Truong Tien Restaurant

Inside Former President Donald Trump’s Surprise Visit to Eden Center | Eater DC

"Inside Eden Center I found a tiny, wood-framed newcomer run by chef-owner Thanh Huong Thi Truong that specializes in Hue royal cuisine — dishes rooted in the Nguyen dynasty — and has been open since fall 2023. It stands out among the surrounding banh mi and pho shops for food that Alan Frank called “a little different.” During a high-profile stop by Donald Trump to promote his campaign, about 35 guests packed the dining room; Trump declared his affection for the Vietnamese community but, per Frank, did not eat on-site (likely due to Secret Service) and left with several large to-go bags. According to the restaurant’s consultant, the meal ordered included banh khoai, bun thit nuong, and a popular sampler of rice with seven dishes; the bill was about $60 and Trump allegedly left a tip many times the size of the tab. Press reports after the visit produced roughly a 300-percent boost in business, though the place is already critically acclaimed and didn’t strictly need the publicity." - Tierney Plumb