Highlights
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oChef » Phở Tân Hòa – San Francisco
Phở Tân Hòa - San Francisco
Photo from Phở Tân Hòa
Phở Tân Hòa at a glance
San Francisco South of Market
- 🍜 Vietnamese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 59 of the guests
#1268 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#44 Vietnamese Restaurant out of 67 in San Francisco
Good
7.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
319
Reviews
69.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic food
- Quick service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Rough neighborhood
- Cash only
- Service variability
The Vietnamese restaurant, located in the vibrant South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco, offers a welcoming spot where you can enjoy a great coffee. At Phở Tân Hòa, you’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
This spot is known for its authentic flavors and friendly service, making it a local favorite.
Overview: Introducting Phở Tân Hòa
Phở Tân Hòa offers a genuine culinary experience, often described as a comforting hole in the wall with a clean and bright interior. Many find it feels like a home away from home, appreciating the straightforward, authentic atmosphere.
This spot focuses on delivering a quality meal without pretense. While the interior maintains a good cleanliness standard, visitors should be mindful of the neighborhood surroundings.
The establishment prioritizes its food and service, making it a destination for those seeking traditional flavors, even if it means navigating a few external quirks.
Good
7.4
out of 10
319
Reviews
69.9%
Satisfaction
60
negative
36
neutral
223
positive
Phở Tân Hòa achieves a respectable overall Restaurant Score of 7.4, with Customer Satisfaction sitting at 69.9%. This indicates a generally positive reception, driven significantly by its culinary offerings.
With 223 positive remarks out of 319 total customer observations, the Food (8.3) stands out as a strong point, consistently earning high praise for its authentic flavors and quality. While the Food shines, other aspects present a more balanced picture.
Service (6.4) is generally seen as efficient and friendly, though not without occasional inconsistencies. Value (5.9) is considered fair for the portions received, but the Ambience (4.6) receives a more mixed response, largely due to external factors, as reflected in 60 negative comments.
What people like
- Flavorful, authentic food
- Friendly, fast service
- Good portions, value
What people don't like
- Challenging neighborhood
- Cash-only policy
- Inconsistent service
Phở Tân Hòa is a place where the culinary experience takes center stage. If you prioritize authentic, well-prepared Vietnamese dishes and appreciate a no-frills, efficient dining experience, this spot is likely to satisfy.
Be prepared for a straightforward visit focused on the food. With a solid Recommendation Score of 8, Phở Tân Hòa is certainly worth considering for its core offerings.
Just be mindful of the surrounding area and remember to bring cash, and you’ll likely find a rewarding meal that delivers on flavor and value.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Phở Tân Hòa
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place truly shines! With a solid score of 8.3 and customer satisfaction at a strong 86.1%, diners are consistently happy. Many of the 180 positive remarks rave about the deep flavor of the broth, the authentic Pho, and the large portions that leave you satisfied.
Don't miss out on their fresh spring rolls either! However, not every dish hits the mark for everyone, with just 12 critical comments out of 209 overall. A few found the pho bland or noted little meat in their bowls.
There were also mentions of salty BBQ beef and some disappointment over lemon instead of lime being used for the pho. These seem to be isolated incidents rather than widespread issues.
Food
209
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
12
negative
17
neutral
180
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Flavorful, rich broth
- Authentic Vietnamese Pho
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Bland broth
- Little meat
- Salty BBQ beef
Often praised
- phoMy experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly positive, especially considering the food quality and price. I found it to be the best pho place in SF, and it's reasonably priced. While the location is in the north end of the TL, which has an unpleasant smell around it, the food itself is excellent and makes the visit worthwhile.
- foodThis is the only Asian place that opens early (0800) around the Union Square area. While it's located in a less than ideal neighborhood, the food more than makes up for the uneasiness when walking there. The boss is friendly and helpful.
- brothMy experience at this restaurant was centered around the food, which was excellent. The medium-sized bowl of pho I received had a delicious broth that was flavorful on its own but was even better enhanced with the accompanying lemon, mint leaves, and jalapeños. The meat was tender and delicious, making the entire meal excellent.
- PhoThe boss is friendly and helpful. The Pho served is very good; I recommend having them serve the beef slices separately and dunking them in the hot soup until cooked to your liking. The broth is rich and flavourful.
