Pho Brothers — Restaurant in Mississauga

I went there for the first time 2 weeks ago (August 2020) for takeout. A lady suggested a meal for me (I wanted something vegetarian) and so I decided to go with her suggestion. When I brought it home, it tasted off. It ALSO was SUPER BLAND on top of that. Zero flavour - it tasted like they hadn't even used salt and pepper aka the bare minimum! The veggies tasted like they had just been boiled in water. It was just awful. The next day, I drove out to them, with the remainder of my dish in the takeout container. I explained that the dish wasn't good. I was extremely polite, AND quiet, and humbled. She argued with me saying that she doesn't get complaints (okay?). She took my takeout container from me. She continued to argue with me, then suggested ANOTHER menu item. I said, okay I will try that. I assumed this new item was on the house, as a sorry for me not being able to eat their food yesterday. You know, to show a new customer that had been disappointed, that they can make good food, trying to ensure a return customer in the future. She puts the order through, then gives me my total. Thrown off, I awkwardly say, ..oh.. I have to pay for it? She says, yes of course. I'm a bit shocked so I pay. Then it doesn't feel right, so about 30-60 seconds after paying I say, no no, please just give me my money back. And I leave. I was so bewildered, and had such a bad taste left in my mouth (...literally AND figuratively!) I will of course, not be back. Plenty of other great Vietnamese places in the area.

*EDIT to respond to whoever from the business that commented on my honest review: If I'm at home in the evening trying to eat a bad meal, my first response isn't to call the restaurant. I'm not sure what calling would do, as, IF you are suggesting you would have "fixed the problem" aka deliver me a new meal, that is a bit of a stretch for me to assume, since I didn't order delivery. I figured I would drive over the next day and tell you in person, on top of that bringing the meal with me so that it further shows you I'm not lying to you. And yes, she did argue with me. I was VERY thrown off, because like I said, I came very humbled, with a low and sympathetic tone, keeping in mind that I did not want to exclaim loudly so that other customers could hear, that someone was complaining. I have never been reacted to in that way. If an item at ANYWHERE is BAD, the business wants to replace it for you with something to change...

I WON'T Be Back here at Pho Brothers again. NOT coz it's bad food, the food here is actually quite good, flavourful and the resto is brightly lit, modern and spacious, one of the biggest Vietnamese resto I have dined.

So why am I NOT coming back again?

In recent months, they jacked up the medium & large beef pho from $12.50 CDN (M) and $13.50 CDN (L) to $14.00 (M) and $15.00 (L) due to inflation, increased food cost and staff minimum wage.

I totally don't mind paying the increased prices, but what I didn't tolerate is the substantial reduction of meat the resto offers. I ordered a few times now for Pho #100 (House Special with all variety of beef parts). I couldn't find my favourite tendon, after numerous fishing in my bowl, I found a small piece. I asked the server over, showed him the tiny beef tendon, he went to the kitchen and gave me another piece of beef tendon. Then, I realized, the beef tripe were in small strings, so small I thought it was the noodles at first.

I am not the type that easily voice my feedback, but it was so intolerable that I had to asked the server over and provided my feedback. Guess what? The server told me that he is only here to serve the table, it's not his call on the pricing and portion of meat. I told him, I understand that it's not your call, but at least relay my feedback to the owners/chefs. I have been dining here over the years and I care about their business. Otherwise, no one will come dine again and just disappear and they won't know what happen.

Anyhow, it's unfortunate, coz I like Pho Brothers, the broth is good, good flavour, clean resto and decent service but I can't pay for increased food prices yet with reduced and next to non-existent of meat in my pho. If I am willing to pay, give me the meat that I deserved.

Anyhow, with so many other Vietnamese restaurants in the areas, I won't be coming back to Pho Brothers, I can't take any more changes where I have next to no meat with my order. I gave them far many chances to redeem themselves and no improvement and they continue to skim the meat. It's painful for me to write this review.

Has anyone who dines here feel the same way? Do they find reduced meat in...

Back again for Lunch on a Monday. I got a large bowl of rare beef Pho, my favorite! We also got spring rolls. The serves was great! Have a look at my pictures and press the like button! If you like what I do and want to see more press the follow button! You got to eat here!

Back again for some takeout this time, getting dinner for the family. I wanted to show you how their takeout looks like. We got 2 orders of #101 (Pho Tai) Rare beef rice noodle soup. as you see in the picture, the broth and veggies come on the side. I like to throw everything in a bowl and heat up the broth to a boil. Then pour it over the bowl and the beef will cook to perfection, yummy! We also got # 10 (Cha gio tom thit) Deep fried spring rolls with shrimp and pork. They have 2 different sizes, small - 2 rolls or large - 4 rolls. We grab 4 more dishes, #405 (com tam suon bo non nuong) Grilled beef short rib with steamed broken rice. #412 (com tam suon nuong, tom rim) grilled pork chop with jumbo sauté shrimp on steamed broken rice. # 302 (bun bo nuong) grilled beef with vermicelli and # 309 (bun cha gio bo nuong) grilled beef and spring roll with vermicelli. Great combo if your only one person and you want both. As you see the buns come with veggies on the side. You can eat this at room temperature, it's like a salad with meat and noodles. Don't forget to always add a little fish sauce to taste or a whole lot. Everything you want to see is in my pictures. Everything was fantastic! Due to Covid and you don't feel comfortable dinning in. You got to get...