Pho Saigon and Bar — Restaurant in Cranston

I have been wanting to eat here for as long as I can remember, after driving by and seeing their place. I went two times: first, I ordered takeout food and second, I dined in.

The first experience, I honestly couldn't remember if the food was great but I know it was not bad or else I would have noted it. However, not remembering...so I figure I'd give it another shot.

I dined in on a Sunday around 2PM. They were busy enough but it is summer so while there is no longer any heat wave, it was still in the high 80s outside. Tried to walk over to the other side where the booth seats are but changed my mind as the speakers were short of blaring in that room. It was also warmer. Strange. The main dining area was a-ok in terms of temperature but could use a bit more cooling down. I ordered all hot dishes and I almost regretted doing it as it exacerbated my uneasy feeling with the temperature.

Ordered a hot Vietnamese coffee (I know, I am complaining of the heat but I asked for a hot coffee. Well, I have not had any coffee that day at all so I figured a nice Vietnames strong cup would be a prize). It was served already in a mug with the condensed milk mixed in. Pretty unusual. I was expecting to have the filter tableside and prefer to have the strong coffee drip into the mug with the condensed milk. Server emphasized this is their style. However, it was lukewarm and had to be replaced with another cup. Hubby ordered a durian cold drink. Drink was made from fresh durian fruit so that's a plus.

On to food. Ordered shrimp won ton soup. Good but salty. Could use a little less so the flavor comes through. Followed on with a salt and pepper calamari. This one was pretty good. Lots of chopped fresh garlic, spicy red and green pepper, and tender rings of calamari. Ordered a caramelized catfish claypot. I really think a few restaurants overdo seasoning and this was one of them. There were slices of pork mixed in with the catfish slices (not filet but a fish cut into sections), sort of authentic. The sauce was sweet and really heady. Oversalt, oversugar. Adding in pork with that thick sauce with the fish did not sit well with me. Lighter sauce and perhaps not pork but tofu (whatever not meat) would probably a better combo to take in my humble opinion.

Finally, the bill comes. I paid with a card-- how many people pay in cash these days? Well, bill comes to $49 with a $1.99 card machine fee! Yes,the owner passed on the merchant fee to me, the customer. That did not sit well with me. If there was a forewarning, it would have been better. I could have gone to an ATM before eating there.

All in all, it's an okay place but not the wonder that I thought it would be. If your idea of Vietnamese food is limited to the noodle soup and nime chow, this will...

Patronized Pho Saigon and Bar Thursday 6/14/2018 for the second time. I’m disappointed to report that we won’t be returning due to poor service, which left me waiting for a prolonged period of time, while they overlooked bringing me my meal.

The back story on this restaurant dates back about a month ago when my wife & I were pleased to see a Vietnamese restaurant had opened in the Cranston, Rhode Island. Fairly consistently, we find ourselves in the area & enjoy Vietnamese cuisine.

Our initial encounter was in mid May of 2018, which was pleasant. Fast forward approximately a month & our return visit did not yield such a desirable outcome.

To sum up the event quickly, the beverages we ordered were not what we received & I personally never received my meal. I did have the pleasure of watching my spouse eat dinner as I patently waited to no avail.

When our waitress did return we expressed that I did not receive my meal, which went undetected by her we informed her of the situation. At this juncture I requested that she remove the item from the bill so we could provide payment. Unfortunately, our waitress returned with the bill, which included the meal that they did not provide.

From here it gets quite confusing as our waitress got another staff member involved & informed us that my meal was ready, but they neglected to bring it out. In an attempt to avoid wasting food, I asked that they pack it to go & charge me accordingly. At this juncture the second staff member took my Credit Card & disappeared for no less than fifteen minutes. Enough time had transpired that our initial waitress return to see if payment was ready. At this time we informed her that the other staff member had not returned our card. Another ten minutes passed before the staff member returned with our card, the meal packed to go, & the bill. At this juncture, we were then informed that the meal had been incorrectly provided to someone else & they re-prepared it.

The final outcome was I eventually got a meal that I could take home & was not charged for the item. They even apologized & provided an alleged 10% discount, but I believe they dropped the ball on our evening out. Of course, by the time I got home I was famished & the meal was done no justice cold.

In conclusion, we are disappointed with how the evening went & recognize we have a choice on where we choose to spend our money. It is unfortunate that Pho Saigon and Bar might lack the skill to appropriately operate & manage an effective restaurant. We’ll be returning to our usual Vietnamese staple & enjoy our evening out as we had prior to Pho...

Tucked away in Cranston, RI, lies the hidden gem known as Pho Saigon and Bar, where the ambiance is as warm and inviting as a cozy blanket on a rainy day ☔. Stepping inside, you're greeted by a charming, rustic interior with an inviting bar that beckons you to sit and stay awhile.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the food. I opted for the #27 - Phở Đặc Biệt - Beef Noodle Soup, a tantalizing concoction brimming with tender beef slices and an aromatic broth that dances on the taste buds 💃. Every bite was a delightful symphony of flavors, with the beef so tender it practically melts in your mouth. And let's not forget the noodles, perfectly cooked and soaking up that rich, flavorful broth like a sponge.

Meanwhile, my wife went for the #42 - Phở Tôm - Beef Noodle Soup with Shrimp 🍤. Now, who knew shrimp could get along so swimmingly with beef? The shrimp were plump and juicy, adding a delightful twist to the classic beef noodle soup. The interplay of seafood sweetness with the savory broth was nothing short of magical 🧙‍♂️.

The service? Impeccable. The staff were attentive, friendly, and seemed genuinely passionate about their culinary craft. They made us feel like VIPs in this pho-nomenal eatery.

And here's the kicker: it's 11:30 pm, and we can still get our pho fix! 🌙 Late-night cravings have never been so deliciously satisfied.

In a nutshell, Pho Saigon and Bar is not just a restaurant; it's a culinary adventure where every dish tells a story and every visit feels like coming home. If you're in Cranston and craving some soul-soothing, belly-warming pho, look no further. This place has pho-ever won our...