Go Gin Chow: Saigon Bay, Tampa

Welcome to restaurant reviews by go gin chow this is the food ninja. I have some insight on a Vietnamese restaurant called Saigon Bay in Tampa close to the USF campus. It really is a nice restaurant. From the outside you could not really see the great decor inside. The outside is really deceiving. I was impressed when I walked in with my family. It was like wow! They kept it modern, but authentic, with all the bamboo they used in different ways to dress up the place. They did a great job and the food was spot on in every way. The broth in my pho soup was really an awakening to my taste buds and the vegetables were fresh and crisp. The service was up to par. I'd say this is a great affordable place to get some great food for families and students. So please keep an eye out for this great little place in Tampa if you are anywhere near the USF campus. Take from the food ninja look for this place and stop on in and please enjoy. You will not be disappointed.

This is Shadow for Go Gin Chow. Definitely one of the best things about this place is its atmosphere. Walls are decorated with bamboo poles giving the illusion that you are dining in the middle of a bamboo thicket, very cool. Food is decent. Soups come with a complimentary side salad, which is nice, salad dressing was good. Respectable bowl of Beef Pho, broth was good, variety of meats, though meatballs are not included in the Special Pho and had to be ordered at an additional charge. Seafood Pho was good, nice jumbo rings of calamari. Shrimp and Crab with vermicelli soup broth was a little bland, but the crab claws were definately a nice touch. Service was pretty good, though there may be a bit of a communication barrier (as they do not speak English very well), they were still very friendly and did their best to try and understand you. Clean bathrooms. Will definitely be back.

   Saigon Bay
                                                           2373 E Fowler Ave
                                                          Tampa, FL 33612
                                                          (813) 971-0854