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Tank Noodle Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Vietnamese Vietnamese [Edit]
4953 N Broadway(between Argyle St & Ainslie St)
Chicago, IL 60640
Neighborhood: Uptown
(773) 878-2253
- Nearest Transit:
-
Argyle (Red Line)
Lawrence (Red Line)
Berwyn (Red Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat 8:30 am - 10 pm
Sun 8:30 am - 9 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
707 reviews for Tank Noodle Restaurant
Review Highlights
"The Pho is inexpensive, plentiful and diverse."
(in 506 reviews)
"The menu is huge; like a book."
(in 20 reviews)
"My favorite Argyle eatery."
(in 97 reviews)
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706 reviews in English
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Review from Ehow C.
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
I grew up with a dad that loved noodle soup, so having pho brings back such memories. I'm a big fan of the pho with meatballs, since I grew up eating the meatballs in chicken broth. I will agree with my fellow Yelper Sandy N. that the broth has a funny flavor to it, like a fragrance? I don't know if that's from the mint, but it definitely tasted odd.
My most recent visit was with a group of coworkers and my boss, who happens to be Vietnamese. Because of this, I got a fairly thorough explanation on how you should eat everything, what you should order, etc. In addition to pho, we got the shrimp and pork egg rolls, which are huge and hardy, with a great peanut sauce. The crepe-like appetizer with pork is also very tasty if you add the right combination of mint and sauce. Even without, the friedness is just splendid.
My boss says it's the best in the neighborhood, so you definitely have to give it some credit there. Service can be spotty, especially when the place can get crowded like crazy. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who is a first-time pho-er. -
Review from Katrina R.
Chicago, IL
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
3 stars. Full disclosure: I didn't get the Pho.
We came here with about 10 people for the boyfriend's birthday. The staff was nice and found us a sufficiently large table. Service was a little slow, but hey, there *were* 10 of us.
The shrimp spring rolls were OK. Nothing to write home about. The egg rolls, God bless 'em, were TINY. Seriously, they looked sad.
The boyfriend said he liked the Pho; everyone else seemed satisfied. I was neither pleased nor displeased with my shrimp noodle dish. Would I come back? Only if the boy wanted to.
Other than that, the Thai Milk Bubble Tea was a standout. -
Review from Valarie W.
Knox, IN
2/6/2012
6 of us went for lunch...(on the referall of Tom, My nail tech.) We drove 90 miles to go there and Trader Joes. Was worth the trip!!. Based on reviews we ordered spring rolls,a congee dish, a pho dish, and then an assortment of seafood and chicken main courses.. The only item we did not like was the congee dish. kinda like a chicken broth and rice soup,but rice was mushy...perhaps that is how it is supposed to be , but we did not care for it....
BYOB was allowed and we enjoyed wine w/our dinner....Be sure a ask for Jome to wait on you, because his service was excellent from start to finish!
He opened our wine,brought glasses and after dinner brought to go containers for all of our leftovers! -
Review from Kat L.
Chicago, IL
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
PHO ME! I'll beg you to. Especially if you Pho me here!
The staff is always kind and helpful and the community style table set ups make for an entertaining and pleasant dining experience.
The Pho is one of the most delicious things I have ever put in my mouth. Once I start eating, I just can't stop. This Pho seriously has a crack-like addictiveness to it!
I high recommend ordering the beef raw and on the side. The broth does a lovely job cooking the meet to a tender perfection this way. Also, don't be shy. Try all of the sauces and delicious toppings. You're in for a grand experience! -
Review from Eazmg C.
Chicago, IL
2/3/2012
I went here last night with a group of guys with pretty high expectations. The service was great, beware the tables have metal bars underneath that you can easily knock on your knee on. Sounds like a weird comment? Well 3 out of 6 of us hit that bar pretty hard so i wouldn't be surprised if others have as well.
We started off with the spring rolls, egg rolls, crepe, and the marinated beef sandwich. The rolls were good when using the sauces (both the plum and house hot sauce are excellent). The beef and crepe were my favorite of the bunch.
For dinner I went with #39 loaded beef noodle Pho, seemed like the way to go for a first-timer. Beware the dish is huge, i think i only had 1/3 of it, and quite a bit mysterious as far as what all is exactly in there. All in all i can safely say i'm not really a Pho fan which maybe makes my review skewed quite a bit - wasn't too impressed. I liked my friends dishes more so than mine.
