The service in Little Saigon, Malboro

[KarenLLT]

Obnoxious waitress cum owner. Food was authentic, but I won't go back if this lady is in the restaurant. Bossy boots she is!

[Bossa_Nova]

We have been coming here every two or three weeks since it opened and have never experienced any rude service. In fact my experience has been just the opposite, they are always very friendly and accommodating.

[yCf]

I have the same experience. I don't see any problem with their service. They have always been friendly with my family and I.

However, I could see the owner/waitress in question come across as rude and bossy but I think that is probably due to the way she talks.

[wench31]

i agree. That's just her personality. She's very friendly.

[cherib]

Lisa can be friendly AND obnoxious! She oversteps the boundary between waitstaff and customer. Everyone else at the restaurant is very nice and helpful.

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Little Saigon
19 Elm St, Montclair, NJ 07042

[randy115]

We go to Little Saigon at least twice a month.The food is always worthwhile; often delicious. Lisa certainly has personality...some might mistake her attitude as rude. I would strongly disagree. She's just a little rough around the edges-but means well and is always full of information for the novice.

[MarlboroMan]

I went today for lunch. Hard to tell if the place was open--- kinda dark inside.

Had a bowl of pho.. also tried the savory crepe ... really, really good.

I got up towards the end of my meal and went to the bathroom. Came back and my bowl (still partially full of soup) had been removed. MAJOR pet peeve, but the waitress said, "Oh, did you want that?" Well, yes, I wasn't done eating. But, she packed me up a new small order to go, so all is well.

I don't know why, but whenever I eat Vietnamese food, it's such a flavor explosion. There's sweet, sour, spicy, salty and a bunch of other elements, all at once. No other cuisine hits me with that many flavors at once.

[Quine]

And for a set of reviews for this restaurant there is this thread:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/752311

[drongo]

Well, I have to agree that this restaurant has the rudest waitress I've EVER encountered. But I thought food was good (though I'm no expert on Vietnamese food).

(Incidentally, at time of writing chow.com has automagically linked to a Little Saigon in Atlantic City... but I think this thread refers to the restaurant in Monmouth County.)

[MarlboroMan]

Now I want to go, not only to try the food, but to encounter the rude service. In fact, if I'm not treated rudely, I might even be disappointed. :)

I live about 2 minutes from this place. I got a Bahn Mi (my first ever) from there for last New Year's Eve. Thought it was good but not great, but I should give lunch a try this week.

[Duppie]

I'm with you. Just how bad can it be? By the way I found a strictly Bahn Mi place in Edison but have yet to try it so when I do I'll pass it along.

[MarlboroMan]

Well, I went today. Been craving soup lately.

Sorry, no rude service to report. I had a guy, he was all smiles. A lady also served me tea, also very nice.

Got a regular sized bowl of the "Extraordinary Pho Bo" ($8.99). Glad I didn't get the X-Large! More than enough for lunch! Such a symphony of flavors! Wow.. just wow. I will definitely be back there again soon!