Pho Thanh — Restaurant in Norwich Township

Pho Thanh is new. It is so new that it doesn't even have a sign. If you are looking for it, maybe you know it as the location of the former Kabob Shack (and can we have a minute of silence for the loss of that gem?). They have the same general problem where you could drive by a million times and not notice it, but please don't drive by. Hilliard doesn't have a lot of options for Vietnamese food and we need a Pho Thanh. Having happened to notice them while visiting the CVS out front, I got very excited and immediately dropped in. They have all your standard Vietnamese favorites and I sampled the egg rolls (A1), pork bahn mi (S2), and pho with beef (P2). The egg rolls are quite a small order at 2 pieces and very tiny. I probably wouldn't get them again. The flavor was fine, but I mostly got them as a sampler of what the menu had to offer and would skip in favor of the mains next time. The bahn mi was excellent and I would go back just for that. Succulent pork, just the right amount of jalapeno, fresh crispy bread, all the things that are great about a bahn mi. I took all my food to go and that is always a dicey proposition with pho, but they packaged it extremely well and I was pleased with the result. The broth was a bit heavy handed on spice for my tastes (if you compare it with a place like Indochine Cafe, it was completely overboard, but pretty much in line with Pho Asian Noodle House). I would order again, but given an option of anywhere in the Columbus area I would head to Buckeye Pho. Still, I am so happy to have Pho Thanh in the area and I plan on...

South Vietnamese owners but not authentic homemade pho, very unfortunate. Took shortcut and didn't prepare their own broth from scratch. Instead, from a packet, a bottle or a bag. This is my opinion and my palate's opinion. It was watery, bland, wrong color, smell and taste. Way too much noodles which made the broth more flavorless. Took a couple bites, hesitantly and pushed aside the rest. I just couldn't eat anymore! The service was so-so. Server was nice but not at all attentive. Always seem to hide back behind the counter on her cell phone. It was not at all busy. Doesn't seem to like to take empty dishes away from tables. Menu is misleading. Recommend asking details of the dishes before ordering. Overheard customers complaining about the menu when they were there for the first time to try the seafood boil. It wasn't what they expected nor what was advertised in the photo. Lure you in, then disappoint you. Older couple, owners, take out food from kitchen and places meals on your table. Nice touch but doesn't mean anything if the food isn't good. A throw-you-off a complaint idea? Hmmm? If the owners do all the work, why is the server lacking attentiveness? Hmmm, again. A restaurant doesn't have to deceive or play tricks if their food is authentic, delicious and flavorful. The meal will sell itself. I don't recommend this establishment. But hey, who knows, if you don't care about homemade from scratch authentic (they advertised in large letters, AUTHENTIC VIETNAMESE!), this place may find you well? Bon appetit and...

Ask for plain water, they’ll give you a plastic cup of tap water with a bubble tea style sealed lid on it. At first I thought it was a covid thing (keeping the water sanitary?) but then I saw at the final bill they charged 50 cents for each cup and called it bottled water. The Vietnamese coffee was very strong, very sweet, but too much ice. Especially at $4.50 each. The beef pho was a bit salty, the broth very light colored, and tasted like it was cut with chicken broth. I’m also accustomed to pho places giving you a lot more protein with your bowl. They also didn’t give very much Thai basil nor lime with the garnish plate, no bird’s eye chili either. Seems like a pho place that caters more to the western palette (which makes sense given its location.) However, the banh mi was delicious, served with warm baguette, and perfectly seasoned. It really saved my meal. Service was excellent and fast. I hope the owners consider some of the critiques and make improvements, and I would definitely come back and try again.

Visit 2: well, I came back and ordered the banh mi for takeout and this time around, I got half the protein in the sandwich as I did when dining in. Even after tipping over 20% (oh yeah, they make a big production of standing over you while you’re filling out the slip, even for takeout, and even for ApplePay.) If they continue to nickel and dime their customers over water charges and then ingredients or serving sizes, then I can’t see a lot of...