In a saturated market for pho, you won't go wrong finding a place in South Bay, and no doubt, Pho San Jose will come up in your search - not only for its search engine optimized name but also their picturesque bowls of noodles loaded with succulent slices of meat.
Sandwiched among a variety of cafes and restaurants in this large lot, Pho San Jose hosts locals and visitors alike to their small, yet comfortable dining space brightly lit by the sunlight coming through their windows and the ambient light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. On the wall to your immediate left as you walk in, you'll find the trendy faux grass/hedge with their name lit up in the center.
As you walk in, you may find that it's packed and requires you to put down your name on the waitlist. We came in for an early dinner and the place was pretty sparse so we were seated right away. We were given waters and menus to peruse but we noticed they also had menus accessible via the QR code at each table.
The menu was pretty simple with starters, pho/noodles, rice plates, and desserts/beverages. As a first timer, I selected the signature pho sharing its namesake. It's the typical combo that has a bit of everything. When you order, the default size is their regular but you can opt for the smaller size by request. Add ons are extra of course, but I found the regular portions were plenty enough. In addition, after placing our order, we were given a plate of bean sprouts, basil, and limes as toppings to our pho.
While we waited, we prepared our chopsticks, spoons, napkins, and sauces which were all self service at each table. When the massive bowls came, everything was submerged in soup. One sip of this nectar was the cue for my stomach to open up and to start chowing down. The noodles were still bunched up when the bowl came so we did the typical dance of spreading the bowl with the toppings, mixing it all up to keep things cooking, and tasting the soup as you smack your lips in anticipation of the meal in front of you.
My bowl of the Pho San Jose was loaded with flanks, brisket, riblet, steak and tendon. It was the perfect amount of meat and relatively lean on all the cuts. For a carnivore, this bowl will satisfy your hunger! The amount of noodles was just right and I slurped up most of my soup to top off my full belly.
The staff were pretty friendly and quick with their service. They all seem to be multi tasking to be as efficient as possible to keep the place churning and clean.
For payment, I had walked up to the register toward the back of the shop. They offer a cash discount, otherwise you pay a 3.75% service fee. For gratuity, they automatically include it for parties of 6 or more. The price is pretty high, however I do feel like pho prices have been skyrocketing for the past few years. You'll still get decent value out of your meal, but the price point will prevent me from eating out here regularly.
Overall, Pho San Jose is worth a visit if you're a fan of pho and would like to get a good hearty helping of protein with your bowl. The quality is high but so is the price and if you're looking to dine on a budget, it may be challenging here. If you're in the area and trying to get a hot bowl of soup and noodles, Pho San Jose should be highly considered! read more