Pho Kim

Some of the best value dining is found at Asian restaurants. Pho Kim (pronounced Fa), a Vietnamese eatery in the Solana Center west of downtown, has some great bargains. The menu is HUGE. Each dish has a number and there are over 120 items listed. As their name suggests, they specialize in pho, the traditional Vietnamese hearty beef-based soup. The huge bowls filled with the meat, seafood or chicken and noodles, come accompanied with cilantro, Thai basil, mung bean sprouts and lime wedges. It's a meal in a bowl. You may even have leftovers for later. Other offerings include rice noodles prepared a variety of ways, stir fries, omelets, curries and vegetarian dishes. At under $6, the real bargain is the banh mi. These popular sandwiches, made with beef, pork or chicken and topped with cucumber slices, cilantro, carrots and sliced chiles come on a crusty baguette.