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    PHOnomenal

    4.8 (508 reviews)
    ModerateNoodles, Soup, Cambodian
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    PHOnomenal Photos

    Business Info

    PHONOMENAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - PHOnomenal

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    Jessica A.

    10/10! This place has been on my bucket list since they opened. They close when food is sold out so calling ahead of time is THE best move for you if you're aiming to eat here. My husband and I got lucky and were able to score a parking spot and a table right before they stopped serving food. Their menu is small but so good! Everything is made fresh! Their ribs are so tender and fall right off the bone. Broth is amazing. It was our first time here and we both agreed that we would definitely come back. Seating is limited so call ahead of time or come right when they open! Service is quick, staff are friendly! We'll be back forsure!

    Sunny C.

    Another great pho spot. Also great value. There is a lot of rib meat in the signature pho. The rolls are also one of the largest I've seen. The restaurant is kind of small so when they are short staffed the wait can take a bit longer. But even with that the service was really good and quick.

    Shrimp Rolls
    Ariadna S.

    I spontaneously found this spot while looking for a place to have a late breakfast at. Definitely a place I'd recommend to anyone. I have a soft spot for places with hyper-specific menu with small amount of items that they specialize in. The spring rolls were thicc with two "c" and the soup was so delicious. The meat was so tender it fell off the bone! 11/10 would recommend and come back myself. The staff is very welcoming and nice! The restaurant is small and fills in quick so you gotta get on a waitlist and pay attention hard when called. As an entertainment side story that is in no way regarding service here because guys nailed it well for how busy it was: We did have an "interaction" with another guest who was convinced we took her spot in line and were seated at "technically her table." While in reality they never even answered when were called (a person called them inside and came outside to call as well) and somebody else (a party of two) ended up being sat instead of them. When it was our turn, they didn't even call our party by name, the person running the shift just pointed at us and called us up because he knew we also were waiting for an hour and we had a friendly conversation earlier. But yeah, for some reason girly-pop really felt a need to not only tell us they were skipped "because of us" but go on nagging about it lol

    Pho
    Dustin V.

    Really love their sugar cane and pho. YOU HAVE TO COME EARLY BECAUSE THEY SELL OUT BEFORE THEY EVEN CLOSE. Sometimes lines start forming before they open on any random day of the week. This is my go to for pho. The owners really connect with the customers and genuinely remember many of their customers. I love how both the drinks and food are both top of the top. There's a reason why they sell out on food.. I would put these guys in national television if I could lol

    Sue D.

    We enjoyed our experience and the food: * The House Special ($18.95) 5/5 -- The pho had good texture and was perfectly cooked. * Shrimp & Pork Rolls ($9.95) 4/5 -- Fresh veggies and flavorful sauce. Service: 3/5 Pleasant, however, we weren't given menus when we were seated. A few minutes later, the waiter came by and asked, "Are you ready to order?!" Lol. Also, we ordered one bowl of Pho, but they brought us two. No problem though; they took it back with no fuss.

    James V.

    The absolute real deal! Huge shout outs to Sam the Boss and Chef Sinatra. Incredible hospitality and vibes. The noodle soup is an absolute banger - we savored every drop. The flavor is so clean and delicious. Definitely the best I've had at a restaurant. Generous amount of herbs and beansprouts. The chili oil is flavorful and top tier. Felt great after the experience. Absolutely cannot wait to retime with more friends. Thanks again gentlemen!!

    Jessica M.

    We arrived right around opening time on a Sunday approx 10 a.m. We waited inside for about an hour. Sam made sure to make us feel welcome and once our table was ready our pho didn't take long to come. I think they were only serving one type of pho but it was delicious! Best broth and noodles I've had in such a long time. Even my husband who doesn't usually enjoy pho loved it! Will def be coming back. The wait time was a bit long but it was worth it

    Pho
    Erik W.

    You got to be real hungry coming here We order three ribs before she was five people and still have leftover to go

    Beef rib pho
    Brent Y.

    The owner here is super nice and he always makes me the best pho! I try to come out every month if I can, and it's a at minimum 2 hour drive from Orange County! Definitely a must try if you can make it out there!

    Pho
    Tami N.

