Taste of Saigon

[201]

So I'm driving around today, trying to decide where I want to eat, when my friend in the passenger seat says, "Oh yeah, there's this new Vietnamese restaurant... it's on Goffle Road." Now, this friend and I have a game we like to call "The Bullshit Game" in which we'll dangle a little piece of disinformation and see who bites. Naturally, I immediately suspected that he had started a new match of BSG and when he said, "It's weird though... it says Vietnamese AND American food," I was immediately convinced that it was bullshit. It just seemed entirely too random, so I staked $5 on my claim that there was no such place.

Ten minutes later, we pull up in front of a little converted house on Goffle Road with a sign that says, "Vietnamese and American food" (or something to that effect). The name of the place is:

TC's Little Taste of Saigon

419 Goffle Road

Ridgewood, NJ

Most people aren't even aware that part of Goffle Road is actually in Ridgewood, so that's why I say this place is "halfway in Ridgewood", since the other side of the street is Wyckoff. Anyway, it's just after Taylor Rental (on the left) if you're travelling towards Hawthorne (away from Midland Park/Wyckoff/Ridgewood). If you pass the nursery or, even further, the Hess station... you've gone too far.

Now for the food. The menu is about five pages, the first two of which are your standard Vietnamese dishes (pho, bun, goi cuon, etc.) and the remaining pages are your standard American dishes (hamburgers, chicken, omelettes, etc.). Obviously they are trying to attract the customers who are nervous about trying Vietnamese food as well as to make the place kid-friendly. I literally had to run out of the place while I was eating (since my friend had a previous engagement which we both forgot about), but from my VERY preliminary tastings here, I'll be heading back. It's not Saigon Republic, but it's worth looking into, especially if you're dining with either of the two groups I mentioned before (people scared to dive right into Vietnamese or children who insist on hamburgers). I believe I saw a sign that says they serve breakfast as well, so if they DO open early enough I can finally have a place to eat pho as it's intended... for breakfast.

[tommy]

fuck me you're joking, right? WOO-HOO!

[Rachel Perlow]

I could have sworn we had a mention of a Vietnamese restaurant in Ridgewood a few weeks back, but I can't find the thread. Oh well, good to see there's actual confirmation of its existence. What did you actually sample?

[201]

I could have sworn we had a mention of a Vietnamese restaurant in Ridgewood a few weeks back, but I can't find the thread. Oh well, good to see there's actual confirmation of its existence. What did you actually sample?

I'm not pressed for time now, so I can give a somewhat more coherent and detailed account of the food. Firstly however, I just want to give the little bit of background info that I got from my visit yesterday. This current restaurant opened about 3 months ago. It's basically just a converted house and I assume that at least ONE employee uses the second floor as a living space. Previously, the owners had owned a coffee shop/restaurant in Wyckoff (in the Boulder Run shopping center; didn't ask the name) where they started introducing some Vietnamese items on the menu. A friend of mine who's deeply infatuated with Vietnamese food actually went to the Wyckoff location once only to walk out because, "it didn't look like they had Vietnamese food there. It looked like a hamburger and fries type of place." Naturally, he didn't ASK to see a menu or anything... just stormed out of the place disappointed. Apparently the customers who LOOKED at the menu did enjoy the food so as more of the family came over from Vietnam, they decided to open a restaurant focusing more on the food than the coffee.

I had spring rolls minus the shrimp (just shredded pork instead). These were four LARGE rolls served with a peanut sauce, all of which was very nice. Next was a small (think medium-sized) bowl of pho bo vien (beefball soup) which had a deceptively clear broth. Upon seeing the broth, I was a bit nervous, but it actually had a nice flavor to it. It definitely could've been stronger, but it was nice all the same. One thing I did miss was the plate of basil, jalapeños, limes, and bean sprouts that usually accompany Vietnamese soups. The rice noodles themselves were the wider variety, but I'm sure they can substitute others according to preference. I also ordered a dish of rice with a sliced pork chop and a slice of egg casserole (completely forgot the Vietnamese name for this) which is actually in my fridge waiting for dinner. The pork chop was very nice, but my friend and I had to run out before I delved into anything else.

