Pho Lang Thang
114 W Elder St, Cincinnati, OH, 45202
Pho Lang Thang Menu
-
Starters
-
Pho / Rice Noodle Soup
-
Salads
-
Banh Mi / Snadwiches
-
Bun / Rice Vermicelli Noodles
Healthy Meal suggestions for Pho Lang Thang
-
Starters
-
Pho / Rice Noodle Soup
-
Salads
-
Banh Mi / Snadwiches
-
Bun / Rice Vermicelli Noodles
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
114 W Elder St
Cincinnati, OH, 45202 - Phone (513) 376-9177
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Joyce X.
Stopped by Cincinnati on my way home to Columbus and was craving pho. Pho Lang Thang is located outside of Findlay Market. It was pretty busy on a Sunday even at 3pm (closes at 4pm). The interior is clean, but since they like to leave the door open during market hours, there are some flies inside. They also have some rustic outdoors seating. Guess it adds to the authenticity! :P Because we arrived close to closing time, they were out of a lot of ingredients already (no beansprouts, brisket, tendon, tripe, or cilantro). So, I settled for beef pho with just meatballs and rare steak. The broth itself was pretty good, but since there were so many ingredients lacking from what I usually like to add to my pho, the dish as a whole felt a bit one-toned. I also had the Vietnamese Limeade. I think it's usually made with sparkling water to make it fizzy, but it was flat and just tasted like regular limeade. Despite the just-OK food, the service was good. I think there was only two waitresses working that day and both were very nice, even though they seemed to be running all other the place trying to take everyone's orders. Overall, the experience was pleasant. If I'm ever in Cincinnati again, I'll have to be sure to arrive earlier when more ingredients are in stock!
(3)Rishabh G.
Great food. The lemongrass chicken sandwich is a must try. The chicken noodle is amazing. Will go there again. Pho has gained a places in my favorite places to eat in Cincy.
(4)Bob D.
Best Bahn mi in town the pho is average but I have never been disappointed. I love the location and would be a regular if I lived closer. The inside seems cramped and a little dingy so i always take out side and enjoy on one of the outdoor tables.
(4)Miki S.
Such a great spot!! The food came really quickly even on a busy brunch time Sunday! We put our name down, and strolled around the Findlay Market to kill the wait time! It was perfect! The medium pho portion is plenty! Just be prepared to walk out with a food coma :)
(4)Rachel K.
I have never had Vietnamese food before this, it had great flavor and was very filling. I split the goi cuon with a friend. The peanut dipping sauce was amazing! Then I had the small pho Bo Bo vein, I love that they offer the jalapeños and sprouts on the side so that I could add as much,or as little, as I wanted. I will say if you choose to eat at the restaurant you better know how to use chopsticks, otherwise I would probably get carry out if I were you.
(5)Ivy P.
The beef pho is amazing!!!!! The broth is very tasty. It takes 20 hours to make the broth, and it's so worth the time. I'd recommend the salad rolls as appetizer. The Vietnamese coffee is very strong and delicious if you like strong espresso. The restaurant was on Food Network's Dine, drive-ins and Dives.
(5)Nancy C.
Lately we've been getting our pho at Saigon Cafe, and we've been a bit afraid to try another spot. This place does not disappoint. Very good summer roll, bahn mi, and pho. Will definitely be back!
(5)Danae B.
The noodle salads (bûn) are my new fav! I stopped in for a quick lunch and SURPRISE! It was crazy healthy! The staff is super helpful in translating and pointing guests in the right direction of food they will enjoy! They also have crazy amounts of Vegan/Vegetarian options! I can't wait to go back.
(5)Linsey G.
I recently had Cafe Lang Thang and, while it was really good, all it did was make me want to try Pho Lang Thang that much more. I'd been dying to have it for months and, with being on Weight Watchers, it'd been difficult to get to Findlay Market to finally give it a try. So try we did, as Date and I started out Anniversary Weekend out with a Thang (see what I did there?). We were seated outside under the tent, which was the perfect location considering the hot sun in otherwise near-perfect weather. Communal seating was okay and, after getting accustomed to sitting really closely with my neighbor, I felt pretty comfortable. It was a pretty informal event, so the seating wasn't too bad. We didn't want to eat too heavily, seeing as we were to be having The Precinct for dinner, so Date got his standard Bún Bo Nng (Grilled Beef) noodle salad with Ch Gìo (fried spring rolls) for an extra dollar. I got the Bánh Mì Xá XÃu (Chinese BBQ Pork). It was the perfect amount and I loved the sandwich I got. Date's salad was really good, too, and I am overall very pleased with our experience there. I will absolutely be back.
(4)Esther K.
Best pho in Cincinnati! Their banh mi sandwiches are incredible too! If you're with a friend, getting small phos and sharing a banh mi is the best of both worlds! If you like coffee, try the Vietnamese coffee.. it's soooo good! Worth the wait and you'll leave smelling like pho for days.. Bonus: getting to walk around Findlay market before or after
(5)Bradford M.
Awesome, just awesome. I often go here with my family for Sunday brunch. The pho is photastic! I want to branch out to some other items on their menu, but I can never seem to pull myself away from ordering the pho. The Vietnamese coffee is great too!
(5)Eli D.
Pretty good pho and friendly servers. Actually, the pho is really good. I have to write enough to make this tip an actual review so I'll keep writing until I meet the word quota. I think this is enough.
(4)Lynsey N.
I got beef pho and so far this is the best pho in Cincinnati that I have. The service is fast and nice.
(4)Grey E.
My wife and I often stop here for lunch while at Findley market. I've had the pho, the tomato-based beef stew (I don't recall the name but by-far my favorite item on the menu), the bahn mi sandwiches, and the spring rolls. Everything I've had is good. Yet I'm not terribly adventurous with foreign meats and so cannot vouch for many of the dishes incorporating, for example, cow stomach and tendon. My wife, however, partakes in that crap and seems to enjoy. Hint: get yourself some of that Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk. Shits good.
(4)Tsyria T.
Hands down, best pho in Cincinnati! They aren't too generous with the meat, but I might be biased because I moved here from California where they pile it on and charge half the price because of all the competition. Regardless, this place reminds me of home, and I am so thankful for it! I always start with an order of the Goi Cuon to share with my boyfriend. It is a must! It's two fresh and light salad rolls with pork and shrimp, and a great way to start any meal. The peanut hoisin sauce is so good, I like to keep it to dip my meat when the pho comes out. The Bo Kho is another favorite when I'm not in the mood for pho (which is rare). DEFINITELY add some noodles to this dish AND get the french baguette on the side. You will not regret it! I've also tried the bun, but it didn't quite blow me away as much as their other dishes. I crave Pho Lang Thang almost weekly. Yum!
(5)Eddie D.
OMG!! I can't bring the words!! love the food, our server Amy always suggest changes what we order to something new!!! I love that because i can try everything on the menu!!
(5)Brooke S.
nothing lower than five stars for this fabulously fast, delicious, cheap, authentic Vietnamese spot in Findlay market. perfect pho, beyond perfect banh mi. It just doesn't get better.
(5)Susan L.
The best pho I've been able to find in OH (across Cincinnati and Cleveland, to be exact). It's still not the quality I miss from the LA and San Fran places... but it will more than satisfy a pho craving. Not a huge fan of the area, and hate that I have to pay for parking. But that's not a fault of the restaurant, I guess. Service leaves a bit to be desired... and it's definitely not a place to take anyone you're trying to impress with good atmosphere or anything like that. But it's just what the best Asian food places often are.. a whole in the wall restaurant that serves yummy food without any fancy pretense. They give a good quantity of meat, and they don't skimp on noodles (I hate noodle places that skimp on noodle.. dude, it's cheap as hell, pile it on!). They give the tiniest little bit of bean sprouts, I guess that's where they're deciding to cut back and save. I hear some people don't even use the plate of veggies that come out at pho restaurants, so maybe they're trying to reduce waste. Regardless, they don't give you any trouble about giving you more if you ask for it. Glad to have found a decent pho place to settle the cravings while I'm living in Cinci! ----------------------------------- Explanation of my rating system - 5*: Epitome of something, the best I've had, would LOVE to go back 4*: Great food and happy to go back regularly, but not the best of the category 3*: Food is fine. I may spontaneously decide to go there based on convenience. But no need to go back either. 2*: If you insist. I guess I'll come along. But I wouldn't have picked it. 1*: No plans to come back. I'll try to talk companions out of going. If they insist, I may come and not eat, or may just see them some other time.
(4)Erik L.
Best Pho I've been to in Ohio. Great broth, tons of meat. Comparable to California if you ignore the price. Very busy though, so prepare to wait on a Saturday. Oh yeah, and the Viet coffee gives a good buzz.
(5)Crystal M.
I didn't have time to try the pho here, but I'll make sure to come back! I just picked up some doc biet banh mi to go, and it was definitely the best banh mi I've had in cincy. I will say that the meat did have a lot of fat on it, which I personally am not a huge fan of. I'll be sure to try their chinese bbq pork one, since I'm pretty sure that's the one I'm used to eating.
(4)Sarah R.
The service was quick and friendly. It's at a great location in Findlay market. My husband absolutely loves their sandwiches. The pho was very good. The only down side is the wait, it's been a 30-45 minute wait each time I've gone but it is worth the wait.
(4)Dillon H.
It's hard for me to describe how much I love Pho Lang Thang. I apologize in advance for a bit of a gush session: I am not an adventurous eater at all. If it lives in water I don't touch it to my lips. Blech! So I'm thinking "Vietnamese food? This can't go well." Holy crap. First thing I had here was the chicken pho. (Still conservative... I stick with chicken everything, hah) Wow. Loves me some noodles and veggies. The broth is amazing. However, it was the chicken bahn mi that changed my life. (lets be honest - every once in a while I catch a sniff of fish sauce involved in my beloved bahn mi... I dont even care. It tastes so good. With jalapenos on there, It's the best. I rank this in the "If I could bring one food to a desert isle" category. I must also mention the iced coffee. So wonderful. They bring it to you in a little solo drip-brew thing and it drips slowly down into the sweetened condensed milk (I dont really see that part as optional - though it is). When it's ready, pour over your cup of ice and let the magic begin. As far as the restaurant itself - cool location in Findlay Market, great and helpful staff, quick service. Love it all. Be there or be square.
(5)Matthew E.
Nothing better on a cold day than a big bowl of Pho! Personally, I opt for the beef broth with a mix of different meats. My go to is the Vietnamese meatballs, brisket and sliced rare beef. I'm a fanatic for this stuff! Oddly enough, I find it better when it's to go than I did dining in. While the wait staff did and excellent job, I found my food didn't stay as warm while dining in as it did in the comfort of my own home. Bizarre, I know. I've only had the Pho and the salad rolls. Both I thought were excellent. Salad rolls a little on the expensive side for $4 for 2 small rolls, but I splurge every now and then on them because I just can't get enough. Overall, the food and service is excellent. Delivery by bicycle rider is convenient to those who live and work downtown, but it can add a few bucks after delivery fee + tip. Delivery fee goes to the restaurant and not the rider, so don't be a cheapass, especially in the dreary Midwestern weather!
(5)Ed L.
Pho in Cincinnati! Checking off Pho for OH has never been simpler. This is is an ongoing pet project of mine to have Pho in all 50 States. Its a side project that involves a few of my favorite things: travel, marathons, and Pho, among other things. My latest stop in Ohio is Pho Lang Thang in Cincinnati. I was also in town for the 16th annual Cincinnati Flying Pig marathon, so having Pho would be the one of the perfect meals for me. This location is perfect for me, since it's located in downtown Cincinnati, just minutes away from the Duke Energy Center and the Millennium Hotel @ 114 W Elder Street. It was a nice Saturday early afternoon when I stepped in here, after the craziness of the 16th Annual Cincinnati Flying Pig marathon weekend. The ambiance was nice and quiet and the overall satisfaction was pretty good. I did enjoy the service, which was quite good, but decidedly average. Pho lang thang accepts credit cards, which is always great for me. I was fortunate to arrive here with a couple of friends, who didn't mind to have something different for lunch. The ambiance of this place was fairly decent. Since there wasn't much foot traffic here, we were seated right away, so that was great. The service here was good. The owners were happy that you stepped into their little space of paradise, so it was always good to support local wherever possible. I had ordered the combination Pho, aka the Pho Bac diet with summer rolls (or vegan salad rolls). The prices here are pretty good, with the large Pho Bac diet priced at $10. I was a little disappointed with the Pho being a little bland, but it was decently good. You can tell if the Pho broth is trite and feels like there is no real flavor and just somehow watered down, but on the flip side, there was adequate cuts of meat and plenty of bean sprouts and garnishes, if you ask for it. I would say that this place is decent for what it serves. Sure it can be classified as authentically Vietnamese and the owners will treat you like family in the heart of Cincinnati. However, while the food here is rather tasty, its not what I would consider true authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Maybe its different here in the Midwest, but it's not as good as other places where I have been. Still, its a nice lunch spot for you and your friends in the heart of Cincinnati, if you love Vietnamese. Never tried the bhan Mi yet, but I aim to try it sometime. The ambiance is very casual and quiet. Enjoyed my experience here, but it would have been better if the Pho had been upgraded a little. Still A-okay though! Thanks yelp for finding this restaurant for me! Support local! B-
(3)Amy B.
My go-to lunch spot! Why? Because... 1. 1 hour parking is free in the Findlay Market Lot during the week 2. They deliver locally downtown 3. The small chicken pho is PLENTY and the medium is enough for left overs 4. The food is so fresh and so affordable! 5. Everything is better after a bowl of pho is in your belly!!!
(5)Divya D.
You can only crave for more here ! Fresh ingredients and quick service . The wait time is quite long for obvious reasons of the food there . Iam biased to Asian cuisines because I love the mix of freshness with tang . An easy find in downtown and love the atmosphere .
(5)Chris S.
Best Pho is town, by far. Pho Bo with rare steak - delicious. Make sure to try the spring rolls as well!! This is a favorite spot of mine.
(5)Ashley M.
Okay, here's an example of where I think you have to be a bit cultured to give a reliable review. "This is THE BEST pho I've ever had!" doesn't really mean much if you've only had it a handful of times in your life, right? Coming from a city where the Vietnamese restaurant scene is always booming and the pho competition is very strong, I think to myself--would this place survive in my city? Probably not. Does this place have potential in Cincinnati? Of course! For lunch, I ordered a Vietnamese Iced Coffee and a small bowl of pho. The Vietnamese Iced Coffee should be stronger and there should be more condensed milk. The pho was okay at best--the broth is bland and there isn't much meat. On my next visit, I'll venture out and try a vermicelli dish. Great location to people watch--come here for the hip vibe, the quick service, and to satisfy your Vietnamese food fix.
(3)Anjelica N.
Cincinnati is all over the news for being "up and coming," however one thing it lacked before this rejuvenation of the 'Nati movement was variety in food. Enter: Pho Lang Thang. Pho Lang Thang is an authentic Vietnamese cuisine eatery. It's legitimate. The dishes are an amalgamation of recipes from the homeland (Vietnam, obviously) with a special touch by the executive chef. Never fear, the tinkering never strays from Vietnamese flavors. The aesthetics of this place is pretty fun. It's always loud (in a good way), bustling and has an ever-present perfume of star anise. The seating area is simple with wooden tables. My favorite decoration are the wall decals in the sitting area, giant, floor-to-ceiling photograph murals of Vietnam. I've had several of their dishes. Before I get to that, I must profess the first reason I fell in love with PLT. They had ca phe sua da (for you non-Vietnamese speakers, it's a french press, slow drip extra bold coffee mixed with condensed milk...and served over ice) You could NOT find a good rendition of this anywhere in Cincinnati until the guys at PLT opened up. Now, my only negative of PLT is that they don't open early enough for me to pick up a to-go cup before I start work. :( Onto the food, order the pho sizes at your own risk. A small bowl of delectable, beef broth is plenty filling. There are plenty of noodles. You can get your first choice of meat free. I will ALWAYS get my pho bo with thinly sliced steak and the meatballs. The meat is dealt generously - also once you pile on all those herbs and limes to your bowl.... you'll suddenly think, "how in the world am I going to finish this beast?" Then, you'll proceed to take a bite and go, "OH, I'll finish this... NO PROBLEM." Just save room for some iced coffee! I'm also a huge fan of their banh mi. Banh mi dac biet is my preferred sandwich sans the headcheese. I just can't... but it's a pretty big size and full of refreshing flavors. They pickle their carrots and daikon perfectly and don't drown their sandwich in the mayo. On a last note, you MUST order the egg rolls. At least once. It's none of that cabbage/carrott filled garabage you get at a take-out Chinese place. These are Vietnamese egg rolls. Ground pork, glass noodles with a smattering of celery and carrot bits. I could review every dish I had but you should just go try them out for yourselves. You will NOT be sorry. PLT, all the way!
(5)B K.
This place is pho-nomenal! Yeah, I said it. Go there and then tell me it's not. I dare you.
(5)Shannon D.
Wow! I was really impressed with the food, staff, and pricing! The Pho with beef brisket was some of the best I have had. It was perfectly steamy, comforting, and flavorful. We shared some of the spring rolls, which were also delicious and fresh, and also some of the best I have ever tried. I had never had the chance to try a Banh Mi Sandwhich before, so I made sure to try one here. The Banh Mi Thit Nuong with pork and added pate was delicious, and certainly a burst of fresh, spicy, and savory flavors. I definitely plan to come back and visit again!
(5)Katie F.
I'll start by saying that I'm not a big "phan" of pho (see what I did there?!), but I tried some of their other food and it was delicious. The egg roll type appetizers were so good! I don't remember what they were called. Anyway, I can't wait to go back and try something different. I went for lunch during the weekday so it wasn't packed like usual. My whole family got a table and it made for a really nice, quiet meal. Our server was friendly and very helpful for all of us newbies. My only complaint is that I left reeking of Vietnamese food and my clothes smelled kinda gross all day. Sure, it smells delicious while you're in there, but once you're out of that atmosphere, the aroma isn't as great! Also, my eyes watered the entire meal because of the spicy food and smoke they were cooking in the kitchen. No big deal, but just a tiny annoyance.
(4)Jack L.
Was visiting Cincy for a wedding. Decided to stop by this place for some Pho on the way home to Chicago. This place is in the market, so it was nice to be able to walk around after eating at this place. The place is small and the wait is long. There was a line before the doors were even open. The people were really nice, we had a large group and they were willing to accommodate us. Order the large special bowl and a bahn mi. The Food came out quickly. The bahn mi was just ok, but the pho was amazing. The Vietnamese coffee was really good also, give it a try. Service was great, water was always filled and they were really nice.
(4)Chang Z.
Have very good soup & noodle. Better than Cilantro near UC. Seating was fast on Saturday for 2 (wait around 10min @11:30am)
(4)Tim L.
I recently tried this place on a Saturday afternoon. I like the way you give your name and number for the page when your table is ready. So much more convenient than the buzzer. The staff was very friendly and I felt the food was very reasonably priced. They have a small but decent selection of alcoholic beverages. As this place sell primarily Pho, the food wait was very short, and the portions were good. I ordered a small and needed no more. I am not a huge eater though, so you might want to go with the medium if you are a normal eater. One note of advice is to get there early if you want some of the daily appetizers as they sell out rather quickly on a Saturday.
(4)Mu Y.
Firstly, it's delicious! I personally think Chicken Soup is better then beef soup, but both of them are good. The Fried Spring Roll! You must try. Secondly, it's very very cheap! And last, the waitresses and waiters are all friendly!
(5)Marcus F.
After spending the day at Findlay Market with my great-aunt she decided to take me to Pho Lang Thang. This was the first Vietnamese restaurant I have ever eaten at, as well as the first restaurant where I have had dripped coffee. Starting with the dripped coffee, since that was what I had during my wait for my food to be prepared. It was actually interesting to see the little cup being filled up while sitting on the table. The flavor was robust and creamy, which concocted an odd, but enjoyable flavor. I requested ice so that it could be cooled down, however it was never brought to the table unfortunately. Pho Chay is what I had the pleasure of eating, and my aunt had a Banh Mi Thit Nguoi. I didn't try any of what she had, but the Pho Chay was very good. The way it was presented was unique. As I mentioned before, I had never had Vietnamese food before. Being a close proximity to Findlay Market, it's a worthwhile visit. The interior of the restaurant is rather basic, but it seems as if they are continuing to improve it. I plan on going back to try their other menu items eventually.
(3)Shoshana K.
3.5 stars I still find myself frequenting this joint when I swing thru cinci. My most recent complaint is that every time I dine here I REAK for hours after I leave. I seem to emit soup smells for hours in my hair, my jacket, my hands...everything on and near me stinks when I leave! Good soup, friendly service, but be prepared to throw your clothes in the hamper the second you're done eating! This visit I had brisket pho. I talked myself out of what I originally thought I would order (meatballs) and got brisket instead. Next time I'm getting the meatballs I think. Brisket was good but not the best. Still searching for my favorite grand slam winner here for which soup and meat combo is the tastiest.... The soups are pretty mild in flavor here-Ive had more exciting phos (ESP in the bay area-I know I know, not everywhere is as awesome as San Fran...) - even w all the toppings and condiments you add. I really like the vermicelli bowl here. I have yet to try a bahn mi.
(3)Alyssa K.
The bahn mi sandwiches aren't the best but their pho was really good. The best part about this location was their great service. We went on a Saturday for lunch so the restaurant was extremely busy and we had a party of 6 with a baby. Despite all that the host, waitress, and take-out cashier were all extremely friendly and accommodating for us! My husband is also a huge coffee person and says that their vietnamese coffee was one of the best he's tried so far. I only gave this place a 4-star because we're big fans of vietnamese sandwiches and we were pretty disappointed by theirs. The best part of vietnamese sandwiches are the crispy baguette rolls that they make them in and unfortunately this restaurant's sandwiches did not meet up to our hopes. We'll be back for the pho but will have to keep looking around for a good vietnamese sandwich place.
(4)C P.
Holy PHO!!! Noodle salads and the pho are out of this world. OUT. OF. THIS. WORLD. fresh, fast, no frills.
(5)Kelly M.
sooooooo yummy! i love this place! everytime i go to findley market i have to eat here! the different spices and flavors from this place are outstanding! for how much food you get and how AWESOME it taste it should be double the price!
(4)Mark R.
Best food and best value around !! Had the Pho Bo with meatball, brisket and rare steak. Fabulous!!! Also had the Goi salad with scrimp. OMGish!! The fresh flavors were so good. Really can't get much better than this! Also love the fun lunch vibe!! A must go to place !!
(5)Zoë D.
Come for the pho, stay for the banh mi! Their pho is delicious! Just like any good handmade soup, the flavor changes subtly every day. Today you might have star anise wafting up your nostrils, tomorrow clove may tickle your nose. Yesterday's broth may be light and clean, next week's broth could smack with complexity. This is before adding accoutrements such as cilantro, Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime, sriracha, hoisin... not counting the meat options available for all you omnivores (and veggie/vegan options for the herbivores). Now for their banh mi. Truth be told, I've never had their banh mi "fresh", as I usually feast on pho and get a deconstructed banh mi to take home to be put together for a meal later that night. Secretly I'm glad I eat them in private, or someone watching me would get the impression that I'm angry at my sandwich. A sandwich... a SANDWICH should NOT be this delicious! Allow me to wax anthropomorphic for a moment... Banh mi would be considered a bully if it weren't so friendly. Other sandwiches develop inferiority complexes, and feel bad about themselves when in the company of banh mi. I've seen jealous glares from lunchmeat that were not included in a banh mi. I've listened to harsh, backstabbing whispers from cold cuts that remind me of teenage girls. "Why does banh mi get pate and I don't?" "How come banh mi gets to be wrapped in a crispy, chewy French baguette?" "That banh mi is such a show off with it's pickled carrots, daikon, and cucumbers... and what's with that roasted pork?! Bitch!" (Ok, I think I've gone too far) Seriously though this sandwich, in Pho Lang Thang's hands, is immaculate! I've eaten many a banh mi, and PTL's borders on perfection. They have other versions, but the Banh Mi Dac Biet is my personal favorite. If I may make a suggestion, DO NOT be afraid of head cheese. Sure it has the worst name ever, and it's ingredients seem sketchy, but it's bark is far worse than it's bite. It's more of a texture thing. A bit chewy, a little rubbery, but if you like the taste of a quality lunch meat then it's a good bet you'd also enjoy head cheese. I know, I know... I was scared once too so I asked the waitress if I could try a little and they happily obliged. I'm glad I did. The flavor and texture will lend itself as a welcomed addition to your sandwich. So stop reading and go get'cha one!
(4)Melissa D.
Delicious food and great prices. My favorites are the vegan spring rolls and pork bahn mi. The pho is to die for too! It's fun to eat here and walk around Findlay market.
(5)Amy E.
Growing up in California, I'm very picky about my pho. Overall, the pho is fine-- not bad, but I've definitely had better. The beef balls in my pho were delicious, and the broth (pho is all about the broth, after all) wasn't too greasy. I think it could have been more flavorful. However, this place is probably a decent option for Vietnamese food in Cincinnati.
(3)Dane D.
So glad we found this place. We had been talking about Pho for a couple of weeks prior and was quite pleased with this place. We ordered some spring rolls, which was nice and fresh and clean and the accompanying sauce was perfect. We went for the regular size of Pho and it was plenty, so if you are going with a group, this can be a real good cheap place to eat! We also got the Banh Mi Thit Nuong with the pate, which we both loved and wish this place was closer to visit on a more regular basis. The pricing and the amount of food is awesome, since you get what you pay for and more! The staff was also quite good and not hard to understand and very helpful and understanding. Definitely will visit this place again. Can't wait!!
(5)Anna L.
Food was amazing!! We had the bahn mi with chicken, chicken pho, and egg rolls!! Our server, Alan was very friendly and had a lot of good recommendations! We even got to sit next to one of the local bike messengers and chat with him for a while in between his pho deliveries! Definitely coming back, just wish the kitchen manager had been a little more talkative and less awkward when he asked us how our food was. ;)
(5)Arun M.
Who would have thought that Vietnamese fast food can be so nutritious and filling. During my first visit to Cincy, it came up as one of the highly rated restaurants in the city for southeast asian food. It was a pleasant surprise to find the location was in an oasis called the Findley Market. We were there at 2 PM and still there was a wait of 20 minutes. They take your cellphone number and call you when they are ready, simple but innovative. Once we got the table, waitress was fast to attend us and the orders arrived quickly too. My food was very good and chugged it down very fast. I liked that their options are limited but whatever they have is very good. I wanted to have vegetarian rolls and they ran out of it. As soon as it was available again, waitress came and asked me! I think that is more personal service than many Cheesecake factories I have been to.
(5)Sheri Y.
Shared a lemongrass chicken bun with my husband, added a dollar for the fried egg roll. The restaurant is adjacent to the farmer's market. Great portion and good service~ will visit again if in town..
(5)Rose K.
If I could pick the one restaurant in Cincinnati that I would be completely satisfied eating at 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this would be it. I'm so happy that I discovered this place a few years back, because I did not know what my life was missing! I've tried the tofu, chicken and of course the thinly sliced steak pho and am a fan of all of it. I've tried the chicken and beef bahn mi and am equally satisfied. The vegan cold rolls are also fantastic as well as the fried spring rolls. The worst part about this place is that they are not open on Monday, and that I can never decide what to order! It's a guarantee that the amazing food and friendly staff will make any day better. If you live in Cincinnati and haven't checked this place out, you do not know what you are missing!!!
(5)Chelsea F.
Oh tho Pho... The first time I had Pho, it was a pivotable moment, and it was life changing. It was in San Francisco and I never thought I would taste the greatness of authentic Pho again. We have searched throughout Cincinnati for a restaurant that compares to the experience I had in SF and have come to the conclusion that Pho Lang Thang is as close as it gets. Pho Lang Thang is perfectly located in the buzz of Findlay Market, making it a perfect weekend destination in addition to the wonderfully crafted dishes that it serves. It has become our go to place when we want that warm and fuzzy feeling that you get after a full bowl of Pho. We can't begin our meal until we have also had a plate of the Summer rolls, the freshness of the Mint and perfectly cooked noodles, ah I can taste it now. My husband and I are absolute fans. Go to Pho Lang Thang. Get the Vietnamese coffee. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Stephanie S.
Fantastic fresh fare. I ordered some pork spring rolls and they came back and told me they were out and offered me the vegan spring rolls instead. I was miffed at first because how could that compare? Notice that even though they were out of what I ordered, I'm still giving this place 5 stars. Not many vegan dishes will get that kind of rating out of me. The peanut hoisin sauce could be used as currency.
(5)Angela N.
I had never had Pho before, but my friends immediately brought me here once this place opened up and I've really enjoyed it. Generally, I get the regular beef Pho in the small bowl. I don't eat a ton, and I find the small bowl to be the best size for me. The beef is fairly rare, and it cooks in the soup as its at your table. This may be off-putting to some, but since I like my beef rare anyway, it works for me. You also add in your own ingredients to make it as spicy, cilantro-filled, basil and sprout-filled as you like. Service has improved a lot since the opening, and I think the wait time for food is fairly average. The one downside I've found is that while Pho fills you up quickly, it does not last. Thus, I enjoy coming here for lunch, but do get hungry for a snack or something later.
(4)John M.
My wife has been trying to get me to try "Pho" for years. I'm not sure why I haven't accepted her challenge before now, but I finally did one day when we were down shopping at Findlay Market. Pho Lang Thang is located on Elder Street, that runs parallel to Findlay Market on the west side. So, if you're not familiar with Pho, its a Vietnamese soup that you add sprouts, basil, lime and several other things to, including a meat or seafood of your choice. At Pho Lang Thang, I recommend the Tai meat. Its thinly sliced and delicious. All of these things put together made a delicious lunch. I added a little of the hot sauce to spice it up a bit more, but that's just my taste. They have three sizes of Pho. I got the medium size and it was way more than enough. They also serve these sandwiches, that I didn't get to try. They look delicious, and rest assured I will have one, soon! I recommend this place if you like Vietnamese food or if you never had it and just want to try something new!
(4)Amy M.
I will admit that I have been craving an authentic "Banh mi" sandwich since seeing the "Food Truck Race" on the Food Network. So I finally popped over to Findlay Market and more specifically to Pho Lang Thang and had a "Banh mi thit nuoug" beef (bo) version with jalapenos and the pate!! Sooooo good. The beef is marinated in a lemongrass marinade, served on a fresh french baguette with garlic butter mayo, crisp carrots, cucumbers and cilantro! The fresh jalapenos add a nice bit of heat. Definitely get the jalapenos on the sandwich. There was a patron sitting next to me that said that it was her 3rd Saturday in a row. She loves the fried spring rolls and the chicken pho. They were unfortunately all out of the fresh, cold spring rolls (which I LOVE)..and apparently they usually run out of them by 1:30pm on the weekends. Good to know. I will have to brave the crowds next weekend and go before 3pm. Also a cute and earth friendly touch...they recycle the old hoisin jars and use them as water glasses. Love it.
(4)Rob S.
Aw, HELL YEAH. I am honestly not a huge fan of Vietnamese food, but who am I to complain when I'm a guest in somebody else's city, and they're all, like, "We HAVE to go to this place"? This tiny and charming joint, nestled alongside the Findlay Market, absolutely hit the spot for my lunch cravings. The names of what our party of five (minus the crotch-punching Matthew Fox) ordered honestly eludes me -- when a menu has pronunciation guides next to their items I usually just tune out and point to what I want. The service was fast and friendly around lunchtime, and they even allowed us to bring in alcohol from down the block -- man, I wish more places let you do that. ANYHOW, the banh mi I got was absolutely fantastic -- get it with pate if you know what's good for you. I did not order the pho, but my dining companions did, and it looked great. All in all, a solid place. I hope to be back in my return visits to the Queen City.
(4)Sarah B.
When I was going to Findlay more frequently over the summer, the smell of this place outside at 90 degrees was, frankly, a little nauseating. I figured it was because pho, at least the "authentic" kind, tends to be pretty meaty, and I'm a vegetarian. Also, no one wants hot soup in July. It's just a fact. But I finally tried this place over the weekend with two friends, and I'm so glad I did. My meal was excellent AND very veg-friendly -- vegan-friendly, even. There's a vegan version of the salad rolls, the pho and the banh mi. I had the salad rolls and pho, and they were both really, really great. The rolls were easy to eat (not always true of fresh rolls) and contained noodles, mushrooms and tofu, served with a yummy (if somewhat bland, but easily spiced up with sriracha) peanut sauce. The pho had a clear, but flavorful broth (which I muddied up with sriracha and hoisin at my friend's suggestion -- yum!), and there was plenty of added-in tofu as well as sprouts, jalapenos and cilantro on the side. I'm reserving a star in honor of my friend, who seemed to get an "off" bowl of the vegan pho -- it was lukewarm (weird, since you'd think both our bowls would have come from the same pot) and skimpy on the tofu. She seemed to like it otherwise, though, and she lived in Vietnam, so I'd take her word for it. This is the perfect meal for a cold day, a sick day, or just a fun day out at the market... maybe not a 90-degree day, though. But that's just me. I don't know your life.
(4)Jesse M.
There was a long wait upon our arrival, so the hostess took our cell phone number and we were able to wander around Findley Market until we were able to be seated. The food was fast, fresh and well priced. The service was good, as was the atmosphere. The pho was not quite as good as Pho 2000 in Ho Chi Minh City, but the best you will find in Cincinnati. The vegan pho was very good as were the vegan spring rolls. Will definitely be frequenting Pho Lang Thang!
(5)Célèste B.
Their pho is excellent, but what really got me was the French-Vietnamese-fusion sandwich I had with paté and lemon-grass marinated beef on French bread with cilantro and jalapeños. The flavor combination is so unique and so AMAZING. A couple days later, I drove to Findlay just to get another sandwich. I'm a bit obsessed now.
(5)Heather Y.
I could eat here everyday they are open, and some weeks I have done just that. The things this place does with tofu makes my heart sing. They have a very extensive bike delivery area and are open some nights unlike most other Findlay Market businesses. You must dine in and enjoy a coffee at your earliest convenience for a presentation sure to please even a coffee snob.
(5)Kristan H.
Best pho and banh mi I've ever had -- and I grew up in Houston's Chinatown, so that's saying something. I also like the Vietnamese limeade and the Vietnamese coffee w/ condensed milk (and I normally don't like coffee). The only downsides are that you have to pay to park at Findlay Market (but okay, Findlay's great so I don't mind supporting them) and there's always a wait (15-45 min) at PLT. Oh, if you sit inside, you will also come out smelling like food. But at least it's delicious food! The good news is: I overheard one of the employees saying they're planning to open more locations!! *fingers crossed*
(5)Emily L.
For anyone who loves a fresh & healthy meal, Pho Lang Thang's vermicelli noodle bowls are amazing! That's the mark of this particular dish, which I appreciate very much. When I'm with a friend, you'll probably find us talking about how delicious it tastes! it's usually more eating and less talking, though, because this dish is so enjoyable. PLT is also located beside one of my favorite places, Findlay Market. It's an outdoor shop for local produce and a mix of diverse, artisan produced items. I believe that PLT is a much needed stop after walking or shopping: it's so convenient and it feels relaxing and comfortable sitting in a hip, modern restaurant. Don't forget to order the shrimp rolls, either! They are the best appetizer to accompany your pho or vermicelli. Whoo.
(4)Katrina F.
I have an unhealthy obsession with this place. Their menu is amazing, but I can't pull myself away from the Pho Tai and salad rolls because they do them so well. Put ALL the cilantro,lime,jalepenos, and bean sprout that you can. It's an experience.
(5)Catherine G.
The food here is out of this world; the best bahn mi I've ever had! And the pho is delicious, too. I go here at least once a week, and anytime I have out of towners visiting, this is the #1 spot on my list of places to take them.
(5)Lyn Y.
I was very pleased to find a pho place in Cincinnati! Locale is a little iffy....in a dangerous spot but also upcoming funky area. Go here in the daytime before you attempt an evening visit. For the food, the pho broth was amazing but unfortunately the dish was skimpy on the veggies and noodles, so we were still hungry when we left! Perhaps, they could improve on this to make this more like traditional ( more filling ) pho!
(3)Stephen W.
I got the pork sandwich and it's really cheap and very delicious! It's a great little place right next to Findlay market and you won't be disappointed! Everything on the menu sounded delicious but the sandwiches were incredible.
(5)Cris C.
It's a regular outing. Fresh food, no messing. Very affordable. Great atmosphere of Findlay Market. Try the Banh Mi with fried tofu and an iced Vietnamese coffee. Thankfully NO tv.
(4)Jay H.
Vietnamese sanwhich was Awesome. Toasted bread and the mouth watering tender pork and all sort of vegetables. Also the fried egg rolls on top of the rice noodles and veg. With to extra fish sauce, it was awesome. I am coming back again over and over.
(5)Adam B.
Wow...I was not expecting it to be this good. We stopped by Findlay to show some friends around and decided to grab lunch. I had walked by here several times, thinking "I need to try that place". The pho was great. I had tripe (yum!) and my friend had the meatballs. I'm not sure what else to say other than if you like pho, go here now!
(5)Manoj B.
UPDATE: A member of PLT management responded to my review in order to resolve the issue I mention. This looks promising! I mention this because this should not go unnoticed. They have shown an interest and that's a plus. I hope to upgrade my rating after my next visit! ------ I have been to Pho Lang Tang quite a few times. I visit Findlay Market at least once a month and Pho Lang Tang is a compulsory part of each visit. Today we went specifically to dine at the restaurant. Never been disappointed before but today I was. Perhaps it was because we arrived there just before 4pm (the sign says they close at 6pm). The staff had already closed off part of the dining area when the the other half of the place was a full house and there were at least 9 diners waiting to be seated. I normally order a regular Pho with beef meatballs, tendon and tripe. When I received my meal the tendon was almost nowhere to be found. When I did finally find some there were two minuscule pieces. The tripe was also a minuscule quantity. At this point I began to examine the meatballs. They quarter a (not very large) meatball and gave me six quarters. That's one and a half meatballs. This may be the normal serving size but Id never noticed before. I think I noticed today because the tendon and tripe were practically non existent. The broth too, today, needed an inordinate amount of additional seasoning (hoisin, Maggi Seasoning and sriracha). My wife's order of a small pho with brisket was also disappointing. The brisket had texture that was dry and almost no tenderness (almost jerky-like but not that dry). Very not like previous visits I'm going to put this down to a one-off. Is it possible that with the expansion of their enterprise with two additional establishments the three brother-owners are losing sight of the quality of their original product? This isn't normal. Right? I'll update with a higher score after my next visit if deserved. I hope management reads this.
(1)Jason F.
Outstanding little spot in the heart of Findlay Market. It was a gorgeous afternoon (one of 7 nice days we get in Cincinnati) and felt like heading down to Findlay Market. I had heard great things and great things were had! Try the sandwich and the noodle salads if you don't feel like soup in the summer sun fits the bill. Service was reasonably fast and the wait staff super friendly.
(4)Karen D.
Great fresh local food. You must start with the fresh rolls - I enjoy the vegan version with mushrooms and the peanut dipping sauce. Then Bún Tht Nng with chicken, my friend enjoyed it with pork, just the right mix of noodles, veggies and protein, very flavorful and hits the spot on any visit to Findlay Market. If I lived closer to Findlay I would be in trouble I would want their food all of the time, so a nice treat when at the market.
(4)Jennifer C.
I love this place! Great location in Findlay Market. Awesome pho tai and summer rolls. Get a Vietnamese iced coffee!
