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    I Love Pho

    3.2 (45 reviews)
    ModerateVietnamese
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    I LOVE PHO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Pho special - beef brisket, beef balls and tripe
    Murray W.

    This relatively new Vietnamese place out on the Bedford highway popped up on my radar after hearing about it on the interwebs and passing by it on the bus. Being that I am vehicle-impaired, it is difficult to make it out to try places like this as it's hard to justify the long round-trip bus ride just for a meal. However, after coming out to adventure in Hemlock Ravine park, I figured this would be one of few opportunities to eat here. When my girlfriend and I arrived in the early evening, there were just a few tables occupied inside, but it was nice out with just a slightly cool breeze, so we sat out on their patio to enjoy what vestiges of summer were still hanging on. The view of the basin was nice, although that of the Bedford highway somewhat less so. We were in a bit of a blind spot in relation to the front counter, so I went in and grabbed us menus, and water soon followed me out. The menu has a good selection of Vietnamese standards like pho, banh mi and fresh rolls, but also some not so common items including banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes) and banh cuon (Vietnamese crepes with pork pate). I was here to try their pho though. Their special pho comes with beef brisket, beef balls and tripe. A certain local food critic for a certain newspaper, both of which will both remain nameless, blatantly wimped out on the tripe, but not I! I was a little worried about the beef balls as they were fairly bad - chewy and bland - when I had them the last time I had pho elsewhere, but I gave them a go nonetheless. My girlfriend went with what was effectively their take on beef and broccoli - the aforementioned items with baby bok choy on wide rice noodles. A veggie spring roll rounded out her meal. The spring roll came first and we were warned that it was fresh out of the fryer, so it was quite hot. Once at a tolerable temperature, I snuck a bite; the wrapper was wonderfully flaky and the veggies inside were seasoned nicely. There was no mushy layer of soggy/undercooked wrapper between the filling and outside either, which I find to be an issue with spring rolls. Our mains came out a little while later, just when the question of "I wonder where my food is?" began to creep into my brain, from my stomach. A large bowl, albeit not as huge as some bowls of pho I've seen, came with a side plate with bean sprouts, cilantro and basil that you can add to your own liking, as well as bottle of hoisin and what tasted like sriracha. I gave the broth a taste before putting in the add ins. It was really good - slightly rich, not too salty and an even consistency. You could taste cilantro and a light herbiness of basil in it as well. It was good on its own, but I preferred the additional depth of flavour from the sweet hoisin and spicy sriracha. The beef balls and brisket were quite obvious on top, but the slices of tripe blended in a bit, only distinguishable by the little bumps on one side. As soon as my girlfriend saw these, she rescinded her request to even try the broth, however I wasn't off put and soldiered on. The brisket came in large but thin slices, which initially seemed unwieldy, but they were easy to tear apart with my chopsticks. It had a nice flavour and wasn't tough at all. Unfortunately the curse of the beef balls struck again; with a very fine and dense consistency, it was like a chewy beef hotdog. Beef balls, you can pho off. The tripe was fine, it just had the flavour of the broth and had a slightly spongy texture, but it was very thin so it wasn't difficult to chew. The rice noodles were quite plentiful and made me glad that I wear glasses and would be washing clothes soon. My other half's beef and broccoli was quite tasty. Everything was it should be at texture-wise - tender beef and crisp veggies. The sauce had a little peppery hit and stuck nicely to all of the food and noodles - no soupy mess at the bottom of this plate. All in all it was a nice meal, and quite affordable at $35 for two after tax and tip. My mind and taste buds weren't blown away, but it's nice to know there's a dependable Asian restaurant in the area even if I may not be able to stop by very frequently.

    It's pho...deconstructed
    TJ M.

    Cold, grey Fall day and my mind was on noodle-y carbs and, steaming hot broth. I was on the Bedford Highway and it was close to lunch so I swung into I Love Pho. First thing I noticed was a strong artificial air freshener smell. It was kind of cloying. Not something I'd want to live with over a meal. I was taking out so not a big deal. The take out menu had some of the prices scratched out and new, higher prices written in. They also had written in that "to go pho" costs $1 more. I get that thy're a small business and trying to save money on menus but it always bugs me when a restaurant does this as opposed to getting new menus printed. It's a big pet peeve of mine. Lots of interesting looking noodle and broth fixes but I decided to go with the beef pho- comfort in a bowl if there ever was one. I was tight on time so I got the pho to go. I had the place to myself while I waited but it was still half an hour from the noon rush so assume this place gets busier for lunch. $13 and about five minutes later I had my order and was on the way home. I was impressed with how they packaged things; kind of a deconstructed pho. The broth was still piping hot. I combined the ingredients and started slurping. The broth is pretty simple tasting. If there was any star anise it was pretty muted. There was a adequate amount of beef but it looked like it had been cooked prior to being added to the soup. It was also kind of chewy. So the verdict is I find Fong Sing's pho broth much more flavourful than I Love Pho and I like how Fong Sing cooks the beef at the last minute by pouring the broth over it. Not bad. I might go back to try the Bun Bo Hue or Bahn Mi sometime; hope they'd some more flavour.

