Saigon Express

I Bahn Mi here weekly. Love them sando’s and the price that comes with it. Haven’t tried anything else here yet… but folks from my office are all fans. I usually tofu, BBQ Pork, and BBQ Chicken. Sometimes I Dac Biet. All solid offerings.
I always to-​go it, but they got a decent set of tables.
Also, they are fast as hell.
*Recommend going around the Berkeley High bell schedule.

I always find it funny when a good relationship is ruined by a lousy experience.
First let me review their food and customer service prior to that experience fairly:
–Food: C. The phở is cookie-​cutter as best. I ate phở here because it’s the only phở around that has bone marrow in it. The sandwich is again, just ok. I ate it because of the same reason everyone else does: It’s cheap. Other dishes: Dear god no. I tried Bun Bo Hue the first time I was there and still want to throw up every time I remember it. Shaking beef? I’m sure I was chewing rubber.
–Service: Except for the lady who I will mention in the experience, everyone else is fine. The main oldest lady in this restaurant is my favorite. Her sister, who looks like 8 years younger; the main antagonist, is a different story. She always acts like she doesn’t want to be there — this is my friend’s observation.
One night, I got in and instead of my usual order — I repeat, usual, the order is phở dac biet + café sua da — I ordered just café sua nong. Now I had that usual for over 5 TIMES, ever since I moved to North Berkeley, 2014. The café sua da, or Vietnamese coffee was always brought to me in A GLASS. Let me repeat. Always. The person who served me all those times was the oldest lady.
That night, that oldest lady was not there, but her YOUNGER sister was. She started to make my coffee, and right away I was alarmed that she MICROWAVED and PUT COFFEE in a togo cup. I told her that I wanted to drink the coffee in the restaurant. She nodded and proceeded to give me the coffee cup. Then I told her usually when I ordered Café sua da, it was always in a glass. She then lectured me that the coffee was always done in a cup and it was only put in glass if customer requested. I insisted no. A big argument ensued, and here are the highlights:
–She told me not to argue with her because she worked there.
Yes, and I ate there, from 2014. Phở and my Vietnamese coffee is my usual. And she was not the one who served me prior to that night. Every time I got there, it was the oldest lady that made my order. And «NOT TO ARGUE WITH HER»? This is instant classic!!!
–She told me they are not a coffee shop so they couldn’t put coffee in a glass.
Sure, and you can if a customer requests it. Do you even hear yourself? And how’s that for an explanation? You can’t put coffee in a glass because you’re not a coffee shop?
–She then proceeded to ask other members in the kitchen, asking if coffee in a cup was the protocol. Nobody replied a thing. Only her yapping. The whole time, she didn’t care to call her sister to check. Even when I told her to ask her sister.
I blew up and I just flat-​out called her claims bull s h*t. I call things like they are. She then invoked the «we’re both Vietnamese» card and asked me not to curse (FREEDOM OF SPEECH, excuse you) and told me that «everyone is looking at you.» Well let them look. Free country: everyone can do what they want.
At one point, I was so pissed at the constant invocation «we’re both Vietnamese» of her, I had to reclaim my identity as an American — I’ve assumed this identity for over 11 years; my culture has been American culture for straight 11 years; I can’t even speak or comprehend Vietnamese properly and it doesn’t bother me — she basically just said «Oh, you were born here?»
Sure, white like Ted Cruz can be an American even though he was born in Canada, but I guess that’s the only exceptional «color.» That microaggression pissed me off so bad I called them «bottom of society.» I don’t regret a thing.
Yes, it escalated quickly. She could have called her sister. She could have offered me a new coffee glass so I could get out of her hair. She could have taken Customer Service 101. But she stood there and argued with her customer as if she was still in Vietnam.
So yeah, avoid that younger lady like you would avoid a leper.
That’s customer service, straight outta Vietnam, for you. It’s not even funny; this experience marks the 13^th out of 13 times I have bad customer service from Vietnamese, including the one an agent called me on my mobile to yell at me because «I asked her too many questions,» after she took my money.
If you don’t understand individual identity, freedom of speech or this is a free country (so please no stupid «public shaming”/“clan mentality» will take effect over here) then you should go back to the motherland.

