When this place first opened up, my sister and her daughter tried it and said it was underwhelming. A couple of months later one of the kids I nannied for wanted to order here to-go and I decided to place an order as well to form my own opinions.
Typically, pho to-go is not a great experience as the soup is nearly cold by the time you get home and places don’t par-boil the noodles. Overall, it’s not as fresh as it would be having it in the restaurant. Well at pho bo to, in all my experiences thus far, their pho to-go is as good as it is in-store. I was amazed by the quality of the meat and noodles. The broth is perfect! My family and I’s go to for pho is usually pho saigon but I honestly think their broth is too sweet. Pho bo to has a great balance between the spices, saltiness, and sweetness.
Ever since I ordered to-go that one time, I’ve gone back more times than I can count and even took my boyfriend there for his first ever pho experience. He was very pleased and he’s usually a picky eater when it comes to cuisine he’s unfamiliar with.
I saw some bad reviews about to-go orders and how their food was cold. If you order pho to-go, the noodles and meat come cold because the broth is supposed to be hot enough (I heat mine in the microwave if it needs to be hotter) that it warms the noodles and meat up. I think it’s unfair to leave bad reviews for places whose cuisine is obviously a different culture from theirs. It’s important to educate yourself before you fully form an opinion.
After venturing through their menu here’s some of my recommendations & thoughts:
-Classic Pho & Pho w/ Short Rib: Again, broth is amazing, and the small portions are filling enough with an appetizer. Great value for the quality!
-Shrimp & Pork Crispy Egg Rolls: Great flavor, you can see small pieces of the shrimp that adds great texture, always crispy and fresh
-Thai Tea: It’s very rare to find good/authentic tasting thai tea in this area. Other places around it like Kung Fu or Kravin use the powdered stuff that taste like chemicals. Pho Bo To’s thai tea is so good, and very close tasting to places in chinatown!
-Shaking Beef: I like the flavor of both the beef and the fried rice but I don’t think it’s worth the price for how much meat you get.
-Shrimp Fried Rice: Not something I’d go for every single visit but it’s good enough that I’ll order it when I am craving fried rice. The rice is just a little dry/hard (can be cooked longer) and the portion could be more for the price.
-Pork Fresh Spring Roll: Just okay, if you’re craving it I think it would satisfy your craving. It could have a lot more filling and be more densely packed. The sauce it comes with is very good!
-Shrimp Eggrolls: Good to try but nothing to write home about. It’s just a shrimp covered in eggroll wrapper so not too flavorful compared to the shrimp and pork eggrolls.
-Bun Bo Hue: This was my first time ever trying bun bo hue, and I don’t think it’s for me personally. I’ve seen other reviews talking about how good it is so if the flavor is for you then I think you’d like it! It’s not a beefy broth like pho but it’s more of a pork broth that I just personally don’t like...
Read moreMy wife and I come here often—it’s one of our go-to spots after work. She loves the Bò Né (Steak and Eggs Skillet), while I usually go for the Bún Bò Huế (Spicy Beef and Pork Soup) or Phở Đặc Biệt (Combination Pho). We’ve been here so much that they often just ask, "Same old?"—which, honestly, we love.
And yes, the food is delicious. We’ve tried quite a few pho spots around town, so we have a decent sense of what’s good. Their broth is definitely on the lighter side, but that’s actually what keeps us coming back. A simple way to tell if a place overloads on MSG is whether you feel super thirsty after finishing the soup—here, that’s never been an issue, which tells me they’re doing it right.
The meats, especially the beef, are always fresh and juicy. No, it’s not Wagyu, but for the price, it’s solid. You can also add a beef rib for $5 if you’re feeling extra. We’ve tried their sandwiches too—the beef and chicken ones are definitely worth it. And if you like crawfish, their fresh batch with Cajun sauce is a must-try—get it before it’s off the menu!
Now, about the service—yes, we’ve seen some of the complaints. As a business owner myself, I know how hard it is to make everyone happy. There have been times when a waitress or two seemed to be having a rough day, and sure, they could work on keeping a more welcoming attitude. That said, since we come here often, we know they’re not always like that. Management seems aware and has been making improvements, which is good to see. Of course, friendly service is always appreciated, but if someone’s having an off day, it’s not the end of the world either.
Overall, this is a cozy little spot for a warm, satisfying meal. It’s clean, quiet, and the food is solid. The owners are clearly paying attention to feedback and making changes where needed. Definitely...
Read moreI am utterly infuriated and deeply dissatisfied with the service provided by the lady with the highlights who handled my order at Pho Bo To Grill today. As a loyal patron who has frequented this establishment more than 25 times in the past year, I have always been enamored by the exceptional service and delectable food. However, my recent experience has left me seething with anger. Despite being promised a 10% discount through their new rewards system, I was met with blatant disregard and deception when I arrived to pick up my order. The cashier, claiming to be the only one present, when I know she asked someone for help when I asked for cut vegetables over the phone. This blatant lie only compounded my frustration. Furthermore, when I attempted to address the discrepancy in my rewards points, the cashier's dismissive attitude made it abundantly clear that she could not care less about customer satisfaction. This level of apathy is unacceptable and completely tarnishes the reputation of the restaurant. The issue transcends the mere 10% discount; it is a matter of principle and respect for loyal customers. Additionally, to add insult to injury, the vegetables in my order were not even chopped as requested. I am deeply disappointed by the lack of professionalism and integrity displayed by their the lady with the highlights. I attached a picture of my ticket with...
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