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Pho 75
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- None
9 reviews for Pho 75
*** Friday - Lunch
Dirty Pho, as Su K. calls it:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
This wasn't where I popped my Pho cherry, but it was the place that popped my Pho cherry's cherry back in good ol' 1991. I remember that spring day like it was yesterday. I almost jizzed my pants here that day. It's very basic, as other Pho 75 locations are. They have Pho and that's about it. No appetizers, no pork chops, nada.
The Pho here justifies the absence of other dishes though. Pho is really good most of the time. I say most of the time because, just like any other Pho places, it can be a little different day to day, and that is totally acceptable because bones and meats all don't come from the same cow. They come from happy cows, sad cows, and bikerbitch cows.
Getting back to the Pho, sit down, order, and whatever you ordered will be out in front of you in less than 2 minutes. I guarantee this and am willing to bet both of Anson P.'s thumbs on this. I've been here 4 times in the past few weeks, and it's been good to great every time. Almost the same as I remember from back on that spring day in 1991. Noodles are cooked just right, meats are nice and tender and juicy, tendon is tendony, and the broth is ALWAYS piping hot. Like burn your tongue and mouth hot. The dish of sprouts, basil, jalapenos, lime, and sometimes culantro is usually fresh. Maybe being a local chain has its merits.
Still one of my favorite Pho places in the DC area. Nice and dirty. I made a revelation during my meal here. I ordered a large #1 with NOTHING ELSE. No extra meat, no extra noodles. Nothing. I'm still so proud of myself that I patted myself on the back every 4 hours ever since until my update below.
4.5 stars
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*** Update: How to spend $20 at Pho 75 on one bowl of Pho and free water
1. Order a large bowl of Pho $6.95
2. Order onion in vinegar $0.50
3. Order extra noodles $1.50
4. Order extra meatballs $1.50
5. Order extra tai $1.50
6. Order extra chin $1.50
7. Order extra tendons $1.50
8. Order extra nam $1.50
9. Order extra sach $1.50
10. Order extra gau $1.50
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$19.45
Tax $ 1.17
--------
$20.62
Tip $ 4.00
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$24.62
I have to be sincere...I like Pho but I have never been a huge fan of it. The most obvious reason is that I don't like beef and 99% of the options on all Pho joints are based on beef. Despite that I like to eat chicken Pho and kind even crave that big bowl of stock with bean sprouts, chicken slices, basil and jalapenos. Furthermore, considering other fast food options I think that Pho is one of the healthiest among them and the price is not bad.
In regards to this particular Pho place...don't expect much of the ambiance. It is a place that feels like a stripped down cafeteria, with metal tables. The staff is friendly, though communication is sometimes tricky. The place is reasonably clean and the service is efficient. Therefore, if you are in the region and feel like a cheap and quick healthy eat, this is surely a good option (although I like Pho 88 at Baltimore Avenue). Most patrons are natives and workers from the surroundings. Sometimes you may find poor post-docs like me and my friends as well.
The first place I had pho (1998) and it's the best pho you can get. Don't go for the atmosphere, because there isn't any. Usually a good idea to wipe the chop sticks and spoons with a few napkins before use, too. Location is a little scary, but the pho is worth the trip. Pink jello drink (as I call it) is pretty good here, too.
Dirty, dirty, dirty pho
Dirty pho
Do you ever wonder?
You can wonder about 'N Sync, but it's probably best not to think too deeply about 1) the neighborhood, 2) the people sitting next to you, 3) how old the broth is, and 4) do these workers know what a scheduled day off is?
Location - My wife and I affectionately refer to this place as Dirty Pho. They've recently renovated the exterior, but much like putting on fresh underwear will not rid you of swamp crotch, no amount of renovations will hide what's inside: dirty, delicious pho! The location can be described with 2 S's - shady and sketchy.
Additionally, you should expect your clothes to smell like pho after dining at any establishment, but my clothes become especially stinky after this place. Even in the dead of winter, I'll leave my jacket in the car b/c I'd rather not take it to the dry cleaners afterwards.
Food - This is where I lost my phoginity and their broth is still among the best I've had. Their hoisin sauce is also better than other hoisons - it's hard to describe exactly why. I like Pho VN One better, however, because Dirty Pho uses a Cock Sauce (as Jade R. refers to it) ripoff, which isn't nearly as tasty. Great pho desires, nay, demands real cock. They also stopped giving out basil and started using some other vegetable that I've never seen at an American grocer (Neal informed me that it is called Culantro).
If you like your pho plain, I'd say you'll love Pho 75. If however, you need true cock sauce, bring your own or head up Rte. 1 to VN One.
Note: You guessed it, CASH only.
Fresh, plentiful, hot, delicious pho. It's true ambiance is not the reason to frequent the place, but for quick takeout it is easy and reliably delicious. My only complaint is that they close early -- at 8.
Yes, Pho 75 is very, very dirty. And conveniently located in the heart of El Salvador in Maryland. This said, Pho 75 has the BEST pho by far in Maryland, and trust me I know my pho.
I've been coming here since I was born basically and just remember everyone, wipe down your chopsticks and spoons thoroughly with a napkin! So when I get any sort of pho cravings, you'll find me weaving through hordes of people literally walking right across University Blvd. (even when there are cars!!) just to eat here.
Be warned though, you'll be sitting on crappy seats, on crappy tables, in a crappy shopping center, surrounded my sketchy people. And, just a hint, I wouldn't try any of their che, which is the Vietnamese desert things which probably are months old, just come here for the best pho ever.
If you are anywhere near this place and looking for a good bowl of pho, with plenty of sprouts, basil, and hot sauce, this is the place to find it. Bowls, chopsticks and spoons are clean and the staff is friendly. I don't know if the rest of it is dirty or just down at the heels and a little time-worn. And, don't be put off by remarks about the other clientele--it looks like mostly students, young families, and hard working men far from home, all out for a cheap, hearty meal. So what if it's the 15th province? Many of our parents and grandparents lived in ethnic neighborhoods like this where those from outside labeled them as probably dangerous, dirty, and sketchy. America. What a country!
Also, regarding the remark about leaving the coat in the car so it won't smell--that happens big-time to all my clothes when I go to most Indian restaurants (which I love), but I have never had this experience here.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention that they have the best pho broth I've ever tasted. You get a good value, good tasting meal here.
I recently satisfied my curiosity and confirmed that this Pho 75 is indeed part of a chain popular with DC yelpers for its Arlington location. However, the location is a bit sketchy (consider wearing your favorite MS-13 colors). I may have just been hungrier than usual, but the large bowl didn't seem to offer quite as much as I have been accustomed to seeing in Arlington. Otherwise, it's the same bowl of pho as in Arlington. Seating is quite limited so be prepared to share a table. (your high school Spanish classes may finally pay off)
Nonetheless, this location will suffice if you feel the onset of a pho craving, finding yourself north of DC city limits.
Located in the Spanish ghetto, this is probably one of the better Pho places around in MD, other then goin to NOVA. Typical pho place, dirty inside, but hey you came here for pho right and not to impress a date? The portions are generous and usually hot and fresh during lunch hours. That is a must, come here during lunch, or you will get lukewarm leftovers.
Usually an old lady takes our order, she is also owner apparently. Very serious person but funny if know some viet.
