The best grilled pork banh mi in Des Moines, in competition with the best I've ever had across D.C,…read moreSF, San Francisco...and dare I say it, Vietnam. If you like crunch, heat, unami, tartness, pate...don't miss out! =)

After a long work week in Ames and having good, but mostly American/Western food, we needed an…read moreethnic fix. Enter my comfort zone, Pho from my motherland. I knew we were in the right place when we walked I. And half of the restaurant were Vietnamese peeps. Was a warming experiencing hearing patrons throw a few traditional Lunar New Year greetings at each other and the owners. It's a small mom and pop shop, so much so, pop was the sole soldier working the entire front of the house. As such, don't expect super fast service, but good service nonetheless. We started with the fresh spring rolls, which were good, and their fried egg rolls, which I probably won't order again. The egg rolls were pretty much veggies, loosely filled, and served with a sweet and sour type dipping sauce. It was more of an Americanized Chinese style egg roll, not a Vietnamese cha gio with nouc cham. I ordered the pho dac biet and it was VERY good. The large is HUGE. Most places back home have suffered from shrink-flation and large bowls are tiny now. Not this place, I struggled to finish the bowl. My friends got the seafood pho, and another got the pho ga (chicken). I of course did not slide my chopsticks in theirs and swipe a bite, but they said they enjoyed theirs. I would definitely come back here again and maybe try some of their other dishes.

The food is EXCELLENT here; dirty wings are nice and crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the…read moreinside. The Pho is a heavenly light broth with mild or spicy flavor as one chooses, while filled with noodles and generous helpings of meat or vegetables of your choice. Other choices of dishes from Thai or Chinese regions are well made with a wonderful scent, zing to the sauces and visual appeal that makes everyone at the table envious or hoping for a sample that might be shared. Service and price are exquisite, too! A great spot to get the right food when you want something a little different, this is my new go-to spot.

It's been about two years since i've updated my review and it says a lot about the restaurant that…read moreit's been there as long as it has. It's conveniently located in the strip mall with plenty of parking..it's the same mall off of University with Campbell's health foods, Hy-Vee pharmacy, Frederich's coffee. This restaurant still has that old time mom and pop Asian family feel it's a definite classic type vibe with Auntie snd the neices up front taking orders and the rest of the family in the back cooking and putting to go orders together. I always like to support a locally owned business. It's also about expectations, everyone is under staffed, so I always appreciate the service staff who are working. Having said that the service was fast and efficient . It's also about being realistic about the food. This is not a mall based chain restaurant or a high end bistro somewhere. The food was well prepared hot and delicious. This is a Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant. So there's lots of variety in the menu. I have had the build your own Pho, Korean style Kalbi ribs. They also have Hunan Chinese style dishes, i have tried Mongolian beef, combination fried rice and potstickers. I also have tried the pork fried egg rolls. I usually go for a late lunch early dinner. I talked to the owner and asked her how they made their soup and she said they boiled bones and added their own spices which is the traditional way to do things, I think they have a good soup base, all soup comes with sprouts and fresh Thai basil, I usually add bok choy, brisket and steak. They have plenty of other Vietnamese dishes too. I have enjoyed their pork vermicelli which is a cool salad type dish which is nice on a hot day. Some of my friends really enjoy their chicken wings. So there's still a good option with lots of choices, good staff and reasonable prices.

When walking up to this place, you're first greeted by the wafting smell of deliciousness. If you…read moreweren't hungry before, you're starving now. You walk in and it's a typical mom and pop Asian restaurant. It's crowded with almost every table full at 1pm. The front is staffed with 2 workers going as fast as they can. I was amazed at the variety of Vietnamese dishes this place served. It went far beyond your bowl of pho and grilled pork on rice. They had hot pot and family style fried fish, caramelized catfish, and sweet and sour soup to go with a bowl of rice. The server was friendly and the food came out fast once we placed our order. We started with the spring rolls which had a good amount of shrimp and pork paired with a peanut sauce. Pretty satisfied with this appetizer. We then had the banh hoi or woven vermicelli with crispy pork belly. This was swerved with a plate of mint, cilantro, lettuce, and a couple of other greens that I don't know the names of. The pork was perfect and crisp. Noodles were warm and when wrapped with the pork veggies and dipped in nuoc Cham(dipping sauce), every bite had you going back for more. I love an interactive dish that takes some assembly. Next was the rice paper salad, which wasn't on the menu, but I showed them a picture from Yelp, and he said they had it! This was my first time trying this dish and it was a plateful of so many savory flavors. Every flavor meshed so well together as well as the textures. Highly recommend this one. Finally the banh uot was a classic that I can't seem to find at most places. Like the previous dishes, it did not disappoint. The pork was seasoned and grilled to perfection lined with sides of cucumber, pickled daikon and carrots, and lettuce. Nuoc Cham was perfectly mixed as well. Overall, one of the better Vietnamese places I've tried in the US. Probably the best in the Midwest. Would come here every day if I lived in the area. I was highly satisfied.

