Cafe Saigon
827 Adams Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19124
Cafe Saigon Menu
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Address :
827 Adams Ave
Philadelphia, PA, 19124 - Phone (215) 744-4654
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 6:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Tue T.
I've never really tried any of their eat-in foods. The main reason why I would go to this place for is their hoagies. Definately one of the best if not already the best vietnamese hoagies out there!
(4)Steve L.
Had their banh mi (priced at $3) today and was pleased. I wished they had a little bit more meat in the sandwich, but the pate and mayo was spot on; flavorful and fatty. The bread, which I think is the most important, could have been better. I wished it was crispier and not so stale. The texture was not how I imagined the "best banh mi" is supposed to be like. Their banh canh gio heo (pig trotter noodle soup) was decent. There isn't much to the dish, but wished the noodles were not as overcooked. The banh canh is desirable when you have a nice al dente bite everytime. All in all, good comfort food for me.
(3)Ming Y.
The only reason I didn't give the 5 star is the place is not the cleanest place out there, it gets very busy, so they really do a poor job on cleaning the table, floor, or their sauce trays. Put these aside, the food is very delicious, they don't have traditional pho, but is specializing on all kinds of specialized noodle soups, such as beef, seafood, chicken, shrimps, or Bon Bo Hue. If you are in the mood for viet rice plates, they got it down also. They also serve viet sanwiches, and other little side dishes for dine in or take out, and bubble drinks. CASH ONLY of course, if you don't mind the mess, def come :)
(4)John B.
Had their Bahn Mi with BBQ pork. I thought the pork was a bit fatty (as some of the other folks had said). It may be due to using lower-grade meat? Not sure. I don't really mind it but it definitely tasted cheap. I still prefer Cafe Viet Huong on 11th ave since their Bahn mi (also around $3) is just as good (if not better) and a lot more accessible for me (who live in CC) than Cafe Saigon.
(3)Tagli B.
This hard to find little place (tucked in a corner of a strip mall with the name on a small sign above the door) has really good Banh mi. Not for the squeamish, it is true pork belly which along with the mayo makes for a really good, rich sandwich. The Italian rolls are light and fresh and warmed in the oven rite before the ingredient are added. This is a no non-sense place that is fast and fresh. Cash only.
(4)Kev G.
food good. staff rude. i asked questions and she refused to answer them because I was asking too may. price is right and so are portions.
(4)Brian C.
The food here is pretty good. I like the laid-back feeling and nice people. Unfortunately, it is next to Pho 75 which is a better restaurant. I always end up going there instead of here for lunch. However, this place is still good.
(3)Lidia B.
This place is SOOO good. Like Dave H. says, the Banh Mi is the BEST in Philly. But everything is good here. Their coffee, there soups! My parents favorite is the vegetarian chow mien, It's just crispy enough without being greasy, and the sauce just satisfies the palate. With a Vietnamese meal, the most important part of it is their nouc mam, which is the sauce that goes with almost everything. If the nouc mam is not good, NOTHING they make can possibly be good. And Cafe Saigon definitely hits the nouc mam on the head. ** if hitting nouc mam on the head is possible ** =) Look past the crazy neighborhood, and the cheap decorations. Try this place out folks.
(5)Muriel P.
Never got to eat the food. Read the reviews and was impressed. I am an African American woman and after walking in and having the man behind the counter roll his eyes at me 2 times in in a matter of 10 seconds, I thought probably not a good place to eat. It always amazes me that there a restaurant in predominantly black cities that don't expect black people to eat there. Your wish has come true! Lol
(1)Dawn R.
Was craving summer rolls and didn't want to drive to Center City so I stopped in after reading the reviews. Glad I did!! The summer rolls were good and I also tried the pork banh mi. It was very tasty and fresh. Staff was friendly and I will definitely go back!!
(4)Michael H.
Love this spot. Feels like vietnam when you walk in. The usual is the porkchop platter with rice or the viet hoagies!
(4)Debby H.
I've been here many time for the take out BBQ Pork Banh Mi & also for the delicious summer shrimp wraps. Everything is fresh & crisp and tasty. Absolutely delicious!!
(4)Amanda N.
Yum this is my favorite banh mi (vietnamese sandwich) ever! Yes-- finally Philly wins again vs. California/Vietnam (other time being Pho Ga). Wow incredibly blown away by the small but incredible Vietnamese food scene here. BBQ Pork (thit nuong) Sandwich is a must try! Perfectly balanced with fresh veggies/pickles/smokey yummy pork and incredibly fresh. I choose these over cheesesteaks any day =x I just wish it wasn't so out of the way from where I am. It was very heartbreaking that one time when they sold out of sandwiches after I waited in 1+hour traffic arriving at 4:45pm. My GPS/map app was doing something really weird and kept putting me in the wrong place, too. I would advise to map to Pho 75 if your GPS does the same thing. Cash preferred otherwise you pay a credit card fee.
