Target 8: Pho Thai Hoa
Address: 1625 Kingsway (map)
Phone: 604-873-2348
Menu: Page 1; Page 2; Page 3
Price: $5.50 small; $5.95 large
Condiments Photo
Visit date: February 7th, 2007
Visit time: 7:15 PM
–ratings–
Jason’s ratings (#12 medium rare beef & tendon) –
Broth: 9.5/10
Beef: 6.5/10
Noodle: 7/10
Condiments: 9/10
Other factors (service, atmosphere, etc): 8.5/10
Jason’s total: 8.1/10
Dan’s ratings (#6 medium rare beef and well-done beef) –
Broth: 10/10
Beef: 6.5/10
Noodle: 8/10
Condiments: 9.5/10
Other factors: 8.5/10
Dan’s total: 8.5/10
Total Score (averaged across both raters, all variables) = 8.3/10
Quality per dollar (based on large pho) = 1.395/$
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Description from Dan:
One of the hardest things about the Great Phodown is simply the grind of it. Like being a professional baseball player, or an actor, you have to will yourself to keep chugging along even if it seems like you can’t take anymore. But every so often, it all pays off, and that’s exactly what happened tonight, when the Chairman and I finally found a pho to rival Hai Phong.
Pho Thai Hoa is a mouthful to say, and when they first bring out your pho, you might think that that is the only mouthful you are going to get, as the large is fairly small by pho standards. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in flavor. The aroma of the broth hits you as soon as you lean over, and when you taste it you would be forgiven for letting out a yelp of girlish glee (I forgive you Chairman). Although the broth was the clear highlight, the noodles were not bad, if a little clumpy at first, and the condiments were top notch, with all the usual and unusual suspects, as well as the always appreciated bowl, spoon and chopstick dispenser. The only complaint about this pho was the beef, as the rare beef seemed very chewy and came in a clump. Still, a very nice pho.
The atmosphere at Pho Thai Hoa is pretty much what you would expect, although the fish tank provided a new twist: a large tank with one huge, white fish, complete with a beard. Very strange, but kind of endearing as well. The service was absolutely first rate, quick, friendly, and they even let you pay at the table. Overall, this was a very nice pho experience, and you should definitely give it a try.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Frances Xu // Mar 28, 2007 at 5:12 pm
I liked Pho Thai Hoa on Kingsway too. Have you tried Vong Gac at East 15th and Fraser (northwest corner)? The pho is good and so is the combination plate. The place might be a bit smoky late at night, though.
2 Jason // Mar 28, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Hi Frances. No I haven’t tried it but thanks very much for the recommendation! I will try to make it over there.
3 Eat Vancouver » Phodown Lowdown // Apr 22, 2007 at 7:48 pm
[…] Pho Thai Hoa on Kingsway! Like A-Rod this April, Pho Thai Hoa carried the day, nearly sweeping the categories. With an overall score of 8.3/10, it dominated in broth, condiments, and was second in service/atmosphere. In retrospect, its beefy, aromatic broth indeed stands out, as does the proliferation of fresh condiments and super-friendly service. Hai Phong came in a close second with an overall score of 8/10. Hai Phong relied on a balanced attack, coming in close to first in all categories, highlighted also by excellent broth and condiments scores. Coming in next were Pho Van, with its excellent broth, followed by Co Do, which snuck into the top five with its great work with condiments and service/atmosphere. Rounding out the top five was Kim Phung, where across categories it was good, but not great. […]
4 ted // Jul 8, 2008 at 2:17 pm
does anyone remember the Mai Tan on Broadway? Family run, their kids went on to become a Dentist and Accountant. But the combination was to die for..Imperial rolls, skewer of meat and two scoops of rice with a spicy tomato sauce…this is all after beef pho and tea and guava juice…any one remember? It was a student’s paradise…
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