| Address | 1721 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (703) 525-7355 |
A great, cheap eat. Service is very fast, but once you get your main dish the attention is not very high (for refilling water etc.)
Pho is, by definition, simple food served quickly. Pho 75 delivers, with a no-frills setting and a cart that delivers the beef soups and standard sides (hot green peppers, bean sprouts, cilantro, lime wedges) in short order. There's not a lot to their service, because there isn't supposed to be. But it's a lot of soup for the money, and you can add black bean sauce and/or sriracha (hot chili sauce) to your taste to make it just they way you like it. IMPORTANT NOTE: This place is CASH ONLY, so be prepared. But a $20 should cover you and a date nicely, so don't worry too much.
The noodle soup originally from Hanoi, now popular all through Vietnam, is generally considered more of a breakfast food but is spreading throughout the day, even in Vietnam. Breakfast foods the world over are usually simply prepared with uncomplicated flavors. Think of pho like pancakes: you can get tasty ones, but it’s rarely high art. Pho 75 takes the pancake house approach: you can only order one thing here, just some variations on it. What’s different from pancakes is that the broth for pho, the standard on which it is judged, should take a long time to prepare. Perhaps overnight. That’s what they do in Hanoi; that’s why you eat it in the morning. Pho 75’s broth is usually tasty, but it’s inconsistent. It’s heavier and darker than the norm, with a stronger beef taste and less anise. Longtime pho fans may find it a bit much. The beef toppings are more plentiful and of a better cut than one might expect; pho typically uses scraps. The meat menu choices labeled “well-done” seem cooked in advance and can be just a bit tough. Try the rare cuts for a more harmonious experience. Vegetarians have no choice here except plain noodles—in the beef broth. Bowls comes with a plate of lime, peppers, bean sprouts, and basil leaves, which is southern Vietnamese style. Freshness varies; check the basil carefully before throwing it in. Pho 75 sells a variety of just slightly overpriced beverages, mostly fruit-based and mostly Vietnamese, whose sweetness doesn’t quite compliment the soup but does balance it. The dining room is merely a plain collection of long tables, but when full it does impart a sense of community to see everyone’s head in the mixed crowd bowed low over the same dish.
Yes, MSG is an essential ingredient in all pho, but that alone can't explain why this place is so straight-up addiction forming. Not only is pho a great hangover food, but Pho 75 has long hours, good service, and, once you get to know the place, it starts to feel like an extension of your own home. The entire process is a comfortable routine, right down to the slurred "Somefing to driiink?". Can't beat it. The soup has variations from day to day - sometimes saltier, sometimes meatier - but it's always good. Recently I've noticed more issues with the noodles clumping, which I'm hoping will stop. Hopefully this isn't a sign of too much success. Whatever, I'll be back next week regardless.
If you love Pho, Pho 75 is awesome. I've been to the one in Rosslyn and Rockville.
Simple concept: excellent pho and quick and cheap. They are no frills kinda places with simple tables and chairs...after all, you're there for the pho, right?
I definitely recommend salty plum drinks and the desserts--banana, corn or green bean puddings--are yummy!
What you see is what you get. I dare you to find a better meal for $10 per person (including beverage). Pho is simple, straightforward, healthy, and good.
Superior value for money here.
