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Name: Mai Lee
Address: 8396 Musick Memorial Dr, Saint Louis, MO, 63144
Telephone: (314) 645-2835
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.03

Mai Lee

8396 Musick Memorial Dr, Saint Louis, MO, 63144

(314) 645-2835
Store is closed

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Mai Lee Menu

Hot Appetizers

Banh Bao

Cha Gio (2)

Banh Cong (2)

Bo Lui

Heo Lui

Banh Tom Chien

Ga Lui

Banh Mi Chien Tom Thit

Cha Gio Tom (5)

Banh Xeo (2)

Mai Lee Sampler
Cold Appetizers

Goi Cuon (2)

Bi Cuon (2)

Bo Bia (2)

Goi Cuon Thit Nuong (2)

Goi Cuon Ga Nuong (2)

Goi Cuon Nem Nuong (2)

Kim Chi

Noodle Me

Goi Sen

Goi Du Du
Hu Tieu/banh Canh (soup)

Hu Tieu Nam Vang

Hu Tieu Bo Vien

Hu Tieu My Tho

Banh Canh Tom Cua

Banh Canh Thit Heo

Hu Tieu Mi

Hu Tieu Bo Kho

Hu Tieu Dac Biet
Sandwiches

Banh Mi Thit

Banh Mi Ga

Banh Mi Xi Mai

Banh Mi Thit Nuong
Rice Plates

Com Bi Cha

Com Bi Suon

Com Bi Suon Cha

Com Tom Thit Trung

Com Uc Ga

Com Dac Biet

Com Suon Bo Nuong
Specialty Noodles

Banh Cuon Cha Lua

Banh Tam Bi Nuoc Cot Dua

Banh Cuon Tom
Bun (noodle Bowls)

Bun Xao Rau Ca

Bun Xao - Bo Hay Ga

Bun Bi Cha Gio

Bun Cha Gio

Bun Xao Sate - Bo Hay Ga

Bun Ga Nuong

Bun Thit Nuong

Bun Bo Nuong

Bun Tom Nuong

Bun Nem Nuong

Bun Tom Thit Nuong

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mai Lee

Hot Appetizers

Banh Bao [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cha Gio (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Cong (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bo Lui [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Heo Lui [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Tom Chien [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ga Lui [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Mi Chien Tom Thit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cha Gio Tom (5) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Xeo (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mai Lee Sampler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cold Appetizers

Goi Cuon (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bi Cuon (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bo Bia (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goi Cuon Thit Nuong (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goi Cuon Ga Nuong (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goi Cuon Nem Nuong (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kim Chi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Noodle Me [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goi Sen [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goi Du Du [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Hu Tieu/banh Canh (soup)

Hu Tieu Nam Vang [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hu Tieu Bo Vien [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hu Tieu My Tho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Canh Tom Cua [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Canh Thit Heo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hu Tieu Mi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hu Tieu Bo Kho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hu Tieu Dac Biet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches

Banh Mi Thit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Mi Ga [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Mi Xi Mai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Mi Thit Nuong [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Rice Plates

Com Bi Cha [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Com Bi Suon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Com Bi Suon Cha [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Com Tom Thit Trung [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Com Uc Ga [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Com Dac Biet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Com Suon Bo Nuong [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Specialty Noodles

Banh Cuon Cha Lua [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Tam Bi Nuoc Cot Dua [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banh Cuon Tom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Bun (noodle Bowls)

Bun Xao Rau Ca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Xao - Bo Hay Ga [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Bi Cha Gio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Cha Gio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Xao Sate - Bo Hay Ga [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Ga Nuong [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Thit Nuong [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Bo Nuong [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Tom Nuong [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Nem Nuong [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Tom Thit Nuong [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Saint Louis for healthy meals suggestion.

Church’s Chicken ( 805 N Kingshighway Blvd )

Church’s Chicken ( 10646 New Halls Ferry Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Saint Louis for healthy meals suggestion.

Church’s Chicken ( 805 N Kingshighway Blvd )

Church’s Chicken ( 10646 New Halls Ferry Rd )

Write An Anonymous Review

S A.

The best Vietnamese restaurant in St Louis. We have been back many times! Love the Pho!
(5)
Jennifer H.

Mai Lee is an affordable Vietnamese restaurant located at the corner of Delmar and I-170. Mai Lee is a very small place, and you should be prepared to get cozy to others when dining in. Normally, I'm not into sitting close to people I don't know, listening to their insipid conversations, smelling their obnoxious cologne. For Mai Lee's food, I'll make an exception. Why do I enjoy it? 1) The menu is huge. I've been to this place countless times, and I've never gotten close to trying everything. 2) Everything is tasty. 3) Its pretty cheap. 4) Mai Lee is the perfect place to get a (small) group of friends together and try several new things and toast your friendship with a delicious Thai iced tea.
(4)
Tom L.

I've been going to Mai Lee for years and it has almost always been great. As far as vietnamese food in St. Louis, I think this is as good as it gets. Someone from Vietnam can correct me if I am mistaken!
(5)
Angelo P.

Top knotch Vietnamese food for when I'm too lazy to schlep down to South Grand. I've never ordered off of the Chinese side of the menu and I don't plan on it...its a Vietnamese restaurant! One of my favorite dishes to eat anywhere is the beef underdone in lemon juice they have here. I definitely recommend it. Making my own spring rolls was fun and tasty and overly stuffing as well. You get a device to cook the meat and a bowl of hot water to stick the rice wrappers in to make your rolls...that's recommended too! :P
(4)
Maria S.

So, I'm on my way to work and I'm starving. Where am I going to get lunch? And then I think of Mai Lee, and my whole work day is bathed in the happy glow of banh mi sandwiches and spicy noodles. I swing by at noon - the parking lot is jammed, the restaurant is wall-to-wall people -- and get my sandwich. Despite being mobbed by customers in a hurry, the guy behind the counter is charming, sweet, polite, and efficient. And my sandwich? Full of sliced pork, patÃ©, fresh cilantro and jalapenos. It's fantastic. There are so few things you can count on anymore. Thank goodness there's this place!
(5)
Erika W.

This past Saturday, we stopped in at Mai Lee to order some food to take home and have a drink at the bar while we waited. What a great experience! I had in my mind this would be along the lines of a Pei Wei, but it is not. Mai Lee is more of a true sit down restaurant. And beautiful inside I must add! The menu is huge but don't let it intimidate you! It takes just a few minutes to become comfortable with endless options. The bartenders were very attentive and friendly. Our food was ready just as we finished our glasses of wine. Both of our meals were fantastic. I had the golden tofu with curry and lemongrass- fantastic combination of flavors.
(4)
Jill L.

We tried the new Mai Lee in Brentwood tonight, and it was packed! After overhearing the people in front of us being told it was going to be a 30-45 minute wait, we were about to leave and try something else. Then a lady (I'm guessing the owner), asked us if we'd been helped and showed us to a table in the bar area. We were seated in a high-top by the window which worked out great. We were helped by two different servers, who were both sweet as can be. The main one, Jay, was very willing to help us decide what to order. We chose the Vietnamese dinner for two. The food arrived very quickly, which was surprising given the volume of people. It came with a combination soup...brothy, lots of vegetables, with chicken, shrimp, and crab. Had a sweet, cilantro flavor, and was good. The entrees were chicken with ginger (Ga Xao Gung) and stir-fried beef in sour sauce (Bo Xao Chua) and Vietnamese fried rice. All of these were very good. My husband especially liked the rice. When asked about the missing spring rolls the waiter said it didn't come with spring rolls. We were pretty sure it included them on the menu there, and I checked on the online menu, which has them too. Oh well...we had plenty of food! I also noticed the prices were a little higher than the online menu, so I guess they've recently raised their prices. For two, our total was $34, and that's for food and one soda. Nice, clean atmosphere and friendly people! We will definitely be back!
(4)
Danielle W.

Mai Lee is my favorite easy and affordable Vietnamese place in St. Louis. I have been going to this restaurant for over 5 years now. I usually order the #25 soup, which has vegetables and tofu inside. I also get the spring rolls with no pork (just shrimp) and my meal is more then satisfactory. I love Mai Lee- it is disappointing that they are changing locations, however I do believe their local customers will follow them whether they may go.
(5)
peter c.

Great pho broth, dark and not too salty. A bit sweet but good. Not a lot of meats in the pho too. Had to wait 10 minutes. Busy place!
(4)
Esther Y.

The first time I had Viet food, I thought it was SO bland. SO SO SO bland, I felt like I was adding the plum sauce, hot sauce, rooster sauce, EVERY kind of sauce to everything I ate. So, safe to say, I've been avoiding Viet food for a really long time, much to the annoyance of the Hubs. However, when our friends suggested eating dinner here, I had to take one for the team. Boy, am I glad I made the ultimate sacrifice! :) Everything we had here was SO good. We started with the Viet eggrolls (the one you wrap in lettuce, add cilantro, the sacue and cucumber to) and when my friend said they were like "crackrolls" he wasn't kidding. Seriously, I felt like I could eat 10 of those and be happy. For our entrees, we had a curry dish, 2 noodle dishes and an order of Pho. All of it was so good! The portions are huge and so we didn't finish all of the food, but that didn't stop us from trying! Service here is friendly, fast and good. If you want a good taste of Viet, go here and support one of the oldest Viet businesses in St. Louis.
(5)
Jessica L.

So I come from a very Asian town and coming to St. Louis, I didn't expect any Asian foods to be fantastic. Lo and behold, Mai Lee. Food: Their pho bowls are nicely (and standardly) LARGE. It comes like it's supposed to- nice chewy noodles, almost-cooked-but-still-needs-to-be-swirled-in-Âhot-soup-by-me meat (the best part, I feel, hehe), terrific soup, and all the raw veggies you're supposed to put in (bean sprouts, cilantro and lime). And of course the condiments (Saracha anyone?). Needless to say, pho is recommended. But I just went and also got a rice dish (the chicken) and yet again, I was pleased. Though kimchi wasn't the greatest, who cares?? The rice and chicken and sauce were all delish :] Warning: appetizers are on the small side. Decor: a medium-sized hustling and bustling Viet restaurant with friendly and super-fast waiters. Bottom line: Get your pho fix here, now!!
(5)
E L.

This one of my favorite place for dinner. Food is delicious. I love overall ambience's of this place. Service is good & quick. and so far every dish we ordered came out very good. I am going to this place for 3 years now and I was never disappointed.
(4)
Brian J.

As soon as I found out I was going to be in the Lou for a couple months, I immediately starting researching where I would get my pho fix. Mai Lee it is. So this review is for the Mai Lee pho experience only. While not a pho-only joint, it's on the menu, and it's quite good. Very good broth, rich in flavor and body. The meat and herbs taste fresh and delicious, and the soup smells fantastic. And they've got real deal Sriracha - not a cheap knock off. Summer rolls and peanut sauce are good too, although I wish there wasn't pork in the rolls. The Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk is fantastic. The bad? One ratio is off consistently - not enough meat, too many noodles - and the taste and texture of the noodles leave a little to be desired... They are closer to spaghetti noodles than they should be. Mai Lee lacks the character of a pho-only spot, and has a bit more of a mainstream vibe, so naturally it attracts more middle America than it does an authentic and diverse crowd, but the staff is friendly, the pho is good, the prices are reasonable. FYI - I see that they are either moving, or opening a new location over by Best Buy just south of 44.
(4)
Claire R.

Love, love, love this place!! The food is always delicious, hot and comes to the table fast! The staff is super friendly too! Went there with a group of 20 and we didn't even have to ask to do seperate checks, they did it for us!
(5)
Adam B.

OMG ENOUGH SAID... Huge portion sizes! Amazing food and service! Can't wait to go back! Ask for the #1 beef dish! It's like a steak salad and changes lives...
(5)
Michael L.

The Pho is the best!!!
(5)
Paolo D.

I pretty much enjoy eating pho wherever I can find it. This place has good pho, but then again, I'm really not that picky. As long as the broth tastes good, it's hard to mess up pho for me. I certainly enjoyed it, but I then tried Kim Son Seafood the following day. I give the edge to Kim Son.
(3)
V L.

The New Mai Lee is a prime example of a restaurant that is banking its PAST good reputation and a face lift. To be honest, I think most of the people who love it are paying more attention to its appearance than its food. It's true that a lot of Vietnamese restaurants look very seedy, so one that doesn't appear to be a hole in the wall must attract many people, regardless of how good their food is. It actually bothers me that so many people think Mai Lee has the best Vietnamese food in St. Louis. Why? Because Mai Lee doesn't really do a service to Vietnamese cuisine. Before I begin my thrashing, let me say that I DO know how to separate acceptably good Vietnamese food from good Vietnamese food that Vietnamese people would actually like. Mai Lee has a bloated menu ("Chinese" included!), and as with many restaurants that have bloated menus, they cannot be the jack of all trades. Not even close. Don't be blown away by the fact that they let you roll your own summer rolls just because it makes you feel more "cultured". Banh mi. I live less than 5 min from Mai Lee and I don't even go here for banh mi even though banh mi is my predominant craving. (I drive all the way to S. Grand to have Banh Mi So 1) Too much (and overly strong) pate. Vegetables not sweet-pickled right. STEMS of cilantro. Bread not fresh. Horrible, thick slices of meat. Basically the exact opposite of a good banh mi. At its worst, still better than many kinds of sandwiches, but compared to other banh mi, utter crap. I used to wish that more people would experience Vietnamese food, but now I see it suffering from the fate of "Chinese" food: adulteration to appeal to the tastes and expectations of the mainstream. If you like it, great. But please, PLEASE do not go around proclaiming it as the best Vietnamese food in St. Louis. It makes me want to cry. Does that make me a snob? No. I just truly love and respect Vietnamese food. And, if it matters, I'm a Vietnamese American.
(2)
Bonnie L.

Delicious food. My boyfriend and I went here for our first time. First experience with Vietnamese food too! It was amazing! Their spring rolls are fresh and the dipping sauce they give you pairs wonderfully. Their egg rolls were delicious as well. We had a huge bowl of soup with crab and tomato and it was fresh and light. For our main course, I had beef with green beans and onions. My boyfriend had their duck. I must say his duck with the dipping sauce was delicious. Duck was tender and melts in your mouth. Our bill was under $50 not including tip. And we have lots of left overs to enjoy. We will definitely go back here! The service was friendly and fast. Food came out quickly. There was a line when we got there on a Saturday but we only waited maybe 10 minutes before being seated.
(5)
Ben C.

After a long Friday night, there is nothing better than waking up on Saturday and heading to Mai Lee. Spring rolls and a giant bowl of Pho leaves me happy every time.
(5)
C W.

Great food, great customer service, not like U City Grill
(5)
Yi D.

Food is good,nothing impressive though. Service is kinda of slow. Our server was text messaging instead of getting our checks.
(3)
Megan A.

I'm a little burned out on thai food, so I decided to drive a bit out of my way for something different on Friday night. I've been craving Vietnamese food, so I settled on Mai Lee, because me, being the girl that only eats veggies, can get what I want, and my boyfriend, being the "I only eat sweet and sour chicken, steak, and chicken parm sandwiches," can get what he wants. A place that serves Vietnamese AND Chinese? The best of both worlds. I pull up and I can see that every table is full and then some. Dozens of people literally are flocking to the door like birds. Obviously there is no parking, but luckily I am just picking up, so I park illegally (not condoning this people) and run in. I can hardly move as soon as I enter, because the waiting area is standing room only. I haven't eaten here in quite a while, but I have high hopes that it'll be good after seeing the crowds of people fighting for a table. I pay, get my giant bag of food, and stroll out nonchalantly as people give me dirty looks for being smarter than them and ordering take out (hey, us yelpers know what we're doing!) See ya later suckas. So as usual, I take out the food and plate it (clearly I watch too much Top Chef) and I'm thinking, "Wow, this looks like the best sweet and sour chicken ever." I know that I don't eat meat, so I'm not tempted to eat it or anything, but it looks crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, and the pieces look fresh and big. Of course he hated it. Ha. He said that the chicken was good but that the sauce was really different-and not in a good way. Luckily, I order and pick up the food (that fact that he pays for it is a minor detail right?), so he'll just have to find something else on the mile long menu. Because when it comes to spring rolls, this girl is selfish. And this place is delish. The portions are large, and everything that I ordered was fresh and yummy. The pad thai with tofu was full of carrots, cabbage, whole peanuts, green onions, and soft, perfectly cooked tofu. It could've used a bit more egg for my taste, but I hardly noticed this because it was so good. The vegetarian spring rolls were stuffed with rice noodles, letttuce, cilantro, green onion, and tofu, and were not bland as some tend to be (lots of cilantro and green onion!). The only thing that I wasn't crazy about was the pho, but it may have been because I got carry out and it wasn't put together first, or hot. The broth was kind of scuzzy ( it had fat or something floating on top which turned me off) and the carrots tasted like something was wrong with them. I KNEW I should've ordered another order of spring rolls instead! Shoot. Bottom line-you my want to try elsewhere for pho, or on a Friday night if you mind waiting or don"t want to pick up your food to go, but the spring rolls are definitely worth the trip.
(4)
Jill M.

I would eat Mai Leeevery week if I could....so delicious and friendly service. It's sort of in a strange location (under a parking garage behind the Best Buy in Brentwood), but I'm so glad a friend introduced me to this place. Everyone I've talked to loves it too. Go try it out!
(5)
James P.

This place was great. I haven't tried the pho yet but I did get to try two really good things from their fairly extensive list of vegetarian options. Service is really good. The food is excellent and generously portioned. I had the "asian brocoli" (kai-lan) sauteed in garlic and it was fab, with lots of onions, baby corn, and little mushrooms. They didn't skip on the garlic and the whole dish had a mellow richness which was really great. My only wish would be for them to offer brown as well as white rice. This doesn't seem too common here in St. Louis, which is a shame.
(4)
Anish Z.

If this place were situated in the central west end, it would be packed all the time. Good food, large portions and just for a few bucks. if you new to vietnamese food than this is a easy way to sample without breaking the bank. Plenty of parking in the lot. you gotta look for the place because it is set back in a strip mall.
(4)
Kevin N.

I have been going to Mai Lee for 20 years. Love their spring rolls, hot and sour soup, and the noodle dishes. It was also one of the first places I took my wife when we were first dating. We go back on date nights whenever we can.
(5)
Florence G.

A little pricy for some items, but a great selection. If you are into spring rolls, it is the place to go. Next time I might just go for spring rolls and a soda for lunch.
(5)
Jaffa A.

I would definitely go to Mai Lee more often if it weren't so out of the way for me. I generally do not have a reason for being that far down West on Delmar. They have some really good dishes, and a lot of them are pretty different from a lot of the Vietnamese places around (such as the ones in the South Grand area). The menu offers are a really extensive selection of dishes. One time, my friend and got two different dishes involving eggplant. It was a ridiculous amount of eggplant. And amazing. I feel like I often forget about Mai Lee. Mai Lee, I'm sorry. I shouldn't forget you. You make delicious food and you're nice to me.
(4)
Colin F.

Mai Lee is very good at everything. I have never had anything bad. Their pho is top notch, as well as their rice flour crepes. I wish it wasn't tucked away in a parking garage in the county. It needs to be in the city, possibly my next door neighbor...
(4)
Son V.

Mai Lee used to be my first choice when craving for Vietnamese food when they were at their old location. The food used be good and the portions and the price are reasonable. But after they move to the new location, they care more about making money, so the portions are smaller and the food are tasteless. They are more expensive. Their broth for all the noodle has a weird sweet flavor like putting a lot of MSG in it. The service was ok. I never come back again.
(2)
Brian R.

This is one of the best restaurants in st louis. I go every week. The pho and the pork stuffed steamed bun are musts.
(5)
Andrew R.

Best Vietnamese in STL in my opinion. I have been about 6 times in the last two months and have loved everything. I usually go for lunch but my wife and I went for dinner last night and really enjoyed it. #121 is unbelievable. Give it a shot if you have not been there yet. The new location has a way better feel to it. I had a couple great beers from Vietnam and Thailand that are worth trying as well.
(5)
Andrew M.

I was in the neighborhood and decided to give the place a try on my girlfriend's recommendation. The place is huge! The space is very elegant and modern, and I enjoyed the openness of the space and the floor to ceiling windows on one side. The service was great! Pretty fast, very friendly, accurate and VERY attentive. Our waiter even boxed everything up for us at the table afterwards- a nice touch! I'm not an expert when it comes to Vietnamese food- I seem to always expect everything to be on top of a bed of rice instead of in a pool of vermicelli (rice) noodles. I don't remember the name of what I got (#95?) but it was essentially one of their "Noodle Bowls." Essentially a steaming bowl of vermicelli noodles simmering in a shallow pool of broth with lettuce (weird right?), cucumber, carrots, nuts and your choice of protein piled on top of it. This was the beef bowl. I'd forgotten I'm not a huge fan of vermicelli noodles. Compared to Italian noodles, vermicelli seems like a joke. They're extremely light, soft to the point of almost being mushy (definitely not 'al dente!') with a very foreign flavor that I'm not used to. Despite my prejudice, however, I did enjoy how all the components worked well in this dish. The beef had a very earthy, smokey flavor with a hint of sweetness from some unknown spice or seasoning- which was excellent. It was also delightfully prepared. The dish as a whole echoed this flavor, right down to the broth, although after a few minutes of eating I also got the distinct impression that there was an *almost* balsamic vinaigrette undercurrent to the dish. It was very subtle, hard to taste under the smokiness and sweetness of the meat. Maybe I'm crazy... but something about the dish reminded me of salad... maybe it was just the presence of lettuce! LOL Stephanie S. got some chicken dish on rice which was AWESOME (maybe it was the #92?) and our crab rangoons were also exceptionally well prepared and tender. It was a little odd that they set the plate in front of us with a handful of the 'to-go" packets of sweet-n-sour sauce... but whatever, it still tasted great. Overall I think the place warrants 4 stars, but I messed up and ordered something that I know I'm not crazy about- good as it was. I definitely would highly recommend you try this place for yourself AND I will definitely be back myself to try something sans vermicelli.
(3)
Chris C.

Mai Lee was the 1st Vietnamese restaurant I have ever been to. While I was a little scared at 1st, I have yet to be disappointed. We have been back at least 20 times over the past two years. There new spot is great, but the parking is a little weird.
(4)
Tim M.

I have yet to try anything on this huge menu that is not fantastic. The service is fast and accurate. The beauty is that while they call themselves a Vietnamese restaurant they have great Chinese options. Usually I wouldn't prefer a place that is not dedicated to one region, but they do everything so well. I usually do take out and never have an issue. I can't wait for the new location to open closer to my house!! A must for anyone looking for great chinese and vietnamese.
(5)
C L.

The service is efficient and good. It's modern and clean. It's conveniently located which is probably why I come here more than I would want to. Their soup bases are too sweet in my opinion and alot of their other food is too sweet. Just not exactly like the homemade Vietnamese I've ever had. They do have the best egg rolls in town so I give them that. The sandwiches are a hit and miss. Sometimes it's nice and toasted or they just don't do it even though I always ask. I'd give them 4 stars if it weren't for their food being mediocre. I don't think their food tastes by any means.
(3)
Faye S.

Everytime I crave pho, I come to Mai Lee. So do my siblings. I like that they have a bigger place. There is one waitress who is just an absolute bitch! I don't know what her problem is, but it seems like she treats the Caucasians better then the Asians and she's Asian herself. She's ignorant. She forgot about the extra noodles we had ordered and never came by to ask how we were doing and if every tasted good. Be sides that fact, I love Mai Lee's pho.
(4)
Michael E.

I went with my family. There was 6 of us. 1 meal came out way ahead. Then the next 3 meals trickled in. My wife and i waited for over 15 minutes before the waiter jad to be reminded 2x that 2 dinners are still missing. When the meals came the waiter acted as if they were fresh, but clearly they had been sitting for a while. And this was on a Sunday night.
(2)
Scott S.

My Education of Vietnamese cuisine has officially started! The crispy egg rolls that you wrap in cilantro, cucumbers and lettuce adds a nice fresh taste to an otherwise unhealthy favorite. I had the number #17 with Chicken instead of Beef, nice spicy flavor but the fresh bean sprouts, peppers and cilantro made the meal. My Wife had the "Pad Thai" as Qui the owner described it, plenty of fresh vegetables and well prepared. Now having said that, I really liked this place because the owner and staff where all incredibly friendly. If they knew 1 person that walked through the door they knew 20. It's the kind of place that you want to be a regular. TVs with the cardinals game don't hurt either. I'm a fan but I have a lot of work to do on my Vietnamese education.
(4)
Patrick M.

Let's face it, when it comes to Asian food in St. Louis, most of it gets dropped into a deep fryer and dumped on a bed of (usually) fried rice. This place is a welcome alternative offering up a vast menu with a selection that could please almost anyone. I can't imagine anyone who is a fan of Vietnamese or Chinese food leaving disappointed. Why not 5-stars? Service felt a bit rushed and seating wasn't the most comfortable. Nit-picky? Sure: this is the Internet after-all!
(4)
Adam J.

This suburban Vietnamese retaurant offers good service and even better food. I went there not too long ago and didn't have the eel, so I had frog legs and rice, an excellent selection I must say. It's a bit more pricey than most Vietnamese restaurants, but still totally worth it. I recently had the Bo Xao Xa Ot, which is stir fied beef with onions and lemon grass, and it was AWESOME. The service was excellent. The waiter did have a habit of referring to me as "dude" and "bro", but I can't really give or subtract points for that, as I found it to be odd, but yet, very refreshing.
(4)
Eric B.

Anything good I have to say would just be echoing the other positive reviews. Never had a bad meal here. Pho, springs rolls, chicken in chili oil and any of the hot pot items are all fantastic.
(4)
Kelly B.

Mai Lee is pricier than most of the Vietnamese restaurants in town, but it is more upscale than most in terms of decor and food presentation. They have a HUGE menu with many options, and I am rarely disappointed. The food is slightly Americanized. You will find a diverse crowd here, but it isn't exactly a hub for the Vietnamese community. I was a regular at the old location and I get to the new location from time to time. Parking is a bit more inconvenient at the new location, since it is a parking structure and many of the spots are reserved. It is conveniently located next to a Metrolink station near the Brentwood Promenade.
(4)
J H.

Tried Mai Lee yesterday for the first time. My husband and I had been trying to go for weeks but something always seemed to get in the way! I don't know if my expectations were too high, but both of us were underwhelmed. I'm not giving 3 stars because of the food. The spring rolls were tasty and so was my dish (bun bo nuong). My husband ordered Korean BBQ (despite my warnings not to order it at a Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant) and the meat looked horrible and dry, but that's his own fault for ordering it. I'm taking stars away for the overall experience. The restaurant was dirty, our silverware was wrapped in a napkin with black smudges all over it, and the service was slow.....I don't think we will be back.
(3)
Leslie S.

We arrived on a Saturday night around 6pm and would have had a wait to be seated had we not spotted a table for 2 near the bar where it's seat-yourself. Always a good sign how busy they are this many months after the move to the new location. Closer to 7pm, the waiting area was jam-packed. The service has always been overly friendly, and I have been here several times now. The Beef hot pot in the bean sauce gives you plenty of food. My leftovers filled a large Chinese take-out box, and my reaction prompted the server to say, "At Mai Lee, we make sure you get both dinner and lunch." When I first heard of a bean sauce, I was hesitant, but while there are black beans, the sauce tastes more like a rich beef brown sauce. The sauce makes this meal. But in addition to the strips of beef, this meal is just packed with vegetables - celery, carrots, broccoli, green peppers, mushrooms, baby corn, bamboo shoots, watercress, and onions. All of it cooked/steamed just right and all of it for only $12.95. Many successfully tasty meals so far and watching the bartender whip out several unique and tasty-looking drinks makes me look forward to our next visit.
(4)
Mark S.

I want to thank Mai Lee and the helpful bartender for providing me with some killer Pho. I was a Pho virgin, but I'll be back again next time I'm sick. I got the Chicken Pho, it was 2 meals easily. It comes w/ a huge serving of the magic broth, chicken, vermicelli, jalapenos, cilantro, lime, and some other stuff, I don't know, it was tasty.
(4)
Steph W.

I came here for pho! It was so delicious. Their menu is hugeee, I wish I was there with a bigger party to try all of their food. The service was great--friendly, fast, and attentive. I will definitely come here again!
(4)
Jen J.

Oh jeeez....yes this is about my 5th updated review of this place. After my last visit, during which I found out they shrunk their bowls for my favorite pho on the menu, I returned a few days ago to find that the big bowls were back! Not sure what happened there....maybe they were testing the water, and maybe they just ran out of big bowls for that evening. Don't know. But I thought I should update my review to not mislead anyone. Moral of all the updates is: There are three great places for pho in this town and Mai Lee is still one of them, despite all their occasional dismal service. However, pho is about the only thing I would get here as the Chinese menu tastes not that much better than Chinese takeout from around the street corner, imho.
(4)
Alan S.

My original few experiences at Mai Lee were mixed. Service was slow, food was inconsistent, and parking was a pain. They've come around in my book, though... It's becoming a favorite place although it can get pricey quick - only because we want to order everything on the menu! From the crepes to spring rolls to pho and traditional dinners, you really can't go wrong. Service has improved and they also help explain things a bit more (and usually make good recommendations). I think it depends a lot on who you get. Tons of fresh condiments provided to flavor your meal exactly as you prefer. Carryout is usually pretty good, too. Even after multiple visits, there are still a few occasional bumps in the road. It's definitely above average, but I can't give five stars until I know it will blow me away EVERY time.
(4)
Brett B.

I was impressed by Mai Lee and it's good to see that a longtime institution doesn't just rest on its laurels. They have a group of about 7 or 8 offerings in their 'Vegetarian' section plus a few more if you look closely at the rest of the menu. I had a tofu dish with tamarind sauce and it was really good. Golden tofu is also one that didn't disappoint. One nit to pick with respect to the vegetarian offerings - some of them are really only tofu or vegetables, but not both together so much. I really am intrigued by a vegetable dish they have, but I hesitate to order it because it really is just one vegetable and rice. The iced coffee is very good. The prices are a bit more than the bulk of the Vietnamese places around town, but the quality / quantity doesn't make it seem like a bad deal. It is a large space and in a strange location (in a parking garage), but the place is often very busy. Plenty of families, too, so that is good to know for those that need it.
(4)
Brad B.

Great service, fantastic food, run by some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Probably my favorite place in St. Louis.
(5)
Katie D.

Great service and AHHMAZING Vietnamese food! My boyfriend and I split a huge pork bun, an order of spring rolls, two bahn mi sandwiches, and some kind of rice platter with shrimp, pork, and generous amounts of veggies for under $30. All were excellent and we have lots of leftovers. We did not try the Chinese food on the menu but I've heard that it's just so-so. Overall, this place was great and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Joshua R.

Solid Thai Food. Tons of options (theres like 200 different menu items). Really fast service.
(4)
Mary Kate M.

Mai Lee is good. Over the top delicious? Meh, that might be pushing it. However, I am a fan, and when I stop in, I can appreciate the food. It states that it is a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese. I typically go Vietnamese when ordering from here. I'm all about their vermicelli bowls, and Mai Lee does for sure have some of the best vermicelli I've ever tasted outside of the South Grand district. The varying price range can honestly reach out to anyone one a budget. You can get items for as little as $6.95 for an entree up to over $10 or $11. With so many items on the menu, even the pickiest eater can find something to their liking. I like this aspect, especially since I'm not huge on venturing out of my comfort zone with some Asian food dishes. Some things I can do, some things I can't. This most recent visit, the place was pretty packed. We nabbed 2 bar spots and immediately sat down. Our bartender got our orders, and the food was out pretty immediately. The only downfall of sitting at the bar is you don't get really the more personal touch versus having a typical server. You can noticeably tell the bartenders feel a bit overwhelmed with having to create drinks for the rest of the house on top of dealing with the bar patrons, and their food orders. They've also have to tend to to-go orders. I know I could not juggle all of that responsibility, but they do it with grace. Kudos to them! Mai Lee is fun. I enjoy coming here when I'm in the Brentwood area, and I think it has a good, lasting reputation that remains consistent with their service.
(4)
Chelsea B.

I have been to Mai Lee twice now, and both times it has been really good. Maybe not great, but good. They've been packed both times, but we were seated very quickly and the service is always prompt. The #38 grilled chicken spring rolls are pretty good, but the crispy egg rolls (#46) are maybe the best egg rolls I've had. The #26 soup (roast duck, shiitake mushrooms, and egg noodles) was awesome, and the #9 (rice noodles with medium rare beef) was good but probably not the best pho in the world. I do like that they offer a variety of vegetables and sauces to customize the soup to your own tastes. Overall it's a great place to take people, especially if you're trying Vietnamese for the first time.
(4)
Teresa P.

Um wow. This place is better than some places on the west coast, which is saying a lot! After coming here several times, I don't expect to ever be disappointed. Their food is quality Vietnamese, and their pho, cafe sua da, bun, and banh xeo are amazing. I was literally scarfing down their banh xeo before pho, savoring the excellent flavors. They don't skimp on any ingredients here, and it shows! If I was a crack addict, and Mai Lee dealt my banh xeo crack every day, I'd have to go into rehab for becoming obese on their excellent food. I'm addicted. And soooo very happy that there is a high quality Vietnamese restaurant in the midwest. Needless to say, I'll be back for some more crack. Noms.
(5)
Jimmy S.

I have just two words to say: BAHN MI!!! Okay, so I can't just say two words in a review. The ambience isn't fancy, it isn't a "beautiful dive" but the food is excellent. I had Heo Lui(BBQ pork shish kabob) and as I've already stated BAHN MI!!! It was delicious.
(5)
Tracy C.

To be honest, walking up to Mai Lee's I wasn't expecting much. Nestled in between Best Buy, a fitness gym and under a parking garage in the middle of retail chain hell. What I got was the freshest, most authentic Vietnamese food I've found in St. Louis to date. I love being surprised and my snap judgements proven wrong! There are only a few things a gluten-free person can get at Mai Lee (damn soy sauce!) but what you can get is incredible. I'm sure there are more options than I am aware off but I am a creature of habit and once I lock on to a favorite or two I'm done exploring. This annoys the crap out of my hubby but that is another story. Anyway, I always start with an order of spring rolls (ask for the fish sauce for dipping, the brown sauce has..you guessed it...soy sauce along with the plum sauce). Then I move on to either the Lemongrass Curry Tofu or the Pho Ga (chicken soup with rice noodles). I always save room to end with the Mango Sticky Rice. But wait - don't forget the best part, the Vietnamese coffee. How I love the steaming coffee press that arrives with ice and condensed milk. Numm.... If you haven't been here you must go soon. Try to go on off hours because there is always a wait. I give this place a fantastic 5-star rating! :-)
(5)
Divya V.

The best vietnamese food in St Louis! I dont know why i havent written a review yet - this place is really close to where i live and my husband and i go here quite often... our winter comfort food! Nothing like a large hot pot to melt the cold away! We usually get the fresh spring rolls, coconut water (that comes in a coconut!), hot pot soup or one of the golden tofu dishes. It's always packe but they seat you pretty quickly and service is really fast!
(5)
Tony J.

Considering where this is located, I really wasn't expecting much. I generally avoid this area when I can, because I cannot stand the main parking lot that Target and the other major stores are attached to. But this place gets bonus points for being away from that specific lot and for having a parking garage (free too) right next to it. The menu is gigantic. I've not been to a place with a menu like this in years. And for people like me, who normally feel like they should take some stab at butchering other languages, it was nice that everything had a number. We ordered the shrimp and pork spring rolls first, which were very good. I wound up ordering #151 for lunch -- it's breaded eggplant fried up and then covered in hot braised sauce. I'm not sure if people rarely order this or what, because our server actually came back and made sure that's what I actually meant to order. All I can say is that it is amazing. I would order it again. It was the perfect combination of everything I wanted in that moment in time. It came quickly, it was hot and the portion was a good size. I even took some home, which our server was nice enough to wrap up (and even sealed in a bag -- thank god for that, because the sauce leaked out of the container). Our server was a really nice dude and I felt like he made a good effort to make sure we were happy. The place was fairly crowded too, which seemed to make no impact on anything. Everyone was pleasant and the place was lively and fun. Very pleasantly surprised. Will definitely go back again.
(4)
Forest P.

I've been to Mai Lee three times now for a quick bite while running errands around Brentwood. Each time I've gotten the regular Bahn Mi, and each time, it has been very okay - not great, not bad. The ingredients inside the sandwich are good, however, every single time, the bread is stale. Dear Mai Lee - if you're reading this. Get fresh french bread for your bahn mi and stop serving that 3 days old stuff. Many others have mentioned this problem so I thought it was finally time to bring it to the interwebz.
(2)
Sara B.

The PHO was AMAZING!! I think I found the perfect combination of spices while I was here the other day! Huge menu with tons of options! Spring rolls were top notch! Will return, maybe today. It is in a weird location but seemed to be packed.
(4)
Andrew C.

I've been fortunate enough to go here a few times when i've been in St. Louis. It's always packed and for good reason. Everything on menu I've ordered seems to be excellent. Lotus salad is one of my favs. What makes the place great is that even though they're busy they are very conscious of making sure you're attended to. I try to make it a point to swing by here on the way to the airport if I can. Excellent Vietnamese food.Highly recommended
(5)
Sadia Lynne B.

Great service. WONDERFUL ambiance. Extensive Vietnamese & Chinese menu. TRENDY. BUSY. HIGH-QUALITY ingredients Beautiful food presentation. ****People sensitive to MSG, no problem, they cater to people who choose not to eat it....the manager made sure my food did not have it. GREAT overall experience. We will be back.... EAT HERE!!! I PROMISE you will love it!! Thank you MAI LEE!!
(5)
Andrew T.

Oh, bo luc lac, you complete me. I was unaware of Mai Lee until a recent visit with a friend. I'd usually get pho at a spot like this, but I have been trying to find bo luc lac like I had at a spot in California. Mai Lee's is close, but not quite there. It did feature good beef, but the cut was a little less tender, and maybe even a little over-woked. A little crispy on the outside, and while that's not bad, it was approaching too much. But the flavor was great, and it was served with nice ripe tomatoes and onions (which I didn't partake of) as well as the lime, salt, and pepper dipping sauce that make me fall in love with it in the first place. I don't live in St. Louis anymore, but if I did, I'd certainly come back. I really want to try the pho, but couldn't resist the bo luc lac. Besides, who wants pho on a semi-warm day? Nothing better than hot soup in St. Louis in July...
(3)
Tim B.

Awesome food! A little wait of about 15 minutes on the weekend. The portions are mega size and extremely great price. Service was manageable.
(5)
Vatoya D.

Aweeesome Sauce! The pho here is photastic Def recommend the beef.. They're always busy probably because of the awesome food ..good place to eat warm up and relax
(5)
Steve C.

Been to Mai Lee back when they were located off Delmar near I-170 . . . before their move over to 8396 Musick Memorial Drive in the Brentwood area. Our great friends Steve Gant and Emily Howard had been several weeks ago and we thought it sounded great for a Friday evening dinner. On Friday nights, the place is packed with about 25 people waiting in the bar area. We were seated rather quickly. For starters, we had their crab ragoon, which had 6 pieces on the platter. Also ordered egg rolls for $1.99 and then I had for my entree chicken and broccoli. It was delicious, but could have used more spices - my choice was alittle bland. Service was good and ran into an old neighbor there so it was great to catch up with him. Would I go back? Yes, but it wasn't a 5 star food experience. Maybe next time I'll order another dish.
(4)
Kelly R.

Honestly, I don't love Vietnamese food that much. It's got some really great, interesting flavors, but I have to be in the mood for it. For me, the food is a solid 4 stars, but with the service we received during our trip here, it was easily a 5 star experience. My husband and I stopped in on New Years Day and it was unsurprisingly busy, considering it was one of the only non-chain restaurants open. We expected to wait for a table and our 25-30 minute wait was just that. The server sat us down as soon as he could, grabbed us some waters, and quickly took our order. I never felt rushed, though, and the crowd seemed to die down shortly after we were seated. We exchanged some pleasant banter with the server after I asked about the proper pronunciation of a dish that I didn't even attempt to say. He even made a menu suggestion to my husband after his order to ensure he got the flavor and spice he wanted out of his meal. The food was wonderful and flavorful. We tried a pork bun to start (awesome!) and then I had some vermicelli noodles w/ pork and an egg roll. Towards the end of the meal, my husband had to request a 2nd straw since I accidentally drank from his and I'm sick. After bringing the extra straw, our server mentioned that sometimes people order Pho when they're feeling under the weather which has a chicken noodle soup effect. I said thanks for the tip and figured that was the end of it. Nope! He came to our table with the check AND a small bowl of Pho for me to try. It was such a sweet gesture, and definitely not something I expected. The Pho was very tasty, and hit the spot. I can't say it cured me, but it definitely left an impression on my dining experience. Needless to say, our server got a big fat tip and a guarantee that we'll return again.
(5)
Clara S.

Best pho in stl. Waits for dinning and for putting in orders are long in peak hours because everyone must know this place is baller for their pho.
(4)
Sheryl M.

I have heard lots of good things about Mai Lee but I didn't experience any of them. I was there for lunch with a friend. For starters, we were not brought the lunch and beverage menu, we had to ask. Our server seemed to be annoyed that we asked for it too. We got an order of crab rangoon and it was over fried. And to top it off we didnt get a bow of sweet n sour, just packets. I got the mongolian bbq and rice. The meet was on the bone and very tough. Not to mention half my plate had other stuff which was not mentioned on the menu. So I got less of what i ordered and i didnt want the other. So all in all I spent about $15 on a lunch that wasn't that good and didn't fill me up. It did appear to be popular so they must be doing something right, just not for us.
(2)
Eve C.

Mai Lee is awesome, low fuss, and cheap Vietnamese food. It's no surprise that the lines out the door so common at their old U. City location have now doubled in length at the new spot! No matter the wait, Mai Lee is totally worth it! I absolutely must make a stop a Mai Lee whenever I've back in St. Louis, no matter how short the visit. I've had pho around the country, and can honestly say that Mai Lee's pho tai blows anything else out of the water. It doesn't matter if it's 100 or 30 degrees outside, this pho will cure whatever ails you (and fill you up for about $8, at that!). Along with a side of the cho gia spring rolls (wrapped up in lettuce with some cucumber, cilantro, carrots, and dipping sauce), this is the perfect meal. Now don't get me wrong, I've sampled many things off both the Vietnamese and the Chinese menus, and everything is awesome! But I come here for the pho. As an aside, Mai Lee is one of the few places in STL that still serves St. Paul sandwiches - egg foo yong of your choice, served with some brown gravy between slices of white bread. My grandma, who's been a regular Mai Lee patron for nearly 30 years (since they opened in '85), loves her St. Paul sandwich!
(5)
Dave L.

My Cambodian friend has taken me to a lot of the good Pho places in the Northern VA area and told me to come here while I was in St. Louis on business. Some of the tastiest broth out there. Definitely will be back when I'm in town again.
(5)
Rick M.

Not impressed at all. It was 5:30 and we were told they were out of pork bun appetizer. I ordered the shrimp rice noodles and they were out of it, too. I ended up ordering vermicelli with grilled shrimp and the shrimp were like leather. The first pot of tea arrived luke warm. One bright spot was the curried duck soup. Hence the additional star.
(2)
Sonja K.

This is an amazing restaurant! The service is fast, the menu is extensive, and the food is AMAZING and reasonably priced. I liked it so much the first time I went that I went again the next day! I am originally from California and I often find the asian food in St Louis a bit lack-luster in terms of food quality. But Mai Lee is amazing! Its on par if not better than the places in California that I'm used to. The one caveat is its so popular you may have to wait for a table.. but that's kind of a good sign anyway!
(5)
Practical P.

Had the Ga xao lan; it was just okay. The heat was just right, but it was a basic dish anyone could make at home without skill. The interior and feel of the place is very similar to a cafeteria. It's also loud, expensive, and watch your shoes because the entire floor is horribly sticky. Hostess with the least-est and waiter who doesn't much like people. I won't go back to this place, yet I see other yelpers love it. So there you have it ;D
(3)
Al N.

its been 6months since i ate here but disappointedly its become more of a nail salon and take out joint...food is still good but everything is served in styrofoam...not very eco and not a very fun place for a date nite out anymore
(3)
Doc G.

The food is always fresh, hot and very tasty !! Service is excellent !!
(5)
John W.

Two stars is being generous. This reflects my experience and apparently is not the norm. Basically 1/2 the food was cooked right, but just okay and the other half was inedible. Went in a the tale end of lunch and was feeling Chinese, not Vietnamese. We did ask for the lunch menu since we also wanted to eat smaller portions. I had chicken with broccoli and ordered a BBQ spring roll of the cold appetizer from the Vietnamese menu. My lunch menu started with hot and sour soup. That was very tasty, could have/should have just ordered a big bowl of that. The chicken with broccoli was cooked well, though it was the first time I had seen this combination in a creamy white sauce. The broccoli was not overcooked and the chicken was tender. The side dish, a fried rice was a waste of the plate. I am guessing it was pulled from a warmer as it was unimpressive. The two wong tongs were inedible. The meat inside could have passed for jerky. The BBQ chicken spring roll appeared to hold more promise. They were big and full of fresh veggies. Should have gone for the pure vegetable version because the chunks of chicken in the roll again were imitating jerky. I understand we came in at the end of the lunch deal, but if the price is the same during the whole "lunch" period, I'd expect the food to be fresh, hot and edible. I'd add that the service was also marginal, our waitress basically disappeared after bringing the lunch menus.
(2)
Paul L.

I rarely vouch for Asian restaurants in STL. But, this is an exception. Great flavors, huge menu (which can be daunting for some people, but I like having the options). Try the noodle soups and order plenty of the soft spring rolls (with shrimp or pork or both). You'll want at least 2-3 of those. Very healthy all around (minus the fried stuff), which is great for a weekday meal out, because it doesn't make you feel guilty about what you ate. Very little oil in many of their dishes, so a great option for people with weight/heart problems or diabetes. You get all the flavor without the guilt. Great for people who like spicy food. They also have a ton of mild options for people who don't like spicy. Fast, friendly service. Wonderful new interior space. Very clean and you can dress casual or dressy and fit in either way. Also a great value. Just approach the menu with an open mind and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jeff P.

I've been to several Vietnamese restaurants in STL and this one is number two overall. Although, it is a close second to my favorite.
(4)
Jessica C.

I was here about a year ago at lunch for Chinese food. Our waiter basically hid the lunch menu from us, giving us only the dinner menu when we sat down. When we asked for the lunch menu, we got a whole bunch of attitude. The food was nothing spectacular. This past weekend I stopped by and decided to try some pho, since the Chinese lunch special last time didn't wow me. It was sooooo much better than the last meal we had here! I was very pleased. Big portion, tasty broth, tender meat. Skip the Chinese and stick with the Vietnamese. It gets very crowded, so don't expect anything intimate.
(3)
George N.

Place is good. Its Americanized , but simplified, and tasty. I likes it
(4)
David N.

I was told don't bother with asian or mexican while in STL, especially since I was from Houston. But I was really craving it and couldn't wait until I got home. I must say Mai Lee, actually hit the spot. They are more modern fusion, but still tasty. We started out with an order of the nam nuong spring rolls, good, but instead of fish sauce I was hoping for peanut sauce and a little bit more meat. As far on the entrees my friend and I went family style and ordered beef with chinese brocolli and curry chicken. The beef and chinese brocolli was ok, the curry chicken freaking delicious. Better than some places in Houston. We decided to sit at the bar this night to watch some football, and I had about 8 refills of my water, it was the best service I have ever gotten at an asian restaurant PERIOD. If I'm visiting my friend again in STL, we will be sure to stop by here again.
(4)
Alli F.

More authentic than most, although the flavors wouldn't keep me coming back. Service at peak lunch hour on a Thursday was excellent, and prices fair. Recommend trying several dishes to get a feel- appetizers are a great way to start.
(4)
Andrew W.

After being told merely 24 hours prior that Sushi and Vietnamese were two cuisines to avoid at all costs while in STL, I found Mai Lee thanks to Yelp. Very pleasant staff, and yes the spring rolls are that good. As well the lemonade is to die for. The pho was a bit on the sweet side but I enjoyed in none the less. When a pho craving strikes I will return!
(4)
Danielle L.

Great food. Warning: very busy on a Friday evening but the wait was only about 20 minutes. The waiter did a good job of helping us with suggestions and both my friend and I loved our dishes. I will definitely be going back here. Lots of vegetarian dishes available also which I will be trying soon. Spicy Beef Bun is great and definitely suggested as well as the Shrimp and Pork Toasts.
(4)
Liz K.

Very delicious, good drinks while you wait for your table, the only complaint I have is the tables, I prefer sitting at a booth, but that is my own preference, I just wish the seating was a bit more private. Other than that, I think the food is incredible. Service is fast and friendly place is ALWAYS busy and that's a plus also really like the garage parking!
(4)
Sarah W.

Not the best vietnamese food I have ever had. But it gets the job done. Overall pretty satisfied.
(4)
Vik S.

Had an awesome experience here that I want to share... Feeling a sickness coming on and needing comfort food, I went over to Mai Lee for the classic Pho Tai ($8). The place was packed on Sunday evening but I was able to snag a seat at the bar. As usual, the pho was fantastic. the beef broth was rich, flavorful and comforting. And when I added the accompanying cilantro, basil, hoisin, red pepper, and lemon, it was just next-level. I kept sipping the broth, ignoring the noodles, until it was almost finished. My server at the bar noticed my bowl and asks "Do you want more broth?" Umm...do I want more of your magical curative beef juice? HELL YES. She grabs my bowl and brings it back a couple minutes later, full of broth again. For no charge. Thanks Mai Lee, you guys rock!
(5)
Victor L.

I'd give this 5 stars, but I've only really tried about 5 items on this menu. And why do you ask? Because I really only get pho from here. No where else in Saint Louis does pho like Mai Lee. Pho dac biet. #14. Whatever you want to call it. It is the best. The ingredients are all fresh and the hoisin sauce they serve isn't watered down. The broth is slightly more cinnimon-y that other restaurants but it only adds to the overall flavor. The only gripe I have with Mai Lee is that is packed... all the time. Especially on weekends, the wait can be long and the amount of meat served within each bowl of pho can suffer. If you are extra hungry on a weekend and want to go to mai lee, be prepared to get a bbq pork banh mi (which I would also say is the best banh mi in Saint Louis). The friends I've gone with the Mai Lee that have ordered other dishes say they've enjoyed the place. But a lot of the Chinese dishes are rather Americanized (meaning they add a lot of sugar to each dish). This does not necessarily mean it isn't tasty, but rather will leave you feeling overstuffed/unhealthy by the end of your meal. Just get pho instead. The best part about this restaurant is that they really do care about student pricing. 90% of the dishes are less than $15. Their dishes are worth a lot more.
(4)
Skye H.

Every time I walk into this restaurant I feel so welcomed. The owners are so sweet and the food is amazing. We love this place so much that we TRY to make it there once a week.
(5)
Chao D.

This is my favorite ...I even like the sandwich there...try the seafood hot port. U can ask for rice paper for the hot pot ..
(5)
Angela S.

Absolutely awesome. I can't wait to come back and try more of their over 200(!!!) menu items! Location is a very short drive from Wash U making it a very convenient lunch or dinner spot! Went here with my current lab - a party of 5 - and was seated right away. The entire restaurant (including bathrooms) felt very clean and open. They have lots of indoor seating and some outdoor seating. Very nice to have that option but being next to a parking garage I'm not sure that I would have preferred being outside. No comments about the service - didn't notice anything outstanding or bad which works for me. We got a couple types of spring rolls and some egg rolls as appetizers. I tried two of the spring rolls and found them stuffed with delicious and incredibly fresh fillings - the meat was good (nothing super fatty) and the veggies were extremely fresh. The drippings sauces were great and sweet and tangy without a super artificial or syrupy feel. I got a rice plate for my meal that came with barbecue pork, grilled shrimp (source of my one complaint - wish these had been shelled), fried egg (with runny yolk! :) for the rice), and very fresh veggies. It also came with a sweet chili sauce on the side, which I appreciated as I would be concerned of too much sauce making the dish too sweet. Siracha sauces was at the table, perfect for adding spice and cutting through the meal. Prices were reasonable and you got a lot of good quality food served to you. For light fresh Vietnamese definitely check out Mai Lee and don't be afraid to explore the menu - new favorites abound!
(5)
Aimee L.

3.5 stars; not quite 4. This was a favorite when I would frequent the area in 2000-2004. I was in town this recently and had to try Mai Lee's new location. Food Favorite: * Bahn Mi sandwich with BBQ pork. Oh, just get it. For $4, it's a fantastic deal. The thin baguette is almost a foot long, the meat is perfectly cooked and seasoned, with thinly sliced lettuce, carrots, and cilantro served on top (well something like that... I didn't have time to analyze as I scarfed that sucker down.) Food Recommended with Reservations: * Bo Luc Lac: marinated steak cubes wok seared on a bed of lettuce, tomato, and onions and served with dipping sauce. This dish was a little disappointing compared to how it used to be prepared at the old location (the steak used to be grilled, not wok seared), though it's still pretty tasty. I would order it again, but I need to change my mindset/expectations first. Service: pretty good Ambiance: very clean (brand new) and casual Parking: in the nearby lot For St. Louis, this place is pretty good. If I lived closer, I would definitely be back and try some other dishes from their relatively extensive menu.
(3)
Gina S.

The hubby and I were excited and hungry to try Mai Lee for the first time. It was looking to be a busy night too, but we had no problem getting a table before the mad surge of people. The decor reminded me a lot of a Noodles & Company, cheap tables and chairs...kinda cafeteria/fast food style feel. But the other decor, dim lighting and $11-15 entrees were giving me impression they were a better restaurant than that (or so I thought). We started with egg drop and hot and sour soup from the traditional Chinese menu. For $3.50 a cup I was expecting it to be the best damn Chinese soup I've ever had, but it wasn't. It was okay, but the hot and sour didn't have that distinct hot/sour taste I look for. Sadly, the soup was the best thing we ate at Mai Lee. Our entrees came out fast, we were still working on the soup when it arrived. We had #96, Ga Xao (chicken cooked w/mixed vegetables in a black bean sauce hot pot) and #108, Thit Heo Xao Ca Nau (pork stir fried w/eggplant & onions). Oh where do I start!? The chicken was over cooked, while the carrots/onions/celery/etc were more than al dente...dare I say nearly raw? Everything was crunchy, while the chicken was tough and the black bean sauce sauce didn't do a thing for either of us. I wish I could say the pork dish was better, but it suffered the same errors. More over cooked, chewy meat followed by undercooked vegetables and a sauce that needed SOMETHING. My hubby was adding every condiment they had on the table to his plate, salt/pepper/hot sauce...just to give it some flavor. I hate to give 1 star reviews, but when a man that will eat anything and is rarely disappointed says that this was the worst restaurant we've eaten at EVER and we should have gone to McDonald's (dear God, I'd rather poke myself in the eye)...I think I need to look at why. Part of me feels like maybe we didn't order the right food, but if it's not good...why is it on your menu? Oh, and the kicker...the hubby didn't get a fortune in his cookie. Karma? Over rated and overpriced!
(1)
Leslie Z.

My first time at Mai Lee, my son talked me into trying Vietnamese food. So I tried #144 on the menu, Golden tofu with mixed vegetables. Sounds boring, but it was amazing. I really loved how Fresh the food was and the sauce it is in is not salty like Chinese food! Also tried Vietnamese coffee, new favorite!! The service was great and the price was reasonable. Can't wait to go back and try another new dish!!
(5)
Jon T.

Lunch at Mai Lee after the Saint Louis Art Museum was our first time visit. The place was packed. The menu is absolutely overwhelming, there are 202 numbered offerings. Since we are not Vietnamese food experts, what we ordered was probably pretty ordinary. When living in Iowa we had good friends who barely escaped Vietnam at the fall of Saigon and served outstanding food in their restaurant, but I always classified it as more homemade Chinese than classic Vietnamese. Mai Lee has a mix of Vietnamese and Chinese. If you can't find something you will like here, you don't belong in an Asian restaurant. So we had some crispy Vietnamese Egg Rolls. Very good with a lot of pork and great flavors. They are served with clear dipping sauce, sweet and tangy with chile and fish sauce and of course garlic. They had a surprising amount of pork. I would certainly order them again, when not in a more adventuresome mood. They are served with a big plate of garnishes; lettuce, cilantro and cucumber, all very crisp and fresh. Ms T had #11 Pho Ga, soup of rice noodles with chicken. Since Ms T does not do really hot stuff, she ordered it mild. It had plenty of fine noodles with chicken in a slightly sweet cauce. It was flavored with either star anise or cinnamon or both (meaning probably Chinese Five Spice), which was a nice touch for me. The chicken was a little over-cooked and even though in broth, was dry, but overall the broth and noodles were good. I had #3, Hu Tieu My Tho, soup with fine rice noodles, pork, fried tofu, shrimp and fake crab ordered spicy hot. Again it was a little sweet, but not too much. I dressed it with plenty of sambal oolek and fresh lime juice and ate the entire large bowl. The shrimp were reasonably tasty and I like the fried tofu. The pork is OK, but I find this sliced roasted pork to normally be over cooked and like Ms T's chicken, it was. Fake crab is fake crab. You really eat this for the noodles and the broth. Both soups were accompanied by a large plate of additional garnishes; excellent fresh Thai basil, cilantro, sliced green chile, fresh bean sprouts and lime wedges. You can use these to make your soup any way you want. Mai Lee is a great place, maybe five stars based on my amateur opinion. I am looking forward to going back for dinner with our friends, the Bs. There are plenty of vegetarian options. This cooking style is not heavy and not out of order on a summer day, but I could really go for the soups on a cold winter night.
(4)
Tuyet N.

The food here sometimes is either hit or miss, but lately, it's been great! My friends love this place. I'm here at least twice a month. There is always a wait which I don't even mind. Waiting to be seated is always a good sign of good food! I love their papaya salad and banh mi sandwiches. They are delicious! I would usually order an extra sandwich for tomorrow's lunch (or for a midnight snack). Another favorite is the bo luc lac which is shaking beef. It's pricier than the average entree, but a must try!!
(4)
Tamara K.

Such delicious food! The menu is expansive even if we order the same thing all the time. Our friends are more adventurous and often order different items and always love them. We love the Pho and spring rolls. The Pho Ga rocks and Pho Mi is always yummy. The food is ALWAYS consistently good and it never breaks the bank. The servers are quick, speedy to respond and always are good at anticipating our needs. Qui is a gracious host and fully deserves the status he and his family has attained for serving the public all these years.
(5)
Roy C.

Pro: This is my go-to Vietnamese restaurant in StL! Great food in a relaxed environment. It's relaxed enough to stop by after shopping nearby, but nice enough to plan a dinner there with the significant other. My appetizer favorites are the Goi Cuon (spring rolls) and the Goi Sen (lotus root salad w/pork and shrimp). Both set a good tone for what's to come...like the Com Dac Biet (rice w/egg cake, shredded pork, pork chop, & fried egg)! I have spent many pennies as a repeat offender to his dish. Other favs include the Canh Ga Kho Xa Ot (chicken w/ hot chilies, garlic, & lemon grass) and all varieties of Pho (traditional Vietnamese soup). Con: PACKED during peak hours. If the nearby retail places are congested, Mai Lee will be too. Bottom Line: You really can't go wrong with this place. Been here plenty, and will return...
(4)
Tiku A.

Food is awesome, i ordered pad thai noodles, hot egg roll, spring roll and vermacily soup(all vegetarian) and we enjoyed it. Food is really tasty and we dont have to wait for food much. Would like to come again. I will recommend for vegetarian also. :)
(4)
Tom S.

Okok, so I finally picked up my August copy of Feast magazine yesterday, and so now I know FOR SURE that everyone already knows about Mai Lee. Of course, I knew that when we got there (a group of 8 this time) because the place was already packed at 6:30 on a Wednesday night, and I should have known before that from the vast number of Yelp reviews (to which, I fear, this will be a meager addition). What I didn't know at all was this: THE DUCK. Now, I'm kind of a sucker for waterfowl in general, and an hour or two at any Chinatown restaurant with aquariums for window decorations will do a lot for one's opinion of duck. I've walked many a shady back alley in search of duck. Obviously, I should have been looking next to not-so-shady Clayton parking garages (or is this Brentwood? who cares.). Anyway, I don't need to talk about the duck anymore, except to say totally get it if you've ever in your life kind of thought about eating duck ever. As for the rest of the food, it was also good. One couple was a bit disappointed that there are no substitutions to the n-course meals -- but they had no complaints once the food arrived. Our server (Minh, I believe) was incredible, and knew every single order by name AND number. (That's like 200+ items.) He got every order down and split our check mostly by memory. The group consensus was also that he was hilarious, and we enjoyed our spots of light banter even on a very busy night. Four stars instead of five? I had tried to call ahead to let them know we would arrive with a larger group and never heard back. I suppose we would have had to wait for all 8 of us to be there anyway, because of the seating policy -- but it always feels nice to know they know you know you'll be there. And waiting is just so not my favorite thing.
(4)
Glo K.

I wish they stop jacking up their prices... I don't remember spending close to $20 for the chicken curry entree. The portions are shrinking and the curry is always soupy. I'm left with a little disappointed every time I order it. On the bright side, majority of the staffs are friendly, and they are accommodating to large groups. One big kuddos I can give to Mai Lee is being one of the first restaurants to diversify the St. Louis cultural food scene. Sorry...I just was a little stunned with the sudden change of prices.... Welp... It's been nice knowing ya.
(3)
Kitty W.

I'm not sure what I can say about Mai Lee that more than 400 other people haven't already said, but I can tell you about the place from the perspective of someone who had never had Vietnamese food until today. Well, maybe a spring roll. I met a friend here for lunch at 11:30. She'd been to Mai Lee several times, but as indicated, I was a total n00b. Mai Lee seems like a great place to have your first Vietnamese meal. Their menu boasts around 200 choices, and that count includes only their Vietnamese dishes. Mai Lee also offers a selection of Chinese dishes. So, this also could be a bad place for your first Vietnamese meal if you have trouble making decisions or if you're going to order Kung Pao beef. ;) Mai Lee's menu is available online, and I studied it for days. I looked at Yelp pictures, read reviews, and read about Vietnamese cuisine. I /really/ wanted com chien duong chau (#171, Vietnamese fried rice). My stomach was saying, "Let's go!" But my heart was saying, "No." 'Cause I'm on a diet. It's just that the fried rice looked and sounded so delicious. My friend even told me her boyfriend loves it. Ahhh! I wanted it. Fortunately, #171 convinced me, in the form of song, to get something else: "If you want to order me, baby, there's a price to pay. I will go straight to your waistline if you don't run five miles today." Yeah, I don't run. So, I went with bo luc lac (#89, marinated steak cubes with lettuce, tomato, and onion). I omitted the onions. The n00biest way to describe it would be to say that it was essentially a really nice steak salad. The steak cubes were served with a dipping sauce. I believe it was a lime or lemon pepper sauce. It probably has a name, or maybe it doesn't. That's how little I know about Vietnamese food. However, I didn't need the dressing because the beef had such great flavor. I believe my words at the table were "This is awesome." Though, I did come across a tough bit of gristle. No biggie, but I imagine I was making a funny face as I tried to figure out how to discreetly get rid of it. My meal also came with a side of white rice. I brought that home with a little bit of my leftover steak to have for dinner. However, the steak cubes weren't long for this world. They've already been eaten, so now I'm just going to add my rice to some soup this evening. Mmm, soup and rice! My leftover steak made a nice snack, but consequently, dinner took a turn from hurrah to blah. Our waiter was pleasant, and I was incredibly impressed with the way he packaged my food to go. He put it in a foam container for me, and then he put that container inside of a bag. But, wait! There's more! He then rolled up the open end of the bag and tied it so that the container would not leak and make a mess in my car. My friend said that's the way they do it here. Overall, it was a great experience. I'd love to go back sometime to try something else. Pho is on my list, pho sure. (I'm sure no one has ever made that pun before.) Things to know: -It's expensive. Most dishes are $13.95 or higher. My bo luc lac was $18.95. However, many soups, sandwiches, and noodle bowls are under $10. (Though, they might just be a nickel under $10. :)) -The restroom is for customers only.
(4)
Nick E.

