My experiences at Tank have been very different than this boards. I went back several times wanting to like it and each time came away with an experience worse than before.

Insipid broth. Cold fried food. Worse than indifferent service. The people I went with were all dissapointed. One time everything was so bad that it ruined a date and my date pointedly told me to post on the board how bad it was. I didn't listen, but we didn't date for very long either.

I guess I've fulfilled that edict a bit late.

Maybe I had really bad luck, I'm just not going to test my luck there anymore.

I prefer Pho 777 personally.

This reminds me of my western suburb pho quest. On to another thread

jsco wrote:My experiences at Tank have been very different than this boards. I went back several times wanting to like it and each time came away with an experience worse than before.

FWIW, jsco, it's been suggested by some that Tank's quality takes a steep dive in the transition to the night staff. Having never eaten there at night (much as I've eaten there), I can't speak to this personally, but you might want to try a lunch there if you haven't. If you don't like it, you don't like it... just a thought.[/i]

Has anyone else tried Pho Viet on Broadway? I don't know enough about Vietnamese food but I thought it was just as good as TANK. I was puzzled at what kind of concerts they put on in back though.

jsco wrote:
Insipid broth.

i'm no Pho expert (I've tried about 8 or 9 different Pho places) but the broth at Tank is one of the more flavorful i've tried. i just recently tried Pho Viet and prefered Tank's, although Pho Viet's was also good. I'm not a fan Tank's atmosphere (prefer more dark and quiet surroundings) but their Pho is delicious.

jdymeats wrote:Has anyone else tried Pho Viet on Broadway? I don't know enough about Vietnamese food but I thought it was just as good as TANK. I was puzzled at what kind of concerts they put on in back though.

I can't say for certain, but I bet the concerts are that Vietnamese fave---karaoke. You can still find posters of performance troupes stapled up around the neighborhood.

Back in the day, at a Broadway storefront long gone, I'd go for my favorite spring rolls and watch people being frisked by off-duty cops before they were allowed into the cavernous karaoke hall behind the tiny restaurant. ...used to be a big Vietnamese gang scene.

Tank is still our 'to go' vietnamese place. The food is terrific but at times some of our favorite dishes miss the mark. For example, Mi Xao Ba can be plate licking clean and other times so drowning in the gravy that it lacks any crunch. Also, I do see signs of cost cutting-fewer mushrooms-more carrots and celery as well as smaller potions (the new square plates). The service can be really friendly if you get one of the young guys who will dote on the kids. The owners/managers seem distant.

I am sure a thread already exists out there but I am having trouble finding it. What's a 'can't miss' at Tank? (something that transports well, as we are planning bringing it home...) If you could point me to the right threads that would be much appreciated!

many thanks in advance!

howdy!

here's a recent thread:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... 51&start=0

as for what's good, i go for the Pho! (Usually Pho Tai Nam). I get the beef on the side (uncooked) and drop it in so that its cooked in the soup. I love the texture of the noodles and the flavor of the broth. the herbs and sprouts are great additions to the flavor. thus far, tank is my favorite, although for PHO i think Thai Binh is also good (Pho999)

So after getting blown away at the Printer's Row book fair (literally -- tents were overturned, large numbers of books destroyed), three of us departed for a late lunch. We'd thought about Smoque, but their website (via smartphone) said they were closed for the afternoon with equipment problems, so we started browsing the GNR list. PS suggested Tank, having been there once before. MrsF, having just returned home, joined us about an hour later.

The menu is massive and a bit intimidating, the diacritic marks notwithstanding. I'm not going to try to reproduce the vietnamese names below, sorry. Go to the website for the full listings.

For appetizers we had the #1 combo, with a spring roll, a pork skin roll, shrimp cake, pork balls and accompanying lettuce wrap stuff; and what was #12 on the menu I think, but doesn't match the website -- more fried shrimp cake. Always fun to roll up lettuce or rice paper with herbs, noodles and dipping sauces and one of the meaty things above. All the flavors bright and the fried items moist. The pork skin roll was not a scary thing -- I was expecting more of a pork rind/chicharron sort of thing, just little shredded bits of porky goodness.

JG had the #238 drink - pickled plum, magalansi and calamansi. Interesting but not wonderful. Sort of a Vietnamese gatorade, kinda salty, sour and sweet, with shredded fruit in it. I have no idea what magalansi is -- the two items Google finds are a review of Tank, and an article in Italian on perception and music!

For mains, we somehow managed not to order any noodle dishes, but it was certainly too hot for pho.
#108 was what I called the "Denny's Grand Slam from Hell" -- grilled pork (looked like a small steak), a simmered shrimp (something of a hard-shelled langoustine -- tasty but a bit overcooked, and not enough meat for the amount of work), sunny-side egg and chinese sausage (yummy), over a big pile of rice.

#156 we expected to be like Salt and Pepper Shrimp -- close but no cigar: the fried, head-on shrimp were served with a dish of salt and pepper, and a wedge of lime. Absolutely deliciously crunchy.

