25: Pho Tai Nam at Da Vang

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We're working up our appetites for our huge Best of Phoenix issue, out September 30, with daily servings of Chow Bella's 100 Favorite Dishes from across the Valley -- in no particular order

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Visit our sister blog, Jackalope Ranch, for a companion series on 100 Creatives who make Phoenix a little more interesting for all of us. We'll be posting the next 24 picks daily through the rest of the summer.

Number 25: Pho tai nam at Da Vang

I know that a "corpse reviver" is a famous classic cocktail, but here's the food equivalent -- a dish that never fails to lift me out of the doldrums, save me from a hangover, help me ward off a cold, and generally put color back into my cheeks. And, of course, it fills my belly when I'm ravenous.

Da Vang's delicious pho is pure comfort food, served in a bowl so big that it'll challenge even the biggest appetites to finish it.

It's all about the broth, first of all. Rich and beefy, with a complexity enhanced by delicate spices and some sliced white onion, it's the kind of thing I can drink even after I'm convinced I'm full. Sure, those tender rice vermicelli noodles are slurp-worthy, but the actual soup broth goes straight to that happy part of my brain. A few spoonfuls in, I can feel myself come back to life.

And then, there's beef. I like the simple version, topped with thinly sliced tenderloin and thick hunks of brisket. A dash of sriracha and hoisin, a handful of sprouts and greens, and I'm good to go. It's enough to go from food high to food coma in a very short amount of time, though, so some strong Vietnamese iced coffee makes an ideal accompaniment to this piping hot treat.

The Favorite Dishes, so far:
26: Olive-Oil Poached Arctic Char at Kai
27: Pulled Pork at Joe's Real BBQ
28: Falafel Sandwich at Haji-Baba
29: Payt-N-Bake Chicken at Caffe Boa
30: Thai BBQ Chicken at Thai E-San
31: Sweet and Spicy Burger at The Grind
32: Kimchi Chigae at Ewha Korean Restaurant
33: Red Chile Beef at Verde
34: Garlic Shrimp at Hope Kee
35: Antipasto Platter at Pizzeria Bianco
36: Beef Fried Noodles at China Magic Noodle House
37: Grilled Calamari at Andreoli Italian Grocer
38: Spicy Miso Ramen at Sushi Ken
39: Fish 'n Chips at Rula Bula
40: Corn Pancakes with Crab at The Mission
41: Santa Lucia Pasta at Marcellino Ristorante
42: Smoked Truffle-Infused Filet Mignon at Christopher's
43: Pollo Colonial at Iruna
44: Mozzarella Carozza at Aiello's Fine Italian Dining
45: Mofongo at El Coquito
46: Sticky Toffee Pudding at St. Francis
47: Steak Frites at Metro Brasserie
48: Black Cod with Acini de Pepe at Cafe Bink
49: Steak & Egg Sliders at Lon's
50: Taco Monterrey at Pepe's Taco Villa
51: Toro Tartare at Sushi Roku
52: Fish Tacos at Barrio Cafe
53: Reuben at Matt's Big Breakfast
54: Short Ribs at J&G Steakhouse
55: Mole Poblano at Los Sombreros
56: Chicken Fried Steak at Texaz Grill
57: Carne Asada on a Potato Pancake at The Vig
58: White Flannel Hash at Orange Table
59: Butterfish Tataki at Roka Akor
60: Eggs Maximilian at Harlow's Cafe
61: Chickpea Ceviche at Bombay Spice
62: Spiced Skirt Steak at Tuck Shop
63: Rib Eye Philly at SanTan Brewing Company
64: Albacore With Black Truffle at Crudo
65: Slice at Jimmy & Joe's Pizzeria
66: Lee's Combination at Lee's Sandwiches
67: Duck Curry at Sala Thai
68: Chicken Kabab at Med Fresh Grill
69: Cheese Course at Sweet Republic
70: La Potence at Le Chalet
71: Brisket at Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue
72: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup at The Roosevelt
73: Coq Au Vin at Vincent's Market Bistro
74: Cochinita Pibil Tacos at La Condesa Gourmet Taco Shop
75: Char Siu Bao at Phoenix Palace
76: Huevos Rancheros at Gallo Blanco Cafe
77: Italian Stallion at La Piazza Al Forno
78: Bourekas at Spices Mediterranean Kitchen
79: Warm Maine Lobster Salad at Modern Steak
80: Escargots En Croute at Petite Maison
81: Salumi at Quiessence
82: Okonomiyaki at Hana Japanese Eatery
83: Croissants at Essence Bakery Cafe
84: Coronado Coney at The Main Ingredient
85: Green Chili at Rito's Mexican Takeout
86: Soup Gyoza at Sens Asian Tapas & Sake Bar
87: Pop Cho and Sweet Ginger at The Breadfruit
88: La Jawab Kadahi Gosht at The Dhaba
89: Chicken & Waffles from Lo-Lo's
90: Burrata at Humble Pie
91: Bruleed Foie Gras Torchon at Posh
92: Moroccan Nomad Stew at Chakra 4
93: Peking Duck at Gourmet House of Hong Kong
94: Mozzarella Sandwich at Pane Bianco
95: Egg White Omelette at Fez
96: Machaca From Los Dos Molinos
97: Shish Taook from Baiz Market
98: Pasties From Cornish Pasty Co.
99: Clams in Black Bean Sauce From Asian Cafe Express
100: Bruschetta From Postino