Flagship Friends | Vietnamese Asian Restaurant Review

Amidst the depths of winter, the Flagship Friends venture outside of school grounds to seek warmth and satisfy their appetite among the roar of the upcoming snowstorm. The posse, including Jack, Rocco, Angel, Olivia, and Corinne, fare not too far from Brownell Talbot School to indulge in a warm meal carefully prepared in the kitchen where the magic happens. Vietnamese Asian Restaurant, located right off of 72nd and Dodge, is a quaint, family-owned restaurant offering a diverse selection of over-the-seas smorgasbords for anyone to enjoy. Upon entering, the five of us were guided to a cozy booth tucked neatly within the restaurant, where the close-knit setting instantly made the space feel intimate and inviting. Greeted by the owner with her warm, welcoming smile, ensuring our comfort as we settled in from the cold. Their attentiveness set the tone for the upcoming meal, reinforcing the restaurant’s homey ambiance, simply clarifying that care and hospitality are just as central to the experience as the food itself.

Although modest in size, the restaurant’s intimate layout only deepens its charm towards its customers. The space is small yet instantly welcoming, with closely set tables and softly worn decor that makes guests feel less like customers and more like invited company. The walls are adorned with unique decorations that appear thoughtfully sourced from Vietnam, from delicate artwork to cultural accents that quietly tell stories of tradition and heritage. These details, though subtle, enrich the space and give the restaurant a sense of place far beyond its physical size. Warm lighting and quiet conversation fill the room, creating a cozy refuge from the cold just beyond the doors. Authenticity seems to float through the air, not as a performance, but as a presence, effortless and genuine. The moment one steps inside, the aroma of simmering broths, fragrant herbs, and slow-cooked spices wraps around the senses, carrying diners across oceans and straight into the heart of Vietnam. It is the kind of place where warmth is not only found in the food, but in the atmosphere itself, offering comfort long before the first dish reaches the table.

Our appetizer of choice was the Fried Egg Rolls because Angel and her family love getting those when they come to this restaurant. The egg rolls came very hot with various flavors to bring to the tongue. On the outside, the roll is wrapped in a golden brown crispy shell that blisters and bubbles when it hits hot oil, turning shatteringly crisp. It crackles with every bite. Everything is soft and juicy, which makes it a dangerous snack among a group of people. The egg rolls also came with some greens and a sauce that helped freshen up the flavors. Jack, however, didn’t want to eat the egg rolls until he requested the sweet chili sauce. Jack had Rocco try the egg rolls with the sweet chili sauce, and Rocco agreed that the egg rolls were much more flavorful with the sauce added on.

The first meal we tried was the chicken pho. The pho contains clear noodles, a warm, clear broth, green onions, cilantro, and chicken. This pho is great for when you are feeling sick and need something neutral on the stomach or need to warm up from the cold weather. Every spoonful is clean, savory, and comforting with incredibly aromatic scents. You can even spice the pho up like Angel to kick it. But, Angel doused every meal that came where it would be 50% sriracha and 50% of the actual food we received.

Next was the chicken fried rice. It was simple but comforting, with well-seasoned rice and tender chicken mixed throughout. While not flashy, it was satisfying and dependable, making it an easy dish to enjoy. The fried rice was very good, mixed with the chicken pad thai or the chicken to add a little more flavor to your bite.

The chicken pad thai was an overall favorite for most of the group and quickly became the dish everyone kept going back to. It struck the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, making each bite more satisfying than the last. The sauce was undeniably the star of the show, coating the noodles evenly and tying every ingredient together with its rich, slightly sweet depth. The dish felt comforting yet exciting, which likely explains why it stood out so strongly among the rest. Jack and Rocco enjoyed most of this dish, with how warm it felt within the mouth, as well as the flavor it provided for us. Of course, Angel insisted it was only truly complete once sriracha was added, turning the plate into a fiery red masterpiece. Angel did not enjoy this meal, it was too sweet add here

Lastly, the charbroiled chicken made its appearance at the table, and it quickly became the one dish that most of us collectively agreed was our least favorite. Not because it was poorly cooked, actually, but because it was just like American-style grilled chicken. The chicken was tender, well-seasoned, and clearly prepared with care. However, compared to the other dishes that had bold Vietnamese flavors, this one felt familiar to a fault. Its smoky, grilled taste closely resembled classic American backyard barbecue chicken, lacking the distinct herbs, sauces, or spices that made the rest of the meal feel special and unique. In a restaurant filled with dishes that told stories of tradition and culture, the charbroiled chicken simply didn’t stand out. Angel enjoyed the chicken, but only with her addition of sriracha sauce.