One of my favorite spots for phở in the Berkeley area. The staff is super sweet, and everything is very quick as well.
Their banh mi is a cheap yummy go to option, the bread itself isn’t the best quality but for $ 4.00, I can’t really complain. I’ve gotten a few things off of their grill menu before, but nothing was particularly memorable. I much prefer their rare steak phở, which is quite tasty in my opinion. I have also tried their beef combo bowl, another yummy noodle option. I haven’t tried their bun bo hue, but I’ve heard good things about it as well.

My favorite restaurant in Berkeley! GREAT PLACE FOR VEGANS. They happily made me vegan Banh Mi, Phở, Spring Rolls, this lovely vietnamese crêpe dish.
They are so friendly. I consider them family!

I worked around the corner for a couple years and this quickly became my favorite lunch spot.
Their banh mi sandwiches were only $ 3.25 and may be the cheapest meal in the city! It is a little light on meat, but it is perfect for a light lunch — especially considering most places charge AT LEAST twice the price for banh mi.
The bread is wonderful and always tastes fresh, but keep in mind that it makes a bit of a mess!
This place is very popular with the high school students (and the high school is just around the corner). The line gets pretty long during their lunch break, but it moves quickly.

My go-​to spot in Downtown Berkeley for a quick, cheap banh mi vietnamese sandwich. It’s a on the skimpy side for the filling, but the bread is nice and crusty and for ~$ 3.50, it’s a great snack or small meal. It’s a standard (in all the best ways) banh mi at the right price. I always get the grilled pork.

You better tell them you want it for here. They made me waste 30 minutes of my lunch break simply waiting for a bowl, since the woman at the cash register didn’t ask if I wanted here or togo, then once I got my food I told them I wanted it here, and she told me I said I wanted it togo… no you never asked. Ugh but food was ok got phở it’s very bland.

Bad phở the beef is not fresh and stock lacked character. Had merely a handful of beans and 1 (!) sprig of cilantro. Not recommended.

Tasty food, served super efficiently and always with a smile.
The banh mi sandwiches are super tasty. My everyday go to lunch place!

I love their banh mi sandwiches! ^_​^ They have a consistent afternoon line (starting 12pm) that goes out the door, so if you’re hungry seat yourself and ask for a menu and they will get you your food without you having to wait in line.
Pros:
–Food comes out fast
–Friendly lady! Awesome service
–Restrooms are available
–Cheap and tasty sandwhiches
–Portion/​Pricing ratio is well met
Cons
–From time to time the phở can be a little too greasy for me

The banh mi sandwiches are the best value (all under $ 5) though the meat to bread ratio is low.
Other items are not as cheap. The vermicelli salad has too much vermicelli and not enough toppings or salad.
Restaurant is a combination of counter and table service. You can order to-​go at the counter or you can sit at a table and someone might take your order. You might want to go to the counter. Our food arrived quickly after our order was taken. As for the check, go to the counter.
When I return it will be for a banh mi to-​go.

I come here regularly since my office is right up the block. It’s a good spot for something quick, cheap and pretty tasty. Around noon, the line’s almost always out the door. (If you’re ordering in, bypass the line and seat yourself at one of the tables in the back. But make sure to ask one of the workers for a menu so they know you need to order.)
The spring rolls are a must for about $ 5 a plate. They have 3 kinds: vegetarian, BBQ pork (my fave) & shrimp. They’re usually already prepped for pick up at the deli-​style counter. It comes three per order with their house made peanut sauce.
The banh mi sandwiches are good too. My hubby always gets the chicken and asks for a side of that peanut sauce. I usually see their bread delivered every morning around 7 – 8 am. It’s super crunchy but does get crumbs all over the place.
I don’t order the phở too often since I don’t wanna have such a heavy lunch. But the phở bo kho (beef stew) def hits the spot on a cold, rainy day.
Service is pretty standard like you’d find at other phở spots (in other words lackluster). But I must say the women working the counter are super sweet while being quick and efficient getting the orders in and the line down. Once, I saw a student had left his wallet at home, and one of them told him he could just pay the next time he comes in. You hardly ever see that happen!

