Saigon Market and Deli owner, Thien Chu with a bowl of pho.
Brownsville
An International and Eclectic Foodie Destination by Christian Wagley photos by Garrett Hallbauer + Guy Stevens
I’ve said it for several years and it’s only become truer with each passing year: Brownsville is my favorite food destination in Pensacola. For those who love an international mix of tastes, this early Pensacola suburb located northwest of downtown hosts a concentration of tasty and inexpensive food, served by locally-owned restaurants and markets that are such fun and eclectic places to shop and dine. And so it is that I find myself on a mid-winter afternoon eating my way through some of my Brownsville favorites, from Vietnamese and Middle Eastern to tropical fruits, sweet desserts and an end-of-theday beer to wash it all down.
I start out during the lunch rush at Saigon Oriental Market and Deli, and since it’s a cold February day my choice is easy—pho. Pronounced “fuh,” this is the classic Vietnamese soup made with beef broth, meat or tofu, thin rice noodles, a mix of bean sprouts, fresh herbs like basil and mint, jalapenos and lime. The broth is the most warming and healing of any soup, with the subtle flavors of star anise, cardamom, fennel seeds along with a touch of cinnamon. It warms my body and palate. The drink cooler is just as fun and varied, with mostly Asian drinks ranging from the more usual coconut juice and green tea to lychee nectar, white gourd drink and more. I stick with my
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