If there were any place that epitomizes that old saying about never judging a book by its cover, it would be Anh-Linh. A Vietnamese cafe in a sea of other Vietnamese cafes and grocery stores, Anh-Linh's corner location and neon signs do little to catch the eye. What it does catch, however, is the wallet and belly with its inexpensive food served in generous proportions.

Before you get to the food, you'll notice a few things immediately. Each table comes stocked with soy sauce and two different pepper sauces, both of which are somewhat spicy and go well with the noodles. Second, black lights and assorted equipment sit in wait behind the bar for 9 p.m. on weekends, when karaoke takes over. Third, the crowd of regulars watches soap operas and converses loudly in Vietnamese during the afternoon, meaning you'll need more than a Western tongue to stay up on the plot.

As far as the food goes, most of what is on the menu consists of rice and egg dishes. The friend I went with had the beef and shrimp rice plate, and judging from the look that he had his face once he began to eat, I’d say it was pretty good choice. Other noteworthy items on the menu include frog legs and an avocado smoothie. There are not so many options for vegetarians, but as a Vietnamese restaurant, there are standard noodles and egg rolls aplenty.

Though it drowns in a pond of similarly themed restaurants, the low prices (cash only), generous proportions and surprisingly spotless bathroom (seriously, it has no right to be that clean) are what set Anh Linh apart. That and the potential of karaoke on the weekends.

Centerstage Reviewer: Jon Graef