If you drive on El Cajon Boulevard, you must have passed Pho Van many times, and if you're like me, I'm sure you've wondered, "Hmmm, Pho Van I wonder how good the Pho is there...." And have just driven off down the road. After all Pho Van is located a few blocks away from the main "strip" of Vietnamese markets, restaurants, and businesses on El Cajon Boulevard.
But, if you're like me...I think my buddy, Diet Chili Cheese Fries recently called me a "Pho Whore"(Check out the comments), though I prefer "Pho Bo Ho", you will actually make an effort to stop and check out the Pho. Pho Van is located in a pretty quiet location, and though it seems that parking may be at premium, there is a small parking lot down the alley, to the rear of the restaurant.
The interior is not quite as small as you think, but the decor screams generic Pho kitchen.
I entered and found my own seat, and almost immediately a menu was slapped onto the table, and the Server stood there, poised, pencil in hand, tapping his foot, and I hadn't even opened my menu yet....but being an experienced Pho-nephile, I knew how to handle the situation, so it was going to be really easy. I opened the menu........ and couldn't find any Pho! What the Pho??? Now with a pair of eyes staring unwaveringly upon me, I was thoroughly discombobulated, I had to order something, and got the......
Bun Bo Hue($4.50), what else?
The garnishes were on the skimpy side, though it did include Tiet To(Purple Perilla) and Mint. I found the amount of shredded cabbage and bean sprouts to be pretty small.
The Bun Bo Hue arrived piping hot, but it wasn't much good. The broth was nice and spicy, but very flat, and other than the heat, didn't have much flavor. The pork hock had some tender meat, but the meat tasted a bit "off", the Gio Lua (Lean pork sausage) was fine, but any thick cut beef was a rare find indeed.
The noodles were overcooked and mushy.
I had also ordered some Cha Gio($4.25 for 4), and in keeping with the meal, they arrived when I was almost done with my Bun Bo Hue:
I could've gotten 2 for $2.50, but what I should have done was get 0 for $0.00. I really didn't care for these, it seemed to be mostly filler, and the wrapper was too thick, having been folded over several times. What do you think?
So much for feeding the Pho obsession....as I paid for my meal, I grabbed a menu, and there it was, Pho.....I was given a menu that was missing the first page, the page with the Pho on it!
So being the Pho-natic that I am, I paid another visit to Pho Van, and this time ordered the Pho Dac Biet Xe Lua (Special - Extra Large Bowl, $5.00).
The garnishes arrived first, and though there was only one sprig of Basil, the garnishes included Ngo Gai, which was very fresh. I found the various meat to be on the very tough and fatty side, and the amount of Tripe to be minuscule. The noodles were in a clump in the bottom of the bowl and was very mushy. At first glance I thought that the broth would be pretty good, the color was good, and the oil content looked to be adequate. But the broth turned out to be way too salty, I couldn't even finish half of the broth.
Bummer, I'm always on the look-out for a good bowl of Pho, especially with the recent cooler weather.
So what can I say about Pho Van? Well, the prices are very reasonable and the service is very fast, though cool and detached, no different from any number of restaurants. Since everyone else I saw eating at Pho Van was getting Pho or another noodle soup, I really see no reason to return.
Pho Van Restaurant
4233 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92105
Oh, and this post is dedicated to Diet Chili Cheese Fries......one of my favorite lines is from a movie that is a favorite of ours..."Eat the Pho!"
I'd wondered about that pho joint myself, but somehow the facade never tempted me to stop and try it. So-thanks for taking another bullet for the team! :-) A couple of bullets, actually, since you wound up braving the bun bo Hue too ...
Posted by: mizducky | Thursday, 28 December 2006 at 12:03 AM
My girlfriend took me here (I think) back in '96 for my birthday, and I was similarly unimpressed.
Their garnishes, though, are high quality. Love the purple mint - that's a nice touch.
The Cia Gio - I hate that. That's almost make/break with me. There's a place up here in Portland (Banh Cuon Tinh Danh) that everyone raves about - their Cia Gio is similarly insipid. Barely any filling, mostly double-wrapped wrapper. In a dish like Bun thit Cia Gio, it's like eating almost nothing at all. Very weak - the kind of erstwhile stuff you'll find being hawked at a food stand at Saturday Market or a street fair.
Posted by: The Guilty Carnivore | Thursday, 28 December 2006 at 08:36 AM
How dissapointing...When they are located off the beaten path. Which = no traffic = bad turn around = crap quality. I guess I would call it a one time last time for me.
Posted by: nhbilly | Thursday, 28 December 2006 at 10:31 AM
Hi mizducky - The Pho' looked so good...what a bummer.
Hi GC - First off, Happy New Year! Man those Cha Gio were pitiful.....
Hi Billy - Yes, you're right about that one.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 29 December 2006 at 09:07 PM
Good on ya, Kirk. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
- Chubbypanda
Posted by: Chubbypanda | Sunday, 31 December 2006 at 10:15 AM
Hi CP - How right you are.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 01 January 2007 at 10:40 AM
ahahahaah!!! i totally missed this post... too funny!!
anyways, i wasn't gonna say anything but i still think you use the same pho picture in every pho post and use photoshop to crop it... ahahaaha...
so i'm waiting for the 2006 Pho Whore Top 10 Pho Joints...
man, i need a list... all the places look the same cause you use the same photo... ahahaha
Posted by: dietchilicheesefries | Wednesday, 03 January 2007 at 09:42 PM
Hi DCCF - Actually, I have a special bowl of Plastic Food Pho that I carry to every Pho' joint for photo-ops! LOL! In reality I only eat Chinese Chicken Salads at these places... ;o) You crack me up.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 04 January 2007 at 08:29 PM
I wanted to reply to the review of Pho Van posted on Dec. 27, 2006. I have been a loyal customer there for four years now and continue to enjoy both the atmosphere, experience and cuisine. This is a small restaurant that caters to those epicurious individuals dedicated to exploring their community. I remember about a year and a half ago when their front window was broken in by vandals. I arrived the day after and spoke with the owner who was distraught but totally open to serving me up a wonderful meal. This is service and commitment that you will not find at other places. I believe that Pho Van deserves a recommendation from you and a visit from your readers. If they don't like it you can blame me.
I do also like other Pho places that you have reviewed and always enjoy reading your posts. Keep up the great work.
Pho Life
Posted by: ELI | Wednesday, 21 November 2007 at 06:53 PM
Hi Eli - I'm glad you enjoy Pho Van....I've been back once, and I think the Pho broth is much too salty for my taste. But if you enjoy it, you should keep eating there!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 22 November 2007 at 04:27 PM
ive been to pho van all my livfe and i like the spring roll ,nuoc mam, pho ga soup the other day i went to pho van and it was very delicious and very recommed it to all pho lovers at san diego
Posted by: andreas | Tuesday, 01 June 2010 at 05:58 PM