(5)John Y.
This is a low key Vietnamese restaurant with a wide array of food dishes. Many of the locals from the community come here. This food is great and will satisfy your fix for Vietnamese food. This is cash only and no credit card.
(4)Shawn B.
I stopped in to try the food.... Ive always eaten next door, and decided to eat here. I walked in and asked for a table.. The waitress came over with a smile, and I asked about Pho, she told me next door. So I asked for a recommendation she pointed to Bun bo hue... I am always willing to try something new It did not disappoint, flavorful, tender beef, I loved the broth, and to "top it all" it was filling. Stop in, its not a big place, but the food is awesome at a good price!
(5)Boniface C.
If you want to try something different from pho try this place. Great place for lunch, try the beef stew with egg noodles, BBQ pork bahn mi is so good, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Thuy C.
Cafe Saigon is an underrated authentic Vietnamese restaurant in the Northeast. This little hole in the wall offers so many different authentic Vietnamese dishes you wouldn't often see at a pho place however they do not serve pho here. They have dishes like bun mang vit (duck bamboo shoot noodle soup), bun mam (vietnamese gumbo), banh canh (crab thick noodle soup) amongst many other rare authentic vietnamese dishes often dished up at home. The flavors are there and the staffs are quite friendly. I know everyone comes here for their banh mi but if you're feeling adventurous and would like to dive into vietnamese cuisine head first, i'd recommend giving this place a try. Also, it's cheap eats! You can't beat great food that fits your budget!
(4)Eileen C.
Pretty solid pork bahn mi with classic Viet style pickled veggies. The jalapeño adds a nice tongue-numbing zing. I think this is pretty standard bahn mi, nothing mind-blowing but authentic and on point. For $4 a pop, one can't really complain! The iced viet coffee was pretty on point! Sweet, refreshing, and milky. Who could complain? Of course it's no fancy-pants drink but also no frills. Solid drink that's perfect for this weather Overall, I thought this was pretty solid food but nothing special. I'll have to come back to try other sammies and pho for a better idea though.
(3)Vy D.
Hungry and only got a few bucks on you? And somehow you're in Northeast Philadelphia? Well being a yelper who actually grew up in this area, I recommend you skip the dollar menu and come here for a yummy Banh Mi! Do order the #1 ($3.50)- It's an airy baguette served with various Vietnamese cold cuts, sour pickled daikon and carrot, crisp cilantro, spicy chilis, cool sliver of cucumber, pork liver pâté, special homemade mayonnaise, and drizzled with Maggi soy sauce..mmm I'm dying here. I want one now. I also love their wonton noodle soup and Buon Cuon. Both are incredibly delicious compared to other places. If you have room for dessert, order the Che Ba Mau (3 colors drink- served with mung beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, tapioca, and jelly). Final tips include bring cash and come before 7 PM when they close.
(4)Hong N.
I love this place. They offer Vietnamese foods that my mom don't always cook for me because it's time-consuming and partially because she's lazy. lol. Sometimes the place is so packed and that's my only problem I have with this place. Someone I knew suggested that it was the best Banh Mi in the area (It might be, who knows... I feel like everyone in the area has their ups and downs).... I love the Banh Mi with the fried egg though! It's awesome.
(5)Brian T.
This has been our go to spot when going to lunch! iT's your typical vietnamese restaurant with pho, noodle dishes and banh mi. My favorite is the #42, which is a cold noodle bowl with roast pork, pickled pork, bbq pork, a crispy sring roll and pickled veggies. it's literally everything I'd put in a noodle bowl if i had the choice. And for $8.50. you just can't beat it!
(5)Enjella L.
