Dinner for $20: Doan’s Vietnamese Cuisine

The excellent Vietnamese restaurant Doan’s is located in an unassuming strip mall off of South Boulevard near Archdale Drive. Inside it’s simple, just the way I like it. The modest-size space has booths along the walls and tables in the middle. On a recent weeknight, I went with two guests for dinner and we were able to get a table immediately.

I started with a Tiger beer from Singapore for $5. It always feels like a bonus when I get to try international beers.

At first I was planning to try the pho, but I figured that everyone who has been to Doan’s has already tried that, so I went a different route. Also, I knew that if I wound up hating what I ordered, then I could get my favorite stand-by, chicken pad thai. These considerations were all for naught.

I chose the mon noung with chicken for $13.95. It’s a simple dish served with rice paper, vermicelli, vegetables and homemade fish sauce (no thanks) or peanut sauce (yes please). I love peanut sauce a little more than I should. My wife introduced it to me when we were living in Washington, DC. It isn’t the reason that I married her, but it is definitely on the list.

The best part is that I got to make my own rolls. It was super fun. My wife likes to tease me that whenever we got to restaurants, I always order food that I have to assemble myself, like fajitas. But these hit the spot.

My wife had a Thai iced tea. It was delicious and tasted like dessert. Then again, I was using a straw to drink from the bottom where all the sugar was hiding. I regret nothing.

The grand total was $18.95 and I would definitely go back. As always, tax and tip aren’t included.

Photos: Clayton Hanson

This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Dinner for $20: Doan’s Vietnamese Cuisine."