After a narrow escape from the imperial PHO HOA HIEP on Mira Mesa road east of 15, I couldn't help but ask myself what had just went through. I should know better than to stray from my home pho like that but I feel the need to put my clan's pho to the challenge to make sure they are still the shining center to the phuniverse.
The Commander and I entered the strange unknown pho joint with an uncanny optimism. The smell was good however more subtle as we couldn't smell it until we were actually in the place and almost to the table. That should have been the first sign that something was going to go awry. We sat down and I ordered the usual. I'm a die hard pho ga phan and when out for a challenge I like to compare phapples to phapples so I order the same thing.
We decided a nice goi cuon starter was in order. To my surprise this was to be the best part of the entire meal. The peanut sauce they make at PHO HOA HIEP is the best I've had (sorry if I offend my clan's sauce). It's a thicker sweet spicy sauce that really complimented the rolls nicely. Clinging to the rolls like a sweet melody playing in your ears. However, we were well done with the rolls and the pho hadn't gotten to the table yet. This built the anticipation and I was hoping for the best. Pho, unlike revenge is best served HOT and fast so we were left wanting.
The Pho Ga was presented well but didn't have the strong herbal essence I was used to. They did also include mumgn sauce which was nice ginger addition. But, when the smell of my clans’ pho hits your nose, it's like you have started to lift off the ground. This inferior pho kept me grounded but I was willing to try it anyway. They have an excellent red chili sauce that defiantly was another one of the tops in the meal. However, the commander and I found ourselves searching for more chicken half way through the bowl. I use a variation of the technique formally refered to as the Minimide wrap as handed down for thousands of generations and true art form in and of itself. I take the meat from the pho and dip it in to a mixture of hoisin/sriracha sauce, wrap it in a basil leaf and/or mint leaf, add a slice of jalapeño and ever so delicately place this small slice of heaven on to my tongue.
I wasn't pleased with the slice of the peppers as it threw the wrap off a bit. I'm one that likes to have pepper in each bite and since they cut the peppers the long way it threw off the divine ratio that makes a mouthful ecstasy. So after only finishing half a bowl, I went in for my iced coffee and even that was a weaker version of what I know and love. I knew when the pho was set in front of me with that lucid broth we would be lucky to get out of this place alive. With a slight distraction for the guards the Commander and I made a break for the light. A small tip and a mighty Hi Pho Silver and we were away....Tune in next week your pheros most likely yet again regret leaving the Lucky Pho to face another challenge to the clan.