Pho 88

We wanted a break from Viet Thai and went to Pho 88. It was a cold day and I was on my lunch break, so we both got Pho. I got the Dac Biet and it came out so quickly even during lunch rush. The broth was so good and was deep in flavor. Definitely a much needed taste on a cold day.

It's our go-to spot for pho and it's like a hug in a bowl.
We've dined in as well as done take out. The service is fast, and the food has always been pretty good. It's a simple cozy ambience to sit in peace and have your meal at. My all time favorites are chicken pho, seafood pho and the seafood noodles.

ABOUT "PHO 88"
There are numerous Vietnamese restaurants across the United States named "Pho 88". I don't know exactly why this is, but I DO KNOW that these "Pho 88" places are NOT PART OF A CHAIN. I have done some extra research, and I think it may be because the "Pho 88" brand name is a very loose franchise that is accessed for lease privately through various Vietnamese immigrant community support groups, such as VIETNAMESE AMERICAN SERVICES, or the VAO (Vietnamese American Organization). Otherwise it is possibly a brand that is Family owned, thus as the decades pass by, and the family has more and more of its children growing up and wanting to open their own branch of the restaurant that they have to open in other cities so as not to compete with their family's other branches. And the third and maybe most likely reason that "Pho 88" restaurants can be found in almost every city that has a large Vietnamese community is because back in Vietnam there is the first and most famous "Pho 88," which most probably opened in Saigon during the Vietnam War when Vietnamese copyright & trademark laws were non-existent. And so, when immigrants from Vietnam came to America after the war, wanting to open a noodle shop of their own, they simply used the only name for a noodle shop that their American customers already knew: "Pho 88". And now, 60 years later, Vietnamese Noodle Restaurants named "Pho 88" are everywhere.

ABOUT MY VISITS HERE
That said, I have here (having lived in Boston), and to numerous other "Pho 88" Noodle Restaurants, many times. It is also one of daughter's favorite restaurants. Unlike many other Vietnamese places where the noodles in the Pho are too soft, or too thin, or too gummy, or they break: "PHO 88" makes their noodles just right. Here they are wider, and longer, and they hold together well, with just the right bite and chew.

ABOUT PHO
"Phở," or in the US, "Pho", is a Vietnamese soup consisting of clear seasoned broth (traditionally beef broth), rice noodles called "bánh phở," a few herbs & spices (such as star-anis, cloves, cinnamon, licorice root, and other elements of Chinese 5-spice), and various cuts & preparations of meat (usually beef, but sometimes chicken, pork, seafood, or occasionally a specialty item like quail, eel, duck, or soft-shell crab). However, traditional "Street-Pho" is primarily made with either beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà). Pho is the most popular street food in Vietnam (eaten at night with beer), and is the specialty-dish of a number of restaurants (both mom & pop places as well as chains) around the world, including this "Pho 88".

WHICH PHO TO ORDER
Try the regular sized bowl of traditional mixed beef (BO) Pho noodle soup (called DAC BIET), or get the large bowl of the same thing (XE LUA) if you have a big appetite. Both have different sized portions of the same traditional beef-meats: which are rare steak (raw when added), well-done brisket, beef-flank, tendon (which is my glistening favorite) & bits of tripe (spongy for texture with no real flavor). I recommend this, but order some extras to add to it.

EXTRAS TO ADD TO YOR PHO
I recommend ordering an additional side of their Perfectly cooked Tendon: This is my favorite side-order, and it's hard to find Tendon as well prepared as it is here. The texture is its main draw, being in between a slightly denser gelatin and a see-thru beef flavored gummy-bear; only it is lighter than either of those and it ends up melting into delicious butter-broth in your mouth). No-one prepares tendon as well as the Vietnamese). All soups come with a side plate of Fresh BEAN SPROUTS, Thai BASIL Leaves on the stem, and Fresh Slice LIME Wedges. Also ask for a plate of thinly slice raw white onions, plus a side of Vietnamese beef-balls (like very finely ground meatballs), and an extra order of clear broth (in case you add too much Hoisin or Sriracha to your main bowl (both sauces are necessary to add to your taste, but if you over-do it, the extra broth can dilute it).

