Phở 83 Vietnamese Restaurant — Restaurant in Shakopee

This is, hands down, the most conflicting review I’ve ever virtually penned. I took pictures of the food knowing that I will never capture how it tastes. And that’s really horrible because this food is transcendent; if only a picture was worth a thousand flavors. Or even smells! I’d take either over words in a heartbeat — I digress.

I want to submit a new definition to Merriam-Webster: miracle — n. | the food at Pho 83. Mmm!!

So why the three stars?

1. Called to place a takeout order; was told 15 minutes until it would be ready.

2. 15 minutes after I called, I walked in the door of Pho 83 and told them I called ahead. They asked what I ordered. I told them. Response? “Ready in 15 minutes.”

3. I sat in front of the counter for 40 minutes. At that time, I was a little more than perturbed when the guy at the counter looked over at me and said...

4. “What did you order?” Playing into his sick game, I told him a third time and had an eye twitch of seismic proportions when he responded with: “Oh, it’s ready!” Just kidding. Not about the eye twitch. About the fact that my food was ready. He told me “15 minutes.”

An hour and a half after I ordered my food for takeout and was told “15 minutes” three times, I really was delighted with my food. It’s a shame the service was so poor. Pho 83, you give good Pho, but your manners suck. You get one more date before we break up and you’re the occasional side-Pho place. And I love fortune cookies. You might throw some in the takeout bags. It’s a small gesture that makes people laugh and end their meal with some Confucius wisdom. Or general confusion. Doesn’t really matter. The cookie does, though....

This review is based on my three visits to the restaurant, all within 3 weeks of one another. My first time at the restaurant, I got the Pho with the Sate on the side. I was mind blown at how flavorful the Pho tasted. It instantly made my top 5 MN pho list. I knew I needed to eat it a few times to make sure this was going to be a regular customer. I loved it so much that I had to take my whole family to try it (first 2 photos and 2 videos). On my second visit, the whole family went, but this time, the Pho was absolutely average at best. The Pho was not as flavorful, and that was disappointing. My family didn't like it either (next 7 photos and video). On my third visit, I needed to chase my first visits addiction, and I concluded that on these visits, the Pho was average (last 2 photo and video).

The Pho was too inconsistent, and it can be a hit or miss kind of restaurant. Would I eat here again? No. It's too inconsistent for me.

Lemonade: 8/10 Banh Mi: 5/10 Battered Chicken Wings: 3.5/10 Eggrolls: 6/10 Fried Dumplings: 6/10 Spring rolls: 7.5/10

Pho Score Price (5): 4 Bowl size (5): 4.5 Presentation (5): 4 Herbs (5): 4 Noodles (5): 4 Meat • Quality (5): 3.5 • Portion (5): 5 • Bonus meats (5): 3.5 Broth quality • Clearness (5): 4 • Spices (5): 4, 3, 3 • Depth (5): 5, 2.5, 2.5 • Balance (20): 18, 11, 12 • Richness (20): 18, 10, 11 • MSG aftertaste (-3): - 2, -1, -1 • Secret special factor (5): 4, 1, 1 Total score (100 points max): 83.5 , 55, 57 (frist visit 83.5/100, second visit 55/100, third...

I've lived in the SW metro for over six years now (at the time of this review), and one of the first restaurants we tried when we moved here was Pho 83. We were hooked ever since! We didn't need to go to the cities anymore to get a good hot bowl of pho - we could get it here on this side of the river! Thank goodness for this family restaurant.

I always get the "P1" with all the fixings when dining in. The bowl comes out piping hot, the broth sweet and savory, full of umami, and their portion of noodles and protein are satisfying; of course, with the usual side of bean sprouts, jalapeno, basil and lime. I like my bowl spicy, so I like to enjoy it with sriracha and two heaping scoops of their chili oil.

We've also had their beef chow fun, chicken wings, egg rolls, spring rolls, and other stir-fry dishes, and they were always good. Takeout has been quick, before, during, and after covid - usually 10-15 minutes! And we live close so it's always fresh when we get home.

At this time, they recently opened for dine-in. Upon dining in, I saw that they had a lot more variety of drinks from before, which is great to know so I can stop to get my boba tea fix.

Although their location is a little hidden, the interior a little dated, their good service and delicious food make me return when I can....