Pho68 - opinions

chinaski · 04-09-2008, 10:37

What's this place like now? I've heard a couple of people rating it.

I was looking forward to this place opening as I'm a big fan of the Vietnamese food I've had, but when we went one Sunday lunch when it had opened the food was really bad. We go to Noodle Inn a lot for lunch and I noticed this place is still empty so I assumed it was still poor. Is it worth trying again?

Tooeg · 05-09-2008, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinaski

What's this place like now? I've heard a couple of people rating it.

I was looking forward to this place opening as I'm a big fan of the Vietnamese food I've had, but when we went one Sunday lunch when it had opened the food was really bad. We go to Noodle Inn a lot for lunch and I noticed this place is still empty so I assumed it was still poor. Is it worth trying again?

Yes give it another shot, we've never had a problem.
Don't compare with Noodle inn, different menu. Noodle inn always busy and is better than Vietnam noodle but I'm not really sure why, just a better experience.

Alastair · 05-09-2008, 19:00

It's a lot better than the Noodle Inn. It's not really anything like real Vietnamese food, but tasty enough and cheap. It's always been fairly busy when I've been in.

Espanyol · 01-10-2008, 16:21

Pho 68 has got to be one of the most unauthentic restaurants that I have been to. I went on Sunday and it was 70% full in the evening. Why it seemed busy, I do not know, maybe their clientele don't know good food. When I looked at the menu, I knew it was going to be made by some China chef (not being racialist) as it was full of dishes from a Chinese takeaway. I had the Vietnamese rolls for starters which are not how they should be made, using the wrong pastry and ingredients. It is no different from a Spring roll! Special Vietnam Noodles was just stir-fried in dark soya sauce, not enough ingredients and tasteless. Tofu Roll, again wrong ingredients and fell apart after my first bite. Sorry about the rant but after spending £24 it was the most disappointing meal I had this year. Next place I will go and try is Wong Ting on Matilda Street.

Ade65 · 09-11-2009, 23:11

Went on Saturday for a birthday bash and it was great; tasty food, friendly staff.

Definitely going again soon.

hello1964 · 16-09-2011, 08:05

Let`s be frank. This restaurant is the very best on London road, try the salt n pepper aubergine starter, it is a great cafe, note they call themselves cafe not restaurant.

green · 16-09-2011, 11:30

salt n pepper soft shell crab at Pho is amazing.

I often go in here, its probably one of my faves on London Road.

heavenlyarts · 16-09-2011, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by green

salt n pepper soft shell crab at Pho is amazing.

I often go in here, its probably one of my faves on London Road.

Agreed !!!!!!!!!!!

philyyy · 16-09-2011, 20:13

Pho 68 is the best thing on London Road. I try to avoid going but I always know it's going to be a winner so end up there all too often. Espanyol you should try again, it seems you ordered unfortunate products not to your liking. I have had one average meal but that was my fault as I was served exactly what I'd ordered, every other visit the food has been fantastic.

funkymiss · 16-09-2011, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Espanyol

Pho 68 has got to be one of the most unauthentic restaurants that I have been to. I went on Sunday and it was 70% full in the evening. Why it seemed busy, I do not know, maybe their clientele don't know good food. When I looked at the menu, I knew it was going to be made by some China chef (not being racialist) as it was full of dishes from a Chinese takeaway. I had the Vietnamese rolls for starters which are not how they should be made, using the wrong pastry and ingredients. It is no different from a Spring roll! Special Vietnam Noodles was just stir-fried in dark soya sauce, not enough ingredients and tasteless. Tofu Roll, again wrong ingredients and fell apart after my first bite. Sorry about the rant but after spending £24 it was the most disappointing meal I had this year. Next place I will go and try is Wong Ting on Matilda Street.

Rubbish. If I pay for vietnamese rolls I expect vietnamese rolls. Especially after I ate them on a boat in Halong Bay

DerbyTup · 17-09-2011, 06:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkymiss

Rubbish. If I pay for vietnamese rolls I expect vietnamese rolls. Especially after I ate them on a boat in Halong Bay

Not quite sure whether you are saying Espanyol's opinion is rubbish, or whether you are saying Pho 68 is rubbish?

Anyhow, i'm sure that if Espanyol tries Wong Ting on Matilda Street he/she will have an altogether different experience. For a start, Wong Ting is Chinese, not Vietnamese, cuisine.

I rate Wong Ting personally - it's a while since I've been there but the buffet is very good value - and unlike a lot of Chinese places, it's not all pre-cooked and help yourself kind of thing. You order whatever you want from the menu and it comes fresh, served at your table. And yet you can have as much as you like.

There are dozens of these "fake" Vietnamese noodle places springing up all over the place. And they are definitely fake. That doesn't mean they aren't enjoyable - but for anyone that's been to Vietnam and eaten proper Vietnamese food you'll find these a massive disappointment.

Vietnamese food is probably one of the most delicious in the whole world. It is a mix of influences of French cuisine (because France used to rule the area of Indo-China in the past) and an Eastern cuisine. It's nothing like Chinese food with all its gloopy, sticky sauces. It's a beautiful mixture of things like lean cuts of meat, marinated with spices and lime and lemongrass and fresh herbs, very light and extremely tasty.

I honestly don't know of a good Vietnamese restaurant in this city - and that's not knocking Pho 68 or any of the other places pretending to be Vietnamese. They are, after all, an advance on pot noodles I suppose.

Venkman · 21-09-2011, 09:16

Pho 68 is one of my favourite places to eat in the city. No, I haven't been to Vietnam (egad, but I'd love to though!) but in the meantime, I enjoy the food, the service and the environment of Pho 68 (and especially that they'll put whatever you can't manage from their massive set menus into a takeaway package for you!)

No, it is not a piece of Vietnam here in Sheffield, but it is a nice place with a food cafe atmosphere.

ohright · 22-09-2011, 17:16

I've been here two or three times and it's one of the best places on London road. I've been to Vietnam so I realise it may not be greatly authentic in pho68 but it's very consistent and the servings won't leave you hungry!

Pity they don't have any bia hoi though...

Unitedite · 22-09-2011, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkymiss

Rubbish. If I pay for vietnamese rolls I expect vietnamese rolls. Especially after I ate them on a boat in Halong Bay

I doubt they were called 'Vietnamese rolls' in Ha Long.

This is the problem with Pho 68 - translation. I presume funkymiss and Espanyol were expecting goi cuon, and were disappointed not to get it, but goi cuon doesn't translate as 'spring roll' or 'Vietnamese roll', so the restaurant wasn't wrong to serve you something different. Furthermore, were a Vietnamese person to try and work out what 'spring roll' means they're unlikely to conclude that's what you're talking about.

My biggest problem with Pho 68 was that I found it impossible to order the food I wanted, because it wasn't written in Vietnamese. You have to rely on English translations and, as we've just demonstrated, they sometimes leave a lot to be desired.

Lawtz · 27-09-2011, 19:51

Went in one raining Saturday afternoon for a quick bite to eat and had their lunch menu for £5.80. HUGE portions, very tasty, the food arrived quickly and was red hot. Have been back quite a few times since and never dissapointed, another good sign is that it is always quite full.

hello1964 · 27-09-2011, 21:01

Indeed.This place offers gigantic portions of exquisitely flavoured , well cooked food.
Get a load of the salt n pepper beancurd.Frankly this venue is an excellent cafe.

daniel3982 · 29-11-2011, 10:50

Went here on Saturday and was very impressed with the food and service. Was busy when we went in but they gave us a ring when a table was free so were able to pop to the Cremorne next door til then. The food was tasty and good value and portions a good sized. Will definitely go back again even if it wasn't quite as authentic as a vietnamese I had in Hackney once it was still very delicious.

Spanadora · 30-11-2011, 15:16

I really love this place, its not too expensive and the food is lovely, especially the starter that you share (can't remeber exactly what its called) its a platter of lovely little bits and it's delicious! It's definitely worth a visit

daniel3982 · 30-11-2011, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanadora

I really love this place, its not too expensive and the food is lovely, especially the starter that you share (can't remeber exactly what its called) its a platter of lovely little bits and it's delicious! It's definitely worth a visit

We had this on Saturday, delicious, here's a pic!

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...60978070_n.jpg

The main course selection was really nice too:

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...62812571_n.jpg

sheffgrow · 04-07-2012, 13:30

I realise this is an old thread but ive just been to this place for the first time today for lunch but and i was impressed, does anyone have any recommendations what to eat from here both from the lunch menu and the evening one
thanks