"We were driving back from the Eagle's Nest Kid's playground when we ran into this place off Old Hwy 8. What a little gem! We're from Nordeast, and I can confidently say we have found our new favorite Pho joint close to home! When we walked into the non-descript strip mall, I started to feel real pumped as those are usually the best mom/pop joints. Well it totally felt like Pho Tau Bay lol minus the goofy mirrored booths and bamboo plants. It felt very familiar though and I could almost taste the Pho! Lol. I ordered Bun Bo Hue and my wife got the Bun salad with Pork Chop and grilled shrimp. Bun Bo Hue: first of all, we're sitting in New Brighton people. For the un-initiated Bun Bo Hue is a specialty noodle soup that features a strict broth and different cuts of pork along with a standard green plate with cabbage/lettuce, basil, sprouts and lime. Even the fact that I can order Bun Bo Hue, and on top of that it came with pork hock that was super meaty was crazy to me. It also came with slicked beef and sliced meat pie. Yum! So I would have to say I have had better Bun Bo Hue, as the broth was standard Pho broth with added spices, instead of a totally different broth with stewed meats ala Quang (Eat Street) or iPho (Frogtown). BUT, like I said, NEW BRIGHTON people. It was tasty nonetheless, and hit the spot with the right amount of heat floating on top of that broth too. Bun salad with pork and shrimp: my wife was grinning ear to ear, as she was in disbelief that we found this joint, and didn't have to drive to Frogtown to get her favorite dish. The meats were perfected grilled, and tasted every bit as good as the standbys in the city. This place is hands down going to be our go-to for Vietnamese near home. There's really nothing like this place in NE, Columbia Heights, St. Anthony, New Brighton, Shoreview, or Roseville. You would need to get to Eat Street, Maplewood, or Frogtown to get this quality. If you're further up north the equivalent would be Pho Tan Phat in Spring Lake Park. Skip Viet Noodles. Go here. Hands down."
