Pho 43 does authentic Vietnamese in modern setting

Today, with a good century or so to evolve and adapt to new cultures, the Vietnamese signature has more of a basic set of base rules, rather than an exact recipe. Pho 43, for example, has 11 different varieties. The first 10 stick to semi-tradition by utilizing a beef broth and include either meatballs, sliced eye round steak, well-done brisket, beef tripe, chicken or shrimp. The last option is a vegetarian one, served with vegetable broth, tofu and vegetables.

The pho arrives fast, steaming and gigantic, with onions and scallions floating on top and a hearty helping of rice noodles sitting at the bottom of the large bowl. The server also brings a beautifully-arranged plate of add-ons -- limes, jalapeno slices, bean sprouts and an abundance of fresh Thai basil -- and there are a series of sauces already on the table -- hoisin, soy, chili and chili garlic.

A bowl of pho here is filling and can easily be a meal. But with its $5.25 ($6.25 for shrimp) price tag, it's more fun to sample other menu items and eat in courses. The restaurant will provide take-home boxes, should you need it.

All the appetizers are priced under $4 and include egg rolls, spring rolls, meatballs and, for the brave, Phoenix talons (chicken feet). Although we can't vouch for the chicken feet, the $3 spring rolls are a worthy investment. They are long and packed with either pork, shrimp or tofu, and vegetables. The thick hoisin sauce topped with peanuts and shredded carrot is a perfect dipping complement.

If you're hungry for something slightly heartier, the kitchen can whip you up a Vietnamese-style sub sandwich. All four varieties come withpork and are served with cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno, pickles carrots and radishes and green onion. Not exactly Jimmy John's.

Other entree options are primarily based around stir-fried rice noodles, crispy pan-fried egg noodles, rice vermicelli noodles, regular fried rice and steamed white rice with your choice of meats. Vegetarians, there is a whole section just for you with seven dinner options.

There is no alcohol served at Pho 43, but that doesn't mean you're limited to soft drinks or water. The beverage menu includes Vietnamese specialties like iced milk coffee, lemon iced tea, lemon juice, coconut juice, soy milk and egg soda.

Pho 43 is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

5 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by eclarke on March 18, 2010 at 11:59 a.m. (report)

The Pho might not be vegetarian but it is the best I have had in Milwaukee, I used to go to Noodle House which had good Pho but the Pho43 rendition is excellent..Get the #18 combo....

Posted by MJM on March 8, 2010 at 12:37 p.m. (report)

I heard yesterday that Hinterland is doing pho for happy hour on Mondays. $5 for beef, pork, or vegetarian (made with a separate veg stock).

Posted by herbivore on March 7, 2010 at 1:11 p.m. (report)

Nezrite- you absolutely can make pho vegan. There are tons of vietnamese restaurants (not in WI) that make it with a soy bouillon base. Too bad they're stating it's vegetarian-

Posted by Nezrite on March 6, 2010 at 11:24 p.m. (report)

No offense to herbivore or any other vegetarians/vegans, but I'm not sure you could actually make Pho without bone broth. It shouldn't be presented as veggie-friendly, of course, as it clearly isn't. Kinda reminds me of how my father tried to "accede" to my veggie SIL by serving German potato salad. "Dad, it has bacon." "But it's potato salad!"

Posted by herbivore on March 6, 2010 at 4:21 p.m. (report)

VEGETARIANS BEWARE! They have no concept of "vegetarian" there. Their vegetarian pho has tofu instead of meat, but is still made with beef bone broth- ugh! When I called to ask them about it, they could not understand how beef broth was not vegetarian. I would stick with the vegetable spring rolls, and that's about it.