Mike K. Writes:

I eat Pho a minimum of 4 times per week. In fact, I have had it 4 times this week (3 different restaurants) and am planning on it for lunch today. Hopefully my wife and I will manage our weekend lunch "date" at our favorite location in Brooklyn Park. I have her craving Pho as much as I do.

I read your review of Pho Tau Bay, one of the restaurants I frequented this week. I also ate at a Vietnamese restaurant in White Bear Lake, and my favorite in St Paul. I agree with your assessment of Pho Tau Bay. Not too bad.

In St Paul, I recommend Pho Ca Dau on the corner of University and Arundell (1 block West of Western Ave.) The restaurant is a dive, but the soup is as good as it gets. The menu is simple, Pho served 17 different ways. That's it. Pick your favorite combo. No appetizers, no Banh Mi, no broken rice, no BBQ. They do offer some interesting drinks, but it's very basic. The cost is $5 for a large bowl. Fast service and hot soup, how can you beat this for a lunch stop? I'm a regular, so they just OK my standard order, and within a couple of minutes my large bowl of steaming hot goodness arrives to brighten my day. What a treat, good to the last drop. Ample meat, a full plate of condiments, and the broth lets you know exactly why you are here.

The interior is garage sale Chinese, some clutter, fire hazard for the most part. (Hey, it's been redone in the past year, and it's still amazing) The exterior makes me wonder how I ever managed to try it in the first place. Just get over the surroundings, order, put your head down and eat. The customer base is primarily Asian, and I can understand about half the conversations taking place.

Skip the rest room inspection, and I've no urge to tour the kitchen.