Pho Cafe

08/22/09

Cool interior, bland food

by jvs9932 at Citysearch

I love Vietnamese food. If you do too, don't go to Pho Cafe. I've had Vietnamese food in many places in a variety of states around the country and this, BY FAR, is the worst I've ever had.

My desert island dish, the one dish I could eat FOREVER is the rice vermicelli bowl with charbroiled pork, vegetables and shrimp. I salivate just describing it for you! There is no pork to be found in Pho Cafe - strike one. The dish was incredibly bland as well - strike 2 and the pho my wife had was her least favorite from anywhere she's been too - strike three.

If you dig a funky restaurant with hit-or-miss service, and 3-strikes-you're out-food, go to Pho Cafe. Otherwise, try Le Saigon on Santa Monica Blvd in West LA.

• Pros: Nice Manhattan style decor
• Cons: Flavorless food

10/13/08

Best pho I've had in LA

by chrisbueno at Citysearch

The place doesn't have a sign outside, which really bothers me but the place inside is pretty cool and modern. The rare steak in the pho is very tender and good, although I didn't like the hint of cinnamon taste in the soup. I've had way better and cheaper Pho's but for LA this is the best one so far. Just one tip, don't ever go to a Pho place in West Hollywood called Absolutely Phobulous, total waist of money, horrible service, pricy and the Pho was HORRIBLE that I had only a couple bites and could no longer eat it but def try the Pho Cafe in Silverlake.

• Pros: tender steak in the pho, good service, place was modern looking and busy
• Cons: No sign outside the place, somewhat hard to find parking, weird cinnamon taste in the pho

12/07/07

Best Pho in L A

by lendogg1063 at Citysearch

There is no sign out front so it is hard to find but once you do you will not be disappointed. The place is always packed with a line out the door but it moves quickly. The Pho is the delicious! A MUST try!

• Pros: Healthy
• Cons: Hard to find with no signage.

09/21/07

Tasty Vietnamese food that's veggie/vegan friendly!

by heyitsdi4n4 at Citysearch

I realize I've never had "real" pho as I am vegetarian, but it's definitely a satisfying, tasty, huge bowl of soup, and I'm loving the other vegetarian dishes on the menu. Great place to go get a big bottle of beer with friends and down those noodles and mushrooms. There are some great waiters there, but have had a couple stinkers. Nothing horrible, but they might just take a few extra minutes to bring the check. You know they work their butts off all day because that place gets really busy around 7-8pm. The food is great, you know it's all fresh, and it's definitely a hip scene. Seen a few famouses there as well.

• Pros: Veggie/vegan friendly, pretty cheap for a huge meal, great food
• Cons: Can be really busy

06/05/07

Excellent, healthy, and high quality pho - chill atmosphere

by dmoorjani at Citysearch

I was looking for a great pho in the LA area for so long...and didn't want to go to little saigon south of the city. well, this is the place! fresh pho and great apps with especially good vietnamese crepes! The service is friendly and fast and best of all, there?s a hip, new york east village/soho crowd visiting the place every hour. everyone's dressed like they didn't make an effort, but actually, they're all super hip. there can be a wait but its well worth it. i recommend parking on the street since the parking lot is nearly always full, although sometimes you get lucky. have a vietnamese iced coffee...tastes pretty authentic, although they don't bring it out in the original silver vietnamese french press containers so it doesn't slow drip at your table. Even so, the flavor is authentic. I haven't tried everything on the menu, but i recommend the cold vermicelli noodle with tofu and any of the pho dishes. Best of all, this place is reasonable. 2 people can have a variety of dishes for under $30, although it depends what you consider reasonable for vietnamese food. btw, they don't deliver anymore, but it's a worth a drive since silverlake is a hip area if you don't live there. Enjoy!

• Pros: iced coffee, pho flavor and freshness + quality
• Cons: often parking lot is packed, 10-20 min wait during evening hours esp weekends