Hands down the best pho I've had in my life thus far. You should not call yourself a Bostonian unless you've dined here. A must-go if you're visiting from out of town. I came here with my friend 5 years ago after a night of drinking at Boston College and instantly became appreciative of how a bowl of pho and plate of fried rice made the hangover virtually disappear. The same fragrant, savory taste that I experienced so long ago was confirmed with an order of the extra large beef noodle soup. It was not a blurry, too-good-to-be-true dream in food heaven after all! In fact, I was compelled to place another order of the same dish because I wouldn't be able to find this kind of pho anywhere else, including Chicago and NYC. Truly a noteworthy cultural cuisine.
(5)
Sunny C.
Ordered regular combination pho. Visited on a saturday afternoon. The GOOD: service was fast, as are most pho places. Noodles and broth were up to expectations. room for IMPROVEMENT: I usually really enjoy the tendons in pho, but these had a funny taste to them. If they are not already parboiled before putting into the broth, they should. perhaps a freshness issue?
(3)
Michelle C.
Been going here for about 7 years now (jeez), cannot go wrong! Great pho but I don't order pho anymore anywhere because I've had it so much here, never want it. My go to now is chicken noodle soup with yellow noodles. Delicious! Lighter and cleaner than regular pho broth. Summer rolls are great, esp the peanut sauce. Fried rice is so good. Always order one or two for the table. Pork chop rice dish is always on point, viet pork chops in general are delicious. Thai iced tea may be one of the best in the area. Tl;dr - 7 year customer going strong. Pretty sure everything on menu is good. Pho, fried rice, Thai iced tea are musts.
(4)
Angela L.
Favorite pho place. Was introduced to Les back in college and it was the first place I tried pho! The broth is so good... I'm always tempted to drink it all. The dishes always come out quick so come hungry. If you're super hungry, #15. I usually order #14 and get either shrimp toast or summer rolls to split with friends. Staff are all really friendly and attentive. The restaurant could update some of the seating, but the food is so cheap it's kind of okay.
(4)
Erica K.
Awesome pho! The broth is so salty and delicious and the meatballs are perfect. I ordered meatballs and my boyfriend got some spicy one and we both devoured our meals. It was a delicious lunch. They do charge for refills on soda though so keep that in mind. service was slightly slow but it wasn't bad. Go go go!
(5)
Andy D.
There are a few times during your life time when you have the urge to kill. And when the bad evil waiter man argues with you because as the person who is patronizing your business , I AM WRONG, and proceeds to spit in your face in front of your child, mother, wife , that time may come. Saying I had a bad experience here is like saying the Jewish people had a bad experience during the holocaust. You would think he would would have the decency of not arguing when they didn't bring us chopsticks , napkins, water, after 5 minutes of waiting and asking him twice to bring them. But NO, he continues to rip me apart and say it was my fault , that the tables are divided by section. You know a restaurant is bad when 5 waiters are just hanging out around the bar and not helping out the guests. America, one of the few countries that enforce tipping, is also where I have had some of the worst services ever. Even the nice old ladies who push their Pho carts served in plastic green and red bowls around Saigon in the morning have better service . And nothing makes it worse than when you order 2 bowls of Xe Lua and they give you 1 lime. 2 basil stems and no pepper. You make me sick. For all you who read this, do yourself a favor, do Boston a favor, do market competition a favor and don't patronize this place.
(1)
William O.
The food isn't good at all! Okay first off tried to give the benefit of the doubt that we were being poorly served because of our ethnicity such as time being served, but then a Vietnamese couple came in 15 mins after us. They ordered pretty much the same thing and 5 mins later got there food still took another 10 mins to get our food which was pho and grilled beef and rice entree. I thought it may have been because of the beef but the beef was just warm not hot so for anyone that is going to come here beware.
(1)
Grace L.
I thought the pho here was pretty decent. I enjoyed their flavorful broth however, I thought the noodles were a bit overcooked. I regret not trying the fried rice since that was recommended by a couple of people who have been here.
(4)
Mika S.
The staff at Le's are all so smiley and friendly - they were definitely the highlight of my dinner and deserve a five-star rating. On the other hand, I wasn't a big fan of the food because I found it quite flavourless. To be fair, I haven't had a lot of Vietnamese food, so a "mild flavour" could just be a characteristic of Vietnamese cuisine. Aside from the taste of the food, I thought that the prices were very cheap given how generous the portion sizes were.
(3)
Jennifer C.
Best pho ever. There is no comparison. And great price. What more do you need. Other things that are great at Le's. Overlooked many times because of their amazing pho but their vermicelli is also great! And also to pair with your pho the combination fried rice is the perfect pairing. Tips: you ask for your meat on the side if you like your meat raw. Also you can ask for just the soup too if you get the vermicelli for example and still want broth.
(5)
Sean M.
3.57 Stars Le's is a solid pho choice if you are in Allston. It isn't a imperative destination but on a Sunday morning or other times when you can park on Brighton Ave. it's worth stopping by. At this point I would say I like the food and atmosphere here more than the Harvard Sq. location. The big bowls are beyond my capacity, these are for the young and the hungry; you have been warned. I tend to stick the soups, the rice plates are lackluster in my opinion. I will admit I like the pork chop rice plate. The bun (noodle) dishes are good and that's my second choice. The summer rolls, spring rolls, and crepe are just ok. The room is wide open seating for large parties at the circular and booths that that can fit four or maybe 5. There are smaller round table for one or two persons. The bar is not for sitting. * flat noodles with your fav protein can't go wrong * beef with watercress * quail is yummy * vermicelli + grilled [insert your fav meat] * Viet 33 Export sold here * parking can be impossible
(4)
Christine T.
Good food. crap service. Maybe it was because I was coughing like I had tuberculosis but we were flat out ignored. If I did have tuberculosis you should probably get me out of your restaurant as soon as possible... We eat quick and normally tip well. I wanted a coffee and he wanted dessert so we were sitting with our table basically bussed, the girl brought us the check, was confused when I asked for a coffee and a dessert, went back, 20 mins later the dessert comes out wrong coffee, 10 mins guy at the bar finishes 2 coffees, the girl grabs one and gives it to a bench 2 seats away leaves the other, makes her rounds, avoids us, goes to the bench right next to ours and asks if everything is ok... My coffee is still sitting on the bar... I finally have to wave down another of the girls... And this is the abbreviated version of my complaint. Not going back. Food: pho:was good nice and flavorful broth generous portions of meat and noodles. Best thing about the experience Fresh summer roll: a serving is 2 rolls and I think we may have gotten 1 shrimp and a slice of pork combined in the 2 rolls. The lettuce was also dry and wilty. Caramel flan: I didn't like it he did. It was at least a day old and overly syrupy. I also don't understand why you need whip cream on a flan... Hot coffee: good with condensed sweetened milk, made fresh smells great is probably folgers.
(3)
Ina K.
One of the more traditional Viet places in Boston! Just hop on the B line, and you're there. I would like to point out the fact that the portions are HUGE! Considering that you will be most likely paying less than $10 for your meal, I'd say this is an amazing deal! The service is amazing. The staff is nice and prompt. There is a lot of area to sit, so seating is not a big concern if you have a semi-large party. --- Great for lunch!
(4)
Michelle L.
Food is always consistent here, so good! I always get #46 which is the vermicelli dish where you can make your own rolls, mine is with pork and it is grilled to perfection yuuuum. Their Thai iced tea and coconut smoothie is bomb. Get it if you like those flavours. The service is sometimes lacking when there's a larger volume of customers, but they're generally very friendly and the host/owner is great and always asks how you are as well as the food.
(4)
Chun S.
This review is way overdue. I came here on a cold winter night for dinner takeout. The place was pretty empty because it was snowing like crazy outside and most people stayed home. I remember it was like the day before a snow day where there was no work or school. So I went in and ordered the pork chop with rice to go for dinner. I was greeted by an old guy, who was presumably to be the owner of the restaurant or an experienced server. He was very friendly and nice. Even though I was getting a takeout, he offered me hot tea without me asking for it, which was a friendly gesture to customers who came in on a cold winter night. Service: based on the old server/owner (?), I would say it was impeccable. 5/5 stars. Food: when I went home and ate it, it was delicious! I would definitely go back and order the same pork chop with rice again! 5/5 stars. Price: pretty affordable. ~$10 for takeout. 5/5 stars. Definitely would be coming back for more! :)
(5)
Michael R.
Delicious Vietnamese. Really fresh food and pretty good service. One of our meals took a lot longer then the other so they were able to compensate us for the extended delay.
(4)
Audrey C.
I'm giving this place 4 stars based on the prices and the amount of food they give you. They're portions are huuuuuuge and normally all for under $8! The place is also very clean with really quick service also, they always have seating and I've never had to wait. Best thing ever for hangover food. I normally get the chicken pho with clear noodles. Yes, you can also request for different types of noodles! I can barely finish a small and the broth is delicious to drink without getting super thirsty from the MSG like a lot of places. Their spring rolls and egg rolls are also standard, great for a sharing appetizer. All in all, good place to come for a quick and cheap meal!
(4)
Ray Ray K.
Great value! Great service! Ordered the regular pho with beef cuts. It was delicious and only $7.95. Beware, even the "large" portion could be big enough to instead be the "extra large" portion! Fast friendly service. Would go back anytime.
(5)
Anne V.
I have been a loyal customer for years and have been here with my family many times. We love the noodle soups and usually also get Summer rolls for appetizer. I always go for the XL chicken noodle soup (with plenty of basil and bean sprouts provided). I've also tried the beef noodle soup and the broth is delicious. Another classic dish here is their fried rice which is awesome. Looking forward to my next visit!
(5)
Myan T.
This place is my beau's and I second best to Pho Pasteur, although I prefer Le's. The wait staff are always friendly and attentive. Meals are always good and is served relatively quick. Parking, in my experience is better in this area compared to Chinatown since people are usually in and out.
(4)
Judy K.
The portions are huge so you get a lot for your money considering how cheap it is. If you get pho, it comes out lukewarm usually, but it's not all so bad. It's good to go on a cold rainy day or if you're hungover. The fried rice is basic. The noodles are basic. Nothing is outstanding, but I still coming back because pho is something I love. It's not the best place in Boston, but it's conveniently located for me. I wouldn't recommend coming here unless it was close by. The service is great though. Food comes out super fast, the waiters are attentive and they always stop by your table to make sure you're doing alright.
(3)
An L.
Really nice solid vietnamese food all around. We enjoy their bun chao tom (vermicelli shrimp), vege fried egg rolls, hu tieu (wide rice noodles), and broccoli dishes.
(5)
Nanci C.
