| rev:text
| - It's the first day of February in the civilized portion of an Arizona desert. I'm driving to lunch with a coworker and the car tells me it's 50 degrees outside. Neither of us believes it as we shiver under spittles of rainwater tickling the windshield of my car.
It's the perfect day for something warm. My coworker said "soup", so immediately I imagine Pho. I can already taste it, but she's concerned she may not like it. With just a bit of convincing and after sharing a few mouthwatering pictures with her, she decides to give it a try.
Yelp leads me to Saigon Nites Vietnamese Cuisine, mere miles from where we work. It is also less than two miles from where I live and I disguise a twinge of surprise that I have not yet explored this local Vietnamese haunt given my appreciation of the genre.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Upon entering, we are both surprised to find the spacious interior filled to now-overflowing as we make the most recent guests to an already-filled house. The seating is plentiful, but every table is already peopled and we have to stand and wait a few minutes before being seated.
It's not long before a table opens up and we're settled in with enough room to fit four. Perusing the menu, I am impressed to find that it is significantly more diverse than most Vietnamese restaurants I've visited in my past. I want to try everything on it!
I point out the Steak Pho to my coworker and assure her that this is what she wants. She shrugs and says, "Ok whatever - if you say so." We order two of those and a starter of Egg Rolls. I know this will be a lot of food, but I resist the urge to order even more.
THE FOOD
The Egg Rolls come out hot, set in a bed of lettuce and cilantro. We're hungry, so we ignore the heat and dig in, breathing heavily through mouthfuls of food to try and cool it on our tongues. We both nod and smile with satisfied grunts. It's good.
Minutes later, large bowls of Pho are served to us with the typical arrangement of bean sprouts, basil, jalapeño, and lime on the side. I teach my coworker how to prep her broth (including my preferred addition of Sriracha sauce), then she digs in for a first taste.
It's fun to watch her eyes go wide. I am witness to that moment she moves from timorous curiosity to utter surprise and pleasure. I smile and lean into my own first bite. Despite my "experience" with Pho, I am genuinely inspired and a bit taken aback by the taste.
Everything about the Pho came out just right. BETTER than just right. Even the flavor is different than what I've come to expect - leveled up, one might say. The meat is cooked to perfection, and even the noodles have a unique and notable flavor that I can NOT get over.
CONCLUSION
The Steak Pho at Saigon Nites may very well be the best Pho I've ever eaten. Until now, I've been driving myself all the way from FAR North Scottsdale to the Mesa/Chandler area for good Pho. I don't need to do that anymore. I found a Vietnamese gem right in my backyard!
My coworker and I both agree that we will DEFINITELY be back for more. I tell her that I want to sample everything on the menu, but fear that I'll never be able to drag myself past the deliciousness of this "simple" Pho meal. I'll want to order this same thing every single time.
If you love Pho, love soup, and/or love good food, you need to make a point of visiting Saigon Nites Vietnamese Cuisine. I am confident you won't be let down. The prices are reasonable, the portions are huge, and the quality of the food is OUTSTANDING.
Saigon Nites: thank you for producing such amazing Pho. Thank you for being right down the street from where I live these days. Thank you for the wonderful, quick, and unintrusive service, too. I'll look forward to visiting again very soon!
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