(10.0)

Pho Ca Dao

2431 North Classen Blvd.
Oklahoma City, Ok 73106
(405) 521-8819

It seems like everyone that I’ve met has a different place they consider to have the absolute best pho. These are more than just opinions but beliefs that are fought to the bitter end. During one of these heated debates a coworker recommended we try Pho Ca Dao. As an avid contrarian, I decided that I would give this joint a puff, just to nay say it. Ca Dao is located in a semi-shady shopping center deep in the Asian district which automatically got me excited. Upon entering the establishment I was happy to see plenty of tables arranged both in community style rows and smaller group settings. The staff was also courteous and spoke just enough English to take the order but leave everyone a little nervous of what they might get (again bonus points). Our table was equally split between vegetarians and meat eaters, and therefore the orders were also split between pho and vermicelli bowls. After a short wait filled with insults and nervous chatter about the possibility of meat in the vegetarians lunches the meal began to arrive. First, the generous helpings of basil, bean sprouts, jalapenos, and lime; followed by large bowls of piping hot pho. The vermicelli bowls arrived thereafter and instantly ended all speculation on order accuracy. I ordered the lean brisket and was blown away at how lean the meat actually was. The broth was the perfect combination of color, taste, and aroma. Of course I’m a big fan of Sriracha sauce and do not consider any pho, or most any cuisine, complete until my taste buds are on fire and there is a slight perspiration on my brow. While I was enjoying my pho I kept looking over at the vermicelli bowls thinking that the vegetarians got screwed. The bowls consisted of a pile of noodles, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, bean sprouts, basil, mint, roasted peanuts, and a smidge of finely diced and fried onions, along with a side dish of fish oil. To my amazement everyone that got the vermicelli bowls just would not shut up about how bomb they were. The pho eaters floundered back and forth on whether or not it was better than the Phoa Hoa or the one in the old Long John Silver’s where Wayne Coyne worked. Personally I felt that Ca Dao had the best combination of factors that entitled it to best pho. These factors of course are centered on taste but also include quality, service, availability of seating, and ambiance. Note – when I say ambiance I don’t mean that there is a status quo of coolness that must be met. Rather, I mean the feel of the restaurant matches with my preferences for that specific type of food. For example, a good Mexican restaurant needs to be non-chain and a little run down/dirty for it to be worth a damn. Pho Ca Dao met and exceeds every one of those factors. BUT, the reason I came back was to try that mother effen vermicelli bowl. I ordered the combination bowl that came with egg rolls and grilled pork, and my God the world stopped. The eggrolls were amazing, the pork was grilled to perfection, and the combination of flavors blew my palette. After having one of these bowls, it has become one of my weekly meals, and has taken over Mexican food in both hypotheticals: if I could only eat one type of food for the rest of my life, and last meal on earth. Needless to say I am torn on what grade to give this establishment. The pho, vermicelli bowl, and eggrolls are as good as you’ll find. Unfortunately the vermicelli bowl is so good I can’t get myself to order anything else and therefore I am not sure I can vouch for the rest of the menu. Eh who cares, the vermicelli bowls are bomb their getting a 10…biatches.

(9.5)

Iguana Mexican Grill-Formerly Iguana Lounge

9 NW 9th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(405) 606-7172
Map‎

There comes a time when all good things must end. Fortunately there is the rare occasion when a good thing returns and becomes even better than its original incarnation. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present back to Oklahoma City once again the Iguana Mexican Grill. It is located just east of Broadway, in Automobile Alley, on 9^th Street and offers some of the most creative Mexican Fusion in the city.

(9.5)

Café Antigua

1903 N Classen
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
(405) 602-8984
Map

I found this place a couple of years ago because I get my hair cut at Hair Rage II on Classen. My wife and I decided to give it a try, but I’m pretty sure we ordered the wrong thing. I’m not sure what it was but it was piled high with beets. I’m sure there is a large group of people someone out there who would take a bullet to defend the honor of a beet, but I can assure you I am not him. After nibbling at our plate of beets for awhile, my wife and I agreed to chalk this up as a misfire. I saw a couple of winters come and go before I would, again by chance, find myself within the walls of Café Antigua.

Coincidently this second time can be blamed on a haircut as well. I was car pooling on this fateful day and my co-worker decided he would give the restaurant a try while I got my hair cut. I warned him that all they serve are F*%$^&g sliced beets, but he had skipped lunch and decided he would chance it. I made my appointment for 4:00 but I usually make it at 5:00. This caused a bit of confusion with my hair cutter (sounds better than beautician or hair dresser) who was expecting me at 5:00. Needing to waste some time I figured I would join my co-worker next door and see how he was enjoying his beet plate. To my surprise I found him sitting there with a delightful looking plate full of eggs, tortillas, black beans, toast and some oatmeal looking stuff called Mosh. I stood in amazement as I didn’t see a single beet. Having eaten lunch already I decided to order what turned out to be fried bananas with some syrupy goodness topping them.

I spent the weekend thinking about that plate of bananas and what I saw on my friend’s plate. The following Monday I talked a few co-workers into heading over there for lunch and the rest is what I consider history. I ordered the “light breakfast” which consists of three eggs cooked with all kinds of spices, vegetables and a side of some spicy green sauce, bananas (not fried) apples and strawberries topped with a super delicious mango sauce, two slices of toast, and a hearty bowl of piping hot mosh.

Curious about mosh? Don’t worry I was too. Mosh is basically oatmeal. This made me feel weird because I always considered ordering oatmeal at a restaurant kind of a waste of my time as well as the restaurants. I figured the little packages of stuff I put in the microwave was as good as oatmeal was ever going to get for me, and I had come to terms with that. Mosh, however, completely blew my mind, and has opened my eyes to how delicious oatmeal can actually be. Basically mosh is oatmeal made with three kinds of sweet tasting milk (I assume they are all from a cow, but I can’t bring myself to ask. If you know and they aren’t do not tell me). I don’t know what type of special things they do to it to make it so good, but I can assure you it is. I’ve rambled about mosh for so long I almost forgot to mention how great their coffe is. It is rich and bold and served to you in a completly unpretentious cup. In essence you get great tasting coffee without questioning whether or not you’re a douchbag.

The actual restaurant is a quaint little place that is brightly colored and has nice eye pleasing pictures of Guatemala adorning the walls. Every time I’ve dined there they have only had one server, but he is like some type of wonder kid. He is very friendly and kind, and knows his way around a restaurant. I’m not sure how he manages all the tables at once, but I can assure you we could all learn a thing or two about multitasking form this kid. Not to mention he also manages to be your cashier when you leave.

The biggest selling point for Café Antigua is they serve breakfast all day long. I wish more places would follow their lead and progress towards this. We live in a new America now, and breakfast should be able to show its face after 11:00 AM. The one drawback is they close at 5:00 PM every day. Basically this just means I can only eat two meals there every day rather than three.

I can assure you that all three writers have eaten here and it comes with an undisputed OkcBites seal of approval. Do yourself a favor and make your way over to Café Antigua a soon as possible. Oh yeah while your in the neighborhood stop by Hair Rage and say hello to “A.”