Pho Cow Cali — Restaurant in San Diego

If you've spent any time buying meals from restaurants the past few years, you know that menu prices have spiked over the past 5 at pretty much all places in the San Diego area. At least they have in Mira Mesa.

If I go out, I tend to favor Asian (incl. Indian), Mexican, pizza and burger places. While there are some bargains to be had, they are fraction of the past. So I tend to review not so much on price but on value. And for reference, in case I seem too critical lately, I cook in about 11 different cuisines, have been to cooking school (partial), and cooked in 12 restaurants (Canada) including a Vietnamese one. (And once date a Vietnamese girl.) So I know my Viet food fairly well.

I've been back to Pho Cow Cali (PCC) twice after a few years break, because I was eating entirely meatless for two years, for health reasons. I now am flexitarian and eat meat occasionally, and when I do, it's usually because I have a craving for grilled meat - for which Viet and Korean restos are perfect.

Two calendar weeks ago, I went to PCC on a not-too-busy weekday night and got rice vermicelli with grilled pork. Their vermicelli options are numerous, but not as many as some other Viet restos. But I was happy enough that I went back last Saturday afternoon (very very busy) and tried the filet mignon grilled beef option for take out.

I paid extra ($15.50) and got a huge disappointment. It was the worst filet mignon I've ever eaten in any restaurant in my life in both Canada and the USA.

Not sure if the cooks were too busy, or they cut the meat incorrectly but it was inedible. I had to throw out over 50% of the meat slices. They were not chewable. I bought extra noodles, too, which they put in a separate box, but the main portion was really skimpy (same the previous week). It's rice noodles - they're cheap. Don't skimp so much. And the pickled carrots thankfully had little radish (which I dislike), but they tasted mediocre and soggy - definitely not fresh.

This is unfortunately another Viet resto I will not be returning to. There are an abundance of them in the area, and there are several with more consistent food that will...

I’m usually not this critical so sorry not sorry in advance, I feel like I have to be honest tnx for understanding

On a mission to try all the Phở restaurants in America, I found myself at this quaint & friendly Vietnamese restaurant in Southern California.

We kept it simple: spring rolls & phở. The food came out crazy fast, before we even finished the spring rolls, all three of our soups were served (this isn’t a problem I mind having).

The spring rolls were perfect, nice and warm with the perfect crunch. Tender pork, noodle & veggie insides and served with a refreshing yet flavorful vinaigrette dipping sauce.

I personally am a big rare beef/spicy gal when it comes to my phở. So I went with the Special Phở Filet Mingono with my filet on the side. The bowl was MASSIVE for the price. I still can’t believe it was less than $10. The broth was hearty & delicious. I added in the rare beef as I ate to keep it extremely tender. It was served with a heaping plate of fresh sprouts, jalapeños, and 3 different types of basil. There was also a lazy Susan full of spices, hoisin, Siracha & sauces to flavor your soup to your liking.

Besides the food being tasty, cheap & quick to order; the staff were the friendliest bunch! Every employee there greeted us with bright smiles and wished us kind words. It really made the overall experience special. The restaurant had plenty seating and was satisfyingly clean.

If you live in the Mira Mesa area, I highly recommend you add Pho Cow Cali to your lunch/dinner roster. If you don’t live in Mira Mesa, you should...