The menu here holds more than 200 dishes, and over two dozen of them are pho. Yes, two dozen bowls of one soup.
Right next to them sit crab rangoon, egg rolls, and lo mein.
That mix tells a real story. The founder fled Vietnam in 1978 and waited tables in Chinese restaurants before opening her own.
She started with a full Chinese menu, then slowly added the Vietnamese food of her childhood.
I like how both chapters of her life still share one menu. Nobody had to pick a side.
I believe that’s a big reason this Missouri spot feels so personal.
The building itself is a bit of a twist, too. It sits on the ground floor of a parking garage.
So how did a restaurant in a garage become a local legend?
A Family Story You Can Taste In Every Bowl
Back in 1978, Lee Tran escaped Vietnam with her husband and young son. They eventually landed in St. Louis and started over.
Lee took jobs as a waitress in several Chinese restaurants around town. She learned the business one table at a time, and that hard work paid off.
In 1985, she opened Mai Lee Restaurant. The first menu was fully Chinese, which made sense given her experience.
Then something sweet happened over time.
Lee began adding Vietnamese dishes to honor her heritage. Bit by bit, the food of her homeland found its place beside the Chinese favorites.
That gradual shift made Mai Lee known as the first Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis. It’s quite a claim for a place that began serving lo mein and egg rolls.
I love that the menu still reflects both parts of her journey. The Chinese section isn’t a leftover from the early days.
It’s a chapter of the family story that never got erased.
Today, the restaurant remains family-run. Her son, Qui Tran, now operates it, carrying that legacy forward in Missouri.
Knowing all this makes ordering feel different. Every bowl comes with roughly four decades of grit behind it.
Yes, The Pho Lives Under A Parking Garage
Most famous restaurants brag about river views or historic brick. This one sits on the ground floor of a parking garage, and honestly, that’s part of its charm.
You’ll find it at 8396 Musick Memorial Drive in Brentwood, Missouri. The spot sits behind a larger shopping plaza in a busy mixed-use area.
Mai Lee wasn’t always here. The restaurant first opened on Delmar Boulevard in University City.
In 2010, it moved to this Brentwood address near the MetroLink.
That move brought one huge perk. Parking is easy, which is fitting for a place literally attached to a garage.
Free spaces wait in the adjacent garage, and free street parking is an option too.
Anyone who has circled a crowded block hunting for a spot knows this matters. Nobody wants cold pho because of a parking battle.
The location also works well for travelers. Brentwood sits in the Greater St. Louis Area, so it’s a handy stop for folks moving around the region.
So don’t judge this place by its concrete neighbor. The garage simply holds the cars while the kitchen does the impressive part.
Think of it as the most useful parking structure in town.
Two Dozen Kinds Of Pho Means Choices, Lots Of Them
Over two dozen pho selections. Let that number sink in before you open the menu.
Pho is the famous Vietnamese noodle soup, and Mai Lee treats it like a headliner. Pho Tai, a fragrant beef noodle soup, stands out as a highlight of the lineup.
Local readers have noticed, too. Mai Lee has earned recognition for Best Beef Noodle Soup for Colds and Hangovers.
That’s a pretty specific award, and it says a lot about comfort.
A steaming bowl on a chilly Missouri day sounds like a solid plan. The broth does the warming, and the noodles do the filling.
The cooking here leans bold and less westernized. Many dishes carry generous amounts of sugar, which gives the flavors a rich, rounded edge.
Not into beef? Plenty of other soups wait nearby.
Hu Tieu and Banh Canh both appear on the menu, giving noodle fans more paths to explore.
My advice is simple. Pick one pho on your first trip and save another for the next visit.
With this many options, you’ve basically got a soup subscription waiting for you.
Clay Pots, Salt And Pepper Crunch, And Big Bold Flavors
Some dishes arrive in clay pots, and that alone feels like an event. Mai Lee cooks Vietnamese-style beef, chicken, or pork in them with vegetables.
Then there’s the salt and pepper lineup. These dishes get heavy seasoning with crushed black pepper and large-grain salt.
They also carry a crisp, dry-fried crust.
The signature Crispy Calamari, called muc chien gion, deserves a spot on your radar. It’s one of the house standouts.
More big plates wait nearby. Butter and Garlic Shrimp sounds like an easy win.
Marinated Steak with Lemon Pepper Sauce brings a zippy twist.
