Green Bamboo Noodle House — Restaurant in Memphis

So let’s start with the good. The iced coffee was very good and nice and sweet. It was a nice drink for the early evening. The pho was decent and the stir fry with crispy noodles had a very tasty sauce. Overall the taste of the food was great. So here’s where the two star rating comes in. We were expecting a nice quiet dinner. Instead there was an old man rambling into a microphone and playing blues. At a Vietnamese restaurant. It might’ve been ok if he didn’t amplify his guitar and voice. In such a small space it was obnoxious. And weird. Just after we got our food the place got slammed with take away orders. I don’t think it was anything extraordinary for a Saturday evening but the serving staff got really overwhelmed really quick. So overwhelmed they forgot about the dining room. We waited a good while for our check but it was clear we’d have to go to the take away counter to get it. So I guess they remembered us as we were walking so we were told the check is on the way. This actually wouldn’t have been an issue but Old Man River was right behind us with his amplified memories of when bread was a nickel doing his best Randy Newman impression so we were over it pretty quick. Unfortunately we got a parting gift from the kitchen. We both got horrendous diarrhea. My husband had it worse so we’re thinking there was something up with the stir fry because he ate most of that dish and I only had a couple bites. So our date night away from the kid was obliterated. I honestly think the 2 star rating is generous but the iced coffee was really that good and the servers...

A SAD take on Bun Bo Hue. I was almost offended by it. I understand that Vietnamese food in the South isn't comparable to what you'll get in big cities, but don't put it on the menu if it doesn't even remotely have the aroma of BBH. They literally threw lemongrass and chili oil in a super bland pho broth and called it BBH.

When my server brought out the garnish, I was already thinking maybe I should just order something else. Where's the simple garnish that comes with BBH? Mint, cabbage and banana buds? They gave me garnish that came with pho. I asked for a side of anchovy paste, which is eaten with BBH, they didn't have it. It's like eating pho and they didn't have Sriracha or hoisin sauce!

My bowl came out, it didn't remotely smell like BBH. There was half an inch of flavorless red oil floating on top of my noodles. That oil should have an amazing aroma due to it being cooked in chili and spices. Nope, nothing. There was only two different meats, regular pork sausage cha lua, and super thin chewy brisket.

There was no cha hue pork sausage, pork blood and pork feet which comes in a traditional BBH. There was just way too much missing with the broth, meats and garnish that it's a shame to even call...

We (various friends and my family) have been going to this restaurant since it opened. The food and service has always been fantastic and consistent. My mom and I went there yesterday, for a little celebration, and it was the worst experience. There were multiple children, 10 and under, running around the restaurant screaming, yelling, and falling on the floors (from tripping over ill fitting shoes while running). The kids were constantly running back and forth from the kitchen area to the dining area (after falling on floors). I have worked in food and i know that that is a HUGE infection control and safety issue. Children were climbing in a loft area over the kitchen. When we asked who were the parents, we were told they were the owner's. We requested to speak with him, only to be told he would probably just be rude to us about anything we said. Then we were told the kids are in school during the day Monday through Friday and we could eat lunch in peace. Later when i got home (about an hour later), i got really sick and could hold NONE of the food down. There will definitely be a notification to the Health Dept....