Best pho!
Best pho I have found in Chicago yet! Nothing compares to my mom's but this was a great substitute, much better than Tank's. I also have tried their seafood banh canh and it was delicious. I'm glad I finally found a decent pho place in Chicago! Their spring rolls, banh xeo, and bun Bo hue are all really good also.
I must admit that I only came to this place because Tank was closed for construction. Â It's right around the corner on Argyle. Â This is a small, no-frills viet place.
The food is good, but the service is pretty horrific. Â They have a waitress who has no idea what is going on. Â I asked for hot tea and she gave me thai iced tea. Â What?!
Then my friend asked for the dish of accoutrements for his soup, and she gave him the wrong one.
Maybe I'll give them another chance. Â I'm sure the extra business from Tank being closed swamped their staff.
Next to Tank Noodles next door, one has to wonder how the pho is over here. Â The broth has a really nice depth, lightly sweet, and has a delicious peppery flavor. Â About 95% of the veggies that come with it (bean sprouts, basil, etc.) were fresh; The other 5% not so much.
However, I especially love the "bun" (rice vermicelli) with the ground beef wrapped in betel leaves. Â VERY yummy.
Definitely would come back here.
i try too many restaurants vietnamises they are ok  food wise
friendliness not at all the waitress she was very nice i came back the very next day with all my family and the owner show us the she got a probl3em with hispanic customers after took the order never came back to ask how we were doing so bitter women im never come back to the restaurant also look dirty !!!
Mi novia and I usually eat at Tank Noodle because it host descent Pho but I have always been curious about Pho 888 due to a recommendation. Tried Le's Pho, & Pho Lily which were watered down versions of Pho (NO!) but Pho 888 gets the broth just how I like it. We tried the Pho Tai (a standard) and Bun Rieu (tomato crab soup). The Bun was descent but I have had better. The Pho was tasty though, flavorful and dare I say, has an edge over Tank. Bottom line: try both, they are right next door to each other and you wont be disappointed either way though Pho 888 has an extra point in my book and will most likely be my new go-to Pho spot.
Review Source:There were plenty of vietnamese places on Pho Row, but I wanted to try Pho 888 first. I thought it was just OK. I tried the Pho Ra (chicken) and one of the Beef Pho soups. The Chicken Pho was decent and the broth was mildly flavored. And the beef Pho was a little too cinnamon-ny for my taste. The fried spring rolls were pretty typical. Nothing amazing, but a solid Pho place.
Side note, don't ask the waiter if they serve Bull Penis Pho (some idiot customer actually inquired about it in front of his 8 year old son). She'll look at you like you're crazy.
4 stars for good value and tasty pho.
The broth was hot, well spiced, and full of flavor. Noodles were cooked to the right chewy texture. Meat was solid. I ordered the extra large and was disappointed at the lack of additional meat and noodles; most pho places, the extra large seems mostly like a larger bowl with lots of extra soup and not so much extra solid food. Don't get me wrong, there did seem to be additional food, but I was just that hungry. So I ordered an additional extra noodle serving and that filled me up properly. Overall though, I was pretty pleased and having grown up in a place with lots of cheap excellent pho options, I have to say I was satisfied with Pho 888.
Service was efficient and friendly.
And it's a 2 minute walk from the Argyle Red Line stop. Maybe not even. 30 seconds perhaps. Combined with the decent pricing, I have to say that this might be my #1 pho stop in Chicago.
There are a lot of Vietnamese restaurants along this strip on Argyle St. but Pho 888 is my favorite.
Its usually not overly crowed the food is always good and consistent and the wait staff are friendly and patient.
They also serve most of the same food as the other joints along the street.
Its just nice to patronize this place as opposed to a huge restaurant like Tank Noodle.
Since my visit here, I have actually spent time in Vietnam and I can tell you: the food at Pho 888 is the real deal. Â Pho 888 was my first experience with Vietnamese food and I was a little nervous. Â I am not usually a fan of any Asian food that isn't "fake" (read: Americanized). Â
I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved the pho experience. Â I was slightly adventurous with my appetizer choice and tried some of a fried egg dish that I never would have ordered on my own. Â Super yummy and more flavorful that I would have expected. Â
The pho was a great experience. Â The skirt steak was cooked in a ton of spices that made the broth super tasty. Â Add a ton of fresh veggies and hoisin sauce made this soup complete. Â The cilantro was insanely fresh and abundant and there were more sauce choices than you could shake a stick at. Â
I highly recommend Pho 888, especially if you're having your first pho experience. Â Totally worth it.
I'm a complete pho novice, so perhaps you should take my review with a grain of salt.
