High quality Vietnamese comfort food impresses at St. Charles' Pho 95
As word spreads, Pho 95, the latest restaurant to open in St. Charles, is gaining recognition and repeat business from customers who are drawn to Vietnamese cuisine.
Now in its fourth month, the newcomer handily fills a gap in the town's ethnic dining scene. It occupies refurbished space once home to a pizza joint.
In addition to its namesake pho rice noodle soup, of which 25 variations are available, Pho 95's sweeping menu offers a full complement of made-in-house appetizers, steamed rice dishes and Vietnamese sandwiches.
The quality is high and the prices are reasonable. Most dishes go for less than $10.
Add impeccable service to the superlatives. The waitstaff stands by to make suggestions or answer questions about the fare.
A recent dinner started on a high note with an order of Châ Giò: three shareable deep-fried cigar-shaped Vietnamese egg rolls filled with just the right balance of pork, taro and onion. A sweet-and-sour dipping sauce accompanied.
Among other starters are spring rolls, whose rice paper wrappers hold mint, bean sprouts, rice noodles and shrimp; fried squid; and crispy Vietnamese pancakes made with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts served with lettuce, mint leaves and fish sauce.
Pho 95's namesake pho, with a fragrant broth made from beef or chicken, is an easy-to-like staple. The version I ordered tasted like comfort food. It featured rice noodles, soft beef tendon, a rich beef broth with slices of brisket, thin meatball slices and tripe. Bean sprouts, basil and jalapeño slices came on the side.
Keep in mind that tripe, from the rubbery lining of beef stomach, requires some getting used to.
Another word to the wise: The Pho 95 soup can be ordered medium or large. The former has enough volume to sate three appetites.
To get the full Vietnamese experience, my tablemate and I shared a subtly seasoned order of fried rice with pork.
Meanwhile, don't dismiss the Vietnamese sandwiches. We took two home for consumption the next day. The flavorful French rolls were packed with pickled daikon and carrot, cucumber, fresh cilantro and sliced jalapeño.
In addition, the Banh Mi Dac Biet ($4.50) included ham, pate-and-pork roll, butter and head cheese (a cold cut traditionally made from different cuts of cured meat, particularly the head of a pig).
Grilled pork starred in the second sandwich, Banh Mi Thit Heo Nuong.
Pho 95, which offers soft drinks and hot or iced tea, is waiting for approval to sell alcoholic beverages. In the meantime, customers are allowed to bring in their own beer or wine.
Desserts aren't offered, which is probably a good thing taking into account how satisfied the rest of the meal left us.
<i>Restaurant reviews are based on one anonymous visit. The Daily Herald does not publish reviews of restaurants it cannot recommend.</i>
Pho 95
2770 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 945-3870
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Setting: The food's authenticity takes a front seat to the clean, understated decor of this storefront restaurant
Prices: Appetizers: $4-$10.50; Pho: $8.50-$9.50; steamed rice/rice noodle soup: $8.50-$13.50
Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; closed Tuesday
Also: Takeout; delivery; reservations accepted