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Restaurant & Bar Reviews » Raleigh » Pho Vietnam Brings Some Asian to the Raleigh-Cary Area

March 1, 2014 by Ron Wen 4 Comments

Pho Vietnam Brings Some Asian to the Raleigh-Cary Area

Front of Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

I have to confess that outside of the food Holy Trinity of Italian-Chinese-Mexican, I’d have to say Vietnamese is my next, most favoritest food type.  With the mix of Asian and French flavors, the cuisine is very similar to Chinese but tweaked a bit with some slightly different flavor profiles and spices.  And it can be done in so many different ways: on bread (banh mi), on rice (com) and on noodles (bun).  So when I heard that Pho Vietnam was opening up in the old Hot Point Cafe space on Buck Jones, I was pretty excited since that area is within my work-lunch range.  After stalking it for a month or so, I finally see online that it’s open and the reviews are coming in.   Zero will-power here, I had to stop in today for an inaugural lunch!

Pork and egg roll bun at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Pork and egg roll bun at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

The space here looks a lot different then what I remember from Hot Point outside of the patio area outside.  Inside there’s more light, more white and and odd ordering set up.  By the kitchen area there’s a cash register where you put in your order. No counter, just tell the man up front what you’d like!  The menu here is sorta small for Vietnamese, about five pho’s, a handful of rice and bun dishes and some house specials.  I ask the gentleman up front if they’ve ever had a restaurant before and he shakes his head no, so we’re talking about restaurant newbies.  It looks like they’ve still got more work to do on the space but we are still here to eat!  My friend orders up the grilled pork and egg roll bun so I decide to go different and do the beef pho (assorted cuts) and order a banh mi, side-snack.  Don’t judge, I’m taking it home for dinner later!  Or so I thought…

Beef pho at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Beef pho at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Pho Vietnam is the real VN deal, they’ve got holders at each table with sriracha, soup spoons and wooden chopsticks.  But don’t fret if you’re not an expert with sticks, there are forks in the back if you can’t deal with those bad-boys.  The place already is sorta busy with Vietnamese folks so I’m hopeful.  They bring out a smallish plate of condiments (bean sprouts, jalapeno, basil and lime).  A bit less than what I’d expect at my other VN favorites.  My smallish bowl of pho comes in a red deep bowl and is flecked with a bit of oil and quite clear.  Thin slices of beef are cooking in the broth, I squeeze some lime in, tear some basil leaves up and drop in some crunchy sprouts, yum!  The noodles for this pho is a bit thicker and substantial, the broth here is decent but a bit under-spiced although I’m sure with some additions it’ll be fine.  But overall I found this pho to be an acceptable bowl, but not particularly flavorful or inexpensive.   The summer rolls I ordered to start were decent but the peanut sauce on the side was darker (hoisin) than usual and stronger than I like.

Pork banh mi at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Pork banh mi at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

So I get back to the office and my overall thought is that I liked Pho Vietnam.  It’s a decent VN pho shop but definitely a cut below Pho Far East and a bit more expensive.  But you know what?  I’m still glad to have it in the hood and within my lunching range cause I’ll be back. Sometimes you’re just in the pho-mood and this place will take care of your craving.  And the banh mi?  Well, I tore into that back at the office (yeah, I’m a pig) and it was solid.  Needed a bit more meat and spread but fine for the $4 I paid.  So here’s to Pho Vietnam bringing some more authentic Asian eats to W. Raleigh/Cary.  While it could be better, it’s certainly good enough..

 

Pho Vietnam

1284 Buck Jones Road

Raleigh, NC 27606

 

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Pho, Vietnamese Restaurants in Raleigh, Cary and Durham

Comments

  1. Randy Owens says

    March 3, 2014 at 3:17 pm

    Glad you reviewed this Ron. I’ve been eyeing this place every time I’ve driven by there lately. As you noted, Pho Far East is hard to beat for the taste and the price, but this place is closer to my weekend takeout range so this may be a good reason to try it!

    Reply
  2. RonW says

    March 3, 2014 at 11:04 pm

    Hey Randy, yeah I think the place is ok and i checked it out really early in the game so maybe it’s gotten better. But Pho Far East still easily my favorite VN spot. Let me know what you think if you visit, curious to see if it’s improved…

    Reply
  3. Teresa says

    March 21, 2016 at 10:47 am

    Food is good. But I learned something this weekend when I was there. I was so happy with the service that I wanted to be generous with the tip when I try to give it to the server the person said just leave it on the table we are not allowed to take the tip money they keep it. I’ll still go there but I am leaving any money for tip. I hope they don’t fired anyone because this comment.

    Reply
    • Ron Wen says

      March 21, 2016 at 7:59 pm

      Hmm, didn’t realize that Teresa. They may pool it and split it but not sure.

      Thanks for checking out the blog,

      Ron

      Reply

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