*vegetarian review*
For the longest time, I looked at their online menu and assumed they only had veggie phở with chicken broth. But then my co-​worker told me they have veggie phở with veggie broth. The veggie phở is ok. I gave extra props for offering a phở with veggie broth that doesn’t smell contaminated with meat. The vegetables are sub par. I wouldn’t mind paying more for better quality veggies.
Veggie phở has fried tofu, broccoli, carrots, zucchini, celery, and cabbage. Sides are bean sprouts, cilantro, chili peppers, and lime. Interesting is no basil. I’m ambivalent, but some other may care.
This works if you’re craving veg noodle soup in downtown Berkeley.

PRO
+ there is a very very friendly lady that’s always smiling and super attentive every single time I go there
+ accepts credit card
+ reasonable price (can get phở or vermicelli salad bowl for less than $ 8)
+ portion is quite large
+ food comes quickly
+ restroom on-​site
CON
— sandwiches are a bit lacking (bread not really crunchy, kind of skimpy on meat and veggies) but I usually come here for phở and the vermicelli salad bowl anyways
OVERALL
Arguably, best Vietnamese restaurant in Berkeley!

Service is 5 stars
Food is from 2 – 4 stars:
Mr Rinky’s veg Bahn Mi was not very good. Low quality bread. Veggies okay 3 stars
Veggie Imperial Rolls were good but way too greasy — 2 stars
Veggie birds nest – 4 stars
Fresh veggies (carrot, broccoli, celery, cabbage and other veggies) sautéed and served over a
«nest» of fried noodles (which were not greasy). I liked this dish a lot.
Lots of menu choices including a steam table filled with selections.
They also have fresh rolls, which I remember liking in the past.
I think the operative word is «Express.» Quick, affordable food fir students and others
wanting a quick bite.

I had the #21 phở and some spring rolls.
The workmanship on the springs was a little shoddy and the dip was so so. They come in fours.
The phở came with beef, tripe, and beef balls. Pretty decent, nothing fancy.
Overall, it felt like a meal you would make at home, if you knew how to make phở. Again, I would it this place in the average but good category.
Service was prompt, and portion sizes are large.

Oh bahn mi! So deliciously spicy with such simple and fresh ingredients!
I have had myself a few too many bahn mi sandwiches and this definitely is one at the top. This place is a quick ‘express’ service so the sandwich was done in front of me in and instant. Glad I stopped in to try, will definitely be coming back!

Claypot combo review time!!:)
So I always avoided this restaurant when I was going to Cal because I thought it was kind of shady/​janky from the outside and sometimes there were flies right by the door. Yes, there were a few when I went last night for dinner and the sit-​down area by the kitchen has no ambiance, but the area above that was really nice and inviting, much like the people who run the restaurant. One of my friends who took me and another friend to eat here said that a lot of Vietnamese students eat here– and I can see why– it’s delicious. The claypot combo was a little pricey $ 9.80 including tax, but the sizzling crispy rice and the various textures of the veggies, squid, chicken, shrimp, and beef definitely made up for it. It was delightfully flavored, with lots of soy sauce and asian spices (maybe a little fish sauce?). Sadly more rice than protein/​veggies, but I still would order again. My friend’s sizzling beef looked really good, too:)!

I have been here three times with my friend and we really like it! I recommend the vermicelli salad bowls, I have had the one that comes with pork and rolls, and today I got grilled chicken. It is so good and it fills you up! The bowls are pretty big.
We usually like to eat here because it is close to Downtown Berkeley, it has fast service and it is cheap.

Actual rating 3.5.
VENUE: Located in Downtown Berkeley on Shattuck, close to campus. One of the biggest deterrents is the parking, but this can be said for any other establishment near Cal.
SERVICE: It’s one of the more unusual restaurants serving phở as it’s the only place that I know that serves phở that you order at the counter. They also serve banh mis and two-​item combos with rice. Yet the ladies at the counter are quite nice and the servers are quite efficient bringing two bowls very quickly. It’s also one of the fastest times I’ve observed phở brought over.
Phở itself is average (didn’t even take a pic) but sometimes when you’re sick/​stressed or just get a phở craving this bowl can do the job. For ~$ 7 I got a bowl with more meat than vegetables and a decent (though slightly on the watery side) broth that can be improved upon with a lime wedge spritz and basil. Their plate of sides was a bit underwhelming.
Like the Unilocal description for 3 stars, «A-​OK». It’s the perfect one sentence description for this place just for the simple execution of Vietnamese phở. Don’t let my rating stop you as sometimes all you need is just a simple meal without hassle.