Pho La La La La, La La La La

This no frills, faux ivy-draped restaurant is friendly, efficient and really fast, perfect for a quick pho fix. Sometimes the small sized bowl leaves me wanting more noodles, so consider getting the large. Love the guy who says "see you tomorrow" to everyone who leaves!

The bowls come fast and hot at this modest, immaculate pho joint on busy Sandy Boulevard. The vegetarian spring rolls aren’t bad either.

The Pho Van mothership is a big, airy, hanging yellow umbrella-dotted enterprise where the excellent chicken pho comes fast and fresh and the people-watching is above average.

Probably Portland’s most high-end pho experience, this is the Pho Van empire’s schmancier spot—your pho comes with side of posh decor and snazzy Pearl people. And during their daily Silky Hour (not making that up), it’s only $4.

The friendly blue-shirted staff at this Northeast pho palace are so efficient, you hardly know what happened—one minute you were approaching the persimmon altar, goggling at the gargantuan pots simmering on the stove to your left, the next you were wiping the last stray spatter of beef broth off your forehead as you pass back through the great white foo dog guardians.

Seeing as this is the closest soup source to my house, I pop in for pho-to-go pretty regularly. The chicken version is my usual, especially when I sense impending illness, but I’ve also grown fond of the vegetarian version—always ask for extra vegetables though.

Widely revered for its airy high-ceilinged loveliness and vast tea selection, this elegant Sellwood tea house also makes a mean bowl of beef pho. Get the bright green Vietnamese wedding cake for dessert.

Take a break from downtown shopping for this bustling spot’s happy hour—where else are you going to find nearly 20 $2 small plates on special between 4-7pm?? And night owls, on weekends, you can get your pho fix until 4am.

This stylish off the beaten NW path Vietnamese restaurant serves a noteworthy filet mignon and meatball pho (made without MSG). Happy hour is understandably popular—it’s hard to beat $4 lemongrass pork bánh mis and $6 fish sauce wings.

You'll get good cheer and great pho at this cute little downtown cart, where the darling proprietress dishes up hot, fragrant, flavorful Mai Pho specials (rare beef, well done beef, and meatballs) for a mere $6.50. If you aren't in the mood for soup, try the rice noodles with lemongrass chicken.