(5)Alex S.
Pho Lang Thang is the best thing to happen to Findlay Market since ... all the other delicious things were put into Findlay Market. Still, this enhances, promotes and all around makes the Market better. Period. First off, they do authentic, hand cooked authentic Vietnamese Food. Can you name me one other place in Cincinnati that does that? Not Americanized versions of the food, but hardcore recipes passed down through the generations. There can't be more than a few, and no one as close to my house ... so I love Pho Lang the best. This isn't a stand in the market, but a real restaurants in one of the market's outside corridors (where Silverglades and the tea shop is). Walking in, you're met with a busy, comforting restaurant. There's a red counter right in front of you where you can order to go or you can walk right into the small seating area if you're here for sit-down food. The place actually feels ... a little generic, to tell you the truth, like this could be one of many Pho Lang Thang chains around the country. It's the same semi-problem I have with It's Just Crepes. There's nothing really distinct about it, and that's so surprising given how good and different the food is. However, I can't blame them. To get people in and to try food that otherwise might terrify them (especially here in Cincinnati), they have to feel comfortable in their surroundings. And the food is so good, and I want them to stick around, that if a little atmosphere blandness is what it takes, then so be it! And the food is good. Oh my, is it good. I got the Goi Cuon (Vietnamese spring rolls) which were amazing and fresh! So fresh! I also got the Bun Thit Nuong (rice vermicelli with grilled meats) with beef and it was equally delicious - and huge! It was like $12 for all of that and the portions at this place are monstrous. Be warned! But I regretted all of my choices, no matter how delicious they were, when I tried my girlfriend's Banh Mi (a Vietnamese baguette sandwich). It was ...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. That's all I can say. No other words will do it justice. Check this place out. Please. It needs to stay in Over-the-Rhine. Also, owner David told me they're going to start delivering eventually, and when that day comes, oh what a day it will be.
(4)Helen V.
I'm Chinese and I'm very picky about my noodle, especially- soup noodle. The noodle has to be al dante, the soup must be from real ingredients. Pho Lang Thang know what they are doing. The Vegan Pho is to die for. Load them up with bean sprouts ....YUM
(5)J E.
The BEST pho in the city. It gets crowded though and very noisy. Parking can also be an issue since it's in Findlay Market. But the service and food is worth it so 5 stars!
(5)Yang W.
I only give this place A-OK because I was extremely disappointed by the pho here. The most important part of pho is the soup, and there's is pretty bland . I have yet to find decent pho in cincinnati... Their other dishes are pretty good. I recommend the Bun Thit Nuong. Ambience - extremely casual. Perfect for a weekend brunch plus Findley Market shopping.
(3)Hulee X.
Every time we went to Findley market we will eat at here. Beef pho is my always meal. Very traditional Vietnam food. I like steak, and my friend like tender and brisket. Not expensive, also.
(5)Valerie G.
I simply love Pho Lang Thang. Every time I have been there, I leave happy, satisfied, and feeling like I've eaten something really good for me. I haven't tried everything on the menu - YET. But here's a little rundown of menu items. My go-to order is the Vegan Pho. I've tried it with the fresh tofu and with mushrooms, and with both. I love to load it up with the provided plate of fresh condiments (crunchy bean sprouts, thinly sliced hot peppers, thai basil, cilantro, and lime - as well as soy sauce, hoisin, and srihacha). The portions here are pretty large - a small pho will completely fill me up, I think a regular would be over-the-top. I've also tried others' chicken and beef pho. The broths are distinctively different for all three versions of pho. I enjoyed the beef; it has a richness that the chicken and vegan broths do not have.... But I stick to the Vegan Pho so I can eat a whole bowl and not feel too full or guilty after. The tofu bahn mi sandwich was delicious, but I thought there was too much bread in the filling to bread equation. The bread is very good, I just thought there was too much of it. The tofu is breaded and fried, and it gets a nice silky texture. Again, the fresh fillings/toppings in the bahn mi added a nice crunch and flavor. I also enjoy the fresh salad rolls (or spring rolls). Both the vegan and the regular options are consistently good. Now, let's talk about the peanut sauce! It is AMAZING! I could eat it with a spoon. I wish PLT offered more options that came with the peanut sauce. Maybe some sort of tofu satay/fried tofu appetizer with the peanut sauce? That would be out of this world. Finally, the Vietnamese coffee. It is strong and fresh, they bring it to your table in a little brewer. I like the version that comes with condensed milk, even though I generally do not sweeten my coffee. I enjoy the hot and iced, but I predict I will be drinking a lot of the Iced Vietnamese Coffee this summer. The service here is generally quick and perfunctory. The servers seem to ALWAYS be busy. However, if you have questions, just ask and they will help you out. If you have questions or need a fork or spoon instead of chopsticks, just ask! They are all friendly and helpful, but you have to ask them, otherwise they will be pretty hands-off.
(5)Sally Y.
Pho is definitely one of my go to spots when I have visitors in town. Not only do you get a chance to explore and show off Findlay Market to your guests, but you can also mosey on over to Pho Lang Thang and get some delicious food while you're there! I love how Pho Lang Thang's menu doesn't overdo it. It's hard enough ordering off the menu because I don't know how to say anything correctly and feel guilty, but they were smart in not packing the menu with so much stuff that you feel overwhelmed! All in all, I love the food, and I especially love the coffee! You can't go wrong with the traditional Pho bowl, and I'd suggest getting the thinly sliced steak! Make sure you also get a roll of the spring roll wraps. So fresh and delicious!
(5)Princess T.
It doesn't get more authentic than this. This place is always packed with both us commoners and Vietnamese clientele as well. Absolutely everything on their menu is tasty. PROS: They have a simple menu, it's easy to figure out what to get. The staff is always friendly. CONS: There is usually always a wait however the friendly staff will sign you up on the wait list and txt you when your table is ready so you can wonder around the market and do your shopping while you wait. TIP: They deliver! I work downtown between 6th & Sycamore, they'll bring out order for a minimum of $20. You can easily hit the minimum with a couple of people eating though.
(5)Ed J.
This is a thriving place right on the north side of Findlay Market. My wife and I came here for lunch in late February, and got in just before the rush arrived. There were 10 police officers there eating - and you know that means the food is worth it. I had a bowl of pho with sliced beef and meatballs, and my wife had banh mi with chicken. We also each had an order of goi cuon and a Vietnamese coffee. I really like pho, and learned from someone much more knowledgeable than I that you have to put all the side items in the bowl as well as some chili sauce. I'm afraid I overdid the sriracha chili sauce, and ended up in endorphin nirvana with sweat dripping down my face. It was so worth it though - crisp sprouts, tender rice noodles, flavorful broth and tasty beef. The spring rolls were also great (love the lemony bite of Thai basil), and the coffee was just what I wanted - powerful and sweet. All that for less than $30. Our waitress was excellent and seemed to be everywhere in her section at nearly the same time. Must be the heat from the chilies and the caffeine from the coffee. Anyway, an excellent place. If it's good enough for Detectives Moreland and McNulty, it's good enough for me.
(5)Andrea O.
Best coffee ever!! The food is amazing and you can't go wrong with anything you choose. Very fresh tasting and friendly staff
(5)Maggie T.
Not the best Vietnamese I've ever had, but the best I've had in Cincinnati. The Findlay Market location is super crowded and has long waits on the weekend.
(4)Brenda G.
Absolutely love this place. Go almost every Saturday while shopping at the market
(5)Cliff K.
OK for a quick pho fix DO: -Vermicelli with Pork DON'T: -Pho - unless you really like the soup and noodles because the meat is skimpy PARKING: -Findlay market paid parking lot -Street parking all around Been here twice and have only tried the pho and the vermicelli. The pho was forgettable because they gave me way too little meat and the soup was subpar, but if you need a quick fix I guess it will do. The vermicelli was much better with various veges and a respectable amount of meat. Everything is under $10 so that's really nice. This may sound ridiculous, but the place isn't dirty enough to be good... I love pho and I really hope someone out there understands what I'm saying.
(3)Ryan Z.
I actually really love this place. It's turned into a weekly staple for me. I tend to go with the Banh Mi or the Bun instead of the more popular Pho. The chicken Bun, in particular, is simply delectable... fresh veggies, tasty sauce and grilled chicken. I actually considered giving this place 5 stars, which I don't do very often at all, but the service prompted me to keep them at 4 stars. It seems like every time I get take-out, I spend an extra 5-10 minutes standing there waiting to pick up my food despite the fact that it is ready and bagged to go. This place has a ton of employees, but most of them just stand around looking at you instead of helping. It's very disappointing because I can tell that the manager/owner really cares about customer service. Hopefully his employees step up to the plate and follow his lead. You can't rest on your laurels forever.
(4)Steve H.
Great authentic food, can't go wrong! Great place to stop at while shopping at the market.
(4)Lyn P.
Never would have guessed there would be such a decent Vietnamese place in Cincy. But here it is, and you can't go wrong with standard fare like the salad rolls, fried spring rolls and the vermicelli salad. The bahn mi are respectable and so is the pho. Though the pho broth isn't always very flavorful, but nothing some siracha can't fix. Service can be slow, especially if you're used to West Coast Vietnamese joints. But overall, a quality joint that I would recommend.
(4)Adam R.
Conclusion: Can't go wrong with the Pho here. I give it two thumbs up (based solely on the quality of Pho and service) Okay, so for starters, I'm a bit of a Pho junkie. I've probably had it at over 30 places all over the country. I've had some really bad Pho in Alaska (one place strangely offered "fresh" King Salmon in it), and some incredible Pho. The best being around the Asian Market District in Oklahoma City. Yes, oddly there are a lot of Asians, particularly Vietnamese, in OKC for some unknown reason. Pho Lang Thang in Cinci is near the top of Pho that I have sampled. If I had to rank it, I'd say maybe #4 or 5 out of 30. Its pretty darn good. I have been there twice and can't imagine ever being disappointed. Quick service even when they are slammed on a cold Saturday. Consistent quality. Friendly and cheery staff. TIP: Order extra meat. Its cheap and is the perfect amount.
(5)Edith M.
I don't get why people RAVE so much about this one. The food here has nothing special... You can boil water,throw some meat and add fresh cilantro and Voila! Please try Le's Pho and sandwiches which is family run. The place doesn't look like much but as soon as you enter the patriarch and matriarch greet you with a big SMILE. Their daughters also work there. Their soup and sandwiches are not elaborated but very flavorful.
(2)Yixuan G.
The soup noodle is very delicious。 It is similar to over-the-bridge rice noodles， reminds me good memory. Yummy
(5)Jessica S.
It took me a long time to decide to join the crowds of folks at Pho Lang Thang, the latest craze to hit Findlay Market. I always saw it so crowded so I never bothered... well, that definitely changed! Yes, the line is long if you go on a weekend afternoon, so be prepared... or do what I did: get carry-out! Instead of waiting 45 minutes for a table, I waited 5 minuets in line, placed my order, and waited another 10 minutes for my meal. So great! I ordered the vegetarian banh mi, which was delicious! I love good, authentic Vietnamese food and this is most definitely it! After being disappointed by other restaurants in the area that claim to serve true Vietnamese food (who shall remain nameless!), I'm happy to say I found the spot where I can get my fix! Look no further than Pho Lang Thang for good, authentic, 1000000% real Vietnamese cuisine!
(4)Paige P.
Oh My dear sweet pho lang thang. When I moved here from DC I was shocked at the lack of choices for good Pho. Which was a staple of my takeout diet. When this placed opened I was there, ready to nom. The pho is wonderful! As is everything else on the menu. The prices are fair, if not cheap, and they offer a good variety of proteins to put in your pho. If you're feeling adventurous try the tripe! The limeaid isn't a revelation but it's damn good. They stick to simple, well made, and delicious Vietnamese foods. The service is always quick and friendly. I can see Pho Land Thang becoming a neighborhood establishment for decades to come. It's really Pho-king good.
(5)Bill E.
I have to agree with CM Alex about Pho Lang Thang being one of the best things to happen to Findlay Market. I almost always come here for lunch after I am done with my shopping at the market. Service has always been fast and friendly even with the entire restaurant packed. When I come here I usually get the spring rolls and the cold cut combo of the banh mi and I add the jalapenos to the sandwich. I am not a coffee drinker, but by the smell and look of the coffee they serve here I could become a converted coffee drinker.
(4)Ed S.
Great Vietnamese place! The pho is excellent, nice and spicy. I love the sandwiches too. The prices are decent, but they are quite skimpy with the meat, order extra meat and you will fall in love! Service is quite good too.
(4)Sandra F.
OMG!! Found my favorite spot to eat at findlay market!!! I got the Banh Mi-Chay which is the Fried Tofu Sandwich and my husband got the Pho Chay Mushroom Soup with firm tofu. Excellent dishes! Next time, I would like to get the salad and try the spring rolls. A must dine in when you go to Findlay market for lunch!
(5)Howard M.
I order my coffee "Taylor Swift" style. I add enough milk to make it pretty blonde but left just bitter enough without being off-putting. Pho Lang Thangs coffee with condescend milk could have won the CMA album of the year. It was wonderfully good. This was my first visit to the restaurant. Clean space, great staff, tasty food. I had a headcheese and pate sandwich. Yes, a bit of a different flavor but nice none-the-less and made better by a very fresh baguette and vegetables that they put on it. I loved their noodles also. I kept stealing from my wife's soup. They are light but satisfying. The waiter gave us a few suggestions which he didn't have to offer but they helped. The other staff seemed nice and happy to be there. That translates into the food they serve. Great spot.
(4)Alexander P.
This place has a variety of gluten-free options. I got the pho with beef (broth and rice noodles) and it was fantastic. It was filling, even with the smallest portion (and around $6). As far as I know, the server asked and all of the pho rice noodle dishes are gluten free. Since I am limited on what I can eat in OTR (Celiac) this place is certainly going to become a new favorite. The location is very convenient (right on Findlay market) and even allows outdoor seating.
(4)Scott N.
This is what a restaurant should be - genuine, authentic, local and delicious. Okay, do I know enough about Vietnamese food to assert it is genuine and authentic? Probably not. Maybe what grabbed me about the food was the freshness of the ingredients. Given the restaurant is smack dab in the middle of Findlay Market, I would expect nothing but fresh, fresh, fresh. I definitely tasted the FRESH. The Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk was delicious. I don't think anyone could really screw this one up. YUM! The Goi Cuon tasted as if the ingredients had just been pulled from the garden. The Bun Chay, a fried tofu dish, was very tasty. The mushroom sauce mixed well with the vegetables and fresh herbs. Others at the table ordered the Pho Bo. The couldn't rave about it enough. You are welcome to bring your own bottle. If you forget to bring something, hop on down to Market Wines and pick up a bottle or a brew. The two establishments work well together. In fact Jessica, who helped us choose just the right wine later stopped in to Pho Lang Thang for take out. Finally, the price is RIGHT! I mean, it's darn right inexpensive. I'll be back and if future visits are this good, I will most likely increase my rating from four to five stars, but after my first visit... Yay! I'm a fan!
(4)J.D. S.
Wanted to try an authentic Ban sandwich since watching the Food Truck wars on cable last year! Mmmmmmmm.....so dam good! Waiter was right on with the service and being helpful! great food, in a killer (literally) location in Findlay Market
(5)Shawna K.
Continuing on with my "Ladies who Lunch" brought me to Pho Lang Thang this past week. I was already a fan right from the start when I found Pho and it was an actual sit down cafe. Definitely a welcome addition to Findlay Market. Plenty of seating at our lunch and a friendly host who sat us right away. Not being knowledgeable at all about Pho, my server walked me through the menu and when I was ogling the other tables food, he pointed out which dish they were eating, so I could order appropriately. Plenty of beef, chicken, or veggie options! Food was fresh, piping hot, and of course delicious! I felt they just chopped my veggies and grilled my meat right before serving. No pre portioned food here!! I fell in love with their peanut sauce and wanted to drizzle it on everything that I ordered. So after my dynamite lunch that left me wanting more, I got the bill and was blown away that I could fill up this much for this little. What an awesomely delicious addition to Findlay Market!! Seriously how can you not love that place and love Pho Lang Thang!
(4)Ben N.
I'm kicking this one up a notch, if only for the deliciousness that is the banh mi thit nuong with pork: Seriously good, and I can't wait to get another one. The wife is a bun (vermicelli bowl) aficionada and has eaten the stuff all over the U.S. (and even in Paris). She ranked this Pho Lang Thang bowl as being top-notch. I tried it, and I agree! Service seems to have gotten smoother. No complaints to speak of on this last visit, and everybody was super-friendly. The pho broth is still a bit of a problem, though. It seemed even blander than the first time. (More beef stock needed?!) The ventilation problem apparently is an issue that's not going away anytime soon, either. No matter where you're sitting, your clothes for the rest of the day are going to smell like you were at the Vietnamese equivalent of a Waffle House. Overall, though, a great addition to the city.
(4)Erin K.
Came here with some out of town friends from California and am totally LOLing about Cliff K's "it's not dirty enough" comment because they said the exact same thing!! Despite it's cleanliness, (haha) the food is pretty legit and way decently priced. I had one of the sandwiches with jalapeño and it HIT THE SPOT. My friends tried the pho and spring rolls, which also got their stamp of approval! Did I mention they also have Vietnamese coffee - hot and cold?! Drool. Took me back to my time spent in Cambodia!!! Will def be coming back here again, great go-to spot to share with my out of town friends, too!!!
(4)Erin H.
I'm always happy to get Vietnamese food when I can and we have a serviceable meal here while at Findley Market. The banh mi was the highlight and so were the fresh shrimp rolls. My pho was ok. The waitress was great and it was awesome people watching sitting by the window watching the market. I also liked that you could leave your name & cell # if there's a wait (which there was) and you can walk around and they'll call you when your table is free - great service!
(3)Ben B.
I have been wanting to try Pho Lang Thang for a while now and found the opportunity yesterday as I was taking an out of town friend to Findlay to show him around. I believe that they were near closing time as there was ample seating, but we were quickly greeted and given a seat next to the windows. They had a large area to the left of the counter that looked as though they could hold alot more than they currently do, maybe they are expanding already? I ordered the Pho Rice Noodle Brisket Soup and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of soup one gets for $5, served with the obligatory sprouts and some jalapenos to spice it up. The server talked me into a cup of Vietnamese coffee which I was told came from the owner's father's shop, and it was delightful. Slow drip single serving, iced, and a small layer of condensed milk. Service was top notch. Everyone was very warm and even though I hate showing up when restaurants are closing, I felt very welcomed. The soup was quite tasty, and at the price, it's very hard to beat! Will definitely go back again to try other menu items!
(4)purvin l.
I love this place!! The food is really good and service is pretty great. Every time my wife and I go, we have always enjoyed the food. My favorite dish is the chicken pho, and you have to get the coffee. You can explore and shop at Findlays market and then get an authentic, delicous vietnamese meal.
(5)Angela C.
When you walk into Pho Lang Thang, you are enveloped in the smells of deliciousness and a warm dining area with cool photos from Vietnam and other artwork. That's only the beginning to the fun. The place was pretty packed for a super late lunch, but we got a table fairly quickly and didn't have to wait too long for the food. On to the food- the spring rolls were scrumptious. The husband got the Bun Thit Nuung, with chicken and spring rolls- yum- and a drip coffee. I loved that the water was served in glass mason jars and that the drip coffee actually came to the table in the drip filter. But really, the best part was the Banh Mi, which really was my object of some mild obsession since I read that Pho Lang Thang had banh mi... it didn't disappoint. It was a generously sized sandwich on a crispy baguette, and oh my, it was good. So good! I was surprised to read some of the more negative reviews for Pho Lang Thang. I can't find much to be upset about when there is fresh, authentic food. It is really busy, but I would consider that a good thing, and certainly new restaurants will have their kinks to work out. Our experience was great and we will definitely be back. My only dilemma is now that I so love the Bahn Mi, I might not be able to convince myself to get Pho.
(5)Lucy S.
Pho Lang Thang is my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. I've left the Cinci area but continue to lust after their tofu banh mi. I've never had anything that I didn't love and always leave with a full belly. The prices are very reasonable and, though the wait can get annoying on weekends, they're always willing to take your number and call you when your table is ready. I've found that leaving my number before wandering around Findlay Market makes for a perfect arrangement. Enjoy!
(5)Peter K.
I was in Cincy last weekend and had to make my way over the Findlay Market to try this place after getting a recommendation from a local blogger. I was really just interested in their cold cut banh mi. After some initial sticker shock, $6.50, high by most banh mi standards, I ordered one anyways. The cost by far is justified by the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Lets first start with the pate, their version here was not super funky or as gamey as I'm used to. The head cheese tasted super clean with a nice texture to it. Lastly the Vietnamese bologna and ham rounded out the cold cut selection. The bread was nice crispy on the outside, fluffy and tender on the inside with a crunchy layer of sweet and pickled toppings. Jalapenos optional. My better half ordered some of the fried springs rolls and the Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. We both agreed that the springs rolls might be the best we've sampled anywhere. We'll definitely back if we're ever in the area again.
(5)Mike D.
Oh Banh Mi, you've finally arrived in Cincinnati! The Vietnamese/French hybrid hoagie made with a baguette roll, meat (shrimp, pork, beef, pate, chicken, shrimp etc) and carrots, daikon, cilantro has been hard to come by round these parts, but finally, an authentic Vietnamese place that offers this amazing sandwich every day is here. I was fortunate to attend a friends and family party of Pho Lang Thang (they won't be open to the public till mid-november) and all I can say is that this is going to be a weekly stop for me. Everything is fresh, authentic and tastes amazing. Besides the Banh Mi, they also have Pho (duh, its in the name), Bun (vermicelli rice noodles), Cha Gio (spring rolls) and Com tam (broken rice). Im not even going to attempt to get all the accent marks right. Not only is all the food great, but the prices are super affordable, with nothing over $7! (that I can remember) The service was friendly and accommodating, offering suggestions of menu items if you weren't sure what to get. The space is one of the biggest in Findlay Market, taking up 2 storefronts, bright, and has a really cool custom built bar table. There will also be a giant wall mural of photos of Vietnam on the back wall, once its finished. No knock on ay other vietnamese places in town, but Pho Lang Thang just knocks everything out of the park completely. 5 stars.
(5)Jessica L.
Probably one of the best Vietnamese places in the Cincinnati area and its surrounded by an amazing addition to the city in Findlay Market. The spring rolls are huge! I got the vegan spring roll (I'm not vegan or even vegetarian for that matter) and they were great. They had sliced mushrooms and tofu with the thick peanut sauce! yum I got a Banh Mi and boy was it good. The staff was attentive and friendly ...and the food came fast. Findlay market has free 1 hr parking in their lot and I had plenty of time to spare on the meter after eating at Pho Lang Thang!
(4)Matteo D.
Very Tasty + Very Friendly + No MSG + great prices = 5 star This place is great. I love hanging out around findlay market because everything there is so fresh, the place is buzzing on weekends, and you can usually find anything you need to cook amazing meals in your kitchen. I had always seen a huge crowd around pho lang thang and I love pho and Vietnamese sandwiches but was always too busy shopping to wait in line. Well my girlfriend and I went in to get a table and I left my cell phone number with them. I asked them if they knew of any good asian markets around and they gave me some suggestions. I went shopping for goodies while technically on the waiting list. Right when I was done shopping they called and had a table for me. I got shopping done and got a table at the same time!! The waiter was a high school/college looking guy who was very friendly and very knowledgeable about everything on the menu - how it was made, what ingredients were in each dish, and he even gave suggestions which turned out great. If you're a big fan of pho you should know that most places have MSG in the base. This place doesn't!!... Usually this takes away from the flavor but in this case it really didn't. It was delicious. I got the chicken (base made with chicken bones) but i'm sure the beef may have been even more delicious (base made with ox bones). It came out a little too hot but I don't mind since I eat the noodles and meat in a side dish while my soup cools to the correct temperature. The appetizer rolls were delicious. and I also got their vietnamese sandwich which contained pork marinated in lemongrass. Very-Very-Very good. An app, large soup (very large), and delicious sandwich all cost around 18 bucks. water was always filled and they were there whenever i needed something but far away enough to not bother me while eating. I left very full, very satisfied, and with little loss of cash.... I also got shopping done while waiting on the call! would come again any time and would very much recommend to friends. not fancy and not a huge menu. but delicious, clean, friendly, cheap food. everything I look for.
(5)Carol J.
The best pho you'll get in town - HANDS DOWN! If you stop by during the weekend, expect a wait, but trust me, the pho, bahn mi, and spring rolls are totally worth the wait. If the wait is long, take a stroll around Findlay Market to pass the time!
(5)Monica W.
My boyfriend and I went here again the other day. It was Sunday and they were pretty busy, most-likely from all of us folks with hangovers from the night before. So we were put on a 20 minute waiting list, but this wasn't a big deal because we went shopping while we waited and then they called us when our table was ready. First off I must say that we had the best server ever!! His name was Mappie he was super friendly and very helpful. We both ordered the drip coffee which was very strong, only order this coffee if you are an experienced coffee drinker. My boyfriend and I also ordered the beef vermicelli and a large pho bo sliced steak soup to split. Of course we were pleased with our choices. This has been my best experience here so far!
(4)Christine R.
Just finished a weekday lunch here. Everything was delicious! The broth from the chicken pho was super good. Two of my friends had sandwiches, and my other friend had the special beef lemongrass stew. Everybody enjoyed their food, and the prices were very reasonable.
(5)Mohit M.
Yesterday marked my third Pho Lang Thang experience, which means I finally became unofficially qualified to review their food....and other peripheral pleasantries. 1) If "Pho Lang Thang" is pronounced like I pronounce it in my imagination ("Fo Lang Tang") then the restaurant is immediately granted bonus points for "fun name to say". If, in actuality, it is pronounced any other way, don't worry - this won't affect the way my mind pronounces it, and thus no fun will be forfeited. 2) If you are lucky enough to get an outdoor table, do appreciate their inventive table setup - doors over trash cans. If it sounds shady, I assure you the look is lovely and the experience is more stable than most outdoor seating made up of clanky webbed black steel that leaves plenty of gaps in the table for slippy slips. 3) Cà Phê Sa á is their iced drip coffee which has the condensed milk at the bottom ready to be stirred and mixed accordingly. No sugar necessary, everything is already contained to make a fantastic cup of coffee - THE MOST DELICIOUS COFFEE I've had in Cincinnati. 4) Gi Cun are their salad rolls that are wrapped in a see-through substance. This gives the rolls a "Bones Exhibit" quality that, though must be healthier than a regular fried roll, adds a texture that I'm not completely comfortable with. Also, my friend had HIGHLY recommended these rolls to me, and as expectations set the standard, I was sadly disappointed. 5) But, if you're still feening for a roll you're more likely to recognize in a lineup, please try the Ch Giò. These are INCREDIBLE, and unlike almost all other rolls I've tried, are somehow able to stay together in a cohesive manner unprecedented in these rolls' relatives. 6) Bánh Mì Tht Nng - delicious hot sandwich 7) Bánh Mì c Bit - cold-cut butt sandwich Unfortunately, I can't comment on the restaurant's namesake dish, Pho. This is kind of like me writing a review for Taco Bell and only commenting on the quesadilla. My apologies, and until I actually try their Pho, I'll leave that validation to another Yelper. Since this place is right next to the freshest ingredients in town within Findlay Market, they seem to be using that to their advantage by using those ingredients in their own dishes - this gives the food a freshness that best be described as "New York good." And whether it should or not, the fact that they keep authentic names for their dishes does give more legitimacy than replacing the name "Bánh Mì Tht Nng" with "Hot Chicken Sandwich and Fries" just for the domestic customer's convenience. Even the descriptions are chockful of Vietnamese vocabulary which makes it difficult to clarify the dish's contents. Still, that's better than a tactic employed by one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor that would write the name of the dish - Mysore Masala Dosa - and the description 'ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS' without any further clarification. All in all, if you like delicious Asian food in which you can taste the freshness of the ingredient, do yo' thang at Pho Lang Thang.
(4)Jessica N.
I raise this place a star because they also offer bahn mi, and it is some delicious bahn mi for realz.
(4)Greg C.
Great little spot for lunch, inexpensive, filling and tasty. The lime aid drink was good but not worth $3. Would try the imported beers next time if given the chance The spring rolls are the best I've had in years. The inside can be loud, and the bathrooms are terrible (public and shared).
(4)Elizabeth O.
Vietnamese food is wonderful because of all the fresh flavors. There is no deep fried chicken bits in syrup sauce here. No, the Vietnamese prize fresh herbs, and bright acidity. Broths! I tell you, no other cuisine elevates the humble broth to this level of complexity and sumptuousness. Each bite of Pho hits a delicious balance of every type of flavor on your tounge: savory, salty, sweet, and sour. It's a veritable symphony of flavors, it's poetry in motion. Good Vietnamese food is not just food for the belly, it's food for the soul. Other than Pho, the menu offers Bun Bo, which I highly recommend for it's comfort food quality. It reminds me of my mother's recipe which she would only make for very special occasions because it takes an entire day to make and required dirtying every dish in the kitchen. I have since tried to find Bun Bo like hers and this is the only place I've found who makes it. (Side note: there are so many Indian restaurants and Thai restaurants in Cincinnati, where is all the Vietnamese food??) Another must have is the Banh Mi, a food I had only heard of from the NomNom Truck during the Great Food Truck Race on the Food Network. They described it as a Vietnamese Po' Boy. A french bread sandwich with marinated and grilled meat, pickled daikon and carrots, and other goodness. It's spicy and sweet and fresh and meaty all at the same time. It fills you up and keeps you warm. All in all, Pho Lang Thang has become one of my two very favorite restaurants in all of Cincinnati, the must-visit trip for visiting guests. Any time it's cold and rainy, all I want to do is eat here.
(5)Tara S.
Beef pho with sliced steak. These jalapeños do not screw around!! This is the best pho I've ever had, the sliced steak is where it's at. A friend ordered theirs with the meatballs and no one enjoyed them, the consistency was odd. The summer rolls are also amazing, with shrimp and pork, and loads of veggies, they are light and awesome with the peanut dipping sauce (and, of course, sriracha)... I can't wait to get back downtown for this deliciousness.
(5)Emily L.
I came to Cincinnati from Minneapolis three years ago. The twin cities are teeming with Vietnamese restaurants, and it quickly became some of my favorite food ever. I went through withdrawls when I moved to Cincinnati before discovering Song Long (also great). The flavors are bright and clean, and it's even sort of good for you. On to Pho Lang Thang. Their bun (rice vermicelli noodle salad), which is one of my favorite dishes of all times is great. A good bun is noodles, shredded romaine lettuce, cucumber, maybe bean sprouts, your chosen protein/meat, and most importantly: pickled carrot & daikon, and fresh cilantro & basil. Pho Lang Thang's does. Perfection. If I had to complain, and really I have to try, I'd say it could go a little heavier on the vegetables than noodles, but it's a tiny shift. What may well be my new favorite thing ever: Bahn Mi. Not previously available in Cincinnati, this is a heavenly sandwich. Lemongrass marinated meat (beef, my favorite, chicken, pork or fried tofu), cucumber, the pickled carrot & daikon, cilantro, garlic mayo, on the best baguette you've ever had. My laid back boyfriend has talked about it nearly non-stop since we first went last Thursday, back on Saturday, back on Sunday, and again, back today on Tuesday. Seriously. It's just that good. Love the staff. Always friendly and helpful. I love supporting independant places, and this gets a bonus for it being three young guys starting it up. You might have to wait a few minutes, but it's seriously worth it. They're deservingly busy.
(5)Mark O.
Pho Lang Thang... Finally! This epicenter of ethnic excellency was on my radar for far too long. Well, today was different. I met a friend for lunch today and am already planning a return visit. It's that good. Pho Lang Thang is a Vietnamese restaurant located down in the Findlay Market area. The menu is ripe with authentic (I think) soups, sandwiches and noodle dishes. The menu is simply delightful adventurous foodies. Our server, Mapi (sp?) was extremely helpful assisting us in some Vietnamese for rookies. We started with cà phê sa, a decadent mixture of hot Vietnamese-style drip coffee with condensed milk. The drink takes a few minutes to drip in front of your eyes. The waiter brings out a glass with a thin layer of milk on the bottom and this metal plate drip-thingy on top. Opening the drip-thingy, one will find coffee groups in hot water filtering down into the cup. The coffee, rich and bold, is then mixed with the milk to create a texture that is similar to chocolate milk, only 10x as awesome. This whole thing was worth the price of the drive from Blue Ash. It was a delight to watch and delicious to the senses when consumed. Next up, we ordered bowls of Ph Bò with thinly sliced beef, cooked medium rare per the waiter's suggestion. Pho is a soup from beef broth and these thin, white noodles that resembled spaghetti. There were also some tempting herbs floating in the bowl which came with a garnishing plate of sliced onions, scallions, cilantro, lime, thai basil, sliced jalapenos, and bamboo shoots. I love the freedom to make my own tastes. A exotically delicious explosion for my taste buds. And the soup was perfect on cool November day. Accompanying the pho, we split a Bánh Mì sandwich, a grilled lemongrass marinated chicken sandwich served on a french baguette with carrots, shoots, patay and an unmistakeable thai/asian flavor. It was awesome. Pho Lang Thang definitely raises the bar for epic ethnic awesomeness!
(5)Noah G.
Well, I guess third time is a charm. And fourth, fifth, etc.... As I went to Pho Lang Thang for my third (and what I thought might be my final) time, I was weary and hoping for me previous terrible experiences to be forgotten. And finally, this trip (and successive trips), have been quite satisfactory. I had better service, the pho was tastey and flavorful, and I enjoyed my visit. I even spoke with one of the owners, and he admittedly acknowledged the less than stellar start they had. It means a lot to me for them to acknowledge their mistakes, and try to fix them. I've also been a few times since, and the food has been consistent. So, give it a try, and come home with some smelly clothes!
(4)Krista N.
I had been dying to try this place and now I am totally hooked. Findlay market is a great lunch spot with lots of free parking. The food here is really great. All of the ingredients are fresh, and the food is very authentic. I think that Pho Lang Thang is one of the hidden gems of Cincinnati. The salad rolls are one of my favorite things - lots of fresh veggies and the dipping sauce is fabulous. Everything I've had here is amazing. On a cold day any of the noodle soups are amazing and in the summer the salad and the cold dishes are also fabulous. Also, the Vietnamese coffee is one of my new favorite things. It isn't a huge cup of coffee - more like an espresso - but it is served with condensed milk and is delicious. The perfect way to wrap up a meal. Definitely a great place with authentic food with high quality and fresh ingredients.
(5)Mandy F.
My first trip to Pho Lang Thang was pretty successful! We arrived around noon on a Sunday and it was busy, but we were still able to find a table for 4. Only bad thing - it was in a corner and kind've cramped :-/ I had never had Vietnamese food before, but their menu was very easy to read and understand. We all decided to get something different so we could share and try everything. We started out with an order of the cold eggrolls and the hot egg rolls. I don't think we truly understood that the cold eggrolls would actually be cold, but they were delicious! The texure of the wrapper was interesting, but dipped in the peanut sauce - fantastic! The hot ones were great, but the sauce/broth that came with them didn't complement them as well as I thought it would. I ordered the Bahn Mi with chicken. The bread was super fresh, vegetables were crunchy and delicious, and the chicken was cooked to perfection! A few dashes of Sriracha and it was a GREAT sandwich! My mom ordered a bowl of pho - she enjoyed it very much and kept commenting that the broth was so flavorful. My aunt ordered the cold noodle salad - it was such a generous portion..large enough for all of us to taste! All in all - a great meal! The waiter was so friendly and helpful. We asked for recommendations and he actually singled out his favorite items on the menu. I felt like he didn't look down on us for not knowing how to properly pronounce everything. The service was quick - we didn't have to wait long at all! Loved it - would definitely go back and explore the rest of the menu!
(4)Joe G.
Pho Lang Thang is amazing!!! I'm from Chicago and I was working in Cincinnati and Let me tell you, if you are in Cincinnati this is a MUST go place!!!! there food and service is top notch! I really wish these guys were in the Chicago land area! let me put it this way....If i was rich I would fly to Cincinnati just to come eat here.
(5)Devanka E.
Pho Lang Thang is great food at a reasonable price. Yes, it is true that on the weekends it can be busy but who cares!!! The whole market is busy! This is the kind of place where you have to order specific things on the menu, otherwise you might be disappointed. That said: The Pho Ga, Bahn Mi w/tofu (we eat meat but the tofu is WAY BETTER!) and the Gui Cuon (spring rolls) are the best!! I have personally avoided trying anything else on the menu because why fix what isn't broken? This spot is gluten-free friendly. Make sure to mention it before they prepare your food.
(4)PJ L.
The place is good, but if you sit inside you will smell like the restaurant for the rest of the day. I am sitting in my cube now, still reeking of this place hours after I had lunch there. They gotta fix the smell issue before I will go back.
(2)Chris H.
I had higher hopes for this place based off of reviews. Before I delve into my review I must state my fiance is Vietnamese and I eat quite a bit of Vietnamese food that my mother-in-law prepares. Additionally having had Vietnamese cuisine in Orange County, CA and Saigon, VN my standards are a bit higher. My mother-in-law and I ate here on a weekday for lunch. We waited 10 minutes for a table. I was glad to see the place busy especially since I haven't been to Findley Market since I was a kid and had a much different memory of the place. First impression is that it was a clean, hip place. After looking over the menu though I was disappointed in the limited selection. I am used to going to Vietnamese eateries with pages full of options. We started off sharing the goi cuon (Vietnamese Cold Rolls) as an appetizer. I was a bit disappointed in that they lacked the flavor that I am used to. While goi cuon is mostly rice noodles, there should be the distinct flavor of mint, cucumber and pork. These rolls really lacked in flavor. While there may have been the aforementioned flavors in the roll there wasn't enough of it to jump out and hit your tongue. Mostly rice noodles, with a bit of shrimp and very very thin slices of pork. :( I chose bun thit nuong for my entree and again it missed something on flavor. I went with the heo (pork) with fried roll. First thing that struck me was the the nuoc mum (fish sauce) really lacked the kick that nuoc mum should have. I can only guess that it has been diluted down for American tastes, which is a shame. The pork wasn't what I was used to (I am accustomed to thinner pieces of grilled meat, and this reminded me of grilled kabob meat) The fried roll was just horrible. Way to much meat and it reminded me of a piece of sausage in an egg roll wrapper, then deep fried. Mother-in-law had a bowl of pho dac biet (Beef noodle soup with all the meats, thin beef, meatball, brisket, tripe) she seemed to like it and unfortunately I didn't taste it. Most restaurant pho lacks the intense flavor that homemade pho has. And while I didn't taste it, typically the smell of cinnamon, ginger, garlic, star anise and the other spices should be very easy to pick up with your nose. In summary the food was good. A tweaking of the flavors and I think they'll have a winner on their hands. Service was quite good. Kick up the flavors and the authenticity and this place will be a solid '4'.
(3)Sarah Jane G.
Super delicious and affordable- lots of vegan options including a yummy banh mi. Space was in a bit of wear when we visited at 2 in the afternoon- nothing a sweep couldn't fix. Reccomend.
(4)Lizbeth T.
Finally. Banh Mi in Cincinnati! I've only been to Pho Lang Thang once so far, but my lunch experience was great. Others have noted that you can smell the unique aromas from the kitchen as soon as you walk into the restaurant. I'd counter that by saying that you can smell the deliciousness from the parking lot behind Findlay Market. Mmmm. For such a casual little market spot, the service is terrific. I've been told weekends are a bit crazy here, but during weekday lunch, food came out quickly and we always had water refills, sauces, etc. as needed. And prices are completely fair. Not so many places I can spend $7 and leave happily stuffed! I look forward to trying the pho. My beef banh mi was excellent. Salad rolls were fine, but nothing to get super excited about. Still, two huge rolls with shrimp for $3 is a deal.