Terrible service!!! Enough said! I came here plenty of times and every time was just a bad experience. Portions are small! Not the tastiest Viet food in town. Don't waste your time here especially with their service! Their eyes are after your money! Waiting for tips tips tips!!! They are so rude!!!!!!!
(1)
Elleen P.
I've heard crazy things about Pho Pasteur/Le's, and with my newfound acceptance of pho, have been meaning to make a trip out to the depths of Allston to try this place. (jk, not depths. but the B line makes it feel that way) I came here with a group of people at around 6 pm and it was pretty spacious. We were seated quickly after the party had arrived, and after ordering, food came out relatively quickly afterwards as well. Everybody else was ordering pho, and the past name suggested their pho would be good, so .. I ordered a small beef pho (not sure exactly which one, but it's probably one of the popular ones lol) and it was pretty good. To be honest, I really can't tell the difference between good and bad pho -- I just know I like pho in Boston a hundred times over what they have in LA. The small was an ample amount for me, although I wasn't too hungry to begin with... if you're hungry, I'd probably recommend a medium. Didn't really notice anything with service, can't remember anything great but it wasn't terrible at least. Place is clean although a bit run down, but hey, that adds to Asian restaurants' authenticity : )
(4)
Aynsley C.
4.5-5 When I crave pho, this is a really good go to place if you're around Allston. Usually never too busy as I've never had to wait to be seated. Their staff is pretty friendly but sometimes have to wave over to them to get their attention. I usually get pho dac biet that comes with flank, brisket, tripe, and lots of other toppings that I missed! Their broth isn't too oily or salty, and they bring out just enough bean sprouts and mint; other places bring out so much but I feel bad when I don't use all of it. Always happy after eating here.
(4)
Kelly O.
I'm pretty boring when it comes to Vietnamese food; 9 times out of 10 you'll find me ordering bun (vermicelli) topped with that amazing pork that's kinda like crack, sometimes with the addition of a halved spring roll. So that dish tends to be what I judge restaurants by, and Le's passes with flying colors... large portion for little money, perfectly grilled and flavorful pork of high quality (no real gristly bits), perfectly fried spring roll, and fresh and spotless accoutrements (no brown spots on the basil, perfectly crisp carrot strips, etc). Exactly what I love and expect. My one small complaint is that I'd personally prefer a bigger side of nuoc cham because I like to slather my food with the stuff (so delicious), although I'd bet if I had asked I could have gotten some more- but that's about all I can think of that I wasn't 100% happy with, so I'm clearly a fan. Le's is a great go-to when I don't feel like trekking to Pho Pasteur in Chinatown (although honestly, the two are basically neck and neck for me, and I'd need to do some back-to-back comparison to see who serves the better bun).
(4)
Young P.
I 100% fully support and endorse Le's Restaurant in Allston. How rare is it to find a good pho place? Probably not so hard. How rare is it to find a good pho place combined with bomb fried rice? VERY RARE! Pho here is great but what makes this place so special is their combination fried rice. Next time you visit, order yourself a bowl of pho + combination fried rice. You will understand why I am so passionate about this place.
(5)
Amanda L.
Some solid pho in Allston. Not the best pho I've ever had, but it was pretty damn delicious. It definitely hit the spot. Broth wasn't too salty, and there was a decent amount of meat. I polished off my Large bowl and was comfortably full. We also got summer rolls to start. The peanut sauce is super addictive. We were dipping the bean sprouts (for the pho) into the sauce and eating them like chips and dip, lol. Service wasn't stellar, but it wasn't horrible either. As wrong as this may sound, I hold Asian restaurants to a lower standard (the NYC Chinatown standard)... I never expect anything more than them bringing me the correct order. Reasonable prices!
(4)
Katie M.
I've loved everything I've tried here! The noodles are fantastic no matter how they are served and all of the ingredients taste fresh and excellent. The brown peanut sauce was addicting!
(4)
Ann J.
Great Vietnamese spot in Allston. It's a big restaurant with lots of seats and very quick service. Le's offers the normal Vietnamese classics including my personal favorite Pho. I ordered the wonton soup and the vermicelli with beef. Both were delicious. Now I will mention a rumor I've heard that the spices used by the chefs are Thai and not Vietnamese. Either way, the food was amazing, the atmosphere is great and the food is cheap. The portions are also huge so be prepared to bring some back. Le's is a good option for students in the area who are looking for a nice, cheap, place to eat. Alcohol is pretty expensive but being in Allston means there are lots of options after dinner to get much cheaper drinks.
(4)
Pam C.
I LOVE Le's. It's not the best Vietnamese food in the world, especially when I compare it to my options to SoCal, but it's probably the closest we're going to get on this side of New York. The prices are reasonable, service is speedy, and the portions are there - the broth is a little on the salty side, but it definitely hits the spot on a cold day, or when you're feeling a cold coming on. You might have to be a bit aggressive when flagging down a waiter and definitely don't expect the staff to check in on you through your meal. They have a pretty extensive menu, including a bunch of Thai food and a selection of drinks. Most of them are so-so, although I am pretty fond of their pad thai.
(5)
Brian S.
After a long night out, les really hits the spot. The typical order is an order of summer rolls, pho of your choice and a order of fried rice to share per two people. I've been coming for the last two years and their broth has come a long way. I use to not be a fan, but I've come around and this place is definitely a must for pho.
(4)
Barbara A.
Hi, my name is Barbara A and I have a pho addiction. Thankfully, both of Le's locations are close enough that I can partake when the craving strikes. Today, my daughter and I came here - she has a bad head cold and stayed home from school and wanted soup. Yes, I used my sick daughter to get the pho I so crave. Usually I have one of the beef pho but since I am also fighting a cold, I have been getting the chicken noodle - a really good, solid broth and the herb mixture with the thinly sliced onions and noodle consistency is perfect. The last time I came, the gentleman behind the counter could tell I had an extremely bad head cold and took really good care of me and hooked my up with my pho quickly with extra lime and hot sauce. I have not had much else here except spring rolls and summer rolls. Both items are really well executed, especially the summer roll - nice to find a place that makes them well and they won't fall apart. AND of course, the Thai Iced Tea ... this is the place that got me addicted to the drink.
(4)
Diana L.
BEST Vietnamese food in my 'hood, which means a lot to me, because I hail from Hartford, land of the many-numbered Vietnamese huts o' pho. (Pho 68, Pho 88, Pho Saigon, Pho Boston, Pho 501, etc.) I HIGHLY recommend the pho with tendon, tripe & rare eye round. It is what they are known for and it is what you should order. Don't be a baby and get chicken/flank steak pho. Get that dank meat. It's so delicious, I promise! If it's not you can walk over to my apartment and slap me. The vermicelli is also phenomenal, my favorite being the one with pork AND egg rolls - sooo good. And the vietnamese iced coffee is great too. They crush the ice, which I like. Also the vietnamese crepe appetizer is super tasty, with bean sprouts and shrimp. YUM! Can't wait to frequent this joint in the cold miserable Boston winter.
(5)
April K.
Bring a $20 bill and a friend, and that's all you need. My friend and I splurged by getting two appetizers (shared), a bowl of pho for each of us, and a smoothie. We were shocked when the bill came and it was only 20$ per person (including a 20%+ tip)! My favorite here is the fresh summer rolls because their peanut sauce is amazing. The only problem is this past time that I came, the veggies in the summer rolls were kind of browning. Regardless, they still tasted incredible. I always order a number 15, small (their most popular dish). It fills me right up. Although the broth is probably loaded with MSG, that doesn't stop me from enjoying it. Their noodle dishes are packed with flavor. I also usually get the red bean smoothie from here, which I've never had any issues with. However, this past time that I came, it tasted a little funky. I don't know if maybe they added some of the durian flavor, but it did not taste completely like red bean. =/ I'm still giving this place a good rating though because it has pretty good pho, and that's hard to find near me.
(4)
Grace C.
Every time I go here, the customer service is always excellent. Attentive staff, courteous and extremely friendly. Price wise, they're similar to other Pho places. Taste wise, I think they're good too. Place is clean, portion is big, can't complain. It's a big Pho restaurant too, so big groups can come. Good place to sit down and chat with friends to have a economical yet tasty meal! Suitable for college students especially.
(4)
Nicola Y.
Le's is great. I came here many a cold Allston night. I had always liked pho back home in NorCal, but oh MAN when I first had Le's it was HEAVEN. I'm so happy nobody ever charged me extra for the obscene amounts of hoisin sauce and sriracha I used. If you're looking for a good deal, get the big bowl with everything. FYI, the size smalls are pretty small. But I'm not here to talk about the pho. I'm here to talk about the PAD THAI! To my surprise, it was pretty good. The only thing I disliked was how the dish was like half vegetables, and not much noodles. To their credit, the vegetables were still pretty good (and I hate vegetables... lol). So Le's has decent pad thai AND great pho. I gave them five stars. I must admit, Le's earned that last star just for sheer nostalgia.
(5)
Alan W.
I always get a great meal here! My favorites are the roast quail, summer rolls, special beef noodle pho, curry chicken with vermicelli and either an avocado or mango shake. A great value and atmosphere. A friendly management and staff are a plus.
(5)
Shauna H.
Incredible service & so delicious!!! I ordered the seafood soup w/shrimp, squid, crabmeat, fishcakes, & pork(huge portions). Normally I'm not a huge fan of fishcakes but after my meal last night I'm wondering if perhaps I've just never had really good fishcakes before; not gummy or overly fishy, much closer to the consistency of a slightly firm matzo ball. My friend's veggie soup was also delicious, and he emptied his bowl entirely. I got the remainder of my huge meal wrapped to go, and the server gave me an additional container of broth so it would be just as delicious the second time around- WOW!!! I was so touched I wanted to share with everyone!
(5)
Quynh Nhu D.
Whenever my friends wants to go to Le's now I tell them to go without me. I just don't like it here. Spotty service and average food doesn't make me want to come back. I've been here multiple times however not of my own volition. Pho: I make it my duty to try it at every Vietnamese restaurant praying that one day I would find THE ONE. This one isn't. The beef one taste average and the Chicken Pho taste like nothing. My rule is if I have to put a banana loads of hoisin and sriracha sauce then it's not good Pho. Ginger Chicken: meh. I had no expectation it was going to be good so I didn't care for the dish. What is actually GOOD there is call Bo Nhung Dam - Vinegar Dipped Beef (whatever the translation is). The concoction taste like Canh Chua, actually just get this to drink the "soup". But $20 is kind of expensive for this type of dish that go for half the price at other places.
(3)
Mac C.
