Pho Bowl
6406 Landsdowne Ctr, Alexandria, VA, 22315
Pho Bowl Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Alexandria for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Alexandria for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Alexandria for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
6406 Landsdowne Ctr
Alexandria, VA, 22315 - Phone (703) 339-9101
- Website https://phobowlalexandria.com/index.html
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
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 : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Eunha Y.
Today is New Year's Eve. It was more crowded than usual. I guess I'm not the only one who wanted to eat some Pho. A few people had to wait for the table. I saw one person leave without ordering. Ah~ How unfortunate to leave Pho Bowl without some spring rolls, soup, and their coffee in his belly. I wanted to tell him to stay. Why? This place is fabulous! The restaurant is spotless, broth tastes clean and rich, and the portion is generous. The couple who owns the restaurant comes out of the kitchen to check on the customers. The quality of the food is constant and the service is quick. We showed up really hungry after a biking trip and they gave us extra noodles. Once, we showed up 30 minutes before their closing time. But our pho and the service were perfect! This is a restaurant you can go during cold winter days and the summer, too, because the air-conditioning will be blasting. One Valentine's weekend, we laughed at the couples waiting to get into a restaurant next door. (That restaurant closed down. I guess it wasn't good.) Our family of four had warm and beautiful evening. Pho Bowl is great for anytime of the year. This is the only Pho restaurant I've been for 10 years.
(5)Cheri M.
Got take out. Very efficient. Ordered B20; chicken pho. It was already fully cooked with broth as well as veggies on the side. Tasted great!
(4)William A.
I love Pho. I would eat it every day of the week if I could. I thought the Pho I ordered was tasty with a generous amount of meat , tendon and trip. I ordered a small serving and the only complaint I have is that the bowl was filled to the rim so it was hard to eat at first without making a mess. The owner was also very nice and came around and asked how everything was and checked on all the customers.
(4)Sompoa N.
Best one in the Springfield Area. For me, Phó is all about the broth and This place has a well balanced clear broth that is great without the Siracha or the hoisin sauce. I got the special which had a little bit of everything and it hit the spot! I haven't been to this particular restaurant in a while but it will now be my go to pho joint! Only reason it wasn't a 5 star was they didn't do the tai the way I normally liked it and they kinda gimped on the sprouts for intended for 4 people.
(4)Lilibeth R.
It was a cold, rainy weeknight and my husband and I went to pick up a much-needed purchase on Fort Belvoir with our very vocal 4-year-old in tow. Halfway there, he started saying that he was hungry and wanted pho. In front of the house, it had escalated to "My tummy huuuuuurts and it wants PHOOOO." At this point, I'm starting to get hungry myself so I looked up the closest pho restaurant and this location came up. We were greeted and seated promptly and they even took the liberty of taking my son's order before my husband and I decided so that his pho could come out first (which, if you're a parent, is simply golden). The owner, who apparently is also in real estate, came to the table and engaged in pleasant conversation with us and seemed very genuine. The food was quite delicious and the broth was what I've come to expect from a legitimate pho restaurant -- complex, clean-tasting, and pretty much clear all the way to the noodles. Having worked in a pho restaurant for 2 years, I've grown to have picky tastes in regards to the broth and meat. I only wish I lived closer, as I would certainly dine there again and enjoy the pleasantries of conversation with the owner.
(4)Michael P.
Family Owned and So Pleasant! I adore this place in the neighborhood - such an awesome menu - especially on these cold autumn days - not much to say except - YES!
(4)Susan J.
Mediocre at best. Let's start with the summer rolls. Two little rolls for $3.95 were sorry little excuses for summer rolls; 3 half shrimps next to some vermicelli noodles and iceberg shreds. It lacked the basil or mint or pork or anything. It was so dissapointing. We got two bowls of regular b15 with steak, fatty brisket, tripe, tendon (lacking in fatty brisket). The noodles needed to soak in the broth a bit and it was a decent portion, but the broth lacked depth. I want to taste the beef marrow and the star anise and the grits of the broth...heck, this could have been bouillon? Will I come here again, probably not. It just didn't clear the mark...
(2)Paul M.
YEEEAHHHHHH !!! THe best PHO outside of Sterling VA, I highly recommend this place. The owner is so nice and served us. She has real personality !!! Really nice to see an owner relate to customers like that. The Pho is so big !!! Took the leftovers home and had a second meal. And super fresh ingredients. Thanks for opening a great PHO restaurant in our area !!! April and Paul
(5)N A.
Excellent pho!! The broth was so delicious I purchased 2 extra servings to go (tasty with ramen noodles!) I've had a ton of pho in Northern VA and this place is def one of the best. I will say they were a little skimpy on the meat, but it was enough to satisfy me.
(4)Tim A.
I've been eating my way through their various menu items for years. For beginners, start with items higher on the "B" part of the menu; more advanced eaters can work their way down to squid and tripe. The appetizers are all quite tasty and a good prelude to the meal as well. The other reason we keep coming back, though? The family-like atmosphere. Very friendly staff that takes care of us every time. I don't ever want to leave Pho Bowl!
(5)Jonah H.
I went based on the 4 star rating I saw on Yelp only to be completely disappointed. It's popular but when I heard the Spanish music and saw it was 95% white suburbanites minus 1 older Vietnamese couple (speaking Vietnamese) and an AA college aged guy, I should have turned and left. ALL of the sauces from the brown sauce to the Ngoc Mam were terrible, the Goi Cuon was fresh but so so. I had their "special" Pho and the egg noodles had no flavor. I've eaten way better for way less $ in California, if this is what suburban Virginia considers good Vietnamese food, I'm going to just cook myself (and I'm an awful cook) Parking is limited. If you're a senior citizen or can't handle spices, this is the place for you.
(2)Joe B.
I have been to pho bowl many,many times. The food is fine but not earth shattering so I guess there is some degree of success than can be attributed to being average. Pricing: There seems to be steady increases. When two of us dine here for dinner and have small soups and a spring roll each we spend $35. I think for what we pay we are not getting a wow factor. I'm not suggesting that you avoid this location b/c it is perfectly fine but I would suggest you taste around town and see what else is out there. Restrooms: Always tidy. Service: Friendly and efficient. I don't like the table to table hopping the owner does-it's simply a formula that is a little forced and when you don't feel like being engaged to chat with her you are still forced to carry on a conversation. I would rather have the opportunity to quietly enjoy my dinner without this part of the experience. My advice: Lower your prices or raise your flavor and quality to meet your asking price.
