Poleng started serving lunch 9.08.09 and to get the word out they gave away 50 lunches a day for a week, it was so popular they extended it to 9.19.09. I stood in line at 10:45am, fifteen minutes before opening and I was #9. The group of older ladies ahead of me said they have been coming everyday for a week (it is free food after all.)







Lunch ranges from $5 for sides to $7 for lunch plates. We had to give our email address to get the free lunch ticket. The lunch format - order at the bar, pay, take a number and seat, utensils and water are self serve. Everything is served in take-out containers (all biodegradable but ironic with the amount of trash from lunch.)






The free lunch of the day was the $7 Mekong Delta roll and bowl:



"Crispy Vietnamese egg rolls of carrots, taro,pork, woodear mushrooms in a rice paper wrap on top of Vermicelli noodles. Served with red leaf lettuce & nuoc cham dipping sauce."

I took advantage of the free lunch because it was an opportunity to try #83 $5 Sweet Potato Fries and Banana Catsup on The Big Eats 100 List. The fries came to the table with the lid close so it steamed for a few seconds. I like the banana catsup because it was spicy with puree banana.



Along with lunch we ordered the $6.5 5 piece Siracha chicken wings and $7 5 Spice Pork Chop:
"The secret to long life is the 5 spices. An ancient Chinese seasoning rubbed generously on grilled pork garnished with scallions and nouc cham over vermicelli noodles and daikon slaw."



The portions are adequate and good if you are in a rush for lunch, service was fast and efficient. They offer exotic blends of juices for $2, flavored ice teas for $3 and spritzers for $5.

Poleng Lounge
1517 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 441-1751