I Love Phở — Restaurant in Lubbock

I have both worked here, and eaten/eat here. That said, here's a VERY detailed, and honest review of this company, their staff, and their food.

Food: Authentic - and I mean that. The broth is slow simmered for TWO DAYS then cooled and reheated. This allows the flavors to 'marry' in a way that for lack of a better term tastes "OH MY GAWD!" The BBQ Pork is hand-tossed in some of the best hand-made barbecue sauce I've ever tasted in my LIFE! I literally had a REALLY difficult time with wanting to just drink the BBQ sauce! Everything is made from scratch, and from butcher-cuts of meat. Frank spends his mornings and sometimes his afternoons hand rolling the spring rolls (Grandma, and Auntie do too) and egg rolls, cutting the fats from the meats, etc.

Environment - It's a bit crowded, and informal, but it's an Asian restaurant so what more would you expect? They frequently have Vietnamese friends of the family come visit and they're super nice people with fairly well-behaved children. It's definitely a family environment in EVERY way!

Cost - Honestly, considering the amount of preparation that goes into making every plate from scratch...It's CHEAP. Sure, it's a bit pricey, but (especially) if you get the Pho in a large size (the only size available for take-out) you REALLY get your money's worth, and depending on the size of your appetite, and stomach you might have some leftovers.

Staff: Tracy - The owner - Is a sweetheart. Her husband passed a few years ago, and he was the former Owner who gave his portion of the company to Tracy, and she's done an AMAZING job of bringing this restaurant back up to par with what it should be. "Uncle" is the main cook in the Kitchen, and is the most wonderfully gifted old man I've met in my life! He ensures that every dish his hands touch is done right, and if something comes back to the kitchen he is the FIRST person to say "What happened" and rectify the situation! He CARES, and that's something that's hard to find now a day. "Grandma" preps most of the food, and works her BUTT OFF! She's a grumpy old cat, and has an attitude for days, but if you spent all day in a kitchen working for your daughter I'm sure you would be pretty irritated too! She's also incredibly sweet, and giving; but she really hates to show it. You can tell that she was that mom that made sure her kids understood hard work, and dedication are what get you ahead in life, and it shows through her children! Frank is the dishwasher, and when my wife and I worked there he'd come out VERY frequently to help us bus tables, and make sure that the restaurant was staying at, or near max capacity at all times! He works his fingers to the BONE. The pot for the Pho broth is LITERALLY four feet tall and has over 150 LBs of bones in it AFTER the sauce is drained, and he lifts it off the burner (with Uncle's help) to place the bones into one of the large 50-Gallon trashcans then chucks them into the dumpster when the trashcan's full EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! Dustin - One of the waitstaff there (and the only one working there now that was at the time that Kat and I were - Is kind, compassionate, slightly quiet, and a hard worker - when he wants to be. Auntie - Sweet as can be, and although she knows precisely ZERO English she does her best to communicate with people through body language, and does a wonderful job at it.

Other thoughts - The only thing I wish is that I had more money to eat here every day because I would. Every single meal! In case you were curious it's Pronounced "Phuh" with a slight attenuation of the "UH" sound almost as if you were questioning whether you wanted it (Which you do, I assure you!)

Conclusion - Go here, if you've never had Vietnamese food try it, and fall in love. Some of the menu items might throw you if you're the "traditional american cuisine" type, but even then try the P2 (Eye Round Pho) and you will love...

From the moment you step into I Love Pho, you’re greeted with more than just the tantalizing aroma of spices; you’re enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth that only a family-owned gem like this can offer. Since 2017, this cozy nook has been my go-to spot for not just a meal, but an experience. The broth here is nothing short of liquid gold. Each spoonful is a testament to the hours of simmering and the meticulous balance of flavors that can only come from a recipe perfected over time. It’s rich, it’s fragrant, and it’s the kind of delicious that has you planning your next visit before you’ve even left. Service? Impeccable. The staff at I Love Pho treat you like family, ensuring that your bowl is always brimming and your dining needs are met with a smile. They’re the unsung heroes who make each visit memorable. Sure, the ambiance might not be what you’d find in a high-end restaurant, but that’s part of its charm. It’s clean, it’s comfortable, and it’s the perfect backdrop for what truly matters—the food and the people. It’s a quiet retreat where you can savor your meal and enjoy good company. I Love Pho is more than just a restaurant; it’s a staple of Lubbock, a culinary haven, and a place that holds countless delicious memories for me. If you’re looking for authentic pho that’s served with care, look no further. This is where...

If you’re craving pho and are in the area, this is pretty much your only option for probably 100 miles. So keep that in mind.

I enjoyed the soup. The broth was flavorful enough, though a bit flat in flavor. It just needed a little extra lift for that sublime warm lift experience I’m used to with pho. The spring rolls were fresh, as they should be. But they were wrapped really loosely and fell apart after a single bite.

My biggest issue, and this is unfortunately what really took the rating down for me, is their cleanliness. I understand they’re short staffed, and that seems to have affected their attention to detail. Sauce bottles were dirty and needed to be wiped down, there were tables with dirty dishes that were there before before I sat down and still needed bussing after I finished, and there was cilantro on the inside of my cup from the dishwasher.

Service was nice enough, though obviously harangued. Every time they set something down on my table it was so hurriedly that any liquid would spill. Sauce on the spring rolls spilled over its container, and broth sloshed over the side of the bowl.

I hope to be back, and I hope it’s on a better day and that my experience was the exception rather...