Pho Hoang

I was excited to find out there was a Phở place near Hoover. I’ve had Phở in Seattle, Nashville, Los Angeles, Irvine, and Tampa. The best was in Seattle (Kirkland next to Bungie HQ), followed by Nashville next to the K&S.
Well, Alabama… I was excited since at three tables sat asians! I was about to be like «aww snooki! theres asians up in this phở place, i gotta feeling it’s gonna be good!» on Facebook, but WOE. WOE!
It was only mediocre. The broth might as well be just mildly flavored water. There was barely any flavor. The noodles were soggy. It must have been the first time I had soggy Phở Tai noodles.
Typically phở tai comes out amazingly fast. Mine did not. I wondered if they had forgotten to bring it out to me, and that’s why the noodles were soft, but then again, the meat was rare and cooked when I stirred.
Am I not eating the right menu item? Should I try Bun here?
Since there isn’t a Phở anywhere closer, Ill probably give them another try.
ROUND 2. Sadly, my review is still the same. The Phở Tai came out much quicker this time so the noodles were just right, but the broth was still pretty Meh.
I’m not compelled to go back, but being that it’s one of the only places for Phở nearby, I might… at least to try the Bun.

I’ve been here three times now and it keeps getting better every time I go. I discovered the charbroiled pork on the second trip and it’s seriously some of the best pork of any kind that I’ve had in my life. I took an Asian food nut with me last night and he really liked it. I’m glad I don’t have to to go out to 280 or into Homewood to get Vietnamese food.

Got word that another Vietnamese place opened up. After the Chinese takeover of Que Huong, I felt obligated to try it out. This was definitely a Vietnamese owned and operated place. We went during a weekday and were greeted with a melody of Vietnamese teenagers. Obviously children of the owners/​workers just hanging and helping out after school. One of them came to take our orders and could not speak Vietnamese worth a lick! Not a problem to most, but a pet-​peeve of mine. Being American does not mean you lose your own culture… but I digress.
I had a regular bowl of Phở and wifey had Bun Bo Hue. Phở was fine, nothing too special. For a traditional and proper Bun Bo Hue, you must have Mam Tom (Shrimp Paste). We asked the kid for Mam Tom and he just stared with a puzzled face, totally clueless. A woman in the back heard us try to «explain» what it is and she quickly said they did not have any. I guess that is understandable since that stuff is so strong and pungent, American patrons would run out kicking and screaming. Well, both of our bowls were ok. Definitely better than Que Huong. So, if you want authentic Vietnamese, I’ll say head down to Hoover and give this place a try!

This place is better than the one on Greensprings. I like the catfish dish, though removing the bones is pretty time consuming. Most of the dishes are solid… just not spectacular.

I primarily order the same dishes whenever I come here, because I usually only come when I’m craving a Beef noodle soup. Phở Hoang’s food is generally really good, but I don’t really like their lo mein/​stir fried noodles. This place is closer than the other Vietnamese restaurant in Homewood. I prefer the Homewood restaurant only because I know the owner and I like their beef noodle soup better.
Lol, and the majority of the time I’m there, they’re always playing a Jackie Chan movie on tv, which is a good thing because Jackie Chan is cool. ;P