I went here with my wife, we had to abruptly leave due to a female medical issue that involved tortuous cramps the likes of which are not normal. Between the writhing pain, we did try a few bites of things. We had a frog plate and a beef shake plate. They were both quite good. I don’t remember the names exactly, except for the Beef Shake. It took a bit for the food to be prepared, but it was absolutely fresh, hot, and couldn’t have been much better. It was made with love and the plates were beautiful, it was almost like seeing something from a magazine. It was akin to seeing something, like a beautiful burger, but then when you get the burger, it looks just like the picture. How often does this happen? Very good work! The food’s flavors were very good. They have some sort of home made sauce that came with the dishes, which had freshly chopped ultra-hot peppers in them, making the sauce miserably spicy. I loved it, and I loved how it was on the side, rather than in the dish, which let me pick how spicy I wanted things. The Beef Shake was a bit over marinated, which was a bit overly sweet, but it was still an «A». It was over crisp Romaine hearts. That’s all it was, and it was freakishly good. How delightfully deceitful. Awesome work! The frog dish had a large abundance of Frog in it, so much so, that I’m wondering how they make a profit, what are they doing, catching and frying them their-selves? The frog was in thin Yellow Curry, which I dislike, but somehow, they pulled it off and it was good. The place is wonderful, with a nice staff. It seems a bit rundown, but I was there for real ethnic food, not ambiance. They have a small menu, and ordering is easy. It’s a bit more than most places, with the average plate being about 15USD, but where else can you get frog for 15USD? Yes…yes I would recommend this place for people who want to try something new. I would also suggest it to friends, family, and people who are food critics. The only reason they don’t get five stars, is because four and a half seems a bit unreasonable, as I feel that people are a bit black and white on Unilocal.Those stars are reserves for the worlds best and worst. This is a good place everyone, try it.
Chris S.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Bend, OR
I’m very happy I found this place. The restaurant is more of a Vietnamese karaōke bar. Don’t let that stop you(and they do take out if you’re not into that). The food was outstanding! The menu was all Vietnamese names and had no English descriptions. I believe I was the only person, customer or staff, that didn’t speak Vietnamese. Not knowing what any of it was I asked the cook what he thought was the best item they make. A goat curry stir fry. I loved it! I would like to try the rest of the menu and will stop in next time I’m in Portland.
Yen N.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Portland, OR
There must have been a change in ownership recently because the previous reviews just doesn’t seem to fit this place. First of all, I would categorize this restaurant as a Vietnamese karaōke bar. That explains the tinted windows. I’ve drove by this place everyday but thought they were closed. The menu is very limited, nothing like pictured. All the food are what I call Vietnamese drinking food. Unless you’re sitting around drinking and socolizing, the food just doesn’t fit in. We ordered 3 dishes and it came out to $ 40, not at all hole in the wall price. I have the say the service is exceptional. They are so friendly! I feel bad for not giving them a better review because I want them to thrive. Hopefully they will expand their menu to include regular Vietnamese food and not limit their clienteles to just bar/karaōke/drinking.
Evan B.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Portland, OR
For the price, you cant get much better. I work just up the street, so I tried carry out on my way home to Vancouver. Service was exceptional, and the staff were friendly and communicative. The meal was still stellar 20 minutes later when I got home, and for 20 bucks, 2 people can get filled up right! The crispy chicken was awesome, and not too fishy or garlicky for those with sensitive palettes, and the noodles were cooked perfectly. I will definitely be back! Cheers!
Allegra D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Portland, OR
Don’t let the sparse décor and fluorescent lights fool you — this place is awesome! The staff was very friendly, service was fast, and everything was delicious. We got the egg rolls(pretty standard), tamarind chicken wings(sticky but delicious), grilled calamari and vegetables(perfect, spicy broth), and, to top it all off, goat tenderloin. I cannot stress enough that you should absolutely order the goat tenderloin if it’s available; it was perfectly cooked and the dipping sauce was out of this world(this dish is not on the menu — I guess they only offer if/when they have goat). I will definitely be going back.
Douglas v.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Portland, OR
4 not 5 cause it is funky. Food? 5. Simply amazing. Got the goat curry, chicken wings in fish sauce and crispy shrimp. Crispy shrimp was just salt an pepper shrimp chinese style but still great. But the first two entrees were fabulous. We were offered«off the menu» items but I chose to go with the first items to check it out. And was very pleased. They do have stuff precooked in hot pans. Not sure what that was about, but I did see the staff eating it. Did have fried pomfrie fish in thepans. While I think Pure spice is much fancier, the flavour here kills them hands down. If it were closer, would eat here once a week. So I suspect twice a month. Will post up on the next dishes.
Ann V.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Portland, OR
I had two Christmas parties at Simply Vietnamese. Both times the food was excellent with nice ambiance. Simply Vietnamese was kind enough to let my two groups used their adjacent room with the bar for our two parties. For our first course, we had soup that was chicken stock with potato, carrots and chunk of chicken breast. It was delicious. For appetizer, we had spring rolls and salad rolls with fish sauce dip and peanut dip; both were good. For main course with had the caramelized quails, they were delicious. Each diner was to have half a quail but they asked if they can have second; Simply Vietnamese’s owners were very accommodating and were very nice on this issue since the price was fixed per diner. We also had Vietnamese Shaken beef; it was good. We had pan fried baby potato wedges with beef. It was very good. We also had stir fried broccoli, mushroom, carrot with beef. It was good. For side, we had steam rice and fried rice. Our experience both times at Simply Vietnamese were very good; the restaurant is family owned; the owners were very nice, accommodating and very involved with day to day operation of the restaurant; from scheduling to cooking. From my impression, they are very proud of what they put out to customers and constantly checking on their customers’ needs. We were not expecting service since our parties were family buffet styled, but we got it. For the first party, twenty-nine people attended and gave Simply Vietnamese five stars rating. They were happy with the food, service and the ambiance. It was the same with the second party of twenty people. We really enjoyed our time at Simply Vietnamese and looking forward to schedule more parties. I am planning to come in to sample regular menu. I will review it as well.
John K.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Portland, OR
I went here for lunch. They feature a two entrée combo with steamed rice and soup for $ 5.50-$ 6.50 depending on what you get. I got one with chicken and one with shrimp and an order of canh ga rang me, which are the tamarind crispy chicken wings. Everything was very tasty, especially the chicken wings. The two women that worked there were very friendly and informative. One gave me a rundown of the various sauces and marinades that were used in the entrees, and the other gave me an overview of Central Vietnamese cuisine. I would like to come back for dinner sometime as I am trying to expand my Vietnamese culinary experience beyond phở and bun bo hue.