I would definitely go back to try something else, the menu is massive - it literally looks like a children's book (thick and with pictures) - and the BYOB is always a big plus. -
Review from KELLIE K.
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Durian.
Its stinkiness is often enough to make the weak run in fear and the bold weak in the knees.
But that's not what I came here for.
Pho is what this place does and it does it well, there's no disputing that. I came here for pho. *But* the durian smoothie won me over and made me swoon a little, and like a dare, I couldn't get it out of my head.
Once the smoothie arrived, to answer your inevitable, burning question, it didn't smell that bad. Perfectly durian-y. You're either a fan, hate it, unsure, or are simply frightened. For the unsure, give it a try, especially since this isn't as stinky (or as difficult) as cracking open your own fresh fruit.
Back to the pho.
Don't let yourself get distracted by the other menu items. I'm sure they're good. Get the pho. Do not pass go. Do not collect anything, except meatballs with a side of sliced beef, which is what I prefer. The portion will be huge, so be hungry. For the uninitiated, go with a seasoned pal to show you the pho ropes, if possible. Lots of stuff to add and lots of ways to make a great pho even better.
Service here is friendly. Expect to be given a hard time if you can't finish your giant bowl of pho and want to take it home. I know it doesn't taste the same the next day, but I'm the durian eater, remember? I live dangerously.Listed in: Lady in Red, Keep On Keepin' On, Oh, Boy!
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Review from Joyce P.
1/23/2012
Wow... 600+ reviews? I'm really impressed.
I've heard so much about this place and I'm glad I finally got to go. Unfortunately, I came here after I became a pescatarian, so I can't comment on the pho (my friends said it was good though!) I had a shrimp bun (vermicelli), and I downed that one fast. It had pretty good flavor. My bf loves bun, and he said his was very delicious! I would say that it's in the top 3 for me in terms of bun.
It's very crowded and busy. However, we were able to grab a seat on New Year's Day at 7pm with a 10 min wait.
I can't wait to come back here one day!Listed in: The Yelp 100 Challenge!
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Review from Emily B.
Chicago, IL
2/5/2012
Go for the Pho! Huge portions, fantastic garnishes. Iced drinks and service were great too!
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Review from Craig B.
South Loop, Chicago, IL
1/22/2012
I had really high hopes for this place given that Broadway/Argyle and its surroundings are absolutely packed with Vietnamese restaurants and, compared to Tank, they're all pretty much empty.
After something of a wait (we could have been seated a bit earlier if our party of three didn't mind sharing a six seater table with another party of three) we got a table and started working our way through the menu. The menu itself is like a book, there are well over 200 items to choose from.
I ended up with a pho after seeing all of the reviews on here. Firstly, the bowl was *huge*, probably two pints of soup in total. However, I have to admit that I didn't think it was anything special. Somewhat bland and a little bit tough. Oh well. My friends had a fried rice dish and some beef thing respectively, and like the pho they were nice enough but not amazing.
The thing that really threw me, though, was the toilets. The only cubicle in the men's room contained about two dozen rolls of toilet paper just scattered around, two or three stepladders, and the toilet seat itself had a big smear of shit on it (although I guess it could have been brown paint or something, I didn't taste it). -
Review from James H.
Elgin, IL
2/4/2012
Very awesome place with super friendly staff and a great vibe. Don't expect anything fancy but do come hungry - especially if you are looking to order #39
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Review from Miss M.
Chicago, IL
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Whatever you do, please make reservations. Otherwise, you will stand and wait a long time for a table!!!!
We made reservations and were seated right away. I ordered a spicy stew that had cinnamon and anise star infused broth. It was heavenly! My date had a traditional beef pho that was very good and smelled delightful. Our green tea and mango smoothies were very good.
Service was fast and prompt, but please remember to call and make reservations! -
Review from Ishmal R.
Chicago, IL
Tank Noodle has always been consistent.
