Pho: Phaith Restored

My dearest is out of the country on business for two weeks, so instead of my normal cooking routine, I decided to explore some LTH mainstays. My venture didn't get off to a good start.

It's just a short hop to Chinatown from where we live. So Friday night, I carried out from Little Three Happiness. Without elaborating and eliciting a rebuke from some of my comrades, I’ll just say I tasted each of three dishes and (unheard of for me) threw out the leftovers.

Saturday, I returned to Honey 1, having had a fabulous meal there shortly after it opened. This time, not all was good. As before, the chicken wings were crispy and hot. The ribs, however, gave new meaning to the phrase “will work for food.” Much tougher and fattier than last time, they were a little too much of a challenge. The sauce seemed to have been warmed too long, tasting strongly of vinegar. The fries were cold and soggy. Even the bread was stale.

So, it was with no small amount of trepidation that I visited Tank Noodle for lunch Monday. I ordered Bi Cuon (pork skin spring roll) and a bowl of Pho Tai, Nam, Ve Don. Basically, noodle soup with beef.

Glory! The spring rolls burst with perfectly fresh vegetables, pork, mint and cilantro, served with a delicious, tangy dipping sauce. The huge bowl of pho was one of the best I’ve ever eaten, complex and satisfying with just a hint of sweetness. My server was capable and friendly. I left delighted and looking forward to returning.

So, life is good again. The stars have realigned and I’m off to Frontera for lunch.

(Little) Three Happiness
209 W. Cermak
312-842-1964

Honey 1
2241 N. Western
773-227-5130

Tank Restaurant
4953 N. Broadway
773-878-2253

What did you have a LTH? I could totally see the rice noodles not being stellar after a wait, trip and reheat. IMHO, that kind of food suffers inordinately from not being eaten fresh from the kitchen.

We've been hitting Tank for breakfast/lunch the past three Saturdays, and I order the Beef Pho (with brisket, and other beef bits) every time. How can something so freakin' good be so cheap? The Reluctant Sidekick (sometimes, he just doesn't get the obsession) orders bone-in chicken pho and loves it. I dig the spring rolls too...a toothy tube of crisp, fresh veggies and perfectly grilled meat, and a sauce worth licking out of the saucer.

So, can someone clear this one up for me: Is pho pronounced FOH or FUH? Or none of the above? I caught the Steve Dolinsky's segment on Tank, and he pronounced it FUH, but I've been calling it FOH (and currently feel like a jackass not knowing).

FUH.

A treatise on the proper pronunciation, preparation and social ramifications of Pho:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=

Thank you. Feeling sheepish about admitting my pronunciation spaz-ocity in a forum of diehards, but I appreciate the help.

Trixie! I was looking all over for that link. My searching skills lose!