LOVE PHO & BOBA 2 WINTER HAVEN — Restaurant in Winter Haven

This is our second time at this location. The food is absolutely delicious, and I couldn't wait to come back a second time! The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5, is we were a little offput by the girl/hostess who was running the show when we were here both times. The first time we came here, they had just opened about a week before, so we let it slide. This time, she did the EXACT SAME thing... the moment we entered the front door, we were not even fully in the door, and she yelled, "For here or to go?" We didn't hear her, and asked, "Excuse me?" She said again, "For here or to go?" We said for here. We were the only 2 people in the restaurant. She pointed to a table, which was closest to the bathrooms, and said, "Sit there." So we did. The plastic on the table was very sticky, and my arms were sticking to the plastic tablecloth, so I took a napkin to try to wipe it, and the napkin filled with orange grease. So I asked the girl if she could wipe off our table. I had teenagers in the past, and I know they are slo-mo, lol, and she made a production out of wiping down my side, then my husband's side, left it wet, and asked if it was ok now. I asked her if she was going to dry it. She said, "Dry it?" So I immediately said not to worry about it, and I dried the table with my napkins.

Other than the above incidents, the food here is AMAZING, the best Pho around, super fresh! Maybe a bit more lime, basil, and sprouts would be nice, and add some cilantro like most other Pho places. But food is on point and we will definitely be back! Just please tell your hostess girl that it might be a good idea to say hello to guests first, before asking immediately if they are staying or taking out. We saw her do the same "For here or to go?" greeting to 4 other people who walked in while we sat there dining. My husband jokingly calls this restaurant, Let's go have lunch today at For Here or to Go, and I immediately know where he is...

It’s very interesting as a houstonian blessed with lots of Vietnamese options. Service was good and restaurant had ample space for eating. We took it Togo though. The food was tasty but different and seems like it fit well with the demographics since the dishes seems to miss a little omph (maybe it’s the fish sauce I’m obsessed with 😂)

Bo luc lac 5/5 Tasty dish as this is always our fave dish. It was savory and thankfully not overly sweet. Juicy thick steaks and lots of veggies and sauce. The taste was a bit different and I don’t know how to describe what was different from the traditional ones but we happily ate this dish.

Wonton soup 4/5 It was a good soup with flavor. Only a tad different.

Egg rolls 3/5 It was thick like the Chinese eggrolls but didn’t taste like either the viet ones or the Chinese ones fully. Interesting take. Lemonade with different flavors 3/5 My husband said it has to be koolaid. He said as he reminisces his childhood. It was too sweet for me, too much syrup but I can see how others may like it.

Peach tea boba 4/5 It was fine but boba was a bit mushier...

Where in Polk county can you find spare rib pho? I’ve tried every pho place in Polk and they are subpar compared to Love pho & boba. This broth needs no added things, it’s that delicious and authentic. I always order the spare rib pho now after seeing two nice big ribs that are seasoned so well and the meat literally falls off the bone every single time. I never can finish the huge portion, so I’ll eat the rice noodles and take the ribs and broth home. You ever hear how good collagen is for your body? When I go to reheat the broth the next day I have pure collagen jelly goodness!! That’s when you know the chef is cooking top quality food! This is definitely a healing broth, and you just feel so good. I have told many friends about this place and also taken my family. It is our go to spot now in Polk, we drive here from Lake wales. My daughter always gets the shrimp pho and the 7 shrimp are big and plenty. I look forward to trying their bahn mi and other dishes each...