Pho Hung Vuong Paddington — Restaurant in Brisbane City

We were sat down by someone who I assume was the owner and I asked if they could cater for someone with Coeliac disease as my partner is allergic to gluten (not just a choice). The owner said they could and that it was safe and he told us they have been featured in a Coeliac magazine before. We looked at the menu and asked if they used separate fryers for items with gluten, he said they did not but they have never had an issue. We made a choice at this point to just not order anything fried as there is a risk of cross contamination as per health guidelines and a scientifically proven fact. We just said to the owner no worries! We didn’t push back on him or argue with him, we just chose to order non-fried menu items.

We ordered our food with a lovely waiter (who was great throughout the entire ordeal). The owner then approached us while we were waiting for our food and interrupted our conversation to tell us that no establishment in Brisbane would use separate frying facilities because it would cost too much money. However I know for a fact these places exist. I could name plenty of places in Brisbane. But we didn’t care to argue with him or push back, we were excited to try the other food on the menu that we were more confident would be safe for my partner to eat. It’s like the owner was trying to start an argument with us that we had no interest in being a part of. We just politely dismissed him and said we understand that he didn’t want to spend the extra money. We dont expect everyone to be able to accommodate us, we just ask questions and make informed decisions that should be respected. By this point the owner was making us both feel uncomfortable.

We got our food and started eating when the owner came over again and interrupted us another time to try to educate us about my partners allergy saying “do you know what oil does to wheat”. Yes buddy, I do. Obviously you don’t. I really suggest doing a google search of “does hot oil kill gluten”, which you could have done on your computer or phone instead of harassing us. It is extremely dangerous and concerning that you, as the owner and manager of a restaurant, are giving advice out that goes against health guidelines. This will be reported to Coeliac Australia, the magazine you touted (who have articles that clearly say to use separate oil), and health authorities. This could make someone very sick. He then started comparing an allergy to being vegan. This started an argument between my partner and the owner while we were mid eating, again this was an argument that we had no interest in having. He walked away and we asked the waiter to pack up our food to take away because the owner ruined the atmosphere.

He then came out again with a poor, and way too late apology while continuing to argue the point and say he knows what’s right because he was in a coeliac magazine. By now I couldn’t believe he was even trying to engage in a conversation with us. Read the room. We watched him be awful to the waiter while they were trying to take someone’s order. You could learn some customer service skills from the young waiter, he was the only positive about this experience and the only person who tried to make the paying customers experience a...

Edit: we recently went back and the service was drastically better. The food was still good. A little expensive.. But the banh khot still brilliant!

Previous score 3/5 ( food 4, service 2, atmosphere 3)Pho Hung Vuong - the famous pho joint from Melbourne has made its way to Brisbane!

When in Melbourne I have always been brought to this resturant in Springvale! Being family owned, some of the family have moved to to Brisbane.

Interestingly enough, they have gone for a more fine dining Vietnamese feel.. Not your classic Springvale joint.

OVERALL = 7/10 FOOD = 9/10 VIBE = 7/10 SERVICE = 4/10 Price = 5/10

FOOD: Pho was flavourful. Unfortunately there was an overpowering Offal smell coming from the broth. One of our friends found it difficult to eat. I ordered the special pho, so I expected to have some smell. Unfortunately, the normal pho also had that tainted smell. The homemade Xo sauce and the picked onions were great. The Banh Khot pancakes - seriously 11/10. These were brilliant. You do not see these at other resturants. Very well cooked and presented Lemongrass Beef Vermicelli Salad - had a nice taste. Other dishes: we had a friend order the fish with chilli - they said they loved it.

Vibe: Personally I didn't mind the atmosphere, but it felt a little confused.

Service: Unfortunately, this was the biggest let down. The man who greeted us (who we believe is the owner) just does not have great customer skills. I read several reviews after having been seated for a while and realised that quite a few customers have experienced this. Technically everything the man said was correct and was right in pointing out, but his delivery was just off putting. The way he told us that kids are not allowed to use glass cups, to how he purposely came to correct my wife about the fact that she booked online first before calling to book (for a group larger than 6), to telling my daughter off for standing in the walk way and then getting frustrated when he brought out the food - speaking overly loudly they name of the dish - but our friend went to the toilet and we didn't know what he ordered. Really, he should remember who order which dish. He was just crossing the line of being pleasant, to almost being arrogant about the heritage of the restaurant. It felt like we were being told off - which is not a great feeling.

Our interaction with the Vietnamese lady was pleasant.

Price: The price is much more expensive than places in Inala etc.

Overall: If the service were on point, I would have no hesitation paying a bit more and recommending this restaurant. With hesitation, we would go back for the Banh Khot and to try the banh Xeo. They pho is not as good as Springvale unfortunately - but still good. Would like to try it again to see if it has the same offal smell.

I believe this is a fair assessment of the resturant. It's worth checking out.. But...

We had a super nice evening at Pho on a quiet Sunday night in autumn. We arrived without a booking but were easily able to secure a table outside. The outdoor seating was comfortable and undercover, and despite a light sprinkling of rain, we managed to stay dry. There was also ample indoor seating that looked cosy and well-ventilated, and the entire establishment was clean and hygienic.

The maître d', a helpful, friendly and polite lady, made us feel welcome immediately and promptly arranged the table for us. She was calm and attentive, despite her patience being tested by one of our group with a myriad of different requests and special dietary requirements.

Once settled at our table, we ordered a shared plate of spring rolls ($13) and four main courses - lemongrass chicken with rice ($27), stir-fried tofu with cashews, vegetables and rice ($26), grilled barramundi with shallots, limes and chili sauce ($31), and a vegetarian pho ($21). The food was all delicious, and everyone enjoyed their meals. My lemongrass chicken was a standout, with a tender and succulent piece of chicken, perfectly cooked and infused with a subtle, aromatic lemongrass flavour, accompanied by a fresh salad and fluffy rice. My wife's barramundi was also a tasty and wholesome dish, with the fish firm and flavorful. The only complaint, which was echoed around the table, was that the serving sizes were a bit small. The spring rolls, for example, despite their excellent quality and texture, were tiny and not very satisfying.

The service though was impeccable. Orders were taken promptly, and the meals arrived at the table within minutes: the entree first, followed by the main courses. Our waitress/maître d' did her best to ensure everything ran smoothly, and the friendly owner/manager regularly checked on us to ensure our satisfaction.

The toilets were located indoors at the back of the restaurant, but they were easy to find. There were adequate male, female and disabled cubicles, and they were clean and well-maintained.

Parking was another plus, with plenty of unrestricted street parking available on Given Terrace, right outside the restaurant.

With tips and surcharges, the total cost for four of us was $120, or $30 per person. This included a single shared starter and one main course each. This seems about par for the course these days, given the country's ongoing hyperinflation crisis and especially the rapidly rising restaurant prices. But the beer prices were a bit excessive, with $14 for a schooner, even beating the previous record of $12, that I paid recently at a hotel in Spring Hill.

Despite the few negatives, mainly the small servings and high beer prices, Pho is a first-class eatery with outstanding food and service, and a relaxed, casual and laid-back vibe, that's perfect for a night out with...