Pho Cali
The noodles are the thing here-you can hardly go wrong with any of the pho. This traditional Vietnamese soup is really not a soup, but a bowl of noodles cooked in a beef, chicken or fish stock that gets its character from the meat and vegetables added. It's all good.
Like pho, bun relies on gelatinous rice noodles, without the liquid in the dish. There's more emphasis on the vegetables and seasonings-mint, coriander and cucumber as a side relish add a freshness that's the essence of Vietnamese cooking for me. My favorite here is No. 78, or bun tom nurong, thjt nurong, cha gio. It includes both shrimp and pork, although sometimes the pork can be a bit greasy.
Pho Cali gets busy, and service ebbs and flows with the crowds. But there's hardly a friendlier place in town, regardless of the intensity of the house. Wine and beer are available at both places, and both restaurants are modestly priced.
PHO CALI
1578 Main St., Sarasota
(941) 955-2683
Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Closed Sunday
Most credit cards (no Amex)
Handicap accessible
Parking on street
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