I have probably been to every pho restaurant in the area, in Austin, and even in Houston, and I can say that I've never enjoyed it more than at Broth & Basil. The broth is my favorite aspect of this fantastic dish, because you can literally make it your own. I fell in love with pho several years ago when I learned that I could put just about everything and the kitchen sink into it to make it match my taste: lots of chili paste, chili oil, soy sauce, and a pound of bean sprouts, Basil, and two pounds of squeezed limes. I wouldn't have pho if I couldn't add all these ingredients to it, because the "create your own" aspect was what I liked. When I came to Broth & Basil I actually added nothing to it-- i didn't have to because the broth was so flavorful and the noodles were soft. the next FEW times I had it I didn't even want to add one squeezed lime to it in fear of ruining the savory flavor. There are many reviews on here stating that the broth is bland and flavorless but after having had my share of pho, including Broth & Basil almost four nights a week, I can say that bland and bad it is not. They might not have an extra large bowl like pho dan but the regular bowl they serve is almost the same size. Of all the times I have eaten there, I think I have only cleaned my bowl once, and that says a lot coming from someone who can demolish an extra large with extra meat and noodles, broth and all. And for those stating the portions are too small for the price: you can tell (and taste) that they use quality ingredients, from the cut of meat to the hand picked basil that other places do not use. furthermore, never have I witnessed anyone actually finishing their meals. There is always some left to take home or broth left in the bowl. And when I'm not having pho I have the rice with charbroiled pork, which I love dipping in a soy sauce/fish sauce mixture, or the hu tieu special with egg noodles, because even the "lesser famous" meals are awesome.
Broth & Basil is a quality restaurant, with quality ingredients in an upstanding community-- their prices are not unreasonable, especially in comparison to any other restaurant nearby.
But not only is the food amazing, the owners are (phen)tastic. Tumy and Phen do everything in their power to make every customer's experience a good one. I've never seen them NOT give a discount for a mistake or mishap, and apologize GENUINELY and sincerely. Other places give you a half assed "my bad" and talk badly about you afterwards. Since their opening, I have been able to get to know tumy and phen and I can honestly say they are some of my favorite people in business, restaurant, and personally as well.
You don't have to believe me, but I do experience Broth & Basil firsthand. Give them a chance. Give them a second chance. Give them a third. They have been open for a month without any previous restaurant knowledge, of course there are blunders and mishaps, but they are learning and evolving and improving every day. Servers also, they are learning how to be good servers in a restaurant that is learning how to operate. Of course it will go awry at timeIt is truly a bummer that with all the business they are getting, slammed night after night with short staff and small space, that Broth & Basil gives people a bad experience, but it is only because they are trying to keep up. Everyone is rushed trying to keep wait times down, because that is a complaint, but then servers forget things, which can be reminded, but with the speed of things, anyone would have a hard time keeping up. Everyone is just trying to keep up. See it for yourself, give them a chance. They are sincerely trying. And improving. You don't have to believe me, but you will be missing out not only on good food but also a wholesome experience. read more