This is the GOLD STANDARD! It may not look like much, and we didn't really think much about it until we started to venture outside the city and tried other places - we just keep comparing it to this one and the one in Harvard Square and both are tops. The grilling is great, the veggies are fresh, and the prices are the best (which is odd because being in Boston, you'd think the prices would be higher due to higher rents, but it's consistently the cheapest of the bunch). For instance, we've been to other "Pho's" in and out of the city, especially in the suburbs, where you'd think the cost should be cheaper, but alas, prices here can't be beat (it might just be a dollar or two a dish, but it adds up) and the bowls are bigger, and tastier.
(5)
Jessica L.
My favorite pho place in Boston. I always order a number 19 (large) and the food never tastes any different (consistency is good when it comes to pho). The service is a little lacking at times, but overall, it's a great place to get your fix. Price is always fantastic and I would eat here everyday if I could. Best place to go eat pho in the Allston/Brighton area.
(4)
Jenn S.
This place is hands town the best place for pho in Boston. Good spring rolls (fresh and fried) and obviously the pho! All of the vegetables are always so fresh!
(4)
Jessica L.
I got pho here. And it was aight. The portion goes from S to L with no M, so it's either you are hungry after a S or get a L and have some left over. I opted for the latter. The broth was a little bland compared to other pho places I've been to. The rare beef wasn't very rare when it came out, and all in all the flavor was just a little off for me. Some other's in my party ordered other menus, and they really seemed to enjoy their food, and honestly, their menu is so long and extensive that you would definitely find at least SOMETHING you would like. But if you like deep flavorful broth, this place really didn't do it for me.
(3)
Jen S.
I LOVE this place. I usually find parking around Allston pretty easily on the streets or in the lot behind the liquor store. It's much more convenient for me than trekking to Chinatown or Dorchester for pho, and there are so many tables, I've never had to wait in line. Their portions are quite generous and for under $10, you get a pretty tasty meal. For the pho, I always ask to get my eyeround beef raw on a separate plate rather than in the soup so that I can cook it myself, and it's awesome. I've done this over 20 times and have never gotten sick, so I do trust their meat. Their bun (vermicelli) dish is my favorite and I love the ones with meat and crispy rolls. There's lots of veggies on it and I devour the whole dish soaked with fish sauce. Their pork chops and catfish are both very good as well. The only bummer is that over the years, it seems they've started to skimp on the shrimp and pork spring rolls which I used to love. Since the portions are so big, I've stopped getting appetizers, although the shrimp toast and the quail were both tasty when I used to get them. The shakes take a while and aren't better than nearby competitors, so I usually stick with the coconut juice which they put baby coconut in. I generally go every few months and during the winter, maybe every few weeks. (On a side note, after visiting Vietnam and having pho there, I actually enjoy the pho here better for the flavor and generous toppings.) Don't expect it to be mindblowing. I just really enjoy how consistent, simple, and good it always is.
(5)
Ali M.
Le's in Harvard Square and Allston are both very very good! Although I'm not so knowledgable in Vietnamese cuisine, I like to pretend I am. Last night my boyfriend ordered his favorite pho, and I ordered the pork banh hoi. Never having banh hoi before, I thought it was really enjoyable and pretty fun to make your own "burritos" as I like to call them. They are delcious with a little squirt of hoisin sauce and some sriracha! The only regret I have is forgetting to bring my leftovers to work for lunch today!
(4)
Minju K.
This is my favorite affordable asian restaurant ever. Pretty much everything is the menu is going to taste really good or decent enough for its price. My friends really like their pho but I personally like the other dishes better. Their lunch specials come out in huge portion for cheap price!
(5)
Sophie P.
I was so excited to eat pho hungover. I couldn't wait to eat the hot, steamy, flavorful broth to slurp with thin noodles and drench in Sriracha and brown sauce. This place has definitely gone downhill from what I remember. The broth is not flavorful at all, and was missing a kick. They gave us lemons instead of limes, and I felt like I couldn't taste anything when I squeezed it into my soup. The broth wasn't even hot when we got it. Even the meat wasn't good. It wasn't tender, soft, or chewy like I wanted it to be. Overall it's seriously only good if you NEED pho and you live close by. Also, it's cheap compared to other restaurant's in the area. Use your 10% off coupon if you have it. Otherwise, go to China Town.
(1)
Diana F.
Please note: The last time I was at this restaurant was in 2012. Things may have changed since then so please take note of other more recent reviewers. - - - This used to be my go-to Vietnamese restaurant when I was living in Boston. I'd trek through hail and snow for their pho! It was that good. They make perfectly seasoned ox tail soups for their bowls of pho and their portions are more than generous. In fact, I realized that their portions were so generous, you could easily double your pho meal by ordering an extra side of noodles (which were only $2 when I used to frequent this place). For $2 extra, you could get two bowls of pho instead of one. That's pretty darn fantastic, if you ask me! :) Everything they make is fresh, clean, and well-seasoned. I definitely think this place ranks as one of the most authentic Vietnamese restaurants in Boston and a must see if you're ever in town! Food: 5/5 -- delicious and authentic! Service: 5/5 -- attentive and accomodating Atmosphere: 3/5 -- decent, clean, spacious, but nothing remarkable Overall: 5/5 -- exceptional!
(5)
Kartik P.
Unexpectedly landed up here during a weekend dinner time. Its vietnamese restaurant and till I get over with the Pho fantasy I am gonna keep trying Pho till my body gets saturated may be. I would say good quality, quantity and service was quick. I ordered a large bowl as the small one just doesnt cut it for me. Good portion of meat and noodles. Has a lot of seating and surrounded by loads of other restaurants. So if you are in Allston/brighton area and craving Viet/thai food. this would serve as a good option. value for $ spent.
(4)
Irina B.
Pretty solid grub here. Their pho is pretty tasty and I like their huge selection of appetizers and entrees. For apps I recommend the beef teriyaki, summer rolls and fried spring rolls. I almost always have the beef pho but the last time I came, I had chicken pho with vegetable medley which was pretty tasty! I especially loved the vegetables but would only get them in the chicken pho. The chicken broth is so delicate, so the veggies work very well with it. But I just LOVE the beef pho, my #1 choice when I get pho anywhere. Having said this, I still prefer my Pho Hoa in Dorchester but will come here if I'm in the area. Their service is also pretty good, one of the better places for service when it comes to Pho. I was in between 3 and 4 stars.. I would say more like 3.5 side note - they also gave us lemons instead of limes which I was kind of disappointed about, I thought they were out of limes for the day, guess they made this change recently .. are lemons cheaper? =/
(3)
Jong K.
They serve best Vietnamese foods in Boston area. The quality and quantity of the food is good. The price is very reasonable and they do not charge extra for the hot tea. The hot noodle soup serves especially well on cold days or when you feel a cold coming on. I like their version of Pad Thai better than the ones served in Thai restaurants because it has more meats and vegetables and is not as overly sweet. Their staff are generally nice and attentive.
(5)
Katelyn G.
The Pho was amazing and the flat noodles were so good. The food took a little long to get out, but it was worth it. I wish that there was as much meat as there was vermicelli noodles in the Pho, but it was still good all around.
(4)
Christina V.
My friends brought me here recently and I'm glad they did. I never had Pho and was pleasantly surprised. We've now been twice and both times I had the Chicken Noodle Soup with Fresh Summer Rolls and Beef Teriyaki -- all delicious. Everything was fresh and well seasoned. My only complaint is we went in the winter to warm up and it was chilly in the restaurant. It was full, but we never had to wait. The service is eh. They are quick but sometimes the girls have a little attitude. Also the staff eats and flirts in the back. We were seated like right next to them and heard and saw everything which was a little distracting. The food is definitely cheap and are large portions, both times I had some to take home. Overall a good place, will go back.
(4)
Mattie M.
I don't understand how this place gets good reviews. I've been here several times, and only once did I get good service. They've overcharged my credit card twice and haven't ever refunded it. They've brought me cold pho on multiple occasions and it's pretty evident that they don't make the soup or broth fresh. Also it's wicked oily (see picture below) I only come here when I'm seriously craving pho and can't go downtown, because it's the only place in Allston. Just don't come here.
(2)
Corinne T.
Pho broth is good here. Large portions. Meat is really well marinated and grilled in vermicelli and rice dishes. We come here all the time, consistent. Great service. Extra large pho for 8 bucks. Another tip - this location is more laid back than H Square location.
(5)
Jessica H.
This place has improved a lot, not sure if it was because they changed their name/possible ownership/menu or what, but it's much better than it used to be. It used to be my least favorite Vietnamese place a few years ago - their vegetarian options were limited, they would run out of food, their service was terrible (they would tell you your order couldn't be made because they didn't' have something in stock but after 25 mins after you'd been waiting for it and your friends were already served). Now however they seem to have gotten MUCH better. Their vegetarian menu is a big improvement and they even have dedicated vegetarian stock for their veggie pho! We went last night for an early Father's Day dinner and my boyfriend and his son each got chicken pho and I got the vegetarian pho. Everyone enjoyed their meal and we all had some leftovers. The vegetarian pho was super flavorful which was nice because some places it can be kind of bland. We also had vegetarian fried spring rolls with the peanut butter/hoisin dipping sauce and some hot tea and I had a glass of wine. The wine was reasonable priced. They also don't charge you for the tea. The only suggestion I'd make would be to add some more vegetables to my pho. There was a decent amount but compared to some other places in Chinatown they could go a little heavier. I'm glad there is now another Vietnamese place that is efficient, yummy, and has a good vegetarian and vegan friendly menu! Nothing beats eating pho to warm you up on a cold rainy day.
(4)
Cindy H.
Not the most hygienic place, as my friend found a hair in his soup, but the pho is bomb. I love how they have hot oil on the side as well - not much pho places do! As a giant fan of pho, I was content with my meals there. The decor and location are a big plus as well.
(4)
Raphael Y.
Great food and reasonable pricing. Service was also excellent. I have a fish allergy and the owner came by to specifically address the food and make sure it was prepared separately (not an easy feat in Vietnam cuisine which uses a lot of fish sauce). I will be coming here for my Vietnamese food/pho fix from now on.
(5)
Ariana Z.
My old job used to get catering from Le's all the time and we've always loved it but we've never been inside the restaurant. I'm happy to say that they are just as good in house as they are catering. The food is very fresh plentiful. There is something for everyone to enjoy. I am a fan of their bun vermicelli plates, especially the ones with pork, shrimp and crispy rolls. Service is speedy and friendly. You can tell people love Le's because it's always crowded, but the wait is never long. While I am a fan of their food and service, I was only ok with their bubble tea, which makes sense. It is primarily a lunch/dinner restaurant. It was still delicious and I drank it all up. Definitely coming back.
(4)
Alena G.
