Saigon Restaurant — Restaurant in Orland Township

My rating is a 3.5 not a 3 due to a few issues.

First and foremost, I order the S2: pho tai which is RARE steak. In my mind, one of the only things that can go wrong with this dish, is being brought out the wrong meat and that’s kind of what occurred. I was brought a bowl with soup and 7 slices of very WELL DONE meat. Since many of the other bowls call for well done meat, I can’t say wether they meant to use this for one of those or whether the steak was rare to begin with but sat in the broth too long before being brought out to me. I happen to think it’s the former, since when the lady brought it to me, I had not yet been given the sides that accompany the soup (the plate with sprouts, basil, lime, and jalapeño)- which usually comes first. Additionally, 7 slices of meat, each ~3 inches in diameter, seems like very little meat which is why I think my bowl may have been intended for one of the others that comes with well done steak along with other meats, like meatballs etc. Next time, I will ask for the steak to be brought on the side to make sure it is rare and the right amount. I don’t actually let it cook in the broth to well done, I cook it to about medium rare as I detest well done meat.

Other slight annoyances, the prices listed on their website are unfortunately incorrect. Each item has increased by at least $1, in some cases (like the lunch special $2). I understand that due to inflation and from hardship during COVID, prices are going up, but I don’t appreciate a discrepancy between what is listed on the restaurant website and what arrives on the bill. They have handwritten prices over the prior prices on their takeout menu, but need to update their website to reflect these. The website also says lunch specials are every day, yet they have a handwritten sign posted inside the restaurant that says lunch specials are Weekdays (Tues-Friday) ONLY. Again, they just need to update their website so there is no confusion regarding prices and days.

As for the actual food:

The base broth taste is good: 4/5 It seemed less spiced than I’ve had at other restaurants. I added hoisin, lime juice, and basil. You are given a ton of broth- way more than you need.

Noodle amount: 3/5 I could definitely have eaten more and have received more at other restaurants

Rare steak: 2/5 I did not receive rare steak. It came with only 7 small pieces.

Price: 2/5 $14.95 for the bowl seems a little high especially given the amount of meat and noddles I received. I wouldn’t mind paying $15 for the same amount of broth but with more noodles and more meat that is actually rare. I’m comparing this to my favorite spot in In Los Angeles (Pho Hong Long) where you can get the a bit more noodles and meat (considered a small) with more flavor for $12.

I will be back, because This may have just been an off day for them. But It seems like mistakes may be a common occurrence. Before I was brought my bowl, she brought a chicken bowl to me, which I explained was not my order. It was in fact one of the other tables orders.

The lady also brought out the wrong smoothie to one table. The girl had ordered pineapple but received mango. The lady brought another smoothie and asked who ordered pineapple, the girl said she did and that the smoothie she had been given was not pineapple but mango. The lady said no that’s pineapple and she said no, it’s mango. The lady turns to the other table and said, did you order pineapple and they said no we ordered mango and she said oh, well do you want pineapple and they said no we want mango. So then she goes back to the other table and says okay, you have the pineapple and I’ll throw away the mango. I understand it’s easy to make mistakes, but how she handled this was very poor customer service. She should have immediately exchanged the pineapple for the incorrect mango, when she found out she had given the wrong smoothie to the wrong person.

The lady was very nice to me, but I felt badly...

Looking for some place local near home. I've lived in the area for years and never knew this place existed until my quest of looking for pho restaurants to try out. I like to use Google for references and it's hit or miss. You have to try it to figure out if it's good or not. You can't go by reviews half the time. I'm open minded and like to try different versions of the same thing.

The look or decor of the restaurant. The sign on front of the restaurant could use repairs, but not a big issue in testing out a new place. That's just the exterior. Interior is decent. The tables ate nicely spread apart. The only negative comments about decor is the utensils holder. Is on the rusty side. Other than that I can't complain about the place too much. Bathroom also doubles up as a supply room. Kinda weird, but sometimes you have to make do right?

Down to the food. As always I like to do me pho and Bành Mi sandwich combo when available. Sand is just over $9 bit pricey, but I guess prices have gone up. I ordered the pork Bành Mi sandwich. It was very good. Tasty and no complaints about the item. Of course I orderd me some pho. I order the one with the most meats in it. Sound very good so had to try it. Didn't see tripe or tendon in the menu, so made due with what was on menu. The usually condiments came out, lime, bean sprouts and mint leaves and jalapeños. The pho came out shortly. You could smell the spices that a traditional pho should have in it. The combination of smell and I always taste the broth before I add anything to it. It was very good and perfect. Didn't have to add too much to it, just so Sriracha sauce and was good. They didn't have black pepper out which was a bummer. My new thing to add black pepper, something my nephew taught me. The only thing was was that the price point was just under $20 for pho. I think a bit steep but worth it since it's convenient and nothing else around unless you hit up moms. So do I think it is worth trying. Definitely, I agree it is a hidden gem for the area that we are in. Not many pho spot around here so it's it worth the stop if you don't mind spending some money. $20 and under for pho and whatever you choose to get is extra. My thoughts about this place is very positive. I definitely would return again and explore more on their menu. I definitely recommend this place. If you are near the are and want som pho or a Bành Mi Sandwich, definitely try it out. I don't think you will be disappointed at all. The flavor in the pho is very good. I don't say...

I ordered multiple items for takeout and when I brought it home the mini egg rolls looked disgusting. I have been eating here for many years...back when they use to deliver, back when they used to offer walnut shrimp, etc. It's always something wrong and I keep giving them the benefit of the doubt until this time. The mini egg rolls look like no other egg rolls I have ever seen in my life...they are super burnt and also uncooked at the same time. I drove back to the restaurant and the man defended these egg rolls and said that's how we do it. This isn't true...I have ordered these before and they look nothing like this. He also refused to refund my card and handed me cash that didn't even equal the full amount with tax. I don't understand how this place has so many positive reviews...maybe I'm unlucky. I went to Chen's and ordered egg rolls and they looked like actual egg rolls. I'd avoid this place...How can you let a customer be handed such poorly cooked food? What else are they skimping on there...I'm Vietnamese and really wish there was another Vietnamese option in this area. I've seen long black hair in my food before, stale and hard bread for the sandwich before and now this. I gave them so many chances and for the man working there to be rude, defend this disgusting food and also not even refund my order after driving back there is ridiculous. Edit - They keep removing my photo of the egg rolls so make sure you click on my name to see the photo if it's...