Good Pho You — Restaurant in Los Angeles

In the shadow of Granada Hills' faded grandeur, where sunshine glares through dusty windows and buildings wear their age like weary frowns, I embarked on a quest for comfort: a steaming bowl of pho. Elder parents in tow, lured by the siren song of slurpable noodles and fragrant broth, we ventured into a hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese joint boasting of good Google reviews.

Alas, the promise of warmth dissipated along with the non-existent air conditioning. The cavernous space, empty yet oddly oppressive, welcomed us with stifling heat and the flickering neon glow of fluorescent lights. Two friendly young women manned the cash register, a beacon of hospitality in the dimly lit interior.

Optimism clung to us, fueled by the anticipation of fragrant broths and springy rice noodles. We ordered generously, two steaming bowls of pho, a sizzling plate of Cha Gio (those Vietnamese spring rolls you know and love), and a comforting beef rice dish. Senior menus, a small victory in the realm of escalating appetites, shaved a modest four dollars off each pho, a welcome reprieve.

Then, the first domino: no lettuce wraps for the Cha Gio. Just the lonely dip, staring vacantly at the vibrant tapestry of shredded carrots, mint, and basil. Strike one.

The pho arrived, generous in portion, but sadly lacking the ethereal depth of truly great bowls. The noodles, competent but uninspired, swam in a broth that whispered more of blandness than nuanced spice. We shared, slurped, and enjoyed, fueled by the joy of family and the fleeting thrill of gluttony.

The beef rice followed, another melody of "edible but unexceptional." Flavors played it safe, nothing to write home about or send carrier pigeons to announce a culinary revelation. Still, we ate, the portions dwindling, content with the quiet company and the gentle comfort of a familiar cuisine.

But then, as if the universe conspired against our humble feast, the bill arrived. The senior discount, vanished! Apparently, in the culinary code of this particular establishment, sharing was not caring. Eight precious dollars, pilfered by a policy as baffling as it was petty. We grumbled internally, choosing silent smiles over festive conflict. Arguing during Christmas season, even against gastronomic injustice, seemed less appealing than a swift escape.

So we paid, thanked the world for the lukewarm experience, and wished them a very happy new year. As we stepped back into the sun-drenched streets, the warmth felt somehow different, tinged with the disappointment of a culinary letdown. The pho, it turned out, was just a footnote in the fading landscape of Granada Hills, a reminder that good eats, like true warmth, aren't always easy to find in the shadows.

This, my friends, is a critic's lament, a ballad of acceptable noodles and misplaced discounts sung under the unforgiving spotlight of a forgotten suburb. And while the memory of that pho may fade with time, the lesson it taught will linger: in the vast culinary landscape, the search for truly great flavors, like the pursuit of true warmth, is a journey worth taking, even if it sometimes leads to empty bowls and...

8:58-10:34, that is how long we sat at our table. I have worked in the restraunt service so normally I would be understanding of slower service; However, this was TERRIBLE.

After serving the food, our waitress refused to acknowledge us. If she had, she would have realized I never got mine and one person at the table hadnt eaten because they needed condiments. I had to walk to where she was in order to tell her. By the time she brought my food everyone else at the table was done, drinks were empty, and they had to wait for me. She never returned or gave me utensils. I had to ask another waitress for them. She disappeared in the back room. I think she went on her break, but she didnt inform us so we were stuck trying to figure out how to get someones attention. Had to get up and ask someone else for a box and the check. She came from the back as we were waiting and just twiddled her thumbs like an idiot and stared at the other waitresses helping us. She gave us the bill and charged me for my food! I couldnt believe it. Normally, when you forget someone order you discount it or take it off the bill. Well, not her!l The food was OK. However, none of us got pho, which is probably their strong suit.

My recommendation to this restraunt is to have their cooks put less bean sprouts in the dishes and to fire the terrible lady that puts shame to your restraunt! Honestly, those poor other waitresses had to pull her slack and would have been better off with just the two of them. Or somebody else. Dont get me wrong, she wasn't rude. But she was about as intelligent as a bag of nails and had no courtesy whatsoever for her customers. You would think that she would try to keep the people who she gets $ from, at very...

I have been supporting this spot since 2007 that is 14 years. coming in bringing friends and raving about this place showing up during summer when not many people want soup and coming to support during covid and after. Today I decided NOT to go out to see friends and eat but go and enjoy a bowl of pho like I do. To be greeted by one of the waitresses and ask about my order I placed it and as soon as i placed it she asked for my vaccination card. I have yet to be asked to show mine to anyone at a restaurant. I support everyone's choices on being vaccinated or not . I also support that the owner was having his staff check however in this case my vaccination card is old as I got mine due to working for the county and because I keep it in my wallet. The waitress said because it was so old that she could not read the name and could not compare it to my ID. So I could not eat there. I laughed and got up and started walking away when then she said are you sure you don't want to stay we are just checking because it could be fake or not yours. Lol what reason would I need to fake a document to eat food. I gladly left. Hope you are happy with losing a long time customer. Lol never thought it...