Pho Lang Thang Too Busy? Remember the Orient
Posted Monday, January 3, 2011We've tried several times to get a seat at the newly opened and ultra-hip Pho Lang Thang, without success. Be it poor timing or blind luck, we've not been there at a time when there wasn't at least a 30-minute wait or a shortage of a key ingredient. And while it's great this Findlay Market business is getting showered with an abundance of foodie love, I'm reminded that it's not the only Vietnamese player downtown.
As reported seven months ago by Polly Campbell and TJ Jackson, the Banh Mi sandwiches have been readily available at tiny Le's Cafe, located inside the Main Library, before Pho Lang Thang was but a mere scribble in an ambitious business plan.
If you've never tried a Banh Mi, you'll find it quite a unique experience, one you'll either savor or despise. This "Vietnamese Po' Boy" is a working man's staple, served on a crusty baguette, offering a one-two flavor punch of hearty meat and spicy vegetables and a fragrant, cilantro finish.
Le's Cafe offers the 6-inch Banh Mi for just three dollars; you can get a foot-long for five. Stick that in your sub and smoke it, Jared.
The other downtown favorite of mine, one that gets virtually zero Twitter or Facebook love, is simply called, "Orient." You can find the unassuming Asian restaurant at 627 Main Street, across from Izzy's and Penn Station.
The decor at Orient is minimal: some (possibly plastic) potted plants line the front window and the dining room consists of about seven or eight worn booths. Not exactly sexy or Twitterific. When an order is placed, Caucasian patrons usually don't get much in acknowledgment from the owner beyond, "okay," but what he lacks in conversation, he amply makes up for in food.
The menu includes a mixture of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese items. I eat there year round, but when winter hits, I especially yearn for Orient and its great Pho. A generous bowl comes filled with long, wispy rice noodles and thin, slightly pink slices of beef, still cooking in the hot, fragrant broth. Sprouts, jalapeno slices, green onions and a carousel of not one, not two, not three...but FOUR types of hoisin and chili sauces of varying heat accompany the bowl, allowing you to season the Pho to suit your distinctive palate.
So until the Pho Lang Thang buzz quiets down a bit and the Tweeters move on to the next new, hip thing, remember: you've got a couple tasty Asian alternatives.
627 Main St., Cincinnati, OH 45202513-241-9191
Rating: 3.0 out of 4
= Outstanding
= Fair
= Poor
The best TACO joint in the city. I go there as a treat to myself every Monday. TEX MEX TACOS are delicious culinary treats that look beautiful and taste great. I'm so impressed with this place that I never explore the other items on the menu. If you don't get your taco fix here, you're losing in life.
posted: Tue., Apr 27th, 2021 @ 2:37 PM
My Wife and myself dined at Ferrari’s on Saturday and the Food and service was great/ I had the Butternut Squash Ravioli with misc nuts and sauce and it was the best meal I’ve had there/ My wife had the Fish and Vegetables and was very happy/ I also got a couple of their pizza and olive loaves of bread/ The bread is always a hit at work.
posted: Mon., Nov 23rd, 2020 @ 1:14 PM
@Rick: Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to remember to give them a try.
posted: Sat., Nov 21st, 2020 @ 9:06 AM
Try Joe's Pizza located at Airway and Smithville Rd. You might like it...That's one of favorite haunts. I definitely think it beats Cassano's.
posted: Fri., Nov 6th, 2020 @ 4:19 PM
Hands down the best Indian in the area. I have yet to find their yellow Punjabi dish anywhere. It is my favorite, and what keeps me coming back time after time. I think I have been here over 100 times. I love this place.
posted: Thu., May 28th, 2020 @ 12:03 PM
I found a gyro I keep thinking about
https://www.yelp.com/biz/tazikis-mediterranean-cafe-cincinnati
their lamb gyro is about 2-3 bucks higher in cost than a gyro elsewhere - B U T - it is made with whole pieces of lamb meat, not the lamb and beef loaf that all other Gyro joints in Cincinnati seem to do
it is a chain. A minus for me, and I suspect for you as well.
But its good.
really, really good
one caveat: skip the baklava as it is not made in-house
posted: Mon., Dec 9th, 2019 @ 12:43 PM
I'll take your word for it, then.....it is fairly close to work so it'll be an upcoming lunch
I also need to try out this little taco wagon near Quatmans in Norwood
posted: Mon., Sep 9th, 2019 @ 6:21 PM
Hi @TJ - We were pretty impressed with the quality of the items, which I think justifies some of the pricing. I really liked the house-made tortillas and their salsas. Chilero offered some extra little touches that were a pleasant surprise. :)
Just by way of comparison...that same week we'd tried the new Mazunte location downtown...and our experience at Chilero beat them out.
posted: Thu., Aug 29th, 2019 @ 10:18 PM
Great food and fantastic atmosphere
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 8:29 PM
Seems very pricey for a mostly carryout/counter-service joint
posted: Wed., Aug 28th, 2019 @ 5:51 PM