Warm Up with a Bowl of Hot Pho!

Right now you’re probably thinking, what’s going to thaw me out after two days of steeping out in subzero temperatures? If you’re near Skokie, the answer is a nice bowl of pho at Ben Tre Café.

Pho, in its most basic sense, is beef noodle soup. Pho is traditionally made using rice noodles, large, thin slices of beef, and sliced green onions. At Ben Tre, it’s served with a side dish of bean sprouts, peppers and greens to add at your discretion. You can also order it with meatballs, beef tendon, beef flank, chicken, or seafood. The lazy Susan in the middle of the table offers a few sauces to spice up the soup to your liking, such as fish sauce and sriracha (red chile sauce).

The portions are pretty big at Ben Tre, but if you’re looking for an appetizer, try the Banh Xeo (a crepe stuffed with shrimp and pork that looks like an omelet)…

…or the Nem Nuong Cuon (meatball spring rolls).

There are a few interesting drinks on the menu, including smoothies and sweet Vietnamese coffee, but although it’s better on a hot day, you would be missing out if you didn’t try the salty lemonade. The last time I had it, I finished the entire glass before the meal came. Made with preserved lemons, it’s surprisingly refreshing and delightfully sour, sweet, and salty all at once.

By the way, for those unfamiliar with the Vietnamese language, pho is pronounced like “duh” rather than “no”. Or as I like to call it at Ben’s, “number 25”.

Ben Tre Café

3146 W. Touhy Ave.

Chicago, 60645

(773) 465-3011

Fax: (773) 465-3028