Mai Lee is a real gem of St Louis. With it's history of being the first Vietnamese restaurant in the city, I'd say it's a staple at this point. They have transcended the trendy/hip restaurant feel by simply doing what they've always done; cooking legit Vietnamese/pan Asian food--and doing it really well at that. Integrity, yadig? The menu is pretty large, but that's not a bad thing. I haven't eaten a thing that i didn't enjoy there. Great pho, DIY spring rolls, banh mi, and St. Paul sandwiches! I tried my first ever St Paul at Mai Lee and what sounded not that appetizing when described to me countless times before, ended up being absolutely delicious. I really like that the last page of the menu is a Chinese menu. There's a big garage connected to the building so parking is never an issue. 5/5 will always love Mai Lee.
(5)
Matthew W.

Amazing dinner. First time here and the reviews are correct. It was a 20 min wait but it's 6:30 pm Saturday evening. The food was superb. Place was packed all night. I can't say enough good things about the food. Yummy. Yummy. Yummy.
(5)
Sam S.

I've been here multiple times and have never had a bad meal. I love it. The food is really good and not badly priced. I like the pho. It's got good flavor. There are a few different types that you can choose from depending on your mood. I finally had a non-pho dish the other night and that was delicious. It was a lot of food for the cost of the meal. I liked it a lot. I was wondering how it would taste. You can't go wrong with any of the appetizers either. I would say that my favorite dishes involve the vermicelli noodles, mainly because I don't like the other rice noodles they have. The servers are always nice and able to help out when needed. It's a good restaurant hidden in a corner not well known.
(5)
Greg D.

Good lord this place was packed out for late lunch / dinner tonight. When stepping off the train we could smell it due to the large full outside dining area. We realizing that all of the outdoor seats were full with people willing to sit out in the sun on a particularly humid and muggy day - it must be good, right? Not bad at all. Had the bbq spring rolls, curry chicken and a fish soup. They must have an excellent grill here as the shrimp had a char sear to it that my wife and I loved. I found it interesting that they do not devein the shrimp which is fine with me as I sometimes go that simple with home cooking. We were able to get a seat inside by the quite active bar and at about $15 per person this is a great Asian option. The green curry chicken (they call it yellow - see my photos) was extremely similar to Thai yet the menu claims it is Vietnamese. Enjoyed the opening story in the menu claiming this was the first Vietnamese restaurant to open in St Louis, in 1985. The menu has 202 items (well, 203 as it skips goes 110, X, 111 and so on and that does not include all of the side. Would have to guess that there are over 250 menu options. So we just went with what we know and confirmed with the waitress that those were indeed some of the top sellers. Considering how warm it was and the commute here on the red line I was very thirsty and have to have drank at least a half dozen glasses of water. Servers managed to keep up with that even though we were back in the corner behind the bar (watching the Cardinals lose on the flat screen - in a close game). Friendly service, popular place and if anyone ever tells you there's no good Asian food in St. Louis well no, actually there is.
(4)
Mamie V.

I have been to this location many many times and every time I try something new and every time it blows me out of the water. This place gets busy though and doesn't take reservations BUT it's worth the wait! We usually start with the spring rolls and the pancakes (not breakfast ones) and they are too die for, if you prefer Chinese food, the dumplings and crab rangoon are fantastic as well! Then for dinner we usually go with the pad tai (some of the best I've ever had), #67 which is a beef and rice noodle combination, #96 which is a chicken dish with mixed veggies and a brown bean sauce, and the curry chicken dish! I can honestly say though, that I have yet to have something bad here. The service is great, the waiters will be honest about their likes and dislikes on the menu and their opinions on the choices you are making, which adds to the experience. You can order pick up there which I have done on many occasions and it's just as good as dining in. They do not deliver all though I wish they did! This is a must try stop for anyone! *For a side note, if you ever have a bad cold and get really bad nasal congestion, the soups are an amazing way to clear up sinuses and congestion, plus who doesn't like awesome hot soup when they are sick!
(5)
Laura L.

Delicious as always. The perfect balance of heat and savory, they never disappoint! Our favorite place, always perfect flavor. Every dish I've had merits 5 stars, and I would give them more! My 6 year old twins love this place, and eat everything on the menu. Worth the wait no matter how long. We order "to go" to be able to take perfection back to St Charles. I am beyond a food snob, and Mai Lee exceeds expectations every time
(5)
Radio Ladio L.

I've heard pho is said to have curative powers. Heck, it's a particularly trendy thing to eat these days and I can't say I really understand why. I'd never had it until last night at Mai Lee. Well let me tell you something. It's possible this is actually a concoction made with the express purpose of releasing endorphins, and it is also possible that I am insane, but I swear on a stack of bibles, after eating the pho here I felt so extremely calm and relaxed I honestly had to ask myself if I was stoned. I even got a little loopy/derpy, as you do when you've imbibed a little uh...420 friendly horticulture. Yeah I'm not kidding. So take that as you will. I quite enjoyed it. I also had the kim chi which was delicious, and some really nice hot tea. The service was good, polite, quick and efficient, even during a very busy Saturday night service. The restaurant itself is classy and understated as far as decor and general "ambience," which I enjoyed. I cannot wait to go back and sample other offerings from Mai Lee's magical soup menu. Wonderful!
(5)
Erik B.

inexpensive enough to be a regular destination for lunch or dinner, but the food is so good I've made it my go-to "fancy" dinner for my birthday every year.
(5)
Sam Y.

They will not let you have a seat until all the parties arrive. They said it's their policy but I have never heard of that in other places. Weird! Two thumbs down!
(1)
Mel A.

I have actually tested the waters a few more times before writing an update just to make sure this place deserves an updated review and rating. My second visit to Mai Lee was during lunch (and with much hesitation). This happened over half a year from the last time I first came. They were very busy, it was at the peak of lunch hours around 11:45-12:15 but surprisingly got a seat upon entering the restaurant. The waiter was funny and entertaining which was a plus to begin with. I had pho with rare beef slices which turned out to be really delicious. The broth was earthy and you can really taste the fresh herbs (not to mention, you can make it taste even better by adding more fresh herbs!). I was pretty impressed with the service but not quite convinced yet. A few nights ago, a thought of pho or some sort of Vietnamese soup occurred in my head and an image of Mai Lee popped in my brain. But on a Friday night? Sounds like suicidal thought to me but went anyway. The waitress said it was going to be a 15-20 minute wait for a table. I wasn't starving so I sat down and waited patiently. The actual wait time was probably less than 10 minutes and I had a table outside. Meanwhile, the wait line started to build up and I saw people standing outside waiting for a table. The serving staff were rushing around and I was having a flashback of my first visit. Someone brought over the water and left, then a waiter stopped by and I asked for the drink menu. He took the orders and came back with the menu and the appetizer. I had the spring rolls which were better this time around. The peanut sauce was really tasty. I also ordered a soup with egg noodles, pork slices, shrimp, and crab sticks. That was really good but I ended up taking over half of my soup home because I got too full. The herbs and bean sprouts were fresh and abundant and the service was once again, terrific. After this visit, I am giving Mai Lee a 2-star bump. I had a wonderful experience and I love the food!
(4)
Caitlin M.

My boyfriend and I had date night here, and it was wonderful! We went later on a Friday, and it was very busy. We waited in the bar, which is probably my biggest complaint. There simply wasn't a great way to wait while staying out of the way. When we were seated, the staff was friendly and very quick. We both had pho and some amazing shrimp rolls that were recommended by some ladies at the bar. The pho was rich and flavorful, but still refreshing. This was our first time having pho, and we were very impressed! We will definitely be going back.
(5)
Katie A.

Excellent experience. We are not frequent Vietnamese/Chinese eaters. We took the family to try something different. We started with the Mai Lee sampler appetizer. It was wonderful. Favorites included the beef, crab Rangoon and overall favorite shrimp and pork toast. It does not look or taste like the name. It is simply delicious and we will order the toast next time we go. For our entree, we split a meat and seafood fire hot. It came with rice. In it was of course lots of veggies including carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, onion. The meat included beef and pork. The seafood was squid, shrimp and crab. The seafood seemed a little tough - maybe overlooked? But the meats were tasty and we enjoyed the experience of sharing a meal together - everyone eating the same thing at a restaurant. Definitely recommend. We went on Friday at 6 and didn't have to wait but a wait developed shortly after we got there.
(5)
Christine W.

I really really like the banh mi here. They are $4 each, which is awesome for such a great tasting sandwich. I've had the more traditional pork banh mi as well as the bbq pork one. I enjoyed both of them, but I think I prefer the bbq pork. It had all the elements that you expect in banh mi, the carrots and daikon and cilantro and meat. The first time I ate there, my husband and I sat at a high table near the bar, so there was no wait. The second time (when I was craving banh mi), we got our order to go and only waited for 10-15 minutes even though it was around dinner time. The service is fairly friendly and the decor in the main dining room looks modern and nice. This review is mainly about the banh mi, to be honest. I really don't remember what else I ordered the first time. The second time, we ordered shrimp and pork spring rolls in addition to the banh mi and I was a bit disappointed in the spring rolls. Although they tasted very fresh (and the sauce was good), it seems like they skimped on the pork inside and the bulk of it was made up of greens. But don't let that deter you. I'd happily recommend coming here on the merits of the banh mi alone. So much tasty sandwich for such a great price!
(4)
Jeff Z.

The wife and I, in preparation for a future trip to SE Asia, decided to retry Mai Lee for the Vietnamese food. We've always heard really positive things about the place. While unassuming when we walked in, we've noticed the place is always packed with a diverse crowd of folks, including families with kids. The menu is pretty affordable with tons of options, mostly Vietnamese with some Chinese options. Most recently, we've had the Pho Tai with medium rare sliced beef. It took a try or two to adjust to the taste, but one thing is for sure, that it has tons of flavor and tastes extremely fresh. I've had the Banh Mi sandwich which was very good but also an acquired taste. One thing I absolutely recommend- Vietnamese coffee. Flavorful coffee that gets mixed with condensed milk. Wow. I absolutely recommend. All in all, Mai Lee is now a regular stop for us.
(5)
Angie P.

Great restaurant with delicious food. Order the charred rice seafood bowl which is off the menu. You won't be disappointed. It's the best example of comfort food I can think of.
(5)
Aaron B.

I love Mai Lee! It's super unassuming as it's right in a random business complex near Brentwood. I just mapped it assuming it was going to be a hole in the wall but not at all! It's a fairly large restaurant and has plenty of parking with the 2 complexes surrounding it. I went on a weekday evening and it was fairly popular so you might wanna make a reservation on the weekend. What I love most about Mai Lee is that they do allll different kinds of asian food...Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese...all the good stuff right in one menu! I went with the hot braised chicken off of the "Chinese" portion of the menu. It was amaaazizziinnggg and the serving size was huge. Not to mention they give your table a ton or rice to share. I can't wait to come back to Mai Lee to show my friends and try more food! The best part is the left overs.
(5)
David D.

Reading the other reviews from other yelpers I was expecting great things from Mai Lee and I have to say that I wasn't let down. I was very impressed with the interior decor walking in; I've been to plenty of Asian/Vietnamese restaurants and Mai Lee tops the list for best decor/ambiance. The menu was huge, over 150 menu items, but a handful of most items were just different variations of the same dish. They also have family style meals. We came in around late lunch-early dinner and were seated promptly. I didn't start to get busy until about an hour into our dinner. The service was quick the waitstaff was knowledgable of their menu. I ordered the wonton noodle soup. The broth was flavorful and aromatic, but I didn't like the wontons or the noodles. In my opinion, the seasoning/flavor of the wontons were not cohesive with the dish, but it wasn't terrible. I usually also prefer the wider, thicker noodles. But here, the only option were the smaller, ramen sized noodles. The noodles were a bit too done for my liking, I like my noodles to be slightly al-dente. But overall a pretty good dish, I'm just quite picky when it comes to this specific dish. Others in my party ordered different variations of Pho. I was able to taste the broth and I have to say that I wish I would have gotten the pho. The broth was very flavorful and aromatic and just had me wanting more. If you're in the mood for some Vietnamese/Chinese cuisine, I'd say this wouldn't be a bad choice.
(4)
Chris Z.

Mai Lee is an STL fav. Their menu is large, with lots of fun Viet and Chinese offerings. I've tried numerous different things and the food is consistently good. On the other hand, service has significant fallen off at this place. It's clear they're interested in serving volumes of customers and not offering any quality heart-felt service. When you are seated, don't expect a server to come to your table for about 5-7 minutes. This is normal. They want you to be ready to order when they come to the table... and the menu is long, so my only assumption is they want you to have time to go over everything first. There is a lunch menu which leans heavily on their Chinese fare... but you have to ask for it. Do it... the value is good... a decent sized dish with appetizer and soup for around 10 bucks. I've come here countless times and had no clue they had a lunch menu until I brought my father and he inquired. This past time I tried an appetizer of Cha Gio Tom (mini shrimp egg rolls). They were bite size, simple, and yummy. For my entree I chose Com Dac Biet (crushed rice w/egg cake, shredded pork, pork chop & fried egg). This dish was perfect. A yummy assortment of vegetables, rice, meat and eggs. All in all, the stellar food is worth putting up with the cold service.
(4)
Jillian C.

Great service! Our waiter was very accommodating with our large group and would set expectations for us when certain dishes would take longer to come out. The food was good and it wasn't expensive! The spring rolls were the largest spring rolls I've ever had and they were priced the same as other restaurants. We ordered dishes and ate family style so we could try everything! Prices were good and the portions were large. Definitely coming back here whenever I can and am in the mood for Vietnamese food!
(5)
Vicky R.

I'm sorry I did them wrong. I went back again and this time I got the spicy beef something (I believe it's no.17) and I liked it much better. Boyfriend got the seafood casserole or something like that and he said it's delicious too. So I guess Mai Lee IS the best Vietnamese food in St. Louis!
(4)
Jessica M.

The popularity of Mai Lee seems to be a topic of controversy. Either people LOVE Mai Lee or they are deeply confused about why this place is so popular...but they think the food is just average. I don't get it, I love Mai Lee! The food and service has always been excellent during my visits. Mai Lee's location is not the greatest. It is located in a business complex behind a parking garage. The road between the business complex and parking garage feels more like a back alley than a street that will lead you to great restaurants and shopping. The interior of Mai Lee is fairly large and unassuming. There are some Asian decorations on the walls, but nothing over the top. Mai Lee's menu is HUGE. It's a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai. And their portions are huge! I always leave with leftovers. :) I can't wait to visit again! Mai Lee is a St. Louis staple.
(4)
Mary M.

I really like this place. The food is always great, but the service always SUCKS!!!!! I do have to say the buss boys are awesome it's just the servers who SUCK!!!! It always takes about 5 minutes for the server to get to the table on top of that the place was not that busy.
(3)
Peter B.

I still love Mai Lee. The service and the food can't be beat. There is even a great outdoor dining area out front. This place is quick and courteous with service. I usually order a combination pho bowl and summer rolls. These are the best in town in my opinion. My Vietnamese sister in law, Shari B, agrees with that too. There is plenty of parking available next door in the garage and its located right next to the Brentwood metrolink stop. I have never had a bad meal here. Check it out if you want some great Vietnamese food (they also have a Chinese selection too that I have yet to try)
(5)
Shari B.

Whenever I'm in town, I always make sure I dine at Mai Lee's. With an ambitious menu of over hundreds of items, it can be pretty intimidating on what to choose. I have never gone wrong with what I've ordered. So far I've had the beef Pho, the bun tom thit nuong (noodles with shrimp and grilled beef), com bi dac biet (broken rice with shimp cake, fried egg, etc), goi cuon (summer rolls with pork and shrimp), as well as tried the banh xeo (savory Vietnamese pancake). All excellent dishes...I would know, I'm Vietnamese. Service is always good and they always ensure your water glass is full. Plus all items are reasonably priced.
(5)
Rich B.

Love their preparations and portions! I have been to this place many many times now and am never disappointed.
(4)
Carol C.

Vietnamese egg rolls, spring rolls, and pho tai are a classic selection. Can't go wrong with that trifecta combo~ I've had pho from LA, Vegas, and even in Seoul, Korea and I have to say this place tops as one of my faves. Always remember to request the extra bean sprouts steamed vs raw so it keeps your pho hot!
(4)
Charleen S.

They say that they're Vietnamese and Chinese, but the Chinese menu looks like a small afterthought slapped on the hundreds of Vietnamese dishes that they offer, so I probably wouldn't order anything off of it. They have a ridiculously large menu! For someone like me who doesn't know much about Vietnamese food, it was too many choices so I ended up asking the waiter what I should try. He did a great job of describing and recommending a few dishes until Husband and I both figured out what we were interested in. We started with a Bahn Mi sandwich with pork. If you're ever in the area and looking for a quick, cheap, and yummy lunch; this sandwich was large and tasty for $4! For dinner, I'm not even sure what we had. One thing was this hot pot contraption with hot coals in it that was filled with shrimp and veggie soup. It was fun to eat and chock full of shrimp, but a little too spicy for me. Our other dish was some kind of noodle thing with all the meats and veggies. It was great to me, but Husband added spice to it. The waiter kind of made the experience for me. He helped us order, kept our drinks full, and generally made sure we had a good experience. Why the 3 stars? The food was fun to eat, but I didn't enjoy the taste all that much. I would try again though, since they have such a huge menu maybe if I ordered differently...
(3)
Kimmy N.

It's been awhile since I've had Mai Lee and decided to have it today. I'm a little disappointed on the quality of its food. We ordered com dac diet and it was not good at all. The veggies were fresh, there was very little rice and the egg cake was very old and dry. Our pork was also very dry, it was almost hard to eat. We had to submerge it in the fish sauce to prevent the dryness. Vietnamese people will know that they're serving "old food" because of the way it looks and taste. We also ordered egg rolls and spring rolls. The egg rolls were not fresh out of the deep fryer. They were room temp, therefore they have been sitting in a warmer for who knows how long. That wasn't a big deal for us considering we were able to eat and enjoy right away. The spring rolls must have been rolled the night before because some of the lettuce was welted. They have always made their food fresh to order or most of it anyways. I'm not sure what happened. I feel sorry for everyone else that's not familiar with Vietnamese food and on how it's actually suppose to taste and look. Service was very poor. We saw our waiter when he took our order, gave our food and bill. I'm very disappointed with Mai Lee. I hate to say to say this on a review but I would rather go to Kim Ngan off of grand. Their food is 10x better!!!
(2)
Amanda D.

San Jose native (so trust me, I know my Vietnamese food) and I have to say this was the BEST I've ever had. Calamari is a must have for an appetizer- crispy outside, fresh&soft inside. Steak is marinated to perfection! Love love love! Definitely will be back
(5)
Angela C.

Best pho ga around and so addicting! This place is a staple restaurant when we can't make a decision on what to eat. It's also one of our go to hangover cures. The pho and homemade ginger ale is an instant cure. You have to try the cha gio, crispy egg rolls, because the fish sauce they serve it with is perfect. Their service rocks and for two bowls of pho ga, egg rolls, and ginger ale the bill is around $25 after tip. You cannot beat that!!
(5)
Rick L.

If you are not familiar with the location, it is behind the Best Buy. 6pm on a Tuesday night and there is wait for a table. I have never had to wait at any Vietnamese restaurant before. It is a huge locals hangout which says a lot. Most restaurants would be happy won't just their take out business. Staff are friendly and attentive. Not real committal on suggestions but that is okay. BBQ spring rolls were very tasty. Not a fan of fish sauce so they happily gave me peanut sauce instead. Ordered #85 beef with lemongrass. I asked for some eggplant to be added. First of all, the portion is very generous. Large enough to share or plan on lunch the next day. The eggplant was plentiful and personally, a great addition for the veggie part. The waiter was exactly right that the dish has a strong influence from the lemongrass. I would order it again without hesitation. Not spicy at all. I recommend this restaurant highly. Arrive after 6, do expect to wait.
(4)
Hamachi B.

Good food, good service, good location.... Pho had a great broth, congee had a nice flavor..... Good choice for lunch!
(5)
Irene L.

Parking here is confusing for the first visit. It is free to park in the public garage. Food in Mai Lee was always amazing. We were satisfied with the food every time we came. However, there is something wrong with the management, and it gets worse. The waiters looked overloading. They don't look like happy to work here. Which caused the slow service. There were always something in my water. 3/5 cups had something in the water. Even after I asked for a new one, there was still something in my water. Both locks of lady's restrooms were broken. I didn't know about the condition of the third one, which was occupied. The doors of the lady's room will automatically open, and the locks were missed or broken. It was not a enjoyable moment. Finally, it was time to pay. The busy waiter didn't looked happy to separate our bills. I wish Mai Lee will make some adjustment about their management. I really like the food there, and wish to come back.
(3)
Lindsey S.

If you don't love Mai Lee, you are possibly ignorant, completely idiotic, have no taste buds, or hate the best service of your life. Linda, Jay, and Qui (as well as the whole staff) treat you like family from day one. Being in the industry, I can be way too picky and needy, but this is the only restaurant in St Louis where I've never had one concern. When I was a student, I came here 4 times a week. I wish I could come as often as I used to. #50 and #142 are dishes I get random cravings for. Trust me!
(5)
Sandi C.

We've been a long time customer of Mailee, from other location to this new location. But it is different now ... food still taste ok, not as good as before, but portion is really really small and I am not even a big eater. We ordered #12 Beef and Beef Balls Noodle Soup - ONE piece of beef ball cut into 4 pieces!!? Really!!?? One cut into four!! The price is $7.95 for noodle soup, I would think they can do better. Oh and 4-5 slices of beef. I can certainly can get same quality of pho but in more descent portion elsewhere. I am not sure if I wanted to visit again
(2)
Philip M.

Good meal, good service...average location/atmosphere with prices leaning towards expensive. I would eat here again but am not sprinting back.
(3)
Beck E.

This place would get 2 stars if it were on either coast, but not bad for St. Louis. At the very least, the food did not offend me (looking at you, Pho Grand), which sadly might have to be how I base my ratings of Viet food in STL. :'( The 3 stars is based solely on the food (I never expect much in the way of service from a Vietnamese restaurant). Banh mi thit - For only $4 and the size of sandwich you get, I would say this is an oookay choice. It came a bit overstuffed with veggies and the cilantro was overpowering, but that's an easy fix--just take out the extra stuffing. There was a generous portion of headcheese & cha lua (Vietnamese "ham"/"bologna" I guess is what people have been calling it), but I thought both lacked flavor. The mayo was good, the do chua (pickled veg) didn't taste pickled enough, and the cucumbers were sliced too thick. I thought the bread was kind of soft/chewier than I am accustomed to. The flavors were "off" as a result of all of the above, and so I felt a little nauseous halfway through... But the nausea was nowhere near as bad as what I had experienced while eating at Pho Grand. So... okay for $4. Bun rieu - This was the greasiest bowl of any noodles I've ever eaten. It detracted from the eating experience for sure. The broth was a little too salty, so it was hard to detect the more complex flavors/seasonings that make bun rieu my favorite noodle dish. Sigh. Decent amount of crab meat & chunks of tomatoes. I didn't really like the inclusion of the shrimp, but hey, I got 4 of them... Didn't feel like they were skimping. Generous amount of food for $7.95, at least the takeout portions were. However, I wouldn't get this dish again, even if I were hardcore craving it (which I sometimes do). It just didn't taste right to me. Overall, okay. Not great. Won't be going out of my way to eat here again, but I won't avoid it either. I do applaud Mai Lee's participation in the GoodDining program though, which is why I stopped by here before other Vietnamese restaurants in the area. __________________ The below did not factor into the rating, but I want to complain some more, so: I got carryout, and ordering was confusing. There was a sign above the bar area reading "carry-out" but no clear area to order from... Especially given that all the bar was crowded so I couldn't wedge myself between other customers to ask for assistance without being rude. Eventually it turned out that the employee who'd been socializing with his buddies for 5 minutes with his back to me was supposed to be taking carryout orders. Oh. K. This system really needs to be revamped, srsly. After placing my order, it only took 10 minutes to get it. So that was a positive. Did not get any chopsticks, but did get a plastic fork and two spoons.
(3)
Matt V.

This place is pretty decent, though you can find better Vietnamese/Asian if you look for it. The location is right in the center of the St. Louis area, which is a plus. Lots of shopping nearby so expect it to be busy especially on the weekends. We got seated with a party of six in about twenty minutes two days before Christmas, so they turn tables pretty quickly. We got the crab rangoon and spring rolls as appetizers, the crab rangoon was slightly above average and the spring rolls were pretty good. They have shrimp in them, wife is vegetarian so could not have any. I got the #17 (Bun Bo Hue) which is a soup with beef and vermicelli noodles. The broth is quite flavorful, but so hot that it cooked the beef more than I find desirable. One issue with this place is that they pile the garnishes for everyone's dishes all on one plate, and don't tell you which garnishes go with which dishes or what hot sauces complement the dish you are eating. Overall, good but not great. The prices are nice as most dishes are around $10 or less.
(3)
Susan S.

This is a family favorite. Every birthday I ask to come here because, even with 14 guests, every single person can find a dish they love. Their extensive menu is a blessing, and I haven't had a single dish here I wouldn't order again. The staff is always friendly and brings out the food much more quickly than we expect for such high-quality meals. Recommendations: - The lemon beef is perfect for the picky eater in your group. It has a delicate taste for a sensitive tongue. - The beef pho is my personal favorite. Rich mix of flavors, and they bring out the "fixings" (basil, mint, cilantro, lime, hoisin sauce, jalapeno) so you could have as much or as little extra "background flavors" as you like. - The chicken curry is another dish that can't be beat. Not overly spicy, but a must for any real curry fan. - Vietnamese coffee. If you haven't had it as a coffee fan, treat yourself. No words, just so good.
(5)
Carmen S.

Good Vietnamese food is few and far between in STL. Since my fave place recently closed and was craving it I tried the bun thit nuong at Mai Lee. One word - bland. It was supposed to be flavorful with the fish sauce concoction and fresh with the veggies and vermicelli. None of that happened. And the meat was dry and lacking in flavor. Sigh. Very very disappointed. Noooot Goooood. Please don't "dumb down" the flavor!
(2)
Jared L.

This is an amazing place, I have never had anything bad and I try something new every time. I love the pad thai and the soups are great, good portions and prices. Everything is really fresh and you get a plate of fresh veggies with a lot of entrees. Highly recommend.
(5)
Christina O.

welcoming restaurant found in between parking garages by the metro stop. they serve a varied clientele including families, couples and groups of friends. the food is nothing out of the ordinary. the bar seems nice and has a tv. my bun xao sate was supposed to have chicken but i was served beef instead. when my chicken vermicelli noodle dish finally came out it was very bland and the chicken was overcooked. the 3 stars are for the amazing potstickers and spring rolls.
(3)
Jay D.

good stuff.. folks are friendly. Food is consistently good.
(4)
Matt N.

Ok, so today I stopped in today to Mai lee with my wife since we were in the area. I was very excited to come here after all the reviews I've read, and asking lots of Vietnamese people I run it into we're to go for some good Vietnamese. My first impression when I walked was ok, this seems a little modern for Vietnamese restaurant. We were then was seated, none of the staff were very welcoming our whole experience. I ordered my wife and I some spring rolls, bahn mi thit, and bun Bo nuong. The spring rolls were mediocre at best, and the Bahn mi thit, and bun Bo nuong were meh...... I guess my late grandmas cooking spoiled me with great Vietnamese food, may she rest in peace. Then most of my family lives in California, so that doesn't help Mai lees score. If this was a Vietnamese place in California I would give it 1 star. I might give it another shot one day, but my wife said she won't be joining me. Well until then Mai lee gets a two star rating.
(2)
Aimee K.

If I had to marry any Vietnamese food item found in St. Louis, it'd be the crispy spring rolls at Mai Lee. I don't know if it's the big, crispy piece of lettuce you wrap around them, the spring rolls themselves, or the sauce they come with, but wow! Absolutely nothing to complain about while eating those on a Sunday afternoon... Another hero at Mai Lee is the Vietnamese coffee. It comes in a press with condensed milk... you mix it together when it's ready and it's really thick, so they give you a glass full of ice to pour it in... let it all melt together a little bit and it is HEAVEN. Incredible flavor, the perfect amount of sweetness, and a serious jolt of caffeine. I really wish I could have this every morning... I'd give up my hot cup of coffee in a second for that beautiful creation. I've had a variety of dishes here and I really recommend just ordering a few different things for the table so you can try a little bit of it all. The Ga Xao Lan is the perfect choice if you want something with chicken. The chicken is stir fried in coconut milk, lemongrass and curry and is garnished with crushed peanuts. Also try the Ga Quay. It's Vietnamese roasted chicken served with this incredible ginger soy sauce... It's a LOT of chicken so be prepared to share, and you're going to be pretty obsessed with that Ginger soy sauce. Use it with other dishes, too. You can't go wrong at Mai Lee... though you might want to invest in a pair of Pajama Jeans so you can adequately enjoy as many of the dishes as you want. The service has always been on point, and we've never had to wait very long to get a table. There's also a really great family history to this place and you can feel how proud the employees are to be there. Major win!
(5)
Jesda G.

There may be Vietnamese restaurants in town with richer soup broths or lower prices but none match Mai Lee's balance of excellent service, inviting atmosphere, consistency, and variety. Dinner is usually no more than a 15-20 minute wait, even during peak hours, and take-out is ready exactly when promised. The expansive menu is impressively thorough and despite the large variety of offerings, quality is excellent on every item I've ordered over the years. While pho tai and banh mi are classic favorites, the whole fried catfish, roast duck, and roast chicken are superb. The pork bun appetizer is a very generous portion, enough to enjoy as a light lunch. Try the seafood specials posted on the chalkboard by the hostess. This place is a St Louis gem that never, ever disappoints.
(5)
Stephanie S.

Mai Lee, I think we're through. I know...it breaks my heart, too. I remember when you were at your former location and how excited I was to have "discovered" this hole in the wall spot. I remember the HUGE hot steaming bowl of pho that made me fall in love with the dish. I remember the service -- it was kind, patient, welcoming. Now? You're in a bright, shiny, HUGE building with high visibility and high traffic. Good for you. I'm happy that you've found success. But your food, Mai Lee? Your food has SUFFERED. Small bowls of pho. Rushed, impersonal service. And then there's my most recent visit: I thought I'd branch out from my usual order of pho and try something different. I went with #124, eel stir fried in hot chili and lemongrass. It. Was. Terrible. The eel had a bunch of crunchy cartilage in it (or something!). The sauce had a terrible, bitter flavor. I took one bite and did something I normally don't do -- I asked the server if I could replace the dish with something else. I HATE doing this, and I'll usually suffer through a bad dish so I don't have to return it. But this time, I couldn't. I was hungry, and I didn't want to eat this. The server was very unfriendly when I politely informed him of my dissatisfaction. After going to the back to ask his manager if I could exchange my dish, he came back out and basically forced me to order the same dish with a different protein other than eel. Ugh. I wasn't going to argue and make things more complicated. I went with chicken. It was brought out pretty quickly, which makes me think they simply picked out all of the eel and replaced it with chicken. Sigh. The same bitter, awful taste was there. While I don't fault Mai Lee for the dish (hey, someone out there has got to like it, right?) I do fault them for the way they handled the situation. I felt unwelcome. I felt like a pest. I left unsatisfied and still hungry. The one bright spot? My avocado smoothie was amazing! But I'm afraid this will be my last visit to Mai Lee. Sorry...it was fun while it lasted.
(2)
Jason J.

I really like the way before they did it over Delmar. The food really tasted much better as it was now. The service is just slow. Our waiter never came back after the order was brought to our table. I may still occasionally come back to this place but not a regular anymore.
(3)
Abby S.

Chrissie C and I checked out Mai Lee for the first time on Friday night - and I must say that the Yelp community was dead-on with their assessments of this great restaurant. Here's a breakdown of our experience: - Get here early on a Friday night! This place gets packed by 7 pm. Luckily, we nabbed a table at the bar. - Wine/drink list is OK. But I'm pretty sure people don't come here for the cocktails. - Our server was great, although not terribly attentive. He did make sure we were waited on quickly and had everything we needed. - Menu is HUGE! And it all sounded really delish, which made ordering even more difficult (in a good way). - Definitely order the crispy spring rolls. They come with a side of cilantro and lettuce as well as dipping sauce. - Portions are on the small side, which is fine for a 115 lb. girl, but not so much for a big eater. Overall, I'd say that Mai Lee is upscale Vietnamese dining. Again, the portions aren't huge but the ambiance and quality of food is exceptional. Would definitely make the trip back to Brentwood and delve into their expansive menu again!
(4)
David C.

I'm pretty sure if they served me leftovers from some other guests' table, I would still love this food.... I should caveat that having a Vietnamese-background, I'm used to home-cooking and this place definitely brings back some memories. Although I can't speak Vietnamese, I will always remember the food! For appetizers, you definitely have to try the spring rolls... I get them each and every time without fail and even though they're so simple, it's delicious. The dipping sauce is a bit salty for my taste but it's still not bad. I've had almost every entree on the menu (yes, I've been there that many times) and I love them all. My favorite is probably a staple that almost every one has had which is the "Special Rice Platter" (Entree 76). It has crushed egg, shredded pork, and a porkchop on top of rice. My mom used to make this at home and I loved it and although nothing can beat mom's cooking, this sure comes close. I also love their fried calamari dish (#133). Their iced coffee is amazing... just thought I'd throw that last random piece in. Overall, the prices are more expensive than some of the other vietnamese restaurants in town and there are times where the wait can be extremely long. Despite these "challenges", I find the price and wait worth it as the food more than makes up for it. I would highll recommend it and if you go, you'll likely find me there.
(5)
Kent C.

Vietnamese food here is decent, but sorry I never had the Chinese so I can't be a good judge of it. If anybody wants my comments on the Chinese I'm willing to go dish out $10 to give you my thoughts, but only by popular demand. The only thing that sets Mai Lee apart from other Asian places is they actually have some food that non-Asians will think is simply put offensive. Example of that is the Bun Nuoc Leo(#21). I actually like this dish, but definitely not what I was expecting. It says soup base, not shrimp paste base. It was a surprise to me, but nothing I couldn't handle. My friend on the other hand moved slightly closer to the other end of the table. I love shrimp paste so I liked the dish, but if you know shrimp paste, there is little to nothing that can overpower shrimp paste. If you draw conclusions of the flavor based on it's scent, when my mom uses it in her cooking at home it has a 3 block radius of ODERIFEROUS GLORY. In terms of the pho, I'm quite the pho connoisseur. It's okay, but would definitely not be my go to for pho. The broth does not have the depth of meat flavor that is the essence of pho but instead has a very strong star anise flavor. I'm cool with star anise but I prefer my pho to be beefolicious.
(3)
Stephen C.

Quality Vietnamese food in St. Louis? I'm a fan. Yes, this place has a trendy vibe, but that doesn't distract from the quality of the food. Spring rolls, pho, BBQ pork, thai iced tea... I tried it all and none of it disappointed. And the prices aren't bad either. Check it out if you haven't already!
(4)
Debbie O.

When my sister told me Mai Lee's is what got her through two years of MBA school in St. Louis, I knew this was a must try. We both love pho, and if she could eat this three times a week, it must be good. While it really is not as good as Golden Deli (in LA), it's comparable, and that's saying a lot. The flavor is decent, but what I really enjoyed here was the chicken curry. Wow. The lemongrass flavor pairs perfectly with the coconut milk, and the chicken is so tender. There are strands of glass noodle which is also a plus. Overall, really good Vietnamese food, and I would definitely return for the chicken curry.
(4)
Patt C.

Went with a coworker for lunch who had been there before. This is why the 1 star: They give you the dinner menu, which DUH has different prices and different quantities of food. YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR THE LUNCH MENU! My coworker knew that. I didn't. The food was fine. But now that we were ordering off the lunch menu, the service was COLD! Even yet, I took food home.
(1)
Kathleen C.

I've been coming here for years. The best Vietnamese I've had in St. Louis. Whenever friends from college come back to visit, we always revisit Mai Lee. I'm a fan of the crushed rice dishes, gives you a bit of everything. Topped off with some Siracha... perfection! Prices are pretty reasonable... and since they moved a year or so ago.. the atmosphere is definitely much nicer.
(4)
Joe B.

I have been a loyal patron of Mai Lee for years. They are nestled on a back road behind the BestBuy in Brentwood and despite their location (somewhat hidden) they are always busy and there is good reason. Their food has never let me down! I've even ordered off menu (politely asking if it was ok) and the whipped me up a chicken bean sprout crepe that I've since asked for on many visits. They have earned my business time and again and the staff is always helpful and super friendly.
(5)
S. Anjali D.

So I was becoming a regular here...until I came here the other day and found varying sizes of hair in every dish we ordered!! My sister went to start serving an a loooooong hair started coming out with the food! The waitress was standing right there putting down other dishes and she saw it and just started walking away. I was like, "Wait, wait!" She just picked it up without me having to elaborate and got really rude to us. There was also was hair rolled up into my spring roll. I mean, enough said! As much as I liked this place, I would obviously never go here again. Maybe if you do you should at least ask them to hold the hair?!
(1)
Tim D.

SPECTACULAR describes the restaurant. Quality fresh ingredients, great service and yes, spectacular food. Their fresh spring rolls, summer rolls are superb. The beef with curry coconut sauce, reminded me of the real deal in SE Asia! Do your taste buds a favor and dine there!
(5)
Lynn S.

Went for lunch today and Mai Lee couldn't have been nicer. I hadn't been since they moved and they deserve this nicer location. Sat outside with my daughter and had a lovely lunch. Everything we ordered was great. I had beef green pepper w hot/sour soup combo. My daughter had hot braised chicken which was also pretty terrific. Same great food as always.
(4)
Anna H.

We love Mai Lee!! Their menu is huge, which is why I usually spend forever picking what I want. One of my favorites is the BANH XEO, which are "crispy crepes" with veggies and stuff. It was actually rated one of the signature dishes in STL. Of course, dessert is awesome! Love all their sweet jelly/beans/milk drink desserts. So good!!
(5)
Margaret L.

I've received some pretty credible endorsements in favor of Mai Lee, so it was with great excitement that I came here with my boyfriend after weeks of nagging him. We're both from CA, so we've been missing the ubiquity of good Asian food out here in the midwest and we were happy to give this place a shot. Honest verdict: in spite of the friendly service, the cute backstory, and the pretty decent spring rolls... this place really falls short for me. It's a bit pricey for what it is (although the portions are generous), the flavors weren't really knocking my socks off and the meat wasn't so amazing. At the recommendation of the server, I got what he deemed the "most popular" dish, which was the Viet-style lo mein. It definitely was overwhelmed by meat, the noodles seemed undercooked, and overall it was not especially delicious. Boyfriend got pho, and it was a step below what I could have gotten back in my college town for $5.95 (and they say CA is so expensive...!). There are so many options on the menu here that it gets a little overwhelming for a first-timer, whereas I'm more a fan of a place that offers only a few menu items but does them extremely well. Although I didn't love my experience here, I wouldn't be opposed to going back and trying something different. I don't really like the strip mall-esque setting and the uninviting decor here (where I was seated, a track light on the ceiling was putting an awkward and distracting glare on everything), so maybe I'd try doing takeout, or dining with a huge rowdy group and eating family style. I'm sad that I didn't like this place much at all, but don't let my disappointment prevent you from taking a stab at the vast menu at Mai Lee.
(2)
Diana J.

Good place to go for lunch on the weekdays or next day hangover food on the weekends :) I like their pho (with everything) and crispy spring rolls (albeit a bit pricey), as well as their butter garlic shrimp dish and the seared steak cubes with a lemon pepper dipping sauce. Not sure if I really like their banh mi sandwhiches though... feel like it's not very big/stuffed with meat and bread is too dry.
(3)
Tara A.

I used to come here all the time for lunch with coworkers and I loved it!! They have such a diversity of food on the menu (korean, japanese, chinese, thai, etc) which is awesome but can get confusing. I once ordered a chicken dish that was really delicious but came with enough chicken to feed our entire table. So make sure you ask your waiter if you're trying a new dish ;) They have a large dining area but can get busy during lunch so try to get there around 11:30 or before and you'll have no problem getting seated. I can't speak on the dinner crowd... I didnt like the korean bbq that i ordered, but you can never go wrong with a classic pad thai or pho soup!
(4)
Whittney D.

Consistently the best service I have ever had at any restaurant in St. Louis. Huge menu, but not a single item is lackluster or average. The flavor profile of every dish is something special and unique. Also, the place originated as a Chinese restaurant run by Vietnamese immigrants before Vietnamese food took off in the U.S. Not surprisingly, they do Chinese better than most Chinese restaurants too. Seriously...everything is amazing.
(5)
JoNemmy O.

Great food in a beautiful resteraunt. Start with the Spring Rolls they are delicious. this is my first time here so I can't tell you what the best dish is, but you can't go wrong with the combo rice entree#76.
(5)
Kirby M.

It's been a while so I can't remember specifics but we had a fab lunch here! Sat at the bar and still got top notch service. The story of the owner is pretty cool. The food was excellent and innovative and Trader Joe's is right around the corner. Plus plenty of hospital cheap parking. DO IT DO IT!
(5)
Christy A.

Absolute best Vietnamese I've ever had! This is 1 of my favorite lunch/dinner spots. The location is great, garage for parking, good service, nice ambience for conversation & of course excellent food.
(5)
Paul R.

Mai Lee is the best Vietnamese food in the city, IMHO. The Pho Tai became a regular lunch for me while I lived in St Louis. Now that I live in California, I look forward to my visits to St Louis and always make sure to eat at Mai Lee as often as possible. Sooo good! The location is certainly unusual but it's convenient. The staff is friendly and the food excellent! Two thumbs way up!
(5)
Sarah S.

We went to this place tonight with some friends. They had been there several times. I like Vietnamese, so I figured why not? I was disappointed. I started with vegetarian egg rolls. They were standard for the most part. The sweet & sour sauce they came with was pretty flavorless and really thin. Usually sweet and sour is thick and has a sweet kick to it. She brought a whole plate of greens seperately - garnish maybe? I have no idea what the point was since it wasn't on the plate. It was a waste of lettuce and a plate in my humble opinion. I can't even imagine how many greens they waste a night! I ordered a fresh squeezed lemonade as well, which came cloudy with sugar. It was way too much! But it was cold and freshly squeezed as advertised. I got #147, which was clear noodles with stir fried veggies. It came out almost immediately after our appetizers - we weren't even finished with one egg roll. It was noodles with cabbage, some kind of green, peas, and carrots. It had almost no flavor. I couldn't taste any hint of stir fry sauce. It was very bland. I ended up with a huge plate left of cabbage, since eating a bunch of cabbage with no sauce on it isn't very appetizing. The service was ok. Our server had some communication issues, which I feel badly for saying, but it made it hard to ask questions about the menu and bar. I wanted to order an alcoholic beverage, but they only had a wine list so I didn't end up doing so. I might try it again if friends really wanted to go but I'd definitely order something else. Til then, I have to give Mai Lee 2 stars.
(2)
Joel M.

Went there twice in two days. The end.
(5)
Luz S.

Overall, I'm very impressed by their extensive menu and was surprised to see some of my Vietnamese favorites on the menu- including avocado shakes and sizzling crepes, banh xeo! You're sure to find something you like at this Vietnamese & Chinese restaurant.
(4)
Nick V.

If you like Pho then this is the place for you. First, unlike most Pho places this is actually a nicer restaurant inside. It doesn't feel like a hole in the wall (not that there is anything wrong that) and is a place that you could actually go on a date. Second, their Pho is pretty consistent, it is generally very good and they give you a lot of it. Even with all of this however, their prices are still very reasonable and two people can eat here for under $20. The only thing that I haven't loved are the spring rolls which are ok but not great. They also have Chinese food and Thai good but I have never really ordered those dishes. They do give you a ton of meat with the Pad Thai but they use more Vietnamese noodles than Thai ones. All in all I like this place and will continue to come back when I get a hankering for Pho.
(4)
Tracy B.

I love everything I've ever eaten here. Expect a decent wait on a Friday or Saturday night but it is well worth it. I regularly order the veggie/tofu soup and the papaya salad, both of which are always great. My husband has ordered the curry dishes, which are also delicious. The service is always prompt and friendly and we love eating at the bar bc the bartender is awesome. I promise I'm not being paid to write this review:)
(5)
Heather D.

Tried this place for the 1st time, yesterday - and while I may be a bit biased by some of my favorite Vietnamese spots on S.Grand, this was definitely good eats. My dining partner and I shared the vegetarian hot pot soup (14.95), which was very good & had an impressive presentation - filled with tofu, celery, tomatoes pineapple, bean sprouts & lemongrass. The dish was plenty for the 2 of us and there was enough left over for a 3rd take home meal. The place had a trendy but comfortable feel and while I didn't have the spring rolls, I did see them come out of the kitchen and they looked huge! I wouldn't make a special trip here, but if in the vicinity, it's certainly worth a check in!
(4)
Paula G.

Excellent pho and spring rolls. I have had the same in San Francisco and was pleasantly surprised to find this level of quality in St. Louis!
(4)
Tae S.

Had the pad Thai the shrimp was a little over cooked and it a semi bland. It was an alright dish but I had better.
(3)
Rebecca D.

This is as good as it gets in STL. The place is very clean and the food is excellent. Yes, its overpriced for Vietnamese food but its worth it. The bun xeo is amazing.
(5)
Julio M.

So I came here not expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. I live in LA and frequent Little Saigon and numerous pho hole in the wall spots. By STL standards for an ethnic restaurants this place is 5 stars. I came here with my 74 year old father (not always that adventurous) and as such ordered the #2 sampler. We had spring rolls, house special soup, and some sort of sweet and sour beef and an incredible lemongrass chicken. Came back the second day for lunch. Had the roast duck and lettuce wrapped egg rolls. I thought St Louis was always a meat and potatoes town. This place will broaden your horizons..... I would definitely be returned here on my next visit to STL
(5)
Melissa T.

I feel ashamed with myself to have failed to review this place when at its old, cramped Delmar location. There, this place with its expansive menu and no frills atmosphere and service was a stellar 4 star joint. Now, at its swank Brentwood Blvd-esque location, I must sadly admit that I have to remove a star. The spring rolls were still as delicious as I remember, and the banh xeo was still pretty good (although not near as good as Kim Son's or Banh Mi So #1's) despite being a little soggy. Additional items ordered = the beef with eggplant and the mai lee special lo mein. I've had both before and loved them. This time, they just didn't taste as good as I remembered. The sauce in the beef and eggplant dish was off - it tasted mainly of soy when before I remembered additional complex and delicious flavors. My additional gripe is that the new location has led to higher prices for the same quality of food. I know this gives them an opportunity to cater to more people at one time and to a newer clientele, but I was perfectly happy being being in close quarters and paying less. The food is still good; it's just not as good as I remember while additionally being pricier. I think it's wonderful that many people who may not have experienced vietnamese food before will be more inclined to do so given its new location. For my money, however, I'm perfectly happy heading to Kim Son on Olive or out to Grand for Banh Mi So, Pho Grand, Lemongrass, or even Mekong. All are less expensive and still serve damned good food.
(3)
Robin V.

I've been to Mai Lee several times and have enjoyed every experience. Some people are stronger critics than me of food like pho (I don't have a lot to compare Mai Lee to), but to me it tastes excellent every time! I'm also always happy with their pad thai and spring rolls. Even though I haven't tasted a ton of items from their menu, I'd like to explore some of the other dishes they offer - but the pho is just so good! Mai Lee is often busy; however, the wait is never long. Once you're seated, service is good too. In terms of how busy the place is, I actually enjoy that I am in the company of several others enjoying their meals. It's just a nice bustling restaurant. The restaurant is set up with enough space between the tables, though, so that you do not feel crowded at all. They also have a nice bar with a few tables in the window. If you're looking for Vietnamese cuisine (and some Thai or Chinese food choices as well), Mai Lee certainly isn't a bad spot!
(4)
Andrey E.

I used to love the old Mai Lee, but now I am not so sure... The new place is a lot more spacious, well decorated, clean, modern, really quite a step up in aesthetics. Although I did like the more homely look of the old place. So my experience from last night: Ordered the iced coffee with condensed milk - excellent. Got an appetizer I have not gotten from them before - the chicken kabob with peanut sauce... came out looking very pretty, but the chicken was just dry, quite a mediocre dish. I ate it thinking I could have gotten the same thing, but with 5 and not 3 kebabs, and ones that taste much better at Thai Kitchen. Moral of the story - stick to their spring rolls. Ordered Combination Meat Pho - excellent. If you do go here, definitely get the Pho. Last time I was adventurous and tried to get some chicken dish off the Chinese menu which ended up tasting like really bad carry-out food. Conclusion: Go here for pho and spring rolls, they are great. Pho Ga (Chicken) is my favorite. Don't order anything from the Chinese section of the menu, or anything at all other than Pho really...
(3)
Kerica W.

Delish! I remember asking the owner (younger man with a bald head) as I ordered everything to go what he would recommend and he told me w/o hesitation the Kim-Chee (sorry if I misspelled). VERY skeptical, I just looked at him for what must have seemed like hours because he began laughing & reassured me that it was his family's own recipe they had been using for ever. With that, I was finally convinced! We also ordered the chicken Bahn Mi and some other vegetarian items. Getting home and opening up all there was, I jumped in head first into my KC. Much to my surprise it was FANTABULOUS!!!! OMGoodness, had I really been sleeping on this delightfully spicy and tasty creation ALL of my life?!?! I actually pushed my main meal to the side just to continue eating this delicacy! Thanks for the tip as this is now a main staple in my life! If you're like me and afraid to try things because of what you've heard, take my adice and just do it! Ok, now to the Bahn Mi. My son LOVED it...kick if spice from the jalapeno's to the chewy and soft bread! Oh yeah, and the chicken he ADORED it also! He even said this was now going to be his sammich each and everytime we visit!
(5)
John R.

It isn't PHO GRAND, but is very close! I love that it's close and fast and affordable. I always order the same things because they're so good. Hopefully at some point I'll branch out and order something beyond spring rolls and #62. Great service and friendly people. My only complaint is the tables are very close to each other. If you're sitting at a table near children, and the parents are paying attention, you may find yourself asking to be moved to a quieter place. :-)
(4)
Ashley T.

We just went for the first time last week and I'm already trying to figure out the next time we can go. Mai Lee is the first Vietnamese food that I've tried in St. Louis and I was definitely not disappointed. We arrived around 7:30 on a Wednesday night and the restaurant was still packed. (Always a good sign when a restaurant is packed in the middle of the week). Next time I'll probably plan ahead and make reservations. We started out with the egg rolls since they had rave reviews. Oh my YUM. These are some of the best egg rolls I've ever had. Both our dinners were also amazing- the pad thai and pho tai. Huge portions, so be prepared for leftovers. A new favorite dining spot for us!
(5)
Raya K.

I can't believe I work across the street and JUST tried Mai Lee for the first time yesterday. I love Vietnamese food, especially Pho! It's one of the food items I miss most being away from SF. My coworkers and I ordered the crab rangoons as an appetizer. They were super delicious, deep fried, cream filled pieces of amazing-ness. I ordered the Pho Tom for my entree. Pretty decent, not the best pho I've had but impressive. Will definitely be back for lunch soon!
(4)
Tuan L.

I come here numerous times with friends its Good Vietnamese food. The owner daughter and son is really cool people. I recommend this place. Pho is delicious!
(5)
K K.

Mai Lee is by far our favorite restaurant in town. The food is amazing and they have great service. Our favorite items on the menu are the fresh spring rolls, banh mi sandwich, and pad thai. We go to Mai Lee at LEAST once a week. Great for lunch or dinner. Also, try the iced coffee!
(5)
Jim H.

This is my 5th time at the new Mai Lee location in Brentwood. I gotta say I feel at home here. Call it the Asian-connection or whatnot, but over the years, I've gotten to know the owners here, I am always glad to be back. All of their items on Vietnamese menu is excellent. The new menu had an increase of $1 to $2 per item, but I think they made it up by with better facilities (clean restrooms!!) and bigger portions. :] I love their Pho & any of their rice noodle dishes (starts with Bun...). Tonight, I ordered a dish that I never had before - recommended by a fellow yelper - and I fell in love. It's called "Bo Xao Tao" (see pic - $12.95) which is a Vietnamese style beef dish stir-fried in a claypot with fresh vegetables (tomato, broccoli, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, etc) and the unique thing about dish is that there's a generous portion of black bean stew on the bottom. So as you mix in your rice in the this giant bowl, you're getting a flavorful stir-fry in each bite that you take. Call me weak-sauce. But I couldn't finish it and I brought it home for for my nighttime snack. Also, be sure to order their egg rolls (see pic), which are served with fresh lettuce, cucumbers, and cilantro for wrapping your egg roll with a flavorful dipping sauce. I get this every time!
(4)
Susan S.

Mai Lee--it's just fine to me. Not great, not bad. My daughter and husband love it, so the family was happy to have dinner here to celebrate daughter's 17th birthday. The ginormous menu overwhelmed us---so we went with the family dinner for four. We didn't read the ingredient list too closely and found there was shrimp in almost every dish. For many, this is not a problem. However, son is sensitive to shrimp, so he had to skip about half of the offerings. Spring rolls and the Goi Tim shrimp salad were delightful. As other reviewers have mentioned, the spring roll sauce is tres-fabulous. Everyone enjoyed the #21 soup on some level, a seafood base with pork, crab stick, shrimp. Daughter and I found the broth a bit too strong for our liking. Shrimp sensitive son couldn't resist sipping some of the pungent broth and paid the price with a scratchy throat later. Daughter and I picked out the veggies and Dad picked out the crabsticks and shrimp. So, we polished it off in an odd, but efficient, fashion. Pleasantly surprised by #81, beef in coconut milk, lemongrass, curry and crushed peanut. I'm not usually a curry fan, but this dish was worth repeating, although a few bites went a long way for me.*95 Chicken with garlic, lemongrass, chili was adequate but not fiery enough---although daughter said it was spicier last time she ate it. This dish should have been served with white rice--which we asked for. #106 Sliced pork in lemon sauce with veggies was overly sweet and a bit cloying, though again dad and daughter are fans. One bite was more than enough. The beef fried rice was so-so, another dish unavailable to son since it had shrimp. We also added the Bun xao bo hay ga--chicken with veggies and rice vermicelli--nice flavor; something I would consider again. All in all, while most of the dishes had a decent taste, none had me clamoring for more. We took home plenty of leftovers, so daughter is set for a few days' lunches. Since this is her favorite spot, I'm sure we'll be back.
(3)
Benjamin S.

We're such regulars that I've got to bump Mail Lee up to 4 stars. Don't be afraid of the Chinese menu near the back of the main menu - the Lo Mein could be one of the best deals they offer. But be a little careful about experimenting! Some of this stuff is pretty authentic and I've been burned a couple times. My other favorite after many visits is the Pho Tai. Just outstanding - and cheap.
(4)
Sheryl K.

The boyfriend was in town and I was craving a Vietnamese sandwich (actually it's been on my mind for months). I managed to successfully drag him to Mai Lee in Brentwood and I was VERY satisfied! Lucky for us, we came around 4pm on a weekday and it wasn't packed at all. In fact parking was a breeze and we were steps away from the front door. Walking in, I immediately noticed that it was very modern - an unconventional approach to the typical Pho restaurant I see in Cali. Their menu was extensive (everything from rice plates, to pho, to even serving KIMCHI which is a Korean dish). I guess they switched locations and the building and interior was gorgeous. Don't let the non traditional pho restaurant appearance deter you. Once I received my banh mi, and fresh coconut juice, I couldn't help but get that warm fuzzy feeling as if I were in Cali once again. Unfortunately, the drive is pretty far for me, and the prices weren't the best I've seen. But hey, Mai Lee is saved on my GPS!!
(4)
Andrew N.

My wife and I went here for dinner a couple weekends ago and were just blown away. We got there between 5 and 6pm on a Saturday night, and didn't have to wait at all. Soon after we were seated, however, the place filled up fast, so you may want to plan on getting here early. We ordered the Crepes with fish sauce as an appetizer. Let me tell you, I'm not a huge fan of fish sauce, but this stuff was spectacular. I could have just had a plate of this and gone home happy. For main courses, my wife ordered the Truu Xao Lan (number 175) which was lamb stir fried in coconut milk, curry, and lemongrass. She went crazy over it. I had some as well and it was fantastic. I had the Bun Xao Sate (number 64) with beef in sate sauce. Now I spent a few months in Southeast Asia and I know my way around a little when it comes to sate sauce. This was great. I got an iced coffee with condensed milk and she got hot tea. Both were again, great. For dessert we split an order of mango fruit over a bed of sweet rice drizzled in cream. Our server recommended we try to get all three components in each bite, and man was he right. When eaten this way, you are transported to a magical land of flavor. And even though the place was packed and I could tell our server was super busy, we never felt rushed or ignored. He was attentive and very helpful. The bill came to $44 (pre-tip) and we had a ton of food to take home. For price and value, I don't think almost anywhere in St. Louis comes close to this, especially if you like Asian food.
(5)
Luke M.

My boss insisted that we go have soup here about a year ago. I was timid to the idea of going to a restaurant strictly to order soup but damn was I wrong. The coworkers and I hardly miss a week without stopping by here for lunch. The prices really vary so you can get away with getting full at a cheap price or treating yourself to something more tasty. They definitely don't skimp on the portions here! Love the pho, sandwiches, and spring rolls. All at a very reasonable price. Service is outstanding. There is a reason this place stays busy! They always take care of their customers here. Only complaint I have is this place gets busy and waiting to get a table can get a little crammed. Never a let down once you're seated though!
(5)
Celeste W.

I stop by at st Louis yesterday and decided to try Mai lee after good review from yelp, it does not disappoint me! Food is excellent, great environment! However, server is a little slow. Anyway, give it a try! You will never disappointed with Mai lee!
(5)
Jonathan K.

The Vietnamese here is really just phenomenal. We got the whole tilapia (they were out of flounder) with ginger, mushrooms, and it was just so delicous. The Canh Chua Dau Hu fire pot soup was fantastic, with lemongrass, tofu, okra, tomatoes, it had an incredibly strong flavor that was so so good. Heated by a flame on the table so it stayed hot, I would highly recommend it. Their spring rolls are also excellent. The service was quick and efficient, in addition to our waiter giving us a great suggestion on the fish. Prices are solid, and a bargain for the quality and huge quantity of food.
(5)
Jason R.

2 times in 48hrs is my standard op. Love the hospitality, the Pho and my #99.
(5)
Cassie C.

Tasty food and supper friendly staff. One of my favorite places!
(5)
Lynn Y.

Quick service. Amazing spring rolls and pho. Reasonably priced. Need I say more? ;]
(4)
Carolyn C.

Don't judge, but we have been to Mai Lee and/or ordered carryout prob six times in the past few weeks. And every single time, we get the exact same thing: Crispy Egg Rolls Pho Ga (chicken) with no onions Pho Tai (beef) I know we should expand beyond these, but when it's so good, no need, right? Can't help it...especially in the winter, pho is def our go-to.
(5)
Ellen S.

What a great gem tucked in with all the shopping in Brentwood! The atmosphere is wonderful - a very open area but decorated with chic furniture and artwork. We visited here with friends, one of who hadn't ever used chopsticks, on a Sunday night. We arrived around 7:15ish and were surprised to find a full house! The wait was only about 15 minutes and we weren't in a rush. The hostess was bubbly and inviting. So - the food. I hadn't expected such a hands-on meal with what we ordered, but it was really fun! My husband and I split what we think was the Lau Sate fire pot soup. (If I were to fuss, it'd be that we're not sure we got what we thought ordered, but it was so good I'm not even going to fuss.) We got to try to grab the raw, slippery seafood with our chopsticks, then attempt not to lose it in the bubbly soup broth that was sitting in between us on our half of the table. (Pro tip: if the server suggests you might have more room and be more comfortable at a larger table, take his word for it!) It was pretty comical and made for a fun meal. We also got rounds of rice paper in order to roll our own spring rolls using the meat, noodles, and greens provided. This was also fun but kinda turns out to be too much work towards the end. For that they provided bowls so that you can scoop some of the broth in with some noodles and eat it like a soup. I was glad I did - the broth flavor was even better as it thickened as it cooled. Our server was great. He was patient with explaining the dishes and was helpful in teaching us how to properly prepare the rice paper for our spring rolls. And like I mentioned before, he at least offered to set us up at a bigger table but we didn't realize what we were in for! TL;DR - Great service and food that I will be sure to get again when we're in StL. Keep your sense of humor if you aren't great with chopsticks (and yes, they have forks).
(5)
Anita K.

Back when ML was on Delmar, I would have considered 5 stars, but I still think it lost a smidgen of personality in the move. That being said, I still love the food, prices, and service! Since they offer some more familiar Chinese dishes, it's good for a group that might include some non-adventurous folks. I also love to occasionally order the Hot & Sour soup from that menu. It's delicious and a smaller portion than many of their Vietnamese soups, which are wonderful but better to either share or get as an entree. My absolute favorite dish is the Bo Luc Lac with its high quality, perfectly cooked seared beef. Also good are the spring rolls, the roasted duck with a ginger garlic sauce (vit quay), and the curry duck soup (vit ca ry). The prices are reasonable, and I always have leftovers for the next day. Some of my friends have commented on higher prices and smaller portions. Maybe it's somewhat true, but nothing more than most restaurants have had to implement with rising food costs and a tough economy. It's still very affordable with more than enough food. Service there is friendly and SO fast! Even on my last visit, with a full house, they checked up on us regularly and had our food out quickly. The menu is vast and has thorough descriptions and numbers that correspond to each dish. Even though I like to give the pronunciation of my dish a try, I always use the number as well just to be clear. The servers do speak English, but it can be slow going if you have questions or want more details. Be patient- they are very helpful and kind.
(4)
Mark E.

This place is unbelievable. Try the Bahn Mi Ga which is a toasty French baguette filled with chicken and jalapenos, cilantro and other Vietnamese flavorings. At four dollars a sandwich unquestionably the best value in all St. Louis.
(5)
Clarice W.

I really wish Yelp would let reviewers give half-stars, because if I could I'd give this place 3.5. But since I had to make the decision, I decided to go down rather than up, mainly because the service here was lacking. In terms of food, Mai Lee is quite good. I had the shrimp and pork spring rolls, which were plump and stuffed with fresh ingredients. I do have to admit the pork was a little odd (I'm used to only seeing shrimp) but overall not that bad. I had the traditional beef Pho next, which was a little different than Pho I've had before - the broth has some spice to it and is quite delicious. I also love that it was served with a heaping plate of crisp bean sprouts, lovely Thai basil, cilantro, jalapenos, and a wedge of lime. You are really able to customize the taste to your own preference. The porion was large and well worth the price ($6.95). They also have a large selection of interesting drinks; if you're feeling gutsy, try the tamarind peanut drink - a great sweet and sour beverage with an earthiness to it. In terms of service, I wasn't so pleased. The servers are speedy and efficient, but almost too much so, asking you if you're ready to order too soon and gathering your dishes away prematurely. I just don't like to have my lunch interrupted by someone taking away an empty plate, or feeling like I can't relax and chat with my friend while sipping on my drink slowly. But like I said, the only reason I'm not giving Mai Lee 4 stars is because of the service. Besides that, I was happy with the price and quality of food. A lot of Asian cuisine can get drowned in MSG but this place felt clean, fresh, and just really comfortable to eat. It is certainly worth checking out.
(3)
Jack P.

The restaurant itself is really cool. The food is usually great. The best is the pho and bhan mi sandwiches. Their other dishes, like the currys and chicken/beef/veggie dishes are pretty good also.
(4)
Mark G.

Shrimp spring roll was awesome as it pretty much is at every other Viet restaurant. The way they did bun here surprised me. Fish sauce was already poured inside the bowl. Normally at Viet restaurants it is served at the side and you put it on yourself. Still tasted fine though. I would definitely return here again.
(4)
Julie H.

