Pho So 1 — Restaurant in Randolph

Besides the popular bowl of different types of "pho" (i.e., noodle soup with chicken, beef, or seafood, etc.), other dishes (or bowls) in this restaurant are just delicious. There are many great appetizers, smoothies, and other Vietnamese dinner selections that you can ask for from the English and Vietnamese menu. The service is fast, so you don't have to wait too long. Although, there is usually a wait due to its popularity during the weekend at diner or lunch time. The hostess and waitresses are very friendly. A great place to check out authentic Vietnamese cuisine. If you haven't had Vietnamese food before, you are missing out. Try "Bun Tom & Thit Nuong (Vermicelli with roasted shrimp and beef (or pork), or "Com Thit nuong and cha gio, (Rice and roasted beef or pork and spring roll." These two dishes are served with lots of fresh lettuce, bean sprouts, etc.) and a sweet and spicy sauce." Also, "Cua Lot (Soft-shell Crab Tempura)" is another of my favorites. Another one is "Banh xeo (a huge yellow Vietnamese pancake with lots of shrimp, pork, and vegetables!)" You can request your food to be prepared certain way, for example: "Don't add the pork, just the shrimp, or ask for just the veggies in your "Banh Xeo." This is one of my favorite...

I have been coming to Pho So 1 Boston for a couple of years. My staples here are the pho, fresh rolls and bun, but occasionally I have a want for spice. My favorite pho is with a combo of beef brisket and tendon. Today's choice was lemongrass chicken with onions and peppers. It has a sweet and medium spiced brown sauce that had me from the 1st bite. I have (almost always) had a very adventurous palate, with my only exception here being the omittance of pigs blood in the "everything" pho. In over 30 years of enjoying Vietnamese cuisine, this is a great find in the center of Randolph. Make sure you either either get here early (11:30 - 12:15) or be willing to sit in the line of 4-top tables that run down the middle of this 18-table establishment. Ifyou ever encounter a bad review, my guess is that its author had a serious lack of patience. The staff hustle to turn over the tables, and they are always polite and take care of me when...

Typical Vietnamese restaurant, nothing special about it, nor do I encounter a nostalgic feeling for the food. Furthermore, It's over price for the location, you can buy the spring rolls at kan Man for half the price or even less (I understand you are paying for the restaurant service but the taste does not justify for the price). The pho taste sort of water down broth with what it seems to be re-used mint and bean sprouts (this may be a typical behavior among viet restaurants). Also the waitress demeanor is pick/eat/pay, which is not all that welcoming, specifically if you are new to Vietnamese gastronomy.

Overall, I recommended going to Boston and checking out better restaurants even. Pho Basil in Boston is a great thai/viet fusion restaurant with great prices, dish presentation and welcoming waitresses/ waiters. Now Pho Basil leaves me with...