Atlanta etc.: Marilyn Wolf's Food Blog and Restaurant Blog

Pho Bac is on Buford Highway in the same shopping center as Little Hot Pot. It's a pretty big Vietnamese noodle shop. Like most of these places, it's all business, no atmosphere. I had the brisket soup. The broth was quite hearty. The side salad includes a leaf that doesn't look like mint but certainly tastes minty; I wish I knew what it was called. I'm still not sure exactly how to rank the various pho spots in town, but I did enjoy Pho Bac. And, in general, I think that pho makes a great lunch---well balanced but not too heavy.

Chamblee is home to many Vietnamese restaurants that specialize in pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup. Pho #1 is one of the better known examples. It's on Buford Highway across the road from Atlanta Farmers Market. I started with some spring rolls. The Vietnamese spring roll is served cold, wrapped in a very thin crepe, and served with peanut sauce. Mine were light and refreshing. I ordered a large bowl of beef pho. It is traditionally served with some ingredients that are added by you at the last minute. The side plate included bean sprouts, mint, a few slices of chili pepper, and a slice of lime. The side ingredients cook quickly but still retain some texture. The broth was very rich and flavorful. Overall the soup was delicious and, at $6, a bargain.