Ming's Cafe — Restaurant in Carbondale

I first discovered Ming's in February of 2019 when I was getting ready to move to the Valley and was staying with a friend in Carbondale while interviewing for my big move across the country. We shared some sushi the first time, and then the second time I had the Pho, which was AMAZING! I'm all for flavor and heat, and it had just the perfect balance of both. Plus, it was so light and healthy. The beef was lean, the rice noodles were fresh and the basil, onion, chili sauce, bone broth, and vegetables (bean sprouts, corn, pea pods, etc) all crisp and delish! The sliced jalapeños gave it just the right amount of KaPow without any pain. Post COVID, Ming's moved to an anchor position in the new City Market complex across Hwy 133. What an AWESOME new location! They expanded inside and out and have ample outdoor dining, a casual but elegant bar area indoors, and then more formal seating in the back room. Katie Lowry, one of the bartenders (and my personal favorite,) made the first impression when I walked in by myself and sat down at the bar. She is so bubbly, warm, professional and adorable! She also is a VERY good mixologist. She made me her own variation of a "special" bloody mary and was constantly on her game taking my order in a timely fashion and engaging me, as I was by myself. When I've gone back with friends, she and the ENTIRE STAFF are always so attentive and friendly and the sushi chefs are TOP NOTCH! The establishment is clean and that yellowtail sashimi is "like buttah!" The vibe is very local with a spattering of tourists it seems, coming in from hiking Mushroom Rock or mountain biking nearby at Prince Creek. It's also a great location to hit up on your way to or back from the Penny hot springs, Glenwood, Redstone or Marble. It makes for a quiet and low-key business luncheon too! When I contracted COVID a 2nd time (eye-roll,) I had friends (on multiple occasions while in quarantine,) bring me the Pho as part of my recovery program. Since I live on the Aspen border and they all are mid or down valley, I would bribe them by offering to buy them something to eat too! Sometimes I order it with shrimp, other times chicken and they also have tofu, pork and simply fresh vegetables. I love Ming's for brunch, for lunch or dinner. I've never been there late night, but I imagine with the kind and engaging staff and diversity of clientele, it can get quite lively! Now's the time to go and dine under the shade of the umbrellas on the patio! I highly recommend Ming's for Asian fusion, light, refreshing libations, hearty or light and healthy cuisine at reasonable prices and with a very hospitable staff! Thank you to you all who always make my little trips down valley that much...

Sashimi yellowtail ponzu prepared perfectly, a deliciously flavored Hot & Sour soup with impeccable consistency with just the right amount of tang, amazingly elevated Pad Thai and I cannot recommend the House Lo Mein enough, seriously, get it.

The combo is filled with succulent shrimp cooked impeccably, tinder chicken, yummy veggies. They must be cooking them individually it seems because the cook time for each is different, yet each is cooked perfectly. In short: it's delicious!

The noodles are even soaked with flavor! Every slirp was a flavor explosion.

They have really fun drinks as well to check out and their house hot saki is a smooth and pairs perfect with a Kirin lite.

I'm not in this area often, but it is definitely worth the drive, even as a focal point of your trip. If you go with friends, all their apps are great, and while those alone would be a enough food, the actual dishes are very large and also easily sharable. Ask for a few small plates to share.

Lastly, the team there is really professional and genuinely kind. Our waiter, appologies for not getting his name, was polite, attentive and very educated with their dishes which is a HUGE sign that the owners care about quality and ambiance.

As a world traveler, I have to say, this place is definitely...

came in mid afternoon just before 3, restaurant was completely empty with not another single patron besides myself, began to set up my laptop to chat & play games with family back home as I'm traveling from Idaho, was immediately told not to play games as 'its a restaurant, not a gaming place'. I hadn't anticipated this being an issue, as forementioned, the restaurant was completely empty, so it came across as unusually inhospitable all things considered.. I figured a paying customer set up well out of the way, with an empty restaurant, would be no issue what so ever but apparently not. This only being my second time in, if I go back, I'll be getting my food to go. Had no issue originally, set up & wasn't asked not to play games, so it seemed casual on my first visit, but perhaps...