Phở 75

"You can't talk about Philly food without mentioning phở, bún bò huế, ​​bánh mì, and broken rice. But of all the many incredible Vietnamese restaurants in the city, nowhere is as legendary as Pho 75. This straightforward corner spot on Washington Avenue packs with kids doing laps around their parents' table, hungover cooks, and solo diners watching the Sixers lose. You'll be in and out in 30 minutes or less. All you have to do is bring cash, decide which of the combinations of phở you want and how large, and whether today is a lemon soda day or not. (It is.)" - alison kessler, candis mclean

"Philly’s chefs swear by a steaming hot bowl of pho to reinvigorate themselves after a long night out. Pho 75 is the best-known spot to get the Vietnamese street food specialty that involves a flavorful bone broth, a choice of meat (recommended: brisket and tripe), noodles, and crunchy veggies. Call the restaurant to place a pickup order or opt to dine outdoors." - Jillian Wilson

"At the Southeast corner of 12th and Washington sits Philly’s most iconic phở spot. Pho 75's menu is straightforward, with pretty much only beef and chicken phở, juice, coffee, and some very good lemon soda. There's no decor to speak of, unless you count the TVs playing the Sixers game and a few Eagles flags. And the room is almost always full of families, friends, and solo diners eating meals in under 30 minutes. Choose your beef combo—we like the #6, which comes with slices of eye-round steak, chewy beef tendon, and crisp white onions—then bask in the salty-sweet broth sans any fatty clouds. Bring cash or use the ATM at the front." - alison kessler

"Vietnamese food is Philadelphia food, and we’re damn proud of it. Little Saigon is home to several great spots for everything from pho and bún bò huế to ​​bánh mì and broken rice, but none are as essential as Pho 75. This straightforward corner shop is always packed with families, friends, and solo diners eating meals in under 30 minutes. Pho is the only thing on the menu, but there are at least 50 different combinations you can make with the meat alone, and we swear that the broth—which is light and savory, meaty and herbal—has healing properties." - candis mclean, alison kessler

"With almost too many meat combination options here, this spot located in the strip mall right off Washington Street is the first place we think of when we want a warm bowl of phở. Feel free to get whatever feels right, but the well-done beef brisket is what we always get. It has long strips of meat floating in a soup packed with scallions and Thai basil. Bring a few friends, take in the view of TVs in the corner as you eat, and join the people huddled up at tables like a HS cafeteria. " - candis mclean, alison kessler