Pho Bac focuses on the preparation of authentic Vietnamese soups and traditional rice noodle bowls. The menu highlights slow-simmered beef and chicken bone broths infused with star anise, cinnamon, and ginger. Patrons customize their bowls with fresh bean sprouts, Thai basil, sliced jalapenos, and lime wedges provided at every table. Beyond the signature noodle soups, the offerings include crispy spring rolls and grilled meat vermicelli plates served with pungent fish sauce. The dining environment maintains a functional, high-turnover layout designed for efficient service of hot meals. Stainless steel tables and minimalist seating emphasize the practicality of the culinary experience. This establishment serves as a dedicated destination for individuals seeking classic, broth-based comfort food prepared according to established regional standards without unnecessary garnish or complex culinary embellishments.
Pho Bac has long been recognized as a staple in the neighborhood for authentic, comfort-driven Vietnamese cuisine, frequently praised for its rich, traditional broth and generous portions. Many visitors have expressed deep appreciation for the warm, family-oriented atmosphere and the exceptionally fast, friendly service provided by the staff. While the restaurant has built a loyal following over the years, recent feedback highlights a significant divide in experiences, with some patrons noting inconsistencies in food quality, changes to classic recipes, and concerns regarding the building's maintenance, particularly unpleasant odors. Despite these mixed reports and confusion surrounding its current operating status, the restaurant remains a sentimental landmark for many who value its historic role in the community and its history of serving high-quality, affordable meals.
It was not the greatest in my opinion, the beef was very chewy. But the tea that they gave me was very nice. I sat there for around an hour & played some chess on my mobile phone.
the food was around 16-19 dollars I think.
6.7/10 for me. I would love to have some garlic chili vinegar in it next time.
Phenomenal Pho, the XL is the way to go, delicious broth, a nice clean well serviced restaurant. The service is great, very nice people & a definite place to go in Chinatown!
J'ai eu une très belle expérience , la nourriture était super bonne mais ce qui m'as le plus marqué c'est le service. Le service était incroyable au petit soin. & la dame était plus qu'adorable & thank you Guys for the amazing expérience. Si vous voulez manger un bon pho this is the SPOT.
Sep 22, 2025
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Usually the pho & the Vietnamese food is not bad here & usually I would give 3 stars... But unfortunately I found a fly on my Pho noodles in the soup! Therefore I must remove 1 star. In addition, they still ask me to pay despite I showed them the insect in my food! In addition, the price has gone up & the quantity & quality of the food is the same or worse as before, so I will stop coming.
A totally unassuming simple Pho joint with irresistable food, though the grilled beef & rice are not the same as a few years ago, its still worth visiting.
Pho Bac 97 has always been one of my favorite spots whenever I visit Montreal. It is right in Chinatown, which made it really easy to get to since our hotel was only a few minutes away.
The people here are honestly the best part. The owner, the male staff, & Hannah were so sweet & welcoming. They made us feel at home right away & it's clear they can connect with anyone because they switch so easily between English, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, & probably even more languages. That kind of warmth really makes a difference.
We ordered two Pho Dac Biet XL bowls & one Bi Cuon roll, & with taxes & tip it came to around $50 for the two of us. The food was comforting, flavorful, & authentic. As someone who is part Vietnamese, I really appreciate when a restaurant captures those traditional flavors, & this one absolutely does. At the end they even gave us fortune cookies, which was such a simple but thoughtful little touch.
I'll be honest, there is a strong smell around the bathroom area that can be a bit distracting, maybe from the age of the building or cleaning issues, but it didn't take away from how kindly we were treated.
I still want to give five stars because this place feels special to me & the staff treat you like family. Thank you again for such a lovely experience. Sending love from Candy & family from Toronto. 😋🍜
For years, Pho Bac was our'go to' place for Pho in Montréal. Their broth was perfect! The flavours of, practically, everything on the menu was perfect - & we've pretty much tried it all. We ate there so often the servers knew us & we recommended it to so many people, we've lost count.
Unfortunately, about a year ago, the restaurant was overwhelmed with this horrible smell of…..sewage? Initially, we thought perhaps it was a broken pipe or something & it would be temporary. But when we went back a couple of weeks later, the smell was still there. The third time we went back, the smell was so strong, we actually left & went to a dumpling place across the street.
A few months back, we decided to give Pho Bac another shot. It was our place, after all, & we hadn't found another Pho that even came close. But as soon as we walked in through the door, that awful smell of stale urine & old pipes went straight up our noses. We just turned around & left. We haven't gone back.
It kills me to give this places anything less than 10 stars. The food really deserves it! It really is the best Pho in Montreal. But the smell is unbearable & it kinda makes you wonder - that horrible smell is clearly caused by something & if they haven't felt the need to fix it in over a year, what else is being neglected in the background, ya know?
J'étais un habitué de ce resto qui était à proximité de mon travail où on y sert des soupes pho. Malheureusement la qualité de la nourriture a diminué. Le bouilon est moins parfumé & trop salé.
