PHO 99 BUFFALO

Buffalo's highly diverse culture can benefit from having an authentic Vietnamese restaurant right on Bailey Ave.  Pho 99 offers a more exotic type of cuisine suitable for those looking for fresh quality food served in a reasonable matter. 

Pho 99 Fast Food Restaurant was originally located across from City Hall in downtown Buffalo in 1999.  As Pho 99 became increasingly popular, a larger location was in need for owners Ky Pham and Mihn Tran.  Thus, they opened the Bailey location and were forced to close down the original restaurant. However, the new Bailey location brought owners much success. In fact, Pho 99 has remained the most popular and highest rated Pho restaurant on Yelp! And Urban Spoon in Buffalo. Located at 3396 Bailey Ave, Pho 99 is a walk away from UB South Campus and the VA Hospital. 

Pho 99’s vision is simple: they believe in serving great food and satisfying all of their customers.  They strive to bring the freshest and most authentic Vietnamese foods while maintaining a casual dining atmosphere. Pho 99 offers traditional recipes, prepared with the freshest ingredients by chefs with over 13 years of experience. Each dish is served quickly for customer convenience. 

The menu begins by offering a variety of appetizers which include: spring rolls, eggrolls, dumplings, and different sautéed shrimp skewers. Entrée dishes are available with vegetables, chicken, pork, or seafood served with Pho’s signature rice. The most popular menu item is the pho soup, pronounced “fuh”, which is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup filled with broth, rice noodles and thin sliced meat all served with a side of fresh herbs,  vegetables, and spices to add at the customers liking. The broth, made of beef stock, is slowly boiled over six hours until it is cooked and is commonly served with a choice of rare beef, brisket, meatballs, tendon, shrimp, chicken, pork, tofu or no meat at all. Though, traditionally the pho soup is served with the rare beef known as the “Pho Tai.”  Served with the soup comes a fresh side of vegetables: bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime and jalapeno peppers to season the soup. If that is not enough, hoisin sauce and spicy siracha are present on every table.

Pho 99 offers a variety of traditional Vietnamese desserts and beverages such as
“Chè Đậu Đỏ” which consists of red beans mixed with coconut milk or the “Chè Thái” which combines jackfruit, lychee, coconut jelly and toddy palm seed cocktail all mixed with milk. Additionally, a costumer favorite is the avocado fruit smoothie. Pho 99 also offers regular coke products
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Pho 99 is open Monday through Friday from 10:30AM to 10:00PM.  On Saturdays, they are open from 10:00AM to 10:00PM and on Sundays 10:00AM to 8:30PM. However, they do stop seating 30 minutes prior to closing time but continue taking to-go orders until the kitchen closes.

Pho 99 is a unique restaurant in Buffalo that offers exotic dishes to serve those looking for traditional Vietnamese cuisine.  Buffalo is a very diverse city with all different kinds of ethnic cuisine. However, Pho 99 is unlike any other ethnic restaurant in the area because it believes in family values and takes pride in running their business with a friendly and inviting atmosphere.  To add, their traditional Vietnamese cooking is widely known for its use of fresh ingredients, minimal use of oil and the use of herbs and vegetables.  Because of this, Vietnamese food is considered one of the healthiest kinds in the world. Thus, those looking to eat healthy and enjoying their food at the same time have found the right place.

            All in all, Pho 99 is the ideal place for those looking to try a variety of exotic food at a reasonable price. The city of Buffalo has a lot to offer.  Getting out and trying new foods while supporting local businesses is an exciting way to explore different kinds of ethnic foods.  Restaurants in the area, such as Pho 99, strive to bring something different to the table, which is exactly what makes Buffalo so special.  Furthermore, Pho 99 is a place any pho lover should definitely try!

Photos:

Inside of Pho 99.

Outside of Pho 99.

Small Pho Tai.

Eggroll and dumplings served with peanut sauce for dipping.

Side of herbs, jalapeños & limes, 

INTERVIEW WITH CO-OWNER MIHN TRAN

When and where did you first open for business?

In the year 1999 we opened downtown across from City Hall.

What happened to the City Hall location?

It was repossessed by the city to build a court house.

What has inspired you to become a restaurant owner?

I have always loved preparing food and loved serving it to people.  Food brings a great deal of happiness to people’s lives and I knew that my partner and I could open a restaurant and get to enjoy that feeling every day.

What made Buffalo the location you chose to share your authentic Vietnamese roots?

Buffalo is a very diverse city.  We wanted to open a restaurant where food is loved and where the people are willing to try new things and saw Buffalo as the perfect opportunity.

What is your mostly served item on the menu?

Most definitely the Pho Tai, especially now because it has been so cold! Customers love to come in a get a hot bowl of soup.

How do you ensure that the pho broth is boiled for over 6 hours every single day?

            Our cooks are in the kitchen are there way before our restaurant opens everyday preparing the freshest bowls of soup for our customers. Our cooks are very dedicated and know they are appreciated.

What makes Pho 99 different from the other Vietnamese restaurants in the area?

Here at Pho 99 we offer a causal dining experience for those looking to have a good time with family/friends while eating delicious and authentic Vietnamese food.  Our team loves what we do here and guarantee the customer will be satisfied.

When is the best time to come to Pho 99? Do you have any special events/promotions hosted at the restaurant?

Anytime during our store hours are a good time to come to Pho 99 but about the special events/promotions, we do not currently have any of these but are certainly willing to try in the near future.

How will people be aware of the promotions or special events if you do plan to create one or both?

We will have information at our restaurant of course and also on our website which is pho99buffalo.com.

Would you ever consider participating in any of Buffalo’s food festivals this summer?

After our recognition on news four a couple days ago, we are certainly looking into the opportunity to introduce our cuisine to new customers. Nothing is set in stone yet, but we are working on getting our own table at the Taste of Buffalo this summer.

References:

"The Origins of Pho." : Traditional Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup. N.p., 2004. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.

"About Us." Pho 99 Buffalo. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2015.

*All photos above were taken by Kelly Oak.