Pho Thaison — Restaurant in Austin

Evolution of Pho ThaiSon Embarking on a culinary voyage spanning two decades at Pho Thai Son, a revered establishment enshrined in the tapestry of Vietnamese cuisine, I find myself at a crossroads of reflection and anticipation. Nestled within the heart of tradition and hospitality, this restaurant once stood as a bastion of gastronomic excellence under the familial touch that infused every dish with a symphony of flavors and heritage.

My culinary odyssey at Pho Thai Son recently converged at a pivotal juncture on a languid afternoon, June 6, 2024, unveiling a tableau of contrasting emotions and sensations. The once-revered spring rolls, a hallmark of freshness and finesse, bore the weight of neglect, with their essence tainted by aging chicken, a testament to the passing of time and the inevitable evolution of culinary craftsmanship. Furthermore, the Pad Thai, an emblem of harmonious textures and vibrant flavors, faltered in its execution, betraying a departure from the standards of perfection that once defined this sanctuary of taste. Amidst these gustatory tribulations, a beacon of redemption emerged in the guise of the hostess, whose prompt and gracious gesture to alleviate the dissatisfaction by absolving the cost of the flawed dish spoke volumes about the ethos of customer-centricity that permeates Pho Thai Son. Despite the shadows cast by culinary imperfections, the luminous spirit of service excellence and dedication shone through, reassuring me of the unwavering commitment of the staff to uphold the legacy of warmth and hospitality that defines this culinary sanctuary.

Nevertheless, amidst the tide of change and evolution, a poignant chord of disappointment resounded with the removal of the beloved Catfish Clay Pot, a touchstone of tradition and flavor that had entrenched itself within the chambers of my heart. The absence of this cherished dish served as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of culinary landscapes, where innovation and tradition dance in an intricate waltz of adaptation and preservation. As the fabric of time weaves its intricate tapestry, I remain steadfast in my unwavering optimism for the revival of Pho Thai Son's culinary eminence. The enduring allure of this establishment lies not merely in the flavors that grace its tables but in the enduring spirit of perseverance and dedication that animates every soul within its walls. The resolute commitment to improvement and the palpable sense of camaraderie amongst the team embodies a beacon of hope that illuminates the path towards culinary renaissance and redemption.

In conclusion, my gastronomic sojourn at Pho Thai Son serves as a testament to the kaleidoscopic nature of culinary experiences, where the echoes of the past harmonize with the cadence of the present in a symphony of flavors and emotions. As I traverse the realms of taste and tradition, I am filled with an unwavering sense of hope and optimism, knowing that the essence of Pho Thai Son will endure, transcending ephemeral gustatory imperfections to emerge anew, revitalized and resplendent in its...

I happened to be down south of Austin when I came across this place. I would always go to the Kyle location and would drive that far out because of how amazing the food is. I thought to try this location out to see if it’s just as good and the fact it’d be much closer to me.

I ordered my usuals - beef pad Thai (extra beef) and Vietnamese crepes for take out. I was super disappointed about the Pad Thai. The flavor was different, the portion was fairly small in comparison to the other location and there was hardly any beef, even though I requested for extra beef & paid extra for it. The crepes were not too bad and great amount of food, just a little burnt and tasted different with the red chili sauce in it which is weird because I never had that before prior to ordering this dish. Another thing I would like to point out, it would be nice if they used the same kind of to-go boxes like the location in Kyle uses instead of the styrofoam kind. The to-go boxes from here were burnt and melted on some parts due to the hot food. I’m not sure if the food is supposed to be different and vary by location based of my experience with ordering take out here. I would still give this location another try, only by dining in next time. Just won’t order take...

My partner and I have enjoyed the Pho Thai Son on campus so we were thrilled to know there was one much closer to us down at South Park Meadows. We went there last night around 7 and it was pretty dead, we were basically the only people in the restaurant when we showed up. Although the waitress was prompt, she couldn't have been colder to us. We are always very kind to service individuals, and throughout our experience we continued to be overly kind, thanking her every step of the way. We were met with short and pretty rude responses, to be honest it was the worst service I have received in Austin to date. I still tipped 20% because I know the struggle of being in the service industry, but she wasn't slammed by any means, and we felt very taken aback by the service we received.

The food was just okay. My partner got the Chicken Pad Thai Son and he says that some of the chicken was inedible, hard and stringy, with much too much sauce to food ratio. I got the grilled, marinated tofu and it was just fine but nothing to "write home about". Disappointed that we will have to go up to campus to get the experience we were hoping for, as we will not be visiting this...