A Dong Restaurant

02/28/07

A Dong is Seriously Over-rated!!!!!

by qle001 at Citysearch

A Dong is seriously overrated. As a Vietnamese, I find A Dong food to be somewhat "Americanized." The food is a bit bland and there is no distinct taste in any of the dishes. The egg rolls are not Vietnamese egg rolls, but Chinese egg rolls made of mainly cabbage. The beef in bun thit nuong has no marinating flavor. All other dishes we ordered had one similar taste. White Americans love this restaurant because, I think, they can't tell what Vietnamese food actually should taste like. To them, something that just has a pleasant and inoffensive taste is THE BEST VIETNAMESE FOOD IN DES MOINES! Americanized Vietnamese food is NOT good. I suggest trying TNT Restaurant, which is more authentic.

12/05/09

Good food, poor service

by phloots at Citysearch

I like to have a glass of wine while I read the menu (and my paper). The first glass comes promptly, as does the food and then service is GONE. I would order a second glass, but they never come back. I would often order some take out, but they never come back. This has happened repeatedly, causing me to leave no tip. I love the food, but the lack of service keeps me away.

• Pros: Good, fresh food, delivered promptly
• Cons: Completely unsatisfactory follow-up service

12/13/08

Better than big city!

by TanyaKeith at Citysearch

I went to what my friend claimed was the best Vietnamese in New York and it wasn't even close to our beloved A Dong.

07/05/08

Why not?

by willsoughby at Citysearch

My peers and I like their fresh food.

The interior is very pretty as well.

Also check out TNT on E 14th street, which is cheaper and just as delicious, but with a less elegant atmosphere.

04/18/08

Not authentic!

by Tranghoa at Citysearch

I was at the restaurant a few years ago and was very disappointed at the food and haven't return since. I decided to give the restaurant another try today, and the food hasn't improved: it is still too Americanized and too bland. I ordered bun cha gio thit nuong (noodle with egg rolls and grilled pork) to go and was so upset at what I got: the dipping sauce was tasteless, the pork was cold and old, and there wasn't enough noodle. Just last week, I ordered the same meal from Lucky Dragon Restaurant on 2nd, and for the same price, I got a lot of noodles, grilled beef, shrimp, and tasty eggrolls. My friend ordered noodles with grilled shrimp at A Dong with me and she got 4 (only 4!!) shrimps! Come on! When you go to A Dong and see a lot of White Americans there and not a lot of Asians, it's a huge sign. If you want really good Vietnamese food, I recommend you try TNT Restaurant on MLK or Lucky Dragon on 2nd Ave.

02/25/08

Best food every made in the history of mankind. Great customer sevice.

by princessfaggot69 at Citysearch

This restaurant is my favorite. The food is very exotic and something I cannot make at home. The staff is very efficient and get your order quickly and cook it very well and very quickly. The food is similar to Chinese, but very healthy. The food fells very rich, but is very light because no outside fat is used. I really reccomend people that like to try something new, or want a healthier version of Chinese. This is a great restaurant.

• Pros: Good food, high quality foods for not as much money. Feels like a Vietnamese home.
• Cons: Nothing

01/22/08

no, not authentic

by teapod at Citysearch

I just spent the last 20 minutes explaining why A Dong is inadequate and this webpage went blank after clicking the done button. So, I'll keep this one short. I'm Vietnamese & from CA and this place makes my palate sad. A little better than Pho Ha Doa's chlorinated tasting water but not by much.

• Pros: Spacious inside
• Cons: Parking is terrible, better park on the street if you can find a spot

10/19/07

Try somewhere else

by lilgrldsm at Citysearch

I totally agreed with your comment that A Dong is "Overrated" There food is not even good at all. It is okay but so not Vietnamese~~ no taste to the food whatsoever--just simply a lot of MSG. If you like Vietnamese's food A Dong is not the place to try it at. But I think since it was the first place that opened in the Des Moines area everyone think that it is the best. The PARKING SU*K!!!! there it is so small and so hard to get in and out when there is no ROOM to back out to. TNT is actually pretty good but don't get any soup. There Bo La Lap is good! But should always try other restaurants like Pho Hoa Dao, Lucky Dragon, Chinese Kitchen.

Peace!

• Pros: Clean, cute restaurant.
• Cons: Small parking space/not so good food :(

07/31/07

Amazing Pho

by lphair55 at Citysearch

I absolutley adore this place. The Pho is THE best. Hands down. Although there menu is a little confusing, it's nothing to lose a star over.

• Pros: Delicious Pho
• Cons: The menu is a bit confusing, but it's no big deal.

08/18/06

Great food, however I am concerned about the staff

by villamagrd at Citysearch

I love Adong, but was very upset when a co-worker of mine (who is Vietnamese) overhead a conversation from the kitchen. The statement was as follows: "just pick it up, it is for the American table".