Portland Food and Drink

Restaurant News and Information For Portland Oregon Area Restaurants and Bars

Review: Mekong Vietnamese Grill

by

(updated 3/2015)

Mekong Grill

My drive to work takes me down SE 13th Avenue every day, and since I love a good bowl of pho, I was delighted to discover this new place which features beef pho and chicken pho as their daily specials. I’ve had their beef pho several times; the broth lacks the overtones of sweet spice in some versions, but makes up for that with a delicious beefy intensity. The beef slices are tender, the noodles are properly cooked, and the add-your-own ingredients (bean sprouts, Thai basil, cilantro, lime, hot peppers) are snapping fresh. At less than $8 for a huge bowl, this is a great deal. The chicken pho is also very good, with a rich chicken broth spiked with fresh ginger.

I’ve been here several times by myself and once with a friend, so I haven’t had a chance to sample much of the rest of the menu, but what I’ve had has been very good. The salad rolls are basically like the salad rolls anywhere in Portland, but Mekong’s are especially fresh and crisp, with clean bright flavors. I liked the honey lemongrass chicken skewers served with vermicelli; the chicken was delicious, not overcooked, and was nicely complemented by the accompanying vegies, fresh mint, and dipping sauce. My friend really loved the garlic shrimp.

I’ve only gotten take-out once, the “Fresh Grilled Salad” with chicken; it made a perfect light lunch.

The space is unusually attractive for a small storefront restaurant: soft neutral colors, an intriguing rock and wire mesh installation on one wall suggesting a river bed, bamboo-topped tables plus a long wooden table for communal seating, and a couple of nicely arranged flower displays. It’s always spotless. The service is cheerful and efficient, and the kitchen gets the food out quickly.

I don’t know if they’ve applied for a wine/beer license, but beer or fruit-forward wine would complement this food nicely.

I gather Mekong has only been open a month or so, so it’s not surprising that business appears to be a little slow. However it deserves a lot more customers!

  • Phone: 503-808-9092 Fax: 503-808-9093
  • Address: 7952 SE 13th Ave., Portland, OR 97202
  • Hours: Monday through Sunday, 11:30am–9pm
  • Website: mekonggrill.com

About CuisineBonneFemme

Lizzy writes about the types of food she likes to cook the most; simple dishes based on the freshest ingredients and gently coaxed to bring out their best qualities. Things like roast chicken with crackling skin, meat stews, all kinds of soups, and anything on toast. You know, peasant food like your French/Southern/Thai/Lebanese Mother might make.

In her past she held many a food service job, from a high-end traditional Japanese restaurant to a grease-pit diner off of Interstate 5. And she claims to still have nasty case of espresso wrist from the 10 billion lattes she made during her barista years.

Lizzy has an educational background that includes food sciences and politics, and has been a past writer for both cultural and academic publications. She takes a big picture view of the role that all things gastronomic are having in shaping the economy, culture, identity, and ever changing food scene both here and elsewhere. She believes Portland is at a pivotal and creative time food wise, and is constantly amazed and surprised at the bounty our city has to offer.