Update: The Pho Viet part with all the delicious soups is apparently not defunct. This joint is now only open as the Van Bakery part and just does baked goods and banh mi sandwiches now.

This wall proclaims the restaurant to be called Pho Viet. But I thought it was called Van Cafe Bakery (and sandwiches)?

To the left there were some racks of cold drinks and junk food.

The condiment and utensil caddies.

Ashley and I decided to eat get the rice vermicelli seafood soups – Ashley the northern style ($7), and I the southern style ($7.50). We were waited on my two very nice ladies – we’ll call them the grandmother-type and the mother-type – and they both cautioned us away from the seafood soups because they were “too strong,” made with “fish paste and shrimp paste.” This was done in a very friendly and concerned manner, and was clearly well-intentioned, but completely unnecessary (and most likely because we’re white – see my rant in Mariscos post if you’re interested in more rambling on that subject). But in short: We may be honkies but we ain’t scurred – bring it.

Once ensuring that we would be happy with what we ordered, the grandmother-type returned to tell each of us exactly which condiments to use on our dishes and which were not intended to be used. I thought it was great, because I probably would have used the wrong things.

We came to this restaurant with our A-game appetites, so it wasn’t ’til I came up for air almost halfway through that I remembered to photograph the dishes. Whoops.

Northern-style vietnamese seafood soup.

Uber blurry pic of my southern-style vietnamese seafood soup.

Everyone really liked these seafood soups! The northern’s broth was simply amazing, while the south boasted a wider variety of veggies and meats. They were both delicious and not off-putting in any way!  The general consensus seems to be that we all preferred the northern soup’s broth and the southern soups seafood and veggies.

Blurry pic of Adam’s pho – filet and crispy filet.

Adam ordered the combination beef filet and crispy beef filet pho ($6.95). Adam declares the base of this soup to be the best pho base we’ve had so far. Stephen got the combination rare steak and brisket (also $6.95).

Stephen’s rare steak and brisket pho. It was very rare when it arrived, but had cooked in its juices by the time this was taken.

Stephen’s thoughts: “The atmosphere is lackluster, and that could easily be very important to many, but the food was excellent, and at a great price. The staff was friendly, albeit casual, but they helped you with your choices. The boring atmosphere is no reason to pass this place by, assuming your goal is great food at a great price.” Stephen also ordered the espresso with sweetened condensed milk – his  new favorite thing to order at vietnamese joints – though this time he tried it hot instead of iced ($2.50).

Thai tea shake in the front, soursop in the back.

Ashley and I also got boba shakes ($2.99 each) – soursop and thai tea. Once again, the quality of the service here showed itself – we tried to order an avocado shake, and were politely informed that while that was possible, and they would certainly make it if we wished, the quality of the avocados at the market lately has not been so good, so perhaps we would like to order something else instead. Very nice!

The soursop was amazing – the taste of the shake was better than at Dai Loi #2. The thai tea shake was fine, though neither Ashley nor I really enjoyed the boba (tapioca) here. However, I would definitely go back and order the soursop shake without the boba! It was so nice. Not syrupy and fake.

After paying our bills, we discovered that the name on the receipt is Royal Bakery. So to recap, the sign outside says Van (sort of) the menu says Van (as far as I can tell), the wall inside says Pho Viet, the receipt says Royal, and the only information I can find online for the address is Royal and Pho Viet, but not Van. I am confused now.

In the end, despite this being a hole-in-the-wall sort of place, we really enjoyed ourselves, and felt that the quality of the food was high, and the cost was low. I want to go back and get a soursop shake, as well as give their banh mi sandwiches a try! We all plan on eating at this place again – whatever it’s called. 4.5 stars.

Van Bakery Cafe and Sandwiches and/or Royal Bakery and/or Pho Viet
4300 Buford Hwy NE #201
Atlanta, GA 30341

emily

Nerd. Foodie. Gamer. Homecook. Perpetual planner. Gardener. Aspiring homesteader. Direct response graphic designer. I use too many damn commas.