Pho 88 (10478 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville; 301-931-8128). A helpful staff adds to the appeal of this pho place known for its beefy oxtail soups (around $7) loaded with noodles, sprouts, star anise, and ginger. Offerings range from a simple bowl with thin-sliced brisket to a no-holds-barred rendition with a slew of meats and offal. There’s also pho ga, a first-rate chicken version with flavorful broth and juicy morsels of poultry.
Drinks go beyond the usual Vietnamese coffee and lemon soda to green-tea smoothies and mango bubble tea. Round out your meal with crisp spring rolls and toothsome pork chops over rice. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
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Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
