Pho' Lucky

During my visit to Lucky Seafood Supermarket, I noticed the adjoining restaurant.

And so I made my way to Lucky Pho' during a recent weekend. The dining area is fairly large and there is pretty good spacing in the wide open dining room.

I was seated very quickly; and on this visit was handed a menu, and the Gentleman stood pen and pad ready for my order. I hadn't even opened the menu yet, yet he stood there with an deadpan inscrutable look on his face, ready for my order. Ooookay! Two can play this game! I slowly opened and glanced through the menu, and took my time. And placed my order, the #1 Pho Dac Biet(Large Bowl - $4.75):

Everything arrived within minutes, and at the same time; my garnish, tea, and Pho. The amount of garnish was adequate, not the most I've ever had, and not a skimpy amount. Ngo Gai was also provided. I've started trying to really "taste" my Pho' broth, so instead of adding all my garnishes, I always taste the broth. In this case I kept slurping spoonful after spoonful, and made myself stop. The slightly dark broth was very hearty, but not rich or oily, but I could make out hints of clove, anise, and what almost tasted like cinnamon. I must say that I really enjoyed the broth. After adding the basil, Ngo Gai, bean sprouts, and peppers, I started working on the rest of the bowl. The portion of meat provided was adequate, though short on tripe. The fat on the brisket was on the tough side, though the meat itself had good flavor. The rare steak was okay, and the tendon had some overly tough, and crunchy parts.

The noodles were a perfect al' dente, slightly chewy, with a nice "pull" to them, and was in a "loose" clump in the bottom of the bowl, which is an improvement over the tight clump of noodles that is the standard at most places. I must say I really enjoyed this bowl of Pho'; the flavor was really "to my taste". Some may enjoy a light, "refreshing" Pho', some may enjoy a broth heavier in oil, or maybe a very rich dark beefy broth, this bowl was to my taste.

I returned recently with My Buddy Jack, for a quick lunch. Jack had Pho', but I ordered something I saw someone else eating during my last visit; the Beef Stew($4.50):

The beef stew was served in a small bowl with a baguette. The beef stew may scare some people off, since there is a layer of oil lying on top of the "broth". The portion size may seem small, but there was enough fork tender and moist meat, combined with the very rich anise and curry like broth. The meat was not overly fatty, and not inner-tube tough like version I've had in other restaurants.

The cilantro and onions helped cut through the oil, though I'd really have enjoyed some lime and mint; I think I'll see if I can get some next time. Though this seemed like a small dish, the combination of bread and meat did the job of filling me up.

On this visit, the service was completely normal. We weren't rushed to order, and were provided with as much time as we wanted. Jack must really have scared them!!!

I really enjoyed the Pho' here, and will be sure to have it again in the near future. Good prices, good broth are a nice combination!

Some notes: It gets really crowded here on the weekend. And as noted service can be somewhat abrupt at times.

Lucky Pho' in Lucky Seafood Supermarket
9326 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126

Ooops, I almost forgot - thanks to "Minote" for the initial recommendation!

Comments

[Jeni]

I love Vietnamese beef stew...bo kho bahn mi! Yuuuuuuuummy!

[Kirk]

Hi Jeni - When the beef stew is good, it's really good. But when it's bad, it's almost inedible. Does that make sense????

[eatdrinknbmerry]

whoa! that's a lot of chili oil on there. i get scared off by NRM with that much oil. usually it's chinese style.

[Christine D.]

mmm pho. I love how it's been raining lately. perfect weather for pho! mmm beef stew... I hope you get your lime next time! I always have to eat it with lime, salt, pepper and chili sauce.

[Rachel]

After the last few rounds of dissapointing pho, I'm glad that you found a good one! I'm really into the soup as well and I think it can make or break the pho :D Perhaps you need to also think up a scoring system for pho, something like the one for moco locos :) That bread looks so fresh ! The oil would have scared me off though :) Perhaps if someone else ordered it I"d try a forkful of meat :P

[joanna]

Kirk
I couldn't finish reading your post because the Gentleman Waiter was standing behind me and hurrying me to write a reply already.

