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    Mai Lee

    4.1 (1.3k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Mai Lee Photos

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    MAI LEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Mai Lee

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    Tiffanie T.

    Not bad. Didn't have any of the pho, com, or mi dishes. Instead oddly had some more home cooked dishes recommended by our waiter who thankfully spoke Vietnamese! Bo lúc lát was good and my colleague had the thơm xấu. Tried the nem cuốn too and thought there would be more than 2 rolls and more nem for how big they were Great for large parties looking for a place that serves alcohol. Will have to come back and try the traditional dishes. I did appreciate the Vietnamese and English menus and how diverse their menu options were with Vietnamese and Chinese

    No. 165
    Byron C.

    Mai Lee rents space in places that don't even seem like they should be restaurants and then passes the savings on to YOU in the form of Chinese and Vietnamese food that's better than you can get anywhere else, but at a significant premium. I'd explain why that makes sense, but it's more work than I'm capable of, on a day when the weather is finally getting nice enough to go "knees out." My boss should feel lucky I even showed up today. He can't reasonably expect me to actually do anything. I've eaten here once or twice over the years and only ever ordered off of the Chinese menu, from which you really can't go wrong. I was there last night with members of my running group. I wasn't sweating showing up in gym clothes, like Sam Jackson and John Travolta after they had to clean out the back of that car in Pulp Fiction, because this place is next to a gym, and I bet they get a lot of larger women who wander over in ostensibly not transparent yoga pants. Granted, a lot of girls dress like that everywhere they go, especially in Richmond Heights. This was my first time visiting a Vietnamese restaurant since I went to Vietnam, and I was feeling adventurous. I'd seen the proverbial man in black pajamas up close, and I was ready to sample his wares. No Diddy. I toyed with the idea of just picking a number between 1 and 200, since this place has roughly 200 numbered menu items, but I decided against that. I needed to at least read the descriptions, uselessly vague though they might be, lest I received something with a "protein" I wasn't expecting. Ahem. No matter how much you study the menu, as if it's test-prep for a crucial GED exam, you never really know what you're going to get until they bring it out. But you probably can't go wrong. I went with number 165, which was the first thing listed under Specialties. I can't remember what it's called, and the name might be utter nonsense, like when people get Chinese characters tattooed on their lower back. It consisted of shrimp, scallops and crab sticks, along with vegetables of some sort, with charred rice in oyster sauce. It's served in a boiling cauldron that must be kept six miles below the earth's surface, where they're keeping Epstein until the coast is clear, until it's ready to be served. The top layer is just rice, like mashed potatoes on a shepherd's pie, but you can hear the inside sizzling like a fajita. You're warned to not try to actually eat it from the serving dish. The food itself is insanely hot. You have to let it sit on a plate a little bit just to cool off. It's a generous helping of seafood, except when you take the cost into consideration. One of those items is those imitation crab sticks they used to sell deep-fried at Chinese food restaurants in the hood, known colloquially as... uh, never mind. I'd complain, but I find them weirdly delicious. Everything about this dish was delicious. The sauce was slightly, almost imperceptibly, sweet, with a caramelized onion flavor. The scallops were somehow not overcooked despite how hot everything was. I'm at a loss for how they got the rice perfectly crisp and yet not overcooked into oblivion. I could have done without the tails on the shrimp, but what are you gonna do? I ordered a Japanese beer that the waiter forgot to put on my bill. I pointed it out, in order to appear to be classy in front of women, but he said don't worry about it. He may have been concerned that I was toying with the idea of not leaving a tip, for cultural reasons. Admittedly, I was. I'll have the users of this app--including any ladies who might be reading this--know that not only did I tip 20%, but I rounded up to the nearest dollar. You're welcome.

    95 chicken with bamboo in garlic sauce
    Austin S.

    Mai lee... you needn't an introduction. An absolute STL institution. Good luck driving by around dinner and snagging a seat. The place stays jumping. Full of flavor, sometimes just simple dishes with solid execution are all a kid can ask for. This place does it. A novel of a menu can be intimidating at first glance. Stick with the basics, or maybe get a bit adventurous! Service is great. The vibes are consistent with a cantonese style eatery on a grander scale. The dish was great. I got their lemon grass chicken essentially. It was a bit heavier than many vietnamese dishes I have eaten, but flavor was great and it had a good portion of chicken. Sometimes these stir fried dishes get bogged down by too many veggies. This one has great balance of meat:vegetable.