Philly Banh Mi is infinitely better than LA Banh M & Cafe Saigon proves it. I lost my taste for banh mi for a little while now...but my cravings have been resurrected. Other Philly banh mi's use italian rolls, whereas this place uses a french roll. The roll makes a difference. Matter fact, they should be using french baguettes but I'll take what I can get. Even with that said, this place rocks the banh mi, which is largely due to the french roll. It is flavorful and not dry compared to almost everywhere else. Nice ratio of pickled radishes, cucumber, carrots, hot peppers, and cilantro. FOOD: #2 Charbroiled pork - $4 juicy and flavorful. This was a hit. I have not tried 1 place where I actually liked the charbroiled pork banh mi until this place happened to exist in my life. I kicked it up a notch by adding the chili garlic sauce (not sriracha), which nicely paired with the fat pieces from the pork. #3a Chicken - uses only dark meat, but I didn't mind at all. This was equally tasty. Iced French coffee with Condensed Milk - standard. $2.50 I think (obligatory) SERVICE RANT: The main man with the glasses seems to be the only one with "customer service" skills and I use that term loosely, folks. He seems to be the only one that works and takes orders when we were there. Female employees seem inconvenienced, stare at you even after you have paid, and manage to ignore you when you try to get their attention even though you are literally right in front of them. Ahhhh ,ma Philly peeps, it's good to be home. Joking aside, the sheer neglect hindered me from ordering the rainbow ice because they were too busy ignoring Enji *sad face* Acknowledged customers actually buy more. Hmph. Location: in the corner, in the strip mall Adams Plaza, to the right of Pho 75. Parking: free parking lot
(4)Danny L.
Cafe Saigon, the king of the north when talking about Banhmi. I always get the number 2 hoagie with BBQ pork and it delivers every time. However if you go in the morning when the bread is nice and fresh it is seriously the best I've had. I didn't think the bread would make that much of a difference in the morning but it almost makes it worth waking up extra early for it, almost. I should really give their other food a try sometimes. I see a lot of Viets eating in there so I'm assuming it must be good. Will report back with further deets
(4)Sam E.
Excellent place! Banh Mi, soup, spring rolls. Though the location is wrong. It is not on the other side of the boulevard. Highly recommend. But cash only!
(5)Monica C.
I came here for a late lunch absolutely HANGRY because I hadn't eaten since early morning, and the Google Maps decided it couldn't find this place (*more on that below). So I was tempted to judge this place unfairly. I'm very that lucky Cafe Saigon didn't let me do that because they are AWESOME. My boyfriend and I ordered fried spring rolls, wonton soup w/ egg noodles, pork vermicelli soup noodles, beef w/ flat fried noodles, and a rainbow drink. All were freakin delicious, and I especially appreciated that they did not skimp on the (very good) cuts of meat. Service was great! They overcharged my rainbow drink by a dollar but we resolved the issue. *BEWARE: Typing in the address into Google Maps or something similar may bring you to the middle of an intersection. Keep going down on Roosevelt until you see the KFC. It will be in that shopping center. The only thing seriously wrong with this place is that there isn't a location in Baltimore, MD!
(5)Thuy T.
I give them a 2 star only because I found a roach in my soup before. I love the food, but the same cannot be said about their upkeep on cleanliness. Hopefully they've changed, but they do make really good viet hoagies, grilled garlic chicken, wonton soup and other things as well
(2)May C.
Four stars for what this place is known for: it's Vietnamese hoagies (a Philadelphian term for sandwiches), esp the BBQ pork and it's BBQ pork rice plate. I can't say the same for the rest, but why would you want to eat something else when you should come here for what the restaurant is known for? Stick with what they do best. It's a mom and pop shop, cash only. For 3.5 dollars you can get yourself a Vietnamese hoagie, add 50 cents more it's a BBQ pork. I'm not a huge pork fan, I cried reading Charlotte's Web, and I like Piglet. However, when I walk by this place, I apologetically give into the smell of the BBQ pork hoagie and have a go at it, only to ask for forgiveness later on. If going for the porker is your thing, this place is definitely worth a go if you are in this area. If you are around here and also crave for soup after your sandwich, you're in luck - Pho 75 is right next door, their service is fast and it's very clean.
(4)Finney A.
Got the ice coffee from here and it's really good. What sucks about this is that 50-60% is ice. Otherwise it's pretty legit!
(3)Jessie H.
One of the best banh mi in philly!! $4 for one, drinks are good too (Bubble tea, salted lemonade)
(4)Kara S.
It took me awhile to find the place. My GPS kept sending me in circles, and it was very difficult to find; however, I've only been in Philly for a few weeks. I'm sure if you're a native, it probably wouldn't have been difficult. I came in on a Friday morning around 9 AM. There was one other patron in the restaurant, but otherwise, it was empty. I got the phnom penh rice noodle soup, cut up chinese donuts, and an iced condensed milk coffee. Food came out after about 5 minutes. The food was hot, really delicious, and there was lots of it! I'm usually one to add condiments to my soup, but the broth here was so yummy, I ate it just as is. FYI, for the hoisin fans out there, they didn't have it at any of tables so don't ask, just go with it. Also, there may or may not be MSG. Drink lots of water. I was in here for about 40 minutes. I noticed that while I was there, they had a steady stream of to go customers. It was pretty much non-stop, which is quite impressive for a Friday morning. The employees were really friendly and since the food was so tasty, I'm not surprised. I probably won't be back for awhile because it's kind of out of the way for me. If I lived closer, I'd probably be there at least twice a month. Plenty of parking, no fuss, good food, quiet. Perfect place to enjoy breakfast alone. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bring a newspaper or magazine. Credit card: Major Credit Cards, $15 minimum Parking: Free Lot Location: Strip Mall Purchased: Phnom Penh Rice Noodle Soup, Chinese Donut, Iced Condensed Milk Coffee Total: $ 11.00+
(3)Vinh D.
