Pho Craze — Restaurant in Pinole

This was our first time "dining" in at this restaurant. To my surprise, the restaurant was pretty big in size compared to most of other Asian restaurants around the area. Before the dine-in experience, we probably ordered their Banh Mi sandwiches for to go a couple of times. We arrived around 12:30pm on a Sunday afternoon and the restaurant was not quite busy yet, however, by 1pm...it was like a zoo... We were seated right away. Water & menu came right after we sat, but the water refill lacked so we had to flag someone for the refill.

In any event, we ordered the Bun Bo Hue (Large #10), Chicken Noodles (Large w/ extra Noodles and NO garnish #11), Bun Rieu (#14), Batter Fried Calamari.

1. BBH: The presentation was promising, but the lack of flavor in the soup was a little disappointing. It was okay, but I wouldn't order it again. Will try the #1 next.

2. Chicken Noodles: Seems to have flavor and the extra noodles was more than expected. 👍👍

3. Bun Rieu: Again, the presentation was promising, but this time it really lacked flavor. We are used to a lot more flavor in the BR bowl. Will again be a one-and-done here.

4. Batter Fried Calamari: Too "battered" for us. One & done for this dish also.

This restaurant was not a "Wow" one, but worth a try. Who knows, it may be your cup of tea. Due to the strong crowd, perhaps we probably ordered the wrong items for our liking. We'll be back to try other...

Great food, but a bit of a wait, as they are understaffed.

Update - This place has really went downhill. For the second week in a row the restrooms are closed. (I won't describe what I saw the first week.) Today I got a glass of water with white pasty substance around the inside of the glass. Management needs to step in for this place to be successful.

Update 8-10-24 - Went with the wife for lunch. Bugs on the lettuce that was served to us was what we experienced. I saw four employees and the manager standing around talking, yet no one came to the table to see how things were with our meal, refill water, etc. (instead of standing around make sure you are not serving bugs) My wife flagged the busboy down and showed him the bug. Zero acknowledgement from the restaurant. We followed this restaurant from their previous location on Appian way. I am sad to say we will not be patronizing...

I went here today with my son three older boy we walk in they insisted that we take our food to go I told them that we're eating here they sit us next to a dirty table try to sit us in the corner away from all the other customers who were not black. Then had to sit in there for literally 15 minutes another couple walked in with their baby they were attentive to them they came and brought them water as soon as we seen all that and we realized it was time to go we get up to walk out the guy comes towards the door talking about he sorry he's sorry we said no thank you and kept it going never eating here again very rude especially when you have your child with you that's the last thing you want your child to have to deal with and they don't even know that they're being discriminated against because...