Pho Ca Dao & Grill — Restaurant in Chula Vista

I'm only giving this 1 star for the Ox Tail Pho. Other than that, the customer service here is terrible.

We've been previous patrons and decided to give it another try because we wanted the ox tail pho. Service was lacking previously, but this time it needs to be addressed and fixed.

Firstly the person at the front was rude. They ignored us, no waitlist or confirmation it would a moment to seat us. Multiple people kept ignoring and coming to the front desk running tickets, bussing tables back and forth, then after 8-10 minutes one person finally reluctantly asking if we wanted to sit. We said, well yes? Table for 3 please?

She picked up the menus and walk us to a messy table but realized it wasn't clean. So she then resorted to putting us at an awkward table that blocked the kitchen doors and had a wall divider in between the seats.

We politely asked to sit at the other table that needed cleaning, but her face cleared displayed she was annoyed, rolled her eyes, and told us, "you're gonna have to wait, ok?"

We said that was OK, but she left to tend to whatever she went to and didn't head to cleaning the table while we were awkwardly standing next to other guest tables while they were eating.

We decided to leave for her rude behavior and lack of customer service. I regret telling people to go here for the oxtail pho. I will need to forewarn them about the rude customer service.

UPDATE NOV 2023

Third time's a charm! As soon as we walked in, we were greeted hello by multiple servers and we were seated immediately. Charles was our server and was courteous, friendly and attentive to our table. The food quality is still great! Just note that the large bowl just means more broth and noodles (not protein).

I just noticed the owner's response to my last message and I appreciate the attention to our concerns.

We definitely felt the difference in energy, employees, and service this time around and look forward to recommending the restaurant to family...

For the past three months I have anxiously been waiting to see what happens with this location. I was sad to see Cali Baguette and Pho shut it's doors, and wary of the new owners and changes they would bring. So when I went to eat on Saturday afternoon I have to admit I was being extra critical. My first impression was frustration as I tried to enter through the old entrance which is now the closed back door. Lol. There was signage so I only have myself to blame. When I did make it in I was very pleased by the changes made in the remodle. The new layout is spacious with more natural light. There's a bar with full service. I checked out the men's room and the changes in there are impressive. I love the menu. So many options. I wanted to try everything. I ended up ordering the Surf & Turf Rolls, House Special phổ, a build your own Broken Rice Plate with Grilled Beef, Pork, and Shrimp Paste Wrapped in a Crispy Bean Curd Paper. There were so many dessert options that looked delicious but I couldn't fit anything else in my stomach. The Surf and Turf Rolls were very good with an appropriate amount of protein. They came with a citrus fish sauce, however a peanut sauce is available upon request. The phổ was very good. The broth is so important to a good phổ. I am happy to say the broth was very tasty. With a good balance between the seasonings and the bone element. My rice noodles were a little over done, and the portion of protein could have been more, especially since this is the đặc biệt phổ, or special pho. However I understand this places grand opening was the previous Monday, so things are still being worked out. The Broken Rice plate I ordered was spot on with generous portions of protein, perfectly cooked rice, and beautiful presentation. I look forward to returning and trying everything...

horrible experience from this place!!!! i've been a regular customer for a long time but all of a sudden the service went bad i don't know if the guy that's working there today 12/20/2024 is new , he is very rude! bad customer service!!! he even tried to flip the story that i am the one that is rude when all i just did is call and make sure that they follow the special instructions for my order cause i ordered through doordash!!! cause it's been how many times they are not following it!! today he said if i ask for extra condiments i have to pay extra!!!!! and i asked him how can i do that cause the order is already placed and he said i should've done it before i placed the order which doesn't make any sense!!!! cause there is no option there to buy extra condiments!!! i asked for extra lemon and he said they only give 1 small piece of it like a quarter of a lemon per order of pho!!!!!!! i really felt disrespected from his rudeness and the way he talked to me on the phone so i went to the restaurant to look for the manager and he said he is the manager with an attitude even going as far as moving his head around i asked if i can speak to his superior or the owner and he just keeps on talking rude to me!!! embarrassed me in the restaurant with people in there!! and just walked out on me and said he doesn't wanna talk to me!!!!!and nobody will talk to me!!!!!!!and guess what !! when i was about to eat my pho when i put the broth to the container with meat and noodles the container is leaking!! i wonder if that is a coincidence or he did something to...