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Pho 88 Vietnamese Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Vietnamese Vietnamese [Edit]
325 Bamburgh CirScarborough, ON M1W 3Y1
Neighbourhood: Scarborough
(416) 497-8899
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
24 reviews for Pho 88 Vietnamese Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Sour Sop is one of those fruits that I would classify as an..."
(in 2 reviews)
"Pho 88 is the best place for Pho in Scarborough."
(in 4 reviews)
"...a big bowl) and the fried spring rolls are highly addictive."
(in 2 reviews)
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Josephine C.
Markham, ON
2/1/2012
Pho 88 is probably the most popular vietnamese food chain in Toronto. This location along with the Alton Tower location are the ones I frequent the most in the past 20+ years I've lived in Markham.
The pho here is excellent. The best in Markham by far. The soup is always tasty, the beef is thinly sliced and easy to eat, the noodles are always cooked perfect.
Last time I went to the Alton Tower location with my sister, we ordered a combo meal which was a great deal for $12 (two phos, two cold drinks, spring roll). I don't recall the name of the drinks (honey lemon ice tea?) but they were probably the best i've had at an Asian restaurant.
Definitely recommended for your pho fix! :-) -
Review from Nadia O.
Toronto, ON
12/7/2011
Wish I was more excited to be reviewing a spot I was anxious to know the hype behind and ever since yelping, would the first place I review right after dining at tonight...
I've lived on the Bamburgh circle for the passed year wondering why every time I walk by Pho 88 it was ALWAYS jammed packed of people. Has it been here forever? Do they have a regular clientele, or do people just come in because it is the most crowded restaurant in the plaza?? I still don't know why people flow in constantly because the food is ordinary, the atmosphere and decor like a cafeteria, the service ok and the prices are pretty much the same for several dozens of similar restaurants in an 800m radius block, which are all fairly reasonable but not dirt cheap.
My friend and I didn't finish the vermicilli entrees we ordered, in my case the noodles were served too cold compared to the meat and spring roll. On a positive note, the pho portions are applaudable. Now that's a real Large wong tong soup one can appreciate and share with three people; thank you, that makes me happy! -
Review from Q H.
North York, ON
11/29/2011
I don't know much about Viet noodles, but my friends like it. So I follow him around the whole city to eat at all kinds of Viet noodle restaurants. This happens to be the first one since I joined Yelp.
We ordered noodle soups with rare beef. The noodle somewhat had plasticky texture, but the soup had nice deep taste to it. The beef was a bit tough. The fried spring roll lacked crispy bite, and somewhat felt like cardboard inside my mouth. But flavor-wise, it was pretty good.
The tables are small, and there is barely any space between tables to give you privacy. It is a loud and confounding place. Service is somewhere between minimal and non-existent. The server forgot to bring my Coke. Parking can be an interesting adventure. Drive carefully since the place is tight and crowded.
$20 including tax and tip for 2 small noodle soups, 1 spring roll and 1 Coke. -
Review from Tony C.
Richmond Hill, ON
1/19/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Been coming here for well over 10 years, ever since I was a teenager. It's the only Pho 88 which I like to come to even though the other ones look much nicer than this food court looking one. The soup just tastes different from the other 88's, it must be the pots their using in the back. Just like when you make a traditional cassoulet you never wash the pot so you can transfer the flavours to the next batch. I bet they do that here! j/k The soup base is always consistent, full of wonderful aromas. I can only comment on the pho noodles since that's all I ever order when I come here. One of the best places for pho in Toronto (Pho Mi Asia in Mississauga is number one for me).
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Review from Precilla C.
Scarborough, ON
10/22/2011
Pho 88 is my go-to Viet place in the neighbourhood! It's in the same plaza as Foody Mart, which sometimes make parking a real pain.
Other than the parking issue, this place is perfect for a cheap, satisfying meal. The broth is great, and the noodles are nicely cooked (I can't stand soggy pho!). I also really like their spring rolls, which are delightfully crispy. Once, I put in the wrong order on paper (I copied down the wrong number for my spring rolls), but the staff was nice enough to change the order, even after the food has been made.
I highly recommend this place for cheap eats!Listed in: 30-Day Yelp Challenge
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Review from Grant F.
