Les Givral's Kahve - Milam

Go to the one downtown!!

The one on Milam had food of much lower quality the last time I went (Feb. 2006), but the one at 801 Congress on Market Square always has great quality food and the staff there is fantastic and friendly. Sketchy cheap Vietnamese food is not as satisfying as delicious, reliable cheap Vietnamese food. The shredded chicken sandwich is good for even the most timid and super affordable; the fried rice is always tasty (with cilantro!), as are the spring rolls (good peanut sauce!), and I also like to go with the chargrilled pork on rice noodles (not for your friends who you’ve dragged outside of their comfort zone) when I’m particularly hungry.

vietnamese bbq sandwich is addictive!!!

When I first tasted a Vietnamese po’boy — a BBQ-charbroiled-pork-on-French-baguette sandwich — I was mystified. It was delicious, but the combination of the crusty baguette bread with the meat, mixed vegetables, and soy sauce seemed so — well unVietnamese. Until I remembered of course, that, until the USA moved in and created the morass of the Vietnam War, Vietnam has been a French colony for many, many years. The Vietnamese po’boy is one of the happier results of the French occupation.

And nobody in Houston does them better or cheaper than Les Givral’s. But po’boys aren’t the only thing this restaurant does well. They have a pleasing assortment of appetizers, entrees, and soups.

Don’t let the rather seedy exterior throw you. The interior is clean, just hip enough to be pleasant, and comfortable. Rumor has it the original location is still open at 801 Congress Street, but the Midtown Vietnam-Town location is really convenient to my office and house. Look for it tucked away in the corner, across from the Buo Saigon and the Phnom Phen Tailors.

Check it out. You won’t be sorry.