Kate T.

Read the reviews of this place and decided to give it a try. Ordered Hue Tiu Beef - they go by numbers, so it's #403 - with a side of soup. Yes, it's good. Noodle with beef, fresh veggies and sauce. Simple good food. If you need a noodle fix without spending too much (say under $10), this is a great place to try. The place is relatively clean and managed. Worth visiting for sure.
(4)
Le L.

I always have to come here for their pho. I haven't been to this place for almost 5 months now and when I decided to come back on a saturday night for a hot bowl of pho I was amazed by the place. They expanded the place bigger now, definitely look better and bigger space for a vietnamese restaurant. Their restaurant was pretty clean even at night time when I went last time and I have to give them props for that since most vietnamese restaurants are pretty dirty by the end of the day. I ordered pho tai bo vien, it was a little too much soup on my bowl but noodles, meatballs and beefs were definitely more than enough. I love how well they make their soup, not too salty nor sweet, it is just right for a bowl of pho. I also ordered che ba mau. This has always been my favorite dessert, but pho sate made it a little to plain, I didn't taste the coconut nor the jelly inside. I was kind of disappointed by that. Overall i am definitely satisfied with the services and food quality at this place. I will definitely come back to try all their dishes (slowly of course).
(5)
Jessica C.

This is one of our favorite places-- and for the price, it is cheaper than two fast food combos! $7.25 a bowl, two bowls, water to drink= amazing healthy food for less than two burger king combos. Um. Yes please! This was our second time at Pho Sate and both times were very good. The first time I had the chicken meatballs and this time I had flank steak and brisket. I don't know if I could pick a favorite. :)
(5)
Pete V.

I must say Pho Sate ranks as one of my top 5 pho restaurants in the Falls Church area. Yes, there are countless options, but I do think Pho Sate puts out a good product at a good price. As with most hole-in-the-wall restaurants, the decor is very basic, but they do have a couple of flat screen TVs. The pho was very good, with a flavorful broth that had a slight kick. The sate sauce that appears as a red chile and peppercorn oil was very tasty, and packs quite a punch. If you haven't tried it yet, be careful with how much you add to the soup. I consider it a good value at just $7.95 for a large bowl (the regular is $7.50, so I don't see how it makes sense to order the smaller version). Another great pho option in Fall Church and certainly worth trying it just for the spicy sate sauce. Thumbs up!
(4)
Santita N.

It's the one reliable pho place, always. Whenever I'm craving pho, I'll think of pho SatÃ©. They serve this satÃ© sauce with your bowl of pho, a type of chili oil along with smoked/burnt flakes that makes almost anything tastes delicious. Pour that sucker into your bowl and BAM your bowl turns into a seriously hawt dish. Be wary if you are sensitive to spiciness, though. If the satÃ© sauce won't win you over, the broth will. It's clear and flavorful. You can taste the hours of simmering which the broth has went through. All the complex herbs is right there! Warms you right up even when you're feeling icy blue. Don't be afraid to explore other items in the menu. When a bowl of pho is not what you're in the mood for, go for some of their rice dishes. The appetizers are worth giving a try as well. Service is always quick (heck they stand over you while you're deciding). Come here for the excellent bowl of pho. Sit alone and watch some games on the overhead TV screens, that's fine too. Whatever floats your hungry tummy. No one looks up while they're downing a bowl of pho satÃ©.
(5)
Anna P.

I'm very picky with pho and I always keep coming back here. The service is great, the food is always good and the waiters are super nice. What I love the most is the satÃ© sauce itself. It smells so good and adds a great spin to your average pho bowl. Like your average pho place, the food comes out quick and you get a lot of self time but they will occasionally come by to make sure you're doing okay. Love this place, especially on nice gloomy days
(5)
Hung N.

Nothing beats homemade pho but this place is close. Consistently good. My to go place.
(5)
Pegah Y.

I loved loved loved the food at Pho Sate! I ordered the 109 (the Tai, Chin, which was the eye round beef and brisket) and mixed in the sate sauce (that oily red mixture that smells like fried onions) and was in heaven! I love my pho spicy and that sate sauce was absolutely perfect - it was delicious, went down easy, and didn't give me any stomachaches whatsoever afterwards. My pho tasted extremely authentic and was just $7.95 for a large and very generous portion. It's definitely not the ripoff places you sometimes come across in DC proper. It's really worth it to venture into the suburbs for good pho. My fiancÃ© ordered a stir fry rice noodle dish off the Sauteed Fat Rice Noodle section of the menu (not being in the mood for pho) and also really enjoyed it. I tried some of his and I was impressed. Overall, the food deserves 5 stars, but the atmosphere and service left a little to be desired and I'll have to give it 4.5 for now. We will certainly visit again. It's a bit of a drive from where we are, but it was completely worth it. I'll be craving that sate pho!
(4)
Sarah L.

The staff has recommended the pho ap chau to me a couple of times. Very rarely does a Vietnamese server voluntarily recommend a dish when we go out, so I took their word for it and was not disappointed. Pho ap chau is chow fun. They have one with beef sate that is a little spicy that I enjoyed. It does not seem as greasy as the Cantonese place but at the same time, it doesn't have that smoky note that I like from chow fun. But, it's something different from pho and hu tieu. Makes for good leftovers, too.
(4)
Johnny C.

0.5 - pho with thin beef: some of the worst pho I've ever had. Water-like broth, tough meat. It was later than other pho places are open, around 9pm on a Friday night, if that made a difference. 1.5 - service: waiters awkwardly standing around watching us, not making us feel welcome. One screwed up on some other tables order and cussed in Vietnamese, not very professional
(1)
Tami S.

I'm very picky with pho; especially being spoiled with the best homemade pho my entire life. Pho Sate is definitely my go-to pho spot in the DMV. The portions are well balanced. The broth is very flavorful. The meatballs are super fresh & yummy. Service is kind of slow. The restaurant is very spacious. Overall, Pho Sate is crack. I always crave it!
(4)
WildRose B.

Hands down my favorite pho place in NOVA! Upon entering you are immediately greeted by a server who will show you to your seat. Waters arrive immediately to the table along with utensils, sate sauce and the usual pho toppings consisting of lime, basil, & bean sprouts. My favorite is the chicken pho which has an amazing broth with rich flavor and aroma. A visit here is not complete without ordering the delicious fried chicken rolls with sweet sauce and lettuce on the side. To top it off I end my meal with an iced coffee with condensed milk. YUM! Another plus is this place along with the bathrooms are always clean!
(5)
Mai N.

The pho here is good, but it's not for everyone. Everyone is very particular about how their pho tastes, and while it's good enough for me, my parents definitely did not enjoy it (but they've been loyal patrons to Pho 75 ever since the first location opened). Here is how I rank my top three pho restaurants in order: 1) Pho 75. I only go here if I'm going with my parents because they're creatures of habit and refuse to get pho elsewhere. 2) Pho Golden Cow. I feel that the broth here is "cleaner" (hard to explain) so I'll eat here when I'm meeting a friend or eating by myself during the day. The portions here are pretty small and I always get pretty hungry shortly after eating here. 3) Pho Sate. This place is great since it's open until 10pm, which is later than most other pho places. I will normally eat here if it's in the evening and the other places are closed.
(4)
Jeanne K.

4.5. Really great pho. While the sate sauce is what makes it go the extra mile, the broth alone is much more flavorful than any other pho place in the DMV area that I've had in a while. However, you must add the sate sauce that they give you. I'm not sure what exactly goes in it, but although it's red, it's not really spicy and really adds another level of flavor to the broth. I had to restrain myself from drinking all the broth. Sooo yummy. I want some right now... I got the regular 109, but the A-1 appetizer was great as well. I haven't had taro in a spring roll before, but it was very tasty. Next time I'd like to try their egg noodles as well.
(5)
Karisa D.

*** 3 1/2 Stars*** Pho Sate is a decent place to go for a bowl of pho. My friend told me they recently expanded and have more space than they did before. The restaurant is spacious and bright with natural light coming in. It is also quite clean inside I ordered my usual eye of round steak and flank steak. Our food came out quickly, which was a good thing, because I was hungry. The broth is flavorful but not overpowering. Meat was cooked and there were plenty of noodles. It also came with the usual lime, Thai basil, jalepenos, and sprouts, which I always appreciate. Service was good; staff was friendly and attentive. Prices are affordable and they take credit cards which is a plus. Overall a good place for pho.
(3)
Justine K.

Oh, the restaurant is huge. Even for a late lunch (2pm), the restaurant was pretty packed. The menu i think is extensive (a bit overwhelming if you are not familiar with vietnamese food). Service: you definitely feel rushed and the service staff don't speak English all that well. One of my nieces is severely allegeric to seseame seeds and the waitress had no idea when we were trying to confirm that none of the dishes we orded has seseame seeds. Fortunately, for us it seems seseame seeds is not that common of an ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. Appetizers: the Taro pork spring rolls were awesome! Pork lined with taro fried perfectly. The fried chicken rolls were good too. Entree: #202 rice noodle with shrimp, shrimp pancake, pork slices, shrimp ball, lettuce, cilantro with side of chicken broth - the dish was excellent. The clear chicken broth was seasoned perfectly and was the best thing for a person recovering from a cold. I'm not a big pho fan so I was happy that they had so many other alternatives to choose from. I definitely want to come back and try other dishes.
(4)
Justine S.

SATE SAWSE IS ON POINT That being said, their pho is OK...It can be a hit or miss. I've had times when my broth was watery and times when it was flavorful (sans sate). The meat stays pretty consistent (yummy meatballs!) and the noodle-broth-soup ratio is well-balanced. Aside from their pho, they also have a variety of other soups/noodle dishes such as wonton noodle soup, seafood soup, etc. If I'm not ordering pho, I typically get #410 their well-known Hu Tieu sate dish which consists of both rice and egg noodles, beef, squid, shrimp, pineapples, and a tasty special sauce. Their appetizers are limited to egg rolls, fried bread, and very little else. They also have an assortment of Vietnamese drinks/desserts (Che). Their cafe sua da is very strong and not too sweet, I love it!! If I'm in the neighborhood, this is always a default lunch spot amongst my friends and I!
(4)
Scott M.

Bottom line, this Pho is on par with any other 4 star Pho joint in the area. The prices are great ($7.45 reg bowl) and you'll also get the added uniqueness of their Sate sauce. I would recommend asking for an additional side of Sate sauce and dump that into your Pho. The sauce has a little bit of nutty/BBQ flavor (maybe its got oyster sauce mixed in). With your extra side of Sate add a little soy sauce to it and dip the meat in there :) The restaurant is pretty big but I could imagine it gets packed. Overall its well maintained and clean unlike most Pho restaurants. They also finally accept credit cards.
(4)
Sahar R.

The best part of the pho here is the sate sauce. Basically they give you a tiny bowl of sate sauce (which is garlic, shallots, lemon grass, peanut oil, red thai chilis, sugar, fish sauce, kosher salt and Sriracha chili sauce) to pour into your pho. Just add the whole thing, I don't find it to be spicy and it's the greatest flavor enhancement to this bowl of pho. I'm a little strange in that I added 1/4 of a bottle of Sriracha after that and a whole bunch of limes, I found that the sate sauce didn't flavor the broth quite enough. We started with the Pork Tao Egg Roll, which were two kinda small and fried eggrolls. I couldn't taste the taro.I got the Tai Nam Gan with eye round steak, flank and soft tendon. The steak and flank were quite tender. The tendon didn't quite have the texture I'm used to and the rice vermicelli was a little al dente. I ordered a large and had bowl half full of broth when I finished the noodles (so they might be a little light on the noodles).Without the sate sauce, the broth would be unremarkable. I also tried the meatballs from my friend's pho and they were just ok. Other than that, it's a big clean restaurant that takes credit cards (their website still says cash only) with very quick service. It's great to have if I'm in the neighborhood, but I would not go out of my way for it.
(3)
Brengyei K.

IMO, pho is all about the broth this one was really good. We like it light and not too... Beefy? I had the number 109 while my husband always goes for the one in top of the menu with all the fixings. We're used to getting bean sprouts served with our pho, and this place doesn't. Missed having the crunch in the soup. Service was nice and prompt. It's bigger than some pho places we've been to, with some bench/booth seating as well as just tables. Our kids weren't with us, but I saw a lot of high chairs, so families orlarge groups would find it comfortable as well. We have tried literally dozens of pho places in the DMV area and this is on our top five pho sure (ha ha)
(4)
Lani T.

My review mostly revolves around the pho alone. While not the most traditional, simply because of the sate sauce, it's definitely one of my favorite pho places. I'm very loyal to Pho Golden Cow and Pho 75 because I've grown up with them but Pho Sate has a special spot in my stomach. I come here pretty much every weekend and its always very flavorful and hits the spot. I get the same thing Pho tai bo vien (eye round steak and meatball), sometimes I get chicken instead of tai (beef). Pho Sate's portion and pricing are awesome. While most pho places will range within the $7-9 a bowl between a regular and large size. Even for a small bowl of pho here, it will fill you up or at least satisfy you. They give a reasonable amount of toppings and noodles. The broth is great with and without the sate sauce but you absolutely must try it with the sate sauce. Now for the few other things I've tried, the chicken rolls and Mi Xao Gion (pan-fried noodles). The chicken rolls are a tiny appetizer to be honest but I'm always full from my pho anyways so I'm not too mad about that. They remind me of frozen eggrolls but they're good. It's that weird satisfying taste, you know its frozen but it's still good lol. As for the Mi Xao Gion, I had it with thit bo sate and I expected it to be spicy. It looked like regular sauce like it had no sate in it so I added that myself. I've had better mi xao gion, there was nothing special about it but it wasn't bad. I'll just stick to the pho here on out, it never disappoints.
(5)
Russ H.

Admittedly, I know nothing about Pho. However I do know that broth is hard to make and should be complex and theirs is. The place is in a somewhat sketchy shopping center next to a paint store and a grocery store where the signs are all in Spanish so you know it's in an authentic place. The restaurant is clean and the service is good and the Pho is great. Can't ask for more.
(4)
Damon B.

For only $20 we got two bowls of superb Pho and one bubble tea. That's the greatest deal in town! We LOVE pho, we love bubble tea, everything here is about $2 less than in DC and it's only a couple minutes away. We'll ABSOLUTELY be back. I want to be clear that we'd come back because the pho was excellent quality, and the bubble tea was absolutely perfect. The service was impeccable. And the restaurant was enormous and a great place to bring a crowd. In addition, they have a HUGE menu and awesome prices. We stuffed ourselves and can't wait to do it again!
(5)
Elvis L.

The Mi sate is still bombing. But the customer service here is still not that great. Sat down for like 15 minutes and the servers were just standing there. What I really hate about being Vietnamese, is that the Vietnamese community in Falls Church is horrible. If you are the same race they treat you like a second class citizen. Things really need to change in the Viet culture. Parking outside is pretty bad too, the street pavement is damaged and the parking lines are fading away.
(2)
Trey P.

first timer and i give it 4 stars (did take out). definitely going back soon and see if it gets the 5th star!
(4)
Hannah H.

!!!! YUM! The hubs and I came to check out Pho Sate for dinner - the restaurant was recently renovated (back in '13), and they offer starters & appetizers (pork taro egg rolls, chicken egg rolls, twist cruller, etc.), pho, rice noodle soups, egg noodles/wonton soups, and a nice selection of smoothies/boba. We started off with an order of the Cha Gio Thit Ga, which were 4 chicken egg rolls, filled with ground chicken and onions. This came with a side of sweet chili sauce; they were freshly-fried and pretty okay. For our entrees, I had #107, the Chin, Nam - this came with brisket and flank, and a generous amount of vermicelli noodles that were cooked perfectly al dente - the broth itself was pretty good and had some depth, with a subtle hint of sweetness, but not overpowering. I didn't add any hoison sauce to it, but I did add their special sate sauce (chili oil and crushed red pepper; something in which you would probably dip your dumplings into) and some sriracha sauce - the sate sauce was just so delicious and added an extra oomph to it - I've never seen this at any pho places I've been to - it really added something special to the dish! The brisket and the flank were also fresh and meaty, but not overpowering of an amount. The hubs had #114, which was the Ga (Thit Trang), which came with shredded all-white chicken meat - this was also pretty good, and one of the best chicken pho I've had! I also appreciated that the veggies were oh-so-fresh, like the sliced jalapenos and the bean sprouts! We also tried their strawberry smoothie with some boba (the bobas were colorful, but they were not good, so opt out of those!) - this was refreshing and yummy :D Our server was Hung P., and he was very efficient, sweet, and friendly. It states that they do not accept CC, but they did when we were there, so I am not sure if that rule is enforced? The restaurant is pretty large (I believe it takes up 2 spaces), and it's located in a little plaza off of Graham Road. Definitely will be one of my go-to places for pho! :D +sate sauce!!! :D +#107 +perfect al dente vermicelli noodles! +fresh bean sprouts/pho accompaniments! +strawberry smoothie (opt out of the boba) +ask for Hung P. :D +plenty of parking
(5)
Tracy K.

Didn't know there was pho that was eaten this way...this place gives a sate sauce w their pho bowls to put in which is really interesting. It definitely makes your pho a lot more savory. After a while though, I didn't really like how my broth became thicker and more like a ramen. BUT good news is, you don't have to add the sate sauce thing in, so it's really your choice. Service was excellent and portions were normal.
(3)
Matt L.

Great place. Other pho isn't quite the same. Service is effecient and friendly. I go here alot. Price is reasonable and portions are big.
(5)
Nae P.

Im not a pho person whatsoever, only because ive had enough for 3 lifetimes when my mom used to own one. But pho sate is pretty good. The sate sauce is very generic and can be bought at grocery stores, but the one they serve here is a bit more charcoal-ish, burnt. & it pretty much makes the dish awesome. I never order pho from here but i ALWAYS must get the house special with beef. Its white rice noodle, beef, pineapple and lettuce, no broth, but this brown sauce that you mix in like stir fry and of course the sate sauce. Its pretty much the only thing i order when i go :)
(4)
Kimberly S.

Writing this review sends a tear to my eye. After enthusiastically writing three five-star reviews for this place I have to give them a huge drop on the rating scale. I have eaten here about a dozen times since they opened their newer, cleaner, credit card taking operation and each time the boy and I have left with a serious, serious stomach ache. I don't know why I keep subjecting myself to this intestinal torture but everytime I go back I think that it was just a fluke and it will get better. Nope, it only gets worse! I am assuming that these stomach aches have to do with a drop in food quality. As I mentioned, I've done several taste tests and also checked out other pho shops in the area just to make sure that I did not form an allergic reaction to pho in general...but alas, it is true.... Right now the only things that Pho Sate has going for it is it's credit card machine and their sate sauce. Other than that...nada... Time to learn how to make my own sate sauce and keep it in my purse for future pho cravings!
(2)
Jina Y.

Honestly, the only reason why would go here is for the sate sauce. I really really like it and adds so much flavor to the broth. I love that it also adds spicyness to the broth. (If you can't tell from my past reviews I absolutely love spicy!!!) I also like the bread thing. (Sorry, don't know the name of it.) I learned this from a friend, but I dip it in my broth and eat it. (Sorta like dipping oreos in milk!) It's a good combination! I was actually sorta surprised that they didn't serve summer rolls... (the fresh rolls with pork/shrimp in it.) The one thing that I don't like about this place is that during peak times when it is super super busy, their service stinks. I've only been there three times and two out of the three times I have been there when it was busy and I'm sorry, but if it was anywhere else I would not have waited the almost hour to be seated and almost another 20-30 minutes to order our food. Otherwise, good pho place to eat, but I wouldn't particularly want to crave to come here. Other than for their sate sauce of course.
(3)
Lai S.

I was excited about this place because I've been craving vietnamese food and seen all the reviews. Unfortunately I was disappointed. I ordered number 202 rice noodles with shrimp, shrimp pancake, sliced pork, and chicken balls-- there was no chicken balls, the noodle was over cooked it was super slimy and broke into little pieces as I used my chop sticks to mix the soup and sauces in,the broth was watered down. The chicken eggrolls we ordered were extremely small and it was like eating fried egg roll wraps bc there was NOTHING inside.. It's like they purchased the eggrolls from the oriental market freezer aisle and just fried them up. My husband had the 702 fried fat rice noodle with chicken, it was super greasy and no flavor. I also ordered D3 TOGO from the dessert Side, it was supposed to have coconut jelly, jackfruit, Logan, coconut milk, and green jelly; no Logan, the green jelly was weird tasting like it crumbled when u bite into it.. Maybe it's old? Idk but the dessert was mostly ice and I did not get the dessert TOGO as asked they just brought it out. Service was fast and meh like most asian places. We did not tip and they were not happy stared us down all the way to our car but honestly I'm done tipping ppl just because, not gonna condone poor service and food.
(1)
Lisa P.

I wish I could give Pho Sate a better review, but the quality of their pho isn't consistent. Some days, the broth is deliciously satisfying, and filled with flavor, other days it's practically clear and tastes like chicken broth. Having grown up with homemade pho, I am a fan of the type that uses star anise, clove, and cinnamon in the broth versus the less flavorful type I most often come upon at restaurants. I recommend trying one of their other noodle soups instead - there's one with lettuce, shrimp, pork and a shrimp pancake on top that I find better than their standard pho. The sate sauce is the real upside to this place, as is their bubble tea which only comes frozen FYI. Pork taro egg rolls are OK if you don't mind the greasiness and the fact that the shell falls apart when you pick them up...I'd rather walk twenty feet over to BaLe and get 6 for 5 dollars or whatever the deal is.
(3)
Will N.

This is the best pho spot near Arlington IMHO. The sate sauce sets it apart from the others. The 109 is the best, also the 113 is great. The chicken egg rolls are seriously on point. The price point is fantastic. It's like 8 bucks a person, and since it's so good you can get away with taking a date there. I take my girlfriend all the time. 20 dolla date. The boba is pretty dece too. I like the avocado boba. Service is pretty good, one time it took quite a long time to get our drinks and had to ask a couple times, and we were all superduper hungover and in dire need of water so that was rough, but overall I love the place. Also shout out to my good friend Jimmy who picked up the whole table's tab on Saturday. Thanks Jimbo! Also thanks to my good friend Chuck for driving, I was too hungover.
(4)
Tina T.

Came here with a bunch of my girlfriends for lunch. We all ordered our pho and majority of us ordered the ice coffee in a to-go cup (which is great by the way). Pho has gotten slightly better but not that great. I got the Pho tai with beef flank and tripe. Noticed that Pho Sate definitely were skimpy on the meats since there wasn't a lt of beef round eye, flank and tripe in my pho bowl. Service isn't all that great. Had to flagged people down numerous times just to get several of our items. Also, the servers seemed flustered or confused between our orders or whatever. Still not my to go place, but since my friend wanted to go here I went lol.
(2)
Dt N.

Went here for the first time and had #209 Hu tieu sate. It was a good dish, large portion that was filling. The sauce was little on the saltier side but the seafood was cooked perfectly! Would recommend. Price was about 10$ per dish and lots of space /tables. Vietnamese coffee was good here too!
(5)
Tiffany L.

This is the best pho place I have been to. I'm pretty picky about my pho since I'm used to home-cooked and I've had it in Vietnam and Cali. But this is the only pho restaurant I'll go to in Virginia. I usually get the Pho Tai Bo Vien when I get pho there. The broth is perfectly delicious and doesn't taste like MSG (unlike other restaurants). I crave their pho every time I come back for break. I would also recommend the Bun Tai Hai San which is their seafood noodle soup. It's a different broth but also very tasty. All of their wet, dry or crispy yellow noodles are also really good. The Cafe Sua Da or Viet ice coffee is the best. Overall, 5 stars for delicious food, friendly staff, quick service and great prices.
(5)
Sherri D.

Yumm! Absolute YUM! This is my boyfriend and I's favorite pho place in the area. It's a tough competition with pho 75, but the sate just makes all the world a difference here, especially if you're sick. I consider myself a pho fanatic and a firm believer that big old bowl of pho is the remedy for everything. Since their renovation, I've been frequenting this place more and more even if it's a bit more of a drive away than Pho 75 out in Rosslyn. They've expanded and have catered to more customers and in addition (another +1 in comparison to Pho 75) they now take cards! So long are the days when you have to worry about running to an ATM to get cash. I'm really impressed with the improvements Pho Sate has made. My favorite is the chicken cha gio rolls and a large bowl #101 with everything in it. Pure deliciousness. The broth is hearty, the sate gives it the perfect kick, and they give you tons of meat. Dining in - we've always been seated promptly and food served under 10 minutes. We're usually in and out within 45 minutes leaving happy and I've never had an issue with customer service. Carrying out - the same pleasant experience. I've always been able to call ahead and my order is perfect and ready within 15-20 minutes. It's a must-try in the Falls Church area!
(5)
Tom C.

Inconsistant but still good. Been trying there other noodle dishes more. They are ridding there name out and i think food quality has dropped as well.
(3)
Jennifer M.

Why is their broth SO good? So first, they DO accept credit cards. Second, their broth is so good! I think most people love pho sate because you can add the sate oil, but I'm here to tell you that it's good regardless. I know this because I don't add my sate to the bowl, but just dip my meat as I go. My preferred slices of meet are brisket and flank, so 109 is my go-to, but I've checked out the meat in others' bowls and they're all pretty delicious looking. If you've never been, check it out. Winter gloom is upon us, and pho is a great pick-me-up!
(4)
Sara H.

my husband and i trek down from maryland basically for the sate sauce. adding it to the pho definitely adds a different flavor to the broth that is pretty unique to this place. there are other pho places in the DMV that have better broth imo, but the sate sauce is what keeps us going back for more. the chicken spring rolls are also tasty - 4 comes out with each order. really crispy and yummy. mmmm. pho.
(4)
Wendy W.

Being let down by a restaurant is in some ways more painful than being let down by a person. A restaurant sometimes sets the scene of an important event or is sometimes an active participant of a wonderful memory. So when a restaurant lets you down, it hurts. Ever since Pho Sate reopened after the remodeling, it's been one disappointment after another. The broth for the pho is watered-down. The first time it happened, we chalked it up to a bad night. The second time, it just simply made our stomach boil. You see, we are serious pho eaters. So when I take a big slurp of the broth and taste nothing but tap water with trace amount of salt, the experience is ruined. The flat noodles dishes, once a favorite also failed miserably. The flat noodles were so charred that every bite was bitter until I could take no more. I have given Pho Sate a few tries after its reopening but have resolved that it has lost its loving feeling.
(1)
Nargis A.

This place has such good pho! They are always busy but they manage to bring out your food within minutes of ordering. The broth and noodles have so much flavor! Their chicken egg rolls are AMAZING! they're so crispy and fresh! Unlike other pho places, the waiters/waitresses come around and refill your drinks. Unfortunately they lose a star because I was just there with a friend and she found a fruit fly in her pho. She told the waitress and she said that she would give her another bowl of pho for free. My friend had lost her appetite at that point so she ended up getting the pho and egg rolls for free. Typically, they would have gotten 5 stars but finding flies in your soup is simply unacceptable. And the only reason why they didn't get 1 star is because they handled it well and sincerely apologized.
(4)
Carol F.

I always go for Pho Sate's egg noodles with seafood. Slightly spicy and then I add extra sate sauce. Also with the fried oil sticks... dip them one by one in the soup then eat when they're softened...yum yum. I'm constantly craving this! Heard the smoothies are all powder though and I think the pho's not bad either. Would recommend!
(4)
Courtney R.

Everyone has their fave pho spot, and this happens to be mine. Pho Sate is the one place I don't add ANYTHING to my broth--their broth is perfection! Slightly sweet, slightly salty, lots of anise (which I like) and you can even taste the cinnamon. A new phrase got coined here: pho-roma. Just sniffing the broth when your bowl arrives can make your eyes roll back in appreciation. I usually get pho tai or tai with some combo. Sometimes I'll order extra meat because it's not the most bountiful portion (as other reviewers have mentioned). Rolls and sua da are usually ordered, but nothing amazing. Service is prompt and staff are really sweet and accommodating. Price is right--nothing gets my goat like a $11 bowl of pho. A large here is an appropriate $7.95.
(5)
Angel W.