    House pho with green tea
    Doni B.

    This place was great. The pho has a lot of flavor! The wait staff doesn't check on you after they bring the food so if you are the type that likes to dine uninterrupted this is a great place. You even have to go to the front to pay and see you check. This could be a Canadian thing (I'm from the states )

    Hugh M.

    I really wanted this place to be awesome. It wasn't. The broth was not the best, and the staff don't seem to know what I wanted. I ordered two beef broth pho one with beef the other without beef. Two spring rolls and jasmine tea. I got green tea, one beef pho and one chicken and no spring rolls. I asked for siratcha and she never brought any. The worst though was going into the bathroom and seeing a warning from department of health saying the water was contaminated. Won't be back for sure!

    Seriously, four people are expected to share this tiny plate of vegetables and 4 lime quarters for their pho. That is ridiculous.
    Lulu D.

    I want to love this place and keep giving them chances, but I think tonight was the end of the line for me. We've been enjoying the owner's food since she was at New Fortune in Clayton Park and vastly prefer Vietnamese to Chinese food, so we were thrilled when she re-opened a restaurant that was largely focused on Vietnamese dishes. The food is good. I love the salad rolls, beef and BBQ pork phos, and the grilled pork vermicelli with spring rolls. What I don't like is the inconsistency in portions, sauces, and service. When we went in about a month ago, my husband and I wondered why they would give out one small bowl of veggies to add to our soups, but brushed it off thinking that maybe they were running low on ingredients or it was a one-off. We came back about a week later and three bowls of pho were ordered. We got the exact same small plate of veggies, but it was now intended to split over three people. Tonight, we preemptively asked the server for an extra plate of veggies, as we were splitting it three ways and we were bluntly told "No, we don't do that". Not even an offer to add it to our meal at an extra cost, just a flat out "no" because they don't want to. What made it even worse was that when she brought out the same small plate of veggies, it had 4 spoons. She had messed up our order (one of many times this evening) and put in an order for four bowls. So, four bowls splitting one tiny plate of vegetables. Whenever we get takeout, we wonder what will and will not come home with our order. Sometimes you get one thing of dipping sauce when you order 4 salad rolls. Sometimes it is two. Sometimes they just don't put any in. Sometimes you get a full container of what you ordered. Sometimes you don't. My expectations are not exactly fine dining-level. I want consistently made food. I want food that is properly packed with all of the corresponding sauces. I want the server to get my order right, offer water refills, and do quality checks in a timely manner.

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    4 years ago

    Excellent food and service. Fresh, tasty, fast, and very reasonably priced. Glad to have found a good pho place in Halifax.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    The food is good, but the restaurant itself and surrounding area is dirty.

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    9 years ago

    Found a fly in Special pho and the owner said it's fine. I still had to pay for the pho.

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Nothing pho-nomenal. The Valentine's Day decor really adds a romantic touch! Pretty good fresh rolls.

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    12 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Bad costumers sever waiting for one hour for food bad experience with restaurant.

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    11 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Flavorful pho. We got the special pho (pho dac biet). The bean sprouts were fresh and crisp. The meal was done well.