    Agree that this is definitely the best pho in San Diego! I can see why this place sells out quickly so recommend you call ahead to see if they're already sold out for the day. The owner and staff are very nice and attentive! The pho portion itself is hefty and comes with all the usual toppings and a rich yet clean broth. DO NOT SLEEP ON THE CHILI OIL, it's spicy and a wonderful pairing. Go easy on it though if you can't handle spice. We also enjoyed the THICKEST shrimp and pork roll if you're not still satisfied with your pho!

    Spring Shrimp Rolls
    Thuy Dan T.

    This spot lived up to the hype for me. The pho was delicious and the service amazing. The ultimate comfort in a bowl. We were there on a Thursday at 10am in case they was a line. Luckily there was not but by 11am folks were waiting and by 1pm, they were sold out for the day. The Pho broth has a really nice beef flavor and the beef rib is definitely fall off the bone, but may need scissors to cut bite through some of the tendon. The noodles were bouncy even in the broth too. I ordered the vinegar white onions on the side and 100% worth it. We ordered ordered the spring rolls for a starter and they are densely packed with a good peanut/hoisin sauce. A lot of vermicelli noodles, but the lettuce was crispy and the shrimp are full pieces, not like cut in half like some other spots. Also their homemade chili oil is one of the best I've tasted. It really has the kick, has some texture/crunch, and just really good flavor. We bought one to take home too - just delish. The staff was incredible and super accommodating. We had some children in our party and were on toddler time so half of our group arrived very early. They allowed us to order for the first half and when the second half arrived, we ordered even more.

    Michael N.

    Worth the 2 hours drive, we live in Santa Ana and come down to San Diego once every full moon, but this is the place you guys can't miss out! It's gotta be the best pho in San Diego.

    Menu
    Suzette E.

    Back here again and this place never disappoints! It just gets better each time. Utterly obsessed!

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - PHOnomenal

    What if I only want the ribs not the meatballs can I do that & is it the same price as the house special even tho I don't want meatballs or do I just get more beef ribs?

    Yes, and the price is a few $$ less.

    Do I need to make reservations?

    Reservations are not required.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Lao Community Plaza

    Lao Community Plaza

    4.4
    (118 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $

    There are a few places that offer the one item I use to compare all Thai and Laotian food eateries,…read morenamely, papaya salad. Som Tam. In my case Thai style. I know that I'm in authentic by not liking the stinkier, more pungent, Lao style papaya salad, but I prefer the Thai style. I said what I said. And this place is legit! Tomatoes cut by hand in the air? Check. A combination of regular tomatoes and cherry tomatoes? Check. Lots of roasted peanuts on top? Check. Asian Long Beans? Check. Plenty of very hot fiery Thai chilies? Check. Dried shrimp on top? Check. A wedge of white cabbage to cool things down? Check. Basically, an incredible sophisticated yet simple dish that I crave every so how often and love to take home with me. There's always something to discover in the market next door just remember that they only take cash or EBT cards.

    Lao Community Plaza serves up yummy Lao food! It's so nostalgic! It's always the hole in the walls…read morethat are the best! Mom and pop shops that know how to make homemade papaya salad, Lao sausage, kao piak sen (rice noodles), larb and ping gai (fried chicken). Can't forget the sticky rice! That goes well with everything! If you're in the area (you know where I'm going with this) don't miss out! You order at the front and pay and they bring the food to your table. There is also a market that's attached to the restaurant. This place serves up food just right!

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    Pho 7 Cow

    Pho 7 Cow

    4.6
    (934 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Pho 7 Cow is probably my favorite Vietnamese spot in San Diego. The prices are great, you get a ton…read moreof food for your money, and this place is seriously a well-oiled machine. They know how to get people in and out FAST! Make sure you put your name on the waitlist tablet when you walk in. Once you're seated, the food comes out at lightning speed. My favorite thing to order is the cold rice vermicelli noodles with grilled pork and egg rolls. The veggies are always super fresh and crisp, the grilled pork is juicy with the perfect char, and their egg rolls are THE BEST. So crispy and filled with taro, pork, shrimp, glass noodles, and pickled veggies. Sometimes I'll honestly come here just to get an order of egg rolls as a snack because I crave them. I've had the pho a few times too, and it's also really good. Portions are generous, everything comes out fresh and fast, and the prices are still reasonable. This place is almost always packed, and there's definitely a reason for it. One of my San Diego favorites!