Pho: Broth is savory, a key component to good pho. Meat, funny, we both ordered ours with brisket, and neither one of our bowls contained ANY! If you ran out, just say so and suggest a substitution/alternate. Don't not say anything and try to pass it off like we won't notice. Veggies (basil) were kind of wilted. Boba: not good, the tapioca was not fresh, with hard centers. Service: weird. Not 2 minutes after we sat down, we were asked 4 TIMES whether we were ready to order. Guys, let me crack open the damn menu first. Cost: cheap. Overall, if you want a cheap bowl of noodle soup with mediocre quality that accepts credit cards and is outside of the Eden center, come here... I guess.
(2)
Yuyu S.

Despite, it's namesake - my favorite thing about Pho Sate isn't the pho but the variety of noodles that it offers. Pho is truly soul warming during the cold winter but I'm drawn to those wonderful egg noodles topped with delicious beef. The sauce itself is addicting - a perfect mix of chili oil and spices that takes your noodles to the next level. Nothing to say about pho sate other than the short and succinct statement that it's a top tier noodle establishment.
(4)
Anabel L.

It is a bit baffling to me how this place is rated 4 stars. Not only would I not return, everything here was ranging from mediocre to not good. I had pho my first visit here and found the meat to be very strange and not at all appealing. Decided to give it another shot for fathers day. Chicken egg rolls - smallest little things I have ever seen, probably 70% fried dough to 30% filling ratio. Think taquito sized... not what I want in a spring roll and seriously a spring roll is hard to screw up. Ordered the trieu chau bo and another dish that apparently was the exact same thing but rice noodles instead of egg... (203 was the number on the menu). Asked the waiter why the dish was listed under "rice noodle soups" and his answer was not all of the items under that are actually noodle soups. Ok..... Last dish was the fat noodle dish which was good, but again tasted like they used the exact same salty sauce and I ended up leaving feeling full but kind of gross. For better pho, go to pho 75 in rosslyn. For better vietnamese food.. go anywhere else but here, however I am partial to rice paper in the eden center.
(1)
Amy P.

So the customer service here is absolutely horrible! The wait is long and even after you get seated, it takes forever to get water or for them to take your order. The waiter looks annoyed when you ask for something. BUT their food is sooo good. We ordered their chicken rolls, pho and iced Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. They really need to work on their customer service but honestly I don't think it'll improve because people still continue coming despite their horrible customer service.
(3)
Dan M.

This joint is probably my go to spot for Pho whenever I am in the area. I have been coming to this place for years even prior to the renovation and the acceptance of credit cards and have always left a satisfied customer. I was happy to be back in the area and make my way over to this joint one rainy day after work. The weather was the perfect setting for a hot bowl of pho. We made our way over to this joint and of course parking is pretty straightforward with an open lot. The joint itself is a cafeteria type environment where you just come in and seat yourself where there is a spot. It was fairly early so not a ton of people filling up the place. After a quick run through of the menu, I just went with the large 101 and we also shared the pork taro egg roll as an appetizer. Food was relatively quick to come out and within minutes we had made our concoction of hoisin and siracha along with the sate sauce. The broth was solid for the day we came and I think to date it has always been consistently solid. Not the best but a solid dish with consistency I can appreciate. The meat was cut thinly and they gave generous portions of it. The large was probably a bit overkill for me and I could have done just fine with a medium but did not regret devouring this dish even with the full stomach pains afterwards. The pork taro egg rolls were ok for me and just standard. Not memorable enough to dock this place or give it props. I merely review this place based on the pho and the consistency of how they prepare it. The acceptance of credit cards is also a huge plus for me. Still a fan after this last visit and will definitely be back for more pho whenever I have a craving.
(4)
Ky G.

Best pho iv have and iv been too Chicago tank. And most coastal cities. Their homemade chilly sauce is to die for. Definitely gonna stop by wverytime I visit dc
(5)
Lisa H.

Pho Sate is definitely one of my top spots for whenever I need a pho fix in Northern VA. I haven't left here unsatisfied so far! Their signature dish, obviously, would be the pho that is always served with a small dish of sate sauce. Their own unique blend of spices and oils, and it's very yummy and recommended that you pour it on and stir before you eat! It's also great on their Banh Pho Xao Do Bien, which is a fat rice noodle dish with assorted meats and veggies covered in a slightly sweet but yummy brown sauce. If you're not in a soup mood, definitely get one of the fat noodle dishes. It is sure to please! Overall, I like the large restaurant after the renovations they did a couple years ago. I like the food, and flavors! Thumbs up.
(4)
Kevin W.

Wow. After decades of going to Pho 75, I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is now my favorite pho joint in NOVA (and in turn, pretty much anywhere - most pho place here in NYC are shit). Now this is not to say Pho 75 isn't good - in fact it's still excellent on many fronts. But what gives Pho Sate the advantage is their insanely addictive chili oil/sate sauce. That thing is honestly one of the most addictive sauces I've experienced in a long time. Case in point - in my most recent visit I ordered 2 large bowls of pho tai - and I gobbled up every single morsel of food in that bowl. It is difficult to describe just how tasty the sauce is when you soak a nice tender slice of fresh hot beef in it. It also is great when you drop it in the broth itself, which gives it a whole new feel/texture to the mix. Frankly, I don't think the pho here is totally superior compared to Pho 75, and the broth is on the sweeter side, which may not resonate with some folks. However, their sate sauce just seems to kick everything up a notch. I also like how their menu here offers more variety than Pho 75. Their chicken spring rolls are also extremely tasty and work quite well with a variety of sauces. I personally smeared it in Sriracha sauce and enjoyed every hot, crunchy bite. It was a nice compliment to the delish noodles. Pho, like all food, is obviously something that is very subjective when it comes to personal opinion. For some the sate sauce may not resonate the same way as it does for other people. But for me, personally I think you can't go wrong with giving this place a chance if you're a serious fan of pho or Vietnamese food in general. I also like how the place has gotten much bigger since their recent expansion. There's also plenty of parking in this strip mall, which is another plug. The service here was also very friendly and they brought the food in a very timely manner. I'm sort of embarrassed I ate 2 giant bowls of pho, but hey, if I hauled ass from NYC to get here, I'm going to get my stomach's worth lol
(5)
Chloe R.

I can't get enough of their food. I highly recommend their Thai boba. If it tastes heavy, give it a minute or two for the ice to melt and dilute the boba.
(5)
Jane P.

Came here the other day with two of my friends & was quite surprised to have tasted the difference in the broth of the pho. It is 100x better than the past few times I've been here the past year. The broth was so much more flavorful & tasty. I was also very satisfied that the broth was extremely hot when it came out so the broth stayed hot longer while I was eating it (I'm a slow eater). I can give it two stars more than my last review solely on the pho because besides the sate, that's why people mainly come here for. The service still is horrible & hasn't really changed. You have to ask for everything & anything else you need besides from what you ordered. For some reason, it took way longer than usual (20+ minutes) for our three phos to come out but it was not even busy & the restaurant was less than half full.
(3)
Carolyn C.

I've been going to this place for years, and it still is consistently one of the best pho places in the area. What makes it so great is the flavor of the broth and abundance of meat, and the proportion size of the pho. Service is good even on a busy Sunday. One con would be the lack of vegetarian pho, other than that, their other non-pho dishes are good as well (like the flat rice noodles with veggies in a brown sauce that is the suped-up version of a Thai lad na dish).
(4)
Phuong O.

I finally got to try this place and it was a fantastic experience. Other than the flies flying around this place is pretty good. We ordered spring rolls, pho and fry pan noodles. The sate is not supposed to be eaten with pho but the hell with it... It doesn't taste bad. It made it spicy but doesn't do justice like sriracha sauce does. Spring rolls were good but not great. My dad had the pan fried noodles and that looks so good. Next time I'm there I'm definitely gonna try that. The pho broth was good, I saw plenty of meat in my bowl so I didn't feel skimpped on. I also ordered the soda salted plum drink. There was no carbonation in my drink but it still tasted great when I added water to it. Overall, good place to try... They have other great dishes other than pho.
(5)
Chow N.

Came on a Sunday morning. It wasn't super busy but the wait was long to receive the food. I mean very long. Also, the spoons they give you were worn down and should be trashed. Kinda nasty. Also, they skimp on the sprouts/basil initially but will gladly give you more if you ask. I think I prefer Hai Duong in Eden Center b/c their pho offers a clearer broth. The one thing this place has going for it is the nutty tasting sate chili oil.
(2)
T L.

Definitely the best pho I ever had! Love the special sauce that they give out, my gosh my mouth is watering just thinking about it! And don't get me started on the egg rolls, so crispy and delicious. Not only is the pho here is great, but also their other dishes, like the stir fried seafood noodles. And their smoothie and ice coffee is fantastic to the max! Love the variety of food they have and great customer service. My taste buds and heart is pleased.
(5)
Christine L.

Went here for Sunday lunch with party of 4 and 2 tots. We arrived around 1 and place was packed. We waited about 15 min before we were seated. Ordered pho with thit chin and bo vien. Pho came out with individual sate sauce bowls per person. It smelled so good. Never had my pho with this. I usually have my bun bo hue with this. The pho broth was delicious and flavorful. I did not have to add any hoison or siracha to it....that's how good it was. I added sate since that seems like their "thing" here. Mmmmm. So glad I did. It made it that much better. Sate must've been made in house. Never had this good tasting sate at any restaurant before. Got a coconut juice - tasted too sweet like there was added sugar. Probably wasn't natural and fresh. For mamas: they provide scissors to cut the noodles for our tots. However, the small bowl we asked for the kids was porcelain, which could break if your tot tends to throw things around. No changing table but large enough countertop with sink to use as a table.
(5)
Michelle D.

I was sick and needed soup and this place was close to my son's Tae Kwon Do. My husband went out and brought me back my first bowl of Pho from Pho Sate . It was delicious!!! I am Chinese and go to NYC just to eat. I've been to Eden and grew up in the D.C Metro area. This is the best Pho I've had in a while. The little hot sauce concoction (chili oil, plum and sriacha?) in the Solo container was amazeballs!! I will definitely come here again for Pho.
(5)
Kevin Jiseup K.

Dare I say it?? Best Pho place in the DMV area?!? Yes. That little bowl of spice pepper oil is basically this MSG sauce that takes your pho to the next level. TURN DOWN FOR WHAT.
(5)
Kunal M.

This is the king of Vietnamese Pho shops in the Washington DC area. The sate sauce is awesome and adds a spicy kick to your soup. I recommend this place for a steaming bowl of noodle soup with both sate and a bit of Sriracha sauce on a cold wintery evening. Order a spring roll as an appetizer as well
(4)
Amber G.

As far as pho places go, this one deserves five stars pho-sho. It's definitely one of the best pho places around. In addition to the typical spicy sriracha and sweet plum sauce, this place gives you a small side of sate sauce. The sate sauce is spicy, so beware. However, it also happens to be salty, flavorful deliciousness that adds a lot to the broth. The sate sauce gives this restaurant an edge over places like Pho 75. Good broth-to-noodle ratio and flavor every time. Also appreciate the cleanliness of the place! Added bonus: Pho Sate has pretty good bubble tea as well!
(5)
Eva P.

As a pho fanatic, I probably eat about 50 gallons of this delicious soup per year. At minimum. However, my subpar experience at Pho Sate prompted me to write a review. Below are the major points that may interest you: 1) Pho broth - full of MSG and salty enough to shrivel my tongue. 2) Meat in broth - had to chew 'em like a horse to get 'em down. 3) Thai tea - tasted like sugared candy with sugary sugar (did I use all the possible variations of the word?). I also suspect that it is made from powder. 4) The server hovered over us as we wrote out our tip. 5) A very unhappy time on the toilet as soon as I got home. Hey, at least it's Friday.
(1)
Alice W.

My go-to pho restaurant in the DC area! I've been going to Pho Sate since I was maybe 10. Having grown up in this area, there are a number of other pho places to check out and a lot of competition, but Pho Sate wins my vote every time. I actually grew up in Arlington and used to frequent the Pho 75 in Arlington quite a lot before my family discovered Pho Sate in Falls Church. Once my family moved out to Fairfax, we never went back to the Pho 75. And why would we? That place, although in the Washingtonian Cheap Eats, has the rudest staff I've ever encountered in any pho restaurant. Yes the pho tastes good and they're quick/efficient, but the sheer disrespect you get from these people is atrocious. At Pho Sate, you get great tasting pho and good, polite service. Also, they open until 10pm Monday-Thursday and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, which is much, much better than the other pho restaurants that close at 8 or 9pm (who closes that early?! People have to eat!). Pho Sate offers other dishes besides pho and although I've never tried any of the other dishes, they look appetizing, authentic, and worth a try. They recently had a makeover (it used to seat only 20-30 people) and wow, they've expanded twice their original size, got a new credit card machine, more TVs, and the kitchen is HUGE! I usually get a regular bowl of pho (typically eye round steak with either flank or brisket) and that's it. Their name pays homage to their sate sauce, which is delicious. Pile in some Thai basil, bean sprouts, chili peppers, and a dash of lime, and you're good to go. Pho is perfect for the cold days that are settling upon us right now. Hearty soup that goes down like water. And yes, as I mentioned above, they now ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS! I'm actually not sure if that's a good or bad thing because now it's so convenient to go and have a bowl of pho anytime, so they may eat up more of my money than before ;-)
(4)
Megan P.

One of the toughest things about living in NYC was finding solid pho establishment. Thankfully, I don't have to go through withdrawal ever again because I have several pho spots only minutes from my home. Pho Sate is among the best. It's more spacious than most other places I've been to. The pho broth is amazing and my hubbs like the little detail that makes a big difference - their Sate sauce which offers some extra heat. I myself am not a spicy food enthusiast so he usually takes mine. I love their pho and their chicken egg rolls are SO tasty -- a nice crunchy compliment to their noodle soups. This joint has become a staple in our home to visit on a regular basis...even in the summer.
(5)
William C.

It's average. I expected more from this pho joint, but I found it to be equivalent to Pho Saigon/Pho Van in the outer parts of Baltimore City. The 'large' pho didn't offer much in terms of quantity. For 70 cents less, I don't think the smaller size would give any satisfaction to my belly. With respect to flavor, I found the broth to be light, so I added the hot oil they provided - the oil was done very well.
(4)
Natalie M.

My husband and I really like this place. There are several pho spots close to us, but this one wins. We always get the eye round steak pho. Don't forget the sate sauce!
(4)
C R.

Not bad at all. Ordered some Pho and some other soup dish with broth and vermicelli with a shrimp floating on a fried pancake boat. The sauce they provide in a separate saucer is pretty tasty. A little spicy and a different flavor than I've had before. I was taking meat from my dish and dipping it in the sauce. Awesome! The pho was alright; maybe I'm just not a huge fan of pho. However, the other diner I went with enjoyed the pho. For anyone that hasn't been there before, at the end of your meal, you get up and pay at the cashier. Just tell them which table you sat at. That was not clear to us the first time we went here. Also, service was very fast and to the point; they came over to us a few times when we weren't ready yet. At least we weren't kept waiting. I would not mind coming back. Would recommend!
(4)
Anne T.

This place had bad service and the food was not authentic. We ordered #202 and 701 which were bland and not correctly made. 701 was extremely greasy and made with the wrong type of noodles. Overall we were dissatisfied and will not return.
(1)
Ishita V.

Pho-Sate is indeed a very nice Pho restaurant. I ordered the Egg noodle soup with shrimp, chicken, shrimp balls, shrimp pancake, scallions, cilantro, lettuce and chicken broth on the side. The portion was appropriate to fill your stomach well. The noodle to broth ratio was appropriate as well. The egg noodles by themselves were infused with lovely flavors. The broth was very flavored too. The shrimp balls really added to the taste of the dish. It was overall a very good dish. They give you Sate sauce in the side, it's like a mix of oil and chilly. And you have other sauces on table as well. Quick and courteous service with a great taste of dishes. If you like pho, you must go to this place!
(5)
Walt W.

Sate sauce. I come for that tiny bowl of spicy heaven. The Pho and other dishes are nothing special but that little bowl of sauce changes everything.
(3)
Annie K.

**UPDATE** They FINALLY accept major credit cards now!!! (Even Discover and AMEX!) And you can even leave tip on the card! =)
(4)
Nini T.

This place now accept credit card. This place is near by Ba Le Bakery. Spacious and clean and newly renovated interior. There are plenty of parking space. This review is base on our TAKE-OUT and for Pho experience only, there fore I can't speak for the customer services. This is our third time take-out at this place. 2 out 3 times, the broth is extremely horrible. The horrible time we noticed when we ordered out at night. Last night was extremely disappointed! We felt the like the salt was on sale big time or something because it was EXTREMELY SALTY!!!!! And then there's the noodle.... it was soggy and meh! All four pho we ordered last night was a huge disappointment. Should have drove little more to pho on route 50 instead of being lazy. Would definitely never come back here, and would not recommend to any of my friends or family.
(2)
YaZhen C.

First time coming here and I have heard it is one of the best pho places around. Coming in the place it looked really clean. There was a sign that said please wait to be seated but no one was around. Then we saw a waiter waving at us and asking how many. It was a little weird because the place wasn't busy so why wouldn't he just come over but I digress. When we sat down we ordered hot tea and water but they didn't bring that out until we ordered which was weird to me. Our waiter seemed like he didn't want to be there at all and it came off as a bit rude. Normally in restaurants when they're busy I can understand them being a little short and get straight to the point but like I said earlier it wasn't busy at all. I was a bit disappointed with what I ordered. I ordered what I thought was pho sate but it ended up being just noodles with a brown sweet and savory sauce and no broth. What got to me was that I ordered it from the section that said 'noodle soup' and yet got no soup. Maybe it was just because I was not with anyone viet and didn't understand the way the way their menu was set up. Bottom line, for those of us that will be going for the first time and aren't Vietnamese, if it doesnt say pho I don't think there's any broth. Maybe next time I'll try it again with one of my viet friends so that they can explain to me the menu better.
(3)
Mike N.

Newly renovated. They now accept debit and credit cards unlike before when they only accepted cash. I wouldn't come here for straight up Pho but for the Hu Tieu (H9). It's different than regular Pho, it's mixed with a variety of ingredients and their special sauce.
(3)
Charry L.

Our waitress recommended us a duck soup. It was delicious - the soup base is different than the beef pho - There are two choices of noodles - rice or egg. We had it with rice noodles. The duck soup comes with green papaya. I'd like to try it next time with the egg noodles. Delicious soup, generous servings, and kind service.
(5)
Yo S.

Not much to say that hasn't been said. Great bowl of pho at a great price. The flavor of their soup is the best in the area. The service is minimal, but the food comes out fast; which is the way it should be. Ain't no reason to add unnecessary fluff to simple, peasant food. Eat here, plain and simple.
(4)
Natalie W.

BEST PHO EVER IN LIFE. The broth is 10x better than any other pho broth I've tried and the sate sauce just takes this bowl of goodness to the next level. I eat here at least once a week when I'm in town.
(5)
Amanda T.

I promise you, you wont be disappointed in the pho. It was delicious and some of the freshest tasting pho ive ever eaten. I looked on yelp for a good pho place around my doctors office and this one seemed to jump out at me. Im so happy it did because i am stuffed and my belly is happy! The waitresses were very sweet and fast to bring out everything and to take my order! It was clean, well managed, and im definitely coming back in the near future. 10/10 highly recommend!!
(5)
Sylvie S.

Pho Sate has been my longstanding favorite 5 star pho place. I still think they do the best broth and their sate sauce is to die for but a few things were less than awesome and my pho sate perfection bubble burst. Since the renovation, I LOVE that there is always ample seating available. I never once had to wait again since the renovation. (YESSSS!) They now also accept credit cards. I almost never carry cash so this makes it even more convenient. (YESSSS!) As stated before, their broth is still so so good and no one in the area can even begin to touch the flavoring in their sate sauce. But... *I've been eating egg rolls like a champ (cha gio) lately... and I find that the egg roll has a little too much taro(?)(I think its taro) *Since the expansion, I also find service to be very slow and a bit inattentive. One of the main pros about pho is that it is FAST. A slow moving bowl of pho kind of defeats the purpose of going to eat pho. Unless of course you are hungover and the whole world is in slo-mo...then maybe it doesn't matter as much. *My final issue is the meat. They could upgrade to better meat. I still think this is the best pho joint inside the beltway but Pho Duong in Centreville just slid into first place in my opinion.
(4)
Ryan Y.

Been to several pho places around the area and this is probably one of the best. A little bit of a hidden gem since it's not in Eden center or on a major road anywhere. Broth is so rich and has a nice salty and delicious flavor. I've had some good pho in the DMV area and I've had some bad pho... I'll be coming back here next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Antoine B.

I've found my new Pho restaurant in VA. Came across this small piece of heaven through my fellow yelpers. Arrived on a Friday evening around 10pm. I was immediately seated and after receiving the menu I glanced directly at the pho list because I wanted something hot to warm my soul because it was very cold that night. I ordered the well done brisket Pho with extra meat and Hot tea. Everything came within 5 min and I started to dig in. The broth was very flavorful and the meat was very tender. After I finished eating it seem as if the restaurant started to fill with more people. They closed at 11pm so I guess it was the last min rush. I am very happy that I found a Pho restaurant for when I'm in VA. Thanks to my fellow yelpers they have once again recognized another great place to eat.
(5)
Angela B.

Happened to be in the Great Falls area a few weeks ago - up at Great Falls National Park (love that area). Our group decided to get Pho afterwards, and this establishments was one of the closest. I feel in love immediately! The portions are great, and the sate sauce (hope I got that right) is ON POINT, everyone at my table hated it, so I took their portions, lol. Per usual I had my staple chicken pho, and even decided to get some crispy rolls. Very happy with my visits (three times since) thus far, and definitely look forward to going back!
(4)
Aly J.

Staff harassed my husband for no reason last night when he picked up food for me. We go there frequently and it was uncalled for. Both service and food quality has gone downhill recently. Will not be back.
(1)
Mark C.

I would come here often on a weekly basis. However, the previous two meals were horrible. Be sure to make sure your food was prepped correctly. The first meal that had issues was 2 weeks ago. After consuming the food, we discovered that there was a small insect like object in the broth. I removed the object out of the bowl and placed in on a plate. We discovered it was an insect. It has multiple legs and antennas on top of the head. Given that I enjoy this place, I spoke to the waiter and politely told them to make sure to keep your food away from insects. I told him this issue happens and that they should be more careful. The employees got offended and said that it was "lemongrass". Wow.. Seriously. Any 5yr old kids will know that what came out of that broth was an insect. We gave the restaurant another try the following week. Unfortunately, me and my party got food poisoning a few hours after our meal. Food is going downhill at this establishment. Will not come here anymore in the future. To deny that a fly/insect got into our food is wrong by the employees there.
(1)
Hee L.

Am I the only one not too wowed by the Pho here? Don't get me wrong, it's pretty good, but I've had better Pho. I still think Pho 75 down the street is better flavor wise. Pho Sate's broth is a little sweeter than what I normally expect. I just don't get that authentic flavor. Maybe it's not supposed to be "authentic". I'm also not too wowed by the "sate sauce" they give out. It's pretty much hoisin sauce with the red chili oil and flakes. Maybe there is some sriracha mixed In. Don't know. But whatever it is, the thought of pouring all that oil in my Pho isn't too appeasing. I used it as a dipping sauce for my meat. It was just ok. One good thing about pho Sate is that they have a lot of other dishes to choose from if you are not a pho fan. They also have appetizers like spring rolls and summer rolls. The spring rolls were crispy and pretty good. Overall, I will always choose pho 75 over pho sate. The only reason why I come here is because well, my white friends don't like pho but do like other Vietnamese dishes and they seem to like them here over Viet House. Also pho 75 was closed today due to the Chinese New Year.
(3)
Allison I.

The best pho place In northern Virginia! Their bowls are large and packed with meats and veggies. They are also willing to modify meals & have a large menu compared to other Vietnamese restaurants. I highly recommend their hui tui w/ shrimp cake
(5)
Pamela C.

I've been here twice. Customer service here is awful!!! I will never go back. The pho is ok but I like the sate sauce. I didn't finish my food so I asked for a Togo container. They gave me a used container that was all greasy and scratched up. I requested for a new one because the one I received was dirty, they gave me another used container. I left both used containers on the table.
(2)
Tiffany Y.

DELICIOUS PHO. and I love the sauce they give you on the side. Con: The large is less than a dollar more, but the large felt like a regular at any other Pho place. Pho took longer to come out compared to other pho places and I was starving. The spring rolls were really small. Smallest I've ever seen in a resturant. Pro: The place felt clean and comfortable. Didn't feel gross compared to other places.
(4)
Debra W.

I had just arrived to Virginia and was starving. I wanted a good bowl of Pho and my brother and his roommate wanted to try a new place that was relatively close to where we were at. So we left it up to the almighty Yelp and went to this place based on solid overall rating of 4 1/2 stars and good solid reviews. WTF Yelpers? I was so disappointed. I thought it was going to be solid. They had a good crowd in there, half of which were Asian. So they sit us at a table and give us water. Only one of us had clean glasses. That should have been our cue to get up and leave. But alas we did not. We place our order and the man could barely understand us. Or did he just play that role? My brother who looks more black than anything almost had to argue with the waiter because the waiter kept insisting he wanted chicken Pho and not the combo bowl. Racist much? We really thought he was going to end up with chicken because of how adamant the waiter was about him eating freaking chicken. So we get our food and it looks okay. The flavor of the broth was just lacking and didn't have much depth to it. I am picking through my soup and trying to make it taste right and add the condiments. The lime had no juice to squeeze from it, the hoisin sauce was watered down and they didn't have sambal. It was hard for me to make do. My bowl lacked substance as it didn't have much rice noodles nor meat. However, I will admit that I did order a side of tendon and they sure did give me a nice sized portion of extra tendon. I was a few bites into my bowl when my brother's girlfriend discovered hair in her bowl. No Chinese hair coming from the black girl. So we grabbed the waiter and asked him for another bowl and told him that hair in it. He took her bowl but came back with the same soup bagged up. I think we all threw up a little in our mouths. He quickly realized what was wrong and came out with a fresh bowl of soup but at that point we were all pretty much disgusted. I had also ordered a three color bean drink and it tasted like pure salt. Like they just opened up a salt shaker and poured that sucker in it. To wrap up our horrible visit, we went to pay and not a single one of us noticed the green cash only sign at the back of the restaurant. I was highly pissed off because I had asked the waiter if they take debit and he told me yes. If the server cannot understand questions like that, then they need not to cater to the American crowd. It can get too confusing. Luckily between the 4 of us, we had enough cash to cover our bill. If you enter into this establishment, proceed with much caution. No one wants to drink out of a dirty glass or eat hair.
(1)
andres S.

We ended up coming here because there was a concert nearby. We are big fans of Pho so we're looking forward to this dinner. Compared to other places I've been to this was a letdown. The broth had no flavor, it was only hot. not even the noodles were as good as others that we have tried. On top of that the service is terrible. The servers never checked back to see if everything was okay. In general there were not very nice. It was hard to even to get a water refill. Definitely not going back. If I am in the neighborhood I'll try instead the Vietnamese sandwich shop next to them.
(2)
JasonJennifer S.

You come here for Pho. Like all good Pho places this is a poor mans soup and the dÃ©cor is as minimal as it gets. I don't know how they make their broth but it is the heart of every bowl, just like the crust is for pizza. The tip off to me was craving Pho when the temperature is above 80 and I still going out of my way to have it. This is the best I have had in this area. Cash only.
(5)
Josh K.

I'd say that the Chili Oil they offer with an order of Pho really puts this place on top on my list of Pho places to eat at. On one hand their Pho is pretty good, although I have had better, but they do give you plenty of meat and noodles alongside the flavorful broth. However, the Chili Oil really gives the Pho a whole new dimension of flavor, whether it be dipping pieces of meat into the oil or pouring some of the oil into your pho, you can expect a different experience from your average 4-star Pho place, and I really do appreciate the nutty notes the chili oil gives. Overall, if you've been eating Pho often and are looking for something similar but just a tad different, Pho Sate would be the join to hit up. Of course if Chili Oil is not your thing, the Pho itself is still good enough to warrant a visit.
(4)
Good E.

i like the broth, really like the broth and they did honor my absolutely no cilantro(vile weed!) request. they also give u a choice of sizes so food doesnt have to been taken out as a leftover or wasted. they do not have garden rolls which bugs b'c i LOVE them. they have the crispy rolls which my bf loved but i thought was ok . the rolls are tiny so he made 2 orders. i did like the spicy sauce it came with though. service is good , hearty and friendly ambiance is good, open and clean parking is ample. overall, id come back here but more likely to try more places in the eden center area first.
(4)
Annie N.

