The Pho Shack

Glosette Girl and I have a winter tradition: whenever we go see a movie or play, if time permits, we like to go out for cheap Vietnamese eats. Sometimes we go before a show but more often than not we like to go afterwards as it gives us time to chat about what we just saw.

Because Hintonburg is right next to Ottawa's Chinatown (which, despite its name, contains lots of Vietnamese restaurants too) we could hit up a few restaurants there. But because Chinatown is east of us and we tend to see shows in the west, Chinatown isn't as convenient for us as it might seem. That's why we like hitting up the restaurants in Westboro/Wellington West/Hintonburg.

Our latest pit stop: the Pho Shack. The best thing about the Pho Shack? It's only a couple of blocks away from our house. Its a tiny space with only a few tables (very Toronto!).

There is an urban vibe about this place

When we visited, on a blistering cold minus twenty degrees evening,  the service was courteous and prompt and I enjoyed my pho (Glosette Girl was more critical of  her meal) although, to be honest, I find it hard to distinguish between pho soups served at different Vietnamese restaurants.

#16 "Rare Tendon + Beef Ball Noodle Soup"...just rolls off the tongue doesn't it?

The restaurant was mostly empty, which was perfect as it allowed Glosette Girl and I to chat gloriously about  Bohemian Rhapsody, the new biopic on Queen (critic proof alert: it was a really energetic and enjoyable movie despite some of the historical inaccuracies).

Pho-shack: a place for foodies? No. But a place for pop culture philosophers? Just maybe.