Best Pho in Tampa Bay
Searching for the best pho in Tampa Bay and would love some suggestions. My current favorite is Pho Quyen in Pinellas Park. I have not tried the one in Tampa. Are they the same owners? Went to Bamboozle Cafe yesterday and thought it bland and expensive. My next stop is Pho an Hoa.
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Pho Quyen Restaurant
4505 Park Blvd Ste 10, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
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There is a new Noodle bar at the Seminole hard Rock Casino in Tampa...They have Pho and Im waiting to get some feedback on that place...If you google the casino you can see the Noodle bar site and read the menu...It better be good...Says a bowl of Pho is 12.00!!! Please post something if you have tried this place...
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re: foodiecub
Recently visited Mekong and I have to agree this is very good Pho. The waitress was friendly and offered helpful recommendations to my friend who was new to the cuisine which led us to try a bowl of Mi Ga Quay with BBQ cornish hen that was quite good. I have been next door to Ha Long Bay for dim sum which I enjoyed. Will try the Pho next visit.
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Saigon Deli was one of the first places I tried based on reviews and thought the pho was just awful. The broth lacked all of the richness that makes it such a wonderful dish. Other posts mention that it may depend on who in charge of preparation but of course consistency makes a restaurant great. Has anyone tried the new La V on Central in downtown St Pete?
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Saigon Deli had the best pho I've had in the area. It's the closest I've come to finding the pho that I enjoyed in Texas, California, Washington DC, NYC, and SE Asia (I say closest with heavy emphasis as I still think it comes up short). However, I would put Saigon Deli above Trang, Saigon Bay, Pho Quyen (USF and Pinellas Park), Taste of Saigon, and Jade Bistro. The banh mi while good... I just can't bring myself to pay $3 for banh mi. The pho at Saigon Deli is a good price starting at $6.
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Nobody has mentionned the Budhist temple in Brandon...They have a huge Thai buffet every Sunday from about 10am until 3 or 4 and the food is fabulous..Its like a street fair and you pay for each item that you want ranging from fried banana/sweet potato/entrees like pad thai,curried pumpkin,spicy green beans with beef,chicken curry,grilled meats and sausages, and more things than i can mention here....it is mostly Thai but they have their version of Pho too and I have come to love it...It comes with beef or pork and they have meatballs as well..The soup comes in regular and LARGE...I get the large but I cant really eat anything else after that so if you want to sample more stuff,get the regular...Once in a while there is even a seafood Pho offered...The temple grounds are along Palm River and under gorgeous palms with lots of picnic tables around for seating...Get there early...it gets crowded and some of the items,especially the Pho can have long lines...Be patient,its worth it...Google Budhist temple Brandon or Wat Mongalontrannan(sp) and get directions and view the pics...This place is very special and worth the effort to find it...
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Continuing the search I tried Jade Bistro on Park Blvd. Very good Pho with the traditional sides including culantro. The broth was very flavorful and rich. It has a nicer atmosphere than some of the other Vietnamese cafes in the area, not fancy but clean. Service was friendly and attentive, perhaps because I was the only guest? I have to say I preferred this to Taste of Saigon. Will return to try other dishes as I would expect them to be equally good.
Alesia on Central did not do it for me. After reading the positive reviews I really expected more. The atmosphere is very pleasant bistro style, but the service was slow and yet I felt rushed to finish. The Pho was bland and did not come with all the yummy condiments. Again all I tried was Pho so perhaps the French dishes are better.
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I like Saigon Bay and Trang's Viet Cuisine, both in the USF area. The meatballs in the pho at Saigon Bay are killer.
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re: holladay
ladlelady
Jul 4, 2011 02:17 PM
Had Pho at Pho an Hoa a week or so ago and thought it was very good. I'm no expert though thought it was a bit better than Saigon Deli. Also been to Song Hoang on West Waters (I think). Didn't have the Pho but liked whatever it was I had (over a year ago so I can't remember).