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    Pho Maniac - Grilled pork banh mi

    Pho Maniac

    4.5(11 reviews)
    10.5 kmSouth End

    After days of lobster rolls and lobster everything, I was ready to throw myself into the ocean just…read moreto feel something spicy. Halifax is beautiful, no doubt--but if you're someone who needs a kick of chili in your food (and your soul), the city can feel like a spice desert. Enter Pho Maniac. We spotted it thanks to the red chili-laced photos plastered on the window. That alone was enough to pull us in. And thank god we did--because this place delivers on heat. Not the mild, tamed-down-for-tourists kind either. Real spice. Actual flavor. The food scene in Halifax is trying to grow, but let's be honest--it's mostly tailored for white folks and cruise ship passersby. If your palate grew up on sambal, Sichuan, or scotch bonnets, most of this city will leave you unbothered and unsalted. But Pho Maniac? A mirage turned real. The place was packed with Asian diners and the one off-white wanderer who knew what's up. That's always a good sign. The broth? Deep, rich, and fiery. It hits the spot you forgot Halifax had. I still couldn't see myself living here long-term--because spicy food is non-negotiable--but at least Pho Maniac made the week feel less bland. In a city of boiled lobster and beige seasoning, this little joint reminded me my taste buds were still alive.

    It's funny returning to Halifax and seeing new restaurants replace old faves, as is the case of Pho…read moreManiac in the space formerly occupied by New Asia. One day at work, I was looking for lunch and Pho Maniac came up in a scan of nearby spots. While they're a pho place, I didn't want to get the inevitable soup splashes on my work clothes, so I went with the banh mi for takeout. Taking my spoils back the office, I unfurled the sandwich bag to see what was inside. Wrapped tightly in plastic, the banh mi seemed a bit narrow, but it was longer than the sort of banh mi you get at specialty shops for a few bucks each (at least in pre-pandemic pricing) in bigger cities. It was very meat-heavy, loaded with strips of grilled pork (they also have beef and chicken). The pork had a nice flavour from the grill and a bit of fish sauce funk, balanced out by a hint of sweetness from the pickled carrots. Some Thai basil and green onion added pops of vegetal freshness. It was hard to get a good feel for the bun, as the heat of the pork and the plastic wrap steamed it, so the trademark crispness of a banh mi bun was lost. A paper wrap would definitely be an improvement. A return visit had me rolling the dice on pho splashes, going with tender beef and flank pho. I'm not sure what cut "tender beef" is, as tenderloin isn't typically found in pho, but I would guess brisket, which is much more common. I got it as takeout and assembled it in a bowl I had at work, but you could easily use the one they give you. Said bowl comes with the noodles, beef and toppings (bean sprouts, lime, Thai basil, hoisin and chili sauces) in it, while a second container had the broth. The flank and (likely) brisket weren't particularly discernible from one another, but both were nice and tender, and reasonably portioned. The many accoutrements added layers of flavour to the already tasty pho. The broth was beef-forward, with hints of star anise and other spices, and had a pleasant viscosity that suggested that Pho Maniac is likely boiling bones to make their own broth. It was good enough for me to straight up drink the broth that remained unused for the noodles after I had finished those! My regular-sized pho was a good portion for a satisfying, but not heavy, lunch. While I'm sad that New Asia has moved on, Pho Maniac is a solid spot in its own right, and I look forward to many work lunches to come!

    Photos
    Pho Maniac
    Pho Maniac - Grilled pork banh mi

    Grilled pork banh mi

    Pho Maniac

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    Just Spring Roll

    Just Spring Roll

    4.3(12 reviews)
    9.9 kmSpring Garden
    $

    Food is good,staff is very nice with my picky eating habits,she explain to me the sause taste…read morelike,and the difference between white onion and green one.

    I was really hopeful for this place after reading reviews, but after ordering the pad thai I was…read moreleft underwhelmed. The noodles and tofu were tough and rubbery and the sauce was too sweet for me. I know I said I didn't want spicy but dang. That being said, my husband (who ordered a sauteed beef rice plate) was very happy with his order. It came with a salad (lettuce, cucumber and tomato with a vinaigrette dressing and the beef was seasoned beautifully. I was so envious of his meal! The spring rolls were the true gems of the meal, especially mine. My hubbie put it perfectly - they were the first spring rolls that we'd ever had where the outside of the spring roll felt like part of the food, instead of something crunchy. We had the meat ones, but I'd be really interested in the veggie ones too! The lady who works the front counter (and I'm assuming owns the place) is amazing. She has so much energy and makes sure you have everything you need. It was much more like a traditional restaurant service-wise than a fast food joint. She came out and collected our trays when we were done and brought us sweet and sour sauce unprompted for our spring rolls. I really loved her and would honestly go back just because she was so great. (And for the spring rolls)

