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| - I have to update my review as there is nothing keeping this place from five stars in my book. The service is as friendly as could be (recognized me on my first return visit), the food is fantastic (and the broths are homemade, simmering bones for 8 hours - not from a cube), the prices are reasonable, and I love that I can stop in for a decently quick bite (the all made to order from super fresh ingredients, sometimes by only one person can take a little bit longer) or end up chatting away for over an hour with friends or the staff.
Kien Giang is where I like to go when I want something a little more than a list of 15 Phos or Buns with varying meat topping. (On the days I do want this, I know I can drive an extra block down the road to Pho Hoa). I feel like they've handpicked from all over Vietnam the dishes they do best, and that's what they serve. Top choices: marinated quails (still haven't tried the tamarind), lotus root salad, bun bo hue, and the bun rieu. I like the grilled shrimp & spring roll bun, but as Mike K pointed out - having to peel the shrimp was more of a mess than I was looking for during a lunch stop. The lemongrass beef bun is also tasty, well frankly everything I've had I've been extremely happy with.
Also, if you're calling in ahead to pick up, don't be afraid to ask for specials. More than once I've walked in and Linda had a dish for sale that was not on the menu (like delish savory shrimp cupcakes, banh khot maybe?).
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