Oh Mai Lee... It's kind of funny because I can remember going there as a kid with my grandparents (back when I had a less sophisticated palette) and thinking "blech, who could eat this stuff?" But now that I have a soft place in my heart for Vietnamese food, I can finally appreciate what my family has been raving about for all these years. My grandma Dolores has been eating at Mai Lee regularly since they first opened on Delmar, and we get VIP treatment when we eat there: the staff greets her by name and we get seated right away at a good table. She could be the mayor of Mai Lee, she knows everybody in the place! But I digress... aside from the fact that they've been good to me (and grandma!) through the years, the food is really fantastic. Is it wrong to say that I wish I could catch a cold, just so someone would bring me a big bowl of soup from Mai Lee? Very generous portions with delicious, fresh ingredients. Yes, please. Check it out (and tell them you know Dolores).
(4)
Joey H.

Very busy on a Tuesday lunch. Disorganized service. Take out orders are clearly not a priority. Called in my order, was promised 15 minutes, still nothing 30 minutes later. Also incredibly difficult to wave someone down to see if they forgot my order.
(1)
Marjorie S.

Mai Lee has the best Pho and spring rolls in St. Louis! I've been to Vietnam and believe me, the Pho at Mai Lee is the real deal. Anyone who knows Pho knows the broth is the most important element to the dish and Mai Lee's Pho broth has the perfect melody of spices and sweetness! The spring rolls are the best I've found in St. Louis. The noodle bowls are also delicious! The only thing I can say bad about Mai Lee is that the service is sometimes lacking. Even with the sometimes below par service, Mai Lee is ALWAYS my go to for Vietnamese in St. Louis!
(4)
Katie T.

The menu is outrageously large and the font is pretty small so it's kind of frustrating picking out what you want the first time there. The food made up for it though. I couldn't tell you the name of what I ordered, some chicken noodle bowl, but it was good. The spring roll appetizer was very good as well. The service wasn't great, the waitress only came to take our order and drop off our food. Don't expect your water glass to be refilled either. Also, don't try the hard candy near the door.
(4)
Monsieur E.

The food was very good, four star for sure but the atmosphere felt like a cafeteria lacking a personal touch and decor. The seating is basically one large room with no booths or anything unique.
(3)
Alex C.

If you were to ask me for the best Vietnamese in St. Louis, Mai Lee would be on the list, but it wouldn't be No. 1. It is a solid Vietnamese restaurant, but it has a few flaws large enough for me to keep a rating of three stars. My standard at Mai Lee is the pho - either the beef or the beef and meatball. The pho is among the best I've had. While the beef at many restaurants' pho is overcooked and limp, it is tender at Mai Lee. The broth, especially with the addition of basil and lemon, is aromatic and satisfying. They could probably just bottle the broth and have an instant hit with their Vietnamese Beef Juice Drink. The flaws for me do put a dent in the deliciousness of the pho. My mom ordered a pork and green bean stirfry with ginger sauce. The pork was old, tough, and actually spoiled. The beans were just beans. I know that Mai Lee does enough business that it shouldn't have spoiled pork around. Next, the bun mi really isn't their specialty, but still is not a great one. It's okay, but that's about it. Lastly, Mai Lee could gain a lot from losing 2 sheets from their menu. There are pages of dishes that are hardly distinguishable for the non-Vietnamese reader. "Beef cooked with lemongrass and chili" doesn't seem much different from "Beef pieces with lemongrass and chili sauce." (NOTE: examples are purely for explaining a point. Nit-pickers beware, these might not actually be on the menu). Further, refining the menu can help make all of Mai Lee's plates as good as their beef pho. All in all, Mai Lee is a restaurant good enough to go back to. It's closer than my favorite Vietnamese joint, and it turns out a few gems (even if they are intermingled with other sorts of rocks).
(3)
Wendy E.

When I first came here, the pho was one of the best I have had, but in recent years, I feel like the quantity has decreased, and the taste just isn't the same. So, you can find better Vietnamese in the South Grand area.
(3)
Kim B.

Food = excellent. I had the pho and ate/drank it to the last drop. Service was slightly lacking, thus the 4 star rating rather than a 5. Our server seemed to know the menu very well, but it took him quite a bit of time to get to our table in the first place, our water glasses were empty more than they were full, and at the end of our meal while waiting for the check we could clearly see him rolling silverware at a nearby table...the first few things may have been excusable, seeing as how it was a pretty busy Sunday night, but he also seemed generally disinterested about us being there. Overall, I'd definitely go back for the food, and just keep my fingers crossed we have a happier server next time!
(4)
Thao Tracey N.

Pho Tai was extremely aromatic and satisfying! This dish will perfectly warm you up on a chilly day. I ate every bit and even slurped all my broth! Though it was mildly embarrassing among a group of 6 friends, it was well worth it. Our waiter was also a nice fellow. My friends and I are coming back in hopes of enlightening more taste buds!
(4)
Denise E.

I am glad we don't live in the neighborhood because we would eat there way too often! Consistently excellent food, service, value. Alternate between the fresh spring rolls or crispy egg rolls. Hubby always get the same thing, roasted duck. Perfect, and 60 is delish for a vegetarian noodle dish. Anything with their crispy rice is terrific and addictive, too. Cannot recommend enough. Go there. And for two people, sitting in the bar is easy and fun.
(5)
Liz Z.

My hubby and I have visited this establishment several times for their Chinese food (for hubby) and vegetarian Asian food (for me). This has been my overall feel about this place: Food: 3.5 I have to admit, this place does cater to the less-Asian-authentic Americanized palate, though the kimchee is legit. Our last order, my husband ordered a meat dish and I ordered a vegetarian dish (entirely different kinds of sauces, supposedly), but when we received both our dishes, they looked entirely the same w/ the same ingredients, aside from the meant and non-meat parts. Ambiance: 1-2 It can get pretty loud and the furniture/lighting is maximized for efficiency and affordability, not for anything else. Besides, the bar area, the main dining area is in a big room. No dividers and tables relatively close to each other. The place is designed for easy cleanup of spills and not for being comfortable or aesthetically-pleasing (e.g., no tablecloths, no dimmed lighting, and no padding for the faux-wood seats). If planning for a first date, choose some other intimate and quieter place for dinner. Service: 1 (for our 1st visit); 4 for our last dine-in experience. During the first 2 visits, I felt like our waiter kept rushing us and for us to order. "Dude, if you have such a large menu, you need to give the patrons some time to look through it!!!" For our last dine-in late lunch, we were seated in the bar table area and our waitress was really nice and attentive. We were "layer-ordering" (ordering things at different times during our meal), and she didn't give us 'tude. We were both grateful for that. Carryout Ordering: 2; We ordered carryout yesterday for lunch. Service is quick (we were able to pick it up under 30 minutes) yet they got our order wrong. My husband had specifically and clearly stated "sesame chicken" when calling-in the order, but he got "gen tso's chicken" instead. I asked if the person who took the order spoke English and hubby said he did...so was the guy taking the order even listening? Price: 2-3; It has a tendency to be pretty pricey, especially for the Chinese food. "Who's heard of a simple dish of sesame chicken costing almost 12 bucks??" I love their breaded eggplant dish, but really, Mai Lee, will need to tempt with one or some of the following recommendations: 1. Lower your pricing...make it more "St. Louis" applicable, especially when St. Louis has a lower per capita then other cities with the same kind of food. 2. Work on your service. Aside from the girl at the bar area, the service has blown, every time we've been seated in the main dining area. Where am I...a Chipotle??!? 3. Listen carefully to call-in orders for carryout. Next time, I'm checking my order before I leave your premises. If you (Mr. Guy On the Phone) need clarification, restate our order over the phone so you don't screw up. It's bad enough we pay extra for your "safe food" and get the order wrong.
(2)
Ingrid C.

Really, really disappointing today. It's cold out. I'm hungry and want noodles. Smallest. Portion. Ever. I got the #14 combination beef pho. I can actually remember how many pieces of meat I got. - 2ish meatballs (4 pieces) - 4 pieces of lean beef (all deceivingly - to make you think it's more substantial than it really was) - 3 pieces of tripe - skimpy amount of noodles (I'm guessing less noodles with less meat makes you think there's more meat than there is) Really, Mai Lee? For $7.95, I can basically go to any other place for pho (places that are comparable), and get MORE NOODLES with MORE MEAT. I was hungry again in 45 minutes. It wasn't enough to satiate. Shame on you.
(2)
Joselyn H.

I hate hate hate to give a one star but three strikes and you are out Mai Lee. I have tried several dishes and i just find that they lack the flavor!! I mean i love sriracha as much as the next gal BUT it should be used to compliment the flavor not a desperate attempt at giving flavor. So, last night i decided i would just go with the vegetarian Pad Thai after many failed attempts at the Vietnamese dishes. And finally a dish that had flavor..but it also had some series issues. First the noodles were WAY undercooked. Like inedible undercooked. And it was swimming in grease. Made my stomach turn. I didn't eat much of it and begrudgingly took the left overs home although i should have returned the dish. The only upside was that tonight i decided to try to eat the left overs since Mai Lee is mad expensive and i didn't want to waste all that food. So glad i did. I cooked the dish in skillet, added a bunch of spinach and splash of coconut milk...and topped it off with a lovely organic egg. If it would have tasted this good last night i would have not lost all hope for Mai Lee...but i don't see myself coming back.
(1)
Jessica K.

Mai Lee is great! The food is excellent...traditional Vietnamese plus many other Asian foods. The servings are very generous. The staff is always nice. The one down side is it is always packed. But its good food at a low price...so what can you say? I like to order ahead and get takeout. They also package up their takeout really nice...put the styrofoam containers in plastic baggies, etc. so it doesn't leak all over the place. Sounds nit-picky, but I absolutely despise when I get take out food all over my car or countertop. Expect to wait unless it is mid-week or really late. But definitely worth the wait!
(5)
Bill K.

Excellent Vietnamese food, the best in town by mile, and I have been to all of the Vietnamese places in St. Louis. Vietnamese cuisine has a very great tradition, as do the Vietnamese people themselves. It's lighter, crisper and tastier than its monotonous Chinese counterpart. Nothing bland and gloppy. And Mai Lee does it right. Of course try the spring rolls, everybody loves them, but also try a selection of their other items. Pretty sure you will like it all.
(4)
Jessica S.

I love Mai Lee. The location is a bit odd but never have an issue with parking with the garage right next door. Everything is always so fresh andd they are consistent with the quality of the food. I am all about the bun (soups). Service is good, so great place for lunch if you are time crunched. Always a ton to take home.
(4)
Victoria H.

Not as good as my regular place for vietnamese food. This place is definitely americanized since it's moved. The pho is too cinnamonny and sweet. The other dishes are too salty but if you ask them to make it with less sauce, it's much better. Their eggrolls are the best in town though! Service has always been terrible. We don't plan on going back, though we've made more than enough attempts to like this place.
(2)
Stella S.

As soon as I arrived in St. Louis, I made it my mission to find the best local Vietnamese restaurant. Hailing from New York, I was a bit spoiled in the Pho department and it was one of the few things that I couldn't say goodbye to when preparing the big move. With enough coaxing from the better half (who made the move a few months before I did) I stepped into Mai Lee immediately after I dropped by suitcases off at my new apartment. From the outside, it didn't look like much. The surrounding caught me off guard since right next door is an empty storefront. I glowered at the better half and damned him for taking me to this place. All that changed when I stepped inside, the decor was quite modern and it was clean, CLEAN I TELL YOU! I'm sure the air conditioning helped too. Quite contrary to the outside, the interior was hustling and bustling even on a Wednesday night. The hostess said the wait for two would be approximately 15-20 minutes but we managed to snag a table at the bar 5 minutes into our wait. Not to shabby. The menu is huge but a quick glance over the behemoth, I noticed many stables--especially my beloved Pho. I promptly ordered a bowl with rare beef and meatballs and waited excitedly for the steaming bowl to arrive. When the server brought my bowl of Pho forth, I dug in with the zeal of a rabid fanatic. Much to my disappointment, the broth was a bit on the sweet side and that familiar aroma of the beef broth was not present. By no means was it a bad bowl of Pho, but it definitely wasn't up the the standards that I was used to back home. With that said, it was still very enjoyable and I've been back to Mai Lee numerous times since. What I love best about the place is that Mai Lee successfully caters to all sorts of diners, no matter how familiar you are with authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
(5)
Timothy G.

Well crap. I guess the beautiful wife and I missed out on the old school Mai Lee, but this new version works for us. On our two visits, I'm done the Bo xao lan (#81, beef with curry, lemongrass, etc.) and the Dah hu xao lan (#142, the golden tofu version. Much to the wife's horror, I love tofu, I couldn't help myself) (on a quick side note, why do I feel obligated to capitalize everything in Vietnamese? Is it because the names of dishes are always in all caps so we're uncertain of what to capitalize or not? Anyway, don't worry, they follow the same rules as us) Anyway, I'm really not sure about some of the comments about small portions -- both of my dishes were plentiful enough for leftovers, as with the wife's pho (though I'll say go with the pho tai bo vien -- you get more meat, the shrimp pho was lacking in protein). They have (at least) two different Vietnamese beers (the "33" (not to be confused with Rolling Rock) and Saigon). Both are standard South Asian lagers. Which send to go well with spicy foods (at least I think they do). I'll concur on their Mai Tai's being excellent as well. Service here has had that rushed "just tell me what you what" feel about it (which does keep me from knocking it up to five stars). _But_, when you've got a packed house and 10 people waiting for tables, it's a bit understandable. Super added bonus point for basically being a stone's throw away from the Metrolink. We shall return.
(4)
Robert K.

Bad sandwich. I loved the spring rolls, but the pork sandwich was absolutely terrible. Everything in the sandwich was great (the bread, the jalepanos, the cilantro, etc.) except the pork! It was chewy and bright red and not edible. I was disgusted. I've heard good things and this was my first visit, maybe the bowls are better but the fact that they served this meat was troubling.
(1)
Nikki L.

Mai Lee is one of two favorite Vietnamese restaurants (the other one Lemongrass). The place is always packed. Even when they were in their old, small place on Delmar & I-170. The move did them good as the place gets more business from all the Brentwood traffic. The food is delectably good. We always start with the fresh shrimp spring rolls with peanut sauce. Husband goes straight to dipping it into the hot spicy sauce, while I mix the hot sauce with the peanut sauce. We almost always order the same thing - he gets #63 bun noodle bowl with egg rolls. I get either the pho (#9-14) or bun (#15-22) soup bowls. We slather lots of hot sauce on them. The service is hit or miss. Sometimes we'll get a rude, non-friendly waiter. Sometimes we'll get a really super nice one. The nice ones smile at us whenever we ask for more water - because we're all spiced up!
(5)
Jae K.

From one of my childhood movies: "You bleed like Mylee!" - Tong Po from Kickboxer. I love my Vietnamese food. I have already previously written about how much I like Pho Grand as well, and come to find out, the two restaurant owners are related. Nice. A pho monopoly. One of my favorite dishes here at Mai Lee is the kimchi. Yes, yes, that is not Vietnamese... but their take on my Korean staple is delicious. Good work Asian brethren. I think their pho is a little sweeter than Pho Grand's. Both good each in their own right. Lastly, although kind of a weird location, they are never short of parking with the garage next door.
(5)
Kevin A.

Mai Lee is one of my all time favorite restaurants to go to. Its a great fall back when i have no other plans. I have been going here since well before they moved, and honestly nothing has changed. I always start my meal with one of their spring rolls and kimchi and have had at least 20 different items off the menu, with number 67 (noodle and beef bowl) being my fall back dish. These scattered poor ratings about staff and smell are making me laugh. My water has never been below half way, nor have i had any problems with service, i find this hard to believe, especially since the staff has almost stayed the same over all the years I've come here.
(5)
Kevin D.

Nice local neighborhood place. Very friendly, with a big menu, 80% Vietnamese, 20% Chinese. I was here twice - once for takeout, once dining in. Overall, I say it's OK. It's so close to being great, but it's not. The first time I had chicken with almonds from the Chinese menu. It arrived in a white sauce with uncooked almonds and no flavor. Yuk. Tonight, we shared a chicken curry dish and a chicken noodle dish, both from the Vietnamese menu. Both were delicious, but there was one major problem... the chicken is not trimmed or cut carefully. The chicken is in large pieces, with gristle and fat on too many pieces. It really turned us off. There was even a piece too tough to chew. It's a shame - the sauces and flavors were delicious, but if the meat isn't good quality, it ruins the dish. The restaurant has been there for about 20 years, so maybe they've gotten lazy? As for me, I'll continue going to Shu Feng for my Chinese fix.
(3)
Chad B.

I had my first experience here today. I opted for some of the Chinese menu items on their lunch menu, and apparently I should have tried something else. The egg drop soup was not to my liking, with the egg feeling almost still runny and tasting of yolk. The fried wonton was fairly tasteless. The shrimp with cashew was ok, but I've certainly had better. The crab rangoon was good, while the fried rice was a bit dry. My friends were surprised I'd not eaten there before, as they enjoyed it, but I don't feel that I have been missing anything, and won't hurry back.
(3)
Steve S.

I've been to this place many times when it was at its old location on delmar I believe... and it never disappointed me. But lately, the quality of their food is not up to standard. I usually go to Mai Lee for their Pho, which was amazing, but I went back a couple week ago and it was a huge disappointment. They barely put any beef in the stew, they did not have any basil, the broth tasted different, in a bad way, and they did not have a lime to squeeze..... They get two stars because of the service they used to have... Sadly to say, this place is off my list of favorite restaurants... Their drinks taste nasty too btw... and overpriced.. probably why they don't post it.
(2)
E. J. S.

150+ mostly positive reviews and the packed dining area I saw the several times I went there won't convince me this is good Vietnamese food. I have tried different items on the 4-5 times I have been to this restaurant and each time I have been underwhelmed. The food is lacking in depth of flavor, and seems sloppy in preparation (probably a result of the above noted busy dining area). I wouldn't call it bad, but I don't see why it is constantly voted the best Viet in St. Louis. It may just be a result of the clean conditions and location. I will say however the service has always been friendly and accommodative if not a little rushed. It's probably what gets me up to two stars.
(2)
Iris T.

After going through two weeks without Vietnamese food, I was pretty much like an addict looking for my next fix. And Mai Lee just happened to be my Vietnamese food dealer of choice -- due to proximity and raving Yelp reviews. I can sum up my experience in two words: good food! Followed by another two words: ... but expensive. The bo luc lac was $14 with the Vietnamese Coffee was $3.50. A lunchtime meal for under $20 is not really my idea of money well spent -- especially when I could get a meal of comparable quality and flavor elsewhere in the city. I will say that their Vietnamese Iced Coffee may be the best I've had out of all the Vietnamese Iced Coffees I've had in STL, with the one at Lemongrass being a close second. Their bo luc lac was good -- but not $14 good. I don't think I'll be making a return visit here any time soon but if I happen to be in the area and am craving Vietnamese food, I wouldn't be too quick to turn down the opportunity.... to drink their Vietnamese Iced Coffee again.
(3)
sarah c.

The boy called me from Best Buy saying he had driven by a new restaurant in Brentwood that was totally packed and we should check it out. I didn't recall reading about any new Brentwood restaurants, but I'm always game to try new places. Turns out he was talking about Mai Lee, which is definitely not new, but judging by the crowd on a tuesday night, it's not hard to see why he jumped to that conclusion. We waited about 15 minutes, which isn't horrible, but there's not a lot of room to wait so we just sort of huddled by the wine to get out of the cold doorway. When we finally got seated, we ordered spring rolls and pork bun to start. The spring rolls were awesome. Actually, I always thought spring meant fried and summer meant rice paper, so to me, these were actually summer rolls. The sauce with it was pretty decent, but now that I've read about peanut sauce, I'm requesting that next time. The boy thought the pork bun was weird. He was expecting little dumpings and this looked like a melon-sized undercooked dinner roll with pork and an egg in it. He said it was good, but different. I tried a bite and thought the bread was too doughy. For dinner, I ordered 91, chicken with coconut curry, lemongrass and peanuts, and he got 85, beef with chilies, garlic and lemongrass. Now, I am a pretty big spice wuss, so I asked the waiter if the 91 was spicy. He said it was very mild. Weeelllll....if you're spice-averse like me, you may want to further explore the meaning of "very mild." I mean it wasn't intolerable, but definitely had a good kick. The flavor was wonderful though and I really enjoyed it. The chicken, while really tender, was mostly dark meat, which is not my favorite, so next time I may see if they can do all white meat. The boy described his dish as the best Mandarin beef ever. Considering it had the word "chilies" in it, I stayed far away. But, he insisted I try it before he slathered it with hot sauce. Oddly enough it was not spicy AT ALL. It was awesome and tasted pretty much like Mandarin beef with a lot more ginger and garlic. I would totally order this for myself. We probably would not have ordered a bottle of wine had we not been waiting by the wine rack and had the time to peruse the selection. Quite impressive Mai Lee! No Sutter Home, or Kendall Jackson, or Beringer here. We had a lovely cab that I'd never even heard of before. Bottom line: "very mild" = kinda spicy. Dish with chilies = not spicy at all. Everything = huge and delicious. Wine list = not an afterthought.
(4)
Rose H.

Oh Mai Lee, I really wanted this to work. I'm from the northwest, and I love my Vietnamese food dearly. All of your flavors were great, the food was fresh, but I had two problems. I got a shrimp noodle bowl that came lovely fresh carrot, cilantro, the whole deal, but there was one problem: shrimp were not peeled or deveined. I did not get a plate or anything to put she shells, and I ended up with a gross pile of shrimp bits on a napkin, as well as awfully dirty hands. Service was prompt, the menu was large, but well organized, but I was not a fan of the space. Chairs were rather loud screeching across the floor, and it seemed very cold and without character. I will be back for some pho now that the weather has turned, but I don't want to peel my shrimp onto the table.
(3)
Jennifer C.

The best Vietnamese Restaurant in St. Louis. Not from St. Louis but my boyfriend was and when him and his family took me here, I was not disappointed. This is their favorite place to eat! Their fried egg rolls are delicious! They give you a bed of lettuce leaves that you wrap the egg roll in. Never had my egg rolls with lettuce but it seriously is a great combination along with their dipping sauce. Their pho is awesome! I always get the combination beef pho (#14) and my boyfriend gets the med. rare beef pho (#9)...Their pho are huge!! They give you hella meat. I love all the meats they give you on the combo beef pho...especially the tripe!!! love love it!!! On top of the wonderful food, their service is awesome! They're quick to seat you and quick to get you your food! BTW...they also have chinese food but I never tried it so I can't really tell you about it!
(5)
Ebby V.

I will keep this short and to the point. The spring rolls everyone has raved about are fresh but bland. They seemed to lack any kick or salt. The crab rangoon however was killer. They came out warm and creamy. The waiter was helpful when he realized we were overwhelmed by the size of the menu. However when you look at the ingredients, a lot of the meals have the same ingredients but with different meats. I had #81 Bo xao lan which was beef stir fry in coconut milk, lemon grass, curry and peanuts. It came with a pepper sauce that you did the beef into as well as fresh sliced tomatoes on the side. I enjoyed this dish but I wish I could have picked to have my beef medium. I wasn't given a choice and it came out well done and was a bit chewy. However it was flavorful. My wife had #121 which was Tom Rang Muoi or shrimp stir fry in butter and garlic. This was fantastic. We would go back for this because though it doesn't describe it, there was a subtle sweetness. The butter, garlic and sweet shrimp combined to make a dish that was savory. I think you would have to try several different dishes and visit several different times to get a real sense of what this restaurant is good at. It focuses on Vietnamese but they have a Chinese menu. I would definitely go back. Enjoy! Be adventurous!
(3)
V R.

Never a disappointment!!! I misordered my meal (wanted a bowl of noodle soup and ended up with stirfry)---and initially was greatly sad til I started to eat! Mmmmmmm! I put this up with my top restaurants! My sis took me here when it was at the old location and subsequently to the new one - the beef, noodle soups and veggie dishes are all awesome! On top of it all, Even with my mistaken order (my own fault for not pickin' the right thing) I'm not disappointed -- at all! How can that be? The food's awesome! The flavors are wonderful and veggies - oh - so fresh! I will dream of Mai Lee til my next trip to St Louis. It is to Vietnamese food to Tham Rhab Thai in Killeen TX is to Thai food...which means a lot since TRB is my favorite restaurant--EVER:)!! (aside from my Mom's cooking, of course :)!!). Thank you St Louis :)!!! Thank you Mai Lee!
(5)
Laura M.

Mai Lee is hands down, one of the best restaurants in Saint Louis! I was first taken here (rather reluctantly may I add) by my fiance who swore by their food and service. As stated in earlier reviews, I'm a VERY picky eater so it's always a little difficult to get me to try something different. I had the Pho once and was immediately hooked! Everything about the food here is absolutely perfect. We usually get the fresh spring rolls and the Pho and it never disappoints. The thing that makes this place really amazing though is the staff. No matter how busy it is (and it can get a little busy at times but you never have to wait very long) they are always super attentive, friendly, and quick. You usually get your meal in under ten minutes. Everyone from the hostess, to the waiters, to the bus boys are fantastic! The prices are SUPER reasonable as well. This has definitely become a weekly staple for us!
(5)
Michael B.

Great food and service!
(5)
Jerome H.

Went back last time I was in town. New location = fundamentally different restaurant, not the same. It's glossier, prettier, in a "better" location, and with whiter table cloths and server's shirts. The impression I got was that they went to a restaurant consultant who told them how to appeal more to the white suburban stereotype and they followed the advice to a T. And in the process, they lost a lot of their character. Worse, the food doesn't seem to be as good as it used to be, less flavor, not as fresh. If you really like Vietnamese food, it's now well worth the drive to Grand to get Pho Grand, Lemongrass, or (of course) Ban Mi So over this place, especially when you have to fight the surburban shopping crowd for a table.
(3)
Michael S.

FUHMAZING. They'll make it spicy if you want, otherwise it's just straight up amazing. Waited maybe 10 minutes at like 12:30 for lunch. Wanted to nap 4 years afterwards. SO GOOD. I got 179, Mi Xao Don. -I think the sauce had opium in it. -Huge portions.
(5)
Sam D.

I was looking for a decent pho place and found Mai Lee on Yelp. Great food, attentive service and decent prices. And their dessert drinks are dee-lish!
(4)
Danielle M.

I was really craving Thai food, and heard good things about this place (for their Vietnamese food) - so I thought maybe I could get something similar. Nope, I was totally boring and ordered the Pad Thai. It was really good, though - and super generous with the meat and other toppings. It was a little pricier than what I'm used to at around $12, but I got a good 3 full meals out of it, so I guess it wasn't really that bad. Next time I'm here, I will be more adventurous!
(3)
Jordan A.

I ordered off of the Vietnamese menu and was impressed. Portions leave enough for you to take home for lunch the next day... and I almost thought it tasted better cold the next day! I would go back.
(3)
Joshua C.

Went for dinner before a movie last night. I ordered the crispy egg rolls first for appetizer. This is the way I like to eat it: poke holes into the egg roll with your fork, then pour the sauce on it and let it saturate the roll, finally wrap the egg roll in a giant lettuce leaf and enjoy! For the main dish, I thought I'd give Pho a try thinking, "Maybe it'll grow on me!" I have to say, I enjoyed the Pho Tai very much. I ordered it without cilantro, which helped... Not a big cilantro fan. You can never go wrong with Mai Lee! I still have yet to try their Chinese menu, but so far I have been thoroughly satisfied every visit!
(5)
Kari R.

Originally we went here for an office lunch with a few friends. I work with a Vietnamese guy, and he told us this place was the best in st Louis for authentic pho food. It was a bit crowded over lunch, but we were still able to get a table. The service was lacking a bit, but i think it's because it was so busy they couldn't keep up. The first meal i got was a steak dish with tomatoes- it was absolutely amazing and worth the wait! I was so excited about it i took my husband there that weekend. Without having my Vietnamese friend with us, we didn't order anything great.. a fried appetizer and some fairly bland food. i left disappointed. Since then, we've been back and i took recommendations- and it was absolutely fabulous. Bottom line: the service is great when they're not overly crowded, and the food is simply out of this world when you know what to order. the second time we got a hot pot-- a lot of food! As a special treat: try ordering a coffee when you're done eating. it's delicious, but not for someone watching calories.
(4)
Kylah F.

This place is awesome and it shows by how busy it is on any given evening. This place is always packed, but since they are so big I have never had to wait. I usually end up getting some type of noodle bowl or soup and they are all amazing! Their menu is soo big I want to try a little bit of everything. There is something for everyone here!
(5)
Andrea S.

Just grabbed dinner for the first time at Mai Lee's new location on Friday night and even though the new space is almost double the size of their old location the restaurant was packed. Even though the space has changed, the high quality of service and food has not. We sat at the bar and were waited on very quickly and our food came out must faster than I would have ever imagined given how busy the place was. Congrats to Mai Lee on the new space - I'm still a fan!
(4)
Hoang N.

Well, I ate a few times at their brand spankin' new location in Brentwood... and what a change. the atmosphere feels rich and clean... definitely cleaner than their previous location... but you know what they say about asian restaurants... the dirtier the restaurant, the better the food... plus, they increased their prices to go along the classier feel that you get when you eat your food, so you believe even more so that you are getting fine cuisine dining. still good tho.
(4)
Liz L.

When it was in it's old location on Delmar, I'd only gotten take out from Mai Lee (where the staff was great, food took no time at all, and it was cheap!) For dinner the other night we decided to check out their new location in Brentwood. Wow...the difference in venue was amazing. Their old place was really small and nestled away in a strip mall. Now, even though they are still nestled away, they have a great store front and a space that is at least 2 times bigger than before. It was around 9pm on Friday and the place was packed. After hearing that it would be a 15-20 minute wait for a table, we decided to sit and eat at the bar. Great service at the bar...we were immediately asked for drinks and when I ordered a chardonnay, Qui said that they had just gotten in a new white burgundy and I should definitely try it. It was a great recommendation! We ordered our usual, pho, and it came out after not long of a wait. And, as usual, it was delicious, with just the right amount of beef, noodles, and accouterments. The bar area is really great, they have a few large flat screen tvs (which I enjoyed since the Cardinals game was on). Mai Lee is definitely my go-to place for pho, and I can see, based on the full house on Friday, that it's other people's too!
(4)
James Y.

loved (past tense) this spot. definitely was a 5-star joint even a few months ago. but the last 3 times I went, something felt off. I wasn't full after a bowl of pho....why? THEY CUT DOWN ON THE PHO NOODLE PORTIONS! yo, asian to asian, why you playin that game homie and cuttin back folks' noodles? i aint down with that atkin's diet so stop messing with my emotions and DON'T skimp on the noodles. load that bowl up nephew! and no, i won't pay extra for extra noodles. On a more positive note - New dish suggestion: banh xeo in the appetizers. that's the truth viet snack right there & perfect for before the meal arrives.
(3)
Amanda Z.

Meal for two? more like meal for 4! under 30 bucks you get two different entrees, fried rice (delicious fried rice), spring rolls and soup. My mouth is watering just thinking about this place. The service was quick, the food was delicious and it was cheap as all get out. I mean, do you feel all authentic in a strip mall type location in between the Metrolink garage and Club Fitness, well, no. But the food was amazing, so I tend not to care about being in suburbia.
(4)
Dan S.

It's tough to say which is the best Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis between Mai Lee and that "other one" on the south side... Here are some highlites; The food here is very fresh. They have the best spring rolls in St. Louis, period. The lemongrass chili dishes are my favorite. Very robust taste with a lot of zip. Soups are authentic and incredible. Service is attentive and professional. Interior is cafeteria-ish but clean and modern. Good thing that they moved from the smaller space to the new one. Go!
(5)
Jacqueline C.

Awesome lunch specials. Can't beat all the food that comes along for about $7-$8. But if you don't want a fast and cheap lunch speacial you cannot go wrong with the standard menu. PHO TOM! :) my personal favorite.
(5)
Larissa P.

I really hate waiting a long time to get a seat at a restaurant I have never been to. While I was twiddling thumbs, shoulder to shoulder with other ravenously salivating customers, we had to stand there enviously watching other patrons slurp their pho. My friends were telling me it was the best pho in St. Louis and while I trust them, my impatience was overwhelming. Finally we were seated and it took another good ten minutes to order. I ordered #24 an egg noodle soup with bbq pork and pork filled wontons. It was delicately sweet and amped up with cilantro and green onions. I downed every single drop. I also made the mistake of ordering a side of kimchi (from the starter menu). It was not their mistake of course... it was some of the tastiest kimchi I've ever had. However, the pungent Korean flavors did not blend well with the delicacy of the Mi. My friends ordered the Vietnamese ice coffee and both loved it. It comes in a miniature glass+ press combo and has sweetened condensed milk on the bottom. Once it's done percolating you pour it on the ice. From what I understand it is much stronger than normal ice coffee, but very delicious. The food was just phenomenal. Worth every second of that claustrophobia-inducing wait. In retrospect, thinking back on the days when some of my friends and I would wait 45 minutes to get into a TGI Friday's during college, this was probably one of the most painless worthwhile waits I've had to endure. Mai Lee has done it!
(4)
Jon L.

A new Vietnamese restaurant opened up right near our house, so we gave it the old college try. Come to find out, this restaurant isn't new at all - it just moved from a location off Delmar. We went here on a Sunday night thinking it was not going to be crowded. Think again! This place was PACKED! Granted, it had just opened, but I never knew St. Louisans had such a love for ethnic food. The food itself was just ok - but I am not a lover of Vietnamese food like other fellow yelpers. We had the mega sampler special that included a bunch of stuff. The dish that stood out the most to me was the ginger chicken, which was excellent. The fried rice was also very good. The menu is like reading a novel, so there is plenty to choose from. The service here was really good, very knowledgeable and helpful staff and the food came out quickly. The place was new and clean and I would probably go back...if I liked Vietnamese food more. Maybe I just need to try something new on the extensive menu.
(3)
David M.

I love this place. Great food, helpful servers even the bartender. I have never had any bad food from this place. The last time I went, I randomly picked something that I didn't know and never had before. It was steam chicken with bokchoy. It caught me off guard when it came out, not only the portion was huge, it came with a little table top stove to keep it shimmers and warm. The taste was also amazing. I was glad that I ordered that dish, I would come back and order it again. I usually order their noodle dishes, as in noodle soup, with clear or rice noodle, meatballs and stuffs in it. I have tried every single noodle that they have on their menu and they are all great. Price could be a little lower but it worths every single penny. It's a great place in my book and I will always be coming back.
(5)
Dan C.

I'm so easy to please, so lets just say that if I lived in Saint Louis I would eat here everyday. I tried a couple things on the menu like the vietnames bbq pork sandwhich comes out all hot gave me goosebumps jk. but it was good. The pho is better than average, just cause they didn't have all the exotic things like tripe and tendon. But all in all a good place to eat.
(4)
Jim B.

I have been going to Mai Lee my whole life, and finally shall pay them some gratitude by writing a glowing, but completely deserved, review. The No. 9 soup, Pho Tai, is my old standby. Slices of rare steak--substantial pieces of meat unlike a lot of places' pho tai meat, which can be paper thin and stringy--sit in a bowl of broth, noodles, red onion and green onion. They give you a plate of cilantro, sprouts, jalepenos, lime and a couple other herbs, all of which I chuck into the soup, and a small bowl of Vietnamese BBQ sauce, which I dip the meat in (mixed in to the soup, I don't think it adds much). Pair the Pho Tai with an order of spring rolls, which are always fresh (the vegetarian version is good too), and have yourself one of the best meals in the St. Louis. If you need a pick-me-up, add a Vietnamese iced coffee--table brewed coffee mixed with sweetened condensed milk and ice. It's tremendous. I can't really describe the rest of the menu, which is enormous, but I can go through some favorites. The Bo Luc Lac is one of their classic dishes: marinated steak cubes served with a peppery sauce. It's a must for steak lovers, and will please even the most Americanized palettes. Beef, chicken and vegetables are each available in coconut milk, lemongrass, curry and crushed peanuts--get one of these dishes. I like the beef, but they're all good. The golden tofu in tomato sauce is also tremendous. There is a Chinese menu, which is good but honestly, pretty basic and nothing in comparison to the Vietnamese menu. I do like the "Sizzling" dishes on the Chinese menu, which are meat, white and green onions and garlicky sauce served in a sizzling cast-iron skillet. They make a mean crab rangoon, too, but a lot of places do that. Go to Mai Lee. The service is perfect. The prices are perfect. The food is perfect. And chances are you will arrive there and be greeted by one of the owners, Qui Tran, whose beaming smile alone will make your day.
(5)
Stan S.

I think this is the best Vietnamese food in STL, and with the new location, the service is better and the atmosphere way nicer.
(4)
Brooke B.

I've heard many great things about Mai Lee back when it first was located across from that India House restaurant. Though you may have had your disputes and changed location, your cooking seems to have hmmm how should I say this... worsen? Perhaps it was the day that I went though that is no excuse for the dry and tough meat you presented me and my friend and the more rubbery texture of the spring rolls. The noodle bowl I ordered was more chopped up noddles into shorter bits. Also for your prices and the amount of food you give - not a great ratio.
(2)
Craig R.

I'm not normally a fan of Vietnamese food, but this was a must hit after seeing it driving around. Now, I have no idea what to get when ordering Vietnamese. I have no idea what is what so I'm starting with no reference point whatsoever. Everyone at Mai Lee was incredibly nice. The place was packed and busy, but they took the time to really give me the "full deal". Our server was nice and timely with everything. I ordered the dinner for two because it was easy and most everything sounded pretty good. The fresh spring rolls were delicious. The soup was fantastic. The meal was exquisite. There were no qualms with any of the food. The one thing that I did notice was that the juxtaposition the space gave off. On one side there were the new hip stylings of the restaurant, but some of the choices hinted at an older world style. It seemed a bit off, but it's minor. It was great. I'm definitely going back.
(4)
Christina B.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee has hands down changed my life. The stuff is Amaaaaazing!!!! Mai Lee was best know as University City's little "hole in the wall" secret until their recent relocation/renovation/expansion to Brentwood. At first blush it may seem that Qui and family have sold out to the dark side (the new sterile strip mall location does give off that sell-out vibe) - but quite to the contrary - they are still serving up the most delicious and inexpensive Vietnamese (Not to mention the best damn Crab Ragoons and Pad Thai) food in town. The restaurant was built on the loyalty of their regulars. I would venture out and say that on any given Tuesday the staff knows 90% of the patrons by first name. I would also say that most of these fanatics dine here at least once a week if not more (I am certainly guilty of this) While they don't deliver -- they do have a very hearty take-out business. I have found it to be my "go to" stop for guiltless (tons of healthy & veggie friendly option) takeout that satisfies me and my little (more hearty than some wimpy salad) for less than I could make it (often less than $15.00). My personal favorites are the Vietnamese Wonton Soup (really any soup for that matter), The Spring Rolls, Vietnamese Egg Rolls, and of course - the Iced Coffee!
(5)
Chris N.

Mai Lee really helped me get through my one-year stay in the Midwest. I'll never forget the first time that I walked in to the restaurant. Both the dining room and the bar were completely packed with patrons. The smell of delicious Vietnamese food filled the air, and it reminded me of how much I really missed my Grandma's cooking. One of the great things about Mai Lee is the extensive menu. There's really something for everyone at this place. I would come in every two weeks to stock up on entrees for a few days. My favorites included their versions of curry chicken and tofu with tomatoes. They also make satisfying banh mi (sandwiches) and banh bao as well. Their noodle dishes can sometimes lack flavor, but you can make it better with salt, pepper and a little bit of rooster sauce!
(4)
Vivian R.

Super delicious! I love the grilled pork noodle bowl and my boyfriend always gets the beef noodle bowl. Price is good and the amount of food is just right. At this point, we do carry out about 3 times a month. Oh, and don't forget to get yourself some crispy egg rolls.
(5)
Nancy J.

The Pho was terrible, I ordered to go and I got all the way home and came all the way back to return it. It was greasy and they literally gave me raw meat to put in my luke warm soup. I have eaten in the restaurant as well and the food was very mediocre. I have ordered a dish that was served with primarily onions when onions was not even in the description, I asked the waiter about it and he was not pleased with my inquiring. I don't understand the attraction of that place when there are so many other better places.
(2)
Trevor N.

I was very disappointed in Mai Lee. I ordered a glass of Riesling and they brought me something else. I've drank enough Riesling to know the difference. I didn't bother to make a big deal out of it. The food, however, was just not very good. I had 2 dishes that both had shrimp and both times the shrimp still had the shell on the tail. That's lazy cooking. A decent restaurant would have had all of the shell removed. I ordered a Pad Thai dish. I should have known better to not order a Thai dish at a Vietnamese Restaurant. Everything was wrong about the dish. The rice noodles were too thin and the peanuts on the side of the dish were whole instead of chopped. Again, very lazy cooking. And why do they serve fish sauce with everything? Why would anyone put that on Pad Thai. I won't be back.
(1)
Allan C.

Hooray for Banh Mi for $3.25. For that much, I'm willing to put up with a lot of crap but I'd say this is as good as Banh Mi So's... or maybe it's the convenient location that's making me like it more... Regardless, the Lady likes Kim Son more so we don't come here anywhere near as often as I'd like, but I'd still like to point out that this place is quite different from a lot of the other Vietnamese places in town and the city that would make it worth the trek to check out. I still like the crispy squid a lot as well as their grilled beef (pretty much any of their dishes involved grilled beef.) But those cheap delicious sammiches will definitely be the thing I'll get the most from there. It will be even more convenient to get to when they move by the metrolink by 170 and Eager...
(4)
David H.

This is where I will have to go if my mother ever moves or leaves this world. It is the closest thing to home cooking I can get. The Pho is always a great staple but it's the fish sauce that is key: many Vietnamese restaurants don't have that balance of salty + sweet + lime + garlicky fusion that is the epitome of the cuisine. Just sayin'... I always make it a point to take friends here when they want to try Vietnamese food for the first time (other than my mom's house). I really can't say enough.
(5)
C R.

The soup here is phenomenal. Most Vietnamese places have pho and maybe a couple other kinds of soup, but Mai Lee has about a dozen different varieties. I've tried and loved them all. The rest of the menu is equally voluminous and has some great dishes on there as well, though I rarely venture past that first soup page. I've had better Bahn Mi, but the one here is not bad and a good deal. Beautiful new space, though the odd placement under the parking garage may turn some people off, I'll follow Mai Lee anywhere.
(4)
Cherie O.

So I'm torn between giving the place 3 or 4 stars...so I think I'm going to settle for 3.5 right now. The Pros: Great staff, fast and efficient service. Authentic. Crazy busy, which should tell people that they are doing something right. The shrimp egg rolls are delicious as is the papaya salad. Would get those two again hands down. The Cons: The Pho. I ordered my usual pho that I usually order at new places to judge how it compares to other places. While it smells great, how it tastes is a totally different story. It was salty and oily. My beef and sausage were paltry. It was more soup than noodles, and the soup was too salty to really drink. Hours after finishing the meal, I'm still dying of thirst. On a positive note, the cilantro and bean sprouts were super fresh. The menu is truly extensive and there are really a lot of things on the menu that sound great. It's definitely a crowd-pleaser, given the diverse crowd that was there on Sunday night. I might have to go back and try something else on the menu. Just not the pho.
(3)
Rex R.

The guys at Mai Lee are tops. No better food or service. They keep the regulars happy and infrequent guest coming back for more. Great food!
(5)
Alan S.

First Vietnamese place in StL. They do a nice job with the pho...the other things I haven't really tried so can't comment on those. I sort of miss their old location which had a homier feel but this new venue is great testament to how succesful they have been.
(4)
Kat V.

This location is a lot better than the old Delmar location. Perfect location! Great space & great ambience. There is a separate small bar on the other side. I came here tonight for dinner. The food was delish! They have this dish, where you cook either beef or shrimp on a metal charcoal grill & make it into spring rolls. They bring out the rice wrappers, hot water & veggies, & you do all the work. This was fun & interesting. I ordered the Vietnamese style grilled chicken with the Mai Lee soy sauce. Again, very delish! The only thing that they didn't have was those fruit smoothies. They also didn't have any desserts. I wish they did given that it was Chinese New Year today. Service was a bit slow, but I loved the food. That's all that matters to me. :P
(4)
Adam M.

Hands down the best asian food in St. Louis. The food is wonderful and flavorful and never greasy. The portions are pretty big also. They used to have a location in U. City now they are behind the Best Buy in Brentwood. I used to think this place was a little gem, a little place that only I knew about but apparently people read yelp because last time I went it was packed full of people. Do yourself, date, fiancÃ©, family a favor and take a trip there. You won't regret it.
(5)
Alf A.

the menu has everything you would want and expect from a casual Vietnamese restaurant and then a few extra goodies(try the avocado milkshake). the food was fresh and tasty and the restaurant is cheerful and clean. really a good deal for the price!
(4)
Anne T.

The best Vietnamese food in STL. Wait staff if great.
(5)
Danielle A.

Today I had a serious craving for pho. I did not know of any Vietnamese restaurants near me, so I turned to Yelp for help. Since Mai Lee had one of the best ratings, I decided to go there. I have to admit... This place was incredibly hard to find. Once I got there, I was fine though. The waitress sat me down and brought me a glass of water almost immediately. I was only going to order the pho ga, but the waitress talked me into trying their goi cuon (spring rolls w/ shrip and pork). Let me just say that this being my second time eating Vietnamese food, I was a bit hesitant to try anything new. As soon as I bit into one of the spring rolls, I was in love. The peanut sauce they give you with them makes them even better. When the pho arrived, it looked and smelled amazing. The thing I like about pho is that you flavor it to how you want it. I am a huge fan of bean sprouts, so I loaded them on. Then came the fresh cilantro and basil leaves. Finally a squeeze of the lemon. There was also a little dish of sauce (which tbh I had no clue what it was). I poked my chopstick in it so I could get a taste of the sauce. It was good, so I stirred a little bit of that in as well. Let me just say that my pho concoction came out amazing. Not only was the food great, but so was the service. My waitress was so nice and helpful with suggestions of other things to try, and even with getting me to try the spring rolls. I wish all restaurants had service this great. I will definitely be going back, and next time I'm going to drag my boyfriend along with me.
(5)
Bonnie N.

Best asian cuisine.
(5)
Oanh T.

THEY ARE SO RUDE!! I understand that on Fridays they are busy but after visiting this past time I would never go back. I ordered to-go knowing they were busy so as I go in I scrunch up against the bar to pick up my order trying my hardest to get in any ones way one of the waitress looks at me and says "excuse you". I am going to your establishment and contributing to your business very politely try not to be in your way and this is how I get treated so needless to say I will never be going back.
(1)
Angela L.

Pretty good Viet food here, I feel like you usually can't go wrong with pho though. I've honestly never had a bad bowl of pho, I guess the only difference I find between different pho restaurants is the level of sanitary of the place. In which case, Mai Lee goes above and beyond as being the cleanest pho restaurant I've ever been to (maybe because the other restaurants I've been to have been in LA and Chicago). I've also tried a bowl of the bun noodles (i think that's what it's called--the dry rice noodles with meat and peanuts). Usually that dish needs to be drowned in fish sauce before it has real taste, but here it's flavorful even without the fish sauce. Good stuff. The location of the restaurant is pretty strange though, being stuck on the lower level of a parking structure behind the Best Buy, but the place is still pretty busy around dinner time. The one thing that I didn't really like was how the waitress kept coming back to the table asking if I was finished. It really made me feel rushed and I felt like she wanted me to leave.
(4)
Camille H.

My husband, my sister, and I went here on Sunday and decided to order the dinner for three. We got soup, spring roll type things, Vietnamese fried rice, white rice, and three different entrees. The soup was unbelievable (the veggies were crisp and plentiful) the spring rolls were good, the fried rice was awesome, and the entrees (one chicken, one pork, and one beef entree) were out of this world! If by my description above you were thinking "holy cow, that's a lot of food," then you would be spot on. We brought at least half of that tasty goodness home. My coworkers will be so jealous of my lunches this week!
(5)
Shane R.

every single person i asked in stl said this place is the best vietnamese in the city. i was disappointed. it wasn't bad, but it just didn't live up to the hype. i think it's good reputation stems from the fact that there isn't much competition. the restaurant was busy, pretty big, and service was friendly. the pho broth and noodles were average tasting and the meat wasn't particularly good or tender. kim son vietnamese restaurant just down the street is much better.
(3)
Juan C.

This is good if you like this kind of cuisine. Priced fair and good service.
(3)
Zaya N.

Mai Lee is probably one of the best Viet/Chinese restaurant in St.Louis. My family and I typically eat lunch there about once a month. My little brother ritually orders the appetizer sampler (pupu platter). It comes with cooked pieces of beef, ribs, spring roll, egg roll, crab rangoons, and much more. The fun part about it is that it comes with a little tiny "grill" thing. Their spicy pho (#13) is my mom's favorite. Personally, I recently tried their beef lo mein, and it was by far THE BEST lo mein I've had in my life. Also, if you like lemonade, try their homemade lemonade! :) With its fast and friendly service, this restaurant is highly recommended!!
(5)
Caldwell J.

On the up side, Mai Lee is always hopping. Go in on a weekday at 3pm and they'll have 5 or 6 tables going with another few people coming in for carry-out orders. That's pretty staggering for a fairly small place next to a language school in a crappy strip mall out where Delmar runs into 170. On the down side, the pho was not good. The (red) onions still tasted very raw, which makes me figure that the broth wasn't hot when they were added. But the thick-sliced (!?) beef in the soup was cooked all the way through. I'm not sure how or why they worked that piece of magic. I can understand why they'd use the thick beef, though, because it had to contend with a pho broth which was way, way sweeter than any I'd ever had. It was just a weird bowl of pho, and not weird in a "this is an interesting take on things" way but more like a "the cook misread the proportions in the recipe" way. On the gripping side, the banh mi thit was pretty decent. Tasted nice, good roll, could have used a little more spicing. I have to admit that I may not have ordered the best that Mai Lee has to offer. I chose my food somewhat at random off the ridiculously huge menu -- 198 Vietnamese dishes, plus several more pages of Chinese dishes. I guess I wasn't likely to hit the real high points of their repertoire that way, but that begs the question of why have 250+ different menu items available? I don't mean for them to necessarily go the Pho Long route and have a menu that could be printed on a matchbook, but there's no harm in culling out the food that isn't quite as wonderful and letting your customers choose from the good stuff.
(3)
Hugh T.

Excellent food, excellent prices. Service is ok, you usually have to grab a waiter in order to get another beer. Sometimes its tough to get a table for dinner. Apparently the new location has tripled their business with the same amount of space.
(4)
Michael R.

Best pho on earth! The pho has a robust and well balanced flavor. The noodle bowls are quite excellent as well.
(5)
Jennifer A.

Yeah . . . it's americanized, but I was pleased with my Pho. I went with two Vietnamese friends who definitely had some issues about the way their dishes were prepared. But for Americanized Vietnamese it's a solid 4. Can't wait to try the Vietnamese sandwiches. I they're good, they may just have to get a 5.
(4)
Sue J.

What happened to their spring rolls? Since the move, everytime I order the spring rolls, they're filled with old brown lettuce and so poorly constructed.
(1)
Danielle A.

Ok. I want to start by saying that I am NOT a Vietnamese cuisine guru, expert, connoisseur, etc... I first experienced Vietnamese food a few years ago, both around St. Louis and in California. I liked the taste of noodles, fresh veggies, and fish sauce. Since I lived right next to Mai Lee on Delmar, I ate there a few times. I thought it was great. I always got the noodle bowls. A day ago, my co-worker brought in his leftover fish soup from there and it smelled great. To fix my craving for Mai Lee, we went there tonight for dinner. Before hand, I read the reviews on here, and I was a little worried about all of the negativity, but still went. I am not sure why everyone is saying that Mai Lee changed with the move. We went around 5:30, walked in and were seated. As we were sitting down a waiter dropped off two glasses of water for us. The waitress came to see if we needed drinks. I ordered an iced coffee $3.50, got a pork bun, around $3, pork noodle bowl, and my husband got the chicken noodle bowl. Both around $6-7. Not sure why people are saying it is now more expensive (seems the same to me). The pork bun was huge! Tasted great! The noodle bowls were just as awesome. I should have asked for fish sauce, but it was still great. The only slight negative I had was the coffee was a bit too strong for me. But it was still great. Oh, and I only ate half of my bowl. The rest is leftovers! The portion sizes are no smaller. There were plenty of people there, but also a lot of tables. Minimal wait time when we were there. We were not rushed, nor were they rude to us. The food was great and hot. I am extremely picky with restaurant food, and I love this place. So before you let the reviews dissuade you from going to Mai Lee, just go and see for yourself.
(5)
beth w.

my current favorite...I think I have eaten here 3 times over winter break. don't let the huddle of hungry fans inside the door deter you...the turnover is pretty quick. i recommend the pho with shrimp or the crispy tofu with lemon pepper sauce...the caramelized onions in this dish with the tofu make it my favorite. the sauce is a little salty. the staff is friendly and quick...they hustle to get your order and bring the food. the atmosphere is lively and energetic. it is clean and new.
(4)
Stefanie E.

I always get the coconut curry shrimp with vermicelli. Fantastic flavors swimming about in that sizable dish. It's kind of spicy, kind of sweet and always fragrant and filling. There are julienned mushrooms in the dish and lots and lots of onions. The spring rolls are okay, but I prefer the ones at Little Saigon Cafe. The staff is friendly and helpful and I went with a regular who knew the owner and just said, "Surprise me." That's trust. But I think I might do that next time, as he was deliriously happy with his pho, which was as red as blood due to all the fire in it, and it had beef. I didn't pay much attention because I knew I'd never order that. He was wiping his head the whole time. What I would do is give them an idea of what I like and then be surprised. The menu is really large. I wouldn't go in for the Chinese stuff, since it's all really standard, but I know people who do.
(5)
Marla K.

A friend recommended this as her favorite Vietnamese restaurant. Very odd location...in back of a Best Buy nestled in a multi-storied parking garage. But very good food. We started with the crispy egg rolls, which were very tasty...but a bit messy to eat with the giant lettuce we wrapped them in. I had the Bo Luc Lac (steak cubes on fresh lettuce and tomato wedges)...tender, flavorful meat served with a delicious tangy/salty sauce. Also tried the yellow curry with chicken. As I'm not a big fan of lemongrass, it wasn't my favorite, but my husband really enjoyed it. We went early so the restaurant wasn't full...found the staff very attentive.
(4)
Aaron J.

I have been to Mai Lee a couple of times. Most of the time I have gone there for lunch as it was close to where I used to go to college. Most of the time if my class schedule allowed it, friends and I would venture over there to enjoy and nice and affordable Vietnamese lunch and sometimes dinner. I enjoy going there. Never a problem with anything, and each time that I show up there I am promptly seated and if not, then the wait is just a minute or two Waiting never really bother's me, especially when the place is a little on the small side. Well, anyways, the food is wonderful, which is why I continue to go there when I can. They also give you plenty to eat, but the great thing is, is that it does not sit heavy, so you can eat and not feel like you just consumed an elephant.
(5)
Dustin W.

Possibly the best pho ever. The broth, noodles and quality meats make for a mean bowl of soup.
(5)
Weiwei L.

I feel safe to order anything here, even those that I have no idea what they are. I'm always expecting to be surprised by new tasty experiences in this place--and I always get them. I've been here more than 10 times and have never had one bad experience. Mediocre pho though, mind you.
(4)
Ed A.

We visited Mai Lee Vietnamese Restaurant for the first time since it moved from Delmar to off Hanley Road. Thank goodness I got a GPS system for my car or I doubt I would have found the place. Once we arrived we were seated quickly (15 minutes) even though there seemed to be a crowd waiting. The new "digs" were quite nice compared to the old store front location on Delmar just east of I 170. We were happy to discover that our favorite menu items were still on the menu. While it was a little disappointing that prices increased considerably, the new quarters are much nicer. The service was a bit on the slow side but it was Saturday night so we were willing to cut them some slack. The quality of the food was as good as it always was at the original location. I would try and list what the entrees we had were but spelling Vietnamese dishes is quite a bit above my pay grade. We had crispy egg rolls and their famous fish sauce. For entrees we had a chicken in curry sauce and a beef with satey sauce. Both were very good, but we knew that going in. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy, but the chop sticks seemed longer and gave me a bit of a problem...or did my fingers just get shorter, I haven't decided yet.
(4)
Jay W.

Mai Lee is definitely a 4/5 star place. I particularly enjoy their noodle soups. The noodle soups come in a giant bowl with a plate overflowing with vegetables. Basically, you get an enormous quantity of high-quality food for around 8 dollars. I can barely finish it, and I am a big eater.
(4)
Vu N.

I've been traveling in and out of St. Louis from L.A. for a few months now. This is the best Vietnamese restaurant that I've found in the St. Louis area. The new location is more open and clean, but not as intimate as the old place. Overall, you should be OK with the basics: pho, bo luc lac (cubed-steak over lettuce), ca kho to (caramelized catfish), canh chua (sour soup), and goi cuon (summer rolls). They also have "Beer 33," a Vietnamese brew.
(4)
Susan G.

Best Pho I've had in St. Louis!! They have great spring rolls too. For all those who want take out during the winter blues, it's a favorite take out spot. I'm not the only one who thinks so, there's usually a line of people waiting for their take out. Order the Beef Pho for take out and cook/heat it up over your own stove top at home, with all the delicious fixings! Perfect for a night in.
(4)
Aditi M.

Asian food lovers - this is a must try for you. I mostly have had vegetarian dishes here and it is so good. The pho is as good as the lo mein. My friend introduced me to this really unique vietnamese iced coffee. It comes in an interesting arrangement. A must try for iced coffee lovers. If you aren't sure of of how to go around it, ask the server to explain. The people at the restaurant - the servers, the host(ess) are very polite which adds an extra edge to the service. Quick service makes it a desirable lunch location too.
(5)
Camilla K.

I have been going to Mai Lee for quite some time. Even before they relocated to their current location. I cannot live without this place. Everything so is good and at a nice price. Appitizers: I have had the spring rolls and they are to die for. Each order has 2 spring rolls and come with a plum sauce and peanuts. The sauce goes perfectly with the spring rolls. They are made fresh and taste amazing. You can also order a "make your own spring rolls", I have never tried it, but I have seen others do it. I also adore the sweet potato with shrimp, I cannot recall the actual name, but it is under the hot appetizers. I ordered this because I wanted to try something new. At first I thought it was going to taste alright, but let me just say. It tastes amazing. Yes you get a hint of sweet potato, but it isn't an overpowering taste. It comes with a fish sauce, it enhances the flavors. Whenever I order it people always ask me what I got. Soups: I have only gotten the Pho soups and the Bun soups. The soups they serve at Mai Lee are huge! I always split with someone if I want to order an entree. When you get Bun soup, it comes with all these fresh greens (basil, sprout roots, lettuce, etc) to out into your soup. The only Pho soup I have ordered is the beef one, and it comes with a sauce to dip your beef into. All the soups taste so fresh and light. Entrees: I haven't gotten many entrees, but the best I have had there is 169. The Roasted Duck. Let me tell you, I have had dreams about this dish. I have been to multiple restaurants, around the globe known for their duck, but this has been the best. It melts in your mouth like butter, it's crispy yet moist and juicy. The tofu is amazing too, its the best I have had. Its crunchy on the outside and smooth on the inside. The drinks are amazing as well. They have different kinds of beer, asain beers and typical ones you can find at other restaurants. Their Vietnamese Coffee is what gets me through life. It has condensed milk and when u stir it all it has the most luxurious taste ever. Kind of a chocolate, coffee, cream taste. It comes iced or hot.
(5)
Jennie T.

Yelp, Serious Eats, and Kevin Nashan, you all disappointed me with your high regards for Mai Lee. Maybe their pho really is good, but I wouldn't know because I didn't order that. I ordered the bun bo hue based on Yelp's highlights, and I was majorly disappointed. I really should have just gone with my safe choice and ordered bun thit nuong or bun cha gio. Surely, no Vietnamese restaurant could mess that up, right? The broth in the bun bo hue didn't taste anything at all like any bun bo hue broth I've ever had. It reminded me faintly of the pho beef broth and perhaps a bit too much hoisin sauce. Bun bo hue is Hue's spicy beef noodle soup, and the broth wasn't even spicy at all. They gave me garnishes that were fit for a bowl of pho, not for bun bo hue. Where was my chopped cabbage? There was no pork blood, which I think is essential to a bowl of bun bo hue. And they served me vermicelli noodles, which was close enough to the thicker rice noodles, but it's not exactly the same. It was a major disappointment. Why was this dish highlighted on Yelp? It shouldn't have been. Kenny ordered the banh mi thit nuong, and that disappointed me too. Why was the meat all the way to one side of the sandwich? Not only that, they were stingy with the meat and toppings. I can make a better sandwich than this. I was disappointed to have wasted money on these two items, and I can't believe that a five-time James Beard Award semifinalist would recommend a place that didn't know how to make a decent bowl of bun bo hue or a sandwich worth paying for.
(2)
Brandon T.

Mai Lee is a great choice for Vietnamese and Chinese-style cuisine in Saint Louis. Service is prompt, efficient, and usually fairly friendly and you'd be hard pressed to find better food without venturing a trip to S. Grand Blvd. The Bun Bo Hue is excellent, as well as the vermicelli noodle bowls. On the Chinese side of the menu, any of the fried rice selection are a sure hit, and they make a very version of crab rangoon. The Mai Lee kitchen is very accommodating to substitutions and additions and is more than capable of customizing a dish to your liking (something that many Vietnamese restaurants are not typically keen to do). Even if Vietnamese is not yet within your culinary lexicon, Mai Lee is great for groups in that just about everyone can find something tasty and to their liking within the pages of their vast menu.
(5)
Charles M.

Always incredible food, always cheerful attentive servers. Love the food always tastes fresh, lots of great flavors. There are a TON of different options on the menu, and the servers' knowledge of the items on the menu has frequently helped me pick an item when I might otherwise be indecisive or torn between a few different items on the menu. They have both Vietnamese and Chinese sections on the menu, so be aware of this depending on your preference. They also have a bar, where you can grab some tasty drinks before and during your meal. I recommend parking in the parking garage across the street, as there's generally abundant parking and it's a convenient location for the restaurant. The employees really do go out of their way to ensure customer satisfaction, which is something that is very important to me. If you're looking for incredible food and a nice location to take someone you care about, friends, or family, you definitely need to check out Mai Lee, as it's family owned and operated. I have been here numerous times and have always been extremely impressed by the quality and tastiness of the food and how helpful and conscientious the staff are to their customers.
(5)
Kevin R.

I went in to eat during lunch. It took forever to get a table, the waiter took 15 minutes just to take our order. Lastly I got up and refilled my own water! Overall good food but terrible service
(2)
Gene K.

Great pho, broth is the real deal. Spring rolls were just so-so but tried the special for the night which was assorted seafood over charred rice. Came sizzling in a hot pot and was out of this world. Could have used some spice, adding chili sauce made it even better.
(5)
Thad P.

Phenomenal. Outstanding. Simply fine Vietnamese food in St. Louis. I ordered the duck special with house sauce. I love duck but I know that it's usually a hard meat to cook. Omg! To die for duck. I'm serious. I have travel in Asia, grew up in San Francisco and love allot of different food. This is hand down the best duck prep that I have ever had. And... It was priced at half of what I would have paid for the plate! The place gets packed! Get there early if you don't have reservations. And last but not least: super awesome server dude! Jay is his name. Very genuine, prompt even in a heavy traffic area, and just super awesome. Did I mention he was pretty cool? :-P Any how. 200 plus dishes. We had three... I'm going to assume this is the start of a wonderful and long relationship with this place and my stomach. Great first experience.
(5)
Ben S.

