Phở 87 — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Sometimes you review a place based on atmosphere, on service, on value for money. Sometimes a place does something so well, that you couldn't care less about any of these things. You couldn't care less that there are contractors obnoxiously fixing a door right next to you, or the prison-cafeteria-style dining area sparsely decorated with mismatched tacky wall art, you don't even care that there is a server clearing the table next to you by dumping plates into a not-so-clean-looking cart. Welcome to Pho 87.

Disclaimer: like many food snobs, I love hole-in-the-wall restaurants. I get immense pleasure from walking through broken down doors, past worn signs, into deceptively plain dining areas, knowing that what I'm about to experience something truly unique and special. I also love pho. Not to the obsessive degree of some people who have previously reviewed this place, I must admit, but love it nonetheless. Pho 87 makes the best I have yet tried in Los Angeles, and probably in all of Southern California.

As many have said before me, it's all about the broth. Flavors so delicate and delicious, it's almost like having pho for the first time. Subtle hints of basil, lime, elevate the experience even more. I always get the Pho Dac Biet, since I love tripe and tendon, and although I do miss the iconic beef-balls, it wasn't enough to keep me from enjoying every component of this incredible dish. Everything in that bowl just seems to work.

I could attempt to describe the pork and shrimp spring rolls (which were quite good, especially noteworthy was the peanut dipping sauce) but to be quite honest, I don't remember them all that much. Guess you can blame the pho.

Absolutely worth the trip to the outskirts of Chinatown.

*Originally on Yelp! ...

Convenient location just at the edge of Chinatown, and only a few blocks from the Chinatown Gold Line Metro Station. For those who are driving, the parking is FREE in the lot next to the restaurant. The operation hours are from 9AM-9PM. The place is cleaned constantly and looks very nice. There are nice pictures on the walls, as well as, a Koi pond near the door. The place has 1 large TV which usually has either the news on or sports. The staff is very attentive and hospitable. The menu is easy to read and determine what you want. A wide variety of main course Pho, as well as, plenty of appetizers to choose from. Food is amazing. Very robust and rich tastes. Presentation is very well done! Every Pho dish comes with fresh bean sprouts, fresh Basil, fresh jalapenos, and a wedge of lime on the side. There is 2 different kinds of Sriracha, as well as a chili garlic sauce at every table. The choice utensils in this place are plastic chop sticks and a broth spoon (Forks are provided upon request). Service is done in a timely fashion even if it is busy. In my opinion, the price is a tad bit higher than a lot of other Pho places I have been. Although I find the quality of the food and the service to WELL make up for the extra $1 or $2 dollars you spend here. The only accepted payment method is CASH ONLY! While this is not a problem for me it can be a problem for others. Fortunately, the restaurant has installed an ATM next to the restroom which is usually always in order. Other ATMs are not far away such as: Bank of America located on Collage/Broadway, and Wells Fargo located on N Hill/Bamboo Lane next to the Lollicup. Oh yes! and at the register there is complimentary Red Vines and Fortune Cookies for paying customers! Red Vines...

This is the most popular Pho in Chinatown and one of the oldest as well, my friend recommend this place when I was graving for Pho after the Golden Dragon Parade. It located between Broadway and Cottage Home Street. Consider the edge of Chinatown, away from most Chinatown attraction and tourist spot.

I was having high expectation of this place; the décor is like most other Pho Place. Nothing fancy, but there's a huge flat screen TV and was showing college football at that time and yes was in HD. My friend told me that this is the best Pho in Chinatown; Vietnamese Chinese is a large population in Chinatown. So don't be surprise to find many people in here speak both languages. There are famous for their Pho. In fact they got 3 size for each kinds of Pho. We order springs roll, combination pho and a pho with meat set aside. The spring roll was very good, both pork and shrimp are there. The dipping sauce is good but I had better. The Pho well is huge in their largest size, but they seem only gave you regular portion noodles. The rare meat in the side was fresh, however the broth wasn't hot enough. Some of the meat can't cook all the way but I was ok just because the meat was good. The pho price is high in this area.

The restroom is small and only can occupy one person. Service was okay and they don't rush you when there's a line of people waiting. I haven't try other Pho in Chinatown so can't really compare but I did those in the valley and is definite is one of better Pho in term of quality but also more pricey, so really...