Skip to main contentAlthough the kitchen's clean and the furniture isn't secondhand Pho Van maintains the authenticity of a mom-'n'-pop Viet cafe. Entrées like pork chops with grilled shrimp ($7.75) are glazed in the traditional lemongrass and honey marinades while the lotus-root salad ($6.50) is heightened with just a touch of mint. Tripe tendon and fatty brisket may sound frightening floating in a soup of cilantro jalapeños and bean sprouts but Van's tender cuts of meat don't overpower the signature pho bo cac biet ($6.95). Proof that quality can still come cheap—don't let the unchipped plates and teak lanterns fool you. (JM)
WWeek 2015