Jessica W.
Yelp
Review: Bò Kho (Menu #29) - I Tried, But I Just Couldn't Get Jiggy With It
I walked into this experience knowing bò kho wasn't going to be the beef stew I grew up with--I was ready for that. I've been to Mi Li Café plenty of times, and their pho is consistently delicious. Over time, I've switched to chicken (and even considered shrimp) because some of the other proteins have taken me on unexpected textural journeys. But today, feeling bold, I decided to give Menu Item #29: Beef Stew with French Bread a shot. I knew it would be different--just not this different.
Service Expectations: The Dice Roll
Before we even get to the food, let's talk about service expectations because, depending on who you get, it's a completely different experience. You either get someone who can code switch for your ass--reading you immediately and giving you that warm, slightly Americanized hospitality--or you're getting the "hurry up and buy" experience where your order is taken with the kind of efficiency that makes you question if you're even supposed to be dining in.
Today, I got the "hurry up and buy" service. No greeting, no small talk--just a quick "What you want?" and an expectation that I knew my answer immediately. No problem. I thought I knew what I wanted.
The Broth: A Textural Surprise
My brain had read the description of the menu item, and I felt confident that I didn't need to question the broth. But when my bowl arrived, the texture caught me off guard. It had that silky, collagen-rich consistency that comes from long-simmered proteins and bones. Not bad, just different. I took a few more sips, trying to adjust, but I quickly realized I needed reinforcements.
The French Bread: My Only Lifeline
Enter the French bread. Now, this? Absolutely flawless. The same crispy, golden bread they use for their Vietnamese subs (which, by the way, Menu #7 is great). I figured dunking it into the broth might be my saving grace, and honestly? It helped. The bread softened just enough to carry the flavors, making the broth a little more approachable. For a moment, I thought I might have figured it out.
The Beef: A Mystery I Wasn't Ready to Solve
But then, we got to the beef. And listen--I wasn't brave enough to dive in. I took one look at what was floating in my bowl, and it took one look back at me. Everything about the beef was a mystery I wasn't prepared to solve. Some pieces looked tender. Others had a texture that made me hesitate. I poked at it like I was analyzing a crime scene, but ultimately, I had to respectfully decline this cultural experience.
My Failed Attempt at Fixing It
Determined to salvage the situation, I called myself doctoring up the stew with their chili oil and garlic sauce, which I know to be delicious. But instead of saving the dish, I somehow made it worse. The broth, already unfamiliar, was now spicy, garlicky, and aggressively overwhelming--a hot mess, both literally and figuratively. At this point, I had no choice but to accept defeat.
The Check: A Waffle House Moment
Now, before today, I have never questioned my bill total at this spot. But today? My server rang me up and added a whole extra dollar to what was listed on the menu. No explanation, no itemized breakdown--just vibes. It felt a little like Waffle House, where you just pay whatever total they tell you because questioning it might get you banned. And honestly? I wasn't in the mood to argue over a dollar. I just paid and left, slightly confused but fully humbled.
Final Thoughts
So, bò kho, I respect you. I see what you were trying to do. But no matter how much I dunked, mixed, or seasoned, we just weren't meant to be. Maybe one day I'll be ready, but today was not that day. Until then, I'll stick to my chicken pho--or Menu #7, because that sandwich has never let me down.
Final Rating:
3 stars for the stew (I take full responsibility for not being built for this).
5 stars for the bread (perfection).
1 star deducted for my overconfidence in the power of condiments.
Bonus half-star for the Waffle House-style mystery tax, because at least it gave me a laugh.