Pho8 - Cape Girardeau, MO

Date of dining experience: May 22, 2015

Place: Pho 8 (pronounced fuh + eight) Vietnamese Restaurant

Location: 3036 William St. in Cape Girardeau, MO - next door to Best Buy.

Small plate (appetizer): Goi Cuon (spring rolls) - vermicelli rice noodles and fresh vegetables rolled in rice paper; served with house sauce. Choice of pulled chicken, vegetarian, or shrimp. This is probably my favorite appetizer ever (from any Vietnamese restaurant). The house sauce is amazing, but does have bits of peanuts sprinkled on top (for those of you who are allergic). I have tried both the chicken and the shrimp, and I think I prefer the chicken. Comes with cilantro on the side, which really makes the flavor pop. The order comes with two, but the only downside is they have to be the same kind. ($5)

Entree: Pork co'm (rice) bowl - steamed jasmine rice, fresh Vietnamese slaw, and crushed peanuts. Choice of grilled beef, pork, chicken, tofu, vegetarian, or shrimp. This entree is so good with the pork, I've ordered it both times I eaten here. This dish also comes with some cilantro on the side, just adding to the deliciousness of the meal. ($7)

Wine: I have not ordered anything alcoholic at this restaurant, but they do have a couple types of beer and a few varieties of wine. I have tasted both their Pinot Grigio and Cabernet Sauvignon. They are both very good.

Sweets: Vietnamese coffee and banana bread pudding. The exciting part about this is the Vietnamese coffee! I had one the first time I ate here, and had two the second time! They place the coffee in front of you while it is still steeping. When it is finished steeping, you stir the hot coffee and the cream together until blended, then pour it over a glass of ice. I usually like hot, black coffee, but this Vietnamese coffee is wonderful. This is the only type of sweeter coffee I can say for certain that I like, and one of only two types of iced coffee I can say for certain that I like (the other being an unflavored Caffe Latte from Starbucks). The banana bread pudding was good,but nothing special. It is exactly what the name suggests - bread pudding made with bananas (not banana bread, real banana pieces).

I highly recommend Pho8 to everyone! I love Vietnamese food, and this place has amazing prices for the quality of food provided. To top it all off, this is, without a doubt, the absolute cleanest Vietnamese restaurant I've ever been to. You'll love it!

Give it a try and let me know what you think! Enjoy!