The difference between Pho Hoa and Com

After thinking about the blog I posted yesterday about Pho Hoa, I realized what it was that caused me to stop patronizing this noodle shop: It was my finding another Vietnamese hole in the wall a bit further South on Buford Hwy called "COM". The difference is that Com serves up a more nutritionally balanced meal for just a couple dollars more and with a nicer atmosphere. There are actually paintings (or at least pictures that look like paintings) on the wall of Vietnamese women dressed in traditional garb; there are booths (which I prefer to regular tables) which lends itself to a cozy feeling; there is a greater sense of "cleanliness," if you know what I mean.



My favorite dish at COM is the Bun/Rice Vermicelli dish served with grilled shrimp, roasted peanuts and fried onions, and a super yummy fish sauce called Nuoc Mam Sauce. The entree that my family likes is the "make-it-yourself burrito" called Banh Hoi which includes large circular tortilla-like rice sheets that you fill with soft vermicelli noodles; your choice of meats including beef, chicken, shrimp, lamb or pork; and a huge assortment of veggies like cucumber, pickled turnip, zucchini, Thai basil, mint, cilantro and lettuce. There are two locations in Atlanta for this restaurant, but I've only been to the one on Buford Hwy. It also has its own website, but you'll have to look at the Dunwoody location for a sample of the menu: http://www.comgrill.com/.



So, I hope I've explained a little better my reasoning for leaving Pho and going to Com ... value, freshness, quality of food, greater variety, and atmosphere. Now go and try them both for yourself and tell me what you think!