Royal Pho — Restaurant in Hamilton

We have been coming here for years but only really getting out more since covid. Last night we felt like pho for supper. Although my husband feels like pho every day. Lol Anyway, we came to Royal Pho and had not been for awhile mostly because we tend to eat pho in fall/winter. We usually come during off hours when the restaurant is not too busy. Well, yesterday was Sunday evening and we felt like some good pho in a quiet restaurant. We chose Royal Pho because we love their pho. We walk into the restaurant that was quite full. Maybe 2 tables available at the time. The owner saw us walk in and greeted us with a huge smile while cleaning and setting a table for us with menus. He seemed very busy at the time getting orders delivered to table customers but he was still a happy, courteous and genuinely a kind man. We didn't mind waiting to put our order in because we could see he was hustling from the kitchen to the main dinning area the whole time we were waiting. We figured that he would get us eventually. After quite a few minutes, he came smiling to our table to ask for our order. Ok so let me put it out there, we LOVE PHO!! LOL. My husband, myself and 11yr old grandson ordered XL pho with added chicken, plus cheese wontons, coconut shrimp and shrimp rolls. The owner chuckled that we will have leftovers to take home especially my grandson. Let me tell you the food did not disappoint!! The appetizers were delivered hot with a lot of flavour that you can't stop yourself at one not leaving any on the plate The cheese wontons were hot with a delicious pillowy green cheese filling inside that was loved by all of us! The coconut shrimp were fried with a coconut coating which was nice and crispy leaving you to wanting more. The fried shrimp rolls were different and not what we expected, but they were still out of this world outstanding! Now the pho, it was full of delicious broth with thinly sliced beef, chicken, beef balls and rice noodles served hot. The broth was delicious, but lacking something which I couldn't place. It seemed slightly watered down for me but my husband and grandson found it perfect. Yes, XL pho is a lot for me but my husband and grandson ate it all. My grandson even shocked the owner that he finished every drop leaving nothing to take home giving him a high five then upon leaving surprising him with a bag of candy as a reward for finishing the XL pho. Wowww..what a nice thing to do! THIS IS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT ITS FINEST!! This is why we always come back!! Keep up the great food and excellent customer...

So I've been in love with this place for a very long time until today. I went in and placed an order enjoyed my dinner, as usual, then I ordered a coffee.

Normally, the coffee is really good but then today I wasn't happy with it. I took 1 sip and thought I'd wait for her to come back. Well, I guess even if I complained at the beginning they would make me pay... probably would have made me pay for 2 coffees. I don't know what it was about why it wasn't good, but when I told them I didnt like it... well they were REALLY mad that I was unhappy with their coffee.

"I'm gonna call the cops on you!" My server said, as I told them I don't want to pay for the coffee... what?

I spoke to the manager and he says:

"You order it you pay for it"

"I don't care that you don't like it. I don't care, if you want to leave a bad review. Go ahead. We don't like people like you"

People like me? What was that supposed to mean?

My server AND the manager yelled at me in a restaurant filled with people. The manager was even yelling at me as he was walking around the restaurant serving tables. Yelling that they don't waste food and that he doesn't care. He kept walking away from me whenever I tried to say something or interrupted me.

Shows you how much they truly value their customers. I know that this restaurant is almost 5 stars... because their food is really good... but they're so fake and not nice people.

Just don't order the coffee if you go... and don't tell them something negative

Needless to say, I'm not okay with being yelled at over $4.50 and I'm never going back. Instead of removing a $4.50 from my bill, they lost a customer and maybe some future customers too. Hey, that could have been a thousands of dollars in sales.

Oh wait but... they don't care about...

I was away from Toronto and in Ancaster for work. This was the closest pho I could find to Ancaster. It took me 9 minutes to drive there and I am so glad i did!! Talking all day left me with a scratchy throat so I wanted something soupy so decided to give this place a try. I stead of pho, I ordered the Bun bo hue and man it was amazing. AMAZING! You only get one size option Medium) to which I only finished half because it was huge. It was super authentic, (was not expecting this and was a bit worried) , it was just the right amount of spice and loaded with meat. 😍 TAKE ME BACKKKK!! There had many different food choices suitable for all palettes. The service was phenomenal. I had 3 people come by to ask me how I was enjoying the food and to my recollection, i have never had that in a vietnamese restaurant. When you sit down, ice water with a lemon wedge it brought to your table immediately. I HIGHLY recommend.

Btw, this restaurant only accepts cash or debit and there is plenty of...