Kirin BBQ Chicken rice bowl - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I stopped by here for a quick lunch. I wasn't hungry since I already ate, but I did get to sample some of the food from my friend. We had The Pho Sandwich ($18.49) with Broth (+$3.49). First of all, this is pretty pricey and I wished that the broth wasn't an additional cost since you really need this to make it a pho sandwich. With that said, the sandwich is huge and probably enough for two to share comfortably. The braised beef is so tender with a kick of spice from the jalapeños. This sandwich was perfect with the broth to give it all that flavor and softness. I'm not usually into dipping sandwiches, but this one is something I'd get again. The employees were super friendly and the spot is quaint for a quick bite. Lots of unique fusion food options to try out here. read more

Little Kirin - The Pho Sandwich. - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

Little Kirin has some solid Vietnamese-American fusion food (for a lack of better terms). I had the pho sandwich (sans broth) and it was really tasty. There was also enough meat given and it was cooked really well. The shallots were a very nice touch and gave the sandwich a crunch. All in all, I would definitely come back here to try other things on the menu when I'm in the area. read more

Little Kirin - Super tasty Pho sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

ordering via kiosk is super fast and the food took ~5 min to come out and was very fresh. i thought the pho sandwich was really good but only with the addition of pho on the side. individually, the pho and the sandwich are just ok. but great together! read more

Little Kirin - The Pho Sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

This is a cool hole in the wall spot to try - very creative take on pho! I enjoyed my pho sandwich and dipping broth. It blew my mind a little how it was the exact taste of pho, but in a sandwich! The service was excellent, they were very nice and attentive, and that's what puts this place into the 5-star category for me! read more

Little Kirin - Pho sandwich with broth and crispy fried chicken sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

Heard the pho sandwich here was really good so I decided to give it a try. Was it amazing? I don't think it was amazing like everyone says. It had a sweet taste to it which I didn't favor so much. The pho broth was good when the 2 were combined, but that sweet element really got me. I feel like the sandwich should have a spicy aioli or some kind of sauce to mesh the flavors better together. The pho broth by itself was good, but it was also lacking a flavor element. I eat pho a lot so comparing this sandwich to the flavor profile of pho soup was a little challenging. Maybe it used to be a better sandwich, I duno? Also I feel the dipping broth should come with the sandwich and not an additional charge add on. It needs the broth. read more

Little Kirin - Pho sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

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Little Kirin has prime real estate on the perpetually hungry stretch of St Mark's Place, replacing a burrito joint I used to like. This spot, serving gastropub fare with an Asian twist is designed to soak up all the drinks you had the night prior. One bite of their loaded Kirin tots-- crispy tots piled with pickled red onions, aioli, and scallions-- and I was digging the place. My partner dove into "The Hangover Cure"-- essentially a bacon egg and cheese with hashbrowns. Meanwhile, I attempted to undo Saturday night's damage with the salmon katsu bowl, the salmon battered and fried to a crisp, with crispy lotus chips on the side and some greens for good measure. The place clearly caters to sidewalk diners and takeout crews, with only a couple of tables inside for casual, quick dining. Their prices are about what you'd expect for casual food on St Mark's Place. While this place replaced by beloved burrito joint, with strong flavors like the Kirin tots, they might claim the title for my favorite place to cure a hangover. read more

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Really enjoyed this food. Sandwiches were quite good and well priced. Tater togas were good. Non nonsense interior. Quick, fresh, easy

Extremely inviting ambiance with neon lights and matching chairs. Menu had great optionality for any type of eater. Grandma's Pork sandwich was tasty, although came out luke-warm with non crispy bread. read more

Place is quite small but there's about 3 or 4 tables to sit down. Ordered and the food came quick, was not that long of a wait. Pho Short Rib Sandwich - Bread was thick but light, there was a good amount of short rib in the sandwich, and the dipping sauce was full of beef broth flavor. I can simply drink that as a soup. Crispy Fried Chicken Sandwich - It's def a big piece of chicken that is well breaded, not heavy and not a thick layer of flour. It was crispy but a bit dry. There was not enough ginger scallion aioli on the sandwich. Chilled cucumber salad - a small cup of pickled cucumbers read more