It makes me so sad to write this, but after the renovation, Pho Sate has gone downhill... I have given this place a few tries after its renovation, in hopes that my bad bowl of pho was simply a bad day, but it appears to be not the case..after the renovation it seems that they have watered down their broth to be able to serve to save money, possibly to pay off their renovation.. Although, I do have to admit that their customer service is great considering that most asian family restaurants do not value customer service. During one of my visit, I could not finish my bowl of pho, because it was bland and even with the sate, hoisin and sriracha, i couldn't even make it bearable..therefore, one of the workers approached me and asked why I haven't finished my pho, which I told him that it was too bland for me, and to my surprise he offered to make me another one on the house. Unfortunately, that second bowl was no better. The worst part is that other highly regarded pho places, like Pho 75, have seem to follow the same trend in watering down their broths..
(3)
Christian O.

Really enjoyed the egg noodles with sate sauce and beef. Love the super spiciness of the dishes. Would recommend anyone who is not into the traditional soupy pho to check this place out.
(5)
Robert C.

Their pho ($7sh) here isn't bad. The noodle & meat are about average while their broth's decently. The biggest draw for me is their hot sauce with dried peppers. They definitely change how the pho taste without overpowering it. The dried peppers're crunchy & flavorful. How i wish other pho places start doing this as well! FYI - Cash only.
(3)
Bear R.

This is really Virginia's best? I feel bad for y'all. On the pricey side as well. Decent pho. Broth lacks beefy kick and cuts of meat can be improved upon.
(3)
PK Z.

Was a usual here for some time, planned a family lunch there... and it was horrible. They sat us at a table that was sticky, there were oily and sticky rings all over the table. I reuested the table be wiped and the server rolled his eyes and left. It took them about 5 minutes to get back to our table, and then asked me where he should wipe... the whole table was sticky. So he threw the rag on the table, thrn placed a bunch of hot chili plates on the table and proceeded to wipe the border of the table. Then he left without asking us if we wanted drinks or food. If you don't clean your tables, can I trust your dishes and utensils and food? I honestly question the restauranta hygiene overall. We got pissed and left the restaurant. And we will never go back there. There are plenty of restaurants out there who treat their customers right. They can keep their dirty tablea and less than proper waiting etiquette.
(1)
Ian F.

Pho Sate is in my opinion the best pho in nova. The broth in itself is very hearty yet light, but once you add the sate sauce, its game over for all other competing pho places. Get the large 101 if you enjoy all the different types of meat. The A-1 appetizer is also really good (Crispy taro spring roll). Also, a nice touch is a side of egg noodles, which many don't know is great in pho broth as well. They used to be cash only, but have now have added credit cards!
(5)
Marie E.

Freaking love the SATE sauce. I never go to any other pho restaurants, so worth the drive.
(5)
Jess G.

Pho sate is hands down the best pho in the area! ... The competition Pho 75 doesn't even come close! The broth is super savory & flavorful .. Noodles cooked to perfection! Only pit fall was that the service could have been more attentive.. I kept having to ask for my water to be filled., server barely checked on us and their was literally 1 other party there! The pho makes it alllll worth it though! I love pho sate.. Writing this review literally makes me want to jump in my car and get some n
(4)
Brittney C.

Craving pho.,decided to give this place a go. Ordered the chicken egg rolls which were yummy. The boyfriend and I liked them so much we put in a second order for more. Nice and Krispy and served with a sauce. (Don't know the name). The pho was decent. The Sate sauce, and plum sauce gave it the extra depth and flavor it was lacking. The only thing I'm a little disappointed with is that I believe my order was wrong especially after viewing a few slices of medium rare-ish meat in my bowl, which, I didn't order. I ordered the 107 but I believe I got 109. Whatever though, I'm not hard to please, my broth cooked the medium well pieces and the pinker pieces I just discarded of,. No biggy. My boyfriend isn't a pho eater so luckily they had other dishes that were appealing to him and the waitress even gave him tips on the dishes. All in all, a good experience., just wish my order was correct. Now currently paranoid of the rare meat. But I will def go back the next time craving pho.
(3)
Lia M.

I loved Pho Sate! Everyone knows that I'm fairly obsessed with pho. I eat it for breakfast, for hangovers, for illness, and just because. It's tasty, cheap, and filling. So one day recently, while I was sick, I decided to drive out here for pho, mainly because Kimberly S. keeps raving about it. Pho Sate was recently redone and is big, clean, modern, and now takes credit cards. Staff was friendly. However, I have two issues with this restaurant: no summer rolls (cha gio only) and the hours (it doesn't open until 11am. I'd like my pho at 8 or 9). I didn't really care for the cha gio. The pho, I loved, though I wish the bowl was bigger. Shredded chicken, good flavor, and lots of noodles made me happy. I should have ordered extra sate sauce, but I didn't really know what it was, until it was served. Definitely negated any need for hoisin or sriracha, though, having tried the broth before adding sate, I didn't think there was much of a need anyway. I'm not going here over Pho Golden Cow or Pho 14, due to a combo of hours, summer rolls, and location, but I'll definitely be back. I'm looking forward to it.
(4)
Alida H.

Pho sate is still one of my favorite pho places in the Nova/DC area, but I feel as though the quality of their broth went down a bit. It seems as though the broth is not as rich as it used to be, and I do not think I can enjoy their pho without their infamous sate sauce. (i'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing) That aside, Pho Sate still remains on my list for top Pho spots in northern VA/DC. Their pho hits the spot, is reasonably priced at $6.25 for a regular and $6.95 for a large bowl, and their sate sauce is something you can't get anywhere else! The sate sauce is a chili, garlic sauce at a medium spicy level that adds that extra oomph to your meal. Their H3 is also one of my other favorite dishes, and their chicken rolls are a must have! A solid quality and bargain Pho spot. But its cash only!
(4)
4zz Y.

I don't understand why people like this place so much. Maybe it's because of the sate sauce. I admit that the sate sauce was good. But the soup itself taste like water with some seasoning. I have to put hoisin sauce and siracha to make it edible. :/ most pho restaurants seem to use plain water to make pho soup :x I went to the one in manassas (pho 234) and their soup was actually broth soup! Not crappy tap water tasting like this place. Also, you don't get much at this place too. Some noodles and sprinkle of some piece of beef. Not worth the price, to be honest!
(1)
Sara M.

Belated review, went over the weekend. The sate sauce! So good. Ordered the rice noodles topped w/ sautÃ©ed tofu & fresh veggies. Clean, solid dish. Would definitely come back especially since no other Vietnamese restaurant seems to offer this sauce (or even this type of dish).
(4)
Cyndy K.

Cyndy's Bottom Line: Good solid bowl of pho with a wide variety of pho selections. I haven't been here since the renovation and like the new large space. The large space makes dining relaxing and enjoyable. This is what we ordered: 1. Lemonade - love the fresh squeezed lemonade. Nice citrus and sugar combination with just the right amount of ice. Mix well before drinking. 2. #303: Egg Noodle with chicken soup and wonton skin wrapped with shrimp, crabmeat and pork mix together. The broth was delicate yet flavorful with green onions, lettuce, and cilantro. The egg noodles are cooked well with the right texture. The wontons are hand made and delicious. I wish there was hot mustard to dip the wontons instead of the sate sauce. 3. Pho tai #113: A salty broth with a smokey flavor. There was too much noodles for the amount meat slices. A good amount of green onions but no round onions. A yummy bowl but I would say not my best.
(3)
Linh N.

Pho sate here is very yummy! Place is large -good for big groups. Also very reasonably priced.
(5)
Michael G.

Thankfully the rest of my party came before and made reservations, this place gets packed really quickly around lunch time! I ordered a large #112 (brisket + meatballs, I believe) and cafe sua da. The broth was actually quite flavorful compared to other places I've tried around northern Virginia, and the sate sauce made it that much better. I was sort of let down by the cafe sua da, it was too strong for my liking. The atmosphere is quite nice for big parties as well as small ones and I would definitely come back for their pho and sate sauce.
(4)
Art P.

First found out about Pho Sate when I showed up for a Yelp Community thing...about two hours after it was done :-P. They are a welcome alternative to the always super-busy (Arlington) Pho 75...and much closer to home for me. It also lacks the "Soup Nazi" ambience of Pho 75...which I think is a good thing for Pho Sate! The broth and noodles are a notch above any other place in the area, but for me what stands out is the quality of the meat. Top notch! Not uniform cuts like most places either...more like homemade. I will return...often! P.S. - As others have mentioned...the sate sauce rocks!
(5)
Lauren R.

Some of the best pho I've had (and I have been to a lot of places). The sate sauce is what makes the pho so unique. The egg rolls are really delicious too!
(5)
Irene C.

Pho 75 all the way!! The sauce is what makes everyone rave about Pho Sate. The broth without the sauce, was extremely bland and watery. I think the sauce should enhance the broth, not BE the broth! I do love that there's no wait after the expansion and the interior is much cleaner than before but it's not enough for me to come back when Pho 75 is only a few miles away. **They accept credit cards now**
(2)
Marc M.

Thin broth with gimmicky pepper oil didn't do it for me. It makes for a decent noodle soup, but this is not an attempt at Pho which I would want to repeat. Undercooked noodles that were too firm and still stuck together didn't help their case. Like Pho at their sandwich sensei neighbors Ba Le, the Pho here is an also ran in this increasingly competitive field. Hit Pho 75 down the street for the real deal.
(2)
Elain X.

I'm not sure if I have reviewed this place... if not, I'm not sure why I haven't. Pho Sate is officially my favorite Pho place to go to. THEY TAKE CARD NOW! For those of you who have gone to Pho Sate , know that they used to be cash only and you know when you really want Pho Sate you beg borrow or go to an ATM. Pho Sate never disappoints. The broth always has so much flavor even without the sate sauce. I actually usually don't put it in my pho and just dip my meat in the sauce..shhh. The H3 noodles are delicious as well. Sometimes I can't decide which one to get....The H3 has no broth but plenty of flavor. Its sweet with beef and pineapples in it. So good I wish they were open 24/7. I'll think I'll go tomorrow.
(4)
Will K.

PHO SATE. The king of NOVA Pho. Pho should be judged by three factors including broth, noodles, and meat. The broth here is phenomenal. Clean, yet not watered down. You can really taste the beefiness in the soup. I always take a few spoonfuls of the broth when I get my bowl. Automatically, I know I'm in for an experience. At this point, my body is ready. The noodles are on point. What makes good noodles in Pho? It's the chewiness and how it stays chewy over the period of time you eat the noodles. Other competitors that are vying for the "best pho" may have great broth but this place is the best because of the noodles. The meat is tender when pho meat can get pretty terrible. It's relatively clean and I don't have to fear for food poisoning from bad meat when I eat here. I get everything in my pho including the weird stuff. I drench the meat in Hoisin/Sriracha sauce and then eat the noodles at the same time, creating an ultimate foodgasm combo in my mouth. The SATE SAUCE. As if the three basic components of pho aren't already amazing at this place, there's a secret chilli oil sauce that's sweet, smoky, and spicy to accomodate the taste of your wonderful noodle soup. For the beginner, I recommend putting a little at a time as it can get overwhelming. HAPPY SATE'ING.
(5)
Ken W.

The Best Pho place in DC area!!! It is the place I go regularly. It is always clean inside, fast service, they never make you wait. The soup itself is the best I have ever tried. It is always good quality. Broth is clean and tasty. Noodles are on point. Sate is spicy and flavorful Highly recommend Pho sate.
(5)
Jay S.

I heard good things about this place but I got a little less than what I was expecting. The pho is actually decent. Not the best but not bad. The biggest downside is the amount of meat you get. I've never seen a pho place skimp out on meat as much as I have seen here.
(3)
Jeff S.

4.5 stars. The food was excellent. The meat was plentiful and delicious and the broth was good. When you add the sate sauce to the broth - it's incredible. I stopped short of 5 stars because the service was a bit slow but I do have to say, they looked really busy. I will be eating pho at this place more often and if my experience with the service improves I will definitely bump it up to 5 stars.
(4)
Susan M.

Oh, how I've missed you, NOVA Pho! My husband has been raving about Pho Sate for a while now. We finally made it, but on a busy Saturday. It was super-packed when we got there around 1:00 and we had a short wait before we were seated; then, we had to wait ~25-30 minutes for our food to arrive. Despite the long wait, my chicken pho was amazing - I wish they had given me just a little more meat but other than that it was a perfect bowl of hot, savory goodness. We will definitely be back but maybe not on a Saturday at lunchtime.
(4)
Mina C.

I don't know why people rave about this place so much. The pho broth is sweet and you HAVE to add the sate sauce they give you which is oily. I waited for the renovation. I never really liked this place before either, but since I couldn't have it, it made me want it more. I want what I can't have. I thought after the renovation they would at least make it less tacky. The walls are this ugly bright green color. So back to the pho, they have other items on the menu, but if there's pho, I am gonna eat pho. The broth is sweeter than it should be, and oily. Then you add the oily sate sauce and its like eating grease. They also give you tiny little limes. I love adding lime to my soup, without it I feel like I'm not getting my full pho experience. No one ever comes back to refill your water. I had to go get a pitcher myself and refill my tables water. Eh, I am sticking to golden cow, or 75..
(2)
Jen E.

Food: This place has great authentic pho and food is tasty and great Service: The customer service is HORRIBLE! If you have a large group do not go here because they will 100% sure confuse your order. Even in a small group service is extremely slow and frustrating. Getting a glass of water can take at least 30 minutes. The waiters/waitresses are not attentive nor friendly. Overall: I am a regular customer. However I only go if I am not in a rush and am willing to wait 45 minutes for a bowl of pho and a glass of water. Food is delicious but some times the customer service is so bad I leave the table and go home hungry eating instant ramen instead (I have low standards for customer service. I work in the same industry)
(2)
Jessie H.

Really good broth and I like the spicy hot oil they give you for pho. I got number 101 the pho with everything, delicious! Also, I got the strawberry bubble tea, loved it! Will be back!
(5)
Kimberly C.

I love food, food loves me. However, I am picky as all get-out. I was introduced to pho a few months ago, and stick to basic chicken or beef without crazy add-ins. My friends took me to this place last week and it kicked my favorite pho places rear-end! The noodles are cellophane-like and smooth, the serving is large, and the meat was great quality. The only complaint I have is that they actually RUN OUT and close the doors or turn people away. Supply should meet demand, especially when it's so popular! So the moral here is dont wait until close to closing time to visit, or you might be out of luck!
(4)
Steve W.

The ONLY Pho plane in the DC area! Great fast service and when you go for Pho, it's all about flavorful broth and theirs makes other places taste like boiled water...And you know you gotta put the sate sauce in your bowl! Good bubble teas and chicken rolls too, I'm not familiar with other items on the menu. I only do pho here.
(5)
Tommy N.

I have three pho restaurants that I regularly frequent. Pho Sate is one of them. Different from Pho 75 that only offers pho and nothing else, Pho Sate has all sorts of rice and noodle dishes as well as appetizers for you to choose between. The main draw pho-wise for me is the Sate sauce that they give you. It really changes the flavor of the pho and makes it stand apart from all the other restaurants I've been to. The portions are generous and are a pretty good value. My friends have tried the other dishes and I've heard satisfactory to rave reviews of those dishes so that's a good sign. I'll have to try the other dishes sometime. I was really surprised when I saw they give you four rolls of Chicken Spring Rolls so I ordered that thinking it was a great value. As it turns out, the rolls are pretty small so it kinda evens out. The flavors weren't bad. I personally prefer the traditional spring rolls. With the new renovations, Pho Sate is now able to handle the demand that they've been seeing for so long and have not been able to handle due to limited space. The service and the food hasn't change. It's about time.
(4)
Nikki U.

As long as this place is in business and I need pho ( which I eat weekly) in the northern va area this will be the only place I go. Since relocating to Alexandria I have tried new places weekly and for a minute thought DC's Sprig & Sprout was the only place that consistently satisfied me...until this place. I have been 5 times now and each time it has been great! They don't skimp on the ingredients, the broth is just right, and the options are endless. Try your pho with the egg noodles for something new, it won't disappoint.
(4)
Mirela T.

My to go place for Pho. I have been here several times in the past and it never disappoints. Their sate sauce is amazing (slightly spice so be careful when throwing the whole thing in your bowl.). Everything is always super fresh, mint and sprouts. Also, they have recently remodeled and have almost tripled their size, so many more tables and people to accommodate. The decor is lovely and very modern. Everything is new, which makes it much more appealing. I most certainly recommend this place on a rainy day or a cold winters day. The service is exceptional and the food is served with the quickness.
(5)
Joanna M.

Last night some friends and I had dinner at Pho Sate last night after their renovation. We had heard they were having some bumps when they first re-opened last week so I hoped a few days in, they would have worked it out and last night was not too shabby. Friends and I ordered some apps: beef eggrolls, pork egg rolls, and Twist Cruller. For a party of 5, everything came out cut up so that was nice. There was a bit confusion on how many orders of what but the server apologized. I didn't come in expecting too much service wise since I had visited previously but appreciated the gesture. I've been eating mucho mucho meat lately so I decided to give my arteries a break and try the seafood pho my friend had raved about and it wasn't an option at my fave pho75. The broth was light and fragrant and pretty tasty plus some beansprouts, lime, basil, jalepenos, some hoisin/sriacha and the infamous Sate Sauce and BOOM! Heaven. My only complaint was the portion of seafood in my seafood pho: there was one measely piece of shrimp and one piece of squid and scallop cut up respectively. Seafood was also a bit overcooked and chewy. Next time (per usual), I think I will stick to the tried and true meaty options. Service is still spotty but hopefully they hone it and find their groove with the larger restaurant. Kudos Pho Sate for expanding and looking cleaner than previously (no hair/dust bunny/tumbleweeds in the corners of the restaurant eww). I will be back soon!
(4)
SD H.

The pho here is spot on. Especially love the seafood pho, and beef pho. The broth is light and delicious, not overly salty. Also love #310, egg noodles with everything but the kitchen sink (shrimp, shredded chicken, beef balls, chicken balls, shrimp pancake, scallions, etc. etc). They take credit cards now... just walk up to the counter when you're ready to pay. Plenty of parking and a big dining room so you're never stuck having to wait.
(4)
Chau P.

12 p.m. Sunday - 4 people 1. Ambiance: The place has expanded from my last visitation and they painted the place with green walls. It's a casual dine-in and is kept nice and clean from what I can tell. They have comfy booths and table chairs upon your preference. 2. Food: I only order the Pho here and I can't imagine why anyone would not put the sate in their bowl, unless they're allergic or can't handle the spiciness. The sate is aromatic and adds a spicy and garlic induced kick to the bowl of the Pho. I usually replete the bowl with soy sauce and sate mixed together, and it continues to taste divine each time. 3. Service: The staffs are friendly and helpful. They don't rush you to quickly finish dining, which I appreciate because that incongruous behavior is unacceptable. The Pho comes out in a quickly manner and I condolence the chef in the back for rushing the order (every order). Perhaps the bowls were already prepared and they just have to replete the bowl with decadent beef soup. 4. Costs: The Pho bowls are under $10, $7.49 to be precise for a regular bowl. It's reasonable to the proportion provided. This place used to only accept cash, but they have expanded their payment acceptance to credit cards. Hooray! 5. Overall Experience: Everything was great. It's perfect for a cold chilly day/night or just a place to quickly grab Pho and carry on with your day. Side Notes: Please pour some soy sauce into the sate cup and pour it all into your bowl if you want to truly enjoy Pho Sate.
(5)
Nick N.

Pho nominal. Gretchen P thanks for the hot tip on this spot. First off....if you've never had PHO (Vietnamese noodle soup) then you need to expand your culinary selections beyond the norm. No, a new ruben from Arby's ain't gonna cut it. Here's why PHO is the shizz.... all the things that are appetizing are either sweet, salty or spicy (ok....fried too.....when you try to fry soup lemme know how that turns out smart guy). A big bowl of noodle soup in salty broth with a few shots of Siracha hot sauce and Pho Sate's special sweet brown sauce (in the bbq sauce bottle) gives you all salty sweet heat you crave. Second. This is NOT a venue for a new hot date. Those that eat it know what I'm saying.... there is a technique. Basically you belly up to the table hunched over a piping hot bowl like you're steaming out a head cold. Elbows on the table, chop sticks in your dominant hand and a funky shaped ladel spoon in the other. You slurp the noodles, broth and additional items as it splashes all over your shirt. Don't wear you white Miami Vice jacket when doing PHO. If your date is not turned off with that... when she sees you namming on soft tendon and tripe (ok.... tripe would be the bleached lining of a cows stomach...quite traditional..... not recommended if you have a texture phobia) getting to first base is off the menu. Beginners....you can play it safe and just order eye of round slices. Anyway, PHO Sate is pretty dialed in... not sure why they chose Leprechaun green for the walls after the recent renovation but who am I to judge. My ex-wife thought pumpkin orange was a nice accent in our master bedroom. Yup. Bottom Line: Great place to try your first Pho experience. Oh yea, one other PSA.... the waiters love to bow (following tradition).... don't be a stooge and bump heads if you return the gesture.
(4)
Christopher S.

If I were to eat here once a month, I'd say, 11 out of 12 times they hit "the money shot" with pho. That is around a 92% success rate. How do I define success with pho? 1. noodles = al dente 2. soup = should be served near 210Â°F (that's right!!!!! almost boiling) 3. meat and garnish = should put a slight smile on your face as soon as the bowl is placed in front of you because it looks so pretty 4. flavor = i like it dirty They will soon be taking credit card payments, and the owner is seriously proactive about improving service with their re-opening...which makes them a "5-star Cheap Eats in NoVA Award" recipient in my book!
(5)
Charles H.

Rainy Sunday + Yelp Community Event = Yummy Pho at Pho Sate! Ordered a large P-1 (eye round steak, brisket, flank, soft tendon and tripe) during a NOVA Yelp community event hosted by Kimberly V. The broth had plenty of flavor with the right amount of noodles and meat. The restaurant's home-made Sate provided a spicy kick as well. No need to add siracha at all with Sate sauce in the bowl! The service was great as our bowls of pho were delivered in expeditious fashion along with water refills per request. A waiter even delivered a new bowl of pho after one of our fellow yelpers (Susan H) noticed her broth was leaking over the table. The staff also reserved plenty of tables to host our large group. Speaking of large, order a large bowl for an additional 70 cents.
(4)
Sora P.

The pho was exceptional as fuck and the sate sauce made it a real game changer. The only problem I had with this place was the rude waiter and not having the option to get summer rolls but otherwise this place was fantastic.
(4)
Aimee M.

I love their pho! It tastes so good!!! I usually order 114 the chicken pho. The spring rolls are also delicious! Sometimes it's hard to place Togo orders I can't always hear the guy on the phone but that's really my only complaint. I get pho from here about 2x a month.
(4)
Moco C.

My go to pho spot:) They have seafood pho!!! Their broth is not oily but tasty. I love the sate sauce!!!!! Sometime I do yellow noodle instead of rice noodle... :), and that's also yummy!
(4)
Jax K.

good service and taste!!! but small...
(4)
Linh O.

This is how Pho is supposed to be. Pho Sate is in a league of it's own - there are no other pho places. My favorite is the 104 but if you've not brave enough (or just dont like) all the extra parts of an animal, try a plainer just beef flank version. My dad has patronized (and by extension - me) this place since the early 90s (maybe even earlier) and I have fond memories of the two of us stopping by here on the weekends for lunch after running errands. That's almost 25 years...!
(5)
L O.

They accept credit cards! Pho was good, price was good ($7.25 regular, $7.95 large). Had to ask for waters and utensils. Iced tea was no bueno. No sugar packets?
(4)
Lily L.

Holy Green - I know the organic movement is in these days, but I don't think it was meant in a literal way, splashed across the walls of a restaurant! Aside from the interesting interior decorating choices, I did appreciate the table arrangements which gave a more intimate dining experience compared to the cafeteria style of most other Pho restaurants. The beef and tripe pho was pretty decent, the amount of pho noodles was perfect, although they could've added a little bit more meat. They have a pretty large menu consisting of non-Pho dishes as well.
(3)
Jess Y.

3.5 stars Pretty standard. The pho broth is good...flavorful but not overly salty nor MSG-filled. Meat is tender and delicious also. They seemed to be skimping a bit on the basil though--I love adding that to my soup! They also give you a special satay sauce that you can dip your meat in or add to the broth. It adds a nice kick (but also some extra oil). Noodles are also cooked perfectly...although mine were all stuck together when I got my bowl. We also ordered the fried taro & meat spring rolls. They were super fresh and delicious. Service was typical of a pho restaurant. We got what we needed even if there was a little confusion and we had to ask a few waiters for what we wanted. Also, they take most common credit cards now!
(4)
Ron M.

The Battle of Graham Road: Pho 75 VERSUS Pho Sate. I love pho. I eat pho 3-4X a month, and have been a devoted customer of Pho 75. For a long time, I have put up with the peccadilloes of eating at Pho 75 like a badge of honor... the at-best dismissive, and at worst casually contemptuous service (despite being a longtime customer recognized on sight and whose regular order was often known without me saying "Large number 7, raw, with water"), vaguely dirty and rundown dining and public areas, cash only requirement, and often having to share tables with others due to overcrowding. At the recommendation of two good friends, on a wintry Friday night I dragged my wife here for a hot bowl of pho. In short, I would say that every aspect of the Pho Sate dining experience is superior except in one - perhaps the most - important regard; the pho itself. SERVICE: Pho Sate - Pho Sate's service is not spectacular, but based on my visit tonight, it's better that Pho 75. Neither place will refill your water without flagging down a server. However, at Pho Sate it seems like it's easier to flag down a server, and they seem nicer about it. Neither will make you feel warm and welcome for dining there, but Pho Sate is definitely better than Pho 75. In Pho 75's defense, they're often packed to the gills at peak times. But there's no good excuse for their vague disdain for their customers, compared to the vague friendliness offered at Pho Sate. PRICE: Draw...but - I believe that both charge the same price for a large bowl of pho. HOWEVER - only Pho Sate accepts credit cards, so if that is a material issue for you, there's only one place in the consideration set out of these two. So as far as Pho 75, credit card point junkies need not apply. For tipping cheapskates - you'll feel better undertipping at Pho 75; you'll self justify it from the bad service, and a bad tip is easier to hide because you can tip in a plastic container at the register and no one ever thinks the wiser of it. I wonder if that causes any displeasure on the staff side? AMBIANCE: Pho Sate - I don't think I ever ate at Pho Sate before it's renovation, but I can tell you now that the dining room looks very clean, and the furnishings look very new. The decorations etc. aren't fancy, but it looks like they made an effort. Pho 75, if you squint a little, looks like the set of "Oz." (For millenials, I am referring to the HBO show - not the James Franco bomb). BATHROOM: Pho Sate - As nice as Pho Sate's dining room is, it's bathroom isn't as nice. But it is better than Pho 75, which reminds me of a middle school bathroom. The sink was gross at Pho Sate, the rest was okay. Buuuuuuuut - I could kick open the door with my foot at Pho Sate so I never had to touch anything to leave, whereas at Pho 75 you have to pull open the door to escape the bathroom. Neither are horrendous, neither are great. But Pho Sate has a more comfortable bathroom. It's the little things... MENU: Pho Sate - Pho 75 only has pho. That could be a very good thing in the sense that you know they're turning over their food so you're not getting anything stale. But Pho Sate has a CLEAR edge in menu diversity, with menu items often having noodles, but not only about a dozen pho dishes varied basically on the meat as it is at Pho 75. Pho Sate has a few appetizers, and many varied noodle dishes, and even other noodles (e.g. egg noodles) for other dishes. If you are purely interested in Beef pho, and to a lesser extent, chicken pho, Pho 75 can be a possible choice; but if you don't want to eat pho, Pho Sate has some other options for you. EXTRAS: Pho Sate - Pho Sate gives you a small paper bag with napkins, chopsticks, and soup spoon inside - kind of a nice presentation. This feels cleaner than the public chopstick and soup spoon dispensed at the table than Pho 75. Also of note, I love to make my pho sour with extra limes. Despite being a longtime regular at Pho 75, they are incredibly stingy with extra limes. At Pho Sate, when I asked for this, they gave me basically about another half lime. Pho Sate gives a little less in terms of bean sprouts and basil, though I figure they would have accommodated me if I asked for more of those. PHO QUANTITY: Pho 75 - I estimate that Pho 75's large bowl has maybe 20% more pho than Pho Sate - despite charging basically the same. For me, this is important. From a pure volume/value basis, Pho 75 wins hands down. PHO QUALITY: Draw - I will admit I'm not a pho "expert" - I've never eaten pho in Vietnam, so I can't tell you which is more "accurate" to versions of this dish proffered in Vietnam. I can tell subjectively which bowl of pho I personally like - and I would say that I like both equally. Pho 75 has a dark brown color and seems in taste more "beefy." Pho Sate has one that doesn't seem as aggressively salty but is still flavorful. In short: I eat at Pho 75 when it's just me because of the quantity issue. But I won't fight going to Pho 75.
(4)
Diana S.

