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- Accepts reservations
oChef » Pho Star – San Francisco
Pho Star - San Francisco
Photo from Pho Star
Pho Star at a glance
San Francisco Duboce Triangle
- 🍜 Vietnamese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 42 of the guests
#302 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#7 Vietnamese Restaurant out of 67 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
215
Reviews
88.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful Pho
- Great Service
- Good Value
Frequently criticized
- Broth Inconsistency
- Specific Dishes
- Bathroom Issues
The restaurant, Pho Star, invites you to discover authentic Vietnamese flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Duboce Triangle neighborhood. Here, you can immerse yourself in a culinary journey, experiencing traditional dishes prepared with care.
Whether you’re seeking a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, this Vietnamese eatery offers a welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy a taste of Vietnam without leaving the city.
Overview: Introducting Pho Star
Pho Star presents a compelling option for those seeking Vietnamese cuisine, particularly noted for its well-crafted dishes and efficient service. Guests frequently highlight the generous portion sizes and the overall pleasant dining experience, often mentioning the clean and inviting atmosphere.
While the culinary offerings generally impress, some specific items and aspects of the dining experience have drawn mixed feedback. However, the establishment consistently delivers on its promise of a satisfying meal with fast service and a welcoming environment.
Excellent
8.4
out of 10
215
Reviews
88.4%
Satisfaction
15
negative
10
neutral
190
positive
Pho Star earns a solid overall score of 8.4, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. This is supported by a strong Customer Satisfaction rate of 88.4%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
These figures are drawn from 215 customer remarks, with 190 positive and only 15 negative observations. The restaurant’s strengths are clearly visible across its categories.
Service (8.9) stands out for its efficiency and friendliness, while Food (8.4) remains a core draw, praised for its quality. Value (8.1) is also well-regarded, offering substantial portions, and the Ambience (7.8) provides a comfortable setting.
What people like
- Flavorful Pho Broth
- Efficient, Friendly Service
- Good Value, Portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Broth Depth
- Specific Dish Concerns
- Bathroom Maintenance Issues
If you’re in search of a reliable spot for Vietnamese fare, Pho Star is certainly worth considering. Its strong scores in food quality and service, coupled with good value, make it a solid choice for a satisfying meal.
The Recommendation Score of 8.6 suggests many would happily return. However, be mindful that some specific menu items might not hit the mark for everyone, and minor maintenance issues have been noted.
For a generally positive experience with flavorful pho and attentive staff, Pho Star delivers, but it’s wise to stick to their well-loved staples.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Pho Star
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
The food here is definitely a highlight, scoring a good 8.4 and leaving a whopping 87.7% of customers satisfied! With 128 positive remarks out of 146, diners rave about the delicious Pho, amazing imperial rolls, and fantastic banh mi sandwiches, often praising the flavorful broth. However, a small number of 9 critical comments point to areas for improvement.
Some found the broth lacking depth, noodles too soft, or wished for spicier options. A few also noted that the Beef Pho wasn't always up to par.
Food
146
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
9
negative
9
neutral
128
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent Pho
- Delicious Banh Mi
- Flavorful Broth
What people don't like
- Bland Broth
- Soft Noodles
- Poor Beef Pho
Often praised
- foodAs a traveler from VA, I discovered this place on the map and I definitely did not regret it. The atmosphere was great, the service was fast and courteous, and the portions of food were great, delicious, fresh, and filling. It's definitely a good hidden gem if you're in the neighborhood.
- brothsuper flavorful broth with the side of ginger to dip your chicken in.
- phoThe place is a true gem – it was clean, the service was fast, and the location is prime. I'm hoping this will be my new spot for pho, and I'm already a repeat customer for their bahn mi sandwiches.
- PhoThe Pho is excellent
- chicken phochicken pho comes with a ginger paste that just makes the dish feel like a warm hug
- imperial rollsMy experience at this restaurant was a great addition to the neighborhood. I enjoyed the good Pho, the imperial rolls, and the banh mi sandwiches. It offers good value.
- meatThe quality of the...meat...is consistently excellent
- noodlesThe quality of the...noodles...is consistently excellent
- portionsThe food and portions were good
- imperial rollDefinitely coming back for the imperial roll
Frequently criticized
- Beef PhoBeef pho is not recommended
- Thai coffeeDon't order the Thai coffee, it was too sweet and too tart
- broththe broth lacks depth
- chicken phoThe pho noodles were overcooked/too soft, and the quality of chicken is better
- noodlesthe noodles not very chewy
- off cut optionsonly hope they add more off cut options
- pho dac bietthe pho dac biet here was really bland
- pho noodlesThe pho noodles were overcooked/too soft
- spicierThe green papaya salad was fresh and sweet, and the crunchy tofu was cooked very well. I do wish it was a bit spicier, though. I highly recommend it and will definitely be coming back!
