Despite being concealed by a bland exterior and a generic name, a seemingly nondescript restaurant just might be serving up some of the most authentic and delicious dishes in the entire Omaha metro.
Vietnamese Restaurant is a small, locally owned establishment in the core of La Vista. It sits just off the corner of 84th & Giles Road in an unappealing strip mall and is a quick walk away from the Astro and the new entertainment district.
When I walked into the restaurant, I was taken aback by how beautifully decorated the place was. The ceilings were garnished with authentic umbrellas, dimmed lighting and Vietnamese culture sprinkled throughout the establishment. It is not an Asian cuisine restaurant without an infamous fish tank, and Vietnamese Restaurant did not disappoint.
A worker welcomed me and told me to sit anywhere I pleased. A certain thing that stuck out to me was the fact they kept their menus on each table and an entire paper towel roll to use at one’s own discretion. There was, of course, complimentary soy sauce and sriracha bottles to use for the meals as well.
Their menu is basic and easy to read, packed with typical Vietnamese dishes. Pho is a Vietnamese classic, a dish that you can never go wrong with ordering and arguably the most well known entree. I ordered their beef pho, a meal I’ve had numerous times.
It came quickly and steaming hot, an indication that this meal was fresh and crafted just minutes before. The pho had a great balance between sweet and savory: there are not words to truly explain this incredible flavor. It had a homey feel complimented with a rich, aromatic smell that captured a comforting feeling that brought warmth on a not so warm day.
The drink portion of the menu had a plethora of boba options, so I went with one of my personal favorites, mango boba. There was nothing special about this drink; the actual tapioca itself tasted rubbery and the drink tasted extremely artificial.
Finishing up my meal, I was handed complimentary Asian candies, something I am a killer for, included with the bill. The entire meal was a decent price, around $20 per person, pretty normal for any restaurant these days.
The hours are a bit questionable, opening up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., taking a short break then starting up business again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. I assume it’s for resetting and preparing ingredients for the dinner time hours, considering my meal was freshly made.
This restaurant feels like striking gold, from their welcoming staff to the delicious food itself. Vietnamese Restaurant is a diamond in the rough, a place that truly deserves more attention than its simple name implies.