Một sao cho thái độ phục vị kém, thiếu thân thiện với khách. Tôi không bao giờ quay lại ủng hộ, và…read morekhông giới thiệu bất kỳ ai đến đó.

The Vietnamese Cafe has a long positive history and will not disappoint if you have an interest in…read moreauthentic Asian food. It is in a mall court but that does not mean it's not good. I love the entire concept of what is happening with this food court with some better small family-owned businesses having restaurants there. this eclectic mix has been good there's some good independent barbecue independent Vietnamese independent Mediterranean independent Italian and really the only chain is a Maid Right. You have really accessible parking right next to Kohl's and if you take a little later lunch you'll have no problem parking going in and either sitting in a safe distance at your own table or getting something to go. My friends and I usually go to lunch after 1:00 and each sit at their own table and wear masks and go for a little walk when we're done eating. The ceilings are very high on the air circulation is good so there is risk but it seems to be minimized. The staff and all the restaurants wear masks gloves in the mall has people sanitizing the tables in between each use and putting a table poster indicating that the table has been sanitized. The lady, who runs the place is very polite and accommodating and goes out of her way to make sure everything is clean, fresh, and flavorful. I had the Pork and Shrimp Noodle Soup (hu tieu), and it was outstanding it was a clear flavorful broth that just was so good. The noodles were not overdone and a medium was more than enough for me for lunch. They have some Sriracha there if you want to spice it up a little. it's a well-kept secret and a nice gem in Des Moines to get some multiple to-go orders from different businesses and satisfy everybody's taste cravings or to sit with social distance and have choices.

We stopped here because the food looked like authentic Vietnamese food and not Americanized-at…read moreleast on social media. We got the pho, which needs to be correct according to Vietnamese standards. The broth was not made with long-simmered bones. Store-bought broth was used, at least to a greater degree. Fried onions should not be added to the broth. The basil should not be added ahead of serving, but at the table by the customer. All-in-all a disappointing stop, one that we had looked forward to on our trip from Texas.

We came here on Friday night at 6pm. Party of three, ordered drinks from our friendly server…read more Appetizers of Shrimp Wraps, Calamari and Tempura Vegetables. Dinner was Dragon Roll, Pho (Rare Steak and Meatball), Chicken Pad Thai and Ramen Noodles with Chicken. The food itself was delicious and prepared perfectly. Only downside was we ordered hot tea (Jasmine tea) which they apparently ran out of and it didn't arrive until we were well onto our main courses. The friendly seemingly inexperienced staff seemed overwhelmed by the full house (had to ask for plates for appetizers, long wait tor check and to cash out) but we went with the flow and enjoyed opportunity to hang out and spend time chatting. Will be back.

Stopped by Pho Shobu solo to give it a try. The atmosphere was clean, welcoming, and comfortable…read more Shoutout to Izzy for the outstanding customer service--friendly, attentive, and professional throughout the visit. The egg rolls were the star of the meal: hot, fresh, crispy, and packed with flavor. Easily my favorite item. I ordered the Brisket Pho, and while it looked great, it was just okay for me. Having eaten pho across California, Alaska, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas, I usually look for a clean, rich broth with a slight sweetness. This broth didn't quite deliver that flavor profile, and the brisket was a little tougher and chewier than I expected. My total came to $40.03. Was it the best pho I've had? No. Was it the worst? Not even close. The atmosphere and service were excellent, and the egg rolls alone are worth ordering. I'd come back to try other items on the menu. If you're in the area, give Pho Shobu a try and see what you think for yourself.

Stopped in on Saturday for lunch after shopping at the mall. Was a little difficult to find,…read morebecause the location on yelp is a little off. Was promptly seated and didn't have to wait long to get my order in or receive my food. Now I was in early so I could see how it could get busy as service picks up because seating can be a little limited. The restaurant was clean and decorated well enough. The location doesn't do it many favors but the food is good so I'll likely come back. I requested the New Delhi-Style Noodles because I enjoy yellow curry dishes and was needless to say I was impressed. The vermicelli noodles were great dipped into the accompanying fish sauce with curried chicken bites in between. The portion was solid for lunch and I didn't feel like I needed more to get me through until dinner. Only gripe is maybe the price is a little high for anything other than chicken but that's life right now. I'll likely stop back in to try a few more dishes when I'm back in the area.

Let's talk about good, quality ingredients and excellent customer service food was amazing and it…read morereminds me of being in Hanio known for their traditional northern cuisine, known for delicate, balanced, and subtle flavors. The restaurant maintains an authentic atmosphere calming lights and music. If you have not stop by yet, please do. You won't be disappointed....Trust me...

Great place to find things you can't get in a regular supermarket far as different vegetables from…read moreother countries and food as well from different parts of the world

I love C Fresh Market and everything it has to offer!…read more Being back in Iowa after living in a big city for the last 25 years has been a bit of a shock to my system, but having spots like this definitely helps fill the food void I feel on a daily basis. Whether you're grabbing some hard-to-find Asian and Hispanic spices, groceries, and goodies, or hitting the delicious pho spot inside, you're gonna be leaving happy. It's clean, well-stocked, and gives me those big-city market vibes I'm always looking for. I'd also suggest grabbing a bánh mì, ready-made and good to go, on your way out the door. Enjoy!

