Vietnamese food here is constantly very good and the crowded customers shows this restaurant is popular with locals. The pho is good but we really loved the fresh spring rolls and bbq beef rich dishes. It was cooked perfectly. Staff here is fast and efficient. You get your food fairly quickly. Prices are reasonable. The restaurant has lots of seating and is kept very clean. read more

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We came in on a Saturday afternoon and it was not busy at all. The staff is always nice here and they are prompt to welcome you and seat you. We ordered the: 1 large spicy beef noodle soup (vn1) bun bo hue and it was not spicy at all. The broth had a fishy taste so maybe too much fish sauce?, not sure, it was also very fatty and not our favorite. So definitely stick with the pho when you come here. The broth was also served luke-warm and I prefer my soup to be hot. The good thing about this soup is that it had a lot of various meat (beef shank, meatballs, and pork) 1 large pch (n3) pho. This one had rare steak, flank, fatty brisket, tendon and tripe. The broth to this one was served hot and it tasted much better than my bun bo hue. read more

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Wanted to try this pho spot because of its amazing reviews. Went during lunch time (1:25) and there was a wait/ line there was 7 people ahead of the line and it took about 15 minutes to get inside. The food was a total miss. I ordered the specialty pho, egg rolls and 2 color dessert. Everything was bland and didn't have the flavors I was hoping for since this place was rated so well. Overall the wait for this spot is not at all worth it. What I will say though is their customer service is amazing the best out of all the pho spots. They are clean, quick service and there are people actively making sure condiments are stocked, perhaps this is why they rated it high. Service, 5 stars, food, 1 stars = 3 stars total read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

My pho was delicious. My first time coming to Pho Cow. I have heard good things about this restaurant and I finally had the opportunity to try it out. I love pho and this place hit the spot. Service was fast and easy. Most importantly my food was very tasty. If you want some authentic pho this is the place to come. read more

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A decent pho place for when you're craving your mom's noodle and rice dishes, but you're too far to get some. But if I had the choice, I'd make the drive to Orange County just for some good pho. This was my first time visiting this place, and I had to put my name on the waitlist. There were 8 parties ahead of me and it only took 20 minutes in order to get seated. We all ordered pho, and the server was quick to bring out the food. He also brought nước béo for me when I had requested some, which i thought was unique because not many restaurants offer it, even though it's for pho connoisseurs. If you're reading my review, I'd suggest you try it with your pho (it's beef fat with scallions in oil to enhance your soup). I thought the soup was lacking in comparison to the pho places in OC. The meat wasn't as tender or flavorful, but the aroma was great and powerful. Again, not bad for a random location in San Diego. The inside was bigger than you'd expect; it seated numerous tables. The floor is sticky to walk on( but they serve customers constantly. I don't think I'd be back, but it's not a bad place to go to. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Pho Cow Cali Express is located in Mira Mesa just a few blocks west of the 15 freeway on Mira Mesa Blvd. I've been here numerous times purely for nostalgia and because my family likes it here. Sometimes you'll see a line out the door so you'll need to sign in. The wait time is typically quick unless you have a huge party. My order usually consists of their Grilled BBQ Pork Vermicelli (Bun Thit Nuong) and their Egg Rolls (Cha Gio). This restaurant has plenty of seats and the ambiance is very casual. There are TVs around and it's mid-noisy inside. The service is pretty quick given that the menu isn't as large as other Vietnamese restaurants. There's prices are also decent and competitive for the area. The servers are really just there to take orders, bring out orders, etc. - very casual dining. One thing to note: The aroma will stick to your skin, hair, and clothing! And it's pretty intense. It should definitely be your last stop of the day. Don't say I didn't warn you. Overall, Pho Cow Cali dishes out simple Vietnamese food, where the service is quick and dining is casual. read more

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We were initially a little deterred by the line, but the wait ended up being painless and the food came out quickly once we sat down. We got the #1 pho special and the grilled BBQ pork and egg roll vermicelli bowl. Both were generous portions and really tasty. The egg rolls were super crispy and the grilled pork had great flavor and char. Definitely becoming one of our go-to spots for Vietnamese food when we're in SD! read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - #1 special pho and grilled bbq pork + egg roll vermicelli bowl - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

