Sweet Willie
Jun 12, 03, 9:01 pm
When you consider the long French occupation, the idea of Vietnamese sandwiches doesn’t seem quite so incongruous. The sandwiches are made with crusty French rolls. Shreds of grilled chicken are tucked into the hinge of the sandwich, then a spear of crisp cucumber, shreds of carrot and radish, and leafy stems of cilantro. With the first bite, the crust shatters and gives way to soft white bread — the contrast is repeated in the warm meat and the cold crisp vegetables. All sandwiches are $2, and choices include pork, barbecue, meatballs, sardines and shredded pork with pork skin.
Although the menu isn’t as extensive as in some of the other Madison Heights Vietnamese restaurants, it goes much further than sandwiches, including pho, a traditional soup of unlimited variations, as well as stir-fry, fried rice, noodle dishes, fire pots, even roasted quail (two for $6). A braised-duck pho comes in a big bowl, garnished with liver, bamboo shoots (sized like branches) and lots of long, slippery, white noodles. You add in fresh vegetables from a plate of bean sprouts, cilantro, lime and circles of very hot serrano chilies. A seafood stir-fry combines tender strips of squid (no tentacles) with crisp vegetables.
Ethnic restaurants, especially those of recent immigrants, serve food that may be more authentic than Americans are ready for — but that’s part of the adventure. We’re the only non-Vietnamese diners at Vy-Nga Sandwiches tonight.
Vy-Nga Sandwiches
30820 John R
Madison Heights, MI
248-583-9995
http://www.metrotimes.com/metropolis/restaurants/review.asp?id=8191
Although the menu isn’t as extensive as in some of the other Madison Heights Vietnamese restaurants, it goes much further than sandwiches, including pho, a traditional soup of unlimited variations, as well as stir-fry, fried rice, noodle dishes, fire pots, even roasted quail (two for $6). A braised-duck pho comes in a big bowl, garnished with liver, bamboo shoots (sized like branches) and lots of long, slippery, white noodles. You add in fresh vegetables from a plate of bean sprouts, cilantro, lime and circles of very hot serrano chilies. A seafood stir-fry combines tender strips of squid (no tentacles) with crisp vegetables.
Ethnic restaurants, especially those of recent immigrants, serve food that may be more authentic than Americans are ready for — but that’s part of the adventure. We’re the only non-Vietnamese diners at Vy-Nga Sandwiches tonight.
Vy-Nga Sandwiches
30820 John R
Madison Heights, MI
248-583-9995
http://www.metrotimes.com/metropolis/restaurants/review.asp?id=8191