Saigon Subs and Rolls — Restaurant in Cincinnati

A busy lunch crowd had this place running 100% on all points when I visited Jan 2nd, 2019 at 12PM. When I arrived the line was 10 people deep waiting for take out orders to be fulfilled. Every table as well as the lunch bar were full of downtown office workers out for lunch in groups of 2 or 4 or just 1. I was there with a co-worker who is normally not into exotic foods. She's a Midwestern girl raised on a steady diet of beef and potatoes and no adornments like salt and pepper. I on the other hand am a self professed foodie, adept in the use of chopsticks who is open to most everything... at least once. It is a testament to our friendship that I was able to convince her to go with me to Saigon Subs and Rolls. When we arrived we joined the queue waiting to order. We knew we wanted soup as it was the first day back after the holidays and it was cold outside so my friend ordered the Pho Chicken and I ordered the Pho Beef. Fortunately a table had become available so we quickly scurried over to claim it. As busy as this place is at lunch there was no surprise we had to clean the table ourselves with napkins from an adjacent table who's occupants were kind enough to let us have a few. After 10ish minutes and stories of our teenagers latest antics, our names were called amidst the noisy drone that is present in a place with high ceilings, hard surfaces everywhere, an open kitchen and conversations scattered about. We claimed our entrees at the counter and returned to the table to be treated to the most delicious pho I've ever had. Even my less adventurous, co-worker raved about how good hers was while she added chopsticks to the skills she wants to acquire this year. This place is fantastic. The energy. The quality of food. It's worth a...

One of my daughters' favorite pho places (Cilantro) closed recently, so we continue our quest for good pho. Having been to Vietnam numerous times, our bar is pretty high. So we kept our fingers crossed when we came across Saigon Subs and rolls.

The place is small, inviting and clean, located on the west side of 4th street downtown.

My daughter and I had the Chicken Pho and did enjoy it. It had everything you would come to hope for in good pho, including the veggie adds (cilantro, fresh mint, bean sprouts etc).

I wish I could give it a 5 star rating but the taste was not as good as I'd hoped. And it seemed a bit "oily" in the broth. I did make it better by adding some of the sides but it stilled lacked a bit. I will go back and try it again and add a bahn mi next time and will...

We come to this spot often for the quick friendly service and quality fresh ingredients. My regular go-to order is:

Chicken Banh Mi sandwich (which is amazing and 5/5 🌟)

Vietnamese coffee ( 5/5 🌟)

This day I decided to order new dishes:

Chicken rice plate - the chicken was prepared well and had great flavors. The vegetables were also crunchy and delicious. If the rice had been hot this dish would have been better. 5/5 🌟 - upgrading this as the rice was hot and it was even better the second time.

Matcha Boba tea - I have tried to like Boba and it's not for me

Fried spring rolls - these were delicious and prepared well. The sauce that accompanies these added to the tastiness. (4.5/5 🌟)

Saigon is a favorite and would...