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.
Typical viet place. Eat cheap & good. Bot going there for the views... you there to eat well & not expensive at all. Service is fast & refills nicely. Nothing fancy but clean. Great value place & good soups & spring rolls.
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. 😋🍜
Aug 24, 2025
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Want a bucket-load of delicious pho served to you in 2 minutes for the lowest price in the city? Pho Bac will deliver. Don't bother with the fresh rolls though, just order a bucket of pho.
No frills Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown with a wide variety viet menu. The spring rolls were fairly good & so was the pho. Interesting that they give you lemon (& not lime) & also no jalapeno.
Large Filling Portions, Poor Service Going to restaurants & trying new foods is a way to immerse myself in new cultures, & after years of being urged by a friend to try out Pho, I caved in & went to Pho Bac. Upon arrival, we sat quickly &, within minutes, were given some starters. Our server for the day from the beginning of our time there till the end seemed annoyed or disinterested, & when I asked for some information regarding some menu items, he seemed to be annoyed & just nodded to anything we asked for. Aside from the service, the food was okay, & the 5 sauce & spring roll combo were lovely, however. The main let a lot to be desired, the sauces provided were decent but it didn't feelvlike there wa a tonnof flavour. I appreciate the large portions & competitive pricing of the menu options, which is rare in this economy.
Sep 5, 2024
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First time been here & first time trying North Pho noodle. I was not sure if it was the exact taste of North Pho, so gave it a try, the soup was not salted, not too much flavor compared to other Pho I tried. It was ok. Fast service. I ordered a Special Pho (M size) & 1 combo of beef pho + 1 spring roll. I paid cash & was charged without tax, of course I tipped. The price was pretty not bad. Would recommend.
Our final stopping point was China Town during our visit to Old Montreal, & our visit to China Town wasn't complete until we found a place to eat & enjoy our late lunch, & our great find was Pho Bac!!
As far as pho was concerned, I can honestly say it was one of the best Pho Tai I had, & I had quite a few phos in various countries & places. The pho broth was excellent. My wife also enjoyed her Bun with grilled chicken & especially imperial rolls. She said this vegetable-filled spring roll was simply the best she ever tasted.
Service was rendered with courtesy & efficiency.
Oh, btw, this is NOT cash-only establishment as many other reviewers stated. They take cc & debit cards.
What a gem of a place this really is! Highly recommended!
