Turtle Tower has risen from the ashes, phoenix-like, in a new location in the Financial District. It’s in the former Barbacco space on California Street, down the street from Perbacco and Tadich Grill. The space still has Barbacco’s long bar counter.
Some more info on Turtle Tower’s re-opening from Eater:
I was very glad to hear the news of Turtle Tower’s return. It was one of the very few Northern style pho restaurants in the city, and the Tenderloin location on Larkin was on my regular lunch rotation until it closed back in September 2023.
The opening menu. Prices are higher, as I guess is to be expected from the change in neighborhood. I also noticed a few options missing like giblets, and also I remember one also could order a single imperial roll at the TL location. There’s no banh mi nor chao ga / congee on the menu currently either.
I just had the Phở Gà ($19.59), only one size is available. It was pretty much as I remember it tasting like at the original Turtle Tower. It’s a Northern Style pho, which as I understand it generally has a lighter and less sweet broth than the Southern variant, and is missing the plate of Thai basil and bean sprouts that comes with Southern pho. Instead there is chopped scallion and cilantro in the bowl, and also a plate of jalapeño pepper slices to add as you wish, and a slice of lemon. There’s no hoisin in the condiments tray either - only hot sauce, fish sauce, and salt and pepper. The chicken in the soup, which is a mix of white and dark meat, was sliced into strips and was served with the skin on. The rice noodles are slightly wider than vermicelli and had a soft texture that kind of soaked up the flavorful chicken broth.
Welcome back, Turtle Tower!
