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Updated 96 Days ago
St. Louis on The Cheap : Pho Grand
There was a period in my life when I never ate anything that was considered exotic or that had onions and peppers in it (i.e. anything besides grilled cheese). I preferred my food so bland that even ordering a cheeseburger at McDonald's included special instructions for no pickle and onion, which leads me to ponder how many gallons of food service spit I have consumed in my life. Then, I was invited to dine at Pho Grand Vietnamese restaurant. I credit menu item 23.03 with opening my palatial horizons and decreasing the likelihood I will contract a food borne illness.
I am not the only person I know who has been converted by Pho Grand. After I stomped up and down and made a handful of my friends try this place out, they also changed their mind about restaurants with nationalities that end in "-ese." Many of them were converted by the very same dish that changed my mind. Let me tell you about menu item 23.03: the Tofu Dac Biet. It is a blend of non-starchy vegetables, firm and golden tofu, yellow curry sauce and coconut milk served over rice. I have tried variations of this dish at other restaurants that shall remain nameless, and they always include potatoes and carrots in their vegetable blend. The starchy veggies muck up the taste of the curry and it amazes me that restaurants would keep including them. A word of caution: I cannot be held responsible for the taste of this entree anywhere besides Pho Grand. A friend of mine who loathes tofu has tried almost every dish on their menu; while he says they are all very good he made his way back to the 23.03 because, in his words, "it is amazing." I love this restaurant so much that people have been known to use it as a bargaining chip to get me to run errands for them.
The restaurant has a quasi-upscale feel to it with warm, golden lighting and tasteful decorations that belie the super-cheap menu prices. The dishes average about $6 and we aren't talking about tiny food or tapas; your plate comes out full and your belly leaves that way. I would recommend ordering the spring rolls as an appetizer for two reasons: the main dishes are so cheap you can actually afford to order an appetizer, and the dipping sauce for the spring rolls adds a unique and spicy dimension to whatever dish that follows (which will be the 23.03, right?).
Pho Grand is located at 3195 South Grand and they open their doors at 11 a.m. everyday except Tuesday.
About The Author:
Got a story you want to share, or just need someone to talk to? Email Me! melody@toastedrav.comI have a penchant for pizza, a love of books, and a strong cup of coffee always makes me smile. When I'm not writing for ToastedRav I like long walks on concrete sidewalks, hanging-lamp lit dinners, and a good bottle of Shiraz.
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