I was told that this is an amazing Vietnamese place to eat at. I should have read the reviews to know that this isn't authentic Vietnamese food. I ordered vegetable spring rolls and thats when I knew this was fushion Vietnamese food. My vegetable soring rolls came with soy sauce instead of fish sauce. And the eggroll was stuffed like a chinese egg roll..with cabbage instead of tofu and vermicelli noodles. I didn't order the pho because it was too hot to eat soup. Although my friends had said to order it when I get there. I got a fish banh mi. And was disappointed. Vietnamese banh mi's most important ingredient is the baguette. I was disappointed with the bread. The fish lacked flavor. The shrimp bun with pork eggroll was ok. But you get only 6 shrimps. Service was fine. The place was cute. We didn't wait long for a table. read more

I came in here on a Wednesday evening, and it was pretty busy; however, I was able to get a table for my party without any wait. The staff is super friendly, although I found the food to be pretty mid. I think it is overpriced for the portion they provide. I ordered the pork chop, shrimp, and spring roll combo with white rice, and the portion was on the smaller end for $16.95. If you are in Greenwich Village and are extremely stuck on only eating Vietnamese food, come here. However, there are plenty hole in the wall Vietnamese locations with more authentic food at a fairer price point scattered across Manhattan. read more

I ordered vegetarian pho and was originally given meat broth which they realized when they put the bowl on the table which they promptly removed. They then came back my "vegetarian" pho which contained several pieces of chicken. I ordered the vegetarian p read more

Honestly expected more from this popular Vietnamese restaurant. I tried coming here on multiple occasions but there were too many inconveniences each time, primarily parking, that delayed my visit. I heard and read some great stuff from friends and couldn't wait to try out the food. I came in with my girlfriend ready to try their pho and Vietnamese sandwich. The wait was longer than expected, around 30 minutes. When we were finally seated, I noticed the size of the table was really small. When they brought out our phos and sandwich, it barely fit on the table and we had a hard time maneuvering around. We each ordered a bowl of pho, and decided to split a sandwich and summer rolls. The broth was good, but wasn't as good as I was hoping for. Nothing really special about the sandwich or rolls either. I think there's hype because it's just a trendy spot to go to. If I want pho, I'd much rather go to a classic Vietnamese restaurant where you go in, don't even look at the menu, and tell the waiter you want a number 1. Quick, easy, and you leaving full and satisfied every time. This wasn't a bad experience, but just having this long anticipated visit and all the hype built around it, it was definitely disappointing. read more

Saigon Shack - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

Solid pho place in a bustling and lively street near Washington Sq. Park. The food came out fast, the broth was steaming and portions of meat/veggies generous. While maybe not the best pho I'v ever had, it certainly hits the occasional pho craving well. read more

I came back a second time for their pho and it's really good! I got the grilled lemon grass chicken pho and while the chicken isn't the same as the ones from more lesser known places, it still really good. The chicken is lighter and thicker than the ones I've had before. I think they use chicken breast instead of thigh. The broth is really interesting and different. It has all the same flavors as your typical pho broth, but it's a little thicker and sweeter. I enjoyed it so much I almost drank all the soup before I ate anything and wasn't able to finish the chicken in the end. They've also included other aromatics like chopped cilantro, scallions, and white onions in the broth and when you add bean sprouts in the mix, it's just perfection. read more

Saigon Shack - Grilled lemongrass chicken bahn mi and the fresh summer rolls with shrimp, $16.33 - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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I have to say something about this special place, EVERTHING THERE ARE THE TOP NOTCH . Pho[soup] is the only place that have the right rich stock grill chicken go in the bowl. I have try other places[100 different restaurants] cannot compete this special restaurant. Other items there also top notches. JUST GO THERE WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS..... read more

This place is awesome. $5 banh mi? Hell yeah. $9.95 pho? Everything here is great, but the vermicelli bun dishes are top notch. Been coming here for years and still love it. read more

Saigon Shack - My guy straight munching - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

I want to give this place 5 stars based solely on the food But when it gets busy you could be waiting a long time to be seated, sometimes the line stretches out the door. We were seated at a cafeteria style table, which was very cramped and close to other people eating, which I'm not a fan of. However once they place your food in front of you, everything else seems to melt away because it is just incredible. The chicken in the pho is so juicy and tender, everything is so flavorful. All in all, top notch food and 100% worth a visit. read more

