Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great tea selection
oChef » The Phở Shop – San Diego
The Phở Shop - San Diego
Photo from The Phở Shop
The Phở Shop at a glance
San Diego Midway District
- 🍜 Vietnamese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 103 of the guests
#288 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#10 Vietnamese Restaurant out of 19 in San Diego
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
496
Reviews
78.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Generous portions
- Flavorful broth
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent quality
- Service gaps
- High pricing
The restaurant The Phở Shop is a Vietnamese Restaurant located in the vibrant Midway District of San Diego. You’ll discover a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed meal or a quick bite.
Known for its great coffee and extensive tea selection, this spot offers a welcoming experience. You can find healthy and vegan options, making it a fantastic choice for diverse tastes.
Overview: Introducting The Phở Shop
The Phở Shop generally offers a satisfying experience, with many appreciating the generous portions and flavorful dishes. Guests often highlight the rich broth and fresh ingredients, making for a pleasant meal.
However, some visits have been marred by concerns, including reports of watered-down broth in certain dishes and occasional issues with customer service. The overall atmosphere is usually positive, though some found the seating less than ideal.
Good
7.7
out of 10
496
Reviews
78.2%
Satisfaction
90
negative
18
neutral
388
positive
The Phở Shop generally earns a solid reputation, reflected in its Restaurant Score of 7.7. This indicates a good overall experience for most diners.
Customer feedback further supports this, with Customer Satisfaction standing at a healthy 78.2%. This positive sentiment is drawn from a substantial 496 customer remarks, with 388 positive observations outweighing 90 negative ones.
Diving deeper, the Food (7.7) is a clear strength, frequently praised for its quality and generous portions. Service (7.9) also stands out, with many appreciating the attentive and friendly staff.
The Ambience (7.8) contributes positively to the dining experience, often described as clean and relaxing. However, Value (6.5) receives an average score, suggesting some find the pricing a bit high despite the portion sizes.
What people like
- Generous food portions
- Flavorful broth
- Friendly, quick service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Service communication gaps
- Perceived high pricing
The Phở Shop presents a generally positive dining option, especially if you prioritize substantial, flavorful meals and good service. With a Recommendation Score of 7.9, it’s certainly worth considering for a satisfying experience.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in certain dishes and the occasional service hiccup. If you’re seeking reliable pho and generous servings, this spot often delivers, but manage expectations regarding overall value perception.
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Verdict: Our expert take on The Phở Shop
Food (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a 7.7 score and a 77.5% customer satisfaction rating, which is quite good! Out of 285 opinions, 221 praise the delicious pho, rich broth, and generous portions. Many customers rave about the fresh ingredients and amazing flavor, making it a go-to for many.
However, not everyone is completely satisfied, with 50 negative comments. Some diners found the broth bland or watered-down, while others noted issues with old or overcooked meat. There were also mentions of a lack of fresh vegetables or unseasoned food, suggesting some inconsistency in execution.
Food
285
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
50
negative
14
neutral
221
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, rich broth
- Generous portion sizes
- Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
- Bland, watery broth
- Old/overcooked meat
- Lack of fresh vegetables
Often praised
- foodthe music, vibes, and the food were great
- phoThe pho was amazing—rich broth, fresh ingredients, and generous portions.
- brothMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the good pho with its delicious broth. Although we were initially informed of a potential wait due to short staffing, the service was quick and our waiter, Ritchie, was exceptionally kind, intentional with all of the customers, and efficient.
- PhoThe music was soothing and relaxing, creating a truly pleasant dining environment. This place has earned the silver for best Pho in San Diego, and I personally give it the platinum award of highest honor. It's a must-visit if you are ever in the midway district, and a great stop before a night of hockey with the Gulls.
- spring rollsMy wife and I are regulars and my favorite dish is B3 - Rice Vermicelli with Egg Rolls and Char-Grilled Pork. We usually get the spring rolls for appetizers too. Adding a glass of TsingTau beer is a nice touch too.