If you're craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine, especially Pho, banh mi, or imperial rolls, this spot is definitely worth a visit. While a few dishes might need tweaking, the overall food experience is highly positive and satisfying.
Service (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot really shines! With an impressive score of 8.9 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 94.1%, its clear guests are consistently happy. Out of 34 customer comments, a whopping 32 were positive, frequently praising the "excellent service, " "fast" delivery, and "friendly staff" who provide "speedy service.
" Many found the team warm, attentive, and quick to get food out. However, its not entirely perfect, as 2 comments did mention some room for improvement. A couple of patrons described the service as mediocre or really slow.
While these instances are few, they suggest that on rare occasions, the experience might not live up to the usual high standards.
Service
34
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Attentive servers
What people don't like
- Slow service
Often praised
- serviceDefinitely coming back for the imperial roll. Thank you for the wonderful service x
- wait timePho Star is new but already one of my favorites lol. They served us fairly quickly and made sure to check in on us regularly. The Thai tea was incredible and the broth was delicious, probably the best I’ve had so far in San Francisco.
- ServiceService:5
- check inPho Star is new but already one of my favorites lol. They served us fairly quickly and made sure to check in on us regularly. The Thai tea was incredible and the broth was delicious, probably the best I’ve had so far in San Francisco.
- excellent serviceexcellent service
- fastI ordered bahn mi and spring rolls to go, and they were fantastic. The place is a true gem – it was clean, the service was fast, and the location is prime. I'm hoping this will be my new spot for pho, and I'm already a repeat customer for their bahn mi sandwiches.
- feedbackthe woman I spoke to seemed open to feedback
- food came out quicklyThe food came out quickly
- friendly staffThe imperial roll and fresh spring rolls were also good, with the peanut sauce being a little sweeter than I'm used to. Good portion size as well and friendly staff. The chicken pho has definitely filled the Turtle Tower-shaped hole in my husband's heart 😂.
- great serviceSpacious. And also great service. Fast, responsive, helpful.
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was really slow
If youre looking for a place where youll feel well taken care of, this restaurants service is generally top-notch. Expect friendly, fast, and attentive staff who aim to please. Its definitely worth trying if good service is a priority for your dining experience.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this place really shines! With a solid score of 7.8 and an impressive 87% customer satisfaction, its clear most folks are loving the atmosphere. Out of 23 comments, 20 rave about the great atmosphere, clean and spacious feel, and overall vibes.
Youll find its a bright, stylish spot perfect for any group size. However, there are a few minor points to consider, with 3 negative comments among the 23. Some guests mentioned the bathroom needing attention, specifically a broken door handle, and felt the decor could use a facelift. While these are small details, theyre worth noting for a truly perfect experience.
Ambience
23
Reviews
87%
Satisfaction
3
negative
0
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great atmosphere
- Clean and spacious
- Prime location
What people don't like
- Bathroom issues
- Outdated decor
Often praised
- atmosphereVery friendly servers and great atmosphere.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- CleanAlso vibes were really nice. Clean, lots of green. Spacious.
- SpaciousClean, lots of green. Spacious. And also great service.
- big windowsglad they have big windows too
- chill environmentlove the chill environment
- cleanI ordered bahn mi and spring rolls to go, and they were fantastic. The place is a true gem – it was clean, the service was fast, and the location is prime. I'm hoping this will be my new spot for pho, and I'm already a repeat customer for their bahn mi sandwiches.
- cleanlinessThe staff seemed open to feedback, and I genuinely wish this place the best. The food is good, the space is spacious and clean, and the service is warm. It's a great choice, especially if you're having drinks nearby and want something not too heavy, particularly in warmer weather.
- dining roomThe dining room is stylish and naturally bright especially for lunch.
- fellow dinersFellow diners were hip
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe music extremely
- bathroomtheir bathroom reflects the whole restaurant. New shiny bathroom that already has broken door handle
- decorI think the decor could also use a face lift
Overall, if youre looking for a place with a great atmosphere, clean and spacious surroundings, this spot is definitely worth checking out. While there are minor quirks with the bathroom and decor, they dont overshadow the overwhelmingly positive vibe. It's a solid choice for a pleasant dining experience.
