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oChef » Pho Recipe – San Francisco
Pho Recipe - San Francisco
Photo from Pho Recipe
Pho Recipe at a glance
San Francisco Sunset District
- 🍜 Vietnamese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 28 of the guests
#2112 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#65 Vietnamese Restaurant out of 67 in San Francisco
Good
6.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
279
Reviews
54.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful Broth
- Generous Portions
Frequently criticized
- Poor Service
- Cash Only
The Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Recipe, located in San Francisco’s vibrant Sunset District, invites you to a truly authentic culinary journey. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying healthy options and quick bites.
Whether you’re craving a hearty lunch or a delightful dinner, this spot offers a welcoming space for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Pho Recipe
Pho Recipe offers a mixed experience, with many guests praising the delicious broth and generous portions that make for a satisfying meal. It’s often highlighted as a solid choice for those craving Vietnamese comfort food, especially on cooler days.
However, some visits are marred by inconsistent service and a notable cash-only policy that can catch diners off guard. While the food often hits the mark, these operational aspects occasionally detract from the overall dining experience.
Good
6.2
out of 10
279
Reviews
54.5%
Satisfaction
84
negative
43
neutral
152
positive
Looking at the numbers, Pho Recipe holds a Restaurant Score of 6.2 out of 10, placing it in the average category. Customer sentiment is also a bit of a mixed bag, with Customer Satisfaction at 54.5%.
This suggests that while many find their visit acceptable, there’s room for improvement to truly delight a majority of patrons. These insights are drawn from a total of 279 customer comments, with 152 positive and 84 negative observations.
Delving deeper, Food stands out with a good score of (6.7), frequently praised for its rich flavors and tender beef. Ambience (5.8) is considered average, while Value (4.8) also falls into the average range, despite some finding it quite affordable.
The Service (4.3) receives the lowest score, indicating it’s an area that could benefit from more attention to enhance the dining experience.
What people like
- Flavorful Pho Broth
- Generous Food Portions
- Good Value Pricing
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Customer Service
- Cash-Only Policy
- Parking Challenges
Pho Recipe presents a decent option if you’re primarily seeking a flavorful bowl of pho with good portion sizes. The 6.4 recommendation score suggests it’s worth considering, especially if you prioritize the food itself and are prepared for a potentially average service experience.
However, be mindful of the operational quirks, particularly the payment method and potential parking difficulties. If you’re looking for a seamless dining experience with top-tier service, you might find it a bit lacking, but for a casual, food-focused meal, it could certainly hit the spot.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Pho Recipe
Food (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
The food here generally hits the spot, earning a good score of 6.7. Many guests enthusiastically praise the heavenly broth, tender beef, and generous portions, often highlighting the authentic Vietnamese flavors. With 128 positive remarks out of 203 total customer comments, there's a lot to enjoy on the menu.
However, customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 63.1%, suggesting some room for improvement. A notable 47 negative comments point to issues like salty broth, too much MSG, and missing key components such as fresh garnishes. Some also wished the soup was hotter, impacting the overall experience.
Food
203
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
47
negative
28
neutral
128
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Flavorful broth
- Tender meat
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Salty broth
- High MSG content
- Missing fresh garnishes
- Soup not hot
Often praised
- foodThe food was perfect for rainy days!
- chicken phoWe experienced a longer than normal wait for our food, which the server explained was due to being short-handed in the kitchen. We enjoyed the beef pho, chicken pho, garlic noodles with egg rolls, and a huge portion of pineapple fried rice. The Vietnamese dessert drinks and Thai ice tea were also good.
- noodlesIt came with wide white noodles and really shredded chicken pieces
- brothThe broth is delicious with hints of spice in the background.
- Pho Gaspot to visit if you’re craving for some Pho Ga
- beefThe beef in the beef pho is always so tender
- pho gapho ga. Soooo good. Beautiful, clear broth with so much flavor.
- portion sizeI believe it's the best option in the neighborhood. I've tried all nearby pho places, and this one truly stands out for its broth flavor, richness, and generous portion size. It was a great lunch option.
- Thai ice teaThai ice tea was good
- Vietnamese foodmy favorite place when I craving for Vietnamese food
Frequently criticized
- MSGthe soup had too much MSG.
- brothThe broth itself was no where close to being hot enough
- peanut sauceThe peanut sauce for the roll is a bit too sweet
- phoWe couldn't finish or enjoy it due to the excessive salt. I do not recommend this restaurant for its pho, but perhaps other dishes are better as I haven't tried them yet.