- FoodFood:5
- egg rollsThe egg rolls were also really good
- meatthey put a large amount of meat.
- noodlesI ordered the beef Pho to go and was out in five minutes. The food was outstanding; the beef was tender and the noodles were perfect. The service was also great.
- portion sizeThe place itself is very cozy, and the customer service was good. I particularly enjoyed the pho, specifically the Ox Tail and Shank, which was very tasty and served in an excellent portion size. I will definitely be back!
Frequently criticized
- brothUnfortunately, I ordered the veggie pho. It came with watered-down broth, only 5 pieces of tofu, and a sad helping of noodles. There were NO VEGGIES AT ALL, which was very disappointing for $11.
- chicken" I tried to separate the noodles, but they became mushy. The chicken has no flavor. It's pathetic that they told me I had to microwave the food when it was just delivered, less than 29 minutes ago, and was still steaming.
- foodsmall fly on my food 🍲 freakin nasty man
- noodlesUnfortunately, I ordered the veggie pho. It came with watered-down broth, only 5 pieces of tofu, and a sad helping of noodles. There were NO VEGGIES AT ALL, which was very disappointing for $11.
- phoThe broth for pho is the most important ingredient. This place DOES NOT have it.
- peanut saucetheir peanut sauce was garbage
- veggiesIt came with watered-down broth, only 5 pieces of tofu, and a sad helping of noodles. There were NO VEGGIES AT ALL, which was very disappointing for $11. I won't be ordering here ever again.
- Nuc mumNuc mum was bland as well
- Vietnamese foodI also noticed the absence of cucumbers in the bun dish, and the Nuc mum was bland. While the staff was nice, the overall impression was that this is NON AUTHENTIC VIETNAMESE FOOD. I would not recommend this place if you are looking for authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
- bahn miwas not very flavorful and was too dry
If you're seeking a spot with generally delicious pho, generous portions, and fresh ingredients, this place is often a winner. Just be aware that some experiences point to occasional inconsistencies in broth flavor or meat quality.
Service (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 74% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a 7.9 score and a solid 81.1% customer satisfaction, its clear many guests have had good experiences. Based on 99 positive remarks, diners frequently praise the "friendly service, " "attentive staff, " and "speedy service, " often highlighting how quickly orders arrive and how welcoming the team is.
However, its not always perfect. Out of 122 total comments, 22 point to areas for improvement. Some guests encountered slow service or felt ignored by staff, while a few mentioned unclear service or even unprofessional staff experiences, suggesting occasional inconsistencies in the overall guest experience.
Service
122
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
22
negative
1
neutral
99
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Speedy service
- Attentive servers
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Unprofessional staff
- Ignored by staff
Often praised
- serviceMy son and husband shared the vermicelli bowl, which was HUGE. Everything was phenomenal, and the service was great as well. The dining room is cute, with relaxing music and nature videos on the TV.
- stafffast and friendly staff made this place stand out
- ServiceThe spring rolls and egg rolls were also good. We had a great dine-in experience.
- customer serviceThe food arrived hot and fresh. I also want to highlight the OUTSTANDING customer service. I give it a 10/10 and will definitely be back.
- serversI believe the prices are fair, and the friendly customer service and tasty food keeps me coming for more. The servers always seem to be young, sweet and eager to please. I absolutely Love this place.
- great serviceWe both had great service and great food
- waiterthe waiter was so nice he’d still let us dined in.
- serverThe server remembers his tables and retuning customers
- DienDien was so welcoming and attentive
- ParkingParking:Easy in and out
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe noodle texture was off, but the steak was amazing – a bit of a head-scratcher! Regarding service, I was absolutely ignored, though in the nicest way possible. On arrival, my pho and I had a staring contest for 4 minutes before I had to seek out my own utensils.
- employeethe guy looked shocked to see me there and told me they close at 8:30 smh
- orderno one's take our order
- hoisen sauce and chili oilthey would only ever bring out one tiny dish
- managermanager there its some young guy from owner family. No friendly no professional
- online hoursonline it says 9p and maybe they should change that
- phone callsI called twice at 8:10p and no one answered
- racistracist. Wouldn’t serve my black nephew
- serverserver, he didn't even apologize
- staffHowever, the soup tasted a bit sweet, which I didn’t like. Additionally, none of the staff was wearing masks.