- portionsThe ambiance was clean and bright, creating a pleasant atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed the excellent authentic Vietnamese cuisine, with good portions and a tasty, fresh beef dish featuring a nice broth. The servers were attentive and friendly, making the dining experience even better.
- soupThe soup is still excellent
- BrothThis led me to discover this Pho shop, which serves an excellent Bun Bo Hue. The noodles are fresh, and the broth is very rich. While it wasn't spicy enough for my personal taste, that's just a preference.
- spring rollsI couldn't visit the first time I came to San Francisco due to the hours, but I finally got the chance to come on my second trip and the meal was truly delicious. I went alone and they offer half-and-half spring rolls, so I ordered a mix of spring rolls and egg rolls. The staff is friendly!
- tasteit still tastes the same: delicious
- Bun Bo Huemakes an excellent Bun Bo Hue
Frequently criticized
- BBQ beefThe vermicelli bowl was also a really good portion and came loaded with a variety of ingredients on top of it. The only downside was the BBQ beef; it was way too salty and dry. *CASH ONLY*
- RiceRice was way too dry
- brothUnfortunately, my experience was far from what I expected. The broth tasted like saltwater, and there was very little meat. It lacked any discernible flavor.
- bun bo huebun bo hue is just not right
- cafe sua daThe cafe sua da was not well balanced
- flavorabsolutely no flavor
- lemon instead of limeThey used lemon instead of lime for the pho
- meatvery little meat in the broth
- mix of Vietnamese and Chinese dishesodd mix of Vietnamese and Chinese dishes in one
- phopho is bland
If youre seeking authentic Vietnamese flavors and generous portions, this spot is definitely worth a visit, especially for their highly praised pho. While a few minor hiccups exist, the overwhelmingly positive feedback suggests youll likely leave satisfied.
Service (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
Lets talk service! Many customers have had great experiences here, often praising the fast service and friendly staff. Youll frequently hear about attentive servers and how welcoming the atmosphere is, with some even appreciating that theyre open really early.
This positive feedback comes from 23 positive comments out of 38 total. However, its not always smooth sailing. Some patrons encountered unfriendly cashier/waiter interactions, with a few even reporting being hung up on.
There are also mentions of bad service overall and issues with business hours, like no dinner service, which can be a real bummer. This contributes to an average score of 6.4 and a mixed customer satisfaction of 60.5%.
Service
38
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast, friendly service
- Attentive staff
- Open really early
What people don't like
- Unfriendly staff
- Bad service experiences
- Limited hours
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was largely positive, with great food and great service. The portions were quite large.
- staffI went alone and they offer half-and-half spring rolls, so I ordered a mix of spring rolls and egg rolls. The staff is friendly!
- ServiceService:4
- bossBoss is friendly and helpful
- cashier lady/waitressThe cashier lady/waitress is pure Vietnamese
- fast serviceVery fast service
- friendly servicethe staff was very friendly
- open really earlyhow they are open really early in the morning
- sanitizingasked you to sanitize your upon entry
- serversAttentive and friendly servers
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was terrible :(
- ATMyour ATM doesn't work with my card
- business hoursBring cash and 2. Always check the business hours! I couldn't visit the first time I came to San Francisco due to the hours, but I finally got the chance to come on my second trip and the meal was truly delicious.
- cashier ladythe cashier lady was so unfriendly and disrespectful
- dinner serviceThere's no dinner service at Pho Tan Hoa
- effort to goyou don't need to make an effort to go there
- hoursPlease also check the restaurant’s hours before you go, as they close early
- hung up in my faceThe lady and the man hung up in my face
- order more foods or drinksdon't expect to order more foods or drinks after the first order
- timing of food deliverysoup came out 10 minutes before the rolls or my husbands food
Overall, service here seems to be a bit of a mixed bag. If youre looking for quick, friendly daytime service, youll likely be pleased. However, be mindful of their operating hours and potential for less-than-stellar interactions with certain staff members.
Ambience (4.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag. Many guests appreciate the cozy mom and pop vibe, feeling it's a true home away from home with its casual atmosphere and notable cleanliness inside. Based on 11 positive opinions, the interior provides a safe and comfortable experience, contributing to an overall score of 4.6.
