So, I’d been hearing a bit about this place, Pho 98 over on Randolph. You know how it is, word gets around, especially when it comes to a good bowl of pho. I’m always on the hunt, so I figured, why not check it out? Had a free afternoon last week, so off I went.
Getting There and First Look
Finding it wasn’t too hard, Randolph isn’t exactly a maze. Parking was a bit of a shuffle, but I managed to snag a spot not too far away. Walked in, and the place, well, it had that typical pho restaurant vibe. Nothing too fancy, which is usually a good sign in my book. Means they’re focusing on the food, right? It was pretty clean, tables were wiped down, and it wasn’t too loud, even with a decent lunch crowd milling about. A few families, some folks on their lunch break. Standard stuff.
The smell hit me right away – that good, beefy, star anise aroma. My stomach definitely gave a little rumble of approval. A waitress, seemed busy but efficient, waved me over to a small table near the window. Good enough for me.
The Main Event: Ordering and Eating
Got the menu, pretty straightforward. Didn’t have a million options, which I appreciate. Sometimes too many choices just confuse things. I’m a traditionalist when I first try a pho place, so I went for their Phở Tái Nạm – rare steak and well-done flank. Seemed like a solid benchmark. And, because I can never resist, I tacked on an order of Gỏi Cuốn, the fresh spring rolls.
The wait wasn’t too long. Spring rolls came out first, which is always nice. They looked pretty good:
- Two decent-sized rolls.
- Plenty of shrimp and pork visible through the rice paper.
- Good amount of vermicelli and lettuce.
The peanut sauce they came with was thick, which I like. Not too sweet, either. The rolls themselves? Fresh. The wrapper wasn’t chewy or dried out. A good start, I thought.
Then the main attraction arrived – the pho. It was a big bowl, steaming like crazy. The broth was a nice, clear amber color. Lots of green onions, cilantro, and some sliced white onions on top. The plate of herbs on the side was generous: plenty of bean sprouts, Thai basil, a couple of lime wedges, and some jalapeño slices. I always load mine up.
So, I got to work. Squeezed the lime, threw in a bunch of basil and sprouts, a few jalapeños for that kick. Stirred it all up. The rare steak cooked perfectly in the hot broth. First sip… okay, this was pretty decent. The broth had depth. It wasn’t just salty water; you could taste the bone broth flavor, a hint of spice. Not the absolute best I’ve ever had in my life, mind you, but definitely up there. Solid. The noodles were good, not clumped together. The flank was tender, and the rare steak was just right.
I took my time with it, really savored it. You gotta enjoy a good bowl of pho, can’t rush these things. The portion size was good too; I was definitely full by the end. No room for dessert, though I saw they had a few options.
Wrapping Up the Visit
Service was pretty hands-off after they delivered the food, but that’s fine by me. I’m not one for a lot of fussing when I’m eating. They were quick to bring the check when I asked. Price-wise, it was about what I expected for a good bowl of pho and some rolls. Fairly standard, didn’t feel ripped off or anything.
So, Pho 98 Randolph. Would I go back? Yeah, I think I would. It’s a solid, dependable spot if you’re in the area and craving pho. It’s not trying to be anything it’s not. Just straightforward, tasty Vietnamese food. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. No bells and whistles, just a satisfying meal. Thumbs up from me on this one. Definitely worth a try if you’re around.