Oh pho...I will search far and wide for the perfect bowl of noodle soup. There's a lot of pho spots that in competition, especially in the Falls Church/Arlington/Annandale areas. Pho Sate wanted to show that they were as good as any of the others and expanded their restaurant...so now it's huge and so clean and new! I wish I could say that the flavor of their pho developed as much as their actual space. They have a large variety of menu options: plenty of different noodle soups other than pho as well as rice and egg noodle dishes. The chicken spring rolls were real good but they're way overpriced at about $1 per piece. One thing that contributes to my low rating is a really important bit about pho. When it comes to the table, it MUST be hot (temperature-wise, not spice). Like I should not be able to slurp it down without the burny feeling of piping hot broth. That sate sauce is one of the greatest additions to a bowl of pho. The roasted chili flavor will capture your tastebuds and right when you think you're safe, BAM! the intense spiciness hits you.
(3)
Sonia P.

Pho is the ultimate Vietnamese comfort. food. It truly is a culinary art in a bowl that's full of rice noodles you slurp up with hearty slices of meat that soaks up the hot, rich broth. With that being said: Pho Sate, WHERE'S THE BEEF??? Seriously, they were incredibly stingy with the meat and I had to fish around my bowl of "pho tai nam" (pho with raw eye round steak and flank) to find the meat. I know everyone raves that this is the best pho in the Northern VA area, but I've definitely had better bowls of pho; there wasn't a huge depth of flavor (perhaps it was an off day?). Pho Sate is famous for the spicy sate sauce (kind of like a chili oil) and they encourage customers to add it to pho. I hold off adding it until I've finished the noodles and beef; it's not authentic pho if you dump the sate sauce in the bowl because you'll completely lose the true taste. For me, leftover pho broth is a little underwhelming so adding the sate sauce at the end was the perfect way to finish up the broth. It's spicy but you get more of a "warm" feeling rather than something that's "spicy = hot". Service is very efficient and the employees seem to be always at-the-ready since pho restaurants are fast turnovers. You pay at the register and it's cash only. Walls are an obnoxious green color (please paint it something else) but the restaurant is very clean. Overall, I've definitely had better pho in the area but I would return for that sate sauce for leftover pho broth; they should sell it by the gallon!
(3)
Vanessa N.

Came here to get some pho and it was amazing!!! The broth is really flavorful and their special sauce gave it a special kick! If you like drinks, I highly suggest you get their smoothies or iced coffee, they're delicious! I give this place 5 stars for the quality of their food and great customer service. They make you feel extremely welcomed here. I am from Caifornia but I will definitely come back!
(5)
J O.

Absolutely love Pho sate! So far the best pho place in NoVA area. Their special sate sauce makes the noodle soup so much tastier and ahhh I just love it.
(5)
Weina Y.

This hidden gem looks two times bigger after its recent expansion/renovation. Super clean and welcoming. Plenty seats. I was there one time at 12:30p on Saturday by myself and got a table for four! Fully staffed, which ensures that order always come out fast (like you would expect when dining in a typical pho place). Servers are very prompt and friendly. The manager/owner is very approachable as well. Their noodle soup has well-balanced flavor (not too blend and not too salty). I understand some people like more kicks by adding sriracha or other condiments, but I personally feel those extras are absolutely unnecessary. They have extended menu (not just 1-2 pages of pho choices, like some other places). They have unique drinks as well. You can't go wrong with their chicken egg rolls. Definitely going back to try other delicious-looking items (they put pictures of some dishes in the menu). Oh, the chopsticks/spoon/napkins are pre-packaged and provided to you when seated, not exposed to the air, peace of mind. No more tearing napkins from that stupidly jammed stainless steeling napkin holder thingy (you know what I'm talking about :P) Quick tip: If you prefer meat well-done in your noodle soup, make sure to mention it when placing the order. But if you forget, they are more than happy to fix it until you are satisfied.
(5)
Rosie M.

Always looking out for a good pho-place. This one is up there, probably #2 on my list. Number 1 is out in Reston and too far for me, but indulge whenever I visit family. This restaurant is spacious, clean and they take credit card. Food is tasty and service is prompt. On the plus side, it's not too far out, albeit not as close as I'd like.
(4)
Huy H.

Make sure you try their dry pho sate your first time and not their pho! They are known for their rice noodle dish with beef, a spicy sauce and pineapples. Their pho is decent though if you want something with broth. Everything obviously, comes with a side of their sate which adds a nice smoky, spicy heat to all their noodle dishes.
(4)
Taylor E.

I went here after a recommendation from a friend--and because it's like half a mile from where I live. I got the Pho Tai and added just a tiny tiny bit of the sate sauce because I was told it was spicy and I can't really do hot. I thought that it was average. The meat was a little chewy for my taste and I wasn't like, "om nom nom"...so I can't really give higher than 3 stars. They were good about refilling drinks which is always a plus. Given the plethora of Pho places in and around the Seven Corners area I can't really justify coming back here. Of note, my husband enjoyed his Pho--he poured the whole spicy sate sauce in there . So, maybe this is the place for you if you dig HOT pho.
(3)
Nancy N.

I can never get enough of Pho Sate - my favorite pho place in Northern Virginia. The dash of sate takes the pho to a whole new level and the broth is rich and not too oily. I only give it 4 stars because I haven't tried anything else but the Pho. Everytime I want to be adventurous and try something new, I end up with deep cravings for the pho. The only other challenge is that its Cash Only and I always forget to bring enough cash or any at all. I went last week though - (as they just finished renovation which makes the place much more spacious btw) and noticed a sign that says "Debit/Credit" coming soon. Good move, Pho Sate - you'll get more of my business.
(4)
Gretchen P.

I love pho. Any soup-based noodle dish, really, but pho in particular stirs the warmest parts of my heart. So I really have no idea why it took me so long to get around to trying out Pho Sate -- it's super duper close to where I live, after all, and has the raviest of rave reviews on here. I finally got my chance this past Saturday. Turns out my timing was pretty perfect, because the restaurant closed down for (much needed) renovations the following Monday! So yep, if you're reading this between May 6th and 16th (I *think* that's what the sign said), you're outta luck. But believe you me, it'll be worth waiting for. I got a large steaming bowl of pho with traditional cuts of beef, and immediately dumped in my entire dish of spicy, smokey, delicious sate sauce right into the bowl. What a transformation! No need for sriracha -- or even hoisin, though I still used a little. With this incredible addition, the standard-tasting pho broth really turned into something special. I'm still thinking about it! I can't give this place a full 5-stars because I do somewhat agree with the other posters here that on its own, Pho Sate's broth doesn't seem as strong. Also, it's a little irritating that they are a cash-only establishment. But who knows? Maybe after the supah-sweet reno I'll be back (well, obviously I will be back) and I'll be so blown away that the star will magically appear. ;)
(4)
Kimmy L.

After reading rave reviews on Yelp and hearing rave reviews from Jon's sister and her husband, I decided to give it a try with my sister and oh man were we in pain after this meal. Literally. This is not authentic Vietnamese Pho at all. (maybe they aren't supposed to be?) I tasted the broth without pouring the Sate sauce in (because I thought it was weird to pour all that oil into Pho) and the broth tasted like water. So, we both poured in the Sate sauce and it gave the broth some flavor - red pepper flavor. The meat and noodles were portioned perfectly and we finished out Pho despite the lackluster broth. We went home, watched a movie lazily and then fell asleep. At about midnight, we both woke up with severe sharp pains in our stomach. We were up the entire night because it hurt to lay down, move, or walk. It was the same the next night as well...and since nobody in the house had these sharp pains we are assuming that it was most likely the Pho. Maybe the oily sauce didn't agree with us, but I never want to risk going through that again.
(1)
Jennifer W.

Haven't been here since the grand reopening. The restuarant has been expanded and the kitchen has gotten used to the number of guests and the have more waiters and waitresses. I was really glad they fixed the problems on grand opening night because the food came out in less than 5 minutes even though the place was packed. The food is still great and the sauted chili peppers and onions make the pho noodle soup taste really great on a cold raining day. Definitely one of my favorite spots for food. My hiatus is over, definitely coming here again on a weekly basis.
(5)
Kino A.

Just an update, they have expanded and took over the next door real estate. Seating is no longer an issue, credit cards are accepted and still just as good pho. Go there
(4)
Michael S.

Best Pho restaurant in the area! The menu is huge and everything on the menu looks good.
(5)
Sofia L.

Everyone always praises pho as the end-all-be-all for hang overs however I'm one of those party poopers who still firmly hold still to the holy grail that is Pedialyte and sleep. Somehow, the rare mood struck me today to go and have pho after a very exhaustive birthday celebration. Now to preface this following review: I am a full-blooded Vietnamese woman, born and raised. So if I'm not taken by the idea of adding "satÃ© sauce" to my pho, I think my fellow Yelpers can understand. Some things are better left unchanged... after all when was just pho ever a broken idea? The untouched soup itself tastes strongly of chicken broth stock... Perhaps the satÃ© is suppose to cover up that cheap mistake. The meat (which we ordered to come separately) was still partially frozen on the plate and tasted old. The service is the only saving grace of this place, for it was surprisingly quick and efficient. If you're looking for a bowl of noodle soup or other Asian entrees, then this place is for you. But if you're looking for pho and authentic pho at that, keep going. Your search sadly will not end here.
(2)
Felix H.

Dude. DUUUUDE. DUUUUUUUUUDE. I was born and raised down the street at Fairfax Hospital but I now live in Garden Grove CA aka Little Saigon. And...I must say that I still crave Pho Sate. Whenever I'm home visiting, I try to visit this place as well as Bali Banh Mi next door. I'd say this is the standard for pho in the DMV. So why do I like this place even more than most places here in Little Saigon? It's because their menu is awesome. And the sate is a nice touch. If you don't like this place, I think I'd disown you as a friend.
(5)
Julio D.

BEST PHO EVER! Coming from Cali i though i'd never find good pho in here until my wife introduced me to this joint! The sate sauce they give you to put into your pho is a game changer. The broth tasted great and the clean slices of meat in every bowl make this pho restaurant my no.1.
(5)
Tiny B.

The pho from Pho Sate is delicious! I had a mean pho craving and was in search of a place close to home. This was actually the second closest pho restaurant but I decided to give it a try due to the high ratings. I was not disappointed! The sate sauce is awesome, very flavorful and spicy, but the broth is great on its own. Meatball pho is my go-to and their meatballs have good flavor and texture. Their noodles are also good! They don't overcook them like other places. I haven't tried anything else on their menu -- too happy with my original selection that I haven't felt the need! Other points: the restaurant is clean and there's plenty of seating but weekends can get very busy; staff is direct and efficient; they DO accept credit cards; my to-go orders have been pretty accurate and packaged well, only one time they forgot one sate sauce for two orders of pho but one was enough for my husband and I to share (he uses it very lightly); the parking lot has very narrow spaces. Overall, a very solid choice for pho lovers. Glad to have found Pho Sate -- it has become my new pho spot!
(5)
Paul Y.

Overall a nice place! The colors can be distracting and annoying at times, but the food is great, service could be a little better, but overall a decent place and would come back again for a bowl of pho on a cold day! They do accept credit cards now! That is a win win for you! :D
(5)
Erin O.

Found this place while searching yelp. I'm not a huge fan of restaurant pho but every once in a while it hits the spot. This place reminds me of most of the pho places I went to while in high school. You're not going here for the service, they have the largest options of noodles I think I've seen so there are other options than your typical pho bowls. Since it was our first time we ordered spring rolls, 105 and 110, Thai bubble tea, and young coconut juice. Everything but the Thai bubble tea was what I would have expected. The Thai Bubble Tea was some powder mix (which I did expect but my husband didn't know), strong taste, overly sweet, and didn't taste like Thai Tea.
(4)
Julie T.

My go to pho & soupy noodles place! The renovation made the place much nicer, however the service is now slower. A bonus is they now take credit cards! I love getting #302, egg noodles dish with pork, shrimp, fried shrimp pancake. I usually add in the sate sauce and then add in the broth... sooo good! I love this dish so much, I rarely ever get the pho here. Pretty much what makes this place is their spicy sate sauce they give with each order.
(4)
Albert Y.

The best pho place in Northern Virginia. The sate sauce makes a huge difference in the broth's taste. It's a very tangy/spicy kick that's added to it which makes it that much better. Plus they renovated the place and its a lot bigger, more seats, and more choices to choose from on the menu. After coming here, no other pho place can compete. Service is meh, but the pho makes up for it. Trust me on that one. Overall, this place tops all other pho places hands down. Best place to cure a hangover too =)
(4)
Olivia A.

I had 209 I believe and it was deliiiiciiious! The one with the seafood, not the beef. I'm a seafoodie at heart, I'll pick it over pretty much anything else on the menu. Apparently, this one comes with a different sort of sate sauce on it already, but then I mixed in the extra sate sauce anyway and good lord, that was good! The staff was friendly as well. Got everything I needed, even when I asked for more (like more lime or some broth on the side). I was in and out in under an hour. I'm a generally slow eater, but I inhaled my noodles 'cause they were that AMAZING. Still my number one spot, in love!
(5)
T D.

Sate sauce is the best... I like #310.. big servings is a plus. They accept credit cards also.
(4)
Alice T.

I've been here several times and I'm not a fan. The sate sauce completely changes the authentic flavors of the pho that you should be enjoying. Secondly, the last time I went, the pho was so bland I had to add a full pho spoon of fish sauce in my bowl.
(1)
Qui H.

It has been a while since I have been here. I noticed that they expanded the restaurant and put a fresh paint on the wall. Menu was updated as well. I ordered a small bowl of pho. I was not satisfied because I barely had meat in my bowl. I had a whole bunch of noodles. Also when the rest of my group arrived we had to ask for water and the place wasn't even busy. I don't think I would come back. I actually found a better pho place to go to. Yes there is parking and they do take credit cards now.
(2)
Jin P.

Literally the only place I will go for pho! It's so damn good. And the chicken rolls!!! It's heaven. Don't expect the best service because you're not gonna get it. Ask for everything you need all at once or you might be waiting awhile. SO GOOD!!
(5)
Michael Y.

Quite possibly the best pho I ever tasted. That sate sauce is unique, and it adds a spicy kick like no other! Service is ok, usually there is no wait to be seated.
(5)
Alexander P.

I have been coming here for years and the food is always great. My addiction starts here. I am truely a fan of the sate sauce. It makes the soup extremely GOOoOoOod! Love this place
(5)
Ruth C.

Most days, I'm a broth snob. Hoisin and sriracha have its place and a staple part of the broth is not it. Yet the sate sauce is a throwback to childhood flavors, and I was so happy to have it permeating my noodles. I do wish the noodles were a bit less clumpy. Add-ons are fresh. All the meat cuts are so tender, and reasonable strips of tripe included. The really-super-ultra-hardcore purists will disdain this place for its broth, and the rest of us will praise this as some of the best pho in the area. Four and a half stars. Basic but clean cafeteria layout. Efficient service, and Theresa and I didn't get kicked out for my potty mouth. Shared parking lot and a few doors down from Ba Le. Egg noodles in chicken soup came with sate sauce, but a much less flavorful base broth. I was sad the ca phe came pre-stirred, so I might just opt for coconut juice next time to indulge in the fruit flesh. Definitely going to be back to try their rolls! Fall 2013: now accepting credit cards.
(4)
Ivy P.

The regular pho noodle soup was very good and authentic. Must try pho sate because it's very different, and you can't find it at other places.
(5)
Bonnie P.

Food is good but certainly not worth how poor the service is. Seriously. Rude and condescending when I asked what their most popular beef pho was. Good is really only worth 3 stars anyway. Go to pho 75 or seven corners for several better options for Vietnamese and pho.
(2)
C K.

I was wondering what's the big fuss about their sate sauce but I know. It does make Pho taste so much better! And I liked their tiny chicken spring roll too. Yes, it's pretty small...but I actually like it this way. Place looks clean and spacious. Service was prompt and courteous both times I went. But don't expect to get a lot of meat with your Pho. I literally saw only 3 pieces of meat for a large order. So if you like lots of meat in your Pho, this place might not be for you. Overall, I'm satisfied with service, food, and location so I'll be visiting this place again soon.
(4)
Yong S.

Food is great but the employees work there does not look like they wanted to work. Water came out after the appetizer. .... the service was horrible.
(2)
Yujin M.

The best thing about the pho was the thickly cut meat. I especially liked the big, thick pieces of soft tendon. As for the rest, I was sadly disappointed. Now, I'm no pho expert, so I can't preach on what "real" pho should taste like, but I felt that the broth was quite flavorless until I adjusted with the two sauces. Once adjusted, it tasted fine, but my first sip of the broth didn't give me the instant sense of comfort and satisfaction that I always get at....say.....Pho 75. It may have just been that day, but the noodles were also a bit clumpy. I still haven't figured out the use for that little saucer of pepper oil that they give you. In fact, I spilled my entire saucer on the table, so didn't have a chance to try it. Perhaps it's that little saucer that adds the magic that everyone else seems to be feeling at Pho Sate??
(3)
Tri T.

After the expansion, I came back to this place b/c it's much more accommodating for a large group. Pho is still good (my favorite is around the corner) and have sate sauce is always a bonus. They now take credit cards too!
(4)
Cathy H.

I met a girlfriend here for dinner tonight. It was our first time here. It was also her first time eating pho and she enjoyed it greatly. I, on the other hand, ordered M-6, which is Mi Sate Trieu Chau Bo: sate beef with egg noodles. It comes with tomatoes, julienned cucumbers, and pineapple. I was expecting the thicker egg noodles, but received the much thinner kind, which was not as good. I was also expecting cubes of steak, but received strips. Everything was only decent because the noodles are literally drowned in the sate sauce. I would've wanted only half the amount of sauce since it was also on the salty side. This was my first time trying such a dish and was hoping for it to be the standard for comparison. I will need to look elsewhere. To be fair, though, I will definitely return to try their rice noodle soups/dishes. ================== Update for clarification: In Vietnamese cuisine, "sate" is chili oil. In other cuisines, namely Thai, "sate" or "satay" is a peanut sauce. So, now to confuse you. When you order pho here, you will be given a traditional bowl with a side of sate (chili oil). When you order any of their Trieu Chau-style dry noodles (rice, egg, or both), you will notice your meat is cooked in a peanut-based, thick sauce that is also called sate.
(3)
Hongda Z.

Used to be good but now potion is extremely small after renovation. Pho 75 is much more generous. Price also goes up.
(2)
Daniel K.

Pho Sate is a vietnamese pho restaurant in falls church that is definitely a must go and is a must go! What makes it stand out amongst the rest of the pho joints you ask? The sate sauce you put in the pho and the deep fryed chicken rolls. And when you ask for your beef to be raw, it ends up being cooked perfectly in the broth where the beef is tender! Downside: Although the quality of the food is consistent after it expanded in size, the customer service has gone down. Either they mess up your order at times or all together, forget a side order you requested. Service is a bit slower since the expansion due to the demand. I would have given it a 5+ if it weren't for the recent changes, primarily due to the expansion.
(4)
Chris T.

With the renovation, menu expansions to include Mi Xao Don (crispy deep-fried egg noodle dishes) and the likes as well as finally accepting credit cards, I need to increase the star count.... The Seafood Hu Tieu Mi Soup is still my favorite here.
(4)
Susan H.

We were here on a rainy Sunday afternoon for a community manager's Yelp event. It was good to meet our NoVA CM, Kimberly V., along with other fellow Yelpers. When we got here at 1:30 p.m., we were both quite surprised to see just how crowded it was! That's a good sign. If the food was horrible, the place would not have been so busy. Kimberly had set aside some tables for us Yelpers---which was a good thing! My husband and I each ordered a regular sized bowl of pho ga. The pho arrived very quickly. No sooner did I add my aromatics (the basil and bean sprouts were very fresh, by the way) and started eating when I noticed a big puddle of pho broth creeping to the edge of the table. It was on the verge of landing in my lap due to a crack in the bowl. Thanks to fellow Yelper, Charles H., for flagging down our waiter! As Charles said in his review, I was given a fresh bowl of pho. We really liked our pho ga. The meat was shredded which made eating it easy. I eyeballed the sriracha sauce and was about to add some, when Kimberly told us to just use the pho sate sauce that was given to each of us. She did let us know that it was made with chili oil and to go easy with it. So, I cautiously added some to my pho while my husband got a bit carried away. He said it was so spicy that it made his eyes water. However, as he kept eating, he found that the heat diminished. What a good idea Kimberly had when coming up with a place for a CMYE! We would have never gone out of our way to eat here---which would have been a shame as we woould have missed out on some great pho. On top of that, we can't complain about the price. We had water to drink plus the 2 bowls of pho, which came to about $14 before the tip. In fact, my husband has said that he would like to return some time soon! Thank you, Kimberly! It was nice meeting you and all the fellow Yelpers who were in attendance!
(4)
Saara Z.

Pho is all about the broth and Pho Sate gets it right! To top it off, the prices are super reasonable at less than $8 per bowl for a large. My go-to items are the Pho Tai and Pho Tai Chin although the meatball pho was also quite good. If just a bowl of pho isn't enough to fill you up, I would recommend getting their chicken spring rolls for a flavorful and crispy starter.
(5)
Lee B.

Very tasty, great rich broth, good portion size of beef and well cooked brisket and noodles. Lots of limes and fresh jalapeÃ±os, super perfect. Best part was the spicy hot oil and dried chilies to add in addition to normal sriacha and hoisin sauce. Just perfect.
(5)
Johnny C.

At the urging of my daughters, I finally tried Pho Sate a few times before writing this review. I tried once when they were closed for remodeling and decided to try again. I've been going to Pho 75 for years and listed below is my summary comparing the two places: Pho 75 Pho Sate Notes DÃ©cor x Service x (it's easier to flag down a server) Coffee x x (Tie) Price x x (Tie) Meat x (I prefer the quality of meat at 75) Broth x x (Tie) Pho x x (Tie) Bean Sprouts x (Steamed - Sate was soggy) Dessert x (75 tastes better) The sate was ok but I still prefer Sriracha and Hoisin sauce with my pho. During one visit at Pho Sate, I found a hair in my sate and asked for a replacement. Hopefully, they didn't take the dish to the kitchen, take out the hair, and gave me the same sate back :-) I think it's a personal preference on whether you like the pho at 75 or Sate but for me, I will continue to visit Pho 75.
(3)
Sheri G.

Very good pho! I didn't realize they have a pretty extensive menu with all sorts of noodle soups: pho, vermicelli, egg, and wonton. There's some interesting add-ons as well (we had the shrimp cakes which were quite tasty). The sate sauce was nice and spicy. This is certainly not your typical cafeteria-style pho joint. Pho Sate was recently remodeled and is pretty spacious. There are a few booths which are convenient if you have a car seat (now that I'm dining out with a little one). Be prepared: cash only. Small pho is 7.25, large is 7.95.
(4)
Nikki Z.

I really wanted to like this place after reading so many good reviews! Unfortunately there was not 1 but 2 pieces of hair in one of our bowls of pho. Furthermore, there was a woman going around the restaurant collecting trash/dirty plates from the tables in what was essentially a rolling *open* and full trash bag and bin. Very off-putting and I have never, ever seen that before. As we were walking towards the register we noticed one of their workers who was tired sitting down on a chair next to the kitchen door entrance, she had taken her shoe off and was massaging her foot (she had a sock on). I will not be going back because of their lack of hygiene. Service left a lot to be desired; it was hurried and not so nice. Where is the management in this place? If it was clean and service levels even mediocre, the taste of the pho had potential.
(1)
Jenny S.

After the remodeling of Pho Sate, they managed to improve it just a bit further. The new Pho Sate offers much more seating and even a credit card machine! Honestly, I never frequented Pho Sate as much as I would have lied before only because of the cash only deal, but no more will that be an issue! Like any great stable for a noodle soup, you have to start have a great tasting broth. Pho Sate's spicy garlic oil adds good flavor and spice to the broth, but without it, the broth is bland and not appetizing at all. But obviously, you come to Pho Sate for that garlic oil sauce so I guess all that doesn't matter. The taro egg rolls are tasty too and all still reasonably priced despite its growing popularity. Pho Sate is still one of my top 3 favorite pho places in the NOVA area.
(4)
David L.

Stopped by here for lunch. I have been to the Ba Le bakery and never paid attention to this restaurant before. It's pretty big and can sit plenty of people. I asked the waiter what he recommends since this is my first time here. He suggested the Hu Tieu Sate with beefs. Good enough for me. The food came out quickly and it's one of the tastiest Hu Tieu that I ever had. What impress me the most is the service. They constantly refill your water without you asking even though it's busy. Then when I get up to pay, the line was long so they opened the second register to help. Wow...that really win me right there. Not too many Vietnamese restaurants can give the great service like these guys. I will be back for the Pho next time.
(5)
J H.

Newly reopened and nicely expanded. They still are "cash only" but indicate that this may be changing. Some see their secret sate sauce as cheating ... I see it as the bomb! Very tasty and nice new digs.
(4)
Ling D.

My new go-to place for pho! They recently renovated and tripled their size (in the same location) this past August. It's awesome! Nice and clean, organized, good service, and more restaurant-like than before. Whenever I go, I stick to the traditional pho options, so I can't speak to any of their other menu options. Love the broth, meat, fresh bean sprouts, and the hot chili oil they give you on the side.
(4)
Joanne K.

My absolute favorite go to pho place in NOVA! The sate sauce has me. For some reason I just need it in my pho now and try to order it at other pho places and it's just not the same.
(4)
Roy S.

This place was great!! The Pho was awesome, the chicken in peanut sauce was really nice also. Great flavors and wallet friendly. Limited seating but its worth the wait. For all my non-Asians out there, a bowl of Pho helps keep colds and flu at bay... Great portions and awesome flavors. I Highly recommend!!!
(4)
Alan S.

Great pho. The sate sauce served is pretty awesome to add into the pho. It's also a huge plus that they now accept credit card. I go there when I am craving pho. The only problem I have is the service is just okay. I always ask for extra lime and they give it to me about 60% of the time. You would think if you have served the same person regularly (I usually go 1 to 8 times a month) that they would start remembering. Overall great food, mediocre service, but I don't expect all that much in the service for a pho place as long as the food is great.
(4)
Ali H.

I have been to this place for many times,. at least 1-2 times /week , just recently, I think their food quality start to drop, they replace the pho type of meat to the roast pork for the dry noodle, and worse yet, we did the take out last night for soup noodle, the soup taste just like tap water, there was no taste at all ..and there was no veggie and lemon to come along, I would probably give the place one more change, and that will be it
(1)
Dawn B.

This Pho is Phoreal! The broth is refreshing and adds the perfect flavor to the chicken, noodles and small vegetables included. The chicken pieces were tender and well cooked. The dish was prepared quickly which made me wonder if it was fresh, but the taste said it all. The noodles were perfectly cooked, al dente, and the soups aroma filled the air with the smell of seasoning. I will definitely head back to Pho Sate in the future. One word to the wise though, make sure you have cash or no Pho for you!
(4)
L T.

The sate sauce definitely makes it taste better but why don't they have dark meat chicken pho?! Noodles are a bit skinnier than I prefer but overall great chewiness and taste
(3)
Dom C.

Among the best Pho that we have had. We ordered the #1 combination large. Flavorful yet clean and not oily broth. Good tasting meat, noodles, and other ingredients and not stingy. Only constructive criticism would be that the wait staff have a little more personality when dealing with their non-Vietnamese guests and that one female staff person not chew food while facing the dining area. Bottom line is that we would definitely recommend and will return.We just moved from Southern California and were frequent visitors to Little Saigon in Westminster. I think this place would stack up well against the best Pho in the country.
(5)
Kat V.

