Pho Thanh Vietnamese Restaurant
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Photo courtesy of Brett Mulcahy; PhotoXpress.com
1702 W. Camelback Rd. #14
Phoenix, AZ 85015
(602) 242-1979
Hours: Monday through Sunday-8:30 am till 8:30 pm-Tuesdays Closed
Price Range: $
Alcohol: None
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Attire: Casual
Waiter Service: Yes
Outdoor Seating: No
So this week I tried Vietnamese food for the very first time. I was so amazed at the complexity of dishes they serve it was quite hard to pick just one! We decided to go around noon and to my surprise it was packed full of people. The place itself is pretty big, very clean with a giant flat screen tv that played interesting Vietnamese music videos. The servers were busy running food and taking orders, it was impressive to see how fast they bussed the tables as soon as the tables left. We sat and looked over this tremendous menu ( they have about 162 items to choose from), but I have heard from several people that the traditional 'Pho' dish is wonderful so I had to try it out for myself. For those who have yet to try Pho here is a description from their menu;
" Originating in the mid-1880s, Pho was influenced by both Chinese and French cooking. Rice Noodle and spices were imported from China while the French popularized the eating of red meat. A French soup 'pot au feu' was also believed to be an influence. The beef broth is made from many hours of slow cooking and delicate seasoning of exotic spices. The dish is topped off with fresh Vietnamese garnishes including the inimitable sawtooth hearb possessing medicinal properties. The infusion of culture and innovation through Vietnamese people has not only created a unique dish, but also a tradition and staple of the Vietnamese cuisine." Quoted by Pho Thanh Menu.
We sat down and decided to try the Bi Cuon which are spring rolls filled with shredded pork, vermicelli, lettuce, mint, and sprouts wrapped in rice paper. ($2.25) We also ordered Cha Gio which is Vietnamese egg rolls served with vegetables($2.25). The veggies on the side included basil, lettuce and cilantro which you wrap around the egg rolls themselves and dip in either the fish sauce or peanut sauce. Might I say they both were delicious! The spring rolls were perfectly chilled and went well with the peanut sauce. The fried eggrolls were also quite tasty filled with pork and shrimp, quite the combo!
Next was a hard decision to make when it came to our entrees. Again they have 162 menu items to choose from but I stayed firm in trying the Pho. I ordered Pho Tai Bo Vien($4.95) which is a rice noodle dish that comes with sliced beef and meatballs. Along side is an assortment of vegetables to add to your dish; lime juice, basil, jalapenos and bean sprouts. I have never been so delighted about a soup dish in my life! The flavors were amazing, the beef nice and tender, the meatballs out of this world, and the broth was the best part. You can tell it has been simmered for a long time, it had so much complexity my belly thanked me for every bite! And mind you the portion of this dish is HUGE and the price you can't beat!
All in all this a place that was quite affordable and very delicious. My bill altogether without tax came to be $9.45. Not a bad deal for anyone who is on a budget and needs to go out to eat every now and again. Every other week or every week I will find a new place that has great lunch specials(within budget) and give my review of them. I hope this helps the next time you are looking for a new place to eat at.
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