Winter is here, and so is our Seasonal Affective Disorder. Yeah, that’s right. We’re S.A.D. But another three-letter word might be hot, flavorful, and filling enough to turn this frown upside down and warm us from the inside out. Of course, we’re talking about the Vietnamese staple, pho. In other words, we are going to sip and slurp our way out of this winter bullshit thanks to these 20 metro Detroit restaurants specializing in the brothy-goodness known as pho, or ph?, or as we lovingly refer to it, our next meal.

Que Huong Restaurant 30820 John R. Rd., Madison Heights; 248-588-0998; facebook.com/QueHuongRestaurant Described by long-time customers as being fresh and flavourful, Que Huong Restaurant in Madison Heights offers up big portions, especially when it comes to bowls of pho. Photo via Que Huong Restaurant/Facebook
Dalat Restaurant 2216 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-487-7600; dalatrestaurantannarbor.com Having been in business for more than 30 years, family-run Dalat Restaurant knows a thing or two about delicious pho. The menu is vast and home to fresh spring rolls, rice plates, stir-fries, and pho, lots of pho. Photo via Dalat Restaurant/Facebook
Pho Lucky 23838 Joy Rd., Redford Charter Twp. | 39777 Grand River Ave., Novi | 28308 Telegraph Rd., Southfield | 3111 Woodward Ave., Detroit; pholucky.net No luck needed when dining at this growing chain, which achieves a near-perfect balance of spices in its broth because, yeah, pho is what they do. Want more than pho? Pho Lucky offers vermicelli bowls, rice plates, and the ultimate energy booster, Vietnamese iced coffee, which offers a stealthy kick of caffeine and sweet condensed milk. Photo via Pho Lucky/Facebook
Pho Tai 30577 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-397-8333; photaimi.com This family-restaurant offers fresh Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. Pho is, of course, a highlight of Pho Tai’s menu and comes in steak, brisket, chicken, seafood, and vegan varieties, and packs a punch with the flavorful broth and fresh ingredients. Photo via Google Maps
Ima 32203 John R. Rd., Madison Heights | 2015 Michigan Ave., Detroit | 4870 Cass Ave., Detroit; imanoodles.com With locations in Corktown, Midtown, and Madison Heights, you can get your Ima fix very readily and steam-ily. OK — that may not be a word, but Ima has an eclectic yet refined menu with things like spicy fried chicken — and tofu — sandwiches, Asian-inspired tacos, ramen, and pho. Oh, and yes, Ima offers vegan and gluten-free pho options. Photo via Ima/Facebook
One Bowl Asian Cuisine 1220 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-747-7006; facebook.com/SouthCampusUofM One Bowl Asian Cuisine is all about the art of Asian fusion. This Ann Arbor restaurant offers a cozy vibe while serving creative appetizers like seafood pancakes, as well as more traditional dishes like pan-fried noodles, hot pots, kimchi, and, duh, pho. Photo via One Bowl Asian Cuisine/Facebook
Tomukun Noodle Bar 505 E. Liberty St. Suite #200, Ann Arbor; 734-995-8668; noodlebar.tomukun.com This unique restaurant serves pho with a twist. Tomukun Noodle Bar offers pho with king crab, lobster tails, and crab legs. Tomukun Noodle Bar makes their bone broth fresh daily, and you can also indulge in their Korean BBQ offerings because they have a menu for that, too. Photo via Tomukun Noodle Bar/Facebook
Detroit Pho & Crab Restaurant 26680 Dequindre Rd., Warren; 586-486-4290; detroitphocrab.com If a bowl of unpretentious pho is your bag, look no further than this destination pho and crab leg spot in Warren. Specializing in Vietnamese seafood in a bag (that’s king crab, snow crab, lobster tail, crawfish, shrimp, scallops, and more), Detroit Pho & Crab also has pho, which can absolutely be ordered with lobster tail. In fact, it’s recommended. Photo via Detroit Pho & Crab Restaurant/Facebook
Pho House 2224 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-961-8253; facebook.com/PhoHouse Located in Ypsilanti, Pho House is the perfect place for affordable and traditional pho. Photo via Pho House/Facebook