Came here this past weekend! Not a long wait to order. I got the pho sandwich with the pho broth add on. Very flavorful with each bite! The bread and all the fillings were good quality and were fresh to make. Would highly recommend for a snack if you are in the area. read more

Little Kirin - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

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I work in an administrative role at a corporate finance office, and we're constantly ordering lunch from different places for meetings and events. For today's meeting, we ordered from Little Kirin--and they did not disappoint! I coordinated the order with the general manager, Patrick, who was helpful and attentive throughout the process. We went with a mix of pho, chicken and mushroom sandwiches, tater tots, and a garden salad. Everything arrived on time, neatly packed, and beautifully presented. The sandwiches were a big hit with the team--and we even had leftovers for the next day. Half a sandwich was more than enough for most, but they're so good that some people might happily go for a full one (which is like a subway footlong)! This is a refreshing alternative to the typical sandwiches you find in NYC. They were individually wrapped, easy to hold, and ideal for a corporate setting (not smelly, not messy, just right for a meeting). The tater tots were impressively crispy--not soggy at all. For comparison, I've ordered from places like Daily Provisions where the items lost their texture during delivery. That wasn't the case here. If you're an admin, office manager, or executive assistant looking to elevate your lunch order with something unique and office-friendly, I highly recommend Little Kirin. Great food, reliable service, and corporate-appropriate presentation--it won't disappoint! read more

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Finally able to give this gem a try and OMG! I can't wait to go back and try more off their menu. Everything was great, from the service to the food! Not a traditional sit down restaurant but there are some tables available for a quick sit down. The pho broth was great, the tots and fried chicken were so juicy and tender! The pho sandwich and ricebowl (which was what attracted us) succulent, juicy and just wow, so different! Can't wait to go back!! read more

Little Kirin - The Pho Sandwich - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

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The pho brisket sandwich... sounds criminal but my taste buds tell me it's legal! What a fun combination/twist to two foods I absolutely love (pho and french dip). Would recommend taking out only because there isn't much seating in the place. read more

Little Kirin - Comfort Food Near Me - New York, New York

Interesting sandwich spot on St Mark's Place at 1st Avenue. Some of the sandwiches seem to be Vietnamese ( like their famous Pho Beef ) but it's not really a Banh Mi place. I got their Salmon Katsu sandwich and although the salmon was a large piece and crispy there was WAY too much mayonnaise on this sandwich. I got the feeling a lot of their dipping sauces for their Crispy Tots were mayo based too. The tots were good though and the portion on the large was nice . They have ketchup packets you can get too , and I'd recommend getting those instead of a dipping sauce. My friend had the Pho Beef Sandwich with the broth on the side and he liked it and said it was substantial. I feel it's a bit overpriced for what it is though and there are definitely better Vietnamese sandwich spots in the neighborhood. read more

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They have SUCH big portions wow! We ordered a Grandma's Braised Pork sandwich, and it was perfect for two people to share. They give generous portions of meat, and the flavors in the sandwich were delicious. The service was really fast. It feels like a very casual restaurant, with many people getting take-out. read more

Vibe: 5/10 - there are a few seats, but it's largely a takeout spot Service: 10/10 - get a rewards card :) Value: 8/10 Pho sandwich: 7.25/10 - shocked that I didn't love this based on all of the positive reviews! I think pho beef tastes best in a bowl of pho broth Grandma's braised pork sandwich: 8/10 - this was so flavorful! Tots: 7.5/10 - nothing special but the sauces were good Overall: 7.63/10 (3.81/5) read more

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What a find! My husband and I stumbled on Little Kirin after being deterred by the crowd at Electric Burrito next door. Intrigued by the Asian fusion menu, we opted for the short rib sandwich with pho broth and the loaded Kirin tots for lunch. Both were phenomenal. The substantial sandwich was packed--and packed with flavor! The pho broth was a wonderful accompaniment. I usually don't indulge in fried comfort foods, but the loaded tater tots, especially drizzled with sesame aioli, pickled red onions, and scallions, were so memorably delicious and an unexpected hit. We left very full, and still a good amount of tater tots as leftovers. This place is definitely worth a return visit. There was no AC on the day that we dined in, but it was still tolerable since it wasn't terribly hot that day, with some breeze entering from the open door. read more

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