THE TOP DISH

Have you even gone out to eat and just didn’t know what to order? Or have you ever wanted a sandwich or a donut, but not know where to go to get the absolute best to beat that craving? Well, check out TheTopDish.com and get the skinny on where to find the best dish at the Bay Area’s top foodie hot spots.

by Jeff Saxxon

TOP PHO IN SAN JOSE Cowboy Pho

Pho San Jose

1174 N Capitol Ave. San Jose (408) 618-8860 • phosanjose.com

You have to drive all the way out to North San Jose to get this bowl of magic. Purists may cry but these folks elevated pho. It starts with a great broth with onions and scallions that is a bit richer and a tad saltier than most. But it’s the tender smoked brisket and a lot of pepper that makes this pho amazing. At first thought the meat was rare because the smoke ring is so red. The pepper and smokey brisket infuse the broth with a depth of flavor that I never thought possible in pho. I didn’t even think about grabbing the hoisin sauce. You will never think of pho the same again. Call ahead – this dish is so popular, they tend to run out.

TOP BANH MI IN SAN JOSE Steak Banh Mi

Duc Huong

1020 Story Rd. #C San Jose

(408) 993-8001 • (4 San Jose Locations)

Get ready to wait in line. Duc Huong has become a legend. Any order will yield happiness, but my go-to is the Grilled Beef. Order like a local and get the veggies on the side so when you get home you can give the meat and bread a quick toast and then add the fresh veggies. The Grilled Beef has an amazing flavor and the bread is always fresh, light, and crispy. The grilled or BBQ pork won’t let you down either. Buy 4 and get the 5th free.

TOP DONUT IN SILICON VALLEY Lilikoi Mochi Donut

MoDo Hawaii

2000 El Camino Real Ste 11, Santa Clara (408) 320-2075 • modohawaii.com

If you have not tried a Mochi donut, get on it. They have a unique light but chewy texture. But they are not all equal. MoDo only serves fresh hot mochi donuts made to order. That’s huge. But their toppings are next level too. Lilikoi (Passion fruit) is my favorite but strawberry is a close second. (Only available some days). The fruit toppings are clearly made from real fruit and have a bright acidity that makes them really shine. This is light years from a Winchell’s donut with the pink frosting. They have many other unique flavors like black sesame, Pandan, atcha, and more. Thank God it’s a 20-minute drive or I’d be buying bigger clothes every other week.

TOP BBQ BEEF BRISKET IN SAN JOSE BBQ Beef Brisket

Smoking Pig BBQ

1144 N 4th St. San Jose (408) 380-4784 • smokingpigbbq.net

Tech engineer turned BBQ entrepreneur Paul Reddick is building up a BBQ empire. Now 4 locations strong include two in San Jose and one in Fremont. (And a new one in Las Vegas) There are many reasons to visit and this will not be the last top dish for Smoking Pig. Brisket is one of the toughest meats to master but Paul has it dialed it with amazing flavor, tenderness, and it’s oh so juicy. Order it half lean and half fatty. The fatty side is like BBQ foi gras. Wash it down with one of many craft beers on tap. Save room for dessert but more on that later.

Top Appetizer In Saratoga

Black Pepper & Parmesan Souffle with Uni & Dungeness Crab Fondue

Plumed Horse

14555 Big Basin Way Saratoga

(408) 867-4711 • plumedhorse.com f This signature dish is so amazing they took it off the tasting menu and made it an add on…because you would have to be crazy to make the trip and not pay extra for this Top Dish. Here’s a secret: Go to the bar and order 2 with a glass of bubbly. They had me at “black Pepper and Parmesan” but it gets so much better. They bring the Uni and crab fondue in a separate terrine then pour it into the airy sou e. The contrast between the light sou e and the rich cheesy sauce is sublime.

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