Packed at lunch with those hungry for some of the tastiest and cheapest Vietnamese fare in town.:
THIS RESTAURANT IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED Tu Lan Restaurant Review: It's tempting to dismiss Tu Lan as a grungy dive on a treacherous stretch of Sixth Street. This would be a mistake. Take it from Julia Child, who has not only eaten and enjoyed the vibrant Vietnamese food, but whose image also graces the worn out cover of the menu. At lunchtime, the somewhat grimy room is packed with local...
Good Vietnamese food in a downright seedy location. Word-of-mouth dingy treasure. Inside: tiny, plain, filled with gritty locals. Delicate spring rolls, tender barbecue pork over crispy rice noodles, tender flank steak with steamed rice. If you need atmosphere, get it to go. Or head upstairs to avoid Market Street crackheads and the sight of Raiders jersey–wearing "chef" sweating furiously over...
Only adventurous foodies interested in a cheap, midday snack need to read this review. You'll have to brave the winos, weirdos, and street stench to get to this total dive in an unsavory neighborhood bordering Union Square and SoMa, but I do it happily to get my hands on the best imperial rolls on the planet. Alas, the atmosphere inside isn't much better -- it's about as greasy as greasy spoons...
This tiny Vietnamese diner epitomizes the term ""hidden find."":
In Short
People come from all over San Francisco to this tiny Vietnamese storefront. Seating is limited to eight small tables and a Formica counter that runs along the open kitchen....