Tasty pho?

My husband now has to travel ALL the time for work. During his travels he has become hooked on pho and wants me to try it. He tells me, though, that when it's bad it's really bad. Where should he take me for my first tasty pho?
I live in Niles but would be willing to travel.
Thanks!

Today would be an ideal day to head over to the Uptown area of Chicago, specifically Argyle Street. I like Pho 888. You can search on this forum for "Argyle Street" or "Pho" to see similar discussions.

JeanneBean wrote:I live in Niles but would be willing to travel.

Hoanh Long on Lincoln Ave does a tasty pho and is closer to Niles than Argyle.

Hoanh Long
6144 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
773-583-7770

I'll second G Wiv's advice; I tried many phos in Chicago over the last 35 years and so far Hoanh Long on Lincoln, close to Lincolnwood, to me has the most flavorful pho of all.

What are the best places for pho in the city?

Oh, LeChoi, sorry to say, you're just waiting to get smacked down from the forum regulars, posting a question like that without searching first. I can't help you myself, not living near enough to downtown to know the options. In addition to what you might find searching here, my fuzzy memory is that Time Out Chicago's annual dining guide last year had a rundown of pho places. Seems to me the Chicago Reader did too; ah yes, I found it.

There now, wasn't that more pleasant than just getting smacked down? I hope so.

I always end up at Ben Tre. They have many different kinds to choose from and after three or four tries, they've always been good. Try it with a Durian smoothie. Mmmm!
3146 West Touhy Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645
(773) 465-3011

Haha thanks Katie! I just know of some places in the suburbs but really haven't eaten at or heard of ANY in the city. I was just curious if Chicago is just not that into Pho or if I just haven't done my research!

Pretty much the latter. Spend a day on and around Argyle. It's a vibrant place on the weekends, and the pho flows freely.

I will second both GWiv & PieLady about Hoanh Long & Ben Tre, respectively. Each are fine in their own rights. Think twice before delving into the Lady-recommended Durian smoothie, however. An acquired taste is being too kind...

I just polished off 2/3 of the quart of pho ga from Hoanh Long, so you can count me as a fan too. I tried so hard to finish the whole thing but now I have some for breakfast.

As for the durian smoothie, if you like onions, you'll like that. It just takes a few sips before you get used to the taste.

Hi,

I liken the odor of Durian to diesel fuel. My method of eating is not to breath in while taking a bite. Instead I breath out while taking it in. I find the taste good enough, though not the fumes.

Regards,

I have been a fan of Hoahn Long's Pho Ga for many years, even though the base of the broth is more beef than chicken. I also often deplore the fact that the chicken meat in it is over-cooked and therefore a bit dry.
But for the last 8 months I have been a convert to the Pho Ga at Tien Giang on Broadway that is made with dark meat exclusively. Therefore it is more tender and flavorful.
Their broth, also beef-based is very aromatic.
The Bun Ga Nuong there is also very nice and flavorful.
Love that place.
Tien Giang 4925 N. Broadway 773-275-4928
Closed on Thursday.

Footnote: I used to love Ben Tre but I believe that they had a change of ownership at one point last year, and my last visit was not very convincing.

I had durian with sticky brown rice at an Xmarx dinner and I have to say it was DELICIOUS. I would definitely suggest to try this combo for those who want to try it for the first time or are put off by odor. It just works!

That sounds like heaven. Would you consider it dessert?

The Pho at Pho 777 is properly beef based with a cinnamon element but it contains all the classical requirements, beef tendon, beef brisket, raw beef slices, beef meatball and bible tripe.
Served with sprigs of Thai basil, lime wedges, sprouts and Jalapeno slices. the only thing I would change is Thai peppers for the Jalapenos.-Dick

Battling a bit of a cold, I craved the healing power of soup this weekend. Friday night took me down to Argyle for some pho for carry-out. I am far from an expert, having only had it from Tank and Ben Tre. I decided to get some from Pho 888 after perusing various threads on this board. I got the pho with eye of round and meatballs (not much of a tendon or tripe girl.) The broth seemed richer and more complex than I recall from my other pho experiences. It really hit the spot and was the start of the healing weekend. I look forward to exploring more of the menu.

