Pho Tran... pho Tran, this place has a very special place in my heart. When I was younger I frequented this place every Tuesday with my family. The pho was always so flavorful and the cuts of meats always generous. The stand out star of the place is the Vietnamese duck salad. The sauce for it was tangy sweet and spicy, and the portions were tall and satisfactory. After finishing our meal, (not sure if she is the owner) but the nice lady by the register always came by to chat with us and give us grapes. It was such a core memory I went back recently after many years the service was just the same, she may not give grapes anymore but she was still just as welcoming. When I went for lunch, it was so busy in there and every seat was filled. Service felt like a one man show, but he was running around so quickly, he had everyone in and out and very satisfied. read more

Among the many pho spots in Houston, Pho Tran is a hidden gem that I was surprised to find. A quaint, no frills restaurant ran by a welcoming older vietnamese lady. We got our food fast! I got the combination pho that comes with all the cuts of beef including tripe, tendon, rare beef, and brisket (both fatty and lean). The best part about pho tran is the sheer amount of beef they provide. I got a small (~$13) and they loaded me up with beef and noodles. AND they throw in a free beef bone that is huge and tender. Now...the broth is not quite the best since it was like a beefy water, not as aromatic as other spots. I wish it had more of that pho spice aromatic taste to the broth. Pho Tran is the place to go if you want a lot of beef and a good value pho, but not for the best tasting pho. Will I come back? Maybe if I really want beef... read more

This was my first time visiting Pho Tran, and I'm not sure how long they've been open. They're located in Lion Square where Crown Seafood, Merryland Bakery, and Sun Wing Supermarket are. I noticed they highlight bun rieu in their name, so I assumed it was one of their specialties and decided to try it. My husband ordered a bowl of pho. We arrived around 1:00 pm, and the place was packed, mostly with Vietnamese customers, which is usually a good sign. Almost every table had large bones on it, which caught our attention. When we asked about it, the staff explained that when you order pho, you can request a bone and they'll include one. Sure enough, my husband received a large bone with his pho, while I stuck with the bun rieu We both ordered the small size, which was $13.40. That's a bit on the higher end, especially for bun rieu, which is often around $11-$12 elsewhere, sometimes even in larger portions. As for the my soup, the broth wasn't tomato or tangy, and it wasn't hot. The minced pork and crab were flavorful, but the dish also came with a generous amount of dried shrimp, which I'm not personally a fan of and hadn't encountered before. Given the flavor and portion for the price, I probably wouldn't order this here again. My husband, however, enjoyed his pho especially the bone, which had quite a bit of meat and made the meal very filling. While $13.40 for a small bowl is still on the higher side, the added 'free' bone makes it feel more worthwhile. One thing to note: service was a bit slower than what we're used to. Pho usually comes out within five minutes at many places, but here it took closer to 10 minutes. That said, since people tend to take their time eating the bones, table turnover isn't very fast anyway. Overall, we'll be back--but specifically for the pho, not the bun rieu. read more

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This was my first time eating at Pho Tran, located in Lion Square next to Sun Wing Supermarket in Little Saigon. I recently found my new go-to banh mi spot inside Sun Wing, and the owner, Andy, recommended I try Pho Tran. I had also read several reviews mentioning that their pho comes with a large beef bone, which is pretty unique and not something many other pho restaurants offer, so I decided to give it a try. I ordered a bowl of pho, and my partner ordered bun rieu, a tomato- and crab-based soup that we both really enjoy but is harder to find since not all Vietnamese noodle shops serve it. We arrived on a weekday around 1 p.m., and it was quite crowded. We had to put our name down and wait outside for a table, but the wait was only about 10 minutes. The dining area is fairly small, but it's clearly very popular--almost every table had at least one bowl with a large beef bone. The staff were friendly and welcoming. One thing to note is that the beef bone only comes with an order of pho. If you order one of the specialty dishes, like the bun rieu, it does not include the bone. Pricing is noticeably higher than many other pho spots. A small pho is $13.40 and a large is $14.80. For comparison, Pho Ben in Sugar Land--one of my go-to pho restaurants--charges $10.50 for a small and $11.50 for a large, with very flavorful broth. While Pho Tran says the beef bone is included "for free," the higher price makes it feel like you're essentially paying about $3 extra for it. If you dine here and don't want the beef bone, you're probably overpaying. Unfortunately, the pho itself was a bit disappointing. It wasn't piping hot like pho usually is--it was more warm than hot--and the broth lacked depth of flavor. The veggies were fresh and standard: bean sprouts, basil, lime, and jalapeño. The beef bone experience was enjoyable, though. It's served separately with scissors so you can trim off the meat, collagen, or fat and add it to your bowl. Inside the bone is marrow, which you can scoop out or even use a straw for. The marrow was very tasty and definitely the highlight of the meal. If you're curious about trying pho with a beef bone, this is a good place to experience it at least once. However, it won't become one of my go-to pho spots. I still prefer places like Pho Ben in Sugar Land or Pho Dien in Little Saigon. Parking is easy since it's in a shopping center. Overall, worth trying once for the beef bone, but not a repeat visit for me. read more

