Ocean Pho — Restaurant in California

DISORGANIZED TO THE MAX. Details outlined below. My advice to management after a terrible experience:

1. Keep track of when orders are placed.
2. Prioritize getting entire orders complete.
3. Prioritize in person orders before taking a phone order.
4. DON'T FORGET THE PEOPLE YOU ASKED TO SIT OUTSIDE!!!! We arrived and there wasn't quite enough seating for our 3 families totaling 13 people. We asked if it was ok for us to eat inside and they said that since we were a big group they would automatically charge us 18% tip, but we were just randomly coming together and paying separately after a movie. We were fine at separate tables and really just asking as a formality. They said we should eat outside since there was more seating. So we ordered at the counter at 5:20pm. We paid a tip right there at the counter even though ultimately it was undeserved. Our friends ordered right after us but the servers picked up the phone to take other orders while our friends were there waiting. We got 2 of our family's 8 items ordered and some waters within 10 minutes. The other families didn't get anything. The rest of our order still had not come out by 6pm (40 minutes after ordering)! Multiple phone takeout orders came and went. Multiple other groups came in and sat inside and received their orders in a timely fashion. So I went and waited to get a hold of the servers to get our food. Keep in mind, it was cold outside and we weren't expecting such a long wait. They said they were slammed and the kitchen was a mess, it wasn't their fault (I understand, but they took and completed a handful of other orders after ours). Finally they brought us our order around 6:15 but forgot the Pho toppings and cutlery packs so we had to go back in. Meanwhile one other friend's family got half their order around the same time as us, and then a wait, and the other half of their order, all of this only after they complained. Our last friends finally got their order at 7:20!!!!!!! 2 HOURS LATER! She and her daughter's order had been COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN and she was too shy to speak up, hoping they would remember. I get that the food is good and the place is crowded, but MAYBE:
5. Keep track of when orders are placed.
6. Prioritize getting entire orders complete.
7. Prioritize in person orders before taking a phone order.
8. DON'T FORGET THE PEOPLE YOU ASKED TO...

I was tempted to try something new and different out of curiosity and got a chicken curry pho. I love curry and am aware that not every restaurants dish is the same. So I took the risk even if I had paid for something I might not like. I thought I could try and enjoy it but it was too much and didnt want to continue eating it. The restaurant owner Kim was pouring water to customers and made her way to our table, paused in worry and saw that I wasnt eating and it was my partner only enjoying her pho. She asked if everything was okay and I had said I didnt really enjoy the curry as much as I thought I would. She was so sweet and thoughtful, apologized and understood that curry can sometimes be a hit or miss depending on the way restaurants make them. She told me theres no way I she could let me not eat and only have my partner eating. She immediately asked me and was super courteous and thoughtful enough to say, pick something else from the menu and we will make sure you eat and enjoy another dish, FREE OF CHARGE. I love how Kim handled gracefully this situation, even though at first I was hesitant and didnt want to be a difficult demanding customer. She was super kind and generous, and made sure my food was made within 10mins as top priority, to be able to eat with my partner together. This was a very humbling experience at this Ocean Pho restaurant and I've been a loyal customer for 3 years. Kim truly cares for her customers and quality food. Thank you again for making this special. Me and my partner are incredibly grateful and love supporting...

I would not recommend this place, on Sunday, Nov 26, 2023 should have never happened but again the owner doesn't care about Good Service. After this visit I will Never Ever Walk in leaving money where one is Unwelcomed. We live 20 mins away and decided to grab dinner here that we walked into the establishment at about 9pm to find we were being turned away because they were closing according to the employees. Awkward when their sign has the hours till 10pm so the employee explained that they start closing early to be completely shut down & gone by 10 pm. That just doesn't make any sense unless the franchise owner DO NOT want to pay wages by minimizing labor and avoiding any work over 4 hrs. This just frustrated the heck out of me because I paid $35 plus a $5 tip for a large Pho, spring rolls & egg rolls. Then after I paid,, they mentioned that I was unable to dine inside and had to have my dinner outside. This was unacceptable but my wife didn't want me bring it to their attention as the young girl was only following orders. The food is now over priced, unfortunately, greed has sunken to take it for

Update: The manager & Daisy were ok with the employees actions and not making things right with the service they provided. They had also turned away 2 couples at 9.30pm. Anyhow people you might want to seek a place that values to welcoming you and not see you as...