My fiance & I were on our way back to NYC from Maine, and happened to find Pho 88 on the route. Knowing that any pho place with a number behind it usually is good, we took our chances. I was so suprised by how good the pho broth is - it's legit. The broth is piping hot, super flavorful, but still light and not too oily. Prices are good considering the portion size. They have all of the proper toppings & they don't skimp on any of the meats. Service is friendly & the restaurant is spacious. Parking is plentiful - there's a lot right out front. Cash & card are both accepted. read more

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Pho 88 is certainly a step above. There is ample parking out front, and there is easy access from the highway. The location itself is very clean and nice and there are cooking tops for hot pots on most tables. The service was excellent in professional, the only problem was when I was trying to pay the bill. They seemed to disappear, but that was resolved rather quickly. My Pho was excellent. I had the beef. The broth was extremely complex and flavorful and pleasant. I was disappointed. I did not get the dinosaur bone, but I have not found a place in Massachusetts, Massachusetts or New Hampshire. That offers that yet.. Bella got the seafood pho and it was excellent. We both got the large and there was plenty to take home. read more

I need to preface this review by confessing that there's a lot of nostalgia linked to this restaurant that we've been coming to since middle school over 20 years ago... But the number 15 pho when you're not too hungry and the 14 if you want more, have been a consistent staple over all these years, including our most recent visit when stopping back in town. Even after being gone for so many years, its encouraging to see that some classics are still holding strong and earning their rightful reviews. The pho broth is always worth drinking down and leaving the bowl empty, and the noodles and meats are always perfectly cooked. Food always comes out steaming and fast, the same from when they were a small shop with black and white tiles linoleum floors to now with their expanded bar area and famcy lighting. A local staple that has really held its own over the years! read more

Delicious Vietnamese food. I ordered the Bún thịt nướng and it was very flavorful, they cut the noodles which I wasn't expecting but that didn't change the flavor or presentation of this dish. Little to no wait to get seated with a little bit of waiting time to get our food because I noticed they only had one server. read more

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Great service. Walked in at 9:11 (closing is at 10:00). We were seated right away and water was on the table in the next minute. We ordered the brisket pho and the combo (tendon,beef,brisket). The restaurant was dimly lit and the music was bumping (think pop). The kitchen ended up w extra spring rolls that they were kind enough to offer us. Very cute spot and we will definitely return. read more

Pho 88 - Menu - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

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For a quick weeknight dinner, I stopped by Pho 88. Since it was 4:30pm, the establishment only had a few patrons. Parking was ample and I received a table immediately. I ordered the #14 Xe Lua Pho / extra large beef noodle soup ($17.95). Within 5 minutes, I received my order and the customer plate of bean sprouts, basil, and lime. The portion size lived up to its name, with both increased amounts of rice noodle and beef (rare steak slices, well-done brisket, flank, tendon, and tripe). Disappointingly, the soup did not arrive super hot. As a standalone bowl of noodle soup this wouldn't be an issue, but the bean sprouts sap away additional heat. Also, the broth seemed lacking in aromatics and tasted only like simple beef stock. read more

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Stopped into Pho88 in Lowell and had a mostly great experience with just a few small misses. We started with the shrimp appetizer, which had a nice flavor and came with a fresh assortment of lettuce and vegetables to wrap and enjoy with. While tasty, the portion felt a little small for the price. For my main dish, I went with the pork combination rice dish and added an egg. Overall, this was excellent--the pork chop, though thin, was cooked well, and I really enjoyed the crispy pork skin on top. The only real downside was the egg; it was cooked hard, and I would've preferred it medium or over-easy to add more richness to the dish. The restaurant itself is a good size with a big menu and lots of options, including hot pot if that's your thing. My dining companion went the traditional Pho and loved being able to customize the spice level. The broth was super flavorful and definitely a highlight. Service was friendly, though splitting the check seemed to cause some confusion, which was a little inconvenient since my friend was traveling for business. Overall, I'd come back. I'd probably try a different appetizer next time but would definitely consider ordering the same main dish again. Lots of variety here and worth checking out if you're in the area! read more