(4)Monica S.
I wanted to try Pho Lang Tang out because of the generally good reviews, and was pretty disappointed by the outcome. After reading the menu, I realized that each meat in the soup is added a la carte (except for the first one)- wtf! I ordered a couple of bowls and iced coffee for take-out anyway. Twenty minutes later my order was finally ready, and I appreciated how well thought out the take-out bag was. All the condiments and bean sprouts were packaged nicely and I didn't even have to ask for anything else. At this point there were already 2 disappointments: 1) my order took 20 minutes, and 2) one of my iced coffees was only about 3/4 full :( As I delved into my meal I wondered where the heck the meat was. My husband and I each counted 4 pieces of meat in our pho!!! Are you kidding me?? My hot sauce didn't even get touched because there wasn't enough meat to dip it into. Also, the vietnamese coffee? Nothing special. Overrated.
(2)Niamh O.
I love this spot. One caveat: it's BUSY when the market is hopping, so don't plan on getting a table. That said, the food here is delicious. Everything tastes so fresh, nothing greasy. I love stopping in here especially on a chilly day for some amazing pho and coffee. The portions are impressively sized, and very reasonably priced. I took home half my soup and had it the next day for lunch--delicious. Bottom line: this is a great spot for lunch at the market, but don't count on getting a table! Get there early--you won't regret it.
(4)Louise D.
I loved this place. The food was simple and amazing. I got the bo-buhn and it was so fresh and light, just perfect. Don't expect an upscale place - this is a cozy restaurant where you get simple food for a great price. And that's just perfect to me. I tried the limeade drink, which was a good change from lemonade! I liked the fact that they also have normal cuttlery, which was good for my parents who don't have the habit of using chopsticks. This was their first Vietnamese meal and they loved it too. It was my first Vietnamese in the US and I really liked it! Will be back for sure! Oh and I came on a Saturday around noon and didn't have any trouble getting a table for 4! So just come out and try!
(5)Lanna L.
After living in Southern California for over a year with the convenience of living 5 miles from Westminster (Little Saigon), I admit I have high standards for Vietnamese food. Not to mention that my mother is Vietnamese. After trying Saigon Cafe and Cilantro I was beginning to think I needed to lower the bar for Cincy. I was at Findlay getting some groceries and decided to stop by to try something, even though i had eaten not too long ago. I ordered a banh mi thit nuong (lemongrass chicken baguette sandwich). It was actually really good! So good I ate the whole thing. Since that first visit, I've been back a few times to try their pho, bun chay, and vietnamese coffee. Everything has been quite good. When I went in October they had benches set up in front of the restaurant which was awesome since I love to eat outside. If you're new to Cincinnati like I am and want Vietnamese food, this is the place to go.
(4)Jessica S.
I have serious cravings for this place. I love the Bahn Mi!! It is so good. I look forward to many trips back. Just a tip, the carry out can take a bit, especially at lunch, so plan accordingly!
(5)Todd L.
This place has the best pho in Cincinnati. My wife and I meet here once a week for lunch and enjoy every minute. We always choose pho and get every meat they offer. I definitely recommend this place if you appreciate authentic vietnamese food. The iced coffee is very weak. I have had much better.
(4)Jenny B.
I have had my share of pho and I would say that I was really impressed with Pho Lang Thang. The restaurant was bustling, even at 2pm with a line of patrons waiting. I loved that you could see right into the kitchen, and that is how they convinced me to order the fresh salad rolls. I don't eat pork or shrimp, so I loved all the vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. The addition of tofu and mushrooms were a great addition in the salad rolls and paired perfectly with their peanut sauce. The sauce was so good that I licked the small dish that it was served in order to savor every last drop. Now onto the main event, the pho. I ordered pho ga. They offer three different sizes, which I love. What I really enjoyed about the pho ga is that they use chicken broth. I have been to other Vietnamese restaurants that don't have chicken broth and serve their pho ga in beef broth. The chicken broth was so flavorful and would be perfect for anyone with the sniffles. I read an article recently about how to eat pho, and they said that the way to know if a bowl of pho is good is if you don't need to add anything to it like sriratcha or hoisin sauce to doctor it up, and I would say that this broth is just that. The side items to include into this fabulous broth were fresh and very aromatic. The only downfall I experienced in this bowl of pho was that the chicken was a little dry. If you are looking for a hot steaming bowl of pho in downtown Cincinnati or need a little snack while walking around Findlay Market, this is the place to check out. I can't wait to return in the summer to sit outside and enjoy the ambiance of the bustling market right next door.
(4)Suzan S.
The iced drip coffee here w condensed milk is AMAZING!!! Get it.
(5)Pat W.
Been coming here on Sundays and the staff and owners are extremely friendly and focused on providing high quality service and food. They just came out with a new menu and still have all the favorites but also added a few new items like an outstanding BBQ vietnamese sandwich on a delicious baguette roll. My all time favorite item on the menu is the Pho Ga. I have had Pho Ga at many restaurants in the Midwest and this is by far the best. The soup comes out steaming and is piping hot. The broth is soothing and flavorful. The Pho Ga comes traditionally with just chicken but I also like to add meatballs to the soup. Warning: If you go late on a Sunday they seem to sometimes run out of items on the menu.
(5)Eric L.
Aww phooey. Pho lang thang, how I wanted to like you, but Cincininati Asian food failed me again. I submit that the high ratings from other eaters have not had good Vietnamese food, mostly because there's a dearth of quality asian food in the city. Problems: 1. Caphe Sua Da (iced coffee) -- this is the FIRST time I've ever seen it made without Cafe du Monde coffee. Also, they were a light on the condensed milk (i actually prefer less sweet, but it was an odd departure from what is typically done). Lastly, it wasn't served with a glass of ice. I looked around the restaurant and nobody was drinking it iced, almost certainly because Cincinnati guests didn't know that this is typically an ICED coffee drink. 2. Cha Gio (fried spring rolls) -- stuffing was pretty bad. basically a log of meat paste, no texture, only flavor was salt. Also tiny and had been sitting out after being fried long before we arrived. Ideally served with fresh lettuce and fish sauce/citrus to cut the oil. Bad job, I've had better frozen spring rolls. 3. Banh Mi (vietnamese sandwiches) -- brutal. Bad bread, poor veggie balance, and not enough meat. all the filling options are Lemon grass flavored [$INSERT_MEAT] They don't use the legit vietnamese mayonnaise and the bun was not only old, but not even toasted. All good vietnamese sandwich shops have great french bread and this was old, dense, and with a soft crust. HUGE FAIL. 4. Pho (the vietnamese noodle soup) -- Bad, but not as egregious a transgression as the sandwich. Just very average soup that tasted like water and a pack of asian grocery store seasoning with no more effort added. Sorry to knock it guys, but I think you know its true. Maybe this is what the local population demands, maybe its laziness, but I was disappointed.
(1)Hans G.
I couldn't read the menu and had no idea what I was ordering. I got some type of appetizer that was some type of rice roll that looked and felt cold and rubbery. Whatever it was, it wasn't my thing, but I don't really feel it's any fault of theirs because I'm sure it was meant to be that way. The food had a very nice appearance and the presentation was good. My main entree was very good, but I couldn't tell you what it was. I plan on going back and trying to learn more about Vietnamese food. This was my first time and I was really clueless. I think the next time I go, I'll be a little better prepared and will find something I really like. I'll update my review when I do.
(2)Vi N.
When I was growing up my mom use to make Pho noodles and it made the whole house smell like spices. Now that im on my own and have attempted several time to make pho myself its just not the same. Pho Lang Thang is one of the best local Vietnames places around town! The food is wonderful and that means a lot coming from a Vietnames person. The Pho is exactly like what mom use to make and there Banh Mi was so good that I even ordered another to go. The server was so helpful in helping my friend order and was very excited to explain the menu! This place is a must if you love Vietnamese food, I will be taking everyone I know there.
(5)Linda A.
Almost everything on this menu looks and sounds delicious. Yet I can't seem to break out of my Fresh Rolls and Banh Mi rut. My favorite item is the Fresh Rolls and especially the peanut dipping sauce that accompanies them. Sometimes I suspect that I only love the Fresh Rolls as a medium to eat lots of peanut sauce. There's nothing wrong with that. I love these because they consist of sliced pork, shrimp, rice noodles, cilantro and lettuce wrapped in rice paper and NOT fried. Hence, they are fresh. There is also a vegetarian version with tofu and mushrooms instead of pork and shrimp. Also delicious. So the Fresh Rolls are my go-to item but I was disappointed on a recent Sunday afternoon when told that they had run out! I might have actually gasped. But I quickly recovered and ordered a Vegetarian Banh Mi sandwich instead. It was so good I almost forgot about my lack of Fresh Rolls. Almost. Thereafter, I began ordering both Fresh Rolls and Banh Mi every time I'm at Findlay Market. On one occasion I did order one of the noodle soups and was not very impressed. I think it was the chicken Pho Ga, but I can't be sure. Does it really matter when there are Fresh Rolls and Banh Mi to be consumed?? I should also mention the friendly, hip, young staff. They keep it together when things get busy. And it seems like it is always busy.
(5)Andrew N.
Things Pho Lang Thang is not: the rather ubiquitous numbered pho places (Pho 1-100, take your pick) found in on the West Coast, Texas, NOVA/DC and anywhere else with large Vietnamese populations. It's not the typical joint with lightning-fast service, 10+ combinations of Pho for about $5-6 a pop and the bin of chopsticks, saucers and Asian spoons at table side. What Pho Lang Thang is, however, is perhaps one of the best pho places in this city, if not the only place that can claim to serve a true bowl of pho. Any devotee to pho (and noodles in general) knows that the consistency of the noodles and the depth of the broth are perhaps two of the most important things that can separate a great joint for a run of the mill sort of a place. Pho Lang Thang keeps the noodles tight, by which I mean they have a nice springy bite, while the broth is nicely seasoned but is a bit lacking in those developed flavors that some of my favorite places have. Also, it runs a bit on the sweet side for what I'm used to. Having said all that, it's still a good bowl. The basic options for pho are all here: rare flank, brisket, beef balls and tripe are on the menu and the usual condiments of Thai basil, cilantro, limes, chilis, and bean sprouts are on hand, fresh and plentiful. Other options on the menu include a very respectable bahn mi served on a fresh, fragrant baguette, the typical garden and spring rolls, and a number of other classic Vietnamese dishes. Bowls run a bit small compared to the large bowls you would find at the aforementioned numbered pho joints, but prices are still very reasonable. When all is said and done, if you want to get your fix then Pho Lang Thang has you covered, and if you're unacquainted to the dish and other Vietnamese staples, then Pho Lang Thang is a good place to start.
(4)Steve H.
Wasn't sure what I was getting into when I arrived, but was pleasantly surprised. Pho was unique and the spring rolls were fresh.
(4)Leisa W.
I just realized, just now as I'm writing this review, that I actually haven't tried their pho...and I really like pho. Why, you ask? Why, when their name has "pho" in it? Why, when my neighbor Khoa has told me that this pho is fantastic, second only to his mother's? Well, I'll tell you. One reason is that I have been so satisfied every time I've been there, that I frankly forgot that I hadn't tried it. But the real reason is...the beef Banh Mi. People--this is a sandwich that will change your life. It will revise how you view sandwiches...it's a sandwich by which you will need to judge all future sandwiches. It is absolutely divine. I believe I've only actually eaten there (as in, sat down and dined in) one time, and that was after they first opened and it was a madhouse. I'm not going to say anymore about that experience because I think things are straightened out a bit now. All the other times, I've gotten it to go. But I have seen recently that on Sundays, they are serving siracha bloody marys (which I don't like, but if I did, these sound amazing). They also serve mango mimosas, which are love in a cup. So I'm pretty sure more Pho Lang Thang is in my future! Maybe this time I'll get the pho.
(4)Ben P.
Great little asian market. Prices were very good and staff were friendly.
(3)Veronique D.
I cannot wait to eat here again. In comparison to other Vietnamese-style restaurants this is by far the best Ive had do far. Thank you for your efficient service on busy days.
(5)fantasy l.
I'm a recent transplant from NYC, and lived in Brooklyn's Chinatown (where there were a plethora of Vietnamese joints to choose from) so my expectations were high. The beef pho met those expectations effortlessly- fresh fresh fresh ingredients, pleasantly spiced, but not overwhelming, overall quite lovely. The banh mi was not such a home run- the produce was fresh, but the meats didn't seem to be of a very high quality, the pickled radish and carrot seemed to be from a jar, the baguette was a run of the mill wheat flour loaf instead of the usual vietnamese style. Overall the sandwich was bland except for the pickled veggies. The salad rolls were fresh, but had dried slices of plain pork in them, which I've never experienced- I assume it's a Cincinnati meat lover thing. I could appreciate that the college student working the front register was probably very busy, but in our (very brief) transaction, she still managed to be rather rude. It was probably just a bad day, but it's a shame to have such a negative experience my first time out.
(2)Monika N.
Easily my favorite lunch place in Findlay Market, especially on the colder mornings! Absolutely love the pho and the marinated chicken sandwiches are pretty amazing as well. The small bowl of pho is easily enough to fill me up (and I'm not one of those girls who barely eats anything!) The chicken in the pho can tend to be a bit dry but the meatballs are delicious!
(5)Paige M.
I had my first taste of Vietnamese food at Pho Lang Thang's this spring. Upon Alex's recommendation, I decided to get a Bahn Mi chicken sandwich. It was a baguette stuffed with grilled chicken, cucumber, cilantro, carrots and pickled daikon. They also serve a limeade beverage which is popular in Asia. I enjoy unique beverages, and it was quenching. My meal ended up costing about $8.00; $6.00 for the (giant) Bahn Mi and $2.00 for the limeade. The Bahn Mi was every bit as delicious as all these reviews have hyped it up to be! The servers were friendly and there were ample places to sit inside the restaurant. The decor was trendy, similar to other Asian Fusion establishments. I'll definitely be back for lunch the next time I'm at Findlay Market!
(4)Sarah M.
I'd never had pho before visiting Pho Lang Thang, and let me tell you... it's now my favorite dish of all time. I find myself trying to come up with excuses to stop by Findlay Market on a daily basis just to feed my new addiction! The restaurant itself is airy and welcoming, the staff is friendly, and the few dishes I've tried so far are off the chain. When it's chilly or rainy, a nice, hot, savory bowl of pho will totally turn your day around. I encourage fans of Asian cuisine to check this place out and patronize it often so it stays around forever!
(5)Ann K.
The best vegan vermicelli salad. Eat it. The fried tofu that tops this vermicelli dish is the best I've ever had. And trust me, I've probably eaten more tofu in my life since the age of 0 than most people in this world. Crispy, and yet fluffy and light with scallion oil. Yum. Spring rolls are fresh and yummy. Eat them. Very clean and comfortable. I love how the water glasses are glass mason jars.
(5)Emily H.
Well, it seems that Pho Lang Thang already has a ton of positive reviews but I will add another one to the pile. I love Vietnamese food and although I wouldn't say that I'm an expert I think this place is pretty great! The service was friendly and the space was clean and open, plus it obviously has a great location in Findlay market. But enough about the boring stuff, you're here to find out about the food! Based on a friend's recommendation and most of the reviews on here, I got the Bahn Mi. I didn't know that Vietnamese food also included sandwiches on French baguettes but this was awesome! It was super fresh and very flavorful. Plus, who doesn't love some nice pate? And, it was only $6 and a good size! The best part for me, though, had to be the Vietnamese coffee! If you've never had it you have to try it. There are a few things that make it different: First, it's brewed through a single filter that drips into your cup. It's similar to French press so it comes out thicker and stronger. But the best part is that they use sweetened condensed milk as the cream. OH MY WORD. I remember when I first had coffee this way I thought I would never go back. Of course, it's really not good for you so I can't have it all the time, but I wish I could. Check it out, people!
(4)Tim P.
If I am downtown or near Findlay Market I enjoy eating here. I love the spring rolls and the no-frills atmosphere. Great service.
(4)Adam B.
Pho Lang ain't my Thang This is one of the most overhyped restaurants in Cincinnati. I've heard its amazing ... awesome ... wonderful ... but really its just rice noodles and soup. Maybe I'm just not a big fan of Pho style soup but I paid way to much and felt a little ripped off when we walked out. Service was good but I'm just not impressed. Nothing special to see here, well except the spring rolls. They have the meatiest spring rolls I have ever had... it's like eating fried sausage. maybe thats the style but its not for me.
(2)Alycia B.
Delicious! I love a good lemongrass dish and Pho Lang Thang has it. The rice vermicelli with chicken is what I always get. It is a cold noodle dish and it never misses. The salad rolls are good, but they would taste so much better with a sweet chili sauce, rather than the bland peanut hoisin dipping sauce served with it. I have heard there is always a wait, but I have never experienced it. I suppose living downtown means that I always get their at more convenient times rather than Findlay Markets busiest days. The staff if always friendly and happy to answer any questions about the menu. They offer outdoor seating, at times, which consists of 5-gallon buckets flipped upside down for seating, metal garbage cans also flipped upside down, with a piece of plywood on top for the tabletop. Very clever, though I'm not sure how comfy it would be.
(4)Audra C.
Ohhmmmmm nom nom nom...... Mmmmmmmmm Pho......... See... This is what happens when even thinking about Pho Lang Thang. My blood goes rushing from my brain to my stomach and all I can think about is a big, yummy bowl of Pho Ga, and some Goi Cuon. Seriously.. Since my first time going about 6 weeks ago, I've been there at least twice per week. I'm not sure when it will get to a point where I'm classified as having an addiction.... Perhaps it was a few days ago, when I was the creeper outside the door waiting for them to open. The Pho Ga is amazing! A big hearty bowl of comforting chicken scallion broth poured over rice noodles, with a side of lime, cilantro, and other goodies for garnish. YUM! Not only is the food fantastic, but customer service is on point! On one visit, they forgot about me after I was seated, so it took awhile for them to take my order. They felt awful and gave me exceptional service to make up for it, and even gave me a free order of Goi Cuon, which I had never tried, and is now one of my fave items- 2 fresh salad rolls consisting of sliced pork, shrimp, rice noodles, cilantro, and leaf lettuce wrapped in rice paper, served with a yummy peanut hoisin dipping sauce. Just writing this review has talked me into getting dressed, and going there for lunch.....
(5)no n.
Pho Lang Thang is my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. Being from San Francisco, it has been hard to find decent asian food in Cincinnati, but the pho here is great! It is healthy, quick, and affordable. I almost always get the pho ga (chicken rice noodle soup) or beef stew, and fried spring rolls. Delicious and easy lunch!
(5)Shaun S.
Amazing food and great atmosphere, the place was so busy, we just got our food as carry out and ate on the benches outside. If you are at Findlay Market, Pho Lang Thang is the top place to eat!
(5)Susan L.
What a great spot addition to the city. My nieces were in town and one had just moved from Chicago to Ann Arbor. She complained about missing not being get a good Banh Mi sandwich there. I mentioned Pho Lang Thang and I took both my nieces there. They loved it. It has good fresh food and from my understanding it is authentic not Americanized. If you try to go at peak hours one the weekend it is very busy, best to go a little off normal hours or get a sandwich to go. I read of complaint about the lack of meat in the pho, but that would be more traditional, most countries do not eat the amount of meat we do. I the pho was very good. There is nothing special about the decor, but it really does not need it, the food speaks for itself.
(4)Adolfo N.
Great place for lunch, awesome portions, great price. Definately legit vietnamese food. Cincy may not have a lot of places for vietnamese food, but so far, the ones I've found have been legit. Their meat sandwiches and egg rolls are a great meal, and easy on the wallet. With all the places popping up around Findlay, be sure to give this one a chance.
(4)Alex L.
This place definitely has decent pho for Cincinnati, which is something Cincinnati definitely lacks. It does get crowded at lunch times but what really annoys me is the long wait for my food. Pho is supposed to be one of the fastest foods to serve but somehow they make it look like they are hand-cutting, cooking, and preparing everything bowl by bowl. It might be just a lack of inexperience, but they do seem very inefficient. Another problem I have with this place is that when I ordered the largest size, the bowl was definitely large. But that was about it. There was a serious scarcity of meat. However, their sandwiches are quite delicious and the pho and soup base really are pretty decent. Given it's relatively new, I'll make a few more stops and hope that it improves on its weak areas.
(3)Scot H.
I love this place. simple, delicious, affordable, healthy. afternoon sun can be a challenge at lunch time.
(5)Benjamin B.
OK, Update to my past review: I've recently become a sinner, and while I still think that their tofu bahn mi is garbage; I had their "Cold Cut" bahn mi and was absolutely in heaven. Will definitely be returning.
(4)Mike B.
Rediculous food! The banh mi is awesome, pho is fantastic! Service rocks! I love this place! If you park in the parking lot behind Pho Lang Thang, by Eckerlin Meats, you can get an hour free for lunch.
(5)Eleni K.
If you don't like this place, there is really something wrong with you! Incredible flavor in that broth!!! Try the meatballs. They are surprisingly awesome! But a note: this stuff is not good to go. The consistency of the noodles changes drastically if you try to reheat it at home. And, they soak up the broth. Eat it there, if you can get a table!
(4)Sheila M.
My party of 8 got to Pho Lang Thang at around 12:30. There was a good-sized crowd having lunch in there and we had to wait for a table, which is normal for a big group. The furniture was kind of mismatched and random, and there was a lot of sunlight streaming in through the glass walls. At first we were really excited because we'd all heard good things. The first warning sign was the questionable service. I was served a half-filled glass of "water", which ended up being someone else's unfinished limeade. YUM? The waitress mumbled an apology after she brought back a real glass of water. For some reason (ie. I'm weird) I wasn't as bothered by this as everyone else in my group, but seriously, that's pretty gross. Their pho menu is very short. There are choices of thin steak (tai), brisket, tendon, and Vietnamese meatballs in either a regular or large bowl. We all ordered pho, and we waited around 20 minutes for the food. First came lots of bean sprouts, limes, basil leaf, and jalapeno, which was good. However, the pho itself was not great. Everyone in my group was in agreement about this. The noodles were not the type I'm accustomed to having in San Diego/LA. They were broader and harder to pick up, served in smaller amounts than other pho places. The taste of the broth was off; it was not salty or savory enough. They also skimped on the amount of overcooked meat in our bowls. Overall, I was very disappointed with the taste of my pho. I feel bad because I know this place is just getting started and there are a lot of kinks to work out. The manager came over after the meal and asked us how the food was. He seemed really nice and open to suggestions. So I would say: use the thinner, smaller noodles like other pho restaurants, give more noodles and meat, and more flavorful broth. I'm not sure if that involves more MSG or what, but it's what keeps me and other customers coming back.
(2)Paul B.
So I've passed this place many times while wandering about Findlay Market but just recently tried it out for the first time. What a delicious experience. Since my first visit, I've been back over and over again. I cant find myself getting anything but the Banh Mi because it is just so delicious. Large portion, crispy and well baked baguette - amazing! I must say though - I like cilantro, it's a great addition to many foods. A few times I've ordered the sandwich I felt like I was eating an entire patch of it though. Luckily I can just pull some of it off, it's still great!
(4)Dan M.
Just went here on a particularly wintery Friday. Pho is the perfect food for the winter time. A really good soup broth chalk full of rice noodles and beef. MMMMM. Anyways, I got brisket, steak, and meatballs in my beef pho. The soup was really rich and flavorful, and the steak was cooked in the broth during serving (as is traditional). The pho is money in the bank. On the other hand, my friend got a salad that looked pretty lame. I'd be interested to see how the sandwiches are - that's the other classic fave. The only un-authentic things about this place are the cleanliness (which I'm ok with) and the slightly high prices. This food should be dirt cheap, but it's not. It's actually a little expensive... Also, it's worth noting that the kitchen is so poorly ventilated that your eyes will burn from the onions and spices they've got wafting around the restaurant. My contact wearing cohorts were unaffected - so wear your contacts if you can. Bottom Line: I'll probably be back for some authentic pho or hit up Le's Pho & Sandwiches for the banh mi that can't be beat.
(4)David L.
We were really excited to try this place, and went with a group of 5. We've been home for a few hours and the first thing my wife and I did was throw all our clothes in the wash and get in the shower. Our clothes and hair positively reek after eating there, and now I have to pay to have my wife's coat dry-cleaned as well. Great. Like I told her: I've eaten at places before where you knew that would happen and it was worth it anyway. A soul food place in Frankfort, KY (I know) comes immediately to mind.... a lunchtime fried pork chop and greens was a hell of a good meal, but you knew you were leaving covered in stink. It's just not worth the stink at Pho Lang Thang, and I am honestly perplexed about how they created it. Three of us had the Vietnamese coffee and two had the limeade. Both were delicious, and the coffee was really something special. Before the pho arrived, our waitress brought out a tray of bean sprouts, cilantro and thai basil, sliced jalapenos, and lime to share and use to garnish our pho. She made it quite clear that these ingredients came from the adjacent Findlay Market and were expensive, and that if we weren't going to use them we should let her know. What was she going to do - save them for the next guy? Not great. Once that stuff is plated and served to my table, it certainly shouldn't return to the back of house and be reused. I understand ingredients from the market are costly, but they're not the only game in town (or even close to being the freshest or best.) She joked that we had to remain in our seats until the garnishes were gone, which made it a bit less awkward, but it was still weird and offputting, Three had the beef pho with either steak and/or brisket, one chicken pho, and one bahn mi (with pork and pate). The beef pho was bland and boring to the point that it couldn't even be rescued with sriracha, maggi, and hoisin, and the brisket was tough, underseasoned, and overcooked. The steak was a bit more tender but equally grey, bland, and unappetizing. The chicken pho was more of the same. The bahn mi was the star of the show - it was sweet, tasty, and well-composed. We were glad we took the waitress's recommendation to add the pate, an ingredient my wife was a bit hesitant about, but she was right - it made the sandwich. Nice crunch of veggies, sweetness of carrots, well-seasoned pork, and the extra umami from the pate made this sandwich a star, but not enough to make me run back there. Oh well.
(2)Kim N.
Ah, Pho Lang Thang, so glad to have had you as part of my Cincy experience! So good I came here twice during an extended visit. As a Vietnamese person, I've got to say that their pho is legit. Sure, their bowls are smaller than what I'm used to, but it's tasty, fresh, affordable, and done right (and, for me, the bowl size is actually justtttt right). My friends also loved their dishes. Friendly service and nice bright space here, too. I love that they keep their menu fresh by making special dishes and drinks. I've seen their facebook page where they make announcements for special limited-time only dishes for the evening/week/whatever it may be. My second time here was over Mardi Gras weekend, and I really liked their fun drink specials: mango mimosas (which were delicious) and Bloody Mary's made with Sriracha! I appreciated the staff and server being accommodating with the big groups I've come with on both occasions. Can't deny that Pho Lang Thang's got a fun vibe with good food to boot. The only bad part for me is that eating in here made my eyes burn (too close to the kitchen?). I think I'm just extra sensitive but all of PLT's great points were enough for me to return anyway!
(5)Kristen B.
Bahn mi in Cincy! Bahn mis are probably my favorite sandwich - they have a fresh taste combined with the chewiness of a good french bread. For me, it is hard to find a bad one, but it is even better when I find a great one! The two times I have visited Pho Lang Thang to grab food to go - I've left with a great bahn mi. I usually go no pate - add jalapenos, but if you are a bigger fan of pate than I am - go for it! While I still need to actually dine-in and try the pho and other menu items, the spot is bright and cheerful. The staff has been polite even when swamped, which always leaves a positive impression with me. I'll admit that it can be a little confusing for a first timer since there really isn't enough room for people trying to order takeout to fully separate from the those who are waiting for a table. Not a huge deal, just something to keep in mind.
(5)Aya R.
Wow. This place was aboslutely amazing!! It was everything I had hoped for. :) I really wanted to try the pho here ever since my friend told me about it. The pho was soooo tasty!!! I could also tell that the raw beef was, well... raw beef. Oh man... I loved every bite! The broth was also very good. I didn't need to cover the taste up at all. I only wish they also had egg noodle options. But no matter! My boyfriend had the Bánh mì and he loved it!!!! It had soft garlic lemon beef and fresh carrots and jalepenos. Must go to again!!! :) Four stars because of the seating places. There were a bunch of people standing crowding me while I ate. I absolutely hate that. I hated it. They had their elbows all over the edge of my table right near my food. I also felt like they were breathing down my neck!!! Next time I won't sit at that counter. Pity, because its such a cool counter!
(4)Stacey L.
We discovered this cute little restaurant on a recent trip to Finlay Market. Unfortunately, the place was packet to the gills at lunch on a Saturday. Instead, we got a to-go menu and decided to pick it up yesterday evening. If you do decide to do to-go, instead of eating in there are several options. They do deliver downtown during lunch hours (until 3pm). During dinner time, you will have to pick it up yourself. This isn't a hassle because you can park in the free Finlay Market lots. We had one hit and one miss on what we ordered. Excuse me for not knowing the Vietnamese names for these dishes. We got their chicken marinated in lemongrass on a baguette with jalapenos. It was WONDERFUL! Lots of complicated flavors and just enough spiciness. Our miss was the chicken noodle soup bowl. We found it to be very bland, even with the addition of jalapenos. Prices are incredibly reasonable- about $6 for each dish. Also, if you are eating in, it is BYOB. I definitely recommend trying this place on your next trip to the market.
(4)Adam C.
If you like Vietnamese food with flavor profiles running from A to B and excruciatingly slow service, this is the place to eat. I have eaten there a hand full of times in order to give them a fair shot, but nothing seems to improve. How can Vietnamese food in Cincinnati take over 30 minutes to prepare when it takes less than 10 minutes and with half the staff in California? Unfortunately, the desperation for Vietnamese food in Cincinnati will allow the restaurant owners to continue lowering the bar while making money. I, on the other hand, will just have to wait to have quality Vietnamese food in California.
(2)Gavin D.
Count me as one of the many who waited patiently for Pho Lang Thang to open up at Findlay Market. I had just eaten lunch prior to a trip to Findlay a few weeks back when they had a soft opening, but this weekend I knew the time had come. I'd hoped to be wowed, or at least thoroughly pleased, by my visit, but it turns out I'm still in the boat of being patient and hopeful. It's clear they've got some kinks to work out, and they're very new, so grace is clearly in order. The Food: I asked for the most flavorful thing on the menu, and the young woman at the register quickly suggested the banh mi thit nuong - a baguette sandwich with grilled lemongrass marinated meat, garlic butter mayo, do chua (pickled daikon and carrots), cucumber, and cilantro. They asked if I wanted jalapenos and pate as well, and I went for it. I also ordered goi cuon or "salad rolls" with sliced pork, whole shrimp, vermicelli noodles, cilantro, and lettuce wrapped in rice paper with a sauce on the side. I hate to say it, because I wanted so much to love it, but the sandwich was disappointing. I told them to choose whatever meat was the most flavorful, and I'm not sure if it was a mistake or on purpose, but I got mostly beef and some pork too. Neither really stood out, so no recommendation there. The bummer was that the sandwich just wasn't that flavorful. Nothing popped. Maybe it needs more of the mayo, maybe a higher ingredients to bread ratio, maybe more salt, maybe all of the above. I put some sriracha on after I ate the first half and that helped a bit (I could barely taste the jalapenos - maybe that'll change when they're in season next year), but something was still left to be desired. The best thing I got was the order of salad rolls. The shrimp were perfectly cooked - not tough - and the slice of pork adds some additional weight to sink your teeth into. The hoisin and peanut dipping sauce was pretty thick (too molasses like for my taste), and the peanuts were nearly nonexistent. If I could have Pho Lang Thang's roll with Cilantro's sauce, I'd be especially happy. The Ingredients: Nothing noted about local or organic ingredients. They do make note of some vegan and vegetarian options, which I'm sure many people will appreciate. The Story, Setting, & Service: Several of the initial reviews have noted this, so I guess I'm going to have to pile on. I ordered my food at 1:20 and was told it'd be ready in 30 minutes. That's a long time to wait for take out. When I was told that, I thought "ok, they'll under-promise and over-deliver." I actually waited 40 minutes. The space they have at Findlay is quite large, with lots of tables to the right and left of the kitchen and counter. I don't know if they have too many tables and not enough cooking space, or they haven't been well prepared (banh mi and salad rolls shouldn't require anything other than composition of pre-made ingredients), or they don't have enough staff, or all of the above. But, they've got their work cut out for them. The Last Bite: I think they'll get things figured out because they seemed like nice people and there plenty of good signs - a thorough menu with plenty of options, a well put together restaurant space, etc. But, for the mean time, I'm still a Cilantro guy. But with my office in OTR and no banh mi at Cilantro, I'm looking forward to Pho Lang Thang living up to its potential.
(3)Josh O.
I feel really bad leaving this review. I really, really wanted to enjoy my experience at Pho Lang Thang b/c Cincinnati desperately needs more Vietnamese restaurants and the guys that run it are sooo nice, but as of right now, they really need to work on how their business runs to make it more efficient and less chaotic. Anyways, I had really wanted to try Pho Lang Than, and since I had Thursday off of work for Veteran's Day, I decided to head to Findlay Market to give it a whirl. My first impression of the place is that it is BIG. It takes up two storefronts right by Silverglade's. There is plenty of seating inside, but it was crushed by the lunch rush. I decided to get my order to go so I could eat outside. I put in an order for the salad rolls and the banh mi. It was very affordable, coming in at less than $10 for both of these and a bottle of water. This is when the problems started. Because of the mad lunch rush, people were stacking up waiting for takeout orders. There is nowhere really for them to go, so we all just kinda stood in front of the door, getting in the way. Coupled with the servers running around like chickens with their heads cut off, it made for a tremendously chaotic environment. After about twenty or so minutes, I got my order and escaped the madness. The food, fortunately, was delicious. The crispness of the salad rolls, filled with shrimp, chicken, lettuce, noodles, and cilantro was perfect with the dipping sauce. The banh mi (I got beef) was also superb. Unfortunately, I didn't realize pate was optional, so I missed out on that. My recommendations? If you want to get in on this delicious Vietnamese cuisine action, I would: 1. Give Pho Lang Thang some time to sort out its issues pertaining to service time and operation 2. Go well before lunch hours 3. Go well after lunch hours I really want these guys to succeed and I will be revisiting this review in a little while. Their food is just too darn good not to.
(3)Rj C.
After much coercing from some friends, I finally made it over to Findlay Market to try out the widely-acclaimed Pho Lang Thang. I have had the opportunity to taste some very authentic Vietnamese food in the past so my point of reference is solid. The ambiance of the place is very comfortable, trendy and clean. There was a nice mix of art and sculpture (the front desk) that captured the essence of the place well. My only suggestion on this is to make some improvements to the side room, it looks a bit like a kitchen with the refrigerator. Other than that, it was a very nice-looking place. The staff was very polite and friendly, and the service is fast! As for the food, well... lemme just say this: Tuyt Vi! ('excellent' in Vietnamese, thank you Google Translate) I enjoyed my bowl of Bún Gà (rice noodles with chicken) very much. The ingredients are very fresh and the serving size was just right. I walked away satisfied but not comatose. And all of this food including coffee for under $20! Their Gi cun (salad rolls) were delicious with the peanut sauce, though I would love a sweet chili sauce like the one I had overseas. As if you need one more person to say "try this place out!" I'm going to join the chorus... GET DOWN TO PHO!
(4)Ryan H.
Authentic Vietnamese cuisine, great spring rolls. The entire experience was out-freakin'-standing! Plus, the blonde server was easy on the eyes.
(4)Sam K.
Out on the West Coast, pho is a hangover morning staple. It's delicious, hot, spicy, and will make you come back for more. I love it and was pretty hard pressed to find it available (much less authentic or good) out here. However, Pho Lang Thang is the closest approximation to a properly made bowl of pho I have encountered yet. It's really good too. They have made it a little more 'fancier' than typical Vietnamese fare is but that's probably a favorable thing given the somewhat-yuppie Findlay Market vibe. Seating is available indoors and outdoors though you can sometimes expect to wait for 15-20 minutes on a weekend. Get the pho tai (rare slices of steak) and load your bowl up with basil. Don't add too many bean sprouts as this will just make your bowl cool down and not be hot enough upon consumption (generally, pho should make you sweat a little!) Pros with some pho experience, don't typically add the hoisin or the sriracha (hot sauce) directly to the soup either. This can just overwhelm the soup and give you too much spice sometimes - try mixing them together on a separate plate and then dip your meat/noodles/tofu/vegetables into the mixture followed by a spoonful of soup! There are vegetarian options (for which I know nothing about) but you know, they look pretty good. Prices are competitive (maybe a little pricier than I would find in San Francisco and San Jose's best pho joints but you're probably paying for the exotic nature of the cuisine) In short, I'm glad Pho Lang Thang is here and I hope it's here to stay. I will certainly return and if you haven't given it a chance, share a lot of different items between a group so you can get a taste for it. If you're not very adventurous, get a Vietnamese sandwich (pricier than average, in my hometown these things sell of $2.50 a pop) and chow down. Bon apetit!
(4)Jennifer S.
Great food in a great location! I cant pronounce anything that I eat, so anything Ive pointed to has been very tasty!! The soups are amazing and huge, the headcheese is adventurous as well as the Pâté on the Banh Mi sandwiches. Basically pull all of your friends together, order everything and eat yourself into food heaven. Its a b.y.o.booze kind of place so stop by the beer/wine shop next door, but dont leave without the Vietnamese coffee! phew...good food, good price, good times.
(4)Kate C.
Wanna get pho-ked? This is the place that'll do it. I stopped in Pho Lang Thang on a chilly November afternoon, weathering a sore throat and a feeling of discontent. A minute gazing at the menu and I knew I'd found my cure - a big, steaming bowl of Pho Ga (hint: "pho" is actually pronounced "fuh"). The chicken-and-noodle concoction came to my table piping hot, complete with the sidecar plate of garnishes including basil, lime and sprouts. I alternated between the chopsticks and the Asian spoon, shoveling in noodles and broth into my mouth until my stomach felt like it was going to bust at the seams. This place makes good pho. The clean lines of the dining room and the assortment of menu offerings make me want to add this to my list of regular dining spots. Next up, I can't wait to wrap my mouth around their banh mi. Could it be as good as Saigon Sandwich in San Francisco? We can only hope.
(4)Khoa N.
...the only reason i can't give this a 5 star rating is because my mom's pho is the best pho ;-) She would disown me if I said otherwise, haha. That being said, Pho Lang Thang is a much welcomed addition to the great atmosphere of Findlay Market - not to mention Cincinnati in general. The menu is focused yet still has enough variety to come in time after time. I also love that they have weekly dishes during the night hours. Looking forward to when they do bánh xèo or cm tm bì sn ch :-) Their pho broth is great and their quality has been very consistent! If you've never had viet food before, don't hesitate to ask what to order or how to eat it. Lunch on weekends can get really busy as it's not that big of a space, so I recommend getting there early!
(4)Anna P.