    I was in the area and had Pho 7 Cow on my radar, so I decided to stop by. The attached lot has…read moreplenty of parking. There was a bit of a wait to be seated, which is usually a good indicator that this spot is a crowd favorite. We started with the eggrolls. They were delicious and consistent with what you'd expect from a solid pho shop. That said, $11 for six pieces does feel a bit steep for the portion. For pho, I went with the Tai Chin, which comes with well-done brisket and rare beef. They are incredibly generous with the meat portions. I actually finished all my noodles and was searching around for spare strands under the abundance of beef left over, which is a good problem to have. The service was highly efficient across the board. Our food came out quickly, and the staff proactively brought out all the veggies and chilli oil without us needing to flag anyone down. It's a well-run spot that definitely delivers if you're looking for a warm, comforting bowl of pho.

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    Filet mignon meat with fat and grizzle.
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    Harborside Cuisine

    Harborside Cuisine

    4.3
    (122 reviews)
    1.8 mi
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    First time experience can be summed up as WOW. Lao sausage,…read morecatfish in banana leaf, beef larb medium rare, pad Thai with shrimp, sticky rice. Nina helped guide us through the menu, very attentive and knowledgeable about the ingredients and my many questions. I highly recommend this restaurant and will let my fellow foodies in on this discovery!

    Came back recently after not having ordered here in a long while. Not that there was anything wrong…read morebut I've just been cooking more at home lately. Their food is all pretty good here and they have a lot of stuff regular Lao restaurants don't have on hand such as a refrigerated section with cold foods such as dipping sauces, stews, soups. I was just so blown away at the prices here the last time I was here last week. I know it's been awhile and with inflation and all but dang the prices were kind of outrageous for a takeout hole in the way place. I don't really consider this a sit down restaurant. Their prices were far more expensive than a nice higher end sit down restaurant. I wouldn't mind if the portion made sense but it was $23 for beef larp and it came in a tiny small white container! They downgraded their portions significantly and raised prices significantly. Their refrigerated foods were pretty pricey as well for being in small containers. Don't get me wrong, their food is good but their upcharged prices don't sit too well with me.

    Photos
    Harborside Cuisine
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    Mekong Cuisine Lao and Thai

    Mekong Cuisine Lao and Thai

    4.4
    (911 reviews)
    10.0 mi
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    Kid friendly

    This spot has been on my list for a while to try & finally decided to go in. Came right when they…read moreopened for lunch and the ladies were welcoming. Place is quite dim, decor is beautiful with real plants, & some local vendor items for sale by the entrance. The menu is front & back so a lot of delicious choices, but I wasn't feeling too hungry so my friend and I just shared dishes. We ordered the sausage fried rice and the chef special basil stir-fry with crispy pork (also comes with a side of white rice). My friend and I loved the crispiness of the pork! And the way that egg was fried is one of my favorite ways of it being cooked. It made me want to order an extra egg. But other than that the sausage fried rice was also delicious. The sausage was very tender, slightly sweet but not like Chinese sausage style. I definitely loved the way it tastes. We had to ask for some spice on the side because I just knew both dishes will tastes better with some kick. I'll come back again just to try some of their curry dishes. I see why a lot of my friends have recommended this spot and why some of them do come back.

    Our first visit to Mekong Lao & Thai was fantastic, and we're already planning our next one! A dear…read morefriend recommended this one and we were thanking her before we left our table. When we ordered, our server took the time to explain their spice scale (1-5), letting us know that a 1 is already about a medium spice level. We settled on mostly 2-3, but wow--the Thum Khao Poon (shredded green papaya salad) still packed some serious heat! Even my spice-loving kids were challenged. The server also gave us a heads-up that it's very fish-forward in flavor, which we appreciated and happened to love. The absolute standout of the meal was the Nam Khao Tod. It was hands down the family favorite--crispy coconut rice with pork sausage, crunchy peanuts, fresh herbs, and so many incredible textures and flavors in every bite. We could have ordered a second plate! We also had the Drunken Noodles with chicken, which were slightly oily in the best possible way, making them extra rich and delicious. The Chef's Special Basil Stir Fry with Crispy Pork was another winner. Our server brought over a chili vinegar that elevated the crispy pork to a whole new level--it was so good drizzled over every bite. Great food, thoughtful service, and plenty of dishes we're already looking forward to trying next time. Can't wait to come back!

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    PHOnomenal - noodles - Updated August 2026

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