Phở 79

"You can come here for a fine bowl of pho, but they also have two tasty bánh mí options we love. If you’re a traditionalist, order the number two with cured pork, ham, and head cheese. We also like the number one with grilled slices of smoky pork, pâté, cucumbers, shredded pickled daikon, carrots, jalapeño, spicy mayo, garlic spread, and cilantro. You can turn either of these sandwiches into a combo meal, which includes salt/brown sugar-seasoned crinkle fries and a drink of your choice. It’s a great (and filling) deal for about $10 and change." - mariana trabanino, virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer

"Pho 79 in Pinecrest has two tasty bánh mí options, and if you’re a traditionalist, order the number two. It’s their classic bánh mí—a cold cut sandwich on a crispy baguette with cured pork, ham, and head cheese. But we also like the number one with pork. It comes with grilled slices of smoky pork, pâté, cucumbers, shredded pickled daikon, carrots, jalapeño, spicy mayo, garlic spread, and cilantro. You can turn either of these sandwiches into a combo meal, which includes salt/brown sugar-seasoned crinkle fries and a drink of your choice. It’s a great (and filling) deal for $10 and change." - virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer

"You could spend an entire month trying every pho spot in Orange County’s Little Saigon—and most of them would be pretty damn delicious. But if you only have time for one, go to Pho 79. The landmark Vietnamese restaurant in Garden Grove, open since 1982, is one of the most well-known spots in the OC, and there’s an hour-long wait almost every day to prove it. But frankly, we’d wait two hours for pho this good. You can add a variety of different meats to the soup (the oxtail is their signature), but here, it boils down to the broth. Oxtails are simmered for 12 hours and infused with star anise and other fragrant spices. It’s rich, cinnamon-y, and deeper in flavor than any other pho you’ll find in Southern California. Cash only." - brant cox, garrett snyder

"Pho 79 is typically the first place newcomers go to Little Saigon to visit. The pho shop has been recognized as a James Beard America’s Classic and is listed as a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Since Thọ Trần and Liễu Trần opened the restaurant in 1982, Pho 79 has been one of the mainstays in the area. The name, which is derived from when the Trầns first arrived in the U.S. in 1979, is simple and to the point, exactly like the anise-laced beef noodle soup." - Jenn Tanaka

"Our Favorite Dishes: Oxtail Pho, Vietnamese Coffee In reality, you could spend an entire month trying every pho spot in Little Saigon - and most of them would pretty damn delicious. But if you’re short on time and simply looking for the best, go to Pho 79. The landmark Vietnamese restaurant in Garden Grove, open since 1982, is one of the most well-known restaurants in all of Orange County, and there’s an hour-long wait almost every day to prove it. But frankly, we’d wait two hours for pho this good. You can put a variety of different meats into the soup (the oxtail is their signature), but at the end of the day, it’s about the broth. Simmered in oxtail for 12 hours and infused with star anise, it’s rich, cinnamon-y, and unlike any other pho you’ll find in California. Cash only." - brant cox