Saigon Bento — Restaurant in Bakersfield

Sorry for the long review!

I used to take my girls here when it was a Pho restaurant by a different name, I had seen the reopening, read reviews, seen photos and have not tried it for more than any reason was the prices. Well today we decided to try it for a lat Bday lunch for my youngest, they were happy to see boba drinks on the menu, they offer a children’s order for $9.99 as I normally just split a soup between them even at 11 and soon to be 13 they don’t finish even a small bowl of pho.

So we ordered two Boba drinks, an iced coffee, combination, fried rice. I ordered the Jurassic Park pho, and the girls each had a regular child order. I normally order way too much food I like having leftovers.

Not having sat down to eat here before the girls were very delighted to see a robot, bringing our drinks singing and making noises and they got their phones out and made a video and it was very cute, it brought the things that we need for Pho to eat. The soup was brought out by hand as well as the rice. Like any restaurant you get what you pay for, the broth, the soup, the ambience, the rice, everything was nothing less than spectacular. I told the girls when we ordered we would go here once and not come back well once again in my life, I have to bite my tongue because we will be back, it was very good. There’s a place in Valencia I pay all of that or more for soup. It’s good, this is better, the only thing missed was tripe. The first thing my girl said his daddy there’s no tripe in our soup! Two little Caucasian girls upset because they don’t have tripe in their Pho.

Don’t hesitate to go into this establishment, the days of a five dollar bowl of soup are far gone anyways, that’s how much it was when I started eating it back in the 90s. This is a great little restaurant and it’s ran very well, very comfortable and the ambience...

Today was my first time trying Saigon Bento. It’s near my work and I figured I would give it a shot since I like Pho.

The place is set in an open way and felt very roomy. The place felt clean and cool. The menu on the screens above the ordering counter was simple and well laid out. The selection of Pho was very limited compared to some of the Pho places I normally hit up. But i sort of liked that it was limited and made decision making much easier.

Also, and I appreciate this, I was ordering to eat in the restaurant and when the lady rang me up the Tip screen briefly flashed and I immediately had that sinking feeling that I was going to be expected to tip for an experience I knew wasn’t going to be waited on. But it quickly disappeared and she presented me with my total.

I took a seat and one of those serving robots brought out my napkins, plate of condiments and my water. It played music as it approached and that’s the only reason I turned around. Fun.

Luckily the woman who took my order brought out my bowl of Pho. It was delicious and I have zero complaints. About half way through my meal the lady stopped by to ask me if everything was okay. I said yes and that was that. I finished my meal and left. Overall I was very happy with this place. The reason for not giving 5 stars was the interior decoration for me, as it left me feeling a little underwhelmed. And also the price. But honestly now days it’s probably in line with a large combo from any fast food place so not too much to complain about. I will return and will recommend this place if...

Takeout, asked for no ice so my girl can take her coffee to work tomorrow dude says i said, "less ice". I gave him that look and said whatever. Still tipped him 15% on a $140 togo order, mans gotta eat too so all good.

Get home, item is missing from order i call in to tell them he starts debating with me that he shrink wrapped it and put it in the bag.

I tell the dude "bro u messed up the ice you dont think you could mess this up?"

Its 10 bucks its not a big deal, but big fella is on the phone talking to me like im an idiot, "errr no sir im sure its there sir i did not forget it sir its on the bottom of the bag sir".

The tip is more than the item, got me over here spending $160 on a monday night and hes trying to argue with me over $10 instead of keeping a tipping, spending customer returning.

The guest isnt always right, but you gotta work with what you got and this was definitely a loss.

Fried rice was dry and hard, eggrolls werent that good, pho was pho hard to mess that up but they only gave us one bag of condiments for 3 pho so make sure you ask for more if youre like me and like to get takeout.

Also they close at 8 and have a robot server for a strip mall restaurant that had like 4 people in...