Ha well yes we got to try this one for pho And other…read moregoodie's See the pix Just over 50 bucks for two with some apps Crab Rangoon and shrimp roles and spring rolls New menu is posted as well Service was good busy prime time just after noon Yea the large pho was enough for two! So 1/2 came home for eve snack! Short hours just open for lunch only Closed on Thursday Cards ok for payment

I was really disappointed with our experience at Pho 515. Unfortunately, both the food and the…read moreservice fell well below expectations. Our table ordered the bún bò Huế, brisket pho, shaking beef, and a vermicelli bowl. The food was, at best, below average. The bún bò Huế was especially disappointing--it had an overwhelmingly fishy flavor and was extremely heavy on the shrimp paste, making it difficult to enjoy. The bigger issue, however, was the service. When ordering the bún bò Huế, I specifically requested no pork hock and no pork blood tofu. While eating, I found what appeared to be pork blood tofu. When I brought it to the server's attention, he went back to inspect the bowl and then informed me it was actually ham. I explained that I had requested the pork items be omitted. His response was that I "didn't say no ham." The problem is that ham was never listed as an ingredient on the menu. He even brought the menu over to prove it was listed, only for the menu to confirm that it wasn't. Rather than acknowledging the misunderstanding, he continued to argue that I should have known to ask for no ham. If an ingredient isn't disclosed on the menu, how would a customer know to request it be removed? A much better response would have been to ask whether I also wanted the ham omitted when I requested the other pork ingredients be left out. Mistakes happen, but how they're handled matters. Instead of trying to make it right, the staff became defensive and argumentative. That left a much worse impression than the food itself. I rarely leave negative reviews, but this was an experience I won't be repeating. I would not return.

Super sweet waitress & overall great service from the whole staff. Drinks are 12/10 - so yummy and…read morefun! Food is hitting the spot as well. Perfect casual spot for a solo dinner or bite with friends.

This past week we went to Zavy's for dinner for our wedding anniversary. Upon arrival we got…read moregreeted and sat right away but the table seemed a little sticky and messy. Like it wasn't fully cleaned. Even the hostess hesitated a little when she sat us down. They had a huge party in the middle so I don't know if that was the reason they could have been behind (thinking like a waitress because I've been there). We ordered right away because we had seen the menu prior so we already knew what we wanted. Started off with the cream cheese Rangoon's and they were tasty. The beef ribs pho was spectacular! That is what my husband had. I enjoyed the beef bulgogi which was just as delicious. Really enjoyed their kimchi too it had great flavor. We couldn't not come to Zavy's without getting one of their yummy matcha. I got the mango sticky rice matcha and my husband got the strawberry one so we could try a different one. We both agreed the mango sticky rice matcha was still our favorite. It's just so good! Service was a little slow because of that party I'm assuming but the hostess' could have helped a little too. My husband had to go up to the front so we could get the check. Still recommend for anyone to try and will be back to have that yummy pho!

Des Moines has have blessed with so many Southeast Asian immigrants and because of that we have a…read morehuge Asian food seen. Liam Anivat is one of the entrepreneurs and drivers of the Thai cuisine part of the Asian food boom. I remember his Thai food empire at "Thai flavors: on East 14th Street long ago. He is the major owner of "Cool Basil""Banana leaf", and "Thai Flavours" on Ingersoll. The "Cool Basil" location has killed many restaurants but somehow.they are not only surviving but thriving. Cool Basil is a very large restaurant that seems always busy, and it has to do with it's it serves delicious Thai food. It has great parking, great food and excellent staff. It can be a busy place so depending on the time of day lunch or dinner you may have to wait but they move poeple through quickly. The restaurant is clean and modern the food is still great. It has similar menu items to his other restaurants. On this particular day I had Red Curry chicken. Liam has figured out consistently of his food products at all his restaurants. I've had Red Curry at all his restaurants and it's steady, regular and uniformly good. I always like to support a locally owned business. Liam has developed quite a system and serves a large number of people at all his restaurants. I had my niece and husband from out of town and they both enjoyed it. I think all of his restaurants have some healthier menu including fresh vegetable dishes. I believe they all have vegan dishes as well. Of course the restaurant has pot stickers, basil stir fry, pad thai, and other traditional Thai restaurant dishes. There is lots of variety on the menu. It's also about expectations, everyone is under staffed, so I always appreciate the service staff who are working. Having said that, the service was fast and efficient . It's also about being realistic about the food. The food was served quick and hot. I would definitely check any of his places out. If you have out of town food guests who are Thai foodies they will definitely enjoy it.

A picture perfect salad full of zesty flavors that presented a bright symphony of green apples,…read moregrilled chicken with fresh herbs from Cool Basil on 86 in Clive hits the spot with their bold house vinaigrette. The wait staff-- Ma S. -- made sure each dish was to my liking. All the customers seemed to enjoy their meal that had exotic fresh well balanced flavors that enhanced the peaceful environment surrounded by a plethora of exotic aromas from the kitchen.