Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Pho City – Seattle
Pho City - Seattle
Photo from Pho City
Pho City at a glance
Seattle SODO
- 🍜 Vietnamese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 3 of the guests
#819 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#19 Vietnamese Restaurant out of 19 in Seattle
Average
4.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
83
Reviews
37.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Clean environment
Frequently criticized
- High cost
- Food inconsistency
The Vietnamese restaurant Pho City in Seattle’s vibrant SODO neighborhood offers a delightful culinary experience. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
With a focus on healthy options, this spot is ideal for lunch or dinner. Whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or opting for delivery, you can enjoy authentic flavors.
It’s also a great choice for families, providing high chairs and a welcoming environment for kids.
Overview: Introducting Pho City
Pho City offers a mixed experience, where you’ll likely encounter friendly staff and a generally clean place. Many appreciate the fresh Vietnamese entrees and the reliable Pho, often highlighting the delicious broth.
However, some aspects could use attention. Patrons have noted concerns about ugly signs impacting the atmosphere and a perceived lack of basic amenities like napkins or chili oil, which can detract from the overall visit.
Average
4.7
out of 10
83
Reviews
37.3%
Satisfaction
49
negative
3
neutral
31
positive
Pho City registers an overall score of 4.7, placing it in the average range, yet customer satisfaction sits at a poor 37.3%. This notable divergence suggests that while some elements are acceptable, many patrons leave feeling quite disappointed.
This assessment is drawn from 83 customer opinions, with 31 positive remarks and 49 negative ones. Diving deeper, Service stands out as a relative strength at (5.6), often described as friendly and efficient.
Food (4.8) is a central topic, garnering the most discussion, but opinions are divided. Ambience (4.4) is considered average, while Value (3.2) is a clear area for improvement, frequently cited for high prices and small portions.
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Clean dining area
- Fresh Vietnamese entrees
What people don't like
- High prices
- Inconsistent food quality
- Lack of amenities
Pho City presents a mixed bag, with its Recommendation Score of 4.8 indicating it might not be a standout choice. While the service often receives praise, and some dishes are well-regarded, the overall experience can be hit or miss.
If you prioritize a clean setting and friendly interactions, it could be worth a visit. However, be prepared for potentially higher prices and variability in food quality, especially if you’re particular about your Pho or expect certain amenities.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Pho City
Food (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the food! While the overall score sits at an average 4.8 and customer satisfaction is a poor 39.6%, there are some definite bright spots. Many guests rave about the delicious broth and fresh greens, often calling the Pho and Vietnamese entrees wonderful.
With 21 positive remarks among 53 total comments, items like noodle bowls and spring rolls also get a thumbs up. However, its not all sunshine and fresh greens. A significant number of 29 negative comments point to issues with the Pho itself, often described as not fresh, with rubbery noodles and a lack of flavor in the broth.
Some found the overall quality of food to be disappointing, with small portions and a general sense of mediocrity, especially concerning the beef and teriyaki dishes.
Food
53
Reviews
39%
Satisfaction
29
negative
3
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious fresh broth
- Variety of Vietnamese entrees
- Reliable noodle bowls
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Pho quality
- Lack of flavor/seasoning
- Small portions, overpriced
Often praised
- Phoreliable spot with Teriyaki and Pho.
- Boba TeasMy experience at the restaurant was marked by always friendly and helpful service, from placing my order to being served at my table. I enjoyed wonderful fresh Vietnamese entrees and Boba Teas.
- Vermicelli bowlsalways good choice for Vermicelli bowls
- Vietnamese entreesWonderful fresh Vietnamese entrees
- beveragesIt's now my new favorite spot for Pho. The restaurant offers free water and tea, along with a large selection of beverages for sale. During my visit, orders were being taken for both halves of the restaurant on the teriyaki side.
- brothThe broth is delicious
- cheaper phobetter cheaper pho close by
- greensall of the greens are very fresh
- meat and noodlesMeat and noodles are good
- nice foodnice food
Frequently criticized
- brothwhatever you’re doing to the broth.. stop
- PhoMediocre Pho at best
- chili oilI would recommend they serve guests water, provide napkins, and stop watering down their Tabasco Sriracha. Additionally, it would be beneficial to carry chili oil. Regarding the broth, whatever is being done to it, it should stop.
- noodlesMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing, primarily due to the food. The Pho was not fresh, and the noodles were rubbery. The broth lacked flavor, and the meat also did not taste fresh.
- phoAdditionally, there was no chili oil available. I found the meal to be overpriced for what was essentially a cheap bowl of pho.
- MeatMeat didn’t taste fresh
- Tabasco Srirachadon’t water down your Tabasco Sriracha
- TeriyakiTeriyaki was just okay.
- banh miMy experience at this restaurant was not what I expected for a banh mi. It's primarily a teriyaki place, and the banh mi was disappointing. For $10, I received bread that wasn't toasted, and the ingredients were strange, including onion and cucumber but no jalapeños.
- beefthe beef tasted weird
If youre craving a quick Pho fix and appreciate fresh greens, you might find something to like here. However, be aware that consistency is a major issue, with many finding the overall quality and flavor of dishes, especially the Pho and other entrees, to be quite underwhelming and sometimes overpriced. Its a bit of a gamble, so manage your expectations.
Service (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 45% of the guests
Looking at the positive side, many guests have highlighted the friendly staff and efficient staff, often describing the service as great and the team as genuinely nice and helpful. With 6 positive remarks out of 11 total, theres a clear appreciation for the human touch, even if the overall customer satisfaction is a 54.5%, suggesting a somewhat mixed experience. On the flip side, 5 comments suggest some clear areas for improvement.
Guests have noted the absence of water and napkins, sometimes receiving lukewarm water only upon request. Theres also a specific concern about a cashier lady being rude, which can certainly sour an experience. This contributes to the overall score of 5.6, which falls into the average range, indicating there's definitely room to grow.
Service
11
Reviews
54%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, nice staff
- Efficient service
- Helpful team
What people don't like
- No water provided
- No napkins available
- Rude cashier
Often praised
- servicealways friendly and helpful from placing your order to being served at your table
- staffThe pork meat was also strangely sweet. On the positive side, the staff was friendly and the place looked clean.
- efficient staffenjoy the friendly, efficient staff
- friendly staffenjoy the friendly, efficient staff
Frequently criticized
- napkinsMy experience at this restaurant was marked by several suggestions for improvement. I would recommend they serve guests water, provide napkins, and stop watering down their Tabasco Sriracha. Additionally, it would be beneficial to carry chili oil.
- waterNo water served. When asked, was given Luke warm water.
- cashier ladycashier lady who took my order rude
Service here is a bit of a mixed bag; you'll likely find friendly staff, but be prepared for potential oversights like no water or napkins. If consistent attention to detail is crucial for you, this might be a slight disappointment, otherwise, the human interaction can be quite pleasant.
Ambience (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
Lets talk about the vibe! While the overall score for ambience sits at an average 4.4 and customer satisfaction is a poor 33.3%, there are some silver linings. A few guests, 3 to be exact, appreciated the general place and specifically mentioned the restaurant cleanliness, noting it was very clean and had lots of tables available for diners.
However, the ambience clearly has room for improvement, with 6 negative observations. Several folks pointed out ugly signs all over the place, and there were concerning remarks about cleanliness issues, including a good' rating from the health dept. and even water glasses tasting like bleach.
The lack of wifi also contributed to a less-than-ideal experience for some.
Ambience
9
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean restaurant
- Ample seating
What people don't like
- Ugly signs
- Cleanliness concerns
- Bleach water glasses
Often praised
- lots of tablesMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. The restaurant was very clean, and there were lots of tables available. The food was nice, and the price was nice as well.
- placeThe pork meat was also strangely sweet. On the positive side, the staff was friendly and the place looked clean.
- restaurant cleanlinessVery clean restaurant
Frequently criticized
- cleanlinessTruly used to be better and cleaner.
- experienceThe pho itself was fine, but the portion of chicken was minimal. Additionally, there were no sauces available, leading to a very blasé experience overall.
- health dept.good" rating on the door from the health dept.
- ugly signsLots of ugly signs all over the place
- water glasseswater glasses taste like bleach
- wifiNo wifi
If a sparkling clean, aesthetically pleasing environment is your top priority, this might not be your go-to. While it offers plenty of seating, be prepared for some visual clutter and potential cleanliness concerns that could detract from your meal. It's a mixed bag, so manage your expectations.