Overall, you can expect a generally positive service experience here, often marked by friendly and efficient staff. While there are a few reports of slower or less attentive moments, the good outweighs the bad. It's definitely worth a try if you value a welcoming and quick dining experience.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 39% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark! With a good score of 7.8 and a solid 81% customer satisfaction, most folks are loving the atmosphere. Based on 63 opinions, with 51 positive remarks, many highlighted the overall cleanliness, cozy vibe, and relaxing music.
Plus, the plenty of parking and easy-to-find location make it a comfortable and welcoming place to visit. However, it's not all perfect, as 9 negative comments suggest. Some visitors found the seating to be uncomfortable, while others mentioned the music being too loud or not to their taste.
A few even noted issues like flies or wet tables, which can definitely detract from an otherwise pleasant experience.
Ambience
63
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
9
negative
3
neutral
51
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean and cozy
- Relaxing music
- Plenty of parking
What people don't like
- Uncomfortable seating
- Loud music
- Flies present
Often praised
- atmosphereThe restaurant's atmosphere was quiet and clean.
- locationTucked in corner of plaza but it's great and walking distance
- placeNice little place to relax.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- musicThe servers were super nice, and the food was crazy madly good. The atmosphere was so chill with good music. The plates are HUGEEE, so the prices are fair, even low for what they're offering.
- vibesI had a great time coming here for midnight Pho. The place is great with good vibes. It was the best pho I've had in a while.
- Free parking lotParking options:Free parking lot
- Plenty of parkingParking space:Plenty of parking
- VibeService and Vibe was great!
- cleanVery clean
Frequently criticized
- ParkingParking is kind of hard
- atmospherethe atmosphere was a significant letdown
- cupCup was sketchy
- fliesthe flies there are red and nasty looking
- musicmusic was cranked up too loud playing rap music
- seatingThe seating was not comfortable
- tablessitting down with tables wet
- vibeWhile the food was good, a bad staff member significantly impacted the atmosphere and made me stop coming here. I'm unsure if this individual still works there, but their presence definitely ruined the vibe.
- vibe insideVibe inside also changed to baddest
If youre looking for a generally pleasant and clean spot with good parking and a relaxing atmosphere, this place is a solid choice. Just be aware that a few minor issues like seating comfort or occasional noise might pop up, but they dont seem to overshadow the overall positive experience for most.
Value (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners find this spot hits a sweet spot, earning an average-to-good score of 6.5. With 17 positive remarks out of 26, guests often praise the fair price and great price for generous portions. Many felt the prices were quite reasonable, making for a comfortable bill even with appetizers.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 65.4%, indicating some room for improvement. About 9 comments mentioned concerns, with some finding items kind of pricey or overpriced for the portion size. A few felt certain dishes werent worth it' or noted unexpected charges, suggesting inconsistency in perceived value.
Value
26
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Reasonable prices
- Fair billing
What people don't like
- Some items pricey
- Portions too small
- Unexpected charges
Often praised
- priceGenerous portion of meat for a reasonable price
- pricesObama, Robert Dinero and many others. I believe the prices are fair, and the friendly customer service and tasty food keeps me coming for more. The servers always seem to be young, sweet and eager to please.
- billfor three people with appetizers it was under $55
- fair pricewith a fair price
- great priceLarge portions for a great price
Frequently criticized
- pricekind of pricey
- big bowl pricearound 20$ for 1
- billI told him it was for a small lunch for me, but he rang up the big order. I paid the bill and tipped $5, but I’d like to pay for what I really ordered next time. I wanted the 3 for $6.
- overpriceda bit overpriced
- party of six chargeWas charged for a party of six
- portionshigher prices when the portions are proportional.. they are not
- worth itThe broth for pho is the most important ingredient, and this place DOES NOT have it. It is not worth it. I would advise finding another place.