Hands down one of the best restaurants Allston has to offer. Exceptionally cheap, fast, and delicious, and the service is great as well. They have what looks like a full bar and an extensive menu of traditional Vietnamese dishes, pho being the highlight and the main draw - go for the special, you won't be disappointed (unless you're freaked out by tripe and beef tendon... #yolo). Le's is one of the very few places that are open for Thanksgiving and most other holidays. I normally get take-out, and the meals are prepared in minutes. However, last night I stopped by with the boyfriend to grab a sit down dinner - his first time trying pho, so it had to be Le's. The waiter stopped by to ask us what we wanted, but we needed some time to decide. He didn't come back for about 15-20 minutes, until I raised my hand (rude, I know, but we were starving). The hostess noticed, and we were offered shrimp summer rolls at no charge. I know shit happens (the waiter seemed distraught, so who knows what kind of a day he was having), but it's up to the restaurant and the rest of the staff to handle it appropriately. Le's did. 5 stars without a second thought. I HIGHLY recommend the Special pho, the grilled meat summer rolls (beef or pork), the pork and vegetable medley. Douse everything with plum sauce, just like God intended you to.
(5)
Sun Ju L.
I am giving two stars only because the managers were responsive and the food was not bad. We admit that we arrived to the restro close to the closing time but the lady who is thai was incredibly rude. She was saying unbelievably rude words, more than swearing, in Thai and kept giving us horrible look as if we did something so bad to her. The manager should keep on eye on her.
(2)
Evan H.
Le's apparently has been around for a couple decades. Clearly they have spent that time making some great dishes, including Pho Ga, which is something I never order at a Vietnamese restaurant. I always go for Pho Tai or another variation. What makes it even more impressive is that I got it via takeout. I ordered through an online site, which did not make them happy upon pickup. The clearly would prefer i call my order in. I guess I can't blame them, as it costs them money. Either way, the food was of the highest quality. Dishes: Lemongrass Tofu - super flavorful, and an actually decent vegetarian dish from a Vietnamese restaurant. Usually they can be a little plain, since fish sauce goes in everything. Pho Ga - very flavorful broth with a ton of noodles and additions (typical stuff). The soup was only $6.50, so it's cheap too. Ca Kho To - carmelized fish pot. This was great and always a favorite of mine. It was a little on the small side, but I'd get it again in the restaurant. Bun Thit Nuong - virmicelli bowl with pork. Another winner, though next time I'd do the fried spring roll. I'll be ordering / going here again, that's for sure.
(4)
Oscar P.
Best pho in the 02134 area with a descent price.
(4)
Jen K.
Delicious summer rolls & vermicelli dish! I forget what it was called but it had shrimp and beef in it. Also surprisingly cheap. The only negative thing I could say about this place is that it's a bit slower than other Vietnamese places, where it's usually really fast. I think it took about 10 minutes to get my thai tea? But it was probably a fluke, and I can't wait to go back :)
(4)
Imry L.
This is our (me, wife, 6 years old and 11 years old) favourite restaurant. The staff is always nice and the food is real 100% authentic Vietnamese. We normally take the Pho with rare beef but over the years managed to try a lot of other dishes and were never disappointed. Highly recommended!
(5)
Anastassia S.
I JUST GOT FLY IN MY SOUP!!!!!!!!!!!!server even didn't say sorry and brought the full check .....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Horrible lunch ever. !!!! Avoid this place, im still in shock
(1)
Jeff F.
I don't much about Vietnamese and have probably had it less than a handful of times. With that context, I found the Seafood Noodle Soup and the Chicken with Vegetable Medley to be slightly above average. If I lived locally, I might put this in my rotation given the price and portions. Not worth making a trip out to Allston though.
(3)
Kevin S.
Good food and awesome price. I still remember the first day I had my first pho here and it was so delicious. It is still good and I wish the place can keep it little bit cleaner.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
Le's is great. I'm a regular at Le's, eating there a couple times a month. It's an easy and relatively quick choice for both eat-in and take-out. Its Allston location is convenient and centrally located although street parking can be tricky depending on the time of day. If you're a first timer at Le's you should get the pho, it's pho-nominal! The prices are incredibly affordable and the sizes are generous. I find a small is plenty for me and I can't always finish. From what I can tell a small and a medium are the same size so save yourself some spare change in that respect. Ordering a large or extra large will pretty much guarantee leftovers. When you order out they supply a generous amount of accoutrements (Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime wedges, sriracha, and hoisin). I find they give less in the restaurant but will bring more upon request (I love me some extra bean sprouts and lime). I've never been unhappy with the pho tai gau or the pho ga. It's hard not to order the pho, but I've recently discovered how amazing the vermicelli dishes are as well. The seasoning on the meat is perfectly done and the bowl is beautiful when it arrives. I also love the spring rolls. I find the fried vegetarian spring rolls with the peanut dipping sauce to be amazing. I'm less of a fan of the fresh summer rolls here, they seem to have a lot of filler, okay but nothing to rave about. Overall I find the food at Les to be consistent, and thus the five stars. Mr. Le is almost always there behind the counter with a smile and a greeting. Most of the servers are good although there is one I'm not crazy about. The restaurant is large and I'm almost always seated right away. Lots of space for big group gatherings. The inside is casual and maybe a bit outdated, but I go for cheap and delicious food, not a fine dining experience. I definitely recommend this place.
(5)
K G.
Pretty good food. I love the coconut crepe with shrimp app and the saltfish with rice (huuuge portion). Pho was just okay. Homemade is better. Always get the same waitress with deadpan expression and awkward demeanor.
(3)
Katie B.
I've been back to Le's a few times now and have to give it one more star, simply because it's hard to beat their prices. The pho is good, I started ordering the various beef based ones. I like a lot of noodles but not too much soup so last time I went I ordered a medium plus extra noodles. the fresh spring rolls are good but i prefer the fried ones. With the 10% off coupon in the collegiate coupon book I usually end up spending around $10-12 after tax and tip per person
(4)
Bryan C.
Always reliable. My favorite restaurant. God bless Les! Food is quick and good. Staff is super friendly. Great environment! Number 14 forever!
(5)
Sam S.
Great Vietnamese with a trendy diner feel, but not pretentious. Extensive menu, but easy to understand and sift through. Great pho and vermicelli. Even the "medium" bowls are big. Big bowls are a real facefull, so be prepared to take some home with you for another meal! I have also read that this place has a great lunch deal re a special sandwich dish for $6? Either way, totally going back.
(5)
Konstantin K.
The best vietnamese around!Friendly staff!Allways ready to help!Try their hot and sour soup!delish!also all of their pho soups!very tasty!
(5)
Lillian C.
I was craving pho after a long hard day of studying and I dragged a group of people here for some pho! Now that the weather's getting colder I love soup with noodles! We took the T here and wow... let me just say I never want to take the B line. At least it's only a short walk from the Harvard Ave. stop. It's a pretty good sized restaurant so I think that's a good sign that you won't ever have to wait too long. I ordered the medium sized house special pho with crispy egg rolls. The 3 egg rolls came cut in half and were just okay... Prob not something I would order again. I did try the spring rolls and they were really good and you can tell the ingredients were fresh. They weren't stingy with the bean sprouts so that was good, but they didn't have any jalapeno slices! There is a good balance of noodles and meat but I felt that the broth was under flavored and under seasoned. The medium size definitely filled me up and it was pretty cheap, but I'm not too impressed...
(3)
Sophia L.
I miss Le's; I used to come here A LOT back in my college days. The food is delicious, down-to-earth and inexpensive. You can get a lot of food for your money. Best of all, service is fast, but if you do want to sit there for a good an hour or two longer, they dont do anything to shoo you out. This is a great place to go with friends and family-- a very practical eatery. Lets just say if a guy takes me here on a first date, I probably won't be impressed.
(4)
Olivia J.
I had their pho and I thought it was so so... Definitely have had better pho elsewhere (ie Boston Chinatown). The broth had too much grease and gave me a tummy ache afterwards. But I went with a huge group, like thirty people, and they were very accommodating!
(3)
Fred H.
It's been nine years since I first stepped foot into Le's (formerly known as Pho Pasteur) so allow me to pass on key pieces of information I've learned over the years. 1) These guys are known for their noodle soup. It typically comes out within minutes of ordering because they've got pho down to a science. You can customize your soup to any specification, i.e. no tripe, extra scallions or chicken noodle soup with raw beef on the side and etc. 2) This is an inexpensive meal. I usually get away with paying around $25 for two people, including tip. Sometimes I'll get extra fancy and order an appetizer like Shrimp Toast which obviously adds to the bill. My record visits in a day was three times during my college days. 3) Le's is consistent. Their broths have changed very little in the near decade I've been visiting. The same goes for their other dishes. Don't change anything that ain't broke is my best advice. Every meal is an enjoyable, and filling, stroll down memory lane. Some, like myself, call this comfort food. 4) This is a large restaurant as far as Pho restaurants go. My estimate is they can seat about 100 patrons. I've never waited more than a couple minutes to be seated. They've got comfortable booths that line three rooms along with tables in the middle. I've seen people come here by themselves to parties as large as twenty or more.
(5)
Helen J.
Fresh and tasty pho! Super friendly staff, clean and spacious eatery. Would come back for sure :)
(4)
Eli G.
I used to love the Pho Pasteur in Harvards Square, but never had been to this location until after they change their name. My first question is: why did they change the name? The menu is still exactlly the same and the food is no different. Regardless of the name Le's is solid Vietnamese food (I mean who doesn't like some good Pho). My problem is that after trying Pho2000 in Dorchester nothing can compete. So for all you P.P./Le's fans, do yourself a favor and make the trip!
(3)
Laura K.
Plain & simple- The food is awesome so you get your money's worth and walk out a happy camper!
(4)
Liz G.
I'm on my way there now for lunch. Me and my coworkers love the cheap chicken soup...its so filling, yet you dont feel terrible after eating it since its not greasy and I dont think it has MSG, so I'm not as tired as other places. Overall, yummy food and we can get in and out in time to get back to work within an hour
(4)
Cass S.
Great value, best place for your money in Harvard Square to sit down and have a cheep yet tasty meal.
(5)
Chase W.
Le's get's four stars for the simplicity of the value and quality of the food served consistantly. The dining room is nothing fancy and dated at best, but it is kept clean, and the service is quite good. If you have been meaning to stop in and try it but were unsure if it was worth a stop, use this review as an excuse to check it out- You can have a few beers and dinner for 2 for under 40$ and be 100% satisfied. Trust me!
(4)
Heather H.