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This is in the Viet part of Houston's chinatown! We visited PhoTran on Bellaire Blvd and got the complimentary bone marrow and pho. Their pho was delicious! They gave generous servings of meat. Prices are very reasonable. A large pho bowl is around $13-14, and it typically lasts me 2 meals! The complimentary bone marrow is a unique part of this restaurant! If you want them to cut it off the bone, that costs extra. The complimentary bone marrow is HUGE and comes with a pair of scissors to help you. Service is fast and friendly. You pay at the end at the counter. Inside is nice and clean. I went on a Saturday around 11:30 am and was seated right away. I heard you have to show up before or right around lunch time to make sure they still have the bone marrow! read more

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Another pho restaurant I wanted to try off Bellaire as I continue my pho quest for the best pho in town. When I ordered the pho and took it home, it showed soo much promise, I mean soo much. This restaurant gave me the most meat togo, plenty of flank, brisket, meat balls, etc... I was very impressed the amount of meat it has to go so I see the value already. Plenty of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, sliced jalapeños, basil leaves. One of the best meats and vegetables togo. Sadly what fell flat, was the soup, it had zero flavor. It tasted like water, it had zero flavor, I mean zero. No salt, no fish sauce, no sugar, I don't understand how it looks amazing but doesn't taste like it does. It has no flavoring at all. If the soup had flavor, this would be a different story. I ate all the meat and vegetables and threw away the rest. read more

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My wife and I come here because we like the mom and pop vibes. It reminds us of when we're around home with the family. The soups are all good. This time I got the Phở Đặc Biệt with a side of beef bone. You can never go wrong with this meal if you know how to eat it. read more

Pho Tran - Phở Đặc Biệt with beef bone. - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Pho Tran was recommended to us as we were searching for pho places to try in Houston. We decided to come early in the morning around 8AM as breakfast. We were the only ones dining in at the time. I like that their pho has four different sizes: baby, small, large, and extra large. A little odd that they didn't have a "medium" on the menu. And no matter what type of meat you wanted in your pho, the price is the same. The only price differences was the size of your bowl. I decided to get their filet mignon beef pho in a small. I don't normally eat a whole lot for breakfast so getting anything bigger than that means I won't finish it. The pho came out nice and hot. Noodles were a great texture. The meat, however, was not that great. It was soft and juicy but it did not break apart easily. I had to keep chewing and chewing. The more I ate it, the more I did not want it. The broth was just OK to me. I wasn't really a huge fan. Maybe we went on and off day or maybe I just ordered the wrong meat. Overall, it was just OK. I don't think I would be back when I visit Houston again since there are so many other places to check out. read more

Pho Tran - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I really wanted to love pho Tran and in many ways it delivered a wonderful to go experience. They were so nice and patient when i placed my complicated phone order, making sure they did not miss anything and not rushing me. When i picked up in person, they were even friendlier and offered to help bring my order out to the car. The take out pho came with plenty of fresh veggies and sauces, and they even gave the complimentary bone marrow, which was a nice touch. The portions and extras made it feel like a thoughtful, old school Vietnamese meal, probably the best to-go experience I've had in a while. On the downside, the broth was a bit underwhelming. Even though i appreciate that it was made with bone marrow, the pho lacked of flavor. I wish they'd step up the seasoning and add more of the pho spices. To me the soup tasted bland rather than rich and aromatic. read more

This is a pho restaurant that has been in Houston for a long time, and every time my family and I come by from out of state we always come here whenever we crave pho! It's ran by this sweet old Vietnamese woman (who I'm assuming is the owner) and the service is always quick and friendly. The decor of the place is typical like any other old school pho places and the space is pretty narrow, but we didn't mind all of that since it's not a modernized place. For food, I got their Pho Dac Biet (Special Pho) at a large size ($13.50) and my mom got their Bun Mang Vit (Duck Vermicelli Soup with Cabbage Salad) at a large size as well ($14.50). Prices were decent. Everything was hot and delicious! Also if you ask them for "Xi Quach, which means Bone Marrow with meat, they will give you one with no charge... and trust me it's HUGE! Overall, nice old school Pho restaurant that, although not aesthetic, has a special charm to it with their simplicity and friendly service. read more

