[Eater 38 photographs by Eater photographer Noah Kalina]
It happens with strange regularity: all Saturday, we'll be thinking "Nha Trang." Like clockwork, at 4pm, a good friend calls: "Nha Trang tonight?" Sometimes, somehow, it's just the only choice.
Found on Baxter Street just below Canal, Vietnamese restaurant Nha Trang is a riotous affair, from the jammed doorway—don't worry, they move people quickly through with well honed skill—to the unadorned tables that jam the back of the surprisingly big interior. Order two platters of the spring rolls before you've sat down and they're ready to eat by the time the coat is off. Nothing on the menu disappoints (by our measure, the pork chops and soft shell crabs are particularly terrific). But what makes Nha Trang essential is its overall vibe: it's a place where everyone's talking loudly, devouring platters of food, and having a hell of a time.
