VinTea FOOD & DRINK — Restaurant in Chicago

We have been coming here since it was opened, had no idea why I haven't written a review for this place, probably because we usually devour the food once they come out, and this speaks alot. I don't think there was an authentic Vietnamese joint in river north, unless you count that over priced, mediocre place further north of here. When Vintea opened, we were skeptical just like it's new neighbor, but once we had there pho, we kept coming back. Like I always say, a good Pho must have a good soup base, not just a little bit of beef broth, MSG, five spice and a ton of salt, which is actually what some of the so called Vietnamese places do. The Pho here is not far from some of the best that I have had, the soup base is mouth watering, it is one of those soups that you can just keep drinking it even though your stomach is about to explode. The meats are tender, good amount, fresh veggies. The bun was also good, I like their fish sauce mix, balanced. The only thing I didn't like was how the shrimp rolls were pre-made and it is kept literally out in front for you to see in the cooler. That was the only down side for me but the rolls were ok. Lastly, the bubble tea, for us it was nothing to brag about, because the bubbles were way to soft. Small joint, cafeteria type but pretty nice 2nd floor booths. I wouldn't come here for a date but surely for a casual Vietnamese fix. I will try the fried...

Avoid!!! I'm sitting in the window eating my Pho Tai soup with very little beef. I have had this dish all over the world and love it very much and I'm very familiar with the way it should be. The bowl is beautiful, the broth is tasty the service is good, the presentation is great, however the amount of beef in this soup is nowhere near what it should be!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe the owners are cutting corners to save money. I think the beef was re-heated as it was not rare.

I was very much looking forward to this being the go to Vietnamese restaurant across the street from where I live. I received a very disappointing Four (4)very small bits of beef that were Not rare, floating on the surface. This does not do it for me!! This cost over $20.

I would expect an appropriate amount of rare beef in the soup. It didn't get close to what should be normally in this dish. I feel taken advantage of. I was going to complain but then I thought, you know this is how the owners presented it so I'm going to give them a review that is truthful.

I wish the experience would have been better since I live across the street and would come her at least once per week if the dish was like it should be

Oh well...... I will Continue to look for a good Pho restaurant in other parts of the city. ...

I want to say thank you for letting me try your food. PLEASE READ! Although I feel like this is premature to say because I tried like 3 other Pho spots previously to this. Anyway this spot has the best Pho noodles I ran into so far. The broth was slightly chicken/beefy and did not taste overwhelmingly full of spices such as fennel or coriander. The broth did not taste artificial or rich because beef and or chicken broth is not rich like bone broth or pork broth.

The meat slices were not cheap or substituted. I experienced in other Pho places substitutions of meat which they would not tell you that they substituted such. I remember seeing different types of beef meat in my pho at another spot and the waiters not telling me that they substituted it. This place does not do that and true to their menu. You dont need to add any sauces to their Pho unless you like the umami flavoring. They also have a sweet chili oil that would be good on chicken.

You know hard it was trying to find a Pho noodle restaurant that loved making their food. I can definitely tell they love what they are doing keep up...