Pho Element — Restaurant in San Mateo

The food was amazing, and for the price point, the serving sizes were large. No complaints about the food. I went with my husband, a friend, my kid and hers. I got a vermicelli with chicken and imperial rolls. My husband got some kind of pho (large). My friend got some kind of beef pho (small). The children split a small bowl of chicken noodle soup. All of us really enjoyed the food and it was very filling. Between all of us we were all happy.

My only thing was the service. They were friendly, but really pushy. We walked in the door and the second they saw us, it was a whirlwind. I'm not sure if it was because it was a bit busy, but they tried to sit us, realized that table was reserved, then sat us at a booth and pulled up an extra chair that we didn't need. Within 2 minutes of sitting down and handing us our menus, someone came up to take our order. We hadn't even had a chance to look at the beverages. Then after we ordered our drinks one of the servers came and chatted with my husband while he was trying to do something and had their knee on the extra chair. They were way too comfortable and relaxed while we were trying to talk. It was a really weird experience.

Between the 5 of us with 4 dishes, a drink, and the tip it came out to about $60 which isn't bad for the amount of food there was and that it fed all 5 of us. I'd definitely eat there again but maybe while...

Okay. This place is not your average Vietnamese Pho place. It definitely mixes a healthy bit of Chinese, whether it is a fusion or influence, that is yet to be seen. I'm thinking Chinese-Vietnamese immigrant roots.

Either way, the food is fabulous. Authentic flavors representing both countries are evident. The noodles are "flat" pho noodles, typically pulled fresh rather than those sold in dried packets. It's rare to experience these noodles in the Bay Area. There are many pho joints but VERY FEW pull noodles fresh. The result is almost a silky smooth, no need to even chew, style of noodles in hearty broth.

I had the Curry Pho. Again, a unique experience where the curry flavors are derived from both Vietnamese and Chinese roots, but the noodle texture just perfects the entire bite you put in your mouth. The manager recommended this fried tofu which also was really interesting. Very hearty and savory and almost a home-style bend to it.

It is unfortunate that this restaurant is not in a more accessible location. It's right up on El Camino and no where to park. But that won't stop us from coming here...

If you are a person of brown color, be prepared to be treated differently. This was my first ever such an experience and I have lived in Texas for many years.

Everyone got offered tea, not us. We explicitly asked for tea, waitress literally brought a plastic water cup with a tea bag. All other guests got complimentary tea pots.

Wife asked for four water cups, we only got 2.

We ordered large vegetarian pho bowl from the menu. The lady dumped it on the table expecting us all directly eat from it. We then asked for four small portion bowls, lady gets two. Then we explicitly asked for two more, they arrived but after a long time.

We had a toddler, I had to go pick up the high chair. We weren’t asked for it, thus I assumed they didn’t have it. Until I saw plenty by the restroom area.

We tried this restaurant because of high ratings on Yelp. And Vietnamese restaurant and folks are always super cool.

Today was a very interesting experience. With an experience like this, I don’t even know how the food tasted. I wish best for the restaurant but choose...