Hi Everyone! Cypress Self Storage here. (We are Oakley's newest self storage facility currently under construction.) Get ready for our latest local restaurant review - Pho Le in Brentwood, CA!
While getting my oil changed at SpeeDee Lube on Brentwood Boulevard and Sand Creek Road, I had about an hour to kill around lunchtime. I often hang out at Dollar Tree to buy silly cheap gifts for my co-workers, but that's another story altogether.
But on one particular day I was feeling hungry, and fortunately there are a number of restaurants nearby. There's that popular fast food McPlace, and a few local restaurants, but particular, there is Pho Le, a Vietnamese place I wanted to try, but just never wanted to take any chances on it.
Once I tried it, I don't know why I waited so long.
Pho Le is a family-run Vietnamese restaurant for which the owner's profession is a Real Estate Agent and Loan Officer for almost 20 years. However, he opened a restaurant to offer fresh and healthy food for customers, and to provide jobs for college students and family.
On my first visit, I tried the vermicelli bowl (Bún Thịt Heo/Gà Nướng - Noodles with Pork or Chicken). It's a popular cold rice-vermicelli noodle dish topped with grilled meat, fresh herbs, fresh salad, and bean sprouts. At Pho Le, you have the option of adding spring rolls (more on those later), which I passed on. The dish is dressed in fish sauce and shredded carrots. I opted for the chicken, which was tender and wonderfully marinated.
The next time I went, I went for the beef pho (#1 on the menu). It really was number 1.
This pho option combines vermicelli noodles, many different types of meat (flank steak, tripe, brisket), and healthy vegetables (onions, cilantro, basil, sprouts) served with a healthy beef broth. There is also a no MSG option; in fact, customers have the option of no MSG option for all of dishes.
It was what we absolutely what we wanted and needed on a cold winter night. It's the ultimate in comfort food.
Also on this outing, I paired the beef pho with the spring rolls, because I made the mistake of opting out of them on my first outing. If you've never had Vietnamese spring rolls, they aren't fried like Chinese spring rolls. They have cold vermicelli, and a single piece of shrimp (there's also a vegetarian option, if you're so inclined), all in a delicate wrap.
Other appetizer options include fried wings, beef, pork or chicken kabob, and grilled shrimp.
In addition to the no MSG option for all dishes, Pho Le offers the choice of substituting brown rice with any rice dish, of which there are plenty. So if you're watching your health, this is a great option for you.
If you're not watching your health, there is a limited dessert menu (flan, root beer float, vanilla ice cream or fried banana), and there's also a smoothie menu with a wide variety, including Thai, jackfruit, and avocado tea. For a further exotic kick, you also have the option of adding tapioca pearl to your smoothie. Or you can just have a cookies and cream smoothie.
There is also a wide variety of beverages to choose from, that range from traditional Vietnamese coffee (hot or iced), young coconut, to Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper and the like.
So if you find yourself in that area (or just get yourself there on purpose!), bypass the tried and true for now, and try Pho Le. You'll only regret the fact you waited so long to try it.
Pho Le is at 41 Sand Creek Rd., Brentwood. For more info, including online menu and catering information, visit phole.weebly.com
At Cypress Self Storage, we know that moving and self storage can burn a lot of calories. We are here to make the entire process as seamless and enjoyable as possible. We are proud of the beautiful, modern, climate-controlled self storage facility that we are building. We are even more proud of our community and our customers. Please make sure to check back here, as our blog routinely covers our favorite places in Oakley, Brentwood, and Antioch! (And, don't forget to check out our recent review of mouth watering HD Burger & More in Antioch, California.)
