Westwood’s pho drought has ended at last.

26 Pho Cafe, a Vietnamese restaurant with locations in Pasadena as well as Vancouver and White Rock in Canada, opened in Westwood on Oct. 4 and will host soft opening events Oct. 17-18 and Oct. 24-25. The restaurant, located on Glendon Avenue across from Trader Joe’s, is the only dedicated pho spot in Westwood. Its menu includes pho, bánh mì and rice options, as well as appetizers like egg rolls and spring rolls. With generous portions and comforting flavors, 26 Pho Cafe will soon be a go-to restaurant for Bruins craving a cozy meal.

Although the culinary experience was pleasant, the first impression was less than ideal. Seating was delayed by 20 minutes, suggesting limited staff availability. Despite the combined 45-minute wait for a table and food, the wait felt understandable for a new restaurant and a flaw somewhat forgiven by the quality of the food itself.

The appetizer – pork egg rolls – packed a powerful punch of flavor. Deep-fried and crispier than the standard egg roll, the exterior delivered an audible crunch as the dish filled the mouth with a rich, meaty flavor. Beneath the skin, the egg rolls were generously filled with a mix of pork and vermicelli. The meatiness of the pork shined through without excessive saltiness, and the neutral taste of vermicelli rounded out the dish while providing a captivating textural contrast.

Paired with classic nước chấm, a sweet and savory fish sauce-based dip, the egg rolls satisfied every taste bud. The dish also came with pickled carrots and was served atop a bed of lettuce, providing a sense of refreshment to pair with the flavor of the egg rolls. The vegetables were an especially apt pairing because the tradeoff of the initially satisfying crunch was that the egg rolls were oilier than expected. Still, it was a tasty appetizer that did not skimp on flavor or texture.

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The beef ball and brisket pho offered a comforting remedy to the cold weather as Westwood emerged from a heat wave and welcomed its first hints of autumn. Upon the first sip, the soup immediately made the 20-minute walk from the Hill – in the chilly wind – worth it. The flavor was mild and left a stronger aroma of cilantro and basil to be desired, but its smooth texture encouraged sip after sip. Because the soup was not excessively salty or oily, it was ideal both for pairing with the meat and noodles and for sipping after the food was gone – an experience that will be relished as the colder months approach.

The meat was another highlight of the pho. For $16.99, the protein portion was extremely generous compared to other Westwood restaurants that serve noodle dishes, containing ample amounts of both the beef balls and the beef brisket. Just like the quantity, the quality did not disappoint. Each cut of brisket was large, soft and decadent, with the perfect ratio of fat that added to the meat’s flavor without detracting from its size and texture. The beef balls were well-constructed too, absorbing the flavor of the soup to create a warm and umami taste.

26 Pho Cafe’s generosity did not stop with the meat – the bowl also included a generous portion of noodles. The noodles were long and chewy, making them satisfying to eat and perfect for pairing with a hearty spoonful of soup. Rather than disintegrating into the broth, as softer and flatter noodles often do, 26 Pho Cafe’s noodles absorbed the flavor as time passed while still retaining their structure.

The ratio of beef, noodles and soup was perfect for enjoying all three in tandem, and the overall portion was large enough to feed two people. The bowl also came with a plate of fresh bean sprouts and Thai basil, adding a bit of tang to the soup, though the flavor was still slightly diluted. The plentiful serving of brisket slices and beef balls was particularly impressive given the price. In an era of shrinkflation, 26 Pho Cafe stands out among Westwood restaurants by offering generous portions at reasonable prices, making for a flavorful and financially rewarding meal.

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26 Pho Cafe’s most prominent advantage is that it lacks a competitor in Westwood, with the second-closest pho restaurant being Nong Lá Vietnamese Cafe in Sawtelle, which is up to a 40-minute bus ride away. Moreover, a bowl of pho at Nong Lá costs upward of $20 and is significantly smaller than what 26 Pho Cafe offers.

Nonetheless, 26 Pho Cafe holds up as a restaurant worth visiting in its own right. Despite the disorganized wait, the comforting and generously portioned pho with high-quality meat and noodles is exactly what Westwood pho enthusiasts have been wanting.

Bruins craving comfort as the weather gets colder have found their place close to home.