Viet Citron — Restaurant in Burlington

The WORST customer service. First, I'd like to share that I have been a long time customer since the very beginning. I believe in supporting local asian businesses. I've always been a fan of the quality of the food here even though my customer service experiences have always been mixed. I order takeout frequently and I've ordered trays on multiple occasions when hosting events. I have to say that tonight was an absolute disappoint and the worst customer service I have ever experienced at a restaurant.

I placed an online order tonight and received an email confirmation stating that it would be ready for pickup around 6:31. I showed up around 6:40 knowing that they normally run behind. I walked in and saw a bag sitting on the takeout table and asked if I could go look at it and check the name on it. The person said yes, and looked at it with me and asked if I was "Ruben" (the name on the bag) and I said no so I pushed the bag back in it's place. The person proceeded to scold me and told me that I had to check names on the bags before taking anything. Mind you, I never had any intention of picking up an order that did not belong to me. She asked for my name and I gave her my first name and she looked around and said that I didn't have an order and asked if I was sure I placed it. I replied yes since I have a confirmation. I then gave her my last name and she looked again and said it's not ready and mumbled that it's being packed. I thought ok, and then proceeded to stand aside to wait for my order. I figured also that since she now knew I was there then she would just let me know when my order was ready. Well....that's not what happened. I noticed that there was another customer who came in behind me and said that she placed her order at 6:42 so they may not have received her order yet. They apologized since it wasn't ready and said they would get it ready. Well, a few minutes longer they walked over to her with her takeout and presented her with a limeade as an apology for her waiting. I thought to myself that it was strange. During this time, I had noticed more bags on the takeout table but again, I figured that since they knew I was there that they would let me know when it was ready. Well, I walked over to check myself and low and behold, my bag was sitting there and no one had notified me. My bag had been sitting there ready for at least 10 minutes.

As I mentioned earlier, it's always been a mixed customer service experience but today was the absolute tipping point. I will NEVER patron Viet Citron again. It's a shame because I am a big advocate for local asian businesses, but this was truly the WORST...

TLTR: This place is ridiculously good. 100% recommend. Their banh mis are the best I’ve ever had.

For more detail, keep reading —

I came here after my friend ordered me one of their sandwiches. I had it cold — after it had been siting out for a couple of hours and I was mind-blown. 🤯 If it could taste that good when no longer fresh, what must they taste like freshly made??

So I put it on my list of places to visit and I went. (My mouth waters as I write this! 😆) I couldn’t believe my mouth! It’s really an experience! These are the best banh mis I’ve ever had, and top 3 of the best sandwiches I’ve had ever. (Others on that list, you ask? The Salmon Saigon Roll and Dungeness Crab Roll from Fish in Sausalito, CA — just across the Golden Gate, north of SF. These are my top 3 sandwiches, in no particular order. They can’t really compete against each other.)

Back to Viet Citron, I just can’t wrap my head around how they pack so much flavor into one sandwich. I think the only ones that may top them are sandwiches in Vietnam proper using the freshest ingredients from the land. Not that I’ve had the pleasure yet, lol 😂. But honestly, I can’t see Viet Citron’s banh mis easily topped.

Had the kimchi banh mi with sirloin and the regular banh mi with sirloin as well. Incredible. But would say that the kimchi doesn’t add anything to the sandwich. So I’d say skip it. If anything, it competes with all the other flavors happening in a mouthful. The only thing I’d change is that I’d ask ask for more cilantro and jalapeños in the sandwich. Otherwise, the bread is incredible. Very fresh. And they add a good amount of meat. Just the right amount of stuffing to bread. I don’t like bready sandwiches. So, I very much like how they serve theirs. Thin bread walls, juicy ingredients — but the baguette still holds its own. Precisely how I like it.

In addition, I tried their chicken skewers. Delish. 😋 And their Vietnamese coffee. My friend had their taro blended shake and said it was good and that it tasted as though they had used fresh taro purée.

Their pho looked incredible. Haven’t tried it yet — it’s on the list. But nearly every table while we were there was having pho. Mostly Asian ppl eating there too — which to me is a very good sign.

The turnover in the place was something else. There was a line all the while we were there, ppl waiting for tables and coming in for pickups. They’re a small spot, so be patient when you go.

Check them out! I can’t imagine you being...

🌟 Viet Citron Review 🌟 📍 Location: 47 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA 01803 (near Burlington Mall)

If you're craving authentic Vietnamese flavors, Viet Citron is a must-visit spot! While it leans toward a grab-and-go vibe, their food speaks volumes. Here's what we tried:

🥖Crispy Pork Belly Banh Mi (8/10) This was a solid take on a classic! The artisan Vietnamese baguette was perfection—crispy outside, fluffy inside. The combo of pickled veggies, jalapeños, cilantro, signature aioli, and garlic soy reduction hit all the right notes. The flavors were spot on, but the pork belly was a little too fatty for my taste (also they use a lot of fish sauce so if you arent into that either this may not be for you!). At $12, it’s a great deal for a satisfying sandwich!

🍜 Pho (10/10) The star of the show! Their pho is on another level—cooked for 48 hours, and you can taste every bit of effort in the broth. Rich, aromatic, and comforting, it comes with a side of fresh veggies and dipping sauce. Whether you’re new to pho or a seasoned fan, this is a must-try. A bowl will fill you up for the day, and at $18, it's worth every penny.

🥟 Spring Rolls (9/10) Crispy, golden perfection! These fried delights were light, flavorful, and impossible to go wrong with. A great appetizer to share or enjoy solo.

💬 Overall Thoughts Food: 9/10 Ambiance: 4/10 (Grab-and-go setup with limited seating, but functional!) Affordability: 8/10

If you're shopping at Burlington Mall, skip the food court and head here instead! A giant bowl of pho or a fresh banh mi will leave you satisfied without breaking the bank.

What's your go-to Vietnamese dish? 🍜 Pho? 🥖 Banh Mi? 🥟 Spring Rolls?...