Phở Hòa Lão Vietnamese Restaurant — Restaurant in Oakland

I will stake my review writing career on this. The Best Pho Place Ever! (or until I'm proven wrong). I'm tired of hearing that Westminster has great pho it is a lie. Here are my requirements for The Best Pho ever:

"Super Bowl" the pho must have this name. If it shares a name with the biggest sporting event, the pho size should be as impressive. In the battle of Man verse Food. Food should win. No Vietnamese size portion, but more like big over weight obese American portions. I do not want to have to order extra meat or a side of pork chop. (Even a medium pho should be Large)

The best item on the menu should be the combination of pho with everything. Tripe, brisket, rare steak, etc.

The soup broth should be perfect. It should taste like it took 48 hours to make and came from a family kitchen. No can stuff or MSG that makes you so thirsty you keep refilling your water every minute.

A Pho place must specialize in Pho. I don't want to hear how great the fried rice or Thai ice tea is.

The restaurant should be filled with Vietnamese customers to validate authenticity.

The noodle should be cooked just right. It should not be clumped together or soggy. The meat to noodle ratio should be 1:1 or more than 50% meat. No all noodles with 3 pieces of meat type BS!

The bean sprouts, jalapenos, limes, and mint leaf must all be fresh. The garnishes, however, should not be needed to add flavor.

Pho Hoa Lao, you excel in every category. Very clean restaurant with large portions. There are lot of bomb rice dishes if you don't feel like pho. Get the egg rolls if you are super hungry, but you probably will not need them. Service is fast and the parking is convenient. Highly...

Vietnamese restaurant with foods so authentic in detail but so universal that everyone can enjoy. Very reasonable price compared to others around the area.

A little matter I should point out is that the guy, maybe the manager there when I came, seem not interested to look at you when passing the menu, or sleepy not even taking your cash payment. If this improves, it must be a place to stop by if you come to Oakland!

Updated 4/04/2025: Recently i come here for breakfast once or twice per week. I have always been disappointed in the cashier. They only take cash and mock at you sometimes when giving back change. For this reason, I lowered...

I went here today on my break from work. There was miscommunication and I didnt realise that I had forgotten my wallet and it was cash only. The lady that served me was so sweet and told me that we were both working people and she was glad I wasnt mad at her for not informing me it was cash only. She afforded me the trust and faith that I would come back and pay her. She even invited me to come back with my family to enjoy the food.

Oakland is a horrible place in a lot of ways. This lady restores my faith in the people of this city. And the food was incredible. Will recommended this place to anyone I can. Still blown away by...