Community Corner
Local Eats: Mekong
A Dormont favorite, a local hidden gem, Mekong is the kind of place you could go every day of the week. If you've only ever gotten take-out, now is the time to try dining in.
When it comes to dining out, you can rely on your old standbys or you can try something new. Give your favorites a break from time to time and try one of our recommendations. You and your appetite may be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Overview: A little Asian restaurant with a ton of character, is located on Potomac Avenue, just a block up from West Liberty. With a parking lot conveniently just up the street and the Potomac Avenue T Station just up the road, the restaurant is accessible to drivers and commuters alike. For those who've passed by but never been in, it's worth a visit. The food is great, the price is right, but more than anything, it's the service that really shines at Mekong.
Environment: Casual and homey, the restaurant is one room of tables with a little side counter for takeout. The decor is mostly low key with a few accentuating features, like the red tapestries on the ceiling. The staff consists of the owners and various members of the family, all of whom are gracious and welcoming, not to mention super friendly. Just don't bad mouth the Steelers or the Penguins: These are true blue (or should I say, black and gold) Pittsburgh sports fans. Dining regularly at Mekong is like becoming part of a tiny community within the space of four walls.
Satisfy your thirst: Complimentary hot tea with food. If you're looking for something stronger, the restaurant doesn't serve alcoholic beverages, but you're free to BYOB.
Satisfy your hunger: Start off with steamed dumplings, fried cheese wontons, or rid your body of the end-of-Winter chill and get a big bowl of hot & sour or wanton soup. From there, the delicious possibilities are seemingly endless. If you're not watching calories, go for the Cantonese chicken chow mein, fried noodles with chow mein veggies and chicken in a slightly sweet brown sauce. Other meaty delights include the Szechuan beef, triple delight, and Singapore noodles with shrimp. For the veg-crowd, try the spicy vegetable noodle with steamed tofu, the Vietnamese noodle with fried tofu, or the green jade vegetable, a tasty dish featuring green beans in a light, slightly garlic sauce. For a dine-in-only experience, order the pho, which is known to be one of the best in town.
Dessert: Aren't you full yet? Maybe a handful of fortune cookies will finish you off.
Service: The best in town. As stated above, the staff is primarily the family that runs the place, and they are some of the nicest, friendliest people you'll ever encounter. No one ever feels like an outsider here, and it's because the people who run the place are first and foremost dedicated to their clientele. The folks at Mekong get what many in the restaurant business seem to forget: Nothing goes with a great meal like great service.
Overall: Despite being its local popularity, Mekong is still a hidden gem in the region's increasingly quality dining scene. The food is top-notch homemade Chinese/Vietnamese cuisine. The service will have you smiling even if you're just picking up take-out. Considering the quality and quantity, the price is more than right. Go in with friends and bring a bottle of wine, or visit on a hockey night and cheer along the Pens with the staff.