(3)Jin Y.
The Spring rolls are tiny and they only consist of cabbage (the preshredded type you find in those bags for burgers) and three small shrimp and noodles. Where's the basil, mint and pork?! The pho is served in a Japanese Udon bowl... The pho is okay, the broth was lacking in marrow flavor (probably didn't boil the bones long enough). No onions (which is okay, because I prefer not to have them). The noodles were actually a good consistency and very nice and chewy. I will not go here again. There is better!
(1)James P.
A pho restaurant in a strip mall?! Who would have guessed? But this place is very very good. The beef stew pho and the vegetable pho were spectacular.
(5)Courtney W.
This is our go to restaurant for pho and rice vermincelli. The food and prices are great. They give you a loyalty card, so for every 10 meals you buy you get 1 pho bowl for free. The service is always great and quick! And the owners make it a point to remember customers and thank them for coming back!
(5)Anastasia B.
I went back and asked again if the vegetable pho was vegetarian. The answer was no. Disappointment.
(3)Mike S.
This is the best pho restaurant in the area! The soup, rolls and rice noodle dishes were superb! I had them create a vegetarian dish and it was so awesome
(5)Marie G.
Small independent restaurant in a strip mall which contains virtually nothing BUT restaurants, near one of the entrances of Fort Belvoir. Of all the places there, though, I'd bet I've been to Pho Bowl as many times as all the rest of them combined. The broth (I always get B1 - beef broth with thin-sliced steak) is delicious - complex spices which I've never managed to figure out (probably star anise in there and maybe some allspice?). I haven't tried any of the non-beef-based soups but my spouse and kids have and they are tasty as well. I've been known to buy a quart or two of the beef broth to have at home when I want something hot other than tea. The owners are pleasant and definitely recognize their regular customers (we've filled up more than one of the "frequent slurper" punch cards that get you a free bowl every now and then). Their fresh lemonade is good too - I usually just get water at restaurants but always get lemonade at Pho Bowl.
(5)Amy T.
I'm a regular at this place and the pho is very tasty. Thai tea is fantastic and the summer rolls are good. The food comes out very fast and the staff is all friendly. I love that they have stamp cards because you get a free small pho after every 10 bowls. The large is very filling, I could probably be satisfied with a small but I love pho too much to settle on a small!
(4)Gregg M.
After coming here regularly over the past three years for my pho fix, Pho Bowl remains a picture of consistency with regards to its namesake dish. The pho stock, while milder and less meaty tasting than some of its competitors, is always hot, possesses the requisite Asian spice characteristics, is gently salted, and isn't too oily/greasy. Service can sometimes be a little hit or miss with empty water glasses going unfilled, which is a service no-no to me. Still, in my mind, Pho Bowl continues to be the king of the hill...for now.
(4)Janine W.
I absolutely love this place! I meet my husband here once or twice a week on his lunch break. The food is amazing, the service is fast, friendly and efficient. The owner stops by our table most days we are there and not only chats with us and our daughter, but also thanks us for coming in. It's not just the owner either. We are frequently thanked by all the staff for stopping in. The staff has awesome teamwork. I'm never surprised to have everyone there stop by my table for a refill or whatever we may need. I haven't found another place in the area with such great service!
(5)Drew K.
So ate here today for the first time today and I have to say it was nothing special. The Summer rolls were ok, mostly vermicelli. The Pho was ok, I've had better in the area. They really skimp on the meat. I will say the staff is nice and attentive. They are close to Ft. Belvoir so I'm guessing that's where most of the business comes from.
(2)Charlie L.
I am probably the only Asian that hates Pho...OK well, I'm sure there are others but it's a small group! Anyways, my boyfriend and I came to this place based on Yelp reviews. I always get the rice and chicken or pork dish while he gets his fix for Pho. Since this was our first time here, I tried some of his broth and OMG I am a Pho lover now! Or at least at this place I am. Since we discovered this hidden gem out in the Ft. Belvoir area, we've returned numerous time. This place is now our designated Pho restaurant! Also the pork & chicken rice dish is soooo good! Better than other places. I prefer the pork over the chicken here but both are still very delicious. Its pretty clean and they're friendly. I see they have a lot of regulars as the owner is always talking to them. So when a business has a stream of regulars, it usually means something. I will definitely come back here over and over...probably this weekend :P Oh, one downside is they're closed Sunday! womp womp womp...so if you're hungover on Sunday morning, you're sh*t out of luck. One plus side to counter the negative is they have a frequent buyers card. So after 10 bowls, you get one free!
(5)Dr Pho S.
Dr Pho is going to give his first 4 star for the surprisingly tasty Pho Bowl. First off, as the world knows by now, Dr. Pho is on the most important food mission in the history of the world, the mission to find The Perfect Spring Roll. Dr. Pho tried the Cha Gio (normal crispy rolls) and a new delight to Dr. Pho the Goi Cuon Ga ( grilled chicken summer rolls). Dr. Pho will be giving both rolls 4 stars, the Cha Gio was not greasy at all, has wonderful texture, and excellent flavor. 4 stars, of course means that The Hunt For The Perfect Spring Rolls shall continue, as these delicious rolls were not thin enough, flaky enough, or small enough (about the size of a Lincoln Log) to fit what Dr. Pho is hunting for. The Goi Cuon Ga were a very pleasant surprise, and a must try for those who love summer rolls, Dr. Pho is a crispy roll man, but actually quite enjoyed these. For the Pho, Dr. Pho ordered the Tai, Nam, Gan...steak, flank, soft tendon. Dr Pho would rate this 4 stars on flavor, but 3 stars overall. The broth was very clean and flavorful, the meats tasted fresh, and were well cooked, and the noodles were an excellent texture and consistency, so well cooked. The reason for the overall 3 stars, the bowl was much smaller than a normal small bowl, and there was not enough of the meats in comparison to the noodles. Dr. Pho is a big man, and at first was very pleased with the entire meal, confident in this overall rating of 4 stars. However, about an hour later, after two plates of rolls and a small bowl of pho (Dr. Pho's normal order), Dr. Pho was starving. The restaurant is very clean, the service was friendly and efficient, so the overall experience was a lovely surprise for Dr. Pho. If you are in the Southern Springfield area looking for a pleasant lunch, Dr. Pho gives his stamp of approval. If you are joining Dr. Pho on his mission to find The Perfect Spring Roll...our mission must continue, and move on from Pho Bowl. Dr. Pho's life long mission to find the perfect Spring Roll comes from having eaten thousands of the perfect Spring Roll at a long defunct eatery called Pizza (technically called "Les Trois Continents." ) in Burke, Va owned by the Late General Nguyn Ngc (he would be the General in one of the most famous pictures of all time executing a Viet Cong member during the war). His Spring Rolls were longer, lighter and cut into many smaller pieces (about size of a Lincoln Log) than what I have been able to find at the over 50 Vietnamese places I've tried over the years. If anyone knows of a place that may have these magical spring rolls, please let me know, this is the greatest food hunt around. Dr Pho....My mission is simple, finding the perfect Spring Roll. Roll OUT!
