TRAN Cantine Vietnamienne — Restaurant in Montreal

Damn....

THE BEST BANH MI I'VE EVER TASTED (grilled pork flavor only). Wow. And I've eaten thousands I'm sure. It was my first time at this resto and I asked the very helpful staff what were their top two best dishes. He stressed the grilled pork banh mi and mixed beef pho. I was happy to take his advice. Also I did indoor dining rather than take out/delivery to ensure I get the food (and its textures) in the best state possible.

First off, the amazing news. The grilled pork banh mi was mindblowing (10/10!!). The higher than average price ($15.00) was more than warranted. I've never tasted a banh mi more savory! Of course the regular staples are there: pickled veggies, cucumber, cilantro, mayo, maggi-ish sauce. It's the pork itself that's an absolute standout. (Can't wait to try the grilled chicken and beef from this place) PERFECTLY charred meat with perfect seasoning. It wasn't overly salty, thank god, but mouthwatering to the point that I can easily say I can eat one of these a day and never get bored. We shall see....

The pho, on the other hand, was slightly above average (7.1/10). The broth was tasty but lacking in personality. I forget how it tastes now other than it was "good but not great."

I will provide additional updates with much more experience in the coming months. Can't wait!

UPDATE: I went back the following day to get the Grilled Beef Banh Mi (7.0/10) Gotta say, although quite tasty, is a relative disappointment to the pork version. The beef is cut too thick and you really don't get the crispy char texture you get with the pork, which is much thinner sliced with much much better texture. Tomorrow, I shall try the...

Update: I did address it right after it happened and I hope the young lady has learned her lesson in respecting customers and not acting in the way that she did as I am a nice person but someone else might actually assault her back. So she better start to think that just because she works or owns the place that she can do whatever she wants. Some people do not take these things lightly and as kindly as I had addressed it. My family ans I won't be returning here and will happily travel to cote de nieges for our Pho fixes even if we reside within a 200m radius and Pho fanatics.

1* after I won't be returning after being hit twice very hard with the door by the young lady working there. I loved the place but after today it really put me off. Always had good experiences there but today was just too much and being sarcastic about it was absolutely the tipping point. The stars are honest reviews of the food and place just character wise I feel the little woman should be more mindful of how she treats people, especially Inidgenous people where we've had enough abuses and discrimination. I don't return to places where I have been purposefully inappropriately hit as I am respectful and kind to everyone. I left my food and just finished the broth. It really was a really upsetting experience after losing someone tragically that you worked with, especially and wanting to have a soup in peace to help heal the mind,...

I was ordering food at the restaurant. When paying for my order, as I was tapping my card to pay, the cashier told me that they don't accept AMEX but the transaction went through. It appears that they do accept it but they lied in order to make me pay by other means. This was followed by the girl behind the counter in a rude manner telling me quote "next time I tell you we don't accept AMEX you dont pay with AMEX". Don't worry, there will not be a next time.

If you don't take AMEX because you think the fee is high, then you should know that (I looked this up) my Visa card has a higher fee for your business than my AMEX. But I understand that it is convenient to have someone to blame for transaction charges that everyone else has.

As a customer, I also pay fees to come to your business but you don't hear me complaining about the fact that I am paying $15 plus tax (the tax by the way is 10x what credit card fees charge) for a piece of bread with a bit of chicken in it and a 300% markup on soft drinks. Not to mention the gas I paid to fill up my overpriced car to drive on the wartorn roads of Montreal to get to your incoveniently placed restaurant. If I am ok with paying $20 for a piece of bread, then it is probably best for you to not berate for paying you by the means that I prefer even if it costs you an...