Tigon, situated on the corner of San Pablo and Central in El Cerrito, specializes in traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Occupying the same block as the Rialto theater and other up-and-coming businesses, it’s reassuring to see more signs of a post-pandemic recovery.
Without any previous restaurant experience, The Troung family opened Tigon in September 2022, Going “all in,” relying heavily on their belief in their family’s cooking and recipes passed down from generation to generation.
Their gamble turned into a win as they quickly managed to establish a healthy following and some great reviews. Their values revolve around family and community, which is the reason they’ve achieved early success despite being new to the restaurant industry.
Recommended on Yelp! was the Bún Bò Huế, a traditional, semi-spicy noodle soup dish with thinly sliced boneless shanks, Vietnamese ham, and tendon. Served with fresh veggies and accouterments such as mint leaves, cilantro, and bean sprouts, this dish is completely gluten-free as are many other options on the menu. Given the exaggerated winter we’ve had this year, there’s always room for a warm bowl of soup and while it’s easy to find Phở, the more familiar and very common Vietnamese rice noodles in broth, Tigon’s Bún Bò Huế is a heartier, more memorable alternative.
The biggest attraction for my family is Tigon’s “BÒ 7 MÓN”, which translates to the Seven Courses of Beef. As the name implies it requires a substantial commitment from the establishment to prepare and serve, which is why it's rarely seen elsewhere, but at $30 per person, with a minimum of two orders it’s an excellent value.
Starting with carpaccio in a citrus-based sauce, the beef courses continue with different traditional preparations including a course grilled with lemongrass and another dipped in vinegar soup. You’ll also enjoy beef in a fondue, wrapped in piper la lot leaf, grilled as a sausage, and steamed as a meatball. The final course is a beef rice porridge which ends/finishes/ rounds out the experience on a high note.
Tigon’s interior is vast, featuring Southeast Asian decor and comfortable private booths on each side with room for large communal tables in the center. It feels like the outdoor courtyard owned by a family happy to host and entertain you as part of the community. Ironically this is not far from the truth.
From the ambiance, food, and service, Tigon exemplifies the very best of a family-run business. However, it’s during the weekend when the ENTIRE family is there that this vibe shines through.
The youngest members of the Troung family rotate between hanging out in the rear booth doing art projects to playing host - greeting and seating guests with the professionalism of a seasoned restaurateur. During my last visit, under the supervision of an elder, a pint-sized waitress perhaps no older than 10 years old, not only greeted us and walked us to our table, she made recommendations based on her expertise with the food she’s grown up with. The exchange absolutely warmed my heart because it as it reminded me of when I played restaurant with my daughter when she was younger…but in this case, instead of toy plates and play-doh, actual food arrived at the table!
Tigon
10086 San Pablo Ave
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Комментарии