This was my very first time trying Simons Kitchen. I was very excited about it. I ordered Beef Noodle Soup (Pho) and Vietnamese Spring Rolls (made with pork). Gosh - I hate to leave a bad review, (I really do) but I have to keep it real. The Spring Rolls looked amazing, they were big and you could tell they were homemade! That was great, but they smelled like old cooking oil right off the hop - and they in fact, were very very oily. I could also immediately taste that they deep fry fish and beef in the same oil. I have eaten Vietnamese Spring Rolls a million times over, and these ones just weren't it. They smelled so fishy - and the first bite of my beef spring roll was in fact over powered by the taste of shrimp - and not in a good way. These were beef spring rolls, so why am I tasting shrimp? Truthfully - they were awful. I did not finish them. I honestly tried not to be critical (I sound high maintenance but I am not). I took two bites, then, then the rest went to waste. I ordered them at the end of the night, before closing - so I am not sure if that played a role? I was just really surprised at how awful they tasted. I would rate them a 2/5. The 2 is mostly for presentation (other than the oil). Then I moved on to my Beef Noodle Soup! Again - it looked amazing!! As soon as I opened the lid, all I could smell was fresh basil! I loved that!!! That made me happy!! But the taste? It was not good. Another strike!! I was so disappointed. The Beef was ok, not great by all means, but the pieces of sausage (I think the sausage was pork actually), were gross. They tasted old - they were hard, and not visually appealing. The noodles were fine, the broth was fine, overall? The pho was a 2/5. Again, presentation - mostly.
I may give this restaurant another try, perhaps when they are busy - at dinner time, so I may get better quality fresher food. I may not though? Who knows. Maybe I will try something different. I only ordered those two items because they were their best sellers. Yikes. Looking at the other reviews, I hate leave this, but I am being honest and maybe they were having a bad night or maybe they served me old food. I don't know. But I am so disappointed that I wasted $30.
Please take my review with a grain of salt - their other reviews are awesome. So - they are onto something, but I don't get it. It was a strike for me.
If you are the owner, my apologies - but maybe you know why the food tasted the way it did?
Hi,Nicole: I am sorry for your first bad experience, if you're willing to try again, come back and tell us who you are and your next spring roll order will be free. We ordered beef balls (beef tendon balls) from a specialized company. It is a very controversial product. All Asians who like Vietnamese noodles like to eat it. If you don't like the taste, you can ask for it when ordering. Let it go. Sorry again.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
A coworker recommended Simon's to me a little while ago,I'm really happy that I tried it out.The food is very tasty and they're so friendly. Definitely going to go back??
An okay order. I'm not sure when it happened, but the Banh Mi sammich used to be served with a drink and a couple spring rolls for 2 bucks cheaper. I just paid 30+ bucks for two sandwiches....lol. I get the whole inflation thing, but c'mon!
Eating that beef satay soup felt like my head was on fire! Best one I've had in along time. Chef Simon is a hidden gem in Orillia. Thanks for suggesting me that beef satay, Chef!
Chef Simon's food is excellent each and every time. From the amazing Pho, to the Fried Rice, Spicy Basil Chicken, General Tao's Spring Rolls, Bahn Mi Sandwich. Absolutely "FIVE STAR" food.
Great place to get takeout in these crazy times! Food was hot and delicious. Wonderful variety to the menu, so many choices. General Tao's chicken, lemongrass beef and vietnamese spring rolls, all fantastic. The online ordering system is excellent. I will definitely go back again!
Hands DOWN the best takeout in Orillia. Likely the best value of any restaurant in town with quality, freshness, pricing, portions, and taste. Simon's food can't be beat.
If flu season has you locked up like the rest of us, order a soup from Simon's.
Chef Simon's Kitchen is the best! I have been to many Thai/Vietnamese restaurants in Toronto and California and Chef Simon's is in the top three I've ever been to. It is fresh and flavorful food, simply delicious. This is Orillia's best kept secret.
My business colleague and I started visiting Simon's for lunch over a year ago, in short time it became our go to lunch stop. The food is authentic, fresh and the flavours are amazing. Simon is a professional and takes the time to make sure every dish that leaves his kitchen has the quality and flavours that give him a 5 STAR rating. He is a great chef and tries hard to make sure everyone is happy. If you are looking for something fresh and new that's guaranteed to keep you coming back, please head to Simon's kitchen in Orillia. We need to support this business so we can keep the quality and fresh flavours he offers around for a long time..