Each Pho Pasteur (or Le's in this case) location has it's own subtleties. Business has been doing well enough here that they knocked down a wall and expanded into the next door space since last I was here. The broth was fantastic in my pho today, not greasy at all and very flavorful. They even offered bird chilies alongside the bean sprouts and basil, which they don't always have at the Harvard Sq. location. Service is quick but not as friendly as in Harvard Sq. My Vietnamese host said he likes this place second only to Pho2000 in Dorchester (I must get there).
(4)
Rachel D.
From Los Angeles (Alhambra area) so of course, tons of Asian food available so may be partially biased. Le's is great for what's around, though! Large sizes, reasonable prices. The Pho may have a bit too much MSG though. Would still go again! The one in Harvard Square can get quite crowded and the wait staff can be very abrupt, but it's expected in a super busy restaurant.
(3)
Seafoodie R.
The fresh spring rolls are excellent, the chicken soup with clear noodles, the shrimp toasts (a cardiologists dream), the vietnamese pancake and the wonton soup are phenomenal! try the grilled beef skewers sprinkled with peanuts. The salted shrimp are an excellent combo with the house special fried rice (white colored)! menus differ across all their locations...
(4)
Alyssa N.
After my dining companion told them he was allergic to peanuts, they served us a dish with a garnish of..... PEANUTS. He reminded the waiter of his allergy. The waiter says "can't you just push them off?" My friend says "no, I could die". Even after that, they were not very accommodating. And the food wasn't that great.
(1)
Clint L.
Le's Restaurant is one of the best Vietnamese around Boston. You could never go wrong with their Pho(noodle soup) selections. I have been going there before they were called Le's(Pho Pasteur), which was a long time ago. I still dream about the first one they had in Chinatown on Tyler St., it was awesome. I use to get a Xe Lua(Pho XL) everyday. When I was done, the bowl always seem sparkling clean. That was how much I loved it. Too bad Le's is not in town anymore. They also have one at the Atrium Mall around Chestnut hill. The only one that has a full bar, yay! Yelp does not seem to have data on it. Try everything, because most of it is pretty darn good and reasonably priced! They need to serve some Banh Mi.
(4)
Jennifer S.
Yeah...It was pretty good. I had the shrimp and chicken spring rolls (my favorite part of that dish was the peanut sauce which I actually saved to put in my noodle bowl) and one of the beef noodle bowls (I can't remember which one, I just remember it was the one without the tripe.) It was yummy and I'll be back, maybe then I'll give it another star.
(3)
Andrea C.
My meal was very cheap and i enjoyed it a lot. The bathroom was really gross so that was a downside but i had a great meal so i'd certainly return again.
(4)
Jennifer F.
This is probably my favourite place in Boston to eat cheap meals. I've been going to the Allston one for about 15 years, and it's always fab: delicious food for good prices, and good service. They split up with their brothers in Chinatown, and to be honest, I prefer Le's to them, but the food is good there too, perhaps a little cheaper. Parking is a pain, but Pho Le's (formerly Pho Pasteur, as they have to keep saying) is the best: way better, price and taste wise, than Pho Viet at Super88 or Lemongrass at Coolidge.
(5)
Atrebor B.
My bowl of pho here was average; it wasn't bad but it certainly wasn't good either and it would have gotten an extra star but for the rather off-putting antics of my waitress. The broth was completely forgettable as were the generic meatballs. I decided to order the "meatball pho" since they didn't have "bo bun hue" (my favourite) and told her very specifically that I wanted a "small" size. She said "yes" then proceeded to rush off with the menu. Suffice it to say, my bowl of noodles arrived and surprise, surprise, she had delivered a "large" size despite my vehement request for the other size. This greatly displeased me since I did not look forward to finishing off such a large bowl of average tasting material. That had been a few months ago and I haven't been back even once since. In terms of taste, I much prefer Pho Pasteur in Chinatown, although both places will serve up heaping portions of attitude free of charge. Disappointingly average pho.
(2)
Anne B.
Pho Pasteur is an excellent Vietnamese restaurant in Allston, but some of there entrees are a bit expensive and a coke there is like 2 dollars, and of course they do not give you free refills, though they will not do that at any Vietnamese Restaurant. The food is very good, though. I personally like the noodle bowls and the wonton soup. Unfortunetly, they don't seem to have many luch discounts
(4)
George K.
#1 Pho house in the city. Spring rolls and peanut dipping sauce are a fav too.
(4)
Melissa B.
Outside of the Chinatown location of Pho Pasteur, I find this location the best (way better than Harvard Square). Favorites are the bun with pork and shrimp and spring rolls or the #35. Or is it #37. Great for when you're starving because the fresh rolls will come out fast. Get an iced Vietnamese coffee to go for $2.50. So good.
(4)
So S.
I agree with Lori. This location is the best. The other ones are actually pretty bad even though under same name... which is why all the asians are here including myself. I admit that the quality and authenticity has gone down with its popularity. Regardless, it is still the best authentic Vietnamese restaurant in town with Pho Hoa of Chinatown coming in 2nd best. Great Vermicelli w/ beef and spring rolls. Also the pancake appetizer is pretty good here. And the "pho" and fresh spring rolls w/ shrimp& pork are the best in town.
(5)
Jennifer K.
We're frequent patrons to this Pho. The food is so great, and always fresh, and is served so quickly (you can count on getting in and out if you're in a hurry). Wonderful appetizers and soups.
(5)
Jessica H.
I love Pho man! The food is great. I always get number 25. It's vermicelli noodles with beef and a spring roll. So good! Not to mention, it only costs about six bucks. Make sure you go to the Allston location though. I've been to the one in Harvard Sq. and the servers are so rude! They are really nice at this one though. AND, there is always a parking spot nearby, either on the street or in the public parking lot behind Blanchards.
(4)
C S.
I've been going to Le's (formerly Pho Pasteur) for a few years now, and I've only ordered one dish: Chicken Bun. It's delicious, inexpensive, and I can get 2 meals out of it!
(3)
J B.
The most authentic Vietnamese restaurant in Boston --and yes, it's this location only. The others are good too, but there's something about this location that's special. Plus you'll notice that it's filled with tons of Asians --which I always take as a very good sign.
(4)
Ely W.
This has been our favorite spot for Vietnamese for a while. The vermicelli with beef is what I would recommend. The last time we went they seemed to prepare the food differently, and it wasn't as good. We're hoping that it was just an off day and they haven't changed anything.
(4)
monkey l.
good, solid pho and rolls. and decent variety. it's not too pricey, and you can usually get a seat. i found the harvard location to be better than the newbury street one.
(3)
L S.
I LOVE this restaurant! But most of all I love this location the best! The servers here are so sweet! I come here all the time and it is always wonderful! I always get bun, which are vermicelli noodles. The fresh springrolls are good and so are the fried ones, gosh I love this place!
(5)
Sesha P.
Still the best pho in Boston and this location is the best of all of them. I eat here almost every week - the food is consistently good, the service quick, and prices are very reasonable. I recommend the spring rolls, the curry tofu with vegetables and, of course, the pho with chicken. The shakes are also spectacular, especially the jackfruit and pineapple.
(5)
Melissa B.
Cheap soups & noodles & always a good choice. I love this place. Not a fancy night out, but always good.
(4)
Jeffrey L.
Hit or miss, used to be the best when it was pho Pasteur but now a bunch of Cambodian and Thai people own it and they drove it down hill. The flavors are all different this place is more for touristy type of people with no taste IMO.
(2)
Kevin L.
How is it that Vietnamese food has the ability to be immensely satisfying while leaving you feeling like you just stuffed your face with flavorful air? Take for example the vermicelli combination (combination because it has shaved beef, shell-on shrimp, and crispy spring rolls in it). Foodler had it arrive in under forty minutes of putting in the online order, everything neatly packaged with fish sauce on the side. The aluminum dish was stacked to the brim with perfectly soft, light vermicelli and tons of veggies and herbs like julienne cucumber, carrots, bean sprouts, green onions and mint. Just halfway through I was already full. Of course, being the fatty I am, I finished the whole thing in one go... I can only imagine that dining in would result in food that's even more fresh and delicious at a completely reasonable price point considering the volume and quantity provided. Good grub without the resulting food coma -- thumbs up to Le's all around!
(4)
Ed Y.
Large bowl of pho, yellow noodles for me and rare thin cut steak. Add tons of basil, 3 squirts of fresh lime and 1 squirt of sriracha sauce and i'm in heaven. Yummy Yummy! Can't beat the price, its as good as it gets.
(5)
Susan K.
Recently went here for lunch on a Sunday and met up with friends. Our waitress was HORRIBLE. This wasn't your regular, stoic, stingy Asian staff that you usually see in Asian restuarants...this one was just plain HORRIBLE. The way she talked to us was kind of condesending and plain rude. My pho was OK. The noodles were kind of stuck together and broth not warm enough. But I was too hungry to complain and I didn't want to deal with our HORRIBLE waitress. If a staff at Le's is reading this, please...talk some sense into one of your waitresses...an older lady with make-up and hair that looks like its been done in the 80s. Someone needs a course on 'Waiting Tables Professionally 101'. Absolutely terrible service. That's why we left a small tip...but I wish we didn't leave any. I don't know if I would come back. I would choose a number of other pho places over this one. HORRIBLE service.
(2)
Dawn E.
Mr. Le's Vietnamese Delicious fresh rolls, if you please. The Pho, indeed, goes down with ease, But it's the rice chowder that brings me to me knees! This place is FANTASTIC. Unless you have to park. Then leave early.
(4)
David Y.
I got the Bun Cha Gio which is vermicelli noodles with a fried spring roll. Priced at $7.75, it was more than generous with the portions they offered. The ingredients were fresh, the noodles cooked right, and the taste was great. The place was packed pretty good and the service was still very fast and responsive. I hope to try their huge bowls of pho next. Parking was a pain in this area.
(4)
Bradley C.
Never again. It is so dirty.
(1)
Asavari G.
I'm not a fan of pho but everyone I know/have gone with for the pho LOVE it. Best pho in town. The spring rolls are also Fabulous. They always come hot and tasty. I usually get a lo-mein type dish which is standard but good. Also serve tsing-tao beer which is light and tasty and a nice after-dinner coffee which has a chocolate-y after taste. Yum.
(5)
Enjella L.
Where I first tried Pho and quickly became addicted. I have yet to eat Vietnamese food and Pho that tastes anything close to Pho Pasteur. Hands down - the best Vietnamese food & Pho.
(5)
Madeleine Q.
Their service is faster than most fast food restaurants! Their pho is great for cold wintry days and they also have options for vegetarians that come with fresh vegetables and tofu in veggie broth, which I love. I also recommend their vermicelli variations, pork chop with rice, and avocado smoothies. Parking is horrible if you plan on driving into harvard square, but the restaurant is right by the T stop and is within walking distance from any part of harvard square.