Scarborough, ON
11/24/2011
Love the soup! They have plenty of choices on the menu, but after visiting this restaurant semi-regularly over the past number of years, I pretty much order the same thing each time: soup and fresh rolls. I've tried a couple of (similar) variations of both, but my favourites are the Pho with rare beef and the shredded pork with shrimp wraps (non-fried). As a meat-atarian, I always order the small soup with extra meat (it comes on the side). Sometimes they bring a small side bowl of broth which helps (pre)cook the extra beef because the meat is usually chilled and putting that extra cold meat in the main soup bowl brings the temperature down quickly.
One other tip that someone else mentioned, the parking in that mall is terrible, so be prepared. -
Review from William T.
Scarborough, ON
6/24/2011
Came to Pho 88 with Yvonne T after attending Orfeo ed Euridice.
It is located near Foody Mart,lots of parking.
I ordered a large Pho (beef flank, beef tendon, beef tripe)
Good pho is measured by it's soup base this of which was excellent. The beef tendons cooked optimally, not too gelatinous. The beef was thinly sliced & the tripe was firm & snapped when bitten into.
Pho 88 is the best place for Pho in Scarborough! -
Review from Yvonne T.
Came to Pho 88 with boyfriend after attending Orfeo ed Euridice @ the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts. I had literally come home, and with 15 minutes to glam up - skipped dinner altogether.
Pho is always one of those things I enjoy - my mom's side of the family are Chinese, but grew up in Vit Nam. So from growing up as a kid when my grandmother used to make it, to going out to eat it - its one of my fave things to eat.
It is located in a plaza that also houses Foody Mart, so, as Jennifer K. stated, depending on what day of the week and time you intend on dining at Pho 88, parking CAN be a nightmare!
It was already about 9:30PM by the time we sat down at Pho 88, so we ordered a large Ph c bit (beef flank, beef tendon, beef tripe) to share. An Avocado Milkshake and Sour Sop (Sinh To Mang Cau) milkshake were also ordered
For me, the measure of a good pho restaurant is its soup base. The soup base at Pho 88 gets 5 stars for intense flavour. The pho noodles weren't the freshest (deduct 1 star), but they were quite tasty. The beef tendons were not overly glutinous and cooked just right. The beef flank was sliced thinly and the tripe had a nice crunch to it. Condiments (hoisin sauce, hot sauce, hot chili oil) are found at the table. All Pho comes with the standard bean sprouts, hot pepper, lime and basil.
Sour Sop is one of those fruits that I would classify as an exotic fruit. Most people haven't even heard of it. Sour Sop? Is that a new flavour of candy or something? It is a white, pulpy fruit, that would be a hybrid of a citrus fruit and coconut... It has the tang of a citrus fruit, but is white and pulp-like as a coconut. That's my best attempt at explaining what sour sop is.
Pho 88 definitely makes it into my books as a good place to get an authentic bowl of Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup! -
Review from Jay w.
Concord, ON
1/7/2012
This seems to be one of the favourite pho places in Scarborough. Been here a few times. The soup is tasty and the food comes in fresh. This place is always busy when I go there. The wait staff gets your seat fast, serves you quickly despite it being very busy. There's a reason why so many people like this place, food and service are top notch. Been there 5 to 6 times, and the service is always consistent, this is how a restaurant should be run.
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
2/18/2011 6 photos
Pho 88 Vietnamese Restaurant is like a Pho institution in Scarborough... Everyone I know been to it... and as a Pho "Queen" I have yet to pay a visit.
This afternoon I was in a rush.. and want something quick fast and cheap.. and since I never have a bowl of Pho at this restaurant, all I go!!
The parking here can just be a nightmare... with the busy Supermarket.. and driving in and out of the lot can be a stressful experience!
Only a few tables occupied on this Friday afternoon.. I was never given a menu.. maybe they think I know what I want?? The order sheets are hiding underneath the table.. so I just picked my usual.......while the waiter looking over my shoulders.
Pho with Rare Beef, Cook Beef and Tripes ($5.99) M
- It took awhile to arrive to the table... a lot longer than I would have suspect because the place is not busy and just a Pho??
