Pho House Deli — Restaurant in Kenmore

I really enjoy eating pho. My daughter likes the sandwiches at Vietnamese restaurants. It's just that pho is becoming more and more expensive. A sandwich costs $10. A friend recommended Pho House Deli on Bothell Way, where sandwiches are still $6.99.

I fell in love with this little shop as soon as I walked in—it's very clean with a view of the lake from the window. Facing the lake, enjoying a bowl of pho under the sunset, it's probably the most affordable lakeside restaurant, right?

The $13.99 pho has a lot of beef, while the sandwich is average. The taste isn't particularly special, but the cozy atmosphere makes you want to stay a bit longer.

There's only one staff member in the shop, a young guy who handles everything—cashiering, cleaning, making drinks, and serving food—all by himself. Knowing how tough it can be from my own restaurant experience, I couldn't help but ask him if it's hard. He smiled and told me he's the owner and only employee. Hiring is tough these days, and prices are high. They're Vietnamese immigrants; his mom used to run a pho restaurant and is now retired. He chose to open a pho restaurant too, and now his mom sometimes visits his shop.

He's been working in restaurants since he was 13, learning from his mom. Now, after more than 20 years in the restaurant business, he's used to it and doesn't find it hard anymore.

We spent an hour in the shop, during which he served over 20 customers, doing everything non-stop—delivering orders, packing takeouts, cleaning, and making bubble tea.

When it quieted down a bit, I couldn't resist chatting with him. The young guy, Steve, used to be an engineer at Boeing. He realized he prefers running a restaurant because it gives him more freedom. Born and raised in the U.S., he's a second-generation Vietnamese immigrant. His siblings include an emergency room doctor sister, a second sister who owns a breakfast restaurant and a cosmetics company in New York, and a brother who seems to be an engineer like he was—studying electrical engineering.

It's rare to see a second generation so hardworking. Steve told me you should involve kids in work early on; he's been helping at his mom's restaurant since he was 13 and has grown accustomed to being busy every day—he doesn't find it...

Nestled along the north end of Lake Washington, Pho House Deli is a true gem where exceptional food meets heartfelt hospitality. The lake views alone are worth the visit, but if you time it right, you might catch the mesmerizing sight of seaplanes gliding in and out several times an hour. It’s a uniquely Pacific Northwest bonus that adds a touch of wonder to your meal.

Steve, one of the family owners, exemplifies what great customer service should be. He personally checked our order, guided us through the menu with genuine care, and when I asked for two extra sides of their addictive peanut butter dipping sauce for my shrimp fresh rolls, which I offering to pay for, he simply smiled and said, “Not necessary, I got you.” That kind of generosity sticks with you.

The food was absolutely delicious. We ordered:

No. S1 - Mi Xao: Stir-fried egg noodles with mixed vegetables and chicken. Perfectly balanced, flavorful, and satisfying

No. A1 - Goi Cuon: Two fresh spring rolls with shrimp, paired with that unforgettable peanut sauce

No. 15 - Bun Cha Gio: Vermicelli with grilled pork and crispy egg rolls. Bold flavors

To top it off, we sipped on two boba teas: mango and honeydew. I’m usually a mango loyalist, but the honeydew surprised me, it was the ideal refreshment for a late summer day in Seattle.

And here’s a bonus for gamers and Halo fans: the walls are adorned with nine signed Halo posters, each autographed by the developers themselves. The restaurant originally operated in Kirkland near Halo’s former HQ, and Steve’s brother-in-law, one of the developers, helped secure the autographs. It’s a cool slice of gaming history tucked into a cozy Vietnamese eatery.

The restroom was exceptionally clean! And that is a major bonus.

With delicious food, generous service, and a lakeside view that includes seaplanes and signed Halo memorabilia, it’s one of the most memorable dining experiences in the area and an...

Passed by this place numerous times thinking it's going to be another restaurant where the food doesn't justify the price, like a lot of pho places in Seattle.. It was 11am and I wanted something hot and salty and thought, let's finally try this place.

Order taking was pleasant, friendly and honest. I got the pho tai gan, pho house, bahn mi, and the viet coffee. I dined in on the tai gan and did the rest takeout.

The broth had a good temperature, finally! I thought the portion was good as well though maybe they should have an extra large option for those extremely hungry people since there were some comments about portion size. Then again they do have a Pho House which seems to be larger.. but then again.. we do live in a country were super size is the normal size.. When I was eating pho growing up, not in Seattle, most pho places had their regular sized pho bowls and then there was the #1, "Fire Train", kitchen sink, whatever name they gave that first item on their menu, which wasn't a large but an extra large bowl of pho, catering to the labor workers, or the especially large or hungry people of the area. The broth was also good. Im a big fan of basil and lime in my broth. Some prefer as-is. Whatever works.

Place is clean, organized, glasses for water looked clean. Menu could be better but it's aiiight.

I gave them 4 stars because the rare beef came fully cooked instead of raw/rare. The pho house I ordered takeout did have it raw so it was great to put it together and pour a hot broth over at home. The noodles can also use some work. It was a little hard when served but fine when I prepped at home.

Lastly, when I get viet coffee, I expect it to be strong. If it's not strong, it's wrong, else I get coffee at any of the other hundreds of weaka$$ coffee places in Seattle. Their coffee was good, would most likely get it again.

Eat, be happy,...