Awesome Vietnamese restaurant, got seated very fast. Price range is $5-15 a person. Summary: you can order different types of noodles, a rice bowl, or a sandwich. Plenty of drink options as well like Thai tea and viet coffee. I got the lemongrass chicken rice bowl and Vietnamese coffee, was not disappointed! Portions are very large, and I could not finish all of the food. If I had any complaints, it would be that the restaurant itself was super dark. Other than than, great service and food! Picture: lemongrass chicken rice bowl Shrimp and spring roll noodle bowl read more

Saigon Shack - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

Friday night near closing time and you would think, they would kind of rush you in and out. What is the polite time of waiting, til you flag the waiter? I noticed a couple of dudes came after us and got their phos before our orders were even taken. Lady in black tank top just kept chatting up those in the bar area and refilling their water. Ahh, I'm getting up.." Can we order, please?" A damper in an otherwise very nice night, when their pho was quite satisfying - both the classic and beef balls. Bahn mis were good, too; just too much carrots to the pork ratio, yet the flavor was well balanced. I loved their Vietnamese hot coffee. I had another cup. Here came the waiter, with the check, as I was still chewing, "whenever you're ready". read more

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Hands down the best Vietnamese food I've ever had! Everything from the broth, vegetables, meat, and bread is so flavorful - nothing about this place is bland. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area! Just don't forget to bring cash since they don't take credit cards. read more

I am SHOCKED that this place has such good reviews, and they really fooled me into suggesting this place for a few friends when we had a night out...it's been a few months, but this place just stands out like a sore thumb, and it is quite possibly the worst meal experience I had while I lived in NYC for over a year. Like Jing. H. (I don't personally know this reviewer) mentioned below, my waitress also came over at the end of our meal ASKING FOR MORE TIP...And not only that, the encounter ended with her SCREAMING and shouting, and calling us "DISGUSTING" while everyone else in the restaurant turned to look at us. And she tried to say how some tourists didn't know how to tip properly...what an excuse. Really, even before this encounter at the end of the meal, the SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE -- EXTREMELY RUSHED, EVEN WITH NO ONE WAITING. We waited for over 30 minutes for a table, and the moment we sat down, the waitress asks for our orders...Please give some space to breathe and at least read over the menu. And to top it all off, none of us particularly liked our array of dishes and appetizers...what's the fuss on Yelp about this place? (Keep in mind that this was before any nasty waitress encounter.) I was starting to feel very guilty for bringing friends along to here. And the food is SO OVERPRICED for SMALL PORTIONS. Crazy how you can get top quality, authentic Vietnamese food all across California for half the price. You're really paying for the trendy, hipster setting here...why bother? read more

J: it was sooooo gooood L: that was 10 minutes of complete silence :) Try it for yourself. (Note there's usually a 30min wait time during lunch and dinner hours) read more

Saigon Shack - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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Saigon Shack is probably the only place that serves Vietnamese food in West Village. Heck I was actually surprised to find any pho places past Chinatown. The prices are slightly higher but that's because it's West Village, however the quality makes up for it. There's usually a line during the weekend but it goes pretty fast. The seating can get a bit intimate because the seating is done communal style so get ready to rub elbows with your neighbor. Classic Beef Pho - Big hot bowl of broth served with an assortment of meatballs and slices of beef. Like the name says, it's a classic, if you're new to the pho scene, I recommend getting this to start with. Shrimp summer rolls - Another classic to start from. The summer rolls here are one of the biggest ones I've had in NYC, not bad for bang for buck. P.S. It's cash only so make sure you hit the ATM beforehand. read more

