Me Pho

A cold autumn night spiked up cravings again for a hot bowl of Pho. So we ventured to a new Pho place we spotted last time in Eastwood (located between my local favourite Zenya and the overrated Bao Dao). 

It was a Thursday night around 8pm and the place was less than half full. We sat down and looked through the menu and I think that in itself was a dead giveaway that this place will never boom. Most of the dishes like Pho were around $10-16 a bowl. Ummm excuse me but WTF?? Wasn't there some secret unspoken agreement that bowls of Pho should never be this expensive...

I think I could have forgiven them if my serving size was larger but I ordered a bowl of Pho Dac Biet

(Me Pho's signature beef broth combined with slow cooked beef brisket, flank, beef meat balls, tripe and finely sliced tender beef top side served with pho noodles) and the noodles disappear after only a few mouthfuls... there was more meat than noodles. For $16 a bowl, I left feeling hungry... that alone is so disappointing enough to never recommend this place...

My wife ordered her favourite, Pho Tai (Me Pho's signature beef broth combined with finely sliced tender beef top side served with pho noodles). This will set you back $13. She pretty much finished the bowl quite easily too. Normally at other places she'll have a quarter of a bowl leftover... Though she was satisfied with the serving size, she too agrees that this is average at best... compared to the Pho standards in Sydney...

Things I did like about the place though were their sauces aren't in the typical bottles you find at your local Pho place. Their sate sauce had an amazing delicious and spicy kick. The chopsticks and other cutlery weren't all bundled on the table and was brought out to you when you order. The people running the joint was actually Vietnamese. The tea was complimentary but they have to ask if I wanted any... rather than bring it regardless.

Things I didn't like about the place was the fact I had to use the pencils on the table and write down my own order when I was ready. The teacups were ridiculously tiny... literally a tiny sip per cupful...

One other thing to point out was their decor. I was perplexed in whether their design was on purpose... Vietnamese street style themed I assumed... with a use mixed chairs, wooden tables, metal piping on the wall... and a blatant view of the sink...

...and a more blatant view of their storage space (from their serviettes to cans of fruit) and a home style fridge.

Don't get me wrong the Pho is decent but it ain't the best... so if you're after Vietnamese food at Luke Nguyen pricing then this place is for you... I on the other hand am happy to make my way out to Huong Xua for a BIG bowl of better tasting Pho...