(707) 571-SOUP (7687)
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 8:45pm, Sun 10am to 7:45pm
Last Visited: December 28, 2010
Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $ to $$ (prices shown are from 2006, so they may be higher)
Pho Vietnam is a crowded and popular place, for lunch or dinner. Now that it's taken over the unit next door, it's not quite as difficult to get in as it once was when it would be have people waiting outside. With the expansion, it seems more spacious and the pace over service is less frantic. The great tasting pho is so flavorful and delicious that it’s one of the best in Sonoma County if you enjoy full flavored broth.
On each table is a holder containing chopsticks, soy sauce, fish sauce, hot sauce, and a squeeze bottle of chili sauce. Bowls of pho (beef noodle soup) come in small, large, and extra large – these are displayed above the counter to help customers get a better sense of what they’re in for. To go orders are an extra 25 cents.
The recent remodel and expansion has done wonders for the place with a lot more space in the rear for larger parties. The colors are brighter and lighter, probably to keep up with the increasing competition and since it was due for a makeover anyway. The chairs are new, but the same great food is there. I increased the atmosphere rating from 2 stars to 3 stars.
- Cha Gio – Egg Rolls – The egg rolls I tried during the last few visits have only been fair. The color of the rolls have been a little too dark, indicating prolonged frying time, or not so fresh oil. Just okay. They still taste good though. $3.50
- Pho Bac Biet – Combo Noodle soup – As always, my multiple visits have found the broth consistently flavorful, and the temperature is always boiling hot (to cook the rare eye round steak). The noodles do come in a clump, but can be easily broken apart. The meat topping the rice noodles include eye round steak, well-done brisket, flank steak, tendon, and tripe. A dish containing lemon or lime, bean sprouts, and Thai basil accompany the soup. The majority of the time, these vegetables are fresh due to the constant flow of customers coming into the restaurant. Very good. Small $4.50, Large $4.95, Extra Large $5.95Service can use some improvement. Less experienced servers often run multiple rounds for items and seem inefficient - this was the case with a recent large group dinner that I attended. However, the waitress was very friendly and that made up for her lack of experience quite a bit.
Pho Vietnam is a great place to fill up, especially on cold winter nights, for a very reasonable price. You’ll find excellent, rich tasting beef broth and fresh food. A great value, and a local favorite casual dining spot.
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