(4)Michella S.
Small little place but the broth is perfectly done. the customer service was great. enough for me to come back again. it was my first time there around late afternoon and this place is packed. with that many people inside, it tells a lot about it's quality.
(4)Tiger M.
This is a nice little place. The owner is nice & friendly ,Staff are attentive & friendly as well. I've had of course the Pho- Soup, which I loved !! & also the shrimp vermicelli's dish!! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING by far my favorite dish. The shrimps are sweet and my veggies are always fresh. I will definitely be dining here more often !!
(4)Adan R.
Tryed eating here on multiple occasions only to find out that it wasn't open (even during regular hours) and I always wondered why...But then I saw it open. Went it got a beef assortment pho bowl. It was pretty damn good. Also I was the first time I personally ordered Tai Tea. I usually mooch off of my friends in the past at other pho restaurants but today was my day. It was also pretty damn good.
(4)Ross M.
+ The broth is the star, very clean and very tasty, came out piping hot! + Friendly service, more friendly than your average pho service + They except credit cards, and lots of their customers are military o Average shrimp spring roll, not too thick, unfo
(3)Omy L.
Very friendly staff but the pho is not outstanding and my spring rolls' fillings left me in want. Sadly, if you're looking for pho in these parts, it's this or pho Kim. This place is a touch better, both places have nice and accommodating owners. Just not the best pho I've had and not better than any average bowl I've had.
(2)Pamela C.
The Pho Ga soup lacked flavor and there was a mountain of noodles in all our soups. I did like the amount of chicken and the servers were very nice and accommodating. For soup only the price was a dollar expensive.
(3)Ashley H.
Great little Pho Place! They have a lunch combo for around $11 with a spring or summer roll, regular pho bowl, and soda. Broth has great flavor. Wish there was a little more meat in the bowl, but other then that, awesome place!
(4)Emily V.
I was in the area for a meeting and stopped in for a quick lunch. I'm really glad I did! I got the $9.95 lunch special with a bowl of beef pho, a spring roll, and a soda. The spring roll was perfect, lots of meat in it, and perfectly fried. The broth in the pho was tasty, and I liked that they gave us a heaping plate of sprouts, mint, and limes on the side so we could load up as much as we wanted. The meat was the only disappointing part, I usually like my beef to be rare and cook in the broth, but this meat was grey and tasteless when it got to me. Bummer. But otherwise a really great deal, quick and friendly service. I'll be back when I'm in the area again.
(4)Terrie K.
Good, standard Pho. Clean, neat, fresh dining area with nice artwork from various local artists on display for sale. Very friendly owners. Will come back.
(4)Robert P.
Their broths are everything you would expect them to be, but nothing terribly unique. They aren't kidding when they say pho bowl - that's what they do well here. In other words, don't expect a lot of other Viet dishes and appetizers are less than average. If you live in Kingstowne area or Beulah/Telegraph side of Ft Belvoir, this is a Pho place worth going for a quick meal on a weeknight or for a quick lunch -- I haven't found anything in a reasonable radius so much better as to make a trek out to Springfield or up to Annandale having tried a number of such "go to" spots as well.
(3)Tracey S.
This place is an absolute charm. The food is awesome, the service is personable and the staff is outstanding. My husband and our family frequent Pho Bowl regularly and have always had great experiences. They are very concerned about food allergies and will customized based on needs. My daughter travels from NC to eat their delicious soup - no matter what others may say, this place stands out on its own. This is a top notch establishment and deserves recognition for both quality of food and professionalism.
(5)Lauren R.
This place is unPHOgettable! It's really close to the base, which is a huge bonus because it's hard to find good food without driving a good 20 minutes elsewhere. I'm kind of a pho snob and have never been let down by the food here. One reviewer is correct, the portions are not insane like other places, but by no means do you leave dissatisfied because of it. It's still a heap of food that has great quality meat, broth, and noodles. I would eat at Pho Bowl for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I could afford it. Like many pho places, the service is pretty spotty. The server rarely comes to check on you, so getting a water refill can be quite some work. But with the quality of food and convenience of the location, it doesn't deter me from eating here. Another bonus with this place is that, unlike some other pho places in the DMV area, Pho Bowl *does* accept debit/credit cards.
(5)Matt S.
Consistently good. Mild broth that lends well to either pho newbies or those who like to spice it up. Decent service, good people and low prices.
(4)Kevin S.
Great restaurant and pho! Super friendly staff. I recommend this place to anyone that wants great food and service.
(5)Ally D.
I've been to a lot of different pho places in the area, and this one seems to be a gem! Their service is great, really friendly staff, although it does take a whole sometimes for the food/drinks to come out. The pho is delicious. The broth is so tasty and their ingredients are always fresh. It does get pretty crowded at lunch time.
(4)M K.
the beef pho was very tasty and fresh. I tried ginger chicken and it was also very good. not bad for first visit, I will be back for more.
(5)Jan A.
