Saigon Cafe Millburn — Restaurant in Millburn

I had been this restaurant for a few times recently. I always there had dinner alone, and I always tip them very well. Until tonight, I showed up again with my son for dinner. While we were waiting in line, the bistro offered us a small table for one or two at most, that was supposed to be taken by the front couple. Considering of more dishes we may need, we refused this offer like the front couple did. Finally, about 15 people finished dinner and left. Everyone in line can take seat now. We were on the end of the line. The boss and a middle age of 50-55 years old waitress greeted people in front of us leaving us mother & son alone. I saw a table just right in front me ready for serving . I asked the mid-age waitress if we could take this table (2 -4 persons)? She was very unfriendly responded “ NO “ , then she pointed the small table asking us to take. The small table was just the one we refused her while we were at the end of waiting line. So I and my son still stood there for no where to go. At that moment, only us were standing and waiting for waitress leading us to sit, while 2 tables were ready to take, one for 1-2 persons, another one for 2-4 persons. Then the boss walked toward around and ignore us until I called him and asked if we could sit the table in front of us. He just said “No”and left. Then I asked my son the sit and I sat too. After we sat down at the table. No one guest was waiting, we were the last guests sat at the table. Then the boss took my order. But they didn’t serve us water while everybody had on their table. We didn’t order any drinks. Such service was really making me embarrassed in public. I always tipped them at least 20% , sometimes 25% . This time I didn’t want to tip. Very embarrassing experience!

In conclusion:

1, the whole waiting line we were on had enough numbers of table for serving. But the boss and the mid - age waitress just greeted all guests in front of us and ignored us with 2 tables (one big & one small ) available idle.

2, Until all guests sat down, I just asked the mid-age waitress If we could sit the 2-4 persons table in front of us, and got denied. She didn’t apologize to us for ignoring us because she did in purpose. I know some south Asians discriminated Chinese for unknown reasons since the majority of color people, who are non eastern Asian, discriminated Chinese. People like following people, so Chinese got discriminated. That is all ! I just want to make comment here for those racists, you are stupid and IQ low because you paid price for discriminating Chinese guests. Guests = money! You are really stupid. We will never show up at your bistro anymore.

3, they didn’t served us water while every guest got water.

Base on the above reasons, if I gave them tip, that means I were stupid !

That is the reason why many Chinese chose realtors, car dealers, and any other workers making commission from customers, from two groups of Eastern Asian and White because they treat our Chinese friendly! We are willing the above groups making money from us. This is also called “treat them well in return.” My next car dealer will be eastern Asian or White again, I promise! Let you discriminate our Chinese....

We travel extensively & our hometown (Houston, TX) has extremely competitive vietnamese offerings in quality, flavor & price... this was our 1st Newark area vietnamese restaurant.

We were starved & I was craving some vietnamese food...

The front french doors that are being used as windows are quite confusing, the actual entrance is on the side inside the little red covered area toward the back. There was only 1 table of 2 ladies when we arrived.

They brought out the menus & 2 glasses of crushed ice water - water was very clean tasting & refreshing with a slight infused lime flavor. We asked for some recommendations as we perused the menu. Prices seemed a bit steep but could just be the area.

After ordering I washed my hands - the bathroom is kept clean & tidy.

Fried Spring Rolls (4) $6 - altho small in portion were quite excellent in flavor & quality, not at all greasy.

Pork Banh Mi $8 - slightly larger in portion than most vietnamese restaurants we've been too, quite good but a bit on the bland side - either the jalapenos were not spicy at all or they were missing, didn't quite taste like a french baguette - seemed overly fluffy & lacking the thick crust, pork marinade/bbq was somewhat muted & the mayo took me by surprise.

Pho Special (requested minus the tripe) $15 = Eye round beef, brisket, tendon, and meatballs - my fav is tendon & my spouse loves everything else... they were super awesome & pre-split the pho into 2 bowls for us, we mentioned during ordering we were sharing everything - happy to say they don't skimp on the portion size 👍 - I'm quite particular about broths & it was quite good, on the light side with light-medium aromatics, not too greasy. After a tasting I added the sauces & condiments. The eye round, brisket & tendon were of good quality, I can't comment on the meatballs bec I gave all of them to my spouse 😊 who happily took it all down without complaint. The jalapeno I tried from my soup was not spicy at all tasted more like a bell pepper lol.

It got suddenly super packed toward the end of our meal (all tables filled up & more folks in the front bar area) so we had to flag some1 down to refill our empty waters then later to order a taro smoothie boba $6. I wasn't a fan of their "taro" flavor/version but my spouse liked it since it strangely tasted like a light birthday cake lol

All in all very good, recommended! We don't frequent the area very often but would come again to try some diff items we didn't get to try our first time like the Summer Rolls, Cafe Sua Da, Wonton or Dumpling Egg Noodle Soup,...

I was looking for another Pho place but this one also came up. Reviews were good and I decided to go there.

I am a die hard fan of Pho.

Street and metered parking 2 hour limit. Only outdoor seating now with adequate heaters. Their take out was doing brisk business. It was 5:40 pm e s t.

No nonsense but respectful lady took my order. I ordered Beef Pho. She offered tea, unlike many places, here tea came in a tall cup, nice fragrant but warm. I asked for hot cup, it was presented instantly. It’s Southern Vietnam cuisine, as the name is also. Pho came, steaming hot, nice and fragrant and the best soup spoon I ever have been given. See pic.

Fantastic taste. Since it was so hot, beef had become little hard and chewy, i have had far better beef and the cut was done by scissors so the clean strip cuts looked like fake meet, looked like, not actually fake. I found the quantity a little less, both noodle and meat. Nevertheless, very nice seasoning, great broth. Will give my best rating to broth. It is really good.

Price is on the higher side. Well it is COVID. I will revisit with my friend and partner in crime for our best Pho places quest and repost the second experience with our combined feedback. Stay tuned.

ANOTHER VISIT ON FEB 25 2022 Came in with my friend and it was once again a pleasant experience and assessed that their Pho is definitely one of the best we have experienced so far. It is not as salty as many other places tend to be. The indoor seating is open and it is upgraded. Place was packed and patrons were waiting in que. It was about 6:30 PM. Their take out counter was also very busy. Had Fresh Summer role with shrimp, Grilled Meat Pao with Pork and my favorite Beef Pho. Their tea has a flowery smell and taste, must have. Needless to say, all three selections were great, love the Pho and Pao was distinctly Pork flavor. The peanut sauce was perfect for Summer role. Quite understandably they want to cycle the patrons quicker, felt little bit rushed but it was polite and all was good. Our meal for two was about $48 and change, slightly north of our usual places, and justified with the quality of food and service and the ambiance. Strongly recommend this place, I would be a regular for a long long...