Da Vang

Vietnamese cuisine was once available almost exclusively in "the Avenues" on the west side of Phoenix. Vietnamese immigrant populations supported a variety of restaurants in strip malls along 19th Avenue, 35th Avenue, and 43rd Avenue. In 1990, Da Vang became one of the first of these restaurants to be noticed by media food critics. Glowing reviews in the Republic and elsewhere led to Da Vang's discovery by a population of non-Vietnamese seekers of culinary adventure.

Nearly two decades later, Da Vang faces a lot more competition; there are quality Vietnamese restaurants in the East Valley cities of Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler, and crossover restaurants like Cyclo and Dragonfly present a version of Vietnamese cuisine that is more upscale and accessible for neophytes. Despite the proliferation of Vietnamese food options in the Phoenix Metro Area, Da Vang continues to provide excellent food and value from its original location on 19th Avenue, just under half a mile south of the 19th Avenue / Camelback Station.

Despite its tiny strip small facade, Da Vang sprawls inside. Four rooms combine into one large dining area. Large circular tables for groups occupy the center of the rooms with rectangular four-tops around the edges. The menu also sprawls with nearly 80 appetizers and entrees listed. Starters include several types of spring rolls and an interesting rice flour crepe stuffed with shrimp and pork (center photo below). Entrees focus heavily on noodles with both egg and rice noodles available in a wide variety of soups, stews, and stir-fries. Some are not for the faint-hearted; Number 57, rice soup with pork organs, and Number 58, rice soup with pork blood, will definitely not appeal to all customers. Still, such dishes make it clear that Da Vang takes no prisoners when it comes to authenticity.

The most popular menu item is without question pho, the popular soup of rice noodles in a spiced beef broth with a side plate of condiments. Da Vang offers seven types of beef pho and one chicken pho. Unlike Tempe Vietnamese outposts Dragonfly, Khai Hoan, and Pho Nhat, Da Vang does not offer a vegetable pho, but customers looking for a meatless entree can order one of two noodle stir-fries with vegetables (right photo below). In addition to its many noodle and rice dishes, Da Vang also serves eight varieties of bahn mi sandwiches made with French bread, a colonial legacy that continues to influence Vietnamese cuisine.

Da Vang does not have a full bar, but several brands of bottled beer are available, including Vietnamese 33 beer. Interestingly, Da Vang also sells cigarettes at the cashier's counter, a quaint holdover from a time before Arizona's statewide restaurant smoking ban. Thanks to the ban, Da Vang's dining room is no longer smoky as it sometimes was prior to May 1, 2007. Da Vang is open seven days a week from 8 AM until 8 PM.

4538 N 19th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85015
(602) 242-3575

Reviews from Other Sites:


AZ Central
Chow Bella
Feasting in Phoenix
Phoenix New Times
Yelp