Why go: Warming on a cold night, light enough for a hot day, soothing when you’re not feeling well, satisfying for breakfast—there’s no bad time for the Vietnamese soup called pho. This mini-chain of cash-only cafeterias proffers large bowls of intense, anise-rich broth with noodles and beef that are among the best in the area.
What to get: Pho with any combination of fatty brisket, flank steak, meatballs, or bits of offal; chicken-noodle soup, a surprise hit; fresh-squeezed lemonade and lemon soda; dark, sweet Vietnamese coffee.
Best for: A quick, satisfying meal.
Insider tip: To brighten up your bowl, ask for fresh sawtooth, an herb similar to cilantro, to be added to your plate of basil, bean sprouts, and lime wedges.
>> See all 2010 Cheap Eats restaurants here
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.