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re: ladlelady
Mild Bill
Jul 5, 2011 09:35 PM
On one of my last trips in to Saigon Deli I got there a few minutes after closing and the guy still insisted his staff make my two Banh Mi sammies even tho I made no protest... One grilled pork and one 'pork skin'... Ooooo---- it was kinda weird, but good...
While I waited I got to watch their routine at closing time... They began preparing the next days' Pho with tens of pounds of fresh-looking, chopped, red, meat-stripped, bones and aromatic herbs and vegetables dumped into giant cauldrons set to simmer all night while we all slept...
He took the opportunity to explain with pride how they go above and beyond to make their Pho, doing thing a lot of other places don't do...
I only had Pho there once, and I loved it... I tasted the richness...How special their technique is I don't know, but they sure make the effort, and I was glad I showed up when I did... They couldn't have been nicer...
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re: Mild Bill
My sister also loves their banh mi. I haven't had their pho, but last time I was in town, my dad got some Banh Canh as a take out item for me. That was very tasty and one I would definitely order again. Interesting that they they directly simmer the bones overnight. To get a very clean and clear broth, a lot of pho shops will paraboil the bones first to get rid of the scum and impurities. Then they'll transfer to the cauldrons for the overnight simmering. That's how my mom (who actually makes the best pho around :) makes pho. She also uses short ribs and oxtail to put it over the top :) There isn't any loss of beefy flavor and you don't have a "dirty" soup to deal with :)
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re: ladlelady
When in Sarasota "Pho Cali" on Main St. is my fav. The Pho is great, Bun for a cool summer treat is excellent. Also, Summer rolls, Pan fried dumplings, Duck, Grilled Quail and Roasted Cornish Hen served on Viet Fried Rice is on my repeat list.
http://www.phocalisarasota.com/-
re: ospreycove
That's great news Osprey - it's been a year or so since I've eaten at PC (said I'd never go back, bad service) but I do eat at MissSaigon on 301 at least once a week - it's really good. Great pho ga, too. A new place (Pho Amy) opened almost across the street from them, and after two tries I give it a 'thumbs up' also. The owner said almost apologetically they make their rolls to order - best I've had in the bay area. Not much in the way of decor, but the hospitality makes up for it!
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re: cflynn
Pho Amy is very good, they have Banh Mi made with fresh baked bread; and it is a bit slow as every dish is made to order, Kind of like eating in a friend's grandmother's kitchen!! Pho Cali does not have the tasty little sandwiches!!
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Pho Cali
1578 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236
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I think the best one I've had is the Pho at Alesia Restaurant in St. Pete. New place just opened about a month ago www.alesiarestaurant.com. Second one I like probably Taste of Saigon in Pinellas Park.
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re: NictheQuick
Tried it today at lunch - you are right Nic, the pho broth was very tasty and the steak was a perfect med-rare at service. Curious though that no sprouts, thai basil or chilies were offered - just the hoisin and sambal. I asked both the waiter and the owner with no luck. Very good summer roll as well!
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askdrtodd
Jun 24, 2011 06:14 AM
Yeah, I love love love the rolls at Bamboozle, but their Pho is pretty boring. I remember the Pho at Saigon Deli being pretty yummy, but it's so hard for me to not get a banh mi when I go there. Kind of like it's really hard for me to not get the make your own rolls at pho quyen
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The different Pho Quyen restaurants around the Bay Area are all owned by the same family and their extended relatives, but each one has it's own specialties. I personally like the Bun and Pho better at Pinellas Park and the stirfried items more at the one on Hillsborough.
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Pho Quyen Restaurant
4505 Park Blvd Ste 10, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 -
Taste of Saigon on Park Blvd (just east of 66th Street on the north side). I have eaten at Pho Quyen for many years (and still do for some dishes), but the Pho at Taste of Saigon blows theirs away. Have tried pho at many places, and so far this is my favorite by far.
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Pho Quyen Restaurant
4505 Park Blvd Ste 10, Pinellas Park, FL 33781Taste of Saigon
6527 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 -