#178 turned out, to my taste buds, to be something of an analog to Thai nuea nam tok -- lemongrass and chile, cukes and tomatoes on the side, but not so much cilantro as that favorite dish of mine. Very very tasty.

our last dish isn't on the online menu: frog with coconut milk, ginger and lemongrass. Very close to a Thai green curry, with sweet (but bone-filled) frog legs, onions and sweet peppers. Very very tasty but kind of awkward. (numerous "Tastes like chicken" jokes were had -- the server had never had frog, he looked very suspicious).

Definitely I want to go back again, that menu will take a long time to explore.

Hi,

The only person I know to have eat the entire menu more than a few times over was Erik M. I learned quite a bit about the menu items from watching him select.

Regards,

LTH,

Hadn't been to Tank in a few months, one bite of crisp Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancake), sip of multi layered Pho and bright fresh flavor of Bo Tai Chanh (sliced raw beef w/onion and lemon juice) convinced me this had been a mistake.

Friday eve Tank was filled to capacity, though I did not notice anyone waiting and service was quick, efficient and friendly. Tank is also a good place to run into fellow LTHers, it was an added bonus to the evening to chat with JimmyFeedMe and Gwen.

We had the pleasure of the Ronnie_Suburban family's company for dinner, R_S had not been since the move from further East on Argyle. We managed to make a small dent in the menu, though as JoelIF implies, it is a very large menu.

Enjoy,
Gary

Tank Noodle
4953 N. Broadway St.
Chicago, IL
773-878-2253

We made our way over to Tank to avoid the Midsommarfest insanity in Andersonville, and were surprised to find that there was no wait at all at our 9pm arrival time. We had a couple Tank rookies with us who marveled at the length of the menu - two crispy scallion pancakes, a couple bowls of pho and some veggie dishes later and we had a couple converts.

The menu has recently been redone and looks great. (Not falling apart any more!) Also, a new addition to the pho list that I haven't seen before:



Apologies for the absolutely horrible cellphone photos. And no, we didn't order any. (Although you can also order more "pin" as an add-on as well.)

whiskeybent wrote:Apologies for the absolutely horrible cellphone photos. And no, we didn't order any. (Although you can also order more "pin" as an add-on as well.)

I noted the new menus, but the addition of beef pizzle pho completely escaped me.

The thing that made me scratch my head was that the pho ngau pin was $4.95 - and the "oxtail or pin" add-on was $5. I wonder how much penis $5 buys you. [Insert your own joke here.]

Christopher Gordon wrote:

jdymeats wrote:Has anyone else tried Pho Viet on Broadway? I don't know enough about Vietnamese food but I thought it was just as good as TANK. I was puzzled at what kind of concerts they put on in back though.

I can't say for certain, but I bet the concerts are that Vietnamese fave---karaoke. You can still find posters of performance troupes stapled up around the neighborhood.

Back in the day, at a Broadway storefront long gone, I'd go for my favorite spring rolls and watch people being frisked by off-duty cops before they were allowed into the cavernous karaoke hall behind the tiny restaurant. ...used to be a big Vietnamese gang scene.

I just went a few weeks ago to try the Duck Noodle soup mentioned in Time Out. I tried ordering the fried duck soup (the waitress looked confused), but got a boiled duck soup instead. It had a great lemongrass flavor and the meat was well cooked, if a little chewy. It certainly made me willing to try different dishes from Pho Viet and also--this is an aesthetic point--they have nice high-sided china bowls that make the soup look pretty.

a couple of questions before my first vist to Tank Noodle this Saturday after a day @ Lincoln Park Zoo.

1) Do they accept credit cards?
2) Are they BYOB, or do they offer alcohol
3) I am interested in a couple of dishes, and would like any input:
a) # 200 Nghieu Xao Dau Hao - baby clams stir fried with oyster sauce
b) # 160 Tom Xao Sa Te - shrimps stir fried w/ hot peppers
c) # 156 Tom Rang Muoi - whole shrimps deep fried with salt
d) # 94 Bun Rieu Tom Thit - exotic steamed rice noodles soup w/ real crab, pork,
& tofu
e)# 9 Bi Cuon pork skin spring rolls

thanks for any tips, or input on these questions. My wife, 2 year old daughter, and myself are looking forward to this visit to Tank Noodle.

#1 is a definite yes. However, I'm not sure about BYOB and I haven't tried any of the dishes you mentioned, so I can't help there.

jimswside wrote:2) Are they BYOB, or do they offer alcohol

Don't think they offer alcohol but we byo'd there (wine) back in June without issue.

=R=

A few of the dishes in your list don't seem to play to the strength of the restuurant. I don't think I would order 3a,b or c. They seem from the description at least to be Chinese style dishes. Stick with the Pho for sure. Maybe others can recommend a couple of other dishes to go along with that.

stevez wrote:A few of the dishes in your list don't seem to play to the strength of the restuurant. I don't think I would order 3a,b or c. They seem from the description at least to be Chinese style dishes. Stick with the Pho for sure. Maybe others can recommend a couple of other dishes to go along with that.

a bowl of pho is on the list for sure,

i welcome any rec's. Nothing vegetarian, curry, or with tendon or tripe please. Its gotta have pork, beef, chicken, duck, or shrimp, and be spicy.

