For years I’ve considered myself a foodie. I’ve worked in countless restaurants (as a bartender, cook, server, hostess) and worked for a food magazine for a number of years. For the most part, we grow our own produce or get it straight from the farm in our local CSA, so I can whip up some mean kohlrabi, celeriac and sunchoke. When eating out—much to the annoyance of my dining companions—I always order last to make sure I try something no one else at the table ordered.

With all of this said, you can imagine my disappointment in myself when I realized that I had never tried Vietnamese cuisine during a recent visit to Burlington. It’s a good thing we found Pho Hong in the north end of Burlington, which provided me with an inexpensive and seriously tasty introduction to pho (phở), bun (bún) and the thriving Vietnamese food scene in Vermont.

Spicy Sichuan Eggplant

Pho Hong: Vietnamese Food and Thai Food in Burlington

Located in an old bus terminal on North Winooski Avenue and open since 2008, Pho Hong is off the beaten path from the pedestrian-heavy downtown Burlington area, which I found refreshing. We opted to walk from the Willard Street Inn where we were staying, about a mile straight down Willard Street. On our walk, we stopped in a neighborhood corner store and picked up two 22s of Citizen Cider since we learned ahead of time that Pho Hong is BYOB (so hard to find in Vermont, yet such a treat).

Not knowing what to expect, we were encouraged to see the Vietnamese restaurant full with a few people waiting for take out or for a table at 7pm on a Saturday night. There were families with youngins slurping pho, elderly couples out on a date night, a group of college students, a family visiting from Montreal, etc. It was a very mixed crowd, which made for great people watching. Since Pho Hong is not the easiest restaurant in Burlington to find, we figured it must be a locals’ spot and worth the 20-minute wait.

The Interior of Pho Hong

The interior of Pho Hong is small and rather unimpressive with 15 or so tables jammed into the small space. Despite the uninspired decor, we found the restaurant inviting, namely due to the aromas wafting out of the kitchen and welcoming staff who greeted us. While we waited for our table, we scoured the menu that offers both Vietnamese and Thai choices with most entrees under $10. Although the service was rushed during our visit, the servers were clearly seasoned, answering my ample naive questions about the menu.

#7, Pho Tai

Since tables are very close to one another, I was able to listen to a few people who obviously knew Vietnamese food order their meals. Everyone around me was ordering #7 Pho Tai ($7.50), so I followed suit. Eat like the locals, right? To start, we shared #1 Tofu Tod (fried tofu with peanut sauce) ($3.50), and my date ordered #21, Spicy Sichuan Eggplant ($8.25), a spicy vegetarian entree with a choice of rice noodles or Jasmine rice.

When my bowl of pho arrived, I was shocked at how much food it was and more shocked to see a guy at a neighboring table demolish his large bowl of noodle soup in 10 minutes max. I watched other diners squeeze lime wedges, tear basil leaves and mix in bean sprouts, so I followed along and also added a bit of Sriracha and hoisin sauce to my pho. The result was a piping hot bowl of thinly sliced, tender beef, flavorful broth and soft noodles that warmed me up, filled me up and gave me just enough of a mouth burn from the heat. I can see pho being the perfect antidote to the winter blues or a hangover…

Sticky Rice and Mango

My date loved every bite of his Sichuan Eggplant and was sweating by the last spoonful, a good sign for him as a lover of smoldering heat. (Note, he did add extra heat… the normal strength wasn’t enough for him.) I ended up taking home half of my bowl of pho for lunch the next day. On the night we visited, Pho Hong only had Sticky Rice with Mango for dessert, which happens to be one of my favorite Thai desserts. For $3.50 and the perfect stickiness and caramelization of the sweet rice, I could get over the underrie mango that accompanied it.

Pho Hong: The Verdict

I can certainly understand why Pho Hong won Seven Days‘ Daisy Award for Best Restaurant in 2014 If You’re Paying… For two of us, with tax and tip, the bill came to $30 for three courses, which is a steal for dinner out in Burlington. In fact, it was one of the best cheap dinner dates we’ve had in a long time in Vermont. We’ve been back twice since our original visit to get even more of our Vietnamese fix. Next we’ll try try Pho Hong’s sister restaurant Pho Dang in Winooski, which I’ve heard is even better with “more of the good stuff” in their pho (whatever that means)!

Which do you like better Pho Hong or Pho Dang, and what your go to order? Comment below and share your favorites!

Tips for Visiting Pho Hong Like a Local:

• If you’re driving from downtown Burlington, there is ample free parking by Pho Hong, either on the street or in a lot next to the laundromat. It is certainly walkable and only really a 10-15-minute walk from the top of Church Street as well.
• Remember to bring your own beer, wine or spirits. If you forget, try the Foco Coconut Juice for $1.50. With real chunks of coconut in it, it was delicious yet subtly flavored and helped soothe my self-induced pho burn.
• In the summer, they offer outdoor seating, which equals less of a wait at peak lunch and dinner hours.
• Be sure to request a complimentary pot of tea; I couldn’t quite discern the flavors but it’s delicious.
• From other locals, I’ve heard #26 (Panang Curry) and #15 (Bun with pork and spring rolls) are other crowd favorites.
• When you’re walking out the door, try a guava or coffee candy, which are the perfect palette cleanser.

Pho Hong
325 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington, Vermont
802.865.8031

Hours:
Monday: Closed, Tuesday – Saturday, 11am-4pm, 5pm-10pm, Sunday, 11am-4pm, 5pm-9pm