Best Pho in Waltham, Massachusetts
1
Pho 1 Waltham
Restaurant Address: 374 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453
Pho 1 Waltham, located in Waltham, Massachusetts, serves up an extensive menu of Vietnamese and Asian fusion dishes in a casual dining setting. The restaurant is known for its generous portions and diverse selection, ranging from traditional pho soups to Korean-style fried chicken wings and Thai-inspired dishes. Though opinions on authenticity vary, the establishment maintains a steady following for its reasonable prices and convenient location on Moody Street, though diners should note that parking can be challenging during peak hours.
Price Range: $
Reviews are mixed; some describe the broth as delicious and flavorful, while others find it bland, watery, or lacking in traditional spices and depth of flavor. Therefore, the claim that the restaurant has great pho broth is not universally supported.
Many reviews mention the reasonable prices and value for money offered at this restaurant. However, some customers did mention that the price was not justified for the quality of food.
Reviews mention difficulty with street parking, and one review recommends using nearby public parking lots. Therefore, while some parking might be available on the street, it is not guaranteed or convenient.
Some dishes are described as spicy (e.g., Korean fried chicken, spicy Pad Thai), and the availability of chili oil or sriracha indicates options to increase spice level, though some reviews note a lack of jalapeños.
Many reviews comment on the portion sizes, with some describing them as 'huge', 'enormous', 'big', or 'generous'. However, others criticize the amount of noodles and meat relative to the broth, suggesting inconsistency in portion size across dishes.
Known For
Not Noted
2
BANH MI OI - Waltham
Restaurant Address: 1097 Lexington St, Waltham, MA 02452
BANH MI OI in Waltham, Massachusetts, offers a cozy, counter-service Vietnamese dining experience in a strip mall setting with a welcoming atmosphere enhanced by soft jazz music and vintage decor. The restaurant specializes in traditional Vietnamese dishes like banh mi sandwiches, pho, and vermicelli bowls, with the food consistently praised for its fresh ingredients and authentic flavors. The friendly staff provides attentive service in this casual spot, which features reasonable prices and convenient free parking for customers looking to enjoy both dine-in and takeout options.
Price Range: $$
Several reviews praise the pho broth's flavor, for example, "Broth was flavorful" and "The pho is very flavorful". However, some reviews are less positive and there's no consensus about the quality of the broth.
Reviews describe the restaurant as "reasonably priced", "pretty reasonable", and having "low prices". However, one review notes that the price point for banh mi is high. Therefore, opinions are mixed.
Multiple reviews confirm that there is free parking available at the restaurant. For instance, "There’s a parking lot, free, so not hard to find." and "Really good food, low prices, free parking."
Several reviews mention spicy dishes or the option to add spice. For example, one review warns about the spiciness of the Nashville chicken banh mi, and another notes that a dish "was very flavorful and quite spicy".
Reviews on pho portion sizes are mixed. While some found the portions satisfactory, one review explicitly states that the pho was the "smallest portion size I’ve ever seen at least for takeout."