MK NOODLE PHO — Restaurant in Lake View Township

Competing for your patronage on a street that demands attention - from loud flashy bars to flashing lights on medical buildings - it’s easy to walk by this small gem in Lakeview, BUT DONT!!

The cute sidewalk sign and store front art prepares the patron to enter into a modern eatery that is clean, fun, artsy, playful, and also a nod to the past and to heritage. Clear signage indicates for you to order at a kiosk that is big, bright, sanitary and easy to use! Also if you brought cash you will enjoy 10% off!!

After ordering, I walked further in to take in all the small details. I asked if I could take photos and the friendly lady who confirmed my order encouraged me and thanked me for asking. She proudly pointed out how most of the art on the walls were all done by her son. I asked how long she had been in business for, and she said “this location 3 years.” I grinned and knew I was not dealing with a newbie. “Yeah but how long overall, you seem seasoned to me haha!” She then laughed and explained how she’s been in this business for over 20 years!

She then said, “you are dining in right? Go sit, sit. Get comfortable!”

I sit down. Like a great hostess she cleans and rearranges the tables. They had been pushed together for a large party.

Ah! The Bahn Mi arrived! Perfectly portioned with a side of crispy delicious fries! I know know, the pictures will show a lack of jalapeños. I ordered it like that. Please don’t roast me (I obviously can’t handle the heat!) but I do of course dab some hot pepper sauce from one of the many condiments on the table. A little heat goes a long way in a Bahn mi.

The bread was crisp on the outside and soft and light on the inside. The pork was to die for. Everything about this Bahn mi made my entire day so much better!!! (I was only on this side of town going to urgent care for a medical scare this morning hah!)

I had to ask her if she baked this bread herself. She admitted no, but that there are only TWO bakeries in all of Chicago that make Bahn mi bread that is perfect. And she gets it from them!

What a meal! What a day! I will def be back because as I see, their pho is to die for as well so we will need to try that out later!!

FIVE STARS! FIVE MILLION STARS!! ALL...

Edit update to hair on my porkbelly: They refunded my money $20 then proceeded to chastise me for posting a photo that I threw it in the garbage. I asked her "what did she expect me to do with it? I was not going to eat it?" My photo of it being in the garage was posted as proof I didn't eat it. She stated she felt I was unprofessional and trying to ruin them. I told her I wasn't trying to do that but that my reviews are TRUTHFUL and I can't be bought. Her sandwich was flavorless and it had hair growing out of the meat. They are suppose to sear the skin which burns all the hair off. Proper food handling is something we entrust in restaurants. I personally will never eat there again. However, everyone AFTER me can rest assure they will be preparing pork the right way from here out. Pork is one food you really need to be sure the temperature and handing of it is handled correctly! As a side note this place is very busy and this may have been a one time oversight. The portions are very large and generous so give it a try but check your porkbelly! Also, its very unprofessional to chastise your clients for complaining when food isn't prepared properly! Hopefully you have a better experience than I did. Original Review:

My food has hair! It literally has skin and hair. I bought this sandwich and took a few bites thinking it tasted off. It was super bland and it was cold. I went to looked at what was in my sandwich because it tastes off and saw HAIR that is obvious pig skin and hair. I threw the food away. It was totally disappointing. The sandwich was cold and now I feel sick, my drink didn't have enough ice so it was warm and the fries were cold. I ordered in the store and waited 15 minutes for my food! It shouldn't be cold and it...

Tldr; Incredible. Absolutely delicious and the best pho I've had, ever.

A longer explanation: Be me, trotting around at the age of 19 very alone, very tired, very hungry, and discovering a hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant serving a dish called pho. That meal changed something in me, and I felt like I'd never again lose my way. But I did. I am now 23, and I find myself in Chicago, and I've been searching for a good bowl of pho and a sense of belonging since that moment. And I found it here, at MK Noodle. I drove almost 20 minutes north to find this little shop, paid for parking, enjoyed the beautiful artwork on their walls, picked up my pho kit and went home expecting to have an okay/good bowl of pho. In reality, I took a bite and instantly felt some smooshed part of my heart be healed. I forgot about all the difficulties I have with eating, and ate. I forgot about college and work and people and me, and just focused on creating the perfect bite over and over and over. A little bean sprout, some noodles, beef, cilantro, basil, and a drop or two of soy sauce. And I feel better. I feel better in every way. This is a place that has real heart and soul in their food. The toppings are literally given in a ziploc bag, and it couldn't feel more like a family environment. There's real love in this food. There's not one fake thing about it. The broth is delectable, the noodles are perfect, the beef is plentiful. This, I'm convinced, is the best bowl of pho in all of Chicago. And trust me, I've been looking. Also the taro root bubble tea is perfection. The staff are the kindest people alive. If you're on the fence, go. You won't be...