We had lunch at Hu Tieu My Tho today and I thought the food was delicious. When it comes to…read moreVietnamese food in metro Atlanta, I think this restaurant is among the better options and my Asian/Vietnamese foodie friends generally agree. Where this place lacks - at least in our experience today - is in service and ambiance (even by casual Vietnamese restaurant standards).
Hu Tieu My Tho opened in October 2019 and is located in the popular Hong Kong Supermarket shopping center on Jimmy Carter Blvd, near I-85 exit 99. Locals know this as the hub for the Vietnamese community in Atlanta. On weekends and holidays, it can get crowded.
The restaurant name comes from the Vietnamese dish "hu tieu," which is a clear rice noodle dish, and "My Tho," which is the specific southern city in Vietnam where this style of cuisine was perfected. This is not a pho restaurant. Instead, this place specializes in both hu tieu and "mi" (egg noodles) as well as other dishes like Vietnamese steak and eggs. It's fairly unique, which is a big part of the draw and appeal.
Here's what three of us had:
A1. Goi Cuon (2 for $5.50) x2 - spring rolls with shrimp and pork
A3. Cha Gio (2 for $5.25) - fried egg rolls
D15. Ca Phe Sua Da ($5.99) - Vietnamese coffee
H3. Hu Tieu My Tho Dac Biet ($15.50) - House Special Rice Noodle Soup - char siu, crab, fish ball, pork liver, pork heart, ground pork, quail eggs, bone-on pork shank
H6. Hu Tieu Nam Vang ($14.50) - Phnom Penh-style Rice Noodle Soup - char siu, shrimp, pork liver, pork heart, ground pork, quail egg, squid
H10. Hu Tieu Bo Kho ($14.99) - Beef Stew Rice Noodle Soup - round and flank beef, carrots
M5. Mi Hoanh Thanh ($14.50) - Wonton with Egg Noodle Soup - char siu, wontons
Everything was fresh and tasty. When it comes to the hu tieu, the restaurant gives you the option of soft or firm noodle texture. In addition, you can get dishes "dry" (no soup) or with soup. If it's your first time, you should try the traditional way with soup. I really like the variety of hu tieu and mi offered here; for example, my friend likes the Phnom Penh-style noodle soup, which is Cambodian. Overall, I found the food to be solid all around.
After we were initially seated and served, the staff never checked on us again. I think this was partly because they were busy. I noticed at least two other tables having the same problem we did -- having to flag down a server. As for ambiance, seating was tight. I actually refrained from ordering an extra dish because of the lack of table space. And, while not uncommon for Vietnamese restaurants, multiple tables weren't immediately cleaned. Also, the men's restroom was dirty.
I'd like to return and try one of the steak and egg dishes; for example S1. Chao Xiu Mai ($15.99), S2. Banh Mi Chao Dac Biet ($18.99), or S3. Chao Bo Steak / Bo Xao ($16.75).