Saigon Shack - Classic beef pho - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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I took my friend here to try her first pho! I wanted to pick a place where it would do her experience justice and I was relieved and thrilled that it was incredible. We both came around noon and it wasn't crowded. There were people coming in and out really frequently so there were spaces available. We were greeted and taken care of immediately. Awesome service; thorough and not too chatty. Vegetarian Pho: I'm a huge fan of pho and not eating meat didn't stop me from trying to find a good rendition of it. The broth is vegetable based topped with your typical greens. I loved the extra cilantros but if you're not a fan, I'd ask them to go easy. The noodles were cooked perfectly, they weren't sticking together like a blob when I tried to grab them. The aroma even mimicked the real deal but obviously not as strong. My only complaint were the string beans... that didn't soak too well with the broth and it was a bit undercooked. Other than that, I thought the sodium/broth ratio was perfect as well. My friend ordered the classic beef pho. Before she headed back home, she told me that pho was the best thing she has had in New York! read more

Saigon Shack - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

Okay you win. This place is by far my favorite pho joint in the city. Yeah you heard me. It's the one place that stimulates these thought bubbles in my head: "Gee this isn't some fake-out Chinese Vietnamese joint" "The pho isn't overpriced and does not taste like crap" "This actually makes me want to stay in NYC to get a decent bowl of pho, instead of driving my ass to DC or Philly" That pretty much sums it up. The prices here are reasonable, the portions are generous (especially if you're insane enough to order extra noodles, extra meat, and drink all the soup), and the sides are actually pretty tasty. Even the vegetarian spring rolls were good. But you're not here for the sides (or the decent coffee) - you're here for the pho. Here's where they get it right. The soup base is solid, the noodles are cooked nicely and form that perfect harmony with the meat. My only minor gripe is that I wish the meat quality could be just a notch better ... if so they would achieve pho perfection like in the legendary pho 75 in Philly and DC. But honestly, this is just splitting hairs. The entire broth/meat/noodle combo is delicious, light and forms a savory mix that you'll be yearning for when it's cold outside, or when you're hungry but don't want to get greased out. I personally will make this my pho bastion in Manhattan until another champion steps up to the plate. Yum ... read more

TID-BIT POINTERS * Attentive and friendly staff [1] * Relatively decent size store, but a bit crampy [2] * Home-y atmosphere FOOD (menu) * Nailed down most of the popular Vietnamese dishes [3] * Wide range of options to choose from * Prices are super friendly [4] FOOD (experience) * Fried Springs Rolls [5] * Fried Roast Pork Dumplings [6] * Young Papaya & Mango Salad [7] * Vermicelli Grilled Pork Chops [8] OVERALL A very different vibe than your conventional Vietnamese restaurant. Came out more than satisfied! Great food at awesome prices! Who can argue when you're coming out with a happy stomach, a happy wallet, and a happy smile on your face! 2-star for service, 2-star for food (taste and price), and 1-star for overall environment! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [1] Regardless of how packed and crazy busy the restaurant was, both the manager and our server went out of their ways to stir up small chats with us and checked up on us fairly frequently [2] To be expected from such a popular restaurant; gets packed quick, so make sure to beat out rush hour [3] Got all your major Vietnamese food cravings from spring rolls, summer rolls, salads, banh mi, pho, noodles, rice, and coffee covered! [4] Only three dishes from the entire menu were above $10; my kind of place! [5] Super nice and crispy! And finally a place that provides enough lettuce, and pickled carrots and daikon for you to properly eat with. [6] Yummy in yo tummy~ Would recommend getting! [7] Nice, lightweight, and refreshing addition to your meal! [8] One of the very few places that doesn't overly pack your bowl with carbs (vermicelli or choice of rice)! And that made me love this place so much more because I am always a sucker of Vermicelli and Rice Vietnamese (Bun thit nuong, etc) dishes! Meat was nicely seasoned and grilled; not overly dry read more

Saigon Shack - (L) Fried Spring Rolls (C) Fried Roast Pork Dumplings (R) Young Papaya & Mango Salad - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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I was so excited after reading Ina L. 's review to see that a good Banh Mi place existed in the Village. So on a Friday night we rushed over, drooling like Pavlov' s dogs. Alas, there was a crowd at 8:30 pm for the small restaurant. So we opted for take out. Note that you go inside to place your order and then wait outside. On a crisp fall night it was a short pleasant wait. On a wintry night, a 10 minute wait will turn your saliva to stalacites. The two Banh Mi sandwiches we got were huge and we were too hungry to look.for the rulers for accurate Yelp photography. Jammed with pickled veggies, the catfish one was tasty with its sauce and the vinegar from the veggies and spicy with the generous jalapeno slices spread throughout. The fish lightly coated, was tender and fresh. I would have given this banh mi 5 stars but for the bread that I suspect was microwaved. Ugh. Soft and warm at first, it got increasingly tough. Ruined the experience for me. I almost gave Saigon Shack 2 stars but will return to try the Pho. The grilled lemongrass chicken got rave reviews for flavor too, with a minor complaint about the chicken not being marinated enough and the same major gripe I had about nuked bread. Either that or the bread had been sitting in a convection oven for too long. A tasty experience if you leave out the bread. read more

