Just this month, a new restaurant opened up in the former Lotus Thai space next to the UPS store in the Southwest Plaza.
RICE, Food and Boba is the name of the new family-owned business.
I got the chance to go in and see, so let me share with you what I learned after my first take out-order, and an interview with the owners’ daughter.
My Experience
I did a take out-order for the family, which consisted of the two primary rice plates they offer, the brown-sugar-cinnamon pork chop plate ($16), and the 5-spice chicken plate ($16).
Both entrees come with the house rice, which is likely made with some kind of broth as it has a faint yellow tinge to it, and a unique savory flavor.
The plates also come with a fried egg, and side medley of fresh cucumber, carrot, and lettuce leaf.
The pork chop was a good size and cooked perfectly. It did have some fat and gristle that needed removing, but beyond that, quite tasty and tender.
The 5-spice roasted chicken leg-quarter was my favorite item of all. Tender and flavorful, with a genuine punch of aromatic 5-spice seasoning.
I also ordered the deep-fried chicken wings ($9), vegetable egg rolls ($7), shumai pork dumplings ($6.50), and fried-vegetable dumplings ($7).
I shared all these items with my family at home, and from what I could tell, we liked pretty much everything.
I prefer steamed dumplings myself, but my son made no waste of those.
I have never been a big egg roll fan, either, but these were actually not too bad, I admit.
The deep-fried chicken wings were tender, flavorful and meaty. Not soaked in a sauce or overly salted.
The shumai pork dumplings were spot on. Soft, savory, rice paper-wrapped explosions of juicy ground-pork flavor in your mouth on each bite.
The drinks I ordered were for my son and wife to enjoy as I cant do dairy very well, unfortunately.
I did have a taste of both the brown-sugar and Oreo-brûlée boba- milk drinks. Both are quite good and not overly sweet, as I assumed they would be.
Overall, I would order all of these items again, but opt for the steamed dumplings over deep fried. I was going to try a steamed bao bun (one of my favorites) from the menu, but sadly they were all out of those.
The Origins
During my video-call with Minh, the Houston-based daughter of the owners, I learned that the family is, and has always been, very entrepreneurial, owning several other businesses in Houston.
This however is their first stab at the food and restaurant sector, she said.
Minh handles all the social media and marketing for the business. Her brother is also a main player in the business operations. This is a 100-percent family-owned and operated business, top to bottom, says Minh.
“My mother is the heart of the business,” Minh explained, ” It is her original Vietnamese boba, tea, and milk drinks and recipes that she began making decades ago that all of our friends and family really enjoyed.
“She made them for us because food and drink is how she shows how much she loves and cares for us.
“Food and cooking is her love language!”
According to Minh, people told her mother she should sell the drinks they were so good.
After some time and deep consideration, the family took the leap, and found the location in San Angelo in early January.
After a complete remodel they did themselves, the business opened its doors for its grand opening weekend May 17.
The Purpose
Minh describes the restaurant and it’s menu as that of traditional hand-crafted bubble tea, boba, milk, and coconut drinks.
A couple simple rice dishes that her family likes to eat and share with locals. Plus a few simple but flavorful side dishes that are popular in Vietnam.
The drinks are all made with real fresh fruit, no powders, imported Vietnamese young coconut, no added sugar, and the soon to be switched Yakult-based probiotic yogurt drinks in three flavors.
The coconut drinks are dairy free, giving those like me with lactose issues, something to enjoy as well.
According to Minh, the specific 5-spice blend is something her mother has used for many years to impart the best flavor.
The egg rolls are hand rolled, and the sauces they use are all made in-house.
“My mom is a very strict person when it comes to the quality of her food, and keeping it consistent,” says Minh.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I found this visit to be a welcome one. Even as a take-out order.
The space, although a little small, does have outdoor seating tables as well.
The speed at which they get orders out is quick. The staff are super kind and friendly.
Minh says that they always look for the very first reaction customers have after trying the many drinks they serve, to see their eyes light up, and smiles on their faces.
Most of all, with children and kids who glow after their first sip.
“We really want to hear feedback from our customers as we open our doors and serve the people of San Angelo, to learn how to best serve them and make things better. I urge them to talk to us in person to let us know how we are doing,” Minh said.
I plan to come back in for a sit-down dinning experience to try some more appetizer items, and the dairy-free coconut drinks as well as their fruit-based tea drinks as well.
Great people, offering great food and drinks to us locals while sharing their own family culture and heritage. Something that always makes the visit and the experience a little bit richer.
