Pho 88 (Double Eight)

Jackfruit Juice, Lychee Slush and Red Bean Slush

Nearing the end of my wisdom teeth recovery (which is actually 3 weeks ago), my parents took me to Pho 88 (or Double Eight as the sign says) at the Bamburgh Circle plaza. Located beside the infamous YOGI Noodle (self-proclaimed “best chinese food in town”), Pho 88 also boasts about its food, claiming that it has the “most famous beef noodle soup in town”. Now, I’ve tried a lot of Vietnamese places downtown, so my standard was set high for this place since downtown is probably the best place for Viet food in my opinion.

To start off, I ordered my usual Jackfruit Juice ($3.50 + tax) while my parents ordered the Lychee Slush and Red Bean Slush (both $3.00 + tax if i remember correctly). Nothing special about these drinks as they taste exactly the same as any other pho place in Toronto. The Jackfruit was plain and does not have enough flavour. Then again, I can hardly remember when was the last time I had a Jackfruit Juice that was actually good, so I wasn’t THAT disappointed.

The Pho I ordered was the Special Pho 88 Combination ($7.00 + tax), which I can’t remember if it’s actually called that. What I know for sure is that it’s number 101 on the menu and only comes in XL. The Pho comes with: Pho (of course), Raw Beef, Beef Tendon and Tripe. I also got the Spring Rolls ($3.50 + tax).

Special Pho 88 Combination (Anyone know what it’s called exactly?)

Being extra hungry that day from the congee that I’ve been eating at home, I felt that I could finish this XL with ease. Was I wrong about that! The quantity of the Pho was way larger than I expected, as downtown XL Pho simply meant a bit more pho and beef, with A LOT more soup to create the effect of more. Pho 88’s pho, on the other hand, had more of everything. A LOT more, to be exact (I’m repeating A LOT again and again to emphasis the quantity by the way). Anyways, I struggled to finish, and I was quite satisfied with this place. Not only was the quantity fulfilling, the QUALITY made it stood out above your average pho place. I don’t know how to put it, but there just seems to be more flavour in the Pho than other places. The beef was tender to my liking as well as the tendon and tripe. They weren’t old or rough like MANY other Viet places, so I was surprised and happy about it. The spring rolls were pretty good too. Not too crunchy and not too chewy. Maybe I’m just biased because it was easy on my mouth (wisdom teeth reminder). They did not hold back on the ingredients as well, with every spring roll stuffed, packed, condensed, and all the other words you could use to describe it.

So, would I go back to this place? Hell yea! (As a matter of fact, I just went there again today). Do I recommend it to others? For sure! If you want a hungry man/woman’s dinner at a fairly decent price, Pho 88 would be the place that you should go to… If you’re feeling pho of course.

Pho 88 – Most Famous Beef Noodle Soup in Town”

Rating: 8/10

Pho 88 (Double Eight)
325 Bamburgh Circle
Scarborough, ON