At times I avoid them and go to the smaller Vietnamese restaurants scattered along Argyle just to spread the wealth to the other Mom & Pop places (especially Pho 888)
Yesterday I was there at around 3 PM and had the Vietnamese shrimp spring rolls, the raw ones not the friend. And for my entree #84 the rice vermicelli with shrimp, beef, pork, pork egg roll, peanuts and mixed fresh vegetables. Simply delicious, fast and courteous service.
Just what I wanted for lunch/dinner.
See pics for what i ate. -
Review from Brett D.
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Two phocking thumbs up!
'Tis the season to get your pho on and there's no better place than Tank. Whether you prefer one of the other phomiliar spots, you know the ones - they tend to start with 'Pho' and end with random digits in triplicate - you still have to give it up for the locale with a menu so robust they need not one, but two restaurant monikers (holla Pho Xe Tang), to get the phonomenal job done.
Naturally, if you're no pho virgin, you've already got your favorite dishes and likely your preferred spot for consumption. If you want to give Tank a try, my adventure pants salute you! However, for now, I'll focus on those not yet initiated in the wiles of navigating a big 'ol pho time.
Tank is a great place to start for pro's and novice's alike. It's clean, friendly and damn tasty. While the menu can be a bit intimidating (think pages upon pages upon PAGES of choices) stick to these pho basics and you'll be fine.
1. You're there for Pho
2. Don't forget that
3. It's easy to be swayed by visions of Shrimp Cakes, Sizzling Crepes, Vietnamese Sandwiches and the like dancing on the shiny menu pages
4. Stay Focused
5. If you must have an instant gratification moment, try the Simmered Caramel Pork and Shrimps as an appetizer above anything fried or with the name 'roll' in it
6. Commence ordering anything in the 'Vietnamese Beef Noodles Soup' category, this is the legit pho
7. Meatballs are your friend
8. Extra meatballs are your wife
9. But extra meatballs and sliced beef, well done brisket, well done flank, soft tendon and bible tripe is your mistress
10. You're welcomeListed in: Up, Up & Away!, Pho Real
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Review from Dianne S.
1/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Is this place PHO real?!
Group of 13 people. Reservations taken for 5:30pm on a Tuesday.
No problem.
Separate check for all 12 people. Totally accommodating. Keep in mind, they'll only allow you to use a max of 2 credit cards-otherwise...
No problem.
Trying to pass along our BYOB bottles of wine without knocking into each other. They've got a Lazy Susan for that.
No problem.
Hungry much? Pho here is delicious and brought out in generous portions. One bowl equals dinner and lunch for the next day. I had the #42. Gotta love bible tripe! Unlike your gas tank, it only takes $8 to fill up here.
No problem.
Not in a pho kind of mood? Their menu includes hot pot, sandwiches, and grilled meats.
No problem.
Friendly, fast, and patient service. Phi was awesome and we even parted ways with a handshake and a hug!
Tangent: Need the season's newest Essie & OPI nail polish. Lynamy's is a 30 second walk away.
No problem.Listed in: Bring it! BYOB spots not to…
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Review from Khoala Kate T.
Mobile, AL
1/27/2012
If you are ever in the Windy City and have a craving for pho, Tank noodle is the place to go. This is hands down one of the best Pho places I've ever been to. The price is also very affordable.
Also, If you are coming with a group bigger than 6, try to make reservations. The place is usually packed when I go there. -
Review from Shradha A.
Chicago, IL
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
It was not just food, it was an experience - is how one of my friends put it. 11 of us on a Friday night trying Vietnamese food for the first time. 5 of us were vegetarians and 6 were not.
We started with the fresh rolls - veg not a fan, pork and shrimp not a fan.
We then ordered an assortment of soup dishes and the food was good I can't say it wasn't, but it just didn't make me a fan in the sense that I want to go back all the time. I much prefer Thai, Malay and Indonesian food to Vietnamese food.
Service was so patient and friendly even with loud ignorant people like us and the place is quite large. Price was excellent for the amount of food we got. So convenient by El, bus or car!Listed in: Asian Admiration
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Review from Cristene M.
Chicago, IL
1/7/2012
Tank Noodle cooks veggies well, but I felt that the vegetarian pho was pretty lacking of luster. Darn...I really had my hopes up given the volume of positive reviews and seeing how busy it was when we arrived, but Tank Noodle simply did not deliver.
