Un Phogettable Pho
By: Amy Green
Pho restaurants have been popping up around the Denver metro area in the recent years. No matter what town or neighborhood you are in, there is bound to be as least one pho and Vietnamese restaurants. With the rise of ethnic food restaurants wanted by the community these pho establishments have been taking over the street corners across the state.
What is pho exactly? Pho is a Vietnamese soup that is often served for a full meal. Pho soup is a flavorful beef broth with usually chicken or beef, then rice noodles is served in it. It is usually accompanied by bean sprouts, limes, Thai basil, onions, and a mixture of Hosin and chili sauce. All garnishes are served on the side so diners may add as much as they would like.
There are many different places to try, there are authentic Vietnamese, or there are the more Americanized Vietnamese establishments. So where should you go for the best pho in Denver? I have been trying to answer this question for about a month now and I feel I have found the best pho in town, but it was not easy. While there are many choices, and many are very similar there are an only hand full that actually do it right.
We will start with Pho 7. This establishment is located at the end of Havana’s Asian strip. A little set back and a little hard to find. The bright colorful sign will help you find your way. While this spot looks clean and nice from the outside and gray marble tables line the restaurant. The food is a very different story. The servers barely spoke English and could not answer any questions.
Once I was able to order, and received my food, I thought the food might help save them from a poor review. A large bowl of broth and meat was set in front of me along with another large plate filled with noodles, basil, bean sprouts, limes, onions and of course the sweet chili sauce. So the journey begins.
The broth was dark in color but lacked a lot of flavor, the basil was practically brown, and the noodles very over cooked. The onions sliced so thin I could not even taste them and of course the bean sprouts were starting to turn( $5.45 for small, $5.95 for medium, $6.45 for large). Not the most pleasant pho in the world. The best part was the meat, perfectly sliced and cooked perfect in the broth, not chewy at all. With much disappointment I left still hungry and the search continues.
Pho Fusion Asian is located just a few blocks further down on Hampden at Yosemite, across the street from a gas station and with its large red sign it is very hard to miss. This restaurant much smaller with booths and a counter to order, instead of actual service. The food is much more Americanized with menu being in all English. Less of an authentic feel but the food was much more flavorful. The employees were all very nice and helpful and recommended many different options for me. I decided to go with the steak pho. The large bowl of noodles, broth and meat were placed in front of me along with the huge plate of condiments, I was kid in a candy shop.
The broth much lighter in color but had great depth of flavor including onion, and hints of savory spices to round it out. The condiments including Thai basil, limes, bean sprouts, jalapenos, sliced onions, cilantro and their chili sauce. The vegetables all cut perfectly and fresh as they can get. The cilantro added a different taste to the dish and it was very pleasant. The meat was a little disappointing; as soon as the broth had taken it over like a hostage it became very tough. I recommend this restaurant if you like the Americanized version of a classic dish ($6.50). While this place was much better, my jounry continues to my next destination
I think I just found it! Pho 75, the best pho in town. A family owned Vietnamese restaurant located in the heart of the Havana Asian stip. Set in the back of a small shopping center on the corner of Havana and Evans. The restaurant seating is set up much like a dining hall with rows of tables and seats. The servers are very friendly and helpful. The authenticity of the menu draws in all crowds from Asian, to Caucasian, to Hispanic. After reading the menu, I decided on the rare steak although there are nine different choices for beef (small is $6.00, medium $6.75, large $7.25).
The bowl of noodles nestled in the rich beef and onion broth had finally arrived, along with a plate piled high with more noodles, bean sprouts, sliced onions, jalapenos, basil, lime and chili sauce. All topped with a mound of beef. The aromas of onion, spices and herbs fill the restaurant; the broth may be lightest in color but packs in a huge amount of flavor. The vegetables are all very fresh and cut perfectly. The meat thinly sliced and once added to the broth is cooked perfect. Very tender to the point where it just melts in your mouth. I have found the best pho in town, the most authentic, somewhere where people care about their roots and want to share it with everyone else.
My search for the best pho in town has come to a close. I encourage you take a journey though
Havana’s Asian strip and around Denver to find your favorite pho. The best broth, the best meat, the best condiments, the most authentic is what makes pho a food worth trying.
Pho 75
2050 South Havana Street
(303) 671-8899
Pho Fusion Asian
8800 E. Hampden Ave.
(303) 843-6080
Pho 7
10009 E. Hampden Ave
(303) 752-1065
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