Pho Street — Restaurant in Philadelphia

What a memorable experience. I have no doubt the food here is good based on the other reviews and my friend's feedback from the day before but nothing could beat the insulting way we were treated as potential customers.

We came in around Saturday night around 815pm, the place was pretty busy from the tourists and convention attendees. We started to put in our orders at the kiosk and was about to pay when one male staff rushed in, grunted with frustration, and turned off all the kiosks, including the ones we were using. A female staff followed after and told us we would be the last customers. I declined as we were hoping to eat with friends who had not arrived and especially not after the way we were just treated by one of their staff with no explanation and only rudeness.

Now I understand that Pho Street is at a prime location with heavy foot traffic and the staff are likely working with a lot of demands and pressure. I also recognize that maybe coming in 15 min before closing was not the best. However, neither of the reasons above excuse the type of treatment we received as unsuspecting customers. Whatever stress or frustration the staff was experiencing should not have been taken out on us. If food was running out or manager has determined early closing, a simple explanation would do.

Given that it's in a great location, I doubt my review will change management practices or staff behavior. If you are planning on visiting this establishment, just be aware that you may be treated like dirt. Even if food would have been good, the bittertaste will be only...

Pho Street Vietnamese offers a somewhat unconventional dining experience. The location includes an Auntie Anne’s store inside that appears permanently closed, which adds to the unusual ambiance. However, the restaurant itself serves quality pho and is a convenient stop for anyone in the area or attending an event at the Convention Center.

To order, guests should enter through the Arch Street entrance, where they can use one of two self-service touchscreens, as there is no staff member at a front counter to take orders. After ordering and paying via the kiosk, customers simply take a seat and wait for their number to be called. Orders are typically prepared and served quickly.

A personal favorite is the shrimp pho, which comes in a generous portion. The broth is flavorful and comforting, especially satisfying during colder weather.

While the food is commendable, the atmosphere could use improvement. The restaurant often feels empty and quiet, with minimal interaction from staff, who remain in the kitchen. On my first visit, I was accompanied by a friend who felt the space was uninviting and chose to leave. Enhancing the customer experience through a more welcoming environment would be beneficial. For instance, the television screens remain off, and there is no background music, which contributes to a lack of ambiance while waiting for food.

Despite these shortcomings, Pho Street Vietnamese delivers a solid culinary experience. The quality of the food, especially the pho, makes it worth visiting if you're nearby and in the mood for a warm,...

Easy ordering with images on a touch screen (they take credit), fast service, and good broth makes this a legitimate destination for pho outside of south philly or chinatown. Being outside of both those locations also means paying more (compared to some cash only locations in south philly) but if you find yourself in the neighborhood, don't hesitate to give this place a shot. Solid food and friendly staff.

Update: Tried the broken rice dishes. The fish sauce is a little different than what I"m used to but the pork chops were moist. If you go with a custom broken rice dish (i opted for shrimp and pork chop), you get about 4x shrimp and 1x pork chop instead of 2x pork chops.

Update 2: Tried a handful of their different banh mi sandwiches. I particularly like the grilled beef but the grilled chicken is pretty good too. The bun is toasted and the whole sandwich is about 11"-12".

Update 3: Upgraded to 5 stars. I have been here no less than 9 times and each time has been solid. Prices are fair for the area. Owners are friendly and portions...