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Came here on a Saturday and had a pretty solid experience. The restaurant is pretty large and the menu covers most of the different types of dishes you'd want to have at a Vietnamese restaurant. The pricing was a little high for us, but everything still tasted great! I had the chicken rice noodle bowl and we ordered the Vietnamese crepe for the table. One thing I did notice was that while the other 3 members of my party ordered pho, they only gave us one plate of pho vegetables and herbs. The menu had a charge for extra plates, but the amount of veggies seemed really small for 3 people. As for my food: Rice Noodle Bowl with Grilled Chicken - this was great and a nice hefty portion. It came with a good amount of sweet and tangy fish sauce, and the veggies tasted fresh while the meat was juicy and flavorful. Definitely liked this dish, but the $16 price tag seemed a little high compared to other places I'd been. Vietnamese Crepe - this was also great and a good portion size. It didn't come with a lot of lettuce to make wraps with though, which was a shame since that's how we're used to eating this dish at other places, but the flavor was good and there was a solid amount of filling inside. All in all, the food tasted good, but there were a few small things with the veggies for the pho, the veggies for the crepe, and the price that were a little off for us. Still, it was very tasty and worth the visit! read more

Pho 88 - Rice Noodle Bowl with chicken - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

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This is our go to spot for pho and yes we do have to drive 30+ min but it's worth it for us. There's really nothing close to Atkinson NH. The food is always amazing, the broth and pho are great and consistent. We the love consistency of their pho and that's what brings us back. The service is always good for us, our servers are always on point with everything from water refills to memorizing our orders and not writing it down on paper. We definitely recommend this pho spot if you're craving pho. read more

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$4.95 for a can of coke, it almost cost as much as a meal, food is good but Jesus lol the owner must be one greedy person, read more

Pho 88 - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

Great food and drinks! This huge bowl was only $12 and had lots of beef and noodles in it, very worth it for it's price. I also got the Lychee Margarita and would highly reccomdend it was the perfect amount of sweet and refreshing. The service was also super fast we got our meals about 5 mins after we placed our orders and the atmosphere inside was very relaxing and quiet. read more

Pho 88 - Number 22 beef noodles - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

Huge portion size and fair price Absolutely delicious food, worth checking out Service is both speedy and professional Inside has quite a bit of seating and quite cozy for dinner read more

Coming from San Diego and being assigned to Maine finding a pho restaurant is always high on my priority list. This spot in Lowell did not disappoint. I could close my eyes and be sitting in my mom's kitchen eating my favorites! Very beautiful restaurant that from the outside is fooling. The food is worth the drive! If you are in Lowell it should be a go to spot! read more

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A classic and a go to! I've been countless number of times and I have always enjoyed the food here. The service and ambience is pleasant, but nothing fancy. The food definitely stands out though and my favorites are always pho and pad thai. read more

Last time I was at Pho 88 was about 20 years ago for a business lunch. My wife and I were in the mood for Pho, so I thought I would try it again. We started with the spicy edamame and it was excellent. Extremely flavorful with garlic, onions, peppers, and just the right amount of "fire". We both had the Pho with rare steak only. It was delicious. One way that I judge how good the Pho is going to be, is based on how fresh the basil, bean sprouts, and limes are that they bring out as the garnish. The basil seemed like it was just picked out of the garden. We are very glad, after all these years, that I remembered Pho 88 and we tried it. Highly recommended!!!! read more

Pho 88 has been are go to for Vietnamese and Pho. It is consistently good food, but somewhat inconsistent service. Tonight, our male server was not attentive and we saw him rarely. The food is fresh with plentiful servings of Pho. We started with beef skewers that were tasty and incredible pork & shrimp spring roll was the highlight with the peanut dipping sauce. I went off script and had the lemon grass beef that was flavorful, but had kettle beef that seemed overcooked. It is comfortable if not a little dated like its peers in the area. It has a loyal following. read more

We were there today to have late lunch early dinner and grab a few pho and drinks with friends. We ordered wings and came out with only 4 wings and also it was over fried almost break our tooth. 4 wings $15 ( really!) We also ordered 3 Sapporo cans which we didn't ask for price but it was $15 a can. WTH !! I had been to many Asian restaurants and were no way in hell that those are that expensive. The food was OK, service is OK price was crazy high. This will be our last time there. read more

It's our go-to spot for pho and it's like a hug in a bowl. We've dined in as well as done take out. The service is fast, and the food has always been pretty good. It's a simple cozy ambience to sit in peace and have your meal at. My all time favorites are chicken pho, seafood pho and the seafood noodles. read more

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Delicious food made with fresh ingredients. Great Pho soup. We order to go, haven't dined in.