I heard that this place was pretty popular and since I was craving Vietnamese food, I decided to give this a try. When we arrived a little bit before noon there was already a waiting list and a line outside. We probably waited for about 15-20 minutes before our group of 4 was called. I ordered the regular size Rare and Well Done Pho ($12.50), and I also tried out the egg rolls. The food came out pretty quickly, and the pho was piping hot. Everything tasted fresh, and the broth would taste so good on a cold day. The herbs and sides that comes with the pho were all fresh and didn't seem old at all. Service is quick and they try to stay efficient. Since there is a line outside, they try to get people in an out as quickly as possible. They take your orders, drop off your food, and drop off the check pretty quickly, however if you need something in between, and are trying to call them over, it feels like they glaze right over you and pass you without looking. My water was also left empty and it was hard getting someone's attention for a refill. Overall the food itself was pretty good. Service is okay since they really focus on just moving parties in and out as quickly as possible. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Rare and Well Done Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Pho Cow Cali is such a solid pho spot that also offers a wide variety of appetizers, pho, rice and vermicelli dishes, plus drinks. Even when there's a long line, the wait usually ends up being only about 10-15 minutes max. Service is fast and friendly, and restaurant is always clean. #26 Spring Rolls (10/10): Filled with pork slices and shrimp. They're made fresh, and rice paper was soft, not hard or dry at all. #1 Special Combo Pho (10/10): Huge portion with tons of different meats. Broth is rich and flavorful, meats were cooked well, and noodle portion is generous. #29 Pork Rind & Grilled Pork with Broken Rice (9/10): Very nostalgic dish served with fish sauce and a small side of pho broth. Only thing is I wished grilled pork portion was a bit bigger since ratio felt slightly off this time. Thai Tea with Boba (10/10): Delicious and perfectly chewy boba. Definitely a reliable spot when you're craving pho and classic Vietnamese dishes. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - special combo pho - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Still an excellent value after all these years. Service is quick. Food is delicious and an absolute value. The dining area is relaxing and comfy. I love how they still have the Philip Rivers and Ladanian Tomlinson memorbelia on the walls. When you're craving Vietnamese Cuisine, visit here and get that fix. Thank me later. Remember to tip well. read more

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Over a decade since I've been visiting this establishment and I still stand by my words that they have the best pho in all of San Diego. Regardless of what pho or noodle you order, the broth is on point and pack with flavor. The service is fast and despite and long like out the door, their staff always makes sure you are taken care of and quick. The ambiance is nothing to write home about but then again what pho place does anyone visit for ambiance? They've got an ample amount of seating to fit the huge crowds so the waitlist moves faster than expected. read more

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Dining room is clean, bustling with patrons & staff at 2pm on a random Thursday. Service was fast and friendly. Food came out hot and yummy. Love the pho with rare beef. They forgot our egg rolls order but once reminded they came out fast. Cafe on ice was rich and tasty. Just a delicious and satisfying lunch served by warm friendly people. Thank you. read more

Every time I have a craving for pho in SD, I head to Pho Cow Cali. AND Every time I go here, it's packed or the waiting list is long. Understandably so, since their pho is reliably good. The other day I came in with a big group and thankfully the wait for a table was less than 15 minutes. There's a good amount of seating inside, and the restaurant itself was very clean. We were sat at one of the tables in the middle of the restaurant so there was a bit of foot traffic but nothing too disruptive. I ordered the pho tai nam which came out piping hot! So delicious. My aunt was able to split a bowl of pho for her two kids, and the server mentioned that she could order a side of noodles so both of the kids had a good soup to noodle ratio. Our server was very nice and super attentive. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Pho tai nam - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Haven't been here in a while but still one of my favorite restaurants in the area, and have never had a bad meal here. Arrived to a group of people waiting outside to be called, as is usual, but was seated quickly. Ordered #52, Grilled Chicken with Egg Rolls and Vermicelli, and it was on point. Ordered spring rolls as well, and they were delicious. Pleased that my order came out in about 5 minutes. I love that some of the entrees come with egg rolls. Service was solid and parking is usually pretty easy. Will return. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Shrimp spring rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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If you're craving pho in San Diego, this spot is a solid go-to. Pho Cow Cali Express has built a reputation over the years for its rich, slow-simmered broth and super fast service...your bowl usually hits the table within minutes. Dishes I tried: Shrimp rolls with peanut sauce: 10/10 Fillet Mignon pho: 9/10 The broth was flavorful but I felt they could've added a bit more beef slices compared to the amount of noodles. Shrimp noodles: 8/10 The broth tasted a little bland and there wasn't enough broth compared to the noodles. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Shrimp rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Hands down the best Vietnamese restaurant in San Diego. And I don't say that lightly. Yes, there's almost always a line during dinner. And yes, it moves fast. Once you're seated, the service is seriously impressive. Orders are taken quickly, food comes out lightning fast, and everything hits the table hot and fresh. They run this place like a well oiled machine. Let's talk food because wow. The egg rolls are easily the best you can ask for. Crispy on the outside, perfectly seasoned, not greasy, and insanely addictive. Order them. Non negotiable. Their pho is consistently on point. Rich, flavorful broth that tastes like it's been simmering all day, generous portions of meat, and fresh herbs every time. Whether you're doing brisket, rare steak, or combo pho, you really can't go wrong. The vermicelli bowls are another standout. Big portions, perfectly grilled meats, fresh veggies, and that balance of sweet and savory that keeps you going back for more. The grilled pork and beef plates are also worth the hype, tender, flavorful, and always cooked just right. Portions are generous, prices are fair, and quality is consistent. That combo alone is rare these days. Bonus points for being kid friendly. It's lively and loud enough that you don't feel stressed bringing kids, which is a huge win for families who still want great food. Friendly staff, fast service, and food that never misses. This is one of those places you crave, recommend without hesitation, and keep coming back to even when the wait looks intimidating. Worth the wait. Every single time. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - 26 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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First time here while visiting. The wait was not long but once we got seated the service was quick and the food came out super fast. It was tasty. The pho and the pork vermicelli was good. We liked it. The restaurant was clean. When we were leaving there was a line of people waiting. Busy place!!! read more

