eatvancouver.net

Target 9: Pho Hung
Address: 3980 Fraser St (map)
Phone: 778-558-2595
Menu: Page 1; Page 2
Price: $6.99 large
Condiments Photo

Visit date: January 22nd, 2007
Visit time: 5:00 PM

–ratings–

Jason’s ratings (#5 rare beef) –

Broth: 6.5/10
Beef: 8.5/10
Noodle: 7.5/10
Condiments: 7.5/10
Other factors (service, atmosphere, etc): 5.5/10

Jason’s total: 7.1/10

Des’ ratings (#1 house special/everything) –

Broth: 6/10
Beef: 7/10
Noodle: 7/10
Condiments: 7/10
Other factors: 6/10

Des’ total: 6.6/10

Total Score (averaged across both raters, all variables) = 6.85/10
Quality per dollar (based on large pho) = .98/$
—

Description from Jason:

After picking up Desmond from the airport a few weeks ago, I figured I had stumbled on a great chance to subject him to another phodown. The way I figure it, someone picks you up from the airport, you’re pretty much obligated to run at least one errand with them (two if the second’s on the way).

So after a brief stop for an oil change and air filter replacement ($40), Des and I drove down Fraser looking for a decent stop for a phodown. We happened to see two on the block between 23rd and 24th so we decided to stop there. Of the two, Pho Hung seemed the most traditional, with tables stocked with the usual pho gear, so we decided to try it out.

The first thing I noted when entering was that the place was basically empty, which is usually a bad sign except for the fact that it was five o’clock and you don’t really expect any restaurant to be packed at that hour. If anything, I took it as a good sign because at least we would get quick service (I was wrong). The décor was pretty average for a pho joint, with sea foam colored seating, neon lights, and a few delightful paintings on the wall. Unfortunately, there was no fish tank.

To cut straight to the point here, the pho ($6.99, one size) was decidedly average and overpriced: watered down but aromatic broth, slightly gummy noodles, good beef, and fresh but limited condiments. If this pho was a movie, it would be the recent Diane Keaton vehicle, Because I Said So. And by that I mean there’s nothing blatantly horrible about it, but you’ve pretty much seen it 100 times before under a different name. I think A. O. Scott said it best when he called it “An exercise in deliberate mediocrity with chuckles and heartwarming moments distributed as carefully as nuts in a factory-made brownie.” He was talking about Because I Said So, but if you ignore that stuff about the dramedy, he’s basically talking about Pho Hung.

Oh, and it took us about 15 minutes to find someone in the empty restaurant to pay so we could get out of there.