Pho Vi

Vietnamese cuisine has exploded on the contemporary food scene, thanks in large part to a filling and fun-to-eat dish called pho (typically pronounced fuh) — beef broth and noodle soup that's considered the national dish of Vietnam. For years, Broward residents had to trek west to 441 to find good Vietnamese, so Pho Vi's opening in pedestrian-friendly downtown Hollywood was welcomed by residents near the beach. The restaurant's menu is mostly dedicated to pho and other bowls of soups with noodles, featuring abundant selections of beef pho and pho ga (chicken pho). While this place satisfies a hankering for Vietnamese food, a connosieur of pho will know that the broths here aren’t as as flavorful as they ought to be. Instead, take the bun bo Hue, a spicy bowl of lemongrass beef broth with round rice noodles, beef shank, steamed pork and pork patties. Or opt for a rice dish, like com suon nuong – a thin pork chop marinated in lemongrass and honey, served with tomato, cucumber, and pickled carrots and daikon, alongside a sauce of nuoc cham. The restaurant also features rolls, banh mi sandwiches, and a selection of rice and rice vermicelli dishes. Be sure to try the avocado smoothie, a rich blended beverage of fresh avocados, condensed milk, sugar and ice. All items are reasonably priced under $13.