shogun Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 A thread to discuss the glories of Pho! I'd like to kick it off with a mention of Pho that I had recently found in an unlikely place, then wrote about, and shamelessly cross-posted, right down to the emoticons. On Monday The Froggy Bottom Pub of all places has the best Pho I've yet tasted. Granted, that's not that much Pho to compare against: I haven't been to 4 Sisters yet for example, but this was good stuff, I'm sure, by any standards. Apparently they do a brisk trade (Or just don't make enough!), as they were sold out by the time I got there last week with the friend who told me about it, and this past Monday they had but one bowl left, which the friend and I split along with an order of pork egg rolls. Sounds like they have one meat, which I'm pretty sure was round eye. So, Froggy's Pho had everything going that a good bowl of Pho should, and is available all day Monday. Added bonus: fun absurdity of going at it sticks and bowls amidst a packed and somewhat rowdy house of Monday 'half price pizza and pitcher special night' -goers. Not that they have the wrong idea nessesarily: Froggy has good pizza! --- [The following posts have been split into separate threads. The posts that were split concentrate on single Pho houses; anything comparative, e.g., comparing Pho Hot with Pho 75, is left in this thread.]Pho Hot (MartyL)Pho 88 (youngfood)Pho Hong Anh (squidsdc)Pho Thang Long (jparrott)Pho Bistro (cigarnv)Saigon Bistro (squidsdc)Pho Hiep Hoa (JPW)Pho N More (Ericandblueboy)Pho Hoa Binh (ALB)Pho 75 (jparrott)Pho Capital (Sundae in the Park)Pho Tay Ho (RWBooneJr.)Pho 50 (The Delicious)Pho Sate (The Hersch)Pho An (DonRocks)Vinh Loi (NolaCaine) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 Pho Nguyen. Rockville Pike about 2 miles north of downtown Rockville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 Pho Nguyen. Rockville Pike about 2 miles north of downtown Rockville. Where exactly? There's a pho place in the Ritchie Center 1/2 mile from my house, but we always go a little further up the Pike to Pho 75. They have better broth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 Where exactly?There's a pho place in the Ritchie Center 1/2 mile from my house, but we always go a little further up the Pike to Pho 75. They have better broth. Never tried Pho 75 there. Nguyen is North of Shady Grove. Across from King Farm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastro888 Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 Pho 75 has the best broth in MD. The pho joint in Eden Center is THE best in the area - AND they serve pho with the sawtooth herb, a nice touch. Pho Nguyen is expensive relative to what a pho joint should be. There is a Pho Real in the Briggs Chaney Shopping Center in Burtonsville, MD. Prices seem very reasonable - I've never been though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 Just got back from Viet House on Rt. 1 in Alexandria. In the Eden Center the best Pho to get (in my opinioin) is the place next to 4 Sisters that I think goes by the name of Pho Xe Lua. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckinghamilton Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 Anyone know anything about the pho place in Herndon by the Staples off of Sunrise Valley Drive and Centerville Rd? Worth a trip? (I work in Reston and eye this one a lot). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanishka Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 Last night I had dinner at Nam-Viet Pho 79 (think that was the name...) in Cleveland Park. Have to say I was very disappointed. I had the spicy beef pho, which was mostly spiced via raw jalapenos as opposed to chilis. That gave the dish a ton of heat without flavor; I actually picked the jalapenos out and added sriracha myself. The broth was also not nearly as flavorful as I like it. Also had their special green salad, which came with their "special vinaigrette". Well, maybe a teaspoon of the stuff. Very disappointed by the salad as well... Decent prices, but next time I want cheap eats in Cleveland Park I'm off elsewhere. My service was really bad (granted I was a one top) and the only thing good about the meal was the book I was reading at the time (the new Ruth Reichl). K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted April 28, 2005 Share Posted April 28, 2005 <burp> Just returned from lunch at Pho 75 on Rockville Pike and... I was disappointed. The broth was watery without a hint of star anise. The eye of round was of dubious quality. The jalapenos were dried out and heatless. Maybe because I'm farang/gaijin (sorry don't know the Vietnamese word) and I got the scraps? Much prefer Pho Nguyen. Sure, it's about $2 more, but with the lunch special you also get a couple of spring rolls and usually free tea. I might try Pho 75 again, but it's already way behind in the race. