The space looks a lot like it could’ve been a Greek restaurant before, but who knows. It’s a little bit on the dingy side, but I try not to judge a restaurant by its cover.
At this Pho Hong, they have a daily special menu which is a large Pho with a spring roll for $8.50 or a small one for $8. As you can see they also have other specials.
There is about 15-20 different types of soups you can order, about 80% are just some sort of variation of beef. The menu is a bit confusing, they should’ve just had a header of “soup” and “rice dishes” to make it a little more easier to read. Anyway, most of the prices were from $6.50 (small bowl) – $12 (combos).
First order of business, Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk. Think of it as espresso with sweet milk over ice. Pretty strong. I was taken a back – this is the first time I’ve ever seen the ice coffee served this way (with the metal pot over a coffee cup and a glass full of ice). While I was waiting for my coffee to finish brewing, my cup of ice filled about halfway with water but that’s okay, otherwise my coffee would’ve been really strong.
I ordered the large soup special ($8.50) – #3 large, which is rare beef and beef balls – I was in the midst of sprucing up my bowl when I realized I didn’t take a picture yet (hence the peppers and lemon in the soup!). The beef balls were fine, but the beef slices were a bit chewy and had very little flavour to it – meaning the slices were probably a little old. The broth here was pretty plain as well – some other Pho places I’ve been to recently had decent- sweet tasting broth.
My spring roll was small, it was about maybe four inches and skinny for a spring roll! The inside was dry, overcooked and had no flavour to it either. The sauce given to me had no spice in it either!
My husband – aka Brian (I realize I always say ‘my husband’ on my blog, I guess I should just give him a name or a nickname..he didn’t like the nicknames I came up with so, his real name it is!). He ordered Combo A which is BBQ chicken and pork, a spring roll served with either vermicelli or steamed rice ($10.50). He said that the meat was delicious and tender. He too wasn’t impressed with the spring roll and the vermicelli saying both were bland. I told him to add some hot sauce and some of the spring roll sauce to his vermicelli ;).
Food: 
The food is okay, but I’ve had better Pho. Although the special is a ‘good deal’, these kind of Pho places are the places that put me off when it comes to Vietnamese food.
Ambiance: 
The place is a bit of a dive, better looking than most Pho places I’ve been to, but probably not the place you want to take your date.
Service: 
The waitress and the owner (??) were prompt and friendly, unlike many Vietnamese places you go to where they ask you your order and leave you be.
Value: 
There are many better Pho options. Like here or here.
OVERALL: 
