ambiance? 10/10 service? 10/10!!! food? 10/10!!!!!!!!! this place is SO cute. i love how small and cozy it is, with both table seating and bar seating options. the bartender and servers were so sweet, attentive, and friendly - which, in my opinion, always makes eating anywhere 10x better. i couldn't decide between the pho and the crispy noodles, so i got both... and i'm SO glad i did!!!!! the portions were absolutely huge. the chicken pho was delicious, loved it. couldn't finish it though because the real star of the show for me was the crispy noodles with the beef topping. omg. i died and went to heaven. i was audibly moaning with every bite, yes... out loud!! i will DREAM about these crispy noodles for the rest of eternity. i also got the vietnamese iced coffee, which was DELICIOUS. i spent the whole day walking around lincoln park and thought i'd have to uber home after eating, but after this meal, i felt so rejuvenated i walked 30 minutes home, no problem. so good. so worth it. get in there and tip well. recommending to anyone who loves high-quality food and great vibes. read more

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To the tune of Schoolboy Q's 2014 anthem, shake it for the meal of the year! Coming to see long time friends in Chicago merits some caloric expedition. Seeing as we once lived together on a Clark Street, why not dinner on this N Clark St? Following my clinical parallel park job, we entered this theatre of dreams. I'll recognize upfront my bias for sloped ceilings, but this spot ticks that interior box. Sierra Mist colored lighting to make the drinks hit harder and fake skylights that unironically went crazy. Not to mention, this Croatian meets Vietnamese love story was jamming Americana all night long. Soon enough I was white-knuckling the table to keep my cool as the medley proved to be somewhere between erotic and nostalgic. One could rescue a newborn from a burning building and it would pail in comparison to the respect our waitress lavished onto us. Reason being, this lovely lady spent the entire night responding with "yes chef" to any of our interactions. In all fairness, it's understandable to assume our party of mustached men were chefs. Heck, one of us got a diet cola, isn't that a tell too? I say all this to make known the cult status that woman will have in my heart till I breathe my last breath. As for the menu, what a divine collaboration. Sequestered into some back pages lay a section for Balkan fare that served as a platform for the married-in man to showcase his swagger. Truth be told it's this food selection that brought me in and that red pepper spread that makes me stay. This skilled in-law got even more time to shine on the beer list, with my dark Bosnian beer showing every reason why. Tasty lil thing. All things considered, this is still a Vietnamese restaurant. Pho did its thing and embraced the mega serving size stereotype it so firmly holds, but it cannot sit in the poll position here. Brian, my dear friend, voiced that his girlfriend swears by Sunset's crispy noodle. Well folks, Tessa certainly knows ball! While still respectfully conversing through our meal, Brian joined the clean plate club alarmingly fast. Based on my swapski sampling of his platter I can understand why. Clear betting favorite, certified hustler, it's what to get y'all. As we wrapped our meal my other dear friend at the table, John, accidentally stated something that must serve as the slogan for Sunset Pho Caffe. He said, "It elevates the past." By golly it does and I'll raise my glass to that! read more

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First time trying sunset pho and it was so good! It's nice to have a Vietnamese food option without having to go all the way to Argyle. I got the noodle salad which was very refreshing and light and came with a lot of veggies. My friend said the pho broth was one of the best he's had in Chicago. read more

Pretty decent spot in Lakeview if you want Vietnamese food! Granted this spot is a little bit pricier compared to Argyle or stuff in Chinatown. We ordered the pho, vermacelli noodles, and Thai iced tea. Nothing stood out but very consistent. If you are in the area and you're craving Vietnamese food, this place is solid. Fun fact: you can receive a punch card and if you buy 10 bowls of pho, you can one free! read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Vermacelli Noodle salad with beef - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The interior feels a bit like a cave, in a good way. The decor is unique and cozy. Service was a bit spotty and slow but food was tasty. I tried the pho and spring rolls, both were comparable to other places. read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Beef pho - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Came to Sunset Pho Caffe since I needed a break from all the delicious Chicago food that I've been eating. Ordered the Sunset Special, which comes with rare beef, brisket, meatball, and tripe. Thought this was a very good bowl of pho. Plentiful amount of meat, noodles were good, and the broth was very tasty. Definitely no hint of MSG whatsoever in this broth. Only quibble I had...this bowl was $22.95! Way expensive for pho that didn't involve a beef rib or oxtail. Staff were fine, no complaints from me. Good pho here, wouldn't mind coming back despite the prices being on the high side. read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Cutest stained glass and vaulted ceilings make this a great date spot! The Vietnamese coffee is incredible as well. The vegetarian pho is flavorful with great noodles - my only gripe is that they were so good I wish there were more in the broth! read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Vegetarian Pho - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Rare beef pho and chicken pho were both delicious. Great broth and the service was so sweet. Definitely stop by if you're in the neighborhood! read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Rare Beef Pho - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The decor inside was unexpected when we walked in. They had a full bar and tables inside. Since we were a group of 5, we got seated at a round table. Service was friendly and I enjoyed their pho! I was visiting from CA and their broth was up to par. Pricing is a little higher but their portion were huge. I ordered their viet ice coffee too which was so excellent. It was creamy, strong, and fresh! read more

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If you're looking for a pho option in the relatively immediate area, there really aren't any good options. I finally came to this place on Saturday in the dead of winter and the place was packed at dinner time. I knew that it had a European feel given that I believe the owners are part Vietnamese and part Serbian(?) which means the menu offers both kinds of food which is a cool and unique concept. My friend and I opted for pho and he got the chicken pho while I got the Sunset Pho special. The portions are large as you'd expect, however I do find the prices here to be a little steep. At $23 for a bowl of a pho, I would want there to be a little more broth, noodles, and protein I feel like. Overall though, the taste of the pho was pretty good and they do provide the toppings/sides which we appreciated. They have plenty of hoisin sauce, chili paste, chili oil, etc on the side too which I always use generously. Certainly not the best bowl of pho I've had in the city, but for the area it is manageable... just wish it wasn't so expensive. The staff was friendly though, which was great. read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - 20. Sunset Special Pho - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Take credit card Egg rolls ($7.50)- provides 2. Well made, crunchy. Tastes good. I wish there was more lettuce Sunset special pho ($22.95)- a big bowl of soup. Soup isn't that flavorful. Not much noodle. Good cuts of brisket and Cevapcici Sa Zara plate ($19.95)- this is super delicious. With the french roll, the keymak and sausage its a great compliment. l read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent service! Zel was so nice and hospitable. And the Pho was to die for!!! The best we've had here in the city!!! Will recommend to all our friends and will definitely be back! Recommend 100%. read more

The best pho I've had in Chicago. Also, one of the coolest interiors. It's an interesting mix of mostly Vietnamese and with a little Jugoslavian. We ordered the Cevapcici (Jugoslavian Sausage) Spring Rolls, Sunset Special Pho, and Spicy Lemongrass Pho. The broth of each Pho was rich and flavorful, the vegetables were fresh, and noodles had the right amount of chew. Honestly if they gave me a straw I would probably have drunk the entire bowl. My preference was the Spicy Lemongrass Pho, because it was a little more complex and the lemongrass really shone through. The spring rolls were also well filled and the peanut sauce was delicious. It had more going on than just being peanut-y. If you like Pho, definitely check this place out. It may be on the pricier end, but from what I've had in Chicago it's worth it. read more

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Sunset pho is my new favorite cozy neighborhood spot the first time I came here I got takeout, and I came back recently to eat in and absolutely love the dine-in experience! It's a laid back atmosphere that feels super familial and authentic. The service was great and the people are kind! I've had the vegetarian pho and the chicken pho. The chicken was my favorite! Such a large bowl and the most flavorful, comforting broth. Very fresh, filling, delicious! Can't go wrong here; I can't wait to come back!! read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - 21. Chicken Pho - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Sunset is easily one of the of the best restaurants I've visited this year! You'll definitely want to add a trip here to your list. The storefront is a bit easy to miss from the outside, but the interior is very classy and comfortable. The restaurant was packed around 7:00pm so I would definitely recommend making a reservation during peak hours. The staff was also professional and very efficient. We started with the shrimp spring rolls which were excellent! If the purpose of an appetizer is to whet the appetite, then this is the consummate starter to a meal. The ample herbs, crunchy veggies, and creamy peanut sauce made for a light and refreshing dish. We also split the chicken cabbage salad, which was among the best salads I've had! It was perfectly spicy, super flavorful, and the juicy chicken paired so well with the crunchy peanuts and carrots. I could have drank the dressing. I ordered the chicken pho for the main dish and absolutely loved the deep, flavorful broth in which star anise really shined. My only qualm with the meal is that the chicken was a bit dry. My friends both ordered the pork vermicelli bowls and said they were incredible. Although the prices are on the high side, the portions were generous and quality outstanding. I am already plotting a return and look forward to trying more of the menu! read more

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I'm hesitant to post this because I don't want it to overcrowd, but we were so so impressed with the food. Typically when I go to a good restaurant, I want to go back to try something else but the Salmon in Clay Pot and Chicken Pho were so incredibly delicious, I want to get them again. To be truthful, I'd really like that salmon recipe... the portions were reasonably sized for the price. Service was a bit slow (signs about hiring kitchen staff were posted so guessing they're a bit understaffed) but we got what we needed. It was cozy and intimate, crowded for a Sunday night but definitely understated with the bathrooms being lackluster. I could see this being added to a regular rotation! read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - 21. Chicken Pho, 29. Salmon in Clay Pot - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is my favorite pho place near me - it's phenomenal and the service is quick. The broth is so good and the always have a surplus of topping options read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Rare Beef Pho - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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- hobbit hole dream adventure - my first pho ever - friends to make me smile - hot food in winter - unique savory goodness read more

Honestly, after trying a majority of pho spots in this city I had to write an update. While Sunset does the trick, the broth is a bit lack luster. The meat and toppings are phenomenal, I just prefer a less oily broth. The service is always great and friendly, and the vibe of the ambiance is always silly with its Bavarian feel. I would definitely go back, but only if my top choices were closed. read more

What an absolute gem! I can be fairly picky with Vietnamese food, but this spot definitely hits home. The owners are husband and wife and are wonderful - they clearly love meeting new people and having them enjoy their food! The wife is from Saigon, so definitely expect Southern Vietnamese flavors here (it's personally why it feels so comforting to me - tastes just like my mom's)! There's also a beautiful blend of some Vietnamese and Yugoslav dishes, such as their spring rolls with ćevapčići (sausage). The environment is unexpected, with beautiful stained glass lights coming through and stone surrounding you. Their Vietnamese crepes or banh xeo are a must-try! My main meal was the beef pho, which was absolutely delicious. It was well-balanced with the spices and had plenty of meat. Expect huge portions here when ordering! While Argyle is still a great spot for Vietnamese food, don't overlook this wonderful restaurant in Lakeview! Excited to make this one of my go-to Vietnamese spots in Chicago. read more

We were able to sit very quickly with no wait time. The place was very cute with a unique and cottage like interior. The sunset special had a good amount of meat in it. The broth is clear and has a subtle flavor. The noodles were skinny and chewy. Kind of stuck together like they had grabbed premade noodles and put them in the bowl to warm up. But if you prefer more Al dente noodle this is the place for you. read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - 20. Sunset Special Pho - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The most delicious, creamy wonderful iced coffee! And the banh mi is fresh and delicious. Rustic interior and lovely service. Full bar as well! read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Been here multiple times and the pho is amazing best one I've ever had. The service is always top notch and the guy there is awesome love talking to him. The restaurant also has an awesome design it's so cool. read more