We absolutely love pho bowl!!! They have an extensive menu and over the last few years my husband and I have tried everything and it is all great! The owners are absolutely amazing and welcoming to everyone that walks in the door. We've tried pho at other places, but it is the friendliness of the owners that keeps bringing us back here. If you're looking for something other than soup in the summer, ask them for any of the D menu items, they're great!
(5)Dinh P.
Had the beef pho, and was highly disappointed. Broth was very bland and the large bowl was not very big. I can tell they were trying to "stretch" the broth since it was around 7pm. My wife and daughter had the Chicken pho, and that broth was decent. Probably wont be coming back here.
(2)Elizabeth B.
Broth is not good. It is watery and lacks flavor. Summer rolls consist of just shrimp and lettuce. The vermicelli dishes are okay but the vegetables aren't fresh, and there's not enough meat. If you think this place deserves more than 2 stars then you haven't tried proper good pho and vietnamese food, sorry.
(1)Michael C.
This place is ok. I have tried several items from the menu and it seems to just be ok overall. Nothing is outstanding that makes you say 'this place has the best...' My biggest complaint about the place is the portion sizes are extremely small and you pay way too much for so little. The fried rice for example is at least 25% less than comparable places in the same shopping center and winds up costing at least $1 more overall. The chicken fried rice for example had about 4 pieces of chicken the size of chicken nuggets covered by a small mound of rice surrounded by 2 slices of cucumber and tomato. Not sure what exactly I'm paying for. 3 stars might actually be generous when I think about it. I can make the same meal at home for far less and get far more. One thing I noticed though is that it isn't crowded like it was a few months ago. It used to be sold out and you had to wait to get a table. Today we had a selection of tables and I'd say the place is just about half full. It never filled up either and this was right during lunch hour on a weekday. Maybe others noticed the food, or lack of.
(3)Jennifer V.
I am Vietnamese, born and raised, so I know what good pho is. Let me preface this by saying: If you are serious about pho and love this place, you are doing yourself a disservice by not trying all of the much better pho in Falls Church (Pho Sate, Pho Golden Cow come to mind immediately). I understand the convenience of a pho place in the middle of Alexandria, which is why I originally wanted to like this place, but the pho here is of inferior quality to what you can get somewhere else. But back to Pho Bowl, the pho here is: 1) small-portioned, so not only do you feel like you don't get enough meat, but you also feel like you're not getting enough food in general 2) Warm when you get it instead of piping hot, which means it's been sitting out 3) Neither fragrant nor particularly flavorful (probably again due to sitting out) 4) Noodles are limp instead of chewy, another side effect of food, and noodles in particular, sitting out too long 5) Spotty service, sometimes slow, sometimes fast, but the food is always disappointing...
(2)Spencer M.
Another great local place we found for Pho! Quick service, great food, and a very friendly owner. Really could not ask for more. The price is right and we'll be back for more!
(4)Jack F.
The food tastes good. They have the broth mostly right. It's not the best ever, but then again anise costs money. The family atmosphere is nice. It's very relaxed. Customers are equal parts white and asian. And I mention that because you don't want to eat at a asian restaurant with no asians in it. Just call it a racial prejudice that pays off. Same rules apply in a German restaurant. No Germans there? Leave. OK, so the down side. I think a very small asian girl is allocating the portions of their Pho. There is not enough food. Their large is half the size of any other restaurants large. I don't know why because how much do noodles a cow bone juice cost these days? Is there a shortage? Even the summer and spring rolls are literally HALF the size of everywhere else. I was like.".. what the f....?" Is it half price too? No? Another person here mentioned the same thing about small portions. It's like they pick at every little onion and sauce as if it's made for a child's tea party. It ain't. And I ain't. I'm a 6' 4" American guy, and that won't do. I can appreciate portion control, but it's Pho, not filet minion. It's a Vietnamese hamburger. Alot of food for a little money. They haven't figured that out yet. So, what I've been doing instead is going to Pho 495. They do serve large portions when you order a large. They don't screw around. To the owner's of Pho bowl. You are sweet, but you need to literally double your sizes. Stop going ghetto on what's left of your customer's. That's it. I'll try them again in a year if the review change for the better. If not, oh well.
(2)Huntting B.
cha gio: meh. really greasy, insides werent too interesting and while the exterior was crispy the wrapper was too thick and was gooey on the inside the ice coffee is OK but a little over milked and not coffee-y lunch time can be really pretty slow here took over 30 minutes to get my pho
(2)Lee B.
My favorite for the DC Area that is so worth the drive and the Pho card, and they serve Seafood!!! Big thing, I highly recommend making sure that you get a "frequent eater" card from them as you can score a free small bowl over time. This is a very military friendly establishment, with a bit more space for each person within. Lunch time can be quite crowded, but again, I'd rather see a place succeed. I highly recommend the Lemonade/Limeade. Perfect level of sourness and sweetness, while at the same time complimenting all of the dishes on the menu. Of note, this place serves up different seafood based soups, and I have to say that the only real knock I have against them is the use of fake crab meat, instead of using fresh crab meat from the Chesapeake. This is one of the tiny few Pho restaurants that serve seafood and I have to say that they are some of the best in the area. The broth is amazing and I love that they use a few different types of onions along with the other herbs. I can't rave about her broth enough, and only wish that the yellow with red specks pepper sauce was available. Apologies, that I can't remember the name of this pepper sauce. While I'm not a fan of the different fatty meats, tendon or tripe, the rest of it is amazingly delicious! Yes, this is yet again, another bit of eating my words, and while there was a hit to my pride, the taste was wonderful... I have actually eaten the everything beef bowl of Pho and have to say that I was still quite happy and enjoyed myself quite a bit. Typically I really like Tai Nam Bo Vien and will happily give the other cuts a go for something "different." No, green sheen meats here! I've been bad enough to go with the meat balls by themselves as a side to add to other soups that I've had here. Her broth quite frankly is that perfect level of salty, sweet and slightly sour savoriness that I've yet to come close to replicate at home much to my own fury. This said, while it is expected that you add bits and dabs from the pepper tray, and maybe a dash (or on a bad allergy day for me ALOT) of Sriracha Sauce, it almost feels wrong to do so, because the broth is so good. Hints of cinnamon, lime, lemon, beef bone/marrow with quite a few other ingredients are readily discernible and amazing. Going with the chicken side of things, again, the meat wasn't dry or old and frankly has again, far surpassed the western versions of "chicken soup" in a large number of ways. I've never had a bad set of noodles, and the bean sprouts, basil, lime slice and sliced jalapeno pepper have always been fresh. The cha gio (fried minced pork and shrimp) have been the only thing that can be a little variable, but I've not ever experienced a poor showing with them (as written in other posts), at worst they were unremarkable, but then again, I've also had orders of this dish where they were inhaled after the first nibble. The sauce again, is part and parcel of this dish and I highly recommend a dunking or two. Chicken soup may have been the comfort food at one point, but this restaurant's Pho has far surpassed the former for helping me get over colds or allergy (breathing) issues time and time again.
