La Sabrosura Market  Even tucked in the back of the Latin market (a gauntlet of temptation one will have to walk twice, so be prepared), the cooks at La Sabrosura stay as busy as the cashiers ringing up everything from house-made corn tortillas to whole frozen conejos up front, and for good reason. A neighborhood favorite with loyal regulars, says Sabrosura Assistant Manager Daniela Rodriguez, the menu reflects the evolving palate of the surroundings. Founded serving a largely Mexican clientele, according to Assistant Manager Daniela Rodriguez, traditional tacos like the asada—grilled and marinated steak served with cilantro, onions and salsa—and the pastor—pork marinated in a special chile guajillo sauce and served with onions and pineapple—sell best, but everything is cooked fresh upon ordering. “It takes a little more,” Rodriguez admits, “but it’s worth it for the flavor.” And with growing clientele, Guatemalan tamales join Mexican tamales made with chicken, green chilis and mole sauce, and Colombian beef empanadas.  

Miss Saigon Restaurant, photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

MISS SAIGON RESTAURANT, PHOTO BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.

Miss Saigon Restaurant Take a hop, skip and a jump down the sidewalk to dine in another hemisphere and step inside the cool confines of Miss Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant. Tranquil and subdued, with tinted windows and impressive seclusion, block out the sun’s harsh rays and honking horns from Fruitville Road for a midday time-out from the hustle and bustle. Amidst a menu holding everything from broken rice platters and Vietnamese stir fries to roasted quail and vermicelli noodle plates, don’t forget the old sandwich standby, the banh mi. Miss Saigon offers three on the menu—the banh mi thit pate, thit nuong and ga nuong, or served with ham and pork pate, grilled pork and grilled chicken respectively—each bundled in crispy, chewy bread for that perfect banh mi blend of sweet and savory. Also perfect for the diner on the go, these fun-sized goodies come easy to carry, wrapped in wax paper and secured with a little pink rubber band.