- Chicken Pho brothThe Chicken Pho broth was salty and had no depth
- PortionPortion was artificially inflated by bowl size and broth volume but poor in content and substance
- Vietnamese dishesmenu was devoid of any Vietnamese besides labels on pictures
- authentic VietnameseThis place doesn't serve anything authentic Vietnamese.
- basil or sproutsno basil or sprouts.
- bean sproutNo bean sprout or basil leaves, yes I said it “no bean sprout” on the side.
If youre craving flavorful pho with tender meat and generous portions, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some find the broth a bit salty or with too much MSG, and dont expect all the usual fresh fixings.
Service (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
Looking at the service, some diners have had pleasant experiences, praising friendly and attentive staff, efficient service, and quick waiting times, especially for pickup. The owner also gets a nod for being nice. While the overall score sits at an average 4.3, and customer satisfaction is a poor 34.1%, 14 positive comments out of 41 total do highlight accommodating and even perfect service moments.
However, the service often falls short, with 23 negative comments out of 41 total. Many describe rude staff, unprofessional attitudes, and a lack of basic or even mediocre customer service. Issues include long waiting times, problems with payment, and staff being demanding about tips, which significantly impacts the overall customer experience.
Some even reported being hung up on or ignored.
Service
41
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
23
negative
4
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Efficient service
- Quick waiting times
What people don't like
- Rude staff attitude
- Poor customer service
- Demanding for tips
Often praised
- serviceUnfortunately, it was way too salty, to the point where I felt I had consumed my salt allowance for several weeks. I'm giving one extra star because the service wasn't bad and the noodles themselves were cooked well. However, the noodles had absorbed all the salt from the broth.
- ServiceService:5
- customer servicecustomer service is decent
- ownerOwner is nice
- pickuporder for pick up
- staffvery nice staff
- waiting timeWaiting time was quick
Frequently criticized
- serviceInstead of bring taking it in, they gave us cups of hot water
- tipVery demanding for tip after you pay for your food!
- attitudeunprofessional rude attitude
- basic customer servicelacks basic customer service
- customer experienceimpacted the whole customer experience
- customer servicepoor customer service
- deliveryask if they delivered They said no
- employeesOwner needs new employees immediately
- man works therethe man works there is very rude
- mediocre customer servicemediocre customer service
Service here is a mixed bag, with some experiencing friendly staff and quick service, while others encounter rudeness, long waits, and issues with tipping. If you decide to go, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent experience, as it seems to be a bit of a gamble.
Ambience (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.8, placing it squarely in the average category. Customers have a somewhat mixed feeling about it, with satisfaction at 46.2%. Many appreciate the true dining experience and cleanliness, making it a no brainer during cold weather for some, especially for a quick lunch.
These positive sentiments come from 6 expressions out of 13 total, highlighting a decent effort in creating a pleasant Atmosphere. However, there are some noticeable drawbacks that pull the overall ambience down. Several folks mentioned issues with parking, describing it as difficult to find or a hard part.
More concerningly, a few comments pointed out a place smell like urine and sticky tables, even after cleaning. These 4 negative expressions suggest there's definitely room for improvement in maintaining a consistently fresh and clean environment.
Ambience
13
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- True dining experience
- Cleanliness noted
- Good for quick lunch
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Unpleasant smell
- Sticky tables
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- cleanlinessFast, clean and delicious.
- cold weatherComing here is a no brainer during cold weather.
- parkingeasier to find parking than Irving Street
- quick lunchA great place to have a quick lunch
- true dining experienceI feel like I had a true experience dining here
Frequently criticized
- finding parkingThis is one of the great hidden hole-in-the-wall places that have great food at great prices. The only hard part is finding parking nearby.
- parkingparking being difficult to find
- place smellThe place smell like urine
- sticky tablesThe tables here were sticky even after they wiped it down.
If youre looking for a quick bite with a generally average atmosphere and dont mind a potential hunt for parking, this place could work. However, be prepared for a mixed experience, as some cleanliness issues might detract from your visit.
Value (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners have found a hidden gem here, praising the great prices and inexpensive food. Many appreciate the portion size for the cost, calling it excellent value. This positive sentiment comes from 4 customer remarks.
However, the overall picture for value is a bit mixed, with a score of 4.8 (average) and customer satisfaction at a poor 18.2%. Out of 22 total comments, 10 raised concerns about the price being higher than competitors, feeling it was overpriced. The cash-only policy and debit card fees also add to the perceived lack of value, alongside issues like paying for parking.
Value
22
Reviews
18%
Satisfaction
10
negative
8
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great prices
- Inexpensive food
- Good portion size
What people don't like
- Cash only
- Overpriced food
- Debit card fees
Often praised
- foodthe food is inexpensive
- great pricesThis is one of the great hidden hole-in-the-wall places that have great food at great prices. The only hard part is finding parking nearby.