Pho Lang Thang; my current dietary love. This place knows good food. The Pho is amazing! I mean not just good, the broth isn't just tasty it's silky smooth, and decadent. The portions are huge so unless you eat like you've got a tape worm, the small will probably be enough. If you like coffee, don't pass up the Vietnamese coffee at this place. It's served in a traditional slow drip (kind of looks like a metal top hat with coffee stuffed inside), with sweetened condensed milk, and the coffee's actually from Vietnam, imagine that! It's brand new so it's still working out the kinks, but the staff is friendly and always willing to explain anything and everything on the menu, they'll even tell you how to pronounce what you're ordering. I've been multiple time now and every experience is better than the last!
(4)Sanjeet G.
I have been here a few times now, definitely great pho as well as vietnamese sandwiches. Pros: 1) The pho, probably the best I have had in Cincinnati 2) The coffee with condensed milk 3) The price is pretty reasonable Cons: 1) The service, while it has improved since the opening, is definitely not the best with my usual wait their being about 20 minutes after ordering the food
(4)Matthew C.
Finally got to try the Bahn me at an event at Neons. It was fantastic! It might have to replace my standby of vermicelli. If you haven't tried this place yet, what are you waiting for?
(5)Brian M.
Love this place! There always seems to be a wait, so I always just get it to-go. Pork banh mi or vermicelli bowl with a hot coffee- can't be beat! My only tip: if you get it to-go, make sure to get home quickly, or else your sandwich will be soggy and you will ruin the perfect baguette.
(5)Hillary k.
Pho lang thang is my absolute favorite restaurant! I have been obsessed with this place since they opened. I never knew I even liked Vietnamese food, now I can't live without it. I get the same thing every single time I go there (which is somewhere between 1-3 times a week!) a Pho bo with thinly sliced steak, and a chicken Bahn Mi. I have brought countless friends, family, and coworkers and EVERYONE loves it! If I were to voice one complaint it would be the smell. They have a horrible ventilation system that results in your clothes, hair, and skin reeking of grease. Just do what I do, don't shower before you go, shower when you get home.
(5)Laura G.
Our mission: Two professional Yelpers searching for a dynamite lunch to discuss...wait for it....food. Status: Completed. Plus some. Every Thursday I get to meet up with my kick-ass Yelp mentor and Twitter sensei Alex S., community manager of Cincinnati. This time it was my pick and staying true to my nature I spent hours (well, minutes) searching Yelp for the perfect place. Having been out of Cincinnati for 2 years I have a lot of places on my to-eat list. Luckily, Pho Lang Thang has made quite a name for itself in blogs, on Yelp and in various other social media outlets I just happen to frequent. So since the lunch spot was my choice, we landed at Pho Lang Thang. Sitting just outside the main doors of Findlay Market Pho Lang Thang is a cheerful little space with a minimalist design and friendly faces. I've heard a seat is heard to get and this is true during the lunch rush, which we just happened to walk right into. Luckily, the crowd seems to move quickly so we were seated in a matter of minutes. Our server, a lovely blond woman whose name I should have gotten (bad yelper...), was very attentive and brought us both Diet Cokes, which come in a can. This might bother some but to me Diet Coke is Diet Coke. We started with Goi Cuon, or fresh salad rolls. The rice paper rolls are stuffed with the yummy goodness that is pork, shrimp, rice noodles, cilantro and leaf lettuce. They taste clean, crisp and the right amount of peanut sauce really plays up all of these flavors. After reading Alex's review I knew I had to go for a sandwich. We asked the server which she liked best and she recommended the beef and also said we should take advantage of the complimentary pate and jalapenos that come on the side. When in Vietnam right? We both order a Banh Mi, his with beef and mine with chicken. I was a little shocked at how large the sandwich was when it arrived. For size alone it's certainly well worth $6. The chicken was diced and slightly seasoned, surrounded by carrots, cucumber and cilantro. The bread, a standard french baguette, was cooked perfectly to hold a sandwich; it was crisp on the outside, warm and soft on the inside. If you like a little heat try the jalapenos and for richness spread a bit of the pate. I preferred the sandwich as it, but that's up to individual taste. We both polished off our plates and I mentally made plans to come back for the aromatic Pho I was glancing at on our neighbors table. This is definitely a welcome addition to the Findlay Market scene and keep in mind any wait is totally worth the reward.
(4)Myco N.
This is my to-go staple for great Vietnamese food. When I can't make it home for mom's cooking, this is where I go for authentic flavors and fresh eats. _ Awesome food and drinks. Fresh, flavorful, done the Vietnamese way. _ Great service! Fast, friendly, and knowledgable staff _ Affordable prices compared to some of the other places in town. _ Bright, fun atmosphere, and hopping all the time! _ Strong efforts to bring specialty, regional dishes into their menu -- PLT offers weekly specials and once they're gone, they're gone! If you like Vietnamese food, PLT is a must. My only complaint is their hours are somewhat tricky to work around. If your craving for Bun or Pho strikes at odd hours, you might be out of luck! Otherwise, this place is a gem.
(5)Sarah L.
Full disclosure: I'm not fully seasoned in the ways of Vietnamese cuisine, but I found our food at Pho Lang Thang to be quite nice. The beef pho had a light, flavorful broth but an unassuming, scant serving of steak. The bahn mi was absolutely delicious: excellent bread, fresh vegetables and well seasoned lemongrass chicken. The salad rolls were certainly fresh but needed the accompanying sriracha and peanut sauce, which is consistent with my experience of these types of rolls. Service was adequate and friendly. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars, but when I compare the performance to what I believe the simple, casual concept set out to be, I think it delivers. Pho Lang Thang is a welcome addition to Findlay Market--a true gem in our city.
(4)Rob P.
went a couple times soon after they opened, but still liked the bahn mi enough to warrant 4 stars, even without trying the pho (travesty, i know). posted a pic above. for lack of a better word, thought it was downright tasty. good crusty, soft & chewy baguette. appropriate bread to filler ratio. well-seasoned pork, pungent pickled veggies and heat! (since moving to the midwest, i get excited when something tauted as "spicy" actually is spicy. not sure if my palate is fading or the food is bland, but it's most probably the latter). as for the environ, it's' fine. cafe-like with service, although as someone else mentioned, it does seem a bit 'clamorous' even when it's not that busy. plan on coming back after things have settled a bit.
(4)Trisha K.
Had Pho Ga today. Very nice broth soup with rice noodles and chicken. The broth was quite tasty. I added hoisin sauce which gave it just a little more depth of flavor. The atmosphere was fun, but the smoke burned my eyes to the point that I had to leave before I was done eating. Some better ventilation would be nice.
(3)Mike C.
So, far this is now my go-to place for Vietnamese food in Cincy. Had the pho bo with all the meats (steak, brisket, tripe, tendon, meatball). Good flavorful broth. For a large bowl with all the meats, it was only $9. So relatively good price too. It's not the best pho I've ever had, but it's definitely pretty authentic and tasty. I also had the goi cuon, or spring rolls with shrimp and pork. Also very tasty and only $3 for two. Next time I want to try the banh mi sandwich and bun. Service as good. Our waitress was always there ready to top off our water. Food was brought out relatively quickly too. They said they will also deliver (by bicycle) to OTR, Mt Adams, Mt Auburn, and Eden Park form 11am-3om Tuesday-Friday for a $20 minimum order or for an extra $2 if under.
(4)Irish F.
I eat here whenever I go to Findley Market. I love the food and the price point! Come when you have some extra time on your hands, it is in demand. But, we are always surprised after all this time being open, that the table turnover is not managed with so many people waiting. There are always many empty tables left unattended while we wait outside in the cold or heat. Growing pains are tougher for some I guess.
(4)Jonathan O.
I have eaten pho in over a dozen cities in dozens of restuarants. This one ranks in the bottom. It was a huge disappointment after reading the reviews. I took a friend to the one in Florence that I have discovered to have a wonderful Bun Bo Hue and he said it was so much better than PLThang. Boy was he ever right. We had the fried vermicelli rolls. My wife described them as tasting "like they came from a box from Costco". I agreed. We had the pho. My wife dumped the msg sauce on it because "it has no flavor. No beef, nothing". I agreed. We had the coffee. My wife said " it tastes like that weird flavored creamer" and then she didn't finish it. You need to know that she is a coffee addict and we both love Vietnamese style coffee. I agreed -sigh- I almost forgot, our waitress. She was a lovely piece of hipster trash. Crappy service, bad attitude. The other waitress actually came over, apologized for our wait and had the manager comp us a portion of our meal. And no, we did not complain. It was just that obvious. Now i did not try the Banh, I like them but I LOVE pho. And the name has pho in it. Maybe that is good but then they should change the name to Banh Lang Thang and stop serving that overpriced water noodle soup.
(2)J K.
Call it Lang thang because after waiting an hour and 20 minutes, we were told that there was no pho as we were being seated. Boooo
(2)Bopha S.
Order from here 3 times a week. One day the delivery guy comes and tries to scam us by saying that there was a new delivery charge policy of $20. It was dishonest and tacky and horrible. After speaking with the "manager" he gave a half ass apology and pretty much did nothing. They were not accomodating nor remorseful of what happened. The food is great but I definitely have an unsettled feeling about this establishment. I will not be supporting such a place. Sucks because I was so loyal to the place and have recommended many many people to go there. I shudder to think how many customers the staff have or tried to scam.
(1)Qingyi L.
We wait for more than 1 hour and another half an hour after sit down. We only ordered pho which should be very easy and fast to cook. Not worth the time.
(3)Manny V.
This is our second time here. We came here today for lunch with some friends. We were glad to get seated right away. I'm sure it's because it is a weekday. Expect a long wait during the weekends. I had the Pho with rare steak and meatballs and my wife had one of the noodle salads. I slurped my Pho down. The broth is so good. You would want to drink it after the noodles and everything are gone. My friends, who are frequent visitors of Pho Lang Thang, had other Pho items as well. As always the servings are generous and the food tastes great! We will keep coming back. We are definitely fans.
(4)Andy D.
Whenever my wife and I go to the Findlay farmer's market, we almost always stop here to grab lunch. The food here is authentic Vietnamese food done right--perfect balance of fresh and pickled vegetables, savory meats, noodles/rice/sesame rice cracker/bread, and well-made nuoc mam (vietnamese vinegar fish sauce that is used for dipping and dressing). If you don't want to spend too much, go for the banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) of which they have several options to choose from. Their pho is expertly flavored and garnished perfectly as well. One very unique aspect of this restaurant compared to other Vietnamese restaurants is their goi (shredded veggie salad), which is not offered at many Vietnamese restaurants. They serve the salad vegetarian or with chicken and/or shrimp. The unique aspect of the salad is the black sesame rice cracker that the salad is served on--the cracker is a staple of Hue Vietnamese cuisine (middle region of Vietnam) and adds a satisfying crisp to any dish it's added to. The goi here is always served on one of these rice crackers that is about the diameter of a small plate and the combination of fresh cabbage, herbs like basil, and nuoc mam (vietnamese dressing sauce made out of fish sauce, vinegar, lime juice) makes for an awesome appetizer. How to eat it? Break off pieces of the rice cracker, put some salad on, drizzle some nuoc mom on top, then eat it--a Vietnamese Nacho!
(5)Ashley C.
4.5 stars rounding up to 5 stars. Pho Lang Tang makes excellent Banh Mi sandwiches. I did the beef and added the pate - yummy! The french bread was fresh and nice and soft. They nailed the bread-fillings ratio and had fresh and crisp veggies and a good bit of cilantro. The spring rolls were also excellent. We tried the fresh and friend - i would probably choose the fresh ones as my favorite. Service was quick and friendly. We luckily we got there early and didn't have to wait. By the time we left, there was a line out the door. However, it is definitely a place that is worth the wait (and you can stroll the market).
(5)Greg S.
it's rare that you need to wait for lunch, but this is that type of place on a Saturday afternoon. It didn't help that the greeter didn't capture my cell number correctly, but we did get a table in 15 minutes. Pho was very good and service was great. Parking is super tight, but worth it. Best pho I've had in a while
(5)Kara W.
After reading some other reviews, I guess my party of 3 was lucky to be seated right away on a Saturday afternoon. It was around 11:30, and there were spaces available inside or out. I have never had pho, so I was eager to try, but I actually got the beef banh mi. That is a decision I do not regret for a second. The sandwich was so fresh, from the baguette with just the right amount of crunch, to the cucumbers and cilantro. I ended taking off some of the cilantro toward the end of my meal as it started to overpower the otherwise very balanced plate. The best part for sure was the beef--so juicy and flavorful! For a little sandwich, it did a great job at filling the void that is my stomach. I will most certainly be back for another banh mi.
(4)Gregg M.
The wife and I were walking around Findlay Market on a Saturday afternoon. It was a little after 1pm and we were hungry. We both had a taste for pho and spied Pho Lang Thang. The place was packed and there was an estimated 45 min. wait. Not deterred, we gave the host our name and number and waited for a text saying our table was ready. We got the text a little shy of the estimated time and were promptly seated. Compared to comparable Vietnamese joints I've been to on both the East and West coasts, prices seemed quite a bit higher than I was used to seeing for pho and banh mi. I ordered the medium Pho Bo Dac Biet (rare steak, meatballs, brisket, tendon and tripe) which only came in medium, $11, or large, $13.50. The wife ordered the small Pho Bo Nam (brisket) for $7.95. We also decided to split an order of the Banh Mi Dac Biet ($6.50). Our food came out quickly. My medium pho was a goodly-sized bowl comparable to the large bowls I've had at other pho joints. It contained a generous amount of meat and rice noodles. The noodles seemed to have been freshly boiled, not pre-cooked, portioned, and then refrigerated, as they weren't still cold, glutinous, and stuck together in the bottom of the bowl cooling down the hot broth. Most importantly, the broth was beefy and fragrant with the desired pho spices. In truth, it was one of the best looking and tasting bowls of pho I've ever had. The classic banh mi was also good-sized with a reasonable amount of sliced barbecue pork, pork sausage, headcheese, and pâté. The cilantro, cucumber, jalapeno (available upon request) were brightly colored and appropriately fresh. The pickled carrots and daikon added a nice textural crunch and acidity. The excellent ingredients were matched by a fresh Vietnamese-style baguette that was nicely crusty yet soft, chewy, and airy in the middle. It was as good of banh mi that I've encountered. Service throughout our meal was solid. I'm glad that we found Pho Lang Thang. Not that there's a lot of competition for pho in Cincinnati, but Pho Lang Thang will be my go-to place to get my pho fix when I'm in town. As good as it was, the price for a bowl of pho still seemed a bit steep by a dollar or two and the banh mi by $.50-1.00. That said, it was still at a price I'd be willing to pay given the quality and amount of food received. 5 star food...minus one star due to pricing.
(4)Kim P.
Food here is really good. I've been here a couple of times and it's never disappointed me. My favorite food here would have to be the sandwiches. It comes out in a warm toasted baguette with fresh veggies, pork and cheesehead. Pho is good too...the noodles are chewy and broth is legit. Food: yum! thumbs up! Service: great parking: 1 hour free on weekdays
(5)Meghan Q.
I can't say how much I love this place! First off, it's in Findlay Market, which is perfect bc there is always a wait at Pho Lang Thang, and they will take your number to text you when your table is available. So in the mean time, you have all of Findlay Market to walk around! First time going? You must get a Banh Mi-I like the Lemongrass pork with the added pate and jalapeno, and a Pho (of course) I like the rare steak. They of course bring the plate of goodies--ie jalapeno, lime, cilantro, basil, and sprouts. You can add as much or as little to your Pho as you'd like. The broth is out of this world, and the noodles are cooked to perfection. Sounds like a lot of food, but it's worth being stuffed for. Plan ahead, bc like I mentioned, there is always a wait. Enjoy!!
(5)Ryan P.
Best banh mi dac biet in the city, hands down. Sure, the bread is better at Le's Pho, but every other component is better at Pho Lang Thang. If you put the fillings from PLT on Le's bread, you'd have the perfect banh mi. There's lots of meat, including lip-smacking gelatinous head cheese, roast pork, and savory pate. The veggies are crunchy, the cilantro plentiful, and the jalapenos hot as fire. Their bread is more of a softer French loaf, where Le's has a much crunchier exterior. Both are good. PLT isn't just about the banh mi though. Their spring rolls (both the fried and fresh ones) are really tasty. I especially like the peanut/hoisin dipping sauce for the fresh spring rolls. I hear they serve good pho and noodle bowls too, but who needs to bother with that when there are delicious banh mis on the menu? The prices are right too, just $6.50 for the best sandwich in Cincinnati. The location in Findlay is great. There's plenty of parking, and you can hop into Taste Of Belgium for dessert after. They could stand to work on their HVAC system though. It's always hot inside in the summer and the windows just drip condensation. Overall, it's a great experience that everyone must try.
(5)Neal E.
The Yelp app led me to Pho Lang Thang. It's smack dab in the middle of a section of town that is somewhat run down - the evening I came to visit, there were quite a few folks hanging around the street corners - two of them were stopping everyone coming down the sidewalk and asking for money. Anyway, I went in, ordered the Pho Ga - large, but with no rice noodles (low carb). The bowl came out quickly - hot, steaming, and aromatic! I added the razor-sliced thin jalapeños, basil, cilantro, lime, and bean sprouts. Everyone looked good, but the sprouts were starting to slightly brown. Everything was delicious! The broth was a chicken broth - rich and delicious! The chicken was oh so very tender! I added copious squirts of Sriracha sauce to each bite and then some to the broth before slurping down the entire blessed bowl of broth! As others have noted, it's kind of overly warm and humid inside, so I took off my fleece jacket... The folks running this place are friendly and nice! Great Pho Ga!
(5)Peggy S.
I came in here for lunch on Small Business Saturday. Super busy but fast and tasty! There was a 50 minute wait for this on Saturday so I browsed Findlay while waiting. They use a text-based notifying app to let you know when a table is ready. I had been wanting to try this place since everyone raves about it! I opted for the rare streak pho and an iced coffee with milk. Technically they messed up my pho order but fixed it really quick. It came with a heaping pile of bean sprouts, peppers, cilantro and other things to add to the broth. It was light and refreshing. I order a small for $6 and it was plenty; so many noodles! The coffee was drip based and great. I also loved the atmosphere. Even though it was very hot and humid inside, everyone was friendly and happy to be there--both workers and customers! I'll definitely be going back to try a sandwich.
(5)Jessica T.
Best pho I've ever had! Delicious and comforting.
(4)Andrew P.
Absolutely the best Vietnamese food I've ever had! You must try the Banh Mi and the noodle salad. The spring rolls (salad and fried) are out of this world as well. I've only recently tried their coffee but their house blend (which is roasted and ground in Vietnam) in the Vietnamese drip style with the condensed milk is so rich and sumptuous. If you are anywhere near Findlay market, or even if you aren't, you must go here. I can't rave enough about how much I love Pho Lang Thang.
(5)Rory B.
Great broth. Great Mis. Really you just can't go wrong here. The fresh summer rolls are perfect.
(5)J w.
I've come to realize that this is my favorite restaurant since moving to Cincinnati. More than the Eagle, Senate and even Boca. Although I love the former, this place is pretty legit. I was wary at first given that I was eating pho at least 1x/week in Southern California, where we have the highest population of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. But this place holds its own against some of my all time favorites. Sure, their pho is incredible. But really, that should be expected. The real star to me here was the chicken bahn mi. What's usually dry and underwhelming was moist and delectable. I'm kind of bummed that they don't serve Vietnamese crepes here, or anywhere else I've found in Cincinnati. I'm pretty sure they would do a great job considering their execution of everything else I've tasted. All in all, I'd definitely give this place a shot. If you're not familiar with Vietnamese cuisine, this would be an accessible and delicious intro.
(5)Alicia B.
The food is good. I prefer the sandwiches over the soup. You WILL walk out smelling like food.
(3)Beverly B.
Great street food from Vietnamese tastes to Cincinnati! Today I ordered salad in rice bowl with poached chicken fish sauce on the side. The crunchy bowl is fun to eat, break it in chips and "dip" in cabbage carrot salad! My healthy diet meal of the day!
(5)Alexia B.
Just split the pho (chicken soup) medium bowl and chicken bah mi sandwich with the boyfriend, as well as a Vietnamese coffee... And it was the best I've ever had! We've been on a road trip across the country from LA and have been eating some heavy southern foods. This pho instantly made me feel a billion times better! Fresh food and excellent service :)
(5)Missy L.
Pho Lang Thang is hands down my favorite restaurant at Findlay Market. Delicious fresh ingredients and friendly service make make PLT an all around wonderful experience. If you visit PLT during peak hours...be prepared to wait. I've waited an hour or more before, however since it's located at Findlay Market there is plenty to do while you wait. My favorite is Pho Ga. Delicious fresh veggies and chicken are paired with a flavorful broth and rice noodles. I always get the small and end up having some to take home. I've also had the Banh Mi sandwich which is has a delicious fresh flavor. The bread it's served on has amazing texture and flavor. No trip to Findlay Market is complete without a trip to Pho Lang Thang. It's a must try. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Matthew H.
You know a place is good when you walk by, and just by how the food smells, decide to eat here. I visited here on a Saturday for lunch with the girlfriend. We had walked by it the weekend before and she was amazed by how good the food smelled and looked, so we decided to try it. This was her first time having Pho. She ordered the basic pho with rare steak, and I had the rare steak with meatballs. Both of us were blown away. The broth is amazing, some of the best broth I have ever had, and its definitely the highlight of pho. The pho is very simple, just broth, your protein, noodles, onions and scallions. And every table is given an plate of accompaniments to add as you'd like. It had cilantro, basil, bean sprouts, fresh jalapenos, and fresh lime wedges. My preferred way to eat this is with tons of the herbs and lots of lime juice, and a good amount of sriracha. Amazing flavors. This is not an easy soup to eat for first timers. I am not too proficient with chopsticks, so it was interesting at first trying to pick up noodles and steak, while sipping the broth with the little soup spoons. About half way through you get the hang of it. My reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because I wasn't a fan of the meatballs, they had a weird texture. Also the service was a bit slow. We waited a while for the food and for water refills. But overall, the food was amazing, and next time I'm at Findlay, I will be stopping by to try some of their sandwiches.
(4)Thomas C.
Summary: Great bahn mi sandwiches, solid pho noodle soup right in a great farmer's market Tip: Don't wear clothes that you want to wear in the near future - you will come out of this place smelling like pho (whether you like it or not)! Food: This place is about it's food and the bahn mi sandwiches are some of the best I've ever had. I'm vegetarian and routinely get 2 tofu bahn mi's with jalapenos. I'd say 1.5 sandwiches is about the perfect meal for me but I will *always* finish that last half. I think what makes it great is that the tofu is well-seasoned (or probably the batter around it). The rest of the sandwich is well done including the bread which I suspect is homemade - it's got the perfect ratio of crunch and doughy filling. The vegan pho is pretty good and has actually gotten better over the years. It's incredibly flavorful for such a clear broth. They also let you choose how big of a bowl you want now, which is nice. Overall: I've been here multiple times and love it. You'll usually find a reasonable wait time here and I haven't waited for more than 30 minutes. They'll call you, though, which is nice and allows you to wander around Findlay, which is always a ton of fun.
(4)Kate L.
How did I ever survive without this restaurant in my life? I discovered Pho Lang Thang about 2 months ago, and I am obsessed. Seriously. Like have to come here once a weekend to get my fix obsessed. The pho is the best in the city. I usually get the vegan pho with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu. The flavor is insane! The spring rolls with peanut sauce are also amazingly good, but make sure you get there early if you want these because they tend to sell out quickly. The location of the restaurant is great because if you have to wait for a table (which is the case 99% of the time) you can walk around the shops at Findlay Market. Do yourself a favor and get Pho Lang Thang ASAP. You won't be disappointed.
(5)ANais M.
So so so tasty! One of my favorite places in Cincy. I've never had better Vietnamese food anywhere, even in Paris where there is a plethora of Vietnamese restaurants. Everything tastes fresh, perfectly seasoned, with amazing combinations of sweet, sour, salty, spicy... Hits the spot every time. The wait can be kind of long but since it is located in Findlay, it's really not that bad, just go for a stroll, and they will let you know when your table is ready. Also, be prepared to smell like a fried nem for the rest of the day :)
(5)Brittany D.
Hands down one of my favorite OTR eatery's. Everything here is absolutely wonderful and so reasonably priced. Perfect place for lunch when shopping at the market.
(5)Molly S.
I've done dine-in and carryout here and both are pretty stellar. Service for dine in is really top notch, no empty drinks, super friendly. I was asked if I needed some sriracha to carry out with me, which was super appreciated, because I would have forgotten no doubt. Their jalapeños aren't kidding around, so if you're a little wary of really spicy stuff, lay off. Also DUH the sandwiches and pho are out of this world.
(5)Summer P.
Finally! A pho place in Cincy. We are experienced Pho diners for our time in the Carolina's and Texas. We both had the brisket, meatball and rat steak pho. Beverages were the jasmine ice tea and Vietnamese coffee. The Pho was pretty good. The broth was a little over salted but the fish sauce balanced that out. Meat was generous. Herbs were obviously fresh. Coffee was appropriately strong, in fact I'm far fingering as I type because of the caffeine jitters. Atmosphere is Very high energy and noisy. Invigorating and good for people watching out the window. The AC is only moderate. Service is spotty but friendly when you get it!
(4)Emily E.
Laid back... the owners are awesome people! ! ! fantastic pho, banh mi is amazing.... slow drip Vietnamese coffee = a reason to live [hot and cold].... Also surrounded by Findlay Market, which is a wonderful part of Cincinnati that everyone should experience. Highly recommended along with their other establishments, Quan Hapa and Lang Thang Cafe! ! ! !
(5)Tim B.
One of Cincinnati's hidden gems! Vietnamese food with flair. A favorite for those in the know. Their Pho Bo is delicious.
(5)Jason Y.
All the reviews I saw said that there will be a wait to get seated at this place and it's true. But don't worry because the wait isn't that long and it'll be worth it! The pho here is great! The broth is full of flavor and they give plenty of meat! I had a large and even that was a bit much for me. I also got the cha gio (spring rolls) and they were delicious and lightly fried. This place is the bong. No wonder this place is so packed! It's located in Findlay Market and there are tons of little shops to visit and look at afterwards.
(5)Dave M.
To be honest, I don't frequent Vietnamese restaurants, but this is definitely one I would consider returning to. When you first survey the menu, it can be a bit confusing, especially if it's your first time. Thankfully, the waitress was very helpful in helping group the menu into buckets and walking me through what is popular, and what's not as popular. I ended up ordering the Steak and Meatball Rice Noodle Soup(per her recommendation). It was delicious. A lot more filling than I expected. Only complaint was I wish there was a more generous portion of meat in the soup. I highly recommend getting there for an early meal as it can get pretty crowded during certain parts of the day, especially on weekends.
(4)Katie W.
Stopped here during my visit to Findlay market. Had a bowl of pho, and the Small was perfect for me bc I wanted room for dessert. They had run out of a what I originally wanted, but it was still pretty tasty. Their sandwiches looked good too. I would definitely be hitting this place up routinely if I lived in the area!
(5)Naiying C.
We did carry out and after we heated back up the food (after its been sitting in the car for a few hours) it surprisingly still tasted really good. The cold cut banhmi is my favorite, pho is not bad but the broth is not as good as other broths I've had.
(4)Krissy B.
Best pho place in Cinci! Great vibe with cool local peeps who are friendly & extremely helpful.
(5)Zack F.
I wasn't bowled over by the vegetarian Banh Mi because it was a bit like grazing the garden...just didn't have a finished or composed feel to it. However, I've tried the vegetarian Pho now. I got the small size and it was still quite large. I recommend this option. The tofu is completely flaccid and flavorless which I find a bit unfortunate. The meat options come with flavored meat. There isn't much to the broth and the noodle are uncooked. However, when I put in the lime, jalapenos, thai basil and cilantro, it developed good flavor. Still, the mushrooms were uncooked as well and it initially just seemed like someone added plain noodles and water to an herb salad. I liked it and it was filling, however, I just feel like the vegetarian options aren't thought through or fully developed. It's just some raw stuff dumped in and you are left at the table trying to save the dish with some flavor that you find around you. The coffee was delicious, though I think I'd go with a good bit less sweetened condensed milk, or just ask for it without that altogether.
(4)Helen P.
Hahaha I love this place. I love the food and the spring rolls and most of the time I eat the tofu salad so delish and healthy :) I always take friends and they love it
(5)Joel D.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. It is a relatively basic menu with the staples of Vietnamese cuisine. What stands out at this restaurant is the freshness of the food. Being located within Findlay Market isnt a bad place to be when it comes to being fresh. I got the Pho, standard I know, but it was great. The beef sandwich was very good as well. I find that these "dive" type restaurants usually end up being better than the nicer places out there. I would definitely recommend if you are into the basics of Vietnamese food.
(4)Becky S.
Best Feature: AMAZING cuisine! Worst Feature: Busier times can be a bit difficult in finding service Okay so I love me some Yelp - I decided to check out this place due to some rave Yelp reviews! I must say it is definitely as good as the reviews. It's also the first time I've been to Findlay Market, so it was a really exciting experience! I've never had Vietnamese cuisine before, so I was really excited to give it a try! I was NOT disappointed! I ordered a noodle dish with beef - it was definitely different but very delicious! The ingredients were great quality and I added some of the sauces they made available to spice it up a little. I went during soft opening so I'd hope they have a bit more on the menu. The service was excellent; we had a very friendly waitress who was very friendly and did a great job with our order! The only downside was we came during a busy time; managed to snag the only available table and with all the hustle and bustle, our waitress was pretty hard to flag down. The prices are decent! It's between $5-10 for a meal, at least during lunchtime! Being able to get a decently portioned meal for a low price was fantastic. You can park nearby at the Findlay Market parking lot which is great! During busy times, it will be very hard to find a spot. I went at lunchtime and managed to find a spot. Keep an eye out for people leaving and try to grab a spot! I'm keeping this at four stars to see how a second experience goes. If you're in the area, give this a try for sure! Thanks to Yelpers for the great recommend!!
(4)Mitch H.
The phô here is the best I've ever had and pretty good prices. It's one of those places where you sit so close to everyone around you that it is almost a communal setting. During our lunch we had 2 separate couples start conversations with us about the lunch and recommending other places. It's hard to find a place with a fun setting and great food that gives you that kind of awesome experience.
(4)Sara Leah P.
My husband and I went to Pho Lang Thang on a Wednesday evening on the spur of the moment. I was worried that we would not be able to get in because most of the reviews I had read had indicated that it was always crowded. It was not crowded but the majority of tables were occupied. We were seated right away. I was super excited because had several vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. The service was excellent. The food was inventive and quite tasty. It was a great experience. We will definitely be returning.
(4)Greg H.
The Banh Mi (French-Vietnamese baguette sandwiches) is the best sandwich in town!
(4)Bea D.
You may unknowingly walk by this assuming paradise of food. I had a sandwich and my dining partner had a noodle bowl. The flavors were unique and yummy. Everything was fresh and flavorful. Mint, jalopenos, sprouts, carrots, lemongrass... It seemed endless. Service was great -attentive with a smile. The yum factor will bring me back. If you are looking for a new and great experience, pay them a visit.
(4)YAAKOW a.
A great pho restaurant in Cincinnati, the owners are totally nice and everyone is working as fast as they can. The reason the food takes so long is because of Findlay's regulations on the kitchen. If you look at it, its seriously tiny. They don't have the huge kitchen with 1,000 Vietnamese people working in the back with a huge vat of pho broth. They stay up all night making broth for the next day, and when its out, its out. They make each bowl of pho bowl by bowl. That being said, the food is incredible, fresh, organic and local (they buy almost everything they use from Findlay vendors) and worth the wait. Great people doing great things in Cincinnati. Try the bun and the goi cuon. yum yum. Just be patient!
(5)Marc S.
Excellent food. Good prices. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Chenney C.
What everyone else said, literally. IT IS AMAZING!
(5)Jaime S.
This is by far my favorite place to eat in Over-the-Rhine. I've had pretty much everything on the small menu and it is all wonderful. Seriously, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu! For the price and the portion you receive it can not be beat. A++++++!!!!!
(5)Jessica P.
If you are looking for the perfect dish to warm you from your head down to your toes, look no further than Pho Lang Thang. The Pho is so delicious and hot, it leaves you satisfied, full and toasty. Awesome for the dreary Cincinnati winters.
(5)Becca E.
First, Yum! I love Vietnamese food, but I honestly my experience doesn't extend much further than Cilantro. When a classmate suggested we get together for lunch here, I was super excited to give it a try. It did not disappoint. It was much bigger inside than I expected which was good because it was so busy for a weekday. There are different bowl sizes so you can get just the right amount. The server was super friendly and even when he brought me the size bigger than what I ordered he let me keep with no up charge. It was the middle size and was big enough that I have leftovers the next day. I loved the spring rolls, really glad I impulsively ordered them at the last minute. I honestly could not tell you what noodle bowl I ordered but I am sure they are all excellent. I was really tempted by the sandwiches and can't wait to go back and try one; I was a little too timid this time.
(4)Erika D.
I love the food!
(4)Nikki F.
We love this place! I shop at Findlay Market about two to three times per week. Almost every time we go we stop by Pho Lang Thang for for Pho! It is so great. Since they opened the Pho has changed a few times. Sometimes it was better than others. I have heard that they have settled on the final recipe and it is very very very good. My favorite thing there is the rice paper roll that has shrimp and pork and noodles and fresh herbs. I don't actually know what it is called on the menu but I LOVE IT!!! The prices are really low for how full you end up when you leave. :) They also have amazing coffee that is mixed with condensed milk that is sweet and strong all at once.
(5)Camilo O.
The Pho was very good, though not the best I've ever had. The summer rolls were tasty, though not mind blowing. However, the service was really top-notch and I'll definitely be coming back. I just moved here from an area with a huge Vietnamese population, so my judgement may be skewed, but this was very solid and will be my go-to Pho place in Cincinnati.
(4)Amy C.
Very good for cincinnati pho! Conveniently located in Findlay market too with a pretty standard menu and very friendly service. I had takeout here once, the the server even taught us the trick for reheating the sandwiches! I agree that it tastes very legit, though portions are somewhat small compared to the big cities (pretty standard size for price in Cincinnati though). My main complaint are weird hours, and limited seating, although the outdoor seating area is so asian and quite clever/quaint :).
(4)Sarma S.
Best place in Cincinnati for delicious, healthy, affordable, large portion food!!!
(5)Robert M.
The Food is great tasting. But there are serious issues with service. we waited an hour for our food at lunch. The Kitchen is tiny and can not handle the amount of seats in this place. Either they need to shrink the seating or build a real kitchen (seriously one panni grill and one deep fryer can not cut it.)
(3)Karan M.
I really enjoy the vegan pho with tofu and mushrooms. This place offers great variety, awesome serving sizes, and a chill place to enjoy it all with friends.
(5)Dan M.
Yummy pho, fresh spring rolls and sweet Vietnamese coffee. Being from out of town, one of the workers there was even kind enough to walk me to my car and tell me about things to do and see in Cincinnati. Five Stars!
(5)Lynn V.
i'm a fan. i was traveling to cincinnati for work, and started to feel a little too corporate (i'm sensing that staying downtown can make anyone feel that way). i ventured out to the findlay market (thank you, yelp) and headed over to Pho. I got the pho ga and the fried spring rolls. delicious. both. the pho was super flavorful and the noodles soothed my weary soul. if i were making healthier choices, i would have skipped the spring rolls. but eff it. fresh and crispy. the restaurant was bustling. and the heat coming off the kitchen... holy lord! i felt like i was in the oven, which was comforting on a cool spring day. it might be oppressive in the summer (but then there's the market next door, which i assume is amazing and boisterous and adds to the atmosphere). the hipster crowd with their pegged jeans and their horn-rimmed glasses and their smiling children added to the experience. soul-restoring on many a'level. the dismissive/ slightly rude service made me feel like i was in a big city...
(4)Justine M.
I'll be honest...so far,I've only tried the Banh Mi. I just love it so much, I can't tempt myself to venture out and try something different. It is THAT good. Plan your visit around peak meal times, cause this place fills up quickly. The only downside to this place is that I seem to absorb the smell. Oddly, I don't smell it while I'm there, but sure enough, my clothes and hair smell like Vietnamese food. It's worth it though. And there's not many places I will tolerate transference of smells from either.
(4)David P.
The frestest ingredients in town! Great Banh Mi and Pho!
(5)Lea B.
The servers don't hover but are visible when needed and the flavors are clean and fresh. We left full and happy!
(5)Zackariah C.
Never having had Vietnamese food, I stopped in for a quick sandwich during a parade. I was greeted by very warm and friendly staff. The setting is bright, modern, colorful, and clean with upbeat music playing. The sandwich was delicious and very different from anything I've had before. I'd like to go back again and try different menu items. I have only good things to say about this place.
(5)Lisa b.
It was a crazy busy Saturday, but our food was still served pretty quickly. The (fresh) spring rolls were delicious and my bahn mi was really yummy! The guy at the counter asked me if I'd wanted jalapeños or patê and I'd said 'no' but I think maybe he didn't hear me because it was on my bill and my sandwich... But... It made for a really good sandwich!
(4)Dyah M.
I love how this place is located in Findlay Market and brought a different experience to the visitors. The service was great, but it was rather slow. The food was not as I expected it would be; as I read other reviews. I definitely have had better Vietnamese food (in Cincinnati!).
(3)Liz A.
i stalk these people and try to pretend i'm asian to get them to like me, that is how obsessed with this food i am. i love everything on the menu but what keeps me up at night (what, no bike delivery at 3 am?) is the roast pork banh mi.
(5)Leonardo M.
It's amazing to me that a sandwich can be anything you want it to be. I've gone into Pho Lang Thang several times... and I WANT MORE. The crazy thing is... the marinated beef sandwich is SO DAMN GOOD that I can't bear to try anything else. Is this good or bad? Go on down to findlay and get yourself something well worth its taste. Please convince me that everything else is as good as that sandwich.... because if it is, God save my bank account.
(5)Stephanie P.
I originally gave Pho Lang Thang four stars after my first visit several months ago, but after visiting this place more frequently, four stars just wasn't enough. This place is a five star joint all the way. The food is excellent-- it's quickly become one of my favorite lunch spots in the city. It's clean, fast, inexpensive, and the staff is always friendly. I frequently order delivery from work, and I love that they deliver downtown! The delivery guy is always speedy and super friendly. Everything I've tried on the menu is good. They have a great selection of rolls-- great salad rolls (both vegan and with meat). My favorite dishes are the bun thit nuong (noodles with lemongrass flavored meat) and the banh mi thit nuong (lemongrass meat packed with cilantro and cucumber served on a French baguette with halepenos and garlic mayo). This decor of the restaurant is simple and modern, with spacious seating options away from the hustle and bustle of Findlay Market. Check this place out next time you're at Findlay, and as long as you aren't a fan of Vietnamese cuisine, you won't be disappointed!
(5)jen k.
Amazing food that is freshly made. I am so happy that this place opened up. Their pho is flavorful and I always get it when I am feeling sick. It helps with my sinuses and a sore throat. Swear it has healing powers. Nothing else makes me feel better. I also enjoy their bahn mi, which is tasty. Friendly people who work there and it is reasonably priced. I am always getting lunch from there. :)
(5)Lien L.
Having grown up in San Jose, California where there's practically a Pho restaurant on every street, we've had lots of Pho noodles. At Pho Lang Thang, we ordered the Bun Thit Nuong and Pho Thai. Both were pretty good. The Bun could have used more noodles, but they were generous with the meat. The Pho could have used more meat, however! The flavor of the soup was a bit on the mild side compared to the Pho in Cali, but that may be to accommodate the non-Vietnamese taste buds. Still, the soup was satisfactory enough to warrant a 4 star rating. We did not try the Banh Mi sandwiches, but the table next to ordered one, and it looked pretty authentic, though overpriced at $6 each (typically costs $3-$4). Overall, the food was authentic, ambience nice, and service excellent. Would definitely go back!
