Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Craft Beer at Half Price…What the Pho?

To quote author and travel journalist Anthony Bourdain, food writers regularly “kill what we love.” Most often, we do this by penning prose that turns people on to exceptional restaurants that, despite serving up delicious food, have somehow managed to remain best kept secrets where people can get a fix without making reservations weeks out or jockeying for position among hordes of hungry patrons.

It’s rewarding to help build the reputation and visibility for restaurateurs and chefs that are doing things right, but food writers are just like any other avid diner. It pains us to rob people (ourselves included) of cozy, quiet dining experiences by ushering people to the places providing them like some overenthusiastic intersection novelty arrow spinner. Still, to do our jobs properly, we have to break out the poison pen and lay waste to some of the best things in life for the greater good.

Today, the experience I’ll be wrecking for long-time regulars is happy hour at OB Noodle House. As evidenced by the droves of those in-the-know who come rolling in each afternoon, this noodle house, its formidable craft beer selection, and its awesome half-off all beers happy hour rates (3 to 6 p.m., daily) are hardly secrets. Still, right now, it’s at least possible to get in there and get one of the best beer bargains in the county. After this post, that may no longer be the case, but I simply have to tell you all about one of my favorite local spots.

Tender noodles and a well balanced broth provide the perfect back-drop for any combination of proteins and flavorful mix-ins.

The beer board always lists 30 quality beers ranging from everyday varieties up to seasonals and one-offs. Last time I was there, I started off with the rather common St. Bernardus Abt 12 Belgian quad and, by night’s end, was sipping on a rare and piney Dogfish Head 120-Minute IPA. Had I so desired, I could have partaken of Sapporo at a price point so low ($1 pints, $4 pitchers), it would make every sushi bar owner in America shed tears in their sake. Speaking of sake, with a varied selection and cost-effective prices, this is a nice place to familiarize one’s self with rice wine’s wide range of flavors.

A good indicator of quality craft beer offerings - Dogfish Head 120-Minute IPA...and plenty of it. Average and subpar bars never even see this beer.

But it’s not all about adult beverages at OB Noodle House. Their pho is outstanding and chock full of proteins including steak (cooked to the doneness you’re comfortable with, though I’d recommend rare), brisket, tripe, and meatballs. The broth is earthy and, most importantly, not oversalted, making it a base that’s great for customizing with hoisin sauce, sriracha, lime juice, jalapeños, or fresh Thai basil leaves.

OB Noodle House's piping hot build-your-own chicken lettuce wrap set-up goes nicely with a spicy Belgian strong ale.

Appetizers like lettuce wraps stuffed with a steamy sweet-and-spicy mix of chicken, mushrooms and water chestnuts; plump, garlicky chicken wings; and simple, clean, fresh shrimp and vegetable spring rolls served with a sweet, viscous peanut dipping sauce make for tasty Asian-style pub grub.

Delicate and flaky, the sizzling skillet of bassa makes for a nice alternative to (or go-with for) a bowl of pho.

An entrée standout is a bassa, a Vietnamese freshwater fish, served piping hot and partially soldered to a sizzling cast-iron skillet. Topped with spicy caramelized ginger and palate-cleansing cilantro, it’s one of the few good reasons to ever pass up a belly-warming bowl of pho.

As juicy and garlicky as they are technicolor, OB Noodle House's wings are a nice foil for a hop-forward ale.

So there you have it, the rare marriage of quality American and European craft beers with delicious, authentic Asian cuisine, all at prices that make this combination foodie and tightwad count the minutes to 3 p.m. Go forth and enjoy. Just maybe save me a seat if you see me sulking on a bench outside waiting for a table, OK? OB Noodle House is located at 2218 Cable Street.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all

Previous article

Making Love to Goats, Rachmaninoff, and Elgar

Next Article

Reader Music Issue short takes

Obervatory's mosh pit, frenetic Rafael Payare, Lemonhead chaos, bleedforthescene, Coronado Tasting Room

To quote author and travel journalist Anthony Bourdain, food writers regularly “kill what we love.” Most often, we do this by penning prose that turns people on to exceptional restaurants that, despite serving up delicious food, have somehow managed to remain best kept secrets where people can get a fix without making reservations weeks out or jockeying for position among hordes of hungry patrons.