Prices were very reasonable. Somewhere in between Little Saigon and Saigon Republic. There were two sizes of pho, I think $5.75 and $7.50. Entrees were around $7.50 to $10 I believe. I'd really like to see this place concentrate on JUST Vietnamese food and develop a larger menu, but that's going to be hard to do until they start getting some really interested customers. It's a tough location for a restaurant.

[tommy]

if the broth of the pho isn't strong and doesn't seem like it has been cooked for a day, i won't like it. that's my biggest complaint with vietnamese restaurants, in NYC especially. i have a feeling i'll feel the same about this place, and i'll be let down.

[201]

if the broth of the pho isn't strong and doesn't seem like it has been cooked for a day, i won't like it.  that's my biggest complaint with vietnamese restaurants, in NYC especially.  i have a feeling i'll feel the same about this place, and i'll be let down. 

Tommy - I hear you on that. Maybe if enough customers provide constructive criticism, we can get that pho a bit stronger? I'd really REALLY like to have a Vietnamese place more "in the neighborhood" of Ridgewood, so I'm hoping this place develops nicely. As it stands, it's certainly not on a level to replace Little Saigon or Saigon Republic (why does Hanoi get no culinary respect?), but I think it could be a supplement and a nice addition to the neighborhood. You've got to expect that a place that serves around a 60% American menu is holding back on the Vietnamese side. I mentioned when I was in there that I hoped they could phase out the American menu and concentrate more on the Vietnamese.

[Rachel Perlow]

We're probably going to check this place out tonight. Will report back later.

[Rachel Perlow]

Jason and I had dinner at TC's Little Taste of Saigon last night. Overall impression? The food is good, not great (one exception noted below), not worth a long drive out of your way, but if you're in the area you aren't wasting a meal. The pricing is more in line with most of the Vietnamese places I'd been to in the past (i.e. inexpensive).

The fried Spring rolls appear to be (egad!) vegetarian. The up side was that they are tasty and plentiful, 8 to an order for ~$5, served with lettuce, cilantro and nuoc mam. The Summer rolls (I think they call them fresh spring rolls, I don't have a take-out menu, they were out of them - so all prices are from memory and are approximate) were also cheap (4 for $5), with fresh shrimp and a nice slice of pork, but they seemed bland - the noodles showed a lack of salt in the cooking water and there didn't seem to be any mint in the restaurant, let alone in my summer roll or condiment plate. The nuoc leo (peanut sauce) was a very tasty rendition, I think it was made from scratch.

We also shared a Pho Tai (rare beef noodle soup), Happy Pancake (shrimp and chicken crepe) and Chicken Curry Bahn Mi (coconut based curry served with bread or noodles). The soups come in two sizes, small and large. The small ($5) is the size of a bowl of soup you'd get in any other restaurant; we got the large ($7.50) which is about half the size of a bowl of pho served in most other Vietnamese restaurants. It was a very tasty bowl of soup but did not have the anise and other herbal notes that mean Pho to me. In addition, it was not served with the traditional condiments of fresh bean sprouts, herbs and lime, although we were given both hoisin and hot sauces. I suggest that if you are in the mood for soup to order the small bowl as a first course and not expect the large bowl to suffice as your meal.

The Chicken Curry Bahn Mi ($8) was a disappointment. Since it was made clear to us that it was a stew-like curry not a sandwich despite being called Bahn Mi, we ordered it with noodles. This turned out to be a small plate of white rice noodles. The chicken in the curry was overcooked, tough and dry. The curry flavor was the tinned generic variety and the sweet potato being the main vegetal component seemed to serve as an excuse to make the sauce as a whole quite sweet.

The Happy Pancake ($10) was a pleasant surprise. An excellent version of the traditional crepe, usually filled with shrimp or chicken. TC’s version has both in addition to bean sprouts and other vegetables. It is served with lettuce for wrapping and nuac mam for dipping. At most restaurants the crepe is huge, overflowing the plate. TC’s solves that problem by serving two smaller crepes. Or, perhaps they don’t have a large griddle and are using a skillet to make them. Either way, it was quite tasty, the crispy crepe a delicious wrapping for the fresh filling.