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When I want no-frills vibes, fast and furious service, and more importantly, a delicious and piping hot broth of pho, I make sure to go to Pho Tran. It is the quintessential dive in Bellaire Chinatown and the kind of place that is always poppin with locals. It is one of the more underrated noodle soup dives in the city. The interior is stale, with office style flourescent lighting and a handful of the usual faux-granite tables for medium sized groups. When they're busy, the wait can be 20 minutes, but most folks are usually in and out. Even the odor of the various soups they have cooking in the back sometimes permeate the dining room. I'm not complaining, it's like walking into someone's home while they make you a delicious meal. Their namesake pho is outstanding. The murky broth is a little darker than I'm used to, but it was full of flavor with a hint of salt. For the dac biet, the accompanied meats were abundant and the side condiments (especially the Thai basil) was extremely fresh. There are some nice cuts of flank and tendon and I was reasonably impressed with their bo vien meatballs. I'm not calling it the perfect pho, but definitely one that I can enjoy on any day. Additionally they also specialize in bun rieu, bun bo hue, and bun mang vit. (duck bamboo noodle soup) There aren't a lot of places out there that can churn out a quality bowl of each under the same roof, but it's something to take note for anyone who is pho'd out. I was happy with the prices and the relatively relaxed but efficient service. The latter was quick and wastes no time in getting the food to the table. English is not the primary language here, so keep that in mind if you're not able to converse in Vietnamese. I would give Pho Tran a big xe-lua (#1) style thumbs up. __________ (#1) Which btw, is available. Not a lot of places will offer a mega sized xe-lua style bowl, but it's doable here. read more

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The pho here tastes amazing but I feel like it was missing something. 4/5. Everything came out quick! The service was nice and attentive. This place got busy quick and I was glad I got seating when I did! Will come back to try their other pho menu items to compare! read more

Pho Tran - Pho filet mignon - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Local Pho place mostly just doing pho, good value for the amount of food you get. Families and other older Vietnamese folks eating here so you know it's pretty good. Strip mall with ample parking. #1 Pho with Filet Mignon - meat cooked well, still juicy with chew. Lots of noodles to go along with it. Broth is delicious but not as rich as I'd like it to be, hence 4/5. Good bowl of pho though! Vietnamese coffee - really strong, as expected. Fair price too. They have a range of silly drinks to choose from, which is exciting Food comes out pretty fast & it's a small spot so you can easily flag staff down. They get stuff done fast here, no bs. Prices are good and portions are plenty. Worth stopping by if you're in the area. read more

Pho Tran - menu - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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My fav place and will always come back here, love the bones that come with pho and love the staff and owners, everyone so sweet and friendly and very authentic Viet food! Coffee is good too and prices reasonable even though went up a tad too. :-( read more

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I think Pho Tran might be my new favorite Pho restaurant in Bellaire.... They give sooo much meat and it's always so tender! Broth is clear and delicious. I like that they give a bit more variety of fresh vegetables too. Very hole in the wall and frequented by older Vietnamese locals which is a great sign... read more

Pho Tran - #14 - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Not a bad place for Houston pho since there are so many pho places. We enjoy the bone that gives everyone. The place is not the nicest cleanest place but pho is not too bad. read more

The food is good and the service is good. There is one of my favorite places to go to eat Pho and bun rieu.

Good pho and broth, very cozy inside and only a few items are on the menu so you know it's their specialty. It comes with a side of a huge beef bone for extra collagen. I came after lunch and people still kept coming in. They have a super small bowl which is perfect as well as other sizes. read more

Pho Tran - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

OMG! This place was so busy! We came in around 11:30 am (they opened @ 11:00) and they were packed! Luckily, a gentleman just got finished so we were able to get seated as soon as they cleared his table. Chris and I each ordered the large Filet Mignon Pho. The bowl came in steaming with tasty broth, glass noodles, slices of filet mignon, sweet onions and a sprinkle of cilantro. Guests came and went and there were still people waiting to dine. The lady owner and her staff were all very pleasant and friendly. It seems like this place is the go-to for pho in Chinatown! Very pleased! read more

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The pho was really nice and came out super fast, but it honestly did not impress me more so than any other pho restaurant. It was on the pricier side for a bowl of pho in Houston. I saw everyone eating a big bone with their pho as well, and didn't see it on the menu/realize that it was free until I read other yelp reviews after. I think that if they had advertised that, or had offered it to us when ordering, it would've made for a better experience! read more

Pho Tran - Pho dac biet - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Good pho. Huge portion. Nice and clean restaurant. Nice people. Very impressed by the beef in the photo, so tender and juicy, large pieces. read more

