Hiding behind a gas station, just a 10-minute walk from the Rosslyn Metro Station, is Vietnamese cuisine’s gift to the poor college student: Pho 75.
Pronounced “fuh,” pho is a traditional Vietnamese beef noodle soup typically served in steaming bowls bigger than your face. With a 10-inch bowl priced at a mere $7.20, Pho 75 lives up to its reputation as one of the cheapest eats in the area.
The restaurant serves 17 versions of the same dish, so you can expect it to come quickly. All the entrée options are bowls of pho; the only thing that varies is the choice of topping. Mostly beef, you can choose from various combinations and types of flanks, briskets, tendons or other, more unusual cuts.
All the cuts of beef are sliced razor thin, thoroughly cooked in the hot soup and consistently tender and flavorful. For the adventurous eater, the bible tripe—meat from the third compartment of the cow’s stomach—is an essential addition to the pho. Although it looks disconcerting, the clear meat has a satisfyingly chewy texture and is surprisingly salty without being overbearing.
The rice noodles are authentic, thin and long, and the soup is savory and well seasoned with cilantro, onions and scallions. Those looking for an extra kick can add the brown Hoison sauce or the Sriracha chili sauce. The former transforms the soup into a tangy, savory and sweet concoction, while the latter makes the soup significantly spicier. Be careful: after a sauce is added, there’s no turning back.
The most appealing aspect of pho is that it’s easily customized, between the different cuts of beef and the fact that all the flavor additions and the provided plate of bean sprouts, mint, lime and jalapenos come on the side.
The coconut milk and ca phe sua da are great complements to the pho. The young coconut milk probably comes canned from an Asian market, but is a refreshing antidote to the spiciness of the soup. The ca phe sua da, or special house Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, tastes suspiciously like your average Folgers coffee, but the condensed milk gives the coffee a smooth consistency without making it too sweet and balances the salty pho.
Be wary of the desserts, however, as both the banana pudding and the pink jello tasted as though they had been left in the refrigerator long past their prime. The tapioca was either crunchy or overly soft, and the banana chunks were completely frozen.
The customer service definitely left something to be desired. Although the pho was quickly served, after that, it was nearly impossible to get a server’s attention for a water refill or to order dessert. The staff ranged from curt to awkward to silent. The décor is sparse; there are a few photos of Vietnam lining the pink walls, two Buddhas and many long cafeteria-like tables, which make the atmosphere more suited for large groups than dates, especially because customers pay individually at the counter.
Still, the pho is filling and delicious, and one of the best meals under $10 I’ve ever had.
Pho 75 is located at 1721 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209. Stop by the ATM beforehand, because they only take cash.
