Toronto - Best Pho recommendations?
Hey guys/gals,
I just want to see what everyone's opinion on the best Pho, the viet noodle, in Toronto is. I'm talking specifically the 'rare beef noodle' pho. I've tried many restaurants in downtown Toronto like 88, or Train head, etc and they're not so great. Like some doesn't include enough veggies (or herbs), some gives really crappy beef, and some gives crappy noodles. As far as the soup goes, they're all pretty much the same to me.
So far, the only place I enjoy pho is at Finch and Midland (in Scarborough). I don't remember the name of it, but there is only one. The Cantonese pronunciation of the place is 'yune jok yuen'.
Anyways, let me know what you think!
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http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/374112
Another good chowound thread (more recent reviews as well) including my rundown of about a dozen pho places this year.
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Pho Hung has thin, slightly watery broth. However, the meat is excellent, the place is spotlessly clean and bright, the enclosed patio area is nice to sit in, the service is fast, and the wings, spring rolls, and shakes are great. Note that if you're dining solo, they can be quite brusque in trying to get you share a table during busy times.
Pho Pasteur has left me 'disturbed' on too many occasions for it to be sheer coincidence.
Que Ling in the Gerrard St. Chinatown deserves mention. Very good on all fronts. Tiny shack of place. I'd say more, but, it has been a while since I was there (just not in that area very much).
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I've been extremely disappointed generally by Toronto Pho but I've been spoiled by living in a great Pho city! The best so far I've found is Pho Mi Asia, and believe it or not the best is saigon springroll, a small place on coxwell and o'connor. I hope it survives because it doesn't seem like a great area for a pho restaurant but the broth is extremely flavorful and they provide sate sauce on the side which makes it EXCELLENT. I ordered pho sate at the train place once and wow...that was the first time in my life I refused to keep eating after a single bite of any meal. This place doesn't have the best meat, it seems too lean and not enough of the tripey fatty bits, but the broth makes it worthwhile for me
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Pho Pasteurs meat is outright disgusting. It don't know what cut of the beef it is, but its chewy and turns into mush in your mouth. If you want a vegetarian pho, sure pho pasteur has a nice broth, but if you care about the quality of your m eat then pho hung is far superior. Plus the spring rolls, both fresh and fried are phenomenal at pho hung. the bun however is really poor.
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re: gastronom
I have been a regular at Pho Pasteur for the last 2 years and I agree that they could do better with their meat quality but they come out tops in other categories.....again I agree with the meat quality of Pho Hung but their broth is a bit off compared to Pho Pasteur.....and while the service is quick at Pho Hung,the attitude almost border's on unfriendly....
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On the persuasive power of the numerous votes for Pho Hung, I had a bowl there this afternoon for the first time. The broth was very watery, although the quality and quantity of the meat was pretty good. But for me it's all about the broth, and I would give Pho Hung a C+.
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re: jennjen18
Wahooty
Jul 22, 2009 07:53 PM
That's disappointing, but not really surprising - consistency isn't their strongest suit. But one of the reasons I like them is that their noodles usually still have some bite to them - I've never gotten soggy ones. Haven't been in a few weeks, though. However, even on an off day, I'll still take them over Pho Hung. I don't get why people rave about them so much - I just don't think PH is anything special.
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re: Wahooty
Charles Yu
Jul 22, 2009 08:06 PM
Foe Pho Hung, I noticed a distinct difference in the quality of the broth between lunch and dinner. Lunch was great but dinner was watery. May be the kitchen dilutes the broth when business gets too brisk?
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re: b2lu
i like Pho Dau Bo - the mississauga location or north york location: 2437 Finch Avenue West, North York. The broth has strong beef flavour, not watery!
I also like Pho Viet because its close to home (Warden and Steeles)- the broth is quite good, they soemtimes have off days but usually its on.
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Are you talking about Schezuan legend(its the only chinese restaurant that i know of in the area that you're referring to)? Their pho dish doesn't contain any meat or veggies, but their noodles are drenched in their homemade chilli sauce which is spicy and super tasty!
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re: borzecki
Charles Yu
Jul 22, 2009 03:52 PM
No!!!! Definitely not! Pho66 is a genuine Pho place run by a few ladies from Vietnam. As for the exact address, I need to grab their business card from my office. Will post tomorrow.
Hi, Yum2MyTum! Prefer Pho Hung but noticed their quality wasn't as good as before. Too much popularity not necessarily a good thing?!
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re: Charles Yu
Charles Yu
Jul 22, 2009 04:29 PM
Pho 66 address is 1795 St Claire West ( corner of St, Claire and Old Weston Road )
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in case you don't feel like reading through 154 posts, try Pho Hung on Spadina one block north of Dundas. It's the best by far. Golden Turtle is a close second on Ossignton.
Pho 88 does not make a good Pho, their Bun is phenomenal however.
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re: gastronom
Charles Yu
Jul 22, 2009 03:30 PM
IMO, Golden turtle is grossly over-rated. Just because Susur Lee used to frequent it during after hours or on his day offs does not guarantee food is always great! The broth of GT is no where near the dense and tasty version of Pho 66 on St Claire west at around Weston road. The noodles, the beef, briskets, beef balls etc as well as the condiments are all superior. Only complain is that the place is a bit run down. Pho Hung used to be my favourite as well until I discovered Pho66.
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re: Charles Yu
Hi Charles. I have to agree with you about Golden Turtle. Tried it out twice, very disappointed. The broth wasn't complex, the meat was full of gristle.
Any suggestion for somewhere downtown? St. Clair and Weston is far. What do you think of Pho Hung vs. Pho Tien Thanh on Ossington?
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re: Charles Yu
haggisdragon
Jul 23, 2009 10:21 AM
Just had lunch at Pho 66. Very good indeed. Sweet rich beefy broth, chewable noodles, I had rare beef and tendon with mine. The rare beef was not very rare, the tendon was thick silky and rich. Thanks for the heads up Charles Yu!
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re: haggisdragon
Charles Yu
Jul 23, 2009 03:41 PM
You are most welcome! Glad you enjoyed the food. Their fatty brisket was very good as well. Very flavourful!
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