Pho Sate transcends the regular ol' tried-and-true bowl of Pho to a phenomenal bowl of spicy deliciousness. The secret to their pho is the spicy saute sauce which is served on the side- place it in, and your test buds get a treat! The sate sauce is the perfect blend of spice and balances well with the broth. Siracha is typically the go-to spice for pho, but after trying the Sate Sauce pho without it will never be the same! I've also heard great thigns about the dish titled "H3"- apparently the non-soups are good too! I can't wait to give it a try!
(5)
Mike C.

This has slowly become my go-to pho shop. It must be the crack in the sate sauce, but my tastebuds warm to their soup with each visit. I'm still holding out that I'll find a 5-star pho joint, but currently nothing tops Pho Sate.
(4)
Andrew H.

After thinking pho-losophically, this place isn't all that great in terms of pho. It's not authentic pho at all, and leans quite heavily on the "sate" sauce, which I have to agree with Marc M's review, is gimmicky. Yes it does taste good, but not quite as good as an authentic deep broth-bone flavored pho. Real pho does not need sate sauce, which tampers with the true flavor, the essence of a good bowl of pho. Think of it like a great cut of steak. A great cut of steak does not need A-1 sauce, A-1 sauce only ruins the true essence of the steak. A-1 sauce does taste good, but only on poorer quality cuts of steaks. I kind of liken this to Pho Sate. I am giving them 2 stars for their pho since this is what most people come here for, but my earlier review (of 4 stars) still stands for their other egg noodles dishes, those are much better IMO.
(2)
S T.

Best Broth in all of NOVA.. Go with # 107
(5)
Christina Y.

I live right near several pho places. The best is pho sate! The service here is Always quick, they keep your water filled and the food comes quick! Since the remodel they ow take credit cards. A plus since cash only is a pain! The chicken rolls are the best! Great on a cold snowy day or when you have a sore throat.
(5)
Jessica L.

Boyfriend and I decided to stop by today and were pretty happy with our meal. I think their pho broth is very flavorful and I really enjoy the sate sauce that comes with each dish. We also tried the hu tieu (#203) and the beef was very tender and delicious. The pork-taro eggrolls were a little too oily for my liking, but still good. The iced coffee and suong sa hat luu were average, if not underwhelming. Overall, I'd probably come here again if someone suggests it, but there isn't anything offered here I'd long for.
(3)
Rachel P.

So I totally forgot I've eaten here since 2010 b/c I found my review. I LOVE THIS PLACE. Their broth is spot on with that hint of sweetness (and from what I've read, that's a southern Vietnam thing?). The bare minimum pho places are, in my experience, the best pho places. Yes, service is quick and not totally personal, but that's fine with me, just gimme that bowl of good good food. I'm just still waiting on them to finally knock down that wall and expand already. They were supposed to do that months ago!
(5)
Jamie L.

#NAME?
(2)
Annie N.

This used to be my to go place on Sunday. Broth is light but sate makes up for that. Lately they have been too stingy on the meat and veggie. I have decided to go back to pho 75. I think I can do without the sate.
(3)
Steve N.

This is definitely my new go-to spot for pho. The sate sauce makes the pho broth amazingly tasteful. It's hard to imagine how such a small dish full of chili and oil could add such powerful flavor to the broth but it's a beautiful marriage for your tastebuds. If you enjoy excellent pho, this place is definitely the place pho you.
(5)
Jackie N.

Ok, so I do love Pho Sate as much as the next person, especially the sauce. The sauce is what keeps me coming back. However, the broth is just not as savory as it could be. They also don't give me enough meat. At every pho place, I order a small pho tai chin, which is eye round steak and brisket. Maybe this is why I am so picky with pho, because I can see how each place does the exact same meat order differently. I also like it when the meat is placed raw into my broth, and Sate doesn't usually do that for me. Don't get me wrong though....Sate is actually my second favorite of all the NOVA pho places. Maybe I am totally biased becaus of my Vietnamese-ness and the fact that no pho compares to how the family makes it. But Pho Sate is one of thel places Pho lovers just have to go to at least once. Note - CASH ONLY and open till 11pm
(3)
Jocelyn D.

Was in town and craved for some Vietnamese food and I happen to stumble upon this restaurant. Amazing stir fried noodles, it was very tasteful and their egg rolls are delicious. And great customer service !!
(5)
Hannah P.

Great pho, terrible service. I would give it 5 stars if this rating was based solely on just the food. However I have to give it three stars because the service is just that bad. You have to ask multiple servers multiple times for things that they forget. But the food is delicious!
(3)
Courtney S.

Delicious broth. Cheap price. Attentive service. They recently remodeled and the new space is bigger and much more modern and clean. Their pho is up there with the best I've ever had. Make sure you use their sate sauce! Only thing I don't like about Pho Sate is they don't have summer rolls, which is something I always order along with my eye round steak pho. But I tried their fried egg rolls instead and they were delicious, just not as healthy. Pho lovers- go here!
(5)
Charlotte L.

They don't offer much here. Besides their signature mi satÃ© everything else sucks. Tried mi vhit tiem Today and everything they make taste so sweet!! It's like one bowl of whatever you order can give you diabetes!! And they really don't have a lot, they only have mostly egg noodle and just pho. There's no com tam or fried rice or anything bun. And of course customer service is bad. And don't even get me talking about their satÃ© "sauce". You know you can go out and buy a jar yourself. It's not even sauce it's just pepper in oil. At home you just take the pepper out. Here they are so cheap and only give you about 2teaspoon of it half of which is mostly oil.
(2)
Harrison O.

Hands down my favorite pho place in Nova. I used to like Pho 75 but I have to say this place is better in terms of taste and certainly service. The broth is absolutely fantastic and they are very generous with their meat. They also give you this oil sauce which is something I never experienced at a pho place. If this was closer to my house, I would probably come 3 times a week. Even with the distance, I still try to make it out at least once every 2 weeks.
(5)
Chris L.

my go to pho place
(4)
T L.

Took my mom here. She hadn't been here in over a decade. Awesome pho just wished management were more considerate. Had a small worm the size of a quarter inch hanging off my pho bowl. After telling them they didn't acknowledge or apologize... Their manager was there too just sitting in the back table. Oh well ... Food is good though. Recommend: taro pork egg rolls, and any pho...just dump in the chili oil! Watch out for extra protein on the basil/soybean sprouts
(2)
Brian S.

#204 Add the chili sauce, and the sriracha and enjoy. It was sooo dang good. Amazing service Your food comes fast Great right before going bowling.
(4)
Dinh P.

Hands down, best pho around! The broth is consistently is good and portions are good. My go to place when pho is needed.
(5)
John L.

I will give the food here 4 stars, but the service here is just bad. We came for dinner around 8pm. The place was hoppin but obviously the three waitstaff could not handle the customers. It didn't take that long for our food but it took forever to even order our food. The "hipster" manager was useless and could not even take our order. Our food came out but we had no utensils and our drinks...even the water was a no show until we were half-way done with our meal. There are too many other good pho places in the NOVA area to make this place worth the trip.
(2)
John P.

I've been going to Pho Sate for many many years, since they were down the street on Annandale Rd. This and my mama's pho are my top 2 and I've had a lot of pho. Complaints: - Please change that damn rag you wipe the table with! - Ridiculous weekend morning lines (hangover rush hour) - Cash only - Runs out of broth enough nights that I call ahead after 8pm - Stop being so stingy with the sate. That's why people go there (me anyway). After my complaints though. I still give them 5 stars. Also the price doesn't seem that cheap on the menu but somehow for two people we always end up paying a good amount less than all the other places.
(5)
Helen B.

I really like their sate sauce- it really differentiates them from other pho spots. Service here is spotty, sometimes you must ask for things 3-4 times before they bring it to you, other times- only twice, haha. But we return here for the food. The end.
(4)
Emily Z.

One of the best Vietnamese Pho place , I love the variety here . The broth is sooo flavorful =) must try !
(5)
Vi N.

So... I LOVE this place, but NOT for the pho, as I never tried it. I come here for H3. It's a one of a kind noodle dish with a dense brown sauce that is poured over the rice noodles with thick slices of tender beef, lettuce, peanuts and pineapple. Once it's all mixed together, with the sate chili sauce, it is just amazing! I've never heard of this dish before anywhere else and I'm Vietnamese, but I'm not complaining... it really is good. Other than that, I've only tried their chicken rolls and they are pretty good, but it's what is expected... deep fried little egg-rolls made with chicken. My only complaint, is that it's cash only.
(4)
Tony G.

Best pho in the DC area. Service sucks, but hey what can you do except tolerate it. :) It's in dah 'hood. Bring yo' gats. :0)
(4)
Amanda B.

Five stars is for pho noodles, broth, sate combination, cleanliness appearance, and bathrooms. Overall it's just better than other establishments around town imo, after the expansion no long wait to be seated. How you eat your pho with the sate is up you , enjoy!
(5)
John O.

First off, I love pho. Been eating it since I can remember. I'm not one to add anything to it except for lime and bean sprouts. With that said, if you enjoy room temperature pho with watered down broth with minimal flavor...then this place is for you. The broth is usually clear. You can just tell they add water to the broth on top of it not being hot at all when it comes out. The pho is honestly a hit or miss. In my opinion and experience, it's a 90% miss, 10% hit. When they actually serve hot flavorful pho, it's really good. But it's not often the case obviously. What I do go there for is the H-3(old menu)/203 (new menu). It's not a soup dish, but a rice noodle dish with beef, cucumber, peanuts, etc served with a very tasty brown sauce. Pho sate does have good dishes, but pho is not one of them. The chicken rolls here are good too but way over priced, they are basically $1 for small finger sized roll. If you guys do end up ordering the pho here, please just try the broth alone before adding anything to it and you'll see how bad it is...
(2)
Tina P.

I am a regular customer. I feel like the quality has slightly went down since the renovation, but I still am a FIEND for the spicy sate sauce. It just transforms the broth to something completely different. If you like spicy, you definitely need to check out this place. Also they have a lot of things on their menu, I love the 306. Egg noodles with beef, lettuce, pineapple, peanuts in a flavorful brown sauce. Then of course I dump the sate sauce over.......drool.
(4)
Nelson S.

So I've been here about a dozen times in the last year or so and havent had any issue with the Pho really. The difference between the Large and Regular size (in my experiences) has really only been more broth. It's about what you'd expect taste wise although could use a bit more noodles. I found myself adding lots of sauce though. Even so I still come back because it's on the cheaper side and is quick and close to my house. They also have a no broth noodle dishes. If your looking to mix it up a bit these are pretty awesome. I alternate between the H-6 and H-3. As for appetizers the crispy chicken rolls are hit or miss. sometimes larger sometimes pinky sized. When their good they're great but when they're average it's pretty bad. All in all I come back knowing I'll have a decent meal without breaking the bank.
(4)
jenny m.

Had to come here to find out what the hype was about. I heard it's the best place in town for soup. I'll have to say it was pretty good. The soup was light and very flavorful. Service..... Eh.... Typical asian restaurant service..... Not personable.
(4)
Rich S.

This will likely be my new pho take-out place near work. I found the pho to be much more flavorful than nearby Pho 88. The portion sizes were generous and the prices were very reasonable; my partner and I each got pho and chicken rolls and the total was a mere $20. The service was outstanding. After having mistaken my order of "P4" for "C4" over the phone, the staff was very apologetic, so much so that they delivered my food to my car when I waiting. My favorite Pho place (although I've only been to 3) is still Pho 14 in DC, but the portion, food, prices, and relatively late hours will keep me coming back to Pho Sate for take-out.
(4)
Dane L.

Simply put: Pho Sate is overrated. Over the course of a decade, I've regretfully frequented this spot countless times. I blame it on the ah-ah-ah-ah-alcohol. First off, the service. Terrible, terrible service. I'm sure by now the waiter (with the asian boy band hair) knows which bowl of soup I want, which rolls, and that I want extra cilantro on the side. I mean, I practically grew up with this guy! But, i tell him my order anyway. With that said, he NEVER brings my cilantro out. I always wait a few minutes in case they needed to chop some up, but no, the a-hole just doesnt bring it. He rarely replenishes the water without being asked. Do these people realize how thirsty MSG can make oneself?! Secondly, the place is NOT clean. I don't know how many times i've grabbed the sauce bottles, pulled a chair, or even touched the table and gotten something on my hands. The utensils are nasty. Examine your pho spoon up and down next time you go. They gave me one that looked like it had been rinsed but NEVER scrubbed. How do I know this? Cause the damn thing was brown/black on the underside where skin&dirt is rubbing off. I'm not squeamish, but that made my insides curl. Third, the quality of the broth is by no means great. It is just average. The sate sauce is good and all, but it shouldnt determine whether the pho tastes good or not. If you NEED sate sauce to sell your pho, something aint right. Pho Sate has a large base of dedicated, die-hard, 'ill-walk-on-hot-coals-if-i-have-to' customers. Don't let the hype fool you though. This place is subpar. I'd much rather keep my money and the hangover.
(2)
Jeff K.

I don't like fish sauce. Cash only no credit card. Vietnomsnomsnoms.
(5)
Jorge L.

I'm starting to like this place better than Pho75. I ate here 3x before. Today was a bad experience. My waiter delivered my soup with his long nail touching the soup. I was planning to give it another chance. I told the waiter about it. He said he will replace it and took back to the kitchen. Once he was back at the kitchen, I wonder if he will give me the same soup. I walk to the counter and told the owner. No apologies made. Next time you go here watch how they hold the bowls before they serve it to you. Beware!
(4)
Elina Y.

Broth is on point, meat is thin (I don't have to separate it with my chopsticks) and the spicy pepper oil on the side is thaaaa bomb. This is what I normally order: -tai -iced coffee -summer/spring rolls One terrible thing I've experienced here is REFILLING water. And I thought that only happened at Cong Ly. Oh well. Maybe its because we're always here on Sundays.... hehe. Oh, which reminds me, don't come here on Sundays unless you are ok with hungover asians recollecting the night before. If you want to enjoy your pho in peace, don't come here on Sundays. Just don't eat pho on Sundays, period.
(4)
Donald P.

The whole time there I was trying to determine whether to give 3 or 4 stars. What makes this place a little bit different from your typical Vietnamese restaurant is the Sate (that crushed red pepper + oil condiment)....oh and the sea of green-washed walls throughout the entire restaurant. Holy Green-ness!!! Employees were nice and entertained our questions about food items, like what they were and how to pronounce words...although I question whether they really understood me, as they not surprisingly, spoke mainly Vietnamese. My wife ordered a bowl of Pho and I ordered a bowl of Hu Tieu since I wanted to try something new. I had no idea what it was, and the waitress couldn't really elaborate on what it was. Turns out it's very similar to Pho except made with pork and seafood / broth. I especially liked the flat round shrimp tempura (for lack of a better word) placed on top. The Pho was pretty good too with a curiously unique touch...I'm guessing the star anise mentioned in other reviews. She also said it had cleaner more refreshing taste...I'm guessing referring to not as oily....which I love. The thing that ruined it for me was after finishing my meal, I picked out a tiny dark orange sesame-sized seed out of my bowl. Looking closer to see what kind of seed it was, I was a bit grossed out when I saw this seed had tiny wings, legs and antennae, like a tiny beetle. A little bitty fruit fly or gnat in my food doesn't really bother me, but the beetle just grossed me out. I'm trying not to think of how many of these extra protein supplements I ate. Aside for the little insect problem which realistically speaking can happen anywhere, the food was okay to good. I wouldn't mind giving them the benefit of the doubt and visiting one more time, but probably won't be my first choice.
(2)
Jeremy C.

SHHHHLUURRRPP! YUM! If you are like me, you love pho. In my hometown, St. Louis, there are tons of Pho places. So, when I packed up and moved to Virginia/DC the Pho restaurants on every street corner were a welcome sign. I enjoy everything with soup and noodles...from Japanese ramen to pho. I frequent Pho Sate pretty often as it is probably my go-to place for pho in virginia. Its the only place where I feel the taste is in tune with my palate. Before you walk in, the waiters generally see you coming and already have a menu in hand and ready to seat you..the service is generally very good. I usually get a large "P-6" with the taro egg rolls. YUM! The broth is very flavorful and clean. Adding the "sate" sauce (which really is a glorified chili oil) and plum sauce really adds to the flavor. The noodles are not overly done, and not stuck togeher - perfecto! Pros: Great pho with great tastes and textures. Cons: Nada Overall: Definately my go-to place for pho. Check it out!
(4)
Mimi M.

THIS IS THE BEST PHO PLACE EVER!!!! They have their own special sauce. It's called the Sate sauce and it is amazing! I don't even need to use Sriracha and Hoisin sauce here. Everything is just about perfect. The best value though, is eating your food there, instead of taking it to go. Also - the staff has been usually friendly, but I didn't like how they were acting the last time I went there, which also happens to be the first time I ate inside. Next time I go, I want to try their bubble tea. Don't forget - CASH ONLY.
(4)
Peter C.

Best pho I've had in the DMV, maybe even better than what I've had in SoCal (and that's where I grew up). Beef broth was definitely the best I've had, rice noodles were so soft and silky. Meat was very thin but plentiful. Wifey had the egg noodles H-9 or something. It was pretty bomb. Won't find anything like that anywhere else. Owner said it is his father's secret recipe.
(5)
Cass H.

This place is damn good. The chili sauce and roasted garlic that comes with the pho is everything everyone else here says it is. There's really nothing I can complain about here- perhaps the blah decor or the no credit card thing; so I guess because it doesn't go all the way over the top, Pho Sate, you get four solid stars. They've even got a Seafood Pho, which is the only pho my wife will eat, so I've even found a place she'll go back to.
(4)
Anson P.

This place is a good pick if Pho 75 down the street from it is packed. Pho 75 typically opens earlier though. Pho Sate does other soup dishes besides pho and offers the option of not having meat, but then again, I don't know what the broth is made from. The thought of not having meat in pho is sacrilege. This incarnation of Pho Sate is a much better version than of the one that used to exist on Annandale Rd. The pho is good, but not as good as Pho 75. The chili oil sauce is what makes this place unique. It's definitely an acquired taste. I do like the combination of fried chinese bread with the pho. Just a few criticisms. I don't think they provide enough bean sprouts. I'm not in the military and I don't feel it appropriate to have to ration. Also, I don't think their large is on par with other pho places' large portions. On a side note: Granted, I know this is a gross generalization but if you're from NY or NJ, please for the love of God, use your inside voice. There's no need to scream at someone sitting right next to you inside a pho place. If you're going to make fun of your buddy for not being able to read the "cash only" sign, then do it such that the people next door don't have to listen to you.
(4)
Neil S.

Yummy pho. Love the special sate!
(5)
Don W.

People were hyping about this place so I decided to try it out. I got the special bowl of pho and tried the oily pepper sauce with it. Turns out it ain't that great and the oily pepper sauce doesn't go well with the pho. That sauce goes with other dishes at the restaurant but not with pho in my opinion. Not only that but this so called sate sauce is the same as any other Vietnamese restaurants. All in all... mediocre pho.
(2)
Alex P.

After hearing about this place from a bunch of people and the reviews on yelp I decided to give Pho Sate a try. I was not impressed, nor was my Mom, and we are both Vietnamese! Everyone told me that thier pho was the best they've ever had, etc. My opinion is that it is regualr pho with a side of dim sum style hot sauce. Overall, the Pho was average, but better than a lot of other places and the service was good so I gave it 3 stars.
(3)
Amy A.

The Pho is good but it's the sate sauce that makes its. Also make sure to try the dry noodle dish called hu tieu sate trieu chau bo. It Is amazing.
(4)
Melissa G.

Probably the best pho in the DMV area! Service was great and extremely fast! Only downside is that it's cash only - no credit cards.
(4)
Tom N.

The pho is excellent, but the sate condiment (sliced chili, oil, and God-knows-what) makes it amazing. Just know that the broth isn't the best you can find around the area -- the Vietnamese sate is the real reason I come here every other week. In my youth, I frequented their old location which was always filled with cigarette smoke and shady characters like myself. The new location is brightly lit and looks clean, though I still enjoy the wonderful food. They also have soda xi muoi, a beverage offering lacked by many other Vietnamese restaurants. Cash only, though open relatively late on Friday and Saturday.
(5)
Sohe K.

All I can say is, DELICIOUS. Best pho besides homemade. Their sate sauce makes a big difference. H3 is my favorite. I have not found another pho place that offers it. THANK YOU FOR REOPENING. Went for lunch once and I had to wait in line for a table. CASH ONLY =[
(5)
Tung P.

Definitely a fan of the pho here. I go here often for a quick bite to eat and I STRESS quick. I go in and usually get seated and the food comes out quick. I've never had the Sate in pho before, but it is definitely interesting and adds something to the Pho. When I compare it to my other favorite - Pho 75, they both would be very close in terms of quality of the broth. I generally go to a lot of pho places, and I always get the #1, it's usually consistent place to place and has all the cuts of meat. If you're new to pho and aren't afraid of those cuts, give it a try!
(4)
Mike K.

Hands down the best Pho in town. Every time someone comes in from out of town this is my go to place. They all start out by saying the Pho back in their area is the best and end up flipping after eating here. The Sate sauce is what makes this place. Just perfect for someone that loves spicy. Start with the chicken rolls... they are awesome.
(5)
Tuan N.

After hearing so much hype, I thought this place was going to be nom .com, but its actually kinda overrated. It definitely is very tasty and the sate sauce makes it unique, but not the best pho I've ever had. The service was good, cheap prices and nice, clean place.
(4)
Stephanie M.

i live a few blocks from pho 75 in arlington, but i will make the trek out to pho sate anytime. the broth is sooooo amazing. it doesnt even compare. great prices and the owners are so nice. cash only.
(5)
Cuong T.

I am a regular Pho Sate #1 customer !! I eat Pho Sate 2 times a week . Their Sate there are extremely delicious with their Pho which are the best combo i've tasted so far around here, I also love the M1 on the menu. There're so much more but i only like to name a couple and the rest is for you to find out when you arrive. I recomment Pho Sate to anyone that love Pho and egg noodle, they have the best dishes in VA. Gotta go there and experienced it yourself if i were you, best customer service ever and very respectful. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Melody D.

Let me start by saying I usually only eat pho at Pho75 in Falls Church. So my review will primarily be a comparison to that. The ambiance is clean and fresh - much cleaner than Pho75. The service was definitely better. They actually refilled my water glass more than once. At Pho75 I have to order more than one glass of water up front because after you get your food, that's it - no more service. In addition, the service was friendly and welcoming - also in contrast to Pho75. I ordered the beef and brisket pho and thought the quality of the meat was very good. It was sliced well and didn't stick together. I put some of the Sate sauce in my pho. I thought it was an interesting flavor but overall I thought the broth was salty and a little too sweet. I might try it one more time but for now I will still crave Pho75. The broth there is so good and I will continue to go in spite of the service, lack of friendliness and ambiance. I think my friend preferred Pho Sate though. I just didn't love the broth. We ordered large - based on reviews here. It was too big for both of us and a small would have been enough. We also ordered the chicken rolls which were fine but I didn't think they were anything special. I would prefer a good garden roll.
(3)
Angela H.

Yummy Pho! Very fresh tasting and authentic! the small bowl was plenty. I am not in Falls Church a lot, but the next time I am will definitely stop again!
(5)
LIVE to E.

This place use to be on 50 & Graham road and re-located about 4-5 years ago. Their pho hasn't changed and I love their sate sauce. In high school, I use to eat here at least twice a week! Their other entrees are just as good but I never get around to trying them again because its always PHO, PHo, Pho, pho for me!
(5)
Tan T.

Not bad, Pho lacked a little flavor but overall not bad. Chicken Rolls were tasty and we kept wanting more!!!
(4)
Daniel H.

Had an appointment in FC and found this place for lunch. The flavors as of yesterday were amazing! I love my handful of regular Pho spots, but this place seemed extra tasty... broth and noodles. Breaking away from my typical pho with all cuts of meat, I tried the chicken meatball and the girlfriend had her usual (lean cut beef), which she also seemed very happy with.
(5)
Boui K.

This is the only pho place I go to. Been going there when they were in the westlawn shopping center when it was a hole in the wall, but food was always good. now that they are in the graham rd shopping center, i can get my pho fix and walk down and grab some bahn mi at ba le. that for another review.
(4)
Kyle C.

Best chicken rolls EVER! And the sate they give you for your pho give it that extra unique kick!
(5)
Don V.

I'm about to say something controversial...Pho Sate better than Pho 75. 'Nuff said. Now who wants to fight?
(5)
Jennifer P.

This is my favorite pho restaurant. It's because of the sate sauce they serve with the pho (a roasted chile oil sauce). It make the pho amazing!! I dream about the sate sauce!! haha I always get the pho ga (chicken) and its really tasty. I like how they shred the chicken up rather than give you the thin big slices. I also get an order of chicken rolls... 4 little rolls of bite size goodness! I wish it were closer to me, I'd go alot more!
(5)
Jen K.

best pho i've had in the dc metro area..and that's coming from someone who lived in the san fran bay area for most of her life. the secret is in the sauce..seriously. that little plate of pho sate roasted chili goodness is what keeps me coming back. they should patent it. eggrolls (both kinds) are disappointing and a little over priced for what you get. no fresh spring rolls either.
(4)
Nina L.

I've only been here a few times and each time they have been consistent with their dishes. I usually order the dry noodles with soup on the side. The price, portion, and taste would make it worth going back to, as long as I'm in the area...
(4)
Christine N.

Hands down the best pho I've ever had. Pho Sate is the place I go to when I get a hankering for pho, the sate sauce really makes the meal. I usually get pho chin and dump the majority of the sate sauce into the pho and save a little for dipping. A pho restaurant that also excels at other food...never heard of such a place...until now. I've also had the hu tieu and bun thai, both with seafood. They put generous amounts of seafood in the soups and it's fresh. I hate it when I go to restaurants and they give you the small cheapo kind. The hu tieu sate trieu chau bo is very tasty, it's stir-fry noodles in a peanut sauce. I also recommend the che, I've tried all 3 and love em. And I feel like they give you a larger serving of che than most places.
(5)
Jake T.

Best Pho in the area. Starting going to this place at the old location in high school. Some days are better than others, but still nowhere else compares.
(5)
Baby P.

I had it today, and I think I have to go on this website, sign up for an account, and write my review. one of my co workers introduced this place to me, and I always thought of coming here once to check it out. However, I was really disappointed. The broth is not tasty, its like water then you put meat, noodles and onions in it. I am not being mean. I am just saying the truth. The meat is good though because I like it a little bit fatty. The chicken egg roll is so so, nothing much special. I have tried some Pho places such as Pho 75, Pho 50, Pho HOT, pho 495, Viet House, Pho 14 in DC, and Pho Sate is the worst place. I think Americans do like this place cause most of them do not like the taste of real Vietnamese Pho, but guys...for those who want real Vietnamese Pho, not American taste, I do not think you will feel happy with this place. I tried their specialty, which was Mi chao tom or something, and it is actually good. Maybe its not a good place for Pho, but other stuff is quite good. However, i'd rather go a little bit further, and check out some places in EDEN center, or Ba Le bakery next door, its much better.
(1)
Linda L.

love love love the chicken egg rolls.& their sauce. yummy in my tummy. I've never eaten the pho there but it seems pretty popular. I usually order myself a bowl of Mi sate trieu chau BO filled with yellow noodle, cucumber, tomatoe and awesome beef and top it off with their sate sauce and pepper! yummie !!! service is usually awesome. they are super friendly! quick to ur needs. Real authentic vietnamese food.......with flavor and taste!
(5)
Joe C.

This was my first time eating in their new location. The food and service were great. I started with the spring rolls and some iced coffee. Ordered the P9 spicy, the M2, and the M7. It was all great. I'm so happy somebody told me of this location after 6 yrs of missing this place.
(4)
Trang O.

After you recover from the shock of seeing the bright green paint at the entrance, do sit down and order the delicious Mi kho tom thit, which comes with a bowl of clear broth and green onions on the side along with the signature dish of spicy chili sauce for you to mix into the noodles. The egg noodles are topped with a crunchy fried shrimp cake, fresh shrimp, and slices of pork. I also like their braised duck noodles (mi vit tim), which holds up well in comparison to Little Saigon's mi vit tim (the best in the area, I think). If you are in the mood for the eponymous dish, try the Hu Tieu Sate (rice noodles with beef in sate' sauce), which is also yummy!
(4)
Melissa P.

