Saigon Pearl Restaurant & Lounge

I never thought I'd see the day that the forlorn and long-abandoned Main Street Restaurant And Lounge building on 82nd would serve as home to a new establishment. For years I've lived out here on the fringe and driven by the empty, dark façade wondering when they were going to tear it down. And just like that, driving up 82nd, I come across a new bright sign, a spiffy paint job, and a huge "Grand Opening" banner for Saigon Pearl Restaurant & Lounge.

The Pearl is still very much under construction, with heavy machinery in the parking lot, new, yet-to-be-unwrapped flat screen TV's on the wall, and a lounge that's not even open yet. but they're slinging Pho, Bun, Com and Hu Tieu dishes out of the kitchen as fast as they can. The space is definitely what you'd expect - a converted diner that's now a Vietnamese place. The rose-print booths are kind fo tacky, the brown and tan paint job is the same inside as out, and there's still one of those light-up number things that you only see in classic American diners hanging on the wall that doesn't seem to be in use.

The pho? It's pretty decent. They offer a big selection of beef combos as well as chicken, shrimp, fish and vegetarian. For $7.75 you get a pretty decent sized bowl of noodles and beef in a dark, beefy broth with a touch of anise. Not as anise-driven as some other spots in town but definitely more rich on the beef flavor. I have yet to try the veggie pho - that's coming on my next visit.

Stoked to have another pho option on 82nd, and even moreso to see long-vacant buildings getting a much needed face lift and revitalization.

I too tried this place with a groupon. (shout-out to my awesome mom who buys deals she sees in my area, and keeps me in food when I'm short on fundage!)

I'd love to give this place an extra half star because they are so nice, but until half stars become an option, just imagine it's there. They really are incredibly nice and even though I arrived too close to closing for my liking they had no problem letting me order. And even though the groupon was for dine in only they allowed me to take it to go, because it was so late.

I got the pork bun with spring roll, salad rolls, and some kind of soup I can only describe as won ton soup on steroids. The bun was decent but nothing special, I would have liked to see more noodles and less lettuce. They did give plenty of meat though, which was so-so. decentish flavor, possibly a little overcooked though. The salad rolls were, well, salad rolls. The soup was probably my favorite part. The broth was good and since I took it to go I appreciated having the pork, won tons, noodles, etc. in a separate box. It reheated well the next day too.

So overall it's ok. It's not a place I would recommend particularly, there are much better Vietnamese options in the area. The decor needs a little work, since I kinda felt like I was sitting in a diner like Denny's or Shari's. I'm guessing it's left over from the previous tenants. However, I would like to say again that I really thought the guy serving me was incredibly nice. Very broken english, but very good at aiming to please his customers.

New Pho place in town- I'm there!

[+] I came here around 4 pm for a post lunch/pre-dinner with my family of three. We wanted Pho, it's already decided before we even step into the place. Nice clean restaurant. Love the decors. Friendly service. We were greeted and seated right away (given we were their only customers...) There was a big price gap between the small and large Special Pho Bowl. We order two large and one small. It was very filling and tasty. Unlike other places, the pho here took a little to come out- but that's okay. That means they're taking their time to perfect the bowl of pho and making it taste 'just right'. (Yes, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt here). The Pho was good- meat was nice and tender, nice flavoring and it was just a perfect combination of things. As we were getting ready to pay, they brought out a complimentary little bowl of green bean paste dessert. Woohoo, this is awesome. LIKE LIKE LIKE. I hope they keep doing this because it's an incentive to keep me coming back.

[-] Their menu prices are a bit steep compared to other places. Along the 82nd strip, I can count at least 5 or 6 other places that I can choose from... Anyhow, my mom said that we're paying for slightly better Pho, service and atmosphere. *shrugs- oh wells*

[?] Yeah, I'll come back here again as my clothes DID NOT smell like Pho! Goodness, one of the most annoying thing is to have my clothes stunk like FOOD all day long- it's worst when you JUST did laundry! Oh, and the dessert thing will keep me coming back. LOL I'm a sucker for desserts!

Quite a nice addition to the neighborhood. We just ate here for the first time and it will not be the last. In the area, there are so many pho/Vietnamese restaurants that don't really shine, till now.

We started with salad rolls, yum, and chicken satay, super yum. The satay really stood out for its freshness and the way it was grilled perfectly. It reminded me of amazing meals from my past. I decided for my main to go with the dish I use to judge most Vietnamese restaurants by, fish in a hot pot. I have to say that this was the cleanest and best clay pot dish I have had in years. The fish was fresh and firm and the sauce was incredible. My husband had the curry chicken and it too was really good. The chicken was tender and the curry had a great sweet/spicy balance with ginger accents. The only disappointments were the lemonade was overly sweet and the iced tea need more tea, less cream.

All in all we left happy, full and excited to come back and try other dishes. I would recommend this place to everyone. Give it a try.

I was out shopping this past weekend and decided to stop in for a later lunch. Everything was very delicious. I ordered a soup dish that was sweet and tangy with just enough peppery punch. My friend has a noodle dish that she was very happy with and enough for her to take home leftovers. I was worried about taking mine home because it might spill in the car. The next day I sure wish I had another little taste of that good the soup!

The young lady who served us was the nicest we have encountered in a long time. She was very personable and made us feel right at home.

I think we will both definitely stop in again the next time we are in the area.