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastro888 Posted April 28, 2005 Share Posted April 28, 2005 Ooooh, JPW, sorry to hear that! That blows. Dear JPW, I doubt it's because you're a gai-low (Cantonese) that they gave you the scraps. They probably didn't have the right chef on duty today. I didn't know you got spring rolls with the lunch special at Pho N. As for the free tea, tea should be free at ANY Asian restaurant, IMHO. It so irks me hen there is a tea charge for standard tea. (Now if it's speciality tea, it's understandable) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonc Posted April 28, 2005 Share Posted April 28, 2005 Pho 75 has the best broth in MD. The pho joint in Eden Center is THE best in the area - AND they serve pho with the sawtooth herb, a nice touch. Pho Nguyen is expensive relative to what a pho joint should be.There is a Pho Real in the Briggs Chaney Shopping Center in Burtonsville, MD. Prices seem very reasonable - I've never been though. Got a name for that pho place in the Eden Center? I love me some sawtooth herb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Posted April 28, 2005 Share Posted April 28, 2005 the pho 75 in arlington (next to some obscure steak joint named Rays) is the best I've had so far....the one in cleveland park, pho 79 is dreadfiul for pho, but for other stuff is ok. nother vietnamese soup that is a must try is the shrimp and tamariond soup with tomatoes and pineapples....it is a delicious sweet and sour soup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastro888 Posted April 28, 2005 Share Posted April 28, 2005 Got a name for that pho place in the Eden Center? I love me some sawtooth herb. Pho Xe Lua It's good stuff. They serve the cafe su da with a thermos of hot water so you can get some refills. Sweeet. Hmmm...perhaps I shall visit there this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 Pho Xe LuaIt's good stuff. They serve the cafe su da with a thermos of hot water so you can get some refills. Sweeet. Hmmm...perhaps I shall visit there this weekend. Ah yes, the thermos of hot water. I have still not found another place that does that. BTW, anyone know what that sawtooth herb is called? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 Ah yes, the thermos of hot water. I have still not found another place that does that. BTW, anyone know what that sawtooth herb is called? Saw Leaf Herb: Thai name is Pak Chee Fa RangAlso notice the link for a thai herb which provides natural breast enhancement! This herb which is sometimes called foreign coriander, culantro and saw tooth herb Note to Rocks-- Observe proper use of line return spacing above! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastro888 Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 It's hard to find a place that gives you a thermos of hot water - this pho place is the only one I know of in the area that does that. FYI, sometimes if the price of limes is too high, they substitute lemons instead for the herb plate. I HATE THAT. @#$! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shogun Posted April 29, 2005 Author Share Posted April 29, 2005 Note to Rocks-- Observe proper use of line return spacing above! If you start your reply on the same line as '/quote', you get yet another line savings, thus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted April 29, 2005 Share Posted April 29, 2005 Not too busy this morning shogun? If you start your reply on the same line as '/quote', you get yet another line savings, thus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsdc Posted April 30, 2005 Share Posted April 30, 2005 Pho Nguyen. Rockville Pike about 2 miles north of downtown Rockville. Sad to say I must have hit it on an off day, or maybe it's just not as good at dinner, but I definitely was unimpressed. The broth, on a good day, at Asian Bistro downtown was much richer and tastier than Pho Nguyen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Continuing on a theme that was started elsewhere, it's time to talk Pho. Given that the first thing that Mrs JPW brought home from her new job was a cold and the state of the weather yesterday and today sucked ventworm nut, two consective Pho lunches have been had. Yesterday - Pho Quyen, Rockville Pike, just across from King Farms. Nice soft aroma and well spiced broth that could be just little bit beefier. The jalepeno slices had no heat, but the eye of round was top notch. Today - Pho 75, Rockville Pike just North of downtown. Much better beef flavor in the broth than my last experience, but still no hint of the seasonings esp. the star anise. And their onion and jalapeno slices are way too thick. Judgement - Pho 75 had the better beef flavor in the broth, but its lack of depth in aroma and taste when combined with the better prepared ingredients at Pho Quyen leave my judgement with Pho Quyen. If they could just get some damn jalapenos with heat. Oh well, I guess that is what Sriracha is for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Yesterday - Pho Quyen, Rockville Pike, just across from King Farms. Nice soft aroma and well spiced broth that could be just little bit beefier. The jalepeno slices had no heat, but the eye of round was top notch. Joe, is that the new place next to Momo Taro? Pho sounds like just the thing for dinner tonight. Maybe we'll try Miss Saigon's version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Joe, is