RED LOTUS ASIAN GRILLE ROUND ROCK — Restaurant in Round Rock

It started average enough. I walked into the restaurant, the dim lights casting shadows over the menu as I scanned for something familiar. And then, there it was: the pho. Something about it called to me. I should’ve known better. I should’ve walked away. But like a moth to the flame, I couldn’t resist. The waiter brought the bowl to the table, and for a moment, everything went silent. I stared at it. The broth was rich, dark, like liquid velvet, swirling in the bowl with a promise of things I wasn’t prepared for. I took my first sip, and the world shifted. It wasn’t just a taste; it was an awakening. It was saying, “You’ll never be the same again.”I hesitated. Should I stop? Could I? But that broth was awesomesauce. It pulled me in deeper with every slurp, urging me to abandon all inhibitions. The noodles. They were delicate but strong—tender, yet firm, like something else that is tender and firm because i cant think of other examples. With every bite, I felt myself losing control. I was devouring it. And then, the meat—tender and succulent—melted in my mouth like it had been waiting for me its whole life. I’d never known a piece of meat could make me feel like this, but there I was, caught up in the allure, unable to break free. Before I knew it, I was in too deep. This wasn’t just a meal. It was a connection. I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time—desire, satisfaction, an overwhelming urge to never let go. I looked around, half-expecting someone to catch me in my moment of weakness. But no one knew what was happening between me and the pho. It was our secret. Our forbidden love affair. When it was over, I sat back, stunned, lost in the aftermath. My body was full, but my heart… my heart was empty. I had given myself to that pho completely, and I would never be the same. I wanted more. I needed more. I knew I’d be back for it, no matter the cost. After all, you can’t just walk away from a love...

Ordered all the dishes off the chef’s menu that was posted on the chalkboards inside the restaurant. The fried calamari was pretty good when you dip it with the salt and peppery sauce that it came with. The batter was not thick and it was a little crispy. The flat noodles or the pho ap chao was flavorful and it was my first time having this dish. The noodles were not too thick or overly greasy. The chicken from the chicken and rice dish was crispy on the outside and the meat was soft on the inside. I was expecting the exterior to be super hard since it was fried but it was just crispy. The rice tasted great with the sauce that it came with. The water spinach and the shaken beef were my favorites. The water spinach was cooked to the right consistency, it could have used a little more salt but I liked that I was simple. The shaken beef was nice and tender and the sauce is extra delicious!! The sauce is great with white rice or the lettuce that the dish came with. Some of the dishes we ordered had a lot of minced garlic so be aware of that. Service was good and the food came out pretty much at the same time. I would...

I use to enjoy this place and I love to support a small business but this gem won’t last long if they don’t correct the unbalanced interactions between customer service and having fun in a work environment ,when the managers are away the employees/ younger family members will play. Broke my heart to see when the owners are away the restaurant is ran so carelessly an at bare minimum , customer interactions are non existent follow ups are rare you are given 3 interactions 1 here’s the menu 2 here’s your food 3 here’s your tab and back to horse play they go or hide in back until you force eye contact or wave them down to initiate a interaction. Today I watched 2 guess get greeted while staff members were sitting down and playing,leave calmly after waiting several mins and no (staff) acknowledging them for several mins as they were playing around and watching videos staff didn’t seem to care 1 bit. As a business owner this is tuff to watch. I hope these issues get addressed because a lot of people unfortunately don’t get to experience the solid food you produce due to a poor 1st impression from the staff...