THE CONDIMENTS ON YOUR TABLE
Hoisin or Sriracha should be on your table, along with chopsticks, small empty dishes for you side-sauces, plus salt & pepper shakers, some Chili Flakes, a small jar of Hot Red Chili Paste, some small Green & Red Thai Chili-Peppers in vinegar, and a container of salty-fish-sauce which is filled with delicious Umami. NOTE: if you want an extra kick, add some Chilis, or some WHITE Pepper to your soup, but don't add the pre-ground Black Pepper that's on the table, (it will look like dirt and taste like dust). Also, DO NOT Add Soy Sauce (it's the wrong flavor for the soup and it will kill the taste) Also, don't add any extra table Salt (save your added saltiness for the Hoisin and the Fish Sauce, both of which are super salty.

OTHER DISHES THAT YOU SHOULD ORDER
There are No Fried Crispy Eggrolls better than Vietnamese Fried Crispy Eggrolls: CHA GIO. Wrap them in Lettuce with the Pickled DAIKON, CARROTS and MINT, All Provided. ENJOY!

We came here on a weekday evening and the atmosphere was nice and calm, which was helpful to decrease stimulation for my 6 year old. The pho and pork chop plate were delicious, nice and tender. The topping on the cake was the amazing service provided by AP. He was kind, fast and genuinely supportive towards helping in making our family feast so amazing! Thank you!

Hands down my favorite spot in Massachusetts. The calamari has set the new standard for what I want when I go out. Thick pieces of calamari light and crispy breading, nice peppery taste with fresh peppers and greens to go with it. Service is amazing. They're so friendly and remember us even if it's been weeks. Drinks are solid and I have to be a little cautious some times. Casual atmosphere is nice and relax
10/10!

One of my favorite spots passing through. Amazing Pho broth and side dishes. Went there for Shabu Shabu for Valentines Day and it was absolutely delicious. I would recommend this place 100%!

Pho 88 is an appealing Vietnamese restaurant. It's a casual dining spot with a comfortable atmosphere to meet up with friends or family. The menu consists of typically Vietnamese cuisines and some specials. Their portions are generous for the price. Not sure if they still do hot pot here. I've never tried it myself but I saw customers having it. They are located in a plaza so parking is easy for the most part.

Beef Noodle Soup- Beef noodle soup with rare steak, well-done flank, tendon, and tripe. My friend claims they have the best broth in town and she was so right. She has ruined all pho for me because this was excellent. Rich, beefy, just full of flavor.
Seafood Noodle Soup- Pork, shrimp, imitation crab meat, squid, fish cakes, and I went with yellow noodles. White noodles are an option. Steamy goodness.
Rice Plate with Grilled Porkchop, Julienned Skin, and Steam Ground Pork Cake- Served with a side of fish sauce, cucumber, tomato, and pickled vegetables. So good.

Overall Service: Super friendly. They were very chill and let us catch up. Even when we would take leftover pho home, it's still good.

I think I just found my favorite spot to get BUN BO HUE!

I live in Boston but I'm here in Lowell a lot because I have family out here. I stumbled across one of my friends IG Story and saw that they were here at Pho 88 eating Bun Bo Hue. Immediately the color of the broth caught my attention. A lot of bun Bo hue at restaurants I've been going to is usually light colored and not spicy at all. This had the red coloring and was packed with flavor and a strong spicy kick. By far the best bun Bo hue I ever had at a restaurant. I would literally drive 40-45 minutes to get this every weekend. I highly recommend this for all my BBH LOVERS! Haha

Overall, food was excellent. I'll try their pho next time when I'm here!

Service was good. Super friendly staff. Very welcoming.

Great food and service! Excellent for large groups. Full bar for a fun night! Best pho is Lowell!

I would recommend if you're in the neighborhood but not worth the trip if you're non local. Service was good. Food was decent and prices were on the pricier side. Overall, it's a one and done unless I happen to be nearby.