Saigon Shack - Catfish Banh Mi - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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I am in a roll of solid eats! Two 5 star destinations in two days. Saigon shack is one of those places that just has to be good. It's cheap, cheery and has a huge line outside of it every lunch and dinner time. That being said it's not one of those gimmick places that has a line due to their inefficient service and to create hype... it has a line because it's damn good and their turning people over as fast as They can. Note: had to wait around 15 mins for a table for 3, and this place is cash only. Food wise, everything is vibrant, fresh and truly delicious. I had the veggie bùn and my dining compadres had a fish Bahn mi, and pork chop on rice. Combined with a side of sautéed broccoli (seriously some of the best god damn broccoli I've ever eaten) and sweet potato fries, this was an absolute feast. Dishes will set you back $7-$12 for a main depending on what you order, but seriously given the taste and size, you will not be disappointed! Go here. read more

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Stopped here for some Vietnamese iced coffee ( very good) and decided to come back for dinner. It was a Saturday night so there was a little wait but not bad. They took our order quickly. I had the fried fish bon mi sandwich , it was very good . My husband had the pho ( noodle soup) with beef , also good. Prices were reasonable and food was good. We had to make a show across the street and we did in time. Wait staff was nice from the cashier to the waitress read more

If I could describe Saigon Shack in one word, it would be "efficient". The place gets crowded (and for good reason), but the hostess will give you a menu when you're outside waiting and take your orders in advance before seating you. It made the whole experience pretty seamless. As for the banh mi, they had a couple of interesting ones. I had the spicy beef brisket (which tasted like the kind you get with pho). It wasn't that spicy though. I also tried the peking duck one, which was interesting. It had the same condiments you'd expect from a peking duck bun. I liked the brisket better though. Only complaint is that they refill their Sriracha bottles with other Asian hot sauce. It's a different color, guys. Oh, also: cash only! read more

Saigon Shack - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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Wow wow wow. I'm Vietnamese and I know what authentic phõ and Viet dishes taste like. This place is solid gold for me. There are places in Philadelphia, Virginia, and Delaware (with heavily populated Vietnamese people), that don't compare to Saigon Shack. Having been back to Vietnam plenty of times, I can assure you that Saigon Shack is close to authentic. The broth is true to Vietnamese identity, and the rice noodles are chewy and soft in texture, as well as the various meats in the bowl. I also loved the vermicelli bowl with spring rolls (cha gio), grilled pork (thit nuong), and grilled shrimp (tom nuong). The noodles were great and the meats were perfect; I also loved how generous the portions are. The only downside of this place would be the wait time, which is about 15-30 minutes. read more

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While Vietnamese cuisine isn't one of NYC's best points in the culinary landscape, Saigon Shack is one of the stronger contenders in this category. Located just a short walk from the West 4th stop, it's a neighborhood spot even at first glance, commanding that low-key, hole-in-the-wall feel. There's one or two larger tables near the entrance, but the bulk of the seating is at several rows of two tops. They also have bar seating, which seems to be a better option for those dining by themselves. The menu is simple and very straight-forward: There are a variety of appetizers, pho, banh mi, and vermicelli bowls. I was sorely divided between getting a bowl of pho or a banh mi sandwich, but eventually decided on the Grilled Pork Chop Banh Mi, which is one of their signature dishes. After we ordered, our waiter paused a moment and asked me "Spicy or not spicy?". Another point for Saigon Shack. "Spicy," I confirmed. The Banh Mi came out shortly and just at first glance, it was impressive. There had been no skimping on the pork, and there was a good ratio of sliced carrots and cucumbers included. At first bite, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the vegetables had been marinated and had the perfect balance of crunch, acidity, and just a hint of sweetness. The grilled pork chop had been well done too; it's one of the denser forms of pork, but had plenty of flavor. As you might expect at a Vietnamese eatery, the table had bottles of sriracha and hoisin sauce, which were much-appreciated condiments in both the pho and banh mi. Although the sandwich might not appear too substantial, it's actually very satisfying and makes for a quick, portable dinner. A few final notes: The lines can get rather long, especially on weekends, so plan a trip here accordingly or order your food to go. They are cash only as well, but there's an ATM right outside the building. read more