    Shrimp St. Paul
    Shalaunte W.

    Duh M. was our server. He was busy but definitely kept an eye on us. Helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. Excellent service. Upon walking in hostess was welcoming. 15 min wait but it went quickly. This is a busy place. Open And well lit. We ordered chicken wings. Shrimp lo mein with added cabbage, Shrimp St. Paul , won tons, plain rice. Cooked hot and fresh. I will definitely come back to try different items on the menu.

    Chicken pho, spring rolls
    Andrea J.

    I don't know if I could love a place more. Maybe of they had booths and a little more privacy in the dining area but will absolutely love this place forever. Huge fan, and the wait staff are awesome and always on it. The food is next level, and I wish they had cooking classes because I want to be able to make some of this when I'm not in the area. Top 10 on STL for sure, cheers to 40 more years Mai Lee!

    Shrimp Pho
    Desiree R.

    I absolutely enjoyed myself at this place my first time coming the inside is very spacious our server was soooo nice gave some awesome recommendations like the Mai Lee sampler platter and Pho I got the shrimp pho and it was sooooooo good I drank all the broth lol The spring rolls as you see are huge which is very nice. Came here for lunch the inside of the restaurant was very spacious. They are in the Brentwood area a few mins from Galleria Mall. So it was perfect after I finished some shopping I came here for a nice lunch! Will definitely be back to try something different

    Vit Ca Ry
    Cleo G.

    Mai Lee was good. The restaurant is a sort of cafeteria-hall vibe which is interesting, but the menu is large and very authentic. The menus are mobile and you use a QR code to read it. Here's what we got: -Potstickers: 8.5/10 - The dumpling dough was thick, which made them unique and delicious. The sauce that they came with was also to die for. -Vit Ca Ry (Duck Curry): 8/10 - The broth is incredibly aromatic, with a lovely coconut base flavor. The bowl is HUGE and we did wish that some of the ingredients (potatoes and carrots) were cut smaller for ease of eating. However, the duck leg was moist and the noodles were plentiful. -Bun Ga Nuong (Noodle bowl with Chicken): 7/10 - This was good, but simple. I do wish that the chicken was more flavorful, and that it had been presented more beautifully like the rest of the dishes. But it did the job.

    bun ga rau cai
    Kristen D.

    Very delicious. The service was a bit weird, but nothing that was off-putting. We came here after quite the drive, so we took turns using the bathroom after we decided on our orders. No one came to take our orders until everyone was seated at the table. It was quite busy inside and outside. We were sat inside where it was a little loud. I enjoyed the decoration. The food was splendid. I got a meal from the Vietnamese portion of the menu. However, someone in my party got a meal from the Chinese menu and was not impressed considering the price.

    Stir fry noodles
    DeAntra D.

    This place has become a fan favorite with my partner and myself! I always with grab a shrimp St. Paul and their spring rolls. Their homemade ginger ale is delicious too!

    Rice
    Kats M.

    Mai Lee Food Review My friend took me out before a show and encouraged me to try something new instead of my usual #142. The server suggested the #152 GF Dau Hu Chien Gion - crispy tofu stir-fried with onions, served with their special pepper lemon sauce ($22.95). I ordered mine without onions and added veggies for an extra $6.00 - definitely worth it. The tofu was perfectly crisp with great flavor, and the vegetables were cooked in a garlicky mix that was delicious even on their own. I'm not a big lemon pepper fan, but I gave the sauce a try and was pleasantly surprised at how well the flavors came together. If you love lemon pepper, you'll really enjoy this dish. Personally, I'd order it again with a different sauce, but it was still very good. It reminded me that I need to step out of my comfort zone and try new menu items more often. There was a small hiccup with my order because the restaurant was busy, but the server was kind and quickly corrected it. That's what good customer service is about--fixing the issue with care. Overall, Mai Lee continues to deliver excellent food and service. They never miss a beat, and I'll definitely be back. If you haven't already, get out there and try something new on the menu--you might be surprised like I was! Yes this was all vegan.

    Tracy C.

    One of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants in the area! I come here quite often, and they never disappoint. I especially love their mango sticky rice -- it's honestly one of the best I've had. The mango is always fresh and sweet, and the sticky rice is perfectly soft with just the right amount of coconut flavor. Overall, the food is consistently good, and this place has definitely become one of my go-to spots. Highly recommend!

    Chicken egg foo young lunch
    Jim B.

