Pho An Sandy
It seems like there is a Pho restaurant on almost every corner in Portland. So there are plenty of choices, and most are pretty good. I admit I have not tried too many on the West side preferring for the further out East side restaurants towards 82nd.
To me, and most Pho aficionados the broth is the most important part. Period. After sampling over a dozen restaurants one continues to stand out and it is now the only one I go to when I want that warm comforting bowl of beef noodle soup. Pho An Sandy. Located on Sandy Boulevard near the east 63rd block the unassuming exterior looks as if it was once an A&W joint, and maybe it was. Terri-Lynn and I both agree they make our favorite version of our two favorite dishes.
Lets start with Terri-Lynn’s dish. The Bun Tom Thit Nuong Cha Gio or #54 on the menu to make it simple. Vermicelli noodles with grilled shrimps, grilled pork, fried spring rolls, and vegetables. She usually tells them to hold the shrimp, extra pork and extra peanuts. Sometimes it works but most of the employees speak zero English, so good luck.
And now the Pho. I order the #1 Pho Dac Biet. I LOVE beef tendons and there can never be enough. My other favorite is the fatty brisket. But again, the one thing that makes the Pho here stand out is the broth. It is rich and complex with layers of flavors.
It is almost unheard of for me to go there and not order this. However, one day I decided to try something completely different. I had seen customers ordering the Banh Hoi Dac Biet on a number of occasions and it looked intriguing to say the least, so I gave up my standard Pho and gave it a try.
This is a really fun dish to eat. Think of it almost like a build it yourself Larb where you take the different elements and build a “taco” in a lettuce leaf. The shrimp paste wrapped around the sugar cane was really fun too. I enjoyed it very much, but I have never ordered it again opting instead for that warm bowl of soup that always keeps me coming back to Pho An Sandy.
Check out the menu on their web site here.
Tags: #dining, Banh Hoi Dac Biet, bun, Bun Tom Thit Nuong Cha Gio, pdxeats, pho, Pho Dac Biet, Portland, restaurants, travel portland, vietnamese food