(4)
Sonya S.
Mr. Le's is THE best food on earth! When I lived in MA, my husband and I used to come here at least once a week, and when we moved to Vermont, we would travel 4 hours about once a month to eat here, and now that we live in Florida, when we travel up to New England, we make a point to travel to eat here. My husband loves the Lemongrass Tofu, and I love the Tofu Curry. It has the perfect combination of sweet and savory tastes, and is loaded with fresh veggies. The crispy spring rolls, fresh spring rolls and the rolls that you roll yourself are all splendid. The soup is also really great, but really, the curry is to die for! I have eaten at 15-20 different Viet restaurants across the country, and I always leave wishing that I could send them to the chef at Le's for a lesson. Don't hesitate, try this place if you are in the area. You won't regret it!
(5)
Matt P.
I've been eating here since 2007 when it was Pho Pasteur. Great food, and GREAT PRICES! I eat here just about once a week.
(5)
Melinda N.
very nice waiter. quick service. it was really busy. they were accommodating large parties. the bill came out really cheap for appetizer, two entrees and a glass of wine. i ordered fried spring rolls, grilled pork, and shrimp over vermicelli. it was delicious! and i got plenty of shredded lettuce and bean sprouts as well. it was a a busy tuesday night
(4)
Neshy B.
I LOVE THIS PLACE I think this is my favorite restaurant in the whole of Boston. The food is just perfectly delicious every time. The staff are adorably friendly, a total delight, and VERY prompt. The strawberry milkshake thing is OUT OF THIS WORLD, I seriously recommend it even if you don't normally order a milkshake... This place is just perfect, they really are on top of their game, pick any dish as you cannot go wrong here its all delicious. It's so nice to be able to get tasty food and excellent service without having to break the bank to pay the bill. Le's in Allston, i love you. Thank you!
(5)
Sarah J.
You won't find pho like this in any other city. I've had friends who have left Boston and they all say that the one thing that they all miss is Le's pho! For the price, you can't go wrong. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that I have been here over 100 times. With that being said, I've had a lot of items on the menu and have been very satisfied with most of the items. My staple go to dishes are the Vermicelli (Vietnamese salads) and the Seafood rice plate with garlic sauce. Of course you have to try the PHO! I used to only get the pho but then one time I took leftovers home and put it in the refrigerator. When I went to heat it up the next day, there was an inch of fat that had solidified at the top of the container and that grossed me out. Obviously there's fat in the soup (especially if you get the beef), but I didn't realize how much. Since then I've been getting the seafood pho and the vegetable pho with vegetable broth (not the regular broth they use). But seriously, it's all good and even after seeing the layer of fat, my husband still orders the beef dac biet and loves every bite! If you're visiting Boston, this is a MUST GO. Those who have left Boston regret that they didn't go more often while they lived here. :)
(5)
song h.
The food is cheap (although they have been raising their prices) and it comes out quick. The food must have some type of crack on it because I've had great pho in other places but for some reason, I salivate whenever I think about this place. Even now, when I'm no longer in Boston, I dream about the delicious pho with combination fried rice (aka com chien) At one point, I was there at least twice a week to the point where waiters knew my order as soon as I walked in the door. A MUST TRY. But beware! Eat at your own risk because once will NOT be enough.
(5)
Matthew P.
This is the first place I tried Vietnamese Pho. It's quite good. The staff are friendly enough and they bring the soup out quickly. The prices are decent as well. Other than the Pho I've also tried the house fried rice. I will say that their fried rice is one of the best I've had. They have lots of space so it's perfect for bigger parties, and there is rarely any wait. It's also very good on a cold winter day!
(4)
Brit W.
Heard so many wonderful things about Le's from my friends that live in the Allston area, and before entering a hardcore tattoo session, pho seemed like an excellent idea. Le's served it up! AMAZING pho! Not to mention it reheated amazingly the next day, too. Super super fresh, amazing flavors - wow wow wow. Can't wait to come back here for more pho next time I'm back on the east coast working!!
(4)
Shivani G.
You don't have to venture to Chinatown to have a great bowl of bun or pho!!! I think it's even better that the place has its own identity than being lumped with the Pho franchise. I think it's better! Their chicken is flavorful, their veggies crisp and fresh. It's a great treat and quite affordable. A gem in the string of great restaurants along Brighton Ave!
(5)
Silvia P.
Ordered combination vermicelli with grilled pork, shrimp, and spring roll. Really good!!! Large portion and inexpensive. Boyfriend ordered beef pho, medium size, very good broth and also inexpensive! Great place for authentic Vietnamese food, and nice atmosphere, good for dinner.
(5)
Wei W.
I am SO grateful that they'll seat large parties before everyone arrives - otherwise, the more punctual people in our group might have starved waiting for the latecomers to arrive! We had a group of 7 coming in for a 6:30 meet up, but only 3 of us had arrived on time. The hostess still sat us at our two-table set up, despite our group being short the full number of guests. We ended up ordering some drinks, as well as the roast quail and calamari as an appetizer as we waited for the rest of our group to arrive. Our order came out of the kitchen quickly, but our drinks took a bit longer to make (apparently, only one blender was available for the entire restaurant). Once the rest of our party arrived, we put in our pho orders (I'm a big proponent of dac biet pho - beef noodle soup with sliced rare eyeround, well done flank, brisket, beef flank, tendon, and tripe), and got some more drinks. Unfortunately, our waiter seemed distracted by other tables that were in the process of paying their checks, so it took us awhile to get his attention for some more drink orders. Luckily, the fair prices and large portions make up for this downside. I'll be back more often now that the weather is cooling down - nothing beats a cold winter day better than a big bowl of pho!
(4)
Shirley Y.
Great stop for a nice hot bowl of pho. Overall, good food. Service is a little slow, but if you're coming in hungry, even a minute seems too long. Try the tei color bean dessert =]
(4)
Abby R.
I think the pho is the thing to get here. That being said, I haven't had the pho here, hence the measly 3-star rating. Don't get me wrong, it was still perfectly respectable. I got a chicken curry and asked for it spicy as usual, and they delivered. Quite heavy on the garlic though, and it seemed like all the curries were. It's not a problem for me, but some people would prefer to avoid. I have a friend who orders their curries with less garlic though so it is an option. Anyway, good flavor and everything, but nothing earth-shattering. The atmosphere is kind of like a Friendly's circa 1995. Drab colors, formica, the ol' "family restaurant" feel. Good for big groups; there's a lot of seating. Prices are on point, a bowl of pho will cost about $8, and my meal came to just over $10 I think. Very casual feel. They have a full bar but I didn't try anything. I will be back to try the pho though!
(3)
Chi Kit L.
Food is not good and the service was lousy. They gave you a mean face when you called the wrong thing. Also, they ignored your request.
(3)
frac t.
I'm a huge Pho Fan but haven't really dived in since I moved back to Boston from the "Left Coast" where Pho is much more prevalent. I'm glad I didn't check the reviews here first (went on a whim as I was passing by today). There are a few nasty ones, but my experience was totally the opposite. Everything was top notch. As is normal and expected with Pho I was staring at a hot bowl full of still cooking meat and noodles within 5 minutes of planting my butt down (granted, I was there around 5:30, so probably not a busy time). Would have been quicker, but I actually consulted the menu for a minute since it's my first time here. Service was friendlier than expected at a Pho joint (honestly, though, I don't mind the standoffish service I usually get a Pho places... I don't need a new best friend). But all that other stuff is secondary to... The bad ass Pho they served me! Seriously good stuff! I got the regular large, which at $7.95 is a heck of a deal. The bowl was packed with some wonderful meats and noodles. I was especially impressed with the tripe, which normally is more of a filler, but they shredded it up finer than usual and it took in the broth flavor nicely. The highlight (as should always be the case with Pho!) was the broth. Very flavorful and balanced! I drank it right down to the bottom. Oh, and they do have limes back, which is nice, because I would have been slightly disappointed with a lemon as well. I don't go out to Allston much, but I'm glad to see there's one in Harvard Sq as well. I'm looking forward to sampling another bowl! Thanks Le's!
(5)
Giulio C.
Beware! While the food is OK - NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR CREDIT / DEBIT CARD!!! My friend took us out, gave his credit card to the server, and it disappeared. The manager swore up and down that no one took the card, even suggested that my friend had misplaced it when he got the receipt back. Of course he immediately had to call his bank to deactivate the card. The evening only got worse - his car got towed from the lot near the CVS down the street - turns out this is a known scam.
(1)
Mel C.
Best place to get your hangover/rainy day pho. The service is really fast, the portions are generous, the prices are cheap, the crispy spring rolls are balanced, the pho noodles are chewy, and the broth is flavorful. There's nothing better than the Extra Large Pho or the Bun Bo Hue (if you want a different noodle soup). Dump the bean sprouts, basil, lime, and sriracha in. Cover the meat and veggies with your noodles, wait a minute, and DEVOUR. For only $10, you can waddle out of the restaurant in under 30 minutes and leave satisfied.
(5)
Lucy M.
I had always heard that this place had really good food, and that may be true. In fact I dont remember not liking the food. I was too preoccupied with cockroach that was on the floor and the general condition of the place. If there are cockroaches in the front, what is out back?!?
(1)
Heather V.
I took me forever that day to find out what I wanted to eat. I walked up and down the street twice until I peered in the window and had seen someone eating very tasty looking noodles. I ordered a vermicelli dish was was very happy with the quality and quantity of food. The one thing that made this a less then perfect experience was that the staff was lacking with service.
(3)
Charles W.
I am a regular at this restaurant. Each time I've come here has been a pleasant experience. The atmosphere is relatively low key and service is not great but nothing to complain about either. Why I keep coming back however is because the food is just delicious. With an extra large been noodle pho costing only 8.50, and numerous other nicely priced dishes, le's is my number one go to when I crave pho.
(5)
Nanette S.
Although I used to love Le's, they are really pouring in the MSG now and letting the quality go. I ordered the beef soup, as I often do. My dinner partner asked if they could omit MSG -- no, it's put in during prep, no surprise. I inwardly thought, "what a prima donna, so sensitive to everything" since I'm not usually affected. However, this was extreme. Within minutes of eating, I experienced that characteristic flush and low grade head ache. It persisted for 6 hours, well into the nigh, wrecking my sleep. To make it worse, the soup wasn't as flavorful as I've had before -- short on beef and big on vermicili and thin broth. I was sick enough to not want to chance Le's again.It's sad. Le's used to be a go-to.
(1)
Ken I.
