Pho Filet 2 — Restaurant in Rosemead

After having multiple people recommend this place to me, I decided to try it. Suffice to say, I wasn't impressed.

I ordered the large pho special (Dac Biet) which came out to be $9.00 (after tax and tip, it turned out to be around $11). When the food arrived, it looked great. I proceeded to add the usual fixtures: Thai basil, mint leaves, lemon, and bean sprouts. I stirred everything and took a bite. It didn't match the expectation.

The broth wasn't that flavorful -- I've had better in Westminster/Garden Grove and my usual place in Alhambra. Don't get me wrong. It had flavor, but it wasn't anything extraordinary or even great. It was average. As for the noodles, even after taking the time to add the fixtures, they were still slightly hard -- even harder than al dente pasta. It wasn't until the middle of my meal when it softened to the point where I enjoyed it. The meat was the only redeeming factor, but it still had its flaws. All of the meats that I had were tender and tasted good. The problem that I had with the meats was that I had a LOT of fat on my meats. Personally, I prefer meat rather than fat (and I am not talking about tendon either), so that definitely made me a bit upset.

Aside from the food, the restaurant is your typical Vietnamese establishment. Overall, I would say this is an average place. If I didn't have better quality pho growing up, I would probably give this place a 4. However, since I have access to a better pho place right next to me and grew up with the dish since I was a child, I've been exposed to better places and I just can't give this place a...

The staff were professional enough to deal with the demands of my parents. Thank you! Food isn't bad. Last time, the soup was a little saltier than I preferred, that you either had to cut it with a bit of hot water, or the lime juice and sriracha, but I know some people have stronger tastes than me. This most recent visit however, the soup was just right! Plus, some places, even if you taste the soup, the moment you add the lime juice, the flavor is all gone. Not this place at all! You still taste the beef. My mom got the Bánh Cam(煎堆/Sesame spheres). The positive is unlike other places that fry it to the point that it's nothing but air, this place actually packs the filling in! My only complaint is the skin was thicker than I'd like, and I thought it wasn't fresh. But my mom corrected me, and it's because of the coconut milk they put in that affects the chewiness. I do like how some of the bottles are easily labeled for you --also because they re-purpose some of the bottles, so it's kinda' necessary. Get in while you can! This place is packed! The moment a group leaves, they wipe it down quick, and then seat the next group....

I was served a bowl that included the leanest piece of meat I've never seen such a large slice of meat in my life here or at any pho place. It took me five minutes to eat the slice. Finally, I gave up, rolled it into a ball with my tongue and then swallowed it without chewing.

Interior: 2 / 5 the furniture is old. I would recommend replacing it but that may result them in buying lower quality furniture. I would order the exact same furniture as they have currently.

Hot sauce: Like most Chinese hot sauces you can purchase at the market or on yamibuy i.e. lao gan ma, tk food chili garlic, they come too salty to be used. Avoid at all costs.

Sambal Oelek: Has a slight sodium benzoate chemical taste. Otherwise very edible.

Broth: 4 / 5 the broth is known to be light but lately it seems to be msg-laden and leave a dry aftertaste

Overall an excellent restaurant, it's just that the execution of the experience leaves more to be wanting.

Namely, if the owner invested more money on the interior and quality of ingredients and followed my...