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The spicy original bahn mi for only $5?? So good and so worth it!! I happened to walk by on a Wednesday night and saw that the restaurant was already packed inside. Luckily, they offer to go so just walk right inside to the cashier and they can help you out. Service is also pretty quick! My bahn mi came out in less than 5 minutes. THEY ARE CASH ONLY. If you're unlucky like me and have no cash, fear not! There is an ATM right outside to your right. I ordered my bahn mi and found out I had no cash so I quickly ran outside. I assumed (like most businesses) that the cashier lady would cancel my order but she didn't! She trusted that I would come back with cash :) I found that very nice. Anyhoo, you must come and try this place! I will definitely come back to try their other dishes and maybe try dining in some time! read more

Saigon Shack - spicy bahn mi! has jalapeños inside that can get pretty spicy for those who can't really handle spice! - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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I didn't know that there was a Vietnamese Cafe in the area. I was really surprised on the menu and price of the food. I had a coupon from Tenka and for $5 I got a Banh Mi, dumplings and a coffee. Normally worth $10. I got it to go and decided to eat it at my office a few blocks up instead. While waiting for my order i noticed how clean and simple the place is. Lot's of places to sit and it's good for groups. With my order in hand I was ready to go. The sandwich was really good. The bread was toasted perfectly, the daikon was fresh and crunchy and the jalapenos made it complete. This will be my new spot for a $5 sandwich... Goodbye $5 Footlong! read more

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Newly opened in the Village and my backyard, I knew I needed to check out this Vietnamese kitchen immediately. And I must say, with its decorative and instantly recognizable Sriracha bottles lining the shelves, it is most certainly welcome to the neighborhood. I had a Tenka.com coupon for the classic bahn mi sandwich lunch set ($5 for a sandwich, dumplings, and coffee = absolutely unreal). Whilst awaiting my order, I chatted with the cheerful waitstaff, who introduced me to their massive, glass, coffee drip apparatus (seriously impressive). As a full-time student, caffeine is a strict day-by-day necessity; the Vietnamese drip was delicious and potent. The pork dumplings that came with my lunch set were of a different consistency than my usual Chinese variety; they were decent, nothing extravagant. As for the sandwich: I attempted to surreptitiously nibble on it during my later classes, but instead inhaled it at much louder decibels in roughly five minutes. Definitely get your sandwich with some Sriracha on it, you will welcome the kick. UPDATED: My entourage and I were recognized from earlier this week (considering today is Wednesday, and I was there on Monday... mild embarrassing). We used Tenka's $6 large pho lunch deal set, so more drip coffee and pork dumplings! We previously received the steamed variety with my bahn mi sandwich, but got the fried ones this time around. I understand that we should live in a better, more health-conscious world; however, if given the opportunity, ask for the fried ones instead, as well as a generous supply of napkins. As for the pho, it was everything I wanted it to be. This meal moved Saigon Shack to 5 stars. Food was marvelous. I foresee a small allocation of my funds towards Saigon Shack's development in the far-reaching future. read more

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Good place for pho amd banh mi sandwich. Located in the West Village of New York City on a hustling and bustling street where if you blink you will pass it cause of so many restaurants and bars on this street. We started off with the fresh summer roll with shrimp. Plump rolls filled with carrots, shrimp, basil, and vermicelli noodle. Then I had the rare beef pho. The broth was hot and full of flavor and the beef was nice and tender. We also had the grilled chicken and lemon grass broth. It also was good. The place is a average size with seating inside and no outdoor seating. This place was slamming but the wait was fast here cause they have a quick turn around on customers coming in and out. I would say like 5 minutes after we ordered we got our appetizers and 10 after the pho. Good and fast service. read more