(5)Michelle H.
LOVE this place! The staff is very friendly and say hi when they recognize me because I frequent this place near my work. I've had the spring rolls, summer rolls, Chicken Pho and Lemongrass chicken vermicelli, tastes fresh and delicious every time! They are very busy during lunch during the week and they offer a loyalty card (on the reverse of their business card) for a free small soup after 10 stamps. It is nice to be appreciated as a customer!
(5)Colleen J.
This place is amazing. The Pho is obviously the popular menu item but everything I have had has been delicious! I have also had the specialty noodle soups, which are a completely different flavor than the Pho, taste a bit like Japanese ramen, but are also fantastic. The restaurant is clean, prices are good and service is great. While my husband and I were there the owner was walking around and talking to each table - very friendly. I heart noodles... I would give Pho Bowl 6 stars and a hug if I could - definitely try it!
(5)Katie B.
We love this place! It's about a mile from our house, so we usually just get take out, but occasionally eat in as well. The pho broth is rich and delicious, and the meats and vegetables are always very fresh. The B-2 pho is a favorite, but between my husband and I, we've tried about half the flavors. We also like the fresh summer rolls a lot, and have enjoyed the spring rolls, too. The restaurant is family-run, and the service is outstanding, always quick, helpful, and friendly. I love not having to go all the way out to Falls Church or Annandale for good pho. Highly recommend if you are in the area!
(5)Watchdog B.
Pho Take Out: Portions are perfect for me. Broth isn't salty or greasy. I'm not bursting at the seams, my sweat isn't smelling like pho, and I'm not put into a food coma. There are some issues though. The price for their soup portions are steep. :( Rip-off on large take-out bowls. It's just more broth :( Seems to have little competition in town for pho. Overall Make sure you get a small bowl for take out. Closest pho place for most folks south of Kingstowne. Healthy portions for a big price. Get a Pho Bowl card to get a free bowl after you buy 7 or so.
(3)S R.
Very good food indeed! Char-broiled pork (Bun thit nuong), fresh spring rolls in peanut sauce (my favorite), and fried spring rolls will make your day!
(5)vanessa g.
Pros: good portions, excellent food, fantastic & friendly staff. affordable Cons: feels like a cafeteria (could use better decor), lunch time can take a while to get your food.
(4)Sonia F.
I've been going to this restaurant since I first moved here over a decade ago. This place has the BEST pho I've ever had and the boss lady is the sweetest person! Please go here if you want good, quick pho and summer rolls
(5)Nerisa L.
I was out here visiting a friend of mine. And while he was out to work, I was having a Pho craving. I wasn't even sure where the hell I was but I found this place eventually! I was in heaven. I had the spring rolls and the Pho Tai. When I come back to visit, I'll be definitely making a trip back here
(5)Cheryl B.
My DH and I love this place. We have been here several times. You get frequent customer card and get free Pho after so many meals there. I love getting B16 (the one with all the stuff in it) There salads look amazing but I always get Pho. We will return again soon.
(4)Gene R.
Awesome! Good food, good service, fair prices. The owner came over to our table and talked to us and was very friendly.
(4)G B.
I have been going to Pho Bowl since they opened the place up. It has been consistently fresh and flavorful since that first bowl. The owners are always so pleasant when you visit. I wish they would open up a place closer to me...that would mean pho for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
(4)Sean C.
I went here for lunch with some co-workers. I had the pho bo with sliced beef and meatballs. The atmosphere was a little mediocre, but I wouldn't knock off too much for that. The service was very good. The pho was decent, but not super. The prices are good. $8.94 for the pho bo and water. That was for the large size, not a lunch special. I would probably come here again, but not necessarily go out of my way to come here.
(3)Jess N.
I would consider myself to be somewhat of an expert on pho. My parents often make fun of me saying that I start perfecting the art in my mommy's tummy - gross... I started going here out of convenience. I can literally walk here from my house! The pho is decent - nothing special. I think the large would be considered small by some standards (mine). Egg rolls are decent enough. Overall, food is decent. Pho Bowl makes up for it by the friendly owners. They make an effort to know your name and your life. I remember when I was in college, the husband would ask me "Are you in school? What are you studying?", without fail, every time!! Such lovely people. She's outgoing while he's more reserved - good balance. They are closed on Sundays however, which makes me a bit sad because I have to drive a bit further to get some pho.
(3)Kate O.
My family has been coming here since we moved into this are in 2004. Great food and friendly owners. The prices are low enough to use this place a back up on nights when I don't feel like cooking dinner.
(5)Brack H.
Pretty good, it's a go-to when we want pho, not the best I've ever had, but good when I crave some pho.
(4)Kaila M.
Favorite place to eat! Especially since winter is coming. Not only do they have the best Pho in town, they have the best customer service. The owner is there at the place actually helping out which is a great experience. Overall a friendly environment.
(5)Jen N.
4.5 stars. I am not going to misrepresent myself by claiming to be Pho expert (I only just recently learned how to pronounce it so...yeah) but I adore this place. I've been hear approximately 15 times in the last 4 months and have never had a bad meal here. My favorite - at the risk of sounding incredibly boring - is the plain Pho ($5.95). The husband has tried everything from the oxtail to the chicken and hasn't had one bad thing to say. Which is rare since he is super picky about his food. In addition to the wonderful food is the establishment itself. Although modest, it is clean and obviously looked after with pride. The only reason I knocked off 1/2 a star is because service can sometimes be a tad slow when it comes to getting drink refills and the like. On the whole though, the staff is incredibly kind and accommodating. Be sure and pick up a loyalty card at the front desk. The only thing better than eating the soup is getting rewarded with MORE soup to do so.