However, the external factors significantly impact the overall impression, leading to a low customer satisfaction of just 25%. With 25 negative comments out of 44 total, many express concern about the area and surroundings, particularly the presence of homeless people outside and challenges with parking in the neighborhood. It seems the outside environment is a major dealbreaker for many.
Ambience
44
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
25
negative
8
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Mom and pop vibe
- Clean interior
- Casual atmosphere
What people don't like
- Homeless outside
- Rough neighborhood
- Parking issues
Often praised
- ambianceClean and bright ambiance
- casual atmosphereVery casual “mom & pop” atmosphere.
- cleanlinessMy experience at this restaurant was exceptional. It is the #1 favorite MOST CLEAN FOOD ESTABLISHMENT I HAVE SEEN IN EUREKA. I particularly loved the PINEAPPLE CURRY and the PHO.
- customersthe customers are all regulars
- felt safeFelt safe
- hole in the wallIt’s a hole in the wall in the best way
- hole in the wall placeMy favorite hole in the wall place.
- home away from homeConsidering the quality of this perfected bowl of comfort and indulgence, the price is more than reasonable. It truly feels like a home away from home.
- inside the restaurantInside the restaurant is clean
- mom and pop vibeIt has a mom and a pop vibe to it.
Frequently criticized
- areais not in a very good area so please be careful
- homelessBe cautious outside the restaurant due to the homeless population; watch your step. 大份是真的大，好吃。店外面全是流浪汉，小心地上有屎。
- homeless peopleI like the noodle soup here, but I hesitate every time I go and feel afraid to go alone. This is because there are several homeless people gathered around the store, and it takes courage to pass by them. Parking is street parking, and paying only with cash seems inconvenient.
- neighborhoodThe neighborhood is still the same. Watch where you walk if you have nice shoes on.
- accessI like the noodle soup here, but I hesitate every time I go and feel afraid to go alone. This is because there are several homeless people gathered around the store, and it takes courage to pass by them.
- area and surroundingstotally dismissed the are and surroundings
- atmosphereThe atmosphere not great
- establishmentNot the cleanest establishment
- homeless junkieswatch out for the homeless junkies
- homeless people outsidescared by the homeless people outside the restaurant
If you're looking for a clean, casual spot with a homey feel inside, you might enjoy it. However, be prepared for a less-than-ideal exterior and potential parking hassles, which could significantly impact your overall experience.
Value (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners are pleasantly surprised, often raving about the good pricing, cheap food, and overall value for money. With 9 positive remarks out of 28 total opinions, guests frequently highlight the generous portions and reasonable prices. Despite this, the overall score for value sits at an average 5.9, which is a bit of a mixed bag.
However, the experience isn't without its snags, leading to a poor 32.1% customer satisfaction. A significant number of the 10 negative comments revolve around the cash only policy and the inconvenience of cash transactions, with some finding the restaurant pricey or frustrated by the inability to split the bill. This often overshadows the perceived good value.
Value
28
Reviews
32%
Satisfaction
10
negative
9
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value
- Good pricing
- Cheap food
What people don't like
- Cash only policy
- No bill splitting
Often praised
- pricePrice is more than reasonable for this perfected bowl
- cash onlyIt's cash only
- cheap foodMy experience at this restaurant was marked by great eats and cheap food. 😋👍🏼 However, the area it's located in, the Tenderloin in San Francisco, was not so good.
- good pricingthe good pricing
- pricingthe portions and pricing we're great
- save $0.50save $0.50
- valueValue, flavor, service and authenticity are all off the charts.
- value for moneysuch great value for money
Frequently criticized
- cash onlyEverything is perfect here with the exception of it being cash only.
- CASHmake sure you bring CASH they do not accept cards
- CASH ONLYThe reason for a 4 star instead of 5, CASH ONLY
- cash paymentThis is because there are several homeless people gathered around the store, and it takes courage to pass by them. Parking is street parking, and paying only with cash seems inconvenient. However, the noodle soup tastes good, and the food is served quickly after ordering.
- cash transactionsonly accept cash transactions
- priceyit was quite pricey
- splitting of the billThe service was quick and efficient. However, they do not allow splitting of the bill, so you'll have to pay as a whole table.
