It’s hot soup weather, people. Which means Mrs. Breakfast w/Nick and I are just waiting for the other to mumble, “Ramen or pho tonight?” and we’re out the door (bundled in like 20 coats). We have some go-to spots already, but we’re always up for exploring more, and I had Buckeye Pho on my list. So here we are.
I think Buckeye Pho was on my mind because I’ve seen many friends talking about it on instagram lately. If you’re new to pho or Vietnamese cuisine in general, this place could be an easy introduction. It has the recognizable design and atmosphere of any fast casual American restaurant, and it’s in a strip mall that seems a little more approachable (at first glance) than similar spots where Columbus’ hidden ethnic gems are found.
The place was packed, and we quickly ordered a bunch of easy favorites for ourselves and our boys.
Crab wontons are a sure-fire win with our boys. Authentic? Maybe not. Tasty? Most certainly.
Same with the minced pork egg rolls. Crispy and well-seasoned, served with a tangy side sauce.
We were big fans of the shrimp and pork summer rolls, too.
Big, plump shrimp, thinly sliced pork, with a lovely peanut sauce.
Now on to the main attraction! A big, hot, steaming bowl of pho. For the uninitiated, pho (pronounced “fuh”) is a staple of Vietnamese cooking, a hot beef noodle soup with a complex broth that’s simmered for hours. It’s typically loaded with meat, rice noodles, onions, and then you garnish it to your heart’s content with more veggies, herbs, sprouts, sauces. I choose the tendon meatballs – simple but very tender.
Our boys like to split a bowl of the vermicelli noodles with grilled pork. It’s full of carrots, cucumber, sprouts, basil, crushed peanuts, and the like.
Mrs. Bfast w/Nick’s pho: the rare steak. Excellent choice.
And back to mine with some sprouts dumped on top.
Is it the best pho in Columbus? I don’t know if I’m qualified to say that. I think Huong over on Morse Road still edges out everyone else, but I was certainly happy at Buckeye Pho. Especially on these cold winter days.
Need a warm-up? (Yes, you do.)
Buckeye Pho
761 Bethel Rd. (map it!)
Columbus, OH 43214
(614) 451-2828
www.buckeyepho.net
Curious about more great pho? Read about Huong Vietnamese Restaurant.
