Grubby: Cong Ly

A second post concerning my search for the premier Pho Tai. This one is at Cong Ly, a small, somewhat grimy place right off of Chrystie St. I'll be succinct here. I dug it - good, greasy broth. Still, haven't found my perfect pho broth in NY, but Cong Ly can certainly suffice when in need. Julia however found it too greasy. Below she laddles the top layer of grease.

And here you can definitely see the shiny surface caused by all that rendered fat. Of course it has been pocked by drops of Sriracha. The accoutrements weren't quite as fresh as the aforementioned Xe Lua but I found the broth tastier. And that pinnacle of energizing beveridges, the Vietnamese coffee, was delish. It is super cheap too. A strong pho option.


Info: 124 Hester St. Open Daily 9am-9pm

Grubby: Grand Sichuan

This is the original, separated from the 7 location Grand Sichuan chain known throughout the city. I'm not gonna talk about the other GS locations as I've had mixed experiences. This is about the OG. A lot of things look fantastic here (especially the tea smoked duck which I just must try), but I'm just going to talk about one dish, which I've had twice now: the hot pot.

When you walk into the spot (right next to one of the Boston-NY Chinatown bus companies) during dinner time, you will likely find every table occupied and a line out the door. And what is on nearly every table? A steaming pot of broth and piles of lovelies waiting to be cooked.

This shit is all about the SPICY. You've got two options for broth: a basic chicken broth and a red vulcan broth with chilies and peppercorns below. You can do one or get a divided bowl. Witness the fire - It is really fucking hot - you'll love it and beg for water several times during your meal. The veggies and meat are of good quality and fresh. The napa is crisp, clean and a must get. The beef, as seen below, is in nicely marbled, thin strips. Pork dumplings are another good meat choice. Tofu did not fare well; we do not recommend.


This is food for sharing and for conversing over.
Bring a nalgene or something. You'll need it.

Info: 125 Canal St. Open 7 days,

11:30am

–

11pm

Grubby: Xe Lua

We love us some pho. Really and truly. I didn't really become completely enamored with pho until I lived in New Orleans. There are two Vietnamese communities in New Orleans (East New Orleans and West Bank) that have been thriving since being established by war refugees in the 70's. The similar climate and the shrimping industry led them there I believe. I digress. I have yet to find a pho broth in NY that I love as much as those I've found down south, but I am determined to. Soon after moving here, I asked a friend of a friend if he had a preferred pho spot. He pulled out his wallet and handed me a business card for Xe Lua. Apparantly, he is horrible with directions as he needed the business card to lead him to the resturaunt several times a month.

We skipped the heo, bo, ga and ech seen above and headed straight for the pho tai - the basic beef pho, the baramoter. We were also pleased to find the Singaporean beer Tiger - a favorite (and strong too).
The pho arrived with the requisite plate of goodies. Fresh thai basil, crunchy bean sprouts, cilantro, lime and plenty o' jalapeno.


The broth was good not amazing. Good amount of salt from the fish sauce - and Sriracha and jalapenos provided the heat. The beef, basic - not rubbery but I could have had it a bit pinker. Vermicelli is vermicelli. The veggies were tops.

So, is it the best pho in NY? I can't say, but I hope there is better. Would I go back there? Absolutely - in a second. But until then, I'm ready for another spot. I've got to try as many as possible to find that flavor that will keep me from dreaming of that southern pho I fell in love with. Got recommendations?

Info: Open daily, 10-10. 86 Mulberry St.

Grubby: Dumpling House

Also called Vanessa's Dumplings (bought by new owner?), I thought this spot was really good. Big crowd there around dinner time and not a lot of tables. Everything is cheap as shit. The sesame sandwiches looked great but Julia got a veggie one and all I could think about was how much better a pork and egg one would be. Also don't get a veggie bun - tasted like rotting fungus.

Do get pork and chive dumplings. So good for so cheap. Julia thought the dough was too think - whatever. Extra dough is nothing to scoff at.
Can't tell how much better/worse it really it is than other dumpling spots as dumplings are pretty much impossible to fuck up and almost always taste good. Anyone want to go back with me and get a pork & egg sesame sandwich and more dumplings? Oh, the honey lemon tea was sweet, figuratively and literally.


Info: 118 Eldridge

Grubby: Tasty Dumpling

Another choice for dirt cheap dumplings. Not nearly as pro as Dumpling House - just a grimy little kitchen with a couple grimy little tables. But c'mon, it's $1.50 for five competent pan-fried pork and chive dumplings. Use the tar-like sauce, it be good.

This picture really didn't turn out...we gotta get a better camera!

Info: 54 Mulberry

Grubby: Chatham Square Dim Sum

Stan, good job man. You did well guiding your first food adventure. Dim Sum, ice cream and Dance Dance Revolution - powerful combo. I don't know what was with the mellow vibe - maybe no alcohol? Too early in the day? Big crowd? New faces? No hype man? Fuck it. Shake it off.

Dim Sum was good - although we knew very little of what we were eating. Lots of buns. And rolls. And goopy dough. Few on the wait staff speak much English - but you order with a pencil and paper, so no problems there. Try the bamboo fungus roll. The translucent jelly cube has lychee in it.


I really liked these pork buns...almost a bbq sauce thing going on.

Behold: Krista's right hand in all of its dexterous glory. We won't see fork action like this from Krista for a few more weeks, but I'm sure her left hand will compensate until the cast is off. Enjoy your painkillers Krista and get better.

Sauces. I love sauces.

Two fly boys.

Info: 6 Chatham Square

Grubby: Chinatown Ice Cream

It's a must-go.

The "Regular" flavas: Sesame, Ginger, Taro, Green Tea, Zen Butter (sesame/peanut butter), almond cookie, Lychee sorbet, etc.

The "Exotic": Vanilla, Chocolate, Chocolate-Peanut Butter, etc.

Unless you're getting the Choco-peanut butter (Always a top 2 flavor for me, anywhere), stick with the "Regular" if you know what's good for you.

I scream. You scream?