(4)Samuel B.
4 stars for Ft Belvoir. Great people. The beef stew: E-6 is really good. Meats are really good in the pho. Meatballs aka Bo Vien is really good too. I'm kind of picky about my pho and this one is too thick for my preference but I can't complain too much considering the area.
(3)Dave Y.
This is the place that got me into Pho and I can't find anything that compares. Absolutely love it here. B1 and A1 all day long!
(5)Casey S.
Best pho ive ever tasted! Must try! Owner is very personable which made the experience even better!
(5)Samantha E.
Some standard pho but makes for a nice meal. Great for carry out.
(3)Chunnu B.
Looked like another Pho joint to me...except the closed blinds on the door kinda creeped me out. I actually didn't get the pho because I still don't see what the big hype is or maybe it's because my last few pho trips were very "whatever." I can however speak for the spring rolls and wonton soup! Spring rolls were crisp, not oily, and yum. Covered in scalions and cilantro, Pho Bowl's Wonton soup was better than your local Chinese food carry out! Service: Quick and friendly. Not a bad stop for lunch!
(3)Lynne R.
I come here ever time I'm in the DC area. I've had better Springs Rolls, (they're a little dense) but the soup is fantastic. Very friendly staff, quick service, hot and tasty food.
(5)Sarah P.
This is the first time I'm writing a review on the same day as the dining experience. This sense of urgency was brought on by the wonderful lunch special I ordered at PHO BOWL. I had the B1 with spring roll and a Dr. Pepper, please. So good on this crisp October day. I picked up the punchcard and plan on filling mine up by Spring 2011. Friendly people and fresh Vietnamese soup!
(5)Pat K.
What a surprise!! Not big, in a small storefront with big flavors and truly wonderful food. The owners made a point to visit each table. If you're looking for a great meal this is the place.
(5)Franklin B.
Pho was amazingly good -- such great variety at affordable prices!! A very pleasant surprise -- and ditto what the one reviewer said of the owner - Hoa. She came to our table with her real estate badge on -- she was pleasant and courteous -- the place is a real gem. Try different foods -- because they have a terrific selection of dishes for many tastes. A plus
(5)Heidi A.
Checked this place out for the first time and really enjoyed the pho and iced coffee. My husband actually liked his soup and isn't really a big fan of pho. The owner is really nice and talked to us for a bit. We went Saturday for lunch and there was a constant flow of customers. Definitely plan on going back! The coffee was amazing but I usually enjoy mixing it myself for the fun but they brought it premixed to the table. I guess it saved me time and a mess.
(4)Brett P.
This is my favorite pho place around and the family that runs it is a big reason why. You feel like a welcome guest they are cooking for and now they recognize mt family and I and we have small conversations each time we go in...but the food is what makes the place special. The broth is salty and wholesome with a good flavor. The meats are not tough and the menu has a good number of options.
(4)M N.
Go for the pho...others have already commented, the pho is outstanding. Like Japanese ramein, the broth makes or breaks the restaurant. The broth is very flavorful - a bit salty, but flavorful and tasty - I like it. Others may not, but there are hundreds (possibly thousands) in the area. I have not ordered any other items, so can not comment on the other items on the menu. I discovered Pho Bowl in the summer of 2006 when I moved to the area. I stayed at Fort Belvoir for a few weeks and in the process of exploring the area, I found the Pho Bowl. Others have commented about the decor - its clean, modern, and the owners (husband and wife) along with their family are always friendly and courteous. The reason the Pho Bowl received only three stars and not four stars is because of a few items - it seems that the portion size has shrunk a bit. The bowls that they use has changed and the portions seem a bit smaller. So if ever hungry for pho and close to Fort Belvoir (North Post) go to Pho Bowl. It is located in the corner strip mall anchored by Red, Hot, and Blue. They are closed from 2:30-4:30 Monday - Friday and closed on Sundays.
(3)N C.
Alright, so I admit, Pho was the first thing I looked for when I moved to Alexandria. I have to have my local place. I tried at least a half dozen places, and for my money (it's Pho it NEEDS to be cheap) I like Pho Bowl the best. It's comfortable the service is adequate, the folks on the floor know the regulars well, but often forget about my salty lemonade...goo! Even without the salty lemonade the Pho's solid. The broth's excellent, it's a good sized portion the meat's right, and the combos available offer good selections. Haven't had anything off the non-noodle soup menu other than the summer rolls which are also super (I like mine without the little strip of dried up beef and that's just the way Pho Bowl serves 'em, shrimp only). Plus I love anything with a perks card. Get your card stamped with every bowl you purchase and when you fill your card -- free bowl! Another bonus is the excellent classic rock sound track. I love that they always seem to be working their way through a box set or best of collection. Last two times I was in Beatles and Elvis.
(4)Camilla W.
So ... please read this review as more like four and a half stars. This restaurant is outstanding! My husband and I went there tonight and as usual, he ordered the dish that I should have. BLAST! It seems to happen every time we go out to a new place. I order a seemingly delightful delicacy, and then the man goes on and orders something I wouldn't have thought to order ... and it turns out to be even more spectacular than the plate I am left with. In this instance, dear reader, I did order the large B1, and it was, I would say, quite above average pho. It had very good broth, but the rare steak, as it promises, was not rare, but instead, it was overdone and a little bit chewy. As I said though, it had a good flavor. Not to be left out of my review - our appetizers were definitely appetizing. We had an order of the summer rolls and an order of the spring rolls. The summer rolls were fresh and crunchy with good thick peanut sauce, and the spring rolls were crispy and fried to perfection with a really good rich flavor. I'm saving the best for last: my husband ordered the beef stew. Sweet mannah from heaven! It had chunks of tender beef, falling apart they were so tender, big chunks of carrot and a thick beef broth that made my pho jealous. The man was kind enough to throw several chunks of beef in my own bowl ... sigh, would that I had ordered that delight. I know I will next time. Four stars ... well four and half ... simply because my pho wasn't quite as amazing as my husband's order. The waitress was lovely - I believe she was the owner. She came by several times to chat and joke with us. Overall, good times. Go here. Order the spring rolls and the beef stew. You won't regret it! Oh, and because you don't see times that much on Yelp, it's open til nine weeknights. They also serve lunch, and have an unholy ton of items on the menu - I'm going to go back and try them all!