There are 201 options on the dinner menu...plus another page of unnumbered Chinese options. Unfortunately, their website is jinky so I can't provide the complete descriptions of what we had for dinner. Here's an approximation: Bahn Mi with bbq pork - this may well be the best sandwich value in the greater STL area at $4 for a 10" sandwich. Yummy chunks of bbq pork, fresh cilantro with a little pate added for extra flavor and all served on a length of warm & crusty french bread. We split this as an appetizer but it was a bit large for our intended purpose. I will most certainly stop to grab one of these if I am in the neighborhood around lunchtime. Piss off $5 foot long - there's a new sandwich on my mind! This is what showed up on the bill for the other two dishes: Mi Xao Thp Cm & Cnh Chua Tom. I'm not sure which one was which but they added up to one noodle dish and one soup. About the noodle dish...noodles, vegetables, beef, pork, chicken and shrimp all on one plate. Add a little bit of their unlabeled garlic pepper sauce from the squeeze bottle (or use the Siracha if you're uninspired) and you have a great plate of noodles. About the soup...calling this a soup is doing it a supreme injustice. It is more along the lines of a whole meal in a hot pot with some broth and a few coals under the dome to keep it all piping hot while you screw around sampling whatever else you ordered unnecessarily. Truly, this is all you need for dinner! Starting with the broth, it is slightly sweet and slightly spicy. There is a good lemongrass flavor along with just enough heat to make your lips tingle a little. Add in other vegetables (quartered tomatoes, okra, celery and bean sprouts) and you have the beginnings of a pretty good little party. Throw in what must have been 1/2 pound of 16-20 count shrimp and you have a meal. You'll want to make frequent eye contact with your server to ensure he keeps your drink full while enjoying this offering. My drink of choice was their iced tea - none of that Lipton stuff either, they are brewing and chilling their own and it has a healthy green tea taste. Squeeze a lime into it and you're in business. Other miscellaneous notes: No smoking on the patio - YES!!! We went on Saturday night at prime dinner time - they didn't have a wait but they were slammed. Easy to park in one of the free garages on either side of the street. Good service - our waiter was long on recommendations once we asked and very helpful.
(5)
Hao X.

My lab has been trying to come here for lunch for a while. We keep on trying to come on a Monday but they're closed then. We finally made it on a friday and I rather liked this place! I got a banh mi sandwich and it was pretty good. I have a fondness for banh mi sandwiches. :) The vermicelli bowl that my bf got was ok and so was the pho a lot of my labmates got. What made this place 4 stars and not 3, actually, was the token lab vegetarian's fried tofu. It was super soft tofu with a nice crispy outside that you dipped in yummy lemony sauce. It brought me back memories of eating fried tofu on the top floor food court of a random mall in Shanghai. I can't wait to figure out how to make fried tofu like this. In fact, the last time I tried to make this type of fried tofu, i almost set my apartment on fire! So i guess if i want to avoid a near fire, i should just come here instead!
(4)
Dani M.

After living many years near Little Vietnam in Chicago I was interested to see how well Vietnamese would be represented in St. Louis. I can say that I left lunch happy and full. I ordered the mini shrimp egg rolls to start and the pho tai for my main. The pho wasn't quite what I was used to - the phos I had in Chicago seemed more flavorful - however I still thought it was the perfect meal for a chilly day. They seem to be pretty crowded around lunch time so be prepared to wait a little bit if you go during the lunch rush.
(3)
Danielle L.

I have been going to Mai Lee since it was at its original location off Delmar. It is still a great spot years later. My favorite is the soup, Pho Tai. It's a great balance of salty, tangy, and spicy. We also always get their shrimp and pork fresh spring rolls. Amazing! I recently also tried their bbq ribs which are to die for! There's really no wrong way to go with their menu.
(4)
Joe A.

So, we've driven by here any number of times on our way to Target or Trader Joe's, but read the reviews on Yelp about their Pho. Reviewers win. The Pho here is as good as anywhere you'll find and worth dropping in on some time. Free parking in the garage it's attached to makes Mai Lee a pretty easy option should beef noodle soup strike your fancy.
(5)
Lucinda M.

One word: pho. This place has great service and the food delicious. I'm pretty sure there is crack in their pho. It's something I crave, especially when I'm fighting a cold.
(5)
Jason B.

Wow, this was crazy. We heard so many good things about Mai Lee and could not have been more disappointed in our meal. I think we need to go back with someone that knows what to order there. We ordered the Bo beef with vermicelli noodles and it was terrible. The beef was very dry and tasted strange - almost like beef jerky. We ate hardly any of it. We also ordered the chicken with curry and it was a much stronger curry flavor than we expected. Not that good and the chicken was tougher than it should be. We ordered a chicken lo mein for our daughter and that's what we ate the most of. It was good but certainly not great. Crazy, I left pretty stunned about that experience.
(2)
KA P.

One of my fave restaurants in STL or anywhere, really. Everything we've tried has been stellar, especially for the price. Standouts: duck curry soup and crispy tofu with lemon sauce. Delicious! Service is always excellent as well. A must-try if passing through STL.
(5)
Paul K.

I came here for lunch around 11:30 was seated fast. Had the usual pause before the waiter came over. Ordered our drinks and when the drinks ie soda's and tea came we ordered. I had #25. It has some fancy name but I like it's description the best. Beef Stew Soup. It is not your mother's beef stew but it sure in the heck tasted good. Tons of beef, carrots, and noodles. I really worry about dripping the soup all over myself when I come here. Today I was drip free. Ah the small victories in life. For those who don't know there is a rule that when you are 60 years old you must order soup when you go out for a meal. Can't have a salad. I don't know who made this rule up but I swear it is true.
(5)
Alyssa S.

For those of us who dig Asian food or Asian fusion food, we usually have an expectation in St. Louis, that we are looking at greasy "comfort" food that has a very high probability of making us bloat with sodium, may or may not contain MSG, definitely contains gluten, and is not Paleo-friendly. (Haha, see what I did there? Covered it all!) We know what we are getting ourselves into and we generally don't really care...in fact, we embrace EVERY SECOND OF IT! Anyway... we went here on Sunday (05/25/2014) and it was relatively busy, but it was a nice day, the service was fast and friendly and they commended me for pronouncing my dish right and not ordering by number. (I try not to be an ignorant complacent American. I try to learn it and say it and I am open to being corrected.) We tried several of the smaller appetizers. Pot stickers. (Delicious! Very filling. Much larger than your traditional Chinese takeout pot stickers.) Spring rolls. (Perfectly wrapped, you don't have junk falling out of them as soon as you take one bite, and everything inside is either crisp - the greens - or perfectly steamed seafood. Don't forget the peanut sauce... it's the best I have had yet and I used it for other items on my entree.) and the Pork Bun (doughy bun with seasoned pork patty inside and a hard boiled egg. Um... how can you go wrong?) I was full before our entrees arrived - my boyfriend said "We will have leftovers!" .... how wrong he was. I ate it ALL! (Insert maniacal laugh here!) I ordered the crushed rice and pork plate. Comes with a fried egg on it, served with crisp greens and a side of a sweet chili sauce. Ate it all. No leftovers. Boyfriend got the charred rice bowl that was on special and took some home, he was slightly more adventurous than I was - his food had eel in it. Look, I am not Anthony Bourdain or Man Verse Wild. I have my limits, Peeps. We'll be back - the food was great and I saw about 14 things on the menu that same day that I needed to try. Plus, I need to see how their Chicken Pad Thai measures up to the Pad Thai that I get at Zen. Almost impossible to beat. We shall see!
(4)
Brad C.

Great flavor. Tried on #91 and #95. Service was great. It was a little pricey at $16 a plate. Biggest issue was in regards to the chicken preparation. Pieces were cut inconsistently in terms of size which translated into overlooked pieces.
(3)
Mark B.

Here's how I came to 2 stars. First, this is the second time to eat here. Second, the food is really good. The low review is because of the service. Once we were seated, we were not greeted by our waiter for 10-15 minutes. We ordered everything at once since we had so long to wait. They clearly forgot to put our order in. Three tables (same party size) seated after us all received their appetizers and main courses before the waiter acknowledged that our appetizer was coming soon. It was boiling hot because he clearly rushed it. Not really sure if we will go back but I did enjoy the food.
(2)
Rachel R.

As a 17-year resident of St. Louis, I'm embarrassed to say that I only recently visited Mai Lee. I went with our server's recommendation of his favorite dish, and was not disappointed. Good service, quick turnaround from the kitchen and overall the place was clean. Love the location, too!
(4)
Dana N.

Pho tai and ban mi ga are our favorite dishes. Never goes wrong and service is usually pretty fast and attentive. Just go during the mid-afternoon for less of a crowd.
(5)
Krystle B.

Let me start by saying that the only reason I can give this restaurant one star is because the decor is nice and the restaurant seemed very clean. We were visiting St Louis for the first time and found this place on yelp. There were many great reviews and we were excited to try it. We arrived at the restaurant a little before 6:30p and we were told there would be a 20 to 25 minute wait for a table for three. After our wait time had passed we asked the hostess for an update and she said it would be soon. Meanwhile we kept seeing other parties of our same size get seated before us that arrived after we had so we asked if they accepted reservations. They do...but only for parties of 8 or more...so it didn't make sense that they weren't seating us. After we had waited for 50 minutes my husband asked the hostess for another update and in a very rude tone said they were working on it. My husband reminded her that she had told us 20 to 25 minutes would be our wait time and we had been waiting 50 minutes to which she so sarcastically replied that the time is only an estimate and it could be more or less. Now she's an idiot if she thinks that's a reasonable excuse. In the future they really should try to be a little more compassionate....an apology would go a long way. That and a glass of ice water to at least quench my thirst while I wait.
(1)
Gisa D.

Teas: The hot oolong tea has been brewed too long. It leaves a coating on your teeth.
(2)
Kristy W.

Oh "Mai" this place is good!! Hands down our favorite Vietnamese place in St. Louis. If you are looking for fabulous noodle soups, you have found the promised land. What you should order when you reach their pearly gates: #29 (I think) - Soup with egg noodles (ohmygosh so good and perfectly cooked) and shrimp dumplings (that melt in your mouth) with slices of barbequed pork (which may have come directly from a pig in heaven). Of course, you will get the requisite plate of herbs, bean sprouts, greens and citrus to add at your leisure. This soup will literally make you a better person. You might even be better looking after you this. So incredibly good. If you need more than the soup....your standards are high but I'm equal to the task! - Prawns fried in sweet potato shreds that come out piping hot with a sweet/tart sauce that set off every taste bud in your mouth. - Bahn Mi can be an appetizer for two....at $4 this is best sandwich deal in StL - Fresh spring rolls in a variety of flavor/protein combinations -- they are all worth trying Soooo, tell your friends that this place sucks ;) .... so I can always get a table! It's nuts there after 6pm for good reason!
(5)
Michelle R.

Excellent, as always! We try to stop by every time we are in town and have never been disappointed. I can't even get shrimp toast in my hometown anymore, but the shrimp/pork toast was hot and delicious.
(5)
Marci E.

The first time I came I was intimidated by the size of the menu, but the wait staff is always willing to help you figure it out. Such a selection! My favorite is the lemon tofu and the spring rolls. Something here for everyone, but come early to beat the crowd.
(4)
Morris R.

This place gets super crowded on the weekends so I came back midweek for a Banh Mi and some eggrolls. Still busy, but no wait time. Service is friendly and quick. The place is clean and modern. I ordered the pork Banh Mi (vietnamese baguette sandwich) and crispy eggrolls. What a deal! The sandwich is large and full, and cheaper than eating at Subway, and with much better quality. This place has the best eggrolls around! Tender, flavorful meat, not too oily, crispy on the outside. And the sweet and sour sauce was nice and light and tangy. It was not that thick syrupy cornstarch stuff you get in take-out packets. These are served with a mound of lettuce, cucumber, basil and cilantro - all very fresh and bright green. The Banh Mi was amazing, the bread was crusty and chewy, and the meat was tasty, with a buttery spread condiment. Although, it was thick ham slices with some gristle and fat I would have preferred not to have eaten, I thought it was a great meal. I added the garnishes from the eggroll plate to my sandwich and brightened up the flavor even more. I'd love to come back and try their Pho. This restaurant is raved about by everyone I know, and I've heard local chefs and restaurauteurs (spelling?) rave about it too. You know a place is good when other chefs praise it.
(5)
Flavio E.

I never bother writing reviews , but this time I kind of have to. I ordere a soup with roasted duck and vermicelli, but instead there was a chicken leg in it. Pretty disappointed. I didn't complain but I should have. Instead, I'm writing this review. The soup was average, vermicelli were not even cooked. My date had a tofu salad which was ok. That's why I'm not giving one star. They have way too many things on the menu and you wonder how they can make it all...they simply don't, and they put the ingredients that they want? if you really want to go there, make sure you get what you asked for.
(2)
Devin A.

On a recent trip to St. Louis, I had the opportunity to try out Mai Lee, an Asian fusion restaurant in the Brentwood area that serves up a fresh mix of Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese food. I went on a late Sunday evening and the place was packed, a testament to it's popularity among locals. They have a nice patio area, which I was tempted to take advantage of, given the temperate weather outside, but the view really isn't much to get excited about as it overlooks a rather nondescript driveway behind an adjacent shopping center (just a notch above alleyway). The main dining room was very busy, so i opted for bar, where a lone corner spot was open, giving me a decent view of the televisions showing the evening's football game. The atmosphere was a bit livelier, but not too loud or overbearing. Overall, whether you opt for the patio, the dining room or the bar, Mai Lee seems like a nicely-appointed, clean restaurant with good ambiance for any occasion. The menu itself is rather extensive and can be a bit overwhelming, but each item does have a succinct description so you know what you're getting. The "order by numbers" system is appreciated by those not wanting to butcher the pronunciation of various dishes. I opted to sample a variety of dishes. I had heard/read so much about the Shrimp/Pork Spring Rolls ("Best Spring Rolls in St. Louis"?) so I had to try them. The order includes two spring rolls with a wonderful peanut sauce. The spring rolls themselves are a bit smaller than normal, but that might just be because they try to wrap them short with a piece of cilantro stem sticking out. Cute, but unfortunately, that stem can be pretty tough to try to chew through. The rolls themselves were fresh and tasted fine, but nothing extraordinary. In my opinion, the flavor of an ideal spring roll should be highlighted by the proteins - the shrimp and pork - with the fresh, bright contrast of greens, typically mint, basil, and coriander leaves, balanced by the texture of the rice noodles. I had a hard time discerning either of the proteins. The rice noodles were fine, but the greens were decidedly disappointing - coriander and lettuce. Not the best, but still, with the peanut sauce, they were fine. I also had a serving of the egg rolls. Two deep-fried eggrolls served with greens (lettuce, coriander and cucumber that you could wrap the eggrolls in) and a sweet fish sauce. I don't typically wrap my eggrolls in lettuce, but I suppose it's nice to be given that option. The eggrolls were crispy and the sauce worked well, but again - nothing extraordinary. As a main course, I had the Hoanh Tranh Mi, a soup with egg noodles, sliced pork, and shrimp wontons. The flavor of the broth was light and a bit on the salty side, but quite good. It was served with a mix of greens, bean sprouts, jalapenos and lime. The mix of dumplings and pork with the noodles provided a hearty meal and overall I was quite satisfied. If I had any complaint, it would be with greens. Again, I am used to a varied mix of basil, coriander, and mint. Here - coriander and lettuce. Lettuce. Oh - here's a hint if you opt to tear up the jalapenos to add them to your soup: Don't touch your face or eyes afterwards. You'll find yourself in the bathroom splashing cold water on your face to try to quell the burn. Yeah, like I did. For desert, I treated myself to the mango and sticky rice, a Thai favorite that I always order if I see it on the menu. I've had it served a number of different ways, and unfortunately the way they serve it at Mai Lee has to be my least favorite way. They serve half a sliced mango atop a very tough slab of sticky rice with a sweet cream. The rice slab was hard to eat and the mango was disappointingly bland. I suppose it was my fault for ordering something that really isn't in season. Overall, I was pretty satisfied with my meal at Mai Lee. For all the food I ordered, the price was very reasonable - I expected to pay much more. As far as Asian fusion restaurants go, it was actually very good and I was likely disappointed only because of the very high expectations that I had. If I find myself back in the Brentwood area, I will be probably come back. Just not for the sticky rice.
(4)
Gin H.

Delicious pho! My kid had the lo mein and probably the best I've had. Mostly the ones I've tasted are salty. But it was flavorful and had a ton of veggies and shrimp. We also tried the bbq pork banh mi. It was so good but didn't have a bunch of stuff in it. Probably because it was $4. Our server was great and the restaurant was clean. They also accommodated my 7 mo old with a high chair and had a changing table (which is hard to find in nicer restaurants. I can't wait to come back and try more dishes.
(5)
Bob K.

I eat at or order takeout from Mai Lee about once per week on average, and I can't get enough of it. Best Asian food in St. Louis bar none, and maybe the best food period. Mai Lee's extensive menu offers a variety of dishes, and you can't go wrong with any of them. From the famous pho to the golden fried tofu, its all sensational--and totally fresh. Best Vietnamese food I've ever had (including 3 trips to Vietnam!). Truly a St. Louis gem.
(5)
Chi Mee S.

This is one of my all time favorite restaurants - i've been coming here for the past 10 years or so because their pho broth is the best I've ever had. I live in California now and haven't had a pho that's better.
(5)
Sarah A.

one of my favorites in st. louis. having come to st. louis straight from Asia, i have very high standards for asian food....especially special dishes like pho - one of my faves. i believe it's the broth, the meat, and the quality of noodles that makes a fantastic pho...and lucky for me, mai lee's meets all of those. my g- to dish is the raw beef pho and i either get the egg roll or spring roll as the appetizer. i've also tried the traditional chinese noodles with wontons (a dish i grew up with) and they did not disappoint either! it does get quite crowded in the weekend, especially at lunch...i always come a little earlier than the lunch rush hour and i think they give a little more noodles in the earlier hour... if the regular bowl of pho isn't quite enough to fill your tum tums you can order extra noodles.
(5)
Steven B.

Hell No and I do mean Hell No. I will never step in to Mai Lee again and I was looking so forward to finally having lunch here. Strike One - We entered during lunch and the restaurant stank more then Jay's International on S. Grand and anyone who has shopped there knows that place smells bad. Strike Two - We tell host party of two, he says nothing, but turns around and starts to cross the dining room floor. Being educated we finally figured it out that we were suppose to follow. He tossed two menus on a table and kept walking. We seated ourselves at the table and started to read the menu. Water served without a word and server disappears. Strike 3 - 15 minutes pass, no one has approached us. During this time we realize the menu is for dinner and we were wanting a light lunch. As we were getting ready to leave due to the lack of service, our server appears. The SO says, "we were just getting ready to leave" and the servers response was, "Oh, you need more time." We then asked if they had a lunch menu, he responded yes and left to go get one. When he returned, he only brought one, it was a folded piece of paper and he pushed it down so hard on the table I am surprised it did not collapse. He then said, "Lunch, you only get Chinese, no Vietnamese for you." He then turned and walked away again. The point of coming to Mai Lee was to experience Vietnamese food, so we left. I knew from reading reviews here on Yelp that the service was bad, but had no idea it was going to be this bad. Reading more reviews before writing this one, I see others have had trouble with the "lunch menu" issue. @ Mai Lee, sorry to say with your pissy attitude I will not be back.
(1)
Stephanie H.

Wow, it was packed! Well worth the wait though! The waitress was awesome-so helpful and friendly! The kimchi was awesome. Shrimp spring rolls-yum! Dinner was wonderful and came out hot and fast. The Pho was the most popular dish. We'll be back soon.
(4)
Nicholas H.

Mai lee is my favorite restaurant in St. Louis. It has been for almost 2 decades. Wether it's for a surgical lunch of spring rolls and pho or an elegant dinner of roast duck and champagne, Mai lee does it all. Even the Chinese menu doesn't disappoint. But if you come to Mai lee only for Chinese food you are missing the point. Dishes to try: spicy beef soup, salt and pepper calamari, bbq pork spring roll, water spinach with garlic, 5 spice pork, roast duck and Vietnamese fried rice. Best staff in town hands down. Sit at the bar for the best experience.
(5)
Christian K.

Oh, Mai Lee! Pho has become one of my new obsessions. After trying Vietnamese for the first time this summer, I get the itch every now and then for a big bowl of pho. A fellow Yelper raised the question about the best pho, so I walked out of my comfort zone, Pho Grand, to try Mai Lee in Brentwood. Perhaps I'm little bias about my pho, but Pho Grand is superior in every aspect:. setting, price, and product. Pho Grand trumps Mai Lee in location. Pho Grand might be THE place in Tower Grove to have a good meal, but a patron is not limited to just pho in the area. Tower Grove offers all sorts of unique bars and restaurants to explore. Mai Lee sits behind a Best Buy in Brentwood. The establishments around it are mostly chain restaurants and department stores. At Christmas time, Mai Lee might have the upper hand, but I would rather hang in Tower Grove than near a Wal-Mart, Buffalo Wild Wings, or Red Lobster. Also, Pho Grand has a slight advantage on price. I ordered almost an identical meal at both places, and everything was about a dollar more at Mai Lee. The spring rolls, however, were almost spot on in price. Altogether, I would say both places were fairly inexpensive. Finally, I would again give Pho Grand the edge on the food. Having tried spring rolls at both places, Pho wins that round clearly. Both were fresh, but the dipping sauce at Pho Grand is superior to Mai Lee. Either way, patrons win ordering pho from these establisments, but I truly feel like Pho gives more meat in their bowls and has a slight edge in overall flavor. Still, I was quite satisfied with my bowl of pho at Mai Lee last night. Perhaps it's unfair to compare these two Vietnamese restaurants. I don't want to take away from what Mai Lee does, but if I had to choose between these the two, Pho Grand would be the clear winner. Nonetheless, Mai Lee is a quality restaurant and well worth a visit when in the Brentwood area.
(4)
Damian S.

Great food and quick service. Only thing is it can get pretty loud when it's busy. Overall, though, great place for a bowl of Pho.
(4)
Eric G.

When we wait our friends, no seat no water, bad service, never back here again.............................................Â..................................................Â..................................................Â..................................................Â..................................................Â..................................................Â..........................:.:::...................Â..
(1)
Sam S.

Pretty good food, I think. The atmosphere is nice but wait times can get a little bit annoying and unusual for STL -- but maybe that speaks to the quality of the food. The dishes are delivered in a timely manner and the portion sizes are large enough to satisfy. At times it feels like the food could be more flavorful, but to be honest there aren't that many alternatives for good vietnamese food in the STL area. The wait-staff is very friendly and the menu is absolutely enormous.
(4)
D G.

Very good food The staff is helpful And service is quick I mean how much quick it can be possible when there are so many people already waiting ! That good the place is ! There are always people waiting to have food here
(4)
Mark P.

Mai Lee is a Vietnamese restaurant located on the first floor of the Metro parking garage behind Best Buy. The location really sucks IMO, and from the outside it looks visually unappealing and lacks in any sort of character, but fortunately the inside is clean and modern looking. Anyway, as some of you might know, I don't really give a shit about how good or bad a place looks as long as the grub is good. As for the food, I've had mixed reactions each time I visit. It seems like that's how it always is with Vietnamese; you've got to know which items to order. I'd like to create my own Vietnamese restaurant that served my favorite items from each of the various restaurants around the city. I'll start with the better items here at Mai Lee: The Goi Du Du or papaya salad ($5.50) comes with pork & shrimp and is topped with peanuts. This salad is absolutely delicious and full of healthy cilantro goodness. The Goi Cuon spring rolls with shrimp & pork (2 for $3.75) are consistently good spring rolls, and better than most places. They come served with a brown peanut sauce, but for some strange reason, I prefer nuoc cham or fish sauce with spring rolls. Unfortunately the fish sauce here at Mai Lee isn't very good so I usually just stick with the brown sauce. The Chao Thap Cam or rice porridge soup for $7.95 comes with pork, shrimp and crab. It also includes a side of lettuce, cilantro, bean sprouts, lemon, and jalapeÃ±o slices. It's not quite as good as Banh Mi So's porridge, but it's still good and worth trying if you're looking for something different. Bun bi Cha Gio is vermicelli noodle with shredded pork and a chopped up egg roll for $6.95. This noodle bowl just doesn't hold up to Pho Grand and Banh Mi So, but it's still not bad here at Mai Lee. The Ga Xao Lan is a chicken dish in coconut milk, lemongrass, curry and crushed peanuts for $10.95. The freshness of the ingredients comes out in this dish, but the flavor of the curry is a bit of a letdown. On my most recent visit, I tried the Soun Heo Xao Gung which is pork ribs with ginger and chili sauce. I really enjoyed the flavor of the sauce, but the pork tasted bad and overpowered the sauce. I'm going with 3 and 1/2 stars for slightly above average Vietnamese food. The menu has so many items on it that you're sure to find something you'll like if you keep coming back. Oh, and by the way, the Pho is above average and the Banh Mi sandwiches are excellent. .
(3)
Mith R.

This place is incredibly mediocre. A very watered-down and americanized version of the cuisine. If you're looking for the real thing, keep on looking. The dishes are bland and lacking in the flavor profiles you'd expect. So disappointing.
(1)
Jenelle S.

This place has great food. Their spring rolls are a must! I've tried multiple dishes there and loved every one of them, but I have to say #96 is my favorite. I knocked it down a star because I wish they took reservations for parties less than 8.
(4)
Jenn B.

Hands down my favorite restaurant in St. Louis. With hundreds of options to choose from, I love trying new dishes, as well as sticking with favorites. Vietnamese cuisine is the best I've ever tasted. It's usually busy on the weekends, so be sure to get there early if you want a table. But don't forget about take-out! Great food for less of a hassle if you want to go that route.
(5)
Carmen H.

I almost never write reviews since it takes a lot to wow me but the pho here was amazing! It really is the broth that makes the pho and it was still really hot when I was done (and I'm a slow eater). Hoping to be back again soon!
(5)
Sayako S.

Love this place. The food is consistently fresh and tasty and the service is always prompt and cordial. Even when they are slammed (most of the time) they keep up with the pace. The staff had lower turn over and they are always friendly and personal. I highly recommend 152, 39, 121 but everything is good. Enjoy!
(5)
Zach S.

There's no place like home, and this place is always home. I've never been to a more consistent place and never been to another restaurant more than I have been here. It's always done right, and you're always treated well. Price to quality ratio is unbeatable. The Lee never disappoints.
(5)
Jared T.

I very rarely write reviews, but this place earns one... The most flavorful Vietnamese/Chinese food I've ever eaten, good atmosphere, great service, and surprisingly owned and operated by a pretty cool family of 5 who will likely be waiting the tables and tending the bar.
(5)
Chris X M.

Awesome fresh Asian fusion with a great menu, fresh food and fast service. This is an upscale Asian restaurant with some of the best food in town. Always busy, fully bar and great service. The pork spring rolls are their specialty and the spicy entrÃ©s are great... there is a spicy beef tenderloin/steak that comes with the best sauce in town, a spicy pepper lemon. Most dishes are great. Eat here often! Parking is ample in garage next door. One of the best casual restaurants in St. Louis... and there are MANY of these.
(5)
Helen L.

Always love this place!! Pho tai (#9) is my favorite. I think the best Vietnamese restaurant in town. But they need to clean the bathroom more offen.
(4)
Nadia S.

Ordered pho with no onions. Received pho with onions. Pho was very sweet... Too sweet. I love pho and eat it all the time. This was the worst pho I tasted. Very disappointed.
(2)
JC L.

Went during the tail end of the lunch rush and service was very slow. Server was nowhere to be found and less attentive. Food is pretty decent for St Louis standards. Asked for no tripe in my soup, and sure enough, there was tripe! I usually will send it back, but it took over 45 minutes to get, I just took out the tripe and dealt with it. I will not visit this place the next time I'm in town.
(1)
Michelle B.

cheap, salty food. horrible wine. good beer. pushy staff. the family meal tasted like overpriced Chinese food not Vietnamese. family meal for 4 and two beers = 90 wasted dollars. I remember liking this restaurant when it was still on Delmar...
(2)
Christina H.

Since my previous review, we have probably been here...hmmm I don't know, like 50 times. Sad but true. We have dinner here every couple of weeks (when restraining ourselves), sometimes once a week. Dine in and Carry out. It is our "go-to." We would invest in Mai Lee stock if we could. We absolutely love Mai Lee. We love their service, food, and consistency. It never fails that it is always busy or steady on any given day- no matter what time of the day it is, but they're great on getting you seated and taken care of as soon as physically possible. I usually order #17 and my fiancÃ© always orders the Chinese special fried rice or the Vietnamese lo mein. My only complaint is that they're closed on Mondays. If it were up to me, they'd be open 365 days of the year. THAT'S how much I crave it. 5 STARS!
(5)
Kathy M.

My daughter and I stopped here for lunch because she is trying to find a good Chinese food place near her apartment. Interestingly enough, once we were inside and saw the expansive menu, we realized that it really is more of a Vietnamese place with some Chinese food. Because we didn't know how to order or what to expect with this food, I asked our waiter for help and he was able to explain Vietnamese food to us and actually picked out my order. I had a seafood soup and it was delicious. We would certainly try this place again. This restaurant is located in an area where there is no street parking, so it's nice that they offer free parking in the attached garage.
(4)
Mary C.

My first time for Vietnamese food, it was delicious. Fairly busy and a little bit of a wait. The service was outstanding, the waiter offered place to buy Vietnamese ingredients to make the cold spring rolls. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Megan H.

I've only ordered a to-go dinner from Mai Lee. I ordered the vermicelli-chicken and veggie soup-something I've gotten at a different, favorite Vietnamese restaurant many times. The soup was much sweeter than what I hoped for. And the chicken was so-so. Overall it was a nice sized meal at a good price, but I did not enjoy it as much as Pho Long on 170 and Olive. I probably won't be back.
(3)
Betty L.

I've come here on a weekly basis, but after today, this is defiantly falling off the list of favorites. On a wed evening, there was a big crowd as usual. We were told 20 minutes wait time, but was surprisingly seated in 10 minutes. Unfortunately, service was down hill from there. It took over 10 minutes before anyone came to take our order, 26 minutes from the time we sat down before we got our crispy spring rolls, and 34 minutes from the time we sat down before we got our entree. We didn't even order anything too exotic. Its fine if they're short staffed in the kitchen or wait staff... But our waiter's response was basically " look around, were busy".
(2)
Jay F.

Service was great. My server was on top of everything. Food eh not so great. Being from Seattle guess I'm spoiled with Pho. Broth had a funny taste. They w out of bean sprouts, got one jalapeÃ±o, and basil looked horrible. Disappointed. Only tried this cause T & T on grand blvd was closed!!
(2)
Justin T.

Before moving to St. Louis, I was living in Houston, in the most Vietnamese precinct outside of Vietnam, where great Vietnamese options are a dime a dozen. When I relocated to St. Louis, "Is there Vietnamese?" was one of my first questions, and "Absolutely! Mai Lee!" was the immediate response. I finally got the chance to check it out recently (literally, as I did take-out), and was really disappointed with the food. I'm a huge fan of bun noodles with pork, and the right concept was there, but the taste was not. The pork was extremely dry and too salty, and the container of nuac cham was perhaps 1/4 the size of what I'm used to getting, so the whole meal was very dry. With Mai Lee having so many rave reviews, maybe the rest of the menu is magical. That said coming again isn't at the top of my priority list. My odyssey for bun continues...
(2)
Rosalyn H.

I enjoyed eating the beef pho and spring rolls but didn't feel like off was extremely special...
(3)
Lizzy L.

In the past 2 years in St. Louis I've avoided Mai Lee because my impression of it was that it was more Americanized Vietnamese food...but I tried it twice in the past few months and it's pretty delicious! My Vietnamese friend comes here at least once a month and loves their Vietnamese style chicken salads and the fish dishes--apparently they come in big portions. I tried the duck noodle soup, which was tasty, with several chunks of duck and a richer broth than my hubby's beef pho (the typical beef meatball, beef shank, sans tripe because he can't stand tripe). I ended up stealing some of my husband's pho and it was better than I expected! Some of my Asian friends swear by the Mai Lee pho broth...I thought it was comparable to Kim Son's pho broth though! The service was average in terms of speed, and a wonderful atmosphere to catch up with friends, well-lit and air-conditioned, with ample parking in the covered parking garage. Our waiter was really nice even though we took forever to decide on what to order from the menu (and while we waited for 2 other friends to arrive at the restaurant). Dinner time here on the weekend was really packed. My 2nd time there was for lunch and the restaurant was a lot quieter/emptier than it was at dinner. I ordered the seafood yellow and rice noodle soup (number 6: hu tieu mi, $6.95)....it was decent but the soup tasted a little too MSG-y (not sure if they actually put MSG in there) for me. Next time I'm going to pick a noodle soup with all rice noodles because it was kind of weird to have both yellow AND rice noodles. My dish arrived with 3 shrimps, imitation crab, and some barbecue pork---I was satisfied with the amount of meat and green onion garnish on top. The menu also boasts a 2-page Chinese section which I might come back to try out sometime! Not my favorite Vietnamese restaurant ever for pho and noodle soups but it's convenient and worth revisiting again in the future!
(3)
Cece A.

This place makes me mad. Mai Lee is so well known that pho virgins usually end up coming here for their first time. And I just want to tell all of you that this is NOT how pho is supposed to taste!! Their broth is so oily and so sweet. Hate to be so brutally honest, but the broth is just downright awful. Mai Lee--just who are you catering to with that sweet and greasy soup? Pho virgins, head over to Pho Long or St. Louis Pho, don't regret your first time! To be fair Mai Lee, your spring rolls are good.
(2)
Lana T.

Pros: convenient parking, good service. Our waiter was prompt and helpful, even with the dinner rush going on. Cons: food is mediocre at best. Meat was consistently overcooked. The shrimp especially tasted off, like it was a few days past the expiration date and then cooked til rubbery. The vermicelli noodles were done well, with a nice light sauce. However, the beef was boiled until flavorless and the only taste came from the sauce poured over it. The onions were undercooked. Portions are generous, so that's a plus. But the food wasn't good enough to make me want to finish the portion.
(2)
Mary B.

I was soo excited to go here finally, and while it was good I am a bit disappointed. I was envisioning the depth of flavor and pricing I have enjoyed in San Francisco and I this just didn't quite meet the mark. I thought the prices were good. $4 for buhn mi, $4 for steamed pork boa. I thought the steamed pork boa was large and tasty but a little too much dough and the dough was a little dry. The rare beef pho was ok at best in my opinion, the broth just wasn't very flavorful and carried a slightly sweet tone. The pho also had lots of noodles and very little meat and broth, I did like the tray to accompany with lots of fresh things to add. The buhn mi was pretty great and I got some to go since they are already made pre-wrapped sandwiches. We had the pork which I thought was flavorful, I got a huge bite of jalapeno seeds on the first bite and set me on fire so I went in to remove some seeds after that, asl the cilantro was good and fresh but they left all the giant woody stems on so i removed the stems. Overall the buhn mi was my favorite dish. We parked in the garage behind and over the top of the restaurant it was free parking. We arrived at 5:10 and that was pretty perfect because the whole place filled up within a half hour and was standing waiting. I would go back for buhn mi and steamed pork bun but skip the pho. Still in search of good PHO St. Louis.
(3)
Sonny S.

I've been to Mai Lee several times at both the new and old locations. The new location is in a much nicer area as compared to the old one. The food is just as delicious! Here's what I usually get: -combination rice plate with pork chop, egg cake, shredded pork and fried egg (my fav - perfect combination of items on a plate) -fried spring rolls (crispy and hot - love wrapping these in lettuce and cilantro and dipping in fish sauce) -rice paper spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce -bahn mi (very cheap Vietnamese sandwiches on French baguette; I got the meatball which was flavorful) The reason I took a star off was because the waitress was very rude and wasn't attentive at all. She had an attitude all night and never came by for refills. Then when I tried making a togo order she starting yelling at me about not putting it in earlier. Well bitch, I would've had you came back to the table after bringing out our meals!!! Usually service isn't an issue but just my last visit. Overall, the food is excellent and I recommend it!
(4)
Amrita R.

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this place since it seemed very Americanized and the bf and I had great memories of eating authentic food in Vietnam fairly recently. But I had heard so many mixed reviews that I wanted to see for myself. Firstly, their menu is huge and overwhelming. They should really consider cutting it down a bit to make things easier, and so that they can focus on making a few dishes really really well. Just my opinion. The banh mi is all right. My friend ordered the regular pork, not the bbq pork and I was expecting more. I also prefer my banh mis with an egg but that's a whole nother thing. I ordered Viet chicken salad because I had a delicious one in Vietnam but I rarely see it on menus around here. It was so good! I wish there had been a bit of a peanut crunch but the flavors were spot-on. It was all very fresh and tasty. My friend ordered the chicken pho. It was tasty but very oily. The bf ordered a vermicelli dish with grilled pork that was well-made and he really enjoyed it. My other friend ordered a broken rice dish and her pork was rather tough and overcooked, but the flavors were also very nicely done. Minus a star for the price, though. You can get great banh mis for $2.50-3 with a lot more stuff packed into it...is it an ambiance thing? I don't get it. The bowl of pho was also ridiculously small. Most places have a small/med/large option and rightly so. I thought my salad was a good price for the amount of fresh veggies, but in general, all the portions were fairly small in comparison to price. So yes, flavors-good, prices and portions-meh. I'd be back but only for the chicken salad. I still prefer Truc Lam's pho and I have yet to find the perfect banh mi in StL.
(4)
Katherine B.

Mai Lee is amazing, and everyone knows it. I can always count on awesome food, but the last time I was there, the service could've been better. The food: #6 - Chicken broth with bbq beef, crab sticks, clear and verm noodles. With all those flavors, you would think it'd be off, but, it was great like always. I love the tradition of always providing a side of lettuce, jalapenos and cilantro, even if you're not ordering pho. The service was VERY hands off. I don't know what was going on, I think there was only 2 servers to the entire dining room. I literally had to shout to get my server's attention - twice. When he did come over, it took him a while to bring back refills, and the check. He was nice, but he was overworked and it showed. I guess they know that people will keep coming, because the food is great.
(3)
Hang T.

Last time I went, the food was bad. I went with some friends and every single one of the soup dishes were lukewarm. My friend had rare meat with his pho and it did not cook at all. I had the bun bo hue. It didn't taste like what it was supposed to, but it was okay. I was just expecting more.
(2)
Lynne B.

Delicious and amazing! Service was excellent!! The food was incredible and perfect! Awesome lunch out. The Shaking Beef was perfectly tender and full of flavor. The egg rolls and spring rolls are addicting!
(5)
Tim G.

Mai Lee's is one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the area! I say one of the best, because there are so many to choose from in St. Louis. I've been coming to Mai Lee Restaurant for a number of years... even back when she had the original restaurant high on Delmar. It's still one of my favorite places for a spicy bowl of Vietnamese soup; Pho! The ambience leaves a little to be desired. The dining area is anything but intimate, and quite honestly, reminds me of the seating in a campus cafeteria! But beyond that, the bar area is nice, although small. This place fills up fast... especially on the weekends. Make sure you time your visit just right!
(4)
Sean F.

I frequent Mai Lee, sometimes 3 or 4 times per week, and can say it is consistently one of my favorite rest restaurants in St. Louis. Pho is my go-to especially in the winter but just tell Qui or Jay behind the bar (did I mention only ever sit at the bar?) what you're in the mood for and they'll find just the right thing off of their endless menu... or maybe even something off the menu!
(5)
Doreen Z.

I love pho. I discovered my love for it while living in LA. You simply cannot beat the pho in LA though. But I have tried many places here in St. Louis hoping to find at least an acceptable place. All of the places on Grand were terrible to be honest. But this restaurant surprised me! Definitely the best pho I've had in St. Louis. The spring rolls are perfect. The sticky rice with mango (my all-time favorite dessert) is also made well. Really good portions, my bowl of pho alone was enough to fill me up. They also have mixed drinks. I would recommend this place for drinks and dinner with friends or a date. They have outdoor seating as well.
(5)
Chris C.

Had the #65 Bun Ga Nuong & it was very good & it filled me up. Service was pretty fast for as full as this little place was. It was my second time there & il will be back.
(5)
David W.

After continuously coming back, I have to update this to a 5 star review. This place is just straight up legit. Extremely good portions, still low prices, probably the best vietnamese / chinese restaurant in town, in my opinion. Tried the duck noodle soup this time, (normally I get the pho, which is spectacular) and it was extremely unique but extremely good. As usual, the spring / crispy egg rolls are amazing, and the pho and sandwiches are great! You gotta come here
(5)
Leah K.

I'm always looking for an excuse to visit! Their huge menu provides something everyone should enjoy. This being said, it may take two or three visits before you find "your dish." Afterwards you will be hooked!
(5)
Megan L.

PROS + Decently representative menu of Vietnamese staples + Reliable, on-time takeout + Located near highly-frequented shopping centers (Target, TJ's, Best Buy) CONS - Broths for noodle soups are blander than other Vietnamese restaurants - Skimpy on the meat - Dine-in service can be spotty Sometimes there are days when grocery shopping and errands-running next door at Trader Joe's and Target wipes me out so hard that the truckload of groceries I've managed to pile into my mini cooper is going to be my main accomplishment for the day. Forget cooking, I'm tired! These are days when I call up Mai Lee while finishing up my wandering in the aisles of TJ's, wobbly with glazed-over eyes from intense hunger, and order copious amounts of food for takeout that I can pick up in the shopping center right next door. Take-out/carry-out is reliable and fast - they say it's ready in 20 minutes and it's ready in 20 minutes. You park in the weirdly damp parking structure behind Best Buy and bypass the kitchen staff taking their smoke breaks on the way down the ramp, elbow your way through the dinner crowd waiting for tables in the front, and pay up at the bar, where your large brown paper bag with your order is waiting for you stacked on top of pallets of soy sauce in the corner. The positives seem to taper off at Mai Lee's convenience of take out, though. Mai Lee seems to cater to a blander-palated, suburban (read: non-ethnic) clientele and it's evident in the toned-down richness in their soup broths. I've had the pho, bun bo hue, and other noodle soup dishes here and I have been consistently underwhelmed by the flavoring of the broth. It's just not as flavorful or spicy (e.g. for bun bo hue) and herby as some of the other Vietnamese places in STL (Kim Son Seafood, Phuc Loi, Truc Lam, etc). The broth is what makes pho great and if not for the convenience of stopping by after shopping in Brentwood, I would not get it here. One excellent dish I have had here is a rice plate - Com Dat Biet (#76), a plate of crushed rice served with a fried egg, egg cake, shredded pork, and pork chop. It's meaty and comes with some green stuff to make you feel like you've at least gotten some veggies into your meal (shredded lettuce, pickled carrot & cucumber). It's filling, appropriately flavored, and all that pork in your belly is quite satisfying. Unfortunately with other dishes I've had, Mai Lee seems to skimp on the meat. The Pho Ga (pho with chicken) came with very few pieces of blanched, unflavored white meat chicken. The bun ga rau ca (noodle soup with chicken & mixed vegetables) didn't come with much (same kind of boiled, unflavored) chicken either and even more sadly, came with a bland broth. The bun bo hue didn't come with much beef either. Even the spring rolls are mostly stuffed with vermicelli and very little sliced pork/shrimp. And one more thing. The papaya salad is overly sweet and doesn't come with an ounce of spiciness. It just doesn't have the depth that usually comes with using high quality dried shrimps balanced with the right amount of fish sauce. Like others have mentioned, dine-in service can be very spotty, especially around dinner time. Entrees tend to come out not at the same time so people at your table will be awkwardly waiting around while their soup goes cold, waiting for the rest of your friends to get their food. Mai Lee's menu is priced consistently with the high costs of Brentwood retail areas and realistically, if not for its location, it would not be my first choice of Vietnamese restaurant to visit especially when there are many others with better prices and more authentic-tasting offerings.
(3)
Jamie K.

We stopped in to Mai Lee last night when we were shopping in Brentwood. As usual, the restaurant was very busy and the service was slow, but I can't help but give them 4 stars because the food was so delicious. I had the beef pho (Pho Tai) which came in a big bowl full of well-spiced broth and a side of herbs and bean sprouts to add. My friends had sauteed beef tips (Buo Luc Lac) and Pad Thai, both were even better than my entree. The Buo Luc Lac was very flavorful and came with a delicious herb dipping sauce. The Pad Thai was very garlicy and spicy but not overwhelming with peanut flavor. It was probably the best Pad Thai I've ever had. Next time you're in Brentwood (and have some time to kill) check out Mai Lee for some great vietnamese food!
(4)
Zach S.

We recently went to Mai Lee for the first time, and boy, are we glad we did. My wife and I went with two other couples and we ordered a lot of different menu items, to the point to where the waiter was laughing at how much food we were getting! Food Quality: A Food Quantity: A+ Cleanliness: A Design & Decor: B+ (hoped for more traditional Vietnamese decor) Noise Level: A- Staff Friendliness: A Server Food Knowledge: A OVERALL GRADE: A (We will eat at Mai Lee again for lunch and dinner) The sheer number of menu items is very impressive. The cost compared to the quantity and quality of the food is also very impressive. I especially recommend their "Fire Soups," the $4 sandwiches, and their spring rolls. I ordered #198 which was a combination fire soup and self-made spring rolls. It was a lot of fun working with the rice paper at the table and rolling my own spring rolls! Waiters were knowledgeable and very responsive to our needs. We already have plans to return for lunch.
(5)
Mike C.

I ordered grilled pork chop over rice... It came out three small strip of pork, small cup of rice, dish of fish sauce, & they fill the gap of the plate with bean sprout, & lettuce. No mint leaves. So I asked for more rice. They charged me another $2 for a tiny bowl of rice. Talk about rip off? They can only get away with this in this neighborhood I guess? The rest of the foods were ok, nothing to brag about. It's around $20 per a person. Much better deal on Olive blvd. This place is always crowded, so my review don't make a dent!
(2)
Matt T.

I'm not sure how to rate Mai Lee. Having spent a decade in San Francisco, I am a true fan of Vietnamese fare. I should go in with an open mind...but how can you really do that? I followed the recommendations of fellow Yelpers and ordered the Pho Tai. I threw a bit of sauce in, some of the side items, and dug in. I thought the food was fine. Good. Solid. Was it great? Not really. Would I come back to try something else? Absolutely, why not. The service was fast and pleasant. The iced coffee was wonderful though. I'll update again after I try it a second time. It deserves a fair shake.
(3)
Amanda K.

It was 7:30PM and I was winding down a day full of running errands when hunger struck. Luckily I happened to be in Brentwood and Mai Lee popped in my mind, so I headed here to grab some take out to be enjoyed while watching a movie in front of my TV at home. They have a HUGE menu here so I looked it over for a good 15 minutes before deciding on what to over...decisiveness is a must here, otherwise you might never get anything to eat. I wanted to try a new dish so I went out of the box and ordered chao (rice porridge with a side of duck salad). That was the whole description so I didn't know what to expect, but what I ended up with was pretty tasty. Rice porridge is rice that is cooked for a LONG time, leaving it with an oatmeal-like texture. It wasn't super flavorful, but it was decent...although I probably wouldn't order it again. The redeemer of my meal was the side duck salad. This was also a vague description so I again didn't know what to expect. The salad was made up of sliced cabbage & carrots, a little bit of lettuce, some fresh cilantro, and chunks of chilled fall-of-the-bone duck , all of which was dressed in a delicious sesame oil dressing. What flavor the porridge lacked must have been added to this salad because it was bursting with flavor. I plan on returning to Mai Lee in the near future and exploring some of their other menu items because they have so many to choose from! Also since I just got take-out this time, I am looking forward to dining in here because while there location is a bit odd (being connected to a parking garage complex and all), once you are inside the restaurant it is quite quaint.
(4)
Dot F.

I have fallen in love with this place. Mai Lee has THE BEST sweet and sour soup EVER!!! No Kidding! ! It is rich and full of flavor and not like the cheap Chinese restaurants around town...I can eat just that! Although everything was so flavorful and you will not leave hungry! Also, I ate a jalapeÃ±o pepper on accident thinking it was a green pepper. The waiter was so wonderful and saw what was happening, probably because I was fanning myself and drinking lots of water. He left and returned with a glass of milk to help me put out the fire in my mouth. He was so happy, so helpful and he truly made my night. Can't wait to go back for my birthday dinner.
(5)
Mika M.

OBSESSED. Can't go more than a week without some Pho! We were surprised to actually find good Vietnamese food in the center of Brentwood. Figured we'd end up finding a nice place, but not that great of food... and then head to Grand or somewhere for good food but not that nice-of-a-place... WRONG! Everyone is extremely friendly, the food comes quickly, and everything is priced right. You really can't beat this place.
(5)
Scott W.

Friends took me here for lunch and I was hesitant because I avoid MSG. I was pleasantly surprised though that the waiter pointed out which dishes lack MSG, and he even came back after we ordered to let me know that one of the sauces had MSG in it. The food was tasty and fresh. I had a noodle bowl with chicken.
(5)
Anthony S.

Mai Lee is consistent and delicious, I come for the Pho and the vegetarian spring rolls. St. Louis has many Vietnamese restaurants to offer and this is among the ones worth trying.
(4)
Sasha S.

Good solid Vietnamese food. Not the best atmosphere. We had soft spring rolls with pork and shrimp. They were good but not the best I've had. For my entree I had noodle soup with veggies and tofu. I'm pretty sure it had something fishy in it. No biggie for me since I'm not a vegetarian but something to look out for. Anyhoo, it was good but not phenomenal and it was lukewarm. However, the veggies were fresh and the tofu was good. The bf had ginger chicken and said it was good, especially the sauce. Our drinks were left empty a few times but the waitstaff was friendly and mostly attentive. The atmosphere leaves something to be desired. The lighting is unattractive and the seating isn't intimate. It's clean but has no charm. Maybe like a cafeteria or just some generic restaurant. So maybe not a first date place. I would definitely come back if I was shopping in in The Galleria but I probably wouldn't make a special trip to go back.
(4)
Drew T.

Pho tai! I heard it's pretty premium here. So, I had to see what was up with this huge bowl of broth, beef and noodles. I placed my order and the service was quick and responsive and my wait was a very short one. Pho Tai can be a daunting dish for those who are inexperienced, and isn't something you'd want to attempt in front of a date unless they're an absolute foodie who won't mind you slurping away in front of them. This dish can taste just about however you want it to, and Mia Lee sets themselves apart by the incredibly fresh nature of the additives you can plop in your bowl. I love Pho, and if anyone asks, this is where to go. Not a fan of Pho? Well there's a menu there about 8 pages long full of Asian dishes ranging from Chinese to Vietnamese. I've never had anything there that I wouldn't suggest, and you can't go wrong with just about anything you order. There's only one thing about this place that I would consider a negative, and that's the location. It's in a strange spot and if you decide to sit on the patio, you are staring at the commercial jungle known as Brentwood. There's nothing appealing about that. Otherwise, stay inside in the comfort of their crisp, clean interior and enjoy some of the best Vietnamese/Asian food you can find in the city.
(5)
Stacy H.

Mai Lee is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in St. Louis area. I have searched high and low for spring rolls that can compare to the deliciousness of Mai Lee. I have eaten at Mai Lee dozens of times and each time I contemplate eating an entire meal of spring rolls. Don't get me wrong, I love many of the items on their menu (I recommend beef and broccoli or a hot bowl soup or pho) but just be sure to order plenty of spring rolls as an appetizer because they are certain to leave you wanting more. One of the best experiences at Mai Lee comes from ordering the make your own spring rolls. This is a place you gotta try!
(5)
Jason B.

the bartender was awesome - made my girlfriend a great mixed drink off the menu. Great spring rolls. I thought my dish was ok - lacking vegetables and the meat didn't seem great. the place was packed, it clearly has a big following.
(4)
Riana Elizabeth E.

I am officially a regular here. The staff know me by name and could have my food ready for me without my having to place an order...except recently I've been trying to venture more outside of my box. My all-time Fav: #17 Bun Bo Hue - they slice medium rare beef into a bowl of spicy broth with vermicelli noodles, then serve that with a plate of all sorts of different things you can add to customize the soup the way you want it. Order it with double meat (don't worry, you get a bigger bowl so you don't lose out on all that savory broth) if you're really hungry, but this soup is pretty darn filling. Don't say I didn't warn you. Other noteworthy dishes: #34 Goi Cuon - Simple, chilled shrimp & pork wrapped with vermicelli noodles, cilantro, & vegetables in rice paper. Served with a sweet/spicy dipping sauce. #63 Bun Cha Gio - Vermicelli noodles, chopped vegetables, & cilantro topped with sliced fried eggrolls. I like extra cilantro on the side so I can add accordingly, but I like cilantro. ;-) #169 Vit Quay - Half a duck roasted vietnamese style & served with sides of rice and Mai Lee's ginger soy sauce. I don't even like ginger & I thought the sauce was good, but the duck is ~amazing~. #180 Mi Xao Gion Do Bien - Scallops, Shrimp, Squid, Imitation crab, & vegetables are stir fried and put atop a nest of "crispy egg noodles" (they kindof resemble chow mein noodles). It looks like a large bird's nest when they serve it to you. The noodles on the outside of the nest are crispy, but the center noodles (where the stir fried meats, vegetables, and sauce sit) become soft from the sauce. It provides a perfect blending of textures in the dish to complement the flavors. One more thing: Order the Vietnamese Iced Coffee. They bring sweetened condensed milk in a short glass with a special drip coffee brewer to sit atop the glass. After it's finished dripping, remove the brewer, stir the contents of the glass, and add ice. Be careful, because they're good enough you can drink several in a row without realizing it and that caffeine will get you! (But a couple would be a great idea if you have some frantic Christmas shopping to do!)
(5)
Bo H.

I live very nearby Mai Lee and it is one of my favorite eating spots! I love the coconut milk rice with mango. It is very special and well made. It also has outdoor seatings and it has parking garage at the back of the restaurant.
(5)
Picha M.

Its all about the Pho! St. Louis is definitely improving its Vietnamese food landscape but this is my favorite. I've been going to Mai Lee since it was a 5 table order from the window restaurant. First they expanded then they moved to their current location. Somewhat odd location under a parking garage but definitely nice. I think the Pho is the best. I typically judge a vietnamese restaurant by its Pho. Similar to an italian restaurant by is Lasagna or Spaghetti. In some restaurants the soup is just a semi-clear broth. The soup at Mai Lee is dark, rich and tasty. You can tell a lot has gone into it. Some of my other favorite dishes are the Vietnamese pancakes, the Bo Luc Lac (Marinated beef tips), and the spring rolls of course! My only complaints are that as the restaurant has become more popular the waits have gotten longer and the prices have slightly gone up!
(5)
Alan D.

I had higher expectations going in. Was not "wow'd". It was alright. The food was good, but I was disappointed in the portion size and the amount of meat. $14 for Pad Thai. It had 4 shrimp and about 1/4 of a chicken breast in it. That's a good deal of money for rice noodles and peanuts in my opinion. What was there was quite tasty I must admit. Their home made hot sauce was great, really enjoyed that. Service was non-descript. I'll probably go back but as other reviewers have mentioned, there are equally as good places elsewhere with larger portions and slightly better prices.
(3)
Marleigh R.

Hands down one of my favorite places in Saint Louis since I moved here. The food is always so fresh, and I haven't had anything I didn't like. My favorite are the noodle bowls. I always get the one with an egg roll in it. Some of their Chinese dishes are good, but the Vietnamese menu is so fantastic you'd be crazy not to get it. Their appetizers are awesome too. The pork bun is my boyfriend's favorite. The best is their make your own spring roll. Service is always super attentive, never lacking, and if you're in a hurry you're out quick more often than not. This place is always packed during peak times though, but I've never had to wait long. Seriously the best. It's delicious, the price is great for a meal, and you never leave too full and feel healthy when you leave. 5 Stars easy.
(5)
Donna T.

The pho is wonderful! You get a good sized bowl. The spring rolls and egg rolls are the best around! So many good dishes! Make sure you pick from the Vietnamese side of the menu. The Chinese is so so. Nothing to write home about!
(5)
Deanna B.

Always good food and good service . Qui and his family have a great place . We are always satisfied with the best Vietnamese in Stl. The five spice pork is great. There are so many choices on the menu that we just ask the waiter for a mix of entrees. We have yet to be disappointed
(5)
Krista B.

This place is excellent! We eat here at least once a week. Owners and staff are so friendly and personable!!!
(5)
Jeremy G.

Amazing! Mai Lee and Pho Grand are by far the best southeast Asian restaurants in stl. Thai Country and King and I are legit too. Great for lunch or dinner. Not open Monday! Service is very organized and operation is run very smoothly. Only negative is almost always a wait for dinner, but well worth it.
(5)
susan c.

I have been to Mai Lee many times and I have never been disappointed. Always consistent food,service is fine , they do a good job with takeout I just wish you could pull up outside for picking up but there never seems to be space.
(4)
Lisa Y.

One of my favorite places to eat. Love the food, love the atmosphere, love the family. Thanks for always being awesome.
(5)
D R.

Another Clayton / Brentwood favorite. Always had to wait about 10 min to get seated. The food service is pretty quick. Will Definitely reccommend 151 (battered egg plant) for vegetarians. D R
(5)
Noah R.

This place is always packed for dinner and getting a table can sometimes be tough, but it is worth it. The chicken spring roles are amazing. Sometimes I just order 3 or 4 orders and make that my meal. The entres are good, though sometimes have small portions. It is on the more expensive side for Vietnamese food in St. Louis, but it shows in the overall taste and atmosphere.
(4)
David P.

I grew up on the east coast in Virginia and lived on Vietnamese food pretty much every other day or so. Due to proximity, I visited Washington D.C. regularly for Vietnamese food among other things, and recently lived close to Little Saigon in Southern California for a couple years. I currently reside in St. Louis, MO which is not the first place you think of when you want Vietnamese cuisine. Of all the Vietnamese places I've visited in St. Louis, Mai Lee is by far the best overall place in my opinion and definitely and regularly recommend this restaurant to everyone I know - to both newbies and veterans. As an appetizer, I'd recommend the Vietnamese spring rolls which is rice noodles, lettuce, some form of protein, etc. wrapped in rice paper served with a dark peanut sauce. If you're a beef fan, get one of their specialties - Bo Luc Lac. It's well-marinated beef cubes served with white rice, lettuce, and tomatoes with a pepper dipping sauce on the side. All in all though, I haven't found much on the menu that I wouldn't recommend. Definitely one of my favorite casual restaurants in St. Louis and a great place to eat for lunch.
(5)
Lance B.

I'm willing to give this a 5 star! I went to the Mai Lee in brentwood behind Best Buy. This was the first time I had eaten there and it won't be the last. I started with a beef and egg bun and shrimp spring rolls. The bun came out steaming hot and the beef and egg mix were seasoned perfectly. Mai Lee has a number of different soup bowls, I choose a shrimp with vernicelli noodles.. increadible! They first bring out a plate of condiments which you can add to your soup such as cilantro, thai basil, sliced jalapeno peppers, and bamboo shoots all fresh. The broth of the soup had a intense aroma of star anise...it was very refreshing and warming. The noodles and shrimp were cooked perfectly, they probably cooked in the broth it was so hot. If your out shopping in the area I definitly recommend it!
(5)
Caleb C.

First, please note that Mai Lee's has MOVED. I don't know how to edit this in Yelp, but they have moved from the longtime Delmar location to an even better one (for me) behind the Best Buy on Eager and Hanley. Address is 1467 South Hanley Road. Park in the Best Buy garage. We were there the second day it opened at the new location and it was quite full for a Thursday night. The new space is very nice. Cleaner and less crowded of a feeling than the old spot. Has a nice separate bar area. And the food? Actually it was the best I've had there in a couple of years... which is to say that Mai Lee's is still the king of Vietnamese in St. Louis. I only give it 4 stars because they did raise their prices again some time in the last year. Still very reasonable for the quality (and now the atmosphere too), but not the incredible dirt-cheap-amazing-food combo that it was when I first discovered it 10 years ago.
(4)
Monte W.

Having been a long time Mai Lee supporter I feel that I qualified to say what happened. I ate there yesterday and I don't know if it's a recession portions but everything was 1/2 the size it used to be but the same price. We ordered soup that usually can feed 4 now only can feed one. 2 orders of spring rolls gave us four anemic rolls for over $9. Not sure if ownership has changed or what is going on? Probably lost a customer of 20+ years. I will give it one more shot. I live in California now but it was always a treat coming home to my familiar surrounding. There is just too many choices not to ignore on Olive now and probably will check them out next time.
(3)
Kelly S.

i am cranky at all my "adventurous" local friends. to a one, i had the following conversation after visiting mai lee last week. me: "have you ever been to mai lee?" s/he: "of course! it's probably the best place to get vietnamese in st. louis." me: sighs dejectedly, realizing I'm not going to be able to tell them how it's surprisingly tasty and cheap, staffed with friendly folks in a large enough dining room to handle the sizable crowd, and while the spring rolls were inferior to banh mi so, the pho was the best i've had and i can't think of a reason to ever go back to pho grand. s/he: "don't tell me you've never been? If i'd have known that, i would have taken you years ago!" me: pouts. s/he: "well, next time we go, you have to try the (insert almost any dish on the menu)." me: makes a mental note and seeks out the next person to share mai lee with.
(4)
Julia P.

I will add to the praise of Mai Lee's spring rolls- delicious! You would hate them if you don't adore cilantro though. The lychee smoothie was divine as well. My Mom got the avacado smoothie which was good, but not as much my style (sorry but I like my smoothies sweet). For our entrees I had the Tom Xao Lan, a coconut curry shrimp dish. It was really great. I found it weird that the two of us had to share rice, but it made it communal I suppose. Mom got a sauteed shrimp on a bed of cucumber dish (cannot remember the name). While I don't love cucumber, I did really like the sweet coating on the shrimp. We both had enough food for leftovers and the prices are reasonable when you consider the portions. I knocked a star due to service. Yes, the were busy and the waitress was friendly enough (and she did give the great recommendation of the shrimp/cucumber dish), but we waited a long time before anyone served us and she brought our drinks and entrees out several minutes apart from each other. It is completely awkward to let your food get cold while your dining companion waits on theres. MAJOR restaurant foul!
(4)
Bruce R.

I love eating here! Who would expect to find a great restaurant in a parking garage!
(5)
Liz S.

Mai lee is worth a visit- their spring rolls are awesome and their Chinese lunch menu is well portioned, cheap and delicious. However, there have been a few times where the quality of their food is questionable. Personally I have not experienced it but when I've gone with a large group there always seems to be something off about at least one dish.
(4)
Steve D.

Mai Lee is not only the best Asian Restaurant in St. Louis, but blows Pho Grand out of the water in the Vietnamese category. Why? Equal or mostly better food, typically less wait time, and cheap(e)r prices! It's just not located on trendy Grand Ave. No matter your tastes, you will find something in the menu numbered into the hundreds to try. I have to say with such a large and enticing menu, I've never ordered off their alternate Chinese menu, but its nice to have for groups with a person who has a less adventurous attitude. The soups truly eat like a meal, to borrow a slogan, and come with a large assortment of fresh vegetables and spices. The amazingly fresh spring rolls are served with a tangy sauce that has you considering dipping your napkin in to eat more. Other favorites include many of the beef and shrimp dishes, are all well spiced and prepared well. A word on the Pho ( traditional noodle soup, pronounced "Phwa")...my cousin having married a Vietnamese woman who made true 12 hour Pho for us one day, I can confirm the authenticity of Mai Lee's version. Have I mentioned spices? Ask for "extra spicy" at your own risk, and even some of the menu noted spicy foods can be hot, and I am no wimp when it comes to hot spices. Service is generally very good. Although I hesitate to give 5 stars to anything less than Tony's, Mai Lee earns its 5th star on the quality-to-price factor.
(5)
Erika S.

Most visit one in STL, love the spring rolls, rice noodle and fried rice. Serves also good.
(5)
David O.

The food was excellent. The place was packed. Good service. Only downside was it's significantly more pricey than Pho Grand and other Vietnamese places we've been.
(4)
Reem A.

My boyfriend and I were introduced to Mai Lee by our friend. The food is absolutely delicious, the service is incredible, and it is cheap. The owner always comes out to greet his customers and to check all is well. We enjoy our experience there so much that we eat at Mai Lee once a week. My favorite dishes are the fried squid, curry combination, and their soup selections!
(5)
Alex L.

I come from a place where on one road, there are about twenty Pho noodle shops competing against each other. Thus, the prices are cheap, and the soups are amazing. When I came to St Louis, I was reluctant to try their Pho, knowing I was going to be disappointed either at prices, serving amount, or taste. My friend took me to Mai Lee's, and the first thing that happens to me when I walk in is that I get hit with a wave of broth smell. The smell that seeps into your clothes and stays with you for the rest of the day, a very characteristic trait of Pho shops. It was beginning to feel more like home. I open the menu, and behold! Competitive prices! I had a smile on my face as I ordered. So far so good, I was having high hopes for the rare steak Pho. When it came, the serving was a little smaller than I imagined it to be, but it was delicious, and it turns out I couldn't even finish the soup. It was a great experience, and I've been and will definitely be back there many more times while I'm up here.
(5)
Rob C.

