Kim’s Pho — Restaurant in Owasso

I've sampled many pho places throughout Tulsa and Broken Arrow and have several goto's in both cities, as well as places to avoid. I learned about Kim's Pho through a Facebook group for local restaurant reviews. While working and ending my day in Owasso, I took the opportunity to give Kim's a shot and placed an order to go.

Traditional beef combo pho is my goto, so I went with Kim's Pho, which includes steak, brisket, meatball, tendon, and tripe for an additional $2 charge. A large Kim's pho was $16 before tax, which is a few dollars more than most places I frequent. Within 10-15 minutes, my order was ready to hit the road. Unfortunately, I had to wait until I got back to Coweta to indulge. Luckily, it was worth the wait. I did heat my broth back up on the range/stove before adding the meats followed by the toppings of cilantro, thin sliced onion, chopped green onions, jalapeños, bean sprouts and Thai basil.

I added the juice of one piece of lemon they provided along with the chili oil I requested. The flavor alone before adding the lemon and chili oil was fantastic. Flavorful with very minimal to no fat on top of the broth. I could literally drink the broth it is that delicious. There was a decent amount of meats as well as the aforementioned toppings. Fully assembled and spiced up made for a very enjoyable meal.

Although I requested no noodles, I was plenty full when I finished my meal. I have my own pho bowls, soup spoons, and chopsticks, but they provided a plastic soup spoon and the standard wooden chopsticks if you don't have your own. As for the service, everyone one I spoke with was nice, and they got my order correct. Outside of spending a few extra dollars than I might normally spend, I can find value in good service and food. Side note: my wife can't eat much after having surgery and can barely eat an entire kids' meal. I noticed on the menu that they offer a kids' version of pho, which is not something I have seen at my other goto's in Tulsa or Broken Arrow. To me, it is a bonus if I was getting something...

The air conditioner was out. With the Oklahoma heat and humidity, no AC, the inside of the restaurant was like what I would imagine dining at an outdoor café in Saigon might be like. Warm but not unbearable. I walked around the restaurant until I found the coolest spot. Oddly it was not under one of the ceiling fans. All they were doing was forcing the hot air down. Over by the drink cooler there was no ceiling fan. A whisper of cooler feeling air was falling from the ceiling AC vent. The air condition on this side of the restaurant was failing, but still pumping out air noticeably a few degrees cooler than any other spot.

Order at the counter. My wife ordered her favorite, the medium vermicelli, which turned out to be a large bowl of food. I went for Kim’s Special, fried shrimp and rice. We added pork egg rolls and spring rolls, and asked for a cup of ice to go with the canned soft drinks. I got a little puzzled when I ordered the shrimp. I was asked if I wanted the shrimp shelled or unshelled. So, do people eat shell on, fried battered shrimp? Not me. Shell ’em. Generous amounts of food were delivered. Lots of shrimp. It tasted good. It had a thick fried crust. A little like a tempura, but thicker and cruncher. No Complaints. Over all, the food, and service is just average. Not a dining experience remarkable enough to bring me back.

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Worst customer service ever! Order the special pho to go because I wanted tripe, tendon and everything in there and owner took my money without telling me they are out of some ingredients. After I got my order, I notice there was just well cooked beef, noodles and some garnish. I took the order back and told her nicely I think she got my order wrong, she look at me and said no, we out of tendon! (giving me the look like it's not their fault and its my fault for ordering something they ran out of). Well Miss Manager/ owner, if your out of those ingredients then don't you think you should tell the customer first before snatching their money away so fast? I asked why wasn't there any raw beef on the side like usual and she went on arguing with me that I'm wrong. I told her I order here multiple time and I'm not wrong, she said I got the wrong place and as I'm walking away she tries to stop me and try to make me agree that she was right. Will never order here anymore and would of ask for a refund but I already know they will not refund you for what ever reason! Food is not that good, and when customer service from the manager/ owner sucks more than the waitress, please spare your time wasted and money for another restaurant that will...