Flowers of Vietnam 4440 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-2085; flowersofvietnam.com Tucked inside the Vernor Coney Island, Flowers of Vietnam is a high-end and experimental Vietnamese eatery and a strong contender for top pho within the city limits. Pair it with some sticky and sweet caramel chicken wings and a specialty cocktail and suddenly it’s a perfect date night. Photo via Flower of Vietnam/Facebook
Pho Hang 30921 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-583-9210; facebook.com/PhoHangRestaurant At Pho Hang, pho is prepared with chicken broth and is combined with the essence of ginger and clove for a lighter, aromatic pho offering. For the non-pho fans in your squad, the menu also features an array of Chinese fare. Photo via Pho Hang/Facebook
Thang Long Thai & Vietnamese Restaurant 27641 John R. Rd., Madison Heights; 248-547-6763; facebook.com/ThangLongThaiVietnameseRestaurant Home to a celebrated hue soup and jumbo pan-fried noodles, Thang Long’s menu has all the variations of pho to boot, including pho with beef slices, beef tendon, beef meatballs, beef tripe, as well as chicken. Photo via Thang Long Thai & Vietnamese Restaurant /Facebook
K&D Bistro 1290 Anna J Stepp Rd. Dr., Ypsilanti; 734-961-8908; kdbistro.com K&D Bistro keeps it casual in Ypsilanti with a selection of banh mi, noodle bowls, and pho. But don’t let the casual atmosphere fool you, K&D’s broth is made in-house, and do not snooze on their spicy beef noodle made with fresh lemongrass broth. Photo via K&D Bistro/Facebook
Little Saigon 29083 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-336-9185; littlesaigonvietnamesesoulfood.com Little Saigon is all about the straightforward and fresh Vietnamese fare offering a thick menu featuring rice dishes, noodle entrees, shakes, and pho. They have a menu for veggie lovers, too. Photo via Little Saigon/Facebook
Pho Vinh 27861 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-893-7368; phovinhmi.com This informal cafe-style Vietnamese spot specializes in fresh and flavor-packed pho, rice bowls, and vermicelli plates. Photo via Google Maps
VKitchen 883 W. Eisenhower Pkwy., Ann Arbor; 734-930-1988; vkitcheninc.com VKitchen has a friendly atmosphere, authentic food, and great service according to VKitchen regulars. In addition banh mi, curry, and the traditional meat-focused pho, they offer several vegan-friendly choices. Photo via VKitchen/Facebook
Bangkok 96 Street Food 474 Peterboro St., Detroit; 248-934-0496; b96streetfood.com Bangkok 96 Street Food is home to chef Genevieve Vang’s health-focused creations, like Street Food’s famous pad thai rolls. Located inside the Detroit Shipping Company, Bangkok 96 Street cuisine pays homage to Southeast Asian food with an American twist but when it comes to pho, they’re not pho-king around. Photo via Bangkok 96 Street Food/Facebook
Quán Ngon Vietnamese Bistro 30701 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights; 248-268-4310; facebook.com/QuanNgonVietnameseBistro This contemporary Vietnamese bistro is a favorite amongst fans of fresh and flavorful pho and other masterfully made traditional Vietnamese fare. Photo via Quán Ngon Vietnamese Bistro/Facebook
Ginger Deli 1500 E. Medical Dr., Ann Arbor; 734-786-1331; saigondiamondrestaurant.com Combining Western flair and high-quality ingredients, Ann Arbor’s curated Ginger Deli puts health, and, well, flavor first. Ginger Deli’s owner, Te Phan, describes their food as being like “a watercolor painting, it’s very bold but sensitive and delicate.” Photo via Ginger Deli/Facebook
Saigon Diamond 31075 John R. Rd., Madison Heights; 248-591-4941; gingerdeli.com Casual, yes, but Saigon Diamond in Madison Heights specializes in affordable, traditional flavor-packed dishes including broth for, you guessed it, pho. One of their most popular dishes, Ph? Tái features rice noodles, sliced beef, and a balance of fresh herbs and spices. Photo via Google Maps

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