(4)Chris A.
Great pho, spring rolls, and garden rolls. Four stars only because they don't have bubble tea.
(4)Flavor C.
This is great get better food. When I feel under the weather, I always get the tofu and vegetable soup. The Spring Rolls are awesome too. And when I am feeling well but want a light meal the lemon grass tofu is tart, tangy and always hits the spot. The only thing that is kind of a downer is they close early on Sundays, so sometimes I miss them for a good Sunday night warm up in the winter.
(5)Jill H.
I got the pork & shrimp pho. It was okay, but definitely not the best. There were 3 shirmp & 3 pieces of pork, so it was a bit disappointing. Usually there is a lot of everything in the soup. The broth wasn't the best either.
(3)JoJo D.
I love this place! I go at least twice a month for lunch. The staff is very friendly and they have a great selection of pho, along with some other foods as well. The lunch combo includes a regular pho, spring or summer roll, and a soda for under $10!
(5)Kevin M.
Great Pho! Been going here for years and the staff is great and quality is very consistent
(5)Gabe O.
the place is great... simple, clean, super fresh and flavorful. it did not get 5 stars because of price.
(4)Stacey S.
My roommate and I (okay, yes, we eat alot of pho) have been here on a few occassions. The place is small, but it also serves more than just pho. I have yet to try the actual Vietnamese dishes, but the pho is pretty average, I would say. The broth kind of lacks in flavor (I had to add alot of hoison and siracha sauce), but the service is great. The husband and wife team are very friendly and make it a point to go around to each table to ask how everything is. Also, you get a little punch card, so after eating 9 or 10 bowls of pho, you get a small for free. Pho Bowl is the first place I've seen that does that. The service alone I would give 4 stars, but because of the lack of flavor in the broth, I give it 3.
(3)T T.
As any -- dare I say -- pho connoisseur would tell you, the secret behind a great bowl of pho is the broth. Well, if you're within a 30 mile radius of the DC area, Pho Bowl is the place to get pho. My husband and I stumbled upon this restaurant by accident (thanks TomTom) and plan to go back many more times. The bowl of pho was a bit smaller than most places but I just about lifted the bowl to down the rest of the broth! Yes, it was THAT good! The summer rolls, however, could be a bit bigger for the price. I suppose I've been spoiled and am used to longer and thicker summer rolls with thin slices of pork inside as well.
(4)Jim S.
The pho is the only thing I've eaten there and it is pretty good (although I'm admittedly not a pho connoisseur) Pho Bowl is comparable to the other pho places in the area. The spring rolls are good, but I found the summer rolls to be excellent and I wouldn't stop in without ordering them. Pho Bowl is clean and the service is great and the owners/waitstaff are very friendly.
(3)Brian W.
It was very good. The vermicilli noodles & pork lunch dish I got was good; so too the fresh summer rolls. Pleasant waitress, too.
(4)Sarah K.
We love this place! Family owned atmosphere and awesome food. Big portions too. Having just moved here, this is our new favorite.
(5)N R.
This place is so great I refuse to have Pho anywhere else. Over the years, I have realized that Alexandria has more 'bad' Pho restaurants than good. Pho Bowl is certainly what all the wannabes want to be. Ms. Hoa makes the most amazing pho ever!!!! Always the freshest crispiest veggies are used and, aside from a few carbs, we always go home knowing that we ate real, cooked-with-love, fresh food without preservatives or fillers. The restaurant is spotless, family friendly and practically an extension of our home. In the cooler months, we are there practically twice a week. I love the B-21, and my kids love the B-19. The crispy spring rolls are perfect and never greasy. This mom and pop establishment is always welcoming and friendly. I think it is the best restaurant close to Fort Belvoir, as the others are either chain restaurants or inconsistent. Oh, the price is always right, too!
(5)Veronica S.
Excellent customer service. Clean environment. Speedy service. The owner was actively involved. The food tasted great.
(5)Irv K.
Our family Monday lunch for a table of 6 was great. 1 high chair and 1 booster for our party wasn't a problem. They had enough to go around. The men's room had a console table that.could've worked as a changing table if I had needed it. All of our portions were more than enough. Hoa, the owner, came by to talk with us and play with the kids while taking our orders. The food came out quickly and was delicious. This was my first time there but my family had been going there for years. I will be back.
(5)Brian S.
I've been giving this place a solid 4 stars but today a few things put me off. Don't get me wrong.... I'm not knocking the broth. It is a SOLID 4 stars. They are NOT messing this up. Today was the 2nd visit in a row where I ordered the B16 lunch special with a summer roll and iced tea. So... this was the second visit where there was no tendon or tripe in my bowl.... had to flag someone down and say hey: There is no tendon or tripe in this bowl.... again! They took my bowl and thew in 2 pieces of each and returned my bowl to me. Next 'fresh sliced steak' aka Tai.... it should not be served well done. It should be served rare floating on top of the other cuts and noodles. Well cooked Tai is not good, not good at all. And lastly, the summer rolls.... so seriously small they should be selling them for 50 cents as $2 each is HIGHWAY robbery, They are SMALL with nothing more they a couple of half shrimp, rice noodles, and lettuce. The sauce is GREAT... but where is the bean spouts, mint, thai basil leaves. cilantro, radish, carrot, or cucumber? SOMETHING more than just 3 things in them. Normally the owner asks me how things are. She didn't today... maybe she know I once again was missing my tripe and tendon. I was so wishing she would. I would have said... Do you want me to be honest? I would have mentioned the above..... Cause I know I'll be back since it's the only place close to my work. Saddened.
(2)Liz N.
Ok pho for the price and the amount of meat they give you. I got the Dac Biet and there was plenty of meat. They do use dry pho noodles instead of the fresh, so the broth is super watered down after you get through a few spool fulls. I also grab a thai tea to go and it was also very good. Good price, good service, ok pho.
(3)Todd K.
