This mom-and-pop shop is churning out the city’s must-have phở - Review - Nashville - The Infatuation

"VN Pho & Deli, a family-run Vietnamese restaurant and bakery in West Nashville, is where you should go to get your phở and bánh mì fix. If there’s better phở in town, we haven’t found it—and we’d venture to say the lucky residents near its Charlotte Park location agree. Phở is what you’re coming here for. It’s amazing on its own, but add a few dashes of the fish sauce or chili paste on the table for some salt and heat, and the dish becomes something new. There are several bánh mì versions, and each one comes generously stacked with pork and pate and makes for a filling to-go lunch. photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin photo credit: Casey Irwin Pause Unmute Tucked into a small strip mall, the space is sparse and simple. It’s split into two dining rooms, one of which is overseen by VN’s resident goldfish, Rocco. Fun fact: Rocco’s outlasted 12 of his fish buddies, and you’ll be relieved to discover he did not, indeed, eat them. There are always a few families and couples from around the neighborhood populating the tables, slurping up phở, and chatting with servers who know them by name. But what gets the most business is the cash register, where a steady stream of customers trickles in to pick up their piping hot orders to go. Just keep in mind it’s a cash-only operation, but there is an ATM on the premises. Food Rundown Egg Rolls Flaky and crisp—not bready—and stuffed with a savory mix of pork, shrimp, and vegetables. These come with a sweet fish sauce for dipping, but honestly, they tastes better without it. Rare Steak Phở Fragrant with lemongrass and simmering with slices of raw beef, the phở at VN has one of the most flavorful broths around. Piled high with silky rice noodles, the portion is enough to feed two to three people easily. photo credit: Casey Irwin Traditional Bánh Mì VN has several versions of bánh mì—including barbeque pork, chicken, and fried tofu—but we like the traditional best. It’s got a creamy pate that provides a nice textural juxtaposition to the crunch of the veggies and crusty baguette. photo credit: Casey Irwin Egg Custard Buns We appreciate that all of the pastry and bread is made in-house at VN. The egg custard benefits from that with a soft, pillowy bun that’s filled with the aforementioned warm and creamy custard. It isn’t overly sweet and cloying, and makes for a nice way to cap off a meal or squash your hunger as a snack. photo credit: Casey Irwin" - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones