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Phở No 1 - San Francisco
Photo from Phở No 1
Phở No 1 at a glance
San Francisco Silver Terrace
- 🍜 Vietnamese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 13 of the guests
#2186 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#66 Vietnamese Restaurant out of 67 in San Francisco
Average
5.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
161
Reviews
49.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful food
- Generous portions
- Budget-friendly
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Uninviting ambience
- Cash-only
The restaurant, a delightful Vietnamese eatery in San Francisco’s vibrant Silver Terrace neighborhood, invites you to a truly authentic experience. At Phở No 1, you discover a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxing meal.
You can enjoy healthy options and a refreshing coffee, making it an ideal spot for any time of day.
Overview: Introducting Phở No 1
Phở No 1 offers a generally satisfying meal, with many appreciating the flavorful dishes and generous portions. The kitchen’s ability to handle orders efficiently is often highlighted, ensuring food arrives promptly.
However, some experiences with the service have been less than ideal, with reports of curt interactions. While the food often hits the mark, the overall dining experience can be a mixed bag.
Patrons frequently find the offerings to be friendly to your wallet, but the atmosphere is quite basic, and some aspects of customer interaction could see improvement.
Average
5.9
out of 10
161
Reviews
49.1%
Satisfaction
59
negative
23
neutral
79
positive
Phở No 1 garners an overall score of 5.9, placing it squarely in the average category, suggesting a generally acceptable but not outstanding dining experience. Customer satisfaction sits at 49.1%, indicating a mixed reception among patrons.
This assessment is drawn from 161 customer remarks, with 79 positive observations balancing against 59 negative ones. The Food stands out as a strong point, scoring (6.4), with many praising its quality and flavor.
However, Service (4.9) appears to be a notable area for improvement, with several comments pointing to inconsistent interactions. Value (5.5) is considered average, while the Ambience (3.8) is generally seen as functional rather than inviting.
What people like
- Flavorful, satisfying food
- Generous portion sizes
- Budget-friendly pricing
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Uninviting dining space
- Cash-only payment
If you prioritize a satisfying meal over a polished dining experience, Phở No 1 could be a suitable choice. The kitchen consistently delivers on flavor and portion size, making it a reliable spot for a hearty meal.
However, be prepared for potentially inconsistent service and a no-frills setting. With a recommendation score of 6.4, it suggests a place worth considering if its strengths align with your priorities, but perhaps not for every occasion.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Phở No 1
Food (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
The food here presents a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.4 indicating an average experience, and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 55.9%. Based on 102 opinions, with 57 positive and 28 negative remarks, many praise the delicious Chicken Pho, flavorful broth, tasty vermicelli, and generous big portions. However, some diners found issues with the garlic noodles being greasy, a lack of depth in the broth's flavor, and concerns about MSG.
Certain dishes were described as bland or having low-quality meat, suggesting inconsistency in the kitchen.
Food
102
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
28
negative
17
neutral
57
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Flavorful broth
- Generous portions
- Delicious chicken pho
What people don't like
- Bland flavor
- MSG concerns
- Low-quality meat
Often praised
- chicken phoMy experience at this restaurant was great! I enjoyed the delicious chicken pho and bbq pork with rice. I especially liked their sauce.
- foodTheir food is fine: hot, edible, and clean.
- Bun Bo HueIt even has the stinky shrimp paste, which makes it taste even better. This is one of the better places in the city to get the Bun Bo Hue.
- brothMy experience at the restaurant was positive. I enjoyed the chicken pho, noting that they took a lot of the fat out of the broth. We ordered large bowls and had some leftovers to take home.
- bun rieubun rieu, crab and tomato noodle soup is one of my favs
- phoBest pho I've had in SF
- BBHmy definite go to spot for some BBH
- BBQ pork ricecome here for BBQ pork rice
- Chicken PhoChicken Pho. Broth very flavorful which is key
- Fresh meatsFresh meats n noodles
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food is a bit on the fatty side
- garlic noodlesPho #1's garlic noodles $14 are only OK.
- pork chopthe pork chop was 50% fat & 50% low quality meat
- Bun Bo HueTheir Bun Bo Hue was almost flavorless
- Grilled BBQ porkTheir Grilled BBQ pork was also very flavorless
- MSGcomplain about is the msg
- authentic vietnamese foodThis place does not serve good authentic vietnamese food
- beef slicesbeef was hand sliced, and a few pieces were way too thick
- beef tripedidn't have tiny bits of beef tripe like I would expect
- brothlacked a depth of flavor in broth
If youre craving a hearty bowl of pho or vermicelli and appreciate generous servings, this spot might hit the mark. However, be aware that some dishes can be inconsistent in flavor, and certain items might not live up to expectations. Its worth a try for their specialties, but manage your expectations for everything else.
Service (4.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to service, there are definitely some bright spots! Many guests have praised the friendly staff and prompt waiters, often noting quick service, especially during busy times. The owners welcoming presence and the chefs good work also get a nod.
