Here's a tough one -- Any decent Vietnamese, aside from pho, in or near the South Bay?

[Willly]

Just askin...

[heinous]

It doesn't get a lot of love here, but I'm a big fan of Thai Lai. I don't love their pho, but their other offerings are legit. All the Vietnamese people at my office go there for lunch regularly. They have quite a few other noodle soups on offer, which are interesting to try. The bun (vermicelli with grilled meat and egg rolls) are very good, the summer rolls are excellent, and the crepes, which can be hard to find, are awesome. They're quite busy, turnover is high, so everything is very fresh. No wilty lettuce or sprouts here. There are two locations - the one on Prairie is much smaller and has a tiny parking lot. They only serve the crepes on the weekend. The one on Hawthorne is much bigger with a parking lot in back, and crepes are always available.

14221 Prairie Ave
Hawthorne, CA 90250

12866 Hawthorne Blvd
Hawthorne, CA 90250

[bythebayov]

I second Thai Lai, my favorite authentic Vietnamese place. Love the broken rice with steamed chicken, pho and the sour and spicy beef stew YUM! Cash only though and hard to find parking.

[flylice2x]

You're talking about PHO Consomme on Redondo Bch Blvd next ot Firestone. It's pretty good . Better than PHO SO 1 in Tozai Plaza on the corner of Redondo and Western.
PHO Consomme
1850 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA
PHO SO I
http://phoso1.com/

[bulavinaka]

Pho Ever on Rosecrans in Gardena is pretty legit for non-OC/SGV Vietnamese, at least it was the last time we went about a year ago. The name conjurs up half-ass food but we pleasantly surprised.

[FoodObsessive]

I heard that Pho Ever has greatly reduced the variety of offerings on the menu - they now only serve about half as many things as they did a year ago. I liked them very much when I was last there, but need to check them out again.

[FoodObsessive]

There is nothing impressive in the beach cities, but Lawndale has some options. Huong Vi has Northern-style food and makes more dishes than are listed on the menu - if there is a particular thing you want, ask and they may do it. It's not Westminster quality, but it's pretty good.
Saigon Dish used to be very good for Saigon-style - the specific style of the Chinese community in Saigon, to be precise. I haven't been there for about a year and a half, but I have never had a bad meal there. If you talk to Mr. Nguyen (And yes, I know that there is a Mr. Nguyen at every Vietnamese restaurant) in advance and tell him that you will bring a moderately large party, he can do things that are way off menu and very good. They cater a lot of Vietnamese weddings.
Other than that's it's a pretty thin selection - a Vietnamese place opened on Western in Gardena, but I haven't been there yet.
Please report back, wherever you go!

[wienermobile]

+1 for Saigon Dish. Great neighborhood restaurant. Run by really nice people where the owner John, knows everyone by name and your regular order by memory. Good Pho and great vegetarian options too. Closed Sundays.

15725 Hawthorne Blvd (at Manhattan Beach Blvd.)
Ste 108
Lawndale, CA 90260

[Dommy]

I agree with Saigon Dish... It's my favorite in the South Bay. I LOVE the noodles they use in the Pho and their Pho Ga is one of my favorite in the city... They also have quite a variety of menu items... even EXCELLENT Bahn Hoi, my favorite Vietnamese dish that even in Little Saigon can be hard to find...

--Dommy!

[echoparkdirt]

Agree with Saigon Dish -- best by far of the vietnamese places in south bay. Not brilliant but excellent. Beware of others

[raizans]

not a fan of the pho at saigon dish, but the bun really hits the spot. noodles aren't overcooked and clumpy, good meat, etc.