Value (3.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
It seems that when it comes to value, theres not much to cheer about, with only 1 out of 10 comments being positive. One customer did manage to find a nice price, offering a small silver lining. However, the overall sentiment is reflected in a poor score of 3.2 and a very low customer satisfaction of just 10%.
On the flip side, the overwhelming majority of 9 comments expressed disappointment, frequently mentioning the price being too high, especially for a pho place and a bowl of pho. Many felt that even a medium sized bowl' was overpriced, leading to a general feeling of poor value. This clearly indicates that the pricing strategy needs some serious attention.
Value
10
Reviews
10%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- High prices
- Dishes overpriced
- Small portions
Often praised
- nice pricenice price
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. The price is high and the portions are small. I also noticed there were no napkins provided.
- $10$10 for bread that wasn’t toasted
- bowl of phopaid $14 for a bowl of pho
- medium sized bowl$8.99 for a medium sized bowl 😳
- pho placeMy experience at this restaurant was a bit disappointing due to the pricing and the quality of some of the food. I found it to be kinda pricey for a pho place, paying $14 for a bowl of pho and two small fresh spring rolls. The medium-sized bowl of pho was priced at $8.
If you're looking for great value, this might not be your spot. The pricing seems to be a significant concern for many, with a strong feeling that dishes are overpriced for what you receive. Be prepared for potentially higher costs than expected for your meal.
How are the prices at Pho City?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 3 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Vietnamese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the price ranges, all the reported prices cluster tightly within this $11–$20 bracket, so you know exactly what to expect! Since we only have 3 reviews, it’s a good indication, but keep in mind the data is still a bit limited.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 3 reviews. Since we only have a few reviews, it’s a good indication, but keep in mind the data is still a bit limited.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Vietnamese restaurant, especially for a mid-range experience. Its a solid choice if youre looking for good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Pho City
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Mediocre Pho, No Wifi, Ugly Signs
My experience at this restaurant was mediocre at best. The Pho was not great, and there was no wifi available. Additionally, the place was covered in ugly signs all over.
I used to frequent this establishment many years ago.
- Pho3
- wifi1
- ugly signs2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
2
Disappointing Experience, Food and Service Decline
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The cashier lady who took my order was rude. The food was very mid; they changed the noodles, and it doesn’t taste as good as a couple of years ago.
Unfortunately, this will be my last time here.
- cashier lady2
- food3
- noodles3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Pho Experience
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing, primarily due to the food. The Pho was not fresh, and the noodles were rubbery. The broth lacked flavor, and the meat also did not taste fresh.
While the food was a letdown (Food: 2/5), the Service (5/5) and Atmosphere (4/5) were good.
- Pho2
- noodles2
- broth2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
3
Disappointing Banh Mi Experience
My experience at this restaurant was not what I expected for a banh mi. It's primarily a teriyaki place, and the banh mi was disappointing. For $10, I received bread that wasn't toasted, and the ingredients were strange, including onion and cucumber but no jalapeños.
The pork meat was also strangely sweet. On the positive side, the staff was friendly and the place looked clean.
- staff8
- place8
- banh mi2
- bread2
- ingredients3
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Clean, Great Food, Great Price!
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. The restaurant was very clean, and there were lots of tables available. The food was nice, and the price was nice as well.
I will definitely visit again.
- restaurant cleanliness10
- lots of tables9
- nice food9
What Pho City offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Pho City?
At Pho City, you can enjoy a casual dining experience perfect for lunch or dinner. They offer comfortable seating and table service, making it a great spot for a quick bite or a relaxed meal in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood.
Is Pho City accessible and suitable for families?
Yes, Pho City is highly accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. It’s also very family-friendly, considered good for kids and offering high chairs for your convenience.
How does Pho City generally rate among customers?
Pho City holds an overall score of 4.7. While Service (5.6) and Food (4.8) are its stronger points, Ambience (4.4) and particularly Value (3.2) receive lower marks, contributing to a mixed customer satisfaction.
What positive aspects do customers frequently mention about Pho City?
Many customers appreciate the friendly staff and the restaurant’s general cleanliness. Positive comments also highlight the fresh Vietnamese entrees and the quality of the broth.
What are the main areas where Pho City could improve?
Common criticisms include the high price for portions, concerns about the consistency of the Pho, and the absence of basic amenities like napkins or readily available chili oil.