Pho 89 in Baltimore: Northern Vietnamese Noodle Soup on the Avenue
Pho 89 is a casual counter-service pho restaurant in Midtown that specializes in beef and chicken pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup built around long-simmered broth. The menu is narrow by design: the kitchen focuses on getting the broth right rather than spanning twenty dishes, and most orders run between $8 and $12. It sits on a busy foot-traffic corridor and draws both weekday lunch crowds and families on weekends.
What Pho 89 actually is
Pho is defined by its broth, which simmers for hours with charred onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, and coriander. Pho 89 serves Northern Vietnamese style, meaning the broth is lighter and less sweet than the Southern variants found at many other Baltimore pho spots. You order at a counter, collect your bowl at the pass, and customize with fresh herbs (Thai basil, cilantro, mint), lime, sriracha, and hoisin sauce from a condiment station. The noodles are fresh, thin rice noodles that soften in the hot broth without losing structure.
Menu, pricing, and ordering
Beef pho (pho bo) runs $10 to $11 depending on whether you choose rare beef (tai), brisket (nam), or a combination. Chicken pho (pho ga) costs $9. Both come as a large bowl that easily feeds one person. Side orders include spring rolls ($4) and vermicelli bowls with grilled chicken or beef ($8 to $9). Prices are confirmed as of late 2024; verify before visiting, as protein costs fluctuate. There is no table service; you order, pay at the register, and the kitchen calls your number.
How it compares to other Baltimore pho restaurants
Pho 89 competes directly with Pho Thom (also Midtown) and Saigon Restaurant (Canton), both of which cost roughly the same. Pho Thom leans slightly sweeter and is better for diners who prefer Southern Vietnamese broth. Saigon Restaurant offers a broader menu beyond pho, including banh mi and vermicelli plates, making it the choice if you want variety in a single visit. Pho 89's appeal lies in its broth consistency and speed: during lunch, a bowl is ready in under ten minutes because the kitchen is not juggling a hundred dishes. If you prioritize purity of the dish over menu breadth, Pho 89 is the logical choice.
Who suits this restaurant and who does not
Pho 89 works for anyone craving authentic, no-frills pho at lunch or dinner. It is ideal if you work or live nearby and want a quick meal without ceremony. It does not suit diners seeking a full dinner experience with table service, alcohol, or a quieter atmosphere; the space is compact and can be loud. Vegetarian pho is not always available; confirm when calling ahead.
What a first visit involves
Walk in, check the specials board if there is one, and order at the counter. Have a preference ready: beef or chicken, and which cut of beef if you choose pho bo. Pay, grab a number, and find a seat. In two to five minutes, your bowl arrives. Use the condiment station to adjust flavor, squeeze lime, and add as much heat as you want. Most people finish in fifteen to twenty minutes and leave.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Pho 89 operates from mid-morning through evening most days; hours vary and are best verified by phone before a visit. Street parking is available on the avenue but is competitive during lunch and dinner hours. The restaurant is accessible by the bus lines that run Midtown's main thoroughfare. There is no dedicated parking lot. The space is small, with about eight to ten tables and counter seating.
Pho 89 has earned its place in Baltimore's Chinese restaurant landscape because it does one thing well and does not pretend to do everything. The broth is the point, and the simplicity is the strength.
