Pho #1 Vietnamese Restaurant
Ambiance: Casual, smoke from the grill filled, small bar area, dark stained wood decor. Food: Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
Service: Outstanding
Wine List: You’ll want to order a beer with this cuisine.
Pricing: $$ ($40 for two people with beers and tip)
Corkage: N/A
Attire: No specific dress code.
Overall: Very good: Traditional Vietnamese food, good service, great pricing
Location/Contact Info:
5764 Baltimore National Pike
Baltimore, MD 21228
(410) 719-7500
Click here for a map to Pho #1 Vietnamese Restaurant

This casual Vietnamese restaurant is hidden from the chaos of downtown Baltimore, but don’t let the location (in a strip mall next to Sam’s Club) fool you! The service was great, the meats were perfectly tender and spiced, and the Pho was out of this world. I highly recommend trying Pho #1 and am quite confident that once you do, you’ll wish there was one closer to your home (at least they do take-out)! Make reservations for dinner on Friday’s or Saturday’s since it can get quite busy. (image from wikipedia.com)
Details: My friend Dae, an avid wine enthusiast with significant fine dining experience, has been telling me for some time that he has a ton of new restaurants for us to check out. The majority of these are just up my alley: small, off the beaten path type places that focus on fresh ingredients and great customer service.

The first on our list was Pho # 1 Vietnamese Restaurant near the border of Baltimore and Catonsville. It’s not easy to see from Route 40 and is a bit overshadowed by the giant Sam’s Club next to it, but it’s worth seeking out. You enter and forget for a second you’re in a strip mall. Small bar that makes very good drinks. Dark wood tables and chairs, high ceilings that almost let out the smoke from the kitchen and table-side grill that just adds to the authenticity of it all. Well spaced out tables, room for large parties or small. Outstanding service.

As my friend Dae put it, Vietnamese food is a mix between “southern Chinese, Indian and a touch of French cuisine.” Vietnamese cuisine uses fish sauce, soy sauce and hoisin sauce to create dishes that use a range of subtle to intense spices to bring out the flavor and textures of the freshest meats and poultry. Served with a variety of homemade dipping sauces (which can be a bit funky or spicy and sweet), stir fried vegetables and rice, freshness and preservation of natural flavors are key.

The Pho (a traditional Vietnamese rice-noodle soup dish) was outstanding. With flavors of cinamon, all-spice and nutmeg, combined with a broth and textures of delicate tripe, tendon and other abstract pieces of beef, this was the dish of the night- especially considering it’s $6.45 price tag for a giant order. We also tried the BBQ Platter that was $16, was a good sized appetizer for four very hungry adults, and consisted of amazingly tender pork, beef, beef ribs, and chicken. The meats were so succulent and flavorful- tribute to the outstanding marinades and perfect grilling.

Our main course consisted of alligator that was marinated and poached in a spicy sauce, then grilled (by us) at our table. We then layered thin cuts of meat on rice wraps with vegetables and Chile sauces and rolled them ourselves on our plates. The flavors in the alligator were good and the process of making our own rolls was a lot of fun.

Over the course of the meal the service was outstanding. Food arrived promptly, waters were refilled immediately, and new plates/silverware were presented while waiting for subsequent dishes. The restaurant can get a bit loud when filled, but you’re not hear for the elegance of the dining area. If you enjoy Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and/or Korean food, or haven’t been exposed to authentic Asian cuisine, Pho #1 is a must-try. I plan on making this place a one a week take-home meal!