- The soup I am glad was deceiving hot! the bean sprouts all tenderly cooked by the time I start eating
- MSG? Maybe.. but it is a good MSG... because I like it! :) good flavour.. salty enough for the noodle but too salty to drink on its own
- Noodle though is not the fresh type.. but was cooked properly, so don't have that funny taste!
- Beef, plenty of Beef.. (no one is going to ask me "Where is the Beef?")
Not the best Pho I have, but I have to say it really hit the spot!! When I was walking to my car after stuffing myself, I feel nice and warm in my tummy.. that's always a good sign!Listed in: Vietnamese Food in the GTA!
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Review from Chris T.
East York, ON
9/19/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This is the best Pho place I have been to (nothing beats my mom's pho though lol) and I have been to numerous pho places all around North America. As soon as you walk in the aroma of the broth wins you over instantly. The picnic bench style seating creates a social atmosphere which I love. Order fresh noodles with your pho and you will be delighted by the difference from the dry kind. A must go if you want to just get some tasty hot pho.
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Review from Archimedes T.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 3/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just went here for lunch earlier under the assumption that some of my friends were here (they weren't BTW).
Although this is still the best place for pho that I have been to. It the dish itself still suffers from high MSG content. I told the owner that was the reason I didn't come to the restaurant for a while.
I am not sure whether I got used to having that much MSG in my system again or not, or whether it was because of the 88 Special Iced Coffee Shake but I didn't really hit the MSG drowsiness this time around.
I got my usual #109 with beef on the side and chicken soup (to do this change write TR and chicken soup). As usual I got small, since I don't want to feel too stuffed. The main thing I like about this restaurant is consistency, and the food quality has been quite consistent since the first time I went here many many years ago.
In addition I got the 88 Iced Coffee Shake, this was the first time I tried this. It's good, not "super duper fall in love" good, but still good.
Mind you although I normally eat the usual pho. I would be amiss to not tell the "normal stuff I like" here just because I don't come here too often. They are (based on vague descriptions):
* Shrimp on sugar cane
* Shredded pork and shrimp wrap (non-fried)
* Jack fruit shake
* Sour sop shake
* The complicated looking, drippy coffee with condensed milk and ice
* Steam egg, fried egg, rice, grilled chicken with some orange sauce (I'm usually too cheap to get this one)Listed in: Default Restaurants
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/27/2010
Still my favorite Vietnamese and Pho place so far worldwide. Though I still don't like the MSG… Read more »
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Review from Eva L.
9/15/2011
I'm from California, but was in Canada for a wedding. Over the course of of a couple days, I got to try a couple of restaurants including Pho 88. Of course, I did not come in with high expectations because I have been severely disappointed by XL pho back home.
HOWEVER, my experience at Pho 88 was competly differen. The XL special combination pho was truly heavenly! The bowl was huge with generous amounts of beef, tendons, and noodles. The soup was not loaded with msg and tasted genuine.
There are a couple of cons: no jalepenos, no sauce dish, crowded and one rude server.
BUT DON'T LET THAT DISCOURAGE YOU. I swear, if I had the money, I would fly to Canada just to eat that bowl fo XL pho. :) -
Review from Vikas I.
Pickering, ON
9/12/2010
I love the food here, lots of vegetarian options and they will customize the order to take meat out and replace it with other substitutes of your choice.
The decor is alright and the seats are comfortable, service is alright and serving sizes are massive. You might be close to other guests, but this is a small sized restaurant, just like other ones that are around it, it doesn't seem to bother me.
I've been here about 3 times so far and i've been satisfied with the food and service.
If you like this Vietnamese food I would highly recommend that you stop by here and give it a try. -
Review from Darren L.
Scarborough, ON
8/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
great vermicelli and pho. Actually pretty much everything is really good there. Can't give it 5 because it is rather a dirty place but the food is cheap and amazing!
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Review from Devan R.
Toronto, ON
6/3/2009
I've probably been to dozens and dozens of Pho (fa) joints in my life, and at least 5 different Pho 88 locations including Dixie/Dundas (est. 1989), Yonge/Shep, Dundas/Spadina and more recently Warden/Steeles. In my opinion the success of pho lies in the broth. The noodles and meat always have relevance, but if the broth isn't bang-on, fuggetaboutit.
