"There’s something comforting about how little this long-standing, casual Vietnamese restaurant seems to change. Phở Bằng remains a go-to for a fast, reliable meal in Little Italy, with blush-pink walls still decorated with slightly faded, travel agency-appropriate portraits of beautiful women in traditional dress, gesturing toward picturesque Vietnamese landscapes. It’s a great place to pop in for a mid-workday lunch, and solo diners wearing Airpods are as warmly and readily accommodated as large groups of chatty friends. Depending on how close you’re seated to the kitchen, you might hear someone singing along to “Thriller” on the radio. The phở is solidly good, and the pork chop over rice is another standout. Whichever main you choose, you should strongly consider supplementing it with an order of spring rolls. photo credit: Jacopo Marchio photo credit: Jacopo Marchio photo credit: Jacopo Marchio Phở Bằng, which has more locations in Elmhurst and Flushing, is also still affordable (a regular-sized bowl of pho is $14.50), though not quite as affordable as it used to be. On the bright side, it’s no longer cash only, though there is a $15 credit-card minimum. And the service is fast and attentive, with frequent check-ins and water refills. Food Rundown photo credit: Jacopo Marchio Tái Nạm Gầu Gân Sách This is the first pho listed on Phở Bằng’s menu, and it’s the one to order if you want to maximize the variety of cuts of beef inside your bowl. The broth is reasonably flavorful (we do wish it were served with lime wedges instead of lemon), but our favorite part of this soup is how generous they are with both the melty tendon and tender tripe. photo credit: Jacopo Marchio Cơm Sườn Nướng The pork chop over rice is wonderfully juicy, if not the most lemongrass-forward version of this dish we’ve had. photo credit: Jacopo Marchio Chả Giò These substantial spring rolls have crispy wrappers and a moist, pleasantly funky pork filling." - Molly Fitzpatrick
