I'm from LA, and I can honestly say this spot is unmatched! Finding a place that balances quality, portion size, and price this well is rare. I ordered the XL Pho, and it did not disappoint. Packed with plenty of protein, and the broth was super flavorful--everything ties together perfectly. For the amount of food you get and the quality of the ingredients, the price is unbeatable. The staff is super nice but some are not that attentive. but i really appreciated that they let us sit exactly where we preferred. It's a pretty calm and peaceful environment too for a smaller space, It wasn't noisy, which made for a really enjoyable, relaxing meal. If you're in Lake Forest, i suggest you to check this place out! Highly recommend for anyone looking for authentic, top-tier pho. read more

Simply Pho - garlic noodles w shrimp & XL pho. - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I came here with my in-laws for a late night dinner as they're always on the hunt for a great, non homemade pho option. They're definitely tougher critics than I am (as I don't have grandparents/family recipes to compare them to) but I'm always happy to tag along with them. The interior of the restaurant is small and I could see that it could be a bit tough to move around if they're busy. They also have little to no waiting area inside so if you aren't seated right away, chances are you'll be hanging outside in the parking lot. But we were there when the restaurant was maybe 1/3 full and we could move around easily & not feel like we were talking over other guests. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, but not so much so that it felt like they were trying to move us along with everything. I appreciated that. The menu is quite extensive. Yes, Pho is in the name but there are plenty of other Vietnamese options. I opted for the shaken beef plate. I wanted to get the version with fries, but my wife accidentally told the woman in Vietnamese that I wanted just the regular version. I guess I'll have to come back another time to see how it compares to one of my favorite dishes: Peruvian lomo saltado. However, I will say the standard plate I was served was delicious. Everything was well seasoned & cooked perfectly. Definitely one of the best bò lúc lắc dishes I've had in a restaurant in awhile. We had a good meal. My in-laws said the pho was fine. I think it tasted good. Our 3 kids slurped their bowls all up so that's a great sign. In all, if we're in the El Toro area & want some Vietnamese food, we'll absolutely be back. read more

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Impeccable service, was seated right away. Very welcoming to children. Had a 3 kids including a 9 month old who needed a high chair. Very attentive to our extra needs that come with having kids. Food was delicious and with generous portions. The restaurant has a clean and soothing ambiance which made eating here very pleasant. Would highly recommend to anyone in the area! read more

The food was average, but the price wasn't. Nearly $20 for pork fried rice felt unreasonable, and it really caught me off guard. I won't be back. read more

Simply Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Staff is always very friendly and welcoming. Place is always clean. Food is fast and quality. Still continues to be our go-to spot for pho. read more

Simply Pho - Pho Dac Biet (Special) - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Always consistently kind and fast service. The food never disappoints and the free dessert is a nice touch! Simple decor that mixes modern with some Asian touches. read more

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Went on a Friday for lunch and was pleasantly surprised that they were busy. They have a decent menu but I went to get pho. I ordered a number 4, which is the beef meatballs pho. It came in a timely manner and I was happy that they didn't skimp on the meatballs. Other places cut them into fourths but they cut theirs into halves. Overall it was a good meal. read more

Simply Pho - Beef meatball pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

so good bro im busting i love this place yayayaayaya (dont cancel me im not good at this) read more

Pho broth and noodles were OK. It was simple and basic, it needs more flavor. The noodles were nearly edible. After three bites, I had to fight hard to finish. The beef was tender and nicely cooked. Thus, the three stars, otherwise the broth and noodles were two stars. Place itself was nice and clean. Service was also a plus. So... I will be back to try other dishes, but not the pho. ENJOY! read more

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I got the shaking beef. The beef was pretty good. Most of the pieces were pretty soft and tender, but there were just a few pieces that were a tad tough. The flavor was just right. Originally I was a bit concerned that it might be too sweet because I don't like my meat too sweet, but they didn't over do it. The fries were not bad either. I'm normally not a fries person but it was pretty good. Some prices were extra crispy and some a bit soggy. So just depends what you prefer. The best part I would say is the green sauce. It went well with the beef. Overall I would say it was pretty good and I would come back for this dish and try some other ones. I took some menu picks cus all of them that are up are almost unreadable. read more

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We've become semi-regulars here. It's our go-to spot for pho. We've tried other places, but nothing hits quite the same. The calamari appetizer is surprisingly great, and the dipping sauce is incredible. I almost always order the #2, and it never disappoints: flavorful, rich, and super meaty. Service is quick, staff is always pleasant, and the food comes out fast. Decor is simple and booths are comfy. It's consistently busy whenever we go, and honestly, that checks out. Just a really solid pho spot all around. read more

Simply Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

This is one of our favorite places for pho! They have three locations, but we go to the one in Lake Forest. We always get the crispy tofu to start. Egg rolls looked really good - maybe next time. Last night I had the number 3, with beef. Mom and daughter shared the oxtail pho and a shaking beef. All dishes were really excellent. You can upgrade to a large five for one dollar, and the portion is huge. Makes for a great leftovers the next day. You get a free mini warm tapioca bowl after the meal. Friendly service. Place was pretty crowded last night. Nice job. read more

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We really wanted to try a new pho place as we go to the same one like 3x a week lol I'm so glad we ventured out bc simply pho was delicious! And my pho bowl was massive!! It lasted me two meals (shared with my boyfriend). He had the grilled chicken, shrimp and rice dish. And we split the spring rolls. It was all so yummy. We had so much leftovers. I'm excited to go back and try more items! read more

Simply Pho - Grilled chicken and shrimp with an egg roll - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I want to start off with I have been a regular customer with my family since I was in 4th grade. I am now a junior in college. Their pho never ever disappoints. It is tasty and nails the spot for me. During the summer they have complimentary Thai tea or soft drink with your food. At the end of every meal you get the complimentary tapioca pearl soup dessert, which is the perfect about of sweetness. It is warm and soothing, the liquid is slightly thick. It has a vanilla/coconut flavor. It has a hearty earthy flavor. Sometimes I'll also get the egg rolls depending on my mood! They serve the egg rolls with lettuce, cilantro, and fish sauce. You can ask for sweet and sour as well. I just want to say I always get the Thai tea with my pho, it's good! The service is great, they work hard and try to get you your food as soon as possible. They are understaffed right now but they are hard workers! The restaurant is in a plaza and has large windows so the sun shines. Very open and bright. read more

Simply Pho - Complimentary tapioca pearls (warm dessert) - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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This is my favorite pho spot near work, so I come here with my coworkers on a regular basis. I usually get the steak pho or the meatball pho. The food doesn't take too long and the service is good. Lately they've had a deal where a free Thai tea is included with every entree order. I also like the banh mi here. A regular size bowl of pho is very filling- I couldn't even finish it - but if you're extra hungry they also have large bowls. read more

Simply Pho - Beef pho #3 - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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The tofu and veggie pho was pretty good, I liked the fried tofu. The vegetarian pan fried noodles had a really good sauce. The ambiance is chill and it's good price, chill overall if you just want pho read more

Simply Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Solid pho spot in lake forest. Price is comparable to other local pho spots but definitely pricier than west minister or garden grove. Service was quick and there was no wait when we came in at 5:30 but I think they get pretty busy around 6-7 on the weekends since it was packed by the time we left. Free Thai tea on any entree order or if you write a yelp review! read more

Simply Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Love this place. The place is cute. Service quick, nice, and food is delicious. They are friendly and again food is delicious read more

Simply Pho - thai tea - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Came in during a busy time (always a good sign!) and overall had a great experience. The pho noodles were slightly overcooked, but still flavorful. The highlight for me was the filet mignon garlic noodles -- the steak was phenomenal and cooked perfectly. The noodles were just a bit under, but nothing that took away too much from the dish. Service started off a little shaky, but improved as the visit went on. They even passed out complimentary tapioca dessert, which was surprisingly tasty and a really nice touch. I'd definitely come back again! read more

Simply Pho is my favorite pho restaurant not only is the food delicious, but the staff are very helpful and kind. They also provide you with free tapioca pudding at the end of each meal. read more

Simply Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

The food is amazing here!! We always go during weekends and when the weather gets colder and you can never get enough of the authentic food that they serve!! The price is good and the servings are huuuuuge. Service is also amazing, food comes out pretty fast, and everyone always has a smiling face when they serve!! The restaurant ambience is clean and cozy :) Definitely a gem here in Lake Forest!!! read more

Simply Pho - House special pho!!! Yummmy!! - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Delicious pho as always. Very consistent in quality and taste. We love their soup base used in their pho. Great place to eat on a rainy day or when you need something comforting. Service is always fast and super friendly. The restaurant is clean and organized with plenty of parking outside. read more

Simply Pho - Pho - #1 - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

This place was not it. Service was extremely poor, and not one waiter was able to communicate effectively about any questions about menu. My family and I had arrived before many others and we got our food last. We ordered 4 phos- one being an XL for my kids to split. He gave us 5 phos total. I ended up paying for the 5th to not make him Stress out already than he was, other people were complaining too so I just caved in and paid for it rather than causing a scene. I saw a little girl come in telling staff her mom ordered a stir fry with no fish but they added fish and they were so rude to her I felt horrible for that child :( Another woman I saw also received the wrong order as well. I think this place has potential and the soup itself was not bad it just wasn't as good as other places I've been to. My meat was extremely chewy. Don't recommend the calamari it was very chewy as well! I also noticed other things I would rather mention on phone to managers/owner that I don't want to say on here, it had to do with kitchen/cook staff. All in all I rate this place a 1 and most likely would Never give it a second chance, unless they change everything from the staff to the menu to the cleanliness of the whole facility. read more

Love these guys. Such good pho. Broth is rich and savory. They use quality meats, super tender. Comes standard with bean sprouts, basil, and jalapenos. If you're craving pho, check these guys out! Also love their spring rolls, we usually get the shrimp. Comes with peanut sauce for dipping. Place is located in a strip mall, plenty of parking. read more

