Fodor's Expert Review Bac Nam

Tam and Kimmy Huynh's menu is much more extensive than most, ranging far beyond the usual pho and bun (cold noodle dishes) found at many Vietnamese restaurants. Lamb curry, tapioca dumplings, tamarind head-on shrimp, an extraordinary crab noodle soup, and other dishes hail from North and South Vietnam. The no-frills, hole-in-the-wall atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed at this go-to spot for locals, who swear it's the best in town. At lunch it's packed with people who work in the neighborhood. Reservations are not accepted for groups of fewer than six.