"Aside from a framed picture of an olive pole-dancing on the stem of a martini glass, there isn’t much decor at Phở 888. But this small Uptown spot’s Vietnamese food is anything but plain. Their excellent namesake phở is light but still beefy, and infused with hints of cinnamon and clove that complement cuts like flank steak or soft tendon. The hủ tiếu bò kho is also a fantastic sweet beef noodle stew. And while the spring rolls are tasty starters for a solo meal, the DIY rice rolls loaded with bo la lot or grilled beef are great to split with a group while talking about that dancing olive." - adrian kane, courtney sprewer, veda kilaru, john ringor