All day long on Friday, my twitter, facebook, and gmail status read "Wants Vietnamese Food Now!" Without consultation, The BoyFriend suggested Pho Vinh Long in South Charleston, down from the Mound. Great minds think a like. We had yet to go to Pho Vinh Long and we were anxious to see what was going on down on D Street. We called our buddy, Kitchen Geeking, a local foodie, and the three of us embarked on a Vietnamese adventure.
This was not our first trip into the world of Vietnamese dining. All had experienced Vietnamese cooking and eating, and we were anxious to do a comparision to our previous encounters. However, expectations were kept to a minimum, so as not to jade the initial experience.
I must tell you...we were pleased. The menu is limited with the idea that they want to stick to what they do best; a great decision on their part. A family owned and run resteraunt that has grandma in the kitchen cooking up family recipes and grandchildren in the diningroom refilling your drinks can't go wrong if it is done correctly.
The Pho is great! I've had better spring rolls, but they weren't awful. I would order them again. The portions to money ratio is very pleasing to the customer. I believe that The BoyFriend and I ate for right around $25/tip included. The decor is mimimal, which to me is fine; I'm there for the food and company. The service is great. Smiles all around. (However, if you are a vegetarian, the offerings are limited.)
If you have never experienced Vietnamese food, go to Pho Vinh Long and give it a try. Don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for a recommendation. The people at PVL are courteous and helpful. Give it a try!
Check out Kitchen Geeking's post about our experience. There are even pretty pictures.
7 comments:
I just made myself hungry. Wantzzzz Pho!
I agree this place is pretty good. I thought the ingredients were very fresh. I am a bit more harsh of the spring roll than you: I would likely not order it again. But everything else was yummy.
The foodie buddy was slightly confused by menu organization and asked if one item was an appetizer. It consisted of broken rice (not crunchy, but texturally 'crunchier' than your average short grain) with shredded pork skin and bbq pork, and some awesome lightly pickled cauliflower, carrots and cabbage.
Waitress provided a vigorous head shake and 'no, it is not.'
The foodie buddy ordered it anyway AND a small (which is not small) Beef Ball Soup with Noodles anyway.
Beef Balls - flat, oblong shaped meat things with a texture akin to, to, to...well, not a ground meat meatball. More like a pressed meat shawarma.
Water to drink and those two NOT-appetizer items ran me about $16.
I definitely prefer a steamed spring roll to a fried one. THe best I've ever had are at this place in Witchita, KS. I know Kansas?! It's the truth.
I was glad the foodie buddy ordered the beef balls. I was curious as to what they looked like.
damn this limiting food lifestyle.
I've actually never had Vietnamese food, but I'm sure I'd love it. Is it anything like Thai?
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