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I guess I am a sucker because I saw Mario Batali's picture and decided to go. But he is Italian and I think the bread was Italian bread. Maybe that is why he likes it. It is cheap because the ingredients you usually get at most Bahn Mi places are extra here and not already on the sandwich. I have not reviewed all that I have been to but I can say conclusively this is not even close to authentic much less the best. Not bad but not authentic or "the best!" Also the most important part, we both got tummy aches. read more

Saigon Shack - pork chop - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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Cute decor, friendly staff and drip coffee. YUM. It was a little too dark in my opinion, but I asked them to add more condensed milk and it was perfect. I didn't eat their other things yet, but it was cute and I will definitely be back. read more

Saigon Shack - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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The place isn't bad; it's simply not as good as it is advertised. The restaurant is located in west village. There was a host who took names and party size down. First thing you should do is put your name down. All members of your party have to be present to get seated. I was informed that it was a 10-15 minute wait. This is a cash only place so I guess you could use your wait time to visit the nearby bank. I have to say that they kept their promise and it was a 10-15 minutes wait. The place is very small and you will be lucky if you have elbow room. Once you were close to being done, staff were asking if they could take your bowl or plate away. Within seconds later, the check was at your table. It creates an atmosphere where you have to rush your food.Some may call that quick service. I would say, it's servicing you so fast that they don't want you to stay. I found the pho and Banh Mi to be average. I got the saigon pho and the classic banh mi. There were plenty of meat (beef, fish balls, and etc) in the pho. I was disappointed in the quality of the broth. It was a fairly clear pho, but I thought it wasn't as flavorful. There are better Vietnamese out there. read more

Saigon Shack - Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

I got the Saigon Shack Special Spicy Pho, and while I was confused by the meatballs & pate (Vietnamese ham), I got over it as soon as I took a bite. The pho broth base & noodles were pretty good! I was also excited to swirl my Sriracha & hoisin sauces together on a sauce dish and dip the contents of my pho, and dump the entire plate of bean sprouts + Jalapeno + basil + lime into my soup. I also enjoyed the cubed beef bun (over vermicelli, but you can get it over rice as well), and really appreciated the abundance of veggies as well as the shallot sauce the beef was sauteed in. Be sure to get a fried egg as well ($1 extra). While the food is objectively delicious and unmistakably Vietnamese, this place is still catered to an American palate (hence, subjectively a 3 but objectively a solid 4 stars). The pho definitely needs more green onions & cilantro, their fish sauce needs to be more "fishy," and they need to up the acidity of the pickled vegetables. I'm still in search for that authentic bowl of pho with tripe & tendon in Manhattan, but until then, Saigon Shack will be the place to scratch my pho itch. Cash only! read more

Saigon Shack - Saigon shack spicy pho. The "Vietnamese ham" is actually pâté - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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4 words ' SO PHO KING GOOD ' This places is my go to , don't know what I want but want something hot and tasty. The Saigon shack pho has everything a man can want and more , brisket , tender beef and meat balls in amazing broth all for 8 bucks . With a little banh mi on the side and a summer roll to start you can still have change from a twenty . All this in the West Village seems to good to be true . Its cash only , its a little bit of a wait and its crazy busy but well worth it ! I nearly didn't write a review as I was feeling selfish and don't want it to become another Totto Ramen line outside . But these guys deserve a great review . read more

Saigon Shack - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

In the hustle and bustle of MacDougal, among the college bars, and tattoo parlors, there sits a hidden Vietnamese food gem. Hidden as in it's not the type of restaurant or bar you'd expect to find on this street, but definitely very popular. We came on a weekday evening and there was a 30 minute wait for the party of 2. Thinking we would starve before getting a table, we almost left to go elsewhere. It was a good thing we didn't because we would've missed out on some great food. The service was very fast and attentive even though there really was just one waitress and 2/3 bus boys. The waitress started taking orders before even seating people so it sped things along and allowed for very quick turnaround at the tables. We grabbed a bar stool and received our food not even 10 minutes later. We ordered the vermicelli with pork chop, egg roll, shrimp, over vegetables and paired with Vietnamese fish sauce pho special, and shrimp goi cuon, in no particular order. The goi cuon was very light and worked well as an app. There wasn't much substance to it with minimal shrimp and mostly veggies. The pho was quite good and so was the vermicelli. The vermicelli was nicest for its beautiful layout, great grilled flavor in all the meats, and homemade-flavored fish sauce. It really tasted like it was made by an older Viet woman somewhere, quite surprising to find. read more

