Sai Gòn Café — Restaurant in Manheim Township

Food: Absolutely amazing, no complaints at all. I love getting the vermicelli here it’s always on point and the beef brisket pho. Never had bad food ever here (5/5 stars ⭐️).

Atmosphere: I have been coming here for years and I have seen how much it’s changed it’s environment (in a good way!). I love the more ambient, cozy lighting inside rather than what it was which was the fluorescent office lighting that made me feel like I was in a typical Chinese take out or school cafeteria. The atmosphere has more elegance and comfort now and I’m about it. Though they should try to get more direct lighting on tables to add to the coziness and improve the decorations a bit. (4/5 stars ⭐️).

Service: This area I’m about to enlighten you on is where it got weird. I don’t get out that much to eat at this place being that 1) I don’t live in Lancaster and 2) there’s a bunch of other competing Vietnamese restaurants I want to try within the area as well. However, the last time I was there I took my BF there who hadn’t been there before. We ordered 2 hot teas, 2 spring rolls, pork vermicelli and beef brisket pho. The Asian man took our order within 10 mins of us sitting down, but 2 other tables that came in AFTER us had their order taken AFTER us yet received their food on the table way before us. We thought it was weird because they were given both their appetizer and entrees before we even got our two cold spring rolls. Just found it odd. There was a white woman waiting tables, she seemed to be the only one on the floor doing this and bussing. She never once came over to let us know that our food was on the way or what was going on. She pretty much just ignored us and only focused on the other 3 tables there. Weird. It wasn’t busy. There were only a total of 9 customers including ourselves there. We waited about 25-30 mins for our food to be in front of us meanwhile everyone else got their’s right away within 10-15 minutes of putting in their order. When we were done, no one came to even give us a bill or ask us if we wanted more tea, nothing ☹️. Because of this, I have to only give them 3/5 stars ⭐️.

While I have been a customer here and have even brought my family from outside areas here to eat, this place will not be my top choice anymore for Vietnamese food just because the way we were ignored at the restaurant was unacceptable. There are plenty of other places including a little...

Tried it for a Sunday Lunch after shopping in Lancaster. I thought it was a good sign that the place was full. However, it was an odd start that we wasn't greeted when the owner/manager saw us. I had to be the one who broke the long awkward silence by lifting my hand, signaling for a party of 2.

The wait staff appeared to be new, based on their seeming inexperience. It was minutes after we seated ourselves that we heard the owner/manager told the young staff that table 1 had no menu. I've always ordered Bun Bo Hue with pho instead of round noodles, and today was no exception. I duly told the waitress and she wrote it down and acknowledged "of course."

Now as we waited, I noticed the owner/manager was very friendly with everyone. He went from table to table and chatted cordially nonstop. It also appeared that he knew a lot of these apparently repeat-customers. Great sign! The only problem was, he never stopped by our table. Not one single eye contact for the next 25 minutes as we waited for our orders and twiddled our thumbs. I began to feel uneasy, sensing bad vibes. I was even thinking of walking out at one point.

At last, our order finally came after nearly 30 minutes per the timestamps of my photos. My mood swung up but almost immediately straight down again -- I didn't get the substitution as I had requested. I tried to flag down our waitress but she didn't see me. And that's when the owner/manager finally noticed us. He couldn't get her either so he came and addressed the miss personally.

Granted, there was a big party ahead of us but it's human nature to feel the injustice when we saw the 2 tables that got seated 5 minutes before we got our orders literally received theirs within the next 5 minutes. The long wait combined with feeling ignored made it hard to turn the bad experience around. The quality of the food became secondary. The owner/manager did make back a little ground by placating us with a short chat and a 10% discount near the very end.

I want to believe we just had a real bad luck in terms of timing, but for now I have to keep my review honest based on my...

A Bowl of Heaven and a Pho-nomenal place is Sai Gon Cafe!

A hidden gem in the heart of Lancaster, PA - Sai Gon Cafe, an authentic Vietnamese pho restaurant. From the moment I stepped in, the warm and inviting ambiance suggested that I was in for a treat.

The star of the show was, undoubtedly, their pho. I ordered the Pho Tom (shrimp pho), and it was nothing short of spectacular. The broth, simmered to perfection, was rich and aromatic, brimming with layers of flavor that only hours of careful cooking can achieve. Each sip was a delightful blend of savory, sweet, and a hint of spice, with subtle notes of star anise and cinnamon.

The rice noodles and shrimp were cooked perfectly - tender yet retaining a pleasant chewiness. The shrimp were not the frozen kind but it felt the were hand picked by the chef as they were tender and succulent, melting effortlessly in the mouth. Accompanying the bowl were fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime wedges, and jalapeños, allowing me to customize the dish to my liking.

What really set Sai Gon Cafe apart was their attention to detail and quality of ingredients. The vibrant colors and fresh aromas of the herbs, the clear yet flavorful broth, and the high-quality combination spoke volumes about their commitment to authenticity and quality.

The service was impeccable, with staff being attentive, friendly, and eager to share their knowledge of Vietnamese cuisine. Their recommendations were spot on, enhancing my dining experience.

In conclusion, Sai Gon Cafe is Pho-nomenal and is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Vietnamese pho. Its combination of delicious food, warm ambiance, and excellent service makes it stand out as a premier destination for pho lovers. I left with a contented belly and a plan to return soon to explore more of their menu. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary...