PHUBS

Today I had the opportunity to have lunch with Kristi and since we were on a short timeframe we decided to try a little place close to the office which is said to have pretty good PHO with a Chipotle like atmosphere.  So we went to PHUBS a new place where there is the combination of PHO and vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwiches.  The parking lot was a bit of a nightmare and I found parking a bit away, it was lunch time but I suppose because there are numerous other restaurants in the same are and a Dunkin that this was the reason.

The inside was nicely decorated in a calming green and it was bright and cheery.  My only real complaints with the layout is that there were too many small seats stuck together so when we were sitting down I was almost touching the guy next to me and had to stare at his back when I ate and there was sort of annoying music playing in the background, however after some time I no longer heard it. He also had to excuse himself from almost bumping into me.  On the wall they showed the T-shit that the staff wore, it is cute however I really would not have it hanging up for decor with a price tag, kind of not so classy to me.

Since this is one of those more fast-food type restaurant the actually menu was up on the wall in the main seating area as well as behind the counter when you are ready to order.  They had the usual appetizers and 5 different types of PHO and then sandwiches, bubble tea and a small kids menu which was nice.   There were also weekly specials listed on the napkin holder at our tables. Everyone goes up to the counter and places their order.  You are given a number and the server brings your food to you restaurant style.


I ordered the summer rolls and a small bowl of Chicken PHO or PHO GA.  I thought it interesting that the chicken they added was both dark and light meat.  I don't care for dark meat chicken, however there was no choice on the meat.  Upon waiting for our food it was interesting as the kitchen had an open concept and from our seating area I was able to look right into the area where they were prepping the food. The staff was not the homegrown staff who is usually making PHO so I was sure at this time that this place was very commercialized so I had to take that into consideration.


The summer rolls came out pretty quickly along with the usual peanut sauce.  We were unaware that the plates were in the back of the restaurant so I put my summer roll on my napkin and well it stuck like chuck.  I was able to pull it apart and attempt to eat it but it fell apart and both Kristi and I had some trouble eating them.  They were ok in size and flavor and although the peanut sauce looked a little suspect it was not the worst with a good peanut flavor.  There was cucumber in it and small slices of meat, however the shrimp were large but the rice paper was so thin and the noodles a little thick so they became messy. Not until later, did I find there were extra peanuts in the back we could of added to the sauce.

When our main courses came out, they finally mentioned that the condiments were in the back because all they had on the table were the Sriracha and Hoisin sauces.

In the back, there was everything one could need to use to top your PHO.  There was like I said before the peanuts, then there were the spoons, they were plastic but not horrible with a little design flare.  They had the option of plastic chopsticks and wooden smaller ones and then the usual utensils.  The condiments were plentiful, the usual supply of basil, cilantro, lime, been sprouts and jalapeños.  Although it was not exactly the cleanest way to serve the condiments I did enjoy that I could take as much of any one condiment without having to ask or wait.  I for one, took extra cilantro and limes.

As for the actual PHO, the broth had good flavor and I ordered a small bowl since I was not too hungry but there was a good amount of chicken.  With the addition of toppings as well as both sauces it was very tasty for a different type of PHO experience.  A little interesting tid-bit is that Kristi's sandwich, which she said was delicious came with a little surprise on the side. There were small pawn crackers, that I absolutely love as I grew up on them and have not tasted them for years.  Totally brought back some amazing memories, these are Krupuk and are seen in Indonesian, Malaysian and Dutch cultures.  

All in all, for a sort of quick in and out place that is maybe not too authentic, it is a good idea for people not too sure in trying PHO to come here for a beginning stepping stone.  I give this place 2 1/2 bunches of basil which is a little more than normal for what this place has but since it is supposed to be commercialized it is not bad!