I obviously ordered the vegetarian pho...and it's apparent that I thought it was so-so. So what was wrong? Let me give Tank credit for the perfectly cooked veggies first...Tank, you can cook a mean veggie. However, the noodles were overcooked and the broth was very bland. I was pretty bummed when they put the bowl down on the table when I saw that the broth was as clear as water...so I kind of had water with noodles and veggies. After spicing it up it was edible, but certainly nothing I'd rant and rave about, or ever return for. And to give you another perspective, my bf didn't really care for his beef pho. So I don't know...could have been an off night, but either way, we both won't return.
PS - I upped Tank one star because I really liked their vegetarian spring roll...otherwise, the pho is a 2. -
Review from Saira K.
1/29/2012
I've had pho at other places, but really Tank's is the best. And the smoothies are so good! Very reasonably priced for super-huge portions.
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Review from Jess S.
Glenview, IL
1/19/2012
So this place has been officially outed, as last time I went there, the number of white people nearly outnumbered the number of asians. Not that that's a bad thing. I'm happy more people are getting to experience the delicious pho and other vietnamese specialties.
However, it does get quite crowded, especially on the weekends. I've been going there for the past few years with my family. Last Sunday, my family and I went there around 4, and the place was packed! We thought we would avoid the dinner rush by going early, but I guess not. The servers and bussers are very quick and efficient though, so despite the packed place with a few groups ahead of us, we got to sit down within 5 minutes.
It's an authentic, no-frills place where you come to get reliable and inexpensive vietnamese food (like pho!). The menu is expansive, and so far everything I have tried has been good. My grandpa once ordered a bowl of noodles that had chunks of blood pudding in it ("I've never seen red tofu before!") and he actually enjoyed it, so try new dishes too! -
Review from Heather M.
Chicago, IL
1/6/2012
I don't think I need to add anything about the Pho (it's amazing, order the beef on the side if you want it medium rare), but I am compelled after my recent visit to send a shout out to the Simmered Marinated Pork (#189). It's braised bacon... I think. Or something really similar and totally delicious. I can't even describe it, you just have to order it. I love this place.
Also, much love to the fried spring rolls, especially the shrimp ones. I miss you. -
Review from Jessica N.
Chicago, IL
12/26/2011
I have been dying to try this place out and it did not disappoint. You know a place is good when every single time you drive past it there is a ridiculous crowd.
The only thing that really annoyed me was the 250+ ITEMS ON THE MENU! Seriously, is that necessary! Can EVERY single thing on the menu be amazing? Probably not. Wish they would hone in on a few items within each category or a few categories. Just personal pref....
Shrimp Spring Rolls - Yum, but other places have mint and it could've used that freshness. Small personal pref :)
Marinated Beef Banh Mi - RIDIC! Best one I've had. The spices on the beef were out of this world.
Vietnamese Beef Stew - If you want something richer than the traditional Pho this is the way to go. Thick hearty pieces of beef and tendon (I LOVE TENDON!). Love those egg noodles, too.
Papaya Bubble Tea - Yes please! Right up there with Joy Yee's in terms of bubble quality and they use fresh fruit!
This place is schooling the rest of Vietnamese town. I see little reason to hit up the other places! -
Review from Anna J.
Tinley Park, IL
1/12/2012
Our family of 4 ate here last week, again. We live in the far southwestern suburbs, but every now and again, we take the trek to Tank Noodle to fulfill our Pho cravings. The servings are huge! I always order the regular sized bowl, and I can never finish it. The herbs are always fresh, and the soup is very flavorful. This last time, we shared something new - Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepe). Wow, it was spectacular! Even our picky boys couldn't get enough, they were arguing over the last few bites.
This place is always a great value, and the food is consistently good.
Tip: go before 6pm to beat the crowds. It can get fairly cramped, but usually not before 6pm. -
Review from Made N.
Chicago, IL
1/29/2012
Cold day = craving pho. yum-my!!! I always go to another joint down the street which I love, but attempted to venture to another place with good ratings and was not disappointed! We both had vegetarian pho and veggie spring rolls and they were the absolute most perfect thing to eat on a cold winter day; I wouldn't change a thing about either. Here's where we differ from my standby (777) - I got a lime soda which was THE BEST THING EVAH! (not sure if competition has it and I never saw it on menu? since most menus are pretty much the same in this stretch), but my partner had a bubble tea which he thought wasn't as good as the competition (too thick and milky with slightly off-tasting tapioca), so the deciding factor (the drinks since food was equally tasty) was a toss-up. Still I'd go again, happily. And I suspect in the summer, a take-out of lime soda will be a regular occurrence!
