Big Pho [Pictures]

LTH,

Big Pho on Lawrence offers a Korean interpretation of Pho, lighter, less spice and noticeably less oily, the broth is "filtered three times" according to owner Hyekyu Kim (Sean). While the broth is less complex than a Vietnamese version. I very much enjoyed the light clean flavor.

Big Pho #2 (Meat ball, rare steak, flank, brisket, crunch brisket, tripe, tendon)


Big Pho's #2 is, well, big, here in comparison to Mike G's #10 (chicken breast)


Pho came with the usual compliment of fresh herbs and veggies.


Only two non pho items available, fresh spring rolls and fried egg roll, we opted for the perfectly fine version of spring rolls. Dipping sauce was a little peanutbuttery for my taste, though a couple of shots of hot sauce put it in the flavor ballpark.

Spring Rolls


Mihyun Kim (Kristin), co-owner with Sean, is quite friendly, she was telling Mike and I how she was in the insurance business and Sean was in computers and the occasional customer brings an out of sorts laptop for Sean to mend. Big Pho also has free WiFi, along with a small selection of drinks, and is perfectly amenable to customers sipping an iced coffee and working, though not during the lunch hours of 11-2.

Big Pho


All in all a nice addition to the Korean stretch of Lawrence Ave.

Enjoy,
Gary

Big Pho
Asia Noodle House
3737 W Lawrence Ave #E
Chicago, IL 60625
773-478-8282
Closed Sunday
M-Sat 11-9

Nice pix, as always.

Just wondering what the advantage could be of triple filtering the pho -- is it possible that noticeable material could actually get through the first not to mention the second filtration?

Gary,
What exactly is the difference between brisket and crunch brisket? I don't know if I have ever seen that (or at least I have never paid attention) on a menu. Sounds like a mix of two of may favorite things on earth, brisket and crunchy anything.

David Hammond wrote:Just wondering what the advantage could be of triple filtering the pho

Hammond,

For an definitive answer you will need to ask Sean or Kristin. I will say Big Pho's broth was almost completely degreased, which I believe is due to "filtering."

My suggestion, go to Big Pho, have a bowl of Pho, chat up the owners, they are quite friendly.

Enjoy,
Gary

Stagger wrote:What exactly is the difference between brisket and crunch brisket?

Stagger,

Not sure exactly what brisket crunch* is, though I agree on the name sounding particularly delectable. While there were some 'Nose to Tail' pieces in Big Pho's pho, they were not quite as offaly, if that is a word, or abundant as, say, Tank's pho. I think this is in keeping with Big Pho's idea of a 'healthier' bowl of pho.

Enjoy,
Gary

*If I had to take a WAG, I'd say bits of cartilage that crunch as you bite into them.

I went to Big Pho about two weeks ago. It was decent. Nothing that blew me away but the triple filtering does offer a cleaner, less oily broth than most others. It was almost too clean for my taste because I like my pho's broth to be more robust. If you're looking for an Asian Style Chicken Noodle Soup with beef then this is the place to go.

Service was courteous but definitely very slow. The whole meal took about 1.5 hrs compared to my usual 40 min Argyle meals. I was also extremely disappointed by their display of small, thin Vietnamese egg rolls in their menu that led me to order what was in fact large typical Chinese style egg rolls, which taste completely different.

My basic Korean-reading skills tell me that the sign advertises their Kalguksu. My friend & I have been planning a visit specifically to try that out, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Anyone tried it?

As an aside, if you're at all interested in learning to read Korean, this is an excellent tutorial - it's the least intimidating of the Asian languages, due to its phonetic (as opposed to symbolic..) layout.

http://www.langintro.com/kintro/

I made pho from scratch more than a handful of months ago. After smelling and tasting it for some twelve hours, I didn’t want to eat it anymore. I’ve avoided pho ever since, but then, just the other day, I had a craving.

I started the long trek down Lawrence ever conscious of my low gas tank and rapidly inflating fuel prices. My intended target was Tank, but I just happened to spy Big Pho in a strip mall a couple blocks east of Pulaski. Hey, I’ll save some gas for the good of god and country, and try someplace different! Good for me!

I was warmly greeted by a young and attractive Vietnamese woman. She said they’ve been open about a year. Nice room, painted some fashionable light green. Approx fourteen four-tops. Picture menu with the usual assortment of phos, as well as expected, spring rolls, teriyaki, fried rice, and bubble teas. Prices comparable to Argyle, though selection is much more limited.

I ordered a basic pho (Tai) that comes with “rare steak.” I’m not much for all those other funky “meats” you can find in pho, though I got nothing against them. The room smelled delicious and my enormous steaming bowl and accoutrements promptly arrived.

Despite the letter similarity, pho is not very photogenic. Still, I quickly snapped a pic and would feel remiss not to share:


I requested and quickly received more lime (seems to be a recurring theme with me).

The pho was good, perfectly adequate, pronounced beefiness and cookie spices. Flavors more muted than Tank, but a definite complex mélange that was satisfying. The “rare steak” was gristle free, a first for me in my pho-experience.

While I slurped, I observed a happy all-Vietnamese crowd of diners. Two separate non-Asians came in for take-out.

So, as your geography and fuel budget dictate, Big Pho can ease your pho jones.

Oh yeah, they have off street parking. Unusually, I did not use the bathroom, though I’d be surprised they would be anything but clean given the front of the house.



Big Pho
“Casa del Fideo”
3737 W. Lawrence
773.478.8282

-ramon

No pics of said attractive Vietnamese woman?

I like how they're marketing to the Mexican crowd, as if it's a carne en su jugo joint, which, honestly, is pretty close. The sign says "House of Noodles: Delicious soup(s) with noodles, rice, beef, seafood, and chicken." I wonder how this strategy is working out for them.

Ramon wrote:I was warmly greeted by a young and attractive Vietnamese woman. She said they’ve been open about a year. Nice room, painted some fashionable light green.

Ramon

Sounds like they Big Pho may have changed hands since my last visit, your post has motivated me for a revisit. Thanks

Another tasty pho choice in the (very) general neighborhood is Hoanh Long, though the menu has a much wider reach than pho. I particularly like the Goi Ga (Asian chicken salad), though my preference still remains Cafe Hoang on Argyle.

Enjoy,
Gary

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

Cafe Hoang
1010 W. Argyle
Chicago, IL 60640
773-878-9943

Blown Z wrote:No pics of said attractive Vietnamese woman?

Actually, I wonder whether it was an attractive Korean woman, especially considering the Lawrence location as well as the prominent Korean writing (all over the storefront pic posted by Ramon). Of course, without visiting or conducting more research, it would be impossible to confirm the ethnicities of the owners and/or employees, but it wouldn't be the first time a local pho place was run by Koreans, for better or for worse. (Disclaimer: I'm a Korean American.)

Yes, there is no reason to think Big Pho has changed ownership. I merely forgot G Wiv's post and can't tell Asian from Oriental. Nor can I tell noddles from pasta.

-ramon