Pho Bò Tơ & Bò Né — Restaurant in Houston

I'm not sure if this restaurant is considered a hidden gem but I am ecstatic to have discovered it for myself. I was looking for a quick lunch with a colleague close by when I stumbled upon this restaurant. I asked a few friends who I usually go to for Vietnamese cuisine recommendations about it and surprisingly they had not eaten there before. Never one to pass up a new experience, I decided to roll the dice and try it out.

I walked in and I knew from the instant I stepped in that, I was going to like this place. The vibe was super chill and the staff were casual but friendly. My colleague and I sat down and reviewed the menu but I knew what I wanted the minute I walked in.

I ordered the Món ăn đặc biệt (Special Food) Bò né. I've had bò né before and always enjoyed it, so I was expecting to be satisfied and hoping to be surprised. There are a couple of options to add along with the thịt bò (beef). I chose Spam. When I tell you, that this was not just a meal but an experience, I'm not embellishing. This bò né eliminated the competition! The presentation was exceptional, with the hot skillet, sizzling like there was still a flame underneath it. I could actually hear the sizzle all the way from the kitchen and it just grew louder in anticipation as it neared the table. The beef was excellent, succulent and seasoned to perfection. Every bite was a masterpiece! The spam and egg just exploded with flavor when combined with the beef and sauce. Totally enhanced an already amazing dish. Then the bánh mì, which was brought out personally by an older gentleman fresh from the oven was by far one of the best and freshest bánh mì I've ever had. I couldn't stop spreading Vietnamese mayo and patê on the bánh mì and soaking up the gravy from the bò né. This was a spectacular meal and well worth the trip.

Never one to quit while I'm ahead, I decided to order a fried tofu bánh mì. This was a classic bánh mì and a solid choice, Just as fresh as the bánh mì that came with the bò né. Light and crispy. The tofu was good and the veggies had that crunch that I love in a bánh mì.

I wanted to order soy milk as well but in all the excitement I forgot to order it. I'll definitely be back and I'll get it then. I'm still surprised that some of my good friends hadn't ate here before but I've highly recommended it to them after this visit. Discovering new Vietnamese restaurants is quickly becoming my favorite thing to do.

Phở bò tơ & bò...

The house traditional Phở is no joke! Just check out my photo. The price is actually fantastic, when you consider what all meats you get with it... such as the giant beef rib that is so tender you knock it off the bone with your chopsticks with ease. And the flavor is lovely.

*Special note: they only serve beef. Don't show up here hoping for any other phở option than beef. No chicken, and no vegetarian (and I won't get started on how that isn't even "Phở" to begin with).

The Thai red tea is good, but not great. But worth it.

The house chili oil is some of the best I have ever had, even in Vietnam. And for about $8 you can take a jar home.

The portion of veggies provided with the Phở is more along the lines of what you would get in Vietnam, as apposed to the sad garnish of veggies served in most places in the US. I can only guess most Americans don't appreciate the veggies in their Phở as much as the Viet people.

The bathrooms are clean. Always a plus.

The cook is out working and exposed to the main room, so sometimes it can get a tad smoky in the dining area. I've been here several times, even though this is my first post.

*special note: the large Phở is JUMBO, so be careful about how hungry you really think you are before ordering that massive bowl of noodle and beef.

The final notes would be: 1) don't judge the restaurant by the cover, 2) the service staff has always been great - when slow or busy, and 3) all the meats are super tender, even in the sizzling beef platter.

That's the skinny!

I rarely give 5 stars -- I expect an experience that is awe inspiring to give the fifth -- so 4 stars from me is a very...

Wow just unbelievable that this place has such high ratings! With that said, it's highly unlikely I'll ever come back!! I'm usually the type to give 2nd chances and try it again for myself but my first experience was awful.

Bo Ne... this was the most unsatisfactory meal we've ever had. It was nowhere close to being the best nor good like everyone claimed it to be. The "steak" cubes were horribly tough. Overcooked and under seasoned. The eggs were okay. Can't really mess up eggs.. haha but the sauce that was drenched in all of that was not good. It was just super sweet but lacks salt? It just doesn't do it for me. I had to add extra soy sauce and some sriracha just to make it a little more enjoyable for my bf. And man, don't even get me started with the pate/butter combo. "Butter" tasted just like regular mayo but add yellow food coloring.. it was not the typical Vietnamese butter. And the pate wasn't creamy or tasty. It was just very cottage cheese looking. Grainy tasting even. And the wimpy little salad that came with it? What's the point? The dressing overpowered everything. Literally drenched. Very disappointing. And by the way, everyone kept reviewing that their bread was super warm, crispy crunchy and flaky. Well that's a whole bunch of bull. It definitely wasn't fresh for sure. The bread wasn't even...