0 Followers
Tín on Spear
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Tín on Spear
8.3
Counter-service Vietnamese with bright, clean flavors—think five-spice chicken, shaking beef, and generous vermicelli bowls. A reliable downtown lunch move with quick lines and consistent execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Five-Spice Chicken over Rice, Bo Luc Lac (Shaking Beef), Imperial Rolls with Nuoc Cham
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Well-executed classics served fast without feeling generic.
Who should go: Downtown workers craving Vietnamese staples
When to visit: Weekdays 11–12 to beat peak lunch rush
What to order: Five-spice chicken, shaking beef, imperial rolls
Insider tip: Order bowls for the best protein-to-carb value.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited metered street parking nearby; garages available along Howard and Main with hourly rates
Dress code: Casual; office attire or jeans are both fine
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush; easy for conversation outside peak
Weekend wait: Closed for dinner service; no weekend dinner hours
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes at peak lunch hours; often no wait before 11:45am
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – tofu bowls, vegetarian imperial rolls, and salads available
Vegan options: Limited – tofu vermicelli bowl and some sides can be vegan with modifications
Gluten-free options: Yes – rice noodle bowls and most protein plates are naturally gluten-free
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date; it’s counter-service and geared to quick office lunches rather than lingering meals.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, it’s walk-in only; seating is first-come and usually turns over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy Vietnamese flavors; casual setup but no high chairs or kids’ menu.
Best For
Better for: Faster service and cleaner execution of classics compared to most downtown Vietnamese spots
Skip if: You’re looking for a dinner destination or a leisurely sit-down meal with ambiance
Tín on Spear
8.3
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Counter-service Vietnamese with reliably bright broths, lemongrass-grilled meats, and fresh rolls that move fast for the office crowd. Portions land generous for the price, and the line turns quickly at lunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef pho with brisket & tendon, Lemongrass pork vermicelli bowl, Shrimp & pork spring rolls
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Clean, balanced broths and fast, efficient counter flow downtown.
Who should go: Office regulars needing a quick Vietnamese fix
When to visit: 11:15–12:15 to beat peak lunch rush
What to order: Beef pho; lemongrass pork bun; fresh rolls
Insider tip: Ask for extra herbs and lime—no charge if requested at pickup.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is scarce in the Financial District, especially at lunch; nearest public garage is at 221 Main St with hourly rates around $6–8.
Dress code: Casual to business casual—office attire blends right in, but no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate—lively during peak lunch, but you can still carry a quick conversation.
Weekend wait: Closed on weekends—no dinner service.
Weekday lunch: 5–15 minutes during the noon rush; off-peak times usually no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—spring rolls, tofu pho, and veggie noodle bowls are offered.
Vegan options: Limited but possible—fresh rolls with tofu and some noodle dishes can be made without fish sauce.
Gluten-free options: Pho and rice plates are naturally gluten-free; soy sauce is the main concern—ask to omit.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it’s a quick counter-service setup better for casual lunches than romantic settings.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—no reservations accepted. Tables turn quickly, especially outside peak lunch hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes in terms of food, but setup is basic—no high chairs or play space. Works for older kids who can handle quick meals.
Best For
Better for: Faster service and cleaner broths compared to many nearby lunch counters; generous portions for the price.
Skip if: You’re looking for a sit-down dinner experience or weekend dining—go to a full-service Vietnamese spot instead.
Tín on Spear
8.2
Fast-casual Vietnamese focused on excellent bánh mì, vermicelli bowls, and rice plates with efficient weekday lunch service. Flavors skew bright and herb-forward, with options like turmeric catfish and lemongrass meats that travel well for office meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Combo Bánh Mì (pork sausage & pâté), Turmeric Catfish Bánh Mì, Bún Thịt Nướng (grilled pork vermicelli)
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Weekday lunch specialist with standout bánh mì and vermicelli bowls.
Who should go: Office diners wanting quality, fast Vietnamese
When to visit: Arrive 11:15–11:45 to beat lines
What to order: Combo bánh mì, turmeric catfish bánh mì, grilled pork bún
Insider tip: Ask for chili oil on the side to dial in heat.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and metered; best bet is nearby garages along Spear or Howard.
Dress code: Casual to business casual — common to see office attire at weekday lunch.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch; quieter mid-afternoon with easy solo dining.
Weekend wait: Closed weekends; not applicable.
Weekday lunch: 10–15 minutes during peak hours; walk right in before 11:30 or after 1:30.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — several bowls and bánh mì with tofu and veggies.
Vegan options: Limited — tofu vermicelli bowls and fresh rolls without fish sauce.
Gluten-free options: Partial — rice plates and vermicelli bowls are naturally gluten-free, but bánh mì is not.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s more of a fast-casual lunch spot than a sit-down dinner destination.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service only, no reservations needed.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids who enjoy Vietnamese flavors; no special kids’ menu or high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Faster, higher-quality Vietnamese lunch than nearby chains, with fresher herbs and proteins.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, a leisurely dinner, or a weekend meal — it’s built for weekday office crowds.