Golden Pho & Grill is no longer the newcomer on Federal Boulevard; it has occupied its strip-mall spot since 2013 and is still standing its ground against the street's com-pho-tition. The servers at Golden Pho are proud enough to let the food speak for itself, yet friendly enough to strike up conversations about the relative powers of pho vs. bun bo Hue. There’s nothing fancy about the restaurant, but the food — whether a well-executed version of the Vietnamese crepe called banh xeo or a plate of pho toppings that exceeds the standards of freshness and variety — is clear evidence of deep knowledge and many years of practice. Golden Pho’s success hinges on its attention to detail and authenticity.