Pho Mai Cali (Santee)

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!.   This food blog is usually written by Kirk, but He is still on vacation with His Missus and Cathy is, once again, writing a post. 

One of the first restaurants where The Mister and I enjoyed "Eating In" since restrictions were lifted, Pho Mai Cali is on the 'other end' of the parking lot where the new location of Island Style Cafe opened earlier this year.  In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, this second location of Pho Mai Cali opened in the space formerly occupied by Flaming Wok, a 30 year Santee standby. (To the end, the Szechuan-Mandarin restaurant handed out forks, not chopsticks and our eat in order was always the same: the large bowl of  soup, and the Pu-Pu Platter).  The owners retired in April of 2020; it was the right time. 
 The interior was re-done, making space for a few more tables..   A nice touch is the chilled water bottle and glasses of ice brought to the table while you peruse the menu.  Condiments are brought out after you order.
 Spring rolls ($4.99)- rice paper wrapped lettuce, vermicelli, mint leaves, shrimp (and pork on the other side).  These seem to be made to order, as the shrimp have arrived warm.  There is a good amount of filling making this a light lunch.
 Cha Ca Thang Long ($10.99)- Grilled fish with dill and onion…except they didn't have dill, so I received extra onion.  Served sizzling on a cast iron pan with lettuce and various sides and dipping sauce, this was very good. 
 Grilled chicken and Cha Gio (egg rolls) ($9.99).  Under all of those toppings are lettuce and chilled rice noodles and when combined, each bite is a refreshing flavor of summer.
 This is a mango salad with beef ($10.99) and my latest obsession.  Shredded green mango and green apples, carrots, basil and perfectly cooked tender beef (you can opt for chicken or shrimp).  Not like a papaya salad and they shouldn't be interchangeable.  
 The Banh Xeo is better to eat in than 'to go'.  Trust me.  The crepe needs to be tasted while crispy, even if broken.  The pork and shrimp filling (with sprouts and mung beans) with bits of broken turmeric flavored crepe, wrapped in lettuce with some mint and pickled carrot and radish, dipped in fish sauce is refreshing and has distinct flavors and textures.
  The papaya salad ($9.35) is made with shredded green papaya, shrimp and pork as well as sprouts and carrots, topped with peanuts and fried onion and is quite good.  

This is the Pho Mai Cali ($11.99).  You receive the large bowl of beef broth with meatball and oxtail in it, then the sides (brisket and other cuts of beef) to add in as you wish.  Herbs, onion, noodles always have been fresh here.
  The Steamed Fish ($10.99) is always a good choice.  
 This is the above mentioned Mango Salad with beef ($10.99) in its 'to go' packaging.  Still great flavors, just not as dramatic of a presentation.
This is the "Special Appetizer" ($8) in its 'to go' presentation- two Spring rolls, two crispy egg rolls.  Lettuce, mint and fish sauce and peanut sauce.  Fresh made and well filled rolls. Definitely a meal.

We are fortunate to have this gem close to home. 

Pho Mai Cali 9888 Magnolia Avenue (at Mast) Santee 92071 (619) 328-2700 Open Daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m.