Thịnh An Kitchen & Tofu — Restaurant in Citrus Park

I went here yesterday at a friend's suggestion. I was slightly put off by the family style seating but that's only because I'm slightly anti social and neurotic. Once my fears of having conversation with strangers was put to rest by seating us by a couple who could care less about us, I felt much better.

I ordered the seafood rice noodle soup, and shrimp egg rolls and a tofu banh mi sandwich to go, for my husband. The pho was pretty good. A little on the sweet side but once I added lime and hot chili paste to it, it was perfect. The fish cakes in the soup were shaped like little fried pieces of tofu. I was unfamiliar with this type but they were delicious.

The shrimp egg rolls were good but they had pork in them which wasn't specified, so if you don't eat pork make sure you ask before you order. The dipping sauce could have had a bit more fish sauce in it.

The tofu banh mi was super good. The best tofu banh mi we've had, actually. So I definitely recommend that. The tofu was perfectly seasoned and had so much flavor. Even if you're not a vegetarian it was just a damn good sandwich.

What I absolutely LOVED was that they had a bakery/deli section in the back with so many delicious savory and sweet and options. Even homemade condiments and pickles. Everything from homemade Vietnamese mayo and sausages to dumplings and pre made meals to steamed cakes and homemade candies.

That is extremely exciting for me.

Obviously pork is a main ingredient in a lot of this food, so again, if pork is not in your diet you may want to just ask before you order or buy anything.

Still, lots of great pescitatrian and vegetarian options. And the food is cheap!

I ended up getting an EMBARRASSINGLY large amount of food while I was there and it cost me less that when I go out to eat on a date with my hudband:

Seafood pho Shrimp egg roll appetizer (both eaten there) then the to-go items: Tofu banh mi Savory steamed dumpling in banana leaf Banana cake Coconut cake Shrimp rice cake and dipping sauce Glutinous rice dumpling with savory mung bean filling and dipping sauce (this ended up having pork in it btw)

This all cost me $32 and change..... Holy crap. That is 8....I repeat, 8 delicious food items for...

Enjoyable and Comfortable Brunch at Thinh An Kitchen & Tofu

Hello everyone, it's Stephen, your trusted reviewer. I recently had the pleasure of dining at this Vietnamese restaurant last Thursday, which is well-known for its variety of signature dishes in the Tampa area. Let me share my experience with you!

Food & Beverage: ⭐️ 5/5

One standout dish I tried was the "Vietnamese Steamed Ground Pork Rice Roll," also known as Bánh Cuốn Nhân Thịt và Chả. The softness of the rice roll combined with the flavorful minced pork made it easy to bite into. Based on my experience, I highly recommend pouring the entire fish sauce over the rice roll. The fish sauce perfectly complements the dish, enhancing its juiciness and bringing out the best flavors. It was a truly delightful experience!

I also indulged in some traditional Vietnamese-style snacks from the food stations, and they were exceptional. They reminded me of the authentic flavors I enjoyed back in Vietnam. The crunchy texture of the Jelly Ear was a particular highlight. Personally, I would have loved to have more of it in the rice roll to further enhance the overall experience.

Iced Milk Coffee, also known as "Cà Phê Sữa Đá," was another highlight. I appreciated the smooth texture and balanced sweetness. Unlike other restaurants, this milk coffee was not overly sweet. Its more watery consistency allowed for a smoother drinking experience, rather than the heaviness of condensed milk. It was truly amazing!

Service: ⭐️ 4/5

Upon entering, I was promptly escorted to a comfortable table where I could relax on the couch. The staff was attentive and considerate, asking if I wanted to place an immediate order or simply enjoy a drink first. They were welcoming and responded kindly to my requests. Thank you for the excellent service!

Atmosphere: ⭐️ 4/5

Thinh An Kitchen & Tofu boasts a vibrant atmosphere that is both created by the enthusiastic staff and the lively customers. Some choose to dine in and enjoy the cozy seating, while others prefer exploring the various food stations offering a range of snacks, frozen pre-cooked food, and delightful bakery items.

If you're in the area, I highly recommend paying...

Located on the western side of Tampa Bay, Thinh An does present a bit of a commute, especially if you're coming from central Tampa (probably the easiest way to get here is by Veterans Expressway-589 if you don't mind the tolls). However, their wide selection of menu items as well as locally made goods make the trip worth it.

If you've ever had Vietnamese at the throwback Pho Bang up in New York City, Thinh An will definitely bring back the nostalgia of inner city dining with the brightly lit menu items that contrasts with a dimly lit dining area. There appeared to be ample amount of seating area, both in the main indoor area, as well as an extended glass-windowed patio that provides additional seating. It felt a bit as if you entering another world as you walk into Thinh An with their ambiance.

The restaurant was already open by 10 am (according to Google Maps, they open around 9) which was very convenient for us as we were looking for an early meal.

There were almost countless items on their menu which offered a great variety and distinction from the normal pho noodle bowls, showcasing Vietnamese cuisine. Looking to try something different than our usuals, we ended up ordering the Banh Xeo and Banh Hoi. When the plates arrived, we were surprised by how enormous they were - there was more than enough food for one person. It was refreshing to see the amount of fresh greens that accompanied these plates. The dishes had good flavor and did their job at satiating our Vietnamese food cravings.

After consuming our meals, we walked over to their "market" area where they had locally baked and made goods - from sweet deserts to savory appetizers. We ended up scooping up some premade Chè Ba Màu and a quart of tofu pudding with ginger to go. Definitely a neat market if you want something quick, fresh, and delicious.

I would definitely recommend Thinh An for families or those with out of town guests...