Best vietnamese hoagie outside of down town . Plenty of meat , fresh veggie , tasty vietnamese mayo and bread is soft on the inside , but yet crispy on the outside .Call ahead and order for pick up is the way to roll . Cash only .
(4)Angie K.
Best BBQ pork banh mi and Vietnamese coffee in Philly. Your $5 meal right there. (The broken rice dishes are good as well.)
(5)Vichet O.
This is a lead-in: So, I recently visited my dentist, who is working out in Rhawnhurst and has been for the last umpteen years. My family started going to him when I was just a kid, and we were still in North Philly. Now I have my own insurance and can choose my own dentist, but I still make a trip every six months - and maybe sooner if we've been bad - to see him. He's known me for at least 21 years. Ridiculous, right? Part of the tradition of Vichet getting a tooth pulled/drilled/cybernetically enhanced is that I always pass by the Adams Avenue shopping plaza, a local Asian small-business dominated lot that is home to Cafe Saigon. And a Pho 75. And a Dunkin' Donuts. And an IHOP. More on those later. We'd usually get lunch at the Pho 75, then my mom would pick up some munchkins (really, mom? Right after getting a cavity filled?) while my dad got us a couple of hoagies at Cafe Saigon. Anyway, my point here is that, like my dentist, I've been coming to this place for Vietnamese hoagies for longer than I have a clear memory of anything. They're the perfect combination of meaty, crunchy, fresh, toasty and buttery. I want one right now. I kind of want one all the time. This is part of the reason my dentist has so much work to do. All you need to know is that it's three for a regular, three-fitty for a barbecue beef. What I like especially about the hoagies that this place slings is that they really load you up on the pickled carrot and daikon, and jalapenos slices. Also, if you do get the barbecue beef, they pile it on, and it's still tender and smokey from being cooked. If you're ever out this way (I doubt you will be unless you live in the Northeast or have business there), try this place out. Cash only, but hey, it's only 3 bucks. Pro-tip: - The only thing I've ever tried at this place are the hoagies. Can't speak for any of their other stuff.
(4)Pete L.
It's the best. Full menu. Vietnamese hoagies. Spring rolls. Great for takeout or eat in.
(4)Jen W.
Viet hoagie is amazing! You must try their beef stew soup with rice noodles and bread! In fact, just order everything because it's pretty damn affordable compared to newer restaurants these days. Very crowded but when you're falling in love with your food, nothing else matters...
(5)Nina d.
The first banh mi that I ever had was here and it was delicious. Yummy bread and chargrilled pork. The sauce is outstanding. It's done in minutes and the price is wonderful!!!
(4)May T.
I've been coming to Cafe Saigon for banh mi for about forever and day & I can always count on it being warm and tasty. I've tried a lot of other viet hoagie places, spanning from philly to new york, even all the way up to montreal and nothing has beat Cafe Saigon's banh mi! They're relatively cheap, 3 bucks for a regular hoagie, though I can remember when it used to be $2.50! But hey, the economy's rough! Not many bad things to say about this place- the wait isn't terrible, even if you or someone in front of you has a large order. All in all, a delicious treat!
(5)Jimmy W.
Fast, casual & authentic Vietnamese food. If you're not craving pho, come to this place. Everything they offer is pretty good. Broken rice, vermicelli, banh mi, other noodle soups, bo kho, etc are all outstanding. This small, tucked-in-a-corner of a place of Adam's Plaza has been a staple to the community for over 10 years. What makes this a gem are the prices and the unbeatable consistent taste throughout the years. Dont miss: the banh mi - regular or charbroiled pork. The best banh mi in the city, next to Cafe Cuong & Nhuy of South Philly. I wish: Cafe Saigon was bigger (believe it or not, they expanded before) and laid out differently. They do a significant amount of take-out business and they tend to encroach into your table.
(5)Katie K.
3 bucks. Amazing summer rolls. Ready made and waiting on the counter for me. Super fresh. Big shrimp. Made my day.
(5)Hilary P.
