Madame Saigon (Midtown) — Restaurant in Toronto

I come here on average 1–2 times per week. I normally get a small pho soup. The last time I came, it was busy. I waited about 5–10 minutes trying to get someone’s attention to notice I was done and pay my bill, but eventually I got up and paid myself. I was a little annoyed because it was during my lunch break, so I didn’t tip the usual 18%.

Fast forward to today—when I arrived, they seated me as usual, but I noticed the regular staff say something, glance at me, and chuckle behind the black curtain near the cash register. It made me feel a bit off. Anyway, I got my food, it wasn’t busy, I ate, and when I was done, I pushed my bowl to the center of the table to signal I was finished.

After about 5–7 minutes, someone finally came and took my bowl, but I started getting impatient again, so I began videoing my experience on Snapchat. Normally, they would ask if I want the bill when they take my bowl, or I would ask for it before I’m done eating since I only get an hour break.

This time, I had a bit more time, so I decided to wait and test my theory. Based on the vibe when I arrived—especially that chuckle—I felt like it might’ve been a microaggression tied to my last visit, plus I’m black. Today, it felt like they were being petty and purposely ignoring me, expecting me to get up and pay again.

So I waited an extra 15 minutes, and still, no one asked if I wanted the bill or anything else. They took my food and left me sitting there. Eventually, I got up and told the woman at the cash, “I guess since there’s no bill, the food is free.” She laughed, so I walked out.

Later, I called from work to speak to the manager. She claimed it’s not their standard practice to ask if someone wants the bill—even after 15-20 minutes of finishing their meal and not offering any further services. I told her that I come here weekly, and in the past, staff always asked if I wanted the bill.

I honestly feel this treatment was because I’m Black and because the last time I came, I didn’t tip due to lack of service.

I won’t be coming back. I even stopped by after work to try and speak with the manager in person, but she had already left. I’m writing this review because if you’re Black and go here, be prepared to be treated...

After a careful reading of these reviews, I decided to order from here via Skip the Dishes this evening. I was very disappointed.

I ordered A2. Crispy Vegetarian Spring Rolls (Chả Giò Chay) and B6.Stir Fried Beef and Onions on Vermicelli (Bún bò xào củ hành).

I did receive six crispy spring rolls. Unfortunately, the spring rolls had no evidence of containing cabbage, mushrooms or glass noodles as the inside was complete mush. In addition, despite the menu listing the item as being served with fish sauce dip and me ordering extra, I was served only sweet chili goop for dipping. I suppose that could be their fish sauce dip, but I think people are expecting the tart, garlicky fish sauce with the consistency of water, not HFCS with a few chili flakes. I have had better vegetable spring rolls from the freezer section of a grocery store. And I'm not talking a fancy brand - I mean the discount store brand.

As for the bún. I received a dish of beef (that had so clearly been tenderized with a surfeit of baking soda) stir fried with onions, carrots, celery, green peppers, and a gloopy sauce that I imagine is made of cornstarch and soy, on a bed of overcooked vermicelli noodles. Yes, there were small bits of lettuce, cucumber, and two bean sprouts, but no peanuts, and again no fish sauce. Now if that's what you like, cool! It was like a bad version of beef with broccoli (without broccoli) on vermicelli. Not like bún I have eaten.

It is possible that the spring rolls could have been saved by the inclusion of fish sauce. Unfortunately, the beef dish was not at all as described on the menu (or indeed its Vietnamese name), and was also poorly made. No amount of fish sauce dressing could save the mushy, gloopy noodles or overly tenderized beef. (Also, the knife cuts on the vegetables were extremely inconsistent. Some of the vegetables were practically raw but obviously cooked.)

I'm honestly confused about the beef dish because how bad it was is inconsistent with the reviews that I read. Then again, the veggie spring rolls were also quite bad.

If you go, don't...

I went to your restaurant today for dinner, and it was my first time there. To be honest, it was a really bad experience, and I have never encountered something like this before.

I ordered a bowl of Vermicelli, which is item “B5” on the menu. And what I got was exactly what I ordered but the vermicelli was NOT throughly cooked. It was like chewing a tire; very disgusting. I wouldn’t expect a restaurant with a 4+ star review would serve this poor quality of food to their customers.

I brought the bowl of vermicelli to one of the waitress at the back myself and let her know that the vermicelli was not cooked properly, and kindly asked her if she could cook the vermicelli a bit more well done. She came back with the same bowl of vermeil with a bad attitude and the food was still raw! When she brought the dish to the table she told me she would make another one if the food was not hot enough but i specifically told her the food is not fully cooked. All i want is for her ti go back to the kitchen, cook it well enough for basic human consumption so i can continue with my dinner. which was NOT what I asked her to do. I ONLY ASKED FOR THE WELL DONE VERMICELLI, SO I COULD CONTINUE TO HAVE MY DINNER!

She never apologized for this incident and she didn’t make any effort to make the situation better. I paid for this food and service and all i got was barely edible food and disrespectful service. I will make sure me to let my friends and associates know to avoid this restaurant at all costs.Never heard a sorry from anyone in the restaurant! The server didn’t even care how was the food after she brought it to the table again.

I AM PAYING FOR THE FOOD, I AM NOT ASKING FOR IT. AT LEAST I DESERVE A...