My favorites (other than pho and banh mi): Papaya salad with shrimp and pork (goi du du); spicy lemongrass beef; raw beef marinated with lime and chiles; shrimp and pork with satay (or "homemade" on the menu) sauce ( Tom Thit Ram Man).

JeffB wrote:My favorites (other than pho and banh mi): Papaya salad with shrimp and pork (goi du du); spicy lemongrass beef; raw beef marinated with lime and chiles; shrimp and pork with satay (or "homemade" on the menu) sauce ( Tom Thit Ram Man).

the banh mi, especially the bbq pork version looks interesting. However, for an early snack before the zoo, we will be giving Philly's Best for a cheese steak a final try, hoping the newer Greektown location fares better than my visits to the Belmont Street location.

I dont think two sandwiches, although completely different, will be in the cards.

I'm not sure if this is the same dish Jeff is referring to, but the bo tai chanh -- sliced raw beef with onions, peppers, fresh herbs and lime -- is one of my favorites, especially on a summer day.



Also I dig the bun with a ton of stuff -- here with spring roll, grilled beef, grilled shrimp, pork sausage (in house!), pickled vegetables and a couple of other things. The seven or eight different tastes on top appeal to my desire to try a little of everything

jimswside wrote:i welcome any rec's.

Even though it's over two years old, Erik M.'s list of recommended dishes at Tank remains useful.

In another thread Erik M. wrote:3. Pho Xe Tang (Tank) – 4953 N. Broadway, 773.878.2253

Recs: Sup Mang Cua, Goi Du Du, Goi Ngo Sen, Goi Cuon, Banh Hoi Nem Nuong, Banh Cuon Cha Lua, Banh Mi Xiu mai, Banh Mi Ga, Chao (Various), Pho, Mi Vit Tiem, Mi Bo Kho, Hu Tieu Do Bien, Hu Tieu Kho Dac Biet, Bun Bo Nuong-Tom-Cha Gio, Bun Rieu, Bun Mam, Com Cari Ga, Com Bo Bit Tet, Com Bo Luc Lac, Com Ga Xao Sa Ot, Gia Xao He, Ca Nuc Muoi Sa Ot, Ca Kho To, Bo Tai Chanh, Thit Heo Xao Mam Ruot, Bo Nhung Dam, Suon Heo Nuong Sa Ot, Rau Muong Xao Chao

hi dom, what exactly is that second dish called, just "bun" ?

MBK wrote:hi dom, what exactly is that second dish called, just "bun" ?

Well, there's twenty-something versions on the menu, as I recall. Bun, I believe (step in, anybody), just refers to the cold rice noodles served with nuoc cham and toppings of some nature. Kind of like the pho, they list every possible combination and permutation of ingredient available There's probably a name for the specific combination I got there, but I don't remember what it was.

After reading as much as I could about Tank, and studying the menu last night, I think I have a decided on the dishes to try. Of course something could change if their is a specail or something I didnt see on the menu. The food listed is for 2 adults, and a 2 year old toddler who eats pretty much anything. Hopefully it will be enough food.

Appetizer:

# 13 Banh Xeo - Vietnamese Crispy Pankcake W Shrimps & pork
# 47 Pho Tai - Pho with sliced beef

Mains:

#159 Tom Kho Tau - jumbo shrimp simmered in a clay pot
# 107 Com Suon Tom Kho Tau, lap Xuong, Hot Ga Op La - steamed rice dish w/ grilled pork, simmered marinated lobster, sunny side egg, & sausage.

I cant find the menu online but i have found that i like the spicy shrimp dish more then the shrimp in clay pot. I cant remember the exact name or # of spicy shrimp but it is something close to that. I also love the papaya salad appetizer and the spring rolls.

iblock9 wrote:I cant find the menu online but i have found that i like the spicy shrimp dish more then the shrimp in clay pot. I cant remember the exact name or # of spicy shrimp but it is something close to that. I also love the papaya salad appetizer and the spring rolls.

Ill keep an eye out for the papaya appetizer, my little one loves fruit.

thanks

jimswside wrote:

iblock9 wrote:I cant find the menu online but i have found that i like the spicy shrimp dish more then the shrimp in clay pot. I cant remember the exact name or # of spicy shrimp but it is something close to that. I also love the papaya salad appetizer and the spring rolls.

Ill keep an eye out for the papaya appetizer, my little one loves fruit.

thanks

Keep in mind that it is green papaya salad, such as you might get in a Thai resturant, not the ripe, sweet orange fruit that one might have as a dessert. The salad is more spicy/pungent/salty (though there is a sweet note) than sweet like ripe fruit.