Try It Out Restaurant — Restaurant in Māngere-Ōtāhuhu

Last month in Australia I watched a video of this restaurant on Munchies “How a 50 year old pho recipe ended up in New Zealand” I thought I’ll go there, support them & try it out. Being a lover of Vietnamese cuisine & having a huge amount of friends in the Vietnamese community from Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane it’s disappointing that I would rate “Try it out” as a 1 star for overall experience. We were so looking forward in trying out this restaurant but we now know it’s not worth it.

On the 06/06/22 My husband & I walked in & it wasn’t busy. We had waited for someone to show us a table. Finally we were served. We ordered two Pho beef balls soup which cost $19 each & two drinks (coconut drink $8.00 & soda egg drink $8.50) total $54.50 but we were charged $62.70 They failed to mention that there is a 15% surcharge on a public holiday they also failed to mention that they don’t charge 15% surcharge for some regulars like my friend & her family.

It’s sad that they made their food look outstanding on camera for YouTube but to an average everyday person the food they served out was just blah 😒 & ridiculously expensive.

We didn’t get any bean sprouts, lemon or the usual garnish on a Pho rice noodle soup, the soup size was a dismal small size (for $19). Also at the end when I had to pay they had separate piles on who they would charge the 15% & not. They couldn’t even find my receipt.

Next time I come back to Auckland I’ll just stick to going to Vietnam Cafe across the road. I regret coming to see “Try it Out” might as well “not have tried it out.” Not worth the travel from Australia...

Was there this afternoon around 1ish, the tables were not properly cleaned. Took us a while for the order to be taken. We ordered a bowl of combination dry egg noodle, a serving of fried spring rolls & a glass of traffic lights. The prorietor took the orders confirmed the combination dry egg noodle TWICE. The servings came at different time, 1st the traffic light, then the spring rolls then very much later the bowl of noodles. Very hungry have a look at the bowl it was not the Egg Noodle I ordered but was a rice noodle which I did not order. When I told the staff the mistake who in turn told the proprietor who took the order, he was not very helpful & did not offer the change what I hv ordered, he seems to blame me and ignore me. I was so angry I walked off towards the counter to pay. I paid the full amount $28.50 but did not get a receipt. The full amount includes the rice noodle that I did not order. I believes not all customres get their receipts like me just wonder are they tax evading. I was treated badly. I will never go back there again.Perhaps the authorities should do a check why they don't issue receipts.will also let my friends & family &pthis review to...

Out of all the Vietnamese food we've tried in Auckland, this is probably one of the top 3. The food is genuine and tastes like authentic Vietnamese food. This is the go to place for my wife and I when we need our Vietnamese fix. We typically either get the Beef combination Pho or the mix vermicelli with fish sauce. The broth on their Pho is very good and rich with flavor. We also love their spring rolls and fresh shrimp rolls which are big in portions. The Vietnamese baguettes are huge and tastes like authentic Viet buns (I found it super difficult to find Viet baguettes in Auckland! So i'm glad they have it).

The only thing I would mention is that the price is quite expensive and the decor is due for an upgrade at some point. The food isn't super cheap, however, the portions they do serve you and the taste is well worth it in my opinion. You can leave the place in confidence that your tummy would be full. I would definitely go again and look forward in trying different items...