Closed on mondays. If you like this place, you'll also like Kim Son and Pho Grand. Would stick to the Vietnamese dishes only. Less fancy decor. Very reasonably priced.
(5)
Kim L.

Love, love, love this place. Everything is fresh and flavorful. The Pho, the bun,spring rolls anything. And if you have not tried them yet, the bahn mi rock.
(5)
Alex T.

I always come here every time I go back to St. Louis. To this day I have not had better Vietnamese food. There are also some great places on South Grand, but this one is my favorite. Their lemongrass tofu and coconut tofu curry are incredible.
(4)
Sarah H.

I went to this place for the first time on a recent trip home to St. Louis, and I loved it. It's cheap as hell and they offer nice big portions. I was worried that there wouldn't be many vegetarian options, but I actually had trouble deciding what to order. This place is known for its Vietnamese food, but they also have a section of Chinese dishes on the menu. I would definitely go back here.
(5)
Khalid S.

This was suggested to me by a local Vietnamese person at work when I was working in STL, and boy was it a great suggestion... Loved this place, the food is great and the restaurant is pretty clean, with reasonable prices.
(4)
Lauren G.

This place has the best Vietnamese in the world. Well, that I have tasted at least. This is super cheap and super good! With their laminated long menus and tight cramped quarters it isn't so much about the ambiance as just the food. So there you go, order take-out and enjoy my friend. Enjoy!
(5)
Steve X.

The best Vietnamese food in town even though service can be slow sometimes
(5)
Allan C.

Hooray for Banh Mi for $3.25. For that much, I'm willing to put up with a lot of crap but I'd say this is as good as Banh Mi So's... or maybe it's the convenient location that's making me like it more... Regardless, the Lady likes Kim Son more so we don't come here anywhere near as often as I'd like, but I'd still like to point out that this place is quite different from a lot of the other Vietnamese places in town and the city that would make it worth the trek to check out. I still like the crispy squid a lot as well as their grilled beef (pretty much any of their dishes involved grilled beef.) But those cheap delicious sammiches will definitely be the thing I'll get the most from there. It will be even more convenient to get to when they move by the metrolink by 170 and Eager...
(4)
David H.

This is where I will have to go if my mother ever moves or leaves this world. It is the closest thing to home cooking I can get. The Pho is always a great staple but it's the fish sauce that is key: many Vietnamese restaurants don't have that balance of salty + sweet + lime + garlicky fusion that is the epitome of the cuisine. Just sayin'... I always make it a point to take friends here when they want to try Vietnamese food for the first time (other than my mom's house). I really can't say enough.
(5)
Cherie O.

So I'm torn between giving the place 3 or 4 stars...so I think I'm going to settle for 3.5 right now. The Pros: Great staff, fast and efficient service. Authentic. Crazy busy, which should tell people that they are doing something right. The shrimp egg rolls are delicious as is the papaya salad. Would get those two again hands down. The Cons: The Pho. I ordered my usual pho that I usually order at new places to judge how it compares to other places. While it smells great, how it tastes is a totally different story. It was salty and oily. My beef and sausage were paltry. It was more soup than noodles, and the soup was too salty to really drink. Hours after finishing the meal, I'm still dying of thirst. On a positive note, the cilantro and bean sprouts were super fresh. The menu is truly extensive and there are really a lot of things on the menu that sound great. It's definitely a crowd-pleaser, given the diverse crowd that was there on Sunday night. I might have to go back and try something else on the menu. Just not the pho.
(3)
Rex R.

The guys at Mai Lee are tops. No better food or service. They keep the regulars happy and infrequent guest coming back for more. Great food!
(5)
Alan S.

First Vietnamese place in StL. They do a nice job with the pho...the other things I haven't really tried so can't comment on those. I sort of miss their old location which had a homier feel but this new venue is great testament to how succesful they have been.
(4)
Kat V.

This location is a lot better than the old Delmar location. Perfect location! Great space & great ambience. There is a separate small bar on the other side. I came here tonight for dinner. The food was delish! They have this dish, where you cook either beef or shrimp on a metal charcoal grill & make it into spring rolls. They bring out the rice wrappers, hot water & veggies, & you do all the work. This was fun & interesting. I ordered the Vietnamese style grilled chicken with the Mai Lee soy sauce. Again, very delish! The only thing that they didn't have was those fruit smoothies. They also didn't have any desserts. I wish they did given that it was Chinese New Year today. Service was a bit slow, but I loved the food. That's all that matters to me. :P
(4)
Danielle A.

Today I had a serious craving for pho. I did not know of any Vietnamese restaurants near me, so I turned to Yelp for help. Since Mai Lee had one of the best ratings, I decided to go there. I have to admit... This place was incredibly hard to find. Once I got there, I was fine though. The waitress sat me down and brought me a glass of water almost immediately. I was only going to order the pho ga, but the waitress talked me into trying their goi cuon (spring rolls w/ shrip and pork). Let me just say that this being my second time eating Vietnamese food, I was a bit hesitant to try anything new. As soon as I bit into one of the spring rolls, I was in love. The peanut sauce they give you with them makes them even better. When the pho arrived, it looked and smelled amazing. The thing I like about pho is that you flavor it to how you want it. I am a huge fan of bean sprouts, so I loaded them on. Then came the fresh cilantro and basil leaves. Finally a squeeze of the lemon. There was also a little dish of sauce (which tbh I had no clue what it was). I poked my chopstick in it so I could get a taste of the sauce. It was good, so I stirred a little bit of that in as well. Let me just say that my pho concoction came out amazing. Not only was the food great, but so was the service. My waitress was so nice and helpful with suggestions of other things to try, and even with getting me to try the spring rolls. I wish all restaurants had service this great. I will definitely be going back, and next time I'm going to drag my boyfriend along with me.
(5)
Bonnie N.

Best asian cuisine.
(5)
Oanh T.

THEY ARE SO RUDE!! I understand that on Fridays they are busy but after visiting this past time I would never go back. I ordered to-go knowing they were busy so as I go in I scrunch up against the bar to pick up my order trying my hardest to get in any ones way one of the waitress looks at me and says "excuse you". I am going to your establishment and contributing to your business very politely try not to be in your way and this is how I get treated so needless to say I will never be going back.
(1)
Angela L.

Pretty good Viet food here, I feel like you usually can't go wrong with pho though. I've honestly never had a bad bowl of pho, I guess the only difference I find between different pho restaurants is the level of sanitary of the place. In which case, Mai Lee goes above and beyond as being the cleanest pho restaurant I've ever been to (maybe because the other restaurants I've been to have been in LA and Chicago). I've also tried a bowl of the bun noodles (i think that's what it's called--the dry rice noodles with meat and peanuts). Usually that dish needs to be drowned in fish sauce before it has real taste, but here it's flavorful even without the fish sauce. Good stuff. The location of the restaurant is pretty strange though, being stuck on the lower level of a parking structure behind the Best Buy, but the place is still pretty busy around dinner time. The one thing that I didn't really like was how the waitress kept coming back to the table asking if I was finished. It really made me feel rushed and I felt like she wanted me to leave.
(4)
Jennifer H.

Mai Lee is an affordable Vietnamese restaurant located at the corner of Delmar and I-170. Mai Lee is a very small place, and you should be prepared to get cozy to others when dining in. Normally, I'm not into sitting close to people I don't know, listening to their insipid conversations, smelling their obnoxious cologne. For Mai Lee's food, I'll make an exception. Why do I enjoy it? 1) The menu is huge. I've been to this place countless times, and I've never gotten close to trying everything. 2) Everything is tasty. 3) Its pretty cheap. 4) Mai Lee is the perfect place to get a (small) group of friends together and try several new things and toast your friendship with a delicious Thai iced tea.
(4)
Tom L.

I've been going to Mai Lee for years and it has almost always been great. As far as vietnamese food in St. Louis, I think this is as good as it gets. Someone from Vietnam can correct me if I am mistaken!
(5)
Angelo P.

Top knotch Vietnamese food for when I'm too lazy to schlep down to South Grand. I've never ordered off of the Chinese side of the menu and I don't plan on it...its a Vietnamese restaurant! One of my favorite dishes to eat anywhere is the beef underdone in lemon juice they have here. I definitely recommend it. Making my own spring rolls was fun and tasty and overly stuffing as well. You get a device to cook the meat and a bowl of hot water to stick the rice wrappers in to make your rolls...that's recommended too! :P
(4)
Maria S.

So, I'm on my way to work and I'm starving. Where am I going to get lunch? And then I think of Mai Lee, and my whole work day is bathed in the happy glow of banh mi sandwiches and spicy noodles. I swing by at noon - the parking lot is jammed, the restaurant is wall-to-wall people -- and get my sandwich. Despite being mobbed by customers in a hurry, the guy behind the counter is charming, sweet, polite, and efficient. And my sandwich? Full of sliced pork, patÃ©, fresh cilantro and jalapenos. It's fantastic. There are so few things you can count on anymore. Thank goodness there's this place!
(5)
Erika W.

This past Saturday, we stopped in at Mai Lee to order some food to take home and have a drink at the bar while we waited. What a great experience! I had in my mind this would be along the lines of a Pei Wei, but it is not. Mai Lee is more of a true sit down restaurant. And beautiful inside I must add! The menu is huge but don't let it intimidate you! It takes just a few minutes to become comfortable with endless options. The bartenders were very attentive and friendly. Our food was ready just as we finished our glasses of wine. Both of our meals were fantastic. I had the golden tofu with curry and lemongrass- fantastic combination of flavors.
(4)
Jill L.

We tried the new Mai Lee in Brentwood tonight, and it was packed! After overhearing the people in front of us being told it was going to be a 30-45 minute wait, we were about to leave and try something else. Then a lady (I'm guessing the owner), asked us if we'd been helped and showed us to a table in the bar area. We were seated in a high-top by the window which worked out great. We were helped by two different servers, who were both sweet as can be. The main one, Jay, was very willing to help us decide what to order. We chose the Vietnamese dinner for two. The food arrived very quickly, which was surprising given the volume of people. It came with a combination soup...brothy, lots of vegetables, with chicken, shrimp, and crab. Had a sweet, cilantro flavor, and was good. The entrees were chicken with ginger (Ga Xao Gung) and stir-fried beef in sour sauce (Bo Xao Chua) and Vietnamese fried rice. All of these were very good. My husband especially liked the rice. When asked about the missing spring rolls the waiter said it didn't come with spring rolls. We were pretty sure it included them on the menu there, and I checked on the online menu, which has them too. Oh well...we had plenty of food! I also noticed the prices were a little higher than the online menu, so I guess they've recently raised their prices. For two, our total was $34, and that's for food and one soda. Nice, clean atmosphere and friendly people! We will definitely be back!
(4)
Danielle W.

Mai Lee is my favorite easy and affordable Vietnamese place in St. Louis. I have been going to this restaurant for over 5 years now. I usually order the #25 soup, which has vegetables and tofu inside. I also get the spring rolls with no pork (just shrimp) and my meal is more then satisfactory. I love Mai Lee- it is disappointing that they are changing locations, however I do believe their local customers will follow them whether they may go.
(5)
peter c.

Great pho broth, dark and not too salty. A bit sweet but good. Not a lot of meats in the pho too. Had to wait 10 minutes. Busy place!
(4)
E. J. S.

150+ mostly positive reviews and the packed dining area I saw the several times I went there won't convince me this is good Vietnamese food. I have tried different items on the 4-5 times I have been to this restaurant and each time I have been underwhelmed. The food is lacking in depth of flavor, and seems sloppy in preparation (probably a result of the above noted busy dining area). I wouldn't call it bad, but I don't see why it is constantly voted the best Viet in St. Louis. It may just be a result of the clean conditions and location. I will say however the service has always been friendly and accommodative if not a little rushed. It's probably what gets me up to two stars.
(2)
Esther Y.

The first time I had Viet food, I thought it was SO bland. SO SO SO bland, I felt like I was adding the plum sauce, hot sauce, rooster sauce, EVERY kind of sauce to everything I ate. So, safe to say, I've been avoiding Viet food for a really long time, much to the annoyance of the Hubs. However, when our friends suggested eating dinner here, I had to take one for the team. Boy, am I glad I made the ultimate sacrifice! :) Everything we had here was SO good. We started with the Viet eggrolls (the one you wrap in lettuce, add cilantro, the sacue and cucumber to) and when my friend said they were like "crackrolls" he wasn't kidding. Seriously, I felt like I could eat 10 of those and be happy. For our entrees, we had a curry dish, 2 noodle dishes and an order of Pho. All of it was so good! The portions are huge and so we didn't finish all of the food, but that didn't stop us from trying! Service here is friendly, fast and good. If you want a good taste of Viet, go here and support one of the oldest Viet businesses in St. Louis.
(5)
Adam M.

Hands down the best asian food in St. Louis. The food is wonderful and flavorful and never greasy. The portions are pretty big also. They used to have a location in U. City now they are behind the Best Buy in Brentwood. I used to think this place was a little gem, a little place that only I knew about but apparently people read yelp because last time I went it was packed full of people. Do yourself, date, fiancÃ©, family a favor and take a trip there. You won't regret it.
(5)
Victoria H.

Not as good as my regular place for vietnamese food. This place is definitely americanized since it's moved. The pho is too cinnamonny and sweet. The other dishes are too salty but if you ask them to make it with less sauce, it's much better. Their eggrolls are the best in town though! Service has always been terrible. We don't plan on going back, though we've made more than enough attempts to like this place.
(2)
Chad B.

I had my first experience here today. I opted for some of the Chinese menu items on their lunch menu, and apparently I should have tried something else. The egg drop soup was not to my liking, with the egg feeling almost still runny and tasting of yolk. The fried wonton was fairly tasteless. The shrimp with cashew was ok, but I've certainly had better. The crab rangoon was good, while the fried rice was a bit dry. My friends were surprised I'd not eaten there before, as they enjoyed it, but I don't feel that I have been missing anything, and won't hurry back.
(3)
Steve S.

I've been to this place many times when it was at its old location on delmar I believe... and it never disappointed me. But lately, the quality of their food is not up to standard. I usually go to Mai Lee for their Pho, which was amazing, but I went back a couple week ago and it was a huge disappointment. They barely put any beef in the stew, they did not have any basil, the broth tasted different, in a bad way, and they did not have a lime to squeeze..... They get two stars because of the service they used to have... Sadly to say, this place is off my list of favorite restaurants... Their drinks taste nasty too btw... and overpriced.. probably why they don't post it.
(2)
sarah c.

The boy called me from Best Buy saying he had driven by a new restaurant in Brentwood that was totally packed and we should check it out. I didn't recall reading about any new Brentwood restaurants, but I'm always game to try new places. Turns out he was talking about Mai Lee, which is definitely not new, but judging by the crowd on a tuesday night, it's not hard to see why he jumped to that conclusion. We waited about 15 minutes, which isn't horrible, but there's not a lot of room to wait so we just sort of huddled by the wine to get out of the cold doorway. When we finally got seated, we ordered spring rolls and pork bun to start. The spring rolls were awesome. Actually, I always thought spring meant fried and summer meant rice paper, so to me, these were actually summer rolls. The sauce with it was pretty decent, but now that I've read about peanut sauce, I'm requesting that next time. The boy thought the pork bun was weird. He was expecting little dumpings and this looked like a melon-sized undercooked dinner roll with pork and an egg in it. He said it was good, but different. I tried a bite and thought the bread was too doughy. For dinner, I ordered 91, chicken with coconut curry, lemongrass and peanuts, and he got 85, beef with chilies, garlic and lemongrass. Now, I am a pretty big spice wuss, so I asked the waiter if the 91 was spicy. He said it was very mild. Weeelllll....if you're spice-averse like me, you may want to further explore the meaning of "very mild." I mean it wasn't intolerable, but definitely had a good kick. The flavor was wonderful though and I really enjoyed it. The chicken, while really tender, was mostly dark meat, which is not my favorite, so next time I may see if they can do all white meat. The boy described his dish as the best Mandarin beef ever. Considering it had the word "chilies" in it, I stayed far away. But, he insisted I try it before he slathered it with hot sauce. Oddly enough it was not spicy AT ALL. It was awesome and tasted pretty much like Mandarin beef with a lot more ginger and garlic. I would totally order this for myself. We probably would not have ordered a bottle of wine had we not been waiting by the wine rack and had the time to peruse the selection. Quite impressive Mai Lee! No Sutter Home, or Kendall Jackson, or Beringer here. We had a lovely cab that I'd never even heard of before. Bottom line: "very mild" = kinda spicy. Dish with chilies = not spicy at all. Everything = huge and delicious. Wine list = not an afterthought.
(4)
Rose H.

Oh Mai Lee, I really wanted this to work. I'm from the northwest, and I love my Vietnamese food dearly. All of your flavors were great, the food was fresh, but I had two problems. I got a shrimp noodle bowl that came lovely fresh carrot, cilantro, the whole deal, but there was one problem: shrimp were not peeled or deveined. I did not get a plate or anything to put she shells, and I ended up with a gross pile of shrimp bits on a napkin, as well as awfully dirty hands. Service was prompt, the menu was large, but well organized, but I was not a fan of the space. Chairs were rather loud screeching across the floor, and it seemed very cold and without character. I will be back for some pho now that the weather has turned, but I don't want to peel my shrimp onto the table.
(3)
Iris T.

After going through two weeks without Vietnamese food, I was pretty much like an addict looking for my next fix. And Mai Lee just happened to be my Vietnamese food dealer of choice -- due to proximity and raving Yelp reviews. I can sum up my experience in two words: good food! Followed by another two words: ... but expensive. The bo luc lac was $14 with the Vietnamese Coffee was $3.50. A lunchtime meal for under $20 is not really my idea of money well spent -- especially when I could get a meal of comparable quality and flavor elsewhere in the city. I will say that their Vietnamese Iced Coffee may be the best I've had out of all the Vietnamese Iced Coffees I've had in STL, with the one at Lemongrass being a close second. Their bo luc lac was good -- but not $14 good. I don't think I'll be making a return visit here any time soon but if I happen to be in the area and am craving Vietnamese food, I wouldn't be too quick to turn down the opportunity.... to drink their Vietnamese Iced Coffee again.
(3)
Jennifer C.

The best Vietnamese Restaurant in St. Louis. Not from St. Louis but my boyfriend was and when him and his family took me here, I was not disappointed. This is their favorite place to eat! Their fried egg rolls are delicious! They give you a bed of lettuce leaves that you wrap the egg roll in. Never had my egg rolls with lettuce but it seriously is a great combination along with their dipping sauce. Their pho is awesome! I always get the combination beef pho (#14) and my boyfriend gets the med. rare beef pho (#9)...Their pho are huge!! They give you hella meat. I love all the meats they give you on the combo beef pho...especially the tripe!!! love love it!!! On top of the wonderful food, their service is awesome! They're quick to seat you and quick to get you your food! BTW...they also have chinese food but I never tried it so I can't really tell you about it!
(5)
Ebby V.

I will keep this short and to the point. The spring rolls everyone has raved about are fresh but bland. They seemed to lack any kick or salt. The crab rangoon however was killer. They came out warm and creamy. The waiter was helpful when he realized we were overwhelmed by the size of the menu. However when you look at the ingredients, a lot of the meals have the same ingredients but with different meats. I had #81 Bo xao lan which was beef stir fry in coconut milk, lemon grass, curry and peanuts. It came with a pepper sauce that you did the beef into as well as fresh sliced tomatoes on the side. I enjoyed this dish but I wish I could have picked to have my beef medium. I wasn't given a choice and it came out well done and was a bit chewy. However it was flavorful. My wife had #121 which was Tom Rang Muoi or shrimp stir fry in butter and garlic. This was fantastic. We would go back for this because though it doesn't describe it, there was a subtle sweetness. The butter, garlic and sweet shrimp combined to make a dish that was savory. I think you would have to try several different dishes and visit several different times to get a real sense of what this restaurant is good at. It focuses on Vietnamese but they have a Chinese menu. I would definitely go back. Enjoy! Be adventurous!
(3)
V R.

Never a disappointment!!! I misordered my meal (wanted a bowl of noodle soup and ended up with stirfry)---and initially was greatly sad til I started to eat! Mmmmmmm! I put this up with my top restaurants! My sis took me here when it was at the old location and subsequently to the new one - the beef, noodle soups and veggie dishes are all awesome! On top of it all, Even with my mistaken order (my own fault for not pickin' the right thing) I'm not disappointed -- at all! How can that be? The food's awesome! The flavors are wonderful and veggies - oh - so fresh! I will dream of Mai Lee til my next trip to St Louis. It is to Vietnamese food to Tham Rhab Thai in Killeen TX is to Thai food...which means a lot since TRB is my favorite restaurant--EVER:)!! (aside from my Mom's cooking, of course :)!!). Thank you St Louis :)!!! Thank you Mai Lee!
(5)
Jessica L.

So I come from a very Asian town and coming to St. Louis, I didn't expect any Asian foods to be fantastic. Lo and behold, Mai Lee. Food: Their pho bowls are nicely (and standardly) LARGE. It comes like it's supposed to- nice chewy noodles, almost-cooked-but-still-needs-to-be-swirled-in-Âhot-soup-by-me meat (the best part, I feel, hehe), terrific soup, and all the raw veggies you're supposed to put in (bean sprouts, cilantro and lime). And of course the condiments (Saracha anyone?). Needless to say, pho is recommended. But I just went and also got a rice dish (the chicken) and yet again, I was pleased. Though kimchi wasn't the greatest, who cares?? The rice and chicken and sauce were all delish :] Warning: appetizers are on the small side. Decor: a medium-sized hustling and bustling Viet restaurant with friendly and super-fast waiters. Bottom line: Get your pho fix here, now!!
(5)
E L.

This one of my favorite place for dinner. Food is delicious. I love overall ambience's of this place. Service is good & quick. and so far every dish we ordered came out very good. I am going to this place for 3 years now and I was never disappointed.
(4)
Brian J.

As soon as I found out I was going to be in the Lou for a couple months, I immediately starting researching where I would get my pho fix. Mai Lee it is. So this review is for the Mai Lee pho experience only. While not a pho-only joint, it's on the menu, and it's quite good. Very good broth, rich in flavor and body. The meat and herbs taste fresh and delicious, and the soup smells fantastic. And they've got real deal Sriracha - not a cheap knock off. Summer rolls and peanut sauce are good too, although I wish there wasn't pork in the rolls. The Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk is fantastic. The bad? One ratio is off consistently - not enough meat, too many noodles - and the taste and texture of the noodles leave a little to be desired... They are closer to spaghetti noodles than they should be. Mai Lee lacks the character of a pho-only spot, and has a bit more of a mainstream vibe, so naturally it attracts more middle America than it does an authentic and diverse crowd, but the staff is friendly, the pho is good, the prices are reasonable. FYI - I see that they are either moving, or opening a new location over by Best Buy just south of 44.
(4)
Claire R.

Love, love, love this place!! The food is always delicious, hot and comes to the table fast! The staff is super friendly too! Went there with a group of 20 and we didn't even have to ask to do seperate checks, they did it for us!
(5)
Adam B.

OMG ENOUGH SAID... Huge portion sizes! Amazing food and service! Can't wait to go back! Ask for the #1 beef dish! It's like a steak salad and changes lives...
(5)
Michael L.

The Pho is the best!!!
(5)
Paolo D.

I pretty much enjoy eating pho wherever I can find it. This place has good pho, but then again, I'm really not that picky. As long as the broth tastes good, it's hard to mess up pho for me. I certainly enjoyed it, but I then tried Kim Son Seafood the following day. I give the edge to Kim Son.
(3)
V L.

The New Mai Lee is a prime example of a restaurant that is banking its PAST good reputation and a face lift. To be honest, I think most of the people who love it are paying more attention to its appearance than its food. It's true that a lot of Vietnamese restaurants look very seedy, so one that doesn't appear to be a hole in the wall must attract many people, regardless of how good their food is. It actually bothers me that so many people think Mai Lee has the best Vietnamese food in St. Louis. Why? Because Mai Lee doesn't really do a service to Vietnamese cuisine. Before I begin my thrashing, let me say that I DO know how to separate acceptably good Vietnamese food from good Vietnamese food that Vietnamese people would actually like. Mai Lee has a bloated menu ("Chinese" included!), and as with many restaurants that have bloated menus, they cannot be the jack of all trades. Not even close. Don't be blown away by the fact that they let you roll your own summer rolls just because it makes you feel more "cultured". Banh mi. I live less than 5 min from Mai Lee and I don't even go here for banh mi even though banh mi is my predominant craving. (I drive all the way to S. Grand to have Banh Mi So 1) Too much (and overly strong) pate. Vegetables not sweet-pickled right. STEMS of cilantro. Bread not fresh. Horrible, thick slices of meat. Basically the exact opposite of a good banh mi. At its worst, still better than many kinds of sandwiches, but compared to other banh mi, utter crap. I used to wish that more people would experience Vietnamese food, but now I see it suffering from the fate of "Chinese" food: adulteration to appeal to the tastes and expectations of the mainstream. If you like it, great. But please, PLEASE do not go around proclaiming it as the best Vietnamese food in St. Louis. It makes me want to cry. Does that make me a snob? No. I just truly love and respect Vietnamese food. And, if it matters, I'm a Vietnamese American.
(2)
Bonnie L.

Delicious food. My boyfriend and I went here for our first time. First experience with Vietnamese food too! It was amazing! Their spring rolls are fresh and the dipping sauce they give you pairs wonderfully. Their egg rolls were delicious as well. We had a huge bowl of soup with crab and tomato and it was fresh and light. For our main course, I had beef with green beans and onions. My boyfriend had their duck. I must say his duck with the dipping sauce was delicious. Duck was tender and melts in your mouth. Our bill was under $50 not including tip. And we have lots of left overs to enjoy. We will definitely go back here! The service was friendly and fast. Food came out quickly. There was a line when we got there on a Saturday but we only waited maybe 10 minutes before being seated.
(5)
Ben C.

After a long Friday night, there is nothing better than waking up on Saturday and heading to Mai Lee. Spring rolls and a giant bowl of Pho leaves me happy every time.
(5)
C W.

Great food, great customer service, not like U City Grill
(5)
Yi D.

Food is good,nothing impressive though. Service is kinda of slow. Our server was text messaging instead of getting our checks.
(3)
Megan A.

I'm a little burned out on thai food, so I decided to drive a bit out of my way for something different on Friday night. I've been craving Vietnamese food, so I settled on Mai Lee, because me, being the girl that only eats veggies, can get what I want, and my boyfriend, being the "I only eat sweet and sour chicken, steak, and chicken parm sandwiches," can get what he wants. A place that serves Vietnamese AND Chinese? The best of both worlds. I pull up and I can see that every table is full and then some. Dozens of people literally are flocking to the door like birds. Obviously there is no parking, but luckily I am just picking up, so I park illegally (not condoning this people) and run in. I can hardly move as soon as I enter, because the waiting area is standing room only. I haven't eaten here in quite a while, but I have high hopes that it'll be good after seeing the crowds of people fighting for a table. I pay, get my giant bag of food, and stroll out nonchalantly as people give me dirty looks for being smarter than them and ordering take out (hey, us yelpers know what we're doing!) See ya later suckas. So as usual, I take out the food and plate it (clearly I watch too much Top Chef) and I'm thinking, "Wow, this looks like the best sweet and sour chicken ever." I know that I don't eat meat, so I'm not tempted to eat it or anything, but it looks crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, and the pieces look fresh and big. Of course he hated it. Ha. He said that the chicken was good but that the sauce was really different-and not in a good way. Luckily, I order and pick up the food (that fact that he pays for it is a minor detail right?), so he'll just have to find something else on the mile long menu. Because when it comes to spring rolls, this girl is selfish. And this place is delish. The portions are large, and everything that I ordered was fresh and yummy. The pad thai with tofu was full of carrots, cabbage, whole peanuts, green onions, and soft, perfectly cooked tofu. It could've used a bit more egg for my taste, but I hardly noticed this because it was so good. The vegetarian spring rolls were stuffed with rice noodles, letttuce, cilantro, green onion, and tofu, and were not bland as some tend to be (lots of cilantro and green onion!). The only thing that I wasn't crazy about was the pho, but it may have been because I got carry out and it wasn't put together first, or hot. The broth was kind of scuzzy ( it had fat or something floating on top which turned me off) and the carrots tasted like something was wrong with them. I KNEW I should've ordered another order of spring rolls instead! Shoot. Bottom line-you my want to try elsewhere for pho, or on a Friday night if you mind waiting or don"t want to pick up your food to go, but the spring rolls are definitely worth the trip.
(4)
Jill M.

I would eat Mai Leeevery week if I could....so delicious and friendly service. It's sort of in a strange location (under a parking garage behind the Best Buy in Brentwood), but I'm so glad a friend introduced me to this place. Everyone I've talked to loves it too. Go try it out!
(5)
James P.

This place was great. I haven't tried the pho yet but I did get to try two really good things from their fairly extensive list of vegetarian options. Service is really good. The food is excellent and generously portioned. I had the "asian brocoli" (kai-lan) sauteed in garlic and it was fab, with lots of onions, baby corn, and little mushrooms. They didn't skip on the garlic and the whole dish had a mellow richness which was really great. My only wish would be for them to offer brown as well as white rice. This doesn't seem too common here in St. Louis, which is a shame.
(4)
Anne T.

The best Vietnamese food in STL. Wait staff if great.
(5)
Anish Z.

If this place were situated in the central west end, it would be packed all the time. Good food, large portions and just for a few bucks. if you new to vietnamese food than this is a easy way to sample without breaking the bank. Plenty of parking in the lot. you gotta look for the place because it is set back in a strip mall.
(4)
Kevin N.

I have been going to Mai Lee for 20 years. Love their spring rolls, hot and sour soup, and the noodle dishes. It was also one of the first places I took my wife when we were first dating. We go back on date nights whenever we can.
(5)
Florence G.

A little pricy for some items, but a great selection. If you are into spring rolls, it is the place to go. Next time I might just go for spring rolls and a soda for lunch.
(5)
Jaffa A.

I would definitely go to Mai Lee more often if it weren't so out of the way for me. I generally do not have a reason for being that far down West on Delmar. They have some really good dishes, and a lot of them are pretty different from a lot of the Vietnamese places around (such as the ones in the South Grand area). The menu offers are a really extensive selection of dishes. One time, my friend and got two different dishes involving eggplant. It was a ridiculous amount of eggplant. And amazing. I feel like I often forget about Mai Lee. Mai Lee, I'm sorry. I shouldn't forget you. You make delicious food and you're nice to me.
(4)
Colin F.

Mai Lee is very good at everything. I have never had anything bad. Their pho is top notch, as well as their rice flour crepes. I wish it wasn't tucked away in a parking garage in the county. It needs to be in the city, possibly my next door neighbor...
(4)
Son V.

Mai Lee used to be my first choice when craving for Vietnamese food when they were at their old location. The food used be good and the portions and the price are reasonable. But after they move to the new location, they care more about making money, so the portions are smaller and the food are tasteless. They are more expensive. Their broth for all the noodle has a weird sweet flavor like putting a lot of MSG in it. The service was ok. I never come back again.
(2)
Brian R.

This is one of the best restaurants in st louis. I go every week. The pho and the pork stuffed steamed bun are musts.
(5)
Andrew R.

Best Vietnamese in STL in my opinion. I have been about 6 times in the last two months and have loved everything. I usually go for lunch but my wife and I went for dinner last night and really enjoyed it. #121 is unbelievable. Give it a shot if you have not been there yet. The new location has a way better feel to it. I had a couple great beers from Vietnam and Thailand that are worth trying as well.
(5)
Andrew M.

I was in the neighborhood and decided to give the place a try on my girlfriend's recommendation. The place is huge! The space is very elegant and modern, and I enjoyed the openness of the space and the floor to ceiling windows on one side. The service was great! Pretty fast, very friendly, accurate and VERY attentive. Our waiter even boxed everything up for us at the table afterwards- a nice touch! I'm not an expert when it comes to Vietnamese food- I seem to always expect everything to be on top of a bed of rice instead of in a pool of vermicelli (rice) noodles. I don't remember the name of what I got (#95?) but it was essentially one of their "Noodle Bowls." Essentially a steaming bowl of vermicelli noodles simmering in a shallow pool of broth with lettuce (weird right?), cucumber, carrots, nuts and your choice of protein piled on top of it. This was the beef bowl. I'd forgotten I'm not a huge fan of vermicelli noodles. Compared to Italian noodles, vermicelli seems like a joke. They're extremely light, soft to the point of almost being mushy (definitely not 'al dente!') with a very foreign flavor that I'm not used to. Despite my prejudice, however, I did enjoy how all the components worked well in this dish. The beef had a very earthy, smokey flavor with a hint of sweetness from some unknown spice or seasoning- which was excellent. It was also delightfully prepared. The dish as a whole echoed this flavor, right down to the broth, although after a few minutes of eating I also got the distinct impression that there was an *almost* balsamic vinaigrette undercurrent to the dish. It was very subtle, hard to taste under the smokiness and sweetness of the meat. Maybe I'm crazy... but something about the dish reminded me of salad... maybe it was just the presence of lettuce! LOL Stephanie S. got some chicken dish on rice which was AWESOME (maybe it was the #92?) and our crab rangoons were also exceptionally well prepared and tender. It was a little odd that they set the plate in front of us with a handful of the 'to-go" packets of sweet-n-sour sauce... but whatever, it still tasted great. Overall I think the place warrants 4 stars, but I messed up and ordered something that I know I'm not crazy about- good as it was. I definitely would highly recommend you try this place for yourself AND I will definitely be back myself to try something sans vermicelli.
(3)
Chris C.

Mai Lee was the 1st Vietnamese restaurant I have ever been to. While I was a little scared at 1st, I have yet to be disappointed. We have been back at least 20 times over the past two years. There new spot is great, but the parking is a little weird.
(4)
Tim M.

I have yet to try anything on this huge menu that is not fantastic. The service is fast and accurate. The beauty is that while they call themselves a Vietnamese restaurant they have great Chinese options. Usually I wouldn't prefer a place that is not dedicated to one region, but they do everything so well. I usually do take out and never have an issue. I can't wait for the new location to open closer to my house!! A must for anyone looking for great chinese and vietnamese.
(5)
C L.

The service is efficient and good. It's modern and clean. It's conveniently located which is probably why I come here more than I would want to. Their soup bases are too sweet in my opinion and alot of their other food is too sweet. Just not exactly like the homemade Vietnamese I've ever had. They do have the best egg rolls in town so I give them that. The sandwiches are a hit and miss. Sometimes it's nice and toasted or they just don't do it even though I always ask. I'd give them 4 stars if it weren't for their food being mediocre. I don't think their food tastes by any means.
(3)
Faye S.

Everytime I crave pho, I come to Mai Lee. So do my siblings. I like that they have a bigger place. There is one waitress who is just an absolute bitch! I don't know what her problem is, but it seems like she treats the Caucasians better then the Asians and she's Asian herself. She's ignorant. She forgot about the extra noodles we had ordered and never came by to ask how we were doing and if every tasted good. Be sides that fact, I love Mai Lee's pho.
(4)
Michael E.

I went with my family. There was 6 of us. 1 meal came out way ahead. Then the next 3 meals trickled in. My wife and i waited for over 15 minutes before the waiter jad to be reminded 2x that 2 dinners are still missing. When the meals came the waiter acted as if they were fresh, but clearly they had been sitting for a while. And this was on a Sunday night.
(2)
Scott S.

My Education of Vietnamese cuisine has officially started! The crispy egg rolls that you wrap in cilantro, cucumbers and lettuce adds a nice fresh taste to an otherwise unhealthy favorite. I had the number #17 with Chicken instead of Beef, nice spicy flavor but the fresh bean sprouts, peppers and cilantro made the meal. My Wife had the "Pad Thai" as Qui the owner described it, plenty of fresh vegetables and well prepared. Now having said that, I really liked this place because the owner and staff where all incredibly friendly. If they knew 1 person that walked through the door they knew 20. It's the kind of place that you want to be a regular. TVs with the cardinals game don't hurt either. I'm a fan but I have a lot of work to do on my Vietnamese education.
(4)
Patrick M.

Let's face it, when it comes to Asian food in St. Louis, most of it gets dropped into a deep fryer and dumped on a bed of (usually) fried rice. This place is a welcome alternative offering up a vast menu with a selection that could please almost anyone. I can't imagine anyone who is a fan of Vietnamese or Chinese food leaving disappointed. Why not 5-stars? Service felt a bit rushed and seating wasn't the most comfortable. Nit-picky? Sure: this is the Internet after-all!
(4)
Adam J.

This suburban Vietnamese retaurant offers good service and even better food. I went there not too long ago and didn't have the eel, so I had frog legs and rice, an excellent selection I must say. It's a bit more pricey than most Vietnamese restaurants, but still totally worth it. I recently had the Bo Xao Xa Ot, which is stir fied beef with onions and lemon grass, and it was AWESOME. The service was excellent. The waiter did have a habit of referring to me as "dude" and "bro", but I can't really give or subtract points for that, as I found it to be odd, but yet, very refreshing.
(4)
Camille H.

My husband, my sister, and I went here on Sunday and decided to order the dinner for three. We got soup, spring roll type things, Vietnamese fried rice, white rice, and three different entrees. The soup was unbelievable (the veggies were crisp and plentiful) the spring rolls were good, the fried rice was awesome, and the entrees (one chicken, one pork, and one beef entree) were out of this world! If by my description above you were thinking "holy cow, that's a lot of food," then you would be spot on. We brought at least half of that tasty goodness home. My coworkers will be so jealous of my lunches this week!
(5)
Tamara K.

Such delicious food! The menu is expansive even if we order the same thing all the time. Our friends are more adventurous and often order different items and always love them. We love the Pho and spring rolls. The Pho Ga rocks and Pho Mi is always yummy. The food is ALWAYS consistently good and it never breaks the bank. The servers are quick, speedy to respond and always are good at anticipating our needs. Qui is a gracious host and fully deserves the status he and his family has attained for serving the public all these years.
(5)
Roy C.

Pro: This is my go-to Vietnamese restaurant in StL! Great food in a relaxed environment. It's relaxed enough to stop by after shopping nearby, but nice enough to plan a dinner there with the significant other. My appetizer favorites are the Goi Cuon (spring rolls) and the Goi Sen (lotus root salad w/pork and shrimp). Both set a good tone for what's to come...like the Com Dac Biet (rice w/egg cake, shredded pork, pork chop, & fried egg)! I have spent many pennies as a repeat offender to his dish. Other favs include the Canh Ga Kho Xa Ot (chicken w/ hot chilies, garlic, & lemon grass) and all varieties of Pho (traditional Vietnamese soup). Con: PACKED during peak hours. If the nearby retail places are congested, Mai Lee will be too. Bottom Line: You really can't go wrong with this place. Been here plenty, and will return...
(4)
Tiku A.

Food is awesome, i ordered pad thai noodles, hot egg roll, spring roll and vermacily soup(all vegetarian) and we enjoyed it. Food is really tasty and we dont have to wait for food much. Would like to come again. I will recommend for vegetarian also. :)
(4)
Sarah W.

Not the best vietnamese food I have ever had. But it gets the job done. Overall pretty satisfied.
(4)
Vik S.

Had an awesome experience here that I want to share... Feeling a sickness coming on and needing comfort food, I went over to Mai Lee for the classic Pho Tai ($8). The place was packed on Sunday evening but I was able to snag a seat at the bar. As usual, the pho was fantastic. the beef broth was rich, flavorful and comforting. And when I added the accompanying cilantro, basil, hoisin, red pepper, and lemon, it was just next-level. I kept sipping the broth, ignoring the noodles, until it was almost finished. My server at the bar noticed my bowl and asks "Do you want more broth?" Umm...do I want more of your magical curative beef juice? HELL YES. She grabs my bowl and brings it back a couple minutes later, full of broth again. For no charge. Thanks Mai Lee, you guys rock!
(5)
Tom S.

Okok, so I finally picked up my August copy of Feast magazine yesterday, and so now I know FOR SURE that everyone already knows about Mai Lee. Of course, I knew that when we got there (a group of 8 this time) because the place was already packed at 6:30 on a Wednesday night, and I should have known before that from the vast number of Yelp reviews (to which, I fear, this will be a meager addition). What I didn't know at all was this: THE DUCK. Now, I'm kind of a sucker for waterfowl in general, and an hour or two at any Chinatown restaurant with aquariums for window decorations will do a lot for one's opinion of duck. I've walked many a shady back alley in search of duck. Obviously, I should have been looking next to not-so-shady Clayton parking garages (or is this Brentwood? who cares.). Anyway, I don't need to talk about the duck anymore, except to say totally get it if you've ever in your life kind of thought about eating duck ever. As for the rest of the food, it was also good. One couple was a bit disappointed that there are no substitutions to the n-course meals -- but they had no complaints once the food arrived. Our server (Minh, I believe) was incredible, and knew every single order by name AND number. (That's like 200+ items.) He got every order down and split our check mostly by memory. The group consensus was also that he was hilarious, and we enjoyed our spots of light banter even on a very busy night. Four stars instead of five? I had tried to call ahead to let them know we would arrive with a larger group and never heard back. I suppose we would have had to wait for all 8 of us to be there anyway, because of the seating policy -- but it always feels nice to know they know you know you'll be there. And waiting is just so not my favorite thing.
(4)
Glo K.

I wish they stop jacking up their prices... I don't remember spending close to $20 for the chicken curry entree. The portions are shrinking and the curry is always soupy. I'm left with a little disappointed every time I order it. On the bright side, majority of the staffs are friendly, and they are accommodating to large groups. One big kuddos I can give to Mai Lee is being one of the first restaurants to diversify the St. Louis cultural food scene. Sorry...I just was a little stunned with the sudden change of prices.... Welp... It's been nice knowing ya.
(3)
Carol C.

Vietnamese egg rolls, spring rolls, and pho tai are a classic selection. Can't go wrong with that trifecta combo~ I've had pho from LA, Vegas, and even in Seoul, Korea and I have to say this place tops as one of my faves. Always remember to request the extra bean sprouts steamed vs raw so it keeps your pho hot!
(4)
Jason B.

Wow, this was crazy. We heard so many good things about Mai Lee and could not have been more disappointed in our meal. I think we need to go back with someone that knows what to order there. We ordered the Bo beef with vermicelli noodles and it was terrible. The beef was very dry and tasted strange - almost like beef jerky. We ate hardly any of it. We also ordered the chicken with curry and it was a much stronger curry flavor than we expected. Not that good and the chicken was tougher than it should be. We ordered a chicken lo mein for our daughter and that's what we ate the most of. It was good but certainly not great. Crazy, I left pretty stunned about that experience.
(2)
Kitty W.

I'm not sure what I can say about Mai Lee that more than 400 other people haven't already said, but I can tell you about the place from the perspective of someone who had never had Vietnamese food until today. Well, maybe a spring roll. I met a friend here for lunch at 11:30. She'd been to Mai Lee several times, but as indicated, I was a total n00b. Mai Lee seems like a great place to have your first Vietnamese meal. Their menu boasts around 200 choices, and that count includes only their Vietnamese dishes. Mai Lee also offers a selection of Chinese dishes. So, this also could be a bad place for your first Vietnamese meal if you have trouble making decisions or if you're going to order Kung Pao beef. ;) Mai Lee's menu is available online, and I studied it for days. I looked at Yelp pictures, read reviews, and read about Vietnamese cuisine. I /really/ wanted com chien duong chau (#171, Vietnamese fried rice). My stomach was saying, "Let's go!" But my heart was saying, "No." 'Cause I'm on a diet. It's just that the fried rice looked and sounded so delicious. My friend even told me her boyfriend loves it. Ahhh! I wanted it. Fortunately, #171 convinced me, in the form of song, to get something else: "If you want to order me, baby, there's a price to pay. I will go straight to your waistline if you don't run five miles today." Yeah, I don't run. So, I went with bo luc lac (#89, marinated steak cubes with lettuce, tomato, and onion). I omitted the onions. The n00biest way to describe it would be to say that it was essentially a really nice steak salad. The steak cubes were served with a dipping sauce. I believe it was a lime or lemon pepper sauce. It probably has a name, or maybe it doesn't. That's how little I know about Vietnamese food. However, I didn't need the dressing because the beef had such great flavor. I believe my words at the table were "This is awesome." Though, I did come across a tough bit of gristle. No biggie, but I imagine I was making a funny face as I tried to figure out how to discreetly get rid of it. My meal also came with a side of white rice. I brought that home with a little bit of my leftover steak to have for dinner. However, the steak cubes weren't long for this world. They've already been eaten, so now I'm just going to add my rice to some soup this evening. Mmm, soup and rice! My leftover steak made a nice snack, but consequently, dinner took a turn from hurrah to blah. Our waiter was pleasant, and I was incredibly impressed with the way he packaged my food to go. He put it in a foam container for me, and then he put that container inside of a bag. But, wait! There's more! He then rolled up the open end of the bag and tied it so that the container would not leak and make a mess in my car. My friend said that's the way they do it here. Overall, it was a great experience. I'd love to go back sometime to try something else. Pho is on my list, pho sure. (I'm sure no one has ever made that pun before.) Things to know: -It's expensive. Most dishes are $13.95 or higher. My bo luc lac was $18.95. However, many soups, sandwiches, and noodle bowls are under $10. (Though, they might just be a nickel under $10. :)) -The restroom is for customers only.
(4)
Nick E.

Mai Lee is a real gem of St Louis. With it's history of being the first Vietnamese restaurant in the city, I'd say it's a staple at this point. They have transcended the trendy/hip restaurant feel by simply doing what they've always done; cooking legit Vietnamese/pan Asian food--and doing it really well at that. Integrity, yadig? The menu is pretty large, but that's not a bad thing. I haven't eaten a thing that i didn't enjoy there. Great pho, DIY spring rolls, banh mi, and St. Paul sandwiches! I tried my first ever St Paul at Mai Lee and what sounded not that appetizing when described to me countless times before, ended up being absolutely delicious. I really like that the last page of the menu is a Chinese menu. There's a big garage connected to the building so parking is never an issue. 5/5 will always love Mai Lee.
(5)
Matthew W.

Amazing dinner. First time here and the reviews are correct. It was a 20 min wait but it's 6:30 pm Saturday evening. The food was superb. Place was packed all night. I can't say enough good things about the food. Yummy. Yummy. Yummy.
(5)
Sam S.

I've been here multiple times and have never had a bad meal. I love it. The food is really good and not badly priced. I like the pho. It's got good flavor. There are a few different types that you can choose from depending on your mood. I finally had a non-pho dish the other night and that was delicious. It was a lot of food for the cost of the meal. I liked it a lot. I was wondering how it would taste. You can't go wrong with any of the appetizers either. I would say that my favorite dishes involve the vermicelli noodles, mainly because I don't like the other rice noodles they have. The servers are always nice and able to help out when needed. It's a good restaurant hidden in a corner not well known.
(5)
Greg D.

Good lord this place was packed out for late lunch / dinner tonight. When stepping off the train we could smell it due to the large full outside dining area. We realizing that all of the outdoor seats were full with people willing to sit out in the sun on a particularly humid and muggy day - it must be good, right? Not bad at all. Had the bbq spring rolls, curry chicken and a fish soup. They must have an excellent grill here as the shrimp had a char sear to it that my wife and I loved. I found it interesting that they do not devein the shrimp which is fine with me as I sometimes go that simple with home cooking. We were able to get a seat inside by the quite active bar and at about $15 per person this is a great Asian option. The green curry chicken (they call it yellow - see my photos) was extremely similar to Thai yet the menu claims it is Vietnamese. Enjoyed the opening story in the menu claiming this was the first Vietnamese restaurant to open in St Louis, in 1985. The menu has 202 items (well, 203 as it skips goes 110, X, 111 and so on and that does not include all of the side. Would have to guess that there are over 250 menu options. So we just went with what we know and confirmed with the waitress that those were indeed some of the top sellers. Considering how warm it was and the commute here on the red line I was very thirsty and have to have drank at least a half dozen glasses of water. Servers managed to keep up with that even though we were back in the corner behind the bar (watching the Cardinals lose on the flat screen - in a close game). Friendly service, popular place and if anyone ever tells you there's no good Asian food in St. Louis well no, actually there is.
(4)
Mamie V.

I have been to this location many many times and every time I try something new and every time it blows me out of the water. This place gets busy though and doesn't take reservations BUT it's worth the wait! We usually start with the spring rolls and the pancakes (not breakfast ones) and they are too die for, if you prefer Chinese food, the dumplings and crab rangoon are fantastic as well! Then for dinner we usually go with the pad tai (some of the best I've ever had), #67 which is a beef and rice noodle combination, #96 which is a chicken dish with mixed veggies and a brown bean sauce, and the curry chicken dish! I can honestly say though, that I have yet to have something bad here. The service is great, the waiters will be honest about their likes and dislikes on the menu and their opinions on the choices you are making, which adds to the experience. You can order pick up there which I have done on many occasions and it's just as good as dining in. They do not deliver all though I wish they did! This is a must try stop for anyone! *For a side note, if you ever have a bad cold and get really bad nasal congestion, the soups are an amazing way to clear up sinuses and congestion, plus who doesn't like awesome hot soup when they are sick!
(5)
Laura L.

Delicious as always. The perfect balance of heat and savory, they never disappoint! Our favorite place, always perfect flavor. Every dish I've had merits 5 stars, and I would give them more! My 6 year old twins love this place, and eat everything on the menu. Worth the wait no matter how long. We order "to go" to be able to take perfection back to St Charles. I am beyond a food snob, and Mai Lee exceeds expectations every time
(5)
Radio Ladio L.

I've heard pho is said to have curative powers. Heck, it's a particularly trendy thing to eat these days and I can't say I really understand why. I'd never had it until last night at Mai Lee. Well let me tell you something. It's possible this is actually a concoction made with the express purpose of releasing endorphins, and it is also possible that I am insane, but I swear on a stack of bibles, after eating the pho here I felt so extremely calm and relaxed I honestly had to ask myself if I was stoned. I even got a little loopy/derpy, as you do when you've imbibed a little uh...420 friendly horticulture. Yeah I'm not kidding. So take that as you will. I quite enjoyed it. I also had the kim chi which was delicious, and some really nice hot tea. The service was good, polite, quick and efficient, even during a very busy Saturday night service. The restaurant itself is classy and understated as far as decor and general "ambience," which I enjoyed. I cannot wait to go back and sample other offerings from Mai Lee's magical soup menu. Wonderful!
(5)
Erik B.

inexpensive enough to be a regular destination for lunch or dinner, but the food is so good I've made it my go-to "fancy" dinner for my birthday every year.
(5)
Sam Y.

They will not let you have a seat until all the parties arrive. They said it's their policy but I have never heard of that in other places. Weird! Two thumbs down!
(1)
Mel A.

I have actually tested the waters a few more times before writing an update just to make sure this place deserves an updated review and rating. My second visit to Mai Lee was during lunch (and with much hesitation). This happened over half a year from the last time I first came. They were very busy, it was at the peak of lunch hours around 11:45-12:15 but surprisingly got a seat upon entering the restaurant. The waiter was funny and entertaining which was a plus to begin with. I had pho with rare beef slices which turned out to be really delicious. The broth was earthy and you can really taste the fresh herbs (not to mention, you can make it taste even better by adding more fresh herbs!). I was pretty impressed with the service but not quite convinced yet. A few nights ago, a thought of pho or some sort of Vietnamese soup occurred in my head and an image of Mai Lee popped in my brain. But on a Friday night? Sounds like suicidal thought to me but went anyway. The waitress said it was going to be a 15-20 minute wait for a table. I wasn't starving so I sat down and waited patiently. The actual wait time was probably less than 10 minutes and I had a table outside. Meanwhile, the wait line started to build up and I saw people standing outside waiting for a table. The serving staff were rushing around and I was having a flashback of my first visit. Someone brought over the water and left, then a waiter stopped by and I asked for the drink menu. He took the orders and came back with the menu and the appetizer. I had the spring rolls which were better this time around. The peanut sauce was really tasty. I also ordered a soup with egg noodles, pork slices, shrimp, and crab sticks. That was really good but I ended up taking over half of my soup home because I got too full. The herbs and bean sprouts were fresh and abundant and the service was once again, terrific. After this visit, I am giving Mai Lee a 2-star bump. I had a wonderful experience and I love the food!
(4)
Caitlin M.

My boyfriend and I had date night here, and it was wonderful! We went later on a Friday, and it was very busy. We waited in the bar, which is probably my biggest complaint. There simply wasn't a great way to wait while staying out of the way. When we were seated, the staff was friendly and very quick. We both had pho and some amazing shrimp rolls that were recommended by some ladies at the bar. The pho was rich and flavorful, but still refreshing. This was our first time having pho, and we were very impressed! We will definitely be going back.
(5)
Katie A.

Excellent experience. We are not frequent Vietnamese/Chinese eaters. We took the family to try something different. We started with the Mai Lee sampler appetizer. It was wonderful. Favorites included the beef, crab Rangoon and overall favorite shrimp and pork toast. It does not look or taste like the name. It is simply delicious and we will order the toast next time we go. For our entree, we split a meat and seafood fire hot. It came with rice. In it was of course lots of veggies including carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, onion. The meat included beef and pork. The seafood was squid, shrimp and crab. The seafood seemed a little tough - maybe overlooked? But the meats were tasty and we enjoyed the experience of sharing a meal together - everyone eating the same thing at a restaurant. Definitely recommend. We went on Friday at 6 and didn't have to wait but a wait developed shortly after we got there.
(5)
Christine W.

I really really like the banh mi here. They are $4 each, which is awesome for such a great tasting sandwich. I've had the more traditional pork banh mi as well as the bbq pork one. I enjoyed both of them, but I think I prefer the bbq pork. It had all the elements that you expect in banh mi, the carrots and daikon and cilantro and meat. The first time I ate there, my husband and I sat at a high table near the bar, so there was no wait. The second time (when I was craving banh mi), we got our order to go and only waited for 10-15 minutes even though it was around dinner time. The service is fairly friendly and the decor in the main dining room looks modern and nice. This review is mainly about the banh mi, to be honest. I really don't remember what else I ordered the first time. The second time, we ordered shrimp and pork spring rolls in addition to the banh mi and I was a bit disappointed in the spring rolls. Although they tasted very fresh (and the sauce was good), it seems like they skimped on the pork inside and the bulk of it was made up of greens. But don't let that deter you. I'd happily recommend coming here on the merits of the banh mi alone. So much tasty sandwich for such a great price!
(4)
Jeff Z.

The wife and I, in preparation for a future trip to SE Asia, decided to retry Mai Lee for the Vietnamese food. We've always heard really positive things about the place. While unassuming when we walked in, we've noticed the place is always packed with a diverse crowd of folks, including families with kids. The menu is pretty affordable with tons of options, mostly Vietnamese with some Chinese options. Most recently, we've had the Pho Tai with medium rare sliced beef. It took a try or two to adjust to the taste, but one thing is for sure, that it has tons of flavor and tastes extremely fresh. I've had the Banh Mi sandwich which was very good but also an acquired taste. One thing I absolutely recommend- Vietnamese coffee. Flavorful coffee that gets mixed with condensed milk. Wow. I absolutely recommend. All in all, Mai Lee is now a regular stop for us.
(5)
Angie P.

Great restaurant with delicious food. Order the charred rice seafood bowl which is off the menu. You won't be disappointed. It's the best example of comfort food I can think of.
(5)
Aaron B.

I love Mai Lee! It's super unassuming as it's right in a random business complex near Brentwood. I just mapped it assuming it was going to be a hole in the wall but not at all! It's a fairly large restaurant and has plenty of parking with the 2 complexes surrounding it. I went on a weekday evening and it was fairly popular so you might wanna make a reservation on the weekend. What I love most about Mai Lee is that they do allll different kinds of asian food...Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese...all the good stuff right in one menu! I went with the hot braised chicken off of the "Chinese" portion of the menu. It was amaaazizziinnggg and the serving size was huge. Not to mention they give your table a ton or rice to share. I can't wait to come back to Mai Lee to show my friends and try more food! The best part is the left overs.
(5)
David D.

Reading the other reviews from other yelpers I was expecting great things from Mai Lee and I have to say that I wasn't let down. I was very impressed with the interior decor walking in; I've been to plenty of Asian/Vietnamese restaurants and Mai Lee tops the list for best decor/ambiance. The menu was huge, over 150 menu items, but a handful of most items were just different variations of the same dish. They also have family style meals. We came in around late lunch-early dinner and were seated promptly. I didn't start to get busy until about an hour into our dinner. The service was quick the waitstaff was knowledgable of their menu. I ordered the wonton noodle soup. The broth was flavorful and aromatic, but I didn't like the wontons or the noodles. In my opinion, the seasoning/flavor of the wontons were not cohesive with the dish, but it wasn't terrible. I usually also prefer the wider, thicker noodles. But here, the only option were the smaller, ramen sized noodles. The noodles were a bit too done for my liking, I like my noodles to be slightly al-dente. But overall a pretty good dish, I'm just quite picky when it comes to this specific dish. Others in my party ordered different variations of Pho. I was able to taste the broth and I have to say that I wish I would have gotten the pho. The broth was very flavorful and aromatic and just had me wanting more. If you're in the mood for some Vietnamese/Chinese cuisine, I'd say this wouldn't be a bad choice.
(4)
Chris Z.

Mai Lee is an STL fav. Their menu is large, with lots of fun Viet and Chinese offerings. I've tried numerous different things and the food is consistently good. On the other hand, service has significant fallen off at this place. It's clear they're interested in serving volumes of customers and not offering any quality heart-felt service. When you are seated, don't expect a server to come to your table for about 5-7 minutes. This is normal. They want you to be ready to order when they come to the table... and the menu is long, so my only assumption is they want you to have time to go over everything first. There is a lunch menu which leans heavily on their Chinese fare... but you have to ask for it. Do it... the value is good... a decent sized dish with appetizer and soup for around 10 bucks. I've come here countless times and had no clue they had a lunch menu until I brought my father and he inquired. This past time I tried an appetizer of Cha Gio Tom (mini shrimp egg rolls). They were bite size, simple, and yummy. For my entree I chose Com Dac Biet (crushed rice w/egg cake, shredded pork, pork chop & fried egg). This dish was perfect. A yummy assortment of vegetables, rice, meat and eggs. All in all, the stellar food is worth putting up with the cold service.
(4)
Jillian C.

Great service! Our waiter was very accommodating with our large group and would set expectations for us when certain dishes would take longer to come out. The food was good and it wasn't expensive! The spring rolls were the largest spring rolls I've ever had and they were priced the same as other restaurants. We ordered dishes and ate family style so we could try everything! Prices were good and the portions were large. Definitely coming back here whenever I can and am in the mood for Vietnamese food!
(5)
Vicky R.

I'm sorry I did them wrong. I went back again and this time I got the spicy beef something (I believe it's no.17) and I liked it much better. Boyfriend got the seafood casserole or something like that and he said it's delicious too. So I guess Mai Lee IS the best Vietnamese food in St. Louis!
(4)
Jessica M.

The popularity of Mai Lee seems to be a topic of controversy. Either people LOVE Mai Lee or they are deeply confused about why this place is so popular...but they think the food is just average. I don't get it, I love Mai Lee! The food and service has always been excellent during my visits. Mai Lee's location is not the greatest. It is located in a business complex behind a parking garage. The road between the business complex and parking garage feels more like a back alley than a street that will lead you to great restaurants and shopping. The interior of Mai Lee is fairly large and unassuming. There are some Asian decorations on the walls, but nothing over the top. Mai Lee's menu is HUGE. It's a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai. And their portions are huge! I always leave with leftovers. :) I can't wait to visit again! Mai Lee is a St. Louis staple.
(4)
Mary M.

I really like this place. The food is always great, but the service always SUCKS!!!!! I do have to say the buss boys are awesome it's just the servers who SUCK!!!! It always takes about 5 minutes for the server to get to the table on top of that the place was not that busy.
(3)
Peter B.

I still love Mai Lee. The service and the food can't be beat. There is even a great outdoor dining area out front. This place is quick and courteous with service. I usually order a combination pho bowl and summer rolls. These are the best in town in my opinion. My Vietnamese sister in law, Shari B, agrees with that too. There is plenty of parking available next door in the garage and its located right next to the Brentwood metrolink stop. I have never had a bad meal here. Check it out if you want some great Vietnamese food (they also have a Chinese selection too that I have yet to try)
(5)
Shari B.

Whenever I'm in town, I always make sure I dine at Mai Lee's. With an ambitious menu of over hundreds of items, it can be pretty intimidating on what to choose. I have never gone wrong with what I've ordered. So far I've had the beef Pho, the bun tom thit nuong (noodles with shrimp and grilled beef), com bi dac biet (broken rice with shimp cake, fried egg, etc), goi cuon (summer rolls with pork and shrimp), as well as tried the banh xeo (savory Vietnamese pancake). All excellent dishes...I would know, I'm Vietnamese. Service is always good and they always ensure your water glass is full. Plus all items are reasonably priced.
(5)
Rich B.

Love their preparations and portions! I have been to this place many many times now and am never disappointed.
(4)
Paul K.

I came here for lunch around 11:30 was seated fast. Had the usual pause before the waiter came over. Ordered our drinks and when the drinks ie soda's and tea came we ordered. I had #25. It has some fancy name but I like it's description the best. Beef Stew Soup. It is not your mother's beef stew but it sure in the heck tasted good. Tons of beef, carrots, and noodles. I really worry about dripping the soup all over myself when I come here. Today I was drip free. Ah the small victories in life. For those who don't know there is a rule that when you are 60 years old you must order soup when you go out for a meal. Can't have a salad. I don't know who made this rule up but I swear it is true.
(5)
Charleen S.

They say that they're Vietnamese and Chinese, but the Chinese menu looks like a small afterthought slapped on the hundreds of Vietnamese dishes that they offer, so I probably wouldn't order anything off of it. They have a ridiculously large menu! For someone like me who doesn't know much about Vietnamese food, it was too many choices so I ended up asking the waiter what I should try. He did a great job of describing and recommending a few dishes until Husband and I both figured out what we were interested in. We started with a Bahn Mi sandwich with pork. If you're ever in the area and looking for a quick, cheap, and yummy lunch; this sandwich was large and tasty for $4! For dinner, I'm not even sure what we had. One thing was this hot pot contraption with hot coals in it that was filled with shrimp and veggie soup. It was fun to eat and chock full of shrimp, but a little too spicy for me. Our other dish was some kind of noodle thing with all the meats and veggies. It was great to me, but Husband added spice to it. The waiter kind of made the experience for me. He helped us order, kept our drinks full, and generally made sure we had a good experience. Why the 3 stars? The food was fun to eat, but I didn't enjoy the taste all that much. I would try again though, since they have such a huge menu maybe if I ordered differently...
(3)
Kimmy N.

It's been awhile since I've had Mai Lee and decided to have it today. I'm a little disappointed on the quality of its food. We ordered com dac diet and it was not good at all. The veggies were fresh, there was very little rice and the egg cake was very old and dry. Our pork was also very dry, it was almost hard to eat. We had to submerge it in the fish sauce to prevent the dryness. Vietnamese people will know that they're serving "old food" because of the way it looks and taste. We also ordered egg rolls and spring rolls. The egg rolls were not fresh out of the deep fryer. They were room temp, therefore they have been sitting in a warmer for who knows how long. That wasn't a big deal for us considering we were able to eat and enjoy right away. The spring rolls must have been rolled the night before because some of the lettuce was welted. They have always made their food fresh to order or most of it anyways. I'm not sure what happened. I feel sorry for everyone else that's not familiar with Vietnamese food and on how it's actually suppose to taste and look. Service was very poor. We saw our waiter when he took our order, gave our food and bill. I'm very disappointed with Mai Lee. I hate to say to say this on a review but I would rather go to Kim Ngan off of grand. Their food is 10x better!!!
(2)
Amanda D.

San Jose native (so trust me, I know my Vietnamese food) and I have to say this was the BEST I've ever had. Calamari is a must have for an appetizer- crispy outside, fresh&soft inside. Steak is marinated to perfection! Love love love! Definitely will be back
(5)
Angela C.

