Food is sparse just outside the airport. Many of the places we pulled up to either looked rundown and skeptical. Finally, we decided to try one of the many Thai restaurants in the area, Pho 99. I was glad to see it inside a quasi mini-mall parking lot. There were a few customers inside, so we decided to check it out.
The decor is very simple, almost tacky, with it's laminated tables and worn chairs. There's a slight dirtiness to the whole environment as we experienced firsthand from the utensil baskets supplied on the table. We had to grab several chopsticks and Chinese soup spoons, before finding a semi-clean one. Most had some sort of grease or dirt on them.
I ordered the House Special #18, which includes Pho Tai, Nam, Gau, Gan, Sach (Dac Biet) for $6.55. In lamens terms, that is noodle soup with a combination of eye round steak, well-done flank, fatty brisket, soft tendon and beef tripe. I was surprised at how quick our dishes came out, only within a couple minutes from when we ordered. The first thing that I noticed was that the eye round steak was already thrown in the soup. I prefer to throw in the raw slices myself, so I can cook to my liking. Usually the thin slices are overcooked, but I was glad that they just threw it in right before serving, so there was a decent amount of pinkness to the meat. The broth was light yet flavorful. A decent amount of pho, noodles, came with the soup that absorbed the flavors well. The fatty brisket, soft tendon and beef tripe were all fairly fresh and tasty. It made for an authentic and solid pho that I could definitely see myself returning for.
I also tried the Grilled Lemon Grass Pork Chop ($6.95), which included two pieces of tenderized, fatty, and flavorful pieces of pork chop. It was ever so slightly greasy, but that was what made it taste so good. The fish sauce was light yet had a subtle note of saltiness, making the pork chops another tasty dish that didn't disappoint.
Being that I come from New York, which I've had my fair share of Vietnamese cuisine. I can say that Pho 99 serves some authentic and solid Vietnamese dishes, though nothing worth raving about. If you're on the way to the airport and short on time, Pho 99 is a quick, no-frills establishment with cheap prices and decent portions. You'll be in and out in no time, ready to board your flight full. read more