This is one of the best restaurants I have ever encountered. I can't get enough of Simon's fried rice. Finding this place is almost as good as finding a diamond it is a true gem.
Seriously some of the best food i have ever had. I cant wait to try more options off the menu. Everything was amazing with it, flavour, presentation, amount, and to top it all off the price was very reasonable as well.
Love the Tom yum soup. Love the Thai spring rolls. Love the mango salad. My plan is to try something different each time. Super impressed with Simon’s.
I finally tried this place and it is just absolutely amazing!!! The Thai Spring Rolls are soo soo good!!!! I am so excited to try more of the items. We will definitely be regulars at this location.
LOVE this place. Def 5 star. Made on spot, always fresh. Generous. Banh Mi was a tiny bit too spicy for me but would have it again in a heartbeat with less spice. Mango salad is fresh and lovely. Love this little place..
Thank you for this wonderful review! We strive to make everything fresh and tasty. Please let us know next time not to make you Banh Mi sandwich too spicy.
Laura, thanks for this wonderful review! We strive to make everything fresh and tasty. Next time please let us know that you don't want your Banh Mi sandwich too spicy.
Chef Simon's Kitchen opened when I worked in the plaza that it is located in. Not only is the food INCREDIBLE (I moved out of town and still force my boyfriend to go pick it up for me regularly) but the staff are amazing. Great to chat with and you never feel out of place when you go there.
As for the food - you won't find authentic, great tasting Vietnamese food like this anywhere else in our area. It is one of my all-time favourite restaurants since it opened and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
Literally the best Vietnamese and Thai food I have ever eaten outside of the countries themselves. It is amazing to be able to eat Street Pad Thai as if I was walking down the streets of Bangkok, or have such flavorful Pho like it was made in a tiny back street in Hanoi. I am blessed that this restaurant picked our little town of Orillia to feed. My only complaints..... that I could not eat more dishes when I was there, and that they do not have delivery.....sniff sniff. Blows every other Asian restaurant out of the water in our town. Love Love Love!
If you have a craving for PHO, this is the place to go. ;) Speedy service, good price and delicious food. Thank God this place exists or I would actually miss Toronto. lol. Thanks Chef Simon!! :D
We are so pleased that you don't have to drive to Toronto and that you can experience the great flavours of Vietnamese and Thai Food right here at home in Orillia!
Hands down the BEST take out in Orillia!! Curry, banh mi, pho, basil beef, lemongrass vermicelli bowls... there's something AMAZING here for everyone. Stop reading this review and ORDER NOW!!! You WILL be a repeat customer
Love the food.....it's the best even my girls luv it. The chef goes out of his way to greet or wave from kitchen. if unsure what to order they are very helpful in there recommendations. Haven't been disappointed yet.
I can't tell you how happy I am to have this place here in Orillia. We ordered...beef pho...my favorite and I've have tried this soup everywhere in TO.... the broth is fantastic! Spring rolls, general Tao chicken, Chinese broccoli and the pad Thai and I can't rave enough about it! Can't wait to try the rest of the menu. You have to eat here!!!
Fresh, robust flavour and simply the most delicious Vietnamese & Thai food I have ever had! So happy the renowned Chef Simon and his talented crew have opened a restaurant in Orillia! Thank you Chef Simon and staff!
We had dinner from ChefSimon's & it was so fast and fresh. I particularly enjoyed the Lemongrass beef! Very flavourful and a hint of heat! Looking forward to having lunch next!
I was so pleased with the food that I order to take home that after eating, I felt compelled to call Chef Simon himself to let him know that he was the best Chef in town. Everything tasted so good and fresh. We especially loved the fish, it was so moist and it melted in our mouth. I highly recommend Chef Simon's Kitchen and will most definitely eat his food often! Thanks You!
Best Vietnamese/Thai cuisine in the area. Fast friendly service. Nothing beats the freshness and quality that goes into every dish. Highly recommended. Be sure to give Simon's Kitchen a try.
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Fresh and delicious ?? 
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