Pho Tick Tock Restaurant — Restaurant in San Jose

Pho is not bad here, but seems to be a place that wants to put some flair in your pho experience. If you're looking for a more big bowl of traditional pho, then this may not be it. If you are looking for something of a presentation, then this might be the place for you.

I got the #2 which is everything with the fat noodles. The tendons, meat, flank, and briskets are all displayed on a side platter, while the noodles are in another bowl. They then bring out a hot stone bowl where the pho broth is still boiling. I like that, but as with adding anything cold, once you add all the ingredients in, it cools down quickly. Adding everything, the bowl is overflowing. Good thing is I'm able to see how fresh the meats and ingredients are before I put it into my bowl.

The fat noodles were a bit soft. They literally broke into pieces when I tried to use my chopsticks, so it was very hard to eat it. I had to use a big spoon and scoop it up.

The most important part to pho is the broth, and the broth was ok. It was a bit salty to my taste. I'm tasting a lot of MSG.

Other than that it was a different experience, but I heard good things and had to try it. Will I come back? Probably not. I do like my pho coming out in a huge bowl with everything in it, so this may not be the spot for me. Ambiance is cool. Decor is nicer than most pho spots. Bring a date that loves pho for the presentation and...

To the owner’s response: 8/19/2023

Changing my review to 1-star after false accusation from the owner. Question to the owner: What story did I make up? I didn’t even have a story in my original review!! Stop falsely accusing real customers and own up to the truth and Stay humble!!

I was reviewing the food based on presentation, taste, portion, price, service, and ambience in an unbiased way. If the owner cannot accept any review below a 4-5 star from a real customer, the restaurant will fail on its own because the owner’s attitude will speak for itself.

I have been and will keep reviewing all the business based on my true experience.

Original review: 8/18/2023

Good presentation is the most I can say about food at this place. I’m still drinking a lot of water from the extra MSG from the soup.

Presentation: first time seeing Vietnamese pho soup served in a hot “Korean” stone bowl. Everything else was nicely laid out on the plate.

Taste: I didn’t taste anything special from other regular pho place. The taste of MSG is a bit over powering.

Portion: I ate around 6:15pm and I’m still hungry at 8:30pm. I probably will have to eat again. The meat and noodle portion were both on the small side.

Price: not cheap for a pho place. $18 + tax + tip came out to be almost $23 for their pho tick tock (specialty I suppose?)

Service and ambience: newer restaurant and service is...

After seeing a few videos of the hot stone bowls, had to give this place a try. Visited mid week at lunchtime so no wait and was seated right away. Place is on the smaller size but there is outside seating for when it gets busy. Decor is updated and modern. Ordered the Pho Tick Tock House Special with fresh noodles and chicken wings. Food arrived quickly and piping hot. The meat and veggie was fresh. The main star of the meal is the hot stone bowl of soup. You can dump all the ingredients into the bowl just like one that you would get at any pho place. But why do that if you come here. I would recommend eating it like a hotpot by dipping each spoonful of noodle, meat and veggie together. Broth is on lighter side but still tasty. Chicken wings were on the dry side so I would try something else next time for appetizers. If you like your broth tongue scorching hot this this is place to go. Overall a very enjoyable experience and change of pace from the standard...