Oh man, I love that place! Rainier BBQ is great and I am going to get on this catfish quick...if it gets close to tasting like lechon - this might be the best thing I have read in the Slog in a long time!!

That place is a hidden gem. The facade isn't exactly inviting, but I wandered in for the first time last spring and was pleasantly surprised. Glad to know about this catfish!

Been eatin snake and gator there since '09!

Thanh Vi on the Ave also has the same dish, not as authentic as Rainier's - they give you the fish without the bones, head, tail, etc. because their clientele are mostly non-Vietnamese people who might freak over seeing the fish eyes/head on the dinner table - but still really yummy.

Have you tried the crab soup at Rainier BBQ? YUMMY!! Warning: some of the herbs and crab sauce are very strong in taste and smell, but very good. If you think durians smell bad, you probably won't like the crab sauce.

They do have a BBQ, in the small building on the other side of the drive from the restaurant.

@3 Ed Murray sez tastes just like chicken!