A popular choice because of bountiful portions and budget-friendly prices, Saigon Grill boasts locations in Greenwich Village and the Upper West Side. Décor is limited, and lighting dark, but the extensive menu showcasing flavors of Vietnam excuses the functional dining rooms. You may have to fight the crowds, but food arrives moments after ordering, so turnover is quick. The city is becoming more and more noodle-centric, and these menus feature plenty to choose from, with bun xao (stir-fried rice noodles with shredded vegetables, crushed peanuts, and egg), bun (room temperature rice vermicelli with cucumber, peanut, fresh herbs and nuoc chom sauce) and banh hoi (steamed angel hair noodles). All come with choice of meat. Other dishes include shrimp summer rolls, a number of soups, curries and seafood specialties, and the Spicy Beef Saigon Style, with hot peppers, shiitake mushrooms and asparagus. Vegetarian options abound, and don't neglect some sweet rice dumplings for dessert. Full bar. Serving lunch, dinner and late-night daily.
Where the Locals Eat rating
Best Vietnamese in NYC
Top 100 Restaurant, New York City
"Saigon Grill has been serving the New York City area for many years, providing the best Vietnamese cooking. Our chefs are well trained and know how to make a hearty meal taste wonderful."
– Saigon Grill website
"While Saigon Grill's business is mostly takeout, it is also a pleasant place to stay and eat, with some of the best Vietnamese food on the Upper East Side."
—The New York Times
"Share, or hoard for yourself, a host of authentic meat, seafood, and vegetarian main plates, as well as Grandma's Sweet Rice Dumplings, a not-to-be-missed dessert of soft, coconut-flavored dough wrapped around a crunchy peanut center."
—New York magazine
"Food is served fresh and fast. ... As the dish sits, the noodles soak up the sauces for a delicious, slurpable feast."
—Time Out New York
"In an era when many restaurants are festooned with kitsch, the functionality of the interior is one of Saigon Grill's chief attractions, and the cheap prices don't hurt either."
—Village Voice
How others rate Saigon Grill
Zagat 2009
21 food rating (very good to excellent)