Robert R.
Google
On a recent visit to the Webster/Clear Lake area, I made it a point to visit Ca Phê Phin. I am a lover of Vietnamese cuisine and this place has two of my favorites which is bánh mì and cà phê sữa đá.
I rolled up and there was a crowd of people out front chilling, drinking coffee, smoking and taking photos, which I thought was really cool. I’m always glad to pull up to a place and see people enjoying themselves.
I walked in and, the vibe of this place blew me away. Whoever decorated this small shop used every inch of what they had to bring it to life. Everything in here except maybe the seating shouted Vietnamese culture. I just wanted to walk around and look at the books, paintings and other decorations.
Ordering was straightforward. The attendant was patient but direct. I ordered the classic Vietnamese bánh mì, which is essentially their version of bánh mì đặc biệt. I also ordered the Pink Salt Vietnamese Coffee.
The bánh mì was pretty good. It wasn’t as packed as I would normally expect but it wasn’t egregious. I had a question about putting the patê on the side but was told they couldn’t do it. No worries, I love patê, so I was going to eat it either way but I did think it was odd that they couldn’t make one without it already spread on the bánh mì. I ate the bánh mì, patê and all and I thought it was really good. I’ve had a large number of bánh mì of all types and places. This one was not bad at all.
I don’t know why I do this but usually when I go to a new Vietnamese coffee shop, I stick either ca phê sữa đá before getting anything else there. This time I ventured out and ordered a Pink Salt Vietnamese Coffee. Maybe because I had been on a ca phê muối trip lately. I thought this was going to be a ca phê muối and maybe I should have asked more questions. I tasted only the slightest hint of salt. To my knowledge, my sodium levels are okay but if they were high, this definitely helped balance it out. The drink was still good but I didn’t taste the salt. If anything it tasted sweeter than expected as the bitter coffee taste I’m accustomed to did not come through either. All in all, the drink was good but not what I expected. The ice was a bit heavy as well.
This place is very cool. You can sit here and socialize or study and get a drink or quick snack. The vibe is very casual and laid back. I think I’ll return soon for a ca phê sữa đá and enjoy the vibe here.