TRAM ANH ~ Reinventing the Po' Boy

Once again Minnesota Matt ferrets out another unique gem. This time – he’s really found something extraordinary. Tram Anh is a tiny little spot specializing in Vietnamese food to go and catering. The place is roomy enough for a few tables for casual eating. The décor is almost stunning with bright neon colors – very typical of the culture. It has everything imaginable tucked here and there, posters, a patrons business card shelf, photos of selected menu items, celebrities, Vietnamese newspapers…you name it!

The food is really quite good, and everything Vietnamese, from all of the little wonderful appetizers, salads, steamed rolls and pan cakes (these are not pancakes), rice vermicelli, stir fried rice or egg noodles, broken steamed rice, soups, fried rice, smoothies w/pearl (tapioca), and on it goes. However, what brought us to this spot is the sandwich – (hero, submarine, hoagie – whatever you prefer). It is a sublime, satisfyingly tasty chunk of deliciousness complete with limitless varieties of composed scrumptious fillings – all of which are very herbaceous owing to copious amounts of fresh basil, cilantro, mint, chives, etc. What do they add? Here we go! Bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, marinated grilled pork (amazing), shredded pork, shrimp, little meatballs, grilled chicken, beef and duck, and even sardines if you like. No meal in Vietnam is served without dipping sauces – sweet rice vinegar with shredded carrots, traditional garlic chili pastes, Sriracha you can squeeze out yourself, concoctions of hoisen and nam pla (fish sauce), in an endless and captivating array. How about the roll? Here’s the best part – were not talking about thick doughy bread rolls – who wants culinary foreplay with all of that goodness tucked inside the roll? ‘Must be artisanal and local – very crispy – very thin outer crust that dissolved away into a tasty foundation for the filling – almost a utensil onto itself – does not interfere, but accentuates.

They tell me that these sandwiches are popular in Minneapolis – but it is the first time for me – please go there – but arrive early to beat the lunch crowd. Tram Anh is located at 8038 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445. (Pictures of the Owner and a few dishes).