Pho Tai Lakewood, Lakewood WA 9am to 4am daily

If you're looking for some midnight eats, then tucked into a nondescript strip mall along Tacoma’s South Tacoma Way, you will find the late night Pho Tai, as in late night being open daily (well nightly) until 4:00am.  Upfront, don’t expect anything fancy, but the place is fairly large and can seat quite a number of people in both booths and standard table configurations. Take out is a big thing here, but with the relaxing of many Covid restrictions indoor dining is also now available.  Upon being seated you are presented with what I would consider a very extensive if not overwhelming (for a first time visitor) array of offerings. Pretty much a plethora of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese a la Asian dishes, all with full color images encased within a childproof high laminate menu. The images alone are pretty eye popping from the Bubble Tea, Milk Tea, bobas and etc. to the many assortments and combinations, from the 15 or so types of  Pho (with a special section for ‘beginners’), to Vietnamese Sandwiches (Bánh mì), Teriyaki, Salad bowls and the familiar traditional Thai options.  This visit (around midnight) we had the Fresh Rolls which where basic but refreshing with a Thai peanut sauce, a Pho dish featuring raw beef and meatball, along with what could be called a breakfast Bánh mì with Vietnamese ham and greens served on a crisp baguette and topped with an over easy fried egg.  In addition to this midnight feast we downed a super creamy and delicious chocolate/coffee (mocha) shake along with a Banana flavored milk tea with Strawberry bursting Bobas. Yes, a weird combo, but it was midnight. Pho Tai Lakewood is a great stop for late night and no doubt anytime during their opening hours of 9am-4am daily. Prices are very reasonable with a pretty decent value for monies paid. Dine in or takeout, but be forewarned the menu is somewhat overwhelming at first sight.