Pho Tran - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Been here a bunch of times. They give you huge portions of pho for the price, but it's a bit bland. You can also order one of the giant bones that they use to make the broth for free! The to go curry they sometimes sell is good too! read more

The place is small, but in a quant way. The service was fast, and the Vietnamese iced coffee was good. The prices are a little above average. But the Pho was exceptional, and I have been to many Pho shops in the Bellaire area. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

When Houston freezes over with a temp of 30 degrees and there's black ice and snow flurries on the ground, you obviously seek out warm noodles. My family and I were in town visiting. My mom loves visiting new places--only to go to the Asian neighborhoods and only to eat at Vietnamese establishments. She's pretty singular in her palate and she's 64 now; there's no convincing her that a 25min Uber from our hotel when it's freezing cold outside is not worth it to try a place which an random lady she asked while shopping at HK Market suggested. I digress. HOWEVER, Pho Tran (no relation) was perfection. It was definitely worth it, and as always, my mom was right. We showed up at 10ish am and didn't wait for a table of 4. I got the Bun Mang Vit and highly recommend that's what everyone should try here at least once. It's apparently what they're known for. IYKYK order the beef bone on the side. Honestly, it's gonna be in my Houston rotation. read more

I came here because I was a solo diner and felt bad taking up table at Pho Dien when there were a million people waiting outside, and I wasn't disappointed. The pho broth here is good and compares well to the pho I can get back home in Southern California. I ordered the dac biet (combination), and would probably just order the pho tai next time. My dac biet had many pieces of fat instead of meat, hence the 4 stars. You can also order a side of bones, and by bones, I mean one large bone where they can pick the meat, tendon, and marrow out of the bone. I also ordered the soy milk which was not too sweet and really good. Service was quick. Ambiance is your typical small mom and pop pho shop with pho being the main thing on the menu. When done with your meal, walk to the back of the register to pay. AmEx accepted. read more

Another wonderful lunch here at Pho Tran, which continues to be my favorite pho spot. The pho comes out quickly and tastes so fresh. Broth is flavorful and the meat is generous. The rare steak is tender and delicious and i always love the combo with tendons. Lots of veggies on the side! They offer raw and steamed. Affordable and you will be full! read more

Pho Tran - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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One of my favorite pho spots on bellaire. They give you a big bone for FREE! All you have to do is ask. The broth is super flavorful. No added hoisin or sriracha necessary. The meat is also very tender and very little chewing is necessary. It does get crowded during weekends during peak times, but the wait is well worth it. The staff are friendly, especially the sweet lady at the cashier station. read more

Pho Tran - Phở đặc biệt with xi quach - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

My girlfriend and I are on a mission to find the best pho in town. We have visited A LOT of spots (especially me since Im viet), so we aren't new to the world of pho. We decided that Pho Tran was next on our list to try. Let me tell you, IT DID NOT DISSAPOINT!! The pho was great, the meat was high quality, and they were VERY generous with portion sizes which is rare. Most places skimp on meat and noodles, but Pho Tran stuffs that shit in there! Also, the staff members here are friendly and actually provided great customer service! If you've visited enough viet spots, you'll know by now that they dont really prioritize service; They only care about quality food. Pho Tran, however, delivers both service and food. The only thing that I can complain about here is the broth isn't really my style. It's a very clean broth, and I like "dirtier/meatier" tasting broths. This still doesn't take away their 5 star rating though, because they knocked everything else out of the park SO WELL. I think that this is the best pho i've had so far in Houston. Time to continue my search!! read more

Best Pho! In Houston! Cheap and delicious! Pho is a Vietnamese soup that combines savory broth, tender rice noodles, and fresh herbs, creating a rich, aromatic experience. Pho Houston stands out for its perfectly balanced broth and generous portions, while Lúa Viet Kitchen offers a cozy atmosphere with flavorful, hearty bowls. Local Pho is another favorite for its creative twists and affordability read more

This place is a gem, it's ran by an older lady. She reminds me of my grandma, such a loving, kind & sweet individual. Every time I come here, it just brings back memories of when I lived in Vietnam, I would go to my grandmas house & she would cook whatever I like to eat. Today, I decided to get their bun rieu cua (crab vermicelli soup). I haven't had this soup in like 10 years & since I eat pho a lot, I figured I'll get something else. So the soup was decent but it didn't give me that "WOW" factor however, after adding their shrimp paste. The broth tasted ten times better & it added some richness to it. Just a reminder, I don't recommend you guys smelling the shrimp paste, it smells extremely bad but when you put it in the soup, it taste very good. The reason why I am giving it a 5 stars is because the pho is amazing, the crab soup was decent but I'll just stick with their pho from now on. Overall, great food & service I'll definitely come back. Tip: their Yelp page says it opens at 8:30am but I confirmed it with the owner & it opens everyday at 7am. read more

