So Ba Vietnamese

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sunnyleo

Joined 5 years ago

Love the food, but please ditch those long straws!. I've eaten at this restaurant many times, and their food is always superb. The wait-staff is friendly and accommodating, and the chef will allow minor changes of the menu items, such as substituting or omitting items. This, to me is customer service, a restaurant that will cater to your individual requests. In addition, they stay open late, which is a blessing - to be able to get tasty, flavorful, healthy food at late hours is heaven...Thank you!

P.S. The main problem with this place is the straws - first of all, they are WAY too long - someone's going to poke out their eye, nose, or the roof of their mouth on these someday...Secondly, what is most disturbing, is that the staff members are touching each and every straw in order to make the cute little paper straw wrapper design on the straw they serve in your drink. Please, please order regular, shorter straws, and I would rather you NOT touch the straws, thank you!

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lynniethirteen

Joined 3 years ago

First visit is DEFINITELY not my last!. I love a good pho and this is the bomb. Simple, fresh, perfectly cooked... and the price is right. The wait staff is perky but not in a bad way, and very knowledgeable and helpful without being condescending. They also very politely allowed me to add extra veggies to the soup. And when I hinted that I was on a time constraint, the meal was uber prompt, too.

I concur with Jonathan Baker's review that the modern decor "improvements", like the simple, angular furniture and loud colored paint, do somehow not detract from the coziness of the place, although it would benefit from a few seat cushions. If one is comfy they will stay longer and order more. Also, beware the outdoor tables: some are wonky and not well attached to their bases.

All in all, a great place. I may just go back tomorrow.

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Jonathan Baker

Joined 6 years ago

Atlanta's simple, late-night Vietnamese champion.. In Short
Taking over the cozy space that previously housed Casita la Cantina in the East Atlanta Village, So Ba is exactly what the in-town ‘hoods of Atlanta need: a great ethnic restaurant that stays true to their roots but still provides a welcoming dining experience to novices. A modern design is cozier than it should be; low ceilings and a friendly, attractive staff make what was once EAV’s ugliest digs somewhere you’d actually want to eat. Smartly, the food matches the hipster demographic but avoids alienating experts. The super simple menu is broken down into four categories: spring rolls, pho, bun and com tam. Grilled meats in the bun and com tam pack a wonderful flavor and spice while pho is as good as anything you’ll find at Buford Highway mainstays like Pho #1. So Ba magically meshes true ethnic dining with city dining. It’s a brilliant combination Atlanta residents deserve.