Tram's Kitchen

Tram's Kitchen - (no website)

4050 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15224-1336
Phone: (412) 682-2688
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After covering the real soup nazi's foray into Pittsburgh, it begged to be followed up with our very own hometown version. Tram's has a sort of polarizing effect on many Pittsburgh diners who fall into one of three categories: Love it, Hate it, Love it but hate the service/environment. I'm actually somewhere happily in between them all, but can understand anyone who does fall squarely into one of the above groups.

Tram's is a small Vietnamese restaurant near Lawrenceville which specializes in Pho, the quintessential Vietnamese soup. It is run by a sometimes gruff and quick paced owner who serves as the wait staff most of the time, although in my experience he is generally very nice, and while certainly not personable, he keeps things moving which is important when the small space is packed (as it usually is). The decor is very plain and some find it a bit dirty. I like the decor, but it could certainly benefit from a top to bottom cleaning and some maintenance. I'm never worried about the cleanliness but it would put many at ease. It isn't a fancy affair, but honestly for a soup joint it is perfectly fine for me... bottom line, it could be cleaner though.

The noodle and rice dishes don't do much for me, but I go for the Pho. Pho Hanoi to be exact with beef. It is a massive bowl of light clear broth with great complex flavors including a fair hit of cinnamon and cilantro. It is served with a plate of mung bean sprouts and Thai basil as well as a full accompaniment of sauces to customize your Pho. The other must have is the fresh shrimp spring roll. There is a minimum order of two but that is little trouble since you'd never be able to stop at just one anyhow. They are served with a great peanutty/sweet/soy sauce which is every bit as addictive as the soft clear wrappers filled with noodles, cilantro, shrimp, etc. They are fresh and cool, not deep fried or served hot. Many folks really enjoy the other dishes offered but I've never been wowed with offerings like a chicken coconut dish over a bed of wilted lettuce, or the lemon grass tofu, among others.

Stick to a bowl of Pho and some fresh spring rolls to ensure a sublime feast, but don't be afraid to branch out as your mileage may vary - I just find it hard not to go for old favorites when I visit. If you want an authentic out of the way slice of Vietnam, where local cooks and a diverse cross-section of Pittsburgh can be found at any moment, then Tram's is it. It is BYOB, but a well selected bottle of wine or beer can be a great accompaniment. Soup is between $6-8 and a normal meal can be expected to run about $15 total, cash only.

Overall Tram's Kitchen earns a 3.5 out of 5 rating.