Must Try Menu Item: Cá Nướng aka Vietnamese Roasted Catfish

Ever been to Thao’s Bistro before? They are a Vietnamese restaurant located at 1825 S. Broadway. What sets them apart from many other Vietnamese places is they are not strictly a pho restaurant. They branch out and offer so many different dishes that appeal to all sorts of palates. But in this installment of the “Must Try Menu Item” feature, I want to focus on a family favorite.

Cá Nướng also commonly referred to as Vietnamese Roasted Catfish

For $34.95-39.95+…. yes that’s a plus sign you see, you can get an entire catfish for the entire family. The price varies on the size of the catfish but they’ll let you know ahead of time what it will cost. For us, it’s usually at the $39 range. But that price gets you more than just the catfish, you get all the fixings to make your own little spring rolls.

Noodles, vegetables, sauces, rice paper and water are all served with the catfish.

Every time we go my mother insist on getting at least two. Sometimes it’s best to call ahead and let them know you’re going to order one. It takes around 20-30 minutes for it to be prepared. Often times, we will call our order in. When we arrive, everything is essentially ready for us. Then my mother decides she wants another one so we sit there for another 20-30 minutes for a second or third to be prepared. But ‘mama says, mama goes’. And who are we to turn down more food?

The catfish has always treated us well, filled us up and tasted great. Everybody just picked it apart and took whatever amount of tender fish they wanted to place on their rice paper. It wasn’t a time to worry about germs and people’s hands being in your food.

This has been a popular treat for birthdays, Mothers Day and any other day seemed fit for food….. so yeah…. everyday.