Eighty-Three Vietnamese Cuisine — Restaurant in Champaign

My partner and I first went here just after they opened, last time was earlier this week. One neat thing about 83 is that their offerings skew more in a Southern/Saigon direction, while the rest of the Vietnamese places here tend more toward a Northern/Hanoi style. So you don't get a chance to "play with your food" when you order pho...but the broth is already perfectly spiced; Mama Lam 100% has her cooking down...her food needs pretty much NO "adjustments" for it to hit the spot. But while the pho (and everything else they serve) is pretty amazing, what 83 does with cha siu is beyond belief! Seriously...even if you've had little to no Vietnamese cuisine, 83's bahn mi with cha siu is...ahh...well, words fail, so just go GET ONE. You'll see what I mean! Love the super-casual, chill feel there, too...TVs playing retro programs ("The Wonder Years" and the wonderfully cheezy Dungeons & Dragons 80s cartoon were on tap when we were there last) and old-skool video games just add to the relaxed feel. And even though they have a limited menu, well, that's by design so that they can better concentrate on those specific items; in a way, that hearkens back to the "street food" scene in Vietnam, where specific vendors might only serve a handful of items...but those items are done to perfection. Same idea's in play at 83, with the expected results!

Just go. Seriously. My partner and I have been big on Vietnamese for quite some time, but 83 takes that to new levels. Now I feel like I need one of their banh mi RIGHT NOW after typing...

Where do I even start at? From the food, to the staff, to the nicest lady in the back whipping up some of Vietnamese food that takes me straight back home.

I came in to have dinner and was swiftly greeted by staff, I tried their recommended Pho with a huge beef rib, And their starter Spring Rolls with their house-made sauce.

The spring rolls came out beautifully and packed with shrimp, lettuce and pork. There was also a secret crunch in the middle that gave it the perfect balance. Paired with their house-made sauce, it completely leveled the whole dish. It was a great recommendation and I recommend you to try it as well.

Their Beef Rib Pho surprised me, Usually I tastes the broth and adjust accordingly; yeah no this broth didn’t need any adjustments. The broth was rich and very tasteful. The amount of garnishes was great and all of the veggies were sliced to perfection. That beef rib was so tender, It paired well with everything. Another great recommendation and I recommend it to you.

Did I mention the Hanoi Beer? You should definitely give it a try. I believe it is the only place in town who carries it.

To conclude, I definitely recommend you to try Eighty-Three. You can tell they take their time to curate their menu. Everything is labeled and explained, from starters to wine selection. It’s a tight but very well balanced menu. It’s one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the state and local area. Amazing food, Great Staff, and a cool...

83 Vietnamese is my favorite restaurant in town. The family who owns it is super personable and the food is sublime. It is the kind of place where the owners go out of their way to get to know (and remember) their customers, and the customers begin to recognize each other. It draws a diverse bunch of people, because it is the sort of food that (as cliché and corny as it sounds) warms you inside out, from your taste buds to your tummy.

The Pho is refreshing and robust; the Wonton Soup is perfectly umami; the Crab/Pork Tomato Soup is loaded with comforting, aromatic flavor; the steamed pork buns are unequivocally delightful; the egg rolls served with the traditional lettuce to wrap around, is undoubtedly a tasty treat; but my all-time favorite, one of the BEST things I have ever eaten, like EVER, is without question, the Chicken Curry Soup with noodles (which I also like to add wontons to). It can only be described as a rich, creamy, savory deliciousness. A glorious tasting experience which sticks to your ribs and camps out in your head, compelling you to come back, again and again. Truly… I joked with my friend today that all of the broth at 83 Vietnamese is like “drinking the nectar of the gods” and if you haven’t tried it yet, but have been thinking about trying it, today is the day. I promise it will make your...