Pho Hoa, Chicago, Illinois Restaurant Details

Food:

Just to update this place...they have relocated towards the entrance of the strip mall. The decor kind of reminds me of some sort of weird...purgatory that was designed to be an oxygen bar instead of a pho place.

Maybe I am a bit too generous with this rating, but hey it is the only bowl of pho I will eat in this town, it reminds me of my home in sunny California, a place where people don't stare at you for eating that doesn't come in the form of something jammed into two pieces of bread. I would say 4.5 at best.

Anyhow today I stepped out of my apartment ready to embrace the terrible Asian food Chicago had to offer. I have had Chinese food in Chinatown, Korean food in Evanston, lincoln park, Rogers Park, Thai food... everywhere, Sushi in random areas and so far I can see why people here don't eat much Asian food, it really isn't that good here. Today that mentality changed, I actually found a place that serves decent pho, the last fortress of delicious food stood firm. I was flat out scared I would lose one of my favorite foods here and be doomed to eat pizza and burgers (usually yummy pizza and burgers though).

I sat down, ordered a large pho tai (pho + rare steak) and waited, and was served some tea. Usually you have to request water.

The pho arrived in a matter of minutes, the broth was clean but not boring, the meat a bit rare (which is good, you immerse them under the noodles), the noodles chewy and not stale, and the produce was fresh.

Perhaps I am being too kind on this place because it tastes a bit like home, but well if a bowl of pho can warp you back for a few precious minutes back home, I think it has done a pretty damn good job. I will be back, ready to try some of the other items they have as well.

The good: pho tai, their rice plates, and decent sizes. Also has none of that "contemporary interpretations" of pho, you know how American culture seems to take culture and turn it into a fast food chain.
The not so good: somewhat pricey for pho but looking at the menus around the surrounding places...they are all about the same.

Food:

This place has the best service I've encountered of all of the pho places. Yes, the food is amazing and yes this place is very clean, but the staff is so friendly here. That's why I come back. They remember you after only a few visits and always offer you hot tea while you wait. The banh mi is fab, but the rice bowls w/ added egg rolls are amaz! The pho is good too- especially the #21 w/ carrots and the le's special #15.

Food:

The Pho is Wonderful! I enjoyed the Che Ba Mau and Goi Cuon Also. Good Flavor, Fresh Vegatables. The Restaurant is Clean and the Staff are friendly

Food:

Good food if you know what to order. Coffee is strong (cafe De sua) but overall a very nice traditional Vietnamese Cuisine. Pho was good but I've had better at home personally. Nice friendly service.

Food:

Le’s isn’t much to look at. It occupies a small, unassuming store front in a likewise small and unassuming, but incredibly crowded, strip mall that lies about a block or so south of Argyle. Since it's not located directly off of Broadway or Argyle, it's easy to miss, though with a little bit of searching you'll find this hidden gem. The restaurant is furnished with rather non-descript tables and chairs and is rather plain.

Phở has to be one of the best culinary inventions of all time. It is simply a bowl full of goodness, easily customizable, and, typically, a an excellent value as well. With that said, the phở here is excellent, easily some of the best in the city. Describing the soup itself is nearly impossible, and rather impractical. If you’re a fan of phở, you’ll have an understanding of what makes it good and what’s missing. IMO, Le’s is the best you’re going to find in Chicago and there some good phở houses in this city. Plus, being priced at a mere $7 for a bowl, I’ll say it’s one of the best values in the city as well.

In scanning the other reviews, it appears Le’s used to be Pho Hoa, with a different, very limited menu. That is no longer the case. The menu is substantial (well, at least as substantial as it needs to be) with several offerings besides phở, including other noodle soups, several rice dishes and some Bánh mì.