Pho Life! (trailer, Vietnamese, area)

[ccm123]

SoCal does have some excellent pho restaurants!

Originally Posted by jimmykem

You will find the best pho (and Vietnamese food) in the LA area (imo). Come and try it if you ever get a chance. 2nd best I've had goes to the Bay Area.

[ccm123]

When in LA, we always hit these pho places:

1/ Golden Deli (San Gabriel).

Golden Deli - San Gabriel, CA

2/ Saigon Eden (San Gabriel).

Saigon Eden - San Gabriel, CA

Both have a solid 4 star rating on Yelp. Obviously, the list is not exclusive, as there are many others in the LA area.

Originally Posted by Chilly Gentilly

My family is in Los Angeles and I'm overdue for a visit. Do you mind recommending a few places? I bet there's some dynamite Vietnamese there!

[dalparadise]

I don't know that I've ever had any bad Pho. It's really simple street food, so differences between places tend to be in slight nuances of flavors. I've had equally good bowls of Pho in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Francisco, Berkeley, and Los Angeles, as far as I can remember.

I do remember friends visiting me in Houston from Austin in about 1990, specifically to try Pho because they couldn't locate good examples in Austin.

@Metro Matt-- I never said it was "unpopular" in Houston, so take a breath. Not everyone who comments is taking on Houston. I simply said it has waned a bit from its zenith of several years ago when Vietnamese cuisine seemed to be more influential (or at least more popular) in Houston. It was not then, nor is it now "on every corner" either. Like I said, Pho is not that special or unique, so it doesn't inspire competition to make different styles. It's a simple, traditional dish with great examples of it to be found in any city with a sizable Vietnamese population.

I am very good friends with someone who owns a couple of Vietnamese restaurants in Houston. I have even partnered with him in a couple of business ventures and have worked to promote his restaurants. I have an accurate view of the Pho landscape in Houston.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by Chilly Gentilly

I normally feel that Sriracha could be used as currency, but in pho it adds too much sweetness for me. To get the heat, I add raw jalapeno slices. Mmm mmm mmm.

Agreed. As a pho rookie I put sriracha in it but it alters the taste too much, so does soy sauce. Esp if it's not the standard Huy Fong you see in places, most real sriracha (coming straight from asia) is a bit sweeter actually. Some can have a more vinegary and bordering on fish sauce pungency to it. Better to just add salt and pure heat with salt and jalapeno/thai chile's. Be careful though, jalapenos in broth make the food way hotter overall b/c of the oil and stuff and what you might eat on a sandwich will be way hotter submerged in a steeping broth.

I've had bad pho once, the meatballs were freaking frozen inside still, never went back.

[ccm123]

Yeah, I think Sriracha kills the delicate taste of the broth also. I also pile jalapenos in my pho when I want heat!

Originally Posted by grapico

Agreed. As a pho rookie I put sriracha in it but it alters the taste too much, so does soy sauce. Better to just add salt and pure heat with salt and jalapeno/thai chile's. Be careful though, jalapenos in broth make the food way hotter overall b/c of the oil and stuff and what you might eat on a sandwich will be way hotter submerged in a steeping broth.

I've had bad pho once, the meatballs were freaking frozen inside still, never went back.

[Chilly Gentilly]

Originally Posted by ccm123

When in LA, we always hit these pho places:

1/ Golden Deli (San Gabriel).

Golden Deli - San Gabriel, CA

2/ Saigon Eden (San Gabriel).

Saigon Eden - San Gabriel, CA

Both have a solid 4 star rating on Yelp. Obviously, the list is not exclusive, as there are many others in the LA area.

GOLDEN DELI looks so good...especially the egg rolls

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by Chilly Gentilly

Hmm...I'm not sure Kathryn. I might need a receipt for that claim next time you're in the City. (receipt=proof)

OK - see you in about two weeks - LOL!

Seriously though - it's SOOOOOO easy to make!

[dalparadise]

Originally Posted by Chilly Gentilly;31890763



Hmm:think:...I'm not sure Kathryn. I might need a receipt for that claim next time you're in the City:ok:. ([B

receipt=proof[/b])

That's twice you referred to New Orleans as "the City". Is that a thing now?

People in SF and Manhattan (and a few others from that contentious thread a few months ago) want to know.

[Chilly Gentilly]

Originally Posted by dalparadise

That's twice you referred to New Orleans as "the City". Is that a thing now?

People in SF and Manhattan (and a few others from that contentious thread a few months ago) want to know.

Lol. Okay well you tell SF and Manhattan that NOLA area residents have long called inner-city New Orleans "the City". There's the Westbank(across the Mississippi River), Metairie/Kenner(suburbs to the west/Airport), the Northshore(north of Lake Pontchatrain), and then there's the City .

[dalparadise]

Originally Posted by Chilly Gentilly

Lol. Okay well you tell SF and Manhattan that NOLA area residents have long called inner-city New Orleans "the City". There's the Westbank(across the Mississippi River), Metairie/Kenner(suburbs to the west/Airport), the Northshore(north of Lake Pontchatrain), and then there's the City .

I don't know... I think I need further verification. I don't doubt that it can be used interchangeably with "downtown" as you describe, but to refer to as such to a person in Texas? I don't think that's common.