Pho Sheffield — Restaurant in Sheffield

I am writing to express my disappointment regarding my recent experience at Pho Sheffield. Unfortunately, the visit was far below the standard I have come to expect from your restaurants.

Upon arrival, I requested tap water, which took approximately 25 minutes to be served. Throughout the visit, it was extremely difficult to get the attention of any staff, often taking 10 to 15 minutes each time.

I ordered my usual pineapple, apple, and coconut juice, which I have enjoyed on previous visits. However, on this occasion, the drink tasted off. I informed the server and requested for it to be removed from the bill. My friend ordered the curry beef pho, which she did not enjoy, and she too asked for it to be taken off, as there was no point in keeping a meal she could not eat.

We then requested the dessert menu and were waiting to order when the manager approached our table. Instead of offering a solution or attempting to improve our experience, she advised us not to order desserts, stating that we “wouldn’t like them either.” This was a particularly inappropriate and unprofessional comment to make to customers. Regardless of whether we were dissatisfied with certain dishes, it is unacceptable for a manager to discourage us from ordering anything further.

Although she mentioned she was there to “fix things,” no effort was made to resolve the situation. The conversation left us feeling as though we were being blamed for being unhappy with the food, rather than being listened to or supported. This encounter completely ruined what was meant to be an enjoyable meal, and I was deeply disappointed by the lack of professionalism and empathy shown.

I would appreciate it if this matter could be reviewed by the area manager or a member of the senior management team who can address this situation appropriately. I look forward to a response and to seeing that the necessary steps are taken to prevent similar experiences for other customers...

Went for the opening today; can't turn down free Pho! We both had the Beef Combo Pho which was excellent and with the accompanying sauces etc got this to the heat I like. Had it with a Beer Lao and a Vietnamese coffee afterwards. Staff were very nice albeit a little rushed and hectic with the opening crowd. Will be interesting to go back and see how the other dishes are and how service is on a normal day; this is why only 4 stars for now. Nice decor inside too.

Edit: came back a few days later to try other bits off the menu with some friends and see how normal service was. Disappointing; a bit of a let down. Starters we ordered were great. Crispy squid and spring rolls were lovely, as were the dipping sauces with them. We then sat for pushing 30 mins waiting for 3 Pho and a fried rice. It seemed that the mains hadn't been called after our starters were cleared. We weren't told this; apparently "the wait was why it was half price (opening weekend), so they could figure out things from the menu" but the things we ordered should have been staples for them. Unfortunately for Pho, I have worked in restaurants and my partner is a chef, so we knew this was a lie. This partnered with the fact we saw a large number of the staff coming out to have their breaks with food from the kitchen made our wait all the more frustrating. I don't mind if a mistake was made but just own up to it. You'd look less stupid and more trustworthy. As for the mains, two of the Pho were spot on and delicious. My friend was disappointed with his crab soup as it didn't really have any crab in it and his partner had only 2 pieces of chicken in her fried rice. Will give it another go in a few weeks to let the staff settle in but service definitely...

Edit: originally I gave Pho a 2 star but after being invited back for a do over I can honestly say the food we had today was delicious. We opted for chicken wings, prawn summer rolls, hot and spicy chicken soup and prawn Curí - honestly delicious. The service was top notch, overall I'd go back now I've had tonight's experience.

Previous: I wanted to introduce my OH to Vietnamese food & saw the reviews and photos for here but we've both left so disappointed. The service to begin with wasn't too great, after being sat it took a good 10 minutes or so for anyone to come over for our drinks orders, once a gentleman noticed us he came over to ask if anyone had been over yet & took our order. Honestly he was lovely and I can't fault him.

I had a coffee martini which whilst it was delicious left me without that cocktail buzz, as did the pride cocktail. Starters arrived & both of us enjoyed them and were excited for the main to arrive if that's how the starters tasted but it went down hill from here. The wok fried noodles were so stodgy and sticky, they were unfortunately average at best but the beef combo noodle soup was so bland and tasteless; my OH tried to spice it up a little with the accompaniments and table sauces but found the beef boiled and flavourless and the meatballs 'vile'.

I will praise the guy (tall, dark hair, glasses) that took it away and removed it from the bill, he was genuine and kind about the whole thing but we wouldn't race back...