Pho Goodness (Main Street) — Restaurant in Vancouver

Went for dinner with 2 others. The guy server was helpful. He tried to take our order twice, but as it was so quick after we arrived at the table, we hadn't had time to check the menu. No one told us about what was sold out or unavailable, which would have saved time. Girl with blonde hair tints arrived to take orders. Tried to order, but they ran out of the option I wanted - again, no one told us previously. I need to ask was it sold out or did it take too much effort and time to cook, so just tell people it's sold out?!?). The two others in our party ordered. I asked for a few moments to select something else. Girl said she would be back. No one came back for my order. The other two dishes arrived, but I didn't get a chance to order as the server walked off.

Half an hour later, when we managed to get the attention of the same girl, one of the others in our party asked her about the status of my order. She asked me what I had ordered. I said to her that no one had taken it, and you said you would be back, but you never did. There was no apology from her, and she appeared to look at me like it was my fault. She asked what I wanted - and as the other two had almost finished, I had to get something simple and quick, so I ended up getting the two vegetarian spring rolls for $8.

While I was in the bathroom, one of the others spoke to the same girl about his food because there were several hairs in his pho. The staff didn't care. The second person in our group told her I wasn't happy about the situation (I wasn't happy but I wasn't going to mention it) as the staff had been a bit rude, forgotten to take an order and when we tried to order they ignored us. It was not all that busy in there at 8 pm on a Friday night. The spring rolls while hot and, to a degree, tasty, they were dripping in oil, and an amount of oil from the fryer had pooled on the bottom of the serving plate. A bit off putting as it left an oily slick in my mouth.

While I think this place might be better at other times, I think they were just trying to clean up so they could get everyone out and close. 1.5 stars off due to the staff attitude and the waiting time. Another .5 a star off due to the oil slick on the plate. Maybe another visit at a time other than at dinner might provide an update and edit to this review....

Had a very good meal here, bun chay (tofu, vegetables, and spring roll on vermicelli) and lychee smoothie. The tofu was cooked in a sweet and savoury teriyaki sauce which was a nice change of pace from the lemongrass sauce that's more common, and it wasn't oily at all. The bowl came out freshly prepared with everything crisp and piping hot. Generous and filling portion, balanced between protein, veggies, and vermicelli (lots of each). The lychee smoothie was evidently made with real fruit because I got a few (only a few) small chunks of lychee, and the flavour was very juicy. My total was about $24 dollars (before tip), so not a bargain, but sensible for the amount of food and the good quality. As an aside, they make most their own condiments in house, and those that I had with my bowl were great. You can buy jars to take home. The vegetarian options are helpful listed in their own section of the menu. There are sufficient options, basically one veggie version of each type of dish. Some of them come with fish sauce, which I believe can be omitted to make everything vegan. The staff was very brisk but not unfriendly. Just working efficiently and no extra frills, which is common for this type of place. The wait time for my food was reasonable with how busy they were. Not much to speak of in terms of ambiance, it was a little hectic with so many people coming in for takeout and standing around near the register in the back of the restaurant, and the walls and some the furniture are showing their age, but if you don't mind those things, it's comfortable enough. I wouldn't go out of my way for this, but luckily the location is convenient, so I'd definitely return, and I'd recommend it for Mount Pleasant folks craving...

This place is so good with their phó and spicy peanut sauté broth! So good. Love coming here for their phó and sauté peanut spicy broth. Amazing.

They are usually very busy during lunch times. And the restaurant itself isn't that large. They can accommodate somewhat large groups. I'd say 6-8 people, split into two tables. But during the lunch rushes you'll be waiting a while for a table. If you come here after 2pm on a weekday it's not busy at all. But oddly enough closer to 3pm and it picks up again.

The ambiance is bright in here. And there is picture of Vietnam all around the restaurant.

Price is pretty good. Not different than most other phó restaurants in town. So not much to say here. It's affordable. So you're getting good value for the pho and the phó here only comes in one size. And it's a pretty decent size. Good value.

Location wise it's in the heart of the city. Main Street and 14th Ave. There is some free parking around the neighbourhood. But if you're not wanting to walk. Then you'll have to pay for parking.

This is one of our favourite pho restaurants in the city. Our go to when we are craving for pho. During this season of COVID, they are currently closed but their other site, Baguette Bistro in Kerrisdale is open for take out.

My breakdown: Food 4/5 Ambiance 3.75/5 Price 3/5 Location...