Phở is a traditional Vietnamese rice-noodle soup dish. Phở is served as a bowl of white rice noodles in clear beef broth, with thin cuts of beef (steak, fatty flank, lean flank, brisket). Variations featuring tendon, tripe, meatballs, chicken leg, chicken breast, or other chicken organs (heart, liver, tongue, etc.) are also available.
More information at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ph%E1%BB%9F
Here are my thoughts on the various Pho places around this area that I’ve tried. There are tons of Pho places around that I just can’t get to all of them but they are all pretty much the same.
Pho 75-Herndon, Va: This is the most “authentic” of all Pho places. And by authentic I mean a couple of the ”buffet” tables pushed together in the middle with a few tables on the sides for 2-4 seaters. The chopsticks already at the table along with the “pho spoon”. Not to mention the “cock” sauce (not sure if I can say that but I really don’t know what the name of the hot sauce is….) and the hoisin sauce. The menu is simple….noodle soup and drink only and you pick the size bowl you want. All you have to do is decide what cut of beef you want. Also, they have chicken and meatballs. You can get your food here quick, eat and leave before the hour on your lunch time is done.
Now, I’ve read some reviews of this place and they say this place is dirty, the utensils are out and it’s not “clean”. Not sure what you’re eating (if it’s real beef?)..haha….it’s authentic. I know if you go to Thailand to get a bowl of noodles like this from the street side, it would be the same way. So, if you’re worried about that stuff then this is not the place for you. FWIW–the pho is good.
Pho 50-Falls Church, Va: This is “cleaner” than Pho 75. They actually bring your utensils out to you after you order : ) . They also have some appetizers as well. They don’t really give you enough meat….
Pho 2000-Herndon, Va: I used to get the Egg noodle wontons here….ummm so good. They have a bigger selection of other food here as well. They have Hot Pot but I have not tried it. I haven’t been there for awhile though so, I’m not sure if it’s still run by the same folks
Pho Hot-Annadale and Centreville, Va http://www.phohot.com/home.php: They just opened a new one in Centreville, Va and I must say…thank goodness. It’s clean and the food it great….(E-sorry for suggesting the wrong thing for you) . The meat portion is good and I like that they have the different bowl size. They also have some vegetarian stuff as well. This is one of my fav pho place.
Pho Gourmet: I’m not that impress with it. I didn’t care too much for the broth there. I don’t really recall much about it other than that. They do have a decent vegitarian selection though and thought that looked better than what I had.
Pho Bistro: Well, the “bistro” is a good hint. I can’t really say anything bad about this place. I’m not too keen with the Pho Chicken and think the broth for that has no flavor. The bowl comes in one size and that is big. I must say that the steak cubs there are really good and I would go there just to get that rather than Pho.
