Tay Do Quan Hy, Be Be 2, MJ Cafe, R2 Restaurant

Welcome to Meanwhile, In SGV a regular feature in which TC, our fearless leader in all things San Gabriel Valley, brings word of restaurant openings, closings, and other unsung, curious neighborhood goings on.

Grid View

1) El Monte: Tay Do Quan Hy (unrelated to Quan Hy in Westminster) softly opened after a selective remodeling and thorough cleaning of the rather decrepit Pho Hien Mai (infamous for being part of the feuding ex-husband vs. ex-wife pho battle on Garvey Ave). Instead of pandering to the prosaic demands of SGV, Quan Hy's husband and wife team focuses on "hu tieu Sa Dec" (tapioca noodles from the town of Sa Dec in Dong Thap province), and "canh bun" -- a Northern style rice noodle soup with crab and empty heart vegetable. The restaurant is currently offering free sodas, but really, come check out the perfectly sized banh xeo crepes done up by this kitchen with roots in the Hoc Mon district of Saigon. With the neon green wall tiles, Tay Do Quan Hy is instantly evocative of District 3 of Vietnam's capital. 9805-9807 E Garvey Ave.

2) Rosemead: The previously mentioned Be Be Taiwanese cafe in Alhambra is expanding with Be Be 2 after less than half a year. Per management, this branch will host its grand opening today in the now shuttered Bun Rieu Quan space. Looks like Be Be is going head to head with Liang's, the Taiwanese chain that went through a huge growth spurt in '10. 7637 Garvey Ave.

3) Monterey Park: MJ Cafe opened an express tea station inside Kiki's Bakery last year. However, things fizzled after a few months and the drinkery never made it past a soft opening. Until now. The snack bar inside the bakery re-grand opened last week and now sports a cooked food menu. Just like LA is currently obessed with fried chicken, SGV is smitten with $3 popcorn chicken. The restaurant (think reverse Bouchon Bakery) is also offering BOGO soft drinks along with $4 "fried smelly tofu." This is the second branch of MJ Cafe (Rowland Heights). 127 E Garvey Ave.

4) El Monte: Today, the recently opened R2 (Ray Ray) Restaurant will offer free starters for check-in's on Facebook or Yelp (with the order of entree). Additional 25% off drinks is offered for Yelp check-ins. Per management, the food is "Gourmet Chinese Boba/Tea/Frappe/Coffee." 10404 Valley Blvd.
·All Meanwhile, In SGV Coverage [~ELA~]
— TC