matta. — Restaurant in Portland

The Bà Nội, which translates to "Grandma's Special," (pictured) features thin-sliced steak, seared with onions and Thai basil, topped with nước chấm, fried garlic, fried shallots, cilantro and scallions, and is served with fries and rice. It may be my new favorite food.

Nước chấm is a Vietnamese fish sauce of water, sugar, lime, and in this case, Thai chilis, which is what gave the dish, overall, a generally mild, but slow-building, and then subtly lingering, spice. Most of the sauce rested in the soft, sweet rice, with the lightly salty, savory fries, and the result was like a wonderful, warm, comfort-food embrace.

The tender, masterfully seasoned beef, the absolute aromatic symphony of fried garlic and shallots, cilantro, and scallions... Chef Richard Lê has managed to expertly combine elegance, comfort, and escapism.

I am genuinely not exaggerating, when I say that the Bà Nội was so good, that I almost cried.

This was truly an exceptional, refreshing, miniature food vacation. Described as a Việt kiều (overseas Vietnamese) experience, YES! I want more of this!

If you like my photographs, feel free to follow my tiny, little foodie Instagram: jonathan.grubb, for more (casual, and almost exclusively small / local) greater-Portland-area...

This is a hidden gem! If you love hip, and fusion food, this is your place. The food pod might change they way you look at the Vietnamese food. We walked in for lunch, and the courtyard has many other food carts. It was pretty packed, although we got a place to sit. The menu options were not much. We ordered a fried chicken burger with green papaya inside. The buns are the house speciality with a hint of green! I think they have a name for it. The food was amazing! It was fresh and piping hot. The condiments were all tasty and fresh. I can’t recommend enough. If you are in the neighbourhood, try something...

I was walking by and saw the sign for Vietnamese soul food. Sounded good. Boy did I underestimate the powerful flavor, texture, and presentation that a soul food cart could provide. My mouth was pleasantly shocked by the rich and satisfying culinary combinations. All this time spent on Alberta and I just now find this place. This is definitely worth a try for anyone. I had a the strip steak fried in onion and basil over fries (so good) and rice, with an egg on top. The soup that came with it was piping hot and so comforting. ...