(4)Jessica T.
Best pho I've ever had! Delicious and comforting.
(4)Alex S.
Pho Lang Thang is the best thing to happen to Findlay Market since ... all the other delicious things were put into Findlay Market. Still, this enhances, promotes and all around makes the Market better. Period. First off, they do authentic, hand cooked authentic Vietnamese Food. Can you name me one other place in Cincinnati that does that? Not Americanized versions of the food, but hardcore recipes passed down through the generations. There can't be more than a few, and no one as close to my house ... so I love Pho Lang the best. This isn't a stand in the market, but a real restaurants in one of the market's outside corridors (where Silverglades and the tea shop is). Walking in, you're met with a busy, comforting restaurant. There's a red counter right in front of you where you can order to go or you can walk right into the small seating area if you're here for sit-down food. The place actually feels ... a little generic, to tell you the truth, like this could be one of many Pho Lang Thang chains around the country. It's the same semi-problem I have with It's Just Crepes. There's nothing really distinct about it, and that's so surprising given how good and different the food is. However, I can't blame them. To get people in and to try food that otherwise might terrify them (especially here in Cincinnati), they have to feel comfortable in their surroundings. And the food is so good, and I want them to stick around, that if a little atmosphere blandness is what it takes, then so be it! And the food is good. Oh my, is it good. I got the Goi Cuon (Vietnamese spring rolls) which were amazing and fresh! So fresh! I also got the Bun Thit Nuong (rice vermicelli with grilled meats) with beef and it was equally delicious - and huge! It was like $12 for all of that and the portions at this place are monstrous. Be warned! But I regretted all of my choices, no matter how delicious they were, when I tried my girlfriend's Banh Mi (a Vietnamese baguette sandwich). It was ...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. That's all I can say. No other words will do it justice. Check this place out. Please. It needs to stay in Over-the-Rhine. Also, owner David told me they're going to start delivering eventually, and when that day comes, oh what a day it will be.
(4)Helen V.
I'm Chinese and I'm very picky about my noodle, especially- soup noodle. The noodle has to be al dante, the soup must be from real ingredients. Pho Lang Thang know what they are doing. The Vegan Pho is to die for. Load them up with bean sprouts ....YUM
(5)J E.
The BEST pho in the city. It gets crowded though and very noisy. Parking can also be an issue since it's in Findlay Market. But the service and food is worth it so 5 stars!
(5)Yang W.
I only give this place A-OK because I was extremely disappointed by the pho here. The most important part of pho is the soup, and there's is pretty bland . I have yet to find decent pho in cincinnati... Their other dishes are pretty good. I recommend the Bun Thit Nuong. Ambience - extremely casual. Perfect for a weekend brunch plus Findley Market shopping.
(3)Hulee X.
Every time we went to Findley market we will eat at here. Beef pho is my always meal. Very traditional Vietnam food. I like steak, and my friend like tender and brisket. Not expensive, also.
(5)Valerie G.
I simply love Pho Lang Thang. Every time I have been there, I leave happy, satisfied, and feeling like I've eaten something really good for me. I haven't tried everything on the menu - YET. But here's a little rundown of menu items. My go-to order is the Vegan Pho. I've tried it with the fresh tofu and with mushrooms, and with both. I love to load it up with the provided plate of fresh condiments (crunchy bean sprouts, thinly sliced hot peppers, thai basil, cilantro, and lime - as well as soy sauce, hoisin, and srihacha). The portions here are pretty large - a small pho will completely fill me up, I think a regular would be over-the-top. I've also tried others' chicken and beef pho. The broths are distinctively different for all three versions of pho. I enjoyed the beef; it has a richness that the chicken and vegan broths do not have.... But I stick to the Vegan Pho so I can eat a whole bowl and not feel too full or guilty after. The tofu bahn mi sandwich was delicious, but I thought there was too much bread in the filling to bread equation. The bread is very good, I just thought there was too much of it. The tofu is breaded and fried, and it gets a nice silky texture. Again, the fresh fillings/toppings in the bahn mi added a nice crunch and flavor. I also enjoy the fresh salad rolls (or spring rolls). Both the vegan and the regular options are consistently good. Now, let's talk about the peanut sauce! It is AMAZING! I could eat it with a spoon. I wish PLT offered more options that came with the peanut sauce. Maybe some sort of tofu satay/fried tofu appetizer with the peanut sauce? That would be out of this world. Finally, the Vietnamese coffee. It is strong and fresh, they bring it to your table in a little brewer. I like the version that comes with condensed milk, even though I generally do not sweeten my coffee. I enjoy the hot and iced, but I predict I will be drinking a lot of the Iced Vietnamese Coffee this summer. The service here is generally quick and perfunctory. The servers seem to ALWAYS be busy. However, if you have questions, just ask and they will help you out. If you have questions or need a fork or spoon instead of chopsticks, just ask! They are all friendly and helpful, but you have to ask them, otherwise they will be pretty hands-off.
(5)Sally Y.
Pho is definitely one of my go to spots when I have visitors in town. Not only do you get a chance to explore and show off Findlay Market to your guests, but you can also mosey on over to Pho Lang Thang and get some delicious food while you're there! I love how Pho Lang Thang's menu doesn't overdo it. It's hard enough ordering off the menu because I don't know how to say anything correctly and feel guilty, but they were smart in not packing the menu with so much stuff that you feel overwhelmed! All in all, I love the food, and I especially love the coffee! You can't go wrong with the traditional Pho bowl, and I'd suggest getting the thinly sliced steak! Make sure you also get a roll of the spring roll wraps. So fresh and delicious!
(5)Ed J.
This is a thriving place right on the north side of Findlay Market. My wife and I came here for lunch in late February, and got in just before the rush arrived. There were 10 police officers there eating - and you know that means the food is worth it. I had a bowl of pho with sliced beef and meatballs, and my wife had banh mi with chicken. We also each had an order of goi cuon and a Vietnamese coffee. I really like pho, and learned from someone much more knowledgeable than I that you have to put all the side items in the bowl as well as some chili sauce. I'm afraid I overdid the sriracha chili sauce, and ended up in endorphin nirvana with sweat dripping down my face. It was so worth it though - crisp sprouts, tender rice noodles, flavorful broth and tasty beef. The spring rolls were also great (love the lemony bite of Thai basil), and the coffee was just what I wanted - powerful and sweet. All that for less than $30. Our waitress was excellent and seemed to be everywhere in her section at nearly the same time. Must be the heat from the chilies and the caffeine from the coffee. Anyway, an excellent place. If it's good enough for Detectives Moreland and McNulty, it's good enough for me.
(5)Andrea O.
Best coffee ever!! The food is amazing and you can't go wrong with anything you choose. Very fresh tasting and friendly staff
(5)Maggie T.
Not the best Vietnamese I've ever had, but the best I've had in Cincinnati. The Findlay Market location is super crowded and has long waits on the weekend.
(4)Brenda G.
Absolutely love this place. Go almost every Saturday while shopping at the market
(5)Cliff K.
OK for a quick pho fix DO: -Vermicelli with Pork DON'T: -Pho - unless you really like the soup and noodles because the meat is skimpy PARKING: -Findlay market paid parking lot -Street parking all around Been here twice and have only tried the pho and the vermicelli. The pho was forgettable because they gave me way too little meat and the soup was subpar, but if you need a quick fix I guess it will do. The vermicelli was much better with various veges and a respectable amount of meat. Everything is under $10 so that's really nice. This may sound ridiculous, but the place isn't dirty enough to be good... I love pho and I really hope someone out there understands what I'm saying.
(3)Ryan Z.
I actually really love this place. It's turned into a weekly staple for me. I tend to go with the Banh Mi or the Bun instead of the more popular Pho. The chicken Bun, in particular, is simply delectable... fresh veggies, tasty sauce and grilled chicken. I actually considered giving this place 5 stars, which I don't do very often at all, but the service prompted me to keep them at 4 stars. It seems like every time I get take-out, I spend an extra 5-10 minutes standing there waiting to pick up my food despite the fact that it is ready and bagged to go. This place has a ton of employees, but most of them just stand around looking at you instead of helping. It's very disappointing because I can tell that the manager/owner really cares about customer service. Hopefully his employees step up to the plate and follow his lead. You can't rest on your laurels forever.
(4)Adam R.
Conclusion: Can't go wrong with the Pho here. I give it two thumbs up (based solely on the quality of Pho and service) Okay, so for starters, I'm a bit of a Pho junkie. I've probably had it at over 30 places all over the country. I've had some really bad Pho in Alaska (one place strangely offered "fresh" King Salmon in it), and some incredible Pho. The best being around the Asian Market District in Oklahoma City. Yes, oddly there are a lot of Asians, particularly Vietnamese, in OKC for some unknown reason. Pho Lang Thang in Cinci is near the top of Pho that I have sampled. If I had to rank it, I'd say maybe #4 or 5 out of 30. Its pretty darn good. I have been there twice and can't imagine ever being disappointed. Quick service even when they are slammed on a cold Saturday. Consistent quality. Friendly and cheery staff. TIP: Order extra meat. Its cheap and is the perfect amount.
(5)Edith M.
I don't get why people RAVE so much about this one. The food here has nothing special... You can boil water,throw some meat and add fresh cilantro and Voila! Please try Le's Pho and sandwiches which is family run. The place doesn't look like much but as soon as you enter the patriarch and matriarch greet you with a big SMILE. Their daughters also work there. Their soup and sandwiches are not elaborated but very flavorful.
(2)Yixuan G.
The soup noodle is very delicious。 It is similar to over-the-bridge rice noodles， reminds me good memory. Yummy
(5)Jessica S.
It took me a long time to decide to join the crowds of folks at Pho Lang Thang, the latest craze to hit Findlay Market. I always saw it so crowded so I never bothered... well, that definitely changed! Yes, the line is long if you go on a weekend afternoon, so be prepared... or do what I did: get carry-out! Instead of waiting 45 minutes for a table, I waited 5 minuets in line, placed my order, and waited another 10 minutes for my meal. So great! I ordered the vegetarian banh mi, which was delicious! I love good, authentic Vietnamese food and this is most definitely it! After being disappointed by other restaurants in the area that claim to serve true Vietnamese food (who shall remain nameless!), I'm happy to say I found the spot where I can get my fix! Look no further than Pho Lang Thang for good, authentic, 1000000% real Vietnamese cuisine!
(4)Paige P.
Oh My dear sweet pho lang thang. When I moved here from DC I was shocked at the lack of choices for good Pho. Which was a staple of my takeout diet. When this placed opened I was there, ready to nom. The pho is wonderful! As is everything else on the menu. The prices are fair, if not cheap, and they offer a good variety of proteins to put in your pho. If you're feeling adventurous try the tripe! The limeaid isn't a revelation but it's damn good. They stick to simple, well made, and delicious Vietnamese foods. The service is always quick and friendly. I can see Pho Land Thang becoming a neighborhood establishment for decades to come. It's really Pho-king good.
(5)Bill E.
I have to agree with CM Alex about Pho Lang Thang being one of the best things to happen to Findlay Market. I almost always come here for lunch after I am done with my shopping at the market. Service has always been fast and friendly even with the entire restaurant packed. When I come here I usually get the spring rolls and the cold cut combo of the banh mi and I add the jalapenos to the sandwich. I am not a coffee drinker, but by the smell and look of the coffee they serve here I could become a converted coffee drinker.
(4)Ed S.
Great Vietnamese place! The pho is excellent, nice and spicy. I love the sandwiches too. The prices are decent, but they are quite skimpy with the meat, order extra meat and you will fall in love! Service is quite good too.
(4)Sandra F.
OMG!! Found my favorite spot to eat at findlay market!!! I got the Banh Mi-Chay which is the Fried Tofu Sandwich and my husband got the Pho Chay Mushroom Soup with firm tofu. Excellent dishes! Next time, I would like to get the salad and try the spring rolls. A must dine in when you go to Findlay market for lunch!
(5)Howard M.
I order my coffee "Taylor Swift" style. I add enough milk to make it pretty blonde but left just bitter enough without being off-putting. Pho Lang Thangs coffee with condescend milk could have won the CMA album of the year. It was wonderfully good. This was my first visit to the restaurant. Clean space, great staff, tasty food. I had a headcheese and pate sandwich. Yes, a bit of a different flavor but nice none-the-less and made better by a very fresh baguette and vegetables that they put on it. I loved their noodles also. I kept stealing from my wife's soup. They are light but satisfying. The waiter gave us a few suggestions which he didn't have to offer but they helped. The other staff seemed nice and happy to be there. That translates into the food they serve. Great spot.
(4)Alexander P.
This place has a variety of gluten-free options. I got the pho with beef (broth and rice noodles) and it was fantastic. It was filling, even with the smallest portion (and around $6). As far as I know, the server asked and all of the pho rice noodle dishes are gluten free. Since I am limited on what I can eat in OTR (Celiac) this place is certainly going to become a new favorite. The location is very convenient (right on Findlay market) and even allows outdoor seating.
(4)Erin K.
Came here with some out of town friends from California and am totally LOLing about Cliff K's "it's not dirty enough" comment because they said the exact same thing!! Despite it's cleanliness, (haha) the food is pretty legit and way decently priced. I had one of the sandwiches with jalapeño and it HIT THE SPOT. My friends tried the pho and spring rolls, which also got their stamp of approval! Did I mention they also have Vietnamese coffee - hot and cold?! Drool. Took me back to my time spent in Cambodia!!! Will def be coming back here again, great go-to spot to share with my out of town friends, too!!!
(4)Scott N.
This is what a restaurant should be - genuine, authentic, local and delicious. Okay, do I know enough about Vietnamese food to assert it is genuine and authentic? Probably not. Maybe what grabbed me about the food was the freshness of the ingredients. Given the restaurant is smack dab in the middle of Findlay Market, I would expect nothing but fresh, fresh, fresh. I definitely tasted the FRESH. The Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk was delicious. I don't think anyone could really screw this one up. YUM! The Goi Cuon tasted as if the ingredients had just been pulled from the garden. The Bun Chay, a fried tofu dish, was very tasty. The mushroom sauce mixed well with the vegetables and fresh herbs. Others at the table ordered the Pho Bo. The couldn't rave about it enough. You are welcome to bring your own bottle. If you forget to bring something, hop on down to Market Wines and pick up a bottle or a brew. The two establishments work well together. In fact Jessica, who helped us choose just the right wine later stopped in to Pho Lang Thang for take out. Finally, the price is RIGHT! I mean, it's darn right inexpensive. I'll be back and if future visits are this good, I will most likely increase my rating from four to five stars, but after my first visit... Yay! I'm a fan!
(4)J.D. S.
Wanted to try an authentic Ban sandwich since watching the Food Truck wars on cable last year! Mmmmmmmm.....so dam good! Waiter was right on with the service and being helpful! great food, in a killer (literally) location in Findlay Market
(5)Shawna K.
Continuing on with my "Ladies who Lunch" brought me to Pho Lang Thang this past week. I was already a fan right from the start when I found Pho and it was an actual sit down cafe. Definitely a welcome addition to Findlay Market. Plenty of seating at our lunch and a friendly host who sat us right away. Not being knowledgeable at all about Pho, my server walked me through the menu and when I was ogling the other tables food, he pointed out which dish they were eating, so I could order appropriately. Plenty of beef, chicken, or veggie options! Food was fresh, piping hot, and of course delicious! I felt they just chopped my veggies and grilled my meat right before serving. No pre portioned food here!! I fell in love with their peanut sauce and wanted to drizzle it on everything that I ordered. So after my dynamite lunch that left me wanting more, I got the bill and was blown away that I could fill up this much for this little. What an awesomely delicious addition to Findlay Market!! Seriously how can you not love that place and love Pho Lang Thang!
(4)Ben N.
I'm kicking this one up a notch, if only for the deliciousness that is the banh mi thit nuong with pork: Seriously good, and I can't wait to get another one. The wife is a bun (vermicelli bowl) aficionada and has eaten the stuff all over the U.S. (and even in Paris). She ranked this Pho Lang Thang bowl as being top-notch. I tried it, and I agree! Service seems to have gotten smoother. No complaints to speak of on this last visit, and everybody was super-friendly. The pho broth is still a bit of a problem, though. It seemed even blander than the first time. (More beef stock needed?!) The ventilation problem apparently is an issue that's not going away anytime soon, either. No matter where you're sitting, your clothes for the rest of the day are going to smell like you were at the Vietnamese equivalent of a Waffle House. Overall, though, a great addition to the city.
(4)Ben B.
I have been wanting to try Pho Lang Thang for a while now and found the opportunity yesterday as I was taking an out of town friend to Findlay to show him around. I believe that they were near closing time as there was ample seating, but we were quickly greeted and given a seat next to the windows. They had a large area to the left of the counter that looked as though they could hold alot more than they currently do, maybe they are expanding already? I ordered the Pho Rice Noodle Brisket Soup and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of soup one gets for $5, served with the obligatory sprouts and some jalapenos to spice it up. The server talked me into a cup of Vietnamese coffee which I was told came from the owner's father's shop, and it was delightful. Slow drip single serving, iced, and a small layer of condensed milk. Service was top notch. Everyone was very warm and even though I hate showing up when restaurants are closing, I felt very welcomed. The soup was quite tasty, and at the price, it's very hard to beat! Will definitely go back again to try other menu items!
(4)purvin l.
I love this place!! The food is really good and service is pretty great. Every time my wife and I go, we have always enjoyed the food. My favorite dish is the chicken pho, and you have to get the coffee. You can explore and shop at Findlays market and then get an authentic, delicous vietnamese meal.
(5)Angela C.
When you walk into Pho Lang Thang, you are enveloped in the smells of deliciousness and a warm dining area with cool photos from Vietnam and other artwork. That's only the beginning to the fun. The place was pretty packed for a super late lunch, but we got a table fairly quickly and didn't have to wait too long for the food. On to the food- the spring rolls were scrumptious. The husband got the Bun Thit Nuung, with chicken and spring rolls- yum- and a drip coffee. I loved that the water was served in glass mason jars and that the drip coffee actually came to the table in the drip filter. But really, the best part was the Banh Mi, which really was my object of some mild obsession since I read that Pho Lang Thang had banh mi... it didn't disappoint. It was a generously sized sandwich on a crispy baguette, and oh my, it was good. So good! I was surprised to read some of the more negative reviews for Pho Lang Thang. I can't find much to be upset about when there is fresh, authentic food. It is really busy, but I would consider that a good thing, and certainly new restaurants will have their kinks to work out. Our experience was great and we will definitely be back. My only dilemma is now that I so love the Bahn Mi, I might not be able to convince myself to get Pho.
(5)Erin H.
I'm always happy to get Vietnamese food when I can and we have a serviceable meal here while at Findley Market. The banh mi was the highlight and so were the fresh shrimp rolls. My pho was ok. The waitress was great and it was awesome people watching sitting by the window watching the market. I also liked that you could leave your name & cell # if there's a wait (which there was) and you can walk around and they'll call you when your table is free - great service!
(3)Peter K.
I was in Cincy last weekend and had to make my way over the Findlay Market to try this place after getting a recommendation from a local blogger. I was really just interested in their cold cut banh mi. After some initial sticker shock, $6.50, high by most banh mi standards, I ordered one anyways. The cost by far is justified by the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Lets first start with the pate, their version here was not super funky or as gamey as I'm used to. The head cheese tasted super clean with a nice texture to it. Lastly the Vietnamese bologna and ham rounded out the cold cut selection. The bread was nice crispy on the outside, fluffy and tender on the inside with a crunchy layer of sweet and pickled toppings. Jalapenos optional. My better half ordered some of the fried springs rolls and the Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. We both agreed that the springs rolls might be the best we've sampled anywhere. We'll definitely back if we're ever in the area again.
(5)Mike D.
Oh Banh Mi, you've finally arrived in Cincinnati! The Vietnamese/French hybrid hoagie made with a baguette roll, meat (shrimp, pork, beef, pate, chicken, shrimp etc) and carrots, daikon, cilantro has been hard to come by round these parts, but finally, an authentic Vietnamese place that offers this amazing sandwich every day is here. I was fortunate to attend a friends and family party of Pho Lang Thang (they won't be open to the public till mid-november) and all I can say is that this is going to be a weekly stop for me. Everything is fresh, authentic and tastes amazing. Besides the Banh Mi, they also have Pho (duh, its in the name), Bun (vermicelli rice noodles), Cha Gio (spring rolls) and Com tam (broken rice). Im not even going to attempt to get all the accent marks right. Not only is all the food great, but the prices are super affordable, with nothing over $7! (that I can remember) The service was friendly and accommodating, offering suggestions of menu items if you weren't sure what to get. The space is one of the biggest in Findlay Market, taking up 2 storefronts, bright, and has a really cool custom built bar table. There will also be a giant wall mural of photos of Vietnam on the back wall, once its finished. No knock on ay other vietnamese places in town, but Pho Lang Thang just knocks everything out of the park completely. 5 stars.
(5)Lucy S.
Pho Lang Thang is my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. I've left the Cinci area but continue to lust after their tofu banh mi. I've never had anything that I didn't love and always leave with a full belly. The prices are very reasonable and, though the wait can get annoying on weekends, they're always willing to take your number and call you when your table is ready. I've found that leaving my number before wandering around Findlay Market makes for a perfect arrangement. Enjoy!
(5)Matteo D.
Very Tasty + Very Friendly + No MSG + great prices = 5 star This place is great. I love hanging out around findlay market because everything there is so fresh, the place is buzzing on weekends, and you can usually find anything you need to cook amazing meals in your kitchen. I had always seen a huge crowd around pho lang thang and I love pho and Vietnamese sandwiches but was always too busy shopping to wait in line. Well my girlfriend and I went in to get a table and I left my cell phone number with them. I asked them if they knew of any good asian markets around and they gave me some suggestions. I went shopping for goodies while technically on the waiting list. Right when I was done shopping they called and had a table for me. I got shopping done and got a table at the same time!! The waiter was a high school/college looking guy who was very friendly and very knowledgeable about everything on the menu - how it was made, what ingredients were in each dish, and he even gave suggestions which turned out great. If you're a big fan of pho you should know that most places have MSG in the base. This place doesn't!!... Usually this takes away from the flavor but in this case it really didn't. It was delicious. I got the chicken (base made with chicken bones) but i'm sure the beef may have been even more delicious (base made with ox bones). It came out a little too hot but I don't mind since I eat the noodles and meat in a side dish while my soup cools to the correct temperature. The appetizer rolls were delicious. and I also got their vietnamese sandwich which contained pork marinated in lemongrass. Very-Very-Very good. An app, large soup (very large), and delicious sandwich all cost around 18 bucks. water was always filled and they were there whenever i needed something but far away enough to not bother me while eating. I left very full, very satisfied, and with little loss of cash.... I also got shopping done while waiting on the call! would come again any time and would very much recommend to friends. not fancy and not a huge menu. but delicious, clean, friendly, cheap food. everything I look for.
(5)Jessica L.
Probably one of the best Vietnamese places in the Cincinnati area and its surrounded by an amazing addition to the city in Findlay Market. The spring rolls are huge! I got the vegan spring roll (I'm not vegan or even vegetarian for that matter) and they were great. They had sliced mushrooms and tofu with the thick peanut sauce! yum I got a Banh Mi and boy was it good. The staff was attentive and friendly ...and the food came fast. Findlay market has free 1 hr parking in their lot and I had plenty of time to spare on the meter after eating at Pho Lang Thang!
(4)Carol J.
The best pho you'll get in town - HANDS DOWN! If you stop by during the weekend, expect a wait, but trust me, the pho, bahn mi, and spring rolls are totally worth the wait. If the wait is long, take a stroll around Findlay Market to pass the time!
(5)Mohit M.
Yesterday marked my third Pho Lang Thang experience, which means I finally became unofficially qualified to review their food....and other peripheral pleasantries. 1) If "Pho Lang Thang" is pronounced like I pronounce it in my imagination ("Fo Lang Tang") then the restaurant is immediately granted bonus points for "fun name to say". If, in actuality, it is pronounced any other way, don't worry - this won't affect the way my mind pronounces it, and thus no fun will be forfeited. 2) If you are lucky enough to get an outdoor table, do appreciate their inventive table setup - doors over trash cans. If it sounds shady, I assure you the look is lovely and the experience is more stable than most outdoor seating made up of clanky webbed black steel that leaves plenty of gaps in the table for slippy slips. 3) Cà Phê Sa á is their iced drip coffee which has the condensed milk at the bottom ready to be stirred and mixed accordingly. No sugar necessary, everything is already contained to make a fantastic cup of coffee - THE MOST DELICIOUS COFFEE I've had in Cincinnati. 4) Gi Cun are their salad rolls that are wrapped in a see-through substance. This gives the rolls a "Bones Exhibit" quality that, though must be healthier than a regular fried roll, adds a texture that I'm not completely comfortable with. Also, my friend had HIGHLY recommended these rolls to me, and as expectations set the standard, I was sadly disappointed. 5) But, if you're still feening for a roll you're more likely to recognize in a lineup, please try the Ch Giò. These are INCREDIBLE, and unlike almost all other rolls I've tried, are somehow able to stay together in a cohesive manner unprecedented in these rolls' relatives. 6) Bánh Mì Tht Nng - delicious hot sandwich 7) Bánh Mì c Bit - cold-cut butt sandwich Unfortunately, I can't comment on the restaurant's namesake dish, Pho. This is kind of like me writing a review for Taco Bell and only commenting on the quesadilla. My apologies, and until I actually try their Pho, I'll leave that validation to another Yelper. Since this place is right next to the freshest ingredients in town within Findlay Market, they seem to be using that to their advantage by using those ingredients in their own dishes - this gives the food a freshness that best be described as "New York good." And whether it should or not, the fact that they keep authentic names for their dishes does give more legitimacy than replacing the name "Bánh Mì Tht Nng" with "Hot Chicken Sandwich and Fries" just for the domestic customer's convenience. Even the descriptions are chockful of Vietnamese vocabulary which makes it difficult to clarify the dish's contents. Still, that's better than a tactic employed by one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor that would write the name of the dish - Mysore Masala Dosa - and the description 'ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS' without any further clarification. All in all, if you like delicious Asian food in which you can taste the freshness of the ingredient, do yo' thang at Pho Lang Thang.
(4)Jessica N.
I raise this place a star because they also offer bahn mi, and it is some delicious bahn mi for realz.
(4)Greg C.
Great little spot for lunch, inexpensive, filling and tasty. The lime aid drink was good but not worth $3. Would try the imported beers next time if given the chance The spring rolls are the best I've had in years. The inside can be loud, and the bathrooms are terrible (public and shared).
(4)Elizabeth O.
Vietnamese food is wonderful because of all the fresh flavors. There is no deep fried chicken bits in syrup sauce here. No, the Vietnamese prize fresh herbs, and bright acidity. Broths! I tell you, no other cuisine elevates the humble broth to this level of complexity and sumptuousness. Each bite of Pho hits a delicious balance of every type of flavor on your tounge: savory, salty, sweet, and sour. It's a veritable symphony of flavors, it's poetry in motion. Good Vietnamese food is not just food for the belly, it's food for the soul. Other than Pho, the menu offers Bun Bo, which I highly recommend for it's comfort food quality. It reminds me of my mother's recipe which she would only make for very special occasions because it takes an entire day to make and required dirtying every dish in the kitchen. I have since tried to find Bun Bo like hers and this is the only place I've found who makes it. (Side note: there are so many Indian restaurants and Thai restaurants in Cincinnati, where is all the Vietnamese food??) Another must have is the Banh Mi, a food I had only heard of from the NomNom Truck during the Great Food Truck Race on the Food Network. They described it as a Vietnamese Po' Boy. A french bread sandwich with marinated and grilled meat, pickled daikon and carrots, and other goodness. It's spicy and sweet and fresh and meaty all at the same time. It fills you up and keeps you warm. All in all, Pho Lang Thang has become one of my two very favorite restaurants in all of Cincinnati, the must-visit trip for visiting guests. Any time it's cold and rainy, all I want to do is eat here.
(5)Tara S.
Beef pho with sliced steak. These jalapeños do not screw around!! This is the best pho I've ever had, the sliced steak is where it's at. A friend ordered theirs with the meatballs and no one enjoyed them, the consistency was odd. The summer rolls are also amazing, with shrimp and pork, and loads of veggies, they are light and awesome with the peanut dipping sauce (and, of course, sriracha)... I can't wait to get back downtown for this deliciousness.
(5)Emily L.
I came to Cincinnati from Minneapolis three years ago. The twin cities are teeming with Vietnamese restaurants, and it quickly became some of my favorite food ever. I went through withdrawls when I moved to Cincinnati before discovering Song Long (also great). The flavors are bright and clean, and it's even sort of good for you. On to Pho Lang Thang. Their bun (rice vermicelli noodle salad), which is one of my favorite dishes of all times is great. A good bun is noodles, shredded romaine lettuce, cucumber, maybe bean sprouts, your chosen protein/meat, and most importantly: pickled carrot & daikon, and fresh cilantro & basil. Pho Lang Thang's does. Perfection. If I had to complain, and really I have to try, I'd say it could go a little heavier on the vegetables than noodles, but it's a tiny shift. What may well be my new favorite thing ever: Bahn Mi. Not previously available in Cincinnati, this is a heavenly sandwich. Lemongrass marinated meat (beef, my favorite, chicken, pork or fried tofu), cucumber, the pickled carrot & daikon, cilantro, garlic mayo, on the best baguette you've ever had. My laid back boyfriend has talked about it nearly non-stop since we first went last Thursday, back on Saturday, back on Sunday, and again, back today on Tuesday. Seriously. It's just that good. Love the staff. Always friendly and helpful. I love supporting independant places, and this gets a bonus for it being three young guys starting it up. You might have to wait a few minutes, but it's seriously worth it. They're deservingly busy.
(5)Mark O.
Pho Lang Thang... Finally! This epicenter of ethnic excellency was on my radar for far too long. Well, today was different. I met a friend for lunch today and am already planning a return visit. It's that good. Pho Lang Thang is a Vietnamese restaurant located down in the Findlay Market area. The menu is ripe with authentic (I think) soups, sandwiches and noodle dishes. The menu is simply delightful adventurous foodies. Our server, Mapi (sp?) was extremely helpful assisting us in some Vietnamese for rookies. We started with cà phê sa, a decadent mixture of hot Vietnamese-style drip coffee with condensed milk. The drink takes a few minutes to drip in front of your eyes. The waiter brings out a glass with a thin layer of milk on the bottom and this metal plate drip-thingy on top. Opening the drip-thingy, one will find coffee groups in hot water filtering down into the cup. The coffee, rich and bold, is then mixed with the milk to create a texture that is similar to chocolate milk, only 10x as awesome. This whole thing was worth the price of the drive from Blue Ash. It was a delight to watch and delicious to the senses when consumed. Next up, we ordered bowls of Ph Bò with thinly sliced beef, cooked medium rare per the waiter's suggestion. Pho is a soup from beef broth and these thin, white noodles that resembled spaghetti. There were also some tempting herbs floating in the bowl which came with a garnishing plate of sliced onions, scallions, cilantro, lime, thai basil, sliced jalapenos, and bamboo shoots. I love the freedom to make my own tastes. A exotically delicious explosion for my taste buds. And the soup was perfect on cool November day. Accompanying the pho, we split a Bánh Mì sandwich, a grilled lemongrass marinated chicken sandwich served on a french baguette with carrots, shoots, patay and an unmistakeable thai/asian flavor. It was awesome. Pho Lang Thang definitely raises the bar for epic ethnic awesomeness!
(5)Noah G.
Well, I guess third time is a charm. And fourth, fifth, etc.... As I went to Pho Lang Thang for my third (and what I thought might be my final) time, I was weary and hoping for me previous terrible experiences to be forgotten. And finally, this trip (and successive trips), have been quite satisfactory. I had better service, the pho was tastey and flavorful, and I enjoyed my visit. I even spoke with one of the owners, and he admittedly acknowledged the less than stellar start they had. It means a lot to me for them to acknowledge their mistakes, and try to fix them. I've also been a few times since, and the food has been consistent. So, give it a try, and come home with some smelly clothes!
(4)Krista N.
I had been dying to try this place and now I am totally hooked. Findlay market is a great lunch spot with lots of free parking. The food here is really great. All of the ingredients are fresh, and the food is very authentic. I think that Pho Lang Thang is one of the hidden gems of Cincinnati. The salad rolls are one of my favorite things - lots of fresh veggies and the dipping sauce is fabulous. Everything I've had here is amazing. On a cold day any of the noodle soups are amazing and in the summer the salad and the cold dishes are also fabulous. Also, the Vietnamese coffee is one of my new favorite things. It isn't a huge cup of coffee - more like an espresso - but it is served with condensed milk and is delicious. The perfect way to wrap up a meal. Definitely a great place with authentic food with high quality and fresh ingredients.
(5)Mandy F.
My first trip to Pho Lang Thang was pretty successful! We arrived around noon on a Sunday and it was busy, but we were still able to find a table for 4. Only bad thing - it was in a corner and kind've cramped :-/ I had never had Vietnamese food before, but their menu was very easy to read and understand. We all decided to get something different so we could share and try everything. We started out with an order of the cold eggrolls and the hot egg rolls. I don't think we truly understood that the cold eggrolls would actually be cold, but they were delicious! The texure of the wrapper was interesting, but dipped in the peanut sauce - fantastic! The hot ones were great, but the sauce/broth that came with them didn't complement them as well as I thought it would. I ordered the Bahn Mi with chicken. The bread was super fresh, vegetables were crunchy and delicious, and the chicken was cooked to perfection! A few dashes of Sriracha and it was a GREAT sandwich! My mom ordered a bowl of pho - she enjoyed it very much and kept commenting that the broth was so flavorful. My aunt ordered the cold noodle salad - it was such a generous portion..large enough for all of us to taste! All in all - a great meal! The waiter was so friendly and helpful. We asked for recommendations and he actually singled out his favorite items on the menu. I felt like he didn't look down on us for not knowing how to properly pronounce everything. The service was quick - we didn't have to wait long at all! Loved it - would definitely go back and explore the rest of the menu!
(4)Joe G.
Pho Lang Thang is amazing!!! I'm from Chicago and I was working in Cincinnati and Let me tell you, if you are in Cincinnati this is a MUST go place!!!! there food and service is top notch! I really wish these guys were in the Chicago land area! let me put it this way....If i was rich I would fly to Cincinnati just to come eat here.
(5)Devanka E.
Pho Lang Thang is great food at a reasonable price. Yes, it is true that on the weekends it can be busy but who cares!!! The whole market is busy! This is the kind of place where you have to order specific things on the menu, otherwise you might be disappointed. That said: The Pho Ga, Bahn Mi w/tofu (we eat meat but the tofu is WAY BETTER!) and the Gui Cuon (spring rolls) are the best!! I have personally avoided trying anything else on the menu because why fix what isn't broken? This spot is gluten-free friendly. Make sure to mention it before they prepare your food.
(4)PJ L.
The place is good, but if you sit inside you will smell like the restaurant for the rest of the day. I am sitting in my cube now, still reeking of this place hours after I had lunch there. They gotta fix the smell issue before I will go back.
(2)Chris H.
I had higher hopes for this place based off of reviews. Before I delve into my review I must state my fiance is Vietnamese and I eat quite a bit of Vietnamese food that my mother-in-law prepares. Additionally having had Vietnamese cuisine in Orange County, CA and Saigon, VN my standards are a bit higher. My mother-in-law and I ate here on a weekday for lunch. We waited 10 minutes for a table. I was glad to see the place busy especially since I haven't been to Findley Market since I was a kid and had a much different memory of the place. First impression is that it was a clean, hip place. After looking over the menu though I was disappointed in the limited selection. I am used to going to Vietnamese eateries with pages full of options. We started off sharing the goi cuon (Vietnamese Cold Rolls) as an appetizer. I was a bit disappointed in that they lacked the flavor that I am used to. While goi cuon is mostly rice noodles, there should be the distinct flavor of mint, cucumber and pork. These rolls really lacked in flavor. While there may have been the aforementioned flavors in the roll there wasn't enough of it to jump out and hit your tongue. Mostly rice noodles, with a bit of shrimp and very very thin slices of pork. :( I chose bun thit nuong for my entree and again it missed something on flavor. I went with the heo (pork) with fried roll. First thing that struck me was the the nuoc mum (fish sauce) really lacked the kick that nuoc mum should have. I can only guess that it has been diluted down for American tastes, which is a shame. The pork wasn't what I was used to (I am accustomed to thinner pieces of grilled meat, and this reminded me of grilled kabob meat) The fried roll was just horrible. Way to much meat and it reminded me of a piece of sausage in an egg roll wrapper, then deep fried. Mother-in-law had a bowl of pho dac biet (Beef noodle soup with all the meats, thin beef, meatball, brisket, tripe) she seemed to like it and unfortunately I didn't taste it. Most restaurant pho lacks the intense flavor that homemade pho has. And while I didn't taste it, typically the smell of cinnamon, ginger, garlic, star anise and the other spices should be very easy to pick up with your nose. In summary the food was good. A tweaking of the flavors and I think they'll have a winner on their hands. Service was quite good. Kick up the flavors and the authenticity and this place will be a solid '4'.
(3)Sarah Jane G.
Super delicious and affordable- lots of vegan options including a yummy banh mi. Space was in a bit of wear when we visited at 2 in the afternoon- nothing a sweep couldn't fix. Reccomend.
(4)Lizbeth T.
Finally. Banh Mi in Cincinnati! I've only been to Pho Lang Thang once so far, but my lunch experience was great. Others have noted that you can smell the unique aromas from the kitchen as soon as you walk into the restaurant. I'd counter that by saying that you can smell the deliciousness from the parking lot behind Findlay Market. Mmmm. For such a casual little market spot, the service is terrific. I've been told weekends are a bit crazy here, but during weekday lunch, food came out quickly and we always had water refills, sauces, etc. as needed. And prices are completely fair. Not so many places I can spend $7 and leave happily stuffed! I look forward to trying the pho. My beef banh mi was excellent. Salad rolls were fine, but nothing to get super excited about. Still, two huge rolls with shrimp for $3 is a deal.
(4)Monica S.
I wanted to try Pho Lang Tang out because of the generally good reviews, and was pretty disappointed by the outcome. After reading the menu, I realized that each meat in the soup is added a la carte (except for the first one)- wtf! I ordered a couple of bowls and iced coffee for take-out anyway. Twenty minutes later my order was finally ready, and I appreciated how well thought out the take-out bag was. All the condiments and bean sprouts were packaged nicely and I didn't even have to ask for anything else. At this point there were already 2 disappointments: 1) my order took 20 minutes, and 2) one of my iced coffees was only about 3/4 full :( As I delved into my meal I wondered where the heck the meat was. My husband and I each counted 4 pieces of meat in our pho!!! Are you kidding me?? My hot sauce didn't even get touched because there wasn't enough meat to dip it into. Also, the vietnamese coffee? Nothing special. Overrated.
(2)Niamh O.
I love this spot. One caveat: it's BUSY when the market is hopping, so don't plan on getting a table. That said, the food here is delicious. Everything tastes so fresh, nothing greasy. I love stopping in here especially on a chilly day for some amazing pho and coffee. The portions are impressively sized, and very reasonably priced. I took home half my soup and had it the next day for lunch--delicious. Bottom line: this is a great spot for lunch at the market, but don't count on getting a table! Get there early--you won't regret it.