Best pho ga around and so addicting! This place is a staple restaurant when we can't make a decision on what to eat. It's also one of our go to hangover cures. The pho and homemade ginger ale is an instant cure. You have to try the cha gio, crispy egg rolls, because the fish sauce they serve it with is perfect. Their service rocks and for two bowls of pho ga, egg rolls, and ginger ale the bill is around $25 after tip. You cannot beat that!!
(5)
Rick L.

If you are not familiar with the location, it is behind the Best Buy. 6pm on a Tuesday night and there is wait for a table. I have never had to wait at any Vietnamese restaurant before. It is a huge locals hangout which says a lot. Most restaurants would be happy won't just their take out business. Staff are friendly and attentive. Not real committal on suggestions but that is okay. BBQ spring rolls were very tasty. Not a fan of fish sauce so they happily gave me peanut sauce instead. Ordered #85 beef with lemongrass. I asked for some eggplant to be added. First of all, the portion is very generous. Large enough to share or plan on lunch the next day. The eggplant was plentiful and personally, a great addition for the veggie part. The waiter was exactly right that the dish has a strong influence from the lemongrass. I would order it again without hesitation. Not spicy at all. I recommend this restaurant highly. Arrive after 6, do expect to wait.
(4)
Hamachi B.

Good food, good service, good location.... Pho had a great broth, congee had a nice flavor..... Good choice for lunch!
(5)
Kevin R.

I went in to eat during lunch. It took forever to get a table, the waiter took 15 minutes just to take our order. Lastly I got up and refilled my own water! Overall good food but terrible service
(2)
Gene K.

Great pho, broth is the real deal. Spring rolls were just so-so but tried the special for the night which was assorted seafood over charred rice. Came sizzling in a hot pot and was out of this world. Could have used some spice, adding chili sauce made it even better.
(5)
Thad P.

Phenomenal. Outstanding. Simply fine Vietnamese food in St. Louis. I ordered the duck special with house sauce. I love duck but I know that it's usually a hard meat to cook. Omg! To die for duck. I'm serious. I have travel in Asia, grew up in San Francisco and love allot of different food. This is hand down the best duck prep that I have ever had. And... It was priced at half of what I would have paid for the plate! The place gets packed! Get there early if you don't have reservations. And last but not least: super awesome server dude! Jay is his name. Very genuine, prompt even in a heavy traffic area, and just super awesome. Did I mention he was pretty cool? :-P Any how. 200 plus dishes. We had three... I'm going to assume this is the start of a wonderful and long relationship with this place and my stomach. Great first experience.
(5)
Clara S.

Best pho in stl. Waits for dinning and for putting in orders are long in peak hours because everyone must know this place is baller for their pho.
(4)
Dani M.

After living many years near Little Vietnam in Chicago I was interested to see how well Vietnamese would be represented in St. Louis. I can say that I left lunch happy and full. I ordered the mini shrimp egg rolls to start and the pho tai for my main. The pho wasn't quite what I was used to - the phos I had in Chicago seemed more flavorful - however I still thought it was the perfect meal for a chilly day. They seem to be pretty crowded around lunch time so be prepared to wait a little bit if you go during the lunch rush.
(3)
Sheryl M.

I have heard lots of good things about Mai Lee but I didn't experience any of them. I was there for lunch with a friend. For starters, we were not brought the lunch and beverage menu, we had to ask. Our server seemed to be annoyed that we asked for it too. We got an order of crab rangoon and it was over fried. And to top it off we didnt get a bow of sweet n sour, just packets. I got the mongolian bbq and rice. The meet was on the bone and very tough. Not to mention half my plate had other stuff which was not mentioned on the menu. So I got less of what i ordered and i didnt want the other. So all in all I spent about $15 on a lunch that wasn't that good and didn't fill me up. It did appear to be popular so they must be doing something right, just not for us.
(2)
Lindsey S.

If you don't love Mai Lee, you are possibly ignorant, completely idiotic, have no taste buds, or hate the best service of your life. Linda, Jay, and Qui (as well as the whole staff) treat you like family from day one. Being in the industry, I can be way too picky and needy, but this is the only restaurant in St Louis where I've never had one concern. When I was a student, I came here 4 times a week. I wish I could come as often as I used to. #50 and #142 are dishes I get random cravings for. Trust me!
(5)
Sandi C.

We've been a long time customer of Mailee, from other location to this new location. But it is different now ... food still taste ok, not as good as before, but portion is really really small and I am not even a big eater. We ordered #12 Beef and Beef Balls Noodle Soup - ONE piece of beef ball cut into 4 pieces!!? Really!!?? One cut into four!! The price is $7.95 for noodle soup, I would think they can do better. Oh and 4-5 slices of beef. I can certainly can get same quality of pho but in more descent portion elsewhere. I am not sure if I wanted to visit again
(2)
Philip M.

Good meal, good service...average location/atmosphere with prices leaning towards expensive. I would eat here again but am not sprinting back.
(3)
Danielle L.

I have been going to Mai Lee since it was at its original location off Delmar. It is still a great spot years later. My favorite is the soup, Pho Tai. It's a great balance of salty, tangy, and spicy. We also always get their shrimp and pork fresh spring rolls. Amazing! I recently also tried their bbq ribs which are to die for! There's really no wrong way to go with their menu.
(4)
Joe A.

So, we've driven by here any number of times on our way to Target or Trader Joe's, but read the reviews on Yelp about their Pho. Reviewers win. The Pho here is as good as anywhere you'll find and worth dropping in on some time. Free parking in the garage it's attached to makes Mai Lee a pretty easy option should beef noodle soup strike your fancy.
(5)
Lucinda M.

One word: pho. This place has great service and the food delicious. I'm pretty sure there is crack in their pho. It's something I crave, especially when I'm fighting a cold.
(5)
Ben S.

There are 201 options on the dinner menu...plus another page of unnumbered Chinese options. Unfortunately, their website is jinky so I can't provide the complete descriptions of what we had for dinner. Here's an approximation: Bahn Mi with bbq pork - this may well be the best sandwich value in the greater STL area at $4 for a 10" sandwich. Yummy chunks of bbq pork, fresh cilantro with a little pate added for extra flavor and all served on a length of warm & crusty french bread. We split this as an appetizer but it was a bit large for our intended purpose. I will most certainly stop to grab one of these if I am in the neighborhood around lunchtime. Piss off $5 foot long - there's a new sandwich on my mind! This is what showed up on the bill for the other two dishes: Mi Xao Thp Cm & Cnh Chua Tom. I'm not sure which one was which but they added up to one noodle dish and one soup. About the noodle dish...noodles, vegetables, beef, pork, chicken and shrimp all on one plate. Add a little bit of their unlabeled garlic pepper sauce from the squeeze bottle (or use the Siracha if you're uninspired) and you have a great plate of noodles. About the soup...calling this a soup is doing it a supreme injustice. It is more along the lines of a whole meal in a hot pot with some broth and a few coals under the dome to keep it all piping hot while you screw around sampling whatever else you ordered unnecessarily. Truly, this is all you need for dinner! Starting with the broth, it is slightly sweet and slightly spicy. There is a good lemongrass flavor along with just enough heat to make your lips tingle a little. Add in other vegetables (quartered tomatoes, okra, celery and bean sprouts) and you have the beginnings of a pretty good little party. Throw in what must have been 1/2 pound of 16-20 count shrimp and you have a meal. You'll want to make frequent eye contact with your server to ensure he keeps your drink full while enjoying this offering. My drink of choice was their iced tea - none of that Lipton stuff either, they are brewing and chilling their own and it has a healthy green tea taste. Squeeze a lime into it and you're in business. Other miscellaneous notes: No smoking on the patio - YES!!! We went on Saturday night at prime dinner time - they didn't have a wait but they were slammed. Easy to park in one of the free garages on either side of the street. Good service - our waiter was long on recommendations once we asked and very helpful.
(5)
Hao X.

My lab has been trying to come here for lunch for a while. We keep on trying to come on a Monday but they're closed then. We finally made it on a friday and I rather liked this place! I got a banh mi sandwich and it was pretty good. I have a fondness for banh mi sandwiches. :) The vermicelli bowl that my bf got was ok and so was the pho a lot of my labmates got. What made this place 4 stars and not 3, actually, was the token lab vegetarian's fried tofu. It was super soft tofu with a nice crispy outside that you dipped in yummy lemony sauce. It brought me back memories of eating fried tofu on the top floor food court of a random mall in Shanghai. I can't wait to figure out how to make fried tofu like this. In fact, the last time I tried to make this type of fried tofu, i almost set my apartment on fire! So i guess if i want to avoid a near fire, i should just come here instead!
(4)
Alyssa S.

For those of us who dig Asian food or Asian fusion food, we usually have an expectation in St. Louis, that we are looking at greasy "comfort" food that has a very high probability of making us bloat with sodium, may or may not contain MSG, definitely contains gluten, and is not Paleo-friendly. (Haha, see what I did there? Covered it all!) We know what we are getting ourselves into and we generally don't really care...in fact, we embrace EVERY SECOND OF IT! Anyway... we went here on Sunday (05/25/2014) and it was relatively busy, but it was a nice day, the service was fast and friendly and they commended me for pronouncing my dish right and not ordering by number. (I try not to be an ignorant complacent American. I try to learn it and say it and I am open to being corrected.) We tried several of the smaller appetizers. Pot stickers. (Delicious! Very filling. Much larger than your traditional Chinese takeout pot stickers.) Spring rolls. (Perfectly wrapped, you don't have junk falling out of them as soon as you take one bite, and everything inside is either crisp - the greens - or perfectly steamed seafood. Don't forget the peanut sauce... it's the best I have had yet and I used it for other items on my entree.) and the Pork Bun (doughy bun with seasoned pork patty inside and a hard boiled egg. Um... how can you go wrong?) I was full before our entrees arrived - my boyfriend said "We will have leftovers!" .... how wrong he was. I ate it ALL! (Insert maniacal laugh here!) I ordered the crushed rice and pork plate. Comes with a fried egg on it, served with crisp greens and a side of a sweet chili sauce. Ate it all. No leftovers. Boyfriend got the charred rice bowl that was on special and took some home, he was slightly more adventurous than I was - his food had eel in it. Look, I am not Anthony Bourdain or Man Verse Wild. I have my limits, Peeps. We'll be back - the food was great and I saw about 14 things on the menu that same day that I needed to try. Plus, I need to see how their Chicken Pad Thai measures up to the Pad Thai that I get at Zen. Almost impossible to beat. We shall see!
(4)
Brad C.

Great flavor. Tried on #91 and #95. Service was great. It was a little pricey at $16 a plate. Biggest issue was in regards to the chicken preparation. Pieces were cut inconsistently in terms of size which translated into overlooked pieces.
(3)
Mark B.

Here's how I came to 2 stars. First, this is the second time to eat here. Second, the food is really good. The low review is because of the service. Once we were seated, we were not greeted by our waiter for 10-15 minutes. We ordered everything at once since we had so long to wait. They clearly forgot to put our order in. Three tables (same party size) seated after us all received their appetizers and main courses before the waiter acknowledged that our appetizer was coming soon. It was boiling hot because he clearly rushed it. Not really sure if we will go back but I did enjoy the food.
(2)
Rachel R.

As a 17-year resident of St. Louis, I'm embarrassed to say that I only recently visited Mai Lee. I went with our server's recommendation of his favorite dish, and was not disappointed. Good service, quick turnaround from the kitchen and overall the place was clean. Love the location, too!
(4)
Dana N.

Pho tai and ban mi ga are our favorite dishes. Never goes wrong and service is usually pretty fast and attentive. Just go during the mid-afternoon for less of a crowd.
(5)
Krystle B.

Let me start by saying that the only reason I can give this restaurant one star is because the decor is nice and the restaurant seemed very clean. We were visiting St Louis for the first time and found this place on yelp. There were many great reviews and we were excited to try it. We arrived at the restaurant a little before 6:30p and we were told there would be a 20 to 25 minute wait for a table for three. After our wait time had passed we asked the hostess for an update and she said it would be soon. Meanwhile we kept seeing other parties of our same size get seated before us that arrived after we had so we asked if they accepted reservations. They do...but only for parties of 8 or more...so it didn't make sense that they weren't seating us. After we had waited for 50 minutes my husband asked the hostess for another update and in a very rude tone said they were working on it. My husband reminded her that she had told us 20 to 25 minutes would be our wait time and we had been waiting 50 minutes to which she so sarcastically replied that the time is only an estimate and it could be more or less. Now she's an idiot if she thinks that's a reasonable excuse. In the future they really should try to be a little more compassionate....an apology would go a long way. That and a glass of ice water to at least quench my thirst while I wait.
(1)
Gisa D.

Teas: The hot oolong tea has been brewed too long. It leaves a coating on your teeth.
(2)
Kristy W.

Oh "Mai" this place is good!! Hands down our favorite Vietnamese place in St. Louis. If you are looking for fabulous noodle soups, you have found the promised land. What you should order when you reach their pearly gates: #29 (I think) - Soup with egg noodles (ohmygosh so good and perfectly cooked) and shrimp dumplings (that melt in your mouth) with slices of barbequed pork (which may have come directly from a pig in heaven). Of course, you will get the requisite plate of herbs, bean sprouts, greens and citrus to add at your leisure. This soup will literally make you a better person. You might even be better looking after you this. So incredibly good. If you need more than the soup....your standards are high but I'm equal to the task! - Prawns fried in sweet potato shreds that come out piping hot with a sweet/tart sauce that set off every taste bud in your mouth. - Bahn Mi can be an appetizer for two....at $4 this is best sandwich deal in StL - Fresh spring rolls in a variety of flavor/protein combinations -- they are all worth trying Soooo, tell your friends that this place sucks ;) .... so I can always get a table! It's nuts there after 6pm for good reason!
(5)
KA P.

One of my fave restaurants in STL or anywhere, really. Everything we've tried has been stellar, especially for the price. Standouts: duck curry soup and crispy tofu with lemon sauce. Delicious! Service is always excellent as well. A must-try if passing through STL.
(5)
Morris R.

This place gets super crowded on the weekends so I came back midweek for a Banh Mi and some eggrolls. Still busy, but no wait time. Service is friendly and quick. The place is clean and modern. I ordered the pork Banh Mi (vietnamese baguette sandwich) and crispy eggrolls. What a deal! The sandwich is large and full, and cheaper than eating at Subway, and with much better quality. This place has the best eggrolls around! Tender, flavorful meat, not too oily, crispy on the outside. And the sweet and sour sauce was nice and light and tangy. It was not that thick syrupy cornstarch stuff you get in take-out packets. These are served with a mound of lettuce, cucumber, basil and cilantro - all very fresh and bright green. The Banh Mi was amazing, the bread was crusty and chewy, and the meat was tasty, with a buttery spread condiment. Although, it was thick ham slices with some gristle and fat I would have preferred not to have eaten, I thought it was a great meal. I added the garnishes from the eggroll plate to my sandwich and brightened up the flavor even more. I'd love to come back and try their Pho. This restaurant is raved about by everyone I know, and I've heard local chefs and restaurauteurs (spelling?) rave about it too. You know a place is good when other chefs praise it.
(5)
Flavio E.

I never bother writing reviews , but this time I kind of have to. I ordere a soup with roasted duck and vermicelli, but instead there was a chicken leg in it. Pretty disappointed. I didn't complain but I should have. Instead, I'm writing this review. The soup was average, vermicelli were not even cooked. My date had a tofu salad which was ok. That's why I'm not giving one star. They have way too many things on the menu and you wonder how they can make it all...they simply don't, and they put the ingredients that they want? if you really want to go there, make sure you get what you asked for.
(2)
Devin A.

On a recent trip to St. Louis, I had the opportunity to try out Mai Lee, an Asian fusion restaurant in the Brentwood area that serves up a fresh mix of Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese food. I went on a late Sunday evening and the place was packed, a testament to it's popularity among locals. They have a nice patio area, which I was tempted to take advantage of, given the temperate weather outside, but the view really isn't much to get excited about as it overlooks a rather nondescript driveway behind an adjacent shopping center (just a notch above alleyway). The main dining room was very busy, so i opted for bar, where a lone corner spot was open, giving me a decent view of the televisions showing the evening's football game. The atmosphere was a bit livelier, but not too loud or overbearing. Overall, whether you opt for the patio, the dining room or the bar, Mai Lee seems like a nicely-appointed, clean restaurant with good ambiance for any occasion. The menu itself is rather extensive and can be a bit overwhelming, but each item does have a succinct description so you know what you're getting. The "order by numbers" system is appreciated by those not wanting to butcher the pronunciation of various dishes. I opted to sample a variety of dishes. I had heard/read so much about the Shrimp/Pork Spring Rolls ("Best Spring Rolls in St. Louis"?) so I had to try them. The order includes two spring rolls with a wonderful peanut sauce. The spring rolls themselves are a bit smaller than normal, but that might just be because they try to wrap them short with a piece of cilantro stem sticking out. Cute, but unfortunately, that stem can be pretty tough to try to chew through. The rolls themselves were fresh and tasted fine, but nothing extraordinary. In my opinion, the flavor of an ideal spring roll should be highlighted by the proteins - the shrimp and pork - with the fresh, bright contrast of greens, typically mint, basil, and coriander leaves, balanced by the texture of the rice noodles. I had a hard time discerning either of the proteins. The rice noodles were fine, but the greens were decidedly disappointing - coriander and lettuce. Not the best, but still, with the peanut sauce, they were fine. I also had a serving of the egg rolls. Two deep-fried eggrolls served with greens (lettuce, coriander and cucumber that you could wrap the eggrolls in) and a sweet fish sauce. I don't typically wrap my eggrolls in lettuce, but I suppose it's nice to be given that option. The eggrolls were crispy and the sauce worked well, but again - nothing extraordinary. As a main course, I had the Hoanh Tranh Mi, a soup with egg noodles, sliced pork, and shrimp wontons. The flavor of the broth was light and a bit on the salty side, but quite good. It was served with a mix of greens, bean sprouts, jalapenos and lime. The mix of dumplings and pork with the noodles provided a hearty meal and overall I was quite satisfied. If I had any complaint, it would be with greens. Again, I am used to a varied mix of basil, coriander, and mint. Here - coriander and lettuce. Lettuce. Oh - here's a hint if you opt to tear up the jalapenos to add them to your soup: Don't touch your face or eyes afterwards. You'll find yourself in the bathroom splashing cold water on your face to try to quell the burn. Yeah, like I did. For desert, I treated myself to the mango and sticky rice, a Thai favorite that I always order if I see it on the menu. I've had it served a number of different ways, and unfortunately the way they serve it at Mai Lee has to be my least favorite way. They serve half a sliced mango atop a very tough slab of sticky rice with a sweet cream. The rice slab was hard to eat and the mango was disappointingly bland. I suppose it was my fault for ordering something that really isn't in season. Overall, I was pretty satisfied with my meal at Mai Lee. For all the food I ordered, the price was very reasonable - I expected to pay much more. As far as Asian fusion restaurants go, it was actually very good and I was likely disappointed only because of the very high expectations that I had. If I find myself back in the Brentwood area, I will be probably come back. Just not for the sticky rice.
(4)
Gin H.

Delicious pho! My kid had the lo mein and probably the best I've had. Mostly the ones I've tasted are salty. But it was flavorful and had a ton of veggies and shrimp. We also tried the bbq pork banh mi. It was so good but didn't have a bunch of stuff in it. Probably because it was $4. Our server was great and the restaurant was clean. They also accommodated my 7 mo old with a high chair and had a changing table (which is hard to find in nicer restaurants. I can't wait to come back and try more dishes.
(5)
Bob K.

I eat at or order takeout from Mai Lee about once per week on average, and I can't get enough of it. Best Asian food in St. Louis bar none, and maybe the best food period. Mai Lee's extensive menu offers a variety of dishes, and you can't go wrong with any of them. From the famous pho to the golden fried tofu, its all sensational--and totally fresh. Best Vietnamese food I've ever had (including 3 trips to Vietnam!). Truly a St. Louis gem.
(5)
Chi Mee S.

This is one of my all time favorite restaurants - i've been coming here for the past 10 years or so because their pho broth is the best I've ever had. I live in California now and haven't had a pho that's better.
(5)
Sarah A.

one of my favorites in st. louis. having come to st. louis straight from Asia, i have very high standards for asian food....especially special dishes like pho - one of my faves. i believe it's the broth, the meat, and the quality of noodles that makes a fantastic pho...and lucky for me, mai lee's meets all of those. my g- to dish is the raw beef pho and i either get the egg roll or spring roll as the appetizer. i've also tried the traditional chinese noodles with wontons (a dish i grew up with) and they did not disappoint either! it does get quite crowded in the weekend, especially at lunch...i always come a little earlier than the lunch rush hour and i think they give a little more noodles in the earlier hour... if the regular bowl of pho isn't quite enough to fill your tum tums you can order extra noodles.
(5)
Steven B.

Hell No and I do mean Hell No. I will never step in to Mai Lee again and I was looking so forward to finally having lunch here. Strike One - We entered during lunch and the restaurant stank more then Jay's International on S. Grand and anyone who has shopped there knows that place smells bad. Strike Two - We tell host party of two, he says nothing, but turns around and starts to cross the dining room floor. Being educated we finally figured it out that we were suppose to follow. He tossed two menus on a table and kept walking. We seated ourselves at the table and started to read the menu. Water served without a word and server disappears. Strike 3 - 15 minutes pass, no one has approached us. During this time we realize the menu is for dinner and we were wanting a light lunch. As we were getting ready to leave due to the lack of service, our server appears. The SO says, "we were just getting ready to leave" and the servers response was, "Oh, you need more time." We then asked if they had a lunch menu, he responded yes and left to go get one. When he returned, he only brought one, it was a folded piece of paper and he pushed it down so hard on the table I am surprised it did not collapse. He then said, "Lunch, you only get Chinese, no Vietnamese for you." He then turned and walked away again. The point of coming to Mai Lee was to experience Vietnamese food, so we left. I knew from reading reviews here on Yelp that the service was bad, but had no idea it was going to be this bad. Reading more reviews before writing this one, I see others have had trouble with the "lunch menu" issue. @ Mai Lee, sorry to say with your pissy attitude I will not be back.
(1)
Stephanie H.

Wow, it was packed! Well worth the wait though! The waitress was awesome-so helpful and friendly! The kimchi was awesome. Shrimp spring rolls-yum! Dinner was wonderful and came out hot and fast. The Pho was the most popular dish. We'll be back soon.
(4)
Nicholas H.

Mai lee is my favorite restaurant in St. Louis. It has been for almost 2 decades. Wether it's for a surgical lunch of spring rolls and pho or an elegant dinner of roast duck and champagne, Mai lee does it all. Even the Chinese menu doesn't disappoint. But if you come to Mai lee only for Chinese food you are missing the point. Dishes to try: spicy beef soup, salt and pepper calamari, bbq pork spring roll, water spinach with garlic, 5 spice pork, roast duck and Vietnamese fried rice. Best staff in town hands down. Sit at the bar for the best experience.
(5)
Michelle R.

Excellent, as always! We try to stop by every time we are in town and have never been disappointed. I can't even get shrimp toast in my hometown anymore, but the shrimp/pork toast was hot and delicious.
(5)
Marci E.

The first time I came I was intimidated by the size of the menu, but the wait staff is always willing to help you figure it out. Such a selection! My favorite is the lemon tofu and the spring rolls. Something here for everyone, but come early to beat the crowd.
(4)
Christian K.

Oh, Mai Lee! Pho has become one of my new obsessions. After trying Vietnamese for the first time this summer, I get the itch every now and then for a big bowl of pho. A fellow Yelper raised the question about the best pho, so I walked out of my comfort zone, Pho Grand, to try Mai Lee in Brentwood. Perhaps I'm little bias about my pho, but Pho Grand is superior in every aspect:. setting, price, and product. Pho Grand trumps Mai Lee in location. Pho Grand might be THE place in Tower Grove to have a good meal, but a patron is not limited to just pho in the area. Tower Grove offers all sorts of unique bars and restaurants to explore. Mai Lee sits behind a Best Buy in Brentwood. The establishments around it are mostly chain restaurants and department stores. At Christmas time, Mai Lee might have the upper hand, but I would rather hang in Tower Grove than near a Wal-Mart, Buffalo Wild Wings, or Red Lobster. Also, Pho Grand has a slight advantage on price. I ordered almost an identical meal at both places, and everything was about a dollar more at Mai Lee. The spring rolls, however, were almost spot on in price. Altogether, I would say both places were fairly inexpensive. Finally, I would again give Pho Grand the edge on the food. Having tried spring rolls at both places, Pho wins that round clearly. Both were fresh, but the dipping sauce at Pho Grand is superior to Mai Lee. Either way, patrons win ordering pho from these establisments, but I truly feel like Pho gives more meat in their bowls and has a slight edge in overall flavor. Still, I was quite satisfied with my bowl of pho at Mai Lee last night. Perhaps it's unfair to compare these two Vietnamese restaurants. I don't want to take away from what Mai Lee does, but if I had to choose between these the two, Pho Grand would be the clear winner. Nonetheless, Mai Lee is a quality restaurant and well worth a visit when in the Brentwood area.
(4)
Damian S.

Great food and quick service. Only thing is it can get pretty loud when it's busy. Overall, though, great place for a bowl of Pho.
(4)
Eric G.

When we wait our friends, no seat no water, bad service, never back here again.............................................Â..................................................Â..................................................Â..................................................Â..................................................Â..................................................Â..........................:.:::...................Â..
(1)
Mark P.

Mai Lee is a Vietnamese restaurant located on the first floor of the Metro parking garage behind Best Buy. The location really sucks IMO, and from the outside it looks visually unappealing and lacks in any sort of character, but fortunately the inside is clean and modern looking. Anyway, as some of you might know, I don't really give a shit about how good or bad a place looks as long as the grub is good. As for the food, I've had mixed reactions each time I visit. It seems like that's how it always is with Vietnamese; you've got to know which items to order. I'd like to create my own Vietnamese restaurant that served my favorite items from each of the various restaurants around the city. I'll start with the better items here at Mai Lee: The Goi Du Du or papaya salad ($5.50) comes with pork & shrimp and is topped with peanuts. This salad is absolutely delicious and full of healthy cilantro goodness. The Goi Cuon spring rolls with shrimp & pork (2 for $3.75) are consistently good spring rolls, and better than most places. They come served with a brown peanut sauce, but for some strange reason, I prefer nuoc cham or fish sauce with spring rolls. Unfortunately the fish sauce here at Mai Lee isn't very good so I usually just stick with the brown sauce. The Chao Thap Cam or rice porridge soup for $7.95 comes with pork, shrimp and crab. It also includes a side of lettuce, cilantro, bean sprouts, lemon, and jalapeÃ±o slices. It's not quite as good as Banh Mi So's porridge, but it's still good and worth trying if you're looking for something different. Bun bi Cha Gio is vermicelli noodle with shredded pork and a chopped up egg roll for $6.95. This noodle bowl just doesn't hold up to Pho Grand and Banh Mi So, but it's still not bad here at Mai Lee. The Ga Xao Lan is a chicken dish in coconut milk, lemongrass, curry and crushed peanuts for $10.95. The freshness of the ingredients comes out in this dish, but the flavor of the curry is a bit of a letdown. On my most recent visit, I tried the Soun Heo Xao Gung which is pork ribs with ginger and chili sauce. I really enjoyed the flavor of the sauce, but the pork tasted bad and overpowered the sauce. I'm going with 3 and 1/2 stars for slightly above average Vietnamese food. The menu has so many items on it that you're sure to find something you'll like if you keep coming back. Oh, and by the way, the Pho is above average and the Banh Mi sandwiches are excellent. .
(3)
Mith R.

This place is incredibly mediocre. A very watered-down and americanized version of the cuisine. If you're looking for the real thing, keep on looking. The dishes are bland and lacking in the flavor profiles you'd expect. So disappointing.
(1)
Jenelle S.

This place has great food. Their spring rolls are a must! I've tried multiple dishes there and loved every one of them, but I have to say #96 is my favorite. I knocked it down a star because I wish they took reservations for parties less than 8.
(4)
Jenn B.

Hands down my favorite restaurant in St. Louis. With hundreds of options to choose from, I love trying new dishes, as well as sticking with favorites. Vietnamese cuisine is the best I've ever tasted. It's usually busy on the weekends, so be sure to get there early if you want a table. But don't forget about take-out! Great food for less of a hassle if you want to go that route.
(5)
Sam S.

Pretty good food, I think. The atmosphere is nice but wait times can get a little bit annoying and unusual for STL -- but maybe that speaks to the quality of the food. The dishes are delivered in a timely manner and the portion sizes are large enough to satisfy. At times it feels like the food could be more flavorful, but to be honest there aren't that many alternatives for good vietnamese food in the STL area. The wait-staff is very friendly and the menu is absolutely enormous.
(4)
D G.

Very good food The staff is helpful And service is quick I mean how much quick it can be possible when there are so many people already waiting ! That good the place is ! There are always people waiting to have food here
(4)
Carmen H.

I almost never write reviews since it takes a lot to wow me but the pho here was amazing! It really is the broth that makes the pho and it was still really hot when I was done (and I'm a slow eater). Hoping to be back again soon!
(5)
Sayako S.

Love this place. The food is consistently fresh and tasty and the service is always prompt and cordial. Even when they are slammed (most of the time) they keep up with the pace. The staff had lower turn over and they are always friendly and personal. I highly recommend 152, 39, 121 but everything is good. Enjoy!
(5)
Zach S.

There's no place like home, and this place is always home. I've never been to a more consistent place and never been to another restaurant more than I have been here. It's always done right, and you're always treated well. Price to quality ratio is unbeatable. The Lee never disappoints.
(5)
Jared T.

I very rarely write reviews, but this place earns one... The most flavorful Vietnamese/Chinese food I've ever eaten, good atmosphere, great service, and surprisingly owned and operated by a pretty cool family of 5 who will likely be waiting the tables and tending the bar.
(5)
Jay F.

Service was great. My server was on top of everything. Food eh not so great. Being from Seattle guess I'm spoiled with Pho. Broth had a funny taste. They w out of bean sprouts, got one jalapeÃ±o, and basil looked horrible. Disappointed. Only tried this cause T & T on grand blvd was closed!!
(2)
Justin T.

Before moving to St. Louis, I was living in Houston, in the most Vietnamese precinct outside of Vietnam, where great Vietnamese options are a dime a dozen. When I relocated to St. Louis, "Is there Vietnamese?" was one of my first questions, and "Absolutely! Mai Lee!" was the immediate response. I finally got the chance to check it out recently (literally, as I did take-out), and was really disappointed with the food. I'm a huge fan of bun noodles with pork, and the right concept was there, but the taste was not. The pork was extremely dry and too salty, and the container of nuac cham was perhaps 1/4 the size of what I'm used to getting, so the whole meal was very dry. With Mai Lee having so many rave reviews, maybe the rest of the menu is magical. That said coming again isn't at the top of my priority list. My odyssey for bun continues...
(2)
Beck E.

This place would get 2 stars if it were on either coast, but not bad for St. Louis. At the very least, the food did not offend me (looking at you, Pho Grand), which sadly might have to be how I base my ratings of Viet food in STL. :'( The 3 stars is based solely on the food (I never expect much in the way of service from a Vietnamese restaurant). Banh mi thit - For only $4 and the size of sandwich you get, I would say this is an oookay choice. It came a bit overstuffed with veggies and the cilantro was overpowering, but that's an easy fix--just take out the extra stuffing. There was a generous portion of headcheese & cha lua (Vietnamese "ham"/"bologna" I guess is what people have been calling it), but I thought both lacked flavor. The mayo was good, the do chua (pickled veg) didn't taste pickled enough, and the cucumbers were sliced too thick. I thought the bread was kind of soft/chewier than I am accustomed to. The flavors were "off" as a result of all of the above, and so I felt a little nauseous halfway through... But the nausea was nowhere near as bad as what I had experienced while eating at Pho Grand. So... okay for $4. Bun rieu - This was the greasiest bowl of any noodles I've ever eaten. It detracted from the eating experience for sure. The broth was a little too salty, so it was hard to detect the more complex flavors/seasonings that make bun rieu my favorite noodle dish. Sigh. Decent amount of crab meat & chunks of tomatoes. I didn't really like the inclusion of the shrimp, but hey, I got 4 of them... Didn't feel like they were skimping. Generous amount of food for $7.95, at least the takeout portions were. However, I wouldn't get this dish again, even if I were hardcore craving it (which I sometimes do). It just didn't taste right to me. Overall, okay. Not great. Won't be going out of my way to eat here again, but I won't avoid it either. I do applaud Mai Lee's participation in the GoodDining program though, which is why I stopped by here before other Vietnamese restaurants in the area. __________________ The below did not factor into the rating, but I want to complain some more, so: I got carryout, and ordering was confusing. There was a sign above the bar area reading "carry-out" but no clear area to order from... Especially given that all the bar was crowded so I couldn't wedge myself between other customers to ask for assistance without being rude. Eventually it turned out that the employee who'd been socializing with his buddies for 5 minutes with his back to me was supposed to be taking carryout orders. Oh. K. This system really needs to be revamped, srsly. After placing my order, it only took 10 minutes to get it. So that was a positive. Did not get any chopsticks, but did get a plastic fork and two spoons.
(3)
Susan G.

Best Pho I've had in St. Louis!! They have great spring rolls too. For all those who want take out during the winter blues, it's a favorite take out spot. I'm not the only one who thinks so, there's usually a line of people waiting for their take out. Order the Beef Pho for take out and cook/heat it up over your own stove top at home, with all the delicious fixings! Perfect for a night in.
(4)
Aditi M.

Asian food lovers - this is a must try for you. I mostly have had vegetarian dishes here and it is so good. The pho is as good as the lo mein. My friend introduced me to this really unique vietnamese iced coffee. It comes in an interesting arrangement. A must try for iced coffee lovers. If you aren't sure of of how to go around it, ask the server to explain. The people at the restaurant - the servers, the host(ess) are very polite which adds an extra edge to the service. Quick service makes it a desirable lunch location too.
(5)
Irene L.

Parking here is confusing for the first visit. It is free to park in the public garage. Food in Mai Lee was always amazing. We were satisfied with the food every time we came. However, there is something wrong with the management, and it gets worse. The waiters looked overloading. They don't look like happy to work here. Which caused the slow service. There were always something in my water. 3/5 cups had something in the water. Even after I asked for a new one, there was still something in my water. Both locks of lady's restrooms were broken. I didn't know about the condition of the third one, which was occupied. The doors of the lady's room will automatically open, and the locks were missed or broken. It was not a enjoyable moment. Finally, it was time to pay. The busy waiter didn't looked happy to separate our bills. I wish Mai Lee will make some adjustment about their management. I really like the food there, and wish to come back.
(3)
Camilla K.

I have been going to Mai Lee for quite some time. Even before they relocated to their current location. I cannot live without this place. Everything so is good and at a nice price. Appitizers: I have had the spring rolls and they are to die for. Each order has 2 spring rolls and come with a plum sauce and peanuts. The sauce goes perfectly with the spring rolls. They are made fresh and taste amazing. You can also order a "make your own spring rolls", I have never tried it, but I have seen others do it. I also adore the sweet potato with shrimp, I cannot recall the actual name, but it is under the hot appetizers. I ordered this because I wanted to try something new. At first I thought it was going to taste alright, but let me just say. It tastes amazing. Yes you get a hint of sweet potato, but it isn't an overpowering taste. It comes with a fish sauce, it enhances the flavors. Whenever I order it people always ask me what I got. Soups: I have only gotten the Pho soups and the Bun soups. The soups they serve at Mai Lee are huge! I always split with someone if I want to order an entree. When you get Bun soup, it comes with all these fresh greens (basil, sprout roots, lettuce, etc) to out into your soup. The only Pho soup I have ordered is the beef one, and it comes with a sauce to dip your beef into. All the soups taste so fresh and light. Entrees: I haven't gotten many entrees, but the best I have had there is 169. The Roasted Duck. Let me tell you, I have had dreams about this dish. I have been to multiple restaurants, around the globe known for their duck, but this has been the best. It melts in your mouth like butter, it's crispy yet moist and juicy. The tofu is amazing too, its the best I have had. Its crunchy on the outside and smooth on the inside. The drinks are amazing as well. They have different kinds of beer, asain beers and typical ones you can find at other restaurants. Their Vietnamese Coffee is what gets me through life. It has condensed milk and when u stir it all it has the most luxurious taste ever. Kind of a chocolate, coffee, cream taste. It comes iced or hot.
(5)
Jennie T.

Yelp, Serious Eats, and Kevin Nashan, you all disappointed me with your high regards for Mai Lee. Maybe their pho really is good, but I wouldn't know because I didn't order that. I ordered the bun bo hue based on Yelp's highlights, and I was majorly disappointed. I really should have just gone with my safe choice and ordered bun thit nuong or bun cha gio. Surely, no Vietnamese restaurant could mess that up, right? The broth in the bun bo hue didn't taste anything at all like any bun bo hue broth I've ever had. It reminded me faintly of the pho beef broth and perhaps a bit too much hoisin sauce. Bun bo hue is Hue's spicy beef noodle soup, and the broth wasn't even spicy at all. They gave me garnishes that were fit for a bowl of pho, not for bun bo hue. Where was my chopped cabbage? There was no pork blood, which I think is essential to a bowl of bun bo hue. And they served me vermicelli noodles, which was close enough to the thicker rice noodles, but it's not exactly the same. It was a major disappointment. Why was this dish highlighted on Yelp? It shouldn't have been. Kenny ordered the banh mi thit nuong, and that disappointed me too. Why was the meat all the way to one side of the sandwich? Not only that, they were stingy with the meat and toppings. I can make a better sandwich than this. I was disappointed to have wasted money on these two items, and I can't believe that a five-time James Beard Award semifinalist would recommend a place that didn't know how to make a decent bowl of bun bo hue or a sandwich worth paying for.
(2)
Brandon T.

Mai Lee is a great choice for Vietnamese and Chinese-style cuisine in Saint Louis. Service is prompt, efficient, and usually fairly friendly and you'd be hard pressed to find better food without venturing a trip to S. Grand Blvd. The Bun Bo Hue is excellent, as well as the vermicelli noodle bowls. On the Chinese side of the menu, any of the fried rice selection are a sure hit, and they make a very version of crab rangoon. The Mai Lee kitchen is very accommodating to substitutions and additions and is more than capable of customizing a dish to your liking (something that many Vietnamese restaurants are not typically keen to do). Even if Vietnamese is not yet within your culinary lexicon, Mai Lee is great for groups in that just about everyone can find something tasty and to their liking within the pages of their vast menu.
(5)
Charles M.

Always incredible food, always cheerful attentive servers. Love the food always tastes fresh, lots of great flavors. There are a TON of different options on the menu, and the servers' knowledge of the items on the menu has frequently helped me pick an item when I might otherwise be indecisive or torn between a few different items on the menu. They have both Vietnamese and Chinese sections on the menu, so be aware of this depending on your preference. They also have a bar, where you can grab some tasty drinks before and during your meal. I recommend parking in the parking garage across the street, as there's generally abundant parking and it's a convenient location for the restaurant. The employees really do go out of their way to ensure customer satisfaction, which is something that is very important to me. If you're looking for incredible food and a nice location to take someone you care about, friends, or family, you definitely need to check out Mai Lee, as it's family owned and operated. I have been here numerous times and have always been extremely impressed by the quality and tastiness of the food and how helpful and conscientious the staff are to their customers.
(5)
Rosalyn H.

I enjoyed eating the beef pho and spring rolls but didn't feel like off was extremely special...
(3)
Lizzy L.

In the past 2 years in St. Louis I've avoided Mai Lee because my impression of it was that it was more Americanized Vietnamese food...but I tried it twice in the past few months and it's pretty delicious! My Vietnamese friend comes here at least once a month and loves their Vietnamese style chicken salads and the fish dishes--apparently they come in big portions. I tried the duck noodle soup, which was tasty, with several chunks of duck and a richer broth than my hubby's beef pho (the typical beef meatball, beef shank, sans tripe because he can't stand tripe). I ended up stealing some of my husband's pho and it was better than I expected! Some of my Asian friends swear by the Mai Lee pho broth...I thought it was comparable to Kim Son's pho broth though! The service was average in terms of speed, and a wonderful atmosphere to catch up with friends, well-lit and air-conditioned, with ample parking in the covered parking garage. Our waiter was really nice even though we took forever to decide on what to order from the menu (and while we waited for 2 other friends to arrive at the restaurant). Dinner time here on the weekend was really packed. My 2nd time there was for lunch and the restaurant was a lot quieter/emptier than it was at dinner. I ordered the seafood yellow and rice noodle soup (number 6: hu tieu mi, $6.95)....it was decent but the soup tasted a little too MSG-y (not sure if they actually put MSG in there) for me. Next time I'm going to pick a noodle soup with all rice noodles because it was kind of weird to have both yellow AND rice noodles. My dish arrived with 3 shrimps, imitation crab, and some barbecue pork---I was satisfied with the amount of meat and green onion garnish on top. The menu also boasts a 2-page Chinese section which I might come back to try out sometime! Not my favorite Vietnamese restaurant ever for pho and noodle soups but it's convenient and worth revisiting again in the future!
(3)
Cece A.

This place makes me mad. Mai Lee is so well known that pho virgins usually end up coming here for their first time. And I just want to tell all of you that this is NOT how pho is supposed to taste!! Their broth is so oily and so sweet. Hate to be so brutally honest, but the broth is just downright awful. Mai Lee--just who are you catering to with that sweet and greasy soup? Pho virgins, head over to Pho Long or St. Louis Pho, don't regret your first time! To be fair Mai Lee, your spring rolls are good.
(2)
S A.

The best Vietnamese restaurant in St Louis. We have been back many times! Love the Pho!
(5)
Lana T.

Pros: convenient parking, good service. Our waiter was prompt and helpful, even with the dinner rush going on. Cons: food is mediocre at best. Meat was consistently overcooked. The shrimp especially tasted off, like it was a few days past the expiration date and then cooked til rubbery. The vermicelli noodles were done well, with a nice light sauce. However, the beef was boiled until flavorless and the only taste came from the sauce poured over it. The onions were undercooked. Portions are generous, so that's a plus. But the food wasn't good enough to make me want to finish the portion.
(2)
Mary B.

I was soo excited to go here finally, and while it was good I am a bit disappointed. I was envisioning the depth of flavor and pricing I have enjoyed in San Francisco and I this just didn't quite meet the mark. I thought the prices were good. $4 for buhn mi, $4 for steamed pork boa. I thought the steamed pork boa was large and tasty but a little too much dough and the dough was a little dry. The rare beef pho was ok at best in my opinion, the broth just wasn't very flavorful and carried a slightly sweet tone. The pho also had lots of noodles and very little meat and broth, I did like the tray to accompany with lots of fresh things to add. The buhn mi was pretty great and I got some to go since they are already made pre-wrapped sandwiches. We had the pork which I thought was flavorful, I got a huge bite of jalapeno seeds on the first bite and set me on fire so I went in to remove some seeds after that, asl the cilantro was good and fresh but they left all the giant woody stems on so i removed the stems. Overall the buhn mi was my favorite dish. We parked in the garage behind and over the top of the restaurant it was free parking. We arrived at 5:10 and that was pretty perfect because the whole place filled up within a half hour and was standing waiting. I would go back for buhn mi and steamed pork bun but skip the pho. Still in search of good PHO St. Louis.
(3)
Sonny S.

I've been to Mai Lee several times at both the new and old locations. The new location is in a much nicer area as compared to the old one. The food is just as delicious! Here's what I usually get: -combination rice plate with pork chop, egg cake, shredded pork and fried egg (my fav - perfect combination of items on a plate) -fried spring rolls (crispy and hot - love wrapping these in lettuce and cilantro and dipping in fish sauce) -rice paper spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce -bahn mi (very cheap Vietnamese sandwiches on French baguette; I got the meatball which was flavorful) The reason I took a star off was because the waitress was very rude and wasn't attentive at all. She had an attitude all night and never came by for refills. Then when I tried making a togo order she starting yelling at me about not putting it in earlier. Well bitch, I would've had you came back to the table after bringing out our meals!!! Usually service isn't an issue but just my last visit. Overall, the food is excellent and I recommend it!
(4)
Tim G.

Mai Lee's is one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the area! I say one of the best, because there are so many to choose from in St. Louis. I've been coming to Mai Lee Restaurant for a number of years... even back when she had the original restaurant high on Delmar. It's still one of my favorite places for a spicy bowl of Vietnamese soup; Pho! The ambience leaves a little to be desired. The dining area is anything but intimate, and quite honestly, reminds me of the seating in a campus cafeteria! But beyond that, the bar area is nice, although small. This place fills up fast... especially on the weekends. Make sure you time your visit just right!
(4)
Sean F.

I frequent Mai Lee, sometimes 3 or 4 times per week, and can say it is consistently one of my favorite rest restaurants in St. Louis. Pho is my go-to especially in the winter but just tell Qui or Jay behind the bar (did I mention only ever sit at the bar?) what you're in the mood for and they'll find just the right thing off of their endless menu... or maybe even something off the menu!
(5)
Amrita R.

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this place since it seemed very Americanized and the bf and I had great memories of eating authentic food in Vietnam fairly recently. But I had heard so many mixed reviews that I wanted to see for myself. Firstly, their menu is huge and overwhelming. They should really consider cutting it down a bit to make things easier, and so that they can focus on making a few dishes really really well. Just my opinion. The banh mi is all right. My friend ordered the regular pork, not the bbq pork and I was expecting more. I also prefer my banh mis with an egg but that's a whole nother thing. I ordered Viet chicken salad because I had a delicious one in Vietnam but I rarely see it on menus around here. It was so good! I wish there had been a bit of a peanut crunch but the flavors were spot-on. It was all very fresh and tasty. My friend ordered the chicken pho. It was tasty but very oily. The bf ordered a vermicelli dish with grilled pork that was well-made and he really enjoyed it. My other friend ordered a broken rice dish and her pork was rather tough and overcooked, but the flavors were also very nicely done. Minus a star for the price, though. You can get great banh mis for $2.50-3 with a lot more stuff packed into it...is it an ambiance thing? I don't get it. The bowl of pho was also ridiculously small. Most places have a small/med/large option and rightly so. I thought my salad was a good price for the amount of fresh veggies, but in general, all the portions were fairly small in comparison to price. So yes, flavors-good, prices and portions-meh. I'd be back but only for the chicken salad. I still prefer Truc Lam's pho and I have yet to find the perfect banh mi in StL.
(4)
Katherine B.

Mai Lee is amazing, and everyone knows it. I can always count on awesome food, but the last time I was there, the service could've been better. The food: #6 - Chicken broth with bbq beef, crab sticks, clear and verm noodles. With all those flavors, you would think it'd be off, but, it was great like always. I love the tradition of always providing a side of lettuce, jalapenos and cilantro, even if you're not ordering pho. The service was VERY hands off. I don't know what was going on, I think there was only 2 servers to the entire dining room. I literally had to shout to get my server's attention - twice. When he did come over, it took him a while to bring back refills, and the check. He was nice, but he was overworked and it showed. I guess they know that people will keep coming, because the food is great.
(3)
Hang T.

Last time I went, the food was bad. I went with some friends and every single one of the soup dishes were lukewarm. My friend had rare meat with his pho and it did not cook at all. I had the bun bo hue. It didn't taste like what it was supposed to, but it was okay. I was just expecting more.
(2)
Lynne B.

Delicious and amazing! Service was excellent!! The food was incredible and perfect! Awesome lunch out. The Shaking Beef was perfectly tender and full of flavor. The egg rolls and spring rolls are addicting!
(5)
Doreen Z.

I love pho. I discovered my love for it while living in LA. You simply cannot beat the pho in LA though. But I have tried many places here in St. Louis hoping to find at least an acceptable place. All of the places on Grand were terrible to be honest. But this restaurant surprised me! Definitely the best pho I've had in St. Louis. The spring rolls are perfect. The sticky rice with mango (my all-time favorite dessert) is also made well. Really good portions, my bowl of pho alone was enough to fill me up. They also have mixed drinks. I would recommend this place for drinks and dinner with friends or a date. They have outdoor seating as well.
(5)
Chris C.

Had the #65 Bun Ga Nuong & it was very good & it filled me up. Service was pretty fast for as full as this little place was. It was my second time there & il will be back.
(5)
David W.

After continuously coming back, I have to update this to a 5 star review. This place is just straight up legit. Extremely good portions, still low prices, probably the best vietnamese / chinese restaurant in town, in my opinion. Tried the duck noodle soup this time, (normally I get the pho, which is spectacular) and it was extremely unique but extremely good. As usual, the spring / crispy egg rolls are amazing, and the pho and sandwiches are great! You gotta come here
(5)
Leah K.

I'm always looking for an excuse to visit! Their huge menu provides something everyone should enjoy. This being said, it may take two or three visits before you find "your dish." Afterwards you will be hooked!
(5)
Jamie K.

We stopped in to Mai Lee last night when we were shopping in Brentwood. As usual, the restaurant was very busy and the service was slow, but I can't help but give them 4 stars because the food was so delicious. I had the beef pho (Pho Tai) which came in a big bowl full of well-spiced broth and a side of herbs and bean sprouts to add. My friends had sauteed beef tips (Buo Luc Lac) and Pad Thai, both were even better than my entree. The Buo Luc Lac was very flavorful and came with a delicious herb dipping sauce. The Pad Thai was very garlicy and spicy but not overwhelming with peanut flavor. It was probably the best Pad Thai I've ever had. Next time you're in Brentwood (and have some time to kill) check out Mai Lee for some great vietnamese food!
(4)
Zach S.

We recently went to Mai Lee for the first time, and boy, are we glad we did. My wife and I went with two other couples and we ordered a lot of different menu items, to the point to where the waiter was laughing at how much food we were getting! Food Quality: A Food Quantity: A+ Cleanliness: A Design & Decor: B+ (hoped for more traditional Vietnamese decor) Noise Level: A- Staff Friendliness: A Server Food Knowledge: A OVERALL GRADE: A (We will eat at Mai Lee again for lunch and dinner) The sheer number of menu items is very impressive. The cost compared to the quantity and quality of the food is also very impressive. I especially recommend their "Fire Soups," the $4 sandwiches, and their spring rolls. I ordered #198 which was a combination fire soup and self-made spring rolls. It was a lot of fun working with the rice paper at the table and rolling my own spring rolls! Waiters were knowledgeable and very responsive to our needs. We already have plans to return for lunch.
(5)
Megan L.

PROS + Decently representative menu of Vietnamese staples + Reliable, on-time takeout + Located near highly-frequented shopping centers (Target, TJ's, Best Buy) CONS - Broths for noodle soups are blander than other Vietnamese restaurants - Skimpy on the meat - Dine-in service can be spotty Sometimes there are days when grocery shopping and errands-running next door at Trader Joe's and Target wipes me out so hard that the truckload of groceries I've managed to pile into my mini cooper is going to be my main accomplishment for the day. Forget cooking, I'm tired! These are days when I call up Mai Lee while finishing up my wandering in the aisles of TJ's, wobbly with glazed-over eyes from intense hunger, and order copious amounts of food for takeout that I can pick up in the shopping center right next door. Take-out/carry-out is reliable and fast - they say it's ready in 20 minutes and it's ready in 20 minutes. You park in the weirdly damp parking structure behind Best Buy and bypass the kitchen staff taking their smoke breaks on the way down the ramp, elbow your way through the dinner crowd waiting for tables in the front, and pay up at the bar, where your large brown paper bag with your order is waiting for you stacked on top of pallets of soy sauce in the corner. The positives seem to taper off at Mai Lee's convenience of take out, though. Mai Lee seems to cater to a blander-palated, suburban (read: non-ethnic) clientele and it's evident in the toned-down richness in their soup broths. I've had the pho, bun bo hue, and other noodle soup dishes here and I have been consistently underwhelmed by the flavoring of the broth. It's just not as flavorful or spicy (e.g. for bun bo hue) and herby as some of the other Vietnamese places in STL (Kim Son Seafood, Phuc Loi, Truc Lam, etc). The broth is what makes pho great and if not for the convenience of stopping by after shopping in Brentwood, I would not get it here. One excellent dish I have had here is a rice plate - Com Dat Biet (#76), a plate of crushed rice served with a fried egg, egg cake, shredded pork, and pork chop. It's meaty and comes with some green stuff to make you feel like you've at least gotten some veggies into your meal (shredded lettuce, pickled carrot & cucumber). It's filling, appropriately flavored, and all that pork in your belly is quite satisfying. Unfortunately with other dishes I've had, Mai Lee seems to skimp on the meat. The Pho Ga (pho with chicken) came with very few pieces of blanched, unflavored white meat chicken. The bun ga rau ca (noodle soup with chicken & mixed vegetables) didn't come with much (same kind of boiled, unflavored) chicken either and even more sadly, came with a bland broth. The bun bo hue didn't come with much beef either. Even the spring rolls are mostly stuffed with vermicelli and very little sliced pork/shrimp. And one more thing. The papaya salad is overly sweet and doesn't come with an ounce of spiciness. It just doesn't have the depth that usually comes with using high quality dried shrimps balanced with the right amount of fish sauce. Like others have mentioned, dine-in service can be very spotty, especially around dinner time. Entrees tend to come out not at the same time so people at your table will be awkwardly waiting around while their soup goes cold, waiting for the rest of your friends to get their food. Mai Lee's menu is priced consistently with the high costs of Brentwood retail areas and realistically, if not for its location, it would not be my first choice of Vietnamese restaurant to visit especially when there are many others with better prices and more authentic-tasting offerings.
(3)
Mike C.

I ordered grilled pork chop over rice... It came out three small strip of pork, small cup of rice, dish of fish sauce, & they fill the gap of the plate with bean sprout, & lettuce. No mint leaves. So I asked for more rice. They charged me another $2 for a tiny bowl of rice. Talk about rip off? They can only get away with this in this neighborhood I guess? The rest of the foods were ok, nothing to brag about. It's around $20 per a person. Much better deal on Olive blvd. This place is always crowded, so my review don't make a dent!
(2)
Amanda K.

It was 7:30PM and I was winding down a day full of running errands when hunger struck. Luckily I happened to be in Brentwood and Mai Lee popped in my mind, so I headed here to grab some take out to be enjoyed while watching a movie in front of my TV at home. They have a HUGE menu here so I looked it over for a good 15 minutes before deciding on what to over...decisiveness is a must here, otherwise you might never get anything to eat. I wanted to try a new dish so I went out of the box and ordered chao (rice porridge with a side of duck salad). That was the whole description so I didn't know what to expect, but what I ended up with was pretty tasty. Rice porridge is rice that is cooked for a LONG time, leaving it with an oatmeal-like texture. It wasn't super flavorful, but it was decent...although I probably wouldn't order it again. The redeemer of my meal was the side duck salad. This was also a vague description so I again didn't know what to expect. The salad was made up of sliced cabbage & carrots, a little bit of lettuce, some fresh cilantro, and chunks of chilled fall-of-the-bone duck , all of which was dressed in a delicious sesame oil dressing. What flavor the porridge lacked must have been added to this salad because it was bursting with flavor. I plan on returning to Mai Lee in the near future and exploring some of their other menu items because they have so many to choose from! Also since I just got take-out this time, I am looking forward to dining in here because while there location is a bit odd (being connected to a parking garage complex and all), once you are inside the restaurant it is quite quaint.
(4)
Dot F.

I have fallen in love with this place. Mai Lee has THE BEST sweet and sour soup EVER!!! No Kidding! ! It is rich and full of flavor and not like the cheap Chinese restaurants around town...I can eat just that! Although everything was so flavorful and you will not leave hungry! Also, I ate a jalapeÃ±o pepper on accident thinking it was a green pepper. The waiter was so wonderful and saw what was happening, probably because I was fanning myself and drinking lots of water. He left and returned with a glass of milk to help me put out the fire in my mouth. He was so happy, so helpful and he truly made my night. Can't wait to go back for my birthday dinner.
(5)
Mika M.

OBSESSED. Can't go more than a week without some Pho! We were surprised to actually find good Vietnamese food in the center of Brentwood. Figured we'd end up finding a nice place, but not that great of food... and then head to Grand or somewhere for good food but not that nice-of-a-place... WRONG! Everyone is extremely friendly, the food comes quickly, and everything is priced right. You really can't beat this place.
(5)
Scott W.

Friends took me here for lunch and I was hesitant because I avoid MSG. I was pleasantly surprised though that the waiter pointed out which dishes lack MSG, and he even came back after we ordered to let me know that one of the sauces had MSG in it. The food was tasty and fresh. I had a noodle bowl with chicken.
(5)
Anthony S.

Mai Lee is consistent and delicious, I come for the Pho and the vegetarian spring rolls. St. Louis has many Vietnamese restaurants to offer and this is among the ones worth trying.
(4)
Matt T.

I'm not sure how to rate Mai Lee. Having spent a decade in San Francisco, I am a true fan of Vietnamese fare. I should go in with an open mind...but how can you really do that? I followed the recommendations of fellow Yelpers and ordered the Pho Tai. I threw a bit of sauce in, some of the side items, and dug in. I thought the food was fine. Good. Solid. Was it great? Not really. Would I come back to try something else? Absolutely, why not. The service was fast and pleasant. The iced coffee was wonderful though. I'll update again after I try it a second time. It deserves a fair shake.
(3)
Sasha S.

Good solid Vietnamese food. Not the best atmosphere. We had soft spring rolls with pork and shrimp. They were good but not the best I've had. For my entree I had noodle soup with veggies and tofu. I'm pretty sure it had something fishy in it. No biggie for me since I'm not a vegetarian but something to look out for. Anyhoo, it was good but not phenomenal and it was lukewarm. However, the veggies were fresh and the tofu was good. The bf had ginger chicken and said it was good, especially the sauce. Our drinks were left empty a few times but the waitstaff was friendly and mostly attentive. The atmosphere leaves something to be desired. The lighting is unattractive and the seating isn't intimate. It's clean but has no charm. Maybe like a cafeteria or just some generic restaurant. So maybe not a first date place. I would definitely come back if I was shopping in in The Galleria but I probably wouldn't make a special trip to go back.
(4)
Drew T.

Pho tai! I heard it's pretty premium here. So, I had to see what was up with this huge bowl of broth, beef and noodles. I placed my order and the service was quick and responsive and my wait was a very short one. Pho Tai can be a daunting dish for those who are inexperienced, and isn't something you'd want to attempt in front of a date unless they're an absolute foodie who won't mind you slurping away in front of them. This dish can taste just about however you want it to, and Mia Lee sets themselves apart by the incredibly fresh nature of the additives you can plop in your bowl. I love Pho, and if anyone asks, this is where to go. Not a fan of Pho? Well there's a menu there about 8 pages long full of Asian dishes ranging from Chinese to Vietnamese. I've never had anything there that I wouldn't suggest, and you can't go wrong with just about anything you order. There's only one thing about this place that I would consider a negative, and that's the location. It's in a strange spot and if you decide to sit on the patio, you are staring at the commercial jungle known as Brentwood. There's nothing appealing about that. Otherwise, stay inside in the comfort of their crisp, clean interior and enjoy some of the best Vietnamese/Asian food you can find in the city.
(5)
Riana Elizabeth E.

I am officially a regular here. The staff know me by name and could have my food ready for me without my having to place an order...except recently I've been trying to venture more outside of my box. My all-time Fav: #17 Bun Bo Hue - they slice medium rare beef into a bowl of spicy broth with vermicelli noodles, then serve that with a plate of all sorts of different things you can add to customize the soup the way you want it. Order it with double meat (don't worry, you get a bigger bowl so you don't lose out on all that savory broth) if you're really hungry, but this soup is pretty darn filling. Don't say I didn't warn you. Other noteworthy dishes: #34 Goi Cuon - Simple, chilled shrimp & pork wrapped with vermicelli noodles, cilantro, & vegetables in rice paper. Served with a sweet/spicy dipping sauce. #63 Bun Cha Gio - Vermicelli noodles, chopped vegetables, & cilantro topped with sliced fried eggrolls. I like extra cilantro on the side so I can add accordingly, but I like cilantro. ;-) #169 Vit Quay - Half a duck roasted vietnamese style & served with sides of rice and Mai Lee's ginger soy sauce. I don't even like ginger & I thought the sauce was good, but the duck is ~amazing~. #180 Mi Xao Gion Do Bien - Scallops, Shrimp, Squid, Imitation crab, & vegetables are stir fried and put atop a nest of "crispy egg noodles" (they kindof resemble chow mein noodles). It looks like a large bird's nest when they serve it to you. The noodles on the outside of the nest are crispy, but the center noodles (where the stir fried meats, vegetables, and sauce sit) become soft from the sauce. It provides a perfect blending of textures in the dish to complement the flavors. One more thing: Order the Vietnamese Iced Coffee. They bring sweetened condensed milk in a short glass with a special drip coffee brewer to sit atop the glass. After it's finished dripping, remove the brewer, stir the contents of the glass, and add ice. Be careful, because they're good enough you can drink several in a row without realizing it and that caffeine will get you! (But a couple would be a great idea if you have some frantic Christmas shopping to do!)
(5)
Bo H.

I live very nearby Mai Lee and it is one of my favorite eating spots! I love the coconut milk rice with mango. It is very special and well made. It also has outdoor seatings and it has parking garage at the back of the restaurant.
(5)
Picha M.

Its all about the Pho! St. Louis is definitely improving its Vietnamese food landscape but this is my favorite. I've been going to Mai Lee since it was a 5 table order from the window restaurant. First they expanded then they moved to their current location. Somewhat odd location under a parking garage but definitely nice. I think the Pho is the best. I typically judge a vietnamese restaurant by its Pho. Similar to an italian restaurant by is Lasagna or Spaghetti. In some restaurants the soup is just a semi-clear broth. The soup at Mai Lee is dark, rich and tasty. You can tell a lot has gone into it. Some of my other favorite dishes are the Vietnamese pancakes, the Bo Luc Lac (Marinated beef tips), and the spring rolls of course! My only complaints are that as the restaurant has become more popular the waits have gotten longer and the prices have slightly gone up!
(5)
Stacy H.

Mai Lee is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in St. Louis area. I have searched high and low for spring rolls that can compare to the deliciousness of Mai Lee. I have eaten at Mai Lee dozens of times and each time I contemplate eating an entire meal of spring rolls. Don't get me wrong, I love many of the items on their menu (I recommend beef and broccoli or a hot bowl soup or pho) but just be sure to order plenty of spring rolls as an appetizer because they are certain to leave you wanting more. One of the best experiences at Mai Lee comes from ordering the make your own spring rolls. This is a place you gotta try!
(5)
Jason B.

the bartender was awesome - made my girlfriend a great mixed drink off the menu. Great spring rolls. I thought my dish was ok - lacking vegetables and the meat didn't seem great. the place was packed, it clearly has a big following.
(4)
Alan D.

I had higher expectations going in. Was not "wow'd". It was alright. The food was good, but I was disappointed in the portion size and the amount of meat. $14 for Pad Thai. It had 4 shrimp and about 1/4 of a chicken breast in it. That's a good deal of money for rice noodles and peanuts in my opinion. What was there was quite tasty I must admit. Their home made hot sauce was great, really enjoyed that. Service was non-descript. I'll probably go back but as other reviewers have mentioned, there are equally as good places elsewhere with larger portions and slightly better prices.
(3)
Marleigh R.

Hands down one of my favorite places in Saint Louis since I moved here. The food is always so fresh, and I haven't had anything I didn't like. My favorite are the noodle bowls. I always get the one with an egg roll in it. Some of their Chinese dishes are good, but the Vietnamese menu is so fantastic you'd be crazy not to get it. Their appetizers are awesome too. The pork bun is my boyfriend's favorite. The best is their make your own spring roll. Service is always super attentive, never lacking, and if you're in a hurry you're out quick more often than not. This place is always packed during peak times though, but I've never had to wait long. Seriously the best. It's delicious, the price is great for a meal, and you never leave too full and feel healthy when you leave. 5 Stars easy.
(5)
Donna T.

The pho is wonderful! You get a good sized bowl. The spring rolls and egg rolls are the best around! So many good dishes! Make sure you pick from the Vietnamese side of the menu. The Chinese is so so. Nothing to write home about!
(5)
Deanna B.

