This was my first time visiting this location. I came in on 9/4/2026 in the afternoon during my…read morelunch break.
Unfortunately, my first impression of the customer service wasn't the best. When I walked in, the cashier didn't seem very welcoming, and I let her know that it was my first time there. Since I wasn't familiar with how ordering worked, especially with the build your own vermicelli noodle bowl, I was hoping for a little guidance.
Instead, she pointed at the menu and said, "It's here," followed by, "Which meat do you want?" and "What sauce?" When I asked which sauce she recommended with the bowl I chose, she responded, "OG Buddha is the usual sauce ." Her tone and demeanor came across as annoyed, so I didn't feel like I received the welcoming experience I had expected based on the reviews I had read.
Initially, I ordered my food to go because I wasn't sure whether the dining area next door was part of the restaurant. Once I realized that it was, I asked if I could change my order to dine in because I wanted to experience the restaurant. She seemed annoyed by my request but told me she would let the other staff know.
Afterward, I wasn't given an order number or told where to wait, so I sat on the bench near the ordering area. As I waited, I noticed the cashier interacting more warmly with some of the customers who came in after me. During one of those interactions, I overheard her mention that she was hungover and wasn't having a good day. I completely understand that everyone has difficult days, but I still believe customers should receive consistent service regardless.
There also seemed to be some confusion between my order and another customer's order. Eventually, the cashier told me that I could sit in the dining area and that they would bring my food out when it was ready. I really wish this had been explained to me from the beginning, especially after I mentioned that it was my first visit.
Once I sat down, my experience improved significantly. About five minutes later, another employee brought out my food, and she was very sweet and attentive. She asked if I needed anything else, and I requested a cup of water. She kindly went and got the water for me. I later realized that the drinks were self serve, which I hadn't known. I actually felt bad that she went out of her way to get it for me because I would have happily done it myself if I had known! She was incredibly kind about it, though, and I appreciated her service.
The dining area itself was clean and interesting. It appears that two separate restaurants share one central dining space, almost like a Jack and Jill setup, with a restaurant on each side and the shared dining area in the middle.
I do think the dining area could use some improvement when it comes to instructions for finished dishes. I couldn't find a designated station to return dirty plates, and it seemed like other customers were confused about this as well. Many of us didn't feel comfortable simply leaving our dishes on the table for the bussers to collect. I ended up following what another family did after they also looked unsure of where to put their dishes. They eventually placed theirs in one of the bins the bussers were using to collect dirty dishes, so I did the same.
I also wish I had been told that to go containers and bags were available for leftovers. I ended up figuring that out on my own. Overall, I think a few signs or simple instructions explaining where to sit, how food is delivered, where to get water, where to return dishes, and where to find to go supplies would make the experience much easier for first time customers and probably easier for the staff as well.
Now for the food: it was delicious! I was genuinely impressed by the quality, freshness, and texture of everything. The food was definitely the highlight of my visit and would absolutely make me want to return.
Overall, the food was excellent, and the employee who served my meal was wonderful. I think clearer instructions for first time customers and more consistent customer service would make a huge difference. Unfortunately, my initial interaction with the cashier made my first visit feel uncomfortable and left me feeling a little out of place, but the quality of the food helped redeem the experience.
My Ratings:
Customer Service: 7/10
Food: 10/10
Cleanliness: 8/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
