Since we love Vietnamese fresh rolls, we ordered 2 of those (since a single order gives you only one roll for $2.25), and 2 Vegetarian rice vermicelli and tofu dishes - Bun.
The girl asked me if I wanted a full size of half size orders, and after showing me the ceramic serving bowls for size, I agreed to two full size orders. She asked me to repeat my order and then read it back to me. I stated back that it was correct, and I requested extra basil and cilantro on the Bun vermicelli dishes.
She entered it all in the computer, and I handed over my credit card for payment.
We gleefully parked our bikes, unleashed our furry babies to join us at the outdoor seating, and hungrily waited for our food.
After 15 minutes the girl who took the order brought out the fresh-rolls, but unfortunately we both noticed that they should have been named as Not-So-Fresh rolls!
After ordering hundreds of these in other Vietnamese restaurants through the US, we were rather surprised to see that they arrived noticeably loose and were held together by a Saran Wrap!
The lettuce was brownish and certainly not fresh, and when we tried to remove the stuck wrap from the poorly wrapped rolls, they just fell apart. ( Of note, fresh rolls, are rolled in presoaked rice paper, and are supposed to be tightly rolled, and are designed to be eaten as finger food, like egg rolls, and they are never wrapped in Saran Wrap to be held together).
Typically, my favorite part, is the traditional peanut hoisin sauce which was replaced with a mysterious goo which lacked the texture, consistency, flavor, or any crushed peanuts, & resembled a smooth gelatinous glue like texture, with faint peanut like flavor.
We were hungry and disappointed, but still hopeful and optimistic for our next dish.
However, that too fizzled in minutes after we saw our Bun dish which unlike what they showed us at the time of order, arrived in a half size (not a traditional full size as served at any other Vietnamese place, and was delivered in plastic plate rather the ceramic bowl that we noticed at the other tables.
We were puzzled to say the least, and immediately noticed the pile of raw tofu, which was cold, uncooked, and lacked any flavor - and as vegetarians we eat tofu regularly and certainly know how to prepare it. The vermicelli was undercooked, the dish did not come with the extra greens I requested, or the traditional Mung beans, and the fish sauce was the worst we've ever tasted!
To add insult to our injured expectations, and pallets, (or maybe it was a blessing), only one of orders came out.
When the girl noticed our surprised look, she stated that she was aware that we ordered two, but they made only one dish because she erroneously charged us for one! Then she proceeded to add that if we want the other one, we needed to go upfront and pay for the other.
After seeing what was in front of us, and her attitude, we decided to pass.
Another girl came out a minute later and said that she was the cook, and prepared this plate and already put the invisible greenery on the bottom. We tried to mention to her we were unhappy since the fresh rolls, were visibly stale, and the tofu is supposed to be cooked, and the size of the order was not what was shown to us at the window, and I didn't see any of the greens.
Angrily and with a visible attitude she hastily walked away from our table.
My husband took the first bite, and spat it out.
Our dogs were looking puzzled but with anticipation.
We carefully took the tofu off the top and gave it to them, astutely they turned their noses in the opposite direction.
We were disappointed, frustrated, and still hungry.
The cook, came back with a bottle of beer, handed it to my husband and said that she hopes it will make it better for him!
We decided to toss the food in the garbage and leave.
As we were leaving we turned to take a picture of the place. As the cook noticed our actions, she came running towards us trying to "discuss" the situation telling us that the establishment is owned by a "white" guy so it is his spin on Vietnamese food, and that it is not a restaurant but rather trail food!
Any suggestion I tried to make in order to improve any possible future experiences, or mitigate the damage, were a complete exercise in futility, and were met with a barrage of arguments and justifications, in order to stop me from writing a review.
My husband told her that it was by far the WORST Vietnamese food (or a version of one) we've ever had, but even worse was her rude and obnoxious attitude!
If "Trail Food" means, stale, uncooked, flavorless, sub-standard pile of ...ingredients thrown together hastily, in 50sf kitchen, in order to be wrapped in a Seran Wrap, because it falls apart, while charging premium for the convenience on the trail, my suggestion to you, is keep on riding, or otherwise you'll be having the runs for days!
My dogs knew better!!! read more