Vietnam Gardens
Vietnamese · 5433 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78216
★★★★½ 1 review(210) 377-1989
Menu Items
Reviews
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Fresh Food Made From Scratch. You Can Really Tell On The Beef Salad
It had been several years since I last dined at Vietnam Garden, a restaurant I used to visit often for their exceptional Thai-style beef salad. Recently, I decided to return and order my old favorite.
Upon entering, I immediately noticed some changes. The booths were gone, replaced by new tables that gave the dining area a more open and refreshed look. While many aspects of the restaurant remained familiar, a few updates had clearly been made since my last visit.
A Menu That Spans Many Regions
The menu offered a wide variety of dishes, some I had never encountered before, and others that were familiar from Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai restaurants. While the prices were slightly higher than I remembered, the owner assured me that many of the dishes were generously portioned. I decided to stick with my old favorite, the beef salad, and ordered that.
Fresh Beef Salad
When the plate arrived, I was impressed by the sheer size of the salad. It was piled high, a good four inches or more above the plate, with a decent amount of meat on top. The dressing / sauce was pooled at the bottom, promising a flavorful bite with every forkful.
One of the standout qualities of this place’s beef salad is the consistently crisp and fresh vegetables. While some places serve their entire salad warm, the vegetables here are always fresh. In the past, the beef was typically cooked medium rare, though more recently, it’s been served closer to medium.
I took my first bite and the sauce was nearly the same as in the past, it had a nice sweet & sour flavor, with a nice blending of flavors. The meat was tender, cooked medium with just a slight pink color to it. The salad consisted of sliced cucumbers, chopped lettuce, white onion, soaked carrot slices, some tomato wedges, and a bit of celery. Topped with the beef, and the sweet & sour sauce that is a vinegar, lime, & sugar based clear liquid.
Jasmine Tea
I didnt order the Jasmine tea, but I felt it was something that needed mentioning. The iced jasmine tea here in the past was amazing. It was refreshing & sweet with a unique flavor unlike anywhere else. Im not sure if it has changed any, but it was always one of my favorites at lunch.
Staff & Service
During my meal I was checked on at least 3 times. Staff was friendly, gave me time to view the menu, ask questions, and even let me know the menu was available for download when they saw me photographing it. (You can see the downloaded menu attached)**
I spoke with the staff a bit at the end of my meal, who told me that some of their bun bowls (Vietnamese noodle) were top selling entrees, something I had not tried here, despite it being a Vietnamese restaurant. The owner who is also the cook, has been the same owner since I first started dining here over 2 decades ago.
Overall Impression
If you're a fan of salads, especially beef salads, and you're looking for one that’s hearty enough to be a meal on its own, this is the place to go. The portions are generous, and the flavor is outstanding. The ingredients are fresh and crisp, offering a satisfying crunch in every bite. While some may enjoy partially cooked vegetables, this version is perfect for those who prefer their veggies fresh and vibrant. If you love fresh, flavorful salads, this is a must-try.
Beef Salad
Dining Area
Beef Salad
Vietnamese Menu Page 1
Vietnamese Menu Page 2
Thai Menu
Chinese Menu
Specials Menu
Appetizer Menu
— Paul