Serving up more than 200 Vietnamese dishes six nights a week, Pho Xe Lua is not for the indecisive diner. Not one to make a spectacle of itself, the relatively plain space—white tables, tiny bar, big mirror on one wall—belies the tastiness and sheer amount of food Pho Xe Lua serves. Each table comes pre-set with a big Lazy Susan topped with any tool or condiment you might need for your meal—a few hot sauces, soy sauce, chopsticks, forks, spoons, napkins. Should you get bored, the back of the room hosts a few video games, not to mention a large, LED sign mounted on one wall with a scrolling list of information about the restaurant.

But who cares what the place looks like? You're there to eat. As mentioned, there are 200-plus dishes to choose from, and choosing isn't easy (though Pho Xe Lua's numbering system is quite convenient). Predictable items like lemongrass pork and noodle soups (complete with quail egg) sit side-by-side with delicacies like fried frog and a few different squid dishes. A vast variety of bahn mi are available along with plenty of tasty appetizers. Keeping kosher with its BYOB policy, the mini bar serves only non-alcoholic drinks—lots of bubble teas and smoothies. While you won't find much to look at, the sheer size of the menu will keep you coming back for more. Appetizers cost around $8 and entrees between $12-$20.

Centerstage Reviewer: Mac McCormick