It’s rewarding to help build the reputation and visibility for restaurateurs and chefs that are doing things right, but food writers are just like any other avid diner. It pains us to rob people (ourselves included) of cozy, quiet dining experiences by ushering people to the places providing them like some overenthusiastic intersection novelty arrow spinner. Still, to do our jobs properly, we have to break out the poison pen and lay waste to some of the best things in life for the greater good.

Today, the experience I’ll be wrecking for long-time regulars is happy hour at OB Noodle House. As evidenced by the droves of those in-the-know who come rolling in each afternoon, this noodle house, its formidable craft beer selection, and its awesome half-off all beers happy hour rates (3 to 6 p.m., daily) are hardly secrets. Still, right now, it’s at least possible to get in there and get one of the best beer bargains in the county. After this post, that may no longer be the case, but I simply have to tell you all about one of my favorite local spots.

Tender noodles and a well balanced broth provide the perfect back-drop for any combination of proteins and flavorful mix-ins.

The beer board always lists 30 quality beers ranging from everyday varieties up to seasonals and one-offs. Last time I was there, I started off with the rather common St. Bernardus Abt 12 Belgian quad and, by night’s end, was sipping on a rare and piney Dogfish Head 120-Minute IPA. Had I so desired, I could have partaken of Sapporo at a price point so low ($1 pints, $4 pitchers), it would make every sushi bar owner in America shed tears in their sake. Speaking of sake, with a varied selection and cost-effective prices, this is a nice place to familiarize one’s self with rice wine’s wide range of flavors.

A good indicator of quality craft beer offerings - Dogfish Head 120-Minute IPA...and plenty of it. Average and subpar bars never even see this beer.

But it’s not all about adult beverages at OB Noodle House. Their pho is outstanding and chock full of proteins including steak (cooked to the doneness you’re comfortable with, though I’d recommend rare), brisket, tripe, and meatballs. The broth is earthy and, most importantly, not oversalted, making it a base that’s great for customizing with hoisin sauce, sriracha, lime juice, jalapeños, or fresh Thai basil leaves.

OB Noodle House's piping hot build-your-own chicken lettuce wrap set-up goes nicely with a spicy Belgian strong ale.

Appetizers like lettuce wraps stuffed with a steamy sweet-and-spicy mix of chicken, mushrooms and water chestnuts; plump, garlicky chicken wings; and simple, clean, fresh shrimp and vegetable spring rolls served with a sweet, viscous peanut dipping sauce make for tasty Asian-style pub grub.

Delicate and flaky, the sizzling skillet of bassa makes for a nice alternative to (or go-with for) a bowl of pho.

An entrée standout is a bassa, a Vietnamese freshwater fish, served piping hot and partially soldered to a sizzling cast-iron skillet. Topped with spicy caramelized ginger and palate-cleansing cilantro, it’s one of the few good reasons to ever pass up a belly-warming bowl of pho.

As juicy and garlicky as they are technicolor, OB Noodle House's wings are a nice foil for a hop-forward ale.

So there you have it, the rare marriage of quality American and European craft beers with delicious, authentic Asian cuisine, all at prices that make this combination foodie and tightwad count the minutes to 3 p.m. Go forth and enjoy. Just maybe save me a seat if you see me sulking on a bench outside waiting for a table, OK? OB Noodle House is located at 2218 Cable Street.

Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

More beach, more dog for part two of OB Noodle House

Second edition of OB hotspot the same, but better
Next Article

Pho Anh & Grill in Nestor's Southland Plaza

Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.