I visited with a friend who's as equally new to this as I am, and our eyes were clearly bigger than our stomachs. We started with the chicken and shrimp spring rolls, which were tasty despite being quite hard to cut and heavy on the herbs. We didn't even get halfway through, though, before the pho arrived. I would have appreciated better pacing, as our rolls were pushed to the wayside, but this is only a small concern.
He ordered the pho with meatballs, and I decided to be a bit more adventurous and try the combination bowl (#22). All was well until the tripe surfaced, but that first spongy bite had me grimacing and the fella laughing. Again, no matter, now I know better. No more tripe for me. The boy wasn't too pleased with the meatballs, but I had no complaints. The broth made the dish; if I weren't a lady, I would have considered sticking my head right into the bowl. Don't need the meat, don't need the trimmings, I could eat just the broth and noodles all day long. And in fact, considering the portion sizes (and let's talk about the glorious prices!), one bowl might just last the whole day.
While I will no doubt to branch out to other restaurants as I explore more Vietnamese cuisine, that broth will most likely keep me coming back for more.
This is my spot when I need a drag of the Pho. The Pho here seperates itself from others in my opinion due to the broth. Sure the noodles are great and the beef and tripe are tasty, but I literally find myself just slurping up all the broth before I even start on the noodles. I have been eating Pho for 15 years, and began my addiction in Seattle where Pho is like McD's, its everywhere, but this broth, damn is it good. Just go and give it a shot, oh and one more thing, stay away from my wife.
Enjoy Suckas!!!
I had to return to Chicago to buys more goodies for our restaurant. This time I took my two sons, my parents and their three friends along to eat at this delicious Pho 888! Everyone confirmed their pho is superb. I also ordered 2 Vietnamese sandwiches to try, before we left we ended up ordering 30 more sandwiches to bring home for our families. It was that good. Between all of us, many thumbs up. Service was excellent! Food was not only delicious, but super fast. Â We look forward to go back soon.
Review Source:I was getting ready to order carryout from Tank when we saw the chicken dishes were $14 dollars, which is ridiculous.  So I used my trusty yelp and found Pho 888, I was not disappointed.  We got the spring rolls as an appetizer and they were HUGE.  I then had the Pho and my fiancee had a chicken/ginger meal which he said was really tasty.  I thought the Pho broth was delicious  and so much better than Tank.  I highly recommend this place!
Review Source:Stopped by here with my wife and mother-in-law to meet our pho needs. We started off with some spring rolls which were very tasty. The pho came out shortly thereafter and it meets our pho needs perfectly. Â After our entrees were brought out and we had finished eating, we had to try pretty overtly to get our bill so we could pay.
 The food was great and the service was decent except for the long wait for the check.
On an early Saturday morning, we decided to get pho to get more liquids into our dehydrated state. Â We decided on Pho 888 as it was right off the redline. Â
Oxtail Pho with actual Oxtail ($8)
Banh Xeo Vietnamese Crepe ($7)
Guavabana Smoothie ($3)
Shrimp on Sugarcane ($3/piece)
This ended up being a feast! Â Of all the items, I probably would pass on the crepe because it was too much on the crispy side, but the filling was quite delicious. Â I loved all the oxtail in the pho and the shrimp on sugarcane was delicious! Â As things were relatively cheap, it was easy to go overboard and order way too much food.
After reading plenty of threads over the years dedicated to the this Vietnamese dish called Pho we decided to pop on by to give it a try.
Should have tried it sooner, what a tasty treat. Started with the Spring Rolls which were delicious then on to the #22, huge bowl of broth, ample enough helping of meat, plenty of noodles, and a side plate full of veg to toss in. Â
Service was solid enough attentive and kept my water full.
Will be back to try some more of their extensive menu.
I've been to this place twice and that's beacuse Tank noodle was closed. The first time we were here, was pretty hot plus eating soup made it even hotter. The second time we came, the place seems cooler. Prices are great compared to Tank noodle. Their deep fried catfish is pretty good. I haven't tried their braised catfish because I was scared to be dissapointed but I think I'm going back next time and I will actually try it. All in all, this place is pretty decent and a lot cheaper than Tank.
Review Source:I grew up in a place with an abundance of top-quality pho, so my review will be a tad critical. My rating is taking into consideration that this is the best I've had in Chicago thus far.
Pricing/portions: Pretty much as good as it's going to get in Chicago. My friend from NY wasn't impressed, but the rest of us thought the prices were pretty reasonable. At just under $7 for a regular bowl and $8 for an XL (which is massive), you're pretty much guaranteed to leave full.