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Review from Sarah S.
I went here today based on my buddy, Will C.'s, suggestion and met him down there for lunch. Yum, yum, yum. I'm not big into pho and was worried about being stuck with something lame on the menu. Lucky me though, I was able to find a lot of cool choices. I was very pleasantly surprised by the tasty food and the good service! How funny is it that the servers all wear army shirts & shirts with tanks printed on them...haha!
I went with #101 because egg yolk and pork sounded good! #101 is a rice dish with ground pork's egg yolk topping, shredded pork, pork skins with vermicelli noodles mixed in. Note: The price on their website says $8.95 but prices have gone up and it's actually $9.95! This dish was amaaaazing! It comes with a little bowl of soup & a fish sauce to put over the dish. The man who brought it out to me was beyond friendly and a cute little old man! The egg yolk comes in a little block with vermicelli and pork pieces over half the rice dish and the other half is covered in loose vermicelli noodles & pork pieces (see my picture). Lunch was super awesome plus we got a big ol' round table for 5 people.
I'd recommend Tank to others and will absolutely be back to try more items on the menu! My only issue is the prices are a bit high for Viet food. A lot of the dishes were $12 or $13 so I was determined to pick a $10 dish...and like I said, even that is a newly raised price! -
Review from Dominick C.
Chicago, IL
12/29/2011
It's like True Happiness is somewhere between the top of the sweet, simmering Pho and the bottom of the bowl. It's there, right next to the perfect cooked vermicelli noodles, thin strips of meat, and my childhood memories of summer rain and puppy love. I have a tear in my mother-frickin' eye.
When I have this godly soup I feel Pho-drunk, and in slurs, I exclaim, "You're all beautiful, each and every one of you" pointing to the fish cakes, the beef tendon, the mint leaves, and the, oh yes, the lime (I haven't forgotten about you, love.) And as I hastily slurp them down, they whisper, softly in my throat and belly, "Yes, yes, I love you too." I gently close my eyes in bliss.
Sigh.
Who knew True Happiness was extra large and only about $7.00?
Sigh. -
Review from Hoanglong N.
Chicago, IL
1/16/2012
first of all, to tank noodle... i just have to say in my asian accent "tank Q!" sorry, i had to do it.
there is a saying that i came up with, that a vietnamese restaurant is as good as its pho. well that just means that tank noodle is a damn good vietnamese restaurant.
the pho is freaking pho-tastic! if you are looking for a good pho joint, my vietnamese-blood can attest to this being as legit as it gets. the pho is comparable to the quality that you would find in little saigon in garden grove california, which is comparable to that you would find in the motherland. so that would mean that you are eating real pho without having to pay for airfare, fly for half a day, pay for a hotel, just to get a legit bowl of pho. that sounds like an awesome deal to me.
pho is one of those kind of things that just warms your soul on a cold chicago evening. and tank noodle makes it a solid experience. the BYOB is simply icing on the cake, or rather... sriracha on the pho.
mmmmmmmm srirachaaa... -
Review from Maciej G.
Streamwood, IL
12/25/2011 1 photo
My only experience here is with a banh mi sandwich and sugar cane drink. I really don't have any basis on which to judge the sugar cane, so all I can say is that it had a very plant-ish fibrous taste to it akin to something I'd find in banana peel. Two other guests I was with really did not like the taste, but I don't think that had anything to do with the quality rather the unique taste which they weren't ready for.
What I am familiar with are banh mi sandwiches. I had the grilled marinated pork. I've had pork sandwiches before, but I've never had one this flavorful. Right from the first bite even to several hours later, the pork shone through as the pre-eminent flavor. Depending on the bite, either a porky rib-like flavor or the sweet from the marinade emerged. Nonetheless, the bread was fairly unremarkable. It didn't really have a flavor worth noting, nor was I impressed or disappointed with with the flakiness or chewiness of the baguette. I will say that I was a tad disappointed with the heft of the sandwich. Although not expensive, it didn't really provide that much to munch on. It was, definitely, a very thin sandwich.
