Golden 28 — Restaurant in Wyoming

A hostess shows us to the far corner booth, and thankfully draws the shades closed against the bright mid-day sunshine.

The menu is overwhelming. Golden 28 specializes in Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese food. There are many pages but everything is clearly explained. My mouth is watering. It takes more than a few minutes before we see our waitress again; she is busily working other lunchtime tables. Finally, she delivers water and takes our order.

Unwisely, we opt to start with the Appetizer Tray for Two, hoping it will be a panacea to our grumbling stomachs. A platter arrives with fried wonton, fried crab rangoon, fried egg rolls, and fried Vietnamese egg rolls. It is our own fault for not examining the individual appetizers more closely. I wanted those light spring rolls wrapped in rice paper, not a deep fried smorgasbord! Still, each of the items is quite tasty, and when dipped into the bowl of sweet-n-sour plum sauce, even more so. I even enjoy the crab rangoon, from which I typically shy away.

For our main dishes, we each choose a different variety of Pho (there are over 20 different varieties on the menu). Ever since seeing Anthony Bourdain wax poetic about this dish on No Reservations, I’ve been dying to try it. Juliet goes with the Dac Biet and Bo Vien, which is steak, brisket, tendon, tripe and beef ball. The beef ball isn’t what you think; it’s a kind of meat sausage formed by hand into little balls. I decide to try the Beef and Chicken (which I think is Dac Biet and Dac Ga, if I remember correctly). Each comes in a very large bowl, thin slices of meat swimming in a fatty, savory broth, steeped in hand-cut rice noodles. Another plate sits between us with fresh Thai basil (still on the stems), lime wedges, bean sprouts, and tiny whole green chilies.

I quickly dress up my Pho, stirring everything and preparing to take a bite when... Oh no! The waitress mixed our two dishes! No worries; we quickly swap. I bravely wield the chopsticks (not my strong suit), snagging bits of chicken and beef, along with long strands of dripping, spattering noodles. My first couple tastes are underwhelming. It just tastes like soup, really, with some thin, dry cuts of meat.

As I forge ahead, though, it becomes clear the Pho is only just started to come alive. The broth becomes more tantalizing; the fresh chili and Sriracha elevate the heat; the meat is rendered tender, and the thin, bumpy slices of tripe (cut thin to mimic the noodles) lose their disconcerting crunch. Though I had gone haltingly into that bowl of Pho, now my chopsticks click like chef’s blades sharpening. I bring the ladle-spoon utensil to bear now, scooping up great steaming puddles of the broth, drinking it down. Wow. Just wow.

I finish my iced Vietnamese coffee and gaze forlornly at the remainder of the unfinished Pho. My belly is full. I am content. So while the appetizer tray was definitely a mistake, the Pho is worth the wait. Fresh ingredients and authentic preparation more than make up for slightly slow service and typical Asian restaurant decor. I plan to enjoy Pho for...

DO NOT GO HERE!!!!!! Ordered takeout, got it home and it was horrible. We ordered General Tso's Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Orange Chicken, Vietnamese Spring rolls, Pot stickers and Beef Brisket Pho. The main entrees all tasted burned and the meat used was very suspicious looking. The spring rolls looked like they were fried in used motor oil and didn't taste much better. The vegetables, meat and noodles for the Pho were not fresh, the vegetables and meat were slimy and very fragrant, in a bad way. Returned 14 minutes after to ask for a refund with all the food and was told I could have $20 of my $43 bill back. I was then approached by a upset gentleman from the kitchen and was told that since I was american I should go buy american food since I didn't know what I was talking about. He then told me he called the owner and that's all the owner would allow him to refund. He then proceeded to call the police to tell them that there was an american in his restaurant that didn't like his food. The police came of course and told me I was out of luck so I had no choice but to take the $20. Without a doubt worst customer service, food and experience in 32 years of dining out in Grand Rapids. I have a 4 year Culinary Arts Degree and I do know that I will never eat there again, and I will do my best to make sure nobody else I know does either. Take your money to someone who...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a Vietnamese restaurant and I must say, the pho was absolutely amazing! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with the warm and inviting aroma of the broth simmering on the stove. Friendly staff!

But let's talk about the pho. The broth was rich and flavorful, with just the right amount of spices and herbs. The noodles were perfectly cooked and the meat was tender and juicy. The dish was served with a generous amount of fresh herbs and bean sprouts, which added a refreshing crunch to each bite.

What really set this pho apart from others I've had was the attention to detail. The broth was not too salty or greasy, and the meat was of high quality. The restaurant also offered a variety of condiments, including hoisin sauce and sriracha, which allowed me to customize the flavor to my liking.

Overall, I highly recommend this Vietnamese restaurant for their amazing pho. It's clear that the chefs take pride in their craft and are dedicated to providing a truly authentic dining experience. I can't wait to go back and try more of their...