I'm sure pho 88 will always be good but there's too many other similar spots now that are less crowded so I haven't been here as much lately. the last time I was there the tables were so close together if u end up being seated at the small ones it looked like random people u didn't know could be part of your group lol. maybe they spaced it out more now but I wouldn't mind a little more elbow space while trying to enjoy my pho. this place has a special memory for me growing up as a kid in Lowell it's been around longer than all the other restaurants. it was the first time in my life I tried viet pho and that first sip of the broth opened up a whole new world to me I think it unlocked something inside. It has been my favorite food ever since. Yes I am the real phoking who can finish any challenge out there read more

Best Bun Bo Hue! (Vietnamese Spicy Beef Noodle Soup) I love ordering BBH here or Bun Mang Vit (Duck Bamboo Vermicelli Soup). Service is a little slow but they still get you everything you need :) read more

Pho 88 - Bun Bo Hue - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

Went there with family over the weekend. Menu has depth and everything felt fresh, from the starters to the broths. Service was a little slow when busy, but the staff stayed pleasant. Good spot for comfort food. read more

Pho 88 is an appealing Vietnamese restaurant. It's a casual dining spot with a comfortable atmosphere to meet up with friends or family. The menu consists of typically Vietnamese cuisines and some specials. Their portions are generous for the price. Not sure if they still do hot pot here. I've never tried it myself but I saw customers having it. They are located in a plaza so parking is easy for the most part. Beef Noodle Soup- Beef noodle soup with rare steak, well-done flank, tendon, and tripe. My friend claims they have the best broth in town and she was so right. She has ruined all pho for me because this was excellent. Rich, beefy, just full of flavor. Seafood Noodle Soup- Pork, shrimp, imitation crab meat, squid, fish cakes, and I went with yellow noodles. White noodles are an option. Steamy goodness. Rice Plate with Grilled Porkchop, Julienned Skin, and Steam Ground Pork Cake- Served with a side of fish sauce, cucumber, tomato, and pickled vegetables. So good. Overall Service: Super friendly. They were very chill and let us catch up. Even when we would take leftover pho home, it's still good. read more

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Great food at good prices $ best Pho in drumhill ! Drinks are pretty good as well chai tea !! read more

Pho 88 - Food - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

We wanted a break from Viet Thai and went to Pho 88. It was a cold day and I was on my lunch break, so we both got Pho. I got the Dac Biet and it came out so quickly even during lunch rush. The broth was so good and was deep in flavor. Definitely a much needed taste on a cold day. read more

Pho 88 - Dac Biet - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

Service was good, so was the food. However the charge on extra toppings is a little too much. And the place overall is a big on the pricier side for pho. Good ambience for cozy dining in. read more