(4)Louise D.
I loved this place. The food was simple and amazing. I got the bo-buhn and it was so fresh and light, just perfect. Don't expect an upscale place - this is a cozy restaurant where you get simple food for a great price. And that's just perfect to me. I tried the limeade drink, which was a good change from lemonade! I liked the fact that they also have normal cuttlery, which was good for my parents who don't have the habit of using chopsticks. This was their first Vietnamese meal and they loved it too. It was my first Vietnamese in the US and I really liked it! Will be back for sure! Oh and I came on a Saturday around noon and didn't have any trouble getting a table for 4! So just come out and try!
(5)Lanna L.
After living in Southern California for over a year with the convenience of living 5 miles from Westminster (Little Saigon), I admit I have high standards for Vietnamese food. Not to mention that my mother is Vietnamese. After trying Saigon Cafe and Cilantro I was beginning to think I needed to lower the bar for Cincy. I was at Findlay getting some groceries and decided to stop by to try something, even though i had eaten not too long ago. I ordered a banh mi thit nuong (lemongrass chicken baguette sandwich). It was actually really good! So good I ate the whole thing. Since that first visit, I've been back a few times to try their pho, bun chay, and vietnamese coffee. Everything has been quite good. When I went in October they had benches set up in front of the restaurant which was awesome since I love to eat outside. If you're new to Cincinnati like I am and want Vietnamese food, this is the place to go.
(4)Jessica S.
I have serious cravings for this place. I love the Bahn Mi!! It is so good. I look forward to many trips back. Just a tip, the carry out can take a bit, especially at lunch, so plan accordingly!
(5)Monica W.
My boyfriend and I went here again the other day. It was Sunday and they were pretty busy, most-likely from all of us folks with hangovers from the night before. So we were put on a 20 minute waiting list, but this wasn't a big deal because we went shopping while we waited and then they called us when our table was ready. First off I must say that we had the best server ever!! His name was Mappie he was super friendly and very helpful. We both ordered the drip coffee which was very strong, only order this coffee if you are an experienced coffee drinker. My boyfriend and I also ordered the beef vermicelli and a large pho bo sliced steak soup to split. Of course we were pleased with our choices. This has been my best experience here so far!
(4)Christine R.
Just finished a weekday lunch here. Everything was delicious! The broth from the chicken pho was super good. Two of my friends had sandwiches, and my other friend had the special beef lemongrass stew. Everybody enjoyed their food, and the prices were very reasonable.
(5)Todd L.
This place has the best pho in Cincinnati. My wife and I meet here once a week for lunch and enjoy every minute. We always choose pho and get every meat they offer. I definitely recommend this place if you appreciate authentic vietnamese food. The iced coffee is very weak. I have had much better.
(4)Jenny B.
I have had my share of pho and I would say that I was really impressed with Pho Lang Thang. The restaurant was bustling, even at 2pm with a line of patrons waiting. I loved that you could see right into the kitchen, and that is how they convinced me to order the fresh salad rolls. I don't eat pork or shrimp, so I loved all the vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. The addition of tofu and mushrooms were a great addition in the salad rolls and paired perfectly with their peanut sauce. The sauce was so good that I licked the small dish that it was served in order to savor every last drop. Now onto the main event, the pho. I ordered pho ga. They offer three different sizes, which I love. What I really enjoyed about the pho ga is that they use chicken broth. I have been to other Vietnamese restaurants that don't have chicken broth and serve their pho ga in beef broth. The chicken broth was so flavorful and would be perfect for anyone with the sniffles. I read an article recently about how to eat pho, and they said that the way to know if a bowl of pho is good is if you don't need to add anything to it like sriratcha or hoisin sauce to doctor it up, and I would say that this broth is just that. The side items to include into this fabulous broth were fresh and very aromatic. The only downfall I experienced in this bowl of pho was that the chicken was a little dry. If you are looking for a hot steaming bowl of pho in downtown Cincinnati or need a little snack while walking around Findlay Market, this is the place to check out. I can't wait to return in the summer to sit outside and enjoy the ambiance of the bustling market right next door.
(4)Suzan S.
The iced drip coffee here w condensed milk is AMAZING!!! Get it.
(5)Pat W.
Been coming here on Sundays and the staff and owners are extremely friendly and focused on providing high quality service and food. They just came out with a new menu and still have all the favorites but also added a few new items like an outstanding BBQ vietnamese sandwich on a delicious baguette roll. My all time favorite item on the menu is the Pho Ga. I have had Pho Ga at many restaurants in the Midwest and this is by far the best. The soup comes out steaming and is piping hot. The broth is soothing and flavorful. The Pho Ga comes traditionally with just chicken but I also like to add meatballs to the soup. Warning: If you go late on a Sunday they seem to sometimes run out of items on the menu.
(5)Eric L.
Aww phooey. Pho lang thang, how I wanted to like you, but Cincininati Asian food failed me again. I submit that the high ratings from other eaters have not had good Vietnamese food, mostly because there's a dearth of quality asian food in the city. Problems: 1. Caphe Sua Da (iced coffee) -- this is the FIRST time I've ever seen it made without Cafe du Monde coffee. Also, they were a light on the condensed milk (i actually prefer less sweet, but it was an odd departure from what is typically done). Lastly, it wasn't served with a glass of ice. I looked around the restaurant and nobody was drinking it iced, almost certainly because Cincinnati guests didn't know that this is typically an ICED coffee drink. 2. Cha Gio (fried spring rolls) -- stuffing was pretty bad. basically a log of meat paste, no texture, only flavor was salt. Also tiny and had been sitting out after being fried long before we arrived. Ideally served with fresh lettuce and fish sauce/citrus to cut the oil. Bad job, I've had better frozen spring rolls. 3. Banh Mi (vietnamese sandwiches) -- brutal. Bad bread, poor veggie balance, and not enough meat. all the filling options are Lemon grass flavored [$INSERT_MEAT] They don't use the legit vietnamese mayonnaise and the bun was not only old, but not even toasted. All good vietnamese sandwich shops have great french bread and this was old, dense, and with a soft crust. HUGE FAIL. 4. Pho (the vietnamese noodle soup) -- Bad, but not as egregious a transgression as the sandwich. Just very average soup that tasted like water and a pack of asian grocery store seasoning with no more effort added. Sorry to knock it guys, but I think you know its true. Maybe this is what the local population demands, maybe its laziness, but I was disappointed.
(1)Hans G.
I couldn't read the menu and had no idea what I was ordering. I got some type of appetizer that was some type of rice roll that looked and felt cold and rubbery. Whatever it was, it wasn't my thing, but I don't really feel it's any fault of theirs because I'm sure it was meant to be that way. The food had a very nice appearance and the presentation was good. My main entree was very good, but I couldn't tell you what it was. I plan on going back and trying to learn more about Vietnamese food. This was my first time and I was really clueless. I think the next time I go, I'll be a little better prepared and will find something I really like. I'll update my review when I do.
(2)Linda A.
Almost everything on this menu looks and sounds delicious. Yet I can't seem to break out of my Fresh Rolls and Banh Mi rut. My favorite item is the Fresh Rolls and especially the peanut dipping sauce that accompanies them. Sometimes I suspect that I only love the Fresh Rolls as a medium to eat lots of peanut sauce. There's nothing wrong with that. I love these because they consist of sliced pork, shrimp, rice noodles, cilantro and lettuce wrapped in rice paper and NOT fried. Hence, they are fresh. There is also a vegetarian version with tofu and mushrooms instead of pork and shrimp. Also delicious. So the Fresh Rolls are my go-to item but I was disappointed on a recent Sunday afternoon when told that they had run out! I might have actually gasped. But I quickly recovered and ordered a Vegetarian Banh Mi sandwich instead. It was so good I almost forgot about my lack of Fresh Rolls. Almost. Thereafter, I began ordering both Fresh Rolls and Banh Mi every time I'm at Findlay Market. On one occasion I did order one of the noodle soups and was not very impressed. I think it was the chicken Pho Ga, but I can't be sure. Does it really matter when there are Fresh Rolls and Banh Mi to be consumed?? I should also mention the friendly, hip, young staff. They keep it together when things get busy. And it seems like it is always busy.
(5)Andrew N.
Things Pho Lang Thang is not: the rather ubiquitous numbered pho places (Pho 1-100, take your pick) found in on the West Coast, Texas, NOVA/DC and anywhere else with large Vietnamese populations. It's not the typical joint with lightning-fast service, 10+ combinations of Pho for about $5-6 a pop and the bin of chopsticks, saucers and Asian spoons at table side. What Pho Lang Thang is, however, is perhaps one of the best pho places in this city, if not the only place that can claim to serve a true bowl of pho. Any devotee to pho (and noodles in general) knows that the consistency of the noodles and the depth of the broth are perhaps two of the most important things that can separate a great joint for a run of the mill sort of a place. Pho Lang Thang keeps the noodles tight, by which I mean they have a nice springy bite, while the broth is nicely seasoned but is a bit lacking in those developed flavors that some of my favorite places have. Also, it runs a bit on the sweet side for what I'm used to. Having said all that, it's still a good bowl. The basic options for pho are all here: rare flank, brisket, beef balls and tripe are on the menu and the usual condiments of Thai basil, cilantro, limes, chilis, and bean sprouts are on hand, fresh and plentiful. Other options on the menu include a very respectable bahn mi served on a fresh, fragrant baguette, the typical garden and spring rolls, and a number of other classic Vietnamese dishes. Bowls run a bit small compared to the large bowls you would find at the aforementioned numbered pho joints, but prices are still very reasonable. When all is said and done, if you want to get your fix then Pho Lang Thang has you covered, and if you're unacquainted to the dish and other Vietnamese staples, then Pho Lang Thang is a good place to start.
(4)Steve H.
Wasn't sure what I was getting into when I arrived, but was pleasantly surprised. Pho was unique and the spring rolls were fresh.
(4)Leisa W.
I just realized, just now as I'm writing this review, that I actually haven't tried their pho...and I really like pho. Why, you ask? Why, when their name has "pho" in it? Why, when my neighbor Khoa has told me that this pho is fantastic, second only to his mother's? Well, I'll tell you. One reason is that I have been so satisfied every time I've been there, that I frankly forgot that I hadn't tried it. But the real reason is...the beef Banh Mi. People--this is a sandwich that will change your life. It will revise how you view sandwiches...it's a sandwich by which you will need to judge all future sandwiches. It is absolutely divine. I believe I've only actually eaten there (as in, sat down and dined in) one time, and that was after they first opened and it was a madhouse. I'm not going to say anymore about that experience because I think things are straightened out a bit now. All the other times, I've gotten it to go. But I have seen recently that on Sundays, they are serving siracha bloody marys (which I don't like, but if I did, these sound amazing). They also serve mango mimosas, which are love in a cup. So I'm pretty sure more Pho Lang Thang is in my future! Maybe this time I'll get the pho.
(4)Ben P.
Great little asian market. Prices were very good and staff were friendly.
(3)Veronique D.
I cannot wait to eat here again. In comparison to other Vietnamese-style restaurants this is by far the best Ive had do far. Thank you for your efficient service on busy days.
(5)fantasy l.
I'm a recent transplant from NYC, and lived in Brooklyn's Chinatown (where there were a plethora of Vietnamese joints to choose from) so my expectations were high. The beef pho met those expectations effortlessly- fresh fresh fresh ingredients, pleasantly spiced, but not overwhelming, overall quite lovely. The banh mi was not such a home run- the produce was fresh, but the meats didn't seem to be of a very high quality, the pickled radish and carrot seemed to be from a jar, the baguette was a run of the mill wheat flour loaf instead of the usual vietnamese style. Overall the sandwich was bland except for the pickled veggies. The salad rolls were fresh, but had dried slices of plain pork in them, which I've never experienced- I assume it's a Cincinnati meat lover thing. I could appreciate that the college student working the front register was probably very busy, but in our (very brief) transaction, she still managed to be rather rude. It was probably just a bad day, but it's a shame to have such a negative experience my first time out.
(2)Monika N.
Easily my favorite lunch place in Findlay Market, especially on the colder mornings! Absolutely love the pho and the marinated chicken sandwiches are pretty amazing as well. The small bowl of pho is easily enough to fill me up (and I'm not one of those girls who barely eats anything!) The chicken in the pho can tend to be a bit dry but the meatballs are delicious!
(5)Vi N.
When I was growing up my mom use to make Pho noodles and it made the whole house smell like spices. Now that im on my own and have attempted several time to make pho myself its just not the same. Pho Lang Thang is one of the best local Vietnames places around town! The food is wonderful and that means a lot coming from a Vietnames person. The Pho is exactly like what mom use to make and there Banh Mi was so good that I even ordered another to go. The server was so helpful in helping my friend order and was very excited to explain the menu! This place is a must if you love Vietnamese food, I will be taking everyone I know there.
(5)Paige M.
I had my first taste of Vietnamese food at Pho Lang Thang's this spring. Upon Alex's recommendation, I decided to get a Bahn Mi chicken sandwich. It was a baguette stuffed with grilled chicken, cucumber, cilantro, carrots and pickled daikon. They also serve a limeade beverage which is popular in Asia. I enjoy unique beverages, and it was quenching. My meal ended up costing about $8.00; $6.00 for the (giant) Bahn Mi and $2.00 for the limeade. The Bahn Mi was every bit as delicious as all these reviews have hyped it up to be! The servers were friendly and there were ample places to sit inside the restaurant. The decor was trendy, similar to other Asian Fusion establishments. I'll definitely be back for lunch the next time I'm at Findlay Market!
(4)Sarah M.
I'd never had pho before visiting Pho Lang Thang, and let me tell you... it's now my favorite dish of all time. I find myself trying to come up with excuses to stop by Findlay Market on a daily basis just to feed my new addiction! The restaurant itself is airy and welcoming, the staff is friendly, and the few dishes I've tried so far are off the chain. When it's chilly or rainy, a nice, hot, savory bowl of pho will totally turn your day around. I encourage fans of Asian cuisine to check this place out and patronize it often so it stays around forever!
(5)Ann K.
The best vegan vermicelli salad. Eat it. The fried tofu that tops this vermicelli dish is the best I've ever had. And trust me, I've probably eaten more tofu in my life since the age of 0 than most people in this world. Crispy, and yet fluffy and light with scallion oil. Yum. Spring rolls are fresh and yummy. Eat them. Very clean and comfortable. I love how the water glasses are glass mason jars.
(5)Scot H.
I love this place. simple, delicious, affordable, healthy. afternoon sun can be a challenge at lunch time.
(5)Benjamin B.
OK, Update to my past review: I've recently become a sinner, and while I still think that their tofu bahn mi is garbage; I had their "Cold Cut" bahn mi and was absolutely in heaven. Will definitely be returning.
(4)Mike B.
Rediculous food! The banh mi is awesome, pho is fantastic! Service rocks! I love this place! If you park in the parking lot behind Pho Lang Thang, by Eckerlin Meats, you can get an hour free for lunch.
(5)Emily H.
Well, it seems that Pho Lang Thang already has a ton of positive reviews but I will add another one to the pile. I love Vietnamese food and although I wouldn't say that I'm an expert I think this place is pretty great! The service was friendly and the space was clean and open, plus it obviously has a great location in Findlay market. But enough about the boring stuff, you're here to find out about the food! Based on a friend's recommendation and most of the reviews on here, I got the Bahn Mi. I didn't know that Vietnamese food also included sandwiches on French baguettes but this was awesome! It was super fresh and very flavorful. Plus, who doesn't love some nice pate? And, it was only $6 and a good size! The best part for me, though, had to be the Vietnamese coffee! If you've never had it you have to try it. There are a few things that make it different: First, it's brewed through a single filter that drips into your cup. It's similar to French press so it comes out thicker and stronger. But the best part is that they use sweetened condensed milk as the cream. OH MY WORD. I remember when I first had coffee this way I thought I would never go back. Of course, it's really not good for you so I can't have it all the time, but I wish I could. Check it out, people!
(4)Tim P.
If I am downtown or near Findlay Market I enjoy eating here. I love the spring rolls and the no-frills atmosphere. Great service.
(4)Adam B.
Pho Lang ain't my Thang This is one of the most overhyped restaurants in Cincinnati. I've heard its amazing ... awesome ... wonderful ... but really its just rice noodles and soup. Maybe I'm just not a big fan of Pho style soup but I paid way to much and felt a little ripped off when we walked out. Service was good but I'm just not impressed. Nothing special to see here, well except the spring rolls. They have the meatiest spring rolls I have ever had... it's like eating fried sausage. maybe thats the style but its not for me.
(2)Alycia B.
Delicious! I love a good lemongrass dish and Pho Lang Thang has it. The rice vermicelli with chicken is what I always get. It is a cold noodle dish and it never misses. The salad rolls are good, but they would taste so much better with a sweet chili sauce, rather than the bland peanut hoisin dipping sauce served with it. I have heard there is always a wait, but I have never experienced it. I suppose living downtown means that I always get their at more convenient times rather than Findlay Markets busiest days. The staff if always friendly and happy to answer any questions about the menu. They offer outdoor seating, at times, which consists of 5-gallon buckets flipped upside down for seating, metal garbage cans also flipped upside down, with a piece of plywood on top for the tabletop. Very clever, though I'm not sure how comfy it would be.
(4)Audra C.
Ohhmmmmm nom nom nom...... Mmmmmmmmm Pho......... See... This is what happens when even thinking about Pho Lang Thang. My blood goes rushing from my brain to my stomach and all I can think about is a big, yummy bowl of Pho Ga, and some Goi Cuon. Seriously.. Since my first time going about 6 weeks ago, I've been there at least twice per week. I'm not sure when it will get to a point where I'm classified as having an addiction.... Perhaps it was a few days ago, when I was the creeper outside the door waiting for them to open. The Pho Ga is amazing! A big hearty bowl of comforting chicken scallion broth poured over rice noodles, with a side of lime, cilantro, and other goodies for garnish. YUM! Not only is the food fantastic, but customer service is on point! On one visit, they forgot about me after I was seated, so it took awhile for them to take my order. They felt awful and gave me exceptional service to make up for it, and even gave me a free order of Goi Cuon, which I had never tried, and is now one of my fave items- 2 fresh salad rolls consisting of sliced pork, shrimp, rice noodles, cilantro, and leaf lettuce wrapped in rice paper, served with a yummy peanut hoisin dipping sauce. Just writing this review has talked me into getting dressed, and going there for lunch.....
(5)no n.
Pho Lang Thang is my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. Being from San Francisco, it has been hard to find decent asian food in Cincinnati, but the pho here is great! It is healthy, quick, and affordable. I almost always get the pho ga (chicken rice noodle soup) or beef stew, and fried spring rolls. Delicious and easy lunch!
(5)Shaun S.
Amazing food and great atmosphere, the place was so busy, we just got our food as carry out and ate on the benches outside. If you are at Findlay Market, Pho Lang Thang is the top place to eat!
(5)Susan L.
What a great spot addition to the city. My nieces were in town and one had just moved from Chicago to Ann Arbor. She complained about missing not being get a good Banh Mi sandwich there. I mentioned Pho Lang Thang and I took both my nieces there. They loved it. It has good fresh food and from my understanding it is authentic not Americanized. If you try to go at peak hours one the weekend it is very busy, best to go a little off normal hours or get a sandwich to go. I read of complaint about the lack of meat in the pho, but that would be more traditional, most countries do not eat the amount of meat we do. I the pho was very good. There is nothing special about the decor, but it really does not need it, the food speaks for itself.
(4)Adolfo N.
Great place for lunch, awesome portions, great price. Definately legit vietnamese food. Cincy may not have a lot of places for vietnamese food, but so far, the ones I've found have been legit. Their meat sandwiches and egg rolls are a great meal, and easy on the wallet. With all the places popping up around Findlay, be sure to give this one a chance.
(4)Alex L.
This place definitely has decent pho for Cincinnati, which is something Cincinnati definitely lacks. It does get crowded at lunch times but what really annoys me is the long wait for my food. Pho is supposed to be one of the fastest foods to serve but somehow they make it look like they are hand-cutting, cooking, and preparing everything bowl by bowl. It might be just a lack of inexperience, but they do seem very inefficient. Another problem I have with this place is that when I ordered the largest size, the bowl was definitely large. But that was about it. There was a serious scarcity of meat. However, their sandwiches are quite delicious and the pho and soup base really are pretty decent. Given it's relatively new, I'll make a few more stops and hope that it improves on its weak areas.
(3)Sheila M.
My party of 8 got to Pho Lang Thang at around 12:30. There was a good-sized crowd having lunch in there and we had to wait for a table, which is normal for a big group. The furniture was kind of mismatched and random, and there was a lot of sunlight streaming in through the glass walls. At first we were really excited because we'd all heard good things. The first warning sign was the questionable service. I was served a half-filled glass of "water", which ended up being someone else's unfinished limeade. YUM? The waitress mumbled an apology after she brought back a real glass of water. For some reason (ie. I'm weird) I wasn't as bothered by this as everyone else in my group, but seriously, that's pretty gross. Their pho menu is very short. There are choices of thin steak (tai), brisket, tendon, and Vietnamese meatballs in either a regular or large bowl. We all ordered pho, and we waited around 20 minutes for the food. First came lots of bean sprouts, limes, basil leaf, and jalapeno, which was good. However, the pho itself was not great. Everyone in my group was in agreement about this. The noodles were not the type I'm accustomed to having in San Diego/LA. They were broader and harder to pick up, served in smaller amounts than other pho places. The taste of the broth was off; it was not salty or savory enough. They also skimped on the amount of overcooked meat in our bowls. Overall, I was very disappointed with the taste of my pho. I feel bad because I know this place is just getting started and there are a lot of kinks to work out. The manager came over after the meal and asked us how the food was. He seemed really nice and open to suggestions. So I would say: use the thinner, smaller noodles like other pho restaurants, give more noodles and meat, and more flavorful broth. I'm not sure if that involves more MSG or what, but it's what keeps me and other customers coming back.
(2)Amy C.
Very good for cincinnati pho! Conveniently located in Findlay market too with a pretty standard menu and very friendly service. I had takeout here once, the the server even taught us the trick for reheating the sandwiches! I agree that it tastes very legit, though portions are somewhat small compared to the big cities (pretty standard size for price in Cincinnati though). My main complaint are weird hours, and limited seating, although the outdoor seating area is so asian and quite clever/quaint :).
(4)Sarma S.
Best place in Cincinnati for delicious, healthy, affordable, large portion food!!!
(5)David L.
We were really excited to try this place, and went with a group of 5. We've been home for a few hours and the first thing my wife and I did was throw all our clothes in the wash and get in the shower. Our clothes and hair positively reek after eating there, and now I have to pay to have my wife's coat dry-cleaned as well. Great. Like I told her: I've eaten at places before where you knew that would happen and it was worth it anyway. A soul food place in Frankfort, KY (I know) comes immediately to mind.... a lunchtime fried pork chop and greens was a hell of a good meal, but you knew you were leaving covered in stink. It's just not worth the stink at Pho Lang Thang, and I am honestly perplexed about how they created it. Three of us had the Vietnamese coffee and two had the limeade. Both were delicious, and the coffee was really something special. Before the pho arrived, our waitress brought out a tray of bean sprouts, cilantro and thai basil, sliced jalapenos, and lime to share and use to garnish our pho. She made it quite clear that these ingredients came from the adjacent Findlay Market and were expensive, and that if we weren't going to use them we should let her know. What was she going to do - save them for the next guy? Not great. Once that stuff is plated and served to my table, it certainly shouldn't return to the back of house and be reused. I understand ingredients from the market are costly, but they're not the only game in town (or even close to being the freshest or best.) She joked that we had to remain in our seats until the garnishes were gone, which made it a bit less awkward, but it was still weird and offputting, Three had the beef pho with either steak and/or brisket, one chicken pho, and one bahn mi (with pork and pate). The beef pho was bland and boring to the point that it couldn't even be rescued with sriracha, maggi, and hoisin, and the brisket was tough, underseasoned, and overcooked. The steak was a bit more tender but equally grey, bland, and unappetizing. The chicken pho was more of the same. The bahn mi was the star of the show - it was sweet, tasty, and well-composed. We were glad we took the waitress's recommendation to add the pate, an ingredient my wife was a bit hesitant about, but she was right - it made the sandwich. Nice crunch of veggies, sweetness of carrots, well-seasoned pork, and the extra umami from the pate made this sandwich a star, but not enough to make me run back there. Oh well.
(2)Kim N.
Ah, Pho Lang Thang, so glad to have had you as part of my Cincy experience! So good I came here twice during an extended visit. As a Vietnamese person, I've got to say that their pho is legit. Sure, their bowls are smaller than what I'm used to, but it's tasty, fresh, affordable, and done right (and, for me, the bowl size is actually justtttt right). My friends also loved their dishes. Friendly service and nice bright space here, too. I love that they keep their menu fresh by making special dishes and drinks. I've seen their facebook page where they make announcements for special limited-time only dishes for the evening/week/whatever it may be. My second time here was over Mardi Gras weekend, and I really liked their fun drink specials: mango mimosas (which were delicious) and Bloody Mary's made with Sriracha! I appreciated the staff and server being accommodating with the big groups I've come with on both occasions. Can't deny that Pho Lang Thang's got a fun vibe with good food to boot. The only bad part for me is that eating in here made my eyes burn (too close to the kitchen?). I think I'm just extra sensitive but all of PLT's great points were enough for me to return anyway!
(5)Kristen B.
Bahn mi in Cincy! Bahn mis are probably my favorite sandwich - they have a fresh taste combined with the chewiness of a good french bread. For me, it is hard to find a bad one, but it is even better when I find a great one! The two times I have visited Pho Lang Thang to grab food to go - I've left with a great bahn mi. I usually go no pate - add jalapenos, but if you are a bigger fan of pate than I am - go for it! While I still need to actually dine-in and try the pho and other menu items, the spot is bright and cheerful. The staff has been polite even when swamped, which always leaves a positive impression with me. I'll admit that it can be a little confusing for a first timer since there really isn't enough room for people trying to order takeout to fully separate from the those who are waiting for a table. Not a huge deal, just something to keep in mind.
(5)Aya R.
Wow. This place was aboslutely amazing!! It was everything I had hoped for. :) I really wanted to try the pho here ever since my friend told me about it. The pho was soooo tasty!!! I could also tell that the raw beef was, well... raw beef. Oh man... I loved every bite! The broth was also very good. I didn't need to cover the taste up at all. I only wish they also had egg noodle options. But no matter! My boyfriend had the Bánh mì and he loved it!!!! It had soft garlic lemon beef and fresh carrots and jalepenos. Must go to again!!! :) Four stars because of the seating places. There were a bunch of people standing crowding me while I ate. I absolutely hate that. I hated it. They had their elbows all over the edge of my table right near my food. I also felt like they were breathing down my neck!!! Next time I won't sit at that counter. Pity, because its such a cool counter!
(4)Stacey L.
We discovered this cute little restaurant on a recent trip to Finlay Market. Unfortunately, the place was packet to the gills at lunch on a Saturday. Instead, we got a to-go menu and decided to pick it up yesterday evening. If you do decide to do to-go, instead of eating in there are several options. They do deliver downtown during lunch hours (until 3pm). During dinner time, you will have to pick it up yourself. This isn't a hassle because you can park in the free Finlay Market lots. We had one hit and one miss on what we ordered. Excuse me for not knowing the Vietnamese names for these dishes. We got their chicken marinated in lemongrass on a baguette with jalapenos. It was WONDERFUL! Lots of complicated flavors and just enough spiciness. Our miss was the chicken noodle soup bowl. We found it to be very bland, even with the addition of jalapenos. Prices are incredibly reasonable- about $6 for each dish. Also, if you are eating in, it is BYOB. I definitely recommend trying this place on your next trip to the market.
(4)Camilo O.
The Pho was very good, though not the best I've ever had. The summer rolls were tasty, though not mind blowing. However, the service was really top-notch and I'll definitely be coming back. I just moved here from an area with a huge Vietnamese population, so my judgement may be skewed, but this was very solid and will be my go-to Pho place in Cincinnati.
(4)Gavin D.
Count me as one of the many who waited patiently for Pho Lang Thang to open up at Findlay Market. I had just eaten lunch prior to a trip to Findlay a few weeks back when they had a soft opening, but this weekend I knew the time had come. I'd hoped to be wowed, or at least thoroughly pleased, by my visit, but it turns out I'm still in the boat of being patient and hopeful. It's clear they've got some kinks to work out, and they're very new, so grace is clearly in order. The Food: I asked for the most flavorful thing on the menu, and the young woman at the register quickly suggested the banh mi thit nuong - a baguette sandwich with grilled lemongrass marinated meat, garlic butter mayo, do chua (pickled daikon and carrots), cucumber, and cilantro. They asked if I wanted jalapenos and pate as well, and I went for it. I also ordered goi cuon or "salad rolls" with sliced pork, whole shrimp, vermicelli noodles, cilantro, and lettuce wrapped in rice paper with a sauce on the side. I hate to say it, because I wanted so much to love it, but the sandwich was disappointing. I told them to choose whatever meat was the most flavorful, and I'm not sure if it was a mistake or on purpose, but I got mostly beef and some pork too. Neither really stood out, so no recommendation there. The bummer was that the sandwich just wasn't that flavorful. Nothing popped. Maybe it needs more of the mayo, maybe a higher ingredients to bread ratio, maybe more salt, maybe all of the above. I put some sriracha on after I ate the first half and that helped a bit (I could barely taste the jalapenos - maybe that'll change when they're in season next year), but something was still left to be desired. The best thing I got was the order of salad rolls. The shrimp were perfectly cooked - not tough - and the slice of pork adds some additional weight to sink your teeth into. The hoisin and peanut dipping sauce was pretty thick (too molasses like for my taste), and the peanuts were nearly nonexistent. If I could have Pho Lang Thang's roll with Cilantro's sauce, I'd be especially happy. The Ingredients: Nothing noted about local or organic ingredients. They do make note of some vegan and vegetarian options, which I'm sure many people will appreciate. The Story, Setting, & Service: Several of the initial reviews have noted this, so I guess I'm going to have to pile on. I ordered my food at 1:20 and was told it'd be ready in 30 minutes. That's a long time to wait for take out. When I was told that, I thought "ok, they'll under-promise and over-deliver." I actually waited 40 minutes. The space they have at Findlay is quite large, with lots of tables to the right and left of the kitchen and counter. I don't know if they have too many tables and not enough cooking space, or they haven't been well prepared (banh mi and salad rolls shouldn't require anything other than composition of pre-made ingredients), or they don't have enough staff, or all of the above. But, they've got their work cut out for them. The Last Bite: I think they'll get things figured out because they seemed like nice people and there plenty of good signs - a thorough menu with plenty of options, a well put together restaurant space, etc. But, for the mean time, I'm still a Cilantro guy. But with my office in OTR and no banh mi at Cilantro, I'm looking forward to Pho Lang Thang living up to its potential.
(3)Josh O.
I feel really bad leaving this review. I really, really wanted to enjoy my experience at Pho Lang Thang b/c Cincinnati desperately needs more Vietnamese restaurants and the guys that run it are sooo nice, but as of right now, they really need to work on how their business runs to make it more efficient and less chaotic. Anyways, I had really wanted to try Pho Lang Than, and since I had Thursday off of work for Veteran's Day, I decided to head to Findlay Market to give it a whirl. My first impression of the place is that it is BIG. It takes up two storefronts right by Silverglade's. There is plenty of seating inside, but it was crushed by the lunch rush. I decided to get my order to go so I could eat outside. I put in an order for the salad rolls and the banh mi. It was very affordable, coming in at less than $10 for both of these and a bottle of water. This is when the problems started. Because of the mad lunch rush, people were stacking up waiting for takeout orders. There is nowhere really for them to go, so we all just kinda stood in front of the door, getting in the way. Coupled with the servers running around like chickens with their heads cut off, it made for a tremendously chaotic environment. After about twenty or so minutes, I got my order and escaped the madness. The food, fortunately, was delicious. The crispness of the salad rolls, filled with shrimp, chicken, lettuce, noodles, and cilantro was perfect with the dipping sauce. The banh mi (I got beef) was also superb. Unfortunately, I didn't realize pate was optional, so I missed out on that. My recommendations? If you want to get in on this delicious Vietnamese cuisine action, I would: 1. Give Pho Lang Thang some time to sort out its issues pertaining to service time and operation 2. Go well before lunch hours 3. Go well after lunch hours I really want these guys to succeed and I will be revisiting this review in a little while. Their food is just too darn good not to.
(3)Rj C.
After much coercing from some friends, I finally made it over to Findlay Market to try out the widely-acclaimed Pho Lang Thang. I have had the opportunity to taste some very authentic Vietnamese food in the past so my point of reference is solid. The ambiance of the place is very comfortable, trendy and clean. There was a nice mix of art and sculpture (the front desk) that captured the essence of the place well. My only suggestion on this is to make some improvements to the side room, it looks a bit like a kitchen with the refrigerator. Other than that, it was a very nice-looking place. The staff was very polite and friendly, and the service is fast! As for the food, well... lemme just say this: Tuyt Vi! ('excellent' in Vietnamese, thank you Google Translate) I enjoyed my bowl of Bún Gà (rice noodles with chicken) very much. The ingredients are very fresh and the serving size was just right. I walked away satisfied but not comatose. And all of this food including coffee for under $20! Their Gi cun (salad rolls) were delicious with the peanut sauce, though I would love a sweet chili sauce like the one I had overseas. As if you need one more person to say "try this place out!" I'm going to join the chorus... GET DOWN TO PHO!
(4)Ryan H.
Authentic Vietnamese cuisine, great spring rolls. The entire experience was out-freakin'-standing! Plus, the blonde server was easy on the eyes.
(4)Sam K.
Out on the West Coast, pho is a hangover morning staple. It's delicious, hot, spicy, and will make you come back for more. I love it and was pretty hard pressed to find it available (much less authentic or good) out here. However, Pho Lang Thang is the closest approximation to a properly made bowl of pho I have encountered yet. It's really good too. They have made it a little more 'fancier' than typical Vietnamese fare is but that's probably a favorable thing given the somewhat-yuppie Findlay Market vibe. Seating is available indoors and outdoors though you can sometimes expect to wait for 15-20 minutes on a weekend. Get the pho tai (rare slices of steak) and load your bowl up with basil. Don't add too many bean sprouts as this will just make your bowl cool down and not be hot enough upon consumption (generally, pho should make you sweat a little!) Pros with some pho experience, don't typically add the hoisin or the sriracha (hot sauce) directly to the soup either. This can just overwhelm the soup and give you too much spice sometimes - try mixing them together on a separate plate and then dip your meat/noodles/tofu/vegetables into the mixture followed by a spoonful of soup! There are vegetarian options (for which I know nothing about) but you know, they look pretty good. Prices are competitive (maybe a little pricier than I would find in San Francisco and San Jose's best pho joints but you're probably paying for the exotic nature of the cuisine) In short, I'm glad Pho Lang Thang is here and I hope it's here to stay. I will certainly return and if you haven't given it a chance, share a lot of different items between a group so you can get a taste for it. If you're not very adventurous, get a Vietnamese sandwich (pricier than average, in my hometown these things sell of $2.50 a pop) and chow down. Bon apetit!
(4)Jennifer S.
Great food in a great location! I cant pronounce anything that I eat, so anything Ive pointed to has been very tasty!! The soups are amazing and huge, the headcheese is adventurous as well as the Pâté on the Banh Mi sandwiches. Basically pull all of your friends together, order everything and eat yourself into food heaven. Its a b.y.o.booze kind of place so stop by the beer/wine shop next door, but dont leave without the Vietnamese coffee! phew...good food, good price, good times.
(4)Kate C.
Wanna get pho-ked? This is the place that'll do it. I stopped in Pho Lang Thang on a chilly November afternoon, weathering a sore throat and a feeling of discontent. A minute gazing at the menu and I knew I'd found my cure - a big, steaming bowl of Pho Ga (hint: "pho" is actually pronounced "fuh"). The chicken-and-noodle concoction came to my table piping hot, complete with the sidecar plate of garnishes including basil, lime and sprouts. I alternated between the chopsticks and the Asian spoon, shoveling in noodles and broth into my mouth until my stomach felt like it was going to bust at the seams. This place makes good pho. The clean lines of the dining room and the assortment of menu offerings make me want to add this to my list of regular dining spots. Next up, I can't wait to wrap my mouth around their banh mi. Could it be as good as Saigon Sandwich in San Francisco? We can only hope.
(4)Khoa N.
...the only reason i can't give this a 5 star rating is because my mom's pho is the best pho ;-) She would disown me if I said otherwise, haha. That being said, Pho Lang Thang is a much welcomed addition to the great atmosphere of Findlay Market - not to mention Cincinnati in general. The menu is focused yet still has enough variety to come in time after time. I also love that they have weekly dishes during the night hours. Looking forward to when they do bánh xèo or cm tm bì sn ch :-) Their pho broth is great and their quality has been very consistent! If you've never had viet food before, don't hesitate to ask what to order or how to eat it. Lunch on weekends can get really busy as it's not that big of a space, so I recommend getting there early!
(4)Anna P.
Pho Lang Thang; my current dietary love. This place knows good food. The Pho is amazing! I mean not just good, the broth isn't just tasty it's silky smooth, and decadent. The portions are huge so unless you eat like you've got a tape worm, the small will probably be enough. If you like coffee, don't pass up the Vietnamese coffee at this place. It's served in a traditional slow drip (kind of looks like a metal top hat with coffee stuffed inside), with sweetened condensed milk, and the coffee's actually from Vietnam, imagine that! It's brand new so it's still working out the kinks, but the staff is friendly and always willing to explain anything and everything on the menu, they'll even tell you how to pronounce what you're ordering. I've been multiple time now and every experience is better than the last!
(4)Sanjeet G.
I have been here a few times now, definitely great pho as well as vietnamese sandwiches. Pros: 1) The pho, probably the best I have had in Cincinnati 2) The coffee with condensed milk 3) The price is pretty reasonable Cons: 1) The service, while it has improved since the opening, is definitely not the best with my usual wait their being about 20 minutes after ordering the food
(4)Paul B.
So I've passed this place many times while wandering about Findlay Market but just recently tried it out for the first time. What a delicious experience. Since my first visit, I've been back over and over again. I cant find myself getting anything but the Banh Mi because it is just so delicious. Large portion, crispy and well baked baguette - amazing! I must say though - I like cilantro, it's a great addition to many foods. A few times I've ordered the sandwich I felt like I was eating an entire patch of it though. Luckily I can just pull some of it off, it's still great!
(4)Hillary k.
Pho lang thang is my absolute favorite restaurant! I have been obsessed with this place since they opened. I never knew I even liked Vietnamese food, now I can't live without it. I get the same thing every single time I go there (which is somewhere between 1-3 times a week!) a Pho bo with thinly sliced steak, and a chicken Bahn Mi. I have brought countless friends, family, and coworkers and EVERYONE loves it! If I were to voice one complaint it would be the smell. They have a horrible ventilation system that results in your clothes, hair, and skin reeking of grease. Just do what I do, don't shower before you go, shower when you get home.
(5)Laura G.