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Scored a seat immediately today--perks of dining on MLK Day! If you know your order ahead of time, the service here is lightning-fast. We went with our standard favorites: #4 Pho: Well-done steak, flank, brisket, tendon, and tripe. The broth is consistently solid. #35 Broken Rice (Com Tam): Topped with pork rind, steamed meatloaf, and a grilled pork chop. The broken rice dish comes with a side of fish sauce and a cup of pho broth. It's the perfect way to get those aromatic soup vibes without having to commit to a full bowl of pho. The interior is basic classic mom and pop giving vibes where food is the main priority. If you want traditional, consistent pho, this is the spot. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - #35 pork rind steam meatloaf grilled pork chop broken rice w/ side of fish sauce and pho broth - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

I was shocked that our group of 8 was able to get a table so fast on a weekday night. Once we ordered our food came out even faster! We all got pho of course and it was perfect for a chill night. The broth was tasty and the spring rolls great too. read more

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Service was pretty quick. We saw the line and how many parties were ahead of my group of 4, but the wait was not long. Not only did we get seated pretty fast, we also got served quickly right after ordering. The pho was good and typical of the Vietnamese dish. Definitely would come back to try other dishes. read more

Tl;dr Still the best pho in San Diego. The food is high quality, super cheap, and the service is incredibly fast. Came here for lunch during a super busy weekend. This is my go-to spot. The soup isn't too sweet, which I prefer, and the broth has great depth. I usually get the beef brisket and meatballs. The portions are very generous for the price. On a side note, my mom had the vermicelli bowl with grilled pork and their grilled pork is amazing. You can always get a side order as well. I used to do that in high school. For appetizers, the egg rolls are a must. They are massive for Vietnamese egg rolls and come out super crunchy. Even if you see a crowd outside, don't let the line scare you off. We were 20th in line during peak hours but only waited about 10 to 15 minutes. They have a huge seating area and they turn tables around faster than almost anywhere else. If you want top-tier pho without a massive wait or a high price tag, this is the place. read more

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Service: [4/5] The service is no-frills, but honestly, I don't hold it against them. It's a high-volume, fast-paced restaurant and the staff keeps things moving. There isn't any reservation system, so you write your name down on a waitlist when you get there. If you arrive during the dinner rush, especially on the weekends, expect to wait 45-90 minutes. But they make up for it once you're seated. Food is on your table within 5 minutes of ordering, which speaks for itself. Price: [5/5] Very reasonable for the quality and portion size you're getting. Great value across the board. Food/Drinks: [5/5] Chicken Pho -- My go-to every time. Clean, rich broth with tender chicken. Add some hoisin sauce and sriracha for additional flavor! House Special Pho with Filet Mignon -- My boyfriend's usual. The filet mignon elevates the classic house special and is worth the upgrade if you're feeling indulgent. Thai Tea (no boba) -- We always get this alongside our pho. The combination is underrated and something I'd recommend to anyone coming here for the first time. Ambience: [4/5] It's a busy spot in Mira Mesa -- don't come expecting a relaxed, quiet meal. The quick turnaround makes up for it though. Worth noting that it's right next to Somi Somi, so dessert is basically built into the trip. Overall Experience: [5/5] Pho Cow Cali is my favorite pho in San Diego. The chicken pho and Thai tea combo are reason enough to make the drive to Mira Mesa. Service is straightforward, but the food more than compensates. Grab your pho, get a Thai tea, and stop at Somi Somi on the way out -- solid meal every time. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Chicken Pho, House Special Filet Mignon Pho, and Thai Teas - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Came in around 12 with a big crowd waiting outside. There's a hand written waitlist outside you self sign up on. We got seated in 20min and placed our order. Egg rolls came right away and the entrees followed quickly. All dishes were all amazing! Their pho is more northern style which is more salty than sweet which I liked. Do order the tri color pudding on ice! read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Egg rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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We stumbled upon this place and it was worth the wait!!! After a weekend of adult fun......we were looking for something filling but light. Searched places on our way back home and decided to get Pho. This was the place to be!! The line and wait was long but the service for us to get and served was quick. They brought our food out within minutes of taking our order. The place was packed but family style setting. The service was great and the food is just icing on the cake!! Will be back. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