    The guys at the bar always take care of me when I come in for lunch. They have a big carryout business and they pump it out along with the bar area seating.

    Krystal R.

    Number 17 on the menu, try it with clear noodle, such good flavor and meat. Seating is tight during weekend rush hour but service is quick and friendly. Parking is very accessible around the building. Will always come back!

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    2 months ago

    Great flavors, busy lunch time but good service.prices are reasonable. Mostly folks on lunchtime.

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    The service was trash....messed up my order! Food was mid...will not return! Guy taking the order is rude!

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    Page 1 of 34

    Mai Lee Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Mai Lee

    Do they serve Hainanese chicken?

    What menu on the website should I look at for Saturday lunch?

    Due to the pandemic, I would call them to verify

    Is a fire pot the same thing as hot pot?

    I don't think so...I believe the fires they have a burner going under it when they deliver to the table.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Grand Bistro

    Grand Bistro

    4.5
    (81 reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $$

    So glad to have Grand Bistro back in my life! The food is just as good as I remember from when it…read morewas Pho Grand, and honestly, the service when I went with friends last week was incredible. I knew they don't take reservations and won't seat an incomplete party, but I still got there a little early just to see if we could grab a table for five. I was surprised (in a good way) when they seated me before everyone else arrived. I even told the hostess I didn't mind waiting, but she encouraged me to go ahead and sit, which was really nice. Our server was super friendly and made sure I was taken care of while I waited. As my friends started arriving, he was quick to get them settled in too. We started with some non-alcoholic drinks and spent some time chatting before diving into the menu. It was honestly hard to pick just one thing, so I went with both the chicken pho and fried rice. I knew I wouldn't finish it all, but I really wanted both. Once we ordered, everything moved smoothly--our server checked in, made sure drinks were filled, and kept things organized. When the food came out, everything looked amazing and tasted just as good. Of course, with all the catching up we were doing, it took us a while to finish, but there was no rush at all. When we were ready, he brought the checks and was more than happy to split them out (always appreciate that!). Before leaving, I ordered a to-go meal for my husband and asked for a box for my leftovers. Our server actually took my plate and packed everything up in the back, which I wasn't expecting but really appreciated. He also brought out the to-go order right when it was ready. Honestly, everything, from the space to the service to the food, was just great. I'm already looking forward to going back again soon.

    How happy am I to learn this place reopened with a new name? We were here within the hour of…read morelearning it had reopened (was Pho Grand). And it lived up to our expectations. Love the new cocktail bar they added. It take away some seating however people can eat at bar too. We ordered cocktails while waiting for our table which took only a few minutes. My husband tried their version of an old-fashioned which used both bourbon and rum!!! It was good but he said definitely a "sipper". They have a full bar and much better wine selection now too. Starters for us were a bowl of wonton soup and the spring rolls. Both were good but rolls a little rubbery to me. The highlight of our meals was charbroiled pork. We are not capable of ordering anything else. Ha. I get 15.04 and he got 15.03 which includes an egg roll. Divine food!! The people who own this place are so friendly. Our waiter was also very nice. We can't wait to return

    Photos
    Front table
    Front table
    Pork and shrimp wonton soup
    Pork and shrimp wonton soup
    Rear eating area

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    Rear eating area
    Nudo House STL

    Nudo House STL

    4.4
    (697 reviews)
    6.0 mi
    $$

    Nudo House in Creve Coeur absolutely lives up to the hype, especially if you are hunting for a…read morestellar vegetarian bowl. I dropped in on a Saturday evening and ordered the **Shroomed Up** ramen, and it was a ramen masterclass in a bowl. The broth managed to be incredibly rich and deeply savory-sweet all at once, without ever feeling heavy. It was loaded with thick, substantial slabs of mushrooms, tender-cooked bok choy, and the noodles were the star of the show--thick and perfectly cooked to that ideal sweet spot where they aren't too chewy but have zero mushiness. Even with a line stretching out the door when we arrived, the wait wasn't tedious, and we reached the counter reasonably fast. The ordering process is standard counter service, but the staff member who took our order was incredibly nice, polite, and helpful, practically predicting my questions as I was looking over the menu. The same employee even brought our bowls out to us. The space was definitely crowded for a weekend night, but the seat-yourself setup worked out perfectly for the two of us; we still had three tables to choose from. The interior has a great energy with fun, East-Asian and Japanese-themed decor lining the walls. The Breakdown Food Quality: 5+/5 + Service: 4/5 Cleanliness: 5/5 Vibe: 4/5 Quality/Value: 4/5 **Pro Tip:** Don't let a Saturday evening line out the door scare you off! The counter service team moves people through the queue efficiently, and if you are dining in a small group of two, the table turnover is quick enough that you'll still easily find a spot to sit down.

