I wanted to go to Piggy Smalls last year, but just wasn't able to fit it into my schedule. This spot is the second location from the same owners as The Pig and the Lady.
There is the usual lunch/dinner menu each day, and a separate weekend brunch menu. My parents and I each got separate dishes to maximize science.
While I waited for lunch, I had to try their alcoholic slushies ($11). Their special non-alcoholic slushie featured lilikoi, and you can add alcohol if you wish, such as vodka, tequila, gin, or rum. The lilikoi with tequila was great; tropical really shined through with a background hint of the tequila.
The J. Ludovico Chicken Pho ($16) has a spiced chicken broth with fresh rice noodles, calamansi, scallions, culantro, and pickled chili ginger. Excellent rice noodles, wider than I usually see them, almost fettuccine size. Great call to add a generous portion of dark chicken meat to this pho. Comforting, tasty broth which wasn't too heavy.
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| J. Ludovico Chicken Pho |
Calamansi is a type of lime from the Philippines. I bit into one for science, and I wouldn't recommend people doing that. Damn that science.
My mom got the Vegan Pho ($15), which has a spiced vegetable and konbu (seaweed) broth with fresh rice noodles, enoki mushrooms, tomato confit, fried shallots, scallions, culantro, calamansi, and pickled chili ginger. A light, yet flavorful broth.
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| Vegan Pho |
Pho here is served with a side of sriracha and hoisin. If anything, I probably should have asked for some raw jalapenos to add to the pho.
My dad got the Pho-Strami Banh Mi ($18) with smoked beef brisket, pickled mustard seeds, sriracha-lime onions, and "awesome sauce" on a local baguette. It's served with au jus on the side. Juicy, tender brisket. My dad raved about the au jus, and he's a tough guy to get accolades from.
In a fitting twist, 2019 is the Year of the Boar in the Chinese New Year calendar.
Being in Ward Village, it was understandably busy here, but the service was quick and excellent regardless.
For delicious food and awesome cocktails, Piggy Smalls is an outstanding place to go to. 8.75/10
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