The banh mi here became my favorite in the area when Viet Kitchen's took a turn for the worse sometime in mid-2010 (a place I had previously given a 5-star review to) and when Cafe Nhu Quynh started running out of hoagie rolls by noon. There was Cafe Saigon, still churning out delicious pork banh mi for only $3 or "BBQ pork" for $3.50. My fondness slowly grew for the speedy if not a bit unfriendly service. I began ordering one of each type so that I could eat half and half for lunch, then again for dinner. Please hide your judgment. I really love these sandwiches. They don't carry grass jelly drinks here, but we can't all be perfect.
(4)Natalie B.
Their banh mi are the best I've had in Philadelphia. They're made fresh every time and I always get at least two (one for now and one for later). They balance all of the ingredients perfectly. $3 for a satisfied belly is fine with me! Unfortunately since I graduated, I now live too far to justify coming all the way here for just a hoagie. The service is fast and moderately chilly (not exactly what I'd call friendly but not rude). You can sit down and eat, but I haven't tried anything else of theirs yet.
(4)Danan R.
It doesn't get better than the $3 banh mi sandwiches here. Cash only. The bread is always perfectly soft and crusty and the pork is flavorful and deliciously complemented by the crunchy, sweet, and tart pickled shredded radish and carrot. They don't skimp on the meat portion, either. Grabbed a few today for the family to have for lunch on my way to the supermarket. And yes, they are still good the next day. It's a tiny little place but the food is great and the prices almost unheard of. I have been coming here with the family since I was 12 (yeah, this review is very overdue) and this was actually my first introduction to the world of Vietnamese fast food. They have always been great about answering my beginner questions and making recs.
(5)Sophie U.
I have now tasted the bitter fruit of heartbreak and disappointment. I stopped by for lunch with my mom today; we planned to get something other than banh mi for once, just to see what it was like. Do yourself a favor and do not make the same mistake. We both ordered banh cuon and shared an order of goi cuon. Thoughts on the banh cuon: - the cha lua was dry, rough, and tasteless - the steamed rice rolls were adequately silky - there was very little meat filling, which was fine, I guess, because it was very salty - the nuoc mam was decent Thoughts on the goi cuon: - the rolls were not attractive - there was only one shrimp in each roll, whereas other restaurants give one and a half - there was very, very little pork - there was a lot of iceberg lettuce and other things that provide little flavor - the dipping sauce was thin and translucent but looks really dark in the bowl How does the place that serves my favorite banh mi in all of Philadelphia churn out such awful Vietnamese fare?
(2)Jon G.
If your gps misdirects you try 773 Adams. It's right near the KFC. I picked up 3 Banh Mi with BBQ Pork while visiting Philly on business. Pretty good stuff but compared to Saigon Sandwich in San Francisco is just ok but passable in a pinch.
(4)Thuy N.
Been going here for years. Seriously the best Banh Mi in Philadelphia! Fresh baguette, best pâté, perfectly crisp thinly sliced veggies...a must must for foodies. Only wish is more meat and pâté to the sandwich...but its still delish. Go here and your belly will thank you :)
(5)Laura D.
Dave H. organized an outing here since I'd never had banh mi, and boy am I glad he introduced me to it! You can't beat a $3 tasty sandwich. I was not in a good mood when I arrived (navigating roosevelt blvd during rush hour in a new car isn't fun), but the staff accommodated my lateness and the food cheered me up. They did a great job of handling our large party, and let us stay beyond their 7pm closing time to finish our meal.[ I kept it simple and went with the #1, but I'd love to try the #2 charbroiled pork banh mi sometime. Unfortunately I'm near this area for lunch, and dread making the drive from KoP after work again... Cafe Saigon can you please relocate to a more convenient location for me?
(4)avid d.
I've been eating here for at least 10 years and never been disappointed. I guess I'm there at least 1-2 times a month for eating there and another 1-2 times for take out. Hoagie best in the city including 12th & Washington Sts in Phila. Wish I could read the "specials" and try them. Soups have "real" flavor, not the artificial store bought "base" taste. Food served quickly.
(5)Kathy L.
Happy New Year! My first dine out of 2012, whoop! I ordered the pork chop with shredded pork broken rice. It was very delicious. My friends ordered the seafood rice noodle soup and was just complimenting its authenticity (they are Cambodian and Viet origin). Soooo, I'm looking forward to that next time. Also banh mi (but darn I'm fasting from wheat). Anyways, I had an avocado smoothie and that was 5 stars! Prob the best around town. I hold off to giving a place 5 stars until I get a repeat wow from them but I will def go again. FYI, its located in Adams Plaza in case you got sorta lost from TomTom like me. ^_^
(4)Thao N.
