Pho Nola
3320 Transcontinental Dr, Metairie, LA 70006, USA
Metairie 3: Houma Blvd To Kenner Line
Backstory
Pho Nola opened in 2009 in a strip mall that has long served Asian appetites. It was for a long time a Chinese buffet, which raised its profile significantly in its Metairie neighborhood. A grocery for Asian ingredients is adjacent. The management seems to be from a younger generation of Vietnamese Orleanians.
Dining Room
The restaurant has a youthful buzz about it, from the sprightly menu prose and design to the sharp look of the premises. The decor is contemporary and comfortable, much handsomer indoors than out. The service staff is almost too efficient, and happy to make recommendations or give explanations.
Why It's Essential
As the name implies, this is a specialist in the wildly popular beef-broth-and-noodle soup called pho (pronounced "fuh), plus the many minor variations on the dish. Compared with other sources of the soup Pho Nola is a little above average. Also here are bahn mi sandwiches, which seem to be under the influence of some mysterious force that makes it impossible for there to exist on this earth a bad bahn mi.
Why It's Good
The house specialty is banh mi bo ko, which translates on the menu as "Vietnamese beef stew." (The "bahn mi" part of the name comes from the loaf of French bread they give you with this for dipping.) It comes across as a soup made with a thick roux, and to my palate works neither as stew, soup, or sandwich. But many regular customers love it. As in all Vietnamese restaurants, the portions are unfinishable save by the starving. And, as in most Vietnamese places, the great sleeper dishes are the cool noodle dishes called "bun."
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Starters</strong></em><br /> »Vietnamese spring rolls<br /> »Char-grilled pork rolls<br /> Shrimp spring rolls<br /> »Veggie spring rolls<br /> »Char-grilled beef spring rolls<br /> »Vietnamese egg rolls<br /> »Saigon crepe<br /> Nola rolls <br /> »Pork dumplings steamed or pan fried<br /> <em><strong>Soups & Salads</strong></em><br /> »Rice noodle soup (pho) with chicken, rare steak, beef meatball, brisket, or combinations<br /> Vegetable noodle soup, chicken broth<br /> »Wonton soup<br /> Vietnamese beef stew<br /> Spicy beef noodle soup<br /> Combination noodle soup (roast pork, shrimp, fish ball, quail egg, crab stick)<br /> Crispy stir-fried rice noodles, shrimp, beef, chicken and vegetables<br /> Egg noodle wonton soup<br /> »Shakin' beef salad<br /> Vietnamese chicken salad<br /> Nola salad<br /> <em><strong>Bahn Mi--Vietnamese poor boys, with:</strong></em><br /> »Char-grilled pork<br /> »Lemongrass chicken<br /> »Stir-fried shredded chicken<br /> »BBQ minced pork<br /> »Vietnamese ham<br /> Combinations<br /> »Vietnamese braised beef (almost like a roast beef poor boy)<br /> <em><strong>Noodle dishes</strong></em><br /> Crispy bird's nest, shrimp, beef, chicken, vegetables<br /> »Stir-fried noodles<br /> »Pad thai <br /> <em>"Bun" Dishes--Cool Noodles With:</em><br /> »Char-grilled pork<br /> »Vietnamese egg rolls<br /> »Char-grilled pork & egg rolls<br /> »Char-grilled shrimp<br /> »Char-grilled lemongrass chicken<br /> »Wok-seared steak<br /> Fried tofu<br /> <em>Banh hoi (like Bun, but with steamed, pressed noodles)</em><br /> Char-grilled pork<br /> Char-grilled shrimp<br /> <em><strong>Rice dishes</strong></em><br /> »Shakin' beef (wok-seared cubed steak, honey mustard dipping sauce<br /> »Roasted Cornish hen<br /> »Char-grilled lemongrass chicken<br /> »Char-grilled marinated pork, fried egg<br /> Char-grilled pork chop, garlic, lemongrass, pan fried egg<br /> Char-grilled marinated shrimp<br /> House special fried rice with shrimp, roast pork, peas & carrots<br /> »Stir-fried tofu & assorted vegetables<br /> Stir-fried chicken & assorted vegetables<br /> Stir-fried beef & assorted vegetables<br /> »Stir-fried shrimp & assorted vegetables<br /> »Stir-fried curry, with shrimp, chicken or beef<br /> »Blended fruit drinks and bobas<br />
Deficiencies
These pho houses could all benefit from more variety on the menu. But the dining trend is with them now, so who am I to speak?
For Best Results
Resist the temptation to order an entree with every protein in the house mixed into the matrix.
Bonus Ratings
1
Attitude
1
Environment
2
Hipness
2
Service
2
Value