(901)728-4711
1411 Poplar Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
When I drive around the west end of Midtown, I can't help but notice all the Asian stores and restaurants. Although wanting to, I have never dined in this area before. I really didn't know where to go or which place was best, given the mixed reviews online for several places around here. After being advised by a coworker about a Pho soup that is to die for, I was convinced of my next destination.
Pho Vietnam Restaurant is on Poplar, just east of Cleveland. On a Tuesday date night, Laura and I journeyed there. I was looking for something spicy, hoping that my urge would be satisfied in the Pho soup. The place was pretty easy to spot and had several cars in the parking lot. We walked in and sat down at one of many booths in the spacious dining area, taking in the amazing aromas coming from the kitchen. After reviewing the huge menu with over 100 selections to choose from, it came to my attention that the soup was not served spicy. I asked our waitress if they could make it spicy and she just motioned over to a jar of garlic hot pepper sauce on the table. It would be up to me to make it burn my mouth. Determined to try it out, I ordered the Pho Tai Gau Sach, which is a rice noodle soup with shaved beef brisket and tripe. We also ordered some spring rolls and veggie fried rice. She ordered a veggie egg noodle chow mein dish. When it was all served within minutes, it was clear that we would be taking some of it home with us.
The fried rice was the best I have ever had. That is a bold statement, but true. All of the veggies fried with egg mixed so well with the rice that I was already in love with this place. The spring rolls were raw, stuffed with veggies and herbs and wrapped in a rice paper. I could pass on them, myself, and I needed as much room as I could save for my soup. The Pho was served with a side dish of extra herbs, bean sprouts and a lemon, which I dumped/squeezed in the bowl. I then added a large helping of garlic hot pepper sauce from the table and began the consumption. The soup had every flavor imaginable; from sweet to sour to spicy, from fresh to rich. Everything contained in one bowl of paradise. It kept tasting better and better as it got to the bottom, which I contribute to the beef marinating in the hot broth. I tried to finish it all but failed, not leaving enough to take home. I realized we ordered too much and would take it a little easier next visit. That time came sooner than expected.
We ventured there again yesterday for another Tuesday date night and I decided on the #91 Ga Xao Ga, spicy chicken stir-fry with lemongrass. "Extra spicy, please" I told the waiter, who smiled and nodded. Again, our order came out quickly and, again, it appeared we ordered too much. Laura got the Pho Tom, which is their shrimp Pho. My stir-fry consisted of nothing but chicken and onions, fried in a thick sauce with lots of lemongrass and red pepper flakes. It appeared spicy but after removing most of the onions, which I am not a fan of, I added the dish of white rice it was served with and began consuming. The spice was deceiving and wasn't very hot at all. I didn't come close to breaking a sweat but I did enjoy it quite a bit. I, once again, ate what I could and left only a few bites. We got the rest boxed up and left even more full than the first visit. I appeared not to have learned my lesson but will try very hard to upon our next visit. I have no doubt that we will be coming here often and I advise anyone who is seeking something different to do the same!