If youre looking for generous portions at a reasonable cost, youll likely find good value here. However, be mindful of specific menu items that some customers felt were a bit overpriced or not worth the cost. It's a mixed bag, so choose wisely!
How are the prices at The Phở Shop?
On average, you’ll spend around $22 per person – based on 103 guests. That places this Vietnamese Restaurant in the $21–$30 category, which is comfortably mid-range, perhaps a touch above. Interestingly, while the average is $22, the majority of diners (71 out of 103) actually spend less, clustering in the $11–$20 range.
This means you can definitely find some great value here, even if there are options to spend a bit more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 103 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Vietnamese Restaurant in San Diego. With many guests spending in the $11–$20 range, it offers good value, and you have the flexibility to enjoy a more premium meal if you wish.
Customer Reviews: what people think about The Phở Shop
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Pho and Fried Rice
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. We ordered the Pho and fried rice. The vegetables that came with the pho were not fresh at all.
The fried rice was absolutely awful. The shrimp was overcooked, the beef and chicken both tasted old, and the peas & carrots in the rice were rubbery. I believe the fried rice dish was not cooked fresh when ordered.
Such a disappointment. Will not be going back. Money wasted.
- vegetables2
- fried rice1
- shrimp2
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
10
Delicious Rare Steak and Fried Rolls!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I ordered number 8, which was the rare steak and shank, and it was absolutely delicious. The dish was hot, flavorful, but light and fresh.
We also tried the fried rolls, which were also 10/10. The service, atmosphere, and food were all rated a perfect 5.
- rare steak and shank10
- hot, flavorful but light and fresh10
- fried rolls10
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Pho and Refreshing Tea
My experience at the restaurant was wonderful. I was initially offered a delicious hot lime tea. I also thoroughly enjoyed a flavorful pho noodle soup made with brisket only.
The combination of these two elements made me fall in love with this Vietnamese soup.
- hot lime tea9
- pho noodle soup10
- brisket9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Great Neighborhood Pho Spot
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. The pho broth was lovely, with all the good spices and evident love put into it. I would recommend this place if you’re looking for your neighborhood pho shop.
- pho broth9
- neighborhood pho shop8
Price per Person
- $101+
Service Intent
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Large Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
1
Racist Service and Poor Experience
My experience at this restaurant was terrible. I believe the staff was racist. They wouldn’t serve my black nephew, even though they passed him twice with what he ordered and then gave it to another family.
By the time this was happening, we were all done eating at our table.
- service1
- racist1
What The Phở Shop offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Happy hour drinks
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Table service
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience and dietary options can you expect at The Phở Shop?
At The Phở Shop, you’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere, ideal for any meal. They offer healthy, vegan, and vegetarian options, ensuring diverse tastes are met. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with table service, and happy hour drinks are also available. It’s a welcoming spot for everyone.
Does The Phở Shop offer convenient services and accessibility for all guests?
Yes, The Phở Shop offers convenient services including delivery, takeout, curbside pickup, and dine-in, with outdoor seating available. You’ll find free street parking and a free parking lot, usually with ample space. The restaurant is also fully wheelchair accessible, from the entrance to seating and restrooms, ensuring comfort for all guests.
How does The Phở Shop generally rate among customers?
The Phở Shop holds a good overall **Restaurant Score** of **7.7** and a **Customer Satisfaction** of **78.2%**. **Food** (7.7), **Service** (7.9), and **Ambience** (7.8) are rated well, while **Value** (6.5) is considered average.
What are the common opinions on the food quality at The Phở Shop?
Many customers praise the **rich broth**, **generous portions**, and **tender meat** in their pho. However, some have noted issues like **watered-down broth** or a lack of **veggies** in certain dishes.
What can I expect from the service at The Phở Shop?
The service is frequently described as **fast and friendly**, with staff often being **attentive** and welcoming. Yet, there are occasional reports of customers feeling **ignored** or encountering **unprofessional staff**.