Overall, though, I think it was pretty good, deserving of a fourth star, and I would recommend this place. -
Review from Nicole C.
Chicago, IL
12/21/2011
Go here, eat pho- and put a ton of 'condiments' in it. The people are nice, the food came out fast, there was a lot of it, AND IT WAS GOOD!
We went between 2 and 3 and it wasn't very busy- and this was on a Friday! -
Review from Justin B.
Chicago, IL
1/20/2012
There is a reason this place is always packed even though there are about 10 other places you could go for Pho on this stretch of Argyle street. It is authentic, flavorful, plentiful, and cheap. If you are looking for real deal Pho, this is the place to go.
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Review from Heather H.
Chicago, IL
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Do not forget to reservate! Trust me on this one... you'll want to plan ahead.
We got to Tank Noodle on a Friday night about 15 minutes prior to our reservation time, but they already had our table waiting for us. The line for walk-ins was out the door for the entire time we were there (and it was cold out)! This should tell you, it's worth it.
The decor is nothing to write home about, but you're not here to look around. You're here to stare at your food once it arrives, and slurp the goodness of the Pho or whatever sits in front of you.
We started with the vegetarian and shrimp spring rolls. The consensus at the table, skip the shrimp, since the vegetarian is fresh and rolled tight. After all, who likes floppy spring rolls that fall apart upon picking them up? Not this girl...
Everyone got a different meal, my husband got the caramel shrimp which he said he would not order again. Luckily for him, I got the egg-noodle and mixed vegetable soup which was HUGE, and I couldn't finish on my own. The egg noodles were perfect, and they give you a lot. The vegetables were fresh, and there was a huge variety in the soup.
Others at the table raved about their Pho, it was the perfect meal for a cold night. Was it a life changing experience? No. But I certainly will be back for some great Vietnamese soon.
The best part? The meal for 4 was $57. Yes!!!! Oh, and BYOB. -
Review from Lorenzo S.
Chicago, IL
12/2/2011
I've gone in here twice. Both times unsatisfied.
It's sooooo busy that its not worth going into. And if its aweoommmmmmeeee like Hot Doug's is for hot dogs awesome.... then maybe its worth the wait. But to be honest, the pho here is not even noteworthy.
They have definitely the most visible location, but you're best off just opening your eyes and walking in ANY direction and i'm sure you'll find a better Pho joint. -
Review from Kathy K.
Chicago, IL
1/14/2012
This place is great. I went here with friends and had spring rolls, noodles, and pho. All were delicious. The papaya salad was especially good. The service was very fast and we got our food in under 10 minutes.
The atmosphere is lively and it's definitely a fun place to try if you're with a group. I would suggest making reservations. We went on a very busy night and were sat immediately because we had reservations. -
Review from David F.
Chicago, IL
1/11/2012
This place is Americanized and bland when compared to true Viet dishes, I honestly suggest you head down the street to Pho Lily to get the full package of what great Viet food is all about.
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Review from Chrisna A.
Chicago, IL
12/3/2011
The pho is indistinguishable from that of any random Thai restaurant that serves pho in Philadelphia, New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis, or any other city in which I've ordered pho. By indistinguishable, I mean that the broth, while clear, is bland; the meat, tough and overcooked.
On a positive note, I liked the fruit at the top of the bubble tea. -
Review from Damian C.
Chao, Tank Noodle! Ban la nguoi ban tot nhat cua toi moi!
For those of you who are not Vietnamese (like me), I'll save you the Googling and let you know that Tank Noodle is now my new best friend!
I have been PHO-king around the internetz and inquiring with friends for some delicious pho/Vietnamese cuisine before my upcoming trip to SE Asia, and many signs were pointing to a trip up to Tank Noodle. I've heard only great things about it and the place is always packed, so we set a reservation for dinner, hopped in the car, and trekked up to Uptown to get Tank'd.
