- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Pho Hung Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Vietnamese Vietnamese [Edit]
200 Bloor St WToronto, ON M5S 1T8
Neighbourhoods: The Annex, University of Toronto, Downtown Core
(416) 963-5080
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
42 reviews for Pho Hung Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Plus, it's close to shopping and the ROM."
(in 10 reviews)
"There's also another location (on Spadina) but this one is..."
(in 3 reviews)
"I had the noodles, but the stew is equally delicious on..."
(in 10 reviews)
Loading...
42 reviews in English
-
Review from Emily C.
2/4/2012
i must say i'm surprised at the abundance of poor reviews for this restaurant! i wandered in here recently and had a small number 3. it came quickly and was delicious. beef was perfectly rare. they didn't cheap out on it. broth was yummy. my buddy took me here like .... 5 years ago, upon his recommendation. no regrets!
of course, service isn't exactly 5-star treatment ... but yes, it's an asian place so their philosophies are different. it's brisk and to the point, but i didn't ever quite find it rude. food is good, cheap, clean. sounds like a standard pho restaurant to me! -
Review from Juliana H.
Toronto, ON
12/23/2011
I've been to this location numerous times after visiting the ROM. I always order the bun with grilled chicken and a spring roll. I've never been flat out disappointed, though I will agree the servings at the Spadina location seem a bit bigger. And though the Bloor location's quality of food is pretty similar, again I would have to say I prefer Spadina.
In regards to service, I wouldn't say anyone has ever been rude, but I agree they are all business to the point of being brisk. I went last time with a two year old, and I noticed we got much better service as the wait staff made a fuss over the cute kid. Just an observation.
For a quick bite, I think this place is fine. And it true regarding paying - if you're in a rush and don't want to wait around for them to bring the bill, just go to the counter as soon as your done. -
Review from Rohit S.
North York, ON
12/23/2011
Rude waiters/ waitresses. Food isn't very tasty. Fountain pop refills aren't free. Amount of meat per serving is negligible at best.
Been here multiple times with friends. Usually get the large beef brisket pho and it fills me up nicely (I eat A LOT). The amount of meat is identical regardless of bowl size.
$10 with tip. -
Review from Cara L.
Toronto, ON
2/11/2012
Great place to go for lunch or dinner and have a comfortable conversation with a friend. Almost as good an environment as a coffee shop.
Have to order two dishes on the menu if you want to share though. -
Review from Kristy P.
Toronto, ON
12/4/2011
Boyfriend and I had 2 bad experiences at this location, all due to their lack of customer service. Like others have said, the waiters were completely ignorant. We asked a waiter to check on our order but he gave us this "what?" look and went away. We thought he was still going to check on our order but he never came back. We asked the other waiter to bring us back some change but he never came back with them, assuming that whatever was left from our bill was for tips. I DON'T THINK SO, MISTER! I hate places who expect tips but don't deliver at least decent customer service. Even the greasy Chinese places in Chinatown have better customer service.
I've been going to this place since I was still in U of T (4 years and counting) and I noticed that their quality (both in food and service) has deteriorated SIGNIFICANTLY. And forget about the quality, even the quantity has been reduced significantly as well. $6 for a small mediocre pho is just not worth it. I haven't been back to the Spadina location for awhile now, maybe I should give that one a try again.
Overall, we would NOT be coming back to this place in the future. One of the worst places to eat in downtown Toronto! :( -
Review from Jennifer L.
Ottawa, ON
11/28/2011
This is my favourite pho place in Toronto. It has a great location right outside of the ROM and another one in Chinatown.
The portions are regularly sized for pho and the prices are great. (If you're a U of T student and you pay cash, show your t-card and you get 10% off!)
My go-to pho is 08 because I love the beef balls but all the meat is pretty good. They give you a decent amount too. The soup is not too oily and pretty flavorful. It's not always as hot as I like it but it's not bad. The noodles are well cooked and the meat and vegetables are pretty fresh. I recommend the spring rolls as well. They're fairly big and delicious when they come out hot and crispy.
Service is not great, but most pho places are run this way. If you become a regular like me, they'll treat you great. The owner is super friendly.
I heard this place is closing down because of the condos though. :( You must try it before that! -
Review from Meena A.
10/2/2011 5 Check-ins Here
My water was not refilled even once.
I was ignored repeatedly.
I ordered a chicken vegetable noodle soup. I think they use a different molecular definition for 'chicken' than I do. I was afraid to eat any in case it was more rubber and chemicals than meat.
My meal was $5.12 for the noodle soup only. It seems like a good deal, but when you take into account that none of it was edible...
I would have rather given the five bucks to a homeless dude. At least he would have smiled as he took it.Listed in: Bring her here if you want to…
-
Review from Tony C.
Toronto, ON
10/1/2011
I was walking around the University of Toronto campus and on my way back to my residence, I was pretty hungry, so I went here thinking. "Man... I'm really craving some Pho right now."
I walked in and ordered a large bowl of Pho. I've been to a lot of Pho restaurants, and I think by far this was the worst Pho I've been to. The food was still alright, but in comparison to some of the other Pho's I've been to (In Vancouver, and Seoul), this was definitely under par quality.
The noodle was alright, a thickness i'm not really used to, but the broth was what made it really unbearable. I can't really say much else other than that this place is a low quality restaurant that has cheap food.
I really I could rate this place higher because it's quite close to where I live, but if I had to come back to this area, I'd rather just go to the subway downstairs. -
Review from Carrie G.
Toronto, ON
12/23/2011
Ignore the haters. The vegetarian pho is delicious and cheap as balls. The customer service is fine. Don't come here if you're expecting five-star fancy-date dining, but if you're happy with quick, no-frills, cheap, fresh foods, this is the place.
-
Review from Andy C.
2/2/2012
two words: food poisoning.
-
Review from Janet S.
Toronto, ON
The bo tai slices are a little weird here. Not quite what I'm used to. Maybe it's from a different cut of beef? It wasn't solid, and more...stringy. Of course it was served rare, which is normal, but I think the clumps of beef I got made it hard for the soup to cook through to the centre of the chunks.
My main complaint was the bug-eaten basil leaves I got. I know that not everyone eats the basil, but as the proprietor, I don't think the risk in customer dissatisfaction is worth the 2 cents you'll save on the basil leaves. I asked for a fresh stem, and I got one, but by then, I was hesitant about the quality of everything else they were serving. How about the bean sprouts? Did they even wash them?
I don't really judge the service in places like this. As long as I get the food, I'm satisfied.
Go up to the register to pay your bill. I wish they'd tell me these things before having to wait too long at my table. -
Review from Thomas H.
4/16/2011
The quality here isn't up to par. (judging by the vermicelli and pho)
If you want a relatively cheap and quick meal, then go for it. But don't expect too much.
I think it's declined in the past 4-5 years -
Review from Martin W.
1/31/2011 3 Check-ins Here
This place gets very busy during food hours. Reasons probably include the primo location, the cheap food, and the ginormous portions. I've always been a fan of the pho here but had the frogs legs for the first time today. Oh lord, try the frog legs, they are delectable! I'm still full from that extra large pho and frog leg lunch, 9 hours later.
The service is spotty. Sometimes they are fast, sometimes they ignore you, and sometimes they are downright rude. I don't know what to make of it. Sometimes I feel awkward when the staff at Asian restaurants treat you nicely, as if they care about your service. Not here though, reminds me of home. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 1/7/2011
I would give it 1 star, but it gets a bonus point for location.
Maybe its deteriorated. Maybe I'm just more picky about my Pho.
But...
I got a small House Special bowl, and I literally finished the whole thing in 3 or 4 spoonfuls. There was not enough meat or noodles in there. There was no Tripe. Even my friend's XL bowl did not have enough meat to noodles ratio. It just seems like they just fill up a large bowl with more soup.
The meal didn't come with a Chinese soup spoon, it was really hard to eat it with a regular spoon.
The waiter working there was grumpy with no sense of humor. I think he snarled at me when I asked if he could cut our long spring rolls in half (like they are supposed to!). He came back with a knife.
The vent right above us started to fill the air with cigarette smoke as we were about to leave. I think it's people in the back that are smoking. It's disgusting that I have to smell 2nd hand smoke from so far away and in side!
1 Small, 1 XL pho, and 1 shredded pork roll (which was dry and the sauce tasted like soap) = $20 including taxes.
The tea was cold too.
If it wasn't for the location, I wouldn't come back.Listed in: In the Annex.Yorkville area
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
5/19/2010
It's really just okay. Good location, for after work/shopping/yoga class eats.
They have the usual… Read more »
-
-
Review from Susan C.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 3/27/2011
I was in the area yesterday with two friends and we were all craving for pho. Since this was around the corner, we stopped by. Worse service ever! The tables didn't even have utensils or sauce....until our meals came they noticed we were missing chopsticks. We had to ask for the two sauces; sadly they just took it from another table without asking the people who sat there. The pho soup base was watered-down with no flavour. My friend ordered a Vietnamese drink (the one where they put salt/sugar at the bottom with ice with ginger ale poured over). She was very disappointed in the drink - they put way too much sugar in her cup. The waiters/waitress were extremely rude and ignored us several times when they clearly saw that we were calling them over. One waitress had extreme attitude towards the customers.
Very disappointed. I changed my mind and will never return, even if i was in the area. Take the subway instead to Spadina and experience much better Pho there!1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/19/2011
I always really liked Viet. food!
I came here for lunch when I was on a class trip to the ROM.
The… Read more »
-
-
Review from neesa r.
7/28/2011
ok so this place is just another location for the pho hung in chinatown. but for some reason feels like two totally different places.
some dishes are different.
the portions are smaller in this location.
and the staff is definitely more attentive to you in this particular location.
hmm not sure why I still go more often to the chinatown location.
haha
but yeah good place overall! -
Review from Alex C.
Toronto, ON
10/13/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Great place for Pho! But the beef is too rare, asking them for extra hot soup will help!
Service is poor though, especially when it gets busy. They could use some more waiters or waitresses. -
Review from Jorge C.
Courtice, ON
5/2/2011
I had the regular pho with beef and it was good. The meat and noodles were what you'd expect but the broth put it over the top...and really it's the broth that makes a good pho
The service was on both sides of the fence as the main guy who served us looked like he had murderous / suicidal tendencies while the girl who brought our food was really nice and cracking jokes.
At the end of the day if you want good Pho and you're in the area of blood and avenue you can't beat it
Enjoy -
Review from Lauren M.
Ya, NO!
Pho Hung, wtf? Are you kidding me? Your pho is phoking terrible!
I used to think this place was decent but after lunching there today, I'm not impressed. The pho broth is not good! It tastes exactly like...Campbell's chicken noodle broth. I had to thoroughly douse it with hot sauce to get any flavour out of it.
Pho aside, It's still a decent lunch spot and the only Vietnamese place in the neighbourhood. And at $6 for a small pho I can't complain, I'd eat it again. Just saying...don't visit here in search of great pho. -
Review from Min min T.
Scarborough, ON
4/12/2009
I've been here quite a number of times for my hour-long lunch break in between classes; the service is quick enough that the risk of getting back late is pretty low!
The coconut curry dishes are great and the stirfried rice noodles with tofu and vegetables, although a wee bit on the greasy side, always leave me satisfied. Another reason why I like Pho Hung is that they give real Chinese tea. This is also one of the rare places in Toronto where I can find a soursop smoothie!
Additional bonus: A lot of students visit this location, so they also do not give you any trouble if you want to split the bill up. -
Review from Pamela M.
10/7/2009 1 photo
This place is across the street from the ROM and is upstairs (which was hard for my grandmother; she's 89 years young).
The write-out-your-own-order was a first for me, but it may eliminate the need to tip, so you can save a couple of bucks there. I recommend getting a lunch special if you want the most bang for your buck. Try to resist sitting near the window; the view isn't worth getting cooked by the sun, especially in the afternoon.
Getting a server's attention is pretty tough and I agree with another reviewer about the huffiness you get when you ask for something (an extra plate, more water, etc.). I'm sorry, but bad attitude = no tip. -
Review from Neil T.