ABOUT "PHO 88" There are numerous Vietnamese restaurants across the United States named "Pho 88". I don't know exactly why this is, but I DO KNOW that these "Pho 88" places are NOT PART OF A CHAIN. I have done some extra research, and I think it may be because the "Pho 88" brand name is a very loose franchise that is accessed for lease privately through various Vietnamese immigrant community support groups, such as VIETNAMESE AMERICAN SERVICES, or the VAO (Vietnamese American Organization). Otherwise it is possibly a brand that is Family owned, thus as the decades pass by, and the family has more and more of its children growing up and wanting to open their own branch of the restaurant that they have to open in other cities so as not to compete with their family's other branches. And the third and maybe most likely reason that "Pho 88" restaurants can be found in almost every city that has a large Vietnamese community is because back in Vietnam there is the first and most famous "Pho 88," which most probably opened in Saigon during the Vietnam War when Vietnamese copyright & trademark laws were non-existent. And so, when immigrants from Vietnam came to America after the war, wanting to open a noodle shop of their own, they simply used the only name for a noodle shop that their American customers already knew: "Pho 88". And now, 60 years later, Vietnamese Noodle Restaurants named "Pho 88" are everywhere. ABOUT MY VISITS HERE That said, I have here (having lived in Boston), and to numerous other "Pho 88" Noodle Restaurants, many times. It is also one of daughter's favorite restaurants. Unlike many other Vietnamese places where the noodles in the Pho are too soft, or too thin, or too gummy, or they break: "PHO 88" makes their noodles just right. Here they are wider, and longer, and they hold together well, with just the right bite and chew. ABOUT PHO "Phở," or in the US, "Pho", is a Vietnamese soup consisting of clear seasoned broth (traditionally beef broth), rice noodles called "bánh phở," a few herbs & spices (such as star-anis, cloves, cinnamon, licorice root, and other elements of Chinese 5-spice), and various cuts & preparations of meat (usually beef, but sometimes chicken, pork, seafood, or occasionally a specialty item like quail, eel, duck, or soft-shell crab). However, traditional "Street-Pho" is primarily made with either beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà). Pho is the most popular street food in Vietnam (eaten at night with beer), and is the specialty-dish of a number of restaurants (both mom & pop places as well as chains) around the world, including this "Pho 88". WHICH PHO TO ORDER Try the regular sized bowl of traditional mixed beef (BO) Pho noodle soup (called DAC BIET), or get the large bowl of the same thing (XE LUA) if you have a big appetite. Both have different sized portions of the same traditional beef-meats: which are rare steak (raw when added), well-done brisket, beef-flank, tendon (which is my glistening favorite) & bits of tripe (spongy for texture with no real flavor). I recommend this, but order some extras to add to it. EXTRAS TO ADD TO YOR PHO I recommend ordering an additional side of their Perfectly cooked Tendon: This is my favorite side-order, and it's hard to find Tendon as well prepared as it is here. The texture is its main draw, being in between a slightly denser gelatin and a see-thru beef flavored gummy-bear; only it is lighter than either of those and it ends up melting into delicious butter-broth in your mouth). No-one prepares tendon as well as the Vietnamese). All soups come with a side plate of Fresh BEAN SPROUTS, Thai BASIL Leaves on the stem, and Fresh Slice LIME Wedges. Also ask for a plate of thinly slice raw white onions, plus a side of Vietnamese beef-balls (like very finely ground meatballs), and an extra order of clear broth (in case you add too much Hoisin or Sriracha to your main bowl (both sauces are necessary to add to your taste, but if you over-do it, the extra broth can dilute it). THE CONDIMENTS ON YOUR TABLE Hoisin or Sriracha should be on your table, along with chopsticks, small empty dishes for you side-sauces, plus salt & pepper shakers, some Chili Flakes, a small jar of Hot Red Chili Paste, some small Green & Red Thai Chili-Peppers in vinegar, and a container of salty-fish-sauce which is filled with delicious Umami. NOTE: if you want an extra kick, add some Chilis, or some WHITE Pepper to your soup, but don't add the pre-ground Black Pepper that's on the table, (it will look like dirt and taste like dust). Also, DO NOT Add Soy Sauce (it's the wrong flavor for the soup and it will kill the taste) Also, don't add any extra table Salt (save your added saltiness for the Hoisin and the Fish Sauce, both of which are super salty. OTHER DISHES THAT YOU SHOULD ORDER There are No Fried Crispy Eggrolls better than Vietnamese Fried Crispy Eggrolls: CHA GIO. Wrap them in Lettuce with the Pickled DAIKON, CARROTS and MINT, All Provided. ENJOY! read more

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I ordered pho chay and veggie fried rice with no egg. The food was really tasty. The spice was great, so if you want something really spicy, this is the place. Our server was extremely kind and gentle when taking our order. The restaurant itself was a little dull and not the cleanest. read more

Pho 88 - Veggie fried rice - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

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Did not like the food. Ordered take out. Pho broth was strong and we didn't like it. Not going again sry

