Rafael R.
Yelp
I'm a little perplexed at the popularity of Le Petit Cambodge. Having dined here on several occasions over the course of thee years, one would think that Le Petit Cambodge was the only Cambodian restaurant in the city, when in fact, there is another another one block away, although it is my understanding it is owned/managed by the same proprietors. Ordering is quite simple, you jot your wishes on a sheet of paper, then after you're done with your meal, you pay directly with the cashier. Chopsticks are creatively placed in repurposed bud vases in the center of the table. Most table seating is on high stools at shared tables, although there is a single table with regular chairs. Shared tables in close quarters is nothing new to those outside of the USA, so if you're expecting your own cozy table, don't, as all of these tables seat up to six people in close proximity.
The food is tasty, but not so much so that, in this diners opinion, justifies the long lines and crowds. Typically, the authenticity of a restaurant can be gauged by the number of patrons of the background of the food type being served. On my visits, the clientele were primarily hairy mustached and beared gents in skinny jeans ... they can make fun of us, I can make fun of them ... then again, I just described Valencia Street in San Francisco, so I guess I'm making fun of us too. You won't likely see a Mexican family eating at Chipote and those that know good dim sum, know that you don't go to Yak Sing, which caters to the neck knots of the Financial District, you walk several blocks south to Canton.
I suppose living from San Francisco, we're spoiled by more authentic Asian restaurants, so our expectations are always a bit higher, but if you are interested in dining with locals, having a nice meal and then wandering the banks of the Canal St. Martin after your dinner, this is the place to go.