Value (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 8.1 and customer satisfaction sitting at a fantastic 83.3%, its clear folks feel theyre getting their moneys worth. Many of the 10 positive opinions rave about the good value, generous portions, and fair priced offerings, making your total order feel like a steal.
While theres one lone voice mentioning price in a slightly less enthusiastic tone, it's a minor blip. Out of 12 total opinions, only 1 hints at any concern, suggesting that for most, the value proposition is overwhelmingly positive and not a point of contention.
Value
12
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value
- Generous portions
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
Often praised
- priceThe broth, meat, and noodles are top-notch, and the accompaniments like thai basil, sprouts, jalapeno, and lime are always fresh. I've visited multiple times since they opened and have been impressed by the generous portion of protein in each bowl, especially considering the price is all sub-twenty dollars. While I haven't tried other menu items yet, if you're craving a hot bowl of pho, Pho Star is the place to go; you won't be disappointed.
- valuewas a better value than other Vietnamese places
- Great valueMeat really tender. Great value! Also vibes were really nice.
- good valueWelcome to good value!
- parkingParking options:Free street parking
- total orderMy total order is about $25 including tip
Frequently criticized
- priceAt the price it's at
If youre looking for a place where your dollar stretches further without compromising on quality, this is definitely worth a visit. The overwhelming sentiment points to excellent value, ensuring youll leave feeling satisfied with both your meal and your wallet.
How are the prices at Pho Star?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 42 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.
Interestingly, while the average is 22, a good number of guests actually spend a bit less, clustering around the $11–$20 mark, with others hitting the $21–$30 sweet spot.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 42 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Vietnamese spot in San Francisco, we feel the pricing is quite fair. It offers good value, especially with options available for various budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Pho Star
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Good Chicken Pho, Skip the Beef
As a Vietnamese, I found the Chicken Pho here to be very good. The broth was particularly solid. However, the portions could be bigger.
I do not recommend the Beef Pho.
- Chicken Pho8
- broth9
- portions5
- Beef Pho3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Great Vietnamese Food and Chill Vibe
I'm so glad there's finally a Vietnamese restaurant in this area! I have eaten here many times and love the food and chill environment. The good food is always served quickly, and the nice staff are a pleasure.
I also appreciate that they have big windows.
- food9
- chill environment9
- good food9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Incredible Pho and Service!
My experience at this little family spot was absolutely fantastic. I had the most delicious pho I’ve ever tasted, and I’ve tried a lot. The noodles were incredible, and the quality of all ingredients was top-notch.
The service was also incredible – kind, hardworking, and just delicious! I highly recommend this place.
- pho10
- noodles10
- quality of ingredients10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
4
Bland Pho, Nice Staff
As a Vietnamese person, I'm always excited to try new pho places in the city. Sadly, the pho dac biet here was really bland. Considering the price, I'd honestly rather go to Richmond or Sunset for better.
The portion was large and came with plenty of meat, though. I would not get it again. The staff were very nice and attentive.
I'd come back to try more of the non-soup offerings, as those are a bit easier to get right. I will update this review if I ever go back.
- portion8
- meat8
- staff9
- pho dac biet2
- price3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Delicious Wonton Soup and Delightful Service!
I'm so glad we stumbled across this place and decided to stop. The wonton noodle soup was delicious, and the service was delightful! It was a quiet atmosphere, making it easy to talk.
We were a group of 3-4 people and enjoyed dinner, with the price per person being $10–20. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a 5-star rating.
- wonton noodle soup9
- service10
- atmosphere5
What Pho Star offers
Offerings
- Coffee
- Wine
- Beer
- Alcohol
Service Options
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
FAQs
What service options are available at Pho Star?
Pho Star offers a variety of convenient service options to suit your needs. You can enjoy your meal through dine-in service, opt for takeout, or have your order delivered. Curbside pickup is also available for a quick and easy experience.
Does Pho Star accept reservations?
Yes, Pho Star accepts reservations, allowing you to plan your visit in advance and secure your table for a delightful Vietnamese dining experience in San Francisco.
How does Pho Star rate overall?
Pho Star holds a strong overall score of 8.4, with Customer Satisfaction at 88.4%. Its Food (8.4) is particularly well-regarded, followed by Service (8.9), Value (8.1), and Ambience (7.8).
What are Pho Star's main strengths?
Customers frequently praise the flavorful broth, generous portions, and fast, friendly service. The restaurant is also noted for its clean and spacious environment.
Are there any areas where Pho Star could improve?
Some feedback indicates occasional issues with broth depth in certain dishes, and specific items like the Beef Pho or Thai coffee have received mixed reviews. There was also a mention of a broken door handle in the bathroom.