Steaming bowls of pho. In honor of the Cambodian New Year, and today's incessant rain, Im on a mission for delicious Asian chicken soup — aka pho. Who makes the best in the MV?
Pho 88 was on my short list before I discovered the Vietnamese Noodle House in Nashua. However, the last time we went, Gourmet Guy was not down w/ the broth. And that's everything w/ this dish. Typically they brew the stuff over night so the Asian spices work their magic. You can tell when a pho rush job was done. Any fabulous phos to share? It's about time for a new place to open. Pho Republic in the South End of the Hub is a fun place for cocktails, but has anyone dipped into their pho?
If you ever go to Toronto, make sure you check out its Asian pocket. Pho is chock-a-block outside Kensington Market. Get on your boots and get pho-ified.
I have since moved across the country, but my favorite place to get Pho in the MV was in Dracut...I believe it was called Pho Saigon. AWESOME Pho and spring rolls and service is spectacular! Check 'em out: www.phosaigondracut.com
Posted by Jackie G | April 3, 2009 4:57 PM
Posted on April 3, 2009 16:57
Nothing beats Pho Da Lat on Chelmsford Street
for the best Noodle Soup!
Posted by Cal | April 3, 2009 6:20 PM
Posted on April 3, 2009 18:20
Viet Thai if you like the vietnamese style pho or red rose if you like the cambodian version! I definately prefer cambodian style because of the different flavor of the broth and the fried garlic!
Posted by Hungry Grl | April 3, 2009 9:07 PM
Posted on April 3, 2009 21:07
Pho 88 is the best in the area, bar none.
Posted by Jumpin' Jack Flash | April 3, 2009 11:14 PM
Posted on April 3, 2009 23:14
So you actually left LOWELL to get pho? This blog is getting further and further off the mark. If I cared about Boston restaurants I'd still be watching PhantomGourmet! You have a great niche being THE PLACE to lookf or Lowell food gossip and you did a good job at it. Don't water it down wasting time on places in Boston that have been reviewed to death or talking about what's going on is our supposed "sister cities." How many sister cities can we possibly have anyway?
Good luck getting back on track.
p.s. I like the pho at VietThai, and I can WALK there!
Posted by Man I miss the Lowell blog | April 4, 2009 9:09 PM
Posted on April 4, 2009 21:09
I've said it before, but I enjoy the out-of-town reviews. Believe it or not, Lowell is a 14 Square Mile city, which means that GG would have to post way less frequently because the rate of restaurant churn isn't so high here that there's somewhere new to go every few days. I certainly consider any town in The Sun's readership area fair game. Do they still have a Southern NH edition?
Viet Thai is on my short list to visit. Do they do takeout?
That said, Lawrence is our only sister city if you want to get down to it. Nashua is like a cousin or something.
And if I really wanted to complain, I know this is a blog, but I don't think you're writing it from a mobile device. The slang and especially the abbreviations are getting to be a little much ;-)
Posted by Corey | April 6, 2009 9:26 AM
Posted on April 6, 2009 09:26
points taken. since you bring up the mobi device. Question: would people be interested in getting GG e-blasts and or text. updates?
Posted by GG | April 6, 2009 9:43 AM
Posted on April 6, 2009 09:43
Pho de Lat on Chelmsford Street or Middlesex St. is the best place for pho and spring rolls.
But, you need to try the traditional beef pho. Chicken is o.k, but the beef is full of flavor!
I tried making it at home once but is wasn't even close. Anyone out there with some recipe secrets?
Posted by Pho no! | April 6, 2009 9:50 AM
Posted on April 6, 2009 09:50
GG, I would love it if you started to use Twitter! I'd totally follow you.
Posted by Tweet It | April 6, 2009 10:05 AM
Posted on April 6, 2009 10:05
I commented on this restaurant a few months ago... and it bears another mention.
This restaurant is on our MUST GO at least once a week list....the PEEPHUPTMEI Restaurant...
The food is wonderful. A mix of Cambodian, Lao, Vietnamese and Chinese delights. Their soups are a real treat !
The service is great and the price is right, parking can be a challenge on a busy day!
278 Branch Street
978-937-2919
Posted by MassFoodDude | April 6, 2009 12:02 PM
Posted on April 6, 2009 12:02
My fave is Pho88 because I like the Vietnamese style pho better. But, I am a fan of Viet Thai's pho and South East Asian's as well.
I don't tweet and find Twitter increasingly annoying, so I really don't have any input on the mobile upload and text business. There is such a thing as too much information.
Posted by Ruby | April 7, 2009 3:16 PM
Posted on April 7, 2009 15:16
Pho with chicken? Very unorthodox. I know places will make it with chicken, but it is traditionally a beef soup.
I am partial to Pho Da Lat, but also like Pho Mi Mi on Middlesex and Pho 88/Saigon. I have issues with texture, so I skip the meatballs and tripe and just get the rare steak (Pho Tai).
Posted by JC | April 7, 2009 4:42 PM
Posted on April 7, 2009 16:42
Pho with Chicken...very unorthodox? Really? It may not be traditional but every Vietnamese restaurant has it on their menu. So...how unorthodox can it really be?
Check out Pho Da Lat's menu...they also have Seafood Pho.
Posted by Ruby | April 8, 2009 8:44 AM
Posted on April 8, 2009 08:44
I really love Pho88 but I should also say its the only Pho I have had in Lowell :-)
I used to go to Taste of Vietnam in Leominster when I lived in Ashby and Pho88 is MUCH MUCH better.
Posted by Cait | April 8, 2009 8:57 PM
Posted on April 8, 2009 20:57