A Quick Trip to the Orient
On a dark and desolate block near Sheridan Road, right where you’d least expect it, there’s a magic golden door to the Orient.
Step through, and Vietnamese food and friendly service await at Binh Le Restaurant, a restaurant run by members of the same family that have run Vietnamese restaurants such as Ri Le for 30 years. I found the food average at best, but several friends have advised me that the dishes, especially those on the vegetarian menu (which I did not try) are exceptionally good. Here’s what we had.
Deluxe Bun Cha Gio, a cold and pleasantly flavored noodle salad with beef, chicken and egg rolls.
Fried rice.
Binh Le
5903 E 31 St.
835-7722
Open daily (except Sunday) from 11 AM to 9:30 PM
Jon, 
Brian S. and one other person are discussing.
Michael 1:06 pm on November 9, 2011 Permalink |
What exactly makes this block so “dark” and “desolate”?
Is it the thriving shopping centers which surround it? The headquarters of one of Tulsa’s largest companies within sight? You seem to use this imagery an awful lot…that Tulsa is some kind of ghost town.
The food here? It’s amazing, for sure.
Brian S. 9:37 am on November 12, 2011 Permalink |
I didn’t realize I used the imagery a lot. I’m sorry. That particular block, 31st between Yale and Sheridan, driving it by night seemed so dark and empty until we got to the strip malls at the end. I walked that block by daylight several times years ago and it’s so very long and empty in the middle.
Debra Laizure 4:48 pm on November 11, 2011 Permalink |
Brian – How can you go to Ri-Le and not eat vegetarian? He is the true guru / master / king of all things veggie protein. I love this place. And I have never ordered off the menu. Usually, Ri-Le himself is our waiter and creates a dish for us. I’m sure it’s probably the same thing every time, and it is the #3, but he makes us feel special regardless.
They had a death in the family once and closed the restaurant for 2 or 3 months so they could go back to Vietnam. Longest few months of my life. Such a sweet family, and true mainstay of Tulsa cuisine.
Brian S. 9:57 pm on November 11, 2011 Permalink |
I’ve never eaten at Ri-Le. Now I really want to go there. What dish does he create, maybe I can ask for it.
Debra Laizure 3:39 pm on November 13, 2011 Permalink |
OMG! I just realized this was about another restaurant. I am so sorry. I saw the picture of the doorway and thought it was Ri-le’s. They have the SAME one.
Anyway….just just order anything and you will certainly like it. The sesame chicken is really good, although it isn’t chicken…it’s soy protein. Yummy and healthy.
Jon 10:28 am on November 15, 2011 Permalink |
Way too much MSG in there food for my tastes. You could say it is suited for American palate.