Service: They were quick to take our order, but took an extremely long time to serve us our food. I must say, though, our server was remarkably nice and helpful (definitely exceeds expectations for a run-of-the-mill Asian restaurant!)
Food: I ordered the rare beef and tripe pho, and my friend got the house-special-with-everything. We all agreed that the broth tasted a little odd - not bad, but it had a distinct spiciness that I've never had in pho before. Then again, I'm sure some people come here specifically for that distinct flavor. The noodles themselves weren't as well-separated as I would've liked - I had to pry at them with my chopsticks to get them to stop resembling a loose brick. They tasted fine, though, and the tripe was quite good as well. The "rare" beef was definitely overcooked, but that was to be expected (seeing from some of the other reviews on here, there isn't a single place in Chicago that knows to leave their beef on top of the noodles). Overall, the food adequately satisfied my pho craving and left me quite full, so not bad.
If you're from any place with a significant Asian population (ie. SF or NY), you probably won't be impressed by this place. That having been said, it's certainly not bad and offers enough to keep me coming back as long as I'm in Chicago.
I'm a big foodie, and I love my "phos" -- vietnamese noodles. Pho 888 has authentic Vietnamese style noodles, and the other items on the menus are quite interesting as well. It's very well flavored, and the presentation is great for only being a quick sit down & casual type of place. The owners are very friendly, and courteous and that really stands out to me. Some of the other noodle places have become so overpopulated and busy that the service has truly declined, and in some ways the food as well (and not to mention the prices are still fair for what you get). I am glad that places like this are small enough, with a good amount of staff to pay attention to quality and service.
Review Source:Yelp nails it again with 4 stars. Â I'm telling you, if a business has more than 20 reviews, you can pretty accurately play the averages on Yelp...
Pho was very good; I had the standard beef. Â We aplit that and a Bunh Mi. Â I wasn't crazy about the Bunh Mi. Â The Egg rolls were very good. Â I just wish more garnish was provided. Â It's outstandingly inexpensive. Â Light on ambiance, but it's got it where it counts. Â In the food.
I have yet to have a bowl of pho in Chicago that just knocks my socks off. Now this place didn't do quite that but I was very pleased with my bowl of pho here. So, whenever I'm back in town I tend to drink way too much into the wee hours and this past Saturday night was no different. Of course I wake up and what do I want- Pho of course! Â
I consulted trusty Yelp on my mobile and several places came up to choose from. This is Argyle street after all. I'd had Tank Noodle the last time I was in this area and was less than pleased. I was with my parents and they swore to never go back to Pho 777 for some reason, so we decided on this place which is just a few storefronts down. Â
Ordered: Egg rolls, rare steak pho, and watermelon boba. The egg rolls were just okay- definitely nothing special but not too bad. My boba was refreshing and delicious and made with real fruit. Â The pho was amazing and piping hot. The broth was the right blend of salt and tinge of sweet, and the noodles stuck together (my roommate once told me that was a good sign, that meant the noodles were fresh if they do that). Â All in all, this place definitely did the job and is now on my favorite Chicago Pho list.
Check it out if you're overwhelmed with places to choose in this area! You will not be disappointed.
Tank Noodle is too mainstream. Â Go next door for the more understated Pho 888. Â Its small, rarely crowded, clean, and the service is fast. Â For only $8 you're getting quality and quantity. Â #22 is my go to. Â
Occasionally a crackhead may come in and ask people for money, but the owners will quickly shoo them away. Â But that's Uptown for ya. Â And for the noobs, It's pronounced "Fuh".
I've only tried the pho tai (pho with medium rare round eye beef) and the iced black coffee with condensed milk.
AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS.
Pho broth is aromatic and flavorful, served with a teetering plate of the usual veggies. Iced coffee is strong and is generously mixed with the condensed milk which is a perfect accompaniment to the steaming pho. Probably the best pho in Chicago!
Staff at this restaurant are really nice. I've never been in here when it's incredibly busy, but each time I've been, the food has come out within minutes of ordering. Two thumbs up!
3.5 stars.
Their broth is good and very comparable to Tank's. I would come here if u want less commotion. There were however a few areas in which they could improve
1. Noodles in soup came in a brick. I know every pho joint uses the same prepackaged noodles, but at least separate the brick apart a lil - that's just lazy.
2. Their brisket had too much cartilage - they need to get a new butcher. It's just not pleasant eating meat interlaced with crunchy hard cartilage. I didn't find their brisket or flank or whatever roundeye cut of meat particularly good or tender either. Their tendon is fantastically tender tho.
3. Rare steak is overcooked. Seems like 888 777 and Tank all fail to leave the steak on top of the soup so u can submerge it vs overcooking it.
