Yeah, well... my home doesn't have pink walls and a humongous fish tank, but I do spend quite a bit of time here. So much that I've overlooked it as a viable spot for reviewing. It truly is a wonderful restaurant, not an unturned stone anymore. Many have found this spot even though it is way out of the way for most (except my family) (and most Mexicans & Hmong in Milwaukee).The first thing to note upon entering Phan's is that you're probably not there for the ambiance. It's kind of a interior designers nightmare. Pink and red, glass and gold. A elderly person's bathroom gone awry. But then, you are there for the fabulous Pho, the $25 tab and the warm full belly feeling.
People with kids might want to try and wrestle someone for the booth with the fish tank, full of gold fish that luckily don't resemble anything on the menu. This provides for excellent entertainment while you wait for your apps. The booths, we've noticed, are impossibly far away from the table, so very little ones should opt for the high chair or have Mom leave feeling guilty for all of the rice that's under the table (like me).
For starters, we've always gotten the spring rolls, or A-2. These are the fresh, Vietnamese variety. They do have nice little fried rolls too, called egg rolls here, that are the size of a cigar. There's a great way to get both, which I'll indulge you with shortly. The spring rolls these days aren't what they used to be. They lack the herbs that used to come packed into these fresh and filling salad wraps. Now, they generally have 3 shrimp, lettuce and rice noodles. Not great, but the peanut sauce is good and these are filling for the minimal price. Hopefully, the herbs will come back in the summer.
Appetiser # 2, which doubled as my daughter's entree, were the friend dumplings. Like the Japanese & Chinese version, these are pork filled dough balls. Nothing too extreme, but they are a good size and the dough appears to be hand made, it's thicker and juicer than others. The Kid likes the meat most of all, but then that's not new. She shucked all the shells. Another app where the sauce makes it, tangy and tart.
The Husband noticed that we routinely order the same things here. I have ventured into other territory to try the Chinese options and they just aren't my favorite. Lots of cabbage and heavy sauces. Sticking with the Vietnamese standards, we're rarely let down. B-14 or Bun (full name undisclosed since I can't remember it) comes in a multitude of ways. Generally, the least adventurous is with BBQ pork and an egg roll (see! great idea). This dish is a large bowl of rice noodles, with cucumber and bean sprouts underneath. Piled on top is the meat, egg roll and whatever else you might order with it (fish balls, meat balls, etc). The sauce is a fish stock & vinegar, Rooster Sauce combo that spices it up.
Since this is the season for colds and flu, this place rocks for one main reason. Pho. This is a huge bowl of beef (or chicken) broth, with thinly sliced beef (or chicken) and loads of rice noodles. The soup come in two sizes, huge and enormous. On the side, the bowl comes with jalapeno slices, Thai basil, mung bean sprouts, lime and Rooster Sauce. Put them all in there, it makes for a sweat-inducing, cold-fighting bowl of healthy fun.
For the kiddies, ordering the appetiser sized portions of rice, pan fried noodles or egg drop soup works. You won't find a whole lot of vegetable choices unless your kid thinks Bun looks really cool. This place, on the whole isn't too child-friendly, but I can completely overlook that for the warm hospitality, the quick service and the super cheap prices. The bathrooms have improved over time but there's still no Koala Bear station. If you have a larger party, the banquet room is often available for the asking.
Oh, and the drinks, I almost overlooked them! The Mango smoothie is a great way to have your little darling to get some fruit. Phan's does offer a few beer and wine options, although we generally don't partake in the Asian beer. The wine is pretty foul, unfortunately. The iced coffee is thick and sweet with condensed milk and double-strength brew. It's best consumed as a desert.
I hope you enjoy Phan's the way I have for so many years. With all the the Hmong restaurants popping up on National Ave, it's been a hard contender to beat. Enjoy!
PHAN'S GARDEN
1923 WEST NATIONAL AVE 414.384-4522
KID RATING: 2
PARENT RATING: 5
BETTY BON VIVANT RATING SYSTEM: 1-5
1 = ABSOLUTELY NOT WORTH THE EFFORT, SAVE YOUR $ FOR BAROLO
5 = WOW, I WOULD STRIP NAKED AND ROLL IN THIS CHOW
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