Big appetites welcome at Little Saigon

The eateries that populate Little Neck's retail corridor along Northern Boulevard range from large restaurants like Italian-inspired to small storefront pizzerias, with many dining establishments landing somewhere in between.

, on Northern Boulevard near Little Neck Parkway, is on the small end of that spectrum. But what this Far Eastern restaurant lacks in seating, it makes up for in service, serving sizes and prices.

At Little Saigon, the bowls are big enough to dip your face in, if you so choose. The combo meals they serve, such as Pho Bo Lui, a combination of rice noodle soup and grilled beef with sesame seasoning are all under $10.

Diners can choose to start their meal with a Goi Cuon shrimp roll, or Cha Gio, an appetizer consisting of a rice paper roll filled with pork, crab meat, black mushrooms and rice noodles served with a side of delicious sesame oil dip.

And while there are no desserts in the traditional sense of the word, Little Saigon offers up various flavors of refreshing Bubble Ice Teas like Passion Fruit.

"What you have to remember about Vietnam is that they've been influenced by the French, the Russians, and America over the years, and that influence shows in the food," said Little Neck resident Peter Reinharz, at Little Saigon eating with his wife, Patty, and their son, Alex.

"It's great food and great prices. We love coming here," Patty Reinharz said. "It really is our family restaurant."

In addition to enjoying a grand feast inside, Little Saigon delivers orders totaling $15 and over.

And with almost 20 different variations of Pho Bo and delicious spring rolls stuffed with crab, meat or pork, as well as salads, seafood and sesame chicken, Little Saigon's menu is a lot bigger than its name might suggest.

Little Saigon, located at 253-09 Northern Blvd in Little Neck, is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.