pho-king

give us a name! now!

I've got some credit for a couple years' worth of domain registration ... So somebody think us up a real good name! Also accepting 570-pixel wide mastheads (betw. 100 - 300 pixels tall) too. Back to your previously-scheduled soup ...

My first Pho

When I was fourteen and first exploring love, I convinced a half Irish, half Vietamese boy to be my boyfriend.

We had a lot in common: we liked Nirvana, and we had Algebra together, too.

He was extremely tall, had a beautiful face and dark hair. He thought he looked a lot like Kurt Cobain, especially after he bleached his hair. He didn't, but whatever.

He lived in Atwater. His name was Scott.

Scott's mom was a teeny, tiny Vietnamese woman. Scott's dad was a huge man that worked on cars.
Scott was a perfect genetic blend and we would sit in his bedroom, make up song lyrics and smoke a lot.

Anyway, the first time I met Scott's mom, she took us out to dinner to the only Vietnamese restaurant in Merced County. I remember looking at the menu and freaking out because I had no idea what to order and I wanted to seem like a nice, smart girl in Scott's mom's presence.

Scott laughed at me. He ordered Pho. His mom ordered Pho.

I tried to pronounce it. He kept laughing as I kept managing a "Fuh," or a "Fah." Once I made a sound like "Foa," and I was in.

The Pho came and it was steamy and delicious. I ate every ounce.

Scott was my first kiss and my first Pho. What are the chances?!

Pho Hoa

Jake over at 8bitjoystick has a good review of one of the newest instances of the Pho Hoa phenomenon in his own neighborhood. There are several Pho Hoa locations in Sacramento, where I live, and all are quite good, but ignore Jake's suggetion to bypass the tendon - we all know that rare flank / brisket / tendon with extra wonton and egg yolk and ridiculous amounts of Sriracha is the way to go.

best pho in the central valley

Hoa Viet, with a coupla locations in both Stockton and throughout Sacramento, serves the cleanest, purest, simplest and best pho in the central valley. In addition to the usual sprouts and thai basil, they often add sawleaf (or at least that's what my friends call it - anyone know the real name?), finely sliced shallot, and those tiny chilis that the Thai call "mouse shit peppers." Even Bob likes it! The duck noodle soup is good too, but of course it's not pho.

Thanks to Chowhound.com!

Il Forno does Pho

Our friends at the always entertaining Il Forno love the perfect food as well.

i demand that you eat more pho

Finally - just what you were all waiting for - a weblog dedicated to the most perfect food in the world, the Vietnamese ambrosia of beef known as pho. Please post pictures, reviews, and warnings for good, bad or just different pho anywhere in the world. Share the love & eat more pho.