Pho-raging around Oceanside: I Love Pho and Mr Pho

A couple of weeks ago, DavidD emailed me asking me why I'd do a post on Pho in Rancho Bernardo, and stop there...... explaining to me that there were several Pho shops in Oceanside. And he had a point, why shouldn't I grab some Pho in Oceanside.... even though the names of the restaurants were kinda cheesy, like "I Love Pho" and "Yummy Pho"..... I guess a simple name like "Pho Oceanside" just would not do. Well, it wasn't the most provocative name, but still, "Mr Pho?"  I tried to keep a straight face when I entered the parking lot and saw the huge "I Love Pho" sign.... though to think about it; I do love Pho.

**** I Love Pho has closed

This fairly large shop was nicely decorated, and even had a faux ("Pho" ?) pond and bridge set-up at it's entrance.

The menu had all the basic items on it; Pho, Bun, and Com(rice). Knowing that this would not be the place serving decent "Tai" (rare steak), I went with the Well Done Steak, Flank, Tendon, Brisket, and Tripe ($5.75).

One look at the pitiful garnishes, and I knew that this wasn't going to be the place for me. And the broth proved me right, being fairly cloudy, and pretty weak with regards to any other flavor than sodium.

The flank was tender and had decent flavor. The same with the brisket. Which had obviously been simmered in something other than this broth.

The tripe was pretty tough, and there was only a tiny piece of tendon in the bowl. The clump of noodles was prepared decently, and not over cooked like many places.

And as a bonus, I got this piece of inedible cow.....

 
During my meal, I watched the very nice gentleman work the room, engaging all the customers with small talk. He seemed a really nice guy, but still, I don't think I can bring myself to walk across that "faux" pond and bridge for another bowl of Pho. Too bad, because I really wanted to like this place.

I Love Pho
3809 Plaza Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056

Make a U-turn, and head up and over the 78, and eventually you'll hit Oceanside Boulevard. The first Pho place I came across was Yummy Pho. Unfortunately, they weren't open yet. So I headed up Oceanside Boulevard until I came across Mr Pho.

 
Squeezed in between a taco shop and a Thai Restaurant, Mr Pho is the antithesis of I Love Pho, it is small, simply and spartanly decorated, and truly bare bones. The logo of "Mr Pho" features the caricature of a jolly smiling man with a chef's toque holding a bowl of with wisps of steam rising into the air. Don't bother looking for him among the employees, he ain't here.....it's all business.  The typical Pho shop business model seemed in place here.

I placed the same order here, it was 25 cents cheaper.

When my plate of basil and bean sprouts arrived fresh and shining, I thought I'd take a chance. I asked if they had Ngo Gai (Saw leaf herb) which was met with a puzzled look.... I'm guessing I was just of the wrong nationality. Finally, the young man nodded "no" and walked off.

The broth here was more to my taste, with hints of anise and clove. It was a bit on the salty side, so I had to use a bit of lime to cut the salt. The broth was a bit richer than I Love Pho's version, though both were pretty low on oil.

The noodles were over-cooked and mushy, but the most of the meat was well prepared. The tripe was especially good on this day.

The only thing that I didn't care for was the tendon, which was too hard and tough.

Still, this wasn't a bad bowl, and if you don't mind the typical "A-B" (All business) model, you might get a decent bowl here.

Mr Pho Vietnamese Cuisine
4750 Oceanside Blvd
Oceanside, CA 92056

On the way back to the freeway, a shop caught my eye.

It looks like maybe Chamorro Food in Oceanside? Maybe I should get up here more often........

Comments

[Dennis]

Great Pho coverage as usual Kirk! The inedible bit at your first stop reminded me of what I had at Pho Point Loma. But I've been reading a lot of positive stuff since so maybe they've improved and worth another visit. I'm still waiting for a shop named Pho I-5 or Pho 805 after our local freeways though. ;)

[santos.]

guahan, definitely guambats in the house. hope you let us know what it's like!

[Kirk]

Hey Dennis - How about Pho Via De Valle!!! ;o) It always marks when I'm getting close to home after a long drive from LA.

Hi Santos - Now I'll have to try the place out! ;o)

[kat]

hope the other places pan out.

[bill]

I wonder how these places last. Pho has a few simple ingredient but combine well makes one hell of a soup.
I need to cook me a big pot of pho.

[Kirk]

Hi Kat - I think I'll drive back up here to try that Guamanian place.

Hi Bill - I think it's all about lowering costs and profit margins.

[Sandy]

I'm floored that there are 3 pho shops in Oceanside! Are you planning to give that third place a try?

[janfrederick]

In the vicinity is Lucky Pho in Vista (next to Stater Bros on Sycamore). I used to get pretty decent bowls there when I worked a block from there. I'm not sure if they are affiliated with your fav place.

Also, the Filipino restaurant in Vien Hung has been replaced (yet again) by a new pho place. I haven't had a chance to visit yet though.

[Lauren]

I live in North County and love Vietnamese food! Thanks for the info on the 3rd restaurant. I completely agree with your review of Mr. Pho and I Love Pho. We tried I Love Pho twice and vow never to go back each time. However, it is the closest pho restaurant to Carlsbad and my kids love pho so we went back a 2nd time. We have been going to Mr. Pho for a few years now. It gets the job done until we can get to Convoy!!

[Vicki]

The last time I was at Mr. Pho (maybe 6 months ago?), ngo gai was standard on the herb plate. Wonder what happened?

[Green Turtle]

I'm still eagerly awaiting the Pho place to open up on Kearny Villa Rd & Clairemont Mesa. They seem to be taking their sweet little time in getting it ready.

[Kirk]

Hi Sandy - I may give Yummy Pho a try if I'm ever in the area.

Hi Jan - I think I mentioned earlier that I believe that new shop is owned by the same folks as Song Huong on ECB.

Hi Lauren - I thought Mr Pho was the better of the two bowls. BTW, personally I think Pho is much better on Mira Mesa Blvd than it is in the Convoy area.

Hi Vicki - I dunno..... maybe they didn't have any that day?

Hi GT - That place is taking a very long time to open, isn't it? Personally, I'm curious to check out Pho Mignon on Convoy.....

[Rosa]

Would you say these places were pho-gettable? :D

In the 5 years that I lived in Oceanside, I never had Vietnamese there though there was one place on the corner of Oceanside Blvd and El Camino Real I'd drive by. Oceanside never struck me as an area that'd have a good pho restaurant.

[Lynnea]

wow, I didn't even know they had pho places in oceanside, nice to know they are there though.

[Kirk]

Well said Rosa!

Hi Lynnea - Those Pho shops are opening everywhere!

[sawyer]

wow, drivin out to oceanside, that's dedication right there. i woudln't mind a bowl of pho myself right now...

[Kirk]

Hi Sawyer - Man it's hot as heck.... and you'll still for a bowl of Pho! You're hardcore! ;o)

[Dode]

Anyone wants a good bowl of Pho...try the pho shop in Chula Vista on the corner of Telegraph Road and Eastlake Pkwy....the best broth, not oily, and nice condiments. I eat there every Saturday with my autistic son...they are so kind to him. Anyway, yummy!!

[DavidD]

Hi kirk,

This is DavidD and I just now see you got around to oceanside so thanks! I love pho should just be forgotten and wished you never went there . If you ever make it back out up here for Yummy pho, there's another place, a rather new place just about 4 miles away on Melrose and the 78 called Pho-ever that serves filet mignon beef. The yelp reviews are good and everytime I pass there it's packed.

[Kirk]

Hi David - I do try...though I could never find that place in Garden Grove that made the roast duck you told me about! I can't believe it took you over a year to find this post, how funny!