Toronto, ON
8/20/2008
Firstly, I lived in Vietnam in 2003-2004 and am familiar with all types of Vietnamese cuisine (I make my own and go out to eat Viet at least 1-2 times a week). This is perhaps the most overrated Vietnamese restaurant in Toronto. The portions are smaller and costs more than at other restaurants. I paid $9 for a bowl of noodles on Spadina. That is simply outrageous.
The menu is vast, as it is at most Vietnamese restaurants. Normally very busy and loud. Service is typical of this type of food genre.
The Pho - broth is very good, though fresh noodles are not used. The portion size is smaller here than at most Vietnamese restaurants in Toronto.
The Fish Sauce (which is served with everything not labeled 'pho')- not strong enough in my opinion, seems diluted -- as is the hoisin sauce.
There are a number of better places on Spadina/Dundas, though if you are on Bloor, it may be the only option.Listed in: My Vietnamese Food Rankings
-
Review from Susu H.
Toronto, ON
4/5/2011
one word: mediocre.
everything about this place demonstrates the word "mediocre". The food, the service, the price...holy mediocre.
On the plus side, it's better than "bad"! So, if you absolutely must satisfy a Vietnamese craving and can't go anywhere better, this place is not terrible.
That's the only possible reason I can think of as to why it can get so crowded. People just HAVE to have Vietnamese and there's nothing else really nearby. -
Review from Aaron P.
1/26/2010
I've seen some reviews here accusing pho hung of not being authentic, which is totally bogus. The food here is delicious, affordable and completely authentic. In the 50 or so times I've been here I have never left hungry or unhappy.
A couple notes, take out is super quick, but always smaller portions than eat in. This is the original location, where the founders son still works, the location in china town is the second location. And finally, it's pronounced FA, not FO, try ordering it correctly and you'll be surprised how friendly the staff can be.
Try #22! My all time favorite. -
Review from Matthew S.
Toronto, ON
6/29/2010
If Toronto suffered from a dearth of Vietnamese restaurants I'd probably give Pho Hung 3 stars. The food is pretty good, the location is convenient, and the prices aren't ridiculously high. However, given how many better places there are out there I think 2 stars is more appropriate.
The menu is large and I went with one of several types of bun ($10.50); this one had beef, pork, spring rolls, and (of course) vermicelli noodles. While I was happy with my food I couldn't help comparing to this to bun I've had at other places. Basically at Pho Hung you're paying significantly more for a smaller portion and lower quality.
Pho Hung does have a good location going for it. The truth is there's not many good cheap places to eat in the area. Also, it's on the second floor so the view is nice if you score a seat near the window. Service is efficient.
Given how close to my work Pho Hung is I might go back for lunch but only if I was really lazy and didn't want to make the trek to Spadina. -
Review from Michael M.
Toronto, ON
5/12/2010
Went out with a group of friends here for dinner. One had been before and quite enjoyed his meal. My experience was quite disappointing. I don't recall the exact name of the dish I ordered, but it was something with beef and thick noodles.
At least, it should have been with beef. The bowl was quite large, but it turned out most of the "beef" was fat and bone. The rest was tasty enough, but considering the size if the portion, I left still hungry.
That said, everyone else seemed to enjoy their meals, perhaps I just had bad luck. I'd be willing to give it another shot. -
Review from Amanda L.
8/29/2008
Joe and I were lucky enough to make it in here before they closed, especially because I wanted to try some good Pho in Toronto. We had spent the afternoon at the Royal Ontario Museum, and once I saw this place was across the street, I knew we had to go.
Located upstairs, there's a nice view of all the goings-on down below. You have to order yourself -- meaning, the server gives you a piece of paper and a pencil, and you write down how many and what you want. Joe and I were confused at first and wasted a good 10 minutes before we were told what to do. Oops.
We shared an order of the Spring rolls, which were actually very tasty, and finished them quickly. I believe I got one of the Vermicelli dishes (as usual) and it was one of the better Pho meals that I had. I also went with one of the tropical shakes, but I don't think they had the option to add bubbles.
It's definitely a good place to get your Pho on. There's also another location (on Spadina) but this one is good if you want some cheap and good eats after getting your culture on at the ROM.Listed in: More Pho Me?
