PhởNatic — Restaurant in Austin

This place was kinda disappointing. Upon entering, I noticed 2 menu screens. You can either customize your order or choose something from the menu that is set to order. Then you move up the line to where you order. One person was taking orders behind the counter while there were 2-3 extra touch screens that you can self order from. I was a bit confused as I came with a group of friends, and part of them were ordering with the girl behind the counter, and one was ordering from the touch screen. There needs to be some sort or organize way to place self orders away from people taking orders to eliminate the confusion. Btw, you get no size option. One size pho only... again, that's disappointing because some people may need a small or bigger bowl. One size bowl does not suit all...

Display of drinks in a non working cooling shelf needs some work as well. Presentation was lacking.

Then we get to the drink station and I noticed it's sorta like a self service fast food type restaurant. Noticed tongs and metal compartments for lime, bean sprouts, green onions, sliced jalapeños, sliced onions, and cilantro. So I went ahead and got a little dish for my veggies.

I get my bowl of pho, and it was served with red onions, cilantro, and green onions already inside the bowl... okay... then we have a separate bowl with the basil, bean sprouts, and lime, and jalapeño. I basically got extra for nothing. What a waste!

Moving forward, the pho broth was not good. Got the pho ga (chicken) and the broth was flavorless. Chicken was so dry, and by the looks of how clear the broth was, it just tasted like they had probably used instant flavor pho spice, rather than spending the long hours to cook real chicken and/ or beef bones. They filled the bowl with so much noodles... I did not enjoy my pho at all. For $10 I could have enjoyed...

The good: Pho was passable... fatty broth and tasty brisket.

The bad: Too many noodles, not enough meat. The spring rolls didn't have any cucumber herbs (literally just noodles, meat and lettuce) and the peanut sauce was extremely salty. The service was atrocious. Granted we arrived about 20 minutes before closing to join some other friends who were already eating but it's Pho... everything is already made and it's quick to eat... we were completely finished and leaving within 5 minutes of closing time. When we placed our order on the computer (no cashier at the counter when we were ready to order) we heard the receipt print in the back and the cashier promptly yelled "For here... are you f@$%ing kidding me!?!?" I was annoyed but let it go and sat down. The cashier brought our Pho out and when I inquired about my spring rolls she said they were on the way out (sure... no biggie)... and then she brought them out... in a to-go box. By this time everyone at the table was talking about how rude she had been to them when talking their order. A few minutes later she came out with another employee and stood close to our table and loudly explained that they could not begin cleaning the lobby until "these people leave" (it was still 10 minutes before closing). We finished up and as we were leaving she thanked us for coming and then said something under her breath. When we asked her what she said she said "Oh, nothing, bye."

I won't be...

It had been a while before yesterday that I'd picked up pho from here and I am pleased that we did!! I had some concerns reading recent reviews about customers not receiving their veg bags or the broth tasting flat. I'm in no position to judge pho's authenticity in terms of comparing to what one would eat in Vietnam, but I have had my fair share of pho in the USA with varying levels of satisfaction.

My mom and I were each pleased (with the chicken & eye round steak [w/steamed veggies added] phos in particular). Another place that used to be my go-to has had some issues & apparent price hikes lately [Kim Phung N Lamar] so again, Pho-natic did hit the spot this time. And I'd like to commend them for not using styrofoam; the takeout containers are both reusable & recyclable, and not liable to leak in transit.

I could always do with more broth than provided but eating from home, I find ways to more easily stretch it out.

It definitely didn't feel super tempting to dine in there but that hadn't been my plan anyway -- all tables were available if we had chosen to. We'd called ahead with one question and then I ordered online. *I don't love hanging out in this shopping center anyway, nor is the restaurant's atmosphere particularly cozy or special. There might've been unique stormy Sunday evening/ St Patrick's Day security patrol vibes at...