Cozy little cafe with great service and delicious food. We started with some vegetarian Spring Rolls to share. They were delicious with a very bright fresh taste. Then each of us had a different Pho. Vegetarian for my bride, a Traditional Beef Pho with sausage added for our son, and The Spicy Lemongrass Pho for me. It was all wonderful. Definitely worth a return trip! read more

Am here almost weekly. The staff are so kind - the owner(s) often encourage us to try new beers from different countries. I usually opt for the angus beef pho and encourage my friends to start with the same if they have never been to Sunset. We usually snag an appetizer or two and try whatever new beer the owner recommends. They have Diet Coke by fountain and can. read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - 19. Beef Pho - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This has been the best pho I've ever had. I ordered the chicken pho and it is just amazing and also saved great for left overs! The service was also great -- both my waitress and the owner were super sweet and I can't wait to come again ! read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Chicken Pho and Vegetarian Pho - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Overall Thoughts: Sunset Pho offers a unique, flavorful mix of traditional Viet and Viet-Judoslavian fusion dishes, in addition to a beautiful interior/vibe. I enjoyed everything we ordered, especially the cevapci pita sandwich-- all the portions were large, filling, and delicious (though kind of pricey). The food also comes out pretty slowly, but each dish was paced well and the servers were very kind. Definitely try to make a reservation in advance! We didn't, but came at 5pm on a Saturday and snagged the last available table. By the time we left, there were people waiting outside. I hope to return sometime in the future-- there were so many enticing dishes on the menu I have yet to try! Food I tried: - Cevapci Pita Sandwich (4.7/5): We tried ordering it on a Vietnamese baguette, but got pita instead. Nonetheless, the sandwich was fire. The meat is grilled perfectly-- not too dry, and was very flavorful. The pita was soft and spongey, and the fries were crispy. - Banh Xeo (4.4/5): Basic dish, but they did it well-- the exterior was crispy and the pork belly was flavorful. - Vegetarian Rice Vermicelli (4.1/5): This was not bad and more flavorful than some other vermicelli dishes I've had in Chicago, but it still could've used an extra kick of flavor. The tofu was well-fried, but not very flavorful. The egg rolls were great though-- crispy and delicious. -- Price (relative to peers): 4.1/5 Food: 4.4/5 Ambience: 4.9/5 Service: 4.7/5 Overall Value: 4.5/5 read more

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Born and raised here, and this is probably my fav restaurant in all of Chicago. Simply incredible, and always worth the wait

We ordered takeout from Sunset Pho and really enjoyed the food. The Pho broth was delicious.

did not expect this restaurant to give major european vibes when I stepped in! the interior is extremely comfortable and charming, had dim lighting, and was equipped with a bar and various tables laid out across the restaurant. it was even decorated for valentine's day, which gave such a cozy feeling on such a cold chicago day. my boyfriend and I arrived at around 6:00pm and the only available seats were at the bar, which we gladly took. we were so excited to try the vietnamese iced coffee, but to our disappointment, the waitress was making the very last one right in front of us for the night! I assume they're made with some sort of concentrate made overnight, which makes me excited to come back to try it. I ordered the sunset special pho and was so happy at the amount of meatballs in it. most restaurants skimp on the amount of meat they add to their pho, but you don't need to be worried about that here. I'd love to come back for their other items, such as the banh xeo and banh mi. read more

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TL; DR: Super cool interior, Pho is yummy, quick This place was a great spot for a quick meal. The spring rolls were delicious and easy to share. The Beef Pho was filling, tasty, and great to share with another person. The noodle salad was also good, but I am biased towards the pho. I would definitely go back. The staff was very friendly and helpful read more

