Nong Thon - El Cerrito

This spacious and clean Vietnamese restaurant features a rustic natural wood decor with high ceilings and comfortable banquet seating. While waiting for a table, both children and adults can enjoy the covered turtle pond and children's playground, ensuring that no one is bored. For lunch specials, you can expect a delightful dish that includes rice and soup, featuring the tasty bo luc lac-style beef salad. The stir-fries, clay pot dishes, and rice plates are consistently good choices, and many patrons rave about the shrimp cake, which is made from shrimp paste coated in bean skin and deep-fried. Another favorite is the egg noodles served with grilled beef. Some unique offerings include banana blossom salad with chicken and mint, wild boar grilled at your table with accompaniments for rice paper wrapping, and stir-fried morning glory stems with garlic and ginger. For beverages, the Thai iced tea is excellent, but you can also try unique shakes made with durian, avocado, or jackfruit. There are plenty of activities to enjoy in El Cerrito, as well as more options for exploring Northern California. Image credit: Carole Terwiller Meyers, updated 10/31/14.

Excellent food served in a cozy atmosphere at great prices. This is the lesser-known sister restaurant of Binh Min Quan in Oakland, which has received numerous glowing reviews on Urban Spoon. We particularly enjoyed the clay pot dish with shrimp and tofu, accompanied by a variety of mixed vegetables. The menu is extensive, featuring a wide selection of meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes served over white or brown rice, rice noodles, or rice sticks. The service was spot on, and there was a welcoming, family-friendly vibe. The decor caught our attention with its vibrant, tropical theme, and the spacious layout allowed for plenty of distance between tables. Initially, we were concerned that the appealing environment might lead to higher prices, but to our pleasant surprise, the prices were very reasonable!

The restaurant was empty at 3 PM, but it looks like a fantastic spot for families and large groups. We tried three of the four varieties of fresh rolls, and they were all delicious. We're eager to return for dinner!

Fresh and delicious every time. Sweet local family owned, we dine here all the time check the beautiful stands. Just beautiful and easy..

Great menu options! Fast service, (like they read our minds) and there it was on the table in front of us! Lots of delicious and reasonably priced food!