- other Vietnameseother Vietnamese in the same street, other are more nicer
- priceWe both ordered the small shrimp noodle soups, and the flavor of the broth was absolutely delicious. The portion size was great for the price, offering excellent value. Thank you for a lovely meal!
Frequently criticized
- pricepaid 20% more for a regular bowl of Pho than we would have at a nearby and better Pho place
- cashMake sure you have cash though since they're not accepting cards
- cash onlyEstablishment only takes cash, no credit card or bit coin.
- cheaper price tagif the tradeoff was a cheaper price tag
- debit card feethey charge for using debit card.
- overpricedOverpriced
- parkingAlso, I pay for my parking outside.
- tipNormally I tips 20% for lunch but today I left $2 only
- valuefor cheaper n more meat
If youre seeking truly inexpensive food and dont mind paying with cash, you might find some good value here. However, be prepared for potentially overpriced items and extra fees that could impact your overall experience.
How are the prices at Pho Recipe?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 28 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.
What’s cool is that most folks (21 out of 28!) spend right in that $11–$20 range, showing prices are pretty consistent and cluster nicely around that average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 28 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Vietnamese spot in San Francisco. It’s a solid mid-range option that delivers on value.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Pho Recipe
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
2
Demanding Tip After Paying
My experience at this restaurant was marked by a very demanding approach to tipping after I had already paid for my food. The server made it seem as though I wasn't being fair or was taking something from her, despite me having paid for my food, parking, the debit card fee, and taxes. The food itself was alright; I had the rice beef plate.
The beef was tender, but it lacked significant flavor. They also charge for using a debit card, which, combined with paying for parking, felt excessive when further tips were expected.
- rice beef plate5
- food5
- tip2
- debit card fee3
- parking3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Best Chicken Pho!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I would call it one of the best pho places. I ate chicken pho and I absolutely love 💕 it.
The food was rated a 5, and the service was a perfect 5 as well. The atmosphere was also great, rated at 4.
- chicken pho10
- pho places9
- Food10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
2
Impolite Service, Overpriced
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The man serving us was impolite. This place is also more expensive than other Vietnamese restaurants on the same street, and the others are nicer.
Normally, I tip 20% for lunch, but today I left only $2. Overall, this place was awful.
- other Vietnamese7
- service1
- price2
- tip2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
7
Authentic Vietnamese Food, Questionable Rating
I'm wondering why this place is getting 4 stars, lol. The food is good and also more authentic Vietnamese. The metadata indicates a food score of 5.
- food9
- authentic Vietnamese9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
5
Great Food, Terrible Service
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was genuinely great, earning a perfect score. However, the service was atrocious.
Despite arriving before a larger group, they were served first. Our attempts to get a server's attention for more dishes, drinks, or dessert were ignored. When it came to payment, there was significant hassle.
Initially, they claimed not to accept MasterCard, then cited system issues, suggesting an ATM trip. Finally, they agreed to Venmo. After all this, the server seemed upset that I wouldn't tip, repeatedly stating "price doesn't include tip.
" Even after I added a tip, her reaction of "only? " and walking away was quite dismissive. Given the abundance of pho options nearby, I'm leaving a 2-star rating instead of 1 solely because the food was very good.
I would recommend ordering for pickup, as that seems to be the preferred method for other customers.
- food10
- pickup7
- service1
- payment1
- tip1
What Pho Recipe offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
Payments
- Cash-only
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options does Pho Recipe offer?
At Pho Recipe, you can expect a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed meal. You’ll find table service available for both lunch and dinner, and don’t forget to explore their dessert offerings. It’s a comfortable spot to enjoy a quick bite or a full dining experience.
What convenient services and accessibility features can you find at Pho Recipe?
Pho Recipe provides flexible service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery to suit your needs. For your convenience, both free and paid street parking are available. The restaurant is also fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom.
How does Pho Recipe rate overall, and what are its key strengths and weaknesses?
Pho Recipe has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.2 and Customer Satisfaction of 54.5%, indicating an average to mixed experience. Its Food (6.7) is a strong point, while Ambience (5.8), Value (4.8), and especially Service (4.3) are areas where it performs more moderately.
What do customers frequently praise about the food at Pho Recipe?
Customers often highlight the delicious broth and generous portion size of the pho, noting the rich flavor and tender beef. Many consider it a go-to for authentic Vietnamese comfort food.
What are some common issues or inconveniences reported by diners at Pho Recipe?
Diners occasionally report inconsistent service, including rude staff or demanding tips. Other common concerns include a cash-only policy, difficulties with parking, and sometimes issues with the broth being too salty or not hot enough.