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Pho in Da Nang section of San Diego

I started to explore the Da Nang section of San Diego over in the Convoy Linda Vista area. There are so many places there to discover I didn't know where to start. I began with Pho Tau Bay Restaurant at 7604 Linda Vista Rd San Diego, CA 92111. Good resteraunt but kinda on the high side for prices. Seems they have a lot of overhead in order to keep those fish tanks clean and those fake streams running. But it is a pretty nice place inside. Then again, I'd go sit in a back alley and eat if the pho was good. Atmosphere don't fill the void n'am sayin. Very nice crew, and one waitress in particular was way hot. But again, it's about the love of pho not the love of tang right? Well, ok may be there's some gray area there but this place was a'ight, better than some but definately not in the top ten. If you're on you're way to Mesa college and got some extra money, stop in. If you're tight on cash you can find cheaper better pho...

Episode XV: A lost hope

In my never-ending search for distant beacons of light in the pho universe, I found myself at the direct opposite corner of Mira Mesa and Black Mountain Road from the Lucky seafood. The Southwest corner is the home of Pho Bolsa, a nice restaurant. Huge chunks of Ga almost too big and I had to cut most of them in half. This is a surprise because I'm a big mouf mofo. The broff isn't the classic pho broff in the Ga. They use a chicken-based substance that makes you long for more. There are no bits of spices or dirt whatever the stuff is that makes some broffs so good. It was a pleasant place to eat though tucked up in the strip mall by the Wendy's. Since it's so close to the Lucky that's behind the Arco on the opposite corner, I would just as soon walk over there to get a much better pho. They don't have the good chili sauce at bolsa either, which is a big disappointment. Don't much care for the red sauce in the bottle with the green cap. Over all the atmosphere was nice, but do I really go for the atmosphere???? Where is the love...

Enemy encampment in the heart of my clan's territory.

Sure many of you have heard the praise the Cong Khi gives his home clan. Lucky Seafood Pho is definately in my heart and the people there are like family to me. As far as I'm concerned they are the standard to which all others must be compared. But, as I was driving through the parking lot one day, I noticed a small faction nested in the corner of the same strip mall at Mira Mesa and Black Mountain Road.

There, as I lay in hiding watching the enemy's movement, was a small stronghold right in the heart of Hanoi. This shop is small and yet very nice inside. It's called Pho Hung. Great people run this place and offer very good service and food. Great price too; like Lucky they aren't trying to break the bank like some places. I've seen Pho Ga for as much as 8 bux this place was under five like it should be. 

The broth was flavorful and robust and a suprisingly good substitute for my home clan's fortification. I hated myself for liking it so much, as though I was betraying my family. But I have to admit, I would go there again. This could never replace my home pho, but I did like it and would recommend visiting there when Lucky has a line out the door. You won't be disappointed. The sauce wasn't as viscous but the vegetables were fresh and the place was really clean.

Charlottesville VA: Saigon Café

Reader Aaron reports on excellent (see comments - may not be as good as it used to be) pho in Charlottesville, VA. Saigon Café (1703 Allied Lane, Charlottesville) is "the only local purveyor of the goodly stuff and their offering is solid. They are family-run and kind of hidden away but everyone who works there is super nice and the food is always good. The pictured pho tai is their only variation but this being Charlottesville, demand for pho elaboration isn't (quite to the level of) San Francisco. In any event, these guys straight up rock and I wanted to share the love. Charlottesville would be a lot worse off without them."

Pho in Central Ohio

Our friend Doug Evans in Columbus, OH asks if anyone knows of any good pho in the central Ohio area - hopefully someone here can help him out.

Pho on the Bayou

Pho-King reader Jerry down in Biloxi, MS recommends two of the several pho joints in his area. Kim Long, with a very extensive noodle & rice dish menu, and Song Long (formerly Saigon). Song Long serves a number of delicious soups and will easily "accomodate requests for additional greens, spicy nuc mahm, etc. (and) service is fair to good with translation being the biggest problem." Jerry notes that the majority of the Viet poker players in the area assemble and eat together at these two places several times per week, which makes visiting both restaurants a friendly and bustling experience.