These 13 positive remarks, out of 30 total, contribute to an overall score of 4.9. However, it's not always smooth sailing. Several guests have reported issues with minimal service, a lack of refills, and some waiters being described as grumpy or even rude.
Concerns about transparency with tips and disregarded requests also appear. These 15 negative experiences, slightly more than the positives, contribute to a 43.3% customer satisfaction, suggesting a mixed bag.
Service
30
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
15
negative
2
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Welcoming owner
What people don't like
- Minimal service
- No refills
- Rude staff
Often praised
- serviceA previous order of black pepper beef noodles for $14 was pleasing, with a good black pepper taste and wok flavors, indicating the chef did a good job. Service was fine during that visit, with only one other party present.
- Friendly staffFriendly staff
- chefThe chef did a good job.
- foodfood came out in less than 5 min
- kitchen's abilityI went here for a dinner service and was pleasantly surprised by what their kitchen was able to put out for such a large party. The kitchen's ability to handle a large party was impressive.
- opening hoursbeing open at 10am for those eager to get a fill
- ownerOwner is friendly
- peopleThe people here are nice.
- staffthe staff are always very nice to us
- waiterprompt waiter
Frequently criticized
- serviceTheir service is minimal— waitress brought glasses of water and food to the table.
- waitersThey don’t really know what is customer service.
- clarificationWhen I asked for more clarification, she just read off the name of the items ordered and said, “what don’t you understand.
- menusshe snatched the menus and threw them
- moneyshe snatched it from him
- refillsNo refills offered and she doesn’t check up on you.
- requestmy request seemed to be disregarded
- servicesThe services were bad
- tipUnfortunately, I had a bad experience. We had 5 people, and the waitress automatically added her tip to my bill. She refused to give us a breakdown of the subtotal, taxes, and her tip amount, repeatedly stating the total was $89 with tip and walking away.
- waitressIf the waitress was transparent and wasn’t so curt, then I would have actually given her my normal tip percentage
So, should you go? If youre looking for a quick bite and dont mind potentially inconsistent service, you might find it perfectly fine. However, if attentive service and clear communication are high on your list, you might want to manage your expectations.
Ambience (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, theres a small bright spot: one guest found it to be a welcoming family friendly space. This single positive note, out of 10 total observations, suggests a potential for comfort, especially for those dining with loved ones. However, the overall impression is less stellar, with the ambience scoring a poor 3.8 and customer satisfaction at a low 10%.
Many of the 8 negative comments point to challenges like hard to find parking, a forgotten façade, and a rather bare bones wall interior where sounds echoing can be an issue. Its clear the atmosphere needs some serious attention.
Ambience
10
Reviews
10%
Satisfaction
8
negative
1
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Family-friendly space
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Unappealing exterior
- Sparse, noisy interior
Often praised
- family friendly spacefamily friendly space
Frequently criticized
- parkingThe staff are always very nice to us when we come in; they actually know our order by heart, almost. Parking is a little hard, and this place only accepts cash!
- bare bones wallBare bones wall
- find a spotThe service is brisk but sufficient. Only metered street parking is available, and you will feel pretty lucky if you can find a spot within a block of this restaurant.
- forgotten façadethe forgotten façade of this place
- metered street parkingOnly metered street parking available
- parking areaif only they had its own parking area
- sounds echoingIt sticks to your ribs, clears your sinuses, and is friendly to your wallet. The place is not where I'll bring a first date; it has bare bones walls and sounds echoing all over the place. The service is brisk but sufficient.
If a vibrant atmosphere or easy parking is high on your list, this spot might disappoint. However, if youre focused purely on the food and dont mind a no-frills setting and a bit of a parking hunt, it could still be worth a try.
Value (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot offers some bright spots! Many customers found the price to be reliable and competitive, often describing it as a great price or friendly to your wallet. With 8 positive remarks out of 19 total, it seems there are definitely budget-friendly options available, especially if you're looking for a big portion on a cheap price.
However, the overall picture for value is a bit mixed, with a score of 5.5 (average) and customer satisfaction at 42.1% (mixed). A significant concern, mentioned in 8 negative opinions, is the cash only policy, which can be a real hassle. Some also felt the portion of the food compared with the price is not worth it, and issues like a refusal to provide a breakdown of costs also cropped up.
Value
19
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
8
negative
3
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Budget-friendly options
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Cash only
- Poor value for portions
- No price breakdown
Often praised
- pricethe service and price is why this place takes 5 stars
- budgetlet them know the budget you want to spend
- cheap priceBig portion on cheap price
- friendly to your walletYou also get your choice of regular pho that gives your mouth some springy chewing satisfaction, thin vermicelli style, or slurpy knife-cut style noodles. It sticks to your ribs, clears your sinuses, and is friendly to your wallet. The place is not where I'll bring a first date; it has bare bones walls and sounds echoing all over the place.
- pricesPrices are competitive.
Frequently criticized
- cash onlyThe staff are always very nice to us when we come in; they actually know our order by heart, almost. Parking is a little hard, and this place only accepts cash!
