Pho Xic Lo — Restaurant in Ontario

First off, I want to say that I loved this place. My wife and I would go there about once a week. Our last visit was quite different from all the others. It was at night, and I was looking out the window while my wife was getting to the end of her meal. A cockroach an inch long was slowly crawling down the window a foot from my face.

I called out to our server, motioning to her to come over immediately, not wanting to cause a scene. When she got over, I pointed out our new friend, and she looked very concerned. She asked us to please sit at another table. We did, and my wife had maybe two more bites of her meal before she really didn't feel like eating anymore. Another staff member walked over, stood on the chair, and grabbed the roach with a napkin, and walked back. He didn't look very concerned. 2 minutes later, another couple were seated at the table.

We got up to go, and went to the counter. I made sure the server was there when we went up. He asked if we were together or separate, I motioned the server again and said, "I'm glad you came over so quickly, I didn't want to say anything out loud." She said thank you and that she appreciated that. I looked to the cashier, who was also the manager. He said that he could take off the tax for us. On a $27 bill, that amounted to $3.

The nonchalant behaviour of the staff member who caught the roach, and the sheer size of the insect really speaks to a larger problem at this restaurant. My wife works in kitchens and told me that it's the largest roach she's ever seen, and that includes having worked in downtown Toronto.

Like I said, I loved this place, but their reputation and the continued business from two loyal customers turned out to be worth a grand...

Pho Xic Lo marked my first-ever experience with Vietnamese cuisine, and I must say, it has set the bar high! This charming restaurant serves up an array of delicious dishes, providing an authentic and memorable culinary journey.

The star of the show, their Special Beef Pho, was an absolute delight. The flavorful broth, tender slices of beef, and perfectly cooked noodles came together in a symphony of taste and texture that left me craving more. This dish alone is reason enough to keep coming back!

Another standout at Pho Xic Lo was their Crispy Chicken with Tomato Rice. The chicken itself was succulent and crispy, while the tomato rice provided a tasty accompaniment that balanced out the flavors perfectly. However, I did have to ask the staff not to put sauce on the chicken, as they recently started doing so. It's worth noting that the staff was more than happy to accommodate my request, and the dish was still fantastic.

To top it off, the 3-Colored Drink offered a refreshing and unique touch to the meal. The combination of flavors and textures made it a delightful palate cleanser and a great way to conclude the dining experience.

The service at Pho Xic Lo was attentive and welcoming, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure that I had a wonderful time. They were eager to provide recommendations and answer any questions about the menu, which was particularly helpful as a first-time visitor.

If you're looking to explore Vietnamese cuisine, Pho Xic Lo is a must-visit. With its exceptional food, warm atmosphere, and friendly service, this restaurant will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the rich...

WARNING - Don't park at the plaza next door when you visit here. There are signs so you'll be fine, if not they you'll get towed.

Came here for dinner on Saturday. They were fairly busy, about 60% capacity but we were seated right away and the service was pretty quick. Taking out one star only because their hoisin sauce came in a small bowl instead of a bottle on the table. I would prefer to squeeze it out of a bottle alongside dipping the meat in the sauce.

For the food, it's actually pretty good. One thing that stood out for me was the broth for the Pho Dac Biet. It has a different taste from what I'm used to when eating Pho around Toronto. I can't quite explain it but two thumbs up. The chicken wings had the right amount of crisp but some could've been cooked more. For the Seafood, it was good but nothing spectacular.

Going back to my warning sign, the location is not as convenient parking-wise. There's a plaza next door but you can't park there since its for customers for the restaurant/stores in that location. We had to park on the side street. And even then, you can't park there during certain months.

At the end of the day, I recommend this place to satisfy your...