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10 bucks for a pork chop bowl in the city. The only thing I can get for 10 bucks these days is a McDonalds Happy Meal. Seriously, the best Vietnamese food for the price in NYC. Wish they had one in Queens. Like, it'd be my go to every single day. read more

You can get decent pho at a lot of places. Theirs is not outstanding and doesn't make up for their horrible service. I can't imagine that their banh mis are good enough to make up for it either. Long story short, the people that work there are rude and forgetful. Probs will not be back any time soon. read more

Saigon Shack - Shrimp Summer Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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Upon reading many NYU students' raving reviews, I was excited to relieve my hangover with a warm bowl of savory pho. I was one of the first people to enter on a Sunday morning. As I was the first to order a bowl of pho, especially ordering food on a weekend, I was ready to slurp my Sunday away. To my dismay, the meat crumbled in my mouth. The grainy texture of the meat was so appalling, I left without finishing the bowl. This marks the second time in my life that I left pho unfinished. I thought I was overreacting and decided to give this place a second try. Again, a disappointment. With a party of three, we ordered three plates and they enforced a $15 minimum per person. The sandwich was overfilled with pickled radish and carrots. The spring roll was bland because majority of the filling was filled it rice noodles. Come here for sandwiches, not pho. Oh, and this place is overrated. I've had better pho and sandwiches in Philly. read more

Are there better or more authentic Vietnamese restaurants in NYC? Yes! But are you going to find a better alternative around Macdougal street? Think not! There is always a line to get into Saigon Shack and with good reason: The price is right, the food and service is consistently great and you'll never leave hungry. Almost all of the items on the menu are under $10. I'm a big fan of the grilled pork chop, spring roll and shrimp platter (see pic). At $11.95 it's probably the most expensive item on the menu. I've also enjoyed the catfish and pork chop bánh mì. The pho broth is flavorful and certainly doesn't need any hoisin sauce or Sriracha added to it. It comes with a side of pickeled vegetables and jalapenos. The longest I have ever waited to get into Saigon Shack has been about 40 minutes on a Saturday night. The service is lighting fast, though, which also means you should eat quickly and leave. Please do not ponder the meaning of life while the throng of people huddled by the entrance ogle at your table. Thanks in advance, you considerate you. -- Cash Only -- read more

Saigon Shack - Pork chop, shrimp and spring roll platter. - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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Had a classic banh mi. It was certainly delicious, but not everything I had hoped for. All ingredients fresh, and sandwich well proportioned and flavorful. Enjoyed the difference in texture offered by the almost cheesesteak consistency/texture meat. A nice change-up from most traditional banh mi's that sport exclusively sliced meats. The pate and head cheese were of satisfactory quality, and made for a delicious sandwich. Vegetables perfect. Not too much, not overly pickled. Just right. Also, while I'm assuming the bulky cucumber spear is traditional, these nice, manageable slices were much appreciated. The price is very reasonable, which I really appreciated, specifically because of the sandwich's relatively modest (but not small) size, and the restaurant's location. I think the rest of the menu is the way to go here. I'm a banh mi lover, and for me, the Cub Classic over at Xe May still holds the title, but everything I saw at the Shack looked fantastic from the pho, to the summer rolls, the papaya salad to the other entrées. Really looking forward to going back. If I'm dining in, I'll be trying them all. read more

Saigon Shack - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

This Vietnamese place is the bomb! Their pho is this huuuugeee bowl of amazing soup of noodles, some sort of meat, vegetables, and spices. I love the lemongrass chicken and I like to pour hot sauce in it along with the bean sprouts they give. And it's only 9-10 bucks. Highly recommend any sort of pho. If you are in the mood for something sweet their vanilla shakes are so damn good! I think they are made of pure ice cream, they are that good haha. Anyway I love Saigon Shack. I've been dozens of times. Great place to sit down for a cozy meal or take something to go. read more