Pho Saigon

The last time I was at this restaurant was probably around 2015 - 2016. At that time, it was delicious. I went back after many years and this year, in 2024, I would say that the taste of food has been severely compromised.

CONS:

BLAND FOOD, LOST VIETNAMESE AUTHENTICITY: I don't know what happened but I had the blandest pho broth soup that was not even piping hot. We got there as the first customer in upon opening and perhaps it was broth that was reheated but it was not hot and steaming. Worst of all: It lacked the authentic flavour let alone salt. It was very bland. It was missing the flavours of star anise, cinnamon, white pepper, salt, green onions and coriander underlying base to all pho broths. I am not even sure if beef bones were boiled for hours to have that special " oomph " in authentic pho broths. It was honestly watered down beef broth from a bouillon cube with very little salt. The restaurant also lacked the smell of " fish sauce " which is an essential authentic ingredient to Vietnamese cooking. I don't know what happened to this place but the food was SOOOOOO bland. I couldn't eat it bc along with the noodles, the blandness became more pronounced of course.

PROS:

NICEST, MOST COURTEOUS STAFF: I believe that the daughters or nieces are family members and they seem so nice. The server was very apologetic and suggested many other options. I declined and said that it's ok. She was very kind, friendly and understanding. The greeters and other staff are also very sweet and kind.

Best place in Durham for Pho and various other Vietnamese dishes! Locally owned & cozy.

Pho was great, but nothing that stood out compared to most other places. Restaurant overall looked really nice, good atmosphere. Service was quick and straightforward.

Spacious restaurant with a broad menu of Vietnamese cuisine. This was our first visit and we tried a number of dishes including the house special pho, a rice and meat dish and a vermicelli bowl. Each of these entrees were fresh and great tasting. We also tried the fried tofu and Thai spring rolls. Our kids enjoyed both of these, though we substituted the peanut sauce for fish sauce due to allergies. The servers were pleasant and food came out fairly quickly. We'll definitely be back.

Excellent Pho and service! They were even able to make something not on the menu for us. Will definitely return.

Phở lacks the aroma and pho flavor. Bún Bò Huế tastes more like Bún Riêu broth. Friendly service and clean restaurant. I would come back if the dishes were more authentic.: (

Not worth my money. I had gotten the house special - taste wise was okay. Halfway during my meal I found a piece of hair in the tendon. They replaced my meal (which I appreciate), but I couldn’t finish it since I was full from the original bowl - I wanted to bring home the left overs. I go up and pay but come back to my table with the food that I paid for thrown out. That’s what upset me the most. What a waste of food and makes me question why I paid

We were there yesterday. Food was great, the service. Not so much.

It was the first time I've ever been in a pho restaurant, were they dont have a big laddle for soup if you're sharing a big bowl with family or friends. Kinda odd tbh, and we had to ask for a scissors too.

Have order food from here for years especially the Red Thai Curry. Have always love the flavour and received a good quantity of food. However was extremely disappointed with the quantity of the Thai Curry this time (shown in the picture). There was less than half a container of curry for $16

I love Pho Saigon. I go there with my kids.
We do take out often.
I came to eating Vietnamese food through my friends. I love it.
I invited a friend and we ordered seafood Red Curry Soup
Also ordered Rice, Chicken and beef
Also we ordered vegetable and coconut soup. It was very good time. Food, friendship and fellowship.
To be continued.

Love their soup. Mainly I go here cause they have rice noodle (gluten-free). The ingredients are fresh. I like that there is room to move around. Some restaurants you’re packed like sardines. Good prices too.

We would have given a negative star if there is a choice! Horrible customer services, does not allow you to share your food with your kids! What kind of a business is this! We just happen to be in the neighborhood and stopped for a quick light bite before heading to a dinner party later which my kids might not like eating. I just wanted to order an extra large pho for them and the server said we can't share food! Wow, what did I just hear? ! Never have I ever been told by any other restaurants that I can't share my purchased food! What kind of a policy is that? Many time in other places, my 3 little girls can't even finish a small bowl of pho let along an extra large one! I would have ordered more food had they not mentioned TWICE about not being able to share food! Needless to say, we just walk out of there.wow, what the quickest way to lose customers!
We ended up going to Pho Mono in AJAX instead, and they gave no pressure in what we have to order. Great customer services and great food too there! Their Extra large Pho is even $4 less than Pho Saigon! We ended up ordering close to $100 worth of food and a BIG Tips just because we liked how they treated customers. DO NOT GO TO PHO SAIGON IN PICKERING! I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS!

The food here was incredible. I had the vermicelli with spring roll and pork and I was not disappointed. The house fish sauce went well with all the fresh veggies. I shared some of the house special Pho and I was really impressed with the broth as well. The staff is extremely friendly and the food was quick, fresh, and delicious. I will be coming back.

It's been quite a while since I've been to Pho Saigon, even though they're in my neighbourhood. I dropped in for dinner recently, with a friend.

She had a vermicelli dish with beef and I had a large beef pho. The pho broth was very flavourful and plentiful, more than enough for my friend to have some. The vermicelli dish was also enough for her to take some to work for lunch the next day.

The restaurant was clean, with lots of spacing between the tables. The service was also quite efficient, with food arriving fairly quickly.

I had forgotten how good their food was but I'll be back to enjoy more of it!

After a long trip snowmobiling, this place did not disappoint. The pho broth was clean, warm and healing! The service was awesome too

Fruit flies all over the place, had to cover our food with napkins and the taste was just medicore.

Chicken spring rolls were basically vegetable spring rolls with no chicken.

I wouldn't visit here again.

The best. Taste, quality, speed and service never disappoint. My wife and I have pretty much 2 items we go back and forth between (and we customize them to our taste). Thev recognize from the moment we walk in and are the most accommodating always. A Pickering staple and we never want to see this one go. Support local businesses!

First time here. None of us had been before. Food was ok. My curry dish was great but we weren't wowed by the meal overall. And the spring rolls we overcooked. I really wanted to love it. Waitress was fantastic.