Restaurants
Golden Turtle
I live near a stretch on Ossington (between Queen and Dundas) overflowing with vietnamese eateries. I'm a regular customer of one of them, a place called Golden Turtle (otherwise known as Rua Vang) and in my experience this place serves up the best pho in the city.
While I'm also a fan of previously reviewed pho joints (and 2005 Best of Indie Toronto Nominees) Pho Hung and Pho 88, there's something about the flavours in the #13 Pho Rau Cai Tau Hu (Tofu & vegetable in noodle soup - $6) that make it, um, addictive; and the perfect meal on a rainy day like today.
Usually I get takeout and that's what the picture above shows. Everything's packaged in the standard way - soup in one container, rice noodles in the other, and a plastic bag with bean sprouts, lime and other additives.
Golden Turtle lacks the bustling and vibrant atmosphere of Pho Hung, and to a lesser extent Pho 88. It just never seems to get quite as busy, but does fill up around dinner time some nights.
For the non veggie or even non pho aficianados, there's plenty on the menu to choose from - over 160 options ranging from duck congee to grilled shrimp and pineapple with vermicelli.
Golden Turtle Restaurant, 125 Ossington (at Argyle). 416-531-1601.
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Hands down, the best in the Toronto. If not the best in the GTA, period. I only eat the Pho Dac Biet, Pho Tai Nam or Pho Ga, pending on what I'm craving for.
I could totally see myself in a Harold & Kumar-like movie about me trying to get to this place after hitting up some mary jane, haha.
A++++++++++++++++++++++
The best place for me so far, is Pho Dau Bo in Mississauga on Dundas St....IF you're willing to make the drive. The soup is fantastic and flavourful, and the beef slices are good. Just make sure you come well before closing time (11 pm) for the best bowl.
Pho Linh is not that bad for Toronto pho. Sometimes it disappoints, but if I were in T.O. and I needed a pho fix, I would go there. Palace is ok too. and Pho Hung is ok.
Pho Dau Bo is the best pho period.
I have never been to this place though, however your picture looks like a disgrace to pho everywhere!
Looks more like Won Ton Soup to me.
great stuff, the pho was really good with small beef balls.
And this area isnt ghetto, its so nice.!
If you're looking for good value, beautifully clean fresh design, a true authentic taste and ambiance of Vietnamese & Thai cuisine, check out this place at 769 The Queensway, Etobicoke(at Royal York) its called MOSAIC ASIAN KITCHEN + WINE BAR. They also have a great selections of wines & martinis!
Impressions:
*the pho portions are smaller than other places but not so small that you feel you're being ripped off. It's a "healthy" small.
*pho is not the best in the City...the broth is too MSG flavoured for me to accept this as quality pho...however, it's BETTER than most Pho 88 or Pho Hoa franchises where the MSG flavouring is in excess.
*the spring rolls are oily, but delicious beyond anything I've ever had before. These spring rolls can compete for the BEST spring rolls in Toronto. Pho Hung, Pho 88 are decent but these springs here were fantastic - so much so that after the first bite, when the flavour erupts, you will pause to enjoy that moment.
Overall, a nice dining experience. With the exception of the spring rolls (which were out of this world), the rest of what I ordered was acceptable-good, but not a clear winner by any means.
it's just on the second level and the name of the place is xe lue aka the pho train.
http://www.blogto.com/announcements/2009/01/getting_on_the_pho_train/
i go number 17 small. rare beef on the side (yes, i am bad like that)
I ordered the usual..the Pho Tai Nam my broth lacked flavor.
The meat was high quality. The Service sucked and they take cash only.