I adore Pho Cow Cali! The food is excellent. It is always fresh and they run so efficiently. You can easily go for a quick lunch or dinner and will not be there too long but are also not rushed out. The pho broth is lovely! It has a great aroma. It is night and light. Their eggrolls are some of my favorite and served with fresh green leaf lettuce. The service is always quick and courteous. There is usually a wait but just sign in on the pad of paper near the door and hang out. It moves pretty quickly! Enjoy! read more

Ive lived around here for so long but forgets to write a review here. Lol I dont come here often purely bc of the wait time. The taste doesn't justify my wait. Don't get me wrong, the pho is just above average but simply not enough for me to wait 30m. What I do love about the place is the price. Its very cheap here. Its a big enough restaurant and people are in and out, but due to the wait it is a heavy deterrent. The service is also awful. My host just comes out to call my name and walks right inside. He doesn't even acknowledge if im right behind or not. My water was never refilled, and my order was taken down wrong. The bun bo hue was also above average and the che was decent. At 13$ for a bowl of pho, its very affordable read more

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Wow, I can't believe it's been eight years since my first review! My opinion has definitely changed over the years! This is one of my family's favorite restaurants to come to together. As soon as you arrive, make sure you add your name to the clipboard in the possum outside the front door. You do it yourself, there's no hostess. They blast through that waitlist pretty quick. The shopping center that they're in can sometimes be very busy, but I've always been able to park. It's very busy inside, a little loud. They are very well staffed and attentive. It's not fancy in anyway, but the service is good, the food is good and you can get in and out pretty quickly. The last time I was there there was a fruit fly issue at the back tables. It was a little frustrating and we had to be on guard to try and avoid them landing on our food. We eat there often and that's the first time it's ever happened so I'm definitely not upset about it. I feel pretty certain the next time we go that issue will be resolved. They have lots of seating, it'd be good for small and large groups. There is a restroom in the back for customers. It's a total plus that right next-door is a SomiSomi. read more

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Fast and delicious viet spot in Mira Mesa! Got the number 12 pho and the items here come out quite fast. The prices here can't be beat, and portions are pretty big/filling, don't underestimate the bowl size. Servers take your order and puts out your order, nothing fancy but a homey viet spot for sure. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - #12 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

I've been here a couple of times and it was on a weekday late afternoon or early evening. Parking can get a bit crowded/limited but I never had to wait when coming to the restaurant. It is always crowded inside with a lot of people coming here - I don't think I ever seen this place quiet before. My go-to food will always be Pho Tai (whether it's for this place or any other pho places). While the food does come out pretty fast and I do like the noodle and the meat, I feel like they put a lot of MSG in the broth cause it's a bit too salty on my end. I usually don't drink a lot of water when eating my food but I have to drink 1.5 cups of water because of how salty the soup is. Sure, I can avoid having the soup but you can't skip it with noodles! I still think it's good but this is the one place I can't seem to finish my whole pho bowl cause of how salty it is. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Pho Tai - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Pho Cow Cali is a favorite stop when I visit friends in Mira Mesa. You can tell they're popular from the line! When I popped in for take-out on a Tuesday night, the line went down the sidewalk. But take-out is fast ordering inside in person. It's almost impossible to get them over the phone during dinner rush. For spring rolls and a vermicelli bowl, we only paid about 26$ including a small tip! Their spring rolls are packed full, and the vermicelli bowls and pho are so flavorful. The parking lot is a bit of a nightmare, but staff are always super quick and helpful. Always looking forward to nights in with PCC! read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Shrimp spring rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

