Pho Saigon — Restaurant in Charleston

It took 25 minutes, just to get drinks. The restaurant wasn’t busy at all, but that incompetence should have been the first red flag to make us leave. In the past, my server had contentiously and kindly addressed any dietary issues with care. This was our safe place to talk about food, BUT NOT ANYMORE!!!! I was already quite weary when I saw our favorite server was no longer here. Another red flag I had avoided.

Upon giving my order, I was vocal about my health condition Alpha-gal Syndrome (just my luck right)? As I made my request, it was met with the server staring off into space. Then a side-eye and a huff and a puff before they could put my order in, just to completely mess it up.

We thought we would be nice by patiently waiting for our order, but nothing could prepare us for the events that would ensue next. They messed up my order and it came at a very high price, comprising my health. They had fried the tofu in a shared animal meat fryer which I had requested specifically NOT to do so, due to my sensitive health conditions. This food made me violently ill.

I thought this time it might be okay, but avoiding all the red flags was the fatal mistake that ruined the rest of my night and is what will have my checkbook crying for the next few months. I have to work overtime hours over 80+ hours a week! Just to pay off the thousands of dollars of medical bills I am now facing. This is one instance where nice guys really do finish last.

It is my assumption that this place is under new management (and a bad one at that). Who ever the new server is she needs to be fired or given listening classes.

What started off to be a treat for my friends and I, have turned into an absolute nightmare. Anaphylaxis is no joke, hives, and an endless visit with the porcelain throne. This vile food had me spewing from both ends.

If you have any type of health condition please be careful when eating here. So many aweful stories of food poisoning and undisclosed allergens from THIS PLACE!!! And now I know why!!!

I just thank the doctors for fixing what Pho Saigon broke! If you all are looking for a way to spend your evening, I encourage you to find a place that cares about your HEALTH more than they care about taking your money, because that’s one thing that can’t...

So here’s the digs on this place I had the highest of hopes of. It was extremely underwhelming…I entered to no greeting but that’s understandable it’s a small restaurant with limited overhead. When I was seen I was still not greeted but sent to sit anywhere. I was given a menu and less than a minute later the guy ask what do you want…I said a beer to start then proceeded to look at the options. I knew I had to be quick because he seemed bothered and it was just me and one other person there. Ordered the V16 which is the chicken Pho. It came out in under 3 minutes which was a little scary but hey it was fast. Well the reason was clear as I added my veggies from the elegant foam plate they were displayed on and squeezed the closed dated lime into the Pho mixture and took my first taste of the chicken I knew I was tricked! I went for a second taste and it was the revelation needed to determine this was aging rotisserie chicken from the Harris Teeter near by. I know the taste of the seasoning in their chicken like the back of my hand and so I went past it to find the good. The broth very tasty and hearty then we got to the noodles…smh. Vermicelli is Italian not Vietnamese and the noodles were definitely not the standard rice based noodles that go with Pho so it was a little chewy and disappointing to say the least. I hope that this is read and they go back to not cutting corners, when I come to a place like this I don’t need fast food I need good, authentic, and well presented food. Now here is the turn around…the waiter finally came over and spoke and he is an awesome guy! Sonny gets a big shout out. He heard my grievances and immediately fixed it! The owner came out and it was awesome! They laid out some decent offerings and totally apologized for the poor chicken! Gave me the V27 it s slapped! Give them a shot and...

Edited to respond to the snarky reply from the business below ("3% processing fee is so high for you? thanks") - yes, an undisclosed "fee" is too high. Charging customers more than advertised is illegal. You've been reported to several gov't entities so, good luck? And maybe hire someone with customer service skills to manage your Google reviews?

Check your receipt! I ordered takeout recently and didn't notice until I was already home that the prices I paid are higher than the prices listed on their menu. I called them on it and they said the prices on their menu are "cash only" prices and that they charge higher prices for card users. It's illegal to charge more than advertised and illegal to charge card processing fees on debit cards. If charging a credit card fee, the business must disclose the fee anywhere the customer could place an order (online, in the physical location, on the menu) and that fee must be itemized separately on the bill, not hidden/baked into the price of each item. I've been ordering from them for years, and chances are I've been paying those illegal, higher prices the entire time. They refunded me the difference I paid but would not refund gratuity, and they offered to give me free food which felt like a bribe. They also haven't made any adjustments to their physical or online menus, or posted signage anywhere. I'm so disgusted at their dishonesty after having been a long time customer that I'll...