Absolutely Phobulous Pho

A more centrally located alternative to the traditional, famed pho restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley and downtown L.A., this petite red-walled oasis serves up traditional Vietnamese soups like its playful beef noodle soup namesake, along with many vegetarian and weigh watching options. The menu also includes cold Spring Rolls and fried Imperial Rolls, green papaya salad, chicken curry and Ban Mi (baguette sandwiches full of pickled veggies and meat) to a cool chill-out soundtrack.

Editor's Tips

Parking:: There's a small lot behind the restaurant, or metered spots along La Cienega.
Know Before You Go:: Any noodle dish can be made lower carb/higher protein for a nominal fee.
Save Time:: Delivery is available in the neighborhood for an extra charge.
Save Money:: On Saturdays, try the special beef stew, chicken curry or pork chop combos.

Write a Review

User Reviews (20)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“Good food in a good location”
food quality	72.22000122070312% positive	“Also, the seafood was not very fresh tasting.” “They also have authentic Vietnamese paintings (artists are actually from Vietnam) for sale on their walls.” “Great Vietnamese food without the drive!” “Great fast, cheap, wonderful food.” “The food is great and authentically Vietnamese.” “tiny Vietnamese cafe with super fast service and authentic food.” “The broth was really tasty, the meatballs were good and the meat good quality.” “Good food, right price, and absolutely Phobulous.” “The pho soups are wonderful on a cold winter night, the firecracker beef is melt in your mouth delicious, the vegi stir is spicy but flavorful.” “still like the chicken over rice (my favorite dish there).” “had a steak pho and everything was bad, especially the meat in it, it wasn't tender at all and the taste of the soup was more like my toilet water.” “Good food but the staff can be a little rude.” “NOT just the Pho is authentic the Rolls, Baguette Sandwiches, and of course the Vietnamese Iced Coffee.” “spent last summer living off of 3 bowls a day, believe me when I say that this place is slightly more expensive than others, slightly smaller than others, and far less tasty than others.” “initially wrote a good review (2006) of this place, but recently the food isn't so good.” “as a vietnamese person living in la, it's hard to find decent authentic vietnamese food.” “Good food in a good location” “was not expecting great food, but this place was wonderful!”
overall	50.0% positive	“initially wrote a good review (2006) of this place, but recently the food isn't so good.” “was not expecting great food, but this place was wonderful!” “This is a great restaurant!”
return potential	100.0% positive	“The service was fast and friendly, my pho was awesome (I basically got Pho Tai, because I have gotten some scary meatballs before) but when I go back, I am getting the meatballs too, as everything else about the place was superb.”
service	78.5699987411499% positive	“tiny Vietnamese cafe with super fast service and authentic food.” “the service is always prompt & courteous w/o obsequiousness, & the prices are reasonable.” “Good food but the staff can be a little rude.” “Worst Pho I've ever had, TERRIBLE service!” “The service is fast and friendly.” “The service is reasonable and quick, even on take-out orders.” “The service was fast and friendly, my pho was awesome (I basically got Pho Tai, because I have gotten some scary meatballs before) but when I go back, I am getting the meatballs too, as everything else about the place was superb.”
value	88.88999938964844% positive	“spent last summer living off of 3 bowls a day, believe me when I say that this place is slightly more expensive than others, slightly smaller than others, and far less tasty than others.” “Good food, right price, and absolutely Phobulous.” “the service is always prompt & courteous w/o obsequiousness, & the prices are reasonable.” “Great prices too!” “had a huge craving for pho and this was the only place I could find close to my place in Hollywood.” “Great fast, cheap, wonderful food.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“The service is reasonable and quick, even on take-out orders.” “This restaurant has long been a favorite.”

03/20/11

really is phobulous

by CalvinBrenner

i went backpacking in vietnam and got introduced to pho (by the way it's pronounced phuh) never had had it before. i love this place because it reminds me of my trip, but also becuase it's cheap and you get a big honkin bowl of pho. i like the chicken best. it's not a fancy place- best for lunch. or sometimes i pick up to eat at home for dinner.

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

02/12/10

Good food in a good location

by Paul Larson

Good food but the staff can be a little rude. You are at their mercy if your drink runs out or if you want extra lemons.

Pros: Great location
Cons: Service is kinda rude

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

04/16/09

AUTHENTIC AS IT CAN GET!!!!

by SWEETCHEEKS1

Thank GOD i don't have to drive an hour to Little Saigon for AUTHENTIC PHO!!!!!! I have tried them ALL folks. And this is the one. Born in Vietnam, raised in L.A., and i won't go anywhere else. NOT just the Pho is authentic the Rolls, Baguette Sandwiches, and of course the Vietnamese Iced Coffee. I LOVE this place. Cam on (Thank you) guys for keeping me Vietnamese in a place where you can soooooo LOSE WHO YOU ARE!!!!!!!

Pros: The Pho is EXACTLY how it should taste.
Cons: NOT BIG ENOUGH!!!!!!! :)

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

12/18/08

HAIR IN TAKE OUT

by wowLA

This restaurant has long been a favorite. Until Today when we got take out and there was a long black hair in my friends noodles. We threw out our over priced Pho and walked to Quizno's.

The taste had always been great, but cleanliness is a MUST in a restaurant.

My friend now will never go back, and he told everyone we work with about so the word of mouth in the 90048 zip code is not good.....

Pros: Tasted Good, Quick Service ( I assume too quick)
Cons: Hair in Soup- GROSS, and Pho is usually much cheaper, location caused rise in price I assume.

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comments (1) share

10/13/08

Worst Pho I've ever had, TERRIBLE service!

by chrisbueno

Worst Pho I've ever had. TERRIBLE service. Stingy with the limes. I have been to a lot of Pho's but this one was definitely a waist of my money. I had a steak pho and everything was bad, especially the meat in it, it wasn't tender at all and the taste of the soup was more like my toilet water. If you want to eat at a descent Pho go to this one pho place in Silverlake, it's called Pho Cafe just google it. The place doesn't have a sign outside but looks very modern inside and is busy full of Asians, and usually that means a good thing.

Pros: it's in a good locations, too bad they don't know how to make the business work
Cons: Soup tastes like water, Meat in pho is full of nerves and fat, TERRIBLE service!!!

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

Write a Review

See more Absolutely Phobulous Pho reviews

Absolutely Phobulous Pho

Price:

Category:

Payment Methods:

Restaurant Special Features:

Cuisine:

What People Are Saying About Absolutely Phobulous Pho

Kim Cooper

Contributor

Editor's Tips

03/20/11

really is phobulous

by CalvinBrenner

02/12/10

Good food in a good location

by Paul Larson

04/16/09

AUTHENTIC AS IT CAN GET!!!!

by SWEETCHEEKS1

12/18/08

HAIR IN TAKE OUT

by wowLA

10/13/08

Worst Pho I've ever had, TERRIBLE service!

by chrisbueno

The Details on Absolutely Phobulous Pho

Place Categories:

Things To Do Nearby Absolutely Phobulous Pho

Lists In Los Angeles

Recent Reviews In Los Angeles

More Info

Contact

More Navigation

Partner Sites: