Nam Phuong Vietnamese - Chamblee Altanta Georgia

You can find this location of Nam Phuong at 4051 Buford Hwy NE, Ste A, Atlanta, GA 30345- this was previously the location of the exceptional Pho #1 sharing the same limited parking - careful that you don't block the other end (near the Asian grocer).

I was a bit hesitant to try Nam Phuong for quite a while as I had a hard time reconciling the changeover from Pho #1, one of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants. I finally broke down and found that if anything, Nam Phuong is even better! The pho here is top-notch with the rich broth you would expect from the better pho restaurants. What's remarkable is that the menu is extensive and full of delicious items - this has become my new go-to restaurant for pho and Vietnamese, it's just that good and consistent. 

The menu as mentioned is quite extensive but look at the Daily Specials in front - all I've tried are exceptional. Next are sections for: Kha Vi (appetizer rolls), Vietnamese Street Foods, Banh Hoi (Create Your Own Rolls), Goi (salad), Chao (rice porridge), Sup (soup), Bo Kho (beef stew), Pho (beef noodles soup), Hu Tieu, Mi (noodles soup), Bun (vermicelli), Hu Tieu & Mi Zao (Pan fried noodles), Com Tam (rice plates), Com Chien (fried rice), Do Xao (wok dishes), House Specials, Mon Chay (vegetarian dishes), Family Dinners for 2-10, Giai Khat (beverages), and Mon Moi.

If you want an interesting appetizer, try the  Bot Chien - Pan friend rice cubes. These delicious starchy cubes are encrusted with fried egg and green onion and served with a vinegary soy - so delicious.




 

My favorite rolls are the Thit nuong cuon - BBQ pork rolls - these delicious smokey pork rolls are, I believe, the best I've ever had. The peanut sauce is thick and rich and spot-on. I could eat a couple of orders of these and call it a day. 

I've also had the shrimp rolls (to appease the pork haters) and they are good but after trying the BBQ pork they seem to lack in something (jaded, I know).

Muc rang muoi (salt and pepper squid) - you basic fried squid

Ca ri de (goat curry) - delicious in a creamy curry served with steamed rice or vermicelli or French bread)

Ga rau cai (chicken with vegetables) in Black Bean Sauce - they know how to use a wok for sure!

From the Daily Special menu, the Co'm suron bo (rice plate with grilled beef) is basically the same as Korean style Bulgalbi served with a side of rice. It's an awesome backup plan if you're just not feeling the Vietnamese goodness...

Papaya salad with shrimp and chicken - quite good and I think there's actually some papaya in it (I always question this at other restaurants).

Com tam thit nuong bi cha (Rice plate combination) -  BBQ pork, shredded pork, egg quiche and egg - this is an awesome mixed combo plate and quite filling.

I usually settle for the pho, and in particular the chicken pho (pho ga) or pho with chin (well done brisket), tai (eyeround steak) and nam (flank).

The service here is usually quite good - however the place is regularly slammed with lots of big parties sharing huge meals so account for that. Better to come during weeknights at slightly off hours (early evening or late - early is better). The only real negative is the parking - when it's busy there is none - almost better to park across the street and walk over.

-- John Eaton

(also posted to Yelp)
 

Pho 24 - Buford Hwy - Doraville Atlanta Georgia

You can find Pho 24 at 4646 Buford Hwy, GA 30340 in the no-mans-land alongside Peachtree Dekalb Airport South of Chamblee (Doraville) and before you get to Dresden (traveling South on BufHwy).

Pho 24 is probably better known as a 24 hour restaurant serving Pho and other Vietnamese fare at all times - this restaurant basically doesn't close. I first learned about it through some of my Vietnamese friends who live in town - this is their go to place for Pho, especially in the wee hours (seems they are the most active at night). I've written about this restaurant before as a Yelp review, first visiting in 2011 - since then I've visited many times and decided it was time for an update.

The exterior isn't much to write home about - the restaurant occupies one end of a short shopping center that also features Purnima Bangladeshi cuisine on the opposite end - parking can suck a bit as both of these restaurants can become quite busy, especially on weekends. I tend to visit Pho 24 after most other restaurants have closed. The interior is surprisingly spacious with dividers and high-backed banquets breaking up the sight lines of the room. Above the smoothie counter are neon letters providing a bit of mood lighting, otherwise it's your average quick-bite style restaurant.

The menu is well designed with separate sections for: appetizers, Banh Mi, Pho, Co'm, Co'm Chien, Bun, Bo Kho, Goi, Dac Biet, Giai Khat, and Sinh To smoothies. Pick anything at random for a treat.

I typically order the basil rolls with shrimp and pork and am especially fond of the peanut sauce at Pho 24 - it's quite good and the rolls are always very fresh.

Although I occasionally go for the beef (I like the brisket quite a bit) I usually go for the pho ga (white meat) - I think this must be my American upbringing as I can't get past a great bowl of chicken soup, and this indeed is a great bowl.

The service here is always very good with plenty of good-English-speaking young lads to do my bidding - seriously the people that work here are very attentive and seem to know when you need something before you know it yourself. Have I had better pho? Yes. Have I had worse? Yes. Extra points for being open 24 hours pulls up the rating to 4/5 stars.

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)