iPho Sushi Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Knightdale

When I first came to this restaurant about 3 years ago this was, hands down, the best sushi place. We weren’t local but made the trip frequently just to eat here it was so good. Lately it’s gone so far downhill. I don’t know what the heck has happened. I kept coming back, though, to see if I was just dining on “off days,” because you know, it happens. Yesterday (1/11/20) was the last straw and I’m really disappointed to say that. Truly I loved this restaurant. But I had the most disappointing dining experience in my 25 years. We were greeted fifteen minutes after being seated. The waitress, the larger girl with the long blonde ponytail, said she was sorry for the wait and took our drink order. Those took another several minutes, and she said she was sorry but the bartender had been on a break then she asked to order our meal. We were served a dish that came with rice with no rice and pho with no spoon, after kindly pointing this out the waitress said, “I’m sorry, you’re correct.” After another several minutes, with our food still in front of us untouched, she looked at us (looking back at her expectantly) and she said, “sorry was there something you needed?” And we reminded her again that we needed the spoon and the rice. She said “I’m sorry, you’re right” and returned with only the rice. My company shrugged it off and ate their pho with a fork instead of trying for a spoon a third time. We ordered another round drinks because the others were long since gone without her notice. Then the sushi came out. And in the crab roll I ordered was not crab, but instead, tuna. When the next round of drinks came out, I pointed this out to her and she said “I’m sorry, it’s been like this all night.” You see, every interaction we had with her started with an apology. She knew she, or her colleagues, had been providing subpar service. Ultimately, the manager gave us 30% off of the atrocious meal and was very kind and encouraged us to come again. And I was forgiving. Like I said previously, I really liked this place. But the biggest kicker was, after all that, as we were walking out the waitress says, loudly enough for us and the rest of the restaurant to hear, “I hate when cheapskate people do that! Come out to eat and complain thinking they’ll get a free meal!” to the other much thinner, waitress with the blonde hair. I’m embarrassed. I’m disappointed I tipped her before she embarrassed me in front of everyone in earshot....

I have ordered the same soup 4 times from this restaurant. Each time I have done take out. On the 5th time my cousin went in to pick up the order of vegetable soup and edamame which was $29 before the 3% or 5% addition that they charge if you pay with debit or credit card. My cousin said the man that rang her up asked you aren’t going to leave a tip. She said no it is a take out order, I’m paying for the food and your service charge. We are gracious tippers when dining in restaurants and when receiving delivery. I think it is rude for someone to ask for a tip, especially for take out. When we got home we noticed the container of bean sprouts, cilantro, basil and lime was not included. They did give me a packet of hosin sauce and siracha sauce. As I mentioned earlier I have purchased this soup 4 times prior and each time that was included. I called the restaurant and I explained to the man that answered they forgot it with my order. He said it is not included and you have to request it. I tried to explain to him that I have purchased it several times before and never had to ask. Instead of allowing me to finish my sentence he wanted to talk over me and tell me which soups came with those items. I asked to speak with the manager. He said he was the manager. I tried to explain to him if that is indeed the case he needs to speak with whomever is making the soups because they have been making them wrong the last 4 times I purchased it. Again he would not let me finish my sentence and cut me off. At this point I said to him, I am a customer. It is outrageous that you will not let me voice my concern. I know you hear me talking and it is rude to talk over me. At this point he raised his voice to talk over me louder. I let him know I will not return to patronize their restaurant and I will be sure to leave a review regarding the terrible customer service that I received from the manager. I checked their website just to make sure I was not crazy and you see the noodle soup listed on the menu above all of the soups and it clearly says it comes with basil, bean sprouts, cilantro and lime. I would recommend staying far away from this restaurant if they are willing to have a manager that is disrespectful and dishonest to their customers. I know I will...

As a frequent diner and enthusiast of Asian cuisine, I was initially captivated by the allure of iPho Sushi Kitchen & Bar when it first opened its doors in Knightdale. Over the span of four years, I made three visits to this establishment, each time hoping to recapture the magic of my initial experience. However, I must regrettably admit that my recent encounters with iPho Sushi Kitchen & Bar were far from satisfying.

One aspect that consistently stood out during my visits was the visually appealing presentation of the food. From the vibrant colors to the meticulous arrangement, it was evident that great care was taken in the culinary preparation. However, despite the tantalizing dishes, my overall dining experience was marred by the less-than-desirable demeanor of the servers.

On each occasion, I couldn't shake off the feeling of being unwelcome. It was disheartening to note that the servers' attitudes did not reflect the warmth and hospitality that are often associated with Asian dining establishments. What struck me as particularly odd was the timing of receiving the check – invariably, it would be presented while I was still in the midst of enjoying my meal, which felt rushed and inconsiderate.

As someone who takes pride in supporting Asian-owned businesses, it pains me to say that my encounters at iPho Sushi Kitchen & Bar left much to be desired. Despite my genuine desire to champion a local restaurant serving Asian cuisine, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment and alienation during my visits. I sincerely hope that the management and staff of iPho Sushi Kitchen & Bar take heed of the feedback provided by patrons like myself. With a concerted effort to improve service standards and cultivate a more welcoming atmosphere, there is potential for iPho Sushi Kitchen & Bar to reclaim its status as a destination for exceptional Asian dining...