Best Pho in San Mateo, California
1
Pho Element
Restaurant Address: 2216 S El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94403
Pho Element, located in the city of San Mateo, California, is a vibrant Vietnamese restaurant known for its hearty and flavorful dishes. The restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring delicious pho options, including chicken and beef varieties, along with appetizers like imperial rolls and vermicelli dishes. With generous portion sizes, friendly service, and a cozy atmosphere, Pho Element has become a popular dining destination for those seeking authentic and satisfying Vietnamese cuisine.
Price Range: $
Broth quality: Many reviews praise the flavorful and rich broth of the pho, indicating a generally positive opinion on the broth quality.
Prices: Reviews suggest that the restaurant is generally budget-friendly, with several reviewers describing the prices as reasonable or fair.
Parking: While some reviews mention parking difficulties, others point out that parking is available, although limited, in the back of the building or on the street.
Spicy options: Some reviews indicate the option to customize spice levels or mention dishes being spicy. However, there's no mention of a universal spicy option for all dishes.
Portion sizes: Several reviews comment on the generous portion sizes, especially for the pho. Customers often mention having leftovers.
Known For
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2
Gao Viet Kitchen
Restaurant Address: 313 S San Mateo Dr, San Mateo, CA 94401
Gao Viet Kitchen, located in the city of San Mateo, California, is a modern Vietnamese restaurant that offers an upscale dining experience with generous portion sizes. The restaurant features a diverse menu of traditional and innovative Vietnamese dishes, with a particular emphasis on carefully prepared pho and flavorful appetizers. Despite mixed reviews about pricing, the restaurant attracts many diners with its Instagram-worthy presentation and contemporary atmosphere.
Price Range: $$
Broth quality: Many reviews praise the depth and richness of the pho broth, while some find it too salty or thin, indicating variability in experience.
Prices: A significant number of reviews describe the restaurant as expensive or overpriced, contrasting with a few that call the price reasonable or fair for the portion size.
Parking: Many reviews mention difficulty finding parking, especially during peak hours, but several also mention nearby parking garages or lots.
Spicy options: While some reviews mention dishes being mildly spiced, others note that there's an option to request spicy food or that some dishes have a spicy element already.
Portion sizes: Many reviews emphasize the large portion sizes of the pho, often suggesting sharing a bowl between multiple people. However, some mention portion sizes as disproportionate to the price.
Known For
Not Noted
3
Pho Little Saigon
Restaurant Address: 2978 S Norfolk St, San Mateo, CA 94403
Pho Little Saigon, located in the city of San Mateo, California, is a cozy Vietnamese restaurant known for its hearty and flavorful pho. The restaurant offers generous portion sizes with a balanced meat-to-noodle ratio, providing a satisfying dining experience for both regulars and first-time visitors. While the seating can be a bit cramped and the service is casual, patrons appreciate the quick preparation and delicious, authentic Vietnamese cuisine.
Price Range: $
Broth quality: Reviews are mixed; some praise the delicious broth, while others find it average or too star anise-heavy.
Prices: Reviews are mixed regarding pricing, with some considering it economical and others mentioning high or unreasonable prices.
Parking: One review mentions the restaurant's proximity to a large Asian supermarket with parking, implying parking is available nearby.
Spicy options: While not explicitly stated, the variety of dishes and flavors suggests the possibility of spicy options or modifications.
Portion sizes: Reviews are mixed; some describe generous portions, while others note their bowls weren't full.