This Pho place is the best out of all of the ones I have been to. I wasn't a big fan of pho before, but I love this place. The broth is very tasty. I like the sate sauce they give you, and the chicken egg rolls are delicious.
(5)
Vincent D.

The Best Vietnamese Restaurant in the world. Hu Tieu Sate with Seafood is probably one of my favorite dishes in the world.
(5)
T P.

Pho is ok. The sate is an added bonus.
(3)
Melody H.

It has been a while since I have been to Pho Sate, due mostly to the fact that Pho 75 is closer to the freeway and I get grumpy if I am hungry so I don't make it out to the little strip mall at the intersection of Annandale Road and Route 50. Pho Sate is quieter than its busy neighbor, and cleaner, too. The thing I like best about their pho is that they give you a side of this special spicy chili sauce along with the requisite sriracha and plum sauce, and it's like a spicy party in your mouth. I love it. I don't remember anymore whether they had other menu items besides pho, but I think they had garden rolls and other goodies, another reason it is a plausible alternative to Pho 75. Will have to check and report back.
(4)
Luan D.

My favorite is #7 on the menu. It is not pho but an noodle dish with pork toppings. It's authentic as I can remember eating similar noodles in Vietnam. If you don't like lime green paint, stay away from this place. The owner must be color-blind for picking the lime-green color to paint his fine restaurant. I go there often and have gotten used to the puking green color in the restaurant. Awesome pho and hu tieu. I can cook pho with my eyes closed and I still eat here because it's good. I was disappointed when they were closed at their old location. I was SOOO happy when they re-opened again near MacGruder's. Hope it stays in business as long as I live (and eat pho).
(4)
Grace J.

The only place I will go to eat pho. My sister introduced me to this place two years ago and I have been hooked ever since! Mix in the pho sate sauce, some lime, hoison sauce, and sriracha sauce, and you've got delicious. They also have some pretty reasonable prices for their pho! I haven't really tried anything else on the menu other then the lemonade and chea (sp?) which are both delicious as well! Looking for some good and reasonably priced pho? Go to Pho Sate!
(5)
Viet D.

First off let me just say that I hate this iPhone autofill because it took me forever guys to write pho sate cause it kept writing phi date and and I hate it ugh. Total opposite for pho sate though. I really like this pho. This restaurant has been around for a while but it was originally in the crappy westlawn shopping center and although this new shopping center that they are on graham road isn't so much better, it took them moving here for me to try it. Don't get me wrong...I love me some hole in the walls..but mixing pho and sate? I was not feeling it and boy was I mistaken. This is 1 damn good bowl of pho and I am now a sate fan. From a good recommendation from a friend. Don't add the chili oil (sate) to you bowl. Mix the sate with the hoisin and use it as an addicting dipping sauce. I got the number 1 bowl that has beef tendon, meat, and tripe and it was super dee super stupendous delicious ( I watch too much barney with my 2 year old princess). The noodles were chewy and the meet was fresh. I saw people get the tai ( raw thin slices of beef) on the side and that is a good idea, that way your beef isn't overcooked. I'll remember to to that next time. This place was packed at lunch so come in a bit early or later if you can. Happy eating!
(4)
Samantha L.

Came here for dinner last night. If you have looked at my other reviews, then you know I LOVE a good bowl of pho ga. I ordered the large, cilantro only and then ran to the ATM a few doors down (damn you cash only!!!). By the time I got back and seated, my pho was ready (YAY!). It came out nice a hot. I grabbed my spoon and tasted the broth. It was ok... not the best I have had. It didn't have the depth of different flavors I have come to like, but it definitely wasn't bland. It had good chicken flavor and you could tell it had good fat content. I squeezed in some lime and dumped in the sriracha and mixed everything up. The chicken was VERY good. I like the fact that it was shredded. It was moist and yummy. The noodles were also cooked well. I will probably go back someday. Won't get put into my normal rotation, but I wouldn't be opposed if someone I was eating with suggested it.
(3)
charn k.

Just to be clear, I'm giving this restaurant a 5 star rating simply based on two of its dishes. Their PHO and Hu Tieu Sate Trieu Chau Bo (H3 on the menu) dish. I don't eat anything else there and if I did, i'm sure the ratings would be closer to average but these dishes definitley make up for a star at the least lol. When this place relocated a few years ago from their original rt 50 location, I was devasted. It wasn't until a few months back I stumbled upon its new location after craving some Ba Le sandwiches lol. I couldn't believe it. Anyways, their bread and butter dish is definitely the Hu Tieu Sate Trieu Chau Bo. It's f'n amazing!! I introduced it to a few friends of mine and they've never tried anything like that in their lives. Basically a bowl of noodles mixed in with some pineapple, cucumbers, choice of meet (I prefer the beef), and the peanut SAUCE! The sauce brings everything together and is simply mind-blaaasting! It's indescribable. You just have to try it. As for the PHO, the thing that does it for me is the little fried chilli sauce they serve with it. Yes, its just some chilis fried up in oil but it has a very unique and smokey flavor and goes so well with the soup that you don't even have to put any of the siracha (hot sauce) in your soup (if you like it spicy). Please do yourself a favor and try these dishes if you are PHO or noodle lovers and don't forget to bring some cash as they do not accept CC or food stamps. Stop by Ba Le shop next door afterwards and take a few sandwiches home for afternoon/late night snack:). Enjoy!
(5)
Laura L.

Awesome prices for pho at Pho Sate, but honestly, a bowl of pho should stand on its own, not have to have a sauce to cover up its shortfalls. I came here after a friend raved about how awesome the pho was. I guess I'm a bit of a ph'nob (pho-snob) but the broth was just wasn't that great (bland is more like it) and there was a serious lack of noodles. It was a pretty disappointing bowl of pho. I got the meatballs with it too-- wasn't a fan. The service was really great though- they're quick in serving you but I'd definitely wait a little longer if a little bit more love was put into the pho. Would I come back to give it another try? Absolutely. Side note: this place is cash only and there isn't a bank nearby but there's a Magruder's next door where you can get cash out at the checkout via debit.
(2)
Todd K.

This place is the f'in bomb. It is interesting to note that I went with a friend who is Vietnamese, so she would know better than I would about quality pho (which I learned from her, only that evening, is pronounced like "fa" not like "foe"...silly American, pho is for Vietnamese people). The soups are pretty big, and pretty darn cheap. The one "$" here is quite correct. That sate sauce is delicious. I am salivating typing this just remembering my soup spiked with it. Dayummmm. As always, veggies on the side - lots of them. Next time I will ask to have the onions removed from the soup, I am not too fond of them (not because they were poor here, I am just talking in general). My friend got some sort of roll, which I had no clue about. Tasted great. She would know better about what we got...hah. Also worth noting: I read some article about how cilantro is not necessarily an acquired taste, it is genetic whether we like it or not. I hate it. Hate the smell, hate the taste. So, if you hate cilantro, ask for it without. Now, this place is not easy to find. I got lost and had to make a few U-turns. If coming off Rt50, as you go north on Graham Road, it will be on your LEFT a bit before the light at Rt29 in the strip of stores ON YOUR LEFT. If you are going east on Rt29, make a right into the shopping center BEFORE the light at Graham Road. Return customer? Yes, whenever I am in the mood for pho and decide to make the 15-20 minute trip out there.
(5)
Amanda E.

Something happened here. The only reason I can figure is when and why-ever they switched to a non-Sriracha sauce. The broth is hit or miss and although I really love the restaurant, I can't help but travel down the street instead of to Sate... Hopefully things pick up again. Still the best chicken rolls and great ca phe sua da.
(3)
Anonymous C.

The food is delicious! I think I go to Pho Sate at least once a week! I usually get their entree #204. The place has expanded into a beautiful business, however their service isn't really up to par. There are days when the wait is 30min plus! I've also been there on days where people get up and leave because they have been waiting endlessly but have not been attended to. Otherwise, great place for lunch and/or dinner!
(4)
Christine O.

Went here a few months ago and made a mistake in not putting sate in my food! Came back and did it right this time. Ordered C-4 off the menu (combo dry rice and egg noodles with stir-fry chicken) and the dish was off the hook. The seasoning with the pineapple, tomato and cucumber was perfect. + delicious food (order anything with "Sate" on the dish's title if you're new and want to see what's good) + sate is seasoned perfectly with additional sate dish on the side if you want it more spicy + fast service - no long wait time for your food to arrive + beautiful presentation maintained with fast service - staff assumes you know what you want to order within the first minute of arrival making you feel pressured to order fast! Just tell them you need more time and it's okay - Cash only =/ Sometimes we can't go here because we don't have enough cash Upon departure, you'll get a craving to come back for more that same day! _________________________________________________ Losing a star for them because they messed up on my carryout order and made me wait 20 minutes as they "made" my two bowls. In the meantime, seated guests who ordered after me got their meals before mine. Make sure when you call to place an order that you ask them to repeat the number CLEARLY. They changed my "C" to "P"... makes all the difference in the world. - Sept 21, 2012
(4)
Jenny S.

Easily becoming one of my go to pho restaurants. The pho hits the spot everytime, and the sate sauce is really good too! Also, I really like their hu tieu. A lot of the time, I hate going to Eden Center because of the parking, so getting my hu tieu fix here is awesome :) Only sad thing was a couple weeks ago, I went and was told they didn't have any broth left and it was 8 pm :( I've already forgiven them, lol.
(4)
Tanner S.

The pho here is solid: rich broth, thick noodles and fresh, thick cuts of meat. If i had to rate the pho in and of itself, I'd give it 4 stars. I'm a pho addict, and I'd venture to say that this is definitely one of the most competitive bowls of pho in NOVA. Service: exceptional. My waiter was on-the-ball. The reason I'm giving Pho Sate 3 stars, however, is because of its limited menu options; specifically, it doesn't offer summer rolls. And what Vietnamese restaurant doesn't serve summer rolls? This was disappointing.
(3)
Patrick C.

Can't say I'm a huge plan of this place. I've been to other Pho places with more flavorful broth, and less fatty meat. I started off with a crispy roll appetizer that was okay, then moved on to a P-1 beef pho bowl. Something seems really off with the broth -- can't really put my finger on what though; it seemed kinda flavorless. Even after trying to liven it up with both hoisin and sriracha sauces, it still didn't seem right. I think I'll stick with either my places I frequent at the Eden Center or Pho Thang Long in Fairfax.
(2)
Donald A.

Very fast service. Lovely large eating area. Chicken rolls were very delicious. Sate sauce is wonderful and smokey and not too spicy. 109 is outstanding! Recommended by staff to lower fat content. Don't understand comments about no meat in the bowls!! Wife and daughter had 114 (chicken) and it was stuffed full of chicken. I had TONS of meat in mine. Honestly, if there was more it would have taken away from the broth. So full! Outstanding place, pho and service.
(5)
Joseph S.

Let me preface this review by saying that I am NOT a pho guru. I order my Tai/Beef or Ga/Chicken straight up: no tendons, tripe, or whatever other scene-of-the-car-accident body parts one can stew in. That said, I was introduced to this place by a Pho Sate die-hard, have subsequently become a Pho Sate die-hard, and have come to know a whole bunch of other Pho Sate die-hards. Dear Pho Sate, do you know Lethal Weapon? Either way, I've been coming to Pho Sate regularly for almost 10 years, despite its extended 2007-ish absence, mysterious location change, and cash-only payments. The location is more focused on utility than ambiance and definitely a lunch spot vs. dinner. The service is prompt and courteous, and the food comes out quick. It's also addictive - I think the secret is in the broth - some combination of Saigon cinnamon, lime, and (I can only suspect) Axl-grade Mr. Brownstone. The chicken rolls are usually worth a double order as well. I've eaten at a few of the other ubiquitous pho places in northern VA, and none have same subtle tinges of flavor. Highly recommended for lunch, and don't forget to bring CA$H!
(5)
Steve C.

Went to Pho Sate for the first time last night. Let me start by saying that with Pho 75 being just a couple minutes from my house, I do not have a lot of incentive to branch out and try new pho. If Pho Sate had not come highly recommended by a trusted acquaintance, I never would have given it a second thought. Boy am I lucky I paid attention to that recommendation. Pho Sate and Pho 75 both make excellent broth, and the flavors are quite different. Pho 75's broth is basic and perfect. Pho Sate's broth amazes the diner with a complex, multilayered flavor that never loses sight of the basics of pho flavor. To top it off, Pho Sate's signature sauce of roasted chili peppers is one of the best things I've ever tasted. To quote my wife, "I don't think I can eat anything that doesn't have this sauce on it ever again." With Pho Sate and Pho 75 within just a few blocks of one another, Falls Church has firmly established itself as the center of gravity for pho in the DMV region. Up until now my search for pho outside Pho 75 has been an exercise in managing expectations, just hoping for good enough. Pho Sate has demolished that sad record by serving-up some of the best Pho in the area. I look forward to many return trips to Pho Sate.
(4)
Tiffany N.

The food here is very good, but the service could be a little better. I just wish the servers knew who had what dish.... :( still four stars for the lovely decor and food :3 nomnomnom their fooooood
(4)
Hj Y.

Pho Sate holds a dear dear place in my heart...the original location on Annandale Road was the hangout spot back when I was going to school. I literally had it for breakfast, lunch and dinner...it was that good and cheap! The same family owns the newer location on Graham Road and they are super nice! The pho is however been a hit or miss more frequently. When it's good, the broth is amazziinnnngggg ESP with the sate sauce and all the yumminess...when it's bad, it's literally water and noodles even with all the sauce I could possibly add to make it better. On a positive note, their noodles however are always so darn good! Never soggy, cooked just the right way! And their chicken rolls are crazy good! I think these two things along with the darn sate sauce made of crack, is what keeps me from coming back...it's a love hate relationship for sure...
(3)
Scott V.

We usually stick to the same pho place in Falls Church, but we thought it was time to branch out. We were glad we did. This place's pho is different than most. First, the broth is more aromatic than most, with hints of cloves, etc. We thought this was a good thing. Second, the sate sauce, which others have also written about in their reviews, was a new twist for us. It's basically smokey cracked pepper infused into an oil that you drizzle on top of your soup. It had a deep, rich flavor and a delicate kick at the back of the throat as you slurped down the broth. Pretty good stuff! We ordered the fried chicken rolls as an appetizer, but we were a bit disappointed in them, as the chicken didn't seem to have many spices in there, and the duck sauce it was served with was about the same quality you get out of a squeeze packet. We like other pho places that have fresh spring rolls with vermicelli noodles and shrimp. This place had a very limited appetizer menu.
(4)
Tammie J.

My girlfriend/co-worker brought me here the last time she was in town. This Pho was ridiculously cheap (like $6.75) and I got the P1. The service was super fast and the soup was nice and hot and super yummy! We also got 2 orders of egg rolls (homegirl can put shyt down and stay super skinny w.little effort) and she wanted me to try their ice coffee. I can't emphasize how good the Pho is here, the egg rolls and the iced coffee was a nice finish.
(5)
Hugh A.

Good pho. The sate sauce was interesting but I didn't find it that spicy. I ended up adding Sriracha to kick it up a few notches. I didn't add hoisin sauce which is unusual for me. The broth was tasty without it. There were a lot of noodles in the bowl but they were clumpy. Good portion of meat and it was thickly cut. This place is out of my way, but I'll probably be back when I'm in the area. The sate sauce isn't enough of a draw for me to make a special trip. It was a good value. Under $9 for a large with a soda.
(4)
Lauren R.

I went here because I was craving pho and heard it had great reviews. Although it's out of the way for me, I wanted the authentic stuff (compared to more commercialized places in the area). The reviews are right, it's great! Their noodles were kind of tough and a little hard for me to chew (due to the consistency, not a cooking error), but delicious. Their meat was great. The broth was perfect and had six different kinds of flavors/spices you can add in on your own sitting on the table. As most authentic pho places are, the decor is lacking. If you have a picky eater in your family, they likely won't even enter the building. But if you're a pho connoisseur, you'll be happy you came.
(5)
Jeromy F.

Good pho at a reasonable price. Not the best in the area (so far we think that honor goes to Pho Golden Cow), but it's good enough, and close enough, that when we want pho take-out we put the order in with Pho Sate. Since expanding their dining room, Pho Sate now accepts credit cards.
(3)
Thomas N.

Tried this place to see what the hype was all about. Ordered two bowls to go. After eating the tai bo vien, it's still hard to explain why everyone drive from so far for the pho. The broth is similar to other places. The "special" sate sauce is nothing special. you can buy it at any international grocery store. it's a nice niche from them though to stand out from the other pho places in the area.
(3)
Ha N.

Pros: Food comes out very fast. Love the sate with pho. I was against this when I heard about it, being 100% Vietnamese, this is not how my mom makes pho - I decided to take a leap of faith and I do like it :) Cons: Lime green walls. You gotta get outta there as soon as you're done eating. Service, not so good but what do you expect from a fast turn-around pho restaurant? I come back for the pho.
(4)
michael k.

Newly renovated and expanded to 3x as big. They have the best pho with the sate chili oil. Also try hu tieu trieu chau bo (#203). Hands down, the best in town.
(5)
Annie K.

Pho is my favorite food, and this is my favorite pho. Also great hangover cure. Recently renovated and now accepts credit cards. Nothing bad can happen to you in this place.
(5)
Samantha E.

Had lunch here after a friend raved about the pho. It is well priced but sadly lacking in flavor. I ordered pho with meatballs and flank as well as the deep fried cruller. Dipping the cruller in the pho brought out more flavor but without it the pho was pretty bland. I did find that my leftovers had better flavors since it had time to settle. The service was great and the staff was pleasant. Cash only!
(3)
Lulu T.

This place has a very good selection of noodle soup and savory noodle entrees. It's not just Pho. They have meat, chicken, seafood and even vegetarian options. The restaurant is simple and kept tidy and clean even with the hoards of people coming and going.
(4)
Bang T.

Pho Sate has awesome noodle dishes. the spicy sate sauce is awesome and spicy just the way i like it ;) . But even though it has great dishes and always satisfy s my stomach... at least until the oil starts setting in... then well.. you dont want to know. BUT, back to my main point. the service here is really bad and the waiter we got was lazy, inattentive and rude. so minus 2 stars for the bad service. but the food here is definitely solid
(3)
Mai K.

Ridiculous array of yummy hearty soups, with full smoky and herbaceous notes for a very light broth. Cannot describe it well enough...and the service is quite rapid, which allows for the pho-fiend to be satiated within a blink. And, the spring rolls are quite nice. Pho Sate is located in an oddly placed strip mall, including a Vietnamese bakery, where one can pick up a glutenous sticky sweet dessert, too. Makes for a full belly and a happy face, without insulting the wallet. Benefits: late hours (until 9:30 or so) Not so benefit: cash only
(4)
Leslie J.

Pho broth is OK. Some of my coworkers/friends swear by this place. Though the food is good, it didn't quite amaze me. Didn't find it all that special and def not my favorite in the area.
(3)
Sam Y.

I've been coming here to eat pho since high school (I don't really feel like divulging exactly how many years that is, but it's at least over 10!) and it's my favorite pho place in the area. I was so sad when they closed down for a couple of years. I was a little hesitant to try it at first because the smell is so strong and I hated cilantro. I can definitely say that pho is an acquired taste. But I kept coming back and now I am hooked. This place is different than all of the other pho restaurants because they provide a spicy chili oil you can put in the soup. It adds so much flavor and depth to the broth, now I can't eat pho anywhere else. I always get the chicken rolls when I come here as well. There are four in each order and they are delicious! The thai iced tea is not bad at all either. If you come during lunch you might have to wait in line because they don't have that many tables and it's always packed. The good thing is, pho comes out in less than five minutes and everyone's pretty much done eating within 15-20 min. Overall, I think this place has the best pho soup in the northern virginia area hands down!
(5)
Belle P.

The roasted chili oil that comes with the pho really makes the pho AMAZING!! How many other pho places offer that? I can't tolerate spicy and was afraid to try it the first time around but I realized that was a mistake. The roasted chili oil isn't too spicy - it gives the pho just enough of a kick to wake your taste buds up! Their portions are decent and service is pretty quick (though the services have a typical not-exactly-polite-but-we-know-you'll-be-back attitude) but it gets incredibly packed around lunch time so expect a bit of a wait! I also think they may be cash only? (Not sure, sorry!) Probably my favorite pho place of all time! Now if only there were one in Philly..
(5)
Rose N.

Probably repeating the chant of "its as good as it gets in VA". Hands down. I've been on a constant quest for quality and tasty Vietnamese food in the NOVA area since I moved here to DC. Pho Sate is currently my favorite pho/hu tieu restaurants. No fine dining here and I could care less. The food speaks volumes! You can taste the TLC in the broths. Its bloody delicious (Ramsay is rubbing off). My ultimate hangover food is pho and a refreshing glass of lemonade (a good fresh glass of lemonade is bloody hard to find) and pho sate definitely executes!
(5)
Anne C.

p-12 or p-13 with raw flank steak thrown on top (allows for it to took perfectly without it being overcooked) and sate sauce thrown in with some hot peppers. YUM!!!!!
(4)
H N.

Good Mi Xao Gion (Crispy Noodles) A little pricey. I can't stand the green walls. I wish they only painted one wall green.
(4)
Rebecca V.

Really liked this pho! Tasty broth and just all around good! Def going back.. its better than pho 75 and never thought i would ever say that! Cash only be that normal for pho places..
(5)
Wen L.

I've been going to Pho Sate for a while now --even before it moved to it's current location on Graham Road. (Side note: That fact bears no hints about my age... only the fact that I've been enjoying pho at this place pho-ever... ha.) In all honesty, Pho Sate is one of those places that doesn't change... and that's a good thing. I had gone for lunch today, and it was just as good as I thought it was years ago. I definitely do appreciate the pho here. The broth is extremely light, yet flavorful. And the specialty here is the home-made sate --a chili-infused oil that comes with every bowl of pho (and every dish, really). I actually haven't had this sauce served with my pho elsewhere, which makes me crave this place often. Today, though, I decided to choose something different from the menu since I actually had pho a couple of days prior. My dish of choice: h tiu. The rice and egg noodle mix was delicious, and the mixture of textures made the dish a lot more interesting. It was lightly seasoned, but adding the sate oil was the perfect move --adding a spicy kick without having to add sriracha or other flavors. The shrimp, pork and chicken meatballs made for a good mix of protein with the noodles, and the shreds of green lettuce added a fresh crisp to the dish. The spiciness was perfect for me since I'm at the tail-end of an annoying head cold; I seriously felt my nasal passages clearing up, allowing me to enjoy the taste of the dish even more. And even though I'd had pho just a day or two prior, my h tiu was served with a side of chicken broth, which was the perfect remedy for my itchy throat. I was reminded, however, how small the dining space is. And while I've never encountered a wait here, I happened to experience one today. I blame the rest of the Labor Day dining crowd. But considering that the restaurant was packed with Vietnamese Americans, I was not about to complain. The restaurant is in serious need of a paint job, and possibly an expansion of space... but I noticed, as I walked out, a sign advising that the restaurant would close for renovations (woohoo!), and would be moved to an empty space next door while changes take place. Can't wait for a re-vamped Pho Sate. As long as it stays close to Ba Le, because when I'm on a roll (aka "when I'm being fat"), I'll grab a bowl of pho at Sate, and then roll-on a few doors down to Ba Le for some sweetness (or a banh mi, boba, etc.). Note to the wise: this place is cash only. Holler.
(4)
Samana L.

I've tried this place about a month ago, and I've been back 3 times. The pho is really good and the sate sauce is amazing. The service is great also. I would recommend this place to anyone! It is my favorite pho spot now :)
(5)
Crystal B.

I still think that this is the best Pho in the DMV. Keep in mind that what keeps me coming back is the Pho not the service. I WOULD give them 5 stars but as I said they don't have 5 star service. I've searched all over and I couldn't find a Pho spot like this. Their menu is unique and worth the wait.
(4)
Sabra R.

Let me be clear. The seafood pho gets 5 stars. It was incredible! The broth is flavorful with just a touch of sweetness. The seafood is fresh and perfectly cooked (no chewiness, which was quite impressive considering that it contained squid). And the fish balls were delicious! But the thing that put this pho over the top was the sate sauce. That stuff is magical! By the time I got to the bottom of the bowl, the broth had developed a rich, almost peanutty flavor that I attribute to the sate. YUM! The reason I gave Pho Sate only 4 stars is the service. The woman behind the counter was slighty rude when I first approached the counter to pick up my order. But when we had the audacity to ask for extra sate and hoisin she became flat out rude. We got what we asked for, but she gave it to us begrudgingly and we only got one extra container for THREE orders. So we proceeded to open our containers and add sauce from the containers that were on one of tables. We werent nasty at all. We actually smiled at her (while she stood there staring at us) and explained that we just liked alot of sauce. While she didnt attempt to stop us, she stood at the table policing us and making annoyed faces the ENTIRE time. How what we were doing differed from what we would have done had we eaten there, I do not know. But she acted as if we were violating some sacred rule. Whatever. I'll be going back anyway. Repeatedly. It was THAT good.
(4)
Lily H.

That sate sauce makes the pho bangin'! I judge pho broth by the quantity of hoisin sauce that goes in to my bowl, and here, there's no need for it. The broth is light yet hearty and so flavorful. On top of that, the order comes out at the speed of light. Like seriously, where's my water and appetizer? Obviously they can't cook pho to order since the pot probably simmers all day. The ingredients used are fresh - from the rice noodles which has the perfect slightly chewy consistency to the meat, basil, and bean sprouts. I just wish the meat was sliced a tad larger cuz it's kind of a tease, but at least the amount of meat in the bowl is just right. *UPDATE 8/13/14* Within the last year (or so?) the restaurant expanded in size and looks nicer. The pho and spring rolls are just as tasty as before. and they DO accept credit cards!
(5)
Nick H.

I'm Vietnamese. American born, but I'd like to think I'm fairly connected to my culture having been raised that way by first generation immigrants. So that being the case, I love to eat traditional Vietnamese food. My family is originally from the Northern Region of Vietnam where Pho originated, so for me, there is nothing more culturally relevant than a nice steaming bowl of soup. As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of pho, I've tried just about every restaurant in Northern Virginia and of all of them, Pho Sate is clearly my favorite. The broth is flavorful, the portions are good, and the restaurant is neither too small or too lavish. Add to all that, the unique sate sauce that, despite being commonly offered at many pho restaurants on the west coast, seems nearly nonexistent here in Virginia...and you've got yourself the ultimate pho experience. I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. Whenever I'm in the area, this is my pho restaurant of choice. The only time I eat anywhere else is for convenience. The only drawback of this restaurant is that it is "cash only". But that's a minor inconvenience for the best pho in Virginia.
(5)
Tiffany H.

I been to Pho Sate before and the day of reopening and it was basically like night and day. Look, I like the food, the amazing chili oil which makes me forgo the ubiquitous sriracha, and the surprisingly rare chicken egg rolls (it is impossible to find egg rolls without shrimp, as my friend is allergic to it). However, if the re-opening is reflective of the service that is yet to come, they need to change things. Took them 20 minutes to take our order, took 45 minutes to give our meals. One table I saw had one person not have his order, and he left and told his family to call him once he got his food, which was 20 minutes later after! My friend and other customers came up to the service door to ask for utensils, and grabbed pitchers for water when water didn't come even when food arrived. If you have seen Pho Sate before, it's maybe 1/3 the size of the current restaurant. And it seemed like they had about 4 waiters for about 100-150 customers. They looked frazzled. The food could have been pho, fois gras, or a filet mignon -- the customer service and the wait really ruined whatever bowl of soup was in front of me. Pho was okay, I didn't feel an epiphany, and the waiters were making my dessert drink right after I paid (by the way, no thanks on taking the drink to go, you were half an hour too late). Pho Sate, you had 2 months to renovate your space, but you really screwed up your grand re-opening by not expanding the number of staff.
(1)
Vishal S.

