New Phở Saigon | Noodle & Grill Restaurant — Restaurant in Milpitas

I came here because I really enjoy Pho. Was really looking forward to it. When I arrived the restaurant was almost completely empty at 5 pm Sunday. I was sat and ordered large beef pho. They quickly brought out sprouts that were not that fresh and were discolored and a tiny piece of basil.

The pho arrived quickly. I was surprised how the bowl was not full with broth. I enjoy it and had to wave the waitress down and asked if I could get some more broth. She said extra cost. I asked how much and she said $2. I said okay. She brings me out this half full small bowl of broth. The pho tasted good, but I was thirsty as I had been out hiking early. I had finished the ice water they gave me. While eating for over 30 mins not once did anyone come refill the water or check on me and see if I needed anything.

I look over and the staff are all sitting eating and just on their phone.

I go leave and it is $17. I ask why and the lady in a very rude sarcastic voice says WE LIVE IN CALIFORNIA WE PAY TAX. At this point I was just so turned off and wanted to just leave. I realize we pay tax but when you charge me you don't show me a receipt with what I am paying for. I ended up leaving a $2 tip and paid $19 for this small bowl of Pho. I get it, it's an expensive area but $19 for a bowl of Pho is really expensive.

The lady asks me if I wanted more water. I tell her no thats fine. She does not even listen to me and walks away and goes to make a ice water in a foam cup. I leave and she follows me out of the restaurant to give it to me.

Why are you following outside when all I want to do is leave? Why are you arguing with me a paying customer who got no service.

It's...

The wait staff was polite & prompt.

After I placed my order for a small Phở Đặc Biệt (house special beef noodle soup), a waitress came back out to ask for clarification about my order:

Waitress: Just need to clarify if you ordered a Phở with beef broth or pork broth. Me: Isn't phở with pork broth called Hủ Tiếu? Waitress: No, it is truly Phở, just the broth is made from pork. Besides, pork Phở is better. Me: OK, I have your recommendation.

A short time later, she brought out a large bowl of soup with Phở noodle, pork broth, thin slices of lean pork, shrimp, squid, fish ball, & imitation crab, topped with a shrimp toast. When I grew up in Vietnam, such bowl of soup was definitely called Hủ Tiếu.

The Hủ Tiú was acceptable. The seafood in it was OK. But because the shrimp toast was in the broth, it quickly became soggy, instead of crispy. Its unshelled shrimp was hard.

The glass of salted lemonade was half full. I had to add water to improve its taste.

Maybe other dishes of this restaurant are better than...

It's open late so that's a plus... I guess.

Man it's packed here and I have no other explanation for why.

Service was SO slow. I know I said it's packed but I have never waited for 25-30 minutes for egg rolls and two bowls of pho.

Some poor guy was waiting for his call in takeout from the moment we ordered and he still got his food after us.

The egg rolls weren't hot, they also had an almost bready chewy undercooked texture despite being having blackened marks outside. Pho was just okay okay. All I could taste was star anise and allspice - just no balance to the broth.

They give lemons not limes and honestly the leaves they gave us for the egg rolls were wilted.

God I'm sad. I hate dragging pho places but this was...