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Pho Dau Bo
Category: Restaurants Vietnamese Vietnamese [Edit]
301 King St EKitchener, ON N2G 2L2
(519) 568-8904
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
11 reviews for Pho Dau Bo
11 reviews in English
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Review from Mac A.
Kitchener, ON
2/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been wanting to visit this restaurant for years, and finally did last night. As has been pointed out, there is lots of parking in the back off of Charles Street, and there is a rear entrance. The ambience is very utilitarian. There's a plastic tray on every table containing spoons, plastic chop sticks, condiments, and a dispenser of the thinnest napkins I've ever encountered. If you're looking for something classy, or romantic, go elsewhere.
Thanks to other reviews I was prepared for the "fill out your order system". I've seen this at other Vietnamese places, so there wasn't any learning curve for me. The menu is quite extensive, and there were a ton of Pho options. Honestly, I couldn't really tell the difference between a lot of the Pho choices, but my default is always the house special, and that's what I went with; along with a Jackfruit Milkshake. My companion had a vermicelli chicken dish, and we ordered an appetizer of a ground meat roll with sausage.
Green tea was brought to the table immediately, and was quite good. Our orders arrived very promptly, but not in any particular order. My Pho arrived first, then my companions entree, then the appetizer, then my shake. There's a door bell that sounds that alerts the server when an item is ready. It's a bit distracting, but you get used to it.
My Pho was delicious. I wasn't sure what size to get, and went with a large because I had a good appetite. I still wasn't able to finish it. I'll definitely only get a medium next time. There were generous portions of beef, tendon and tripe, along with noodles. I always add the additional sprouts, basil and lime, and plenty of chilies. I can't overstate how good this was. My companion enjoyed her dish as well, but I did not have a taste I can't comment. The appetizer was a mixed bag. The meat stuffed rolls were tasty, but difficult to separate, and the sausage came in thin slices along the side of the plate and was pretty good, reminiscent of baloney. Not exactly what I expected. My Jackfruit shake was very good, but super sweet. Definitely more of a dessert than anything.
When you're finished eating, stroll up to the cash and give your table number, with is indicated by one of those gold and black number stickers you see at Canadian Tire. You don't get a bill brought to your table, so don't want around. Be sure to grab a fruit candy at the cash.
Overall, the food impressed me, as well as the speed of service and the price. This is not expensive food for what you get. I'll definitely be back! -
Review from Tom K.
Waterloo, ON
4/18/2012
Best Pho restaurant in the KW area hands down. Good food for a good price. Quick service. Lots of solid options. They should open one beside the Universities.
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Review from Yane Y.
10/25/2011 3 photos
3.5 Stars -- knocked down because of the spaghetti noodles which were served in place of the vermicelli with grilled pork and spring rolls (read for more information below!).
So, everyone gave this place 4 stars. My thoughts? Yeah, it was pretty good. The prices were reasonable for what you were getting. All in all good. Wait a sec. Let me stop rambling and write something more useful!
WRITE YOUR OWN ORDER DOWN on the ticket: I wish someone would've told me how this restaurant operates! The people working there probably thought I was a demeanding American when I flagged one of the servers down to take my order! One would THINK that they take your order, but NO! people, NO! When you walk in and see a ticket on each table and a pen, it's not there for looks! I learned afterwards that you (the customer) are supposed to write down what you want on the ticket, noting any allergies you may have, etc. You write down the number that you want and the quantity. I've never seen this done before ... but once you've written your order down, you can either flag them down and give them the menus or take it up to them.
PHO (Rare Steak) - I paid $8.50 CDN to share with a co-worker who had never had pho before. When served, the soup was HOT (temperature hot)! (i like!) Typically, when I have pho, the soups are not as hot as they were served tonight, so I was extremely grateful for that. The noodles were fine -- rice vermicelli, not overly or undercooked. The rare beef was truly thinly sliced. They weren't overly generous with their rare beef, but they weren't stingy either. So, no complaints there.
VERMICELLI with grilled pork and spring roll - $7.95 (i think)
So, when we ordered from this section, I expected to see this dish served with rice vermicelli (as in the same type of noodles that came with me pho). But I was EXTREMELY surprised when it was server with SPAGHETTI NOODLES. WHAT, What? This is no Italian restaurant!!! This is Vietnamese!!! Spaghetti noodles should not be allowed in Asian restaurants! So, it's because of this that I knocked them down! Watch out people!!! Make sure you don't get stuck with spaghetti noodles! =) Now, I didn't try it, but the grilled pork did look a little dried out. It was served with a BOATLOAD of noodles, though. The ratio between noodles vs. veggies and meat were like 70/30, respectively. Enough on this!
The restaurant is not a fancy restaurant, so if you're looking for a romantic, fancy, restaurant, this is definitely not your place. If you're looking for some casual restaurant where you can come with family or friends ... a place with some decent prices for decent food, then this is your place.
BTW, if you need service, you just need to call out and get their attention. I don't think it's your typical American/Canadian restuarant where they "serve" you -- it's Asian-style, I suppose!
Happy eating .......!
*Random 1 - they also have thai food, but based on the other reviews, it appears it's not so good. but if you wanna give it a chance, go for it.
*Random 2 - No American Express. Only Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted. -
Review from Michael L.
Richmond Hill, ON
7/27/2011
Out of all the pho places I have been to this has got to be one of my top choices. Shame the only one I've been to is their location in waterloo, but I can only hope their quality extends to their scarborough location as well.
Order the Bun, they have quick and polite waitress staff and the food is served promptly definite plus whenever I go there I as absolutely famished. Their spring roll that comes with is nice and crispy on the outside yet manages to remain moist, without any of the grease leaking into the inside.
Also tried their durian milkshake and now I can't get enough of the fruit, it is just amazing! The drink itself was a touch too sweet but I figure that is to capture the broadest number of people as durian is a hard fruit for most people to handle both by smell and taste.
The prices are fair and it is definitely my number one stop for pho when I visit Loo. -
Review from Dynafrom W.
Toronto, ON
2/24/2011
Crappy waitresses? Check
Crappy service? Check
Crappy menu? Check
all the signs of a good bowl of pho. No seriously, if you want your pho injected into your veins this is the place to go. The other stuff on the menu is nasty, don't even get the drinks. The drinks come in a styrofoam container which is 90% ice. -
Review from Robin D.
10/6/2010
This place is good. And it is great for my parents to go eat before leaving Waterloo from seeing me.
For students who don't know how to drive around in Waterloo, there is secret parking in the back. Don't try to park on the curb, it gets busy unless you are in real luck that day.
You can also hit the only decent Asian supermarket, New City Supermarket, I know in Waterloo before heading back. It is only a short walk up King Street from here. -
Review from Calvin S.
Markham, ON
1/25/2011
The Pho is good, but a true Vietnamese restaurant needs to diversify from Pho. Therefore one time I decided to try the more exotic foods.
I tried the Beef Brisket noodle tomato soup. Man was I disappointed: the tomato soup had almost no taste at all, and the beef brisket was a little hard.
The Pho itself I'd give 4 stars, but everything else I'd give a 2. So average it out you get a 3. -
Review from Amanda P.
Kitchener, ON
10/22/2011
This location of Pho Dau Bo is excellent. The service is wonderful, and the food is delicious! I am a huge fan of their spring rolls, and honestly just cannot get enough of them! The spring rolls are always crispy and delicious - definitey my favourite item. I also personally recommend their vermicelli bowls (especially those that come with the spring rolls). I really feel like Pho Dau Bo is excellent quality, especially for such affordable prices.
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Review from Amy Y.
Kitchener, ON
10/20/2011
This is the best place in KW for pho bo (beef )! I agree with other reviewers about their other dishes not being very good... I tried the pho ga (chicken) once and it was very disappointing -- dry pieces of chicken breast served with rice noodles in a BEEF broth. But the pho bo is outstanding!
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Review from Joanne W.
4/13/2010
I've came here once, twice, three times... Let's not count anymore. I've came here so many times, and I can never ever complain about it. Actually, the first time I came to this restaurant, I had the pad thai, and it was quite a disappointment. However, after the trying the pho here, I juts couldn't stop coming back. I might have to say that it was one of the best phos that I've ever had in my life (even better than the places within Toronto). I suggest any of the phos, the vermicelli dishes, and rice dishes. The Vietnamese spring rolls are delicious as well. I'm not 100% sure of what they put in the dipping sauce, but it's to die for. Food is also served in a quick and timely manner.
It's a must-go, if you're in the region of Kitchener-Waterloo!Listed in: OMNOMNOMs in…
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Review from Keyshaun S.
1/3/2011
Amazing food.
