Mama's Pho — Restaurant in Buford

the younger girl with long hair made my dining experience terrible. I was served Vietnamese coffee in a to-go cup that had 1/3 of the drink missing. without even complaining, simply requested if they can fill it more and she immediately got defensive about how it’s Vietnamese tradition since the coffee is strong. She already made it a weird back and forth thing so i ask “so in Vietnam they all use this same sized cup and leave the same gap?” And with zero confidence out of pure ego she says yes lol. it may be tradition to have a small serving, but theirs no tradition of leaving a to-go cup that already has lots of ice, 1/3 empty. They chose those cups to hold the drinks they’re serving, so I’m not sure why they’re arguing with customers that simply want it to match. I truly wanted to walk out since my food hadn’t come yet, but i was starving.

Then they were all staring into my soul in the background as I was asking the older lady about it, as if I was going to tackle her lol. I was actually the ONLY one trying to make it less weird, apologizing even though I knew i wasn’t wrong so I can humanize myself since they clearly saw me as a challenge or something. TikTok really got these younger servers seeing any simple paying customer adjustment or concern as an opportunity to victimize themselves and stick up for each other as if you’re attacking them by communicating. I genuinely am curious to know how they handle more nuance, less visibly obvious complaints such as food quality if they’re that defensive over filling their own cups.

I really hope the upcharge was worth it because I live super close and would have loved for this to have been my go to spot. And though they may not need it, I have a 70k following on my food review page and would have loved to support by posting a reel about them, but I wouldn’t dare send my followers anywhere where they couldn’t communicate without feeling like a burden. you’ll enjoy it if you have zero adjustments you need to communicate, but if you do, be prepared to be met with rebuttles instead of resolution, and an up charge for inconveniencing them for fixing it. If you’re happy with whatever you get, exactly how they give it, youll be skipping outta...

Pho Restaurant near Mall of Georgia - Hits & Misses with a Side of Credit Card Fee

If you're in the mood for pho near the Mall of Georgia and seeking an alternative to the usual spots, this place might pique your interest, but with a few caveats. The overall experience garners a modest 3.5/5 stars, with an advisory note on the extra charge for credit card payments.

Appetizers: Shrimp and Pork Belly Spring Roll: A decent start, though the presence of the boiled pork belly might not sit well with those who are sensitive to the aftertaste of that boiled pork meat.

Crab Cheese Wonton (AKA Crab Rangoon): These fell short, being too greasy and lacking the desirable crunch, leaning towards the soggier side.

Beverage: Avocado Smoothie: A hit for its avocado flavor, creamy texture, and balanced sweetness. It's also a soothing chaser for the heat from the chili sauce.

Pho Tai (Medium): Broth: Tasty and rich, served piping hot, with properly cooked noodles. However, the broth's oiliness was a turn-off, and the meat portion was stingy compared to nearby competitors.

Service: Staff was friendly but not as attentive as one might hope. Prompt seating was followed by delays in ordering, simultaneous arrival of appetizers and mains, and inattention to clearing dishes until the meal's end.

Verdict: Despite some missteps, the restaurant offers a decent pho alternative in the area, especially if you're trying to avoid a trip to Duluth or Doraville. The homemade satay chili sauce is a delightful touch, and the menu has other specialties that might be worth exploring on a return visit. Just remember to bring cash if you'd prefer to avoid the additional charge of 3.5%...

Revising this review to add that I HAVE to get my Bun Bo Hue fix here at least once a week. No other places compare to Mama’s. The quality is consistent every time!

Original Review: Let me start off by saying I am Vietnamese so I know a thing or two about Vietnamese cuisine.

This food right here hits the spot! I am SO thankful we have this hidden gem now in Buford. It reminds me of home and the taste I grew up with. It by far beats ALL of the surrounding Viet restaurants by a 15+ mile radius. I ordered the bun bo hue, spring roll, and beef skewer. I am very picky with my bun bo hue since it is such a difficult dish that requires so much attention and love that goes into it. This place exceeded my expectation for this dish. So flavorful and authentic! An added bonus was that the veggies/herbs that came with it was so fresh as if it just got picked from the garden.

For those of you Karens complaining about the transaction fee - step your game up! I’ll pay the transaction fee any day for the amount of food you get here and the QUALITY.

I had the pleasure of chatting with the owner and her daughter whom are both friendly. The owner reminds me so much of my own mother in so many ways!

In summary, I can’t say enough good things about this place and I can see myself visiting...