Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Pho Xpress – San Diego
Pho Xpress - San Diego
Photo from Pho Xpress
Pho Xpress at a glance
San Diego Grantville
- 🍜 Vietnamese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 36 of the guests
#304 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#12 Vietnamese Restaurant out of 19 in San Diego
Good
7.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
415
Reviews
76.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The restaurant Pho Xpress is a welcoming Vietnamese spot nestled in San Diego’s vibrant Grantville neighborhood. If you’re searching for a casual and cozy dining experience, you’ve found it.
This eatery stands out with its great tea selection, perfect for complementing your meal. Whether you’re craving traditional flavors or exploring new dishes, you’ll appreciate the authentic atmosphere and diverse menu.
Overview: Introducting Pho Xpress
Good
7.6
out of 10
415
Reviews
76.9%
Satisfaction
74
negative
22
neutral
319
positive
What people like
What people don't like
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Verdict: Our expert take on Pho Xpress
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.4 score and a solid 72.8% customer satisfaction. Many diners, accounting for 182 positive remarks out of 250, rave about the delicious Phở and its flavorful broth. The spring rolls are often praised for their freshness, and many appreciate the portion sizes and overall taste and quality.
However, not every dish is a home run. There are 52 negative comments, with some guests finding the portions to be on the smaller side, and occasionally the broth lacking depth. Concerns about meat quality or flavor have also popped up, suggesting some inconsistency in certain dishes.
Food
250
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
52
negative
16
neutral
182
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious Pho
- Flavorful broth
- Fresh spring rolls
What people don't like
- Small portions
- Bland broth
- Dry meat
Often praised
- foodThe food is consistently good
- phoMy experience at this restaurant has been consistently amazing. I consider it the best pho spot in San Diego, with two equally good locations: one in Mission Gorge near Zion hospital in the Vons shopping area, and another in downtown San Diego on 6th. I would happily eat here every day if I could.
- spring rollstheir spring rolls are sooo deliciously close to that of lumpia
- PhoGood place to get some Pho
- broththe broth was delicious. Tasted good without adding any ingredients
- egg rollsMe I allways get the egg rolls, so good
- portionsWhether dining in or taking out, orders were prepared and served in a timely manner. The food itself was excellent with wonderful flavors and generous portions. Thanks again!
- Banh Mireally enjoyed the Banh Mi
- Pork Fried RiceI ordered the Pork Fried Rice and Egg Rolls, while my partner had the Mongolian Beef. The pork was delicious and tender, and the beef was mouth-watering with the perfect amount of spice, not too spicy, just right! The egg rolls were delicious and crunchy.
- Vietnamese coffeeTheir salt and pepper calamari and the Vietnamese coffee are also great.
Frequently criticized
- brothbroth needs a bit more flavor
- foodthe food used to be A LOT better
- meat portionWe enjoyed the spring rolls and chicken pho. The only deduction was the small meat portion, a point also mentioned by other reviewers. However, paying a little extra for double meat would still be a good value.
- portionsoh my GOD what are these portions?
- spring rollsMy spring rolls came first. The plate smelled like vomit.
- BBQ pork banh miBBQ pork banh mi and it was disgusting
- Kung Paotwo pieces of scrappy fatty dark meat chicken and a flood of watery sauce
- Thai iced teaMy Thai iced tea with bobba. Watered down. Cheap.
- bahn-mi sandwichI’m personally not a big fan of their bahn-mi sandwich
- breadI also ordered a BBQ pork banh mi, which was disgusting. The bread was slightly stale, and the pork was incredibly dry. The herbs and vegetables lacked the freshness I'm accustomed to from other banh mis, making me doubt the sandwich was even made today.
Overall, if you're looking for a good meal, especially their signature Pho, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that while many find the food delicious and portions generous, there might be occasional inconsistencies in portion size or flavor depending on what you order.
Service (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With a strong score of 8 and an impressive customer satisfaction rate of 84.3%, its clear that guests are generally delighted. Out of 108 comments, a remarkable 91 praise the friendly staff, fast service, and even phenomenal service, often highlighting the great hospitality and attention.
