Van's Cafe — Restaurant in West Reading

I wanted to try a new place. My wife and I each ordered the house special pho, and also got an order of egg rolls and jicama rolls.

The rolls were all delicious, but we both ended up getting the wrong order of pho. They gave us chicken instead of the house special. The menu also says it comes with green onion, red onion, cilantro, basil, bean sprout, and lime... But all I saw was the green and red onion with a bit of cilantro. There was definitely no lime or bean sprouts. They also only gave us one order of hoisin sauce. The pho was just ok.

Also, we were charged significantly more than what the website listed as the price. When I called to inquire about the price, I was told that the prices have increased and that it is listed on the door. I saw a sign on the door telling me they were only offering takeout service, but I did not see a sign about the price. Also... How is someone ordering takeout going to know about the price increase when they order? I was not told the price when I ordered.

I give 2 stars for the great egg rolls and jicama rolls, but am disappointed by the wrong order. They need to actually include all ingredients they list on their menu into the pho. It is just disappointing otherwise. They also need to update their website to accurately reflect the prices they are charging. Otherwise they are just upcharging customers at the time of payment which is poor service and dishonest.

I ate my dinner feeling cheated. These issues need to be fixed before I will order from this...

I must warn potential diners about my horrific experience at Van's Cafe, a Vietnamese restaurant that left me utterly disgusted and appalled. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere felt unwelcoming, but nothing could have prepared me for the nightmare that ensued. The staff, particularly the old lady in charge, was shockingly rude and dismissive. Upon ordering, I was overcharged for a beef pho that was not only exorbitantly priced but also pathetically portioned. To make matters worse, the pho tasted like a nauseating sensation that lingered long after leaving the premises. Adding insult to injury, the table I was seated at was disgustingly dirty and greasy, a clear indication of the restaurant's utter lack of hygiene standards. Consuming the contaminated pho proved to be a grave mistake, as my stomach revolted and I suffered from severe nausea and vomiting shortly thereafter. In all my years of dining out, I have never encountered such a vile establishment. I implore anyone considering dining at this place to heed this warning and avoid this place at all costs. It is not only a waste of money but also a risk to one's health...

After years of being a loyal customer, I am extremely disappointed to say I will never be returning to this establishment. The service was outright atrocious. The young woman who took our order showed no respect or courtesy whatsoever—barely speaking beyond a curt “dine in or take out?” and acting visibly irritated throughout. Her attitude was unprofessional and frankly embarrassing.

Our drinks and food took an unreasonable 40 minutes to arrive, despite the restaurant not being packed. I watched another couple wait even longer than us, only to leave in frustration. It was painful to see.

The food? Utterly disappointing. The iced Vietnamese coffee was bland, lacking the bold flavors it once had. The dishes tasted stale, as if reheated leftovers were served to us. This is not the quality I expect from a place I once enjoyed.

This experience was beyond unfortunate; it’s a clear sign of this business’s decline. I hate to leave a negative review, but others need to be aware. I strongly urge anyone considering dining here to...