Sip of Saigon - A Must Try Modern Vietnamese Restaurant & Cafe with Some of the Best Vietnamese Food, Drink, Desserts, and Service in Sparks, Nevada

Updated 3/2024

Combination Pho: sliced rare beef, beef brisket, and meatballs.  Don't forget to dunk your meat in hoisin and siracha sauce. 

Saigon Bahn Mi Sandwich: Vietnamese Ham, Pate, Mayo, Jalapeno, Cucumber, Cilantro, Green Onion, House Pickles on a Toasted French Baguette. My Favorite.

Macarons imported from France.  They're amazing.  Raspberry is my current favorite. 

1272 Disc Dr. 

Sparks, NV 89436

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More Reviews and Photos on Yelp

Vietnamese cuisine is among one of the most popular cuisines around the world.  

It is known for its perfectly balanced, aromatic, and unique flavor profiles that are subtle, yet bold, and its usage of fresh and bright ingredients.

Here in Reno, we're fortunate to have a good amount of options, including an amazing and more modern one called Sip of Saigon, with "Sip" representing the various coffees and coolers offered here, and "Saigon" representing the area of Vietnam that influences their style of cooking.  

Sip of Saigon is taking Reno by storm and has already landed itself at #2 on Yelp's Top 50 Restaurants in Sparks, recognized for its delicious and comforting eats, unique and tasty drinks, quality desserts, and friendly and responsive service.

Pork Belly Bahn Mi is FIRE.  You will not find a better one in town. 

Tofu, Pork, and Shrimp available Spring Rolls.  They are some of the best in town, with the freshest ingredients and quality sauces. 

At Sip of Saigon you can taste some of the most popular dishes known in Vietnamese Cuisine:

*Bahn Mi - a unique Vietnamese style sandwich that traditionally calls for a french baguette filled with a Vietnamese protein or combination of (ham, sausage, BBQ pork, pate), pickled vegetables (carrots and daikon), fresh ingredients (cilantro, fresh jalapenos) and is topped with a vinegarette.

*Pho (puh) - a savory and light noodle soup that traditionally comes with a choice of meat (thinly sliced), rice noodles, and is topped with loads of fresh ingredients (usually mint, basil, cilantro, bean sprouts, fresh sliced jalapenos, thinly sliced onions, and fresh lime). 

*Spring Rolls - a salad roll made of rice paper, protein (tofu, shrimp, pork, beef), vermicelli rice noodles, and fresh veggies (lettuce, carrots) and served with a sauce (peanut sauce or  a classic Vietnamese dipping sauce made of vinegar, fish sauce, sugar, lime, and sweet chili sauce).

Strawberry Yuzu Lemonade 

Egg Rolls: available in Chicken, Pork, and Vegetarian

Much of Sip of Saigon's success can be attributed to its owner, Kate, who places a premium on quality food and always goes the extra mile for her customers. She's often found at the restaurant, hands-on in food preparation and delivery, and constantly brainstorming ways to keep the restaurant fresh and provide fun and delicious offerings.

Kate's ever-expanding menu and seasonal and holiday offerings keep things exciting and ensure her customers keep coming back for more.

Not only does Sip of Saigon serve some of the best and most authentic Bahn Mi and Pho in town, but it also boasts the most authentic Vietnamese Coffee.

If you're not acquainted with this style of coffee, it's renowned for its robust flavor and distinct sweetness from condensed milk. For coffee aficionados who haven't tried it yet, it's a must. And if you're looking to enjoy the flavor without the caffeine kick, they offer decaf options too.

In addition to coffee, Sip of Saigon offers specialty non-caffeinated drinks and lattes like Strawberry Yuzu Lemonade and Ube Latte (made with purple yam).

To satisfy your sweet tooth, the restaurant offers an array of quality desserts, including authentic macarons, tiramisu, chocolate truffles, madalines, and more. 

Every dish I've tried here has been amazing. While I could go into depth about each one, I'll spare you the details and let you discover the magic of this hidden gem on your own.

If you're searching for one of the best spots for authentic Vietnamese cuisine, impeccable service, and a menu filled with unique offerings, look no further than Sip of Saigon.

I hope you have the chance to visit this gem and show them some love by following them on social media and spreading the word to friends and family.

Peace, Love, & Respect,

Kat

Ube Latte - strong coffee flavor with subtle hints of ube 

Notes

*Stay updated with their latest menu items, seasonal and holiday offerings, and raffle/giveaway information by following them on Instagram

*They serve one of the only authentic Bahn Mi in town made with Vietnamese ham and pate

*Don't forget to grab a side of hoisin and sriracha from the front counter next to the utensils and water Dunk your meats and spring rolls or slather it on your sandwich for an added kick of flavor

*While there are some vegetarian/vegan options available, please note that there is no vegetarian pho broth (though this may change in the future)

*Customize your own Pho according to your preferences

*Hot tea pots and fresh drip Vietnamese coffee are available upon request

*Plenty of parking spaces are available

*They open for brunch

*Kate, who has traveled and dined around the world, infuses her experiences into her food and drink offerings

*Outdoor seating is available during the summer

*Indulge in chocolate-covered strawberries during Valentine's Day

Spring Drinks Menu 2022. Pandan Dreams is my current favorite.

