By Nicole June
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A new Vietnamese-style restaurant has opened its doors in Clarksville.
Call It Pho (pronounced ‘fuh’) is located at 2718 Wilma Rudolph Blvd. and bills itself as an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. The menu is extensive and offers dozens of dishes, including dessert and vegetarian options.
My coworker and I visited Call It Pho during the lunch rush a few days after the restaurant opened and it’s clear many were eager to try it because the room was nearly full.
While walking in, I was struck by the modern decor and cleanliness of the establishment. The minimalistic design made for a comfortable atmosphere in the small space.
The greeter was friendly and offered us a clean booth as quickly as possible. We decided to split an appetizer and two entrees, but choosing which appetizers and entrees to try was difficult, since everything sounded delicious.
We eventually landed on the Grilled Lemongrass Meat Roll ($5.95) with beef as the appetizer. It unfortunately arrived at the same time as the rest of our food, but we still tried it first. The meat and vegetables were wrapped in a clear rice paper coating and the lemongrass flavor was hard to pinpoint. However, a sweet peanut dipping sauce was provided to liven up the dish.
Next, we dove into a large bowl of Chicken Pho ($9.95), which is a soup consisting of chicken broth, rice noodles, and meat. The serving size was enormous and more than enough for two. Per tradition, it was served with bean sprouts, garnish, jalapenos, and limes on the side. I personally like to douse mine in red hot chili sauce, which thankfully was already on the table. The pho did not disappoint. My coworker and I opted for forks instead of chopsticks to handle the noodles to avoid a mess.
Our last dish was the Red Pork Sandwich ($4.95) filled with Vietnamese steamed red pork, pork bologna, an assortment of vegetables, and a creamy sauce on a hot, crispy baguette. The sauce remains a mystery but it took the sandwich to new heights. This sandwich is a must for anyone who wants to try this place. I can’t say enough about how amazing it was and I finished my portion in about three bites.
Fans of Vietnamese cuisine and first-timers alike should try Call It Pho for a quick, cheap lunch. As far as dinner goes, a second visit is required since the menu is so large.
Call It Pho
2178 Wilma Rudolph Blvd.
931-896-2950
www.callitpho.com
Hours:
M-Sat. – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.