- priceportion of the food compare with the price is not worth
- breakdownShe refused to give us a breakdown of the subtotal, taxes, and her tip amount.
- pricesIn all honesty, I was disappointed with my experience at this restaurant. I initially balked at the prices at Golden Saigon, but then saw that the prices here were the same for a larger portion size. I chose this place hoping for a lower price point.
If youre prepared with cash and prioritize generous portions at a decent initial price, this place might be a good fit. However, be aware of the cash-only policy and potential concerns about the overall value for money if youre expecting a detailed bill or specific portion-to-price ratios.
How are the prices at Phở No 1?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 13 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.
Most guests (9 out of 13, to be exact!) found their meals landing squarely in this $11–$20 range, showing a consistent pricing sweet spot.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 13 reviews.
How this spot’s value stacks up against similar restaurants in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Vietnamese restaurant, especially considering the consistent spend reported by most guests. It hits that sweet spot for a satisfying meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Phở No 1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
8
Go-to Spot for Pho and More!
This is my definite go-to spot for some soup pho, BBH, or bun rieu. The staff are always very nice to us when we come in; they actually know our order by heart, almost. Parking is a little hard, and this place only accepts cash!
- soup pho9
- BBH9
- bun rieu9
- parking3
- cash only4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
5
Food is fine, but service experience was poor
I usually visit this restaurant several times a year when I’m in the neighborhood. The food is fine: hot, edible, and clean. The service is minimal—the waitress brought glasses of water and food to the table, but no refills were offered, and she didn’t check up on us.
All utensils and napkin dispensers are self-service. The prices are competitive, and portion sizes are standard. Unfortunately, I had a bad experience.
We had 5 people, and the waitress automatically added her tip to my bill. She refused to give us a breakdown of the subtotal, taxes, and her tip amount, repeatedly stating the total was $89 with tip and walking away. When I asked for more clarification, she just read off the items ordered and curtly asked, “what don’t you understand.
That’s what you ordered, ” before walking away again. In the past, with 6 people at the table, I was allowed to determine the tip amount. I’m unsure if there has been a change in ownership.
There was absolutely no miscommunication, as we spoke in her language. If the waitress had been transparent and less curt, I would have given her my normal tip percentage, which is significantly more than what she demanded. I recommend the food here, but I do not recommend the dine-in experience.
- food8
- utensils6
- prices7
- service2
- refills2
- tip1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Loud
7
Hearty Pho Ga for a Cold Day
When you're not feeling too well and need some hot and soupy goodness, try out this hole-in-the-wall family restaurant that specializes in Vietnamese pho ga (chicken noodles). If you feel adventurous, go with the chicken and intestines, which consists of very small strips of chicken and thinly sliced gizzards and liver. You also get your choice of regular pho that gives your mouth some springy chewing satisfaction, thin vermicelli style, or slurpy knife-cut style noodles.
It sticks to your ribs, clears your sinuses, and is friendly to your wallet. The place is not where I'll bring a first date; it has bare bones walls and sounds echoing all over the place. The service is brisk but sufficient.
Only metered street parking is available, and you will feel pretty lucky if you can find a spot within a block of this restaurant.
- pho ga8
- chicken and intestines6
- regular pho7
- bare bones wall2
- sounds echoing2
- metered street parking3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Not Worth the Price
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The services were bad, and the portion of the food compared to the price was not worth it. I highly do not recommend this place.
For this price, there are tons of options in SF with better price, taste, and services.
- services2
- portion of the food3
- price2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
9
Tender Beef BBQ & Fresh Noodles
My experience at this restaurant was great! I picked up some grilled BBQ beef with vermicelli, and the meat was tender with awesome flavors. The noodles were fresh and delicious, and the meats and noodles were of high quality.
The staff were friendly. This was my second time picking up food from here, as I drive by this neighborhood on my way to work.
- grilled BBQ beef with vermicelli9
- meat9
- flavors9
What Phở No 1 offers
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Healthy options
- Coffee
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options does Phở No 1 offer?
At Phở No 1, you can expect a casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal. You have various dining options including lunch and dinner, with comfortable seating and table service available for your convenience.
What are the key offerings and service options available at Phở No 1?
Phở No 1 provides a range of offerings, including quick bites, healthy options, and coffee. For your convenience, you can choose between dine-in service or opt for delivery to enjoy your meal at home.
How is Phở No 1 generally rated?
Phở No 1 receives an overall score of **5.9**, indicating an average experience. Its **Food** scores (6.4), **Value** (5.5), **Service** (4.9), and **Ambience** (3.8) contribute to this rating.
What are the main strengths of Phở No 1's food?
Customers frequently praise the flavorful broths, fresh ingredients, and generous portion sizes, especially for dishes like chicken pho and Bun Bo Hue.
Are there any common issues at Phở No 1?
Some patrons have noted issues with inconsistent service interactions and the restaurant’s cash-only policy, alongside a rather basic dining atmosphere.