OK, I’ll admit it – I’m a Pho virgin. Sure, I’ve passed by countless Pho restaurants in my travels but, honestly, I’m a creature of habit and I’ll usually end up having either Mexican or Italian food. Interestingly, I’m neither Mexican nor Italian but my taste buds crave those spicy, flavorful cuisines.

Now that there is a small, attractive Pho restaurant right in the heart of West Hollywood, I can no longer make excuses. I must broaden my culinary experiences and dive into a bowl of this popular Vietnamese noodle soup and other tasty dishes at Pho Citi on Santa Monica Boulevard.

After all, who doesn't love soup? On a cold winter day people eat soup. When you are not feeling well, people offer to bring you soup. Some may still think of soup as a way to simply start a meal but, with a generous portion of tender noodles swimming in a hot tub of other tasty ingredients, a bowl of Pho is a healthy, hearty meal in itself.
 

Appetizer Combo

White Meat Chicken Pho

The menu at Pho Citi is quite extensive, offering much more than soup. My mouth is watering as I look at the appetizer menu. Hard to decide between chicken dumplings, crispy spring rolls and egg rolls. Luckily there is an appetizer combo on the menu that includes all three, accompanied by fish sauce and a delicious peanut sauce. Other interesting appetizers include shrimp & pork salad as well as stir-fried tofu in butter sauce.

As for their signature item, there’s a whole lot of Pho going on here. There’s truly something to appeal to every taste and, apparently, nothing goes to waste. Tendons and tripe (admittedly, not at the top of my favorite things to eat list), tender brisket, beef meatballs, and rare steak are all among the qualified candidates that you may elect to your own bowl of Pho.

Along with each bowl of Pho comes a plate containing sliced raw jalapeno peppers, bean sprouts, lime slices and basil. These condiments are used to personalize each bowl of soup. You can use any or all of the condiments to achieve the desired flavor and texture. The bean sprouts provide a nice crunch while the jalapenos allow you to turn up the heat a bit. 
 

Fresh Ingredients Are Used In Each Dish

Chicken Lemon Grass

Other menu offerings include a variety of grilled meats and seafood (tofu and look-alike soy meat items for the vegetarians among us) served with either vermicelli or steamed rice. From the more traditional chicken and beef to crispy Cornish hen and tender pork chops, the food looks great and tastes even better! The ingredients for each dish are prepared fresh daily.

A personal favorite on the menu is Shaking Beef (which, as I recall, was also my name as a kid in Indian Guides.) Tender pieces of stir fried filet mignon are served with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. The dish comes with a portion of moist, flavorful butter rice. The Chicken Lemon Grass, another stir fried dish, is also quite tasty and is served with steamed rice.

The first thing I notice when looking at Pho Citi's menu is that the prices are very reasonable. From $2.50 for an order of two egg rolls to $10.95 for Shaking Beef, with most entrees in the $7 to $8 range. Considering the portion size and food quality, Pho Citi appears to be one of the best values in West Hollywood. Delivery is available within a limited area. For orders under $25, there is a nominal $5 delivery charge.

When I arrived, I knew nothing about Pho but I now feel I have been properly educated thanks to Tyler Bradley, a member of the Weho Pho Citi staff who has guided me on a tour through the menu and vast array of fresh ingredients. In an era when helpful, professional customer service seems to be a thing of the past, its nice to meet someone that is both enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Tyler knows the menu inside out and I have a feeling that if 'Pho' was a category on Jeopardy!, he would win the game pho sure!

Pho Citi in West Hollywood is open until 2 am to satisfy late cravings, however, it soon may be possible to enjoy Pho around-the-clock or, as they state on their twitter page, 'twenty PHO seven'. On December 14th at 5:00 pm, there will be a public hearing for a 24-hour operating permit. West Hollywood residents interested in having this healthy late-night dining option are encouraged to attend the hearing at West Hollywood City Hall, 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard.

Although the popular noodle soup has been around even longer, the first Pho restaurant, according to Wikipedia, opened in the 1920s in Hanoi. Luckily we don’t live in the 1920s (what did those people do before cell phones and iPods?) and thankfully we do not have to go all the way to Hanoi for Pho. In addition to their West Hollywood eatery, Pho Citi has four additional locations (open 24 hours) throughout the L.A. area.

Pho Citi
8928 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA  90069
(310) 855-1888
On the web: http://www.phociti.com