Phở 79

"If you are no stranger to the slurp, then Phở 79 is likely already on your circuit. After all, this place is an institution. Opened in the early 80s, it's widely considered to ladle some of the best and most praiseworthy pho in southern California.The simple interior is enlivened by a bright yellow wall adorned with numerous accolades. It's spartan but clean, and you're here for the pho, not the fashion show. Place your name on the clipboard by the front door and expect a wait. Once seated, peruse the extensive menu, which runs the gamut from egg noodle soups and goi cuon, to appetizers and desserts along with many varieties of the eponymous dish. You'll never go wrong with oxtail—it's the most popular with good reason." - Michelin Inspector

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"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

18 Dishes to Add to Your California Bucket List | Eater

"Pho is such a customizable dish that coming up with one “perfect” version can start an unending argument. What’s harder to argue against, though, is experience, and this Garden Grove favorite has more than 40 years of it, with its oxtail pho still regularly drawing long lines of fans. It’s a perfect, comforting bowl for a chilly day — aka whenever Orange County dips below 75 degrees." - Vox Creative

The 6 Best Banh Mi Sandwiches In Miami

"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

16 Restaurants Worthy Of A Day Trip Outside LA

"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