Bay Area's Best Pho
Our own Tighe Flately came down with a cold recently, and spent a day or two eating his fair share of chicken soup. It didn't take long for him to tire of those meals, and start looking for something new.
Enter, pho. This Vietnamese dish is just like America's chicken soup, except you get to add things to it. Order a particular type of pho, typically with chicken, beef, or seafood, and you'll be presented with an entire meal in one giant bowl. Add your choices of bean sprouts, basil, soy and hot sauces, and this pick-me-up will put you back on your feet while knocking you off of them, all at the same time.
Whether you have a cold or not, be sure to check out some of these phabulous pho places throughout the Bay Area.
Friends of mine swear by PPQ in the Outer Sunset, one SF native going so far to say it's the best in the city. The restaurant may be fairly small, but it rocks until the later hours, with folks streaming in as late as 10pm for their soup. It's also very reasonably priced, with a medium bowl putting you out at about $7.00.
For those looking for pho without a particular neighborhood in mind, Turtle Tower may be just the place. The Nob Hill location sells some solid pho ga (chicken), and a SoMa location gives folk a reason to slurp the soup mid-day. A recent lunchbreak at the restaurant forced us to grab our pho to go – each table in the space was occupied with people enjoying the soup.
This Financial District spot is a no-frills approach to dining. During a recent visit, a friend of mine looked a little hesitant to head in. But, once the pho was in front of her face, she was sold. The staff is super friendly and the location is perfect for anyone looking to pick something up after a late night at the office. Sai's take on the pot stickers, with a crunchy exterior, is also worth an order.
A neighborhood favorite of my friend, Evan, this Duboce Triangle spot offers a spacious, quiet place for authentic Vietnamese cuisine. If you're tiring of the pho, check out their awesome beef noodle dishes. Be warned, however; the owners recently told me that they will be closed for a few weeks in September, so double-check that the Garden gates will be open before planning your trip.
This Oakland spot is the place to go for pho in the East Bay. The menu features more than 20 different soup options, eight of which include pho. The staff is much more business-like than other pho restaurants, but your meal will be delivered quickly. Folks also love the stir-fry dishes and the Vietnamese egg rolls, if you're looking to diversify the table.
This Palo Alto spot is casual dining with a twist of sophistication, so much so that ambiance and service can outweigh the food, at times. The pho, however, is a solid choice, so much so that a friend recently ordered it on a business lunch. (I do not advise this, as I still have not mastered the art of elegant pho consumption.) Some other menu highlights include appetizers such as the papaya salad and garlic noodles.
Tighe Flatley serves as Blog Editor/Community Manager for Eventbrite. He enjoys coffee, conversation, and any excuse to enjoy San Francisco. Follow him on Twitter, @tflatley.
