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Phở - vietnamese noodle soup
Phở - vietnamese noodle soup

Fee-fi-fo-phở!

Posted by jamescollier on Nov 11, 2009

UPDATE: It turns out there's not just one list already online, but three. I've summarized those below, but several are recurring in all of these. I'm also starting to notice a geographical cluster...

From Pho in the 'No (posted on Yelp!):

  • May Cafe at Fresno and Clinton
  • Pho 1 at McKinley and First
  • Pho Newhope at Olive and First
  • Pho 75 and McKinley and First
  • Pho 99 at McKinley and First
  • Pho Long Hai on Belmont near Fresno
  • Pho 90 at Fresno and Clinton
  • Pho 76 Restaurant and Bakery at McKinley and Chestnut
  • Pho 2006 on Clovis near Barstow

From PHO in FresNO  and A Wonderful Fresno Surprise! (posted on Chowhound):

  • Pho 99 at First and McKinley
  • Pho Paradise
  • Pho 75 at McKinley and First
  • Pho 1 at McKinley and First
  • May's Cafe at Fresno and Clinton (I'm noticing a trend here)
  • B&K Asian Kitchen at First and Olive
  • Pho 90 at Fresno and Clinton
  • Saigon Garden at Cedar and McKinley

This post also suggests a pho crawl - who's in?

ORIGINAL POST: We all love a good list, especially when it outlines places to get our favorite foods. And several local lists exist—tacos and hamburgers, included. But when The Business Journal's editor asked us on Twitter if any lists named the best phở in town, I couldn't think of any.

If you haven't had phở (seriously, you haven't had phở?), drive to a major intersection nearby, look for a sign, walk in and order a bowl. It's life-changing.

Okay, that may be a bit dramatic, but it's definitely one of my favorite things. I play it safe by ordering brisket or flank steak, but then I load it up with fresh jalapenos, chili oil, basil...and now I'm drooling just thinking about it.

So, what say you? Where's the best phở in town? (If you say it's at "so-and-so's house," you're obligated to share a recipe.) What do you like in yours?

Comments

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louis  |  Wed, 2009-11-11 21:48

I've had it at May's Cafe on the corner of Fresno and Clinton. Absolutely delicious. Look forward to my next visit.

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jamescollier  |  Wed, 2009-11-11 22:03

I've heard great things about May's, but never been. Lately I've been eating at the Pho restaurant just across the street (90, I believe).

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bradley  |  Wed, 2009-11-18 11:36

that's Pho 90, my fav spot so far.

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Hank (not verified)  |  Wed, 2009-11-11 21:58

NE corner of First and McKinley, there's a couple in there but I like the one on the north end of the building facing First.

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jamescollier  |  Wed, 2009-11-11 22:04

Hank, that was actually where I was introduced to Pho. I hear that the southern location is better, but I haven't tried that one.

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bradley  |  Wed, 2009-11-18 11:43

That is Pho #1. Its very tasty.

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jamescollier  |  Wed, 2009-11-18 21:44

Bradley, I think you should lead the "pho hop" - whenever it takes place.

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jamescollier  |  Wed, 2009-11-11 22:05

From Twitter, I've a vote for Pho 90 (Fresno/Clinton) and Stars Vegetarian - actually, I've heard a few people (meat-loves included) rave about the pho at Stars.

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oneheavenlyheart  |  Thu, 2009-11-12 11:00

Seeing that picture has given me "the FEVER" to go eat pho now!

I hear it's addictive secret is in the broth. I want to try and make my own. I think I have my work cut out for me though since isn't the broth made from oxtail and cattle bones or something horrific?

I'll let you know!

PS - It's actually "New Stars" Vegetarian.

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Leslie (not verified)  |  Sat, 2010-01-23 12:19

Pho at Stars Vegetarian IS good! I highly recommend this Pho and I'm a carnivore.

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Rebecca (not verified)  |  Wed, 2009-11-11 22:37

I've had the chicken pho at Pho 90 and May Cafe - and crave both on a daily basis. I'm not a clean-freak when it comes to fabulous hole-in-the-walls, but I did notice that the chopsticks at May come wrapped, and your spoon is served with your bowl, while at 90, the chopsticks and spoons are on the table for anyone to touch.

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bradley  |  Wed, 2009-11-18 11:38

I always use a napkin to wipe down the utensils at any place that leaves them stacked in a rack on a table. Just good hygiene.

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sora (not verified)  |  Wed, 2009-11-11 22:40

mays cafe and pho 1 are tied
then pho 90. but they are all good!!

New stars vegetarian does have a decent vegetarian pho, i just add more siracha sauce to give it an extra kick!

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Anzula  |  Wed, 2009-11-11 23:11

My fave is Pho 75 #2. Love love love! I get #16 the rare beef. I add everything but the bean sprouts. Yum! Think we will have to go there for dinner tomorrow.

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robertschultz  |  Thu, 2009-11-12 16:04

Hey thanks for the recommendations, I am going to try Pho #90 tonight.

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jamescollier  |  Thu, 2009-11-12 20:52

Let me know what you think, Robert.

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Jenne (not verified)  |  Sun, 2009-11-15 15:02

Pho 75 #2's duck pho....yumm yumm yumm...

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jamescollier  |  Sun, 2009-11-15 18:59

Okay, that I *have* to try. Is the duck cooked at all before it's put into the broth?

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fpudude10  |  Mon, 2009-11-16 15:46

Fun Fact: Golden Dragon also has some decent pho (along with a killer menu of its own). They are located at Kings Canyon and Peach -- definitely worth a visit!

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Dave (not verified)  |  Sat, 2009-11-21 07:13

Our office had a staff meeting at Pho Galaxy (previously the Leilani, Blackstone south of McKinley). I arrived too late but the empty bowls and raves have me psyched up to give them a try.

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Kylie (not verified)  |  Wed, 2009-11-25 05:22

Pho Galaxy is pretty good. They have an every day special of free sodas. Their pho is about one or two dollars more than other places, but the bowls are huge. I can never finish it all. Also, they have karaoke!

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AttyKendall  |  Mon, 2009-12-14 13:28

I'm going to stick with Pho99 at McKinley and 1st. I've been going there since at least 1998 when I would take my mother, who was here visiting her mother, to eat there.
One piece of advice, when you go, one of the most important things is how much of, how, and when you add the basil, lemon, rooster sauce, etc. WATCH others and copy, and experiment for yourself.

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Tracy Newel (not verified)  |  Wed, 2010-01-13 13:41

Pho 99! That's the one... the only. I've been eating there for 15 years and I've never had a bad experience. Consistency: key for a hole-in-the-wall.

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anguyen  |  Wed, 2010-01-13 21:07

I LOVE Pho 90 hands down. My not so fave is 2006 is Clovis.

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imlucia  |  Tue, 2010-02-16 16:38

I really like Pho #1. The price is good and they put tons of meat in their pho! I usually just get the rare beef pho and they never let me down. Pho 2006 in Clovis used to be my favorite, but Pho #1 has them beat in taste. I hear good things about pho #75, but I have yet to try it.

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Pham (not verified)  |  Wed, 2010-02-24 20:37

Beef Pho- order of pref
1. Pho #1- very aromatic, good portions. my fav
2. Pho 2006- less salty broth, but aromatic
3. Linh's Cafe- salty broth
4. Pho 75- large portions, but less aromatic
5. Pho 90- average
6. Pho Paradise- very salty broth

Chicken Pho
1. Pho #1- my fav

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jamescollier  |  Wed, 2010-02-24 21:54

Wow, thanks for the great list, Pham! I see a "pho hop" coming...

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