A delicious bowl of Pho is not a meal you can whip up at home on your lunch break. The broth is composed of meat bones and delicious spices taking hours and hours of simmering to complete. The noodles are typically Banh Pho, the same rice noodles I and most purchase to make Pad Thai.
Typical condiments and garnishes are hoisin sauce, sriracha, chili oil, basil, lime and bean sprouts. I am not the biggest fan of sriracha so I typically use just a tiny spoon or two of the oil from the bowl of chili. Common apps which I consume are their deep fried to sh!t spring rolls, as well as the cold shrimp rolls stuffed with shrimp, vermicelli, and some veg rolled in a rice paper. It's all about texture here.
The menu at Pho 88 is rather gi-normous. They have many rice, vermicelli, and thai/viet dishes. I ONLY eat Pho and spring rolls from there, but I've heard the other food is solid. Back in the day I use to get the mother combination of steak, flank, fatty flank, rare & well done beef, tendon and tripe XL w/ double meat. Be warned if you order the XL you'll be tempted to take the bowl home to use as a flower pot, it is huge. These days my L bowl usually consists of simply rare & well done beef, or rare well done flank & tendon...Bang-on.
Ideal Order
West 88 Deep Fried Spring Rolls
Cold Shrimp Rolls
Rare & Well done Beef Pho
Hong Kong Style Tea (cold)
Fried Banana w/ Honey & Sesame Seeds -
Review from esthir t.
North York, ON
8/23/2011
One of my favourite Pho restaurants. Not just for pho, but in general, Vietnamese food! =) Love their spring rolls, pho, and their vermicelli. Place is always busy and always have tables of customers whenever i walk in - even at 1am!
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Review from Lynn C.
Updated - 1/3/2011
Went back to Toronto this time and had to come here again. The Special Super 88 spicy noodle is as good as I remembered it, and their pork chop rice was better than i remembered it. I wish they had one in Boston :(
Listed in: East End of the 905 and North…, GTA Five Stars, Toronto Musts - DO and EAT
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/27/2010
My favourite Pho place in the world! I give it a five star even tho I found a fly in the salad that… Read more »
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Review from Patrick T.
Richmond Hill, ON
4/10/2011
This is not the place to bring the gf or wife for a romantic dinner, but if you want a quick ,midday beef noodle in broth, I don't know a place in all of north America that has better Pho.
It's always packed and the ambience is like a packed TTC subway at rush hour. Shared tables are a must if you're in a small grouper alone.
But for a quick lunch, this place has the best authentic Vietnamese Pho. There's only one other chain that serves better beef noodle in broth, but that is a thai restaurant in san Francisco.
I always go for the special beef noodle. -
Review from Pardeep R.
Markham, ON
2/9/2011
Great food, especially for lunch. Pretty clean and presentable.Service is very efficient and fast, which is a big plus during the busy lunch hours. The servers literally run up and down ails carrying the big trays lol Def one of my fav pho places
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Review from Jamie K.
Markham, ON
6/11/2010 1 photo
Pretty great pho for the price. Meat was just a little tough when I went, but that doesn't mean I wont be coming back. Always packed with people.
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Review from Erwin M.
4/6/2010
I'm no pho connoisseur nor do i know what authentic is, I've probably tried maybe 5 other places but as far as this bowl of soup goes, this is up there with the best I've tasted. Along with Pho Dau Bo in Mississauga, this is one of the most satisfying bowls of noodles you can have. Prices are similar to other places at around 5-6$ for a small bowl (and I find small bowl to be a big bowl) and the fried spring rolls are highly addictive. Definitely a place you can visit regularly. The place is big, parking is adequate, what more can you ask for!
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Review from Jason N.
Scarborough, ON
7/14/2010
Used to love this place. Having visited this place recently, my love is gone. Noodles tasted stale, and had a strange taste to it. Maybe it is not fresh, i dont know. Ok, but wouldnt be running out just to eat here.
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Review from Mochi G.
North York, ON
10/26/2009
The best pho place I've ever tried with good price and fast service! This place is always pack with people but it's worth the wait.
