We've been going to this restaurant for over a year now, always at lunch time and almost always for their pho (Vietnamese soup). The owner is a hustle-bustle, adorable, fast-talking Asian lady who greets customers, waits the tables, cleans up, runs the cash register, and sometimes sits in the back making egg rolls faster than you'd believe. If you're in the mood for a huge plate of good, basic Chinese food (choice of entree, soup, fried rice, and egg roll) for pretty cheap you won't be disappointed. But it's the pho that really shines here.
For about $6 (small bowl, enough for one moderate appetite) or $7 (huge bowl, enough for two to share or one big appetite) you will be brought a steaming, freshly-made pho with your choice of meats, noodles, and onions combined in a light, delicious broth. I wish I could make broth like this at home! If you're feeling conservative, choose tender slices of beef or chicken in your pho, but if you want something more unusual you can opt for other proteins like the dense, flavorful meatballs (my personal fave), or "tendon" (hmm), or even organ meats like tripe. You'll also get a plate of fresh crispy mung bean sprouts, sliced spicy peppers, and an incredibly delicious kind of Asian basil to sprinkle into your hot soup. Some other Vietnamese pho places give you regular old cilantro on the plate, but at Far East the special basil is a must, and is unlike anything you've tasted before.
Grab a spoon and chopsticks (you will need both), have a bunch of napkins handy (the noodles and other goodies make for a messy meal), and dig in! Perfect for a cold foggy day, or for anytime when you don't want to be hungry again for at least six hours. :) The decor and ambience are not what you go for here--it's the homestyle, hearty, well-priced food.