Pho Cuu Long Restaurant — Restaurant in Winnipeg

I really liked this place during past visits. It was one of my "go to" restaurants. They are luckily getting two stars here because as always the food tasted great but this time unfortunately the service was really less than poor.

Most of the food was quick to come out and I sat there after suggesting to the wife and kid to go ahead and eat. Unfortunately to my surprise what I thought would simply be a few additional minutes for my food to come out turned into no less than another good 20 - 25 minutes longer of me just sitting there watching them eat while I was waiting. The wife and kid obviously were doing what they could to take their time trying not to finished their phö before I even got my meal. Eventually my wife then took it upon herself to call over and ask one of the waitresses if my meal should be expected to come out soon. The waitress replied with something along the lines of " what was your meal.. oh # 52 vermicelli bowl... ok let me go check... it takes longer than the Phö to prepare it should be out soon."

And still I had to wait what felt like another 5-10 minutes.

When it finally came out yup, it did look good and yup, it did taste good but then with that amount of time to assemble it I would expect nothing less.

A suggestion to the restaurant.... We get the times have changed and Covid has taken its toll on all Avenues of service providers but it's poor practice to let customers sit a half hour or longer simply watching the rest of their table get, eat and do everything to not finish their meals before the person they are sitting with even gets their meal. If a dish takes longer then another dish in this case ... start the vermicelli first and then time the phö so you can bring all three dishes out to the table within a few minutes if not at the same time. As a successful business I would think this is common sense, no?

I ate 1/4 of my meal as my wife and kid sat there and watched me try to enjoy it, just as I did with them earlier... At which time I decided to just pack what was left for later. I was annoyed and ready to go long before my food found its way to our table.

Then we waited and waited and waited for a someone to come by so we can request a takeout container. The restaurant was pretty much empty though I did notice they did have a few take out orders make their way out while I was waiting.

We have had positive experiences during previous visits so I was really surprised with this outing. If they accidentally gave my meal to someone else or they simply forgot to make it maybe I would have understood but instead they just supported my feeling that their service was poor this time around.

Definitely going to think twice before heading back next time I feel like curing my vermicelli needs.

Two stars, one for the food tasting good and one for the presentation. Nothing more this time...

If you’re a pho lover, Pho Cuu Long Restaurant should be at the top of your must-try list. Tucked away in a modest location, this spot has earned its reputation as the best pho place in the city – and for good reason. It delivers consistently delicious, authentic Vietnamese cuisine that keeps locals coming back for more.

From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with the warm aroma of simmering broth and fragrant herbs. The interior is clean and simple, with efficient seating arrangements that can accommodate both solo diners and groups. During peak hours, expect the place to be packed — and that’s always a good sign. It’s not unusual to see a line at the door, especially on weekends or during lunch rush, so arriving early or being prepared to wait a little is advised. The turnover is fast though, and the staff does a great job managing the busy flow without compromising service.

Now, onto the food. The pho is the clear star here. The broth is rich, deeply flavored, and perfectly balanced — not too salty, not too sweet, and full of that slow-cooked goodness that only comes from hours of simmering bones and spices. Whether you order the rare beef, brisket, tendon, or meatball version, every bowl is generous, steaming hot, and packed with fresh toppings like bean sprouts, Thai basil, and lime. The rice noodles are perfectly cooked — not mushy, not chewy — and portion sizes are more than satisfying.

Aside from pho, their vermicelli bowls, spring rolls, and banh mi also stand out. The grilled meats are marinated just right, and the dipping sauces add that extra punch of flavor.

Service is quick, friendly, and attentive, even when the restaurant is busy. The staff is polite and efficient, often checking in to refill water or tea and making sure everything is to your satisfaction.

In terms of price, Pho Cuu Long offers excellent value. You get high-quality food at very reasonable prices, especially considering the portion sizes.

Final Thoughts

Pho Cuu Long isn’t just a great pho place – it’s a Winnipeg staple for Vietnamese comfort food. Whether you’re a pho connoisseur or just craving something warm and satisfying on a cold day, this is the spot. Just remember: it gets busy during peak hours, but the food is well worth the wait.

Highly...

Went out for dinner with friends who recommended this nice restaurant. Food was good and after an appetizer, was not able to finish my deluxe vermicelli salad bowl (#43) and had it placed in a box. I had to order deluxe chow mein to go because I was salivating looking how delicious it looks like on the table and customers beside us. Our server is very friendly and knew our order by heart and not taking notes about it. The problem was when we had to pay our order in front to the cashier. She insisted that I ordered 2 vermicelli salad and 1 chowmein. I told her I never got to finish my salad and had to bring it home as left over. She asked me three times and even looked at the plastic bag I was holding, I showed it to her and said that I cannot finish it so I have to take it home ! Ruined our evening and no matter how good the food tasted, I will not be going back. She is rude and not trusting customers. Which reminds me that when I ordered last year to go because it was Covid time, my Vietnamese rolls had hair on it ! When I told them about it, they asked me to return it and gave me a new one. I did not not make a review about it since it could be on the rolling paper that they used and not on the food itself. Sad...