Pho 79 Langhorne, PA…read more
Normally, I do not write food reviews. However, after the dinner experience, I was more than pleased to compose my comments and to praise this business. I am not a food writer, but I do write recipes, enjoy food styling, and partake in food photography as a hobby.
In late August 2026, my parents, husband, and young daughter drove from New York to Pennsylvania to see Elmo and Friends at Sesame Place. At the end of a busy, full, fun day at the theme park, we were extremely hungry and tired (if you are a parent or caregiver, you can really relate). We did not want to drive far to eateries since it was evening. After eating all the theme park fried foods, my parents wanted authentic Asian cuisine; therefore, we used Google to look up nearby restaurants. Pho 79 appeared first on the list with numerous positive comments applauding their Vietnamese dishes. To our surprise, upon arrival, we discovered that the restaurant is in the Oxford Valley Mall.
We were warmly greeted by a young man when we approached the counter. He answered all our menu questions. We ordered several dishes out of hunger; also, many stores and food stalls were cleaning up. We were not ambitious enough to trek around the food court with growling stomachs. While we waited for our dinner, we happily chatted with him about our day and travels. Curious about the restaurant name, I asked about its origin. He gladly shared and (believed to be the owner and operator) kindly explained that 1979 was an important and meaningful year for their family; thus, the business name encompassed that number. And "Pho," of course, means Vietnamese noodle soup; it is traditionally made with delicious meat broth, rice noodles, fragrant herbs, plus full-flavor meats and fresh vegetables.
Within a short time, we received our dinner, then sat down at the tables to eat. The dishes are comforting, humble, and 5-star delicious. I ordered the Brisket Pho. It was fortifying and just full of goodness. The only thing left in my bowl was a few pieces of chopped garnish slowly floating above the shallow, flavorful broth. The prices are reasonable for the amount of food in each portion. The Grilled Chicken over Rice dishes are scrumptious and savory. The chicken was not burnt; it was perfectly grilled and tender. Many other Vietnamese restaurants prepare the grilled chicken with lots of grilled, charred marks. I am not a fan of that because of the burnt flavor. The Pho 79 Grilled Chicken dish had a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors that will please your palate and definitely persuade your senses of the genuine Asian flavors. We were given a very generous amount of grilled chicken over fragrant rice! My husband ordered Grilled Shrimp over Vermicelli. The dish had satisfying depths of flavor and a boatload of large, tender shrimp. This is simple food preparation, yet clearly made with care and devotion. Flavors are not overpowering if you are familiar with Vietnamese food; the food flavors are balanced and aromatic. Also, the overall quality and customer service are superb. This is comfort food at its absolute best.
Sorry, readers, I forgot to take a cell phone picture of the dinner; we were too hungry, and security started circling us to remind us of the closing time. We were probably the last diners there, but we didn't mind; the food was truly delectable and memorable. It was quite a hilarious moment; my family was wolfing down the food while the ride-on floor scrubber and the janitorial crew were cleaning the floor and tables near us. Then, the ceiling lights at the far end of the mall began to dim. Frankly, this was a glorious meal, and we will be returning customers when we are in Langhorne, PA. Hopefully, not eating when the mall is closing. A gracious thank you to Pho 79 for a fun family moment and for serving us near closing time. Your business deserves high recognition and praise!! We wish you even greater success and business expansion!! The quality and consistency of your food are deserving of Michelin stars!!