I think I just found my favorite spot to get BUN BO HUE! I live in Boston but I'm here in Lowell a lot because I have family out here. I stumbled across one of my friends IG Story and saw that they were here at Pho 88 eating Bun Bo Hue. Immediately the color of the broth caught my attention. A lot of bun Bo hue at restaurants I've been going to is usually light colored and not spicy at all. This had the red coloring and was packed with flavor and a strong spicy kick. By far the best bun Bo hue I ever had at a restaurant. I would literally drive 40-45 minutes to get this every weekend. I highly recommend this for all my BBH LOVERS! Haha Overall, food was excellent. I'll try their pho next time when I'm here! Service was good. Super friendly staff. Very welcoming. read more

Pho 88 - Bun Bo hue!!!! - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

Because this place is in Lowell, MA not in Dorchester, Quincy, or Boston Chinatown, 4 stars. If it were in any of those 3 places, I'd give it 3 stars. If it were in Houston or LA, I'd give it 2 stars if I were feeling really generous. Out in the boonies of New England, one is grateful for what one can get. And what you get here is a pleasant and spacious setting and good service, and decent food in generous portions. But only IF you are smart enough to play it safe and not order anything off the beaten path. At least it's not McDonald's, or Dunkin, or one of those god-awful cheap-cockroach-stand Chinese takeout places. How to "play it safe?" Well, stick to the relatively hard-to-screw-up standards: good ole rice noodle soup (of course it will be made from bouillon cubes not real bone broth, doh), the fried or fresh egg rolls, and any of the vermicelli or rice plates. Do NOT order the "Vietnamese pizza" (a savory crepe which does take some skill to make, which they did a mediocre-at-best job with) or the caramelized pork (which is ordinarily made with nice fatty pork belly but here they used hopelessly dry/lean thin-sliced pork obviously aimed at the non-Asian palate). Speaking of which, looking around the room which was about 2/3 full on a weekend, I'd say about 80% of the clientele were not of East Asian heritage. So, hey, can't really blame them...you gotta do what you gotta do to keep them lights on. read more

Against my better judgement, we decided to give these clowns another shot, instead of going to Pho DaLat Middlesex... What a disappointment... Food wasn't that good, but they made the Cardinal sin of charging extra for a teaspoon of hot sauce when you ask for 'extra spicy'! $0.25 Strike two: $0.50 for a takeout fee. Strike three: $1.38 surcharge for God knows what?!?! What a bunch of clowns... NEVER again! read more

Pho 88 - What a bunch of clowns. NEVER again! - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

Food, service, ambiance, all great. Wish their parking area was bigger. Faves listed.

Still as good as before. Got the number 14 extra large bowl of pho, amazing! Took the soup home to mix with more noodles. The beef was really good, noodles as well, and plenty of fresh bean sprouts to go along. The wait was very short on a Saturday lunch. read more

Pho 88 - number 14 - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

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Always delicious and consistent. Great service and very clean inside. 2nd fav chicken pho of all time.

I love the food. Everything I've eaten here is great! I usually get the pho Chay ( vegetarian) and fresh limeade. I've also loved the summer rolls. I can't make this stuff as well at home read more

Hands down my favorite spot in Massachusetts. The calamari has set the new standard for what I want when I go out. Thick pieces of calamari light and crispy breading, nice peppery taste with fresh peppers and greens to go with it. Service is amazing. They're so friendly and remember us even if it's been weeks. Drinks are solid and I have to be a little cautious some times. Casual atmosphere is nice and relax 10/10! read more

Pho 88 - Salt and pepper calamari - Vietnamese Near Me - Lowell, Massachusetts

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I've been going to this restaurant for years. I love their chicken pho, but for whatever reason they changed the recipe and the broth has a strong 5 spice and cinnamon taste. The last time I ordered takeout I had to add 3 cups of chicken broth to make it edible. so sad! read more

Such a great place! First visit and it won't be our last. Love the hotpot, and the Pho, all soups are amazing, apps are great. Such a fantastic atmosphere and staff is friendly and a comodating to special orders. It's a gem on the Lowell and Chelmsford line. read more

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Authentic and delicious! A great place to go to if you want that authentic Vietnamese cuisine. They also have hot pot as an option! Their pho is light and fresh, filled with tons of meat! Price is also very reasonable. read more

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