Unlucky at Pho Lucky?

My revisit to Pho Mignon back in September had me wondering about Pho Lucky, which has been a regular stop for me over the years. Recently though I'd noticed that the pho here has seemed to go downhill a bit, which had me sticking to the Banh Mi Bo Kho.

So, a few days after my visit; I dropped by Pho Lucky. It had been awhile; in fact, I don't recall seeing the "No Fried Fish Welcome Sign" on the door before.

I wonder what event triggered that?

I went ahead and ordered my usual; the #4, flank, tripe, tendon, and brisket.

Things looked fine and that tendon was really good as were the noodles, just prepped perfectly.

The problem was the broth......

It was a lot more defatted than I recalled; gone was the nice anise tones I enjoyed, and worse of all, it was strangely "sweet". Egad! Was Pho Lucky joining the ranks of "Sweet broth brigade"?

The main reasons I enjoyed the pho here was for the flavor of the broth and the tendon. This just didn't cut it.

I intended to return fairly quickly to see if this visit was a fluke, but then we entered into that cycle of records temperatures. And then, when things cooled down; the amount of work heated up. My life right now include weekend morning conference calls. But, unlike regular work days; there's a short window of time before my call and I decided to drop by Pho Lucky to see if my last visit was just an off day.

I ordered the #4; went to wash my hands and this is what I got.

What the pho? I didn't order rare steak? Had they changed the numbering on the menu? I had just a short window of time before I needed to be in the office, so I just went ahead and had my bowl.

The rare steak was actually not bad; much more tender than I recalled; though I missed the usual amount of tendon and tripe. The broth was better; a bit richer, but more importantly, not overly sweet not too salty. I do think the days of nice anise and onions tones in the broth are gone though. Sad. The noodles were nicely prepared; the portion of sprouts was smaller than I recalled.

I rechecked the menu while waiting to cash out.

Hmmmm......#4 looks the same to me?

Maybe the Server didn't get enough of a caffeine fix before taking my order? I saw him chugging this down whenever he had a chance.

Well...whatever...it seems to be slim pickins' with regards to decent pho in San Diego these days. I guess I'm back to the Bo Kho here.

Pho Lucky
9326 Mira Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92126

Comments

[Caninecologne]

restarurant

[SageOlson]

I‘ve honestly kinda given up on pho in SD. For example, I like going to Pho Duyen Mai, but I don’t get pho there – I either get their broken rice house combo, or I’ll do an order of spring rolls mixed with their beef ribs. Too hard to get a pho broth in SD these days that isn’t too sweet or too salty.

[TFD]

I had pho there 2 weeks ago. Bleh. I rather go to Pho Express across the street. I ordered the special and I got half a meat ball with some other random meat. Whateves right? I then got a thai tea to go and it was bad. Like it tasted sour...Not coming back.

[kat]

:(

[Nicole @ Bento Momentos]

That's smart to question what triggered signs like that to be posted. Sorry to hear that the broth is going downhill - that's a bummer when a restaurant you once really liked isn't cutting it anymore :( Hope you find a better place soon!

[Cathy]

I know what triggered that signage. People walked in and sat down with their purchases from the attached grocery store. One day we saw five tables being used by people with styrofoam and foil packets, asking for utensils (which aren't on the table any more, you may have noticed), plates, water...treating it like a Food Court area.

[Kirk]

I know CC.....

That's kind of sad Sage.

It looks like they are sliding downhill TFD.

Very sad Kat!

It is a bummer Nicole

That's terrible Cathy.

[janfrederick]

Ha! I know I shouldn't laugh. Bummer.

[Kirk]

Lol Jan!