We were pretty excited to try this spot after shopping at another store in the same plaza because it smelled amazing. We ordered a pho with meatballs, vermicelli with shrimp, egg rolls, and pork, and a side of more egg rolls. Vermicelli: pork, shrimp, and egg rolls had a lot of flavor. Dish and portion were good. Pho with meatballs: broth lacked beef flavor. I could taste the spices, but it was more sour than most broths, and I didn't add any lemon. I wouldn't reorder this dish. Eggrolls: Came crispy and piping hot. It was well flavored. My kids liked this dish. Staff all were very friendly, and even offered us dessert at the end. Probably closer to 3.5/5, but I rounded up for service. read more

Simply Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Simply Pho is definitely a hidden gem in Lake Forest. From the moment you walk in, the vibe is clean, welcoming, and perfect for a lunch outing. There's a really cool sign with the restaurant's name inside that adds a nice fresh touch. The staff here are incredibly kind and attentive without being overbearing. The pho broth was rich, clear, and full of flavor--you can taste that it's made with extra care. It had that perfect balance of savory and aromatic. The beef was tender and plentiful, and the portion size was generous without being overwhelming. We also tried the spring rolls, and they had a little something extra in flavor and texture that made them stand out. Fresh, light, and wrapped with precision. Bonus points for the complimentary tapioca dessert at the end--it was unexpected and really tasty. It's little touches like that that make you want to come back. Out of all the Vietnamese places I've tried recently, this one definitely ranks near the top. read more

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Stopped by for a quick (late) lunch yesterday. I had the noodles with grilled pork patties and grilled shrimp. Requested less noodles and more greens, extra peanuts, and they followed instructions exactly. Also noted on the receipt later. :) Food is always good here. Love that little bowl of complimentary tapioca dessert. They made it very light and not super sweet but with plenty of coconut flavor. Very good. Thank you. Service was good and efficient. read more

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Another delicious meal with great service. Tried the shaking beef this time and it was wonderful. read more

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First time here and wish I would've tried this sooner! Food is fresh and flavorful. Service is great and we received our order in no time. Staff was friendly. Portions were good size for the money and we received a complimentary Thai tea with our meal. We will be back. read more

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We went to Simply Pho tonight and had the pleasure of meeting, James. We actually had a different server. Not sure what was going on. Maybe they had a hard day, I don't know. Our order was two pork spring rolls, one fried egg rolls, shaken beef, vermicelli noodles (by itself), salmon with rice and veggies. For some reason the noodles and the salmon dish never came out. James, came by to help us get the rest of our food and checked on us frequently thereafter including making sure our water was always topped off. James, was friendly and probably recognized us from the other times we've dined there. Thank you, James! We enjoyed having you tonight. read more

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I always get the veggie pho The best broth ever. And their crispy pork spring roll, yummy!!! And our favorite server is always here. Welcomes you right away and makes sure you get a seat. Place is clean despite they always get real read more

Simply Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I was on route to San Diego and this is a good stop for some pho. The restaurant is easy to locate and they open early. Once arrived, I noticed that the restaurant is clean and cozy. The service is prompt and courteous. I ordered the pho with brisket. The soup broth is good, not too salty. The beef is slightly too well done and I don't think it is brisket. Rather it's beef slices. There is plenty of pho that I couldn't finish. My daughter ordered the grilled meat rice. The meat is marinated well but it's a little dry. Maybe I will try other dishes next time to see if something really hits the spot. read more

Excellent broth and cute place. One of the only pho places near me open late. Fast service. Will be back for sure!

Taste good and will come back again I recommend the pho here and there Vietnamese style sandwiches read more

Simply Pho - Taste good and will come back again:) - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

$17 bowl of pho and no complimentary Thai tea that they advertise on here. It's alright but not worth the money

Really amazing food, great service, good atmosphere. Will keep coming any time will be nearby read more

Simply Pho - Great place - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Service is great, food is good & the atmosphere is friendly. I comeback frequently on a cold winter day & it never disappoints. read more

Simply Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Had the Pho combo 2 with steak, Brisket and meatball. Held off the tendon and tripe. Had the spring roll for appetizers. Both good stuff.

Wanted to try a new pho spot so found this place on Yelp. Free parking. Booths and tables available. Large indoor seating area. Large screen TVs inside, one was showing family guy. We tried the spring rolls which were very good, loved the crunch inside. You get two rolls cut in half each. The com bo luc lac was good. Meat was tender, rice was red and oily making it delicious. Pho was ok, noodles weren't cooked chewy the way I like it. Meat looked fresh. Complimentary tapioca dessert at the end of your meal which is different and nice. Floor is a bit greasy. Service is good. Glad we came here. Will definitely add to our rotation. read more

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Beef ribs Pho. Very delicious. we ordered chicken wings and calamari as well. All are very tasty. Its lovely that restaurant offered free tapioca dessert. we were happy with our dinner. read more

Simply Pho - Beef ribs Pho. very delicious. - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California