Always good food and good service . Qui and his family have a great place . We are always satisfied with the best Vietnamese in Stl. The five spice pork is great. There are so many choices on the menu that we just ask the waiter for a mix of entrees. We have yet to be disappointed
(5)
Krista B.

This place is excellent! We eat here at least once a week. Owners and staff are so friendly and personable!!!
(5)
John W.

Two stars is being generous. This reflects my experience and apparently is not the norm. Basically 1/2 the food was cooked right, but just okay and the other half was inedible. Went in a the tale end of lunch and was feeling Chinese, not Vietnamese. We did ask for the lunch menu since we also wanted to eat smaller portions. I had chicken with broccoli and ordered a BBQ spring roll of the cold appetizer from the Vietnamese menu. My lunch menu started with hot and sour soup. That was very tasty, could have/should have just ordered a big bowl of that. The chicken with broccoli was cooked well, though it was the first time I had seen this combination in a creamy white sauce. The broccoli was not overcooked and the chicken was tender. The side dish, a fried rice was a waste of the plate. I am guessing it was pulled from a warmer as it was unimpressive. The two wong tongs were inedible. The meat inside could have passed for jerky. The BBQ chicken spring roll appeared to hold more promise. They were big and full of fresh veggies. Should have gone for the pure vegetable version because the chunks of chicken in the roll again were imitating jerky. I understand we came in at the end of the lunch deal, but if the price is the same during the whole "lunch" period, I'd expect the food to be fresh, hot and edible. I'd add that the service was also marginal, our waitress basically disappeared after bringing the lunch menus.
(2)
Paul L.

I rarely vouch for Asian restaurants in STL. But, this is an exception. Great flavors, huge menu (which can be daunting for some people, but I like having the options). Try the noodle soups and order plenty of the soft spring rolls (with shrimp or pork or both). You'll want at least 2-3 of those. Very healthy all around (minus the fried stuff), which is great for a weekday meal out, because it doesn't make you feel guilty about what you ate. Very little oil in many of their dishes, so a great option for people with weight/heart problems or diabetes. You get all the flavor without the guilt. Great for people who like spicy food. They also have a ton of mild options for people who don't like spicy. Fast, friendly service. Wonderful new interior space. Very clean and you can dress casual or dressy and fit in either way. Also a great value. Just approach the menu with an open mind and you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jeff P.

I've been to several Vietnamese restaurants in STL and this one is number two overall. Although, it is a close second to my favorite.
(4)
Jessica C.

I was here about a year ago at lunch for Chinese food. Our waiter basically hid the lunch menu from us, giving us only the dinner menu when we sat down. When we asked for the lunch menu, we got a whole bunch of attitude. The food was nothing spectacular. This past weekend I stopped by and decided to try some pho, since the Chinese lunch special last time didn't wow me. It was sooooo much better than the last meal we had here! I was very pleased. Big portion, tasty broth, tender meat. Skip the Chinese and stick with the Vietnamese. It gets very crowded, so don't expect anything intimate.
(3)
George N.

Place is good. Its Americanized , but simplified, and tasty. I likes it
(4)
Jay D.

good stuff.. folks are friendly. Food is consistently good.
(4)
David N.

I was told don't bother with asian or mexican while in STL, especially since I was from Houston. But I was really craving it and couldn't wait until I got home. I must say Mai Lee, actually hit the spot. They are more modern fusion, but still tasty. We started out with an order of the nam nuong spring rolls, good, but instead of fish sauce I was hoping for peanut sauce and a little bit more meat. As far on the entrees my friend and I went family style and ordered beef with chinese brocolli and curry chicken. The beef and chinese brocolli was ok, the curry chicken freaking delicious. Better than some places in Houston. We decided to sit at the bar this night to watch some football, and I had about 8 refills of my water, it was the best service I have ever gotten at an asian restaurant PERIOD. If I'm visiting my friend again in STL, we will be sure to stop by here again.
(4)
Shane R.

every single person i asked in stl said this place is the best vietnamese in the city. i was disappointed. it wasn't bad, but it just didn't live up to the hype. i think it's good reputation stems from the fact that there isn't much competition. the restaurant was busy, pretty big, and service was friendly. the pho broth and noodles were average tasting and the meat wasn't particularly good or tender. kim son vietnamese restaurant just down the street is much better.
(3)
Juan C.

This is good if you like this kind of cuisine. Priced fair and good service.
(3)
Zaya N.

Mai Lee is probably one of the best Viet/Chinese restaurant in St.Louis. My family and I typically eat lunch there about once a month. My little brother ritually orders the appetizer sampler (pupu platter). It comes with cooked pieces of beef, ribs, spring roll, egg roll, crab rangoons, and much more. The fun part about it is that it comes with a little tiny "grill" thing. Their spicy pho (#13) is my mom's favorite. Personally, I recently tried their beef lo mein, and it was by far THE BEST lo mein I've had in my life. Also, if you like lemonade, try their homemade lemonade! :) With its fast and friendly service, this restaurant is highly recommended!!
(5)
Caldwell J.

On the up side, Mai Lee is always hopping. Go in on a weekday at 3pm and they'll have 5 or 6 tables going with another few people coming in for carry-out orders. That's pretty staggering for a fairly small place next to a language school in a crappy strip mall out where Delmar runs into 170. On the down side, the pho was not good. The (red) onions still tasted very raw, which makes me figure that the broth wasn't hot when they were added. But the thick-sliced (!?) beef in the soup was cooked all the way through. I'm not sure how or why they worked that piece of magic. I can understand why they'd use the thick beef, though, because it had to contend with a pho broth which was way, way sweeter than any I'd ever had. It was just a weird bowl of pho, and not weird in a "this is an interesting take on things" way but more like a "the cook misread the proportions in the recipe" way. On the gripping side, the banh mi thit was pretty decent. Tasted nice, good roll, could have used a little more spicing. I have to admit that I may not have ordered the best that Mai Lee has to offer. I chose my food somewhat at random off the ridiculously huge menu -- 198 Vietnamese dishes, plus several more pages of Chinese dishes. I guess I wasn't likely to hit the real high points of their repertoire that way, but that begs the question of why have 250+ different menu items available? I don't mean for them to necessarily go the Pho Long route and have a menu that could be printed on a matchbook, but there's no harm in culling out the food that isn't quite as wonderful and letting your customers choose from the good stuff.
(3)
Hugh T.

Excellent food, excellent prices. Service is ok, you usually have to grab a waiter in order to get another beer. Sometimes its tough to get a table for dinner. Apparently the new location has tripled their business with the same amount of space.
(4)
Michael R.

Best pho on earth! The pho has a robust and well balanced flavor. The noodle bowls are quite excellent as well.
(5)
Alf A.

the menu has everything you would want and expect from a casual Vietnamese restaurant and then a few extra goodies(try the avocado milkshake). the food was fresh and tasty and the restaurant is cheerful and clean. really a good deal for the price!
(4)
C R.

The soup here is phenomenal. Most Vietnamese places have pho and maybe a couple other kinds of soup, but Mai Lee has about a dozen different varieties. I've tried and loved them all. The rest of the menu is equally voluminous and has some great dishes on there as well, though I rarely venture past that first soup page. I've had better Bahn Mi, but the one here is not bad and a good deal. Beautiful new space, though the odd placement under the parking garage may turn some people off, I'll follow Mai Lee anywhere.
(4)
Jennifer A.

Yeah . . . it's americanized, but I was pleased with my Pho. I went with two Vietnamese friends who definitely had some issues about the way their dishes were prepared. But for Americanized Vietnamese it's a solid 4. Can't wait to try the Vietnamese sandwiches. I they're good, they may just have to get a 5.
(4)
Sue J.

What happened to their spring rolls? Since the move, everytime I order the spring rolls, they're filled with old brown lettuce and so poorly constructed.
(1)
Nadia S.

Ordered pho with no onions. Received pho with onions. Pho was very sweet... Too sweet. I love pho and eat it all the time. This was the worst pho I tasted. Very disappointed.
(2)
JC L.

Went during the tail end of the lunch rush and service was very slow. Server was nowhere to be found and less attentive. Food is pretty decent for St Louis standards. Asked for no tripe in my soup, and sure enough, there was tripe! I usually will send it back, but it took over 45 minutes to get, I just took out the tripe and dealt with it. I will not visit this place the next time I'm in town.
(1)
Michelle B.

cheap, salty food. horrible wine. good beer. pushy staff. the family meal tasted like overpriced Chinese food not Vietnamese. family meal for 4 and two beers = 90 wasted dollars. I remember liking this restaurant when it was still on Delmar...
(2)
Danielle A.

Ok. I want to start by saying that I am NOT a Vietnamese cuisine guru, expert, connoisseur, etc... I first experienced Vietnamese food a few years ago, both around St. Louis and in California. I liked the taste of noodles, fresh veggies, and fish sauce. Since I lived right next to Mai Lee on Delmar, I ate there a few times. I thought it was great. I always got the noodle bowls. A day ago, my co-worker brought in his leftover fish soup from there and it smelled great. To fix my craving for Mai Lee, we went there tonight for dinner. Before hand, I read the reviews on here, and I was a little worried about all of the negativity, but still went. I am not sure why everyone is saying that Mai Lee changed with the move. We went around 5:30, walked in and were seated. As we were sitting down a waiter dropped off two glasses of water for us. The waitress came to see if we needed drinks. I ordered an iced coffee $3.50, got a pork bun, around $3, pork noodle bowl, and my husband got the chicken noodle bowl. Both around $6-7. Not sure why people are saying it is now more expensive (seems the same to me). The pork bun was huge! Tasted great! The noodle bowls were just as awesome. I should have asked for fish sauce, but it was still great. The only slight negative I had was the coffee was a bit too strong for me. But it was still great. Oh, and I only ate half of my bowl. The rest is leftovers! The portion sizes are no smaller. There were plenty of people there, but also a lot of tables. Minimal wait time when we were there. We were not rushed, nor were they rude to us. The food was great and hot. I am extremely picky with restaurant food, and I love this place. So before you let the reviews dissuade you from going to Mai Lee, just go and see for yourself.
(5)
Stefanie E.

I always get the coconut curry shrimp with vermicelli. Fantastic flavors swimming about in that sizable dish. It's kind of spicy, kind of sweet and always fragrant and filling. There are julienned mushrooms in the dish and lots and lots of onions. The spring rolls are okay, but I prefer the ones at Little Saigon Cafe. The staff is friendly and helpful and I went with a regular who knew the owner and just said, "Surprise me." That's trust. But I think I might do that next time, as he was deliriously happy with his pho, which was as red as blood due to all the fire in it, and it had beef. I didn't pay much attention because I knew I'd never order that. He was wiping his head the whole time. What I would do is give them an idea of what I like and then be surprised. The menu is really large. I wouldn't go in for the Chinese stuff, since it's all really standard, but I know people who do.
(5)
Marla K.

A friend recommended this as her favorite Vietnamese restaurant. Very odd location...in back of a Best Buy nestled in a multi-storied parking garage. But very good food. We started with the crispy egg rolls, which were very tasty...but a bit messy to eat with the giant lettuce we wrapped them in. I had the Bo Luc Lac (steak cubes on fresh lettuce and tomato wedges)...tender, flavorful meat served with a delicious tangy/salty sauce. Also tried the yellow curry with chicken. As I'm not a big fan of lemongrass, it wasn't my favorite, but my husband really enjoyed it. We went early so the restaurant wasn't full...found the staff very attentive.
(4)
Aaron J.

I have been to Mai Lee a couple of times. Most of the time I have gone there for lunch as it was close to where I used to go to college. Most of the time if my class schedule allowed it, friends and I would venture over there to enjoy and nice and affordable Vietnamese lunch and sometimes dinner. I enjoy going there. Never a problem with anything, and each time that I show up there I am promptly seated and if not, then the wait is just a minute or two Waiting never really bother's me, especially when the place is a little on the small side. Well, anyways, the food is wonderful, which is why I continue to go there when I can. They also give you plenty to eat, but the great thing is, is that it does not sit heavy, so you can eat and not feel like you just consumed an elephant.
(5)
Dustin W.

Possibly the best pho ever. The broth, noodles and quality meats make for a mean bowl of soup.
(5)
Ed A.

We visited Mai Lee Vietnamese Restaurant for the first time since it moved from Delmar to off Hanley Road. Thank goodness I got a GPS system for my car or I doubt I would have found the place. Once we arrived we were seated quickly (15 minutes) even though there seemed to be a crowd waiting. The new "digs" were quite nice compared to the old store front location on Delmar just east of I 170. We were happy to discover that our favorite menu items were still on the menu. While it was a little disappointing that prices increased considerably, the new quarters are much nicer. The service was a bit on the slow side but it was Saturday night so we were willing to cut them some slack. The quality of the food was as good as it always was at the original location. I would try and list what the entrees we had were but spelling Vietnamese dishes is quite a bit above my pay grade. We had crispy egg rolls and their famous fish sauce. For entrees we had a chicken in curry sauce and a beef with satey sauce. Both were very good, but we knew that going in. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy, but the chop sticks seemed longer and gave me a bit of a problem...or did my fingers just get shorter, I haven't decided yet.
(4)
Jay W.

Mai Lee is definitely a 4/5 star place. I particularly enjoy their noodle soups. The noodle soups come in a giant bowl with a plate overflowing with vegetables. Basically, you get an enormous quantity of high-quality food for around 8 dollars. I can barely finish it, and I am a big eater.
(4)
Vu N.

I've been traveling in and out of St. Louis from L.A. for a few months now. This is the best Vietnamese restaurant that I've found in the St. Louis area. The new location is more open and clean, but not as intimate as the old place. Overall, you should be OK with the basics: pho, bo luc lac (cubed-steak over lettuce), ca kho to (caramelized catfish), canh chua (sour soup), and goi cuon (summer rolls). They also have "Beer 33," a Vietnamese brew.
(4)
Noah R.

This place is always packed for dinner and getting a table can sometimes be tough, but it is worth it. The chicken spring roles are amazing. Sometimes I just order 3 or 4 orders and make that my meal. The entres are good, though sometimes have small portions. It is on the more expensive side for Vietnamese food in St. Louis, but it shows in the overall taste and atmosphere.
(4)
David P.

I grew up on the east coast in Virginia and lived on Vietnamese food pretty much every other day or so. Due to proximity, I visited Washington D.C. regularly for Vietnamese food among other things, and recently lived close to Little Saigon in Southern California for a couple years. I currently reside in St. Louis, MO which is not the first place you think of when you want Vietnamese cuisine. Of all the Vietnamese places I've visited in St. Louis, Mai Lee is by far the best overall place in my opinion and definitely and regularly recommend this restaurant to everyone I know - to both newbies and veterans. As an appetizer, I'd recommend the Vietnamese spring rolls which is rice noodles, lettuce, some form of protein, etc. wrapped in rice paper served with a dark peanut sauce. If you're a beef fan, get one of their specialties - Bo Luc Lac. It's well-marinated beef cubes served with white rice, lettuce, and tomatoes with a pepper dipping sauce on the side. All in all though, I haven't found much on the menu that I wouldn't recommend. Definitely one of my favorite casual restaurants in St. Louis and a great place to eat for lunch.
(5)
Lance B.

I'm willing to give this a 5 star! I went to the Mai Lee in brentwood behind Best Buy. This was the first time I had eaten there and it won't be the last. I started with a beef and egg bun and shrimp spring rolls. The bun came out steaming hot and the beef and egg mix were seasoned perfectly. Mai Lee has a number of different soup bowls, I choose a shrimp with vernicelli noodles.. increadible! They first bring out a plate of condiments which you can add to your soup such as cilantro, thai basil, sliced jalapeno peppers, and bamboo shoots all fresh. The broth of the soup had a intense aroma of star anise...it was very refreshing and warming. The noodles and shrimp were cooked perfectly, they probably cooked in the broth it was so hot. If your out shopping in the area I definitly recommend it!
(5)
Caleb C.

First, please note that Mai Lee's has MOVED. I don't know how to edit this in Yelp, but they have moved from the longtime Delmar location to an even better one (for me) behind the Best Buy on Eager and Hanley. Address is 1467 South Hanley Road. Park in the Best Buy garage. We were there the second day it opened at the new location and it was quite full for a Thursday night. The new space is very nice. Cleaner and less crowded of a feeling than the old spot. Has a nice separate bar area. And the food? Actually it was the best I've had there in a couple of years... which is to say that Mai Lee's is still the king of Vietnamese in St. Louis. I only give it 4 stars because they did raise their prices again some time in the last year. Still very reasonable for the quality (and now the atmosphere too), but not the incredible dirt-cheap-amazing-food combo that it was when I first discovered it 10 years ago.
(4)
Monte W.

Having been a long time Mai Lee supporter I feel that I qualified to say what happened. I ate there yesterday and I don't know if it's a recession portions but everything was 1/2 the size it used to be but the same price. We ordered soup that usually can feed 4 now only can feed one. 2 orders of spring rolls gave us four anemic rolls for over $9. Not sure if ownership has changed or what is going on? Probably lost a customer of 20+ years. I will give it one more shot. I live in California now but it was always a treat coming home to my familiar surrounding. There is just too many choices not to ignore on Olive now and probably will check them out next time.
(3)
Kelly S.

i am cranky at all my "adventurous" local friends. to a one, i had the following conversation after visiting mai lee last week. me: "have you ever been to mai lee?" s/he: "of course! it's probably the best place to get vietnamese in st. louis." me: sighs dejectedly, realizing I'm not going to be able to tell them how it's surprisingly tasty and cheap, staffed with friendly folks in a large enough dining room to handle the sizable crowd, and while the spring rolls were inferior to banh mi so, the pho was the best i've had and i can't think of a reason to ever go back to pho grand. s/he: "don't tell me you've never been? If i'd have known that, i would have taken you years ago!" me: pouts. s/he: "well, next time we go, you have to try the (insert almost any dish on the menu)." me: makes a mental note and seeks out the next person to share mai lee with.
(4)
Weiwei L.

I feel safe to order anything here, even those that I have no idea what they are. I'm always expecting to be surprised by new tasty experiences in this place--and I always get them. I've been here more than 10 times and have never had one bad experience. Mediocre pho though, mind you.
(4)
Julia P.

I will add to the praise of Mai Lee's spring rolls- delicious! You would hate them if you don't adore cilantro though. The lychee smoothie was divine as well. My Mom got the avacado smoothie which was good, but not as much my style (sorry but I like my smoothies sweet). For our entrees I had the Tom Xao Lan, a coconut curry shrimp dish. It was really great. I found it weird that the two of us had to share rice, but it made it communal I suppose. Mom got a sauteed shrimp on a bed of cucumber dish (cannot remember the name). While I don't love cucumber, I did really like the sweet coating on the shrimp. We both had enough food for leftovers and the prices are reasonable when you consider the portions. I knocked a star due to service. Yes, the were busy and the waitress was friendly enough (and she did give the great recommendation of the shrimp/cucumber dish), but we waited a long time before anyone served us and she brought our drinks and entrees out several minutes apart from each other. It is completely awkward to let your food get cold while your dining companion waits on theres. MAJOR restaurant foul!
(4)
Bruce R.

I love eating here! Who would expect to find a great restaurant in a parking garage!
(5)
Liz S.

Mai lee is worth a visit- their spring rolls are awesome and their Chinese lunch menu is well portioned, cheap and delicious. However, there have been a few times where the quality of their food is questionable. Personally I have not experienced it but when I've gone with a large group there always seems to be something off about at least one dish.
(4)
Steve D.

Mai Lee is not only the best Asian Restaurant in St. Louis, but blows Pho Grand out of the water in the Vietnamese category. Why? Equal or mostly better food, typically less wait time, and cheap(e)r prices! It's just not located on trendy Grand Ave. No matter your tastes, you will find something in the menu numbered into the hundreds to try. I have to say with such a large and enticing menu, I've never ordered off their alternate Chinese menu, but its nice to have for groups with a person who has a less adventurous attitude. The soups truly eat like a meal, to borrow a slogan, and come with a large assortment of fresh vegetables and spices. The amazingly fresh spring rolls are served with a tangy sauce that has you considering dipping your napkin in to eat more. Other favorites include many of the beef and shrimp dishes, are all well spiced and prepared well. A word on the Pho ( traditional noodle soup, pronounced "Phwa")...my cousin having married a Vietnamese woman who made true 12 hour Pho for us one day, I can confirm the authenticity of Mai Lee's version. Have I mentioned spices? Ask for "extra spicy" at your own risk, and even some of the menu noted spicy foods can be hot, and I am no wimp when it comes to hot spices. Service is generally very good. Although I hesitate to give 5 stars to anything less than Tony's, Mai Lee earns its 5th star on the quality-to-price factor.
(5)
Erika S.

Most visit one in STL, love the spring rolls, rice noodle and fried rice. Serves also good.
(5)
David O.

The food was excellent. The place was packed. Good service. Only downside was it's significantly more pricey than Pho Grand and other Vietnamese places we've been.
(4)
beth w.

my current favorite...I think I have eaten here 3 times over winter break. don't let the huddle of hungry fans inside the door deter you...the turnover is pretty quick. i recommend the pho with shrimp or the crispy tofu with lemon pepper sauce...the caramelized onions in this dish with the tofu make it my favorite. the sauce is a little salty. the staff is friendly and quick...they hustle to get your order and bring the food. the atmosphere is lively and energetic. it is clean and new.
(4)
Reem A.

My boyfriend and I were introduced to Mai Lee by our friend. The food is absolutely delicious, the service is incredible, and it is cheap. The owner always comes out to greet his customers and to check all is well. We enjoy our experience there so much that we eat at Mai Lee once a week. My favorite dishes are the fried squid, curry combination, and their soup selections!
(5)
Chris X M.

Awesome fresh Asian fusion with a great menu, fresh food and fast service. This is an upscale Asian restaurant with some of the best food in town. Always busy, fully bar and great service. The pork spring rolls are their specialty and the spicy entrÃ©s are great... there is a spicy beef tenderloin/steak that comes with the best sauce in town, a spicy pepper lemon. Most dishes are great. Eat here often! Parking is ample in garage next door. One of the best casual restaurants in St. Louis... and there are MANY of these.
(5)
Helen L.

Always love this place!! Pho tai (#9) is my favorite. I think the best Vietnamese restaurant in town. But they need to clean the bathroom more offen.
(4)
Alex L.

I come from a place where on one road, there are about twenty Pho noodle shops competing against each other. Thus, the prices are cheap, and the soups are amazing. When I came to St Louis, I was reluctant to try their Pho, knowing I was going to be disappointed either at prices, serving amount, or taste. My friend took me to Mai Lee's, and the first thing that happens to me when I walk in is that I get hit with a wave of broth smell. The smell that seeps into your clothes and stays with you for the rest of the day, a very characteristic trait of Pho shops. It was beginning to feel more like home. I open the menu, and behold! Competitive prices! I had a smile on my face as I ordered. So far so good, I was having high hopes for the rare steak Pho. When it came, the serving was a little smaller than I imagined it to be, but it was delicious, and it turns out I couldn't even finish the soup. It was a great experience, and I've been and will definitely be back there many more times while I'm up here.
(5)
Rob C.

Closed on mondays. If you like this place, you'll also like Kim Son and Pho Grand. Would stick to the Vietnamese dishes only. Less fancy decor. Very reasonably priced.
(5)
Kim L.

Love, love, love this place. Everything is fresh and flavorful. The Pho, the bun,spring rolls anything. And if you have not tried them yet, the bahn mi rock.
(5)
Alex T.

I always come here every time I go back to St. Louis. To this day I have not had better Vietnamese food. There are also some great places on South Grand, but this one is my favorite. Their lemongrass tofu and coconut tofu curry are incredible.
(4)
Sarah H.

I went to this place for the first time on a recent trip home to St. Louis, and I loved it. It's cheap as hell and they offer nice big portions. I was worried that there wouldn't be many vegetarian options, but I actually had trouble deciding what to order. This place is known for its Vietnamese food, but they also have a section of Chinese dishes on the menu. I would definitely go back here.
(5)
Khalid S.

This was suggested to me by a local Vietnamese person at work when I was working in STL, and boy was it a great suggestion... Loved this place, the food is great and the restaurant is pretty clean, with reasonable prices.
(4)
Lauren G.

This place has the best Vietnamese in the world. Well, that I have tasted at least. This is super cheap and super good! With their laminated long menus and tight cramped quarters it isn't so much about the ambiance as just the food. So there you go, order take-out and enjoy my friend. Enjoy!
(5)
Steve X.

The best Vietnamese food in town even though service can be slow sometimes
(5)
Christina H.

Since my previous review, we have probably been here...hmmm I don't know, like 50 times. Sad but true. We have dinner here every couple of weeks (when restraining ourselves), sometimes once a week. Dine in and Carry out. It is our "go-to." We would invest in Mai Lee stock if we could. We absolutely love Mai Lee. We love their service, food, and consistency. It never fails that it is always busy or steady on any given day- no matter what time of the day it is, but they're great on getting you seated and taken care of as soon as physically possible. I usually order #17 and my fiancÃ© always orders the Chinese special fried rice or the Vietnamese lo mein. My only complaint is that they're closed on Mondays. If it were up to me, they'd be open 365 days of the year. THAT'S how much I crave it. 5 STARS!
(5)
Kathy M.

My daughter and I stopped here for lunch because she is trying to find a good Chinese food place near her apartment. Interestingly enough, once we were inside and saw the expansive menu, we realized that it really is more of a Vietnamese place with some Chinese food. Because we didn't know how to order or what to expect with this food, I asked our waiter for help and he was able to explain Vietnamese food to us and actually picked out my order. I had a seafood soup and it was delicious. We would certainly try this place again. This restaurant is located in an area where there is no street parking, so it's nice that they offer free parking in the attached garage.
(4)
Mary C.

My first time for Vietnamese food, it was delicious. Fairly busy and a little bit of a wait. The service was outstanding, the waiter offered place to buy Vietnamese ingredients to make the cold spring rolls. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Megan H.

I've only ordered a to-go dinner from Mai Lee. I ordered the vermicelli-chicken and veggie soup-something I've gotten at a different, favorite Vietnamese restaurant many times. The soup was much sweeter than what I hoped for. And the chicken was so-so. Overall it was a nice sized meal at a good price, but I did not enjoy it as much as Pho Long on 170 and Olive. I probably won't be back.
(3)
Betty L.

I've come here on a weekly basis, but after today, this is defiantly falling off the list of favorites. On a wed evening, there was a big crowd as usual. We were told 20 minutes wait time, but was surprisingly seated in 10 minutes. Unfortunately, service was down hill from there. It took over 10 minutes before anyone came to take our order, 26 minutes from the time we sat down before we got our crispy spring rolls, and 34 minutes from the time we sat down before we got our entree. We didn't even order anything too exotic. Its fine if they're short staffed in the kitchen or wait staff... But our waiter's response was basically " look around, were busy".
(2)
Alli F.

More authentic than most, although the flavors wouldn't keep me coming back. Service at peak lunch hour on a Thursday was excellent, and prices fair. Recommend trying several dishes to get a feel- appetizers are a great way to start.
(4)
Andrew W.

After being told merely 24 hours prior that Sushi and Vietnamese were two cuisines to avoid at all costs while in STL, I found Mai Lee thanks to Yelp. Very pleasant staff, and yes the spring rolls are that good. As well the lemonade is to die for. The pho was a bit on the sweet side but I enjoyed in none the less. When a pho craving strikes I will return!
(4)
Aimee K.

If I had to marry any Vietnamese food item found in St. Louis, it'd be the crispy spring rolls at Mai Lee. I don't know if it's the big, crispy piece of lettuce you wrap around them, the spring rolls themselves, or the sauce they come with, but wow! Absolutely nothing to complain about while eating those on a Sunday afternoon... Another hero at Mai Lee is the Vietnamese coffee. It comes in a press with condensed milk... you mix it together when it's ready and it's really thick, so they give you a glass full of ice to pour it in... let it all melt together a little bit and it is HEAVEN. Incredible flavor, the perfect amount of sweetness, and a serious jolt of caffeine. I really wish I could have this every morning... I'd give up my hot cup of coffee in a second for that beautiful creation. I've had a variety of dishes here and I really recommend just ordering a few different things for the table so you can try a little bit of it all. The Ga Xao Lan is the perfect choice if you want something with chicken. The chicken is stir fried in coconut milk, lemongrass and curry and is garnished with crushed peanuts. Also try the Ga Quay. It's Vietnamese roasted chicken served with this incredible ginger soy sauce... It's a LOT of chicken so be prepared to share, and you're going to be pretty obsessed with that Ginger soy sauce. Use it with other dishes, too. You can't go wrong at Mai Lee... though you might want to invest in a pair of Pajama Jeans so you can adequately enjoy as many of the dishes as you want. The service has always been on point, and we've never had to wait very long to get a table. There's also a really great family history to this place and you can feel how proud the employees are to be there. Major win!
(5)
Jesda G.

There may be Vietnamese restaurants in town with richer soup broths or lower prices but none match Mai Lee's balance of excellent service, inviting atmosphere, consistency, and variety. Dinner is usually no more than a 15-20 minute wait, even during peak hours, and take-out is ready exactly when promised. The expansive menu is impressively thorough and despite the large variety of offerings, quality is excellent on every item I've ordered over the years. While pho tai and banh mi are classic favorites, the whole fried catfish, roast duck, and roast chicken are superb. The pork bun appetizer is a very generous portion, enough to enjoy as a light lunch. Try the seafood specials posted on the chalkboard by the hostess. This place is a St Louis gem that never, ever disappoints.
(5)
Danielle L.

Great food. Warning: very busy on a Friday evening but the wait was only about 20 minutes. The waiter did a good job of helping us with suggestions and both my friend and I loved our dishes. I will definitely be going back here. Lots of vegetarian dishes available also which I will be trying soon. Spicy Beef Bun is great and definitely suggested as well as the Shrimp and Pork Toasts.
(4)
Liz K.

Very delicious, good drinks while you wait for your table, the only complaint I have is the tables, I prefer sitting at a booth, but that is my own preference, I just wish the seating was a bit more private. Other than that, I think the food is incredible. Service is fast and friendly place is ALWAYS busy and that's a plus also really like the garage parking!
(4)
Victor L.

I'd give this 5 stars, but I've only really tried about 5 items on this menu. And why do you ask? Because I really only get pho from here. No where else in Saint Louis does pho like Mai Lee. Pho dac biet. #14. Whatever you want to call it. It is the best. The ingredients are all fresh and the hoisin sauce they serve isn't watered down. The broth is slightly more cinnimon-y that other restaurants but it only adds to the overall flavor. The only gripe I have with Mai Lee is that is packed... all the time. Especially on weekends, the wait can be long and the amount of meat served within each bowl of pho can suffer. If you are extra hungry on a weekend and want to go to mai lee, be prepared to get a bbq pork banh mi (which I would also say is the best banh mi in Saint Louis). The friends I've gone with the Mai Lee that have ordered other dishes say they've enjoyed the place. But a lot of the Chinese dishes are rather Americanized (meaning they add a lot of sugar to each dish). This does not necessarily mean it isn't tasty, but rather will leave you feeling overstuffed/unhealthy by the end of your meal. Just get pho instead. The best part about this restaurant is that they really do care about student pricing. 90% of the dishes are less than $15. Their dishes are worth a lot more.
(4)
Skye H.

Every time I walk into this restaurant I feel so welcomed. The owners are so sweet and the food is amazing. We love this place so much that we TRY to make it there once a week.
(5)
Chao D.

This is my favorite ...I even like the sandwich there...try the seafood hot port. U can ask for rice paper for the hot pot ..
(5)
Angela S.

Absolutely awesome. I can't wait to come back and try more of their over 200(!!!) menu items! Location is a very short drive from Wash U making it a very convenient lunch or dinner spot! Went here with my current lab - a party of 5 - and was seated right away. The entire restaurant (including bathrooms) felt very clean and open. They have lots of indoor seating and some outdoor seating. Very nice to have that option but being next to a parking garage I'm not sure that I would have preferred being outside. No comments about the service - didn't notice anything outstanding or bad which works for me. We got a couple types of spring rolls and some egg rolls as appetizers. I tried two of the spring rolls and found them stuffed with delicious and incredibly fresh fillings - the meat was good (nothing super fatty) and the veggies were extremely fresh. The drippings sauces were great and sweet and tangy without a super artificial or syrupy feel. I got a rice plate for my meal that came with barbecue pork, grilled shrimp (source of my one complaint - wish these had been shelled), fried egg (with runny yolk! :) for the rice), and very fresh veggies. It also came with a sweet chili sauce on the side, which I appreciated as I would be concerned of too much sauce making the dish too sweet. Siracha sauces was at the table, perfect for adding spice and cutting through the meal. Prices were reasonable and you got a lot of good quality food served to you. For light fresh Vietnamese definitely check out Mai Lee and don't be afraid to explore the menu - new favorites abound!
(5)
Practical P.

Had the Ga xao lan; it was just okay. The heat was just right, but it was a basic dish anyone could make at home without skill. The interior and feel of the place is very similar to a cafeteria. It's also loud, expensive, and watch your shoes because the entire floor is horribly sticky. Hostess with the least-est and waiter who doesn't much like people. I won't go back to this place, yet I see other yelpers love it. So there you have it ;D
(3)
Al N.

its been 6months since i ate here but disappointedly its become more of a nail salon and take out joint...food is still good but everything is served in styrofoam...not very eco and not a very fun place for a date nite out anymore
(3)
Aimee L.

3.5 stars; not quite 4. This was a favorite when I would frequent the area in 2000-2004. I was in town this recently and had to try Mai Lee's new location. Food Favorite: * Bahn Mi sandwich with BBQ pork. Oh, just get it. For $4, it's a fantastic deal. The thin baguette is almost a foot long, the meat is perfectly cooked and seasoned, with thinly sliced lettuce, carrots, and cilantro served on top (well something like that... I didn't have time to analyze as I scarfed that sucker down.) Food Recommended with Reservations: * Bo Luc Lac: marinated steak cubes wok seared on a bed of lettuce, tomato, and onions and served with dipping sauce. This dish was a little disappointing compared to how it used to be prepared at the old location (the steak used to be grilled, not wok seared), though it's still pretty tasty. I would order it again, but I need to change my mindset/expectations first. Service: pretty good Ambiance: very clean (brand new) and casual Parking: in the nearby lot For St. Louis, this place is pretty good. If I lived closer, I would definitely be back and try some other dishes from their relatively extensive menu.
(3)
Gina S.

The hubby and I were excited and hungry to try Mai Lee for the first time. It was looking to be a busy night too, but we had no problem getting a table before the mad surge of people. The decor reminded me a lot of a Noodles & Company, cheap tables and chairs...kinda cafeteria/fast food style feel. But the other decor, dim lighting and $11-15 entrees were giving me impression they were a better restaurant than that (or so I thought). We started with egg drop and hot and sour soup from the traditional Chinese menu. For $3.50 a cup I was expecting it to be the best damn Chinese soup I've ever had, but it wasn't. It was okay, but the hot and sour didn't have that distinct hot/sour taste I look for. Sadly, the soup was the best thing we ate at Mai Lee. Our entrees came out fast, we were still working on the soup when it arrived. We had #96, Ga Xao (chicken cooked w/mixed vegetables in a black bean sauce hot pot) and #108, Thit Heo Xao Ca Nau (pork stir fried w/eggplant & onions). Oh where do I start!? The chicken was over cooked, while the carrots/onions/celery/etc were more than al dente...dare I say nearly raw? Everything was crunchy, while the chicken was tough and the black bean sauce sauce didn't do a thing for either of us. I wish I could say the pork dish was better, but it suffered the same errors. More over cooked, chewy meat followed by undercooked vegetables and a sauce that needed SOMETHING. My hubby was adding every condiment they had on the table to his plate, salt/pepper/hot sauce...just to give it some flavor. I hate to give 1 star reviews, but when a man that will eat anything and is rarely disappointed says that this was the worst restaurant we've eaten at EVER and we should have gone to McDonald's (dear God, I'd rather poke myself in the eye)...I think I need to look at why. Part of me feels like maybe we didn't order the right food, but if it's not good...why is it on your menu? Oh, and the kicker...the hubby didn't get a fortune in his cookie. Karma? Over rated and overpriced!
(1)
Leslie Z.

My first time at Mai Lee, my son talked me into trying Vietnamese food. So I tried #144 on the menu, Golden tofu with mixed vegetables. Sounds boring, but it was amazing. I really loved how Fresh the food was and the sauce it is in is not salty like Chinese food! Also tried Vietnamese coffee, new favorite!! The service was great and the price was reasonable. Can't wait to go back and try another new dish!!
(5)
Doc G.

The food is always fresh, hot and very tasty !! Service is excellent !!
(5)
Patt C.

Went with a coworker for lunch who had been there before. This is why the 1 star: They give you the dinner menu, which DUH has different prices and different quantities of food. YOU HAVE TO ASK FOR THE LUNCH MENU! My coworker knew that. I didn't. The food was fine. But now that we were ordering off the lunch menu, the service was COLD! Even yet, I took food home.
(1)
Kathleen C.

I've been coming here for years. The best Vietnamese I've had in St. Louis. Whenever friends from college come back to visit, we always revisit Mai Lee. I'm a fan of the crushed rice dishes, gives you a bit of everything. Topped off with some Siracha... perfection! Prices are pretty reasonable... and since they moved a year or so ago.. the atmosphere is definitely much nicer.
(4)
Jon T.

Lunch at Mai Lee after the Saint Louis Art Museum was our first time visit. The place was packed. The menu is absolutely overwhelming, there are 202 numbered offerings. Since we are not Vietnamese food experts, what we ordered was probably pretty ordinary. When living in Iowa we had good friends who barely escaped Vietnam at the fall of Saigon and served outstanding food in their restaurant, but I always classified it as more homemade Chinese than classic Vietnamese. Mai Lee has a mix of Vietnamese and Chinese. If you can't find something you will like here, you don't belong in an Asian restaurant. So we had some crispy Vietnamese Egg Rolls. Very good with a lot of pork and great flavors. They are served with clear dipping sauce, sweet and tangy with chile and fish sauce and of course garlic. They had a surprising amount of pork. I would certainly order them again, when not in a more adventuresome mood. They are served with a big plate of garnishes; lettuce, cilantro and cucumber, all very crisp and fresh. Ms T had #11 Pho Ga, soup of rice noodles with chicken. Since Ms T does not do really hot stuff, she ordered it mild. It had plenty of fine noodles with chicken in a slightly sweet cauce. It was flavored with either star anise or cinnamon or both (meaning probably Chinese Five Spice), which was a nice touch for me. The chicken was a little over-cooked and even though in broth, was dry, but overall the broth and noodles were good. I had #3, Hu Tieu My Tho, soup with fine rice noodles, pork, fried tofu, shrimp and fake crab ordered spicy hot. Again it was a little sweet, but not too much. I dressed it with plenty of sambal oolek and fresh lime juice and ate the entire large bowl. The shrimp were reasonably tasty and I like the fried tofu. The pork is OK, but I find this sliced roasted pork to normally be over cooked and like Ms T's chicken, it was. Fake crab is fake crab. You really eat this for the noodles and the broth. Both soups were accompanied by a large plate of additional garnishes; excellent fresh Thai basil, cilantro, sliced green chile, fresh bean sprouts and lime wedges. You can use these to make your soup any way you want. Mai Lee is a great place, maybe five stars based on my amateur opinion. I am looking forward to going back for dinner with our friends, the Bs. There are plenty of vegetarian options. This cooking style is not heavy and not out of order on a summer day, but I could really go for the soups on a cold winter night.
(4)
Tuyet N.

The food here sometimes is either hit or miss, but lately, it's been great! My friends love this place. I'm here at least twice a month. There is always a wait which I don't even mind. Waiting to be seated is always a good sign of good food! I love their papaya salad and banh mi sandwiches. They are delicious! I would usually order an extra sandwich for tomorrow's lunch (or for a midnight snack). Another favorite is the bo luc lac which is shaking beef. It's pricier than the average entree, but a must try!!
(4)
Joe B.

I have been a loyal patron of Mai Lee for years. They are nestled on a back road behind the BestBuy in Brentwood and despite their location (somewhat hidden) they are always busy and there is good reason. Their food has never let me down! I've even ordered off menu (politely asking if it was ok) and the whipped me up a chicken bean sprout crepe that I've since asked for on many visits. They have earned my business time and again and the staff is always helpful and super friendly.
(5)
Stephanie S.

Mai Lee, I think we're through. I know...it breaks my heart, too. I remember when you were at your former location and how excited I was to have "discovered" this hole in the wall spot. I remember the HUGE hot steaming bowl of pho that made me fall in love with the dish. I remember the service -- it was kind, patient, welcoming. Now? You're in a bright, shiny, HUGE building with high visibility and high traffic. Good for you. I'm happy that you've found success. But your food, Mai Lee? Your food has SUFFERED. Small bowls of pho. Rushed, impersonal service. And then there's my most recent visit: I thought I'd branch out from my usual order of pho and try something different. I went with #124, eel stir fried in hot chili and lemongrass. It. Was. Terrible. The eel had a bunch of crunchy cartilage in it (or something!). The sauce had a terrible, bitter flavor. I took one bite and did something I normally don't do -- I asked the server if I could replace the dish with something else. I HATE doing this, and I'll usually suffer through a bad dish so I don't have to return it. But this time, I couldn't. I was hungry, and I didn't want to eat this. The server was very unfriendly when I politely informed him of my dissatisfaction. After going to the back to ask his manager if I could exchange my dish, he came back out and basically forced me to order the same dish with a different protein other than eel. Ugh. I wasn't going to argue and make things more complicated. I went with chicken. It was brought out pretty quickly, which makes me think they simply picked out all of the eel and replaced it with chicken. Sigh. The same bitter, awful taste was there. While I don't fault Mai Lee for the dish (hey, someone out there has got to like it, right?) I do fault them for the way they handled the situation. I felt unwelcome. I felt like a pest. I left unsatisfied and still hungry. The one bright spot? My avocado smoothie was amazing! But I'm afraid this will be my last visit to Mai Lee. Sorry...it was fun while it lasted.
(2)
Jason J.

I really like the way before they did it over Delmar. The food really tasted much better as it was now. The service is just slow. Our waiter never came back after the order was brought to our table. I may still occasionally come back to this place but not a regular anymore.
(3)
Abby S.

Chrissie C and I checked out Mai Lee for the first time on Friday night - and I must say that the Yelp community was dead-on with their assessments of this great restaurant. Here's a breakdown of our experience: - Get here early on a Friday night! This place gets packed by 7 pm. Luckily, we nabbed a table at the bar. - Wine/drink list is OK. But I'm pretty sure people don't come here for the cocktails. - Our server was great, although not terribly attentive. He did make sure we were waited on quickly and had everything we needed. - Menu is HUGE! And it all sounded really delish, which made ordering even more difficult (in a good way). - Definitely order the crispy spring rolls. They come with a side of cilantro and lettuce as well as dipping sauce. - Portions are on the small side, which is fine for a 115 lb. girl, but not so much for a big eater. Overall, I'd say that Mai Lee is upscale Vietnamese dining. Again, the portions aren't huge but the ambiance and quality of food is exceptional. Would definitely make the trip back to Brentwood and delve into their expansive menu again!
(4)
David C.

I'm pretty sure if they served me leftovers from some other guests' table, I would still love this food.... I should caveat that having a Vietnamese-background, I'm used to home-cooking and this place definitely brings back some memories. Although I can't speak Vietnamese, I will always remember the food! For appetizers, you definitely have to try the spring rolls... I get them each and every time without fail and even though they're so simple, it's delicious. The dipping sauce is a bit salty for my taste but it's still not bad. I've had almost every entree on the menu (yes, I've been there that many times) and I love them all. My favorite is probably a staple that almost every one has had which is the "Special Rice Platter" (Entree 76). It has crushed egg, shredded pork, and a porkchop on top of rice. My mom used to make this at home and I loved it and although nothing can beat mom's cooking, this sure comes close. I also love their fried calamari dish (#133). Their iced coffee is amazing... just thought I'd throw that last random piece in. Overall, the prices are more expensive than some of the other vietnamese restaurants in town and there are times where the wait can be extremely long. Despite these "challenges", I find the price and wait worth it as the food more than makes up for it. I would highll recommend it and if you go, you'll likely find me there.
(5)
Kent C.

Vietnamese food here is decent, but sorry I never had the Chinese so I can't be a good judge of it. If anybody wants my comments on the Chinese I'm willing to go dish out $10 to give you my thoughts, but only by popular demand. The only thing that sets Mai Lee apart from other Asian places is they actually have some food that non-Asians will think is simply put offensive. Example of that is the Bun Nuoc Leo(#21). I actually like this dish, but definitely not what I was expecting. It says soup base, not shrimp paste base. It was a surprise to me, but nothing I couldn't handle. My friend on the other hand moved slightly closer to the other end of the table. I love shrimp paste so I liked the dish, but if you know shrimp paste, there is little to nothing that can overpower shrimp paste. If you draw conclusions of the flavor based on it's scent, when my mom uses it in her cooking at home it has a 3 block radius of ODERIFEROUS GLORY. In terms of the pho, I'm quite the pho connoisseur. It's okay, but would definitely not be my go to for pho. The broth does not have the depth of meat flavor that is the essence of pho but instead has a very strong star anise flavor. I'm cool with star anise but I prefer my pho to be beefolicious.
(3)
Stephen C.

Quality Vietnamese food in St. Louis? I'm a fan. Yes, this place has a trendy vibe, but that doesn't distract from the quality of the food. Spring rolls, pho, BBQ pork, thai iced tea... I tried it all and none of it disappointed. And the prices aren't bad either. Check it out if you haven't already!
(4)
Debbie O.

When my sister told me Mai Lee's is what got her through two years of MBA school in St. Louis, I knew this was a must try. We both love pho, and if she could eat this three times a week, it must be good. While it really is not as good as Golden Deli (in LA), it's comparable, and that's saying a lot. The flavor is decent, but what I really enjoyed here was the chicken curry. Wow. The lemongrass flavor pairs perfectly with the coconut milk, and the chicken is so tender. There are strands of glass noodle which is also a plus. Overall, really good Vietnamese food, and I would definitely return for the chicken curry.
(4)
S. Anjali D.

So I was becoming a regular here...until I came here the other day and found varying sizes of hair in every dish we ordered!! My sister went to start serving an a loooooong hair started coming out with the food! The waitress was standing right there putting down other dishes and she saw it and just started walking away. I was like, "Wait, wait!" She just picked it up without me having to elaborate and got really rude to us. There was also was hair rolled up into my spring roll. I mean, enough said! As much as I liked this place, I would obviously never go here again. Maybe if you do you should at least ask them to hold the hair?!
(1)
Tim D.

SPECTACULAR describes the restaurant. Quality fresh ingredients, great service and yes, spectacular food. Their fresh spring rolls, summer rolls are superb. The beef with curry coconut sauce, reminded me of the real deal in SE Asia! Do your taste buds a favor and dine there!
(5)
Lynn S.

Went for lunch today and Mai Lee couldn't have been nicer. I hadn't been since they moved and they deserve this nicer location. Sat outside with my daughter and had a lovely lunch. Everything we ordered was great. I had beef green pepper w hot/sour soup combo. My daughter had hot braised chicken which was also pretty terrific. Same great food as always.
(4)
Anna H.

We love Mai Lee!! Their menu is huge, which is why I usually spend forever picking what I want. One of my favorites is the BANH XEO, which are "crispy crepes" with veggies and stuff. It was actually rated one of the signature dishes in STL. Of course, dessert is awesome! Love all their sweet jelly/beans/milk drink desserts. So good!!
(5)
Margaret L.

I've received some pretty credible endorsements in favor of Mai Lee, so it was with great excitement that I came here with my boyfriend after weeks of nagging him. We're both from CA, so we've been missing the ubiquity of good Asian food out here in the midwest and we were happy to give this place a shot. Honest verdict: in spite of the friendly service, the cute backstory, and the pretty decent spring rolls... this place really falls short for me. It's a bit pricey for what it is (although the portions are generous), the flavors weren't really knocking my socks off and the meat wasn't so amazing. At the recommendation of the server, I got what he deemed the "most popular" dish, which was the Viet-style lo mein. It definitely was overwhelmed by meat, the noodles seemed undercooked, and overall it was not especially delicious. Boyfriend got pho, and it was a step below what I could have gotten back in my college town for $5.95 (and they say CA is so expensive...!). There are so many options on the menu here that it gets a little overwhelming for a first-timer, whereas I'm more a fan of a place that offers only a few menu items but does them extremely well. Although I didn't love my experience here, I wouldn't be opposed to going back and trying something different. I don't really like the strip mall-esque setting and the uninviting decor here (where I was seated, a track light on the ceiling was putting an awkward and distracting glare on everything), so maybe I'd try doing takeout, or dining with a huge rowdy group and eating family style. I'm sad that I didn't like this place much at all, but don't let my disappointment prevent you from taking a stab at the vast menu at Mai Lee.
(2)
Diana J.

Good place to go for lunch on the weekdays or next day hangover food on the weekends :) I like their pho (with everything) and crispy spring rolls (albeit a bit pricey), as well as their butter garlic shrimp dish and the seared steak cubes with a lemon pepper dipping sauce. Not sure if I really like their banh mi sandwhiches though... feel like it's not very big/stuffed with meat and bread is too dry.
(3)
Tara A.

I used to come here all the time for lunch with coworkers and I loved it!! They have such a diversity of food on the menu (korean, japanese, chinese, thai, etc) which is awesome but can get confusing. I once ordered a chicken dish that was really delicious but came with enough chicken to feed our entire table. So make sure you ask your waiter if you're trying a new dish ;) They have a large dining area but can get busy during lunch so try to get there around 11:30 or before and you'll have no problem getting seated. I can't speak on the dinner crowd... I didnt like the korean bbq that i ordered, but you can never go wrong with a classic pad thai or pho soup!
(4)
Whittney D.

Consistently the best service I have ever had at any restaurant in St. Louis. Huge menu, but not a single item is lackluster or average. The flavor profile of every dish is something special and unique. Also, the place originated as a Chinese restaurant run by Vietnamese immigrants before Vietnamese food took off in the U.S. Not surprisingly, they do Chinese better than most Chinese restaurants too. Seriously...everything is amazing.
(5)
JoNemmy O.

Great food in a beautiful resteraunt. Start with the Spring Rolls they are delicious. this is my first time here so I can't tell you what the best dish is, but you can't go wrong with the combo rice entree#76.
(5)
Kirby M.

It's been a while so I can't remember specifics but we had a fab lunch here! Sat at the bar and still got top notch service. The story of the owner is pretty cool. The food was excellent and innovative and Trader Joe's is right around the corner. Plus plenty of hospital cheap parking. DO IT DO IT!
(5)
Christy A.

Absolute best Vietnamese I've ever had! This is 1 of my favorite lunch/dinner spots. The location is great, garage for parking, good service, nice ambience for conversation & of course excellent food.
(5)
Paul R.

Mai Lee is the best Vietnamese food in the city, IMHO. The Pho Tai became a regular lunch for me while I lived in St Louis. Now that I live in California, I look forward to my visits to St Louis and always make sure to eat at Mai Lee as often as possible. Sooo good! The location is certainly unusual but it's convenient. The staff is friendly and the food excellent! Two thumbs way up!
(5)
Sarah S.

We went to this place tonight with some friends. They had been there several times. I like Vietnamese, so I figured why not? I was disappointed. I started with vegetarian egg rolls. They were standard for the most part. The sweet & sour sauce they came with was pretty flavorless and really thin. Usually sweet and sour is thick and has a sweet kick to it. She brought a whole plate of greens seperately - garnish maybe? I have no idea what the point was since it wasn't on the plate. It was a waste of lettuce and a plate in my humble opinion. I can't even imagine how many greens they waste a night! I ordered a fresh squeezed lemonade as well, which came cloudy with sugar. It was way too much! But it was cold and freshly squeezed as advertised. I got #147, which was clear noodles with stir fried veggies. It came out almost immediately after our appetizers - we weren't even finished with one egg roll. It was noodles with cabbage, some kind of green, peas, and carrots. It had almost no flavor. I couldn't taste any hint of stir fry sauce. It was very bland. I ended up with a huge plate left of cabbage, since eating a bunch of cabbage with no sauce on it isn't very appetizing. The service was ok. Our server had some communication issues, which I feel badly for saying, but it made it hard to ask questions about the menu and bar. I wanted to order an alcoholic beverage, but they only had a wine list so I didn't end up doing so. I might try it again if friends really wanted to go but I'd definitely order something else. Til then, I have to give Mai Lee 2 stars.
(2)
Joel M.

Went there twice in two days. The end.
(5)
Andrey E.

I used to love the old Mai Lee, but now I am not so sure... The new place is a lot more spacious, well decorated, clean, modern, really quite a step up in aesthetics. Although I did like the more homely look of the old place. So my experience from last night: Ordered the iced coffee with condensed milk - excellent. Got an appetizer I have not gotten from them before - the chicken kabob with peanut sauce... came out looking very pretty, but the chicken was just dry, quite a mediocre dish. I ate it thinking I could have gotten the same thing, but with 5 and not 3 kebabs, and ones that taste much better at Thai Kitchen. Moral of the story - stick to their spring rolls. Ordered Combination Meat Pho - excellent. If you do go here, definitely get the Pho. Last time I was adventurous and tried to get some chicken dish off the Chinese menu which ended up tasting like really bad carry-out food. Conclusion: Go here for pho and spring rolls, they are great. Pho Ga (Chicken) is my favorite. Don't order anything from the Chinese section of the menu, or anything at all other than Pho really...
(3)
Rebecca D.

This is as good as it gets in STL. The place is very clean and the food is excellent. Yes, its overpriced for Vietnamese food but its worth it. The bun xeo is amazing.
(5)
Kerica W.

Delish! I remember asking the owner (younger man with a bald head) as I ordered everything to go what he would recommend and he told me w/o hesitation the Kim-Chee (sorry if I misspelled). VERY skeptical, I just looked at him for what must have seemed like hours because he began laughing & reassured me that it was his family's own recipe they had been using for ever. With that, I was finally convinced! We also ordered the chicken Bahn Mi and some other vegetarian items. Getting home and opening up all there was, I jumped in head first into my KC. Much to my surprise it was FANTABULOUS!!!! OMGoodness, had I really been sleeping on this delightfully spicy and tasty creation ALL of my life?!?! I actually pushed my main meal to the side just to continue eating this delicacy! Thanks for the tip as this is now a main staple in my life! If you're like me and afraid to try things because of what you've heard, take my adice and just do it! Ok, now to the Bahn Mi. My son LOVED it...kick if spice from the jalapeno's to the chewy and soft bread! Oh yeah, and the chicken he ADORED it also! He even said this was now going to be his sammich each and everytime we visit!
(5)
John R.

It isn't PHO GRAND, but is very close! I love that it's close and fast and affordable. I always order the same things because they're so good. Hopefully at some point I'll branch out and order something beyond spring rolls and #62. Great service and friendly people. My only complaint is the tables are very close to each other. If you're sitting at a table near children, and the parents are paying attention, you may find yourself asking to be moved to a quieter place. :-)
(4)
Ashley T.

We just went for the first time last week and I'm already trying to figure out the next time we can go. Mai Lee is the first Vietnamese food that I've tried in St. Louis and I was definitely not disappointed. We arrived around 7:30 on a Wednesday night and the restaurant was still packed. (Always a good sign when a restaurant is packed in the middle of the week). Next time I'll probably plan ahead and make reservations. We started out with the egg rolls since they had rave reviews. Oh my YUM. These are some of the best egg rolls I've ever had. Both our dinners were also amazing- the pad thai and pho tai. Huge portions, so be prepared for leftovers. A new favorite dining spot for us!
(5)
Raya K.

I can't believe I work across the street and JUST tried Mai Lee for the first time yesterday. I love Vietnamese food, especially Pho! It's one of the food items I miss most being away from SF. My coworkers and I ordered the crab rangoons as an appetizer. They were super delicious, deep fried, cream filled pieces of amazing-ness. I ordered the Pho Tom for my entree. Pretty decent, not the best pho I've had but impressive. Will definitely be back for lunch soon!
(4)
Tuan L.

I come here numerous times with friends its Good Vietnamese food. The owner daughter and son is really cool people. I recommend this place. Pho is delicious!
(5)
K K.

Mai Lee is by far our favorite restaurant in town. The food is amazing and they have great service. Our favorite items on the menu are the fresh spring rolls, banh mi sandwich, and pad thai. We go to Mai Lee at LEAST once a week. Great for lunch or dinner. Also, try the iced coffee!
(5)
Jim H.

This is my 5th time at the new Mai Lee location in Brentwood. I gotta say I feel at home here. Call it the Asian-connection or whatnot, but over the years, I've gotten to know the owners here, I am always glad to be back. All of their items on Vietnamese menu is excellent. The new menu had an increase of $1 to $2 per item, but I think they made it up by with better facilities (clean restrooms!!) and bigger portions. :] I love their Pho & any of their rice noodle dishes (starts with Bun...). Tonight, I ordered a dish that I never had before - recommended by a fellow yelper - and I fell in love. It's called "Bo Xao Tao" (see pic - $12.95) which is a Vietnamese style beef dish stir-fried in a claypot with fresh vegetables (tomato, broccoli, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, etc) and the unique thing about dish is that there's a generous portion of black bean stew on the bottom. So as you mix in your rice in the this giant bowl, you're getting a flavorful stir-fry in each bite that you take. Call me weak-sauce. But I couldn't finish it and I brought it home for for my nighttime snack. Also, be sure to order their egg rolls (see pic), which are served with fresh lettuce, cucumbers, and cilantro for wrapping your egg roll with a flavorful dipping sauce. I get this every time!
(4)
Susan S.

Mai Lee--it's just fine to me. Not great, not bad. My daughter and husband love it, so the family was happy to have dinner here to celebrate daughter's 17th birthday. The ginormous menu overwhelmed us---so we went with the family dinner for four. We didn't read the ingredient list too closely and found there was shrimp in almost every dish. For many, this is not a problem. However, son is sensitive to shrimp, so he had to skip about half of the offerings. Spring rolls and the Goi Tim shrimp salad were delightful. As other reviewers have mentioned, the spring roll sauce is tres-fabulous. Everyone enjoyed the #21 soup on some level, a seafood base with pork, crab stick, shrimp. Daughter and I found the broth a bit too strong for our liking. Shrimp sensitive son couldn't resist sipping some of the pungent broth and paid the price with a scratchy throat later. Daughter and I picked out the veggies and Dad picked out the crabsticks and shrimp. So, we polished it off in an odd, but efficient, fashion. Pleasantly surprised by #81, beef in coconut milk, lemongrass, curry and crushed peanut. I'm not usually a curry fan, but this dish was worth repeating, although a few bites went a long way for me.*95 Chicken with garlic, lemongrass, chili was adequate but not fiery enough---although daughter said it was spicier last time she ate it. This dish should have been served with white rice--which we asked for. #106 Sliced pork in lemon sauce with veggies was overly sweet and a bit cloying, though again dad and daughter are fans. One bite was more than enough. The beef fried rice was so-so, another dish unavailable to son since it had shrimp. We also added the Bun xao bo hay ga--chicken with veggies and rice vermicelli--nice flavor; something I would consider again. All in all, while most of the dishes had a decent taste, none had me clamoring for more. We took home plenty of leftovers, so daughter is set for a few days' lunches. Since this is her favorite spot, I'm sure we'll be back.
(3)
Benjamin S.

We're such regulars that I've got to bump Mail Lee up to 4 stars. Don't be afraid of the Chinese menu near the back of the main menu - the Lo Mein could be one of the best deals they offer. But be a little careful about experimenting! Some of this stuff is pretty authentic and I've been burned a couple times. My other favorite after many visits is the Pho Tai. Just outstanding - and cheap.
(4)
Julio M.

So I came here not expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. I live in LA and frequent Little Saigon and numerous pho hole in the wall spots. By STL standards for an ethnic restaurants this place is 5 stars. I came here with my 74 year old father (not always that adventurous) and as such ordered the #2 sampler. We had spring rolls, house special soup, and some sort of sweet and sour beef and an incredible lemongrass chicken. Came back the second day for lunch. Had the roast duck and lettuce wrapped egg rolls. I thought St Louis was always a meat and potatoes town. This place will broaden your horizons..... I would definitely be returned here on my next visit to STL
(5)
Sheryl K.

The boyfriend was in town and I was craving a Vietnamese sandwich (actually it's been on my mind for months). I managed to successfully drag him to Mai Lee in Brentwood and I was VERY satisfied! Lucky for us, we came around 4pm on a weekday and it wasn't packed at all. In fact parking was a breeze and we were steps away from the front door. Walking in, I immediately noticed that it was very modern - an unconventional approach to the typical Pho restaurant I see in Cali. Their menu was extensive (everything from rice plates, to pho, to even serving KIMCHI which is a Korean dish). I guess they switched locations and the building and interior was gorgeous. Don't let the non traditional pho restaurant appearance deter you. Once I received my banh mi, and fresh coconut juice, I couldn't help but get that warm fuzzy feeling as if I were in Cali once again. Unfortunately, the drive is pretty far for me, and the prices weren't the best I've seen. But hey, Mai Lee is saved on my GPS!!
(4)
Andrew N.

My wife and I went here for dinner a couple weekends ago and were just blown away. We got there between 5 and 6pm on a Saturday night, and didn't have to wait at all. Soon after we were seated, however, the place filled up fast, so you may want to plan on getting here early. We ordered the Crepes with fish sauce as an appetizer. Let me tell you, I'm not a huge fan of fish sauce, but this stuff was spectacular. I could have just had a plate of this and gone home happy. For main courses, my wife ordered the Truu Xao Lan (number 175) which was lamb stir fried in coconut milk, curry, and lemongrass. She went crazy over it. I had some as well and it was fantastic. I had the Bun Xao Sate (number 64) with beef in sate sauce. Now I spent a few months in Southeast Asia and I know my way around a little when it comes to sate sauce. This was great. I got an iced coffee with condensed milk and she got hot tea. Both were again, great. For dessert we split an order of mango fruit over a bed of sweet rice drizzled in cream. Our server recommended we try to get all three components in each bite, and man was he right. When eaten this way, you are transported to a magical land of flavor. And even though the place was packed and I could tell our server was super busy, we never felt rushed or ignored. He was attentive and very helpful. The bill came to $44 (pre-tip) and we had a ton of food to take home. For price and value, I don't think almost anywhere in St. Louis comes close to this, especially if you like Asian food.
(5)
Luke M.

My boss insisted that we go have soup here about a year ago. I was timid to the idea of going to a restaurant strictly to order soup but damn was I wrong. The coworkers and I hardly miss a week without stopping by here for lunch. The prices really vary so you can get away with getting full at a cheap price or treating yourself to something more tasty. They definitely don't skimp on the portions here! Love the pho, sandwiches, and spring rolls. All at a very reasonable price. Service is outstanding. There is a reason this place stays busy! They always take care of their customers here. Only complaint I have is this place gets busy and waiting to get a table can get a little crammed. Never a let down once you're seated though!
(5)
Celeste W.

I stop by at st Louis yesterday and decided to try Mai lee after good review from yelp, it does not disappoint me! Food is excellent, great environment! However, server is a little slow. Anyway, give it a try! You will never disappointed with Mai lee!
(5)
Jonathan K.

The Vietnamese here is really just phenomenal. We got the whole tilapia (they were out of flounder) with ginger, mushrooms, and it was just so delicous. The Canh Chua Dau Hu fire pot soup was fantastic, with lemongrass, tofu, okra, tomatoes, it had an incredibly strong flavor that was so so good. Heated by a flame on the table so it stayed hot, I would highly recommend it. Their spring rolls are also excellent. The service was quick and efficient, in addition to our waiter giving us a great suggestion on the fish. Prices are solid, and a bargain for the quality and huge quantity of food.
(5)
Jason R.

2 times in 48hrs is my standard op. Love the hospitality, the Pho and my #99.
(5)
Cassie C.

Tasty food and supper friendly staff. One of my favorite places!
(5)
Lynn Y.

Quick service. Amazing spring rolls and pho. Reasonably priced. Need I say more? ;]
(4)
Carolyn C.

Don't judge, but we have been to Mai Lee and/or ordered carryout prob six times in the past few weeks. And every single time, we get the exact same thing: Crispy Egg Rolls Pho Ga (chicken) with no onions Pho Tai (beef) I know we should expand beyond these, but when it's so good, no need, right? Can't help it...especially in the winter, pho is def our go-to.
(5)
Mark E.

