It has nearly been a decade since I first dined at what would become my favorite phở restaurant - Phở 79 in Garden Grove. Then I discovered it was Duc's favorite as well. The more people we asked who had lived in Orange County for some time and enjoyed the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup dish, the more we heard that this restaurant, established back in 1979, was their favorite spot as well for the iconic bowl. I've written a handful of times about this eatery in the nascence of Much Ado About Fooding but never followed up with photos that did the food more justice. We decided we needed to confess once again that even after all of these years of trying out other phở places, we still hold Phở 79 in the number one spot for phở in Orange County. The potholed parking lot and constant fullness inside are just a few testaments to its greatness.


We frequent Phở 79 fairly often but rarely on the weekends; when we did arrive to bring another group of friends to our favorite joint (this time on a Saturday afternoon), we saw the long, wrapping line that would easily attract others to the restaurant. I say "would" though because one of the unfortunate (and also somewhat fortunate) features of its location is that it is hidden from a view from the nearest major street. The cash-only bustling eatery is situated tucked behind a liquor store-focused strip of buildings, and the parking lot is in quite a state of disrepair. On a rare occasion will you find a parking spot immediately; most of the time, you may opt to go into nearby neighborhoods to park and just over.

Also, to note, this is what you would expect of an old school Vietnamese restaurant. You enter, they yell at you asking for how many seats you need, they wave you in the general direction of an empty area, and you receive menus unceremoniously. The wait staff will usually also give you about one minute to make a decision before whisking away the menus with a quick about-turn. This isn't about being rude; this is just how service commonly is in a family-run business like this and frankly, we like it. If the lack of service starts to rub you the wrong way, just assure yourself of getting phở here by glancing at the wall full of high Zagat ratings. You know you're in for a treat.


While we do point out that we love the phở here, we cannot dismiss how rock-solid the other dishes at Phở 79 also are. On this particular visit, we brought some friends who had never been and made sure to order more than just the phở. For starters, the table opted for Tàu Hũ Ky (bean curd with ground shrimp) and Chả Giò (Vietnamese egg rolls). These were perfectly executed with a generous amount of greens to wrap the fried pieces with. I especially loved how flavorful and stuffed the bean curd was, and everyone really enjoyed the filling and resounding crunch of each egg roll. The right balance of savory and salty was in each as well; we often find that other restaurants are overly salty but these were just right.

Also, to be a little different, Duc decided to get one of his favorite orders which is the Bún Riêu (ground shrimp and crab rice noodle soup), a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup dish that not every restaurant offers. It has always been more akin, to us, to eating a home because there are a few components of the soup that make it less appealing for restaurants to serve. The places we have found that have this on their menus seem to take shortcuts in building out this comfort food but Phở 79 takes care to do it right. Full of tomato tang and rich crab umami flavor, their version is wholesome and hearty, perfect for a rainy day or any craving for good ol' fashioned comfort.


The rest of the table went ahead and ordered varying types of phở based on what they liked. The beauty in this when it comes to choosing the meat components is that you actually have a choice. I personally like my phở with tripe and tendon but others may just enjoy the brisket and meatballs. What Phở 79 also carries on a limited first-come-first-serve basis is oxtail either as part of the phở process or on the side. This giant serving of braised, melt-in-your-mouth goodness requires another large bowl to come out in and can be enough for the whole table if ordered once. It is always tender and fatty with more flavor than just beef itself. If you ever are there when these are available, you must try it at least once. As for the phở overall, the broth is always steaming hot when served and tastes of dedication and skill. It is never too oily, and the noodles have always held the exact right amount of bite for us. Every person we've ever brought to the restaurant has deemed it now their favorite as well, and that is a hard claim to make when we live in the land of phở in Orange County.

Phở 79 can be found at 9941 Hazard Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92844 behind a liquor store most visible from Brookhurst St. Remember to bring cash for your meal and get ready to seep in the aroma of phở from the moment you walk in. Yep, you'll probably wear that smell on your clothes as well once you get home.

Photography by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

We kept hearing the name - The Smoking Ribs - and how it was a prime spot to find barbecue to knock one's socks off. Followed quickly by those sentiments was also the footnote on how the restaurant was not somewhere one would expect to find a tasty joint in Orange County; The Smoking Ribs (or as they emphasize it, the smoKING ribs) is in Garden Grove. Interesting. In a land of phở and bánh mì, why would a smoked meat kingdom try to establish grounds? Having grown up in Garden Grove, I was curious where the restaurant was located and surprised to see it just down the street; after driving around the plaza, it became obvious that what once stood in these suites were being taken over by the needs of the modern. It looks like The Smoking Ribs is one of those pioneer takeovers!