Pho Tran - Bun rieu cua- decent 3.7/5 - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Found this place on google, saw the raving reviews so asked my husband to go by and place a to-go order. They denied him service and told him they were not doing to-go orders. Didn't give him a reason why... just straight up denied service. While they're not entitled to offering to-go orders, the way it was communicated was poor and disrespectful. We are regulars at many other Vietnamese restaurants in the area but always love to try places we've never been to before. After this un-welcoming encounter, I think we'll stay far away. read more

Really tasty little pho place in a town full of really tasty little pho places. I first frequented this shop a few years ago when they first opened. I thought the pho was great then and I think it is great now. Their broth is not too sweet, the noodles are always fresh, and they never skimp on the meat. Do be careful when you order the raw meat to put into your soup. I have noticed that my meat never fully cooks in my bowl. I am not sure if it is the fact that they give so much meat or if the soup is just not hot enough to cook everything. Regardless, don't be scared to ask for an extra bowl of soup. I use the extra bowl to cook my meat to my liking. When this place first opened, they used to give out whole bananas at the end of your meal. I just thought that was so cute! They don't do that anymore but they will give you the beef bones used to make their broth. You can order one for the table and they will bring this huge piece of beef bone in a bowl. It comes with scissors to cut off the meat and tendons. Don't forget to go digging for the marrow! read more

Pho Tran - Huge beef bone - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

This place doesn't need anymore publicity but I'm vouching for it anyway. Everything is *chef's kiss* and I'm not even exaggerating because I've never bad a bad dish here, from pho to bun rieu to bun mang vit. They're also the only pho place I know that serves chén tiết (pictured below).The tái is so soft and not overly cooked like many pho places. The meatballs come in huge chunks. I got a small and the amount of meat is astronomical. Sometimes I also get the bún riêu and it tastes just like home. Best of all you get a huge bowl of beef bone (xi quach) for free upon asking. Bless this place. read more

Pho Tran - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Pho Tran is a place we found from Yelp by rating, then become one of favorite restaurant in town, my husband and I like their Combination Pho, also enjoy the free bone, it's a small but lovely place. read more

Pho Tran - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Service was quick and nice but th place was such a disappointment. I was so hyped up due to all the good reviews but the pho was just OK and nothing to rave about. The broth was bland and had no pho aroma. The meats were just ok but a bit chewy. The pho was by no means terrible nor inedible but there are definitely better out there. $12 for a small, I think this was the most expensive bowls of pho I had. Definitely not worth the price! read more

Pho Tran - Small pho with bo vien, nam and gau - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Best pho in town!! Our goto place whenever we crave this hearty hot soup. Either on cold days (rare) or hangover (common) Their beef is spot on, done just right so it doesnt crumble. Soup is the closest we've ever tasted to one in Vietnam. Highly recommended!! read more

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It's our go to place for bun mung vit. The pho is pretty good as well. In another review I've mentioned that it's a shame that other restaurants that serve pho charge for xi quat (bones) which typical will have tendon, meat and may have marrow. U literally get a huge joint piece the size of a entire large bowl for free. Yes free. Just ask for it. It usually is gone by 2pm the owner says and u shouldn't get it early in the morning as the meat and tendon parts are relatively tough still. Order it only if your in the hood for lunch. The service is always friendly and can get extremely busy so plan your visit as you may have to wait for an open table. read more

Hands down the best pho in town. Xi quach (beef bone) is free! And there is so much left on the bone that I don't know how they aren't losing money. Their bun Mang Vit (vermicelli noodles with bamboo and duck) is also 10/10. Service is impeccable. Everyone working here is incredibly nice and there have been multiple times that they have gone out of their way to provide amazing service. For example, helping me carry food to my car so I don't have to make multiple trips. The lady working in the front is an absolute sweetheart and greets patrons like they're family. Great place, service and food. read more

Pho Tran - Lunch with dad. He loves the xi quach! - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Wow this Pho was excellent! Parking not an issue because in a shopping center. Make sure you are hungry!. I have the combo Pho and it was excellent. It has a nice flavor and the meet was very tender. I first thought I was not going to be able to finish; however, it was tasting so good I finished it all. Not a place for eye candy just go with an appetite and ready to have some good Pho! It was less than $20 for the two of us, so very reasonable. read more

Pho Tran - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

We stopped in here for lunch after shopping. The food was excellent! We can't wait to return! read more

Pho Tran - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas