Pho Truc Xanh- Vietnamese & Chinese in Escondido

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! a blog about food. Right now, Kirk is barely awake, Ed (from Yuma is) busy busy and has been awake a long while and Cathy is wide awake and trying to get things done before the heat hits.

The other day, we were driving North through Escondido and stopped at the signal light on Centre City Parkway at Mission Avenue and looked Southwest (to my left).  This is what I saw. You know I had to find my way to the parking lot.After several (several) turns, I was there. There is only one entrance and it is on Mission Avenue East.There were cars parked along the row where I was standing to take this photo (there are trees and shade on this far side of the parking lot). There is a hotel/motel on each of the four corners of the signal light and each has a restaurant.

Walking inside this former 1970's Diner, the happy decor and colors greet you. Neat and clean, the tabletops are all filled with the various accoutrement and condiments you will need.Even though we ordered only from the Vietnamese side of the menu, bowls of Chinese egg drop based soup were brought out first.  This was *very* good soup, filled with crunchy vegetables and nicely flavored. 

We wanted to order the nem nuong (sausage) spring rolls, but were told there was no Vietnamese (or Chinese) sausage available...hm...so, I changed my choice to Goi Cuon Tom (fresh shrimp) spring rolls ($4.25). These were the only disappointment of the meal, if I had to make a list. The filling was loose and rather sparse, just sprouts, noodles and lettuce (no mint or basil) and the shrimp were plump but tasteless. It needed the peanut dipping sauce, along with some garlic chili sauce to make these interesting. Every ingredient was very fresh/crispy though.

Bun Cha Gio Thit Nuong ($7.25) I wanted to order something pretty standard (and try the egg rolls) to see how Bun was made here-the egg rolls were great (there were three cut into thirds) and had pork and shrimp as well as the usual fillers. This Bun was excellent.  The noodles were on one side of the bowl and the lettuce/cucumber/mint/sprouts on the other half. The amount of grilled pork was substantial, well flavored, tender. The Egg rolls -cut into thirds were then fried again-giving the exposed parts a nice crunch. Peanuts, pickled veggies and nuoc mam (fish sauce) were all fresh/crunchy/crisp/flavorful. This was served in the 'small' bowl and quite a lot of food.  I'll get this again.

Pho Tai Nam (Large, $6.75) (Pho with rare steak and flank).  Looks like sparse sides, but it was just right. I don't add unless it needs it or halfway through if I am bored with the flavors.  The broth itself was nicely fatty/flavored and without the unnecessary MSG.

Plenty of tender, flavorful meat, really fresh -not in a clump- noodles (which were squared and different from the rounded noodles in the Bun) and sweet, crunchy onions, scallions and cilantro flavored this much more than I ever expected.

So glad we stopped here. Unexpectedly good.

Pho Truc Xanh 503 W. Mission Avenue Escondido CA 92025 (760)489-8201 Sun-Thurs 10-9, Fri-Sat 10-10 Website

Comments

[Faye]

What a cool building and location for a Pho restaurant. I was in the area few weeks ago - I went to that Mexican Supermarket that I thought you had blogged about some years ago. Shoot - what's the name of it. Not Vallartas. Northgate - I think that was the name of it.

[caninecologne]

The exterior of that place is so very "retro"/time warp. Too bad about the tasteless shrimp and the lack of sausage for the nem nuong! We have to try Brodard's!

[Cathy]

This part of Escondido is very interesting, Faye. I like the 'more established' parts of our county when exploring; there's always something that's either withstood the test of time with ownership and business or architecture. I love Mexican Markets; each has some sort of specialty hiding within and all have great prices.
I remember when it was a nondescript 24/7 diner and was closed down about a year ago, cc. Yes, I want good rolls!-these had fresh ingredients but were not unique. The other items we had here were quite good.