that the new place next to Momo Taro?Pho sounds like just the thing for dinner tonight. Maybe we'll try Miss Saigon's version. Not sure. North of Redland Rd in a little strip mall with a japanese place next door. It's on the N/E side of the street with a bright red awning, you can't miss it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastro888 Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Oh, JPW, great minds think alike! Today was a bleah day for moi and I decided to get some pho therapy. Granted the best thing to have when you're under the weather is congee but I'll take what I can get! My coworker and I went to Pho Real in the Briggs Chaney Shopping Center near the Autopark in Silver Spring, MD/Burtonsville. It's a nice, clean pho joint that also serves spring & summer rolls. The summer rolls were good and so was the cafe su da (if a bit on the strong side but hell, we all could use a little oomph every now and again). As for the pho, it was very good. We both got the #3 - the toppings were a bit skimpy but I have yet to go to a pho joint where the toppings are overflowing - eh, it is what it is I suppose. Broth was light and not oily. Oh and they have REAL Sriracha - not generic Sriracha in the Sriracha bottle. The best is in Eden Center and the 2nd best if Pho 75 IMHO. But for a solid bowl of pho, go here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 The best is in Eden Center and the 2nd best if Pho 75 IMHO. But for a solid bowl of pho, go here. Pho Xe Lua (literally, "train-sized Pho") in Eden Center became Com Ga Xe Lua ("train-sized chicken and rice" (!)) on April 26th. In addition to offering up the surreal combination of Pho and books on the political/military history of Vietnam (see for yourself), they now feature Chicken Rice Xua Xua - a refreshingly healthy and mild plate of steamed chicken and ginger rice, with side dishes of pickled cabbage and a terrific soup made with tofu and what appears to be bok choy - $8.95 and worth it if you're looking for an honest plate of clean food. Cheers, Rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastro888 Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 I have a complaint - their pho is NOT train sized. Prices, yes but not the portions. (Well, I'm talking relative to other pho joints. Forgive me this is my restaurant background talking. I usually walk into a restaurant calculating their overhead. My poppy taught me well.) But golldang it if they don't have the best pho in the area!!! With sawtooth herb. AND the thermos of hot water that comes with the cafe phe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonc Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 (edited) Oh, JPW, great minds think alike!Today was a bleah day for moi and I decided to get some pho therapy. Granted the best thing to have when you're under the weather is congee but I'll take what I can get! My coworker and I went to Pho Real in the Briggs Chaney Shopping Center near the Autopark in Silver Spring, MD/Burtonsville. It's a nice, clean pho joint that also serves spring & summer rolls. The summer rolls were good and so was the cafe su da (if a bit on the strong side but hell, we all could use a little oomph every now and again). As for the pho, it was very good. We both got the #3 - the toppings were a bit skimpy but I have yet to go to a pho joint where the toppings are overflowing - eh, it is what it is I suppose. Broth was light and not oily. Oh and they have REAL Sriracha - not generic Sriracha in the Sriracha bottle. The best is in Eden Center and the 2nd best if Pho 75 IMHO. But for a solid bowl of pho, go here. Pho places in Vietnam supply overflowing toppings. Oh what a life that would be. Edited May 20, 2005 by jasonc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCMark Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 Why can't we have good Pho in DC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastro888 Posted May 20, 2005 Share Posted May 20, 2005 'Cause most of the restaurants get their business is during lunchtime and I can't imagine alot of the yuppies in DC being down with pho and coming back smelling like it. And alot of people probably don't know what pho is, ya know? Pho's a great lunch and I don't care if I smell like it when I get back from a pho joint. Then again, I am the one who's dying to bring in stinky tofu to work one of these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastro888 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 You can get good pho in MD at Pho 75. I'm hard pressed to find a really good Vietnamese restaurant in MD. The food's either too Westernized or not prepared well. I'll make the trek out to Eden - the quality of the food and the variety there are worth the drive for me. Then again, I used to drive to the Courthouse farmer's market every Saturday to get White Lady peaches from this nice farmer from VA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnb Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 Darn it, now I'm hungry for pho. There's a new-ish pho place near Burtonsville called Pho Real, guess I'll have to try it out... Janet and