To ensure a full spread, we were not the only two dining that early afternoon. Our table of four made sure that we would be able to try just about everything on the simple menu so that we could experience the full range that the restaurant had to offer. The dining area was simple with some tables made of dark lacquered wood and the bar made of red brick. The majority of the space inside was dedicated to the smoker though which is only to be expected of a barbecue joint. After sitting down, we began our meal with the raved-about Blueberry Cornbread ($4). They were hearty but perhaps their rarity in Orange County led to the mass accolades; we found them fair but not extraordinary but then again, I tend to favor coarser grit cornbread like that made in the South.


Now I wasn't kidding about getting the full spread. With four people choosing main entrees, you can easily catch the entire array of their side offerings. We ordered the:

• Pulled Pork ($13) with Onion Rings and Corn on the Cob
• Angus Beef Short Rib ($24) with Smoked Beans and Coleslaw
• Angus Beef Brisket ($21) with Mac & Cheese and Mashed Potatoes
• Beef Ribs ($35) with French Fries and Twice-Baked Potatoes

The Smoking Ribs is a fine place to explore a range of barbecue even if you wouldn't expect to find it at its place at 14211 Euclid St, # D, Garden Grove, CA 92843. Perhaps I am biased, having spent a few years in North Carolina where barbecue is part of life out there, so I wouldn't give this restaurant an enthusiastic two thumbs up. However, you can still snag a bit of the smoked meat flair here with plenty of rocking sides to go with it!

Photography by Duc Duong. More photos available on Facebook here.

This post is part of a series Much Ado About Fooding is doing on farmers' markets - Duc and I plan to visit as many as we can, starting in southern California, to get a sense of what sets each apart, what drives communities to them, and what gems people should look out for. To keep track, bookmark the "Farmers' Market" category.

Both Duc and I grew up in Garden Grove (but didn't know each other in childhood) so the city has held a special place in our hearts. As we've grown up to see its unique characteristics, we appreciate the city more and more aside from its familiarity. When I was in high school, I volunteered at the Garden Grove Farmers' Market during its initial days but then it dissolved for a few months for some reason. I didn't go back for a long while until last year when I saw that they were going strong with this weekly Sunday market on Historic Main Street. It was small back then but these days, the market is still small but has more specialty booths including some vendors that will now be our go-tos.

If you have an inkling about the make-up of Orange County, you'd know that most everyone points to Garden Grove and Westminster for the best Vietnamese food around. You can't beat Little Saigon. You might also know that aside from that, most people try to avoid the area - "Ghetto Grove," "Garbage Grove," I've heard it all. I grew up here, and let's just say that there have been several gang-related and drug-related incidents not too far from where I live (that I only found out about once cop cars were in the neighborhood).

Nevertheless, for the past few years, every time I've met someone who proclaimed their adoration for Belgian beer, I've pointed them in the direction of my hometown. I regularly frequented our diminutive Main Street and "downtown" area growing up so was reluctant to like it when new businesses started taking over the old-timey feeling of the area. However, one of the blessings the change brought upon our city was the arrival of The Globe which is now known as The Globe Belgian Gastropub. Like Belgian beers? They have the finest selection and the hospitality to boot! I should know, from all the times I've been in but we recently dropped by via invitation to get a taste of what their new chef has done with the place. The food was well received before but now, you'll get an even better treat.

12532 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92843
Pricing - $/$$ | Dining - Casual, To-Go | Cuisine - Thai
http://thainakornrestaurant.com/

I can't believe it has taken me so long to make it to Thai Nakorn when it's practically in my backyard. I live in Garden Grove for goodness' sake! I've heard from several people that this is the best place to get Thai food in the area but for some reason have not been nearby whenever the Thai food craving strikes. However, circumstances changed one night, and we found ourselves seated at a table with two other friends, listening to just about the entire spectrum of music (classic Thai music which shifted to alternative rock which shifted to electronic/trance...?) and ready to indulge.


To start, we opted for a steaming hot pot of Tom Yum Kah Gai  (ต้มข่าไก่ - Laotian chicken soup with coconut milk) with shrimp. I love how Asian restaurants tend to serve their soup in the heated containers with burners underneath - it really helps everything stay nice and warm. Our soup was pleasantly tangy from all of the lime and kaffir leaves but still savory from the rich coconut milk. The abundance of soup ingredients helped a lot too, especially the straw mushrooms and many shrimps we found.


