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Being a strict vegetarian I had been wanting to try this place for a while, and a rainy night combined with a yearning for yummy hot soup gave me the push I needed. I called up an available valley gal-pal, who agreed to meet me there. She is a meat lover of the first degree (her Asian pedigree makes her willing to eat anything that has swum, slithered or crawled, she says). When I arrived first and noticed it was completely meat-free I called to warn her, but she was still down. \r
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The owner Kevin took our order. I asked him to recommend the most popular soup- House Special Soup - and ordered that. My friend had a hankering for Pho.\r
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Opinions on Vinh Loi Tofu will completely depend where you fall on the fake meat contiuum. Personally it kind of creeps me out. My soup was loaded with soy versions of fish, shrimp and cow, and it took a little bit to get used to the fake meaty morsels. I was mostly interested in the delicious broth and noodles which were seasoned to spicy perfection, but at $9.50 I think it was a bit on the expensive side unless fake meat is really your thing. \r
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Ms. Meatlover was not a fan of the fake meat either. Opposite of me, she found it not realistic enough. She picked at her meal, then bought a piece of the vegan chocolate cake, which she also picked at but didn't love. Not a bad experience, but I doubt she would go back on her own accord.\r
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I give this place four stars because I gotta support any place that throws itself so thoroughly into vegan-ness, and it is spicy and noodle-y without being the sooo overdone vegan thai. Next time I will select something without fake meat. I think the higher price point will keep it off the heavy rotation list, though.
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