Change of Scenery for Boston-ites: Beacon St. Edition

My brother has come up to visit, and as always, we have to find a good place for lunch. This post is dedicated to hard-core Boston-ites who don't venture out of Back Bay (that's Boston Proper, correct?). I don't know any of you, but here you go:

Try Pho 'N Rice, on Beacon St. in Somerville, right beside some beautiful culinary landmarks: the RFO Sullivan's and Son (best burger in, ahem, Boston) and Petsi Pies. There's also a deserted Star Market that might actually be worth shopping at if the prices are reasonable. (Side topic: how do the prices of Star Market and Shaw's compare?)

So, anyways, go back and check this Pho 'N Rice link, then click on lunch specials. Amazing, considering that they do lunch specials on the weekends (not many sushi places do this!) and the meals include a Thai dumpling, crispy spring roll (I prefer fresh), Japanese seaweed soup (wow, better than Miso), and a salad with peanut dressing (actually torn lettuce with oily peanut dressing spooned on top). My crispy chicken basil dish cost 7.95, and I felt comfortable ordering one Thai iced tea for 2.95 (especially since my rents gave my bro enough $ to bring us out to lunch).

The main dish was very good, and would be a good entry dish if you brought a friend who likes Chinese but didn't know any Thai food. The chicken was deep-fried, something I'm not willing to do at home based on effort and lingering smells in the hallway. No need to give the neighbors any fodder. Vegetables were fresh and crispy, which is consistent among most "Cheap Eats"- type Thai place. Basil leaves were tasty and cooked enough not to overpower the rest of the dish.

My husband enjoyed a Pho (A popular Vietnamese noodle soup with sliced onion, scallion and cilantro. Offered with white noodle, or yellow noodle. Served with fresh bean sprouts, basil leaves and wedge of limes on the side. (Add vegetables, beef ball or egg for $2.00) and my bro really loved his Gra Pa, a fried rice dish with ground meat and chopped vegetables.

Do you like Pho 'N Rice, or are there better deals in this area between Porter and Inman Squares?