Lemongrass Vietnamese Restaurant — Restaurant in Kamloops

First a disclaimer, I am a pho-a-holic. Lived in Vancouver for years where I got my taste for how excellent this dish can be, searching out the best places in the city (my fav: Bao Chau).

I now live in Kamloops, I do miss the corner store pho so common in the lower mainland. So I gave Lemongrass a try to see if its up to the challenge.

I ordered the large flank and rare beef. The bowl came to the table, relatively fast. Notably if you get pho here, prepare for no basil or cilantro in the broth or on the side on a plate. Both times I visited this restaurant, the condiments brought to the table consisted of some bean sprouts and a sad looking smallish lime wedge that was difficult to squeeze any juice out of.

It was very surprising the lack of the herbs upon serving, which to me make pho what is is, an extremely fresh, aromatic, and flavorful dish. The broth is ok, served in my opinion slightly hot enough and a little undersalted for my taste. The amount of meat in a large pho is also small. I counted about ten pieces total. Also, if you ask for chili oil to add to your soup, it is extra cost on the bill. No hot tea either. You have to pay for that too I assume, although I did not ask.

They have two types of meat (rare beef and flank) and the special house pho which has beef balls. I personally always would get brisket meat in my pho, unfortunately this is not an option at Lemongrass.

Spring rolls were ok. I never tried anything else on the menu than the spring rolls or pho. so this is a pretty one dimensional review. The price for my meal for one was about $25 with tip. Large pho was about 13 spring rolls 7 not a great deal, but especially so considering the simple, relatively barren presentation (no hot tea, no chili oil, lack of condiments) and small amount of meat.

I wish someone would open a Vancouver style fast food pho place here, with all the fixins. It would make a...

Terrible experience will not be going back! After we were seated I leaned against the table to look at the menu and became grossed out after leaning back because my shirt was sticking to something sticky on the edge of the table and left residue on my shirt. Then we ordered, my husband got the #25 pho and I got the Three colour combo(can't remember what number that was). Our server brought out my husband's food first and he started eating while I was waiting my food... The server then brought out two dishes, one was mine and the other dish was for the table beside us, she placed the dish in front of me after giving the others food the them and I noticed it wasn't my dish. She repeated the order saying it was the special and I said no I ordered the Three colour combo, she then turned to the table next to me and was going to grab his dish when she noticed he was already eating it. She explained to me that the only difference between his dish and mine was a prawn skewer so I said that's fine I'll just eat the shrimp and then she had the audacity to ask me to hand her the shrimp skewer off the dish because it was meant for the other table...I handed it to her and she TURNED TO THE TABLE AND SAID HERE'S YOUR SHRIMP FOR YOUR ODER !! she didn't even go get him a new skewer nothing! and to top it off I had touched that same skewer before she handed it to him! I know I shouldn't have eaten my food but I was really hungry, now for the food! All the meat on my plate was cold, the marinated pork was burnt, and the dish overall lacked flavor. I've had some really good Vietnamese food but...

The server puts in my order wrong, charged me with the food that I did not ordered, and refuses to admit nor apologize that she served me food that I didn’t want. Additionally, there was no service throughout my dining experience; no one came to check up on me and no greetings. When I asked about the menu, which is what type of noodles that come with the combo. the server wasn’t able to explain anything but, “it’s noodles”. The dish came after 20 minutes of waiting with no acknowledgement; which was not what I ordered but I didn’t notice. She served me the rice dish with a fork and chopsticks. After 5 minutes with her walking right passed me, on the phone and ignoring me, I had to go up to the counter to bring a spoon back myself. The dish I ordered was “three color combo”. What I was served was “special combo”, or whatever they called it. I didn’t notice the difference since the only difference was there were prawns and $2 upcharge in the “special combo” I didn’t know that for a fact until again I went up to them for the check; since no one came and asked me if I want the check or not. It’s then I realized I was served and charged with the wrong food. Again as I stated before, the server didn’t seem apologetic nor willing to own up to her mistake. When they took my order, she didn’t repeat it nor to make sure she got it right. Which is another reason why I think this restaurant is really unprofessional and condescending to its customers. A side note, the food was fine,...