2022

***Menu subject to change.  Placed here to give readers and idea of what they offer.  Please visit their website for their most current menu.  5/10/2022 . Click to enlarge. 

Categorized Under "Good Eats" ---> "Vietnamese"

Photography

© Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own. 

Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory- A Sweet Escape & Bite into History

Two Locations:

*611 US-395, New Washoe City, NV 89704

Directions

(775) 849-0841

*56 NV-341, Carson City, NV 89706

Directions

(775) 246-5500

Website

More Reviews & photos on Yelp

Growing up with Willy Wonka, I had high expectations of what a chocolate factory should be and after my first visit to this shop, I was not disappointed.  It's been a little over 8 years that I've been making memories here with my family.

There's nothing better than consuming guilty pleasures that you know have been made fresh with simple, fine ingredients, from a place that pays attention to all details.

The Chocolate Nugget Factory is more than just a chocolate shop.  It's the success of a man driven by the want to support his family while providing good quality treats for all to enjoy.  

The Chocolate Nugget Factory delivers on all levels, with treats that you love and new ones to discover, and customer service that never fails.

It's a unique shop with a "Wild West" feel that you won't find just anywhere and I always leave happy and eager for my next visit.

Notes:

-Apple Pay/Samsung Pay for contact free transactions.  You can download these apps on your phone and connect them to your cards.

-Local family owned business. Visit their site for their amazing history.  The magic all started in 1936.

-Wood Porch out front with tables and seating

-Nice place for pictures in front of tractors and porch

-Check website for occasional specials

-The owner is constantly keeping up with the times: renovations, payment methods, deliveries, Instagram Announcements

-They offer pick-up and delivery.  Call in for pick-up orders. Online orders are shipped through USPS.

Must Try Treats

*Caramel Popcorn is so fresh, delicious, and addicting.  It's pretty sweet, great for those with sweet tooths

*Roasted nuts are always fresh and taste like the holidays

*All of their taffies are true to their flavors, great in texture with just the right amount of sweetness *Chocolate-dipped pretzels are super crunchy, well-balanced, and not too sweet.  

*Peanut Brittle is amazingly thin and fresh: a brittle like no other that will not break your teeth. 

*Their fudge is so delicious and always made fresh.  Chocolate walnut, divinity (like marshmallow + nuts), peanut butter chocolate are all so drool worthy.

*Chocolate dipped ice cream.  Dipped in real chocolate and topped with toppings of your choosing

Notes

-They have another location at the bottom of the Virginia City Foothills, where all of the candy is manufactured.  Viewing window available where they make candy. There you will also find stellar service.

-free fudge samples

-The drive on 395 from Reno to the shop is scenic and relaxing.  Alternatively, you can take side streets. Take South Virginia all the way down toward Carson City and you will find it on your right.

-I love going to Davis Creek Regional Park and Bower's Mansion nearby for a nice walk or hike before visiting the factory.  Washoe Lake State Park is also nearby.  

-If you drive around the Washoe Lake/Little Washoe area, you can find wild mustangs and farm animals

categorized under "Good Eats"

Dazzle Your Taste Buds at Icecycle Creamery & Pedaler's Deli in Reno

6147 Lakeside Dr. Suite 102
Reno, NV, 89511

Yelp
Website

Icecycle Creamery is where you go for the most adventurous flavors in town.  Along with ice cream, they serve up fresh & tasty sandwiches (bread made in house), salads, comforting soups, and drinks.

Some crowd favorites—like Cookie Roulette, Chocolate, and Home Means Nevada—are staples you’ll almost always find. If you’re feeling adventurous, though, check out their rotating unique flavors, such as Lemon Lavender, Horchata, Earl Grey, Salted Pretzel, Apple Pie, Mango Cardamom, and a variety of Asian-inspired options.

The original owner of the shop, Jeremy, started out selling his ice cream from the back of his bike out of a cooler. After a ton of encouragement, he opened up a brick-and-mortar shop. When it was time for him to focus on other goals, he passed the business to Juan, who's still keeping Jeremy's bold, amazing flavors alive with just as much passion.  Juan’s even added his own twist, introducing flavors inspired by his Mexican culture, like a mango tajin flavor that’ll remind you of those delicious & highly sought after mangonada drinks from Mexican snack shops.

Did I mention how awesome Juan is? He kept my three high-energy kids entertained for quite a while, and if you're a parent, you know how challenging that can be. Beyond that, he’s just a genuinely nice person, dedicated to creating fun, flavorful ice cream and food for the whole community to enjoy.

Everything here is made in-house, and I love the deli/ice cream combo because it satisfies both hot and cold cravings year-round. 

With so many unique ice cream flavors to choose from, you might find yourself unsure of what to get. In that case, I recommend trying their 6-flavor flight—perfect for a foodie adventure.

Prime location, quality products, awesome service, and adventurous flavors—it's always a good time at Icecycle Creamery.

Notes

-Pints available for purchase

-They have an actual espresso machine on hand - affogato anyone?!

-Deli closes an hour before closing (varies depending on day)

-Deli features hot/cold sandwiches, salads, and drinks (beer included!)

-Bartley Ranch Park, just a minute drive away, is a perfect spot to enjoy your treats.  Grassy areas, picnic tables, restrooms, and views included.

Categorized under "Good Eats"