BTW, do you know of any good and SANITARY pho places here in the Washington DC area?
Joanna

[Kirk]

Hi EDBM - That's not chili oil, Annatto(achiote) seeds are sauteed in oil to start the dish - that gives the Beef Stew that bright orange-red coloring. Annatto is also used alot in Filipino cooking.

Hi Christine - Some lime really would've cut the richness. Your combination of flavorings sounds really good.

Hi Rachel - Though there was alot of oil, the beef stew didn't really seem "oily" in the least. I've got to get my act together, and dig up all my archived photos - I've promised Joseph E a Banh Mi and Pho' round-up.

Hi Joanna - LOL! We visited DC 2years ago, and stayed at the Marriott, and that's the only real experience I have with the area. We did eat in Chinatown everyday, but didn't have any Pho'.

May I suggest these places for reference:

http://www.chowhound.com/midatlantic/boards/dc/dc.html

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?s=3f6cc5820c2a02b73535583a6f9ea582&showforum=34

Good Luck!

[Jean]

Been a lurker for some time. I have to say, your pictures always make my tummy grumble. Great job Kirk.

[Kathy]

You've had pho at so many restaurants - have you thought about making a pho scale like you do with loco mocos? :) And that beef stew, mmm, "fork tender and moist meat" - you're making me drool. I usually need two baguettes per order! lol

[Kirk]

Hi Jean - Thanks for stopping by and commenting, and also for the kind words.

Hi Kathy - I have found that Pho' broth has a great deal of "variance", so I'm thinking of how to approach the round-up. So maybe a flavor "profile"? I might've gone for an extra baguette, except that I was strangely pretty full.

[howie]

Looks like I'm going to have to add this place to my must-visit list. The beef stew looks fantastic. And your description of the pho broth sounds delicious. Have you tried the bun bo hue yet?

[clayfu]

lucky pho has never gotten high marks in my mind. I dunno, i think it kinda tastes like pho ha cali on clairemont mesa (yuck!), a lil too oily for my tastes.

i like really light broth,

[Kirk]

Hi Howie - You know what, I didn't even notice if they had Bun Bo Hue - how could I have made such an egregious error?

Hi clayfu - Well that's specifically why I avoid doing a "rating system" for Pho', in my mind it's like BBQ and chili, everybody has their favorites and preferences. I used to enjoy a lighter broth, but time, and maybe the cooler weather have made me gravitate toward a richer broth. I always thought that Pho Hoa Cali - now Pho T Cali had a medium broth, I think it's pretty funny that right across the street from Lucky Pho is Pho Hoa Cali!

[clayfu]

my roommate and i go to pho hoa cali across from lucky probably 2-3 times a week. heh

[minote]

Whoa, I was just checking out your blog and saw that you went to Lucky Seafood, got some banh mi & pho. Nice!! ^-^ I know that you would liked the pho. I have never tried the banh mi though, but will have to try it next time I am there. Also will try the beef stew. What number is it anyway? I was laughing when I read about the guy was waiting for your order after handed the menu. I guess most people who come there already know their orders, like me ^-^ (#3, egg rolls and ice water, please!). And thanks for mentioning me on your recent post. -m

[Kirk]

Hi Clayfu - And so it is with Pho'.... LOL!

Hi minote - Thanks again for the rec. I enjoyed the beef stew, though the oil content is kind of high - the meat is very tender and tasty!

[Beach]

Kirk,
You got to try this dish at Croissant Dore on Bolsa Ave. Your buddy Elmo like the fruit cake that they make. The fruit cake is what they are famous for but Banh Mi Bo Kho is not far behind. Try it some day and see if you like it.

[Kirk]

Hi Beach - Thanks for the rec - I'll put it on my list. The problem being is that with gas prices...well....figure $3 for every 20 miles, times 100 miles each way - that's $30! So I have to bundle it in with another trip, unless you think the Beef Stew is worth $30? And I'll take your word for it.....I won't forget the recommendation though! Thanks again.