I was excited to try this place, as I'd read good things. It was quite a let-down. The server was very friendly, but the pho ga was wretched. I could make this at home: 4 cups water, 1 bag of licorice whips, 2 cups salt, leftover chicken parts, and diced green onion. Boil for 20 minutes. I have *never* had that much anise in a bowl of soup before and I have had loads of bad bowls. I know that pho broth can fluctuate day-to-day in the Vietnamese restaurant, but even if this was their worst day, I wouldn't come back for their best. Oh, and someone at the table next to me found something in their food and quickly paid & left.

UPDATE: a few hours later and I can, with a fair amount of certainty, say that I got food poisoning. There's a rumble in the jungle. Ugh.

I was very very skeptical at first. The place used to be a old bar I think? And it didn't look very authentic to me. I'm very picky about my Pho, my dad makes the best, and no one can top that. But quite frankly, this place. . Kinda did.

I ordered the number 1, I don't remember what it is called in English. I ordered a small for I think 5 bucks? Although, I think Pho Ngon down the street, does the same but 5 bucks for a large.

Needless to say, I was so much more happy with SaiGon Pearl then Pho Ngon. Everything was perfect, down to the noodle consistency. When I eat Pho, I NEVER EVER drink the soup. It's always too much for me. But the soup here, was PERFECT. Literally on point. I loved it.

My family and I will definitely be coming back here. The place could use some touch ups for look wise. But the food, perfection.

We went to lunch at Saigon Pearl in February and the food was good. Saigon Pearl got positive reviews from Foodie members, five stars and Yelp reviewers as well, four stars.

One thing that Saigon Pearl offers that most Pho restaurants (consider fast and casual dining and usually individual portion) don't offer is family style dinner where the dishes are shared among the family members. Family style dinner is typically consists of some type of soup, a vegetable dish, a meat dish and some type of fruit and tea or only tea at the end of the meal.

A group of us went to Vietnamese dinner on Friday, April 4th at 7pm. We ordered our table ahead; the food was ready for us when we seated. The wasn't busy like on weekend. The dinner was delicious, but not 100% traditional Vietnamese because of substitution in vegetables; some vegetables are plenty here but can't grow over in Vietnam due to the weather and vice versa. The portion was perfect to generous, with all you can eat white rice. The dinner was $12 per person including 18% tip. Here is the menu for table of six (8 courses).

1. Vietnamese sweet and sour fish soup-This was the third favorite of the group. It was very good, prepared traditionally w/big chunk of pineapples, slices of tomato, stark vegetables that look like big salary stark but tasted slightly sour, bony fish, be careful of bones when eating the fish, you can choose shrimps instead. This soup may not be for everybody because this soup is traditional as it gets to Vietnamese cuisine. Most people in the group really liked this soup but one person said it wasn't his thing.

2. Vietnamese braised fish in clay pot (salty needs to eat w/rice)-Number one favorite of the group; an excellent dish, cat fish was deboned, cooked in traditional way.

3. Saute broccoli with beef-this was good but not a Vietnamese dish; broccoli is not available in Vietnam, this is more Asian American dish.

4. Chicken with lemongrass and chili-this was okay/good; sliced chicken breast saute with lemon grass and chili, not spicy at all.

5. Sweet and sour squids (saute)-This was number four favorite of the group. It was very good and flavorful.

6. Deep fried Tilapia fish - the least favorite of the group, will ask for substitution next time. It came with Vietnamese dipping sauce (fish sauce/lime juice/sugar sauce). The fish was deep fried, bony and not seasoned.

7. Dry saute long beans-this was very good; it was fresh and slightly saute with garlic and fish sauce

8. Salt and pepper squids (lightly breaded and saute)-this was the group second favorite, the breaded squids was crunchy and saute with onion, very flavorful.

Such a great place, it's now our go to pho spot.

Everything is very clean, everybody working there has been polite and fast. I can vouch for the pho and the vermicelli bowls and am aiming for the rice dishes next time if I can make it past the pho-section in the menu.

I had the Portland after-9 p.m. Vietnamese Restaurant dilemma this week, had a cold and was craving soup. By the time I was free the one by my house was closed, as were all my other favorites. Started driving down 82nd...there's Pho Van, but that's more of a place I take guests: I'm so used to cheap Viet food that going upscale throws me a little. What else is open? Maybe that place at Fubonn?

Wait what is THAT! THERE'S A NEW VIET PLACE! AND IT'S OPEN! Traffic was light enough that no one was injured as I whipped back to their Parking lot.

First impression: I don't know what this was before, but it screams America (and 82nd Ave): padded booths, warm early-90s decor scheme. It's a good-sized place and the foyer smells very faintly of fresh paint, turns out they've been open a month. Flat screen TV has a football game on, but it's far enough in the back not to be intrusive. Lounge in the back too, they're still waiting for their liquor license.

First positive sign: Everything is in great shape and spotlessly clean. The spoon and chopsticks are wrapped in a napkin at each place setting, no exposed box of utensils at the table like many other places. Also, the salt/pepper containers are from a spice rack kit, clear jars make the labels irrelevant but the salt says "cinnamon" at the top and the pepper says "allspice". Heh, I like it.

Second positive sign: my waitress is very pleasant and doesn't have strong English skills, she has me point at the menu to clarify. The menu has a good selection, appetizers, pho, bun, grilled and specialty dishes and soups.

I order a won ton, BBQ pork and rice noodle soup ($8.50). It comes with the usual lime/sprouts/cilantro/hot peppers on the side and it's UTTERLY delicious, reminds me of one of my favorite soups at Hanoi Kitchen only a little simpler, which did not detract from it in any way. I leave feeling refreshed and I'll be back to try more. It's ironic & delicious, what are you waiting for, Portland?