Our mission: Two professional Yelpers searching for a dynamite lunch to discuss...wait for it....food. Status: Completed. Plus some. Every Thursday I get to meet up with my kick-ass Yelp mentor and Twitter sensei Alex S., community manager of Cincinnati. This time it was my pick and staying true to my nature I spent hours (well, minutes) searching Yelp for the perfect place. Having been out of Cincinnati for 2 years I have a lot of places on my to-eat list. Luckily, Pho Lang Thang has made quite a name for itself in blogs, on Yelp and in various other social media outlets I just happen to frequent. So since the lunch spot was my choice, we landed at Pho Lang Thang. Sitting just outside the main doors of Findlay Market Pho Lang Thang is a cheerful little space with a minimalist design and friendly faces. I've heard a seat is heard to get and this is true during the lunch rush, which we just happened to walk right into. Luckily, the crowd seems to move quickly so we were seated in a matter of minutes. Our server, a lovely blond woman whose name I should have gotten (bad yelper...), was very attentive and brought us both Diet Cokes, which come in a can. This might bother some but to me Diet Coke is Diet Coke. We started with Goi Cuon, or fresh salad rolls. The rice paper rolls are stuffed with the yummy goodness that is pork, shrimp, rice noodles, cilantro and leaf lettuce. They taste clean, crisp and the right amount of peanut sauce really plays up all of these flavors. After reading Alex's review I knew I had to go for a sandwich. We asked the server which she liked best and she recommended the beef and also said we should take advantage of the complimentary pate and jalapenos that come on the side. When in Vietnam right? We both order a Banh Mi, his with beef and mine with chicken. I was a little shocked at how large the sandwich was when it arrived. For size alone it's certainly well worth $6. The chicken was diced and slightly seasoned, surrounded by carrots, cucumber and cilantro. The bread, a standard french baguette, was cooked perfectly to hold a sandwich; it was crisp on the outside, warm and soft on the inside. If you like a little heat try the jalapenos and for richness spread a bit of the pate. I preferred the sandwich as it, but that's up to individual taste. We both polished off our plates and I mentally made plans to come back for the aromatic Pho I was glancing at on our neighbors table. This is definitely a welcome addition to the Findlay Market scene and keep in mind any wait is totally worth the reward.
(4)Myco N.
This is my to-go staple for great Vietnamese food. When I can't make it home for mom's cooking, this is where I go for authentic flavors and fresh eats. _ Awesome food and drinks. Fresh, flavorful, done the Vietnamese way. _ Great service! Fast, friendly, and knowledgable staff _ Affordable prices compared to some of the other places in town. _ Bright, fun atmosphere, and hopping all the time! _ Strong efforts to bring specialty, regional dishes into their menu -- PLT offers weekly specials and once they're gone, they're gone! If you like Vietnamese food, PLT is a must. My only complaint is their hours are somewhat tricky to work around. If your craving for Bun or Pho strikes at odd hours, you might be out of luck! Otherwise, this place is a gem.
(5)Sarah L.
Full disclosure: I'm not fully seasoned in the ways of Vietnamese cuisine, but I found our food at Pho Lang Thang to be quite nice. The beef pho had a light, flavorful broth but an unassuming, scant serving of steak. The bahn mi was absolutely delicious: excellent bread, fresh vegetables and well seasoned lemongrass chicken. The salad rolls were certainly fresh but needed the accompanying sriracha and peanut sauce, which is consistent with my experience of these types of rolls. Service was adequate and friendly. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars, but when I compare the performance to what I believe the simple, casual concept set out to be, I think it delivers. Pho Lang Thang is a welcome addition to Findlay Market--a true gem in our city.
(4)Rob P.
went a couple times soon after they opened, but still liked the bahn mi enough to warrant 4 stars, even without trying the pho (travesty, i know). posted a pic above. for lack of a better word, thought it was downright tasty. good crusty, soft & chewy baguette. appropriate bread to filler ratio. well-seasoned pork, pungent pickled veggies and heat! (since moving to the midwest, i get excited when something tauted as "spicy" actually is spicy. not sure if my palate is fading or the food is bland, but it's most probably the latter). as for the environ, it's' fine. cafe-like with service, although as someone else mentioned, it does seem a bit 'clamorous' even when it's not that busy. plan on coming back after things have settled a bit.
(4)Trisha K.
Had Pho Ga today. Very nice broth soup with rice noodles and chicken. The broth was quite tasty. I added hoisin sauce which gave it just a little more depth of flavor. The atmosphere was fun, but the smoke burned my eyes to the point that I had to leave before I was done eating. Some better ventilation would be nice.
(3)Mike C.
So, far this is now my go-to place for Vietnamese food in Cincy. Had the pho bo with all the meats (steak, brisket, tripe, tendon, meatball). Good flavorful broth. For a large bowl with all the meats, it was only $9. So relatively good price too. It's not the best pho I've ever had, but it's definitely pretty authentic and tasty. I also had the goi cuon, or spring rolls with shrimp and pork. Also very tasty and only $3 for two. Next time I want to try the banh mi sandwich and bun. Service as good. Our waitress was always there ready to top off our water. Food was brought out relatively quickly too. They said they will also deliver (by bicycle) to OTR, Mt Adams, Mt Auburn, and Eden Park form 11am-3om Tuesday-Friday for a $20 minimum order or for an extra $2 if under.
(4)Eleni K.
If you don't like this place, there is really something wrong with you! Incredible flavor in that broth!!! Try the meatballs. They are surprisingly awesome! But a note: this stuff is not good to go. The consistency of the noodles changes drastically if you try to reheat it at home. And, they soak up the broth. Eat it there, if you can get a table!
(4)Jonathan O.
I have eaten pho in over a dozen cities in dozens of restuarants. This one ranks in the bottom. It was a huge disappointment after reading the reviews. I took a friend to the one in Florence that I have discovered to have a wonderful Bun Bo Hue and he said it was so much better than PLThang. Boy was he ever right. We had the fried vermicelli rolls. My wife described them as tasting "like they came from a box from Costco". I agreed. We had the pho. My wife dumped the msg sauce on it because "it has no flavor. No beef, nothing". I agreed. We had the coffee. My wife said " it tastes like that weird flavored creamer" and then she didn't finish it. You need to know that she is a coffee addict and we both love Vietnamese style coffee. I agreed -sigh- I almost forgot, our waitress. She was a lovely piece of hipster trash. Crappy service, bad attitude. The other waitress actually came over, apologized for our wait and had the manager comp us a portion of our meal. And no, we did not complain. It was just that obvious. Now i did not try the Banh, I like them but I LOVE pho. And the name has pho in it. Maybe that is good but then they should change the name to Banh Lang Thang and stop serving that overpriced water noodle soup.
(2)J K.
Call it Lang thang because after waiting an hour and 20 minutes, we were told that there was no pho as we were being seated. Boooo
(2)Bopha S.
Order from here 3 times a week. One day the delivery guy comes and tries to scam us by saying that there was a new delivery charge policy of $20. It was dishonest and tacky and horrible. After speaking with the "manager" he gave a half ass apology and pretty much did nothing. They were not accomodating nor remorseful of what happened. The food is great but I definitely have an unsettled feeling about this establishment. I will not be supporting such a place. Sucks because I was so loyal to the place and have recommended many many people to go there. I shudder to think how many customers the staff have or tried to scam.
(1)Stephanie S.
Fantastic fresh fare. I ordered some pork spring rolls and they came back and told me they were out and offered me the vegan spring rolls instead. I was miffed at first because how could that compare? Notice that even though they were out of what I ordered, I'm still giving this place 5 stars. Not many vegan dishes will get that kind of rating out of me. The peanut hoisin sauce could be used as currency.
(5)Angela N.
I had never had Pho before, but my friends immediately brought me here once this place opened up and I've really enjoyed it. Generally, I get the regular beef Pho in the small bowl. I don't eat a ton, and I find the small bowl to be the best size for me. The beef is fairly rare, and it cooks in the soup as its at your table. This may be off-putting to some, but since I like my beef rare anyway, it works for me. You also add in your own ingredients to make it as spicy, cilantro-filled, basil and sprout-filled as you like. Service has improved a lot since the opening, and I think the wait time for food is fairly average. The one downside I've found is that while Pho fills you up quickly, it does not last. Thus, I enjoy coming here for lunch, but do get hungry for a snack or something later.
(4)John M.
My wife has been trying to get me to try "Pho" for years. I'm not sure why I haven't accepted her challenge before now, but I finally did one day when we were down shopping at Findlay Market. Pho Lang Thang is located on Elder Street, that runs parallel to Findlay Market on the west side. So, if you're not familiar with Pho, its a Vietnamese soup that you add sprouts, basil, lime and several other things to, including a meat or seafood of your choice. At Pho Lang Thang, I recommend the Tai meat. Its thinly sliced and delicious. All of these things put together made a delicious lunch. I added a little of the hot sauce to spice it up a bit more, but that's just my taste. They have three sizes of Pho. I got the medium size and it was way more than enough. They also serve these sandwiches, that I didn't get to try. They look delicious, and rest assured I will have one, soon! I recommend this place if you like Vietnamese food or if you never had it and just want to try something new!
(4)Amy M.
I will admit that I have been craving an authentic "Banh mi" sandwich since seeing the "Food Truck Race" on the Food Network. So I finally popped over to Findlay Market and more specifically to Pho Lang Thang and had a "Banh mi thit nuoug" beef (bo) version with jalapenos and the pate!! Sooooo good. The beef is marinated in a lemongrass marinade, served on a fresh french baguette with garlic butter mayo, crisp carrots, cucumbers and cilantro! The fresh jalapenos add a nice bit of heat. Definitely get the jalapenos on the sandwich. There was a patron sitting next to me that said that it was her 3rd Saturday in a row. She loves the fried spring rolls and the chicken pho. They were unfortunately all out of the fresh, cold spring rolls (which I LOVE)..and apparently they usually run out of them by 1:30pm on the weekends. Good to know. I will have to brave the crowds next weekend and go before 3pm. Also a cute and earth friendly touch...they recycle the old hoisin jars and use them as water glasses. Love it.
(4)Rob S.
Aw, HELL YEAH. I am honestly not a huge fan of Vietnamese food, but who am I to complain when I'm a guest in somebody else's city, and they're all, like, "We HAVE to go to this place"? This tiny and charming joint, nestled alongside the Findlay Market, absolutely hit the spot for my lunch cravings. The names of what our party of five (minus the crotch-punching Matthew Fox) ordered honestly eludes me -- when a menu has pronunciation guides next to their items I usually just tune out and point to what I want. The service was fast and friendly around lunchtime, and they even allowed us to bring in alcohol from down the block -- man, I wish more places let you do that. ANYHOW, the banh mi I got was absolutely fantastic -- get it with pate if you know what's good for you. I did not order the pho, but my dining companions did, and it looked great. All in all, a solid place. I hope to be back in my return visits to the Queen City.
(4)Sarah B.
When I was going to Findlay more frequently over the summer, the smell of this place outside at 90 degrees was, frankly, a little nauseating. I figured it was because pho, at least the "authentic" kind, tends to be pretty meaty, and I'm a vegetarian. Also, no one wants hot soup in July. It's just a fact. But I finally tried this place over the weekend with two friends, and I'm so glad I did. My meal was excellent AND very veg-friendly -- vegan-friendly, even. There's a vegan version of the salad rolls, the pho and the banh mi. I had the salad rolls and pho, and they were both really, really great. The rolls were easy to eat (not always true of fresh rolls) and contained noodles, mushrooms and tofu, served with a yummy (if somewhat bland, but easily spiced up with sriracha) peanut sauce. The pho had a clear, but flavorful broth (which I muddied up with sriracha and hoisin at my friend's suggestion -- yum!), and there was plenty of added-in tofu as well as sprouts, jalapenos and cilantro on the side. I'm reserving a star in honor of my friend, who seemed to get an "off" bowl of the vegan pho -- it was lukewarm (weird, since you'd think both our bowls would have come from the same pot) and skimpy on the tofu. She seemed to like it otherwise, though, and she lived in Vietnam, so I'd take her word for it. This is the perfect meal for a cold day, a sick day, or just a fun day out at the market... maybe not a 90-degree day, though. But that's just me. I don't know your life.
(4)Jesse M.
There was a long wait upon our arrival, so the hostess took our cell phone number and we were able to wander around Findley Market until we were able to be seated. The food was fast, fresh and well priced. The service was good, as was the atmosphere. The pho was not quite as good as Pho 2000 in Ho Chi Minh City, but the best you will find in Cincinnati. The vegan pho was very good as were the vegan spring rolls. Will definitely be frequenting Pho Lang Thang!
(5)Célèste B.
Their pho is excellent, but what really got me was the French-Vietnamese-fusion sandwich I had with paté and lemon-grass marinated beef on French bread with cilantro and jalapeños. The flavor combination is so unique and so AMAZING. A couple days later, I drove to Findlay just to get another sandwich. I'm a bit obsessed now.
(5)Adam C.
If you like Vietnamese food with flavor profiles running from A to B and excruciatingly slow service, this is the place to eat. I have eaten there a hand full of times in order to give them a fair shot, but nothing seems to improve. How can Vietnamese food in Cincinnati take over 30 minutes to prepare when it takes less than 10 minutes and with half the staff in California? Unfortunately, the desperation for Vietnamese food in Cincinnati will allow the restaurant owners to continue lowering the bar while making money. I, on the other hand, will just have to wait to have quality Vietnamese food in California.
(2)Becky S.
Best Feature: AMAZING cuisine! Worst Feature: Busier times can be a bit difficult in finding service Okay so I love me some Yelp - I decided to check out this place due to some rave Yelp reviews! I must say it is definitely as good as the reviews. It's also the first time I've been to Findlay Market, so it was a really exciting experience! I've never had Vietnamese cuisine before, so I was really excited to give it a try! I was NOT disappointed! I ordered a noodle dish with beef - it was definitely different but very delicious! The ingredients were great quality and I added some of the sauces they made available to spice it up a little. I went during soft opening so I'd hope they have a bit more on the menu. The service was excellent; we had a very friendly waitress who was very friendly and did a great job with our order! The only downside was we came during a busy time; managed to snag the only available table and with all the hustle and bustle, our waitress was pretty hard to flag down. The prices are decent! It's between $5-10 for a meal, at least during lunchtime! Being able to get a decently portioned meal for a low price was fantastic. You can park nearby at the Findlay Market parking lot which is great! During busy times, it will be very hard to find a spot. I went at lunchtime and managed to find a spot. Keep an eye out for people leaving and try to grab a spot! I'm keeping this at four stars to see how a second experience goes. If you're in the area, give this a try for sure! Thanks to Yelpers for the great recommend!!
(4)Mitch H.
The phô here is the best I've ever had and pretty good prices. It's one of those places where you sit so close to everyone around you that it is almost a communal setting. During our lunch we had 2 separate couples start conversations with us about the lunch and recommending other places. It's hard to find a place with a fun setting and great food that gives you that kind of awesome experience.
(4)Sara Leah P.
My husband and I went to Pho Lang Thang on a Wednesday evening on the spur of the moment. I was worried that we would not be able to get in because most of the reviews I had read had indicated that it was always crowded. It was not crowded but the majority of tables were occupied. We were seated right away. I was super excited because had several vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. The service was excellent. The food was inventive and quite tasty. It was a great experience. We will definitely be returning.
(4)Greg H.
The Banh Mi (French-Vietnamese baguette sandwiches) is the best sandwich in town!
(4)Bea D.
You may unknowingly walk by this assuming paradise of food. I had a sandwich and my dining partner had a noodle bowl. The flavors were unique and yummy. Everything was fresh and flavorful. Mint, jalopenos, sprouts, carrots, lemongrass... It seemed endless. Service was great -attentive with a smile. The yum factor will bring me back. If you are looking for a new and great experience, pay them a visit.
(4)YAAKOW a.
A great pho restaurant in Cincinnati, the owners are totally nice and everyone is working as fast as they can. The reason the food takes so long is because of Findlay's regulations on the kitchen. If you look at it, its seriously tiny. They don't have the huge kitchen with 1,000 Vietnamese people working in the back with a huge vat of pho broth. They stay up all night making broth for the next day, and when its out, its out. They make each bowl of pho bowl by bowl. That being said, the food is incredible, fresh, organic and local (they buy almost everything they use from Findlay vendors) and worth the wait. Great people doing great things in Cincinnati. Try the bun and the goi cuon. yum yum. Just be patient!
(5)Marc S.
Excellent food. Good prices. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Chenney C.
What everyone else said, literally. IT IS AMAZING!
(5)Jaime S.
This is by far my favorite place to eat in Over-the-Rhine. I've had pretty much everything on the small menu and it is all wonderful. Seriously, you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu! For the price and the portion you receive it can not be beat. A++++++!!!!!
(5)Jessica P.
If you are looking for the perfect dish to warm you from your head down to your toes, look no further than Pho Lang Thang. The Pho is so delicious and hot, it leaves you satisfied, full and toasty. Awesome for the dreary Cincinnati winters.
(5)Becca E.
First, Yum! I love Vietnamese food, but I honestly my experience doesn't extend much further than Cilantro. When a classmate suggested we get together for lunch here, I was super excited to give it a try. It did not disappoint. It was much bigger inside than I expected which was good because it was so busy for a weekday. There are different bowl sizes so you can get just the right amount. The server was super friendly and even when he brought me the size bigger than what I ordered he let me keep with no up charge. It was the middle size and was big enough that I have leftovers the next day. I loved the spring rolls, really glad I impulsively ordered them at the last minute. I honestly could not tell you what noodle bowl I ordered but I am sure they are all excellent. I was really tempted by the sandwiches and can't wait to go back and try one; I was a little too timid this time.
(4)Erika D.
I love the food!
(4)Nikki F.
We love this place! I shop at Findlay Market about two to three times per week. Almost every time we go we stop by Pho Lang Thang for for Pho! It is so great. Since they opened the Pho has changed a few times. Sometimes it was better than others. I have heard that they have settled on the final recipe and it is very very very good. My favorite thing there is the rice paper roll that has shrimp and pork and noodles and fresh herbs. I don't actually know what it is called on the menu but I LOVE IT!!! The prices are really low for how full you end up when you leave. :) They also have amazing coffee that is mixed with condensed milk that is sweet and strong all at once.
(5)Dan M.
Just went here on a particularly wintery Friday. Pho is the perfect food for the winter time. A really good soup broth chalk full of rice noodles and beef. MMMMM. Anyways, I got brisket, steak, and meatballs in my beef pho. The soup was really rich and flavorful, and the steak was cooked in the broth during serving (as is traditional). The pho is money in the bank. On the other hand, my friend got a salad that looked pretty lame. I'd be interested to see how the sandwiches are - that's the other classic fave. The only un-authentic things about this place are the cleanliness (which I'm ok with) and the slightly high prices. This food should be dirt cheap, but it's not. It's actually a little expensive... Also, it's worth noting that the kitchen is so poorly ventilated that your eyes will burn from the onions and spices they've got wafting around the restaurant. My contact wearing cohorts were unaffected - so wear your contacts if you can. Bottom Line: I'll probably be back for some authentic pho or hit up Le's Pho & Sandwiches for the banh mi that can't be beat.
(4)Irish F.
I eat here whenever I go to Findley Market. I love the food and the price point! Come when you have some extra time on your hands, it is in demand. But, we are always surprised after all this time being open, that the table turnover is not managed with so many people waiting. There are always many empty tables left unattended while we wait outside in the cold or heat. Growing pains are tougher for some I guess.
(4)Heather Y.
I could eat here everyday they are open, and some weeks I have done just that. The things this place does with tofu makes my heart sing. They have a very extensive bike delivery area and are open some nights unlike most other Findlay Market businesses. You must dine in and enjoy a coffee at your earliest convenience for a presentation sure to please even a coffee snob.
(5)Joel D.
I really enjoyed this restaurant. It is a relatively basic menu with the staples of Vietnamese cuisine. What stands out at this restaurant is the freshness of the food. Being located within Findlay Market isnt a bad place to be when it comes to being fresh. I got the Pho, standard I know, but it was great. The beef sandwich was very good as well. I find that these "dive" type restaurants usually end up being better than the nicer places out there. I would definitely recommend if you are into the basics of Vietnamese food.
(4)Matthew C.
Finally got to try the Bahn me at an event at Neons. It was fantastic! It might have to replace my standby of vermicelli. If you haven't tried this place yet, what are you waiting for?
(5)Brian M.
Love this place! There always seems to be a wait, so I always just get it to-go. Pork banh mi or vermicelli bowl with a hot coffee- can't be beat! My only tip: if you get it to-go, make sure to get home quickly, or else your sandwich will be soggy and you will ruin the perfect baguette.
(5)Robert M.
The Food is great tasting. But there are serious issues with service. we waited an hour for our food at lunch. The Kitchen is tiny and can not handle the amount of seats in this place. Either they need to shrink the seating or build a real kitchen (seriously one panni grill and one deep fryer can not cut it.)
(3)Karan M.
I really enjoy the vegan pho with tofu and mushrooms. This place offers great variety, awesome serving sizes, and a chill place to enjoy it all with friends.
(5)Dan M.
Yummy pho, fresh spring rolls and sweet Vietnamese coffee. Being from out of town, one of the workers there was even kind enough to walk me to my car and tell me about things to do and see in Cincinnati. Five Stars!
(5)Lynn V.
i'm a fan. i was traveling to cincinnati for work, and started to feel a little too corporate (i'm sensing that staying downtown can make anyone feel that way). i ventured out to the findlay market (thank you, yelp) and headed over to Pho. I got the pho ga and the fried spring rolls. delicious. both. the pho was super flavorful and the noodles soothed my weary soul. if i were making healthier choices, i would have skipped the spring rolls. but eff it. fresh and crispy. the restaurant was bustling. and the heat coming off the kitchen... holy lord! i felt like i was in the oven, which was comforting on a cool spring day. it might be oppressive in the summer (but then there's the market next door, which i assume is amazing and boisterous and adds to the atmosphere). the hipster crowd with their pegged jeans and their horn-rimmed glasses and their smiling children added to the experience. soul-restoring on many a'level. the dismissive/ slightly rude service made me feel like i was in a big city...
(4)Justine M.
I'll be honest...so far,I've only tried the Banh Mi. I just love it so much, I can't tempt myself to venture out and try something different. It is THAT good. Plan your visit around peak meal times, cause this place fills up quickly. The only downside to this place is that I seem to absorb the smell. Oddly, I don't smell it while I'm there, but sure enough, my clothes and hair smell like Vietnamese food. It's worth it though. And there's not many places I will tolerate transference of smells from either.
(4)David P.
The frestest ingredients in town! Great Banh Mi and Pho!
(5)Lea B.
The servers don't hover but are visible when needed and the flavors are clean and fresh. We left full and happy!
(5)Zackariah C.
Never having had Vietnamese food, I stopped in for a quick sandwich during a parade. I was greeted by very warm and friendly staff. The setting is bright, modern, colorful, and clean with upbeat music playing. The sandwich was delicious and very different from anything I've had before. I'd like to go back again and try different menu items. I have only good things to say about this place.
(5)Lisa b.
It was a crazy busy Saturday, but our food was still served pretty quickly. The (fresh) spring rolls were delicious and my bahn mi was really yummy! The guy at the counter asked me if I'd wanted jalapeños or patê and I'd said 'no' but I think maybe he didn't hear me because it was on my bill and my sandwich... But... It made for a really good sandwich!
(4)Dyah M.
I love how this place is located in Findlay Market and brought a different experience to the visitors. The service was great, but it was rather slow. The food was not as I expected it would be; as I read other reviews. I definitely have had better Vietnamese food (in Cincinnati!).
(3)Liz A.
i stalk these people and try to pretend i'm asian to get them to like me, that is how obsessed with this food i am. i love everything on the menu but what keeps me up at night (what, no bike delivery at 3 am?) is the roast pork banh mi.
(5)Leonardo M.
It's amazing to me that a sandwich can be anything you want it to be. I've gone into Pho Lang Thang several times... and I WANT MORE. The crazy thing is... the marinated beef sandwich is SO DAMN GOOD that I can't bear to try anything else. Is this good or bad? Go on down to findlay and get yourself something well worth its taste. Please convince me that everything else is as good as that sandwich.... because if it is, God save my bank account.
(5)Stephanie P.
I originally gave Pho Lang Thang four stars after my first visit several months ago, but after visiting this place more frequently, four stars just wasn't enough. This place is a five star joint all the way. The food is excellent-- it's quickly become one of my favorite lunch spots in the city. It's clean, fast, inexpensive, and the staff is always friendly. I frequently order delivery from work, and I love that they deliver downtown! The delivery guy is always speedy and super friendly. Everything I've tried on the menu is good. They have a great selection of rolls-- great salad rolls (both vegan and with meat). My favorite dishes are the bun thit nuong (noodles with lemongrass flavored meat) and the banh mi thit nuong (lemongrass meat packed with cilantro and cucumber served on a French baguette with halepenos and garlic mayo). This decor of the restaurant is simple and modern, with spacious seating options away from the hustle and bustle of Findlay Market. Check this place out next time you're at Findlay, and as long as you aren't a fan of Vietnamese cuisine, you won't be disappointed!
(5)jen k.
Amazing food that is freshly made. I am so happy that this place opened up. Their pho is flavorful and I always get it when I am feeling sick. It helps with my sinuses and a sore throat. Swear it has healing powers. Nothing else makes me feel better. I also enjoy their bahn mi, which is tasty. Friendly people who work there and it is reasonably priced. I am always getting lunch from there. :)
(5)Lien L.
Having grown up in San Jose, California where there's practically a Pho restaurant on every street, we've had lots of Pho noodles. At Pho Lang Thang, we ordered the Bun Thit Nuong and Pho Thai. Both were pretty good. The Bun could have used more noodles, but they were generous with the meat. The Pho could have used more meat, however! The flavor of the soup was a bit on the mild side compared to the Pho in Cali, but that may be to accommodate the non-Vietnamese taste buds. Still, the soup was satisfactory enough to warrant a 4 star rating. We did not try the Banh Mi sandwiches, but the table next to ordered one, and it looked pretty authentic, though overpriced at $6 each (typically costs $3-$4). Overall, the food was authentic, ambience nice, and service excellent. Would definitely go back!
(4)Qingyi L.
We wait for more than 1 hour and another half an hour after sit down. We only ordered pho which should be very easy and fast to cook. Not worth the time.
(3)Andy D.
Whenever my wife and I go to the Findlay farmer's market, we almost always stop here to grab lunch. The food here is authentic Vietnamese food done right--perfect balance of fresh and pickled vegetables, savory meats, noodles/rice/sesame rice cracker/bread, and well-made nuoc mam (vietnamese vinegar fish sauce that is used for dipping and dressing). If you don't want to spend too much, go for the banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) of which they have several options to choose from. Their pho is expertly flavored and garnished perfectly as well. One very unique aspect of this restaurant compared to other Vietnamese restaurants is their goi (shredded veggie salad), which is not offered at many Vietnamese restaurants. They serve the salad vegetarian or with chicken and/or shrimp. The unique aspect of the salad is the black sesame rice cracker that the salad is served on--the cracker is a staple of Hue Vietnamese cuisine (middle region of Vietnam) and adds a satisfying crisp to any dish it's added to. The goi here is always served on one of these rice crackers that is about the diameter of a small plate and the combination of fresh cabbage, herbs like basil, and nuoc mam (vietnamese dressing sauce made out of fish sauce, vinegar, lime juice) makes for an awesome appetizer. How to eat it? Break off pieces of the rice cracker, put some salad on, drizzle some nuoc mom on top, then eat it--a Vietnamese Nacho!
(5)Ashley C.
4.5 stars rounding up to 5 stars. Pho Lang Tang makes excellent Banh Mi sandwiches. I did the beef and added the pate - yummy! The french bread was fresh and nice and soft. They nailed the bread-fillings ratio and had fresh and crisp veggies and a good bit of cilantro. The spring rolls were also excellent. We tried the fresh and friend - i would probably choose the fresh ones as my favorite. Service was quick and friendly. We luckily we got there early and didn't have to wait. By the time we left, there was a line out the door. However, it is definitely a place that is worth the wait (and you can stroll the market).
(5)Greg S.
it's rare that you need to wait for lunch, but this is that type of place on a Saturday afternoon. It didn't help that the greeter didn't capture my cell number correctly, but we did get a table in 15 minutes. Pho was very good and service was great. Parking is super tight, but worth it. Best pho I've had in a while
(5)Kara W.
After reading some other reviews, I guess my party of 3 was lucky to be seated right away on a Saturday afternoon. It was around 11:30, and there were spaces available inside or out. I have never had pho, so I was eager to try, but I actually got the beef banh mi. That is a decision I do not regret for a second. The sandwich was so fresh, from the baguette with just the right amount of crunch, to the cucumbers and cilantro. I ended taking off some of the cilantro toward the end of my meal as it started to overpower the otherwise very balanced plate. The best part for sure was the beef--so juicy and flavorful! For a little sandwich, it did a great job at filling the void that is my stomach. I will most certainly be back for another banh mi.
(4)Gregg M.
The wife and I were walking around Findlay Market on a Saturday afternoon. It was a little after 1pm and we were hungry. We both had a taste for pho and spied Pho Lang Thang. The place was packed and there was an estimated 45 min. wait. Not deterred, we gave the host our name and number and waited for a text saying our table was ready. We got the text a little shy of the estimated time and were promptly seated. Compared to comparable Vietnamese joints I've been to on both the East and West coasts, prices seemed quite a bit higher than I was used to seeing for pho and banh mi. I ordered the medium Pho Bo Dac Biet (rare steak, meatballs, brisket, tendon and tripe) which only came in medium, $11, or large, $13.50. The wife ordered the small Pho Bo Nam (brisket) for $7.95. We also decided to split an order of the Banh Mi Dac Biet ($6.50). Our food came out quickly. My medium pho was a goodly-sized bowl comparable to the large bowls I've had at other pho joints. It contained a generous amount of meat and rice noodles. The noodles seemed to have been freshly boiled, not pre-cooked, portioned, and then refrigerated, as they weren't still cold, glutinous, and stuck together in the bottom of the bowl cooling down the hot broth. Most importantly, the broth was beefy and fragrant with the desired pho spices. In truth, it was one of the best looking and tasting bowls of pho I've ever had. The classic banh mi was also good-sized with a reasonable amount of sliced barbecue pork, pork sausage, headcheese, and pâté. The cilantro, cucumber, jalapeno (available upon request) were brightly colored and appropriately fresh. The pickled carrots and daikon added a nice textural crunch and acidity. The excellent ingredients were matched by a fresh Vietnamese-style baguette that was nicely crusty yet soft, chewy, and airy in the middle. It was as good of banh mi that I've encountered. Service throughout our meal was solid. I'm glad that we found Pho Lang Thang. Not that there's a lot of competition for pho in Cincinnati, but Pho Lang Thang will be my go-to place to get my pho fix when I'm in town. As good as it was, the price for a bowl of pho still seemed a bit steep by a dollar or two and the banh mi by $.50-1.00. That said, it was still at a price I'd be willing to pay given the quality and amount of food received. 5 star food...minus one star due to pricing.
(4)Kim P.
Food here is really good. I've been here a couple of times and it's never disappointed me. My favorite food here would have to be the sandwiches. It comes out in a warm toasted baguette with fresh veggies, pork and cheesehead. Pho is good too...the noodles are chewy and broth is legit. Food: yum! thumbs up! Service: great parking: 1 hour free on weekdays
(5)Meghan Q.
I can't say how much I love this place! First off, it's in Findlay Market, which is perfect bc there is always a wait at Pho Lang Thang, and they will take your number to text you when your table is available. So in the mean time, you have all of Findlay Market to walk around! First time going? You must get a Banh Mi-I like the Lemongrass pork with the added pate and jalapeno, and a Pho (of course) I like the rare steak. They of course bring the plate of goodies--ie jalapeno, lime, cilantro, basil, and sprouts. You can add as much or as little to your Pho as you'd like. The broth is out of this world, and the noodles are cooked to perfection. Sounds like a lot of food, but it's worth being stuffed for. Plan ahead, bc like I mentioned, there is always a wait. Enjoy!!
(5)Ryan P.
Best banh mi dac biet in the city, hands down. Sure, the bread is better at Le's Pho, but every other component is better at Pho Lang Thang. If you put the fillings from PLT on Le's bread, you'd have the perfect banh mi. There's lots of meat, including lip-smacking gelatinous head cheese, roast pork, and savory pate. The veggies are crunchy, the cilantro plentiful, and the jalapenos hot as fire. Their bread is more of a softer French loaf, where Le's has a much crunchier exterior. Both are good. PLT isn't just about the banh mi though. Their spring rolls (both the fried and fresh ones) are really tasty. I especially like the peanut/hoisin dipping sauce for the fresh spring rolls. I hear they serve good pho and noodle bowls too, but who needs to bother with that when there are delicious banh mis on the menu? The prices are right too, just $6.50 for the best sandwich in Cincinnati. The location in Findlay is great. There's plenty of parking, and you can hop into Taste Of Belgium for dessert after. They could stand to work on their HVAC system though. It's always hot inside in the summer and the windows just drip condensation. Overall, it's a great experience that everyone must try.
(5)Neal E.
The Yelp app led me to Pho Lang Thang. It's smack dab in the middle of a section of town that is somewhat run down - the evening I came to visit, there were quite a few folks hanging around the street corners - two of them were stopping everyone coming down the sidewalk and asking for money. Anyway, I went in, ordered the Pho Ga - large, but with no rice noodles (low carb). The bowl came out quickly - hot, steaming, and aromatic! I added the razor-sliced thin jalapeños, basil, cilantro, lime, and bean sprouts. Everyone looked good, but the sprouts were starting to slightly brown. Everything was delicious! The broth was a chicken broth - rich and delicious! The chicken was oh so very tender! I added copious squirts of Sriracha sauce to each bite and then some to the broth before slurping down the entire blessed bowl of broth! As others have noted, it's kind of overly warm and humid inside, so I took off my fleece jacket... The folks running this place are friendly and nice! Great Pho Ga!
(5)Peggy S.
I came in here for lunch on Small Business Saturday. Super busy but fast and tasty! There was a 50 minute wait for this on Saturday so I browsed Findlay while waiting. They use a text-based notifying app to let you know when a table is ready. I had been wanting to try this place since everyone raves about it! I opted for the rare streak pho and an iced coffee with milk. Technically they messed up my pho order but fixed it really quick. It came with a heaping pile of bean sprouts, peppers, cilantro and other things to add to the broth. It was light and refreshing. I order a small for $6 and it was plenty; so many noodles! The coffee was drip based and great. I also loved the atmosphere. Even though it was very hot and humid inside, everyone was friendly and happy to be there--both workers and customers! I'll definitely be going back to try a sandwich.
(5)Manny V.
This is our second time here. We came here today for lunch with some friends. We were glad to get seated right away. I'm sure it's because it is a weekday. Expect a long wait during the weekends. I had the Pho with rare steak and meatballs and my wife had one of the noodle salads. I slurped my Pho down. The broth is so good. You would want to drink it after the noodles and everything are gone. My friends, who are frequent visitors of Pho Lang Thang, had other Pho items as well. As always the servings are generous and the food tastes great! We will keep coming back. We are definitely fans.
(4)Andrew P.
Absolutely the best Vietnamese food I've ever had! You must try the Banh Mi and the noodle salad. The spring rolls (salad and fried) are out of this world as well. I've only recently tried their coffee but their house blend (which is roasted and ground in Vietnam) in the Vietnamese drip style with the condensed milk is so rich and sumptuous. If you are anywhere near Findlay market, or even if you aren't, you must go here. I can't rave enough about how much I love Pho Lang Thang.
(5)Rory B.
Great broth. Great Mis. Really you just can't go wrong here. The fresh summer rolls are perfect.
(5)J w.
I've come to realize that this is my favorite restaurant since moving to Cincinnati. More than the Eagle, Senate and even Boca. Although I love the former, this place is pretty legit. I was wary at first given that I was eating pho at least 1x/week in Southern California, where we have the highest population of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. But this place holds its own against some of my all time favorites. Sure, their pho is incredible. But really, that should be expected. The real star to me here was the chicken bahn mi. What's usually dry and underwhelming was moist and delectable. I'm kind of bummed that they don't serve Vietnamese crepes here, or anywhere else I've found in Cincinnati. I'm pretty sure they would do a great job considering their execution of everything else I've tasted. All in all, I'd definitely give this place a shot. If you're not familiar with Vietnamese cuisine, this would be an accessible and delicious intro.
(5)Alicia B.
The food is good. I prefer the sandwiches over the soup. You WILL walk out smelling like food.
(3)Beverly B.
Great street food from Vietnamese tastes to Cincinnati! Today I ordered salad in rice bowl with poached chicken fish sauce on the side. The crunchy bowl is fun to eat, break it in chips and "dip" in cabbage carrot salad! My healthy diet meal of the day!
(5)Alexia B.
Just split the pho (chicken soup) medium bowl and chicken bah mi sandwich with the boyfriend, as well as a Vietnamese coffee... And it was the best I've ever had! We've been on a road trip across the country from LA and have been eating some heavy southern foods. This pho instantly made me feel a billion times better! Fresh food and excellent service :)
(5)Missy L.
Pho Lang Thang is hands down my favorite restaurant at Findlay Market. Delicious fresh ingredients and friendly service make make PLT an all around wonderful experience. If you visit PLT during peak hours...be prepared to wait. I've waited an hour or more before, however since it's located at Findlay Market there is plenty to do while you wait. My favorite is Pho Ga. Delicious fresh veggies and chicken are paired with a flavorful broth and rice noodles. I always get the small and end up having some to take home. I've also had the Banh Mi sandwich which is has a delicious fresh flavor. The bread it's served on has amazing texture and flavor. No trip to Findlay Market is complete without a trip to Pho Lang Thang. It's a must try. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Matthew H.
You know a place is good when you walk by, and just by how the food smells, decide to eat here. I visited here on a Saturday for lunch with the girlfriend. We had walked by it the weekend before and she was amazed by how good the food smelled and looked, so we decided to try it. This was her first time having Pho. She ordered the basic pho with rare steak, and I had the rare steak with meatballs. Both of us were blown away. The broth is amazing, some of the best broth I have ever had, and its definitely the highlight of pho. The pho is very simple, just broth, your protein, noodles, onions and scallions. And every table is given an plate of accompaniments to add as you'd like. It had cilantro, basil, bean sprouts, fresh jalapenos, and fresh lime wedges. My preferred way to eat this is with tons of the herbs and lots of lime juice, and a good amount of sriracha. Amazing flavors. This is not an easy soup to eat for first timers. I am not too proficient with chopsticks, so it was interesting at first trying to pick up noodles and steak, while sipping the broth with the little soup spoons. About half way through you get the hang of it. My reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because I wasn't a fan of the meatballs, they had a weird texture. Also the service was a bit slow. We waited a while for the food and for water refills. But overall, the food was amazing, and next time I'm at Findlay, I will be stopping by to try some of their sandwiches.
(4)Thomas C.
Summary: Great bahn mi sandwiches, solid pho noodle soup right in a great farmer's market Tip: Don't wear clothes that you want to wear in the near future - you will come out of this place smelling like pho (whether you like it or not)! Food: This place is about it's food and the bahn mi sandwiches are some of the best I've ever had. I'm vegetarian and routinely get 2 tofu bahn mi's with jalapenos. I'd say 1.5 sandwiches is about the perfect meal for me but I will *always* finish that last half. I think what makes it great is that the tofu is well-seasoned (or probably the batter around it). The rest of the sandwich is well done including the bread which I suspect is homemade - it's got the perfect ratio of crunch and doughy filling. The vegan pho is pretty good and has actually gotten better over the years. It's incredibly flavorful for such a clear broth. They also let you choose how big of a bowl you want now, which is nice. Overall: I've been here multiple times and love it. You'll usually find a reasonable wait time here and I haven't waited for more than 30 minutes. They'll call you, though, which is nice and allows you to wander around Findlay, which is always a ton of fun.
