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Legit

 

I was just scrolling along, minding my own business, when these words caught my eye:

7:10 AM, Fri Jan 3

I have to imagine that hell is a lot like Howard County.

Well! Not the best way to wake up in the morning. I mean, I know that not everyone likes us, and sometimes they even have good reasons. But this seemed rather extreme. The response that followed, however, turned my concern into amusement.

Howard County has some legit Vietnamese restaurants. Hell does not.

Thank goodness we have something going for us. 

Truth be told, I have very little experience with Vietnamese cuisine. I have eaten Pho exactly once, possibly ten years ago. Appalling, I know. I enjoyed the experience well enough but it didn’t become a regular thing with us. 

I wonder if there’s any research on how Americans incorporate new foods into their diets. I grew up in an era when the “ethnic” food available to me was offered by Chinese and Mexican restaurants who adapted their menus to the American palate. My mother still viewed Italian cuisine as the ethnic food of her younger years.

Since then I have been introduced to and come to love Greek food, Middle Eastern food, Indian food, Afghani food, and, to some extent, Turkish food. That feels like a lot until I realize that there are so many possibilities around me locally that I just haven’t delved into: Korean food, Thai, Ethiopian, Vietnamese…
I sometimes feel as though I’d like someone experienced to guide me when exploring new cuisines. A sort of Experienced Eater Companion Service, if you will.

Anyway, back to Hell (or the lack of it.) I went looking for a comprehensive listing of every Vietnamese restaurant in Howard County to present to you here. Yelp was not helpful for this. I went to the Visit Howard County website and they have exactly one Vietnamese restaurant included in their listing, so I am not sure how their listing system works. I searched the website of the Maryland Restaurant Association, whose offices are in Columbia. No dice.
 
I don’t want “If you buy an ad you’re in the listing” or “If you’re been reviewed you’re in the listing.”  I simply want: here are all the Vietnamese restaurants in Howard County in alphabetical order, including their locations. Is this not a thing one can find anymore?

So I’m turning this over to you. Maybe the best advice is by word of mouth anyway. Will you be my Experienced Eater (virtual) companions? What is your go-to hocolocal place for Vietnamese food and what is your favorite menu item? Any advice, suggestions? 

I’ve heard that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions but not, apparently, with “legit Vietnamese restaurants.”  So I have my work cut out for me if I want to be headed in the right direction. Or simply because I’m ready to try something new. 


 







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