PebHmong Discussion Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Solemn Wind on June 08, 2021, 03:27:54 AM

Title: Why is the best pho place generally in the shittiest part of town?
Post by: Solemn Wind on June 08, 2021, 03:27:54 AM
I was in San Francisco last week and I was dying for some good pho...but it seems like all the best pho places are in the Tenderloin District. My favorite pho place in San Francisco is pretty much in the heart of the Tenderloin by O’Farrell and Jones. Whenever I have friends and relatives out of state visiting and we go to San Francisco I always want to take them for pho in the Tenderloin...b ut I’m afraid of taking them there because some of them might get traumatized by what they see, especially the women.
Title: Re: Why is the best pho place generally in the shittiest part of town?
Post by: theking on June 08, 2021, 12:09:26 PM
I ate at Ana Mandara, an upper scale Vietnamese restaurant on Beach Street during the Ghirardelli festival and it was just alright considering how much they charged. The best ones I've been to are in the San Jose area so I rather drive south if I want some good pho.
Title: Re: Why is the best pho place generally in the shittiest part of town?
Post by: Dok_Champa on June 08, 2021, 12:56:00 PM
I was in Billing and Missoula MT and the pho place I visited was not good.  Today, I went to my usual place and it was satisfying.
Title: Re: Why is the best pho place generally in the shittiest part of town?
Post by: DuMa on June 08, 2021, 01:37:20 PM
First off, you have to eat good pho to know what good pho is and even if you think you had you good pho, you will be back to the same joint as nothing compares to it.

I'm an adventurer seeker so I don't have a fan favorite so I can't tell you what or how or where the good pho is at.  If it is up to me, I compare all pho to how the pho I grew up with which is home made pho from my elders. 

In general, I think the good pho are usually near the viet community.  They are marketing it to the viet people so you better make your pho good cuz you can't fake the funk with the viet people and their viet food.  They can make or break your business. 

Then again, taste is also subjective so if you are satisfied with paying x amount of money for a satisfying bowl of pho then that is all that matters.  Don't let the viet person sway you away from better pho or you will either be telling yourself " where I've been all my life to miss this"  or "you ruin me completely as I am better not knowing"   :2funny:
Title: Re: Why is the best pho place generally in the shittiest part of town?
Post by: theking on June 08, 2021, 09:25:03 PM
BTW, I've never eaten anything on O'Farrell Street except at Mitchell Brothers O'Farrell Theatre located on 895 O'Farrell Street near the Tenderloin neighborhood..  ;):

(https://www.foundsf.org/images/0/0c/OFarrell-Theater_P1100361.jpg)

Title: Re: Why is the best pho place generally in the shittiest part of town?
Post by: Tajo on June 08, 2021, 10:31:35 PM
There is one pho place by ggp on irving st. I used to go there alot. If you want thai food, osha is one of the best in sf.  ;D
Title: Re: Why is the best pho place generally in the shittiest part of town?
Post by: Cali Guy on June 09, 2021, 09:31:15 AM
My taste buds are changing and I feel like the majority of retail pho tastes full of chemical. Used to be a huge fan but now only fan of homemade.
Title: Re: Why is the best pho place generally in the shittiest part of town?
Post by: theking on June 09, 2021, 10:47:18 PM
If SF was the only choice, I would go to the Richmond and Sunset districts for pho especially those places located on Clement Street..
Title: Re: Why is the best pho place generally in the shittiest part of town?
Post by: one-tai on June 10, 2021, 12:46:58 PM
Yep, best pho is homemade Hmong pho!