(4)Kate L.
How did I ever survive without this restaurant in my life? I discovered Pho Lang Thang about 2 months ago, and I am obsessed. Seriously. Like have to come here once a weekend to get my fix obsessed. The pho is the best in the city. I usually get the vegan pho with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu. The flavor is insane! The spring rolls with peanut sauce are also amazingly good, but make sure you get there early if you want these because they tend to sell out quickly. The location of the restaurant is great because if you have to wait for a table (which is the case 99% of the time) you can walk around the shops at Findlay Market. Do yourself a favor and get Pho Lang Thang ASAP. You won't be disappointed.
(5)ANais M.
So so so tasty! One of my favorite places in Cincy. I've never had better Vietnamese food anywhere, even in Paris where there is a plethora of Vietnamese restaurants. Everything tastes fresh, perfectly seasoned, with amazing combinations of sweet, sour, salty, spicy... Hits the spot every time. The wait can be kind of long but since it is located in Findlay, it's really not that bad, just go for a stroll, and they will let you know when your table is ready. Also, be prepared to smell like a fried nem for the rest of the day :)
(5)Brittany D.
Hands down one of my favorite OTR eatery's. Everything here is absolutely wonderful and so reasonably priced. Perfect place for lunch when shopping at the market.
(5)Molly S.
I've done dine-in and carryout here and both are pretty stellar. Service for dine in is really top notch, no empty drinks, super friendly. I was asked if I needed some sriracha to carry out with me, which was super appreciated, because I would have forgotten no doubt. Their jalapeños aren't kidding around, so if you're a little wary of really spicy stuff, lay off. Also DUH the sandwiches and pho are out of this world.
(5)Summer P.
Finally! A pho place in Cincy. We are experienced Pho diners for our time in the Carolina's and Texas. We both had the brisket, meatball and rat steak pho. Beverages were the jasmine ice tea and Vietnamese coffee. The Pho was pretty good. The broth was a little over salted but the fish sauce balanced that out. Meat was generous. Herbs were obviously fresh. Coffee was appropriately strong, in fact I'm far fingering as I type because of the caffeine jitters. Atmosphere is Very high energy and noisy. Invigorating and good for people watching out the window. The AC is only moderate. Service is spotty but friendly when you get it!
(4)Emily E.
Laid back... the owners are awesome people! ! ! fantastic pho, banh mi is amazing.... slow drip Vietnamese coffee = a reason to live [hot and cold].... Also surrounded by Findlay Market, which is a wonderful part of Cincinnati that everyone should experience. Highly recommended along with their other establishments, Quan Hapa and Lang Thang Cafe! ! ! !
(5)Tim B.
One of Cincinnati's hidden gems! Vietnamese food with flair. A favorite for those in the know. Their Pho Bo is delicious.
(5)Jason Y.
All the reviews I saw said that there will be a wait to get seated at this place and it's true. But don't worry because the wait isn't that long and it'll be worth it! The pho here is great! The broth is full of flavor and they give plenty of meat! I had a large and even that was a bit much for me. I also got the cha gio (spring rolls) and they were delicious and lightly fried. This place is the bong. No wonder this place is so packed! It's located in Findlay Market and there are tons of little shops to visit and look at afterwards.
(5)Dave M.
To be honest, I don't frequent Vietnamese restaurants, but this is definitely one I would consider returning to. When you first survey the menu, it can be a bit confusing, especially if it's your first time. Thankfully, the waitress was very helpful in helping group the menu into buckets and walking me through what is popular, and what's not as popular. I ended up ordering the Steak and Meatball Rice Noodle Soup(per her recommendation). It was delicious. A lot more filling than I expected. Only complaint was I wish there was a more generous portion of meat in the soup. I highly recommend getting there for an early meal as it can get pretty crowded during certain parts of the day, especially on weekends.
(4)Katie W.
Stopped here during my visit to Findlay market. Had a bowl of pho, and the Small was perfect for me bc I wanted room for dessert. They had run out of a what I originally wanted, but it was still pretty tasty. Their sandwiches looked good too. I would definitely be hitting this place up routinely if I lived in the area!
(5)Naiying C.
We did carry out and after we heated back up the food (after its been sitting in the car for a few hours) it surprisingly still tasted really good. The cold cut banhmi is my favorite, pho is not bad but the broth is not as good as other broths I've had.
(4)Krissy B.
Best pho place in Cinci! Great vibe with cool local peeps who are friendly & extremely helpful.
(5)Zack F.
I wasn't bowled over by the vegetarian Banh Mi because it was a bit like grazing the garden...just didn't have a finished or composed feel to it. However, I've tried the vegetarian Pho now. I got the small size and it was still quite large. I recommend this option. The tofu is completely flaccid and flavorless which I find a bit unfortunate. The meat options come with flavored meat. There isn't much to the broth and the noodle are uncooked. However, when I put in the lime, jalapenos, thai basil and cilantro, it developed good flavor. Still, the mushrooms were uncooked as well and it initially just seemed like someone added plain noodles and water to an herb salad. I liked it and it was filling, however, I just feel like the vegetarian options aren't thought through or fully developed. It's just some raw stuff dumped in and you are left at the table trying to save the dish with some flavor that you find around you. The coffee was delicious, though I think I'd go with a good bit less sweetened condensed milk, or just ask for it without that altogether.
(4)Helen P.
Hahaha I love this place. I love the food and the spring rolls and most of the time I eat the tofu salad so delish and healthy :) I always take friends and they love it
(5)Joyce X.
Stopped by Cincinnati on my way home to Columbus and was craving pho. Pho Lang Thang is located outside of Findlay Market. It was pretty busy on a Sunday even at 3pm (closes at 4pm). The interior is clean, but since they like to leave the door open during market hours, there are some flies inside. They also have some rustic outdoors seating. Guess it adds to the authenticity! :P Because we arrived close to closing time, they were out of a lot of ingredients already (no beansprouts, brisket, tendon, tripe, or cilantro). So, I settled for beef pho with just meatballs and rare steak. The broth itself was pretty good, but since there were so many ingredients lacking from what I usually like to add to my pho, the dish as a whole felt a bit one-toned. I also had the Vietnamese Limeade. I think it's usually made with sparkling water to make it fizzy, but it was flat and just tasted like regular limeade. Despite the just-OK food, the service was good. I think there was only two waitresses working that day and both were very nice, even though they seemed to be running all other the place trying to take everyone's orders. Overall, the experience was pleasant. If I'm ever in Cincinnati again, I'll have to be sure to arrive earlier when more ingredients are in stock!
(3)Rishabh G.
Great food. The lemongrass chicken sandwich is a must try. The chicken noodle is amazing. Will go there again. Pho has gained a places in my favorite places to eat in Cincy.
(4)Bob D.
Best Bahn mi in town the pho is average but I have never been disappointed. I love the location and would be a regular if I lived closer. The inside seems cramped and a little dingy so i always take out side and enjoy on one of the outdoor tables.
(4)Miki S.
Such a great spot!! The food came really quickly even on a busy brunch time Sunday! We put our name down, and strolled around the Findlay Market to kill the wait time! It was perfect! The medium pho portion is plenty! Just be prepared to walk out with a food coma :)
(4)Rachel K.
I have never had Vietnamese food before this, it had great flavor and was very filling. I split the goi cuon with a friend. The peanut dipping sauce was amazing! Then I had the small pho Bo Bo vein, I love that they offer the jalapeños and sprouts on the side so that I could add as much,or as little, as I wanted. I will say if you choose to eat at the restaurant you better know how to use chopsticks, otherwise I would probably get carry out if I were you.
(5)Ivy P.
The beef pho is amazing!!!!! The broth is very tasty. It takes 20 hours to make the broth, and it's so worth the time. I'd recommend the salad rolls as appetizer. The Vietnamese coffee is very strong and delicious if you like strong espresso. The restaurant was on Food Network's Dine, drive-ins and Dives.
(5)Nancy C.
Lately we've been getting our pho at Saigon Cafe, and we've been a bit afraid to try another spot. This place does not disappoint. Very good summer roll, bahn mi, and pho. Will definitely be back!
(5)Danae B.
The noodle salads (bûn) are my new fav! I stopped in for a quick lunch and SURPRISE! It was crazy healthy! The staff is super helpful in translating and pointing guests in the right direction of food they will enjoy! They also have crazy amounts of Vegan/Vegetarian options! I can't wait to go back.
(5)Linsey G.
I recently had Cafe Lang Thang and, while it was really good, all it did was make me want to try Pho Lang Thang that much more. I'd been dying to have it for months and, with being on Weight Watchers, it'd been difficult to get to Findlay Market to finally give it a try. So try we did, as Date and I started out Anniversary Weekend out with a Thang (see what I did there?). We were seated outside under the tent, which was the perfect location considering the hot sun in otherwise near-perfect weather. Communal seating was okay and, after getting accustomed to sitting really closely with my neighbor, I felt pretty comfortable. It was a pretty informal event, so the seating wasn't too bad. We didn't want to eat too heavily, seeing as we were to be having The Precinct for dinner, so Date got his standard Bún Bo Nng (Grilled Beef) noodle salad with Ch Gìo (fried spring rolls) for an extra dollar. I got the Bánh Mì Xá XÃu (Chinese BBQ Pork). It was the perfect amount and I loved the sandwich I got. Date's salad was really good, too, and I am overall very pleased with our experience there. I will absolutely be back.
(4)Esther K.
Best pho in Cincinnati! Their banh mi sandwiches are incredible too! If you're with a friend, getting small phos and sharing a banh mi is the best of both worlds! If you like coffee, try the Vietnamese coffee.. it's soooo good! Worth the wait and you'll leave smelling like pho for days.. Bonus: getting to walk around Findlay market before or after
(5)Bradford M.
Awesome, just awesome. I often go here with my family for Sunday brunch. The pho is photastic! I want to branch out to some other items on their menu, but I can never seem to pull myself away from ordering the pho. The Vietnamese coffee is great too!
(5)Eli D.
Pretty good pho and friendly servers. Actually, the pho is really good. I have to write enough to make this tip an actual review so I'll keep writing until I meet the word quota. I think this is enough.
(4)Lynsey N.
I got beef pho and so far this is the best pho in Cincinnati that I have. The service is fast and nice.
(4)Grey E.
My wife and I often stop here for lunch while at Findley market. I've had the pho, the tomato-based beef stew (I don't recall the name but by-far my favorite item on the menu), the bahn mi sandwiches, and the spring rolls. Everything I've had is good. Yet I'm not terribly adventurous with foreign meats and so cannot vouch for many of the dishes incorporating, for example, cow stomach and tendon. My wife, however, partakes in that crap and seems to enjoy. Hint: get yourself some of that Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk. Shits good.
(4)Tsyria T.
Hands down, best pho in Cincinnati! They aren't too generous with the meat, but I might be biased because I moved here from California where they pile it on and charge half the price because of all the competition. Regardless, this place reminds me of home, and I am so thankful for it! I always start with an order of the Goi Cuon to share with my boyfriend. It is a must! It's two fresh and light salad rolls with pork and shrimp, and a great way to start any meal. The peanut hoisin sauce is so good, I like to keep it to dip my meat when the pho comes out. The Bo Kho is another favorite when I'm not in the mood for pho (which is rare). DEFINITELY add some noodles to this dish AND get the french baguette on the side. You will not regret it! I've also tried the bun, but it didn't quite blow me away as much as their other dishes. I crave Pho Lang Thang almost weekly. Yum!
(5)Eddie D.
OMG!! I can't bring the words!! love the food, our server Amy always suggest changes what we order to something new!!! I love that because i can try everything on the menu!!
(5)Brooke S.
nothing lower than five stars for this fabulously fast, delicious, cheap, authentic Vietnamese spot in Findlay market. perfect pho, beyond perfect banh mi. It just doesn't get better.
(5)Princess T.
It doesn't get more authentic than this. This place is always packed with both us commoners and Vietnamese clientele as well. Absolutely everything on their menu is tasty. PROS: They have a simple menu, it's easy to figure out what to get. The staff is always friendly. CONS: There is usually always a wait however the friendly staff will sign you up on the wait list and txt you when your table is ready so you can wonder around the market and do your shopping while you wait. TIP: They deliver! I work downtown between 6th & Sycamore, they'll bring out order for a minimum of $20. You can easily hit the minimum with a couple of people eating though.
(5)Steve H.
Great authentic food, can't go wrong! Great place to stop at while shopping at the market.
(4)Lyn P.
Never would have guessed there would be such a decent Vietnamese place in Cincy. But here it is, and you can't go wrong with standard fare like the salad rolls, fried spring rolls and the vermicelli salad. The bahn mi are respectable and so is the pho. Though the pho broth isn't always very flavorful, but nothing some siracha can't fix. Service can be slow, especially if you're used to West Coast Vietnamese joints. But overall, a quality joint that I would recommend.
(4)Susan L.
The best pho I've been able to find in OH (across Cincinnati and Cleveland, to be exact). It's still not the quality I miss from the LA and San Fran places... but it will more than satisfy a pho craving. Not a huge fan of the area, and hate that I have to pay for parking. But that's not a fault of the restaurant, I guess. Service leaves a bit to be desired... and it's definitely not a place to take anyone you're trying to impress with good atmosphere or anything like that. But it's just what the best Asian food places often are.. a whole in the wall restaurant that serves yummy food without any fancy pretense. They give a good quantity of meat, and they don't skimp on noodles (I hate noodle places that skimp on noodle.. dude, it's cheap as hell, pile it on!). They give the tiniest little bit of bean sprouts, I guess that's where they're deciding to cut back and save. I hear some people don't even use the plate of veggies that come out at pho restaurants, so maybe they're trying to reduce waste. Regardless, they don't give you any trouble about giving you more if you ask for it. Glad to have found a decent pho place to settle the cravings while I'm living in Cinci! ----------------------------------- Explanation of my rating system - 5*: Epitome of something, the best I've had, would LOVE to go back 4*: Great food and happy to go back regularly, but not the best of the category 3*: Food is fine. I may spontaneously decide to go there based on convenience. But no need to go back either. 2*: If you insist. I guess I'll come along. But I wouldn't have picked it. 1*: No plans to come back. I'll try to talk companions out of going. If they insist, I may come and not eat, or may just see them some other time.
(4)Erik L.
Best Pho I've been to in Ohio. Great broth, tons of meat. Comparable to California if you ignore the price. Very busy though, so prepare to wait on a Saturday. Oh yeah, and the Viet coffee gives a good buzz.
(5)Crystal M.
I didn't have time to try the pho here, but I'll make sure to come back! I just picked up some doc biet banh mi to go, and it was definitely the best banh mi I've had in cincy. I will say that the meat did have a lot of fat on it, which I personally am not a huge fan of. I'll be sure to try their chinese bbq pork one, since I'm pretty sure that's the one I'm used to eating.
(4)Sarah R.
The service was quick and friendly. It's at a great location in Findlay market. My husband absolutely loves their sandwiches. The pho was very good. The only down side is the wait, it's been a 30-45 minute wait each time I've gone but it is worth the wait.
(4)Shannon D.
Wow! I was really impressed with the food, staff, and pricing! The Pho with beef brisket was some of the best I have had. It was perfectly steamy, comforting, and flavorful. We shared some of the spring rolls, which were also delicious and fresh, and also some of the best I have ever tried. I had never had the chance to try a Banh Mi Sandwhich before, so I made sure to try one here. The Banh Mi Thit Nuong with pork and added pate was delicious, and certainly a burst of fresh, spicy, and savory flavors. I definitely plan to come back and visit again!
(5)Dillon H.
It's hard for me to describe how much I love Pho Lang Thang. I apologize in advance for a bit of a gush session: I am not an adventurous eater at all. If it lives in water I don't touch it to my lips. Blech! So I'm thinking "Vietnamese food? This can't go well." Holy crap. First thing I had here was the chicken pho. (Still conservative... I stick with chicken everything, hah) Wow. Loves me some noodles and veggies. The broth is amazing. However, it was the chicken bahn mi that changed my life. (lets be honest - every once in a while I catch a sniff of fish sauce involved in my beloved bahn mi... I dont even care. It tastes so good. With jalapenos on there, It's the best. I rank this in the "If I could bring one food to a desert isle" category. I must also mention the iced coffee. So wonderful. They bring it to you in a little solo drip-brew thing and it drips slowly down into the sweetened condensed milk (I dont really see that part as optional - though it is). When it's ready, pour over your cup of ice and let the magic begin. As far as the restaurant itself - cool location in Findlay Market, great and helpful staff, quick service. Love it all. Be there or be square.
(5)Matthew E.
Nothing better on a cold day than a big bowl of Pho! Personally, I opt for the beef broth with a mix of different meats. My go to is the Vietnamese meatballs, brisket and sliced rare beef. I'm a fanatic for this stuff! Oddly enough, I find it better when it's to go than I did dining in. While the wait staff did and excellent job, I found my food didn't stay as warm while dining in as it did in the comfort of my own home. Bizarre, I know. I've only had the Pho and the salad rolls. Both I thought were excellent. Salad rolls a little on the expensive side for $4 for 2 small rolls, but I splurge every now and then on them because I just can't get enough. Overall, the food and service is excellent. Delivery by bicycle rider is convenient to those who live and work downtown, but it can add a few bucks after delivery fee + tip. Delivery fee goes to the restaurant and not the rider, so don't be a cheapass, especially in the dreary Midwestern weather!
(5)Mark R.
Best food and best value around !! Had the Pho Bo with meatball, brisket and rare steak. Fabulous!!! Also had the Goi salad with scrimp. OMGish!! The fresh flavors were so good. Really can't get much better than this! Also love the fun lunch vibe!! A must go to place !!
(5)Anna L.
Food was amazing!! We had the bahn mi with chicken, chicken pho, and egg rolls!! Our server, Alan was very friendly and had a lot of good recommendations! We even got to sit next to one of the local bike messengers and chat with him for a while in between his pho deliveries! Definitely coming back, just wish the kitchen manager had been a little more talkative and less awkward when he asked us how our food was. ;)
(5)Ed L.
Pho in Cincinnati! Checking off Pho for OH has never been simpler. This is is an ongoing pet project of mine to have Pho in all 50 States. Its a side project that involves a few of my favorite things: travel, marathons, and Pho, among other things. My latest stop in Ohio is Pho Lang Thang in Cincinnati. I was also in town for the 16th annual Cincinnati Flying Pig marathon, so having Pho would be the one of the perfect meals for me. This location is perfect for me, since it's located in downtown Cincinnati, just minutes away from the Duke Energy Center and the Millennium Hotel @ 114 W Elder Street. It was a nice Saturday early afternoon when I stepped in here, after the craziness of the 16th Annual Cincinnati Flying Pig marathon weekend. The ambiance was nice and quiet and the overall satisfaction was pretty good. I did enjoy the service, which was quite good, but decidedly average. Pho lang thang accepts credit cards, which is always great for me. I was fortunate to arrive here with a couple of friends, who didn't mind to have something different for lunch. The ambiance of this place was fairly decent. Since there wasn't much foot traffic here, we were seated right away, so that was great. The service here was good. The owners were happy that you stepped into their little space of paradise, so it was always good to support local wherever possible. I had ordered the combination Pho, aka the Pho Bac diet with summer rolls (or vegan salad rolls). The prices here are pretty good, with the large Pho Bac diet priced at $10. I was a little disappointed with the Pho being a little bland, but it was decently good. You can tell if the Pho broth is trite and feels like there is no real flavor and just somehow watered down, but on the flip side, there was adequate cuts of meat and plenty of bean sprouts and garnishes, if you ask for it. I would say that this place is decent for what it serves. Sure it can be classified as authentically Vietnamese and the owners will treat you like family in the heart of Cincinnati. However, while the food here is rather tasty, its not what I would consider true authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Maybe its different here in the Midwest, but it's not as good as other places where I have been. Still, its a nice lunch spot for you and your friends in the heart of Cincinnati, if you love Vietnamese. Never tried the bhan Mi yet, but I aim to try it sometime. The ambiance is very casual and quiet. Enjoyed my experience here, but it would have been better if the Pho had been upgraded a little. Still A-okay though! Thanks yelp for finding this restaurant for me! Support local! B-
(3)Amy B.
My go-to lunch spot! Why? Because... 1. 1 hour parking is free in the Findlay Market Lot during the week 2. They deliver locally downtown 3. The small chicken pho is PLENTY and the medium is enough for left overs 4. The food is so fresh and so affordable! 5. Everything is better after a bowl of pho is in your belly!!!
(5)Divya D.
You can only crave for more here ! Fresh ingredients and quick service . The wait time is quite long for obvious reasons of the food there . Iam biased to Asian cuisines because I love the mix of freshness with tang . An easy find in downtown and love the atmosphere .
(5)Chris S.
Best Pho is town, by far. Pho Bo with rare steak - delicious. Make sure to try the spring rolls as well!! This is a favorite spot of mine.
(5)Ashley M.
Okay, here's an example of where I think you have to be a bit cultured to give a reliable review. "This is THE BEST pho I've ever had!" doesn't really mean much if you've only had it a handful of times in your life, right? Coming from a city where the Vietnamese restaurant scene is always booming and the pho competition is very strong, I think to myself--would this place survive in my city? Probably not. Does this place have potential in Cincinnati? Of course! For lunch, I ordered a Vietnamese Iced Coffee and a small bowl of pho. The Vietnamese Iced Coffee should be stronger and there should be more condensed milk. The pho was okay at best--the broth is bland and there isn't much meat. On my next visit, I'll venture out and try a vermicelli dish. Great location to people watch--come here for the hip vibe, the quick service, and to satisfy your Vietnamese food fix.
(3)Anjelica N.
Cincinnati is all over the news for being "up and coming," however one thing it lacked before this rejuvenation of the 'Nati movement was variety in food. Enter: Pho Lang Thang. Pho Lang Thang is an authentic Vietnamese cuisine eatery. It's legitimate. The dishes are an amalgamation of recipes from the homeland (Vietnam, obviously) with a special touch by the executive chef. Never fear, the tinkering never strays from Vietnamese flavors. The aesthetics of this place is pretty fun. It's always loud (in a good way), bustling and has an ever-present perfume of star anise. The seating area is simple with wooden tables. My favorite decoration are the wall decals in the sitting area, giant, floor-to-ceiling photograph murals of Vietnam. I've had several of their dishes. Before I get to that, I must profess the first reason I fell in love with PLT. They had ca phe sua da (for you non-Vietnamese speakers, it's a french press, slow drip extra bold coffee mixed with condensed milk...and served over ice) You could NOT find a good rendition of this anywhere in Cincinnati until the guys at PLT opened up. Now, my only negative of PLT is that they don't open early enough for me to pick up a to-go cup before I start work. :( Onto the food, order the pho sizes at your own risk. A small bowl of delectable, beef broth is plenty filling. There are plenty of noodles. You can get your first choice of meat free. I will ALWAYS get my pho bo with thinly sliced steak and the meatballs. The meat is dealt generously - also once you pile on all those herbs and limes to your bowl.... you'll suddenly think, "how in the world am I going to finish this beast?" Then, you'll proceed to take a bite and go, "OH, I'll finish this... NO PROBLEM." Just save room for some iced coffee! I'm also a huge fan of their banh mi. Banh mi dac biet is my preferred sandwich sans the headcheese. I just can't... but it's a pretty big size and full of refreshing flavors. They pickle their carrots and daikon perfectly and don't drown their sandwich in the mayo. On a last note, you MUST order the egg rolls. At least once. It's none of that cabbage/carrott filled garabage you get at a take-out Chinese place. These are Vietnamese egg rolls. Ground pork, glass noodles with a smattering of celery and carrot bits. I could review every dish I had but you should just go try them out for yourselves. You will NOT be sorry. PLT, all the way!
(5)B K.
This place is pho-nomenal! Yeah, I said it. Go there and then tell me it's not. I dare you.
(5)Katie F.
I'll start by saying that I'm not a big "phan" of pho (see what I did there?!), but I tried some of their other food and it was delicious. The egg roll type appetizers were so good! I don't remember what they were called. Anyway, I can't wait to go back and try something different. I went for lunch during the weekday so it wasn't packed like usual. My whole family got a table and it made for a really nice, quiet meal. Our server was friendly and very helpful for all of us newbies. My only complaint is that I left reeking of Vietnamese food and my clothes smelled kinda gross all day. Sure, it smells delicious while you're in there, but once you're out of that atmosphere, the aroma isn't as great! Also, my eyes watered the entire meal because of the spicy food and smoke they were cooking in the kitchen. No big deal, but just a tiny annoyance.
(4)Jack L.
Was visiting Cincy for a wedding. Decided to stop by this place for some Pho on the way home to Chicago. This place is in the market, so it was nice to be able to walk around after eating at this place. The place is small and the wait is long. There was a line before the doors were even open. The people were really nice, we had a large group and they were willing to accommodate us. Order the large special bowl and a bahn mi. The Food came out quickly. The bahn mi was just ok, but the pho was amazing. The Vietnamese coffee was really good also, give it a try. Service was great, water was always filled and they were really nice.
(4)Chang Z.
Have very good soup & noodle. Better than Cilantro near UC. Seating was fast on Saturday for 2 (wait around 10min @11:30am)
(4)Tim L.
I recently tried this place on a Saturday afternoon. I like the way you give your name and number for the page when your table is ready. So much more convenient than the buzzer. The staff was very friendly and I felt the food was very reasonably priced. They have a small but decent selection of alcoholic beverages. As this place sell primarily Pho, the food wait was very short, and the portions were good. I ordered a small and needed no more. I am not a huge eater though, so you might want to go with the medium if you are a normal eater. One note of advice is to get there early if you want some of the daily appetizers as they sell out rather quickly on a Saturday.
(4)Mu Y.
Firstly, it's delicious! I personally think Chicken Soup is better then beef soup, but both of them are good. The Fried Spring Roll! You must try. Secondly, it's very very cheap! And last, the waitresses and waiters are all friendly!
(5)Kristan H.
Best pho and banh mi I've ever had -- and I grew up in Houston's Chinatown, so that's saying something. I also like the Vietnamese limeade and the Vietnamese coffee w/ condensed milk (and I normally don't like coffee). The only downsides are that you have to pay to park at Findlay Market (but okay, Findlay's great so I don't mind supporting them) and there's always a wait (15-45 min) at PLT. Oh, if you sit inside, you will also come out smelling like food. But at least it's delicious food! The good news is: I overheard one of the employees saying they're planning to open more locations!! *fingers crossed*
(5)Marcus F.
After spending the day at Findlay Market with my great-aunt she decided to take me to Pho Lang Thang. This was the first Vietnamese restaurant I have ever eaten at, as well as the first restaurant where I have had dripped coffee. Starting with the dripped coffee, since that was what I had during my wait for my food to be prepared. It was actually interesting to see the little cup being filled up while sitting on the table. The flavor was robust and creamy, which concocted an odd, but enjoyable flavor. I requested ice so that it could be cooled down, however it was never brought to the table unfortunately. Pho Chay is what I had the pleasure of eating, and my aunt had a Banh Mi Thit Nguoi. I didn't try any of what she had, but the Pho Chay was very good. The way it was presented was unique. As I mentioned before, I had never had Vietnamese food before. Being a close proximity to Findlay Market, it's a worthwhile visit. The interior of the restaurant is rather basic, but it seems as if they are continuing to improve it. I plan on going back to try their other menu items eventually.
(3)Shoshana K.
3.5 stars I still find myself frequenting this joint when I swing thru cinci. My most recent complaint is that every time I dine here I REAK for hours after I leave. I seem to emit soup smells for hours in my hair, my jacket, my hands...everything on and near me stinks when I leave! Good soup, friendly service, but be prepared to throw your clothes in the hamper the second you're done eating! This visit I had brisket pho. I talked myself out of what I originally thought I would order (meatballs) and got brisket instead. Next time I'm getting the meatballs I think. Brisket was good but not the best. Still searching for my favorite grand slam winner here for which soup and meat combo is the tastiest.... The soups are pretty mild in flavor here-Ive had more exciting phos (ESP in the bay area-I know I know, not everywhere is as awesome as San Fran...) - even w all the toppings and condiments you add. I really like the vermicelli bowl here. I have yet to try a bahn mi.
(3)Alyssa K.
The bahn mi sandwiches aren't the best but their pho was really good. The best part about this location was their great service. We went on a Saturday for lunch so the restaurant was extremely busy and we had a party of 6 with a baby. Despite all that the host, waitress, and take-out cashier were all extremely friendly and accommodating for us! My husband is also a huge coffee person and says that their vietnamese coffee was one of the best he's tried so far. I only gave this place a 4-star because we're big fans of vietnamese sandwiches and we were pretty disappointed by theirs. The best part of vietnamese sandwiches are the crispy baguette rolls that they make them in and unfortunately this restaurant's sandwiches did not meet up to our hopes. We'll be back for the pho but will have to keep looking around for a good vietnamese sandwich place.
(4)C P.
Holy PHO!!! Noodle salads and the pho are out of this world. OUT. OF. THIS. WORLD. fresh, fast, no frills.
(5)Kelly M.
sooooooo yummy! i love this place! everytime i go to findley market i have to eat here! the different spices and flavors from this place are outstanding! for how much food you get and how AWESOME it taste it should be double the price!
(4)Zoë D.
Come for the pho, stay for the banh mi! Their pho is delicious! Just like any good handmade soup, the flavor changes subtly every day. Today you might have star anise wafting up your nostrils, tomorrow clove may tickle your nose. Yesterday's broth may be light and clean, next week's broth could smack with complexity. This is before adding accoutrements such as cilantro, Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime, sriracha, hoisin... not counting the meat options available for all you omnivores (and veggie/vegan options for the herbivores). Now for their banh mi. Truth be told, I've never had their banh mi "fresh", as I usually feast on pho and get a deconstructed banh mi to take home to be put together for a meal later that night. Secretly I'm glad I eat them in private, or someone watching me would get the impression that I'm angry at my sandwich. A sandwich... a SANDWICH should NOT be this delicious! Allow me to wax anthropomorphic for a moment... Banh mi would be considered a bully if it weren't so friendly. Other sandwiches develop inferiority complexes, and feel bad about themselves when in the company of banh mi. I've seen jealous glares from lunchmeat that were not included in a banh mi. I've listened to harsh, backstabbing whispers from cold cuts that remind me of teenage girls. "Why does banh mi get pate and I don't?" "How come banh mi gets to be wrapped in a crispy, chewy French baguette?" "That banh mi is such a show off with it's pickled carrots, daikon, and cucumbers... and what's with that roasted pork?! Bitch!" (Ok, I think I've gone too far) Seriously though this sandwich, in Pho Lang Thang's hands, is immaculate! I've eaten many a banh mi, and PTL's borders on perfection. They have other versions, but the Banh Mi Dac Biet is my personal favorite. If I may make a suggestion, DO NOT be afraid of head cheese. Sure it has the worst name ever, and it's ingredients seem sketchy, but it's bark is far worse than it's bite. It's more of a texture thing. A bit chewy, a little rubbery, but if you like the taste of a quality lunch meat then it's a good bet you'd also enjoy head cheese. I know, I know... I was scared once too so I asked the waitress if I could try a little and they happily obliged. I'm glad I did. The flavor and texture will lend itself as a welcomed addition to your sandwich. So stop reading and go get'cha one!
(4)Melissa D.
Delicious food and great prices. My favorites are the vegan spring rolls and pork bahn mi. The pho is to die for too! It's fun to eat here and walk around Findlay market.
(5)Dane D.
So glad we found this place. We had been talking about Pho for a couple of weeks prior and was quite pleased with this place. We ordered some spring rolls, which was nice and fresh and clean and the accompanying sauce was perfect. We went for the regular size of Pho and it was plenty, so if you are going with a group, this can be a real good cheap place to eat! We also got the Banh Mi Thit Nuong with the pate, which we both loved and wish this place was closer to visit on a more regular basis. The pricing and the amount of food is awesome, since you get what you pay for and more! The staff was also quite good and not hard to understand and very helpful and understanding. Definitely will visit this place again. Can't wait!!
(5)Arun M.
Who would have thought that Vietnamese fast food can be so nutritious and filling. During my first visit to Cincy, it came up as one of the highly rated restaurants in the city for southeast asian food. It was a pleasant surprise to find the location was in an oasis called the Findley Market. We were there at 2 PM and still there was a wait of 20 minutes. They take your cellphone number and call you when they are ready, simple but innovative. Once we got the table, waitress was fast to attend us and the orders arrived quickly too. My food was very good and chugged it down very fast. I liked that their options are limited but whatever they have is very good. I wanted to have vegetarian rolls and they ran out of it. As soon as it was available again, waitress came and asked me! I think that is more personal service than many Cheesecake factories I have been to.
(5)Sheri Y.
Shared a lemongrass chicken bun with my husband, added a dollar for the fried egg roll. The restaurant is adjacent to the farmer's market. Great portion and good service~ will visit again if in town..
(5)Rose K.
If I could pick the one restaurant in Cincinnati that I would be completely satisfied eating at 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, this would be it. I'm so happy that I discovered this place a few years back, because I did not know what my life was missing! I've tried the tofu, chicken and of course the thinly sliced steak pho and am a fan of all of it. I've tried the chicken and beef bahn mi and am equally satisfied. The vegan cold rolls are also fantastic as well as the fried spring rolls. The worst part about this place is that they are not open on Monday, and that I can never decide what to order! It's a guarantee that the amazing food and friendly staff will make any day better. If you live in Cincinnati and haven't checked this place out, you do not know what you are missing!!!
(5)Amy E.
Growing up in California, I'm very picky about my pho. Overall, the pho is fine-- not bad, but I've definitely had better. The beef balls in my pho were delicious, and the broth (pho is all about the broth, after all) wasn't too greasy. I think it could have been more flavorful. However, this place is probably a decent option for Vietnamese food in Cincinnati.
(3)Chelsea F.
Oh tho Pho... The first time I had Pho, it was a pivotable moment, and it was life changing. It was in San Francisco and I never thought I would taste the greatness of authentic Pho again. We have searched throughout Cincinnati for a restaurant that compares to the experience I had in SF and have come to the conclusion that Pho Lang Thang is as close as it gets. Pho Lang Thang is perfectly located in the buzz of Findlay Market, making it a perfect weekend destination in addition to the wonderfully crafted dishes that it serves. It has become our go to place when we want that warm and fuzzy feeling that you get after a full bowl of Pho. We can't begin our meal until we have also had a plate of the Summer rolls, the freshness of the Mint and perfectly cooked noodles, ah I can taste it now. My husband and I are absolute fans. Go to Pho Lang Thang. Get the Vietnamese coffee. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Emily L.
For anyone who loves a fresh & healthy meal, Pho Lang Thang's vermicelli noodle bowls are amazing! That's the mark of this particular dish, which I appreciate very much. When I'm with a friend, you'll probably find us talking about how delicious it tastes! it's usually more eating and less talking, though, because this dish is so enjoyable. PLT is also located beside one of my favorite places, Findlay Market. It's an outdoor shop for local produce and a mix of diverse, artisan produced items. I believe that PLT is a much needed stop after walking or shopping: it's so convenient and it feels relaxing and comfortable sitting in a hip, modern restaurant. Don't forget to order the shrimp rolls, either! They are the best appetizer to accompany your pho or vermicelli. Whoo.
(4)Katrina F.
I have an unhealthy obsession with this place. Their menu is amazing, but I can't pull myself away from the Pho Tai and salad rolls because they do them so well. Put ALL the cilantro,lime,jalepenos, and bean sprout that you can. It's an experience.
(5)Catherine G.
The food here is out of this world; the best bahn mi I've ever had! And the pho is delicious, too. I go here at least once a week, and anytime I have out of towners visiting, this is the #1 spot on my list of places to take them.
(5)Lyn Y.
I was very pleased to find a pho place in Cincinnati! Locale is a little iffy....in a dangerous spot but also upcoming funky area. Go here in the daytime before you attempt an evening visit. For the food, the pho broth was amazing but unfortunately the dish was skimpy on the veggies and noodles, so we were still hungry when we left! Perhaps, they could improve on this to make this more like traditional ( more filling ) pho!
(3)Stephen W.
I got the pork sandwich and it's really cheap and very delicious! It's a great little place right next to Findlay market and you won't be disappointed! Everything on the menu sounded delicious but the sandwiches were incredible.
(5)Cris C.
It's a regular outing. Fresh food, no messing. Very affordable. Great atmosphere of Findlay Market. Try the Banh Mi with fried tofu and an iced Vietnamese coffee. Thankfully NO tv.
(4)Jay H.
Vietnamese sanwhich was Awesome. Toasted bread and the mouth watering tender pork and all sort of vegetables. Also the fried egg rolls on top of the rice noodles and veg. With to extra fish sauce, it was awesome. I am coming back again over and over.
(5)Adam B.
Wow...I was not expecting it to be this good. We stopped by Findlay to show some friends around and decided to grab lunch. I had walked by here several times, thinking "I need to try that place". The pho was great. I had tripe (yum!) and my friend had the meatballs. I'm not sure what else to say other than if you like pho, go here now!
(5)Manoj B.
UPDATE: A member of PLT management responded to my review in order to resolve the issue I mention. This looks promising! I mention this because this should not go unnoticed. They have shown an interest and that's a plus. I hope to upgrade my rating after my next visit! ------ I have been to Pho Lang Tang quite a few times. I visit Findlay Market at least once a month and Pho Lang Tang is a compulsory part of each visit. Today we went specifically to dine at the restaurant. Never been disappointed before but today I was. Perhaps it was because we arrived there just before 4pm (the sign says they close at 6pm). The staff had already closed off part of the dining area when the the other half of the place was a full house and there were at least 9 diners waiting to be seated. I normally order a regular Pho with beef meatballs, tendon and tripe. When I received my meal the tendon was almost nowhere to be found. When I did finally find some there were two minuscule pieces. The tripe was also a minuscule quantity. At this point I began to examine the meatballs. They quarter a (not very large) meatball and gave me six quarters. That's one and a half meatballs. This may be the normal serving size but Id never noticed before. I think I noticed today because the tendon and tripe were practically non existent. The broth too, today, needed an inordinate amount of additional seasoning (hoisin, Maggi Seasoning and sriracha). My wife's order of a small pho with brisket was also disappointing. The brisket had texture that was dry and almost no tenderness (almost jerky-like but not that dry). Very not like previous visits I'm going to put this down to a one-off. Is it possible that with the expansion of their enterprise with two additional establishments the three brother-owners are losing sight of the quality of their original product? This isn't normal. Right? I'll update with a higher score after my next visit if deserved. I hope management reads this.
(1)Jason F.
Outstanding little spot in the heart of Findlay Market. It was a gorgeous afternoon (one of 7 nice days we get in Cincinnati) and felt like heading down to Findlay Market. I had heard great things and great things were had! Try the sandwich and the noodle salads if you don't feel like soup in the summer sun fits the bill. Service was reasonably fast and the wait staff super friendly.
(4)Karen D.
Great fresh local food. You must start with the fresh rolls - I enjoy the vegan version with mushrooms and the peanut dipping sauce. Then Bún Tht Nng with chicken, my friend enjoyed it with pork, just the right mix of noodles, veggies and protein, very flavorful and hits the spot on any visit to Findlay Market. If I lived closer to Findlay I would be in trouble I would want their food all of the time, so a nice treat when at the market.
(4)Jennifer C.
I love this place! Great location in Findlay Market. Awesome pho tai and summer rolls. Get a Vietnamese iced coffee!
(5)