Superior Pho (AKA Pho Hoa) - 3030 Superior Ave Ste E Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 781-7462

General thoughts - I've been here, oh, about 50 times? Even though I don't live anywhere near Cleveland these days, I make every effort to go there whenever I'm  back. There's something about finding an awesome place that's off the beaten path - in fact, just a spot inside a building - that makes it extra special. If you're looking for an ornate restaurant, this is not it. But if you're truly looking for "superior" Pho, this is perfect. Sorry, no menu online. It's pretty cool that they have meals you can choose from for those who want to try different things or just simply indecisive. Some include rice dishes and some noodles dishes.

Foods tasted - #1 Meal - small bowl of Pho of choice, 2 spring rolls, and a can of pop (I don't think you'll need a review on a can of Coke) - all of this for less than $9.

Thoughts -

1. Pho - As you'll see on every review for Vietnamese restaurant, I always order the Pho that has all the different meats in it because I like variety. The broth is very flavorful and is comparable to the one at Pho Hang in Madison Hts, MI and far superior to #1 Pho, which is down the street from Superior Pho. The meats are fresh and the noodles are done just right. Sometimes the Pho noodles are overcooked and that kind of ruins the Pho experience. It's no different than overcooking pasta, it's just kind of gross.

2. Spring Rolls - I love Spring Rolls. Certainly not the healthiest of foods around but OMG it's good. They were clearly made after I placed the order as the skin is super crunchy, and although some may not like it, there's a sheen of glistening oil. It does come with that tangy sauce for dipping.

Final thoughts - Is it Very Yummy In  My Tummy? For sure. Will I go back for the 51st time? I plan on it. My descriptions above is reason I always order the same thing. It's because that meal is perfect for me. It's making me drool just writing this. Why does Madison Hts have to be so far away? I need to get a Pho fix soon. I was just thinking that I have to be thankful for my pretty decent metabolism or else with the way I eat and how much I love eating I should be about 700 lbs. I hope I didn't just jinx myself. Haha.

Pho Hang Restaurant - 30921 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights, MI 48071-2287 - (248) 583-9210

General thoughts - I'll update it with a picture the next time I go because I can't seem to find one online and they don't have an online menu. This restaurant is the real deal. A good indication is that all the ads on the bulletin board are in Vietnamese, there's a long video about Vietnamese and its culture constantly looping, most of the guests are Vietnamese, and most of the staff speak enough English to take your order and that's it. It's about $7 or $8 for a large bowl of Pho and it never disappoints. Their menu is big enough as it is which also includes Chinese dishes, but I have to give them lots of extra kudos for constantly trying to expand their menu. They started serving Vietnamese sandwiches and hot lunches to go where you get to pick and choose specifically what you want. And that's all Vietnamese food too. They added bubble tea, juices, etc.

Foods tasted - #22 (Spring rolls), #25 (the Pho that has all the different meats in it)

Thoughts -

1. #22 - Spring rolls - I only order a half order (2) when I go alone. It comes with a tangy sauce for dipping. I'm not 100% sure of everything that's in it, but I did notice vermicelli (glass noodles), carrots, pork. They're done perfectly every time and are always burn-your-tongue fresh off the fryer. The skin is always golden brown. Love them!

2. #25 - Large bowl of Pho - The actual name is in Vienamese so I basically order by number because the menu does describe the ingredients in English and I do know what Pho is. The broth (which I'm convinced it's beef) was delicious. I do usually add a bunch of hoisin sauce and Sriracha sauce (garlic hot sauce with flecks of hot pepper seeds) into my broth to give it an extra kick. It comes with pieces of brisket, raw beef (ends up cooked because it's in the hot broth), meatballs, pre-cooked beef, and tripe. They also provide you with a dish of raw bean sprouts, a lime wedge, a couple of small hot peppers, and springs of basil in case you want to add those in your Pho as well. Since the beef (all different cuts) are thin slices, tenderness is never an issue. The meatballs are pre-made that you buy in a package if you were in a Chinese grocery store.

Final Thoughts - Very Yummy in My Tummy? Oh yeah! Will I go back? Every chance I get when I'm in the Troy/Madison Heights area. It's located at a strip mall in the Southwest corner of Dequindre Road and 13 Mile Road. If you love ramen noodles, this is basically an upgrade of that. Since I don't go there very often, I always order the same thing, but maybe someday I'll try something else. But somehow I got a feeling I'll regret not order my #22 and #25 regardless of how good the new dish is.

Southeast Asian (SEA) Restaurant - 741 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607 - (585) 473-8031

Sorry, can't locate a menu.

General thoughts - It's not in the greatest neighborhood but it felt safer than the other Vietnamese place my brother was going to bring us to. It's at a great location though as far as visibility as it's on the corner of a main street. The restaurant is small and only has about 15 tables in it but it was a busy evening for them. The unpretentious decor is reflected in the prices. My mom commented that all the decorations are Thai, which I agreed. But honestly, the same people that say all Asians look alike are not going to be able to tell the difference so I'll chalk that up as part of the charm of the place. The portions truly are huge.

Foods tasted - Fried squid, #10 (I can't pronounce it. It's like the house special Pho that has tripe, brisket, rare beef, meat balls, etc), Iced coffee with condensed milk.

Thoughts -

Fried squid - I like the salt and pepper taste. It's mostly tentacles, so the pieces tend to be slightly tougher. But that's fine with me, because it's a nice change of pace from the calamari rings from the body that we get in most restaurants.

#10 - The noodles were a bit tough when it was first served so I let it sit in the delicious beef broth before digging into it to soften them up some more. I tasted the soup before adding a bunch of sauces in it to sweeten and spice it up. The soup was very fresh tasting and according to my mom, who is an excellent cook and very sensitive to MSG, she said she can tell the broth is the real deal, not from some packet. As with any pho dish, they give you a plate of bean sprouts, sprigs of basil leaves, wedges of lime, and little peppers so you can dress it to your liking. I decided to add some bean sprouts, basil, and a little lime juice to make it more authentic. Those extra flavors do add something else to a otherwise bowl of noodles with meat.

Iced coffee with condensed milk - This is a classic Vietnamese/Thai drink. It's like espresso, but instead of a little cup the size of a shot glass, it's served in a highball with some condensed milk in the bottom to help cut the bitterness. My dad thought I wasn't going to be able to sleep at all, but it didn't surprise me I slept like a rock because I was so tired from the festivities.

Final thoughts - Very yummy in my tummy? Yes. Would I go back? If I for some reason visit Rochester again, sure. It definitely hit the spot and satisfied my cravings. If only there are more Vietnamese restaurants closer to Dearborn. Madison Hts is pretty far for Pho, but writing this makes me want some for lunch. Hmmmm... pho....