To start, My guest and I shared a Jasmine tea. flavorful and enjoyed it hot. I enjoyed its floral scent.
For a shared appetizer, we ordered the Veggie spring rolls with tofu and peanut dipping sauce. My guest didn't know this appetizer is served cold, so it took a moment to realize it but we both enjoyed it and the peanut dipping sauce. If you're hungry, note that these rolls are pretty big.
My guest got the brisket pho. She loved the beef broth saying it was a 'nice, clear, good broth'. 'The flavor was absolutely sparkling good'. We were informed that the broth is made by it being marinated with a beef bone for 24 hours. My guest said the brisket was really tender and easy to chew and was perfect. She usually adds salt and pepper to food she orders but found this dish to be just right. While my guest only got the small size, we both thought the serving was rather large but even still, after finishing it she could have had more. Likely, because it tasted it so good.
Our server, Renee, was very patient, attentive and accommodating. Renee did rather well serving us and the other guests in this consistently filled restaurant.
As a vegan I went with the veggie noodle bowl with soy chop.. I had no idea what this was going to be like since the last time I had Vietnamese food was over 10 years ago and before I was vegan. With that said, I was blown away.. visually, the soy chop looks like some sort of pounded, grilled and seasoned chicken breast. After tasting it, wow, memory filled with flavors taking me back to eating some well marinated beef / chicken on skewers off the grill. The texture was even a bit chewy. The chewiness was unexpected because if you don't know, tofu/soy is usually easy to bite through and the flavor mixed with the texture made me ask the server if it really is just soy.. yeah, it is and I just kept smacking my lips while saying how yummy it is. The noodles are served with a vegan 'fish' sauce which the server warned that it may be salty, and I'm not a heavy salt user, so I dipped slightly into this sauce.. but soon realized, it wasn't salty, I really liked this sauce and poured all of it onto the noodles.
As I was continuing my lip smacking and now slurping of noodles, I looked atop the soy chop and saw what looked like some sort of baby scallion relish.... I wasn't sure how it would be since the soy chop was already flavor packed,. But then I tried it and found it very enjoyable, savory and slightly sweet .. I wondered if it used some sort of peanut oil as I felt it had a slight peanutty flavor. Sorry to anyone with a peanut allergy that I didn't ask.
Anyhow, I really enjoyed all of the flavors in this bowl and I know while lip smacking, and slurping , I constantly said yummy repeatedly.
I look forward to eating here...
Read moreThe grilled pork banh mi is absolutely delicious! The pork was tender, juicy, and plentiful. The bread was toasted perfectly. The pickled veggies and pate made it even better.
The oxtail pho was good. The price was right for the amount of oxtail received. The pho broth is light compared to other restaurants in the area. It's not my favorite pho broth, but it's still pretty good. My favorite noodle dish here is the bo kho (or beef stew). It's just a tastier broth, even though I didn't detect much of the tomato in the broth. I decided to get glass (tapioca) noodles this time. It was a good decision. The rice noodles would have been too soggy the next day. I ended up taking most of it home for leftovers. This may sound strange, but it was even tastier the next day. The broth and noodles soaked up the spices, and the broth was much richer after being in the refrigerator. There was still plenty of beef and beef tendons (chock full of collagen) leftover from the previous day. Perhaps that made a difference.
Anyway, the pho and stew were both served piping hot (maybe too hot). So much so, that I had to wait a while for it to cool down. I thought that was interesting because I've read other reviewers stating that it wasn't hot enough. They must have corrected this. I know... damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
My husband didn't like the sweet pork sausage in his pork fried rice. They offered to make him another fried rice without it (great service). I liked the smoky wok taste of the rice, but he didn't care for it. Who knew? We both loved the fried shrimp rolls. I think my husband was mostly intrigued by the hot sauces and chili oil on the table. I was blown away with the fresh culantro on the garnish trays. There were even bits of culantro mixed in with the beef stew. I'm all about the Recao plant whenever it's in Puerto Rican or Asian dishes.
It's a 5 star review in my opinion. The bold & bright iced coffee totally put it over the top. I love a good strong cafe sua da! They'll adjust the sweetness for you. Just make sure you ask. They have desserts, but I haven't tried them yet.
The service is great at this family owned restaurant. They want to make you happy here. It's located in the Lake Brandon Plaza on Causeway Blvd and Gornto Lake Rd. It's definitely...
Read moreA great local authentic pho restaurant is a true gem for any food lover.
Starting with the appetizers, the fresh rolls are a popular choice for their light and refreshing taste. Stuffed with a combination of pork, shrimp, noodles, and veggies, they provide a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The hoison peanut dipping sauce is a crucial accompaniment, enhancing the taste of the rolls and adding an extra layer of deliciousness.
The special house fish sauce wings are an intriguing and unique offering. These wings are coated in fish sauce, creating a distinct umami-rich flavor profile. While not everyone may enjoy the pungent nature of fish sauce, those who appreciate it will find these wings to be a delightful treat.
The highlight of the dining experience appears to be the house special pho. This hearty and soul-soothing bowl of soup features a tantalizing medley of meats and tendons, giving it a robust and complex flavor. The inclusion of tendon adds a delightful chewy texture that complements the tender meat.
What truly sets this pho apart is the owner's dedication to achieving the perfect beef pho flavor. The statement that the beef bones and meats are simmered for 24 hours showcases a commitment to authenticity and a desire to extract every last bit of rich, savory goodness from the ingredients. This extended simmering process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a deeply flavorful and aromatic broth that forms the foundation of any great pho.
Overall, the dining experience at this local pho restaurant is a delightful journey for the taste buds. From the appetizers to the main course, every dish reflects the restaurant's commitment to providing a truly authentic and memorable culinary experience. Whether you are a pho enthusiast or new to Vietnamese cuisine, this restaurant is a must-visit for any food connoisseur seeking a taste of Vietnam's culinary heritage.
Bonus: I also had a sneak peak at this delightful dish, the short ribs with rice, which I will be trying the next...
Read more