-
Review from chepdao n.
8/12/2010
Food-great! (2 visits, about 5-6 different items on the menu)
Service-very good/no frill
price/portion size-reasonable
ambiance-meh (it's a Pho house, whaddya want??!!)
4-star. Delish Viet food at good value. Just across from the ROM. If you want a romantic setting with hand holding service, go elsewhere! -
Review from jill t.
12/14/2009
I normally don't give 1-star reviews, but I can't not do this. For a girl who grew up on pho and spring rolls, I am so disappointed that a restaurant touting itself as "authentic Vietnamese" is still in business. *sigh* here goes.
I am at the ROM. I am hungry. It is super cold outside - so cold that walking gloveless for even a few short steps really hurts my hands. So I step out of the ROM intent on finding sustenance before returning to the museum. I spot Pho Hung right across the street! (Note: even when mental alarm bells were ding-ding-dinging -- Pho Hung is in the same building as McDonalds and a random tacqueria -- my hunger plus it's-so-cold-i-need-pho urge is forcing my legs to walk in its direction).
Firstly, the service is very lacking. It is cold. I know my party is "just one", but come on. Do not put me at the table closest to the freezing stairs (which leads down to the front door).
Secondly, the tea was bitter. Although the fact that it was piping hot made up for the freezing cold table's locale.
Thirdly, and most importantly, the food. 1 star (I am GENEROUSLY rounding up) ...
Cha gio (crispy spring rolls) were anything but crispy. Soggy. Lackluster. I could make better!
Pho dac biet. Broth tasted like it came from the can. The beef seemed to have a slight soapy taste. (odd, huh?) And I asked for jalepenos (is this a West-coast thing?? .. because the waitress said they don't have fresh peppers!!) Doh! For a spice-loving girl, this was total disappointment.
*sigh* -
Review from Bijan V.
9/27/2008
Pho Hung is a decent place if you're looking for Pho downtown but definitely nothing special. Being a franchise doesn't help either, the staff they hire don't really care. Case in point: My friends took out a birthday boy for dinner here as they were a large group and they had made him a cake. One member of the group went and asked the "waiter" for a bunch of plates for the cake and he fully just yelled to the kitchen "just give me a bunch of dirty plates for these people" (obviously not in english, but my friend understood exactly what he was yelling). She let him know that she knew what he said and he grudgingly just grabbed a bunch of plates.
Other than that the pho is okay - I've had much better but it's a convenient spot and holy crap they raised their prices. It's nearing the point where it's almost not worth it to go.Listed in: The UofT Student / Resident
-
Review from Karen S.
11/27/2009
Pho Hung has the dubious honour of being the reason for my first review; it is one of the worst Vietnamese restaurants I've been to in the city, and I love my pho! The only reason why I go back and why it rates 2 stars rather than 1 is due to its location. In that little area right across from the ROM, it's the closest thing to me when I'm incredibly desperate for that quick fix of hot, slurpy rice noodle with rare beef and tendon.
For pho in Toronto, it's overpriced (priced according to its central location, I suppose), a large pho here is more like a medium everywhere else, and don't try to scrutinize the low quality meat ingredients too closely. The avocado shake I had was akin to thin, watery melted ice cream - definitely not the expected thick delicious beverage it's supposed to be.
Finally, one time, while I was sitting near the kitchen waiting for take out, I saw one of the waiters use his fingers to take the basil that was not eaten from a side dish of bean sprouts and place it on an outgoing plate to another diner. Yum! -
Review from Abby R.
Toronto, ON
8/10/2008
I heart Pho Hung. Altho it's located on Bloor, it's a bit hard to find because it's upstairs. The decor is nothing special, but it's clean, the food is delicious, the menu is huge, and the prices are very reasonable. The meat here is also not at all sketchy, which is nice because before I became a vegetarian I was extremely picky about the meat/chicken I would eat.
It's yummy and definitely worth stopping by if you're in the area. Plus, it's close to shopping and the ROM. -
Review from Mitch S.