After dropping by earlier this month, mister and I realized that this place was under new management. Not a single familiar face was to be found behind the counter. The food shouldn't be affected, right? They wouldn't replace the chefs! I ordered my usual banh mi thit nguoi and was very disappointed as I opened it up. Instead of thin, layered slices of Vietnamese deli meat, I found four 1cm-thick pieces. To be honest, the sandwich just seemed like it was made in a half-assed manner. The flavoring just wasn't the same. And yes, they replaced the chefs. This USED to be my to go spot for banh mi thit nguoi. Oh, Cafe Saigon... you are not the same anymore. We miss the old you. I don't know where else to go... I'm sad.
(2)Dave H.
Cafe Saigon has the best banh mi in Philadelphia. Don't believe me? Locals can't be wrong: there's usually a line of folks waiting to pick up their orders. Or go there yourself (they are open 7 days a week, you have no excuse!): Saigon is easy to get to, in northeast Philadelphia near where Adams Ave. and Roosevelt Boulevard (Route 1) meet. The shopping center also has a KFC and a post office, in case you need landmarks. I've been going to Saigon for about eight years (they've been open longer for sure). When I stop in I'm recognized, greeted, and given quick and amicable service. I get at least one banh mi (those are Vietnamese hoagie, by the way) - usually two. There are regular and pork hoagies, selling for $2 and $3 each, respectively. These delectable creations consist of, a crunchily thin toasted roll, pickled carrots, spicy green peppers, pate, cold cuts or slices of pork, soy sauce, hot sauce, and cilantro (its zesty aroma is more vivid than ever now that Saigon is nonsmoking). I also order a coconut drink to wash it all down. In recent seasons, Saigon's recipe has changed slightly (example: pork is not as caramelized, pickles are different). Why mess with success? Maybe they are cutting costs? Thankfully, enough of the original formula remains for me to still recommend them. If you tire of banh mi, the eatery also has a decent assortment of Vietnamese cuisine on the menu including soups and desserts. I have yet to find a place that sells better sandwiches than Saigon - if you know of one, tell me! *Strongly* recommended.
(5)Kathy P.
If you want quality, authentic Vietnamese banh mi...GO HERE. I've been going to Cafe Saigon for banh mi since I was a little girl. There is no other place in Philadelphia that has banh mi thit nguoi like Cafe Saigon. I've tried plenty of banh mi places in Philadelphia, including the famous Fu-Wah Market, and I still end up going back to Cafe Saigon. The quality is top notch and every is made fresh right in front of you. The baguette is absolutely to die for and the pate & mayo they used are the perfect. The store itself is kinda of small and old-looking, but it's pretty clean. If you ever happen to sit down and order from the menu, you won't regret that either. The food they prepare is incredibly fresh and it comes out moderately fast. So, if you're short on time and what something satisfying, delicious, and cheap...and PERFECT banh mi - Cafe Saigon is my #1 place.
(5)Vsssh P.
So i love this place and used to get food here atleast once a week if not more when i worked in the vicinity I always got take out from here but they do have enough seating but not a restaurant kinda feel to me it always seemed like a take out joint Their charbroiled chicken with broken rice is my all time favorite with a lot of hot sauce. My friends usually get the pork chops or beef cubes The quantity and quality of food here is amazing and i hear they have some good vietnamese hoagies (never tried one) ONLY 1 ISSUE: They are very stingy with their hot sauce for take out. For some damn reason every time we order I ask for a side of hot sauce with each entree and they give me hard time for it. I have no idea why? really how expensive can those tiny plastic containers be and if u dine in you can eat all the hot sauce you want. And if they get an order of 5 to 6 things regularly from someone the least they can do is be nice about providing hot sauce haha. So we eventually bought a bottle from H Mart and kept it at work but seriously they get very anal when you ask for hot sauce while picking up take out. all in all the food is amazing and forth every penny. Also: They dont ever have plastic knives... for people like myself who cant do chop sticks: giving me fork and spoon does not help me eat my meat.
(4)Duy N.
I like to go to this place in the morning whenever I have time to eat a breakfast/lunch type of ordeal. Today I tried the Hu Tieu My Tho, Fried taro cake with eggs, and to drink ice coffee with condensed milk. Everything was delicious for the cold weather philadelphia just recently had.
(4)Amanda R.
Cafe Saigon is one of my favorite finds. I used to regularly visit the Pho 75 in that shopping center, until I tried my first banh mi (at Cafe Viet Huong on Washington Ave, still my #1). I had always been curious about the place next door - one day, Dad in tow, I barged in and ordered me some hoagies, and I've been going back regularly ever since. The huge menu both delights and mystifies me. Pretty much anything I've ordered has been tasty - from rice plates to noodle bowls to soups to a bangin' stir fry of wide flat noodles (ho fun?) with seafood, and of course the banh mi are both cheap and tasty (although as previously mentioned, a step below Viet Huong's in my book). Servers are friendly too. It ain't fine dining, but it's one of my favorite places to swing by for a cheap and tasty dinner. Highly recommended.