This place is unbelievable. Try the Bahn Mi Ga which is a toasty French baguette filled with chicken and jalapenos, cilantro and other Vietnamese flavorings. At four dollars a sandwich unquestionably the best value in all St. Louis.
(5)
Ellen S.

What a great gem tucked in with all the shopping in Brentwood! The atmosphere is wonderful - a very open area but decorated with chic furniture and artwork. We visited here with friends, one of who hadn't ever used chopsticks, on a Sunday night. We arrived around 7:15ish and were surprised to find a full house! The wait was only about 15 minutes and we weren't in a rush. The hostess was bubbly and inviting. So - the food. I hadn't expected such a hands-on meal with what we ordered, but it was really fun! My husband and I split what we think was the Lau Sate fire pot soup. (If I were to fuss, it'd be that we're not sure we got what we thought ordered, but it was so good I'm not even going to fuss.) We got to try to grab the raw, slippery seafood with our chopsticks, then attempt not to lose it in the bubbly soup broth that was sitting in between us on our half of the table. (Pro tip: if the server suggests you might have more room and be more comfortable at a larger table, take his word for it!) It was pretty comical and made for a fun meal. We also got rounds of rice paper in order to roll our own spring rolls using the meat, noodles, and greens provided. This was also fun but kinda turns out to be too much work towards the end. For that they provided bowls so that you can scoop some of the broth in with some noodles and eat it like a soup. I was glad I did - the broth flavor was even better as it thickened as it cooled. Our server was great. He was patient with explaining the dishes and was helpful in teaching us how to properly prepare the rice paper for our spring rolls. And like I mentioned before, he at least offered to set us up at a bigger table but we didn't realize what we were in for! TL;DR - Great service and food that I will be sure to get again when we're in StL. Keep your sense of humor if you aren't great with chopsticks (and yes, they have forks).
(5)
Anita K.

Back when ML was on Delmar, I would have considered 5 stars, but I still think it lost a smidgen of personality in the move. That being said, I still love the food, prices, and service! Since they offer some more familiar Chinese dishes, it's good for a group that might include some non-adventurous folks. I also love to occasionally order the Hot & Sour soup from that menu. It's delicious and a smaller portion than many of their Vietnamese soups, which are wonderful but better to either share or get as an entree. My absolute favorite dish is the Bo Luc Lac with its high quality, perfectly cooked seared beef. Also good are the spring rolls, the roasted duck with a ginger garlic sauce (vit quay), and the curry duck soup (vit ca ry). The prices are reasonable, and I always have leftovers for the next day. Some of my friends have commented on higher prices and smaller portions. Maybe it's somewhat true, but nothing more than most restaurants have had to implement with rising food costs and a tough economy. It's still very affordable with more than enough food. Service there is friendly and SO fast! Even on my last visit, with a full house, they checked up on us regularly and had our food out quickly. The menu is vast and has thorough descriptions and numbers that correspond to each dish. Even though I like to give the pronunciation of my dish a try, I always use the number as well just to be clear. The servers do speak English, but it can be slow going if you have questions or want more details. Be patient- they are very helpful and kind.
(4)
Jeremy G.

Amazing! Mai Lee and Pho Grand are by far the best southeast Asian restaurants in stl. Thai Country and King and I are legit too. Great for lunch or dinner. Not open Monday! Service is very organized and operation is run very smoothly. Only negative is almost always a wait for dinner, but well worth it.
(5)
susan c.

I have been to Mai Lee many times and I have never been disappointed. Always consistent food,service is fine , they do a good job with takeout I just wish you could pull up outside for picking up but there never seems to be space.
(4)
Lisa Y.

One of my favorite places to eat. Love the food, love the atmosphere, love the family. Thanks for always being awesome.
(5)
D R.

Another Clayton / Brentwood favorite. Always had to wait about 10 min to get seated. The food service is pretty quick. Will Definitely reccommend 151 (battered egg plant) for vegetarians. D R
(5)
Matt V.

This place is pretty decent, though you can find better Vietnamese/Asian if you look for it. The location is right in the center of the St. Louis area, which is a plus. Lots of shopping nearby so expect it to be busy especially on the weekends. We got seated with a party of six in about twenty minutes two days before Christmas, so they turn tables pretty quickly. We got the crab rangoon and spring rolls as appetizers, the crab rangoon was slightly above average and the spring rolls were pretty good. They have shrimp in them, wife is vegetarian so could not have any. I got the #17 (Bun Bo Hue) which is a soup with beef and vermicelli noodles. The broth is quite flavorful, but so hot that it cooked the beef more than I find desirable. One issue with this place is that they pile the garnishes for everyone's dishes all on one plate, and don't tell you which garnishes go with which dishes or what hot sauces complement the dish you are eating. Overall, good but not great. The prices are nice as most dishes are around $10 or less.
(3)
Susan S.

This is a family favorite. Every birthday I ask to come here because, even with 14 guests, every single person can find a dish they love. Their extensive menu is a blessing, and I haven't had a single dish here I wouldn't order again. The staff is always friendly and brings out the food much more quickly than we expect for such high-quality meals. Recommendations: - The lemon beef is perfect for the picky eater in your group. It has a delicate taste for a sensitive tongue. - The beef pho is my personal favorite. Rich mix of flavors, and they bring out the "fixings" (basil, mint, cilantro, lime, hoisin sauce, jalapeno) so you could have as much or as little extra "background flavors" as you like. - The chicken curry is another dish that can't be beat. Not overly spicy, but a must for any real curry fan. - Vietnamese coffee. If you haven't had it as a coffee fan, treat yourself. No words, just so good.
(5)
Carmen S.

Good Vietnamese food is few and far between in STL. Since my fave place recently closed and was craving it I tried the bun thit nuong at Mai Lee. One word - bland. It was supposed to be flavorful with the fish sauce concoction and fresh with the veggies and vermicelli. None of that happened. And the meat was dry and lacking in flavor. Sigh. Very very disappointed. Noooot Goooood. Please don't "dumb down" the flavor!
(2)
Jared L.

This is an amazing place, I have never had anything bad and I try something new every time. I love the pad thai and the soups are great, good portions and prices. Everything is really fresh and you get a plate of fresh veggies with a lot of entrees. Highly recommend.
(5)
Matt N.

Ok, so today I stopped in today to Mai lee with my wife since we were in the area. I was very excited to come here after all the reviews I've read, and asking lots of Vietnamese people I run it into we're to go for some good Vietnamese. My first impression when I walked was ok, this seems a little modern for Vietnamese restaurant. We were then was seated, none of the staff were very welcoming our whole experience. I ordered my wife and I some spring rolls, bahn mi thit, and bun Bo nuong. The spring rolls were mediocre at best, and the Bahn mi thit, and bun Bo nuong were meh...... I guess my late grandmas cooking spoiled me with great Vietnamese food, may she rest in peace. Then most of my family lives in California, so that doesn't help Mai lees score. If this was a Vietnamese place in California I would give it 1 star. I might give it another shot one day, but my wife said she won't be joining me. Well until then Mai lee gets a two star rating.
(2)
Eric B.

Anything good I have to say would just be echoing the other positive reviews. Never had a bad meal here. Pho, springs rolls, chicken in chili oil and any of the hot pot items are all fantastic.
(4)
Kelly B.

Mai Lee is pricier than most of the Vietnamese restaurants in town, but it is more upscale than most in terms of decor and food presentation. They have a HUGE menu with many options, and I am rarely disappointed. The food is slightly Americanized. You will find a diverse crowd here, but it isn't exactly a hub for the Vietnamese community. I was a regular at the old location and I get to the new location from time to time. Parking is a bit more inconvenient at the new location, since it is a parking structure and many of the spots are reserved. It is conveniently located next to a Metrolink station near the Brentwood Promenade.
(4)
J H.

Tried Mai Lee yesterday for the first time. My husband and I had been trying to go for weeks but something always seemed to get in the way! I don't know if my expectations were too high, but both of us were underwhelmed. I'm not giving 3 stars because of the food. The spring rolls were tasty and so was my dish (bun bo nuong). My husband ordered Korean BBQ (despite my warnings not to order it at a Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant) and the meat looked horrible and dry, but that's his own fault for ordering it. I'm taking stars away for the overall experience. The restaurant was dirty, our silverware was wrapped in a napkin with black smudges all over it, and the service was slow.....I don't think we will be back.
(3)
Leslie S.

We arrived on a Saturday night around 6pm and would have had a wait to be seated had we not spotted a table for 2 near the bar where it's seat-yourself. Always a good sign how busy they are this many months after the move to the new location. Closer to 7pm, the waiting area was jam-packed. The service has always been overly friendly, and I have been here several times now. The Beef hot pot in the bean sauce gives you plenty of food. My leftovers filled a large Chinese take-out box, and my reaction prompted the server to say, "At Mai Lee, we make sure you get both dinner and lunch." When I first heard of a bean sauce, I was hesitant, but while there are black beans, the sauce tastes more like a rich beef brown sauce. The sauce makes this meal. But in addition to the strips of beef, this meal is just packed with vegetables - celery, carrots, broccoli, green peppers, mushrooms, baby corn, bamboo shoots, watercress, and onions. All of it cooked/steamed just right and all of it for only $12.95. Many successfully tasty meals so far and watching the bartender whip out several unique and tasty-looking drinks makes me look forward to our next visit.
(4)
Mark S.

I want to thank Mai Lee and the helpful bartender for providing me with some killer Pho. I was a Pho virgin, but I'll be back again next time I'm sick. I got the Chicken Pho, it was 2 meals easily. It comes w/ a huge serving of the magic broth, chicken, vermicelli, jalapenos, cilantro, lime, and some other stuff, I don't know, it was tasty.
(4)
Steph W.

I came here for pho! It was so delicious. Their menu is hugeee, I wish I was there with a bigger party to try all of their food. The service was great--friendly, fast, and attentive. I will definitely come here again!
(4)
Jen J.

Oh jeeez....yes this is about my 5th updated review of this place. After my last visit, during which I found out they shrunk their bowls for my favorite pho on the menu, I returned a few days ago to find that the big bowls were back! Not sure what happened there....maybe they were testing the water, and maybe they just ran out of big bowls for that evening. Don't know. But I thought I should update my review to not mislead anyone. Moral of all the updates is: There are three great places for pho in this town and Mai Lee is still one of them, despite all their occasional dismal service. However, pho is about the only thing I would get here as the Chinese menu tastes not that much better than Chinese takeout from around the street corner, imho.
(4)
Alan S.

My original few experiences at Mai Lee were mixed. Service was slow, food was inconsistent, and parking was a pain. They've come around in my book, though... It's becoming a favorite place although it can get pricey quick - only because we want to order everything on the menu! From the crepes to spring rolls to pho and traditional dinners, you really can't go wrong. Service has improved and they also help explain things a bit more (and usually make good recommendations). I think it depends a lot on who you get. Tons of fresh condiments provided to flavor your meal exactly as you prefer. Carryout is usually pretty good, too. Even after multiple visits, there are still a few occasional bumps in the road. It's definitely above average, but I can't give five stars until I know it will blow me away EVERY time.
(4)
Brett B.

I was impressed by Mai Lee and it's good to see that a longtime institution doesn't just rest on its laurels. They have a group of about 7 or 8 offerings in their 'Vegetarian' section plus a few more if you look closely at the rest of the menu. I had a tofu dish with tamarind sauce and it was really good. Golden tofu is also one that didn't disappoint. One nit to pick with respect to the vegetarian offerings - some of them are really only tofu or vegetables, but not both together so much. I really am intrigued by a vegetable dish they have, but I hesitate to order it because it really is just one vegetable and rice. The iced coffee is very good. The prices are a bit more than the bulk of the Vietnamese places around town, but the quality / quantity doesn't make it seem like a bad deal. It is a large space and in a strange location (in a parking garage), but the place is often very busy. Plenty of families, too, so that is good to know for those that need it.
(4)
Brad B.

Great service, fantastic food, run by some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Probably my favorite place in St. Louis.
(5)
Mary Kate M.

Mai Lee is good. Over the top delicious? Meh, that might be pushing it. However, I am a fan, and when I stop in, I can appreciate the food. It states that it is a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese. I typically go Vietnamese when ordering from here. I'm all about their vermicelli bowls, and Mai Lee does for sure have some of the best vermicelli I've ever tasted outside of the South Grand district. The varying price range can honestly reach out to anyone one a budget. You can get items for as little as $6.95 for an entree up to over $10 or $11. With so many items on the menu, even the pickiest eater can find something to their liking. I like this aspect, especially since I'm not huge on venturing out of my comfort zone with some Asian food dishes. Some things I can do, some things I can't. This most recent visit, the place was pretty packed. We nabbed 2 bar spots and immediately sat down. Our bartender got our orders, and the food was out pretty immediately. The only downfall of sitting at the bar is you don't get really the more personal touch versus having a typical server. You can noticeably tell the bartenders feel a bit overwhelmed with having to create drinks for the rest of the house on top of dealing with the bar patrons, and their food orders. They've also have to tend to to-go orders. I know I could not juggle all of that responsibility, but they do it with grace. Kudos to them! Mai Lee is fun. I enjoy coming here when I'm in the Brentwood area, and I think it has a good, lasting reputation that remains consistent with their service.
(4)
Chelsea B.

I have been to Mai Lee twice now, and both times it has been really good. Maybe not great, but good. They've been packed both times, but we were seated very quickly and the service is always prompt. The #38 grilled chicken spring rolls are pretty good, but the crispy egg rolls (#46) are maybe the best egg rolls I've had. The #26 soup (roast duck, shiitake mushrooms, and egg noodles) was awesome, and the #9 (rice noodles with medium rare beef) was good but probably not the best pho in the world. I do like that they offer a variety of vegetables and sauces to customize the soup to your own tastes. Overall it's a great place to take people, especially if you're trying Vietnamese for the first time.
(4)
Teresa P.

Um wow. This place is better than some places on the west coast, which is saying a lot! After coming here several times, I don't expect to ever be disappointed. Their food is quality Vietnamese, and their pho, cafe sua da, bun, and banh xeo are amazing. I was literally scarfing down their banh xeo before pho, savoring the excellent flavors. They don't skimp on any ingredients here, and it shows! If I was a crack addict, and Mai Lee dealt my banh xeo crack every day, I'd have to go into rehab for becoming obese on their excellent food. I'm addicted. And soooo very happy that there is a high quality Vietnamese restaurant in the midwest. Needless to say, I'll be back for some more crack. Noms.
(5)
Jimmy S.

I have just two words to say: BAHN MI!!! Okay, so I can't just say two words in a review. The ambience isn't fancy, it isn't a "beautiful dive" but the food is excellent. I had Heo Lui(BBQ pork shish kabob) and as I've already stated BAHN MI!!! It was delicious.
(5)
Katie D.

Great service and AHHMAZING Vietnamese food! My boyfriend and I split a huge pork bun, an order of spring rolls, two bahn mi sandwiches, and some kind of rice platter with shrimp, pork, and generous amounts of veggies for under $30. All were excellent and we have lots of leftovers. We did not try the Chinese food on the menu but I've heard that it's just so-so. Overall, this place was great and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Joshua R.

Solid Thai Food. Tons of options (theres like 200 different menu items). Really fast service.
(4)
Tracy C.

To be honest, walking up to Mai Lee's I wasn't expecting much. Nestled in between Best Buy, a fitness gym and under a parking garage in the middle of retail chain hell. What I got was the freshest, most authentic Vietnamese food I've found in St. Louis to date. I love being surprised and my snap judgements proven wrong! There are only a few things a gluten-free person can get at Mai Lee (damn soy sauce!) but what you can get is incredible. I'm sure there are more options than I am aware off but I am a creature of habit and once I lock on to a favorite or two I'm done exploring. This annoys the crap out of my hubby but that is another story. Anyway, I always start with an order of spring rolls (ask for the fish sauce for dipping, the brown sauce has..you guessed it...soy sauce along with the plum sauce). Then I move on to either the Lemongrass Curry Tofu or the Pho Ga (chicken soup with rice noodles). I always save room to end with the Mango Sticky Rice. But wait - don't forget the best part, the Vietnamese coffee. How I love the steaming coffee press that arrives with ice and condensed milk. Numm.... If you haven't been here you must go soon. Try to go on off hours because there is always a wait. I give this place a fantastic 5-star rating! :-)
(5)
Divya V.

The best vietnamese food in St Louis! I dont know why i havent written a review yet - this place is really close to where i live and my husband and i go here quite often... our winter comfort food! Nothing like a large hot pot to melt the cold away! We usually get the fresh spring rolls, coconut water (that comes in a coconut!), hot pot soup or one of the golden tofu dishes. It's always packe but they seat you pretty quickly and service is really fast!
(5)
Tony J.

Considering where this is located, I really wasn't expecting much. I generally avoid this area when I can, because I cannot stand the main parking lot that Target and the other major stores are attached to. But this place gets bonus points for being away from that specific lot and for having a parking garage (free too) right next to it. The menu is gigantic. I've not been to a place with a menu like this in years. And for people like me, who normally feel like they should take some stab at butchering other languages, it was nice that everything had a number. We ordered the shrimp and pork spring rolls first, which were very good. I wound up ordering #151 for lunch -- it's breaded eggplant fried up and then covered in hot braised sauce. I'm not sure if people rarely order this or what, because our server actually came back and made sure that's what I actually meant to order. All I can say is that it is amazing. I would order it again. It was the perfect combination of everything I wanted in that moment in time. It came quickly, it was hot and the portion was a good size. I even took some home, which our server was nice enough to wrap up (and even sealed in a bag -- thank god for that, because the sauce leaked out of the container). Our server was a really nice dude and I felt like he made a good effort to make sure we were happy. The place was fairly crowded too, which seemed to make no impact on anything. Everyone was pleasant and the place was lively and fun. Very pleasantly surprised. Will definitely go back again.
(4)
Forest P.

I've been to Mai Lee three times now for a quick bite while running errands around Brentwood. Each time I've gotten the regular Bahn Mi, and each time, it has been very okay - not great, not bad. The ingredients inside the sandwich are good, however, every single time, the bread is stale. Dear Mai Lee - if you're reading this. Get fresh french bread for your bahn mi and stop serving that 3 days old stuff. Many others have mentioned this problem so I thought it was finally time to bring it to the interwebz.
(2)
Sara B.

The PHO was AMAZING!! I think I found the perfect combination of spices while I was here the other day! Huge menu with tons of options! Spring rolls were top notch! Will return, maybe today. It is in a weird location but seemed to be packed.
(4)
Andrew C.

I've been fortunate enough to go here a few times when i've been in St. Louis. It's always packed and for good reason. Everything on menu I've ordered seems to be excellent. Lotus salad is one of my favs. What makes the place great is that even though they're busy they are very conscious of making sure you're attended to. I try to make it a point to swing by here on the way to the airport if I can. Excellent Vietnamese food.Highly recommended
(5)
Sadia Lynne B.

Great service. WONDERFUL ambiance. Extensive Vietnamese & Chinese menu. TRENDY. BUSY. HIGH-QUALITY ingredients Beautiful food presentation. ****People sensitive to MSG, no problem, they cater to people who choose not to eat it....the manager made sure my food did not have it. GREAT overall experience. We will be back.... EAT HERE!!! I PROMISE you will love it!! Thank you MAI LEE!!
(5)
Andrew T.

Oh, bo luc lac, you complete me. I was unaware of Mai Lee until a recent visit with a friend. I'd usually get pho at a spot like this, but I have been trying to find bo luc lac like I had at a spot in California. Mai Lee's is close, but not quite there. It did feature good beef, but the cut was a little less tender, and maybe even a little over-woked. A little crispy on the outside, and while that's not bad, it was approaching too much. But the flavor was great, and it was served with nice ripe tomatoes and onions (which I didn't partake of) as well as the lime, salt, and pepper dipping sauce that make me fall in love with it in the first place. I don't live in St. Louis anymore, but if I did, I'd certainly come back. I really want to try the pho, but couldn't resist the bo luc lac. Besides, who wants pho on a semi-warm day? Nothing better than hot soup in St. Louis in July...
(3)
Tim B.

Awesome food! A little wait of about 15 minutes on the weekend. The portions are mega size and extremely great price. Service was manageable.
(5)
Vatoya D.

Aweeesome Sauce! The pho here is photastic Def recommend the beef.. They're always busy probably because of the awesome food ..good place to eat warm up and relax
(5)
Steve C.

Been to Mai Lee back when they were located off Delmar near I-170 . . . before their move over to 8396 Musick Memorial Drive in the Brentwood area. Our great friends Steve Gant and Emily Howard had been several weeks ago and we thought it sounded great for a Friday evening dinner. On Friday nights, the place is packed with about 25 people waiting in the bar area. We were seated rather quickly. For starters, we had their crab ragoon, which had 6 pieces on the platter. Also ordered egg rolls for $1.99 and then I had for my entree chicken and broccoli. It was delicious, but could have used more spices - my choice was alittle bland. Service was good and ran into an old neighbor there so it was great to catch up with him. Would I go back? Yes, but it wasn't a 5 star food experience. Maybe next time I'll order another dish.
(4)
Sonja K.

This is an amazing restaurant! The service is fast, the menu is extensive, and the food is AMAZING and reasonably priced. I liked it so much the first time I went that I went again the next day! I am originally from California and I often find the asian food in St Louis a bit lack-luster in terms of food quality. But Mai Lee is amazing! Its on par if not better than the places in California that I'm used to. The one caveat is its so popular you may have to wait for a table.. but that's kind of a good sign anyway!
(5)
Christina O.

welcoming restaurant found in between parking garages by the metro stop. they serve a varied clientele including families, couples and groups of friends. the food is nothing out of the ordinary. the bar seems nice and has a tv. my bun xao sate was supposed to have chicken but i was served beef instead. when my chicken vermicelli noodle dish finally came out it was very bland and the chicken was overcooked. the 3 stars are for the amazing potstickers and spring rolls.
(3)
Kelly R.

Honestly, I don't love Vietnamese food that much. It's got some really great, interesting flavors, but I have to be in the mood for it. For me, the food is a solid 4 stars, but with the service we received during our trip here, it was easily a 5 star experience. My husband and I stopped in on New Years Day and it was unsurprisingly busy, considering it was one of the only non-chain restaurants open. We expected to wait for a table and our 25-30 minute wait was just that. The server sat us down as soon as he could, grabbed us some waters, and quickly took our order. I never felt rushed, though, and the crowd seemed to die down shortly after we were seated. We exchanged some pleasant banter with the server after I asked about the proper pronunciation of a dish that I didn't even attempt to say. He even made a menu suggestion to my husband after his order to ensure he got the flavor and spice he wanted out of his meal. The food was wonderful and flavorful. We tried a pork bun to start (awesome!) and then I had some vermicelli noodles w/ pork and an egg roll. Towards the end of the meal, my husband had to request a 2nd straw since I accidentally drank from his and I'm sick. After bringing the extra straw, our server mentioned that sometimes people order Pho when they're feeling under the weather which has a chicken noodle soup effect. I said thanks for the tip and figured that was the end of it. Nope! He came to our table with the check AND a small bowl of Pho for me to try. It was such a sweet gesture, and definitely not something I expected. The Pho was very tasty, and hit the spot. I can't say it cured me, but it definitely left an impression on my dining experience. Needless to say, our server got a big fat tip and a guarantee that we'll return again.
(5)
Clarice W.

I really wish Yelp would let reviewers give half-stars, because if I could I'd give this place 3.5. But since I had to make the decision, I decided to go down rather than up, mainly because the service here was lacking. In terms of food, Mai Lee is quite good. I had the shrimp and pork spring rolls, which were plump and stuffed with fresh ingredients. I do have to admit the pork was a little odd (I'm used to only seeing shrimp) but overall not that bad. I had the traditional beef Pho next, which was a little different than Pho I've had before - the broth has some spice to it and is quite delicious. I also love that it was served with a heaping plate of crisp bean sprouts, lovely Thai basil, cilantro, jalapenos, and a wedge of lime. You are really able to customize the taste to your own preference. The porion was large and well worth the price ($6.95). They also have a large selection of interesting drinks; if you're feeling gutsy, try the tamarind peanut drink - a great sweet and sour beverage with an earthiness to it. In terms of service, I wasn't so pleased. The servers are speedy and efficient, but almost too much so, asking you if you're ready to order too soon and gathering your dishes away prematurely. I just don't like to have my lunch interrupted by someone taking away an empty plate, or feeling like I can't relax and chat with my friend while sipping on my drink slowly. But like I said, the only reason I'm not giving Mai Lee 4 stars is because of the service. Besides that, I was happy with the price and quality of food. A lot of Asian cuisine can get drowned in MSG but this place felt clean, fresh, and just really comfortable to eat. It is certainly worth checking out.
(3)
Jack P.

The restaurant itself is really cool. The food is usually great. The best is the pho and bhan mi sandwiches. Their other dishes, like the currys and chicken/beef/veggie dishes are pretty good also.
(4)
Mark G.

Shrimp spring roll was awesome as it pretty much is at every other Viet restaurant. The way they did bun here surprised me. Fish sauce was already poured inside the bowl. Normally at Viet restaurants it is served at the side and you put it on yourself. Still tasted fine though. I would definitely return here again.
(4)
Julie H.

Oh Mai Lee... It's kind of funny because I can remember going there as a kid with my grandparents (back when I had a less sophisticated palette) and thinking "blech, who could eat this stuff?" But now that I have a soft place in my heart for Vietnamese food, I can finally appreciate what my family has been raving about for all these years. My grandma Dolores has been eating at Mai Lee regularly since they first opened on Delmar, and we get VIP treatment when we eat there: the staff greets her by name and we get seated right away at a good table. She could be the mayor of Mai Lee, she knows everybody in the place! But I digress... aside from the fact that they've been good to me (and grandma!) through the years, the food is really fantastic. Is it wrong to say that I wish I could catch a cold, just so someone would bring me a big bowl of soup from Mai Lee? Very generous portions with delicious, fresh ingredients. Yes, please. Check it out (and tell them you know Dolores).
(4)
Joey H.

Very busy on a Tuesday lunch. Disorganized service. Take out orders are clearly not a priority. Called in my order, was promised 15 minutes, still nothing 30 minutes later. Also incredibly difficult to wave someone down to see if they forgot my order.
(1)
Marjorie S.

Mai Lee has the best Pho and spring rolls in St. Louis! I've been to Vietnam and believe me, the Pho at Mai Lee is the real deal. Anyone who knows Pho knows the broth is the most important element to the dish and Mai Lee's Pho broth has the perfect melody of spices and sweetness! The spring rolls are the best I've found in St. Louis. The noodle bowls are also delicious! The only thing I can say bad about Mai Lee is that the service is sometimes lacking. Even with the sometimes below par service, Mai Lee is ALWAYS my go to for Vietnamese in St. Louis!
(4)
Katie T.

The menu is outrageously large and the font is pretty small so it's kind of frustrating picking out what you want the first time there. The food made up for it though. I couldn't tell you the name of what I ordered, some chicken noodle bowl, but it was good. The spring roll appetizer was very good as well. The service wasn't great, the waitress only came to take our order and drop off our food. Don't expect your water glass to be refilled either. Also, don't try the hard candy near the door.
(4)
Monsieur E.

The food was very good, four star for sure but the atmosphere felt like a cafeteria lacking a personal touch and decor. The seating is basically one large room with no booths or anything unique.
(3)
Alex C.

If you were to ask me for the best Vietnamese in St. Louis, Mai Lee would be on the list, but it wouldn't be No. 1. It is a solid Vietnamese restaurant, but it has a few flaws large enough for me to keep a rating of three stars. My standard at Mai Lee is the pho - either the beef or the beef and meatball. The pho is among the best I've had. While the beef at many restaurants' pho is overcooked and limp, it is tender at Mai Lee. The broth, especially with the addition of basil and lemon, is aromatic and satisfying. They could probably just bottle the broth and have an instant hit with their Vietnamese Beef Juice Drink. The flaws for me do put a dent in the deliciousness of the pho. My mom ordered a pork and green bean stirfry with ginger sauce. The pork was old, tough, and actually spoiled. The beans were just beans. I know that Mai Lee does enough business that it shouldn't have spoiled pork around. Next, the bun mi really isn't their specialty, but still is not a great one. It's okay, but that's about it. Lastly, Mai Lee could gain a lot from losing 2 sheets from their menu. There are pages of dishes that are hardly distinguishable for the non-Vietnamese reader. "Beef cooked with lemongrass and chili" doesn't seem much different from "Beef pieces with lemongrass and chili sauce." (NOTE: examples are purely for explaining a point. Nit-pickers beware, these might not actually be on the menu). Further, refining the menu can help make all of Mai Lee's plates as good as their beef pho. All in all, Mai Lee is a restaurant good enough to go back to. It's closer than my favorite Vietnamese joint, and it turns out a few gems (even if they are intermingled with other sorts of rocks).
(3)
Wendy E.

When I first came here, the pho was one of the best I have had, but in recent years, I feel like the quantity has decreased, and the taste just isn't the same. So, you can find better Vietnamese in the South Grand area.
(3)
Kim B.

Food = excellent. I had the pho and ate/drank it to the last drop. Service was slightly lacking, thus the 4 star rating rather than a 5. Our server seemed to know the menu very well, but it took him quite a bit of time to get to our table in the first place, our water glasses were empty more than they were full, and at the end of our meal while waiting for the check we could clearly see him rolling silverware at a nearby table...the first few things may have been excusable, seeing as how it was a pretty busy Sunday night, but he also seemed generally disinterested about us being there. Overall, I'd definitely go back for the food, and just keep my fingers crossed we have a happier server next time!
(4)
Thao Tracey N.

Pho Tai was extremely aromatic and satisfying! This dish will perfectly warm you up on a chilly day. I ate every bit and even slurped all my broth! Though it was mildly embarrassing among a group of 6 friends, it was well worth it. Our waiter was also a nice fellow. My friends and I are coming back in hopes of enlightening more taste buds!
(4)
Denise E.

I am glad we don't live in the neighborhood because we would eat there way too often! Consistently excellent food, service, value. Alternate between the fresh spring rolls or crispy egg rolls. Hubby always get the same thing, roasted duck. Perfect, and 60 is delish for a vegetarian noodle dish. Anything with their crispy rice is terrific and addictive, too. Cannot recommend enough. Go there. And for two people, sitting in the bar is easy and fun.
(5)
Joselyn H.

I hate hate hate to give a one star but three strikes and you are out Mai Lee. I have tried several dishes and i just find that they lack the flavor!! I mean i love sriracha as much as the next gal BUT it should be used to compliment the flavor not a desperate attempt at giving flavor. So, last night i decided i would just go with the vegetarian Pad Thai after many failed attempts at the Vietnamese dishes. And finally a dish that had flavor..but it also had some series issues. First the noodles were WAY undercooked. Like inedible undercooked. And it was swimming in grease. Made my stomach turn. I didn't eat much of it and begrudgingly took the left overs home although i should have returned the dish. The only upside was that tonight i decided to try to eat the left overs since Mai Lee is mad expensive and i didn't want to waste all that food. So glad i did. I cooked the dish in skillet, added a bunch of spinach and splash of coconut milk...and topped it off with a lovely organic egg. If it would have tasted this good last night i would have not lost all hope for Mai Lee...but i don't see myself coming back.
(1)
Jessica K.

Mai Lee is great! The food is excellent...traditional Vietnamese plus many other Asian foods. The servings are very generous. The staff is always nice. The one down side is it is always packed. But its good food at a low price...so what can you say? I like to order ahead and get takeout. They also package up their takeout really nice...put the styrofoam containers in plastic baggies, etc. so it doesn't leak all over the place. Sounds nit-picky, but I absolutely despise when I get take out food all over my car or countertop. Expect to wait unless it is mid-week or really late. But definitely worth the wait!
(5)
Liz Z.

My hubby and I have visited this establishment several times for their Chinese food (for hubby) and vegetarian Asian food (for me). This has been my overall feel about this place: Food: 3.5 I have to admit, this place does cater to the less-Asian-authentic Americanized palate, though the kimchee is legit. Our last order, my husband ordered a meat dish and I ordered a vegetarian dish (entirely different kinds of sauces, supposedly), but when we received both our dishes, they looked entirely the same w/ the same ingredients, aside from the meant and non-meat parts. Ambiance: 1-2 It can get pretty loud and the furniture/lighting is maximized for efficiency and affordability, not for anything else. Besides, the bar area, the main dining area is in a big room. No dividers and tables relatively close to each other. The place is designed for easy cleanup of spills and not for being comfortable or aesthetically-pleasing (e.g., no tablecloths, no dimmed lighting, and no padding for the faux-wood seats). If planning for a first date, choose some other intimate and quieter place for dinner. Service: 1 (for our 1st visit); 4 for our last dine-in experience. During the first 2 visits, I felt like our waiter kept rushing us and for us to order. "Dude, if you have such a large menu, you need to give the patrons some time to look through it!!!" For our last dine-in late lunch, we were seated in the bar table area and our waitress was really nice and attentive. We were "layer-ordering" (ordering things at different times during our meal), and she didn't give us 'tude. We were both grateful for that. Carryout Ordering: 2; We ordered carryout yesterday for lunch. Service is quick (we were able to pick it up under 30 minutes) yet they got our order wrong. My husband had specifically and clearly stated "sesame chicken" when calling-in the order, but he got "gen tso's chicken" instead. I asked if the person who took the order spoke English and hubby said he did...so was the guy taking the order even listening? Price: 2-3; It has a tendency to be pretty pricey, especially for the Chinese food. "Who's heard of a simple dish of sesame chicken costing almost 12 bucks??" I love their breaded eggplant dish, but really, Mai Lee, will need to tempt with one or some of the following recommendations: 1. Lower your pricing...make it more "St. Louis" applicable, especially when St. Louis has a lower per capita then other cities with the same kind of food. 2. Work on your service. Aside from the girl at the bar area, the service has blown, every time we've been seated in the main dining area. Where am I...a Chipotle??!? 3. Listen carefully to call-in orders for carryout. Next time, I'm checking my order before I leave your premises. If you (Mr. Guy On the Phone) need clarification, restate our order over the phone so you don't screw up. It's bad enough we pay extra for your "safe food" and get the order wrong.
(2)
Bill K.

Excellent Vietnamese food, the best in town by mile, and I have been to all of the Vietnamese places in St. Louis. Vietnamese cuisine has a very great tradition, as do the Vietnamese people themselves. It's lighter, crisper and tastier than its monotonous Chinese counterpart. Nothing bland and gloppy. And Mai Lee does it right. Of course try the spring rolls, everybody loves them, but also try a selection of their other items. Pretty sure you will like it all.
(4)
Stella S.

As soon as I arrived in St. Louis, I made it my mission to find the best local Vietnamese restaurant. Hailing from New York, I was a bit spoiled in the Pho department and it was one of the few things that I couldn't say goodbye to when preparing the big move. With enough coaxing from the better half (who made the move a few months before I did) I stepped into Mai Lee immediately after I dropped by suitcases off at my new apartment. From the outside, it didn't look like much. The surrounding caught me off guard since right next door is an empty storefront. I glowered at the better half and damned him for taking me to this place. All that changed when I stepped inside, the decor was quite modern and it was clean, CLEAN I TELL YOU! I'm sure the air conditioning helped too. Quite contrary to the outside, the interior was hustling and bustling even on a Wednesday night. The hostess said the wait for two would be approximately 15-20 minutes but we managed to snag a table at the bar 5 minutes into our wait. Not to shabby. The menu is huge but a quick glance over the behemoth, I noticed many stables--especially my beloved Pho. I promptly ordered a bowl with rare beef and meatballs and waited excitedly for the steaming bowl to arrive. When the server brought my bowl of Pho forth, I dug in with the zeal of a rabid fanatic. Much to my disappointment, the broth was a bit on the sweet side and that familiar aroma of the beef broth was not present. By no means was it a bad bowl of Pho, but it definitely wasn't up the the standards that I was used to back home. With that said, it was still very enjoyable and I've been back to Mai Lee numerous times since. What I love best about the place is that Mai Lee successfully caters to all sorts of diners, no matter how familiar you are with authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
(5)
Timothy G.

Well crap. I guess the beautiful wife and I missed out on the old school Mai Lee, but this new version works for us. On our two visits, I'm done the Bo xao lan (#81, beef with curry, lemongrass, etc.) and the Dah hu xao lan (#142, the golden tofu version. Much to the wife's horror, I love tofu, I couldn't help myself) (on a quick side note, why do I feel obligated to capitalize everything in Vietnamese? Is it because the names of dishes are always in all caps so we're uncertain of what to capitalize or not? Anyway, don't worry, they follow the same rules as us) Anyway, I'm really not sure about some of the comments about small portions -- both of my dishes were plentiful enough for leftovers, as with the wife's pho (though I'll say go with the pho tai bo vien -- you get more meat, the shrimp pho was lacking in protein). They have (at least) two different Vietnamese beers (the "33" (not to be confused with Rolling Rock) and Saigon). Both are standard South Asian lagers. Which send to go well with spicy foods (at least I think they do). I'll concur on their Mai Tai's being excellent as well. Service here has had that rushed "just tell me what you what" feel about it (which does keep me from knocking it up to five stars). _But_, when you've got a packed house and 10 people waiting for tables, it's a bit understandable. Super added bonus point for basically being a stone's throw away from the Metrolink. We shall return.
(4)
Robert K.

Bad sandwich. I loved the spring rolls, but the pork sandwich was absolutely terrible. Everything in the sandwich was great (the bread, the jalepanos, the cilantro, etc.) except the pork! It was chewy and bright red and not edible. I was disgusted. I've heard good things and this was my first visit, maybe the bowls are better but the fact that they served this meat was troubling.
(1)
Nikki L.

Mai Lee is one of two favorite Vietnamese restaurants (the other one Lemongrass). The place is always packed. Even when they were in their old, small place on Delmar & I-170. The move did them good as the place gets more business from all the Brentwood traffic. The food is delectably good. We always start with the fresh shrimp spring rolls with peanut sauce. Husband goes straight to dipping it into the hot spicy sauce, while I mix the hot sauce with the peanut sauce. We almost always order the same thing - he gets #63 bun noodle bowl with egg rolls. I get either the pho (#9-14) or bun (#15-22) soup bowls. We slather lots of hot sauce on them. The service is hit or miss. Sometimes we'll get a rude, non-friendly waiter. Sometimes we'll get a really super nice one. The nice ones smile at us whenever we ask for more water - because we're all spiced up!
(5)
Jae K.

From one of my childhood movies: "You bleed like Mylee!" - Tong Po from Kickboxer. I love my Vietnamese food. I have already previously written about how much I like Pho Grand as well, and come to find out, the two restaurant owners are related. Nice. A pho monopoly. One of my favorite dishes here at Mai Lee is the kimchi. Yes, yes, that is not Vietnamese... but their take on my Korean staple is delicious. Good work Asian brethren. I think their pho is a little sweeter than Pho Grand's. Both good each in their own right. Lastly, although kind of a weird location, they are never short of parking with the garage next door.
(5)
Kevin A.

Mai Lee is one of my all time favorite restaurants to go to. Its a great fall back when i have no other plans. I have been going here since well before they moved, and honestly nothing has changed. I always start my meal with one of their spring rolls and kimchi and have had at least 20 different items off the menu, with number 67 (noodle and beef bowl) being my fall back dish. These scattered poor ratings about staff and smell are making me laugh. My water has never been below half way, nor have i had any problems with service, i find this hard to believe, especially since the staff has almost stayed the same over all the years I've come here.
(5)
Kevin D.

Nice local neighborhood place. Very friendly, with a big menu, 80% Vietnamese, 20% Chinese. I was here twice - once for takeout, once dining in. Overall, I say it's OK. It's so close to being great, but it's not. The first time I had chicken with almonds from the Chinese menu. It arrived in a white sauce with uncooked almonds and no flavor. Yuk. Tonight, we shared a chicken curry dish and a chicken noodle dish, both from the Vietnamese menu. Both were delicious, but there was one major problem... the chicken is not trimmed or cut carefully. The chicken is in large pieces, with gristle and fat on too many pieces. It really turned us off. There was even a piece too tough to chew. It's a shame - the sauces and flavors were delicious, but if the meat isn't good quality, it ruins the dish. The restaurant has been there for about 20 years, so maybe they've gotten lazy? As for me, I'll continue going to Shu Feng for my Chinese fix.
(3)
Ingrid C.

Really, really disappointing today. It's cold out. I'm hungry and want noodles. Smallest. Portion. Ever. I got the #14 combination beef pho. I can actually remember how many pieces of meat I got. - 2ish meatballs (4 pieces) - 4 pieces of lean beef (all deceivingly - to make you think it's more substantial than it really was) - 3 pieces of tripe - skimpy amount of noodles (I'm guessing less noodles with less meat makes you think there's more meat than there is) Really, Mai Lee? For $7.95, I can basically go to any other place for pho (places that are comparable), and get MORE NOODLES with MORE MEAT. I was hungry again in 45 minutes. It wasn't enough to satiate. Shame on you.
(2)
Jessica S.

I love Mai Lee. The location is a bit odd but never have an issue with parking with the garage right next door. Everything is always so fresh andd they are consistent with the quality of the food. I am all about the bun (soups). Service is good, so great place for lunch if you are time crunched. Always a ton to take home.
(4)
Luz S.

Overall, I'm very impressed by their extensive menu and was surprised to see some of my Vietnamese favorites on the menu- including avocado shakes and sizzling crepes, banh xeo! You're sure to find something you like at this Vietnamese & Chinese restaurant.
(4)
Nick V.

If you like Pho then this is the place for you. First, unlike most Pho places this is actually a nicer restaurant inside. It doesn't feel like a hole in the wall (not that there is anything wrong that) and is a place that you could actually go on a date. Second, their Pho is pretty consistent, it is generally very good and they give you a lot of it. Even with all of this however, their prices are still very reasonable and two people can eat here for under $20. The only thing that I haven't loved are the spring rolls which are ok but not great. They also have Chinese food and Thai good but I have never really ordered those dishes. They do give you a ton of meat with the Pad Thai but they use more Vietnamese noodles than Thai ones. All in all I like this place and will continue to come back when I get a hankering for Pho.
(4)
Tracy B.

I love everything I've ever eaten here. Expect a decent wait on a Friday or Saturday night but it is well worth it. I regularly order the veggie/tofu soup and the papaya salad, both of which are always great. My husband has ordered the curry dishes, which are also delicious. The service is always prompt and friendly and we love eating at the bar bc the bartender is awesome. I promise I'm not being paid to write this review:)
(5)
Heather D.

Tried this place for the 1st time, yesterday - and while I may be a bit biased by some of my favorite Vietnamese spots on S.Grand, this was definitely good eats. My dining partner and I shared the vegetarian hot pot soup (14.95), which was very good & had an impressive presentation - filled with tofu, celery, tomatoes pineapple, bean sprouts & lemongrass. The dish was plenty for the 2 of us and there was enough left over for a 3rd take home meal. The place had a trendy but comfortable feel and while I didn't have the spring rolls, I did see them come out of the kitchen and they looked huge! I wouldn't make a special trip here, but if in the vicinity, it's certainly worth a check in!
(4)
Paula G.

Excellent pho and spring rolls. I have had the same in San Francisco and was pleasantly surprised to find this level of quality in St. Louis!
(4)
Tae S.

Had the pad Thai the shrimp was a little over cooked and it a semi bland. It was an alright dish but I had better.
(3)
Melissa T.

I feel ashamed with myself to have failed to review this place when at its old, cramped Delmar location. There, this place with its expansive menu and no frills atmosphere and service was a stellar 4 star joint. Now, at its swank Brentwood Blvd-esque location, I must sadly admit that I have to remove a star. The spring rolls were still as delicious as I remember, and the banh xeo was still pretty good (although not near as good as Kim Son's or Banh Mi So #1's) despite being a little soggy. Additional items ordered = the beef with eggplant and the mai lee special lo mein. I've had both before and loved them. This time, they just didn't taste as good as I remembered. The sauce in the beef and eggplant dish was off - it tasted mainly of soy when before I remembered additional complex and delicious flavors. My additional gripe is that the new location has led to higher prices for the same quality of food. I know this gives them an opportunity to cater to more people at one time and to a newer clientele, but I was perfectly happy being being in close quarters and paying less. The food is still good; it's just not as good as I remember while additionally being pricier. I think it's wonderful that many people who may not have experienced vietnamese food before will be more inclined to do so given its new location. For my money, however, I'm perfectly happy heading to Kim Son on Olive or out to Grand for Banh Mi So, Pho Grand, Lemongrass, or even Mekong. All are less expensive and still serve damned good food.
(3)
Robin V.

I've been to Mai Lee several times and have enjoyed every experience. Some people are stronger critics than me of food like pho (I don't have a lot to compare Mai Lee to), but to me it tastes excellent every time! I'm also always happy with their pad thai and spring rolls. Even though I haven't tasted a ton of items from their menu, I'd like to explore some of the other dishes they offer - but the pho is just so good! Mai Lee is often busy; however, the wait is never long. Once you're seated, service is good too. In terms of how busy the place is, I actually enjoy that I am in the company of several others enjoying their meals. It's just a nice bustling restaurant. The restaurant is set up with enough space between the tables, though, so that you do not feel crowded at all. They also have a nice bar with a few tables in the window. If you're looking for Vietnamese cuisine (and some Thai or Chinese food choices as well), Mai Lee certainly isn't a bad spot!
(4)
Joshua C.

Went for dinner before a movie last night. I ordered the crispy egg rolls first for appetizer. This is the way I like to eat it: poke holes into the egg roll with your fork, then pour the sauce on it and let it saturate the roll, finally wrap the egg roll in a giant lettuce leaf and enjoy! For the main dish, I thought I'd give Pho a try thinking, "Maybe it'll grow on me!" I have to say, I enjoyed the Pho Tai very much. I ordered it without cilantro, which helped... Not a big cilantro fan. You can never go wrong with Mai Lee! I still have yet to try their Chinese menu, but so far I have been thoroughly satisfied every visit!
(5)
Laura M.

Mai Lee is hands down, one of the best restaurants in Saint Louis! I was first taken here (rather reluctantly may I add) by my fiance who swore by their food and service. As stated in earlier reviews, I'm a VERY picky eater so it's always a little difficult to get me to try something different. I had the Pho once and was immediately hooked! Everything about the food here is absolutely perfect. We usually get the fresh spring rolls and the Pho and it never disappoints. The thing that makes this place really amazing though is the staff. No matter how busy it is (and it can get a little busy at times but you never have to wait very long) they are always super attentive, friendly, and quick. You usually get your meal in under ten minutes. Everyone from the hostess, to the waiters, to the bus boys are fantastic! The prices are SUPER reasonable as well. This has definitely become a weekly staple for us!
(5)
Michael B.

Great food and service!
(5)
Jerome H.

Went back last time I was in town. New location = fundamentally different restaurant, not the same. It's glossier, prettier, in a "better" location, and with whiter table cloths and server's shirts. The impression I got was that they went to a restaurant consultant who told them how to appeal more to the white suburban stereotype and they followed the advice to a T. And in the process, they lost a lot of their character. Worse, the food doesn't seem to be as good as it used to be, less flavor, not as fresh. If you really like Vietnamese food, it's now well worth the drive to Grand to get Pho Grand, Lemongrass, or (of course) Ban Mi So over this place, especially when you have to fight the surburban shopping crowd for a table.
(3)
Michael S.

FUHMAZING. They'll make it spicy if you want, otherwise it's just straight up amazing. Waited maybe 10 minutes at like 12:30 for lunch. Wanted to nap 4 years afterwards. SO GOOD. I got 179, Mi Xao Don. -I think the sauce had opium in it. -Huge portions.
(5)
Sam D.

I was looking for a decent pho place and found Mai Lee on Yelp. Great food, attentive service and decent prices. And their dessert drinks are dee-lish!
(4)
Danielle M.

I was really craving Thai food, and heard good things about this place (for their Vietnamese food) - so I thought maybe I could get something similar. Nope, I was totally boring and ordered the Pad Thai. It was really good, though - and super generous with the meat and other toppings. It was a little pricier than what I'm used to at around $12, but I got a good 3 full meals out of it, so I guess it wasn't really that bad. Next time I'm here, I will be more adventurous!
(3)
Jordan A.

I ordered off of the Vietnamese menu and was impressed. Portions leave enough for you to take home for lunch the next day... and I almost thought it tasted better cold the next day! I would go back.
(3)
Kari R.

Originally we went here for an office lunch with a few friends. I work with a Vietnamese guy, and he told us this place was the best in st Louis for authentic pho food. It was a bit crowded over lunch, but we were still able to get a table. The service was lacking a bit, but i think it's because it was so busy they couldn't keep up. The first meal i got was a steak dish with tomatoes- it was absolutely amazing and worth the wait! I was so excited about it i took my husband there that weekend. Without having my Vietnamese friend with us, we didn't order anything great.. a fried appetizer and some fairly bland food. i left disappointed. Since then, we've been back and i took recommendations- and it was absolutely fabulous. Bottom line: the service is great when they're not overly crowded, and the food is simply out of this world when you know what to order. the second time we got a hot pot-- a lot of food! As a special treat: try ordering a coffee when you're done eating. it's delicious, but not for someone watching calories.
(4)
Kylah F.

This place is awesome and it shows by how busy it is on any given evening. This place is always packed, but since they are so big I have never had to wait. I usually end up getting some type of noodle bowl or soup and they are all amazing! Their menu is soo big I want to try a little bit of everything. There is something for everyone here!
(5)
Andrea S.

Just grabbed dinner for the first time at Mai Lee's new location on Friday night and even though the new space is almost double the size of their old location the restaurant was packed. Even though the space has changed, the high quality of service and food has not. We sat at the bar and were waited on very quickly and our food came out must faster than I would have ever imagined given how busy the place was. Congrats to Mai Lee on the new space - I'm still a fan!
(4)
Hoang N.

Well, I ate a few times at their brand spankin' new location in Brentwood... and what a change. the atmosphere feels rich and clean... definitely cleaner than their previous location... but you know what they say about asian restaurants... the dirtier the restaurant, the better the food... plus, they increased their prices to go along the classier feel that you get when you eat your food, so you believe even more so that you are getting fine cuisine dining. still good tho.
(4)
Dan C.

I'm so easy to please, so lets just say that if I lived in Saint Louis I would eat here everyday. I tried a couple things on the menu like the vietnames bbq pork sandwhich comes out all hot gave me goosebumps jk. but it was good. The pho is better than average, just cause they didn't have all the exotic things like tripe and tendon. But all in all a good place to eat.
(4)
Liz L.

When it was in it's old location on Delmar, I'd only gotten take out from Mai Lee (where the staff was great, food took no time at all, and it was cheap!) For dinner the other night we decided to check out their new location in Brentwood. Wow...the difference in venue was amazing. Their old place was really small and nestled away in a strip mall. Now, even though they are still nestled away, they have a great store front and a space that is at least 2 times bigger than before. It was around 9pm on Friday and the place was packed. After hearing that it would be a 15-20 minute wait for a table, we decided to sit and eat at the bar. Great service at the bar...we were immediately asked for drinks and when I ordered a chardonnay, Qui said that they had just gotten in a new white burgundy and I should definitely try it. It was a great recommendation! We ordered our usual, pho, and it came out after not long of a wait. And, as usual, it was delicious, with just the right amount of beef, noodles, and accouterments. The bar area is really great, they have a few large flat screen tvs (which I enjoyed since the Cardinals game was on). Mai Lee is definitely my go-to place for pho, and I can see, based on the full house on Friday, that it's other people's too!
(4)
James Y.

loved (past tense) this spot. definitely was a 5-star joint even a few months ago. but the last 3 times I went, something felt off. I wasn't full after a bowl of pho....why? THEY CUT DOWN ON THE PHO NOODLE PORTIONS! yo, asian to asian, why you playin that game homie and cuttin back folks' noodles? i aint down with that atkin's diet so stop messing with my emotions and DON'T skimp on the noodles. load that bowl up nephew! and no, i won't pay extra for extra noodles. On a more positive note - New dish suggestion: banh xeo in the appetizers. that's the truth viet snack right there & perfect for before the meal arrives.
(3)
Amanda Z.

Meal for two? more like meal for 4! under 30 bucks you get two different entrees, fried rice (delicious fried rice), spring rolls and soup. My mouth is watering just thinking about this place. The service was quick, the food was delicious and it was cheap as all get out. I mean, do you feel all authentic in a strip mall type location in between the Metrolink garage and Club Fitness, well, no. But the food was amazing, so I tend not to care about being in suburbia.
(4)
Dan S.

It's tough to say which is the best Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis between Mai Lee and that "other one" on the south side... Here are some highlites; The food here is very fresh. They have the best spring rolls in St. Louis, period. The lemongrass chili dishes are my favorite. Very robust taste with a lot of zip. Soups are authentic and incredible. Service is attentive and professional. Interior is cafeteria-ish but clean and modern. Good thing that they moved from the smaller space to the new one. Go!
(5)
Jacqueline C.

Awesome lunch specials. Can't beat all the food that comes along for about $7-$8. But if you don't want a fast and cheap lunch speacial you cannot go wrong with the standard menu. PHO TOM! :) my personal favorite.
(5)
Larissa P.

I really hate waiting a long time to get a seat at a restaurant I have never been to. While I was twiddling thumbs, shoulder to shoulder with other ravenously salivating customers, we had to stand there enviously watching other patrons slurp their pho. My friends were telling me it was the best pho in St. Louis and while I trust them, my impatience was overwhelming. Finally we were seated and it took another good ten minutes to order. I ordered #24 an egg noodle soup with bbq pork and pork filled wontons. It was delicately sweet and amped up with cilantro and green onions. I downed every single drop. I also made the mistake of ordering a side of kimchi (from the starter menu). It was not their mistake of course... it was some of the tastiest kimchi I've ever had. However, the pungent Korean flavors did not blend well with the delicacy of the Mi. My friends ordered the Vietnamese ice coffee and both loved it. It comes in a miniature glass+ press combo and has sweetened condensed milk on the bottom. Once it's done percolating you pour it on the ice. From what I understand it is much stronger than normal ice coffee, but very delicious. The food was just phenomenal. Worth every second of that claustrophobia-inducing wait. In retrospect, thinking back on the days when some of my friends and I would wait 45 minutes to get into a TGI Friday's during college, this was probably one of the most painless worthwhile waits I've had to endure. Mai Lee has done it!
(4)
Jon L.

A new Vietnamese restaurant opened up right near our house, so we gave it the old college try. Come to find out, this restaurant isn't new at all - it just moved from a location off Delmar. We went here on a Sunday night thinking it was not going to be crowded. Think again! This place was PACKED! Granted, it had just opened, but I never knew St. Louisans had such a love for ethnic food. The food itself was just ok - but I am not a lover of Vietnamese food like other fellow yelpers. We had the mega sampler special that included a bunch of stuff. The dish that stood out the most to me was the ginger chicken, which was excellent. The fried rice was also very good. The menu is like reading a novel, so there is plenty to choose from. The service here was really good, very knowledgeable and helpful staff and the food came out quickly. The place was new and clean and I would probably go back...if I liked Vietnamese food more. Maybe I just need to try something new on the extensive menu.
(3)
David M.

I love this place. Great food, helpful servers even the bartender. I have never had any bad food from this place. The last time I went, I randomly picked something that I didn't know and never had before. It was steam chicken with bokchoy. It caught me off guard when it came out, not only the portion was huge, it came with a little table top stove to keep it shimmers and warm. The taste was also amazing. I was glad that I ordered that dish, I would come back and order it again. I usually order their noodle dishes, as in noodle soup, with clear or rice noodle, meatballs and stuffs in it. I have tried every single noodle that they have on their menu and they are all great. Price could be a little lower but it worths every single penny. It's a great place in my book and I will always be coming back.
(5)
Jim B.

I have been going to Mai Lee my whole life, and finally shall pay them some gratitude by writing a glowing, but completely deserved, review. The No. 9 soup, Pho Tai, is my old standby. Slices of rare steak--substantial pieces of meat unlike a lot of places' pho tai meat, which can be paper thin and stringy--sit in a bowl of broth, noodles, red onion and green onion. They give you a plate of cilantro, sprouts, jalepenos, lime and a couple other herbs, all of which I chuck into the soup, and a small bowl of Vietnamese BBQ sauce, which I dip the meat in (mixed in to the soup, I don't think it adds much). Pair the Pho Tai with an order of spring rolls, which are always fresh (the vegetarian version is good too), and have yourself one of the best meals in the St. Louis. If you need a pick-me-up, add a Vietnamese iced coffee--table brewed coffee mixed with sweetened condensed milk and ice. It's tremendous. I can't really describe the rest of the menu, which is enormous, but I can go through some favorites. The Bo Luc Lac is one of their classic dishes: marinated steak cubes served with a peppery sauce. It's a must for steak lovers, and will please even the most Americanized palettes. Beef, chicken and vegetables are each available in coconut milk, lemongrass, curry and crushed peanuts--get one of these dishes. I like the beef, but they're all good. The golden tofu in tomato sauce is also tremendous. There is a Chinese menu, which is good but honestly, pretty basic and nothing in comparison to the Vietnamese menu. I do like the "Sizzling" dishes on the Chinese menu, which are meat, white and green onions and garlicky sauce served in a sizzling cast-iron skillet. They make a mean crab rangoon, too, but a lot of places do that. Go to Mai Lee. The service is perfect. The prices are perfect. The food is perfect. And chances are you will arrive there and be greeted by one of the owners, Qui Tran, whose beaming smile alone will make your day.
(5)
Stan S.

I think this is the best Vietnamese food in STL, and with the new location, the service is better and the atmosphere way nicer.
(4)
Brooke B.

I've heard many great things about Mai Lee back when it first was located across from that India House restaurant. Though you may have had your disputes and changed location, your cooking seems to have hmmm how should I say this... worsen? Perhaps it was the day that I went though that is no excuse for the dry and tough meat you presented me and my friend and the more rubbery texture of the spring rolls. The noodle bowl I ordered was more chopped up noddles into shorter bits. Also for your prices and the amount of food you give - not a great ratio.
(2)
Craig R.

I'm not normally a fan of Vietnamese food, but this was a must hit after seeing it driving around. Now, I have no idea what to get when ordering Vietnamese. I have no idea what is what so I'm starting with no reference point whatsoever. Everyone at Mai Lee was incredibly nice. The place was packed and busy, but they took the time to really give me the "full deal". Our server was nice and timely with everything. I ordered the dinner for two because it was easy and most everything sounded pretty good. The fresh spring rolls were delicious. The soup was fantastic. The meal was exquisite. There were no qualms with any of the food. The one thing that I did notice was that the juxtaposition the space gave off. On one side there were the new hip stylings of the restaurant, but some of the choices hinted at an older world style. It seemed a bit off, but it's minor. It was great. I'm definitely going back.
(4)
Christina B.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee has hands down changed my life. The stuff is Amaaaaazing!!!! Mai Lee was best know as University City's little "hole in the wall" secret until their recent relocation/renovation/expansion to Brentwood. At first blush it may seem that Qui and family have sold out to the dark side (the new sterile strip mall location does give off that sell-out vibe) - but quite to the contrary - they are still serving up the most delicious and inexpensive Vietnamese (Not to mention the best damn Crab Ragoons and Pad Thai) food in town. The restaurant was built on the loyalty of their regulars. I would venture out and say that on any given Tuesday the staff knows 90% of the patrons by first name. I would also say that most of these fanatics dine here at least once a week if not more (I am certainly guilty of this) While they don't deliver -- they do have a very hearty take-out business. I have found it to be my "go to" stop for guiltless (tons of healthy & veggie friendly option) takeout that satisfies me and my little (more hearty than some wimpy salad) for less than I could make it (often less than $15.00). My personal favorites are the Vietnamese Wonton Soup (really any soup for that matter), The Spring Rolls, Vietnamese Egg Rolls, and of course - the Iced Coffee!
(5)
Chris N.

Mai Lee really helped me get through my one-year stay in the Midwest. I'll never forget the first time that I walked in to the restaurant. Both the dining room and the bar were completely packed with patrons. The smell of delicious Vietnamese food filled the air, and it reminded me of how much I really missed my Grandma's cooking. One of the great things about Mai Lee is the extensive menu. There's really something for everyone at this place. I would come in every two weeks to stock up on entrees for a few days. My favorites included their versions of curry chicken and tofu with tomatoes. They also make satisfying banh mi (sandwiches) and banh bao as well. Their noodle dishes can sometimes lack flavor, but you can make it better with salt, pepper and a little bit of rooster sauce!
(4)
Vivian R.

Super delicious! I love the grilled pork noodle bowl and my boyfriend always gets the beef noodle bowl. Price is good and the amount of food is just right. At this point, we do carry out about 3 times a month. Oh, and don't forget to get yourself some crispy egg rolls.
(5)
Nancy J.

The Pho was terrible, I ordered to go and I got all the way home and came all the way back to return it. It was greasy and they literally gave me raw meat to put in my luke warm soup. I have eaten in the restaurant as well and the food was very mediocre. I have ordered a dish that was served with primarily onions when onions was not even in the description, I asked the waiter about it and he was not pleased with my inquiring. I don't understand the attraction of that place when there are so many other better places.
(2)
Trevor N.

I was very disappointed in Mai Lee. I ordered a glass of Riesling and they brought me something else. I've drank enough Riesling to know the difference. I didn't bother to make a big deal out of it. The food, however, was just not very good. I had 2 dishes that both had shrimp and both times the shrimp still had the shell on the tail. That's lazy cooking. A decent restaurant would have had all of the shell removed. I ordered a Pad Thai dish. I should have known better to not order a Thai dish at a Vietnamese Restaurant. Everything was wrong about the dish. The rice noodles were too thin and the peanuts on the side of the dish were whole instead of chopped. Again, very lazy cooking. And why do they serve fish sauce with everything? Why would anyone put that on Pad Thai. I won't be back.
(1)
Eve C.

Mai Lee is awesome, low fuss, and cheap Vietnamese food. It's no surprise that the lines out the door so common at their old U. City location have now doubled in length at the new spot! No matter the wait, Mai Lee is totally worth it! I absolutely must make a stop a Mai Lee whenever I've back in St. Louis, no matter how short the visit. I've had pho around the country, and can honestly say that Mai Lee's pho tai blows anything else out of the water. It doesn't matter if it's 100 or 30 degrees outside, this pho will cure whatever ails you (and fill you up for about $8, at that!). Along with a side of the cho gia spring rolls (wrapped up in lettuce with some cucumber, cilantro, carrots, and dipping sauce), this is the perfect meal. Now don't get me wrong, I've sampled many things off both the Vietnamese and the Chinese menus, and everything is awesome! But I come here for the pho. As an aside, Mai Lee is one of the few places in STL that still serves St. Paul sandwiches - egg foo yong of your choice, served with some brown gravy between slices of white bread. My grandma, who's been a regular Mai Lee patron for nearly 30 years (since they opened in '85), loves her St. Paul sandwich!
(5)
Dave L.

My Cambodian friend has taken me to a lot of the good Pho places in the Northern VA area and told me to come here while I was in St. Louis on business. Some of the tastiest broth out there. Definitely will be back when I'm in town again.
(5)
Rick M.

Not impressed at all. It was 5:30 and we were told they were out of pork bun appetizer. I ordered the shrimp rice noodles and they were out of it, too. I ended up ordering vermicelli with grilled shrimp and the shrimp were like leather. The first pot of tea arrived luke warm. One bright spot was the curried duck soup. Hence the additional star.
(2)

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Address : 8396 Musick Memorial Dr
Saint Louis, MO, 63144
Phone (314) 645-2835
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :Closed
Mon : Closed
Tue

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

Claim Restaurant

Chinese Cuisine

The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.

Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.

There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.

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Mai Lee

8396 Musick Memorial Dr, Saint Louis, MO, 63144

Mai Lee Menu

Hot Appetizers

Cold Appetizers

Hu Tieu/banh Canh (soup)

Sandwiches

Rice Plates

Specialty Noodles

Bun (noodle Bowls)

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mai Lee

Hot Appetizers

Cold Appetizers

Hu Tieu/banh Canh (soup)

Sandwiches

Rice Plates

Specialty Noodles

Bun (noodle Bowls)

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