For the immediate Springfield/Kingstowne area and its lack of decent Pho options, this place is very good, 4 star worthy. But compared to some of the other places not too far away, like Eden Center, or Baileys Crossroads, this place is just "acceptable". I dock it two stars for a few reasons. 1) They charge $0.50 for takeout. I've never experienced a restaurant doing this before Pho Bowl. A person taking food out actually makes a restaurant's job easier, it frees up the servers to cater to in-store patrons. Charging for take-out goes against logic. I get that eat-in allows for tips, but what if someone chooses not to leave a tip? What if I choose to eat-in, then suddenly need to take the food to go. Would I get charged $0.50 for leaving? Nuts. 2) The amount of meat is definitely not as much as you get in Eden Center, and the cost is the exact same ($9 for a large bowl). Very disappointed here. 3) The meat is not given to you raw. As a person eating-in, you would never know as you are served the soup in its completed form. But, in the form of take-out, pho is given to you as a quart of broth, and all other ingredients (noodles, meat, veggies, etc.) in a separate box to be added in. The meat here is given to you fully cooked, instead of raw, to allow the BROTH TO COOK the meat. 4) The brown sauce is not given to you by itself. Instead, they give it to you as a mix with sriracha sauce. I don't eat my pho with sriracha, too hot for me. Never experienced this before. Not appropriate. Don't think I will be a return customer any time soon. On a positive note, they have no credit card minimum.
(3)Phuong O.
It was so cold today and I was craving pho, so we stopped by during 1ish and the place was packed. Parking was a pain, luckily we found a spot. I ordered the lunch special combo which consisted of a bowl of pho of any kind except for their special pho which was too awesome because typically at other pho joints they only allow you to pick either chicken, beef, or veggies, what a selection right? so I'm so happy that you can get almost any kind of pho except their special and one other. The combo also comes with a soda and a side of either a spring roll or summer roll. I opted for the spring roll and that was ok. It didn't have much that was stuffed in the roll, the nuoc mam didn't taste that great and the garnish that came with it was eh.. and it didn't come out pipping hot like I liked it to be. The pho however was fantastic. You couldn't smell the aroma of pho but the taste was there. It didn't taste like flavored cubes, but anyhow... the size that they give you is a perfect size for lunch, and they don't go skimpy on the meat either. Typically at another pho places that consisted of a lunch combo, they go skimpy on everything, not this place. I also noticed the owner likes to socialize with her customers so that's a plus to see. This is definitely a new favorite spot of mine for pho in the springfield/alexandria area. The only thing I would change would be the amount of garnish for the pho, there were 3 of us and it wasn't enough. Also they should come out with a punch card, buy 9 bowls get the 10th free or something. Lure more customers in!! Lunch combos are $10ish.
(5)Nick A.
Love some great pho. I absolutely love this place, the pho is served with bean sprouts, jalapeños, tai basil, and lime. If you need more of any of those items just ask and they will happily bring you heaps it. Every time I have been there I have had great service and great food, so far the best pho around.
(5)Von S.
They were ok. I wished the refills were free and the waiters didn't ring up a different price after brining the receipt to u. 1.5 stars from me
(2)Shellie D.
Solid pho. Was feeling sick and wanted pho-to-go. Not sure how they would package it but when I came home I was pleasantly surprised. The broth was in a container and the meat, veggies and noodles were in a to-go-box. When I got home the broth was still pretty hot so I just mixed everything into a bowl. And to my surprise they even packaged me some sauce for my soup! All in all, my to-go order was pretty solid. I am sure my pho would have been even better if I'd dined in. And by the way... the price is right. I paid $10 for a great lunch.
(4)Vanessa L.
Amazing food. I love the natural taste of the combinations of flavors in the D3 and B1. I've eaten here three times. Each time the food is awesome! The service is great. Staff is very friendly. I also order takeout frequently and my food is always ready each time. I love this place!!
(5)Marjorie B.
Love the chicken soup Pho bowl and crispy spring rolls. Always delicious! Friendly service too.
(4)Liza C.
Consistently great! Owners are super nice and always check on you personally. Really nice touch!!! The place is clean. The food is good. Try the jasmine tea! One of my favorites!! The large pho is huge!!!! And you can tell everything is super fresh.
(5)Kim N.
Still awesome. I've been an additional two times now. On the second visit, we got the egg rolls (cha gio) and it was almost like what my mom makes!! On the most recent visit, last night, I opted for the vegetarian pho. Broth was lighter (chicken broth, but I think they have veggie broth if you're a true vegetarian unlike me who just wanted to eat some veggies). Everything was just as tasty, the tofu was perfectly cooked, not too chewy, and there was no oily film on the broth!
(4)Pat O.
Pho is spot on! Their broth is clear and very beefy. I like their spring rolls and summer rolls as well.
(4)George Y.
Did not have the best food experience. I had the B11 pho bowl. The broth was very bland. Missing that deep rich flavor of all those ingredients cooked for hours. It's the most important part of pho and a good judge of how the food is. The wife and I shared an order of summer rolls. The only thing in them were shrimp vermicelli and iceberg lettuce. The iceberg seemed really odd and the missing basil and bean sprouts really disappointed. I had a bite of the roast pork vermicelli from my wife and the flavor was okay, but again a little bland. Won't be returning here. There are plenty of better places to get pho in the area.
(2)Lori T.
Not the best pho I've had, but the broth is general is quite tasty. Great variety of pho and salads, ample seating, and the prices are reasonable. What I love about coming here is that the owners are so personable, they'll remember your name (and on some occasions, even remember what I've ordered before!). Also, sometimes the owners will discreetly give you dessert on the house. Such lovely people, and a huge testament of why supporting mom and pop places is never a mistake!
(4)Mai T.
Pho Bowl is clean and the service is great. It's almost like eating a home cooked meal for me. The pho is not bad. It's a bit inconsistent, but not bad. The broth is clean tasting. I don't like the heavy cinnamon flavor, so maybe this is why I like it here. Comparable to the other mediocre pho places in the area. The spring rolls are not very good, filled with nothing but noodles. The eggrolls however are tasty. I have tried other things on the menu, but they were not very good. I'm sticking to my only pho at pho restaurants rule. Another plus is that it is so close to my house, so it makes it easier than trekking all the way to Falls Church or wherever else. It's a good place to stop in if you are in the area.
(3)