Pho 888
1137 W Argyle
Chicago
(773) 907-8838 ‎

I was at 888 on Friday and agree that the broth in the pho is an excellent version.
I do have to say that everything else we had was pretty pedestrian, though, including the overcooked oxtail in my pho.
The only other thing I might order again would be the tofu spring roll.

I am also in the Pho 888 boat. Their portions are huge, their prices are small, and the pho is really delicious. I've been all up and down argyle + broadway (which is essentially vietnam-town, a great place to look for pho), and eaten at tank noodle, pho 777, pho lily, and others I don't recall. My standard order here is the pho 888 (which has tripe, tendons, flank steak, basically all sorts of cow parts) and I ask them to add fish balls, which I haven't been able to get at the other pho places in the area. The tofu or shrimp spring rolls here are also pretty good, as is the beef satay (though it is a very different style than other satay you've tried at thai/malaysian/indonesian restaurants). The restaurant itself is small, but I've never had a problem with seating before, and I've come with parties as big as 8. Oh, I almost forgot the 4 letters that make this place a favorite among my friends - BYOB.

Ok, I've got a dumb question (doubly so because I just ate there yesterday), but... Pho 888 and Pho 777 are actually two different restaurants, right? I'm not going crazy and just imagining things again, am I?

Independent George wrote:Ok, I've got a dumb question (doubly so because I just ate there yesterday), but... Pho 888 and Pho 777 are actually two different restaurants, right? I'm not going crazy and just imagining things again, am I?

Yes, Pho 777 is at 1065 Argyle and Pho 888 is at 1137 Argyle.

The pho @ Saigon Sisters is quite good. They serve beef and veggie versions in the French Market kiosk (Ogilvie Station) and add a chicken version (my favorite) at their restaurant on Lake st.

Also recommend the chicken salad and the VBQ bahn.

It's more of a Loop Lunch thing, but the pho at Yogurt & More (yes, it's a weird name) is respectable. I tried it today, and the broth is excellent, and the meat is flavorful. I had a few issues with the garnishes (not super-fresh) and the noodles (kind of stuck together), but dang if I didn't make all-gone.

They have many other Korean specialties that I'm interested in trying.

Yogurt & More
201 N. Clark
(Food Court - 2nd Floor)

Anyone tried Pho U, corner of Dundee and Buffalo Grove Road? Comments?

Was at Pho U twice a while back and found it "OK", but, IMHO, not great. The menu was limited and the prices slightly higher than places in the city and, I think, the place in Des Plaines on Miner Street (can't think of the name). Unless, I'm stuck by the weather and having a Pho attack, I'll take the ride and go to Des Plaines or into the city. Although, I must say that I really like the name.

EliasS wrote:Anyone tried Pho U, corner of Dundee and Buffalo Grove Road? Comments?

i've also been twice and found it ok, borderline wouldn't go back (i'm not in the area often anyway). should note that the "meatballs" they use are a highly acquired taste: they were the frozen kind you get at the supermarket or ikea, not the asian ones i expected.

i believe this place is korean owned, and another korean pho place i tried (Pho 9 and shabu in niles) did a similar thing with meatballs. maybe it's ethnic preference.

Pho 9 & Shabu
9054 West Golf Road
Niles, IL 60714-5805
(847) 297-5466

EliasS wrote:Anyone tried Pho U, corner of Dundee and Buffalo Grove Road? Comments?

Hmmmm ... Mediocre Vietnamese food, vs. outstanding Uzbek food next door at GNR Chaihanna ... tough choice?

I've tried every place on Argyle and surrounding streets, and Pho 888 is my favorite followed by Hai Yen. Pho 888 has a "grilled beef pho" which is unlike anything any of the other places offer. It's a little heavy, but super delicious.