(I couldn't find the exact listing on the online menu for the salad name) I always have to order the Papaya Salad at any Thai restaurant and with shrimp. Wow was this one spicy! It didn't just have a kick to it; this was almost a full-on Chuck Norris roundhouse to the tastebuds. It hit us all but the addictive crunchiness from the green papaya & peanuts and the fish sauce had us back for more. It was difficult to finish though so we boxed this one up. Another order was a bowl of their Beef Panang (แกงแพนงเนื้อ) which involved a beef-laden curry full of spices and soul. The beef was quite tender too but due to the juiciness of the meat and the accompanying curry, it needed to be had with rice. Good thing too because after having several bites of this, you'll realize that the salt creeps up on you.


The final two dishes (well technically they all came out together but I'll write in the order that my pictures are posted) were the Chicken with Pepper & Garlic (เนื้อ/หมู/ไก่กระเทียมพริกไทย) and Pad See Ew (ผัดซีอิ๊ว - ordered with chicken), both of which were generally the table's favorites. When ordering, my friend referred to the chicken as just Garlic Chicken but I believe the above name is the one they list on their menu. It was crispy with fried minced garlic and plenty of seasoning. I found that despite how delicious the chicken was, I could have a few morsels at a time with rice because the salt got to me after a while. That's okay though because the noodles from the Pad See Ew become my buffer. This one still had the slightly burned marks on each noodle from the pan that made it all come together well. The sauce was applied just with the right amount of liberation to coat the noodles but not be overbearing. Overall, I know I'll be coming back to Thai Nakorn now that I've seen the light!

Photography by Duc Duong because I was stuffing my face.

12045 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Pricing - $/$$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Italian
http://www.carolinasitalianrestaurant.com

First off, apologies for the lack of good quality pictures. I know that the ones I post up usually are of better quality but we weren't prepared for the lighting situation inside or were really planning on being in picture taking mode. So yeah, I finally went back to Carolina's after all the years since my last visit when I was in high school. I still hear of it being a staple choice in Garden Grove so I wanted to give it another try. Duc and I got an online coupon (I can't remember from which site) to go and made a casual dinner of it.


I don't know if it was an off night or what but it was a bit difficult to thoroughly enjoy every plate we had. The inside of set up as expected - a very family style, large-portion Italian restaurant. You would come here for the purpose of eating big portions and sharing it on a casual basis with others. The complimentary cheesy bread that came out was on the dry and barely warm side with a smattering of melted cheese. A side of their minestrone soup came Duc's way, and it was more watery and blander than preferred. Props though for the abundance of vegetables.


Our orders were for the Chicken Manicotti (thin crepes stuffed with chicken breast, Ricotta & spinach with marinara sauce topped with Mozzarella) and the Angel Hair Chicca (diced tomatoes sauteed in olive oil and garlic with fresh basil on angel hair pasta). I found the crepes to be dry and perhaps it is my fault for not more seriously considering what they had listed; I guess I like my manicotti traditional and as pasta shells instead of as crepes. The chicken breast was a bit dry too. As for the angel hair, I'm always a huge fan of simple angel hair with tomatoes. It's a quick dish that satisfies tomato cravings and pasta-y needs. I'd have to say that Carolina's disappointed on the type of tomatoes used - I found them sour and some on the green side. Unripe? Using the inner diced pieces? It didn't highlight the delicious garlic or fresh basil well, and ultimately that's a shame because those parts of the dish were great. Overall, I just don't think this place fits my style but I can definitely see its appeal to others. The service was great so cheers for good staff! Also, if you're ready for big portions in the GG area, this place gives it and is ready to pack up your leftovers once you finish. My apologies for not giving a more raving review for what others consider a hometown gem!

12444 Brookhurst St, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Pricing - $ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine -  American, Breakfast

Impromptu early morning breakfast trips rock because I hardly eat breakfast. There's just something so awesome about hashbrowns that I can't force myself to make when I wake up myself. On our way to the gun range, we decided to stop by Omelette House to fill our tummies with a solid breakfast. It was pleasantly still sparse (though it filled up once we sat down) so we didn't feel rushed.


Duc was feeling like getting a warm drink so he opted to grab a Vanilla Dream I believe it was called (steamed milk and vanilla). It looked like it needed more so I had them bring out some cinnamon to top it with. The whole thing was too sweet for my taste but he sure lapped it up quickly. 



My order for the morning was their "Popeye's Special" (spinach and scrambled egg whites served with a side of cottage cheese) which I traded my accompaniment of with hashbrowns. I can't deny those bad boys. I realize that this was supposed to be the healthy option of those they offered but it was really quite bland and the spinach not cooked thoroughly. I powered through it because it was still breakfast but boy did I add on a bunch of salt. As always, however, their hashbrowns and sourdough toast are spot ON.



