One of those super rainy days in December, I told DLS I felt like eating pho… that Vietnamese noodle soup that to me, is just about the best thing you can eat on a cold rainy day. I realized that though CheeeeEEEEse has mentioned ChaPa’s many times as being his new pho place since moving to the neighborhood, I’d yet to try it, so I decided we should go there – right down the block from Totto Ramen. (Even on this crazy rainy night where it poured to the point we were both soaked walking 10 blocks, the line was long enough that there were people waiting in the rain. I mean, really? Come on.)
There was no wait at ChaPa’s, and we both ordered drinks – lychee juice on the left for me, Thai iced tea for DLS on the right. I liked my juice – light and refreshing, slightly sweet. I didn’t try the Thai iced tea but I imagine it was just fine.
We started off with cha gio, Vietnamese spring rolls. While the flavor was good, the exterior was slightly soggy and not quite as crispy as I’m used to. The interior was very juicy, though, to the point where I bit into it, and it exploded onto my plate in a splatter of hot oily juices.
I wanted something different, so I added on the Vietnamese chicken wings. While these were tasty – slightly sweet, sticky, slightly savory – I didn’t think they were special or good enough to warrant ordering again. I didn’t regret getting them, though, because while I usually feel super full after pho… well, you’ll see.
DLS chose the special pho, which he thought was OK.
We each received our own plate of accompaniments with our bowls of pho.
Since it was my first time at ChaPa’s, I ordered the beef pho, plain and simple. I was surprised when it arrived at how small the bowl was – or rather, how little there was to it. I know it’s in midtown and being able to get pho in midtown is already pretty awesome, but $8.50 for a bowl that looked like it would hardly fill me up is pretty weak. I was glad we’d ordered two appetizers, that’s for sure. As for the broth, it was extremely murky – which doesn’t bother me – but the overwhelming smell of star anise with each sip really bothered me. I’m not the biggest fan of star anise in the first place, and to smell it each and every time I tried to take a slurp of soup… wasn’t pleasant to me. Of course, another person who likes or even loves star anise might feel the complete opposite as me! Taste-wise, though, it didn’t come through as strongly, which worked fine for me. The noodles were also on the thinner side than I prefer or am used to… and I wished there were more of them!
Yvo says: I thought overall, it satisfied the pho craving, but by no means would I seek this out again. On a cold, rainy day, I think I’d be better off going for ramen at Tabata (which is also so much closer to DLS’s place that we won’t get completely soaked at least- I hope!), since I crave noodles in soup on rainy days. However, there are other items on the menu that I might like to try, so I wouldn’t be vehemently opposed to returning… I just won’t be the one to suggest it.
middle of the road; if you really want pho and you’re stuck in midtown, it suffices
CheeeeEEEEse says
Pho options in the ‘hood are slim, but still, this place has a decent option, despite opinions to the contrary… 😛
I generally don’t order apps or sides, or even drinks for that matter, but I have found that their stews are quite good and apparently their happy hour is decent (4 dollar beers etc).
In conclusion, haters gonna hate. Try it if you want, but I’ll still have it every other week or so….I think it’s a Tabata night actually….
Feisty Foodie says
I don’t think you know what a hater is. Obviously, opinions are just that – a statement of how I personally felt after eating the pho at ChaPa’s. It’s undeniable how small the bowl of pho is, that’s objective. It’s subjective, however, that I don’t enjoy star anise too much; objective once again that my bowl was heavily perfumed with star anise.
And I’m sure their stews are quite good, but when I want noodles in soup, that doesn’t help me one bit 😛
CheeeeEEEEse says
😛
“Haters Gonna Hate is a catchphrase used to indicate a disregard for hostile remarks addressed towards the speaker.” – http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/haters-gonna-hate
Meaning, I’m still going to go there.
Also, I have a smaller appetite than you, so I find it filling. The bowl is plenty big, it’s just not the x-large bowl you can order at many places.
Feisty Foodie says
Your quote just proves you are using it wrong. There were no hostile remarks and the negative comments I made weren’t directed towards ‘the speaker’ (in this case, you). This conversation is just turning ridiculous…
No comment on whose appetite is bigger or smaller. The bowl of pho objectively is smaller than the standard size found at pho places elsewhere, I do not mean the extra large.
CheeeeEEEEse says
The internet is ever changing.
We still need to have whatever bowl you think is superior. Been tapping my foot and staring at my non-existent watch for weeks.
Feisty Foodie says
Hmm… Turtle Tower in SF is my favorite (I’ve posted about it in the past) and Pho Tay Ho in Montreal is off the chain. My go-to place, I’m not sure I’d still call superior, but it’s in Queens. If you feel like trekking to Queens tonight, perhaps?
CheeeeEEEEse says
🙁 Can’t do it tonight.
Baydog says
Have you ever visited Pho Bang on Mott Street? Nice big bowl of Pho. The Thai basil in the photo looked a little limp? Pet peeve of mine I guess. And there was a huge plate of sprouts and basil with my bowl. Go if you can!
Feisty Foodie says
Yup – my usual place is actually Pho Bang in Elmhurst. I find quality varies from Pho Bang to Pho Bang, and I prefer the one in Elmhurst to the ones in Chinatown or Flushing. Thanks 🙂
esther says
For me, this place was too “clean.” I like my pho places grimy and greasy. =P
In all seriousness, I was not a fan of the size or taste of the pho. It tasted just ok. We also tried a rice bowl, and it just didn’t taste very “authentic.” We will not be going back.
I’d rather go all the way downtown for Pho. To me, it’s worth the trip!
Feisty Foodie says
Haha, Esther, you know where I go for pho, so you know I feel the same way 😉
I don’t really like most of the Chinatown places, so pho for me is generally a Queens thing 🙂
hungry says
I want to try this place out for their banh mi and pho. It doesn’t sound awesome but may just be good enough. We’ll see.
CheeeeEEEEse says
Sadly, they don’t do banh mi for dinner. I think the cutoff is around 3:30…
Feisty Foodie says
Looking forward to your write-up when you do go!
T.C. says
It doesn’t seem like I’ll go out of my way to try it since I’m closer to a better pho option. If I lived in the area though and didn’t want to go to Chinatown or Queens for Viet, then a no-brainer.
I’m with Esther on the too clean looking. The dirtier, the better the broth might be. ;P