I tried the new pho place in Silver Spring, in the row of new chain restaurants. It is on the second floor, above Austin Grill if memory serves. We thought the pho was pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 Ba-Le on Rockville Pike is probably the best source for bahn mi in the MD burbs, and I'm also a fan of Pho 75. I used to like Pho 75, but the place in the Ritchie Center is closer. Ba Le has good banh mi, yes, but the entrees/soups aren't bad either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 Pho Real You have got to be kidding me. Where's the groan emoticon when you need it. Pho Shizzle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastro888 Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 Pho Real does offer a solid bowl of pho, along with spring and summer rolls as well. Their cafe su da is pretty good. The portions at Pho Hiep Hao (SS) are really small but served in a lovely atmosphere, if that's important to you. (For me, pho served in an elegant atmosphere is an oxymoron...) Taste of Saigon seems like a good place where I'd take diners who are unfamilar with Vietnamese cuisine. Myself, I'm all for great food at the hole in the wall authentic joints (eh, who needs decor?) and some people can't/don't want to dine like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinwiddie Posted September 9, 2005 Share Posted September 9, 2005 Actually, my wife likes to order Pho at Taste of Saigon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 On my honor, and on my life, I swear to you that, as surely as the grass is green and the sun will rise tomorrow, there is a restaurant opening in the Calvert Shoppes in Del Ray which is going to be called... are you ready? make sure to swallow all liquids before reading this... drum roll... it's called... Pho King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Pho King Pho King Rocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Power Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 On my honor, and on my life, I swear to you that, as surely as the grass is green and the sun will rise tomorrow, there is a restaurant opening in the Calvert Shoppes in Del Ray which is going to be called...are you ready? make sure to swallow all liquids before reading this... drum roll... it's called... Pho King Rocks, You're Pho King encouraging tripple spacing with that post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deangold Posted December 24, 2005 Share Posted December 24, 2005 Does one need a New Big Wong before Pho King? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dental_FlossTycoon Posted December 26, 2005 Share Posted December 26, 2005 I hear the Pho King experience can be quite messy, but you'll almost always leave with a smile on your face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmwine Posted December 27, 2005 Share Posted December 27, 2005 Is this Pho Real? Oh sorry, that's in Burtonsville ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted December 27, 2005 Share Posted December 27, 2005 Is this Pho Real?Oh sorry, that's in Burtonsville ... Where is it? BTW, the place next to Cone E. Island at 2000 Penn shops has a big sign out front that says "Bon Apetit." Typo or not, that pretty clearly says "bon ape tit" to me. Cheers, Rocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shogun Posted December 27, 2005 Author Share Posted December 27, 2005 BTW, the place next to Cone E. Island at 2000 Penn shops has a big sign out front that says "Bon Apetit." Typo or not, that pretty clearly says "bon ape tit" to me. Hey HEY....you leave Lindy's out of this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dental_FlossTycoon Posted December 27, 2005 Share Posted December 27, 2005 Ahhh Lindy's. A place where they believe you can never have too many signs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted December 28, 2005 Share Posted December 28, 2005 Burt Reynolds: Why don't you give me ape tit for $200? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted December 28, 2005 Share Posted December 28, 2005 Hey HEY....you leave Lindy's out of this! ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckinghamilton Posted December 28, 2005 Share Posted December 28, 2005 Am I the only one who wants to open a pho/BBQ place called "Pho, Q"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monavano Posted December 28, 2005 Share Posted December 28, 2005 Am I the only one who wants to open a pho/BBQ place called "Pho, Q"? "Pho King A" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Slater Posted December 28, 2005 Share Posted December 28, 2005 Am I the only one who wants to open a pho/BBQ place called "Pho, Q"? No, no! A Chinese restaurant called Wonton Desire. (I really saw this once in Rehoboth). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted December 28, 2005 Share Posted December 28, 2005 Photographic evidence of a similarly suggestive place to visit: Mei Dick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demetrius Posted December 28, 2005 Share Posted December 28, 2005 Try Four Sisters by East Falls Church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now