Vinh-Long — Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson

You know when you're on a road trip and you happen to drop by a wonderful Vietnamese restaurant in an unfamiliar city that just fulfills your craving for a delicious, hot bowl of Pho? Well, this is NOT that place. Actually, my experience was the exact opposite.

It was roughly 5 PM when we entered the restaurant. Right of the bat, momentarily after we placed an order for three large bowls of the Pho Special (Pho Dat Biet ), our waitress informed us that they ran out of greens and herbs and gave us small plates of frozen and bruised bean sprouts along with very bruised basil leaves. Imagine if you were given the leftovers herbs that noone wanted at a supermarket. Yeah, these were ones we were served. We had a feeling that because they didn't care how their herbs were presented, they probably didn't care to serve good food. Sadly, we were right.

Our wait was longer than usual in a restaurant that wasn't busy at all, there was one other table ordering besides us. Perhaps, the long wait coincides with why everything in our bowls were overcooked! The rice noodles, the tendons, the tripes, the beef balls were all overcooked and floating in a watery-tasted bowl of broth. Usually, a good broth-base does not require any additional sauce to enhance the flavor, maybe a light dab of hoisen sauce and Sriracha for traditional values. However, because it tasted nearly identical to the water drink I was serve, I had to douse my bowl with many squirts of hoisen sauce, Sriracha, fish sauce, salt, black pepper, and two slices of lime to create an edible flavor.

The high ratings and reviews attracted me to this restaurant, but the food did not stand up to the raving reviews it received. I'm not sure what Nashville's tastebud for Pho is like, but if this is what the locals are raving about, then I think you guys are missing out big time!! This was my worst bowl...

It is my belief that this is the best Vietnamese soul food in middle TN and probably the best pho I’ve ever tried. I know that’s a bold statement but I’ve tried it in a lot of places, including Vietnam and Vinh Long’s pho is the best it’s down. It’s what I use to set the standard and compare everything else to. The smell hits you as soon as you walk in and teases your senses until you finally see it arrive at your table. The staff treats you like your family and are so welcoming! Taste it immediately and savor the long awaited flavors that quench your hunger. It tastes just as good as it smells. Dress it up if you like with some fresh herbs and you’re good to go. I hope you order a large because your eyes will be bigger than your stomach and you will leave ready for a nap. Also the beef stew or Bo kho is phenomenal and will warm you up for sure. Very beefy, rich, and spicy with flavor that packs a punch. Ask for a side of bread to dip in the broth, or get it with noodles, or both! If soup is not for you today then try the pork chop plate with rice. It’s another home run hit by Vinh Long. Comes with a lot of food that will take you on a trip around the culture. I haven’t had anything bad to eat from here so I suggest you go out on a limb and try something new. You won’t be disappointed. Finish off with a cafe su da or Vietnamese iced coffee. You’ll need it after this, trust me. Also and probably most importantly, this place is cash only so make sure and plan for that. Prove...

I had this meal ordered as a To-Go so don't have pics. I was really looking forward to a great meal reading the reviews but was sorely disappointed. I had ordered a pint of Pho Broth, Shrimp shumai and the No 45 Lemongrass Chicken Rice and made sure to request NO SALAD!

The broth was still hot (which is why this is a 2 star instead of 1* I'm really trying to be generous) but it was soooo bland. For a minute I actually wondered if I might have covid bcos this was the blandest broth I've ever tasted in my life!

The shumai was soggy and the 4 tiniest mini pieces. $3.25 is overpriced for the taste and quantity.

But the greatest regret was the Lemongrass Chicken. It tasted more like a Ginger chicken but there was not a hint of lemongrass and not even 1 tiny shred of lemongrass! For a second I considered that maybe I received someone else's order but the other 2 items (shumai and broth) were packaged together so it couldn't have been.

I love Lemongrass Chicken and get it often from another Vietnamese restaurant on Charlotte so I know what it is supposed to taste like and this was the most disappointing experience.

PS - I am negative and don't have covid so can't explain the...