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: $
Many reviews praise the flavorful and rich broth of the pho, indicating a generally positive opinion on the broth quality.
Reviews suggest that the restaurant is generally budget-friendly, with several reviewers describing the prices as reasonable or fair.
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.
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.
Several reviews comment on the generous portion sizes, especially for the pho. Customers often mention having leftovers.
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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: $$
Many reviews praise the depth and richness of the pho broth, while some find it too salty or thin, indicating variability in experience.
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.
Many reviews mention difficulty finding parking, especially during peak hours, but several also mention nearby parking garages or lots.
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.
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.