Green Papaya Vietnamese Pho & Grill
A couple of weeks ago FOY(Friend of Yoso) and Uber Food Blogger Captain Jack, told me about a new Vietnamese Restaurant in Pacific Beach. He mentioned the name of the place was Green Papaya. So that week, I drove down to PB to check out the restaurant.
The interior of the restaurant was very nice, clean, well lit, and tastefully appointed. The restaurant was totally empty when I entered, and after waiting a few minutes, I walked into the kitchen, and surprised a pleasant young man who led me to a seat and dropped off a menu.
With a name like Green Papaya, I had hopes that the menu would contain a few different and interesting dishes. But even though the "namesake" Papaya Salad (Goi Du Du) was on the menu, most of the dishes were standard Pho, Bun, Mi, etc. In addition the prices reflected the "Pacific Beach premium".
After looking over the menu, I just went with the usual. I started with Cha Gio(Egg Rolls - $5.50). The Cha Gio arrived within a minute! On the positive side, at least the "appetizer sin" where appetizers arrive after the main course wouldn't happen here.
On the bad side, when these arrived in a minute, the first thought that went through my head was, "these gotta be reheated". And eating these did nothing to dissuade me. As you can see, one of the Cha Gio is burnt and two of them were soft and greasy.
The Nuoc Mam Cham is described as "a light fish sauce." And they sure weren't kidding, it was a bit under flavored and more on the sweet side. So if you're not into fish sauce, this might be for you.
I also went for the Pho Dac Biet Extra Large (Special Combination - $6.75):
The garnishes were the usual suspects, and were very fresh. I had expected this Pho to be very mild, and generic....boy was I wrong. Though the broth was very low in oil content and light, the strong flavors of anise and clove came through. The noodles were the usual clump on the bottom of the bowl, okay in texture, though the portion size was a bit skimpy for an "xlg" bowl.
The 5 slices of rare steak were very dry and tough and there was but a scant strip of tripe.
In keeping with the clientele there was only one piece of brisket, and a small piece of tendon. It's too bad, because the brisket had excellent flavor, and the tendon was a buttery soft. If I were to ever eat here again, I'd go with something with mostly tendon and brisket.
Overall, the service was very nice, as is the decor, but I prefer the Pho and Cha Gio at Pho Sao Bien up the street. I did ask what the specialty of the house was, and the young man answered with the question, "you don't like our Pho?" He recommended the Bun (Vermicelli dishes), but the thought of the watered down Nuoc Cham.......
Green Papaya Vietnamese Pho & Grill
1820 Garnet Ave
San Diego, CA 92109
Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-9pm
858-273-1664
Another example the axiom:
Nice looking Vietnamese restaurant = not so great Vietnamese food.
Posted by: elmomonster | Monday, 06 August 2007 at 07:37 AM
darn. I had such high hopes after reading the beautiful name of the restaurant.
Posted by: Steamy Kitchen | Monday, 06 August 2007 at 02:43 PM
Thanks for the love Kirk! Too bad Green Papaya did not turn out to have better food. How would you rate the broth alone?
Posted by: Captain Jack | Monday, 06 August 2007 at 02:56 PM
Hi Elmo - LOL! I agree. I also think that if you have a upscale looking Vietnamese restaurant with higher prices, you kinda expect the food to have that "something extra" as well.
Hi SK - I know, it's such a nice looking restaurant....
Hi CJ - I prefer Pho Sao Bien's broth. But if you enjoy a lighter broth with anise/clove overtones you'll enjoy the broth here.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 07 August 2007 at 09:50 AM
Skimpy pho meats makes me a sad panda.
Posted by: Chubbypanda | Tuesday, 07 August 2007 at 05:08 PM
Hi CP - I couldn't agree more....
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 07 August 2007 at 10:34 PM
Hello Kirk, I love reading your reviews. I was so eager to try Green Papaya, but I guess it can wait now =) It's sad to see a restaurant doesn't live up to it's decocration. But I'll try it someday when I in PB area. I also want to say thank you for reviewing my restaurant a few weeks ago. My sister and I have been your fan for a long time. It's always been our dream for you to come into our restaurant and write a review on us. Thanks!
Posted by: yummieyummy | Thursday, 16 August 2007 at 08:51 PM
Hi yummieyummy - Thanks so much for the kind words, you should still give this place a try, though I think you may be even more discriminating than I am!
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 17 August 2007 at 05:39 PM
Yes I will stop by when I'm in PB area. So happy reading your reply =)
Posted by: yummieyummy | Saturday, 18 August 2007 at 12:06 PM
couldn't disagree more.
Posted by: friend of the owner | Thursday, 23 August 2007 at 02:35 PM
Hi FOO - Welcome, and thanks for commenting. But since you're the Owners friend, maybe you could be more specific...what do you disagree with? I'm sure it is not these statements - "The interior of the restaurant was very nice, clean, well lit, and tastefully appointed", "garnishes ....were very fresh", "the brisket had excellent flavor", "the tendon was a buttery soft", or "Overall, the service was very nice, as is the decor". Of course those statements are "right on the money", correct?
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 24 August 2007 at 08:38 AM
Hi Kirk, I just ate here but it's called Pho Time now. I didn't think it was bad. Maybe I was flattered that they used one of my pho photos in their menu! haha
Posted by: Dennis | Monday, 18 May 2009 at 12:57 PM
Hi Dennis - Well, hopefully the Pho is better there now!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 19 May 2009 at 07:43 AM