Vietnamese food is not exactly my cup of tea. However, I love Vietnamese seafood soups in general, and their hot, sweet, and sour soup is one of the best IMO. I stop by this restaurant time to time for a pick-up, so I can say consistency is there too. Always the same delicious soup! The price is decent and the portion is appropriate. Thank God they are in my neighborhood!
(4)
Michelle S.
They have a very extensive and authentic Vietnamese menu. I am half Vietnamese. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. I have eaten at many Vietnamese restaurants but this one is hands down the best tasting and best dining experience. My boyfriend and I were very impressed. Will definitely make it a must go to place whenever I am in Boston.
Very comfortable, friendly waitresses/waiters and it mixes 2 great things: Food quality and price. I have been coming to this restaurant for 3 months and I always find seats. The food is excellent! This is definitely my favorite Vietnamese Restaurant in Boston.
(5)
Alexandra S.
A few times every winter we head to Allston to enjoy the delicious, steaming hot bowls of pho served here. Yesterday was one of the coldest we've had so far this winter and a bowl of pho was just what we needed for a late lunch. Hot cups of tea were offered to us the moment we sat down warming us up so we could focus on the menu and decide which pho we wanted. There are many different kinds so depending on your mood and what kind of noodles you'd like, there is a choice for everyone. We each ordered a different type of seafood pho. As feeling returned to our fingers and toes we ordered bottles of 33 Export beer from Viet Nam. The menu has much to offer but it's always the pho for which we come. The service is friendly, the atmostphere spacious bright and unpretentious. We started with an order of fried veggie spring rolls which were crisp and delicious. Each large bowl of pho is around 7 dollars. It comes with a plate of condiments; lime slices, basil, and bean sprouts. With the squirt of sriracha I added, mine was perfection. This was a fresh tasting and filling meal that made my taste buds happy. Pho is a simple seeming dish but complex in flavors. The pho here will certainly cure whatever ails you; of this I'm sure. If I lived closer, as I once did, I'd be here all the time. I love this place.
(4)
Vicky H.
Le's is good. They open late enough so you can still make it there on a late night. The food is pretty good. My fav is the watercress and pork soup. it's served with a heaping bowl or white rice and you know you'd be stuff by the end of it. The water staff is pretty laid back and sometimes will chat with you. The older guy knows us and exactly what we order now. He always make fun of us because we always order the extra large and he would say, "you sure you can finish?" we're like "YEA". he happily obliges. The service is always prompt and haven't had issues or attitudes. Sometimes you get that but it's been pretty good so far. I would give this place another star if the price was a little cheaper. It isn't expensive but it definitely is comparison to size and price of that in Chinatown.
(3)
Rachel W.
I have loved this restaurant for years now. I have been to every Vietnamese restaurant around Boston that you can imagine & this one stays on top. In all honesty, some of my visits have been lacking, (probably because they are always so busy) & attention to detail has been sub par, but all in all you just can't beat their flavorful broth that, I have noticed, contains lemongrass. They also have x-large sizes for their soups, which not every pho restaurant has, & their vegetarian options are fabulous! I do recommend!
(5)
Chenkai L.
Standard viet place with decent pho at a great price. Fast service and and casual atmosphere. Doesn't stand out too much in my mind.
(3)
Nancy Y.
This is the best Vietnamese restaurant I've been to in the greater Boston area. I've tried Pho Hoa (Chinatown) and Pho Lemongrass (Coolidge Corner) and this place has both beaten out of the water. They have great portion sizes - pho and bun - and the broth and noodles were all right on mark. Their prices are very reasonable and this joint is NOT cash-only. I tried the chicken noodle soup, which is adventurous for me, because I usually stick with my eye round beef broth. It was comfort food to the max. I'm definitely going back for more!
(5)
Han T.
Decent place for Vietnamese...because there's nothing else around. In terms of tasty authentic Vietnamese food and atmosphere, forget it! I've come to Le (pronunciation is sorta like Lei, not Lee) many times over the years and the experience has only been ehhhh. This place gets high ratings (as just about every other restaurant on Yelp!!) because people don't seem to expect much from their dining experience, mostly. A Vietnamese restaurant blasting Kiss 108 and commercials really doesn't feel right. How about playing some Paris By Night? Oh wait, waitress said CD player is broken and students might be uncomfortable with non-English music (paraphrased). Um, that's sad. Especially for someone oozing of Viet Pride like myself...(I'm naturalized so can't deport me!!!! Woot!) Anyway, the food might be better if you have Minh cooking instead of Manuel. For better Viet, go to Chinatown or Field's Corner in Dorchester...if you don't mind ducking the occasional midday stray bullet.
(2)
Alex S.
Best pho in Boston hands down. I've tried most of the popular places around town and nothing compares to the taste and size of Le's. I usually get the #14 which is their largest bowl with all of the fixings. The owner is super nice and the service is extremely efficient. Best of all, it's cheap! I'm not sure why people say the service is slow because in the 50+ times I've been here, my order always comes out in 2 minutes flat. Check out my blog (complete with pictures and childish humor) for the full review! thesuchef.org/2013/11/03…
(5)
Ashley D.
going to upgrade Le's to 3.5 stars after trying some of their other dishes. I mentioned before that I don't think the pho is anything special. So if you do dare venture outside of the world of pho (I promise it's not dangerous) here's what I would recommend: shrimp, pork, and egg roll vermicelli caramelized fish (ca kho to)- best if you're splitting a few things with other people and my new personal fav banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes)
(3)
Harmony L.
Visiting Boston and I really like this place! From Cali, so I've been to my fare share of Pho places. I actually got the Tofu and Vegetable Medley that I thought was amazing. It was a bit salty and had a lot of sauce, so I found myself dabbing it off on the side of the plate. They ran out of brown rice (+$1), but it's all good! My friends really enjoyed the pho and thai iced tea. Everything had really great flavor!
(4)
Joanna H.
Today was the first time I ordered the #14- their extra large pho special. I must say, it is totally worth it! The bowl of pho is bigger than the size of your face with considerable tripe, brisket, flank, and tendon. My friend mixed a little bit of Sriracha and Hoisin sauce together and dipped the meat in there. I totally recommend it. This will be a $10 dinner that leaves you more than satisfied. If you're looking for an appetizer, fresh summer rolls are always the way to go.
(4)
Andy L.
Great food but watch out for the tip... the way they calculate 'suggested' tip includes the tax which increases the tip. I actually pointed this out to one of the waiters and he was not very happy about it and said that's normal practice. Although relatively speaking it's not that much of an addition (I typically give 18% or above) I felt peeved by the fact that it's 'suggested' that I have to pay tip on a tax, which is not part of service. Food is great though!
(3)
Minh H.
I always hesitate to review Vietnamese restaurants because I know the food will never beat homemade Viet food, but I think Le's has pretty decent food for the price. I usually order the vermaselli or the rice dishes and they hit the spot every time. My only gripe is the price for the spring rolls. 2 small rolls for 5 dollars just seems way too expensive for me, and they are filled more with shredded lettuce than anything else. Very disappointing. Just stick with the main dishes and you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Netalin T.
Food is pretty tasty. I love this location more than Harvard sq one. Service is also fast.
(5)
Anthony P.
Time to get my pho cravings down. Hearing rumors of pho better than NYC (which isn't that hard honestly), I was anticipating getting a big bowl of pho in Boston. Le's didn't disappoint in that regard. I got the Pho Xe Lua (literally Pho Train), one giant, whopping bowl of pho for $7.95. The broth was your standard Pho broth that you can find at most run of the mill Pho joints. There was an average amount of every type of meat, brisket, eye round, tripe and tendon. Honestly, my Pho craving was fulfilled by Le's but I found it average overall. -1 star for the fact that the service was lacking. Slow and when we asked the server to take a picture of our table, he gave us a curt "we are too busy right now, and walked away." Talk about customer service. I'd rather go somewhere where the staff is more homely.
(2)
Kswagg X.
My go to spot for Pho and rice plates. Get the grilled pork chop. Shrimp toast is bomb too. Everything is flavorful and service is great.
(5)
Victoria P.
Started off with the spring rolls and they were just okay. I really wanted to try the fresh summer rolls, but I'm not a huge fan of mint in them and politely asked the waiter if they could remove the mint and he said that the rolls were already made and that was not possible. It's a bit off putting that they pre-make their "fresh" summer rolls so I think I may have dodged a bullet. Ordered the #19 (pho with rare eyeround and tendon) - it was delicious! The broth was hearty and they definitely didn't skimp on the meat. The service was good. Overall a great experience...just avoid the fresh summer rolls.
(4)
James T.
Ehh food was good, I mean it tasted good but took over 1 and half hours to come out. My party was 8 people so I understand a little delay, not 90 minutes. After we all finished eating, we asked for seperate checks to pay individually but they said not. Fine we could just split the check because we basically all ordered the same thing. The little Latino girl took over 20 minutes to print the receipt and when she gave it to me, she sighed like she was upset. The fact that she couldn't work the POS system to print a freaking receipt, and getting mad at the customer was so petty and immature. She even threw a pen on the table instead of handing it to my friend. The staff is so rude especially to big parties because they don't have the experience...
(1)
Caroline R.
Le's is fantastic. It has great food and all at a wonderful value. I highly recommend all of their pho's and the wonton soup. The broth is delicious and not to be missed! My other favorite thing to get here are their vermicelli dishes but you must must must get it with the pork. I'm not sure if it's the way that the pork is seasoned or cooked or whatever but it is crave-worthy. Their spring rolls (fresh), pork and rice plates, and beef dishes are also great. Service at the restaurant can sometimes be slow but I've never had a bad meal. I usually do take out from this location but have also sat in the restaurant a couple of times. However, it seems that the food portion is bigger if you sit down rather than do take out. You won't be disappointed!
(4)
O M.
Food is middling. Summer roll had half a shrimp per roll and waitress claims this is how they are rolled. Pho was ok.
(1)
Jack K.
Good and cheap. There is a good variety of Vietnamese and Thai dishes, but I definitely come here for the Pho. I usually go to Pho Pastuer in Chinatown, but it's a long ways away. This place is literally minutes from my place and I enjoy that it is basically the same quality, just under a different name. Can't write anything more except that the Pho hits the spot!
(4)
Robyn B.
Chicken pho! Or the beef tenderloin vermicelli. Can't lose. Spring rolls are also delicious (that peanut sauce.....mmm)
(5)
Allie B.
The day I moved to Allston I unpacked and was starving with my dad. Went to Le's and ordered a wonton soup and chicken & broc. Portions are huge and the food was AWESOME!!!! The atmosphere was lackluster but I have returned since then :) thanks for an awesome welcoming to Boston!
(5)
Jaclyn S.