Do yourself a favor and make a reservation. This place is packed on the weekends - and for good reason - pho is really great. We waited about 30-40 minutes for a table. I ordered the chicken pho and my dining partner had the seafood pho . Side of mint, jalapeños and bean sprouts were the perfect included accompaniments Both soups were absolutely great and hit the spot on a cold Chicago winter evening . Service is on the slow side but friendly. Price is great. Our bill for 2 which included a beer was 51.00. Hard to beat that price for a quaint and charming Saturday night dinner. Neighborhood gem and I'll be back ( assuming I can get a reservation!) read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Chicken pho - excellent - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Since the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with open arms by the owner Zel. We have a 10 month old and we were seated quickly and given a high chair without asking. The food was delicious & was made quickly. The environment is very calm and warming. I'd definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone interested in trying Vietnamese food or top tier Pho. It is reasonably priced & doesn't break the bank. Will definitely be returning again! Didn't get a pic of the spring rolls, camera didn't eat first. 10/10 restaurant. read more

Sunset Phở Caffe - Sunset Special Pho - Lounges Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Today was the perfect day for a walk in the October chill. The plan was to warm up with a hot bowl of pho. I sat at the bar and the bartender and I started chatting about his music playlist . I asked him about the menu and specifically about the pho. He told me that the pho broth takes several hours to prep. He recommended the cevapcci spring rolls for a starter and the rare beef pho. Zel also offered me a complimentary plum brandy shot and had me try the Bosnian beer. Everything was fresh, hot, and delicious! His last recommendation for the night was the flan :) I love that they have a reward program!! Buy ten soups and get one free! Move over soup box there's a new contender for soup in LV! Pro tip: Make reservations this place gets quite busy as the night wore on! read more

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This place is so cute and the owners are very sweet. The lighting is dim so it was comfortable eating and talking with my party. The food came out pretty quick and it was very delicious. Everyone enjoyed their food. (The only complaint out of my party was that the spicy lemongrass noodle soup wasn't spicy.) Overall really enjoyed it. read more

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I do not like fusion. Not with things like Pho. The food here is interesting and very good. But I prefer Pho and Vietnamese food done in their traditional manner. Less experimentation more quality traditional read more

My favorite pho in the city! Highly recommend the rare angus beef pho. Love the vibe and ambiance inside, very cozy and homey. Staff is always really nice and welcoming. Definitely fills up so try and call and make a reservation if possible! read more

Thoroughly enjoyed this cozy little restaurant with a lovely ambience, delicious pho, and excellent service. Highly recommend.

Stopped in for a late-ish dinner after working out. Only place open on a Monday night after 9pm that had banh mi's! I called and the owner was super helpful, he sold me on the Yugoslavian sausage fusion bahn mi! I ordered one of the above and a lemon grass pork. The orders seemed a little high price-wise at first, but I noticed they included fries. All good! Went in to pick up my takeout order at around 9:20 PM and the place had more diners than I expected, slurping pho and enjoying the NBA playoffs. As I waited, a couple more groups came in, which is great to see. The ambiance is a dark, warm, moody wood-trimmed bar and dining room. Evokes eastern Europe. I started eating the fries right away, they were amazing! The thick cut type with a great crisp and flavorful seasoning. They didn't make it home. Both sandwiches were delicious, the blend of seasoned, tender meats with the traditional banh mi ingredients played well together. My wife loved both sandwiches. She was craving a classic banh mi cold-cut sandwich, but she also affirmed that both were delicious! read more

Vietnamese and Yugoslavian fusion means spring rolls with cevapcici in them, an EXCELLENT combination. It doesn't mean that the classic pho isn't done right though, it's still hearty and meaty and loaded with everything you need. I will say the pho was heavy on black pepper and the noodles were a little fused BUT it's still a decent bowl of pho. I will say the real highlights are their non-pho dishes and their fusion and Yugoslavian dishes, I highly encourage you to branch out and explore the menu. I love cevapcici and it was so good in the spring roll!! The space is soo neat, it looks like the inside of a chapel, and the staff and service is EXCELLENT, owner offered us green plum brandy shots for St Patty's too hehe read more

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