However, its not entirely without its bumps. The 15 negative remarks occasionally mention issues like receiving the wrong order, extended waiting times, or instances of what some described as horrible service from staff perceived as not friendly and rude. These suggest there's a little room for consistency in every interaction.
Service
108
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
15
negative
2
neutral
91
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly Staff
- Fast Service
- Great Hospitality
What people don't like
- Wrong Orders
- Long Waits
- Unfriendly Staff
Often praised
- serviceThe salt and pepper calamari and the Vietnamese coffee were also great. The service was friendly, and the restaurant was clean. It's our favorite pho restaurant in the area, and we visit 2-3 times a month.
- staffShoutout to David and his staff, they are friendly
- DavidI eat here way too often. David is so kind and I absolutely recommend it.
- customer serviceThe best customer service & hospitality.
- peopleThe pho was great, and the service was even better. The people here are so kind and put so much hard work into their food, which truly shows each and every time. I cannot recommend this place highly enough; the next chance you get, you have to go – it is beyond worth it.
- great servicewhatever we needed is great service.
- ownersMy new favorite spot in town for pho, especially after hiking Cowles down the road. The spring rolls were super fresh, and the owners are incredibly nice. It's also a great value.
- service speedfood came out super fast
- 10-15 minutesready in 10-15 minutes
- 30-minute lunchbe in and out for my 30 min lunch
Frequently criticized
- apologiesnot a word of apologizes
- customer servicedoes not know anything about customer service
- delivery timeMy experience was easily the worst food experience I've had in recent memory. To begin with, it took well over an hour for delivery, despite picking this restaurant for its estimated 40-minute delivery time. The delivery tracker showed the delivery person waiting at the restaurant for at least 25 minutes.
- driverhe rudely told me it wasnt his problem
- full orderdid not send full order
- girl at the cornerThe girl at the corner just sits there and stares at you the whole time your eating.
- guest satisfactiondon't care about the guests satisfaction
- incidentThere was an incident with my good
- man at the frontman in front is not friendly and rude
- outlook on the companyThe staff said no because he was only waiting on me at the moment. They refunded my card, which is fine, but it ruined my outlook on the company. I don't know if I'll go back.
If you're seeking a place with overwhelmingly friendly staff and quick service, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. While a few experiences mention wrong orders or longer waits, the vast majority of feedback points to a very positive service experience.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
The ambience here is definitely a highlight, scoring a solid 7.7 and boasting a great customer satisfaction of 80.8%! Out of 26 total comments, 21 rave about the clean, convenient location and the pleasant, homely environment. Many also appreciate the nice patio area, making it a comfortable spot for a casual yet enjoyable meal.
However, its not entirely perfect. A couple of observations (2 out of 26) did mention a cold atmosphere and a lack of heat, suggesting that comfort might dip during cooler times. This is a minor point, but worth noting if youre sensitive to temperature.
Ambience
26
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
2
negative
3
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean convenient location
- Homely atmosphere
- Great patio area
What people don't like
- Cold interior
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was generally positive, with great service and a pleasant atmosphere, both rated 5/5. The food received a 4/5.
- cleanlinessThe salt and pepper calamari and the Vietnamese coffee were also great. The service was friendly, and the restaurant was clean. It's our favorite pho restaurant in the area, and we visit 2-3 times a month.
- placeHowever, the servings could have been larger. Overall, it's a nice place for a quick, tasty, and affordable meal. The service was also very friendly.
- ParkingParking, food come out pretty fast
- casual but nice mealfor a casual but nice meal
- comfortcomfortable as DT
- environmentclean environment
- homely environmenthomely environment and phenomenal service
- locationthis location is so amazing
- lunch timeNot too busy during lunch time
Frequently criticized
- cold atmosphererestaurant is cold
- heatthey dont have heat
If youre seeking a clean, welcoming spot with a homely feel and a great patio, this place is a strong contender for your next meal. Just be aware that it might get a bit chilly inside, so perhaps bring a light jacket if youre visiting on a cooler day.
Value (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a solid 7.5. Most customers, reflecting a strong 80.6% satisfaction, praise the wallet-friendly experience. With 25 positive remarks out of 31 total, many found the reasonable prices and affordable pricing to be a real draw, often calling it great value.