    I have been craving 3-1-Pho Chicken with Shredded Chicken Breast for a while…read more If you do not like spicy, TELL them and they'll take the kick out. The service was clean, fast and efficient. I received my order quickly. The ambiance at lunch was calm and welcoming. 100/100 no notes. So crazy good. Now I'll be craving this forever.

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    Nudo House STL
    Vietnamese chicken salad
    Vietnamese chicken salad
    Interior

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    Interior
    Paris Bánh Mì- St. Louis

    Paris Bánh Mì- St. Louis

    3.8
    (58 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    Wow.. okay this long review gets started with me admitting that I'm not a big fan of Vietnamese…read morefood. (Coffee yes, food, not so much) So I'm going to admit have no idea what to expect when I walk inside there... and I walk into .. A warehouse? So I walk in (to get out of the rain, figure I'm going to grab something to go), and I don't even notice the Kiosk at the front of the door line. (You don't need it guys! Trust me! Your bartendresses/waitresses(?) were nice enough and had smiles on their faces, even on a day as slow as today was (or maybe that's why they were happy? Who knows). I don't need any KIOSKS... keep the ladies around to add to the likeability factor! I'm just wanting to get going and so I walk up to the counter, and ask her what she recommends (sorry, dear if i didn't catch your name). Well the ONLY thing I knew won the menu was the milk-tea , so that was the easy choice. And you know my first question to any new place I go. WHAT is your recommendation? It took the waitress a moment to realize I wanted her choice for good food, so I guess that came as a surprise of sort? So I take her choice of the special croissant and just because my eyes see it... How about a Korean Potato corn dog? Thinking that's all there was to the place (note they hadn't even offered to make the milk-tea yet), go find a table.. and then my eyes kinda finally open up to the place. An entire rack of deserts.. Not just any deserts but things like chocolate Tiaramasu (I'd just finished watching one of my weird streaming apps that nobody watches but me), and the chef there had just finished making chocolate tiaramasu on the show, so I was tempted.. but then next to that blackbery cream cake.. just basicaly three SHELVES of mouth watering goodness. But instead of asking I turn around and REALIZE there's an entire SHELF of asian/french pastries (obviously packaged and stored and sold) over to the wall. How the heck did i not see this when I walked in? Okay, so I go simple pick up a couple of deserts off the shelf to go with my meal while I'm still looking around. Unlike Amigo Sole, there's not a lot that draws in terms of art (again other than the ARTISTRY in the sweets department). It's at this point i notice that the restaurant/warehouse has it's own little Karaoke/TV (dont know if it's programmable or how it works). but i figured that's to keep up the warehouse/rave ambiance? Nothing that really stands out, but does make it a bit unique. Anyway food comes, (this is not a rapid cook location, obviously) and make my way out the door. The Milk-tea was PERFECT all the way home. The rest of it... the Korean Potato dog was MASSIVE in size, but was kinda of the bland side, while the specialty croissant wasn't _bland_ . that's not say it wasn't bad, it was just there. Maybe i"m just not a fan of Vietnamese cooking yet? The two pastries from the shelves were what you'd thing for store processed pastries... Next time I'm going to hit the REAL bakery stuff and hopefully that can pick up the score a bit. Service - 5/5 (again very friendly, smiling) Atmosphere - 3.5/5 (unique rave atmosphere without the rave) Food - 3/5 (Again, needs work.. or my tastebuds do?)

    I'm back again to give the gizzards another try. I was told they were the gizzards from another…read morerestaurant that caught fire. I will say they are very good. They are seasoned well. They didn't make it home. I burned my tongue. I couldn't wait for it to cool off. Customer service was very good. Great job of taking our order and bringing it out expeditiously. This is a pastry restaurant combine with Vietnamese foods. The concept is nice. There is Asian art all around . The garage door is a nice touch the vibe is great. Tge accent rose wall stands out. The patio seating also is a nice touch .

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    Menu
    Menu
    Sun's Gizzards
    Sun's Gizzards
    Counter

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    Counter

    Mai Lee - vietnamese - Updated July 2026

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