Mekong, Meal Savior

Another day, another “Shit, my friends want to go out to eat because apparently that’s what people like to do in this damn city! Oh god, they want to go to the West Village! Whyyyyyy!” situation in which I feverishly hunt for dining options that have that have that special balance of cheap and class to suggest before anyone else gets a chance. And then the dubious skies opened and a golden broke-ass friendly beam came down upon Mekong, a Vietnamese spot in the West Village.

Just about a block south of Houston with outdoor seating to take in the typical adorable West Village tree-lined King Street, it should probably be more crowded than it is. It’s not the cheapest in the city, but for location, nice digs and entree size it’s definitely one to keep your in back pocket. I split the Shrimp Spring Rolls ($6.50) and had the Spicy Chicken Vermicelli ($13), which I could barely eat half of. My pal had a Giant Soft Shell Crab ($16) and a side of Coconut Shitaki Sticky Rice ($4.50), both generous portions, so if I would do it again I’d order two apps and split an entree with a friend.

Drinks start at $6 for bottled beer and go up to around $10 for one of their signature cocktails, so probably don’t go buck with that if you want to keep the tab reasonable, but still better than most you can find around that hood.

Mekong
16-18 King St (at 6th Avenue)
[West Village]

Photo Credit: Shrink Wrapper