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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Photographers capture some lovely blooms in latest Mail Tribune contest Wimer's Highland Games appeal to both the kilted and kiltless Public meetings in Jackson County for May 4-8, 2015 Dozens of drivers nabbed in Medford pedestrian sting Class of 2016 can get a primer on senior year Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Dozens of drivers nabbed in Medford pedestrian sting Emergency services, May 2 Gold Hill man torched his foreclosed property No leads on who smashed about 20 windows in Ashland before dawn Thursday Ashland man allegedly dragged woman with vehicle Politics and Elections BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Education More kindergartners vaccinated in 2015 Elementary students honor local police officers Levy backers eye final push Two seats contested on Central Point School Board Neal Simon: This is a test Environment Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste State News PERS ruling means tough choices for state and local lawmakers US, Canada unveil rules to boost oil train safety Cylvia Hayes public records case goes before Salem judge Fixit tag for Portland's noted Portland Building: $175 million Fee targets rail cars that haul oil, other flammables Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Tim Lawrence Yockey Penelope Catherine (Turner) Martens William "Bill" Geisslinger Alice Irenia (McFall) Calkins Dennis Dean Ekwall Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories North sweeps past South Raiders' Abbott breaks 22-year-old record Dodge signs as free agent with Falcons Lockie stands out in Ducks' spring game American Pharoah gives trainer long-awaited Derby win Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders' Abbott breaks 22-year-old record Dodge signs as free agent with Falcons Lockie stands out in Ducks' spring game Raiders go 1-1, advance to today Singler shines in Raider spring game Pro Sports American Pharoah gives trainer long-awaited Derby win Rams take Beavers' Mannion in third Singler shines in Raider spring game Hawks beat Nets 111-87 to wrap up series in Game 6 Mariota eager to get to work Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Blog: Do You Want Cheese with Your Wine? Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option Real Estate News Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, May 2 Other Views: Gun-bill recalls misguided, futile Philip Maddocks: Candidates eager to reconnect with everyday billionaires Matthew T. Mangino: Baltimore boils over again Granlund cartoon: Cities and fire starters Editorials Other Views: Gun-bill recalls misguided, futile Our View: Bill gives ex-convicts a glimmer of hope Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 2 Letters to the Editor, May 1 Letters to the Editor, April 30 Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Columns Michael Gerson: A pastor's faith in Baltimore George Will: What stands in Lindsey Graham's way Dana Milbank: Billionaire politics Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Michael Gerson: Weighing the baggage Hillary brings Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Lifestyle Latest stories Photographers capture some lovely blooms in latest Mail Tribune contest Go with the (low) flow Find the starry ‘kite’ in the eastern sky Life Lessons & Loves: An ode to the sane and wonderful mothers-in-law Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Food Andrea Honaker: Mexican-inspired dips for Cinco de Mayo Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! 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Onorato: Food items appear in the funnies Home and Garden Betty Montgomery: You can have a variety of ferns in your garden Clean out household chemicals Friday and Saturday Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Costa Living: Basking in flower power Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Health Watch: Pack your pantry with healthy items HealthStyle: It’s all in the family dinner 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories 5 picks for live entertainment Live Music in Local Clubs Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Theater REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Music Thunder's Edge, Steel Cranes tonight at Club 66 The Farr Side: CMAs do it right, in many ways Live Music in Local Clubs Trio Brasileiro plays Old Siskiyou Barn Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Movies Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ has a lot going on Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ knows how to party Catching up with the Avengers Interview: Sofia Vergara talks ‘Hot Pursuit’ Quick Flicks: ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Insurgent’ and more Dining Taqueria Picaro offers casual Mexican cuisine Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Restaurant inspections: April 19, 2015 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW PERS ruling means tough choices for state and local lawmakers ... Wimer's Highland Games appeal to both the kilted and kiltless ... REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' ... PERS ruling means tough choices for state and local lawmakers ... Wimer's Highland Games appeal to both the kilted and kiltless ... REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' ... DINING Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 20, 2015 at 12:25 PM Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 20, 2015 at 12:25 PM » Social News Some situations call for food fast without resorting to fast food. Such was the case on a recent weekday when my husband, Will, and I found ourselves in downtown Grants Pass around our toddler’s dinnertime. His capriciousness discouraged us from The Laughing Clam and Blondies’ Bistro, both handy and popular choices. But we were equally reluctant to hit up a drive-thru. Looking for something en route to the freeway, I recalled a Vietnamese spot I’d spied on previous trips. I managed to convince Will that there would be few diners so early in the evening to disturb with our son’s difficult demeanor. Sure enough, the parking lot of Saigon Xich Lo was empty, and just a solitary customer was waiting inside for takeout. The fact that Saigon is a counter-service operation, of which I was unaware, was even better for our purposes. No waiting for a server to take our order. And minimal ambiance to jeopardize for other patrons in the sparsely furnished but impeccably clean dining area. The menu was a bit smaller than I’d hoped, devoid of fried items that unfailingly tempt my son. But in place of crunchy spring rolls, Saigon does prepare fresh salad rolls, uncommon in local Asian restaurants because they’re both labor-intensive and highly perishable. To the salad rolls ($5.75), we added a chicken banh mi ($6.50) and chicken “Vietoc” ($5.50), which I took to be the Vietnamese version of Korean tacos popularized by big-city fusion-food trucks. Grilled chicken, beef or a combination of the two are served with rice and seasonal vegetables for $6.50 to $9.50. Cabbage, bean sprouts and pickled vegetables compose a chicken salad for $7.50. Also served cold, rice noodles and vegetables can be topped with grilled chicken, beef, both meats or both meats plus shrimp ($9 to $12). A special pho, Vietnamese rice-noodle soup, also was on offer. The chill outside had crept into Saigon’s high-ceiling space, suggesting hot tea or the quintessential Vietnamese coffee with sweetened, condensed milk. But fountain drinks and iced tea constitute the beverage options. We contented ourselves with water until our items arrived in disposable, paper boats. The salad rolls were on the large side and fairly bursting with fresh produce, namely leaf lettuce. The dish also boasted two meats: poached shrimp and sliced chicken breast that looked as if it had been cooked in-house. A bit of crunch was evident from a rice-based crumb sprinkled among the roll’s other fillings, including rice noodles. And the accompanying peanut sauce was among the best I’ve had. Saigon charges 75 cents apiece for sides of its five sauces. Described on the menu as baguette, the sandwich’s bread seemed more like a crusty pub roll. While it lacked pate, likewise traditional on a banh mi, the sandwich derived a distinctive flavor from pickled carrots and onions, cucumbers, cabbage, cilantro, mayonnaise and the house special sauce, all in harmonious ratio to the grilled chicken. Will’s Vietoc was a similar array, only served in corn tortillas with “mung sauce.” Customers can help themselves from a bottle of spicy sauce at the self-service counter for beverages, napkins and flatware. Pleased to encounter something new on our spur-of-the-moment outing, Will and I agreed that fast food would have been more expensive but nowhere nearly so flavorful and healthful. I plan to return when crispy spring rolls are among Saigon’s daily specials, announced on social media. Located at 405 N.E. Seventh St. (corner of Seventh and D streets), Saigon Xich Lo is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 8 p.m. Friday and until 3 p.m. Saturday. Call 541-441-1481. —  Sarah Lemon MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 20, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Feb 20, 2015 at 12:25 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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