Pho Bac receives strong praise for authentic, flavorful pho with rich broth and generous portions at a reasonable price, with fast, friendly service that many describe as warm and welcoming. The Chinatown location is convenient and the staff often go the extra mile, making guests feel at home, though several reviews note an aging space with a noticeable odor around the dining area and bathrooms that can detract from the experience. While the food is consistently described as comforting and delicious, occasional issues include variable service, crowded seating, and a few quality hiccups such as certain dishes not meeting expectations or concerns about cleanliness. Despite these concerns, many customers still call it a go to spot for Vietnamese bowls and recommend the XL sizes for value.
I ordered Phở nạm / well-done beef pho. The taste was surprisingly okay. My only complaint would be that the beef didn't have enough fats 🙁 (way too lean, actually). The broth was light like Northern Pho, obviously the taste wasn't there yet but def acceptable. Really optimal for quick & feel good lunch. The service was really efficient, I ordered when I got seated & got my bowl of Pho ~2 minutes later. You paid at the front. The restaurant was crowded when I was there. The order lady does speak broken English & French if this is your concern.
This is one of my favorite places to eat ever! I come almost every time I go to yhe city. The pho soup is so good, it's crazy. I always get the number 7, I think it's the best thing on yhe menu. If you've never had this soup, your life is incomplete. You NEED to go here & get some. Fairly cheap, massive bowls, & fast service. Even if you don't love the food, yoy can't complain about anything else, this place is literally perfect. They also serve you tea the second you sit down & it's really good. I love it so much.
Top 3 Pho in Montreal. Staff is nice & as for the atmosphere it is not a five star restaurant setting, nor should it be, but everyone in the place is happy to be there because it is top quality Pho
This is hole-in-the-wall place, not fancy, not exactly anything to write home about, but the food is truly authentic. It doesn't just serve pho, but also curry dishes & rice. Their range of combos provide an excellent way to try several items without over-ordering. The service is not great. The server (perhaps the owner) merely toss the menu at you as soon as you sit down. No words spoken, no pleasantries. Once he gets your order, your steaming pho arrives in less than 3 minutes (yes, we timed him). Food is great, large chunks of beef, lots of scrumptious soup, & very tasty. We have eaten here twice & will come here rather than freeze to death outside the handmade noodle place next door! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ordered number five extra large, the overall experience was decent. The soup was not too salty, but there's not so much flavor, it's a bit bland & doesn't taste like MSG. The quality of meat was subpar. The beef was stuck together, like other reviewers have described. the quantity of meat is a bit on the low side, compared to other pho places. ingredients are not the most fresh. The service is efficient, but rushed, as you would expect at lunch hour.
La Pho 🍜 est très très bonne. L'ambiance est agréable & il y a toujours pleins de monde! Good job 👏 . C'est toujours excellent à chaque fois que je viens! :)
Been going to Pho bac for pho for many years. I was there just yesterday for lunch & ordered my usual tripe & beef pho & I have to say I was disappointed. The broth was lacking flavour & the beef quality was just really poor. The slices were stuck together & some pieces were hard. The prices have also gone up since the last time I have been there & I don't feel the quality reflects the price anymore. I will need to find a new spot to go for pho.
I ordered beef saignant pho (number 7). I haven’t eaten here since covid, the food was good, the soup wasn’t too salty which I usually find with other pho places. However, I think the beef was frozen or cooked before I ordered, cuz it was fully cooked & stuck together. Still pretty good overall. Service was really fast, the food came within 2min of order or so!! I usually go for large size with other restaurants, but was full with medium.
Phenomenal place to satisfy pho cravings! I ordered a medium sized pho with everything & the portion size exceeded my expectations; I couldn't finish it all! The service is extremely quick but virtually nonexistent so it's great if you don't want to be bothered while having a quick bowl of pho, but not ideal for a special occasion. I'd definitely come back for a bowl once in a while.