(4)Hannah K.
The mother of all Vietnamese food. This place is AMAZING. I haven't had the chance to try their banh mi, but I have tried their pork chop over broken rice with a fried egg, & it is delicious. A great portion, and the pork chop wasn't burnt around the edges like some places tend to do. Their iced coffee is also the best iced coffee I've ever had. It tastes like they've added hazelnut to their coffee, or maybe crack. Their coffee is just so good.. Yum.
(5)Vade Mecum B.
I feel ashamed that I've lived in this neighborhood most of my life and have never checked out this gem! I remedied that today when I got the vietnamese hoagie. I had the beef one and it was incredible-- fresh, filling, and spicy! I think they pay have raised the price past $3 b/c I paid 4.50. The menu still lists the old price.
(4)joshua h.
I remember coming here to get some banh mi a few years back while stopping by to get some pho next door (pho 75). It was ok, nothing to write home about so I started going to the nam vang restaurant to get my banh mi fix. But something changed over the years, I felt nam vang was skimping on the fillings a bit and the pate wasn't as flavorful. So, based on the recent reviews, I tried Cafe Saigon and I am happy to say that the sandwich is as good as I remember the first banh mi sandwich I tasted! Needless to say I was not disappointed. Even though it's a few more minutes up the road, it's well worth it. It's even a quarter cheaper than nam vang! It adds up when you buy 6 at a time. :)
(4)Zanna H.
I have to hand it to humble proprietors of this place. We descended on them with a large crowd of 12, without warning an hour before closing. They were very nice and pulled together a few tables for us, and brought us all hot tea and ice water. They patiently waited while we amassed our entire group then let us order a huge amount of food. The food came out pretty quick and other than a few stumbles on our part of forgetting the numbers of which dish who ordered we all got our correct food in the end. I had the char-grilled chicken lemongrass with vermicelli and it was good. The chicken was moist, the greens were fresh but I would have liked a little more lemongrass flavor but it was still tasty. The general consensus was that all the food was good. Once again I have to give props to the staff for keeping the place open while we ate and chatted and even made some take out hoagies for several members of the group. I will definitely stop back in when I am up that way, because for a $3 hoagie and other cheap dishes how can you not?
(4)Tom C.
Hells yes to Banh Mi A culinary joy ride with friendly service I've recently started eating my way down the Adams Ave. Vietnamese corridor. Sadly to this point my experience with Vietnamese food has been limited in the seemingly limitless combination's of Pho ingredients...not any more. I have taken off the water wings and jumped into the deep end (mouth first). Seeing Dave H. and others review this as the best Banh Mi, I scrapped my systematic progression down Adams and jumped right to the end. I ordered the charbroiled pork version and with in minutes everything I thought I knew about sandwiches was rearranged like some cosmic Rubik's Cube in the hands of a sandwich genius that had correctly "solved" the puzzle by my last bite. The server working the tables was quite attentive and in between taking orders, getting people's drinks, running down the strip mall to make a delivery, and explaining things, he was bringing checks to the tables at a pay at the counter place...just a little extra effort on his part and it was noticed and appreciated. I rolled in just after 1:30 and was one of 4 tables sat in the tiny restaurant. I understand there is a hefty lunch crowd and even in my after lunch time slot they were doing a steady, if not frantic, take out business. This is a well liked establishment, by me for one and seemingly the rest of NE Philly too
(4)Eileen S.
Probably the BEST banh mi (Vietnamese Hoagie) in Philly... maybe the east coast. Yes, I have eaten decent banh mi in other places around Philly, Boston, Toronto and DC/VA, but this place is better. Seriously. Our family has been coming here for a long time, since I was in high school... and without giving away my age, that was more than 10 years ago ;) OK the location is not the best (this area is shady and has gotten worse over the years) and the place is a hole in the wall. I always get takeout, it's an easy enough drive from my parent's place in the burbs. Recommend: Banh Mi Thit Noung (bbq pork) with extra hot peppers. (See Dave H.'s photo)
(4)Aaron H.
Best banh mi in philly no doubt, i''ve been eating their hoagies since i was a little kid. Nothing really has changed since then, i plan to keep coming here for many more Vietnamese Hoagies
(4)Sandy T.
