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Thanh Da
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Thanh Da
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Thanh Da is a long-running Sunset Park Vietnamese cafe where steaming bowls of bun bo hue, banh canh cua, and counter-order banh mi come out fast and inexpensive. Locals treat it as an everyday spot for deeply flavored soups, sandwiches, and snacks rather than a drawn-out sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Banh canh cua (crab tapioca noodle soup), Bun bo hue, Classic #1 banh mi sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Counter-service Vietnamese spot known for powerful soups and banh mi.
Who should go: Soup seekers and banh mi fans on a budget.
When to visit: Daytime or early evening before the small room fills.
What to order: Banh canh cua, bun bo hue, classic #1 banh mi.
Insider tip: Weekend visits offer a wider range of regional noodle specials.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually manageable during the day but can get tight after 6pm on weekends.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear are completely fine.
Noise level: Moderate — small room with steady chatter, but you can still hold a normal conversation.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes during peak noodle hours, especially in colder months.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable pho, tofu banh mi, and meat-free vermicelli options.
Vegan options: Limited — doable with tofu-based soups and sandwiches, but confirm broths.
Gluten-free options: Mostly yes — rice noodle soups and vermicelli plates are naturally gluten-free; avoid bánh mì.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a romantic first date — it’s more about fast comfort food than atmosphere, but great if both of you love Vietnamese soup.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in only and turnover is quick, especially outside peak weekend dinner hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual setting, quick service, and mild noodle soups work well for kids who like simple flavors.
Best For
Better for: Stronger, deeper-flavored regional Vietnamese soups at lower prices than most nearby spots.
Skip if: You want polished service, cocktails, or a full sit-down dining experience.
Thanh Da
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Thanh Da is a longtime Vietnamese standby on the southern edge of Sunset Park, known for its steaming bowls of pho, bun bo hue, and stacked banh mi. Locals lean on it for fast, filling noodle soups and sandwiches at everyday prices, especially for takeout and low-key weeknight dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bún bò Huế spicy beef noodle soup, House special beef pho, Classic Vietnamese combination banh mi
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Casual, high-volume Vietnamese spot where pho, bun bo hue, and banh mi all deliver.
Who should go: Dinosaurs craving affordable, reliable Vietnamese comfort food.
When to visit: Evenings and weekends for the fullest menu and freshest pots.
What to order: Bún bò Huế, house beef pho, classic combo banh mi.
Insider tip: Pair your soup with an iced Vietnamese coffee and plan for mostly takeout-style seating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually manageable earlier in the evening but can be tight after 7pm, especially on weekends.
Dress code: Very casual — jeans, hoodies, and work clothes are all typical.
Noise level: Moderate — you can hold a conversation, but it gets lively during peak meal times.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes during peak hours; faster turnover than most sit-down spots.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — vegetable pho, tofu bánh mì, and a few noodle and rice dishes.
Vegan options: Limited — veggie pho and tofu-based dishes work if you confirm no fish sauce.
Gluten-free options: Mostly — pho with rice noodles is naturally gluten-free, but sauces may contain traces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, no-pressure first meetup — the food impresses, but the atmosphere is simple and not romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — they don’t take reservations and rely on quick turnover, so walk-ins are standard and usually fine.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — simple seating, mild broth options, and quick service make it easy for families with kids.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable pho and bánh mì with consistent broth quality and strong value for the portion sizes.
Skip if: You want upscale Vietnamese, long lingering meals, or a polished dining room experience.
Thanh Da
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Business Lunch Power Players
Comfort Food Classics
Pier 53 Coffee & Sandwich Shop functions as a Korean-leaning deli-diner just off the waterfront, turning out burgers, hot sandwiches, and coffee for workers and locals. The menu leans hearty, with generous portions and a mix of American and Korean flavors that make it a reliable lunch stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bulgogi Sandwich, Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich, Pier 53 Classic Burger
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Hybrid Korean deli and diner where burgers and hot sandwiches feed the nearby industrial and waterfront crowd.
Who should go: Hungry lunchers who want a hearty sandwich with coffee.
When to visit: Weekday lunch hours when the grill is running nonstop.
What to order: Bulgogi Sandwich, Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich, Pier 53 Classic Burger.
Insider tip: Sit at the counter if you want faster refills and kitchen-side energy.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along 2nd Avenue and nearby side streets; easier during weekdays, tighter during peak lunch hours.
Dress code: Casual and practical—work clothes, hoodies, and jeans all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush, quieter mid-afternoon.
Weekend wait: Typically no wait; this is more of a weekday lunch-driven spot.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes during peak noon rush, little to no wait outside of that.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—grilled veggie sandwiches and egg-based options are available.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly depends on modifying veggie and tofu-style options.
Gluten-free options: Limited—no dedicated gluten-free bread, but some fillings can be ordered without the bun.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a low-pressure coffee-and-sandwich meet than a traditional dinner date—casual, quick, and unfussy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—this is a walk-in, counter-service style spot with steady turnover.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—simple burgers, fries, and mild sandwiches work well for kids, though the setting is more utilitarian than playful.
Best For
Better for: Fast, filling Korean-American comfort sandwiches and burgers near the waterfront with real worker-lunch energy.
Skip if: You’re looking for a chill, linger-long café vibe or a polished waterfront dining experience.