Rainy days and Fridays always get me down for pho. Don't say Buddha never gave us anything. This cilantro 10-spiced noodle soup is perfect for foul weathered days like this. Did you know it takes eight to 10 hours for this broth to simmer? That's why it tastes so epic. I've been bowling for pho for yrs. and the best Ive found is the Vietnamese Noodle House in Nashua. It's a nice, bright spot on Main St. Chicken pho is the best here. I used to love Thani, Thani, on Chelms. St. in Lowell — now Pho Da Lat. Not sure Da Lat (which I liked on Middlesex St) has been able to maintain in this hectic spot. Pho 88 in Drumhill, while always praised, is hit or miss. Once i missed on a beef pho that had me wishing Id gone w/ the chix. Never stray from the chix. Beef pho — specially the kind with tripe and other unidentifiable cuts — is a hard slog. I find chix cleaner, easier to slurp. and overall more delicious. Where do you go to pho?
My fave place for pho definitely has to be Southeast Asian. I have never had a bad bowl of pho there. Also, love their crab rangoons and spring rolls. They no longer have a liquor license which kind of stinks and the place needs a serious scrub down.
I personally love Pho 88 and it's always been a hit with me...but I always order the same thing. I also love the new look of the place. It's always either the chicken noodle soup or the rice vermicelli with chicken. Love their fresh spring rolls too.
Viet Thai is also pretty good, but if I had my choice it would be one of the first two mentioned.
pho da lat pho da lat! It's always reliable. i prefer the beef, though I've started losing the taste for the tripe and tendon. my wife almost always goes for the chicken, sometimes the fish.
I haven't tried Southeast Asian for pho, but some of their other stuff is great.
Not sure if it's the noodle soup you seek, but I've liked everything I've tried so far at Viet Thai. I usually kick the mee pad duxk style extea spicy. Mrs. Rollins eats some noodle soup thing that looks like your picture, I'm just not sure if it's the same.
Pho 88 "hit or miss"?
wow.. I guess that's why we are all different... cause Ithink Pho 88 is heads above everybody else . (And I usually head to Da Lat cause it's right around the corner from me)...
the fresh ingredients (love the onions) I always get at pho 88 and the quality of the broth I have only seen at the Pho Pasteur at the corner of washing and beach st down in chinatown...
the meat too... I dunno. Da Lat has always been hit or miss for me.
signed,
a 10 year Pho Obsesser
I prefer Southeast Asian Grill also. I love their pho and also their pho-to-go. I routinely order up some pho for pick up on my way home from work.
Never had a bad bowl or bad experience. But I agree the place could you some updating. They are really nice and the food is fantastic!
I like the beef noodle soup at Phien's Kitchen (on Westford st).
While I miss My-le and Tony at Pho Saigon in Dracut, their chicken noodle soup with extra vegetables is outstanding! I get the small one, which is still plenty to take home.