Curry fans have options as well. The coconut milk-curry dishes come intensely flavored with pungent spices, so they don’t hold back.
Banh mi sandwiches are also on the menu. They’re a smart pick for a lighter lunch or a quick bite.
Here’s a tip for first-timers. Pair something crunchy, like calamari, with something saucy, like a clay pot dish.
The contrast keeps every forkful interesting.
Mild and timid isn’t really the style here. Expect strong flavors and plan your order with an adventurous spirit.
The Giant Menu Has A Clever Shortcut
More than 200 dishes can make anyone freeze up. Luckily, Mai Lee planned for that moment.
Every item on the menu includes a description. So even if a dish name is new to you, you’ll know what’s coming.
The restaurant also uses an order-by-numbers system. Just point to the number and skip the worry about pronouncing anything perfectly.
Honestly, this is a gift for newcomers. You can explore Vietnamese food without feeling like you’re taking a quiz.
Spring rolls, known as Goi Cuon, make a friendly starting point. Mai Lee has even been recognized for Best Spring Roll locally.
Noodle bowls, called Bun, are another easy entry. They’re a good bridge between familiar flavors and something new.
My suggestion is to scan the menu by category first. Pick one dish you know and one you’ve never heard of.
That balance keeps dinner safe and exciting at once.
Bring a friend who likes sharing, too. With a menu this big, more forks means more discoveries.
Writing down your favorite numbers isn’t a bad idea either. Your next order becomes a breeze.
Plant-Based Eaters Won’t Be Stuck With Plain Rice
Vegetarians often get handed a sad side salad at big restaurants. Mai Lee takes a much kinder approach.
The menu includes vegetarian dishes built around tofu and vegetables. Many of them also work for vegans, which widens the welcome mat.
That matters for mixed groups. Your meat-loving uncle can order beef pho while your vegan cousin finds a real meal.
Everyone eats well, and nobody gets left out.
With a menu this large, plant-based guests have room to explore. It’s not just one token option tucked at the bottom of a page.
Asking questions is smart if you have strict needs. Each dish has a description, which helps you narrow things down before ordering.
Mango sticky rice also makes a strong finish for many diets. More on that sweet treat later, though.
I think this flexibility says something about the restaurant’s spirit. A family-run place built on blending two cuisines naturally makes room for different tastes.
So go ahead and invite the friend who usually dreads group dinners. This Brentwood spot gives them plenty of reasons to say yes.
Save Room, Because That Mango Sticky Rice Is Calling
Warm meets cool in the best possible way. That’s the whole idea behind Mai Lee’s mango sticky rice.
The dessert comes topped with a warm, delicate sweetened coconut milk sauce. Slices of cool, golden mango sit right alongside it.
It sounds simple, and that’s exactly why it works. After bold, peppery, and savory dishes, something gentle feels like the right ending.
I like how this dessert matches the rest of the meal. Contrast shows up everywhere here, from crunchy calamari to silky soups.
The sweet finish follows the same pattern.
Sharing is optional, of course. But splitting one plate lets everyone grab a bite without needing a nap afterward.
Timing matters too. Big noodle bowls fill you up fast, so plan ahead if dessert is part of the mission.
A smart move is ordering a few appetizers to share instead of one each. That leaves space for this sweet finale.
Nobody wants to stare at mango sticky rice while feeling too stuffed to enjoy it. That’s a sad sight.
Pace yourself, and your future self will thank you.
Plan Your Visit Like A Pro Before You Go
Mondays are off the table. Mai Lee closes that day, so mark your calendar accordingly.
The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Hours can shift, so check the latest schedule before heading out.
The vibe is casual, welcoming, and often bustling. The space is clean and well-appointed, with a pleasant, cheerful feel.
Full-service indoor dining is the main setup. When the weather cooperates, outdoor seating opens up too.
Just know the patio looks out on a nondescript driveway, not a sunset.
Seating usually works on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are accepted for parties of eight or more, which helps for big birthday dinners.
The honors list keeps growing. Mai Lee has been named Best Vietnamese locally.
It also landed in The Sauce 75 for the best dining in St. Louis in 2024.
For a Missouri meal with real history, this place delivers. You get two cuisines, one family story, and a menu that rewards repeat visits.
Bring friends, bring curiosity, and bring a plan. Mai Lee will handle the rest, one numbered dish at a time.
