Drew: Tagged down behind enemy lines, you might not expect to find a delicious plate of crispy egg noodles. But that’s exactly what you’ll encounter at regionally famous Saigon Legend, located on 1228 W. University Ave. This unassuming Vietnamese eatery doesn’t plaster its rooms with glow-in-the-dark tables and new-age bullshit; instead it brings a nice medley of pork, chicken and Asian vegetables that will delight the senses and set your taste buds ablaze.
John: As soon as you sit down, you will be greeted by one of the waiters who usually knows little to no English. But don’t worry, he or she breaks the language barrier with a hearty smile and never ever let your drink get lower than three inches below the rim. For drinks, I suggest the coconut or canned soybean milk. The coconut is a whopping $3, but it’s worth every penny as you get to eat the coconut when you’re done. Maybe go ahead and order yourself a crazy bubble tea; the black milk flavor is the best.
Drew: If it’s your first time to the Legend, I suggest one of the crispy egg or rice noodle dishes or a simple Saigon Chicken. If you’re a more daring eater, try the Beef Luc Lac or the infamous Bun Heo Nuong Cha Gio. It also has a pretty wide variety of vegetarian options. A word to the wise, though: The roast duck is not its specialty. If you like to turn up the heat, try some Sriracha hot sauce on your meal that’s stocked at every table; the taste will both cleanse your palate and clear your sinuses. Even pour it in your soup for a little extra kick.
John: And oh my, what big soups they have. If you were to charge $6 for soup I would usually flip you the bird, but at the Legend the soups are easily worth $10. The Pho soup is served in a bowl the size of Tim Tebow’s neck. The other soups are stews of beef, chicken or tofu with crispy bean sprouts on the side, all for around $6. Saigon Legend represents the pinnacle of hole- in-the- wall restaurants, and the portions are so large that you should even have enough to bring half of your meal home.
