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Ben Thanh Viet-Thai Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
4 reviews for Ben Thanh Viet-Thai Restaurant
4 reviews in English
-
Review from Patrick M.
Toronto, ON
4/12/2011
Simply the best Viet/Thai food I've had in this country. Amazing stuff, with absolutely huge portions that belie the exceptional skill and quality of the cooking. While the decor is a bit rundown at this point, and the plating is functional rather than pretty, none of this matters. At B&T it's all about the delicious, perfect food.
If you're in the Hamilton area and enjoy this style of food, there's really no reason to try any other restaurant. Ben Thanh is where it's at.
Yes, I'm an unapologetic fanboy, but considering I've been to this place a couple dozen times over the years despite not living in Hamilton I think I owe them a rave review.
The menu's huge, so I won't single out any one thing. Order what catches your eye. You won't be disappointed. -
Review from L K.
3/8/2010
It is with great pleasure that I write this review. After tiring of the sub-par pho places in and around the NJ town where I currently study, I fondly remembered my favorite pho place in Hamilton, Ontario... Ben Thanh!
Ben Thanh restaurant is run by people who also own the B&T supermarket, right next door to the Hamilton restaurant location. Like the supermarket, the restaurant gets kudos for its quality of food: the varieties and deliciousness of the pho; the incredible shrimp rolls, wrapped-in-rice-sheets with thin slices of cucumber and other ingredients and dipped into a sweet, light sauce; the shrimp rolls spun in what looks like many strings of fried flour-like material... it looks like a shrimp cyclone, crispy and tasty; the many flavors of special beverages available (including a good job on the flavors you'd expect at good Viet places); and the freshness, variety, and quantity of the plate of condiments that come with your piping hot bowl of pho... all are fantastic!
I like how B & T doesn't skimp on the thai basil leaves that come with your order of pho, and how the bean sprouts are fresh (they go bad very easily). I also like how they provide both Sriracha sauce (on the tables) as well as chili garlic sauce (if asked... I think I remember that sometimes it's available on the table directly). The original, basic beef pho option is my favorite, and I really miss not having it, especially now that I no longer eat meat (ah well, seafood pho, here I come!).
As for service, don't bother looking for particularly good service here... the priorities are to clean the tables, serve the food and beverages, and somehow fit the many customers in without a huge wait on their part. These impersonal priorities reflect the low prices here, and the staff who aren't always equipped with the fluency of multiple languages to engage you with extensive small talk in the language you appear to be comfortable with... this kind of talk isn't warranted anyway, in my view: I just want my food and efficient, polite service!
All in all... the food really is excellent, the best Viet place in the Hamilton region in my view. Don't forget to stop by at the supermarket next door if the restaurant food inspires you to make some quality pho!
BEN THANH VIET-THAI RESTAURANT
115 Park Street North,
HAMILTON, ONTARIO
TEL: 1-905-528-6888
Open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m.
Fully licensed. Takeout and delivery available. -
Review from Josh L.
Hamilton, ON
5/12/2010
I've been here countless times... It's one of thoughts places where, when you can't really decide what you're feeling like B&T will make you leave happy.
Where to start, with Cons perhaps:
If you're looking for a classy spot, don't go here... a possible first date spot... yes, but probably not best... it's atmosphere is nothing special - they have tables, and chairs and it's pretty loud with blenders and spoon counting - BUT they serve GREAT food.
Pros:
If you're looking for cheap, good quality, faster service, and large portions - now we're talking. This place has awesome food. The soups are ENORMOUS, order a small and you'll still probably be able to share it with 2 people. The rice dishes are great and they do fish pretty well also.
Try it out, I bet you'll be back!
Ps. Parking is a small lot out front (east of the restaurant is an overflow lot) -
Review from don n.
5/30/2011
telling it like it is....
am here for a business trip.
the place is very run down... not a good feeling upon entering the restaurant. he menu was very dirty and looks like a notebook from ages ago; in other words, it needed to be made presentable.
the pho - got their B&T special - very bad, i could not even finish a third of the bowl. i guess i'm just spoiled to 'pho oregon' in portland, OR.
the mango shrimp salad - was great... until almost the last bite; i discovered a rice bug on the second to last shrimp. i got a weird feeling in my stomach and had to stop.
the 'che ba mau' - not very good.
WILL NOT EAT HERE AGAIN IF I AM EVER IN TOWN.