However, not everyone felt the same, with 5 negative comments pointing out some areas for improvement. Concerns arose around extra fees for things like credit card payments or broth, and some felt the pho prices were a bit steep for the portion size, leading to feelings of a waste of money in a few instances.
Value
31
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great value
- Affordable pricing
What people don't like
- Extra fees
- High pho prices
- Waste of money
Often praised
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was great! It's an easy spot to grab lunch with reasonable prices and great service. The menu is pretty varied, offering more than just soup.
- priceeverything was priced so well
- valuethe flavor, quality and value have always been amazing
- pricingThe pricing is very competitive and fair
- PricesPrices are very reasonable
- double meatpay for the double meat
- reasonable pricesreasonable prices
Frequently criticized
- $40Pay almost 40 dollars
- Waste of $15Waste of $15 plus a $5 tip.
- credit card paymentscharges an extra fee for credit card payments
- extra cups of brothno longer sell $1 extra cups of broth, now it's $3-$5
- pho pricesNot enough meat compared to similar pho prices
Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally reasonable prices and great value, this restaurant is a solid bet. Just be mindful of potential extra fees or specific menu items that might feel a bit overpriced, especially if youre sensitive to those details.
How are the prices at Pho Xpress?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 36 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Vietnamese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the bigger picture, many diners in the market tend to spend a bit less, with a significant number of prices clustering in the $11–$20 range. This suggests your 23 average is a step up from the most common budget-friendly options.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 36 most recent reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
For a Vietnamese restaurant, a 23 price point feels fair, especially if the quality and experience match. Wed say its a solid mid-range option.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Pho Xpress
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Good Food, Extra Fees
Overall, it was a good dining experience. The soup was nice, but the meat portions were quite small. A key point to note is that the restaurant charges an extra fee for credit card payments, so it’s better to bring some cash before you go.
- soup8
- meat portions4
- credit card payments3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Great Pho and Squid, Okay Atmosphere
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, especially regarding the food and service. The service was fast and friendly, and the food was tasty. I particularly enjoyed the pho, which had a flavorful broth with perfectly springy noodles.
The salt-and-pepper squid was also a standout, consistently having the right texture with a nice crunch and seasoning. The Vietnamese coffee was strong and perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up. However, the atmosphere was just okay, not ideal for a fancy date night.
I'm also personally not a big fan of their bahn-mi sandwich. Overall, it's a great place for a casual meal with good food and service.
- service9
- prices8
- food9
- bahn-mi sandwich3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Delicious Pho and Friendly Service
My experience at Pho Express was really good. I really like the Pho soup here; it’s really clean and simple and delicious. I’ve tried the shrimp soup, the chicken soup, and the brisket and steak soup, and all were very good.
The staff is friendly and the service is fast. I highly recommend Pho Express!
- Pho soup9
- shrimp soup8
- chicken soup8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Great Casual Meal with Delicious Options
My experience at this restaurant was for a casual but nice meal. I thoroughly enjoyed the food, especially the shrimp spring rolls, the bahn mi, and the pho. The bobo drinks were also great.
The service was excellent, and David was super cool! Overall, it was a very positive dining experience.
- shrimp spring rolls10
- bahn mi10
- pho10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Excellent Beef Sandwich and Coffee
My experience at this restaurant was very enjoyable. I particularly loved the beef sandwich and the Vietnamese iced espresso coffee. The pricing is very competitive and fair.
A special shoutout to David and his staff; they are friendly and consistently serve high quality food and beverages. They are conveniently located in the plaza off of Mission Gorge rd, next to Vons and Jersey Mikes.
- beef sandwich9
- Vietnamese iced espresso coffee9
- pricing8
What Pho Xpress offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dietary options are available at Pho Xpress?
At Pho Xpress in San Diego, you’ll find a wide array of choices including healthy options, vegan options, and vegetarian options. They also offer small plates and quick bites, making it easy to enjoy a meal that fits your lifestyle.
What are the service and parking options like at Pho Xpress?
Pho Xpress offers convenient service options such as no-contact delivery, takeout, and dine-in with outdoor seating. Parking is hassle-free with free street parking and a free parking lot, usually providing plenty of space for your visit.