8 Postcards
In the heart of Bushwick, Lucy’s is a cozy Vietnamese nook serving up robust banh mi and pho—especially famous for its smoky, tender brisket.
"Lucy’s whole thing is brisket smoked for 14 hours, and they’re really f*cking good at it. Order the brisket phở and you’ll get thick, tender slabs of meat similar to what you’d find at a BBQ joint, with deeply herbaceous Vietnamese flavors. They give you a generous amount of meat, and the broth is so flavorful that there’s no need to dump a bunch of sauces in there. Add a couple summer rolls and a Vietnamese coffee, and you’ll be in beefy bliss. " - will hartman, neha talreja, bryan kim, willa moore, carlo mantuano
"The 14-hour smoked brisket at Lucy’s in Bushwick has a shield of peppery bark, which sits on top of juicy, smoky meat that coats your mouth after each bite. That’s true whether you get the bánh mì or the phở, both of which are among our favorite versions in the city. The small counter-service spot has a few tables inside, or you can take your order to go and be alone with your brisket in the privacy of your own apartment. Lucy’s Vietnamese also has three other locations around Brooklyn." - sonal shah, willa moore, carlo mantuano, carina finn koeppicus, will hartman
"If you’re looking for a bánh mì with ham and pâté or sardines or crumbled pork, Lucy’s isn’t the place for you. If you’re looking for arguably the most delicious bánh mì in NYC, you should head to this Bushwick Vietnamese spot as soon as possible and order the brisket bánh mì. It’s packed with bites and longer strips of 14-hour smoked brisket that’s covered in a shield of peppery, smoky bark. Where the juiciness of the meat ends and the hoisin sauce, sriracha, and house made garlic aioli begin is anyone’s guess, but it doesn’t matter. This sandwich is absolutely fantastic." - hannah albertine, matt tervooren, neha talreja, kenny yang
"This Vietnamese spot’s whole thing is brisket smoked for 14-hours, which you can get in phở, a bánh mì, or a vermicelli bowl. Instead of the thinly sliced variety, they serve thick, tender slabs of meat similar to what you’d find at a BBQ joint. Order a bowl of brisket phở, then, then tag on a couple summer rolls and a Vietnamese coffee, and you’ll be in beefy bliss. If want something other than brisket, you can get some lemongrass chicken, tofu, or vegan chick’n instead." - Neha Talreja
"There's a really great story behind this staple Bushwick lunch spot: Head Chef Johnny Huynh was actually raised right in this neighborhood by his grandmother (Lucy). The pared-down menu—there's just pho and banh mi—is an ode to her fresh, straightforward Vietnamese cooking style. They're open until midnight every day, and deliver for free within a mile radius."