Pho So 1 Lake Forest — Restaurant in Lake Forest

Pho So 1? More like Pho So-So. This pho restaurant out in Lake Forest, California was a disappointment. I'd flew into town to visit family, and while there I was craving a bowl of pho. California, I assumed, must have easy good pho. Googled this joint not too far. With a 4.6 star rating, I didn't think it could lose. How did they lose me? Moment I walked in, buddy asks me if I wanted to sit on an awkward single chair table in the middle of the restaurant. I asked him if I could sit in either one of the empty booths (joint was empty.) He said "Yeah sure." He explained that he didn't know why but he thought the restaurant was full. Lol. I knew what I wanted. Classic Pho Duc Biet. That guy walked past me 5 times before a young lady came by and asked me if I was ready. She was sweet. About 2 minutes after order they give me a plate of the garnish (bean sprouts, lime, jalapeños etc.) that's saran-wrapped. Still cold from the fridge it just came out of. Not long after, the bowl of pho came! So two things: 1. This place is so good, they have constant bowls coming and going. 2. Joint has already prepped, long sitting ingredients thrown in the bowl with hot soup. Unfortunately, it was the latter. The noodles still tasted of heavy starch, didn't go through cold water, meat was gray, dry, tripe was thin, tendons were small. Absolute #fail. Mfer right...Anyways, as I was eating, buddy who thought the restaurant was full, placed my bill on the table. Cool. I put my card down pretty immediately, ready to just go when I'm done. My card sat there as I finished my bowl, then, as I cleaned myself up, then as I started to put all the napkins in the bowl and wipe down the table a little. Just did buddy's whole job for him while he walked past me several times. I had to wave him down like I was back in Hong Kong. Would've done it sooner, but kid had an American accent. Didn't want to scare him with old country behavior. Overall, absolute disappointment. Google rates them 4.6 stars out of 5? I give 1.3 stars. Complete trash. The ice tea was...

This is my first review I’ve ever felt like I really needed to leave. As I understand we arrived at 9pm and the restaurant closes at 10. I could see how the staff could be tired and ready for the night to be over. As I have been in the food and beverage industry for over 15 yrs, and have personally run a pho restaurant. The attitude of the first young gentlemen was very apparent he did not want us there, and we were an inconvenience to him. We were treated as if we were stupid for asking what time they closed. Then the second server came to our table, made us feel very rushed and unwanted at the establishment. Then when he went to the large table next to us he was very kind and laughing. I asked him about pot stickers which actually are very often served at pho restaurants, and in a very condescending way he explained he doesn’t know what those are. Then when I said they are fried dumplings he said those are Chinese. I believe this offended him and why he treated us like homeless people asking for a hand out. He then proceeded to turn off the open sign a half hour before they closed. Plain and simple if you want to close at 9:00pm change your hours. You are open until 10:00pm to cover your labor and food expenses. Please remember that. I still tipped $13 on a $36 bill because I’m hoping he will not judge a book by its cover next time. I am leaving this as a constructive criticism and not to personal attack anyone. Hope this finds you well, and you can learn from this experience as it is effecting your...

First time here, and we just sorta stumbled upon this place. From the outside, there is little that calls attention to Pho So. Once inside, it reminds you of an 80's diner with a couple of flat-screen TVs for entertainment.

We were greeted when we entered, which was pretty cool. Then the staff were at our table very quickly, took our drink orders, and left after providing menus. Once we had ordered our food and the drinks delivered, it was shortly thereafter that our food was delivered.

I had the pork vermicelli with fish sauce, which was pretty tasty. My friends had Pho and the other the chicken. Everyone was very satisfied with what they ordered, as evidenced by the fact there was little left on the plates when we were done.

So this is a nice little gem of a location, with a friendly staff and great service. The only thing this place is missing is the fancy decor found in more pretentious establishments. You might want to...