This is one of our go to places for work lunch when we are in the mood for Pho. The other place being Pho 75 nearby. This place is more "upscale" than Pho 75 and has more choices for people who do not want Pho. I like the Pho here but I do believe it is not as authentic as Pho 75 across the street. I also like the sate (oil + red pepper mix) here! So the bottom line is - if you want authentic Pho then go to Pho 75. But if you want good Pho and more non-pho options then go to Pho Sate. But, as with Pho 75, this place is cash only!
(3)
Christina P.

It's the sate sauce that makes the pho really good here, so get extra helpings of it! Overall, the broth was light and flavorful, and while it was delicious, I still prefer pho 75 as my most favorite spot for pho.
(4)
Julie W.

Favorite Pho place in the area. I don't go anywhere else. Great flavor and staff is friendly. Only downside is that it's cash only and you have to remember to go to an ATM before coming here or you're screwed lol
(4)
Yee H.

Pho Sate's broth has a nice depth to it. The rich broth coupled with the zesty sate sauce puts them on the map. My only complaints are that both can be on the oily side and they don't take card. But on the plus side, the service here is above average for a pho restaurant.
(4)
Bryan A.

Pho can often taste very similar in many places. This was one of the best I have had. A great broth and very simple selections that you can do what you want with. Not all the "tricks" you can sometimes see with places offering 40 variations. Get the #13. Keep it simple. Enjoy.
(5)
Mike W.

Best pho place in the area. It's like being blown by 1000 Vietnamese women that's how how good it is.
(5)
Christine K.

reopened and sorely disappointed 1. our pho came out well before our appetizers 2. we didn't get water/drinks for 20min after we sat down (no exaggeration). they didn't bother explaining that their ice machine was broken, they just kept telling us to "wait" 3. the pho broth isn't as rich anymore 4. they don't put nearly as many chili flakes in their sate sauce anymore 5. all the new waiters are terrible at keeping track of what they brought out already 6. bad interior design . yeah the booths are nice but everyone on the opposite side of their makeshift wall/divider are rendered invisible. Also they need a designated exit door for their larger space 7. our cruellers and rolls were undercooked 8. less meat comes with a "large" pho 9. their large pho is now $8
(1)
S. O.

You get a side of sate sauce with everything that you order. I had the #1 pho and poured all of that delicious sate sauce in the broth. I've never had sate in my pho before but it was really good! I'm definitely going back there. This restaurant is away from eden center so it kind of takes you away from the madness especially on the weekends.
(4)
Angela C.

The secret to their pho is their special side sauce. Make sure you get it because without it the pho it's nothing special. My boyfriend and I shared the chicken rolls (very good!) I got the Pho Ga and he got the Pho Tai. The Pho Ga was pretty good but the Pho Tai meat had the texture of soaked cardboard...it was a little gross. I'd stick with the chicken rolls and pho ga here, those didn't dissapoint. Also, keep in mind this place is CASH ONLY. Wish I knew that before I went there!
(3)
Paul G.

Pho Sate is some of the best tasting PHO i've ever heard. The Sate sauce is very good. If you can handle spicy, this pho ends up being some of the best ever. After the new renovations, the place looks a lot better. I feel once they staff up a bit more so they can handle more people - the place will be 5 star caliber!
(4)
Brandon T. L.

Definitely one of my top pho places in NOVA (Northern Virginia)! I always get the Sate with lots of pineapples. It makes the bowl sweet and tangy, and the sauce that comes with it is banging.
(4)
Katy H.

Yuuuummmm. Very friendly. Bring cash and get the chicken rolls.
(5)
Sara B.

Downgrade. Got an eye round pho to last night and it made me sad. The point of eye round is that it is served to you raw on top of your soup and then you plunge it in the hot broth to cook. They packed my meat in the broth so it fully cooked on the drive home and my noodles in a tight plastic container so they just steamed into a blob that I couldn't loosen up and chopstick into my mouf ferociously. Never enjoyed a bowl of pho less.
(2)
Lilian H.

Got Pho? I have been coming here for years now. I love this place. There are tons of Pho places especially in the Falls Church area but this is by far my favorite Pho place. I get the Ga everytime I go. My kids love it here too! Best Pho place ever and remember its cash only.
(5)
Jack F.

The great pho debate begins. Pho 75 (Rossalyn) or Pho Sate? Although its too early to tell, my initial impression leans toward Pho Sate. The broth is more flavorful and tastes "refreshing." By that, I mean that it lacks the oily, muddled taste of broth that's repeatedly used. The noodles are chewier. Otherwise, the ingredients are about the same. Although Pho Sate is slightly cheaper than Pho 75, the price of gas alone negates any savings you'd find by taking a trip here. The only significant difference about Pho Sate is the red pepper oil that they bring out. Otherwise, it's about the same as an pho noodle house, except slightly better. [Original Visit: December 17, 2011]
(4)
David L.

The food is really good, just make sure you have a lot of time to kill if you're planning to come here. It took 20 minutes to get our water and almost 45 minutes to get our pho, which is insane for a pho joint. I was really tempted to walk next door to the Ban Mi place, which is actually really good.
(2)
Victor W.

Pretty much what everyone said of the food about this place is true. I wouldn't go on a totally empty stomach, service is pretty slow.
(5)
John D.

My favorite pho spot in the DC area. I go about once/week, and only once every six months or so do I get a bowl that wasn't quite as good as the last. As others have said, the sauce that they give you on the side differentiates this place from other pho shops. The only reason why I can't give it five stars is that they don't take cash. It's a pain to have to go to an ATM every time I eat here.
(4)
Lam D.

First night of their re-opening... wait 20 mins in line & some girl finally show up & told me that it's gonna be another 15 mins wait & I should come back another day. The next day I order to go. I called & place the order. Figure that they going to be a long wait so I drove around for 10 mins before stopping by to pickup my food. I got there, they didn't have my order.....???? Wait another 30 mins for my food. Got home, they give me someone ells is order, the noodle is cook & no vegetable...
(1)
Diana V.

Wowzers! I am a huge pho-fan in general, but this was the absolute best. The sate sauce they give you with the pho makes it incredible. No need to trek to Eden Center for good pho since this is better and closer to where we live.
(5)
Timothy Y.

I got 3 words for this place... No bean sprouts?!?! How can you eat pho without bean sprouts?!?!?! At least they could have warned me before I ordered!
(1)
Marie L.

Came here last night for dinner. I have been here before the remodeling and it was pretty good but last night was the worst service I have experienced in a long time. No one was at the hostess station, so it took awhile to get seated. The restaurant was not even full! After about 10 minutes our server took our order. It took 15 minutes just to get water, fail! And a half our just to get our food, fail! Even after we got our food it took our server another few minutes just to bring us utensils! My local go-to pho place takes less than 15 minutes to get food! I was really irritated the whole time, no one asked if we needed anything else or how the food was. This place is known for having really good pho, and don't get me wrong - it was good but the because of the service, I would not come back.
(2)
Flora W.

This place has the best pho in Va!! Their seafood pho is what I would recommend to others! Also, their secret sauce enhances the flavor of their soups! Must try pho place for anyone and everyone.
(5)
Edward P.

Pho sate was good when it first located near Bill Page Honda in falls church. Now off the Graham road location, it sucks! If ur not Vietnamese or a white man with a Vietnamese wife, you will have mean looks and rude service! Not to mention the poor quality of noodles " they" now use. Pho sate, poor quality Vietnamese dish.
(2)
Michelle I.

I was excited to see that Yelp NoVa community hours was being held at Pho Sate. I really don't know why it took me so long to try this place out. I always see people on Facebook talking about how much they love it. My husband and I got there around 1:30 and there was a small line of people waiting for a table. Luckily my friend had arrived a bit earlier and was able to snag us a table. We still had some other friends coming, but after a bit of musical chairs, everyone finally had a seat. It took me a while to decided between pho or a rice noodle soup. I was feeling a bit adventurous, so I decided to go with H-5 (rice noodle with chicken soup and topped with chicken, shrimp, pork, squid, beef meatball, chicken meatball and shrimp pancake). The soup was delicious! I was a little skeptical about the chicken broth, but it was pretty tasty. The variety of meat worked well together and I felt like I got enough of each type. To the soup, I also added some of the chili oil they give you. It added another layer of flavor as well as some heat. The soup could have had a tad more noodles. There was a good amount of broth leftover in my bowl. The staff was pretty patient with us considering we had people walking around and jumping from table to table. I forgot they were cash only, but luckily I found a ten in my purse. I will definitely be back to try out their pho!
(4)
Ron U.

The only thing that bugs about this place is that it's cash only. Much like other reviews said, it's good, but it's not great. I will that it is my go to spot for pho in the Falls Church area mainly given that it's super close to my office. The service is on point and they're always on top with removing dishes, refills, etc. The pho itself is good, with decent flavor. Careful, place is bananas at lunch time.
(3)
Laura T.

I wanted to try sate with Pho. So the 1st time we went it was a couple hours before they closed, yet they were out of any dish that had broth in it. I was very very sad. Since hearing about pho being served with sate, I have been imagining of dipping into a blissfully savory broth. But I was denied. So we were told we could only order the noodles with stir fry sauce on top. I was ready to leave when my bf suggest we stay. So we try the stir fry over noodles and we were both pleasantly surprised. It was tasty and much more flavorful than their Pho. Its a thick brown sauce that is poured over the noodles and meat of your choice. We went back later and agree that the broth is too mild and the sate does had that extra depth and aroma, but not enough to keep going back for the pho in my opinion. Buy for the stir fry, YES. Especially with the egg noodles.
(4)
Susie S.

Pho Sate, whyyyy are you so good??? I always debate between here and Pho 75, but I almost always choose Pho Sate, because I just can't resist the sauce. And something about their chicken pho is so charming, I almost always get the chicken pho even though I get beef pho at most other places. And, uhm, how can I forget the chicken rolls? I hope they don't put crack in that because it's just so good. It sounds so simple but something about it is just so. good. Also, I really appreciate their cleanliness. And how their utensils come out in nice little wrappers. Makes me feel like they at least TRY to be clean, unlike a lot of pho places. Wow, writing this review is making me drool..
(5)
S S.

I don't understand its average 4-star rating. Why on earth?!! The color of the broth already tells that the broth is sub-par. I've had better pho with rich, fragrant, flavorful broth elsewhere in northern va. The sate sauce is nothing special. It is a mixture of a few typical Vietnamese condiments. You shouldn't need it to have a good bowl of pho. The place looks dirty and shady -- in fact the whole shopping center looks sketchy. They don't even accept credit cards -- I know it's not uncommon at a pho restaurant but nowadays more and more places do... they need to keep up.
(2)
Brenda D.

I'm pretty sure this place is know for their Pho Sate (hence the name ha...ha...) so I usually order H-3 when I come here. It is a dry pho with beef, pineapple, tomatoes and vegetables with sate sauce. The beef is always tender and the ingredients always fresh to death! Some people prefer to dump the sauce on the side and mix it in, I usually don't because I think the sate sauce has enough flavor. And when they say it's a little spicy, they mean it! Tonight I was feeling particularly hungry and ordered their cha gio (eggrolls), it was awful! It was dry, flavorless and barely any lettuce. If it's your first time here, I'd recommend H-3 but they also have an egg noodle with pork, shrimp cracker and soup on the side that is pretty good. Oh, and bring CASH!
(4)
Lillian W.

This place serves very decent pho. Its located in a plaza and parking is plentiful. The restaurant itself is interesting. It's very.....green. The entire place is painted an evergreen green color. It's a bit hard to describe the greeness, but if staring at green gives you a headache, you should beware! The pho itself is good. The broth is decent and the noodles are made well. The only thing is the temperature of the soup base wasn't hot enough, so the meat wasn't cooked enough. We had to have it reheated. What's great about this place is that they offer this sate pepper sauce which you can dump into the pho. It's very good and gives the a good "kick" to the entire pho! The prices are reasonable, but beware that they only accept cash. No credit cards. Oh and the servers like to stare at you. It's such a small restaurant that i guess they really have no where else to look but at the customers. Oh and there are a lot of Vietnamese patrons here which I take as a good sign since it means it's as close to authentic as possible! =D
(4)
Stephen B.

If it weren't for the Sate sauce this place would be 3 stars and very run of the mill as far as Pho is concerned. Many people have complained about the fully cooked "Tai" which I definitely found to be a problem. One of the most important parts of the Pho experience are eating the still uncooked red pieces of Tai when the soup first arrives at your table. At Sate they have it fully submerged and fully cooked upon arrival to the table :( Not an issue for most people but an issue for me, is the lack of "fat brisket" on the menu. I enjoy fatty meat and usually get a #10 which at most places in Mo County consist of "Tai" and "Fat Brisket" The broth was good but not any better than any other I've tried. I will say that the pork spring roll was amazing, it had a really nice sweet and savory thing going on :) However, they do not have fresh spring rolls. I guess if you wanted you could pick some up from the 24 hour deli next store.(I think I saw a lady bring in a banh mi to eat with her soup lol) The Sate sauce was outstanding and caused me to break my rule of only adding jalapeno to the broth. I usually only add jalapeno because it makes the soup spicier but doesn't change the flavor of the broth which can sometimes get lost if you add Siracha and Hoisin. I have this crazy thing I do where I leave most of the solids in the bowl until I have slurped about 75% of the broth and then top the noodles off with Siracha and Hoisin lol. But anyways I liked the smokey, spicy sate sauce so much that I ordered a second serving to add once my broth level got low. I think I would like to buy some Sate to take back with me to Mo County and bring with me to my local Pho joints to create the perfect 5 star Pho!!!! lol (Some random one on Nicholson Ln. next to the Latino Mercado, which is good but not great. I go mostly because it is 2 minutes from my house and my favorite in Wheaton, "Pho Hep Hoa" which has a strange picture of the couple whom I assume own it on the menu lol. They are my favorite because of their always delicious broth and there perfect cuts of meat.)
(4)
Judith L.

**3.5** I haven't been here in so long that I actually forgot to review it. Hah. I remember their rolls being really good. I was tempted to order more, but I decided to not be super gluttonous that day. The pho was tasty, so tasty that I didn't mind my horrible company that was with me that day. Will be back so I can write a better review. :]
(3)
Jess N.

This place is so overrated... My main critique is for the pho and service. The broth was not flavorful at all, they probably have one of the worst pho broths. The only reason people love it is because of the sate sauce which is actually just chili oil. Definitely will not be getting pho here again. In terms of the service, we were a pretty large group and they were packed so I could understand that we would have to wait a bit longer than regularly. However, we waited 30 minutes for just water! We kept asking the waiters and one of them kept giving us attitude saying it was coming out... 10 minutes went by, another 10 minutes and then another. If you want to have close to traditional Vietnamese pho, go to Super Pho in Herndon. Found that place a couple weeks ago and that has now become my go to pho place
(2)
Tony P.

It's been several years since I've been back to Pho Sate and it's still the same as I had remembered. My mom used to work across the street in the FCPS administrative facility so I ate here quite often. The decor is Vietnamese themed and clean. The menu is also more expansive than the usual pho-centric spots. The one distinguishing offering here is not a menu item but rather in the Thai-style oil chili condiment. It adds a welcomed savory and spicy kick to whatever dish you're eating. And this is where this pho is different from other pho spots. The broth is salty and herbal, but lacks any distinctive meatiness or anise. That's not to say that this is bad, but it's not typical of northern vietnamese pho broth. There's plenty of meat parts and herbs with very well done noodles that are not clumpy. The pho is well-prepared in many respects, but the broth is different. Some people may fault it for that difference, but in the end it's still a tasty and delicious bowl of pho.
(4)
Erica W.

Didn't cure my cold but sure made me feel better! Yum!
(4)
John W.

Pho sate is good as it gets for pho in VA. Dunno what's going on in MD, not that I would go up there anyways. Broth, meat, and ingredients are good, but the hook is the sate sauce that you throw in the soup. I like to add some hot sauce, hoisin sauce, and a lot of limes. They have a bunch of other stuff on their menus too. Had a good noodle dish this one time. Go get it!
(5)
Pia M.

I am not a pho fan at all but I must admit that this is the only place I would eat pho at. It is the sauce that they serve with the pho that makes it so good! The only downside is that it's cash only.
(4)
Ann T.

Bring Cash. On the outside/inside, it looks like your typical pho restaurant...but once you taste the wonderfully seasoned and spiced broth that is Pho Sate, you will be converted. DO dump the spice into your broth (as that is what makes the Pho standout) DO load up your Pho with the fresh vegetables offered at the beginning of every Pho meal. DO enjoy!
(4)
Neal E.

Had lunch here with James and Tina! Was great to meet some new awesome Yelpers! Tina and James were already seated when I arrived - we ordered right away, I ordered a small bowl of the Pho Ga with white meat and a glass of water with a wedge of lime. Soup came out quickly - the broth was as Jeff W. noted from the evening before - not hot enough temperature-wise - it needs to be steaming - and I noticed the broth level in my bowl was noticeably lower than the broth levels in both James' and Tina's bowls. The aromatics and veggies were fine and in good condition - nothing negative to note. The flavor of the broth was also weak - not bad - just weak. Adding the Serrano peppers helped, as did the Sriracha sauce - which I added to both the broth and individual bites of food. The amount of chicken in my bowl was adequate. The best part of the lunch was the company! Had a lot of fun chatting with James and Tina and lunch went by all to fast! Awesome Yelpers! I snuck over to the register and paid for everyone's lunch when we were done - I was almost lynched for doing so! ;-) 3 stars for the food 5 stars for the company!
(3)
Nicole W.

So delicious! The Pho is truly amazing and the spring rolls were some of the most delicious ones I have ever had. There was so much flavor and it really hit the spot! The prices were also amazing... so cheap! about $3o easily fed 4 people. This will be my new favorite takeout place in the neighborhood! so00o good!!!
(5)
Kevin W.

Hu tu sate trieu chau bo is really really good.
(5)
Christina T.

The Pho here is amazing! The best Pho ever. This is my hangover spot. The place is okay just to come eat quick and leave. The music can put you to sleep thou. The only thing that I hate the most is that they only take CASH!!! Hello??? The year is 2013 can someone please upgrade this place!!! I LOVE THE PHO STILL THOU.
(4)
Thuy L.

Dear Grasshoppa, He who eats wrong, won't "right" good review. Order anything "kho" or dry (C2, C6 or C8 off the menu). This usually comes with a separate bowl of broth. As for the sauce, add a little or a lot of hoisen to the sate sauce and mix it up. Dip meat, seafood, shrimp cake, or add it to your noodle bowl. This should take care of any overpowering anise flavor. You must eat it this way to fully enjoy Pho Sate. Now go back and try it and LOVE it! Good luck and remember to bring cash! *Check the business gallery for what to order.
(5)
David B.

Good Pho but not because of the quality of the Pho but because of an gimmick that you add that they call the sate sauce - consist of a special blend of chili and oil. Without the sate sauce, the Pho is very very average - but the sauce" is so amazing that it makes this place 5 Stars. I usually put 2 in my dat biet Pho. There's gotta be some sorta of addictive on the sauce. Sure, the menu has other selections of Vietnamese dishes but honestly who gives a shit when you can get a bowl of Pho with unlimited amounts of sate sauce?
(5)
Brittany H.

Hidden in the same plaza as Ba-Le, I was very skeptical about the quality of pho here. To my pleasant surprise, the pho turned out to be good....really really good. Broth wasn't so greasy, lots of meat and just the right amount of noodles & broth. Interestingly enough, all noodle soups came with a side sate dipping sauce. It wasn't really spicy, but still good enough to drench the meat with. I think most folks here would agree Pho Sate gets bonus points for this sate sauce. I also went back to try their non-pho dishes. Hu tieu with soup on the side. The seafood was pretty good...I was amazed that my squid didn't taste like cardboard. Very soft & tender. Broth was probably not the best tasting, but it was still satisfying enough to qualify. This dish didn't have any sauce though..... I'll have to try their other hu tieu dish...sounded tropical with peanut sauce, pineapple and cucumber. mmmm..... i'm a sucker for good sauce. Ladies & gents, this place is a Vietnamese hidden gem! And for once, not located in Eden Center. Too bad it's a bit further than Eden, but pretty close to work in Vienna where we can dip for lunch. Oh, I should mention- "cash only" please. Bummer.
(4)
Yan W.

The Pho was good - rich broth, good meat, fresh veggies. But I liked their Mi Sate Trieu Chau even more! It's this great noodle dish with tender meat (beef or chicken) smothered with veggies in a gooey delicious sauce. Like most Vietnamese places, the service was a little off-standsih when I made a carryout order. Perhaps they will garner more stars if they crack a smile... one can hope...
(3)
Peter S.

ok...i take back what i said earlier, cuz the owners must've seen these recent reviews or something, they have vastly improved...there was more waiters, much improved service, food came out fast...it was like in and out...pho sate is BACK lol
(4)
Bren P.

This is usually a great go to Pho spot, but last weekend I was disappointed with my pho. The meat was chewy and the broth was watery. It wasn't the pho that i know it can be! What was good was that the chicken rolls were still amazing and the coffee with condensed milk was satisfyingly strong and delicious. They were really nice tho, because they ended up taking off the chicken rolls from our bill. We'll be back again next time to see if this weekend was just a fluke.
(3)
Genesis B.

It's a pho restaurant and as pho restaurants go, it's not too different from other places. Couple of 2-4 seater tables here and there but plenty of room to hold a good amount of people. The waiters were quick with the order taking and the order delivering, just the way I like it for a quick in and out. What does stand out about this place is the fantastic stock flavor of the pho. Not watered down or bland but packs a savory punch. The noodle size was a tad sparing for the regular but they did stack a good amount of proteins. For roughly $6, I can't complain when the flavor is just spot on.
(4)
Beth L.

I went to Pho Sate tonight and it really hit the spot. It was a cold, rainy day...perfect for pho! It was just as delicious as I remembered. This time I took the advice of fellow yelpers and mixed some hoisin sauce into the sate and dipped my tai into it...really loved this smoky chili twist on the traditional pho sauce(s)!
(5)
Christina W.

This is my late night pho joint. Everyone else closes at 8 or 9 this place closes at 10! Yeah!! People roll in at 9:45 and they serve them! The pho here is GOOD. The broth is delicious but what makes this place stand out is the tiny side dish of oil + spices, I believe that's their special sate sauce? Either way, once you dump the entire thing or however much you need/want in your pho, you don't need any hoisin sauce or siraccha. That little dish packs enough flavor/spice. It's awesome. They give you a good amount of noodles and meat, aka, they don't skimp you out on it. It's not too pricey either. I believe a small is abotu 6.25? This is also the first place to have spring rolls with taro in it. I'm a fan of taro, so I like it. I just wish it were a bit bigger. I'm a fan of their che ba mau. Just wish they gave you more! WHen you order a glass of it, it's usually 3/4 full and they don't give you enough red beans, but the green jelly things are soo good there! It's different from the other places. There's something about the texture of it. Come try this place if you're craving late night pho!
(4)
Henry T.

This will be a partial review because I only have sampled the pho here. Pho Sate has an impressive menu, it serves many other vietnamese soups aside from the ubiquitous pho. Most americans have probably never had Hu Tieu or the chinese influenced "Mi Sate." And apparently this placed served Pho Ga (Chicken Pho). As for the pho, it was average. The broth was a little bland and cloudy, but you still get alot of the star anise taste. Noodles and beef were good. What really knocked this place down for me were the spring rolls. The biggest difference between egg rolls and spring rolls are that spring rolls use rice paper. The one hear use a chinese style egg roll wrapper. It's ok, but don't bill it as Cha Gio. This is really amatuer stuff, classic bait and switch. So I'll come back here to sample the other soups, but otherwise the pho here is average. Update 5/20/15 Returned and had a bowl of Pho Tai Nam. Broth was much clearer than before. They didn't give an abundance of meat though. One of the cleanest pho restaurants I've ever been to. I would upgrade my rating to 3.5 stars.
(3)
Steve C.

I have eaten at many pho restaurants and this is the best on the East Coast that I have been so far. I had the luxury to live fairly close to little Saigon in SoCal and there are some really authentic pho places. But I never had the sate sauce mixing into pho before and I have to say that it is quite amazing. If you are a pho fan, you HAVE to try this place!!!
(5)
Timmortal D.

Yes! This is the best pho I've had in the area. The restaurant is no frills and doesn't really try to cater to the slightly snobby. Then again, nothing in that shopping center does. The pho tastes great; the chicken rolls are fine. Great value for the price. I'd go here more if it wasn't cash only.
(4)
Huy N.

I will preface this by saying I've only been here once. Feeling a little under the weather I opted for the Pho Ga. I almost never eat Pho Ga in restaurants ( only home made) with side order of Cha Ga (chicken sausage in broth) as a substitute for Bo Vien (meatballs). This was pretty sub par. The imperial rolls we ordered were also pretty meh as well. While I can see usage for the sate sauce for Mi soup dishes, it is not really appropriate for adding into Pho. Good pho broth is a little too delicate for something so overwhelmingly smoky. I did taste some of my girl's beef Pho and was not impressed. My lineage is Northern Vietnamese and my grandma was an amazing cook. Having eaten Pho in the best Pho joints in Ha Noi I can tell you this place does not produce "authentic" Pho. It's just another Southern style bastardization of the the true Northern product which I still find superior. But hey, if you like the place that's all that matters. Authenticity is not the only road to enjoyment.
(2)
Alison L.

Updating my review--- still awesome, about a dozen times later. I've brought a whole clad of people who have all enjoyed the place....
(5)
Alison S.

Wow, seeing as I'm getting an ROTD for this today I figure I ought to give a bit of an update as I have been back to Pho Sate a couple of times since my last review and HAVE ordered actual Pho noodles. Tres bien!! Beef is nice and tender and the tendons are to die for! That chilli oil thing they give you is SOOO good!! Go ahead and dump it all in the bowl. And for those who like bubble teas (I have a slight obsession), try the Custard Apple Bubble Tea. Custard Apple is one of my favourite tropical fruit of SE Asia along with Rambutan, Longan, and Mangosteen. Definitely making this my Pho place from now on. (Sorry Pho 88!)
(5)
Maricel T.

I like going here but not for their pho. Their pho is average even with the sate sauce. I prefer their noodle dish, H2 (rice noodle topped with shrimp, pork, chicken meatball, shrimp pancake and chicken soup on the side). I think their sate sauce compliments it better. I find it weird they do not offer Spring Rolls on their menu. I guess it's okay since Bale next door offers a package of 3 for $4.
(4)
Janet H.

Was in the area with family and looking for a place to eat. Since we're not from the area, we had no clue where to go. I checked yelp for recommendation from my handy dandy phone and Pho Sate popped up. Pho with good ratings? I'm down! Everyone talks about the special sauce but isn't it just the same chili oil you get at Chinese restaurants.. except less spicy? I actually mixed siracha with it and that was pretty good with my meat. The pho was pretty good. I thought the soup was decent but a bit on the sweet side? I ordered a large and I finished the whole thing. Portion is enough I would say. Their prices are much more attractive than some of the Pho places in MD which is usually $7.25+ for a large. Here, I think it was priced just under $7 for a large. Oh yes, I also tried their fried spring rolls.. it was okay. I've had better though.
(4)
Sars L.

Pho is consistently good here, but what makes it awesome is the little plate of spicy chili in oil they give you with your pho. MOUTHGASM. Sometimes when I'm feeling adventurous, I put in two. Love this place! Slightly unrelated: There's a sandwich shop two stores down which has delicious sandwiches which you can get after pho (maybe for dinner that night or lunch the next day) but don't get their taro bubble tea unless you like the starchiness of real taro in your tea.
(5)
Jack P.

Ultimate Hangover Cure- Good Morning Vietnaaaaaaaaam!
(4)
Jonathan P.

Pretty good all around. Get the H3 - beef noodle - they are very consistent and fast. Service is pretty good - CASH ONLY but theres an atm nearby at the gas station.
(4)
Anthony L.

If you just want a traditional bowl of pho, go elsewhere. If you want a unique Pho experience, try out Pho Sate. I say that because their pho is really nothing special; other restaurants in the area do it better. The broth here is kind of bland and a tad overly sweet. However, the little dish of sate sauce they bring out adds a whole new element to your typical bowl of Vietnamese noodle soup. A spicy chili, lemon-grassy, oily sauce you pour into your soup that turns it into something I am at a loss of words to describe. Unique and fresh is all I can think of. Portion sizes are okay, I ordered a large, but it didn't feel as big as other large bowls I've had at other places. The meatballs are small, and brisket servings could have been greater. Not a bad place place to try a bowl of a type of pho you've probably never had before. I still prefer good old traditional pho though.
(3)
John K.

