Pho 495

Food is OK but cost is a rip off since they charge extra for carry out and eat in service is pretty bad

It takes a lot to give one star.  Or rather, a little. After moving to the area, we've been on the hunt for a more convenient pho spot when weather, sickness, cravings, or any old day strikes. We wandered in on a Sunday morning, excited for a heaping, steaming bowl of pho.

The first clue met us as soon as we parked and waited for an American family to enter the restaurant  and meet a larger group. Not that we Americans don't know pho, but it's usually a good indicator of a restaurant's quality when patrons are of the same culture.

I was momentarily thrilled to see a large menu complete with appetizers - something we find ourselves wanting even at Pho 75. The restaurant was FREEZING. We both had to keep our puffy coats and beanies on - and I only removed my gloves when our meal arrived.

The spring and summer rolls arrived after our pho. The pho was a dark, clear broth. No floating bits of marrow and meat. Not a good sign. One slurp and we knew. My fiance said it tasted like MSG (his mom used it growing up in homemade pho and other dishes). At least there were a lot of greens!

Starving, we ate the rolls putting off the moment when we would have to return to the soup. The Spring Rolls were quite good - they remind me of the crab spring rolls at Viet Crystal but without the crab. I'd get those again, at least. The Summer Rolls were just meh. The wrapper a little hard and too much filler of shredded lettuce.

We did try to finish the pho but honestly only made it a few bites in and then left. Oh well. The hunt continues.

My husband and I stopped in here after one of my carpool friends told me about this place. He is looking for a Pho place that doesn't skimp on meat like the place that our brother-in-law took us to near Denver, Colorado. I never expect much of a service at this type of places, but I was impressed that the lady who took our order was willing to help out with the deifferent between the topping choices.

My husband ordered a large bowl of Pho with rare beef topping and I had the chicken Pho along with 2 summer rolls. Both bowls of pho were chock full of meat and the broth was flavorful. The summer rolls were good as well. We each also had Vietnamese Iced Coffee with condensed milk. I found that too be a bit too instense for me, but after adding water to it, it was was fine.

Note: There is a charge for carry-out just like other Pho places like Pho 75. It is listed in the menu.