    Photos
    Just Spring Roll - Vegan tofu noodles veggies and springrolls

    Vegan tofu noodles veggies and springrolls

    Just Spring Roll - Just springroll

    Just springroll

    Just Spring Roll - Spring roll perfection

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    Spring roll perfection

    Man Bean - Bun bo hue

    Man Bean

    4.4(18 reviews)
    10.4 kmSouth End
    $$

    Man Bean took over the former Lemon Grass location after I moved to Ottawa, but since my wife and I…read moremoved back to Halifax, its proximity to my office has added to the variety of lunch options that I have. Their name can have some...unbecoming...associations if English is your first language and you have a filthy mind (guilty as charged), but judging from the note about mung beans at the top of their menu, and the bean in their logo, I assume its origins are more legume-based. They're not on any delivery apps except for Asian food specialty app Fantuan, but you can order ahead the old fashioned way via...a phone call. Difficult, I know! While I have done takeout pho in the past, it is a bit of a process and you're guaranteed to have broth splatters at your desk, so I went for the more easily managed grilled pork vermicelli bowl. Pick-up was a breeze and was ready and waiting when I arrived at the estimated time they gave me on the phone. I often find that the pork in these dishes is chunks that are grilled separately, like satay, but Man Bean sliced up a grilled pork chop (which is also an item on their menu). It had a good char on it, and while the chop was slightly on the dry side it wasn't too bad and you don't really notice when you're having it in bites with the other ingredients. To that point, I'm going to posit that bun is like pizza, in that it's hard to mess up and have a truly bad one. I mean, what's not to like? Rice noodles in a sweet and lightly spicy sauce, crunchy lettuce, carrot and cucumber, pork and a peanut crumble? That's a winning combination! A return visit found me coming by with my wife for dinner after work. The interior space is nice, with a contemporary, subdued style that's given a touch of Vietnam with framed photos and art adorning the walls. The plentiful windows onto Barrington and Morris let in tons of light and give you lots of people watching potential. This time around, my wife had the grilled pork vermicelli bowl (her "go-to" at Vietnamese places), while I opted for the bun bo hue. Not all Vietnamese places carry this spicy noodle soup, so I jumped at the chance to try Man Bean's. Since I was wearing a white shirt, I put my black jacket on to protect from the soup's area of effect splash damage, as nothing stains quite so well as red chili oil. I'm no bun bo hue connoisseur, but I really enjoyed Man Bean's version. The broth was top notch, with layers of savoury flavours, a smooth mouthfeel and prominent, but manageable, levels of spice. I knew their broth was legit when I fished out some rib tips or the like, and the chunks of cartilage were as wobbly as Jell-O, a sign of being simmered low and slow and releasing their gelatinous goodness into the broth. The round, moderately-thick noodles (think spaghetti, but rice-based) were tender and supple and safely slurped up with my protective jacket on, while the slices of slices of beef brisket were fantastically tender, and not grainy and overcooked. I also had an iced Vietnamese coffee to help balance out the heat of the bun bo hue, and its mix of sweetness and creaminess certainly did its job well, while the dark roast of the coffee still stood out from the spice and big flavours of my dinner. It's always been the same gentleman working the front of house when I've been there, and every time he's been friendly, easy-going and attentive. Man Bean is putting out some very solid food, with some stand-out dishes, and combined with its friendly service and nice atmosphere, it's a neighbourhood joint that's really worth getting to know. PS. It's not really advertised, but Man Bean has an impressively good Scotch collection!

    Restaurant is clean and service is good, but the food was just ok, and not that authentic tasting…read more It was also quite pricey (well, compared to vietnamese restaurants in Toronto, so take that tidbit with a grain of salt if you're not from Toronto). A bowl of pho here is $14 and they don't have tendon or tripe or beef balls. The menu doesn't have a big selection. Also, the bean sprouts and basil were all in the soup already at the time it was served, rather than fresh on a plate for you to add yourself. I got the sweet and sour soup ($7) which came in a bigger bowl than I expected. The prawns were good and plentiful, but I didn't like the taste of the soup. The pineapple chunks in it looked like they were the dole canned pineapple, and the soup kind of tasted like the syrup from the canned pineapple was mixed into there. The sweet flavour was very strong. I also tried the pork spring rolls which were alright. Walking around Halifax, it didn't seem to have that many Vietnamese restaurant choices, so props to this family for opening up this restaurant.

    Photos
    Man Bean - Bar

    Bar

    Man Bean - Take out grilled pork vermicelli

    Take out grilled pork vermicelli

    Man Bean - Front of the restaurant

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    Front of the restaurant

    I Love Pho - vietnamese - Updated May 2026

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