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| - I am probably a Vietnamese restaurant owner's least favorite customer - growing up with excellent Vietnamese restaurants in Orange County, CA, I admit, I can be hyper critical. By the same token, satisfy my hunger for comfort food and I will sing a restaurant's praises until the cow's come home.
Saigon Palace is the first Vietnamese restaurant I've eaten at in Charlotte. When I saw the unassuming strip mall and the restaurant sign, I had to stop and try a taste of home.
The restaurant is spacious, more like a Chinese banquet hall then is typical of a Vietnamese restaurant. The menu has the usual staples, but somewhat concerning were the Chinese dishes and buffet that they offered - all atypical of a "real" Vietnamese restaurant. However, the staff were indeed Vietnamese (I could understand what they were saying.)
I ordered the Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio (Vermicelli, Pork and Egg Rolls). It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. The dipping sauce was very sweet and did not have the body and depth of good dipping sauces. The meat was cooked well and pretty good. The egg roll was mediocre. As a whole, the dish was average. Priced around $8, I am sorry, but I expect more.
I'd try it again, but wasn't all that impressed during my first visit. The atmosphere is confusing - with buffet tables and a large interior, it left me cold.
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