Two days ago I dined here after doing some grocery shopping at the DeKalb farmers market in North Decatur. Before that, it was at least a year before I ate here, so I decided to come back and try something different. I have been here probably about 5 times in the past with friends and family and always have been a fan of their milk teas.
[Parking]
Saigon Café is located in the North Decatur shopping centre and has plenty of regular parking and handicap parking spaces, it is right between Camera Doctor and Choco Late Coffee.
[Inside]
The interior is very nice, the theme is warm bamboo and wood grain, with a few bamboo baskets hanging off the wall and they have an artificial palm tree displaced inside with coconuts hanging off of it. Outside they have a cute little patio which sits three couples.
[Prices]
The prices are reasonable. Appetizers prices average from 3.25 to 3.95, with two being slightly more at 4.25 and 5.25. Soaps average 6.95. Stir fries, noodle salads and combo plates average under 10 and pho is 6.95 for small, 7.95 for medium, 9.95 for x-large and pho Togo is 8.95, large?
[Food]
During this visit I had their Tom kha kai, which is Thailand cuisine, not Vietnamese, but I decided to try it anyway as this place is a fusion of both Vietnamese and Thai. Their Tom kha kai here is fairly decent, but it did not taste as authentic as it should, so for Tom kha kai one might want to stick with a strictly Thai restaurant, however if you are not too picky, most cannot taste the difference. I visit a local Thai restaurant that is family owned and their Tom Kai is amazing, so maybe I am just too accustom to that version instead of the one here. For my entree I had their broccoli and chicken stir fry with carrots, mushrooms and baby corn. The serving size was plentiful and it was very good, just the gravy was a tad bit too salty.
[Drink]
This visit I really wanted to have a milk tea, but they were out, so I had their black tea with lychee. To be completely honest, it was extremely sweat and I ended up only drinking half of it. It seemed like whoever made it might have just poured half of the can of lychee's that come canned in heavy sugar syrup into the cup, as it was way too sweet. If they do not have the regular milk tea with tapioca, don't get lychee jelly. Luckily with the Yelp app they offer a free drink.
[Service]
My server was friendly and did a great job, just wish he did not assume that I did not want chop sticks as he only provided me with regular silverware, so I had to ask for chop sticks, after all I am part Azn (Eurasian).
[Conclusion]
If you are a student at Emory or live nearby, they have a lot of great options to offer for guests. Would I drive 30 minutes to eat here? No, but if in the neighbor, definitely stop by at least once. The place is clean, service is good and the food is worth trying.
[Review #222] read more