This place Is insane. I mean that in the best way. This is the best pho I have ever had and I'm a huge pho eater. It's one of my favorite foods. Their broth, meat, garnishes, vegetables are just unmatched to anywhere else I have tried. Food is 10 out of 10. The only issue is you do have to wait a good 30 mins to get seated as there is always a long line and wait to get seated and rightfully so because their food is just excellent. Their Thai iced tea is also very flavorful and rich as it's intended to be. Love this place! read more

I recently moved to San Diego from Sacramento so I am currently on the hunt for solid Vietnamese food/pho in SD. I decided to come here Veterans Day is there was a lot of people but it went by quick. The parking lot was small but there were some spots in the same plaza you can hit up like Gong Cha and Somi Somi. The inside was what I would expect from a Vietnamese restaurant, no frills but there was a good amount of seating inside. As the most rated spot in San Diego, I was excited to try this place out. I got the Pho Dac Biet Xe Lue and while it looks promising, I felt that the broth itself wasn't flavorful, which left me disappointed, 6.5/10 (this may change as I try different pho spots in San Diego). They also do not have thicker pho noodles, which I would order if available. Overall, I wouldn't mind coming back to get their other dishes but the pho wasn't impressionable to me. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Dac Biet Xe Lua(extra Large Bowl) - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Busy spot on a weekday! Have been wanting to try this local spot for awhile and it was worth the short wait for a table. Service was quick and food came out swiftly. Impressive to see this spot being such a well oiled machine. Appreciated the soup being served hot! Lots of fresh herbs and bean sprouts. You can appreciate the pho aroma before even stepping foot inside. Egg rolls were crispy as they're well known to be. Tried their pho tonight but will need to try their rice dishes another time. There's a good reason there's usually a wait for a table but no worries as tables move in and out quickly. Efficient workers and good service. Lively ambiance, clean and bright. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Food 10/10 Service 11/10 Cleanliness: 10/10 Vibe: Homey Parking 6/10 Bathroom: single stall accessible Pho Cow Cali (this location in plaza) is one of the fastest most reliable and affordable places to eat in San Diego. Very affordable Vietnamese food with SUPER SPEEDY but kind and attentive service. Every time I've been, no matter how many people are ahead on the wait list, I've never had to wait more than 20 minutes to get seated. Servers are very speedy but doesn't feel rushed. I've never waited more than 5 minutes for the food to come out, and food is always fresh. Great for big groups of broke college kids. San Diego must visit! read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Combo Pho, Egg Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Never disappointed. There is usually a wait, sometimes more than 30 min. But the wait is well worth it. I've been to so many pho spots and this one is my go-to. Their other dishes are also great. Service is fast once seated. They have an efficient system. They rush but I never feel rushed. Their prices are reasonable. And they have beautiful art and decor. They also have televisions spread throughout with several different stations to keep bored people busy! Overall, I highly recommend Pho Cow Cali as one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in all of San Diego. read more

Plenty of parking in a lot with several other restaurants and dessert places (Somi Somi, Gong Cha). It is always busy no matter when you come but the rotation is pretty fast as the restaurant is a decent size. Their pho has really flavorful, clear, and clean taste. They are not cheap with the amount of meat they give in the soup or the rice dishes. Their bbq beef or pork rice dishes are seasoned really well and has that charred flavor. Egg rolls are crispy and hot. Services are quick. Food comes out immediately after ordering and we are normally out of the restaurant within 30minutes. Staff are friendly and the restaurant is always kept clean. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Pho Tai (no cilantro)- regular size - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

Easily my top 5 favorite pho restaurants in San Diego! The service is impeccably fast and it always hits the pho craving spot everytime. Parking can be pretty bad depending on the day but the waitlist goes so fast everytime. Food comes out very quick too, so I'd recommend looking at the menu prior to sitting down to save yourself and others some time! read more

My favorite pho place in San Diego! The moment you sit down, the server takes your order immediately and the wait always goes by quickly. The food comes out super fast and everything is so hot! I love that they have tv screens everywhere so you can watch the game while you eat. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Egg roll - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Best pho in San Diego. It is a wait, especially on the weekends. But you need to go if you like Vietnamese food!

I ordered the iced coffee and pho. And I was sadly informed they no longer serve thai basil, what a bummer. The pho is good all in all but thai basil. The staff were super attentive and wonderful. The service upon getting seated and paying was seamless. The dining area is a bit tight. read more

Pho Cow Cali Express - Pho and coffee - Vietnamese Near Me - San Diego, California