The signage for Phuong Trang is new and spiffy...
I was used to this sign for the longest time...
(photo from my "Phuong Trang & Big Joy two-fer" post, March 2014)
It had to have happened between my visit in March and Kirk's visit in August last year (linked at the end). I was used to the blocky signage. Now the font matches their menu, including the design.
Earlier today TC and I did a few errands not thinking we'd be having lunch out. We were up in Point Loma, then Mission Valley on a wild goose change to find fake gladiolus stalks for her planned Halloween costume (she wants to cross dress as Morrissey, Smiths-era). We also needed to get a birthday gift for one of her gal pals since the party was today. Since we were in Kearny Mesa, we both had that craving for Vietnamese food so Phuong Trang it was!
Cafe sua da (I asked for it to be strong with very little condensed milk) and TC's Thai tea with boba.
You can't see the coffee and condensed milk since it's in an opaque cup but even after I mixed it up, the coffee itself was still quite dark which I like. If it's too milky, it tastes watered down. I find that I have to ask them to go light on the milk so I can have a stronger tasting iced coffee.
It was a pretty hot day yesterday, as in heat advisory level hot. I believe it was the low 90's but it felt so much hotter. TC ordered the bun with fried spring rolls while I had the spring rolls (with the intentions of having the leftovers for Bert) and the papaya salad with shrimp, pork and jelly fish.
I love that they use rice paper for their rolls. When fried, the paper forms blisters which are so nice and crispy.
One thing about my order of fried spring rolls? The garnish plate only had cilantro and lettuce. No mint and when I asked, was told, apologetically that they ran out of mint. It was around noon time. Seriously? What Vietnamese restaurant runs out of mint? That being said, I totally missed Phuong Trang's crispy fried rolls (be careful because they will burn the inside of your mouth and you will look stupid trying to cool it down without spitting it out but no one is watching anyways so who cares).
I remember seeing this particular salad in one of Dennis's old posts (linked at the end) and wanted to give it a try...
This salad was so refreshing since it was "cold". The julienned papaya, carrots, daikon and lotus roots gave it some crunch, along with the chewy wiggly jelly fish. I loved the combination of the three meats in here (if jellyfish could be called a 'meat').
I would totally get this again...
Who else went to Phuong Trang?
Cathy from mmm-yoso's "Phuong Trang (Revisits)" October 2014 (the restaurant signage was new for her post)
Kirk noted the new signage in his August 2014 post...
along with Faye from Faye's Fork - "Phuong Trang - My last supper item", April 2013 (she had their butter wings which sadly, I haven't tried yet)
and some older posts from Mary of This Tasty Life, "Phuong Trang", September 2012 and Dennis of A Radiused Corner, "Salabration" A week of salads - shrimp, pork and jellyfish goi", June 2011
Previous visit to Phuong Trang:
"Phuong Trang, Big Joy two-fer", March 2014
Phuong Trang
4170 Convoy Street
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 565-675-
www.phuongtrangrestaurant.com + their fb page Reviews from tripadvisor and foursquare
One more stop nearby was necessary before going home with the teen...
6 comments:
I haven't been back in AGES! I do hope you get a chance to try out their buttered wings (they stay nicely crunchy if you order to go). I cannot believe they ran outta mint. Sorry but I'm a nut when it comes to eating fried egg rolls or spring rolls. There can never be enough mint that I can possibly add.
I've got to try those wings you and Kirk had. I hope I don't get a crappy batch though!
I was a bit peeved about the lack of mint. Really now. How could a VN restaurant not have mint!!!! WTH!
The last time we were here ( late August/early September), the table behind us asked for mint and they said they didn't have any ...now I'm suspicious. Cost saving? The Mister loves the jellyfish salad here.
Ah, so no mint for your visit as well? What gives. That is just so wrong. Mint doesn't cost that much, I don't think.
I love the texture of the jellyfish. This combo of pork/shrimp/jellyfish was perfect and was fun to eat too (piling it on the shrimp chips).
Awww, the "SEA FOOD" sign is gone? That sign always cracked me up! Also... yeah, the lack of mint is a huge disappointment! I like to eat the spring rolls with only mint and just a tiny bit of lettuce! Your post just reminds me I haven't been here in ages. Funny because I've been thinking about it lately, too. We'll have to make our way back and check out those lovely blistered rolls.
I miss the old sign too, haha. I don't know what's up with their mint shortage. So many VN dishes have it as a garnish and it makes the food taste so fresh. I really like their wrappers here.
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