Toronto, ON
8/24/2009
Thank you Yelp for turning me onto this place! A super authentic place that serves you tea (hot or cold depending on the outside temp!) the second you walk in. Also, to add to the authentic-ness there are fresh chili peppers waiting for the brave. I've tried multiple pho dishes and the spring rolls all were great; everyone I've brought here also really enjoyed the place.
TIP: order the small pho for one, or get a larger one and split it, they'll bring you extra bowls if you ask! -
Review from Eleanor W.
3/2/2010
I don't even live in Toronto any more but I feel like I should send some love to Pho Hung.
I went to the Royal Conservatory of Music for two years and during my second year the RCM on Bloor street reopened. I went to Pho Hung probably once a week for the entire year.
I'm no Pho connoisseur so I can't vouch for its authenticity but I know that the vermicelli noodles with spring rolls on top were just delicious. And pretty cheap! The wait staff people started noticing me as a regular and would give me preference whenever I came in with groups (usually friends visiting town). Nice!
I'm kinda drooling thinking about Pho Hung right now. Yes my 5 star review is a little over-enthusiastic but it's more to do with nostalgia. This is the official cheap-dinner location of the Royal Conservatory of Music. -
Review from Melissa F.
Toronto, ON
5/12/2010
location location location. is the only benefit for this place which has THE worst pho in Toronto.
If you'll read the good reviews the only reason why they rate it 3+ is:
-location (have to walk another 20 minutes for viet
-reminiscing of student past- cheap food (not where near quality though)- and people love their old student ghettos
-they don't know pho at all.
so sorry, pho hung.
you have
-disgusting cuts of cheap meat
-terrible service, or there lack of
-terrible attitudes
I feel for some of the servers- they are ok. the older woman though? Terrible at accommodating even after the servers said it was no problem. -
Review from Ann J.
Toronto, ON
3/5/2009
The pho was barely hot and some of the rare beef was still pink as the broth cooled. They give you a pre-dispensed serving of hoisin and sriracha sauce, so that if you want more, you'll have to ask. The small really is small compared to other pho places downtown.
I suspect this place survives mainly through their proximity to U of T. One server seems friendly and upbeat, but the others are indifferent. The view of Bloor might be great, but I'd rather have tasty food. -
Review from Aaron B.
4/12/2010
Blah. People from work really like to go here and I try something new and every time I decide to try something different. I've not found anything that is particular good or bad, just blah. The service tends to be a bit slow and surly. The prices are reasonable. The menu is HUGE. Usually that means either there are lots of ingredients in common or the ingredients are not fresh. Here it's both. I'll never opt for this place considering the options around, but I won't veto it either...I'll just keep trying different things until I find the least not delicious one for me.
-
Review from ness y.
Toronto, ON
7/28/2009
I'm terrible with the names of people I just meet, and forget about remembering the names of dishes at any restaurant. So, when I go for pho, I usually just scan the menu for a combination of these key words: "rare beef", "soup", and "noodles". Or, on the Pho Hung order sheet: "Quantity: 1, Description: #3 - Large, Cost: $10.00".
Wait. It's not worth remembering. In my opinion it's over-priced for the quality of its broth alone.
All you need to remember is: #18 - Large, Cost: I forget, but something close to $10-12?
#18 consists of braised beef and carrots in a ginger and tomato-based broth, served over rice or noodles. It's apparent that Pho Hung prepares the stew by cooking it for a long time over low heat, since the usually inexpensive ingredients (e.g. large, older carrots) and "low-quality", tougher cuts of meat are rendered sweet and tender, respectively. It was unnecessary to use any of the typical condiments (e.g. hoisin and hot sauce), as the broth was flavourful enough carry forth the often bland starch base of the meal. I had the noodles, but the stew is equally delicious on rice.
I would have given 3-stars to Pho Hung just for the great view from its large 2nd story window across from the ROM, the convenient location, and quick service. But it's #18 that makes me want to go eat there (as opposed to just another pit stop). -
Review from Lizzie D.
7/26/2010
closed by health board 15 July 2010. Still closed 25 July when I walked by. Anyone know why?
-
Review from John M.
2/12/2009
Tasty. Friends took me here. Lemonade / pho awesomeness.
