A couple of weeks ago, DavidD emailed me asking me why I'd do a post on Pho in Rancho Bernardo, and stop there…… explaining to me that there were several Pho shops in Oceanside. And he had a point, why shouldn't I grab some Pho in Oceanside…. even though the names of the restaurants were kinda cheesy, like "I Love Pho" and "Yummy Pho"….. I guess a simple name like "Pho Oceanside" just would not do. Well, it wasn't the most provocative name, but still, "Mr Pho?" I tried to keep a straight face when I entered the parking lot and saw the huge "I Love Pho" sign…. though to think about it; I do love Pho.
**** I Love Pho has closed
This fairly large shop was nicely decorated, and even had a faux ("Pho" ?) pond and bridge set-up at it's entrance.
The menu had all the basic items on it; Pho, Bun, and Com(rice). Knowing that this would not be the place serving decent "Tai" (rare steak), I went with the Well Done Steak, Flank, Tendon, Brisket, and Tripe ($5.75).
One look at the pitiful garnishes, and I knew that this wasn't going to be the place for me. And the broth proved me right, being fairly cloudy, and pretty weak with regards to any other flavor than sodium.
The flank was tender and had decent flavor. The same with the brisket. Which had obviously been simmered in something other than this broth.
The tripe was pretty tough, and there was only a tiny piece of tendon in the bowl. The clump of noodles was prepared decently, and not over cooked like many places.
And as a bonus, I got this piece of inedible cow…..
During my meal, I watched the very nice gentleman work the room, engaging all the customers with small talk. He seemed a really nice guy, but still, I don't think I can bring myself to walk across that "faux" pond and bridge for another bowl of Pho. Too bad, because I really wanted to like this place.
I Love Pho
3809 Plaza Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
Make a U-turn, and head up and over the 78, and eventually you'll hit Oceanside Boulevard. The first Pho place I came across was Yummy Pho. Unfortunately, they weren't open yet. So I headed up Oceanside Boulevard until I came across Mr Pho.
Squeezed in between a taco shop and a Thai Restaurant, Mr Pho is the antithesis of I Love Pho, it is small, simply and spartanly decorated, and truly bare bones. The logo of "Mr Pho" features the caricature of a jolly smiling man with a chef's toque holding a bowl of with wisps of steam rising into the air. Don't bother looking for him among the employees, he ain't here…..it's all business. The typical Pho shop business model seemed in place here.
I placed the same order here, it was 25 cents cheaper.
When my plate of basil and bean sprouts arrived fresh and shining, I thought I'd take a chance. I asked if they had Ngo Gai (Saw leaf herb) which was met with a puzzled look…. I'm guessing I was just of the wrong nationality. Finally, the young man nodded "no" and walked off.
The broth here was more to my taste, with hints of anise and clove. It was a bit on the salty side, so I had to use a bit of lime to cut the salt. The broth was a bit richer than I Love Pho's version, though both were pretty low on oil.
The noodles were over-cooked and mushy, but the most of the meat was well prepared. The tripe was especially good on this day.
The only thing that I didn't care for was the tendon, which was too hard and tough.
Still, this wasn't a bad bowl, and if you don't mind the typical "A-B" (All business) model, you might get a decent bowl here.
Mr Pho Vietnamese Cuisine
4750 Oceanside Blvd
Oceanside, CA 92056
On the way back to the freeway, a shop caught my eye.
It looks like maybe Chamorro Food in Oceanside? Maybe I should get up here more often……..