Vietnamese Cuisine — Restaurant in Fairhope

We went during lunch so the menu was limited but the selection was still wide enough to encompass almost every grouping. We had 3 appetizers (pork egg rolls, shrimp spring rolls, and fried wonton) and all were spot on... The fried items were hot and crisp and not a drop of grease and the fresh vegetables in the spring rolls were crisp, cool, and the peanut sauce spectacular.

We then shared a Pork Bahn MI. The bread was crispy on the outside and wonderfully fluffy and soft on the side. It was just warm but not hot exactly where it needed to be for maximum flavor. It had the right balance of sweet, spicy, salty, and umami...

For 'dessert' we both had Pho. The broth had that deep flavor and richness that we expected. The meats were placed in perfectly rare and cooked quickly to the right temperature and texture. Beautiful seasoning though I added some hot sauce since I do enjoy it more spicy than most. And the side plate was fresh and fragrant to complement the luscious noodles.

All in all the food was at the top of the game. And while the staffing was a bit chaotic due to the just barely open, they were pleasant, helpful, and attentive regardless. And all that food (we were stuffed) was just over $50...

This is a keeper.. I almost don't want to tell anyone since it is small and I don't want to not be able to get a table lol. We will be...

Now, I don’t pretend to know everything about Vietnamese food, but I do know when a bowl of pho makes you want to sit back, loosen your belt a notch, and thank the good Lord you showed up hungry. That’s exactly what happened to me over at Vietnamese Cuisine in Fairhope.

I ordered the pho dac biet, which for those not fluent in soup, is basically the Cadillac of pho: brisket, steak, flank, meatballs, and, in traditional places, some adventurous bits like tendon and tripe. Now, they didn’t have the tendon and tripe, and while part of me felt like I was missing out on earning some sort of culinary merit badge, I have to say — the brisket, steak, flank, and meatballs were so good, I didn’t miss ’em for long.

The broth is where a lesser pho falls apart, but not here. Lord, that broth was something else — rich and deep with that unmistakable bone marrow goodness, and just enough star anise and cinnamon to remind you that somebody’s grandmother had been whispering secrets into the stock pot. It had the kind of flavor that settles into your bones and makes you feel a little bit smarter just for ordering it.

Fairhope might be a long way from Saigon, but if you’re in town and need something that’ll stick to your ribs in the best possible way, Vietnamese Cuisine ought to be your first stop. Maybe your second too, if...

I was really excited to finally find a place for Pho nearby—and the food was actually pretty good. Unfortunately, the service completely ruined the experience. The blonde girl at the counter was cold and dismissive toward us, despite being warm and friendly to other guests.

I opted to pay cash so I didn’t pay the credit card fee and she was so offended by it. I personally put the credit card fee in the price of my products, it’s a personal choice. Alabama it’s normal I see for people to charge. I had no issue with it at all. I was really nice about it. She doesn’t make the rules so to get offended by your employers rules is absurd.

When she brought our bowls, she asked if she could get us anything else, and I asked politely for extra jalapeños and basil—she never brought them. She avoided eye contact the rest of the time and didn’t acknowledge us at all when we got up to leave. Meanwhile, she was chatty and kind with what looked like regulars.

I’ve never met this person before, so I’m not sure what the issue was, but it made us feel incredibly unwelcome. We just moved here and were hoping to find a spot we could return to regularly. Sadly, we won’t be back. I even left a tip at the counter and instantly regretted it. One of the most unprofessional experiences...