Saigon Cafe in Poughkeepsie

My girlfriend showed me this place, proper Vietnamese food in a place that feels like home to me and anyone else with southeast Asia heritage. Try the Spicy Beef Soup!

I went to Saigon Cafe based on the last review on Google and it was on my way home through Poughkeepsie. I only realized once I got there that the 5 star rating must have been for another restaurant. I can easily tell that the tables and the interior of the restaurant are not the same! The restaurant where I went to pick up my food was like a time capsule from the 2000’s and it looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in many year. The sweet old gentleman was the only cook/ worker and it took 50 mins to get my order ready, which included 2 orders of pho. He over charged me but I just to get out of there. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Best vietnamese ice coffee

went to Saigon Cafe in Poughkeepsie and ordered some spicy food. The owner took my order and said ok. Once he saw my appetizers covered in hot sauce he mentioned, "uhhh thats a lot of hot sauce my friend. I will need to change your order". Once my food came out, his wife the cook came to make sure its spicy enough.. it was good but not spicy enough. The owner brings out his "private stash" of hot peppers for me. Gives me a small table spoon full, I try it and ask for more. He goes: You need to try it first!! I took a 2nd dip with the chop sticks in them and ate the sauce straight... He gave me one more table spoon of his sauce.We finished eating and when we left the owner walked with us and told me: You know son, this is an american restaurant. Next time you need to bring your own hot sauce!!!!!!!!!!!!

First off, being a food enthusiast who always appreciate good food, I am conflicted to share my experience...upon review of previous comments, I said why not go there and try for myself...Anyways, I agree that the place is not tidy, the sauces and condiment bottles ie sriracha, oyster sauce were not clean looking, and the microwave was truly "busy" you could hear it beeping. I ordered spring roll, bbq chicken, pho...at first bite, saw hair inside the spring roll..i took a bite of another spring roll and not edible to eat as the wrapper was paper hard, shrimp/noodle/lettuce tasted old. I tried bbq chicken, not cooked fresh but certainly microwaved. Before the entries were delivered, I politely asked for to-go boxes...Old Man was not happy saying I didnt like his food. Anyways, I still paid $50 full price and left. I did feel sorry after all and truly wish Him that his passion for cooking will return some day.

The best Vietnamese you'll find!

The couple who own this business do a great job making you feel special and serving delicious, authentic, Vietnamese food. Many people visit their intimate restaurant just for the coffee. Love it.

Love the spring rolls, friendly, professional, always good food.

Friendly staff and good food. I had the Lime Chicken with Vermicelli and enjoyed it a lot. I plan to come back.

Food was cold and tasted terrible, restaurant is not clean.

I love this place. The food is always great! The owner is a one man band. He is very polite and works really hard! The prices also can't be beat.

Very good pho

Food were frozen. A small bug came out from pho's soup and the owner said, "I don't know...it is just small bug... I don't know....you can not eat then?" I was shocked from his attitude! He just showed me that is not a big deal. And all bottels of sauce were sticky and dirty. Sriracha sauce was so watery and looked like it's been several years. Noodle was cut because he used not fresh, but frozen... meat was so chewy.... Eeven if I ordered spring rolls which costs $5, he asked me $6.35. This is not because I asked but just he thought four pieces are good for two people lol. (The menu didnt say how many pieces, so we didnt know when we ate the rolls.) If you want to experience the worst pho place, I can recommend you..... :(! Oh and also i cant believe it rates 3.9! LOL

I've been coming here for 20 years. Great service and the most delicious and unique dishes!

That pho though! ❤️

So everything is made and served by the owner, which means you'll be waiting a few minutes for your food. But, it's totally worth it. Everything is super authentic and delicious. The place isn't too fancy, so go in with an open mind and some patience, and you won't be disappointed. He recognizes regulars too, which is always nice.

Small place ran by one older gentleman who has been there for decades. The food is good, and the atmosphere is homely. The only downside is it takes time. The gentleman is the only one there. Not expensive either.

Nice little place. Good food. Great pho.

The food isn't edible being served. Horrible

The place is small but he owner is a very nice man who handles the cafe alone and food is amazing...

I love this place. Been here dozens of times and never tired of the food. Service isn't top notch, but always attentive and personal. The decor....well, who cares when the food is so great??!! The owner is fabulous and he's always quick to recognize you and give you his best service. Since I moved north, I haven't been back as often as I like but Saigon Cafe will always have a special place in my heart.

Small, affordable, family-owned restaurant. Short on veggie cuisine offerings, but otherwise long on variegated vegetable content. Four things make this a hit: Location, location, location, atmosphere. A place of refuge for hungry Buddhists and/or academics. Vietnamese coffee available for the caffeine-deprived. May the Saigon Cafe live long and prosper for the benefit of sentient PhD.'s and students.

Nice and quiet, the food was excellent

I just came from Saigon Cafe. I had the duck hot pot and it had so much duck in there in was delicious. I also had crisp crab and caviar. I will definitely go back again, a great place for the fall and winter months coming up.