Review: Pho Asian Noodle House & Grill

Looking for tasty Asian food that’s easy on the wallet? If you are, Pho Asian Noodle House & Grill is worth the visit. Nestled in what was once a Lane Avenue Taco Bell is a no frills, family-owned Asian eatery. While the decor is simple, the food is fresh and tasty and the staff is very kind and jovial, enough to make me want to return soon.

Most of their menu is dedicated to the ever popular Chinese cuisine, like Sesame Chicken and Wor Sue Gai. Most entrees are a mere $5.95, while beef and shrimp are .50 – $1 more, respectively.

If you enjoy the Vietnamese sensation Phở (big bowl rice noodle soup), they have beef and chicken variations, as well as seafood noodle soup and roast duck noodle soup.

Tonight I chose two of my favorite foods, Vietnamese salad rolls and Pad Thai. Vietnamese salad rolls (gỏi cuốn) are made with translucent rice paper that expose the interior contents – shrimp, chicken, lettuce, mint, cucumber, peanuts and rice noodles. The salad rolls are 3 for $3.95 and are generously sized and stuffed – about the size of a brat. They were accompanied by a nontraditional, yet tasty plum sauce for my dipping pleasure. I nearly squealed when these beautiful rolls and my entree were delivered on square designer china. What a pleasant surprise.

And for I dinner I chose Pad Thai because I like it so much. Whenever I encounter a new restaurant that has it on the menu, it’s a must try item. Pad Thai is a rice noodle dish combined with your choice of main protein (beef, chicken, tofu or shrimp), and egg, green onion, bean sprouts, carrots, crushed peanuts and Thai sauce. They were generous with the shrimp, and the sauce had a pleasant combination of fish sauce, peanut and spice. It was as good as some that I paid much more than $6.95 for, easily.

The family was very happy that I was dining with them, and that I was enjoying the food they prepared for me. As I was eating, I noticed the family, one by one, taking turns to bring a dish out, and eat as well. There’s something comforting for me when I witness this at Asian restaurants. Perhaps it’s because my family is so far away, and this is a gentle reminder of my loved ones, too.

Pho Asian Noodle can be found at 1288 West Lane Ave in Columbus, across from Half Price Books. Their phone is 614-488-8886. Open 7 days a week, 11am – 10pm.