Evie’s Vietnamese Kitchen — Restaurant in Menomonee Falls

My mom wanted to check this place out, so of course, mom gets what mom wants, lol. I'm always weary going to Vietnamese places around town because I always compare everything to my mom and grandma's Vietnamese home cooking. The last few times I took my mom to a new Vietnamese place - it ended up being absolutely disastrous, sooooo with that being said, I did not have my hopes up about this place. Let's start by saying the ambiance is.... strange. It's dark and the Vietnamese hat lanterns overlooking each table is sooo low, it kinda gets in the way. I would imagine it to be particularly awkward for a person a lot taller than me. (I'm 5'5) Also, the debris/dust from the lanterns flying around is off-putting when you've got food in front of you. We ordered the appetizer sampler with crab rangoon, fresh spring rolls and Hanoi dumplings. The crab rangoons were the best of all three choices. The spring rolls has a fried rolled wonton in the middle which I have never seen inside of a fresh spring roll before. To be honest, it was unnecessary and didn't do the rolls any justice. If it could be replaced with some basil and cilantro, their rolls would be so much better. I didn't care for either the peanut sauce or dumpling sauce. For entrees, we got the pho with beef and chicken, the bun bo hue and the bun thit nuong. The pho was the winner out of the three. I do wish that cilantro was provided on the side dish of accoutrements. The other two weren't horrible but just nothing to write home about. One thing I will point out is that the nuong in bun thit nuong means "grilled/charbroiled. 90% of the Vietnamese restaurants that I have had this dish at, does NOT grill/charbroil the pork, which is essentially misleading. I threw the pork in the airfryer once we got home, and it gave it a nice sear it so desperately needed. Service was alright. However, management should inform their staff not to present the check while guests are still eating. It gives the idea that the guest should hurry up and leave or make them feel unwelcome - which is a big no no in the restaurant industry. Also, I was not offered a high chair for my daughter, so I ended up getting one myself. When I picked it up and brought it to our table, my fingers were completely sticky from the chair, which was super gross. The highlight of the meal was the Vietnamese iced coffee - some of the best I've had, and trust me, I've had A LOT. Lol 🤤 I do wish this establishment the best of luck. I know that they're on the newer side and hope that they read reviews and take criticism from guests as a chance to improve instead of in a negative light. However, after our first experience here, I will probably not...

2 Stars because the food is always good every time we are there as a family. It would be 5 stars if the waiters/waitresses gave better service. Every time we are there - I feel like this particular waitress would think twice about waiting on us. I don't know why. It was only 3 of us, myself, husband and my daughter. No one would seat us until after a bit. I understand if it was busy and if my party was a large group, but most times when we are there - it is not very busy. Just last night - after a while, the gentleman decided to come take us to our table. We sat there for a good 15-20 minutes until we were waited on. I asked the other waitress who our server was and she told me it was her, but then she walked away to the next table and never came back and waited on us. So eventually the other waiter - the male waiter came and took our drink orders, and our food orders. I asked for waters, but only one water was brought over to us. We did order for other drinks too, but we always ask for water as well. Again, the food is always good - but every time we are there - the service is always the same. The same waitress never gives us good service. I did not tip this time. And we will go somewhere else. I hope that your establishment will re-train your staff to have better service. Even if you can't get to your customers right away - kindly let them know or acknowledge them. Tell them you will be with them in a moment. It's important to give good service when you work in...

Where to start.

Pho $15 (0 Star) - still way too sweet. I read other folks who said its perfect, NOPE! it should be on the savory side. Wife & I only ate the meat (only edible portion) + basil leaf and bean sprout, noodles felt like rubber. How sad that was. If you truly want good Pho, go to Phongsavan Market Place (near the DMV on Mills). Its the building on the left as you go into the parking lot in rear, kinda grimy but food there has never disappointed in the past decade.

Banh Mi $15.5 (2 Stars) - why is there so much sauce? Crispy bread, pork was tender but I couldn't tell you this was a Banh Mi due to the amount of sauce & odd choices for relish. Felt more of a salad in a bread bowl than a sandwich, was there even liver paste? A good Banh Mi place is in Hales Corner, Pho there is okay - their wait time suck tho.

Stir Fried Chicken: spicy $20 & non-spicy version $20, (1 Star for both) - Chicken was overcooked, felt like eating leather drenched with sauce. The accompanying veggies were okay. The additional $3.50 fried rice & $1.25 white rice was pathetic, such small portions.

Bun bo hue $18 (3 Stars) - Honestly it was the only thing edible, good amount of heat & meat portions; noodles again was rubber-like.

This was my second time eating here and I thought I give it a 2nd chance (first time was dine-in, this time was take-out). I wanted to love but...