Vietnam House Restaurant — Restaurant in Brooklyn Park

II don't usually write reviews but I felt impelled to write this review due to experience I had there today. I has been a while since we've came to this side of the town to have pho. We specifically came to this place but food and service has definitely changed. Pho tasted water down today and meat for the pho looks like it has been sitting for some time. Then, the worse part about my experience today was when the lady at the front register question me on how much I tipped and why not the minimum 15%. I showed her how much I tipped and she went and grab the menu book and pointed out and told me they usually charge 4 people or more 15%. I asked her, if you automatically charge 15% why didn't she just charge me? She said next time. I would have been fine they they automatically charged but she didn't??? Which made me question, why and maybe she didn't want to pay taxes on the tips? I just couldn't believe the conversation we were having about tip because I always tip and she was tripping about $2 less because I didn't think they deserve it. I tip what I was happy to and fairly as well but after this incident and people staring, I almost wanted to go back and and ask for the receipt back just because of how ungrateful she was about the tip and expecting more when the food and service was just not there. They lost a returning customer and I do not plan to go there again. Times are hard but if it's that hard then just charge 15% and own up to your policy! I'll take my business elsewhere, where they don't question or ask for more tip. Please stop making restaurants look bad and hard on other waiters who are working hard for their money. This place deserves a 0 STAR if I can put it in. Thanks but...

This is a review ONLY for their pho. This is a generous 4 star. I have never tried the other dishes here and never will. If I crave stir fry, fried rice, won tons, or any other asian dish, I make them at home. A great bowl of pho takes a whole day to prepare which I rarely ever have time for.

My review in a jiff. Their pho is the best in Brooklyn Park for a place that isn't purely a pho restaurant.

I like to put a lot of table ingredients in my pho, and I know there are some people who like their pho plain/docile. The broth is a little plain. They probably make it this way to please the general public rather than the avid pho eaters. I've had their pho a hand full of times now and it's really consistent. The broth stays the same. The noodles and meat are always good quality.

I went with a party of 4 and fortunately, my friends put very little basil, bean sprouts, jalapeno, and lime in their pho. If I would have went with my siblings, the plate of veggies they give with the pho would not be enough for us. The amount of people that order pho should dictate how much veggies are served to the table.

It costs around $12 for an extra large bowl. I only ever get the extra large. Considering I eat a lot, I can only assume the portions they serve are good. I'm pretty much full after having an extra large bowl. It's enough to kind of satisfy my pho cravings. It is by no means, the best pho in Minnesota. It is however, probably the best pho in Brooklyn Park.

Service is good. Really small space. I don't care about fancy tables and wall paint. As long as the tables are clean for...

SERVICE

Amazing service. I always get the same consistent service every time I come here. The owners and waitresses are friendly and genuinely care for their customers. It is safe to safe that I am even treated like family there. Super great vibe -- always welcoming and a treat to dine here.

FOOD

The best spot for pho, hands down. I've been all over Saint Paul, Minneapolis and other suburban Vietnamese joints but this place knows how to make pho. The broth is aromatic, a hint of herbs, noodles are a perfect al dente, the beef (from the flank steak to the trip to the tendons) all just melt in your mouth. Seriously, I never have to add anything into my pho. It is THAT good.

For appetizers, I recommend Spring Rolls, Egg Rolls, Cream Cheese Wontons and Spicy Oyster Wings. I am not a huge spring toll fan much but this place does it well. Dip it in that sauce and it's satisfying as hell. I would say the same as egg rolls. Not a big fan but they do it right... Just right. Cream Cheese Wontons have a sweetness to them that I do not find in other restaurants. Just like the rolls, I am not a huge cream cheese wonton fan but once again... It's done just right! Now, Spicy Oyster Wings is where it is at! Good sweetness and savoriness from the sauce on deep fried chicken wings. And these ain't some mini B-DUB sized wings. I am talking a good sized...