Pho Goodness

Mike and I went to one of our favorite restaurants last night.  Pho Grand, in the South Grand neighborhood of St. Louis, is our go-to place on cold winter nights.  Few things will warm you up faster than a big, steaming bowl of Pho Ga.  Add a little quirt of sriracha hot sauce and lime juice, garnish with bean sprouts, cilantro, basil and culantro, and you've got an instant chill remedy.

We were happy to see the place packed last night.  A crowded restaurant has staying power.  We put in for a table, grabbed a couple of beers and headed upstairs to the "waiting room" to chat.  This is one place where I never mind a wait.  The atmosphere is pleasant and the service is friendly and efficient.  We're always greeted personally by the Trinhs, who ask us how we're doing and tell us they're glad to see us.  When's the last time that happened at your "neighborhood" Applebee's?

We've watched this stretch of South Grand come of age since we lived in the Shaw neighborhood in the late 80's, to become St. Louis' premier ethnic food destination.  In addition to Vietnamese, it is home to various Thai, Middle Eastern, Asian, Mexican and African restaurants and groceries, to name just a few.  We've been to many, and seem to spot something new every time we venture down.  We always say we're going to try something new next time, but we always seem to head back to Pho Grand!