Viet's Cafe is my favorite restaurant in Boston. Because of its location in Arlington, the wait and the price are lower than in Boston proper. Yet, this is the best Vietnamese cuisine you can get in Boston, offering more than just pho.
The staff is extremely helpful, modifying dishes to your taste, and teaching customers about the food. I must recommend the fun experience of Banh Hoi. You are served rice paper wrappers and the mixings for a spring roll, and you roll your own. Another excellent choice is the Satay Noodle Soup. Cool your mouth off with a delicious bubble tea.
Getting There
The 77 and 79 bus from Cambridge follows Mass Ave and stops near Viet's Cafe in Arlington Center. Alternately, you could drive up Mass Ave and park in the parking lot in front of the restaurant. Viet's Cafe is in the strip as CVS and Starbucks where Broadway meets Mass Ave.
More Info
Website: http://www.vietscafe.com