Phở Sapa — Restaurant in Houston

Bad news: Phở Sapa is not what it used to be. I have eaten there twice recently, each time about a few weeks apart, and the second, I think last, by the way, was yesterday. Both are equally bad. The first time I think it went bad, I was so surprised by the fact I couldn't believe that bad: everything was the same except the soup. It was not tasty. Bland. So unbearably light, though not terrible yet. That might sound like the end of the world to me as such good pho like Sapa before is hard to find. It was not as good as several previous times I had enjoyed there. No more. What happened to them?

That's why yesterday, I came back for another try. And the result was the same as said. The sameness of that "unbearable lightness" that came from the soup as mentioned.

In the past, when Sapa was not here yet, I was used to going to Phở Điện nearby, the one that I thought was the best. Upon opening, it immediately usurped Pho Điện and competed for the throne. And they won easily, I think, as once you already tried Sapa, you won't want to go back to Phở Điện no more. But that was le passé, not now. Then even now, when I've found out it's getting bad, I still don't want to return to Phở Điện. That's because of how "supreme" and unique Sapa once was, and what made Sapa so become in the beginning stage of their business but not so anymore indirectly taught me not to compromise on anything of lesser quality. It served me with a bowl of delicious pho that tasted so good that nothing in it had been left behind after every meal. What an incomparable taste! Now I know I will miss it. Something precious is gone. A "cultural...

terrible!!! 1st visit as well as our last after learning of its recent opening... our group of 5 came in on a wknd, after 30 min of a wait & noted other people coming in after us already got their food, i asked for our order of 5 small bowls of pho; took this place another 10 min to bring 3 of 5, and another 5 min to bring the remaining 2. Our order was obviously forgotten! Told my family that hope the noodle or quality is above average so this mishap would be forgotten; our hope was squashed as the quality is from mediocre to bad; the meat was hard, rubbery & the broth is not much flavorful; our multiple requests for extra lime & scallion never delivered although the waiter came to say that they don't have scallion when we were about to finish; lol, out of scallion on a busy afternoon; however, it's not the worse; mentioned to the female owner about the long wait & mishap when paying, and the original reply (in vietnamese) is "cho nao cung vay thoi" or 'this does happen everywhere', lol, not an apology or excuse! If they keep up with this poor service, not sure how long it will be around/last, but good luck...

If folks want a quality service & pho, I recommend 'pho binh 59 south'. I have recently had pho there more than once where the quality (not only the pho...not sure about different selections as I haven't tried... but also the prompt & attentive service) were above average...

Restaurant: Pho Sapa (Houston, TX)

World class bowl of Pho. The reviews and hype are real. This bowl of Pho is definitely a top 5 Pho in America and the best Northern inspired Pho I’ve ever had. When the server set the bowl down, I knew I was in for a treat. The looks of the broth's richness and quality cuts of meats lived up to how it tasted very rich, beefy, savory, perfectly balanced, and mind blowing from the first sip of the broth to the last. There wasn’t much for the aromatic smell but that did not matter. I love how the restaurant is mainly focused on Pho. The environment was perfect for eating noodles. The restaurant felt like it was modernized for made for eating noodles. Customer service was amazing for how many people being served. There was a wait list and we had to wait 15 minutes. You know a place is great when there is a waiting list.

Would I eat here again? Yes! This is a must go to Pho spot if you're in Houston. Best Pho in TX! I love this place can't wait to come back!!!

Summary

Pho Score

Price (5): 5

Bowl size (5): 4

Presentation (5): 5

Herbs (5): 4.5

Noodles (5): 4.5

Meat

Quality (5): 5

Portion (5): 5

Bonus meats (5): 5

Broth quality

Clearness (5): 5

Spices (5): 3.5

Depth (5): 5

Balance (20): 19.25

Richness (20): 19.25

MSG aftertaste (-3): -2

Secret special factor (5): 5

Total score (100...