I LOVE their banh mi's here! Better than the other places I've tried, and growing up in a Chinese-Viet family, I've tried a lot. The hoagie isn't the only good thing there though, I've been there since childhood probably on at least 5 different occasions. Their beef tendon soup (in tomato sauce) is pretty good, but kind of lacking veggies. Their curry is fantastic too, but not too good of an item on the dieter's list. I can go on and on, but I really gotta say, their bun thit nuong is the BEST I have ever tasted, ever. Though my complaint is that the bathrooms aren't the most well kept..This is pretty far away though, so I don't go here often anymore. Best part, my aunt's the lady that makes the Viet hoagies =) (I'm not biased)
(4)Gabriel M.
I went to the Pho 75, located directly next door to Cafe Saigon, a few weeks ago (delicious by the way) and saw this place tucked into the corner of the strip mall. After reading some reviews on here, I decided to give it a try. I got the #2, charbroiled pork Banh Mi with various pickled and fresh vegetables, the Special #1, pork spring rolls, and a cup of rainbow tea. All three were absolutely delicious, and I will definitely be going back soon. The cuts of meat on the Banh Mi were choice and cooked perfectly. The pickled vegetables were, for the most part, a bit weak tasting, but they didn't overpower that delicious broiled pork taste, so I didn't mind. The french bread used in these sandwiches was tasty and went well with the rest of the pieces of the sandwich. The spring rolls were of average quality, I haven't necessarily had better or worse rolls from shops in Philly, but I enjoyed them. The rainbow tea, however, was an experience. I had no idea what the heck this was, but someone on here recommended it and I am glad I picked one up. This was my favorite part of the meal. A textural medley suspended in a freaking addicting sweet cream reminiscent of coconut milk.
(4)lin h.
This is for their bahn mi, particularly their bbq pork bahn mi. Hand down the best viet hoagie. Used to be $3.50 for the bbq pork, but now it's $4. Its not HUGE, but it is ok for anyone that has a decent appetite. The flavor is ridiculous and the bread is awesome. Definitely one of the best bahn mi's ever.
(5)Rich B.
Another great find! Stopped in after getting some pho to go next door @ Pho 75.Place was packed at noon on a Saturday. Got some items to go. They have an array of prepared stuff ready to go at the counter. Owners very friendly, helpful, and accommodating.This was my first visit. I'm already anticipating my next. Summer rolls; The best I've ever tasted! Fresh, crunchy, delicious. Generous size and $3 for an order of two. Nice ratio of vermicelli to veg, shrimp & herbs. Was that Chinese chives sticking out of the end? They made mine to order as I requested no pork. Sauce was crack-like addicting. Sweet, savory, w/crushed peanuts. Broken rice w/ chicken: A nice app-size portion. Extremely flavorful dark-meat charbroiled? bbq? chicken served over nice sticky, chewy "broken" white rice topped w/sauteed onions.Smoky & delicious! Dessert; Taro-Coconut pudding.Unbelievable! Chunks of taro lightly sweetened, immersed in a pudding-like consistency and topped w/ coconut milk.Came in a 8 0z. squat deli container. The above 3 items cost $7.50 total. Gotta get a banh mi next time. Owner said they can make beef or chicken as I don't really like pork. (Except for bacon)
(4)Kisente F.
I thoroughly enjoyed the different kinds if Banh Mi. The beef version was better than the cheesesteak joints around the area.
(4)Helen Z.
Cafe Saigon is my go to for banh mi in Northeast Philly. I've been coming here since I was a kid & nothing about this place has changed-- and thats a good thing! The bread is soft and always perfectly toasted and all the ingredients they use are super fresh. At $3.50 a sandwich, the price can't be beat. $4 will get you a BBQ pork hoagie, which is my boyfriend's go to. I also love their broken rice platters and banh cuon. And get their iced coffee with condensed milk, it's the best! This place draws a huge lunch crowd but I almost always do take out and they're super quick with that.
(5)Brian B.
Delicious Vietnamese food at Cafe Saigon. Bahn Mi is super cheap yet delicious. The broken rice dishes are very filling. No extra charge for a fried egg on top of your rice. The place can be a bit of a mess and the tables don't always get wiped down between customers but this isn't exactly fine dining.
(4)Mitsothea T.
This place has the best banh mi in the city. I cannot eat at any other location bc it always ends up so disappointing. Its not a fancy place but the food is always excellent.
(5)Daisy C.
Today I decided to stop in here to grab an ice coffee and a Vietnamese hoagie. I been coming here since I was a little girl. As I drove away, I drank my ice coffee. It was disguising, it was super sweet. The coffee taste like a day old coffee. So when I got home, I decided to call them to let them know. I spoke to the gentleman on the phone who said he was the manager. I explain to him that the ice coffee was bad. He told me that the coffee is the same everyday. He said for me to go somewhere else then! Well, I will take his word and go some place else. I drive one hour to come here to get Vietnamese Hoagies and ice coffee, well NOT anymore!!!
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