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.
Known For
Not Noted
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.
Known For
Not Noted
3
Saigon City Restaurant
Restaurant Address: 418 E 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94401
Saigon City Restaurant, located in the city of San Mateo, California, offers an authentic Vietnamese dining experience with a variety of traditional dishes. The restaurant presents a cozy, no-frills atmosphere that feels like a classic mom-and-pop establishment, serving up generous portions of pho, spring rolls, and other Vietnamese staples. Despite some mixed reviews about parking and service, customers frequently praise the restaurant's flavorful broth, reasonable prices, and consistently tasty menu options.
Price Range: $
Multiple reviews praise the pho broth, describing it as flavorful, delicious, and having great taste. However, some reviews mention the broth lacking depth or being too light.
Many reviews describe the restaurant as budget-friendly, affordable, and offering good value for the price. However, some mention price increases and menu discrepancies.
Several reviews mention parking difficulties, with some suggesting the need for street parking. One review, however, mentions convenient street parking.
Reviews mention spicy beef pho and the ability to customize spice levels, suggesting spicy options are available.
Several reviews comment on generous portions, particularly regarding the quantity of food received for the price.
Known For
Not Noted
4
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: $
Reviews are mixed; some praise the delicious broth, while others find it average or too star anise-heavy.
Reviews are mixed regarding pricing, with some considering it economical and others mentioning high or unreasonable prices.
One review mentions the restaurant's proximity to a large Asian supermarket with parking, implying parking is available nearby.
While not explicitly stated, the variety of dishes and flavors suggests the possibility of spicy options or modifications.
Reviews are mixed; some describe generous portions, while others note their bowls weren't full.