I Love Pho, Crows Nest

When a restaurant is this crowded on a Tuesday, you know they must be doing something right.

I Love Pho is evidently a crowd favourite in Crows Nest. When we arrive every table is full, many of whom seem to be regulars at this modest and friendly Vietnamese restaurant.

The menu is extensive, with the usual suspects plus a few house specialties. The Steamed Rice Rolls starters are delicious and an interesting alternative to your usual rice paper or spring rolls. They're a simple steamed roll with options for fillings including chicken, pork, vegetarian/tofu, beef, prawn or roast duck ($7.60-$9.60).

A classic Vietnamese Pancake (bánh xèo,$15.50) is crispy and full of pork, prawns and bean sprouts. Drown it in the delicious dipping sauce for more of a flavour burst. A vegetarian option is also available.

Other entree options on the menu include Salt and Pepper Squid ($13), Soft Shell Crab ($16.50) and Chicken San Choy bau ($11.60), or for the indecsisive, the I Love Pho Mixed Entree with a selection of their offerings.

Fittingly, there is a whole page of pho / noodle soups. First on the list is a Wagyu Beef Pho ($16.90) that is a winner in our books. The broth is fresh and tastes deceptively simple, and the beef stands out as particularly rich and flavoursome. Ask for the condiment tray to add chili and sauces to taste.

Also on the soup list are Crispy Chicken or Pork Chop Noodle Soup ($16.90), Rare Beef Noodle Soup ($13.90), Bun Bo Hue Spicy Beef Noodle Soup ($13.90) and many more.

Specialty mains include the I Love Pho Shaking Beef ($28.90), Crispy Pork Belly with Steamed Kailan ($26.50) and Hue's Style Lemongrass Chicken Hotpot ($21.60).

The flavours seem a little simpler than you'd find in Cabramatta or Bankstown though they clearly sit well in the palates of their regular local customers.

Order a young coconut juice ($6) and you'll shortly be sipping from a whole fresh coconut - it's fantastically refreshing. Beyond coconuts the drinks list includes teas, softies and a simple selection of wine and beer and a few mixed drinks. Many customers take advantage of the BYO option (corkage $3pp)

I Love Pho is located at 47 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest. They open 7 days for lunch and dinner. 
The team at I Love Pho also run a successful catering service called Chao Catering. They cater for many areas in Sydney, with their product being produced in Crows Nest and Randwick.