I would say the pho is like a 2 for taste. About your average tasting pho, not too salty, not too brothy, not too light. Just right in the middle, but not balanced.... I will give them 1 extra star for their service. Normally, I rarely evaluate a place for their service, but I've been to a lot of pho places in my day, and this was a place that stood out in my mind. Another thing that is unique is that they do offer this oil that has some smokey paste mixed into it. I wasn't sure what to mix it with, so I left it alone. Some people might come here just for this, but I was just confused. They do not have peanut sauce though which I thought was kind of weird...
(3)
Justin S.

one of the best pho places i know. they have this special sauce they serve and it is really good with pho. their pricing is reasonable. i definitely recommend pho sate. pho here is delicious.
(4)
Bob S.

Best. Pho. Here. Admittedly, I don't go too exotic with my pho. I either stick with chicken or simple beef phos. The pho here is amazing, and the sate sauce is wonderful. This place has my comfort food, and I come here quite frequently. I would give it the full 5 stars if it wasn't cash only. Also, they limit the amount of napkins you get. They used to have a dispenser on the table, but they stopped that. Overall, this place is worth checking out if you like pho. Give it a shot!
(4)
marc a.

The wife and I decided to try a new pho experience tonight. With the great reviews from Pho Sate, we just had to try it. Our response was decidedly mixed, though. I had the pho, which I thought was just great, although the broth seemed to be a bit strong on the star anise and a little light on the balancing spices. I was fine with that but the wife didn't like it that much. She really wanted something that was a bit more traditional in flavor. She had a hu tieu, which was tasty but boy was it heavy. So basically, she thought it was just okay and would get hu tieu again, but she didn't care for the pho. I liked the pho, but the hu tieu probably would have been better in broth than with the sauce. It's not bad at all, but just nothing that we'd really scream and shout about.
(3)
Kat T.

best pho in the area, hands down. I just hate that they are cash only, I hate carrying cash! I like their Pho Ga here better than other places, its not as dry and the sate sauce adds some extra flavor!
(4)
Jules W.

I'm going to keep this short: I've tried many Vietnamese restaurants in the DC area, searching for the best pho, and THIS IS IT. Only negative thing that I can say is that it's cash only. This place is amazing. Go with friends, get the pho (any of them, but get a large- the small is small, and it's only $0.75 less) and chicken rolls and enjoy! I go at least once a month- pho, chicken rolls, and iced coffee.... and YES, it is a hangover cure! :)
(5)
C Q.

We came here based on a friend's recommendation. Service- we were seated right away. Pho restaurants are not famous for their service, so we didn't expect much. We placed our order. I asked for the bean sprouts to be cooked. I didn't get a response from the waiter, so I wasn't sure if he heard me or not. We happened to sit at a table where we can see the kitchen entrance and the cart where they put the dirty dishes. Our waiter had greasy longish hair. I was not comfortable with wait staff that did not look clean. While I was sitting there waiting for our food. I saw him coughed and spitted mucus into the dirty dish cart. He was right next the the cashier/manager and she didn't say anything. I was very happy when a different waiter brought our food out. Food - the food was pretty good. The rest of the family liked it. It had more seasoning than Pho 75, so it would be ok to eat it without adding hoison sauce in it. The spicy oil that came with the noodle was interesting. I enjoyed dipping the sliced beef in the oil with a little hoison sauce. I think they put a good amount of MSG in their food. I got thirsty and had a headache after eating there. If I didn't see the waiter coughing, I would most likely go back there again. It might even become the place we go when we want to have pho. It was easier to park (than Pho 75) and the food was about the same. But after what I saw there, I wouldn't be able to eat anything if I saw the greasy-hair waiter handles my food. I might do carry-out from there sometimes.
(3)
Richard S.

Not my favorite, but still high up there. It's pretty good.
(4)
Brett M.

Very good pho! I like the tendon they have here more so than other places, it is a bit bigger and more robust than most I've tried. The chicken eggroll appetizers are def worth a try, really love that sate sauce
(4)
Duy N.

Delicious. Sate is great. Big tendons. Good spring rolls. Stands out from other places. Spring rolls are good too, try either A1 or A2.
(5)
Foodie C.

Best Pho in the area. Sate sauce is something new to me and I have been eating Pho for years Taste is amazing and fresh If you are a new comer get number 8 or 9 of the Pho selections and definitely an order of Chicken spring rolls and take it from there
(4)
Henry R.

My girlfriend and i frequent this place 2-3 times a week and is hands down the best Pho places we've been to in the area. Broths were always flavorful, very generous on the meats and best of all was the Sate sauce! Very fast service and the dishes were cheap. They only take cash.
(5)
Laurie W.

Hot and comforting this tiny place served really amazing pho! Cash only but reasonably priced. We left full and satisfied and if the line out the door is any indication of their normal business flow, I would suggest that you get there early.
(5)
Super H.

God damn! it was raining hard when we came here last week. And all I wanted was some hot pho, post haste. Obviously my hunger, shivers and soaking wet shirt didn't inspire anyone working here that day. Service? Sloooooow. I mean, how many times did our table ask for water? Like ten times. We even started taking turns asking for the water, just to fuck around. And the egg rolls? Never came. When we went to pay for the check, I explained that the egg rolls on the bill never came and they didn't even blink. It was like, "Ah, well, shit happens." The pho was good but not good enough to make up for the lousy service. Phok that.
(2)
Elaine F.

Extremely slow! If you have two hours for lunch,maybe you can try.
(1)
Teresa H.

Pho Sate is one of the few places I'll actually drive to eat pho. The quality of the food is consistently good and the service is not bad for a Viet joint. The pho actually smells and tastes like pho. The broth tastes like there's been some effort put forth instead of just adding extra MSG for flavor. Hell, I can just add MSG to instant noodles at home instead of paying for it. Located in a strip mall in Falls Church, the place is nothing fancy. Just a good place to go eat some good Viet food. The best thing about their pho is the sate sauce that comes on the side. It's a smoky flavored pepper sauce that isn't spicy at all, just adds a unique flavor to anything it goes on. I usually ask for extra. :) Everything here is good, but the reason why this place didn't get 5 stars is because it's still not as good as how momma makes it (or any homemade pho). Until I find a pho place that tastes that good, no pho place will bet 5 stars.
(4)
J L.

I ordered one of the pho bowls (forgot which one), size regular. They gave me a good portion of meat and broth so I was not upset with that. The meat was cooked well and the tripe (which I love) was soft and not rubbery. The noodles however were all jumbled together in some kind of glob that I had to separate with my chop sticks. But what really makes the Pho in my opinion is the broth. And it certainly had a interesting flavor... It was a bit different than the other locales around here. However I can say that it wasn't really mind blowing, just "aite." The other thing I ordered were the Chicken Rolls, they were pretty much mini fried spring rolls that resembled taquitos. Those were pretty good especially if you dip them in the hoisen/hot pepper sauce that they give with the Pho. And i'm trying to write this review with an open mind because I hate cash only places, I mean I understand the concept that businesses will have to pay less for credit card fees etc. but at the customers inconvenience? With that being said, If the place is cash only, I would hope that the food would be more than worth hurrying up to an ATM that works when the sidewalks are frozen over. Overall, If you live really close by here then I guess it wouldn't hurt to pop in and eat at the place but I wouldn't do take out though. If you just want to pick up Pho there are way better places in the area that are cash only (aka Pho 75) or if you prefer not living in the stone age, aka debit and credit cards then I would also recommend Pho Cyclo (known for their Vermicelli, but their Pho is good too).
(2)
Arun P.

Wanted to give the lowest star possible for this place. Horrible place. I am a vegetarian and I went with a friend. Opened the menu and ordered the ONLY vegetarian item in the menu. And the waiter says there is not a singe Vegetarian item in the restaurant. None. Nada. Zilch... I ended up having green tea for dinner watching my friend eat. I will never go to this place again.
(1)
James P.

amazing, delicious, and the employees are fast and nice. excited about the renovations! open already! :)
(5)
Juliet K.

solid pho. prob the one place i'd go if i'm traveling west of where i live (which isnt very often. haha) it was the only pho place that was open fairly late (10 PM) and could crave my pho craving at night. the broth is really clean compared to other pho places, so for me the sate sauce had to go into the broth. its got a kick to it, so i loved that it made the broth a bit spicy. quick service as always. and their chicken rolls are so yummy.
(4)
Ninja E.

Pho here is just average. The broth is very light. The only thing I go here for is Hu Tieu Sate beef. It is the best, especially with the sate, roasted chilli. 3 stars for the food +1 for the roasted chili
(4)
Ben K.

I lost my Pho virginity to Pho Sate with P13 (Round Eye steak) and I fell in love....I also order the Chicken rolls which are AMAZING!! I am a big guy and the normal bowl is plenty big, I have yet to order the large size. Only downfalls are you have to pay in cash and soda's are sold by the can ($1.25 I think) Definitely going back over and over again!!!
(5)
Theresa C.

Four stars for their special hot sauce!! They also have a variety of food other than Pho. The chicken rolls are decent. I am sad that they don't have summer rolls! Oh the ones that comes with broth separately are really good. They would provide you with multiple bowls if you need. I would not recommend the mixed colorful drinks. It's too sweet and no real good taste.
(4)
Eric N.

Decent pho. WIthout the sate sauce though the pho is pretty unremarkable. Sucks that this place only accepts cash though.
(3)
Howie H.

The review is in....just had lunch there with a coworker and it was delicious! The broth before adding anything was very flavorful. The noodles were cooked perfectly and the meat perfectly raw while resting on top of the noodles. The sate sauce was the perfect compliment that added a "home cooked" noodle soup feel. The flavor was intense and it was excellent. The spring rolls was flavorful and tasty. This place is a must try as it is one of the better Pho places in the DMV.
(5)
T L.

The only place where I didn't mind eating the same thing, P-9 (Pho Tai Chin) over and over again. I recently did the unthinkable and ate something other than pho at Pho Sate. I ordered H-4 under the rice noodle soup section. Be forewarned that it is not a broth-based soup; I don't know if I would even call it soup. Call it a stew or just the sauteed chicken sauce, it was something I've never eaten before at other Vietnamese restaurants. If you're thinking you can't do without the mini sate sauce that comes with the pho, don't fret! The H-4 comes with its own mini sate sauce as well! Keep impressing me, Pho Sate!
(5)
Joe J.

I have been a hard core fan of PhO for the past 7 years and in this time I have traveled everywhere in the states. From time to time I would "get lost" and find a Pho spot to go to and just enjoy a simple bowl of deliciosness for the soul. I have had some wonderful experiences and some not so good ones as well. Still I enjoyed what I have had. That being said, in this immediate region Pho Sate is the best I have had yet. The fragrant aroma the delicate subtle flavors-the perfect nuance's of salt, star anise and cardamon--makes this a gorgeous soup--my only gripe is it needs to served hotter--so request that. Have it served--and by the time you go through your ritual of how you prefer to enjoy this Pho--it will be as good as it gets. I will continue on my quest for the perfect Pho(I can even make my own which is very good) but I hope I may never find it--its like a metaphor to life--its not about the discovery as much as it is about the journey. The only thing I would like now is to become friends with some great vietnamese families, be introduce to their Mom's and Grandma's and have the stuff that makes for great families and goodtimes!! Pho Sate is my new home. Yum!
(4)
John L.

Good food. Long wait during lunch and dinner hours. When will this place accept credit cards?!?! People rarely carry cash around and there's not sign to let people know upfront that this is a cash-only place.
(4)
Kim V.

pros: the pho and bubble tea is really good, decent service cons: since last I ate there it's been cash only, the bathroom could use more lighting, it's pretty dark in there. This place can get pretty crowded especially on the weekends
(4)
Vanessa W.

Like the flavor. Be careful they take cash only.
(4)
Havar E.

Favorite pho of its kind.. Best pho service with friendly staff
(5)
Ross M.

Been going to Pho 50 and 75 for years. My Vietnamese friend took me here. The Pho is great! They don't put as much cilantro in, but they have the sate and deeper broth flavoring to make up for it! I Highly recommended. They have other things besides Pho, and just from looking around when I was there - a lot of people don't just Pho, they get the stir-fried noodles. Check it out. Now I've got a tough decision to make when I'm craving Pho.
(5)
Mar O.

The pho is solid, but not amazing. Flavor was decent, but the broth lacked salt. Then again, that's what fish sauce is for. And of course, the sate sauce is delish. That smokey flavor of the chilis... to die for. I'll take a jar to go, please! Also, you must must must order the spring rolls. They stand an entire head and shoulders above the pho. Comes out piping, crispy, not greasy, and full of porky goodness. I also tried a bit of my friend's non-pho noodle dish and the sauce was pretty tasty. I'll have to come back and explore the non-pho options. I suspect there might be some gems in there. Overall, the place is clean, the staff are friendly, and the pho is pretty good. Wouldn't trek out here all the time, but great just to change it up once in a while.
(4)
AgentxAngel X.

Best pho in DC area!
(5)
Sun M.

My sister SWORE their chicken rolls and pho was DELICIOUS!!! Well, I don't know too much about that. Their small weiner chicken rolls were not that great. I do have to give it that this is the first time I tried the Sate, which seems like crushed red peppers, oil, sesame seeds or a mixture of some sort like that right? Well, I believe that sate changes the taste of the entire soup but maybe that's why they provide that for free to cover up for their "not too delicious" broth? It was just okay, but at least I don't have to pay extra $.50 for some hot pepper oil at Pho Bowl.
(2)
Paige R.

The pho broth is excellent with or without meat and I recommend that you pour the sate in. Sate is the red chili oil they serve to you in a small dish. Also a plus: the tap water tastes good
(5)
Allison L.

love the sate sauce!!! so worth the drive from maryland
(4)
Ron B.

This is probably my favorite pho place. The broth is one of the best tasting and the sate sauce puts this pho over all other pho places in the MD/DC/NOVA area. I'm giving this place 4 stars because it is a hole in the wall and the staff can be a little rude at times. It's also cash only.
(4)
Jeff W.

I came here last night for dinner after much anticipation but was pretty disappointed. The prices were definitely right, at $6.75 for a large bowl, but I've had better pho in my day. We started with the chicken rolls which I didn't think were very good. Hardly any flavor and tasted like a glorified chicken mcnugget to me. They weren't very crispy or fresh tasting. At least they were only $3 so I didn't feel cheated. Then came the pho. I was excited when they came out with a small serving of sate sauce for each of us since most places only provide it by request. I guess maybe that's their signature condiment since it matches their namesake. All veggies were very fresh and crisp, which was also nice. Anytime I can snap a bean sprout in half is a good sign! The pho, however, was not very hot, the noodles were terribly clumpy, and the meats weren't very good. They have the biggest chunks of tripe I've ever seen here, which was a bit of a turnoff. Broth was pretty good, especially after adding the sate sauce. There is better pho out there, but the one saving grace is that Pho Sate stays under the $7 for large bowl threshold. Anytime I pay more than that I'm annoyed. It's a little inconvenient that they don't accept credit cards, but for a $10 bill perfectly covering half appetizer, large bowl, tax and tip, it's hard to complain! I was told by my Pho Sate loving dining companion that this was an off day for them. Maybe so, but there's just too many other pho options for me to have much interest in returning.
(3)
PC W.

Pho'get those other places - Pho Sate has tasty pho and then some. On Viet D.'s recommendation, I ordered the Chicken Roll appetizer. $3 gets you 4 delicate, deep-fried chicken spring rolls. And by delicate, I mean dinky. But what it lacks in size, it makes up in flavor. It's crispy and not greasy. You will want a dish all to yourself. I wanted to try the pho and Thuy L.'s heralded C-6 dish so she was sweet enough to split both with me. I have to say that the best prices for pho are here - while other places are charging between $7 and almost $8 for a large pho, Pho Sate's is only $6.75. The P-1 has all the meats - eye round steak, brisket, flank, soft tendon and bible tripe. The meats were abundant, the noodles tender and the broth aromatic. I couldn't ask for more. C-6 is the dish to get when you want a little of everything and only spend $8.50. It's really a smorgasbord in a bowl. It's half rice noodles and half egg noodles and topped with shrimp, chicken, pork, squid, beef meatball, chicken meatball and shrimp pancake. It also comes with a bowl of chicken soup and sate sauce. It a refreshing departure from beef noodle soups - the broth was clear, light and sweet. Thuy L., the queen of sauces, customized my sate sauce by adding hoisin and srichacha sauce. You put some noodles in the spoon and dip it into the broth, while balancing this, you pick up a meat or seafood item, dip it into the sate sauce and top off the spoon. Open wide and throw it down the hatch. The hoisin and srichacha-laced sate sauce is the highlight of C-6. Ba Le Bakery is two doors down if you're in the mood for banh mi dessert. I almost did but I wussied out. I deeply regret it now.
(4)
Mila S.

This place makes me love pho. But I have to admit, a big part of it is because of the chicken rolls. They may be small, but I love the crispiness and the dipping sauce that comes with it. The pho is quite appetizing as well, my bf and I think the broth is the best in the area. I do wish it was closer to me so I could go more often, but for now I guess the Falls Church location will have to do. Make sure to bring cash too! No credit cards accepted.
(4)
Meghann J.

My name is Meghann, and I am now a Pho addict. I seriously have nothing bad to say about the Pho at Pho Sate. The broth is delicious and well flavored, the meat was portioned perfectly (as opposed to some places that seem to think that slicing the rib eye thinly means to cut it 1/3" thick.) There was an excellent ratio of broth to noodles, in fact there seemed to be an endless supply of those yummy noodles hidden beneath the broth. I kept putting my chop sticks beneath the surface and either beef or noodle kept coming up, until I was completely full. There is just something so satisfying about Pho when its so blasted cold out! The Sate is served on the side, its a yummy oil that is infused with chili flakes. Don't be scared it isn't super hot (well I suppose if you down the entire serving at once it could cause some pain.) I wound up putting the entire serving of Sate sauce directly into my Pho bowl, and it added this amazing smokey and warm flavor that I absolutely enjoyed. For an appetizer we ordered the Chicken Rolls (which I ordered due to the number of raves they received on here.) The chicken rolls were a mix of ground chicken, onions and seasonings in rice paper and lightly fried. They were FANTASTIC, the flavor was great! My only complaint would be that I didn't really enjoy the dipping sauce that they came with, it was sweet and thick, sort of like a bottled version of sweet chili sauce you'd get at the grocery store in the Asian foods section. I would much prefer that the dipping sauce be the rice vinegar concoction usually served in Vietnamese restaurants. My boyfriend, who was a Pho virgin until tonight, stated upon leaving that he would eat this Pho "breakfast, lunch and dinner." He being one of the pickiest eaters of all times says the place is good, so it must be :)
(4)
Disgruntled D.

I've had pho before. Meat in a broth with some noodles. Fun quick meal but I've never been impressed. But at Pho Sate I tried the C-3 Hu Tieu Mi Sate Trieu Chau Bo (or Any Prefix followed by "Sate Trieu Chau Bo" would be just as good I bet). It's the mixed noodle topped with "stir fried beef in Sate sauce, peanut, cucumber, pineapple, tomato, bean sprout, and salad." Bo in this case means Beef, I bet the chicken would also be good. Hu Tieu Mi means rice and egg noodles, they have this Sate Trieu Chau style in each category. Enough about what it means; This was delicious. Nothing like the pho I'm used to; not really a soup, more like a dish in a bowl. The beef in the sauce was awesome, the vegetables and fruit complimented it great and tasted fresh, the two types of noodles added variety in texture. My dining friend said everyone was looking at my dish and asking for it. I can't really have regular Pho without remembering this and wishing I had access to it instead. Only time I've been to Pho Sate but this dish made a serious impression on me.
(4)
Danilo B.

Some of the best Pho in Northern VA. Very tasty and comes with a side of a sauce that you don't find in most other local Pho restaurants. They do NOT accept credit cards so make sure you have cash on you. If you forget cash, there's an ATM a few doors down at the deli.
(4)
Christine R.

I live in Centreville but definitely will drive out to Falls Church for a delicious bowl of Pho Sate. I had no idea about this place until friends enlightened me on it... thankfully they did. The chicken rolls are a nice change to your typical spring rolls or summer rolls that are normally offered as appz at pho places... and why is it that EVERY single time I order spring rolls the servers response is always "fresh ones right?", no I said spring, which clearly means FRIED. it never fails... Anyhow I always always get pho chin (lean well done brisket) and Pho Sate has the best brisket to date without a doubt. Most places give me cuts with lingering slobs of fat and chewy stuff - ugh just typing that out makes my stomach cringe. But not at Pho Sate :) I should go get some carry out for a late lunch. NOM.
(5)
Lester K.

Tale of 3 lunches, part 3: So this is it. Final Destination. First, Pho Hot (Appetizer), then Ba Le Friends (Main Course), and now, Pho Sate (Desert). This came as a result of good reviews of this place. Another Yelper taught me their super secret way of ordering and eating Pho at Pho Sate, but it was so super secret i forgot what to say when the waitress came to take my order. I hesitated and just said "Give me one with everything, you hot, delicious, sexy goddess. I will worship your feet and let you dress me up like a horse with a black leather saddle and let you ride me from here to Montreal. You make-a me horny...", and then s-l-o-w-l-y licked my lips like how Felicia does it in Ed Powers' Dirty Dirty Debutantes #8. Sike. I didn't wanna get kung fu'ed and kicked out before my order came. Anyways, Pho came out pretty quickly. My guess is that they took their chances that I would order Pho at a Pho place called Pho Sate. Pho, I wasn't a fan. I prefer my Pho to not have as much star anise flavor. Only other place that had star anise taste so strong is Taste of Vietnam in Sterling and I stopped going there because of it. Maybe the previous reviewers like or prefer this taste or maybe it turned out like this just today, but in any case, it didn't work for me. The meat portion was lacking, but quality was really excellent. They didn't have fatty brisket in it, so this Pho didn't make me angry. They also serve Pho with a small dish of Sate. I'm not really sure what was in here, maybe chili and something something. It was interesting, in a good way. I asked for more, and the waitress said she'd bring it, but never did. This place is cash only.
(2)
Elaine N.

Love Pho Sate.... We average going at least once a week... Gotta get my noodle soup fix... I like the M5, Egg noodles in tasty beef broth with a roasted duck leg... Consistently good! Always get their crispy spring rolls and chicken rolls as well...
(5)
Joanne H.

Food was cheap, fast, and good! Pho runs $5.95 for a small, and $6.75 for a large.
(5)
Alex K.

I've been here twice and I love it. It's my new favorite Pho place. The best part is.... you can get food besides Pho. WOW! Don't get me wrong, I love Pho. But since we go out to eat Pho at least every two weeks for work, this is the place to be. While everyone else get Pho, I can get egg noodle. I recommend M-1. The Sate sauce is amazing. I am not usually a soup drinker when eating noodles, but I drink the whole thing here. Yeah, its that good. Just don't forget to bring cash, just like any other Pho place.
(4)
Kent H.

Pho Sate is above average and has some distinct taste to its broth when mixed with the 'sate' but if you get adventurous and pour all of the sate into your soup, the taste will get marginalize and your taste palate will go along with it. So be conservative. Come on a Sat/Sun afternoon for a good crowd as pho is better eaten with all the commotion like watching a comedy in theaters, its just better.
(3)
Chris M.

It was election day. I had take my car to the shop for an unexpected repair. So, I'm stuck with a rental vehicle with a few hours to kill, and waiting for the repairs to be complete. The drizzly afternoon made me think of soup, but I wanted something different. I've never pho'd before. Pho time like the present, I always say. Off I went to get my pho on. Pho Sate sits unremarkably, in an even more unremarkable plaza, off Graham in Falls Church. It's the same little shopping plaza that houses Ba Le Friends 24 hour bakery. There's also some sort of Persian restaurant that I walked by, and a few other businesses that I took no notice of. The menu seemed diverse. I had no idea what I was getting. My server and I had some trouble communicating, but she was very polite. Eventually I asked what she recommended. She pointed on the menu. I agreed to her selection, and watched CNN's new coverage on the television. My meal was brought quickly. It was a large bowl of beef, noodles, vegetables, and a few pieces of pineapple tossed in for good measure. Why not? I finished the hearty concoction, paid the $10 bill and rolled out. 3.5 stars - I thought it was good, and reasonably priced for the portion. No extra points for atmosphere, but no one goes to a pho place for the ambience. The menu was totally new for me, and I'll likely seek out more experienced pho companions for my next outing to maximize my pho experience. Happy Dining!
(3)
Jeff S.

as good as Pho gets!!!
(5)
D K.

This place is so delish! tempted to give them 5 stars... But I'm not that easy.
(4)
Kim G.

Minus a star because they open late in the day and I like noodle soup for breakfast. Cash only. I also dislike the color palette and lack of decor. Sometimes I wish I was blind; the blind always seem to smile. The food is unique because it comes with some chili oil. Without it, this place doesn't really stand out to me. I've ordered a couple items here, Mi Vit Tiem (egg noodle topped with duck stew) and Mi Sate Trieu Chau Bo (egg noodle topped with stir fried beef in Sate sauce, peanut, cucumber, pineapple, tomato, bean sprout and salad). The former could've had a few more leafy greens and the latter was tasty but forgettable. It was all average.
(3)
Tina L.

All time favorite pho joint! Be sure to ask for the sate sauce if you like it spicy, get the fresh coconut juice, and get those egg rolls with taro inside! From the broth, to the noodles, to the meat, to the sauce...it's perfection in a bowl, plus you can't beat that price either. You probably need to drink a ton of water afterwards but that's pho for ya...
(5)
D. K.

I give this place 3.5 for their pho & 4 for their egg noodle dishes. This is our go to place for noodles. I always order m-2 which is egg noodle, shrimp, slow braised pork slices, shrimp cake & fish cake with soup on the side. The pork is salty, tender and full of flavor. Add the little dish of roasted chili oil and you'll have yourself a bowl of heaven! (I sometimes add a few spoonfuls of the soup to loosen the noodles). Step outside of your pho box & try the other dishes!
(4)
Kirt K.

I think this review is bit biased because I was taken here by a Vietnamese foodie who thinks this place has the best pho in nova. I am not a pho expert but I would have to agree with her and the sate sauce adds that extra "Umph!" Only downside to this place is the distance from my house. Who wants to drive 30 + min for pho while you're hungover?
(4)
Jeannie L.

Great hole-in-the-wall place to grab some hot Vietnamese noodle soup although you may need to wear some shades from protect your eyes from the obnoxiously loud Green wallpaint. I had a Pho Ga(Chicken noodle soup) the other day and it was stuffed w/ lots of white meat, which taste really good when dipped in the side Sate sauce. Now...if they could only do something about their green paint...
(5)
Paul W.

Finally made my way here to try the pho and chicken egg rolls one saturday morning. To make a long story short, this is probably my new favorite pho spot. The pho broth is exceptionally good here. Also, relative to what you get at other pho places, their chicken egg rolls absolutely delivered on the hype. The food and dining area appear clean, but it was definitely hot inside. Cash only.
(4)
Eat A.

The dry Pho chicken satay is very good. Might be the best food ever. Pour on all the sauce and ask for more.
(5)
C W.

The sate is the best part of sate. I don't want my pho without it ever again. I've tried many others, but keep coming back here. It's the best! The kids love it, too.
(5)
Jon T.

I'm sure that pretty much everyone on here participates in my recently found phenomenon of Pho Phridays. We have been trying a couple different places in the Falls Church area but i think i have found a winner. the broth here doesn't seem to be as heavy (re: no pho-ma afterwards or need for a nap) and the meat comes precooked in the broth. some of these places give it to you raw and you have to cook it yourself by microwaving the broth hot enough but that gives this Yelper a lil bit of pause. what makes this place a true winner is the Sate sauce they serve with the soup. it is aMAYzing. kind of a blend of Sriracha with hoisin and smokey chilis, it is worth trying this place just to get this flavor punch. i can highly recommend the Pho Tai, Bo Vien (Eye round steak and meatball) and the Pho Ga (white meat chicken). the chicken is moist and juicy and just delicious, best chicken pho i've ever had
(4)

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Address : 2814 Graham Rd
Falls Church, VA, 22042
Phone (703) 698-8088
Website https://www.phosate.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Pho Sate

2814 Graham Rd, Falls Church, VA, 22042

Pho Sate Menu

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