He ordered the hobo omelette which contained just a bit of everything really. It had bacon, it had sausage, it had various bell peppers. I mean, that's what a hobo omelette is supposed to be like right? The cheesiness was well-welcomed and the saltiness from the meat satisfyingly sufficient. I loved how stuffed they made it with a plentiful but balanced helping of meats and vegetables alike. My original review was for five stars but I'll have to drop down to four since it's still a solid breakfast joint but has a few misses here and there.

Photography by Minerva Thai.

10522 Mcfadden Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92843
Pricing - $ | Dining - Casual, To-Go | Cuisine - Vietnamese
http://www.comtamtranquycap.net/

One reason why it's so awesome to crave Vietnamese food in my home area is that there's a great abundance of restaurants around Garden Grove where you can get some. Why it's not awesome is because my mom can make much better. However, I can't always access that resource SO when it comes to a craving for cơm tấm, I try to find good places. This one came highly recommended on Yelp so it was worth a shot.


The complimentary fare came out quite quickly with the standard selection of Vietnamese greens for the vegetables. There were also plentiful small bowls of the fish sauce with shredded carrots. We also got a small bowl of warm broth which was just okay.


My dish was the BÁNH HỎI THỊT NƯỚNG, CHẢ GIÒ (vermicelli noodle, BBQ pork, and egg roll). The cơm tấm was going to be ordered already so why not try something different? I really enjoyed everything on top but when it came down to it, the bánh hỏi was definitely old. I mean, it was dry and tough in some areas meaning it had been out a while and most definitely not fresh. All the other stuff was great including the BBQ pork but no amount of drowning the bánh hỏi in fish sauce would make it soft enough for my liking.



Duc got the Combo 2 TÀU HỦ KY, TÔM, THỊT NƯỚNG, BÌ CHẢ (rice with fried shrimp cake, shrimp, pork, shredded pork skin, egg cake). I'll give my rating of this place a slight boost for this because it was definitely done well. Unfortunately, I found the egg cake to be quite tasteless and too cold. The fried shrimp cake had a nice touch to it in bean curd. They do their BBQ pork well here with its slight sauce, flavorful char, and thin texture. The rice was also great and overall, the entree is a dish done well. It all hit the spot so I'll come back. It was inexpensive and the guy even gave us some free tea on our way out!

Photography by Minerva Thai.

8295 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92844
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Korean, AYCE

I came to Star BBQ actually on my younger brother's recommendation because KBBQ is apparently the thing to do amongst his group of friends. He claimed that Star BBQ was the best of all the places he's tried so after an early evening of shooting archery with Duc, we wanted to feel carnivorous and devour huge loads of meat.


Like other Korean BBQ places, you get a choice of different AYCE options which vary slightly by price and options (basically, the more expensive, the more items on your list!). We opted for the cheaper option - Menu B - since it already had 17 items there and we didn't even know how many we'd get through. Of course, you get all the small side dishes along with your meal. I must say that overall, I was quite disappointed by the offerings as they weren't all too memorable (but not bad...please don't think they're bad). The salad dressing could have used a bit more oomph as could the other side dishes. I think the best of the selection was the mashed potato. Even the egg pot was bland!


So we went through three rounds of ordering meat, the first of which was their bulgogi, thinly sliced pork belly, and beef brisket. The bulgogi  meat was tender but sadly, again, barely marinated and somewhat bland. The pork belly really could have done with some marinade even on the customer's side (like they do at Cham Sut Gol). The only perk was the beef brisket which overall seems hard to mess up anyhow; my only issue was that it could have been a little less lean just for flavor purposes. I know that less fat is better for my health but it had more texture than taste sometimes due to its leanness (do I sound picky yet?).


Round two consisted of chicken teriyaki, beef boneless short rib, and abomasum (cow stomach). The chicken teriyaki was actually fairly good but with every place like this where you cook your own food, chicken takes the longest to finish. It was juicy though and more flavorful than the beef meats. The short rib was too tough regardless of how long I kept it on the heat; I know that beef gets tough if you cook it too long but I don't think this was completely by my human error. As for the stomach, the seasonings were awesome but I, to be honest, just didn't know how to properly prepare it so we barely touched it save for a bite or two.


The last round had more beef brisket but also spicy pork belly. I actually thought the spicy pork belly was good save for it being very spicy (go Koreans!). However, at this point, we were both quite full so we unfortunately didn't get through all of the third round. I think the place could have used better ventilation systems as there wasn't an overhead vent like some KBBQ places install. Their dessert was from a soft-serve machine with frozen yogurt - the pineapple tart was delicious! Would I come back? I think there are better KBBQ places in OC K-town...but why the 3 stars overall? They did have excellent service and a large selection of meats to choose from.

Main photography by Duc Duong.