I found metered parking outside and we made it in just at 6:30. Per the restaurant, they will hold your reservation for 10 minutes, so try not to be late! The place was packed with patrons of all nationalities (that's one way to tell it's GOOD!), ages, families, everyone. I had Pho on the mind when I got there but made the mistake of not reading the menu beforehand - be warned, it's the size of a Rand McNally atlas, and they have just about everything. I ordered the #53 Pho Ga (sans onions) and went for a grilled beef banh mi (for $3.95, take that, Subway), while my friends went for some pho, appetizers, and a shrimp dish. The food came out at random times, but we had everything within 10 minutes. I enjoyed every slurp of the noodles and broth and, despite achy hand muscles, I was proud of myself for eating half a bowl of the pho using chopsticks the entire time (I avoided using a PHOrk... ohhh, that's a stretch for a pho-joke). As you'll note in past reviews, one bowl of pho at $7.95 is enough to feed two hungry people or be eaten as 3 separate meals, so come hungry, leave happy, and take leftovers. The banh mi and a quart of pho is for lunch today.
The place is super aPHOrdable and, depending on what you get, $10-15 should cover you, tax and tip. It's BYOB, too. If only I can find some 333 beer somewhere... that's "Ba Ba Ba" for you kids.
Toi se xem ban som! That's "I will see you soon"... according to Google, at least. I've still got a lot to learn before I head over there. Is it January yet?! -
Review from Ellen O.
Chicago, IL
1/5/2012
great pho!
but don't order the special appetizer - i still have no idea what i ate and it all tasted the same. -
Review from Nadia L.
Chicago, IL
12/5/2011
For lunch the food is marvelous, the setting is light and airy and the music is so corny that its endearing. The servers watch your progress like a hawks and refill and add anything quickly.
I would recommend the Bun with sardines. Amazing! -
Review from Tuyen T.
Chicago, IL
11/20/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Been here twice and it's either a hit or miss; so I'll give you 3 stars for now Tank...
The first time I was here, I wasn't that hungry, so while everyone else ordered Pho, I ordered spring rolls and a dessert. The spring rolls has some nasty tasting bean sprouts in them! It tasted like they cooked it in toilet water (though I've never licked my toilet before). The dessert was alright.
The second time I was here, I was HUNGGGGGGRY. Ordered my favorite food of all time - Bun Bo Hue. I told them no coagulated pigs blood, but they put it in my bowl anyway. Not a big deal since a friend at the table ate it for me. It wasn't spicy enough, so they did bring out a huge dollop of hot chili oil for me. It was alright, I like the Bun Bo Hue at Cafe Hoang better, but it was solid and I was starving.
Everyone else seems to love this place, but I'm probably biased since I grew up eating Viet food. -
Review from Adoley J.
10/14/2011
Yay for good Pho!!! Came here yesterday with a friend and man what a meal. First of all it was a rainy day in Chicago and all you want and need is a hot bowl of delicious soup. Thanks to Tank Noodle that's exactly what we got. We started out with the fresh spring rolls which were delicious. The peanut dipping sauce definitely added to the flavors in the spring roll. We then got the friend shrimp egg rolls which were http://bomb.com. Yes I just said http://bomb.com.
As for the main course I got a hot bowl of pho with sliced beef, well done flank and skirts flank. The meat was delicious and well done. My friend got the rice noodles chicken soup with mixed vegetables and loved it. Overall a great pho spot. -
Review from Konny W.
Johns Island, SC
10/8/2011
This place is amazing. My husband and I are very picky when it comes to Pho . This place is it!
Good idea having both names in English and Vietnamese. So easy to remember - Tank Noodles.
Reasons why this half Vietnamese chick says it was delicious:
- Nice meaty dark rich aromatic broth! The broth wasn't too oily and you can smell the cinnamon and star anise. And no taste of bouillon! Perfect balance for both the olfactory and gustatory!
- Great quality of meat and plenty of it! Most places use cheap cuts but Tank Noodles meats were like thinly sliced steak! It adds more flavor to the broth.
- Noodles, were nice and firm - not at all too salty or mushy.
- Condiment plate has a variety of fresh herb garnishes and LIMES! I hate it when some places give you lemons and only two sprigs of herbs with lots of bean sprouts.
There you have it! Go there! Oh yeah the MENU IS HUGE!
Don't waste your calories on mushy noodles or bouillon based broth at other places. Tank Noodles was fresh and you can smell it before you walk in.
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