Midtown Lunch

This Wednesday, we are checking out the options for Vietnamese soup far away from the usual Washington Ave spots.

My friend at Philadining had been dying to try Thang Long’s soups. I was hesitant just because of how hot it is outside and I was thinking, how really different could they be from any other Vietnamese soup spot. But I let him drag me along, and I am so very glad that I did.

This was my 2nd experience with pho ga, the first being at Cafe Diem. The chicken pieces were much less intimidating here, they were cut cleanly and there were no bones to worry about. The broth was so splendid, delicate and clean, plus this was about $2 cheaper than Cafe Diem. If you were thinking “But you said that Diem’s chickens were freshly killed, how can this place compete?” Umm, they can. Because the chicken’s are killed right next door at Mac’s Poultry. Its as carbon footprint friendly as it is good.

The spicy beef noodle soup was not even close to being subtle like the pho ga. It was full of spices and herbs and I am crazy about it. The little pieces of stewed meat inside were a nice alternative to the thin slices of beef you get in pho. This is like pho’s aggressive older brother.  I suggest you meet him.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Freshly killed chicken that isn’t scary to look at
• The amazing broth in the beef stew makes you forget about regular pho
• Cheap and giant bowls of soup

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• I rather just go to Washington Ave, no need to schlep for my Viet food

Thang Long, 2534 Kensington Ave (between Huntingdon and CUmberland St) , 215 425 0078