Phở Lena — Restaurant in Alaska

I'm giving Pho Lena five stars today not completely because of the taste of their food, but because of their helpfulness and one young lady with a short hair bob like hairstyle that allowed me to order my food over the phone before I arrived at the Spenard location for my one hour lunch from Bailey's Furniture Store, even though she stated they are no longer allowed to do so. She gave me this one time pass. This was the first time I have ever eaten at Pho Lena's, however I was given one single bit of my brother's chicken fried rice about a week ago and I needed some of my own. So I arrived and ordered shrimp fried rice, beef and broccoli (came with steamed rice), and a thai tea to go. Guys, the portion for $11.95 (B&B) and $14.95 (SFR) was so large that I was able to eat some at their location and brought it home from work and fed my husband, my teenage son, and myself with my leftovers. I wish I wasn't in such a rest and had asked the young lady's name. She was extremely helpful once I got there as well. The only thing that I feel was a negative was that the location was extremely outdated, dingy and crowded. My glass wasn't very clean on the outside either, but hey we will all die from something someday so who cares, just finger prints. Also the B&B tasted like there was no seasoning of any kind (still tasted like beef though 😂🤣😂, and my order wasn't ready until 45 minutes later (had to rush back to work)! So thank you Pho Lena for a decent first experience and I look forward to trying the rest...

I gave two stars because I used to be an avid supporter of Pho Lena on Spenard. Probably a monthly customer. But recently their customer service and the quality of food has declined immensely (in the last year or two). It’s never consistent anymore. And the people I encounter there get ruder and Ruder.

But what really kind of ended my support for them was my recent interaction with their customer service.

I Asked the person I talked to if they could check for an ingredient in their soup base due to allergies ( picking up for someone else) , but the person I spoke to was either unwilling to ask the cooks. Or was lazy. And said oh “I don’t know” and didn’t even attempt to ask. Instead we sat in silence until I asked if she could ask someone. She said “oh they wouldn’t know, sorry”. So if you have allergies, probably not the place to eat if they can’t tell you what is in their food. And that’s generally poor practice for restaurants to not know what’s in their food.

Also, I don’t mind eating mediocre food if the staff are local and friendly. But pho Lena isn’t really hitting the mark with customer service anymore,. Unless one of the owners are there and they’re absolutely amazing. It’s so sad because I used to absolutely adore this restaurant.

Might give them another shot. Maybe will eat here if my friends want to go. But I will no longer be suggesting it to my friends from out of town. And will not be promoting...

Called at 9 oclock tonight i think it was 858 to be exact and they said their kitchen was closed mind you this restaurant doesnt close until 10. I called the second I got off work since today is me and my girlfriends anniversary. (Would have called a few min earlier if i ever heard of them doing this) We have ate here the past 4 years and never heard of this closes an hour earlier thing. They even locked the doors before 920 when I rushed there to see if I could order inside and take it to go. Since I didnt get much information from the girl before she hung up i figuredid try. Honestly If the girl on the phone was not so rude to me I would never be writing this. Ive always given a 20 to 25 percent tip on pick up orders. Dont expect friendly service here anymore because they do not have that. Funny thing is she was super rude to me when I tried to open the locked door at 920. She opened it up with an attitude like i was doing somthing wrong for trying to open a door to buy food and a place thats not closed yet. didnt know who i was so apparently shes just treating everyone whos trying to buy food like crap. Please higher better staff! sad that im no longer going to eat at a place I once...