The highlight of the meal, however, was dessert. Asking our waitress (who despite having her mother and aunt in the kitchen, didn’t know the names of the Vietnamese dishes and asked us to order by number!?) what was the best dessert available we were told to order the custard. This was simply the best rendition of crème caramel either of us had ever had. This alone may make a return trip worth it (maybe to try the “American” side of the menu?). It was rich and creamy, not at all too firm or overcooked or eggy, which are frequent problems with this confection. The liquid caramel sauce had that savory burnt sugar edge. Thank heavens we shared a piece, there’s no way I could have eaten an entire piece of that rich custard myself.

[tommy]

just as i suspected.

i suppose if i go i'll bring some mint, as i have bushes of it growing like weeds. why can't/don't they get mint?

[Rachel Perlow]

If you go (with your baggie of mint) I presume you will mention that you were told they didn't have any mint, so ask them for us, won't you?

[tommy]

If you go (with your baggie of mint) I presume you will mention that you were told they didn't have any mint, so ask them for us, won't you?

yeah, i'll ask the person after i order by number. i'm sure they'll be very helpful.

it's byo i'm guessing?

[Jason Perlow]

My take on this is if I lived in the local area, like Tommy does, I might go back, hesitantly. But I was highly disappointed in the lack of authenticity in the Pho flavor (It was closer to a Hu Tieu than a Pho in terms of flavor characteristics) , and that pretty much kills a Vietnamese restaurant for me. I dont care how much cheaper it is than other Vietnamese places in Jersey. If the Pho sucks, the Pho sucks.

This is a restaurant that is trying to find its way, and doesnt know if wants to be Vietnamese or American. I say they should drop all the American stuff off their menu, and dive into some more serious Vietnamese dishes, especially they need to offer some salads as well as true Banh Mi sandwiches instead of their American sandwiches, and they need more noodle dishes. I also think their Pho needs to be tweaked considerably, offer the traditional accutriments, and they need to offer Spring Rolls made the traditional way, with pork and seafood in it.

Their Creme Caramel dessert was awesome -- and I might even drop by to pick one up on occassion.

[tommy]

to echo jason's sentiment, if the pho sucks, the place sucks.

i order pho every time i go to a vietnamese.

[tommy]

now that i think about it, nutley is 15 minutes from me. i need a pretty big reason to not go to nutley for pho. hey, maybe this place has good hamburgers?

[201]

Jason and Rachel - This first question probably deserves its own thread, since it's something I've been wondering about for a while, but since it specifically refers to this restaurant at the moment, here it is... Do you mention eGullet.com when you try new places? The reason I ask is that I find it hard to REALLY give constructive criticism for a restaurant unless I'm asked for it directly. However, unless I'm in a place BECAUSE of good recommedations from this site, I rarely mention it. I think a thread like this one though could really help a restaurant realize their weaknesses, strengths, and potential. Of course, they'll never get here unless they know about it. How do you usually mention the site (if at all)?

Anyway, I did tell the hostess that I would like to see them phase out the American menu and carry more Vietnamese dishes. Of course, I also realized that she quite obviously doesn't recognize the Vietnamese names for dishes, so I'm not even sure if she's the person one should talk to about the menu.

As the topic heading states "(halfway at least...)", this place is clearly not full-on Vietnamese, but I really, really, really, REALLY want a nice Vietnamese place in Ridgewood! What can we do to sculpt this place into a pho house worthy of the title? Maybe we should slip little instruction manuals, menu suggestions, mint, limes, bean sprouts, and basil under the door? I was hoping that if we get enough people to go in there and express a sincere desire for them to focus on the Vietnamese, that they might start to listen. My impression is that the average person who goes in there doesn't really KNOW anything about Vietnamese cuisine and can't give useful feedback.

ARRGHGHGHGRR... I'm so frustrated and now I'm in the mood for Vietnamese! I wish I hadn't cancelled that trip to Boston this weekend. Hopefully Saigon Republic isn't booked all weekend.

[tommy]

i'm totally craving vietnamese as well. damn you people.

