Pho Ben — Restaurant in York Township

My family has been anticipating the opening of this new Vietnamese Thia restaurant and couldn't wait to try it! We stopped by for the first time this evening (carryout). We placed our order and sat at the front table facing the hallway to the back kitchen. It was almost closing and there was a woman bussing the tables carrying half eaten bowls of Pho and dumping the liquid into a some type of container. I could not see the container, as it was sitting on the other side of a large boxed chest freezer. She was using the box to set the half eaten bowls while she poured them out one by one. In addition to the bowls of soup there was a plate full of uneaten bean sprouts and greens. When she set that down, she set it to the side. She finished dumping the remaining soup and reached for the plate of bean sprouts and greens. Thinking she was going to dump that as she did the soup. However to my disgust, she picked out a used piece of lime, tossed it in the trash and proceeded to carry the plate of bean sprouts and greens to the back kitchen. I will let others come to their own conclusion, however, based on what I witnessed, it is my belief, that those vegetables were headed back to the kitchen for a second chance at life. We were in total shock at what we saw. We threw our order away. I will not be ordering from this...

(Cross posted to Yelp)

Pho Ben was the second stop in my York County pho expedition. A wonderful spot that offers an enjoyable dining experience. Pho Ben is conveniently located within the Queensgate Towne Center, so there is ample parking. I arrived around lunchtime, and despite a bustling dining area, I was quickly greeted and seated by staff. The dining area was well decorated and appeared clean. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive during the dining experience.

My wife ordered a strawberry smoothie which she said was just ok. It tasted like melted strawberry ice cream. I think I enjoyed it more than she did! To eat I got a large bowl of steak and tendon pho. The pho came out quickly, accompanied by the standard accoutrement, and one packet of sriracha. This is the only Vietnamese restaurant I've ever been to that didn't have some sort of tuong ot at the table. I found that and the bottled water to be a little odd.

The broth was pretty good. It was clear, flavorful, and seemed fresh. The meat and tendon was cooked well. The portion size was on par with other York county pho spots, but still slightly smaller than others I've been to around the country.

Overall, it was an enjoyable experience. A friendly and inviting spot to enjoy a quality...

Pho Ben is a delight.

The food is authentic Vietnamese which the owners graciously prepared to our liking, whether mild or nice and spicy.

The atmosphere harkens to Vietnamese culture but is also open and modern.

The menu is simple, concise, and easy to peruse.

The owners were out front greeting, interacting, and making suggestions on what to try.

My daughter and I both had the Beef Pho which was more than enough to satisfy. My daughter, is not a fan of spice and ordered a milder version. She loved her meal. I took mine as hot as I could bare. It was fantastic.

Most of the heat comes from sauce options located at the table. So I was free to choose what I wanted to add to my meal.

The Pho came with a plate of Fresh lime, cilantro, purple basil, hot peppers, and bean sprouts that we could add to the Pho according to our preference.

We also ordered Rice rolls with a tangy peanut sauce, which, coupled with a spicier sauce, was delicious.

The food as a whole was top notch.

Pho Ben is a brilliant gem in Eastern York and would make a fantastic and affordable date night or family dinner for anyone who enjoys authentic cuisine from other lands.

We can't wait...