- tipsWe paid $ 70 including tips but we was feeling so upset
If youre looking for genuinely cheap food and great value for money, this spot might be worth a visit, but be prepared. Youll need to bring cash only and be ready to pay for the whole table, as bill splitting isnt an option. Its a trade-off between price and convenience.
How are the prices at Phở Tân Hòa?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 59 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 what people actually spend, most diners keep it in the $11–$20 range, though a good number also opt for meals in the $21–$30 bracket.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 59 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 restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance, allowing for both budget-friendly and slightly more indulgent meals.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Phở Tân Hòa
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Pho Broth and Unique Dishes
My wife got the pho ga, and I must say, it had some of the best tasting broth I’ve had in a long time. I was born and raised in Houston but moved away to a city with not great Vietnamese food. I ordered the pho bo dac biet kho, which was also very tasty and unique!
I've only ever had pho ga kho before, but this was delicious!
- broth10
- pho bo dac biet kho9
- pho ga kho9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Authentic Pho with Rich Broth
My experience at Phò Tân Hòa was fantastic! This restaurant, established in TL since the late 1980s, serves one of the best quality Phò in The City. The current owners, who are brothers, used to be employees at the old joint before the Pandemic.
The soup base, which is the soul of Phò, is not made from powder like many other Pho restaurants. Instead, it's genuinely made by simmering beef bones for hours. The quantity and variety of ingredients are impressive, including rare beef steaks (served on the side, my favorite 😉), beef tendons, tripes, flanks, brisket, beef meatballs, and a generous selection of fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, mint, rau răm, bean sprouts, lime slices, and jalapenos.
I highly recommend the Large bowl #7! Aprovecho! (Buena para la cruda 😂)
- soup base10
- beef bones9
- quantity of ingredients9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Authentic Hole-in-the-Wall Gem
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. The pho and bun bo hue were top notch. It's a true hole in the wall in the best way possible, with super good food.
The customers are all regulars, and there are no frills. We discovered it on a trip a couple of years ago and make it a must visit every time we're in town. The neighborhood around the restaurant is in kind of rough shape, so I hope people come to support it.
You won't be disappointed!
- pho9
- bun bo hue9
- hole in the wall8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Fantastic Vietnamese Food, Worth the Trip
I highly recommend this restaurant for its great Vietnamese food. We make it a point to stop here on every trip to SF. While the restaurant itself is not fancy and the neighborhood isn't high-end, the food is absolutely fantastic.
You'll find very large portions and an amazing taste. The staff are also very friendly and attentive.
- Vietnamese food10
- portions9
- taste10
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Authentic Pho That Touches the Soul
If you’re down for some authentic Pho, you’d disregard the aesthetic part of the resto. They have legit peanut sauce. It’s the real pho that touches the soul.
Coming here as a tourist, it brought so many memories of being in Vietnam and being served by grandma’s pho.
- authentic Pho10
- peanut sauce9
- real pho10
What Phở Tân Hòa offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Cash-only
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Healthy options
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Is Phở Tân Hòa accessible for all guests, and what dining options are available?
Yes, Phở Tân Hòa ensures accessibility with a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. You can enjoy various dining options including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner, with comfortable seating and table service available.
What kind of atmosphere can you expect at Phở Tân Hòa, and what are some of its key offerings?
You’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere at Phở Tân Hòa, perfect for a relaxed visit. Beyond their great coffee, they offer healthy options and quick bites. You can choose between convenient dine-in service or takeout for your meal.
How does Phở Tân Hòa generally rate among customers?
Phở Tân Hòa holds a solid 7.4 overall score, with Customer Satisfaction at 69.9%. Its Food (8.3) is a clear strength, while Service (6.4), Value (5.9), and Ambience (4.6) are more moderate.
What do customers appreciate most about Phở Tân Hòa's food?
Customers frequently praise the authentic and flavorful broth, tender meats, and generous portions, often highlighting the quality of the pho and Bun Bo Hue.
Are there any common concerns when visiting Phở Tân Hòa?
Some patrons note the challenging surrounding neighborhood and the restaurant’s cash-only policy as key considerations before visiting.