201, i often think that if they don't know enough to serve the "proper", or perhaps a better word is "usual," stuff with the pho, how much can you possibly tell them? it's as if they're clueless.

[201]

201, i often think that if they don't know enough to serve the "proper", or perhaps a better word is "usual," stuff with the pho, how much can you possibly tell them?  it's as if they're clueless.

I don't know, Tommy... I just don't know.

Maybe we should just tell them "231-C Franklin Avenue, Nutley. Bring a pen and a notebook." ???

[tommy]

I don't know, Tommy... I just don't know. 

Maybe we should just tell them "231-C Franklin Avenue, Nutley.  Bring a pen and a notebook."  ???

that's more like it. considering the market isn't exactly flooded, if i were to open that business, i'd copy little saigon down to the letter. it's a successful business, so they're stupid to not. ugh.

it also occurs to me that some people just aren't as good at cooking. god knows there are plenty of bad to mediocre restaurants out there. but i always expect places like this to be different in that regard. maybe i'm too demanding. maybe i'm starving and want pho.

[Rachel Perlow]

Sometimes we talk about eGullet, sometimes we don't. Usually we don't. We do tend to talk about and critique the food, to the server or host, and if they appear as if they really want to listen we may get into it. This hostess/waitress/server, was clearly not interested. Jason asked her about the pho broth, I thought it tasted like chicken broth, but she says it's beef broth and is cooked for hours and then strained several times. She was surprised I didn't taste any anise. I mean, it's not like it's a subtle flavor! But all in all she wasn't interested in talking about the food. She was pleased that we enjoyed the custard so much, but to her it was no big deal, it's what her mom's made a hundred times. To me, this indicates that she isn't experienced at eating other people's food if she can't appreciate her mom's little gems.

Anyway, back to talking about eGullet. We will frequently mention it to another patron, perhaps the people at the next table, if we start talking to each other and they are clearly into good food. We'll start recommending places and they will back to us, then we say, "hey you should really check out eGullet, blah blah blah." We don't always reveal our affiliation with the website, just write down the url (I keep postits in my purse) and tell them to send us a note (if I give them our names too) if they log on.

Next time you (or anyone else reading along) are in there, why don't you say you heard about the place on eGullet? Let them come on and read, we've nothing to hide and would love to have a response from them. I'm curious if the difference in the pho has anything to do with maybe being from a different area of Vietnam than the owners of other Vietnamese restaurants. Or, if it has something to do with the length of time they've been in this country.

[tommy]

well it only took a little over a year for me to try this place.

we ordered take-out. bottom line is i might go there to give it a proper try, and i might even order take-out again. the chicken curry dish was decent enough, although i would have prefered a "wetter" version with more onion. the spring and summer rolls were quite good. in fact, i liked the spring rolls more than i like most spring rolls. they are probably number 2 on my list, number 1 being Little Saigon, and the rest being horrible for the most part (i think i prefer this style of wrapper, although i haven't figured out what it is). the pork over vermicelli was a disgrace. the pork was not marinated much, if at all, and tasted like yesterday's cardboard. the saving grace was the fact that i mixed the nuoc cham with the lettuce, cucumber, and noodle, and made a nice dish with that.

those 4 dishes were about 30 bucks. not too bad, but more than little saigon i think. although only by a few dollars.

they gotta do something about the parking. the lot holds about 5 cars, and i had to back out of the driveway as it's too small to turn around.

oh, and, the spring rolls came with mint. perhaps they found some.

[Rosie]

Phone #?

[=Mark]

When you give out the URL of eGullet to folks do you just give them the straight www.egullet.com or do you give the URL that links to the forums? I've given the vanilla egullet.com to folks and have had them not find the forums.

[tommy]

Phone #?

411

[Rachel Perlow]

When you give out the URL of eGullet to folks do you just give them the straight www.egullet.com or do you give the URL that links to the forums?  I've given the vanilla egullet.com to folks and have had them not find the forums.

I usually just give them "eGullet.com" and if I have time, I tell them that leads to the webzine, and the articles lead you to the discussion forums, etc.

[tkrongold]

Has anyone been here yet? Comments?