Revisits: Pho Fusion, Pho Express, and the "Sign of Doom".

To get this out of the way. Yes, today we had record high temperatures, and yes, I'm still going to post on pho......

Pho Fusion:

It's been a good three years since I last visited, so when the last storm system moved in, I decided to drive on over and see what was up with Pho Fusion. Apparently I wasn't the only one as the place filled up pretty quickly.

I was quite hungry so I started with the "Popcorn Chicken"

The batter t meat ration slides on over to the batter side on this one. If you like that kind of thing, you might enjoy this, as it's very crunchy. The "spicy mayo" was typical. It's not overly salty, but does get a bit crumbly as it cools. The would be pretty good beer food.

The Pho - #14, was decently priced for the area (small - $6.49.)

The sprouts and herbs were minimal, but like previous visits, a request for more was nicely accepted. The broth was slightly cloudy, but not heavy in MSG, the flavor was light, not veering too much in anise nor sweet flavors, though rather light in the beefiness department. It was rather light in protein, of which there was shortage of tendon and tripe. The noodles were in the typical clump, though not over cooked. This was "pho not to offend" on the right side of the scale as was quite evident from the crowd.

The service was nice.....even when that D-Bag of a customer knocked over a glass of water and while the guy was mopping it up told him, "don't forget to get me another glass of water".

Pho Fusion
8038 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111 

Pho Xpress - Mission Gorge Road:

Man, it's been five and a half years since I last visited, though Cathy's been here about four years ago. I was in the area on a recent morning with some time to kill. A bit hungry, I decided to drop back in to Pho Xpress. The whole strip mall was undergoing an exterior refresh at the time of my visit. This being around 0900, I had the place to my self.

As with our previous visits, the pho was decent, though it's not as rich, nor quite a beefy as it used to be. While the herbs and sprouts were lacking, the basil was especially fresh. The rare steak was presented nicely, not yet overcooked and dry and as a whole everything else was quite good. Not amazing, but quite solid if slightly heavy in MSG. The noodles were perfect.

A decent bowl of pho overall. The service here is still "A-B" - all business.

Pho Xpress
6533 Mission Gorge Rd
San Diego, CA 92120

While leaving the strip mall on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard after my visit to Pho Fusion I took a quick look at the strip mall sign and was quite surprised. Take a look.......

Most of the restaurant listed are gone; some of them have been closed for quite a while.....

In fact, we've posted on the three places listed on the sign that are no longer there, Cathy has done Sushi Hut and I've posted on Aria and Mercury Grill, places that have been gone for years! I think Sushi Hut is not Hielo, Aria is now Chaba Thai and has been for almost three years, and Dumpling Hut took the place of Mercury Grill last June.

What's up with the sign? Could it be the mall owner is being cheap? Could it be that being on the sign is a curse....and they're hedging their bets by just saying "Mexican Restaurant"? Or....perhaps...maybe we're the curse since we posted on those three places and they closed? Hmmmmm.....I think some of the other businesses are gone too......strange.....

 

Comments

[kat]

:(

[Soo @ hungryones]

That's nice they left the old signs up as a tribute to places long gone.

[dave]

They'd be better off just updating the sign to all-generic entries

SHOES
OPTOMETRIST
HAIR SALON
FOOD
DENTIST

[Kirk]

It actually wasn't bad Kat!

I'm not sure it's why they left those signs up Soo!

You could probably fit that on a single sign Dave!

[Caninecologne]

I've noticed that sign of doom as well..
Nothing changes,haha. Btw, I didn't think that Pho Fusion was that great but it sure seemed to be popular with the lunch crowd when I last visited (years ago).

[Kirk]

I think Pho Fusion has gotten a bit better over the years and is now better than some of the other options in the area for Pho CC.

[Junichi]

Looks like a gravestone marker for failed restaurants.

[Kirk]

Sure does Junichi.....