Bowl of Phở — Restaurant in Durham

Apologies for the long post but they deserve the effort. So glad they have reopened after a lengthy hiatus due to the crushing effects CV-19 has had on the restaurant business. I drove past yesterday and noticed their "open" sign was lit up so I called and was greeted by a familiar voice who confirmed their reopening. We were regulars for a long time before they closed and were so disappointed when they did--this was our "go to" place for proper Pho. I immediately called my wife and told her they had reopened and so we HAD to go there for dinner that evening. Again, SO glad they are back in business !! Their food is delicious, fresh, healthy and the flavors are absolutely amazing !!. We had the rice paper wrapped spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce, and Tom Kha soup (please try this, it is a masterpiece-no other place in the triangle does it this well ) for appetizers. For the main course we had our old favorites : BUN 5 and BUN T. (these are both vermicelli-based Pho bowls but their other versions are just as fantastic) with hot tea and melon bubble tea Honestly, it was the best/most satisfyingly enjoyable and delicious meal out we've had in a very long time. Our opinions of course, but despite the modest surroundings , this is the best legitimate Pho place we've tried (and we've tried many) anywhere in the triangle area and beyond. The owners are very friendly, the prices are more than fair given the excellent quality of their food. If you like Vietnamese cuisine, please do yourselves a favor and try Bowl Of Pho. There are NO disappointments here no matter what item you choose. Have to say it again--So GLAD they have reopened !!!! Oh yes, almost forgot--they also do TAKEOUT now, for those that would rather...

Upon entering, I was the only customer. The older gentleman—who I believe is the owner—told me I could sit anywhere. I ordered a Thai Tea, spring rolls, and brisket pho. An older woman brought me water, and the gentleman took my order.

The spring rolls were underwhelming—just shrimp wrapped and fried—with a watery sweet chili sauce lacking chili flakes and served in a very shallow portion. My pho arrived within minutes, but there was barely any brisket in it. Pho is one of my favorite dishes, and I’ve had it in many states and cities, but this was, unfortunately, the most disappointing. The standard toppings came (Thai basil, bean sprouts, jalapeños), but there were only two slices of jalapeño.

When I politely asked the woman for more Thai basil and onion, she walked away without saying anything. I thought perhaps there was a language barrier, but the overall vibe from both staff members was unwelcoming. I felt like I was bothering them.

As other customers arrived, I patiently waited before asking the gentleman again for the basil and onion—he seemed visibly annoyed. Neither of them ever checked on me or said thank you. I had to flag him down for a to-go container, and when I got to the counter, I had to ask for a bag as well.

The entire experience felt uncomfortable and inhospitable, from start to finish. I left no tip—not out of malice, but because the service was simply not there. I can’t speak for others’ experiences, but no paying customer should feel like an inconvenience...

I ordered shrimp spring rolls, bún bò huê, and a thai tea. The spring rolls were very basic and bland, literally just iceberg lettuce, vermicelli, and shrimp in rice paper. Usually there's at least cucumber or mint as well. The bún bò huê tasted okay but was not what was promised on the menu. It came with beef slices and meatballs. I don't know if they were out of pork and tendon but they could at least have told me as much if that were the case. The server didn't say a single word to me when taking my order now that I think about it, and he rushed off before I was completely finished. That's probably why I didn't even get the thai tea, and I couldn't remind the server either because after he brought me my food he disappeared into an employees only area for the rest of the time I was there. The restaurant was completely empty aside from me so it's not like there was a reason to rush off or forget. It was dead silent, too, except for when another employee came to sit at the host station and started blaring a video on her phone at top volume. The whole experience was disappointing and a little uncanny tbh. On the positive side, I got my food quickly and the place was clean enough if you don't include the old dishes left out on...