Service was nice and friendly, even refilled water without asking, wow for a pho place.
Instead of the typical Fat Tuesday celebration, my friend and I decided to enjoy Pho(t) Tuesday at Pho 888.
He's more of a pho connoisseur than I am and he tried to walk me through the menu, but there were just way too many choices. Â I told our server that I was in the mood for something spicy with beef and asked for suggestions. Â Honestly, I'm not really sure what I ordered, but it was spicy, had beef in it, and was delicious! Â We also shared some shrimp spring rolls that tasted very fresh and were a perfect light appetizer. Â
Through out our meal, the service was great. Â Our water glasses never went empty and we never felt like we were being rushed. Â
Like I said, I'm no expert on pho, but Pho 888 gave me a nice warm and full belly on a cold Fat Tuesday.
This is a nice, quick and good Viet place on Argyle. I've been here a couple of times and the food each time has been quick and tasty. The first time I got a blackened pork chop and the second time the Pho ga. If I had to chose between Pho 888 and Tank Noodle (they're right next to each other) I'd go with Pho 888 for the homier feel and decent food.
The only draw back would be the inattentive service, each time I've had to walk up and hand my card over at the register as the staff won't deliver the check unless you flag them down.
Tiny restaurant so you leave smelling like a giant bowl of pho. Â The service was ok...nice, well dress lady took our orders. Â Our food came out bowl by bowl, carried in both hands by a man in an apron who did not say a word and just looked at you for direction on where the bowl belonged. Odd to say the least.
Pho...pretty good (surprisingly) and only comes in 1 size, a large bowl
Bun bo hue...flavor was off, maybe not enough lemongrass
Banh canh...Sister really liked it
I guess the big question is if this is better than Tank Noodle. Â Sometimes I think it is, other times no. Â I've never gotten Pho from both locations at the same time to compare, but I had soup from here today and it was really really nice. Â It has something more of a perfumey... flavor? Â to it. Â That probably doesn't make much sense, maybe it's more herbal or something.
Though, I am rarely fussy at places like this... I had two guests from out of town and we were all content with conversation so I didn't really complain. Â The Pho and the veggie dish the girls got was pretty spectacular. Â They claimed it was the best meal they've had in Chicago since getting here a few days ago. Â That's a plus!
UPDATE: Went here today, and I gotta say they lose a star. Â The pho is nowhere near the quality it is at certain places... it has a weird taste, and was served with well done beef and lukewarm broth. Â The bahn mi was also very weird, the bread was too crunchy and the meat was dry. Â I will unlikely not come back to this place.
I actually think this is the best place to get Pho in Chicago! Â The man and woman who run the place are very nice, and like to chat with their customers. Â The atmosphere is quite informal, and the service is really excellent.
I have not tried any of their main dishes, only the noodles in soup, but just having glanced at the other tables' orders, the main dishes also look quite good.
I suggest going here and simply ordering their special Pho! Â The spices and flavours are spot on, and the noodles, although not hand made, are quite nice. Â And the soup comes with a reasonable amount of meat and veggies.
Lastly, the coffee is quite nice; although I usually go after work for dinner, so don't have the chance to order that.
Imagine: 2 siblings in a cold winter night, living far away from their parents and home, it was right after Christmas and before New Year - all they wanted was a taste of home and warmness. They wandered to Tank to find the wait unbearable and tumbled into Pho 888.
That's my own short version of  "The Little Match Girl," with me and my brother being the main characters. I have Pho 888 to thank for saving from the long wait and Tank,  and honestly I was glad I went here with my brother.
Why?
- The place is smaller, less crowded and much cozier. I did not feel rushed (not that Tank rushed you, but I always felt like I had to leave as soon as I finished my food there).
- The services was good - it was family owned, and we were one of the few customers, so our food came momentarily.
- Their Bun Bo Hue (Hue-style Spicy Beef Noodles) was excellent. I ordered this dish and my brother wanted to eat the whole thing for me.
- My brother had a Pho, and he said it was very tasty. He's not a picky eater, but this kid is a serious foodie - so when he said it was good, I knew it was.
- The portion was bigger than huge - my brother goes to college in no-where-Ohio, so whenever he gets to eat Vietnamese food there's hardly anything left, and he had issues finishing his food (granted he ordered multiple entrees).
We really took our time with the food - and my brother ordered some food to carry home. The atmosphere could have not been more perfect, it felt very homey, and it made us feel a lot closer to home. I know Tank usually gets lots of customers but don't overlook this place. I'm a fan and I'm sure I will be bach soon!
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