While Pho Saigon Café, commonly referred to as Pho, may not be the five-star restaurant that every Penn student craves, it is close to many hearts. It doesn’t have the friendliest service, and it does not have the most pleasant ambiance, but it does food pretty damn well.
Despite its faults, Pho has the makes to be a staple BYO close to campus. It is a quick, inexpensive crowd pleaser.
The food comes out shockingly quick — it can be slightly unsettling when your entree comes before your appetizer. The average cost for a dish is $6.95 and does not exceed $8. It is also a great place to try Vietnamese food for the first time. There are “beginner” options, and no one needs to commit to an expensive, lengthy meal.
Here are some tips: when you go to Pho, start with the fried spring rolls. They are delicious and you won’t regret it. For vegetarians, do not order the veggie fried spring rolls; instead opt for the tofu rolls that come rolled in rice paper with a peanut plum sauce.
Next, order anything from the “Rice Stick” section on the menu (this might sound like the last thing you want to eat… except for the section below it titled “Rice Flake”). This is another name for vermicelli or thin rice noodles. Order any vermicelli dish with lemongrass in the title and you will receive a huge bowl of rice noodles, sautéed onions, basil and the protein of your choice. Add the plum sauce and the orange sweet and sour sauce that are on all of the tables (and sriracha chili sauce for some spice).
And if you’re looking for one dish to satisfy all cravings, the vermicelli with spring rolls provides a generous portion of both noodle and crunchy appetizer ($6.95).
Make someone else at your table order pho — actually pronounced phe — because you are really going to want that, too. Pho is a steaming bowl of soup with just about anything in it: tofu, shrimp, beef brisket or even beef tendon if you are feeling adventurous. I recommend the noodle soup with shrimp with extra veggies.
What Pho lacks in service, it makes up for in convenience and delicious meals. Pho is like an honest friend: it offers comfort with its warm soups and noodle bowls, but the service can put you in your place (and let’s be real: many people on this campus could stand to be taken down a notch or two).
Pho Saigon Café 4248 Spruce St. (215) 222-6800 Don’t Miss: Pho noodle soup with shrimp Skip: Veggie fried spring rolls Bottom Line: So fast and cheap, you'll be back for more.
