Description
Golden Deli, you may not need to be told, is one of the best Vietnamese noodle shops in Southern California, a well-worn citadel of banh hoi and pho in a busy San Gabriel mini-mall, a restaurant so popular that its customers wait up to an hour for a spot at one of the sticky, cramped tables - the prospect of a perfect bowl of bun thit, Vietnamese noodles tossed with fish sauce, grilled pork and fresh herbs, can do that to a person's judgment. The restaurant is kind of low on the usual amenities, without cold beer, without much in the way of decor, without really anything on its menu that might take longer than five minutes or so to order, cook and serve. And it's cash only, take it or leave it. There are plenty of imitators, and at least a couple of similar restaurants, Saigon Flavor and Vietnam, owned by members of the same family, which do offer more in the way of creature comfort. But Golden Deli has the best cha gio, fried Vietnamese spring rolls, in the observable universe, and the owners know it. And after a bite or two, so will you.
