Pho Hoa - SM North EDSA — Restaurant in Quezon City

I’m writing this because I had a very disappointing experience during my recent visit to Pho Hoa SM North Branch—and since my direct complaint was ignored, I feel that sharing this publicly is the only way I might be heard.

After finishing my meal, I attempted to pay via GCash, but the app showed a series of error messages. I informed the waiter who initially served me that I was still figuring it out and would call him once I resolved the issue. I stayed at the table, refreshed the app, and once I was sure the transaction went through, I checked my GCash transaction history and confirmed that the payment had been completed.

Since the waiter who assisted me earlier was busy attending to another customer, I politely raised my hand and asked another staff member to come over. I showed him my phone displaying the completed GCash payment. Before I could even ask him to verify it with the cashier, he immediately responded in a harsh and accusatory tone, asking "Bakit iba yan? GCash ba yan?" — implying doubt and suspicion right away. I calmly explained that yes, it was GCash and even walked him through how to access the transaction history to confirm it.

Instead of taking a moment to listen or assist properly, he turned his back on me and walked toward the cashier. From my seat, I could clearly hear him loudly and publicly questioning the payment again and telling the cashier to check my phone, once again in a tone that made me feel like I was doing something wrong.

The cashier came over, reviewed the transaction, and confirmed that the payment was valid. I even overheard the cashier explaining to him that it had indeed gone through properly. But what shocked me most was the complete lack of apology or even basic courtesy from the staff member who initially treated me so poorly.

Let me be clear, I understand that digital payments can be tricky and that businesses have every right to verify transactions. I welcomed that process. But what I cannot accept is being spoken to and treated as if I were trying to cheat the restaurant, when I clearly initiated the check myself, in good faith.

It was an embarrassing, frustrating, and frankly upsetting experience. It leaves me wondering how many others might have experienced the same treatment but stayed silent.

I hope management seriously addresses this kind of behavior. Respect is free, and every paying customer deserves...

Bad manager. Treated customers like criminals without checking the facts first. Absolutely appalling experience at the Pho Hoa SM North branch.

The manager publicly accused us of theft in another restaurant (they had security follow us into another restaurant today) within the mall simply because the amount of change we received the day before (from a takeout order yesterday) happened to match their reported cash discrepancy (in other words, they were short). The manager's disruptive outburst caused other diners to leave. She began shouting at us hysterically.

The accusation is baseless. What happened the previous day was that we had to ask a different staff member for our change due to slow service, which could easily explain any accounting errors on their end. In other words, the person who took our money was different from the person who gave us our change.

When we got home, we realized we were only given an order slip, not a proper receipt—strongly suggesting the discrepancy originated within the restaurant itself. It is likely a human error on their part since they failed to issue a receipt.

Just because they are short, they are quick to blame the customer. They didn't even consider the possibility of a mistake on their end, or that someone else from their branch might have coincidentally taken the same amount. Their so-called "proof" is hardly evidence of theft. It's actually quite petty considering it involves a small amount of change, around 700 pesos.

Instead of investigating, the manager chose public humiliation. This unprofessional and disrespectful behavior was completely unacceptable. We will be reporting this to SM Customer Relations and seeking compensation for the distress caused. Avoid this location if you value decent...

We went there on a Sunday afternoon before watching One Piece: Red to grab a late lunch bite. I missed the Pho so much, so we went ahead and ordered it with stuffed chicken wings (cahn ga chien.) They really serve great pho. We ordered the Pho Nam, Gan, Bo Vien in large so I could share it with my date. Every slurp of the broth is to die for. I really missed eating at Pho Hoa's. The service and waiting time is just fine, I think there were just two waiters available but they are very attentive to everyone's needs. I'll come back to Pho Hoa for a good bowl of...