If you want: Cheap, Vietnamese, authentic, quick service, large menu, and low-key/minimal restaurant decor this is the place for you. Easily can eat here for under $10, i think the pho was $8 (or $7.95). It was good and there are so many options. The restaurant is what you'd expect and is good for a low key meal, groups, or just grabbing a bite to eat. I dropped an eggroll because the chopsticks were so slippery and they brought me a new fresh one. I've never seen this place packed, so it can be quiet. I really liked that they had noodle dishes and rice dishes on the menu - definitely options for everyone.
(4)
Alyssa A.
Very good food and average service. The food took a little while but once it arrived we could tell that it was because they put a lot of care into making it. Out of 5 of us everyone liked their meal. I have a slight peanut allergy and after my food arrived I realized that it had peanuts. I checked the menu and realized it was my mistake and asked the gentleman who served us for another plate. He said okay and promptly got me a new dish within 5 minutes and no extra charge. So, for that I was thankful. All in all very good and I would definitely go back again
(4)
Erik W.
This is a generous 4 stars because the place is currently undergoing construction and it was super loud when we were in there. The ambiance here is certainly lacking. They were blasting 90s country-pop music while I was there, ha. That being said, the food here was excellent. I came here yesterday with my Dad for lunch. I ordered the #93 with crispy noodles. It was so, so, good. In fact, I had dreams about it last night. The veggies were plentiful and fresh, the sauce was delicious, and the noodles, well, the noodles were crispy. Great little Vietnamese joint.
(4)
David K.
Good pho place with decent price! (The booths are really comfortable FYI!) Will definitely go again when I'm craving some Vietnamese food
(4)
Jimmy R.
Great food and very affordable price. The service is ok. Definitely a good place to go for a big bowl of PHO.
(4)
Shreya B.
Ample seating space. Came here with my family. Loved the Veg Spring Roll served with peanut sauce. The sauce had crushed peanuts in as well. For entree we had Veggie Pho which had tons of veggies but not very flavorful. The broth did not have any character in it. Also tried the Veggie Meddley with rice which turned out to be a savior from our bland pho. Anyways.. Now we know what to order the next time we visit Le's. Good service.
(3)
Nathan O.
I love this place, almost as much as they love me... Huge vegetarian selection, though I seem to always order the same. While it's farther than a stone's throw from fine dining, you have to appreciate quick and inexpensive eats. I mean, it is Allston after all. One thing I don't understand are the sketchy "fish" tanks in the back left of the restaurant. I've never once seen anything in them, yet there they are. Bacterial breeding grounds...perhaps.
(4)
Mal S.
I was NOT impressed with this place. I have not tried any of the other local vietnamese restaurants but I have definitely had better. The pho broth was bland. The service was a bit slow and the tables seemed a bit dirty. I think this place may appeal to those who are not seeking authentic vietnamese cuisine rather an americanized version of vietnamese food.
(2)
Cmarie W.
Beef pho was excellent - 5 stars. Fresh rolls were.... Meh. All lettuce, barely a hint of other ingredients. Lost a star because of that. Inside could be updated but the food is awesome and will return for the pho!
(4)
Joe B.
Very good food here, the ambience of the restaurant was warm and welcoming. The staff was very friendly and courteous. The seafood options such as squid, shrimp and scollops were pretty good. I wouldn't say the food was amazing but for about $8 ~ 12 a plate the food was reasonably priced. With that being said, be prepared to have large quantities of vegetables than actual meat/seafood.
(4)
Ace K.
Ordered grilled pork chop and meat patty with rice. Grilled pork chop tastes delicious but not impress with meat patty. It was tasteless and dry.
(3)
Sarah G.
Ok. The food here is good. I've been to this same restaurant in Harvard Square. But the service at this location was so rude!! Both my friend and I got a drink and pho each. The waiter came to our table three times, to get our order, bring the food and drinks and take the dishes away. We paid in cash with the tip included (a little over 10% because he didn't do much) The waiter came back to our table and told us that we did not leave him enough of a tip!!! And he pointed to the bottom of the receipt where it has "suggested tips" based on percentage and said "you have to leave me more money". I have NEVER been to a restaurant where the waiter has the audacity to tell a customer they didn't leave enough tip...ESPECIALLY when the service was ordinary. If you want to try Le's, go to Harvard square.
(1)
Kimberly W.
I've been in Boston for over four years and with Le's just down Brighton Avenue, it's a go-to for Vietnamese food. However, this past time I went, although the food itself was great [had spring rolls over vermicelli with peanut sauce], it was FREEZING. I felt like I was outside...That kind of killing things for me, especially because my friend and I were there for so long...Boston is cold and when you go out to eat, you expect ot be inside and comfortable. Not frozen... In the past I can't recall having problems; the food is good and the portions are more than decent. But just this one time...
(3)
Alissa K.
Mmmmmm.....pho.... Seriously I go to this place sometimes twice a week. I live around the corner, and it's dangerous. The pho is so good, and filling, and CHEAP! Super fast service. The inside is a little shabby and random. but I don't care, it's clean and cheap so you can't complain. Every time I go in, I want to try something else, but the Pho always pulls me back in.... that being said, I have gone, on occasion, with other people and gotten to try some other stuff, all awesome: the chicken curry is a best seller, as is the wonton soup and the thai salad app is light and delicious. TEN STARS!
(5)
Alex K.
There is no better hangover food in the world. In my wilder college days, every night on the town would be followed by a large bowl of pho the next day. That isn't to say that Le's is strictly hangover food. When Boston's cold weather sets in around November, very few things in this city can warm your heart and soul like a big, hot bowl of pho. I stick with a #18 and I split a house fried rice with a friend. Insider tip: you can add a barbecue pork chop to your fried rice for about $2. Crispy spring rolls and shrimp toast top my list for appetizers.
(5)
John W.
I'm a regular, frequent here once to twice a week (Brighton Ave location). I've been to all other locations, which in my opinion they're not as good - in terms of service, flavors, and portion sizes. Le's offer great comfort food! Good service! Great prices! Never been disappointed! Usually, start with fried crispy spring rolls, grilled beef teriyaki (well done), and grilled chicken teriyaki (well done), I like mine crispy! Sometimes when I'm in the mood, I get the fresh spring rolls with shrimp with peanut dipping sauce. YUM! My usual entree: Tai (thinly sliced flank beef) beef noodle soup with yellow noodles, rather than the traditional white rice noodles; like to dip my noodles in their chili oil. Sooo Gooood!
(4)
Lisa S.
Mediocre. We ate dinner here before a show at the Brighton Music Hall. The most Americanized Vietnamese food I've ever eaten. Most of the cooked vegetables in the food we ordered were frozen. The fresh red peppers tasted moldy. I ordered the soft shelled crab dish that was on the "specials" menu. The crabs were about 3 hours away from spoiled and should never have left the kitchen. If the restaurant doesn't serve enough of that dish to turn over the fresh crabs fast enough before they spoil, they should take it off the menu. We didn't finish our food. The whole dining room could use a major steam cleaning with industrial cleaner. I can only imagine how dirty the kitchen is if they don't care about what the patrons can see. I was in the restroom with a server, and she used the toilet and walked out without washing her hands. I'm not a college student; I don't think every restaurant I eat in has fantastic food because I can't cook. I suppose in this area of Brighton it's easy for a restaurant to stay in business serving lousy food in a dirty dining room because students don't know any better.
(2)
Craig N.
Great service. We have 3 kids and they were so accommodating. The owner came and checked to see if we were happy twice. Food came out fast and was delicious
(5)
Jen Y.
Pho I love you long time. If heaven had a height, YOU would be THAT tall...HAH! Anyhow I've been going to this joint since it was called Pho Pasteur back in the day...It's quick, fast , cheap and easy- and I'm not talking about just your date ..D'OH! .the food is good...Love the fresh summer rolls...the seafood pho is my fave and if you want a nice little treat when it's cold out, the watercress soup is a hidden gem...it's ginormous, comes with rice you can throw in and you can pick your meat...mmm pork! The rice dishes are really good too...porkchops are yummy and if you can get past the name of it, the quail is really good too...! I always get the older waiter with the high bouffant hair...reminds me of Gary Oldman in Dracula when he has that creepy high white hair....BUT He's the man. Always remembers my order and is ON POINT every time. It's just a great cheap and yummy place! The only thing is I wished the tea pots were bigger because this homegirl can drink a lot of tea and I feel dumb asking them to refill it every 3 seconds!!!!
(4)
Crystal Z.
I wanted to like this place, I really did. However, there were just so many negative factors that affected my decision. First of all, this place is pretty small. I went on a Saturday night at 5:30 and it was already pretty crowded. Secondly, the service is terrible. I understand that its a busy Saturday night, but they seemed more concerned with squishing people into this tiny space than they did trying to get the check or refill water or do anything other than bring out the food and sit guests. Thirdly, I've had better pho. Honestly, its pretty mediocre. The broth is the same as all other average broths. Anywhoooo. Maybe I'll go back one day when I'm super hungry. That usually does the trick :]
(3)
Quynh L.
Don't eat there. One of the worst Pho I had ate for a long time in a restaurant. The broth was not tasteful at all and even with a lot of Hoisin sauce, I couldn't make it taste better. Even worse than the food is the service. What kind of waiter go to your table with the bill and ask you if you did tip? It's not like we forget it. We just put it directly on the table. No apologies at all. The waitress was not respectful at all. I will not go back to that restaurant. Please save your money and go eat Pho at another restaurant. I'm sure it can only be better than what I ate here.
(1)
Fernanda P.
My favorite dish is the soup. Even the vegetable soup has so much flavor. The service is good and they are fast.
(5)
Katie W.
I love all the Le's restaurants in Boston. Best pho! I'm also a big fan of their fried rice and flat rice noodles. All locations serve your food fast (within 10 minutes), but this location is particularly speedy. You can easily do a 30 min lunch here. They usually come out with your food within 3 minutes of ordering, so you have a good 20 minutes to eat before the check. Parking is hard to find, but it's conveniently located off Harvard Ave.
(5)
Matthew S.
Solid place; I've gone here about a half dozen times and enjoyed it every time. They have vegan, vegetarian, and carnivorous options, so no matter which way you swing you'll find something. They have bubble tea, and the coconut version of it is absolutely delicious. I usually like finding something to complain about with everything in my life, since I'm a miserable human being, so there's this: one time I saw a husband & wife (I think they run the place) arguing and trying to drag me into their argument. Weird. But made for an interesting story. Other than that, no complaints. Prices are on the low end, food quality is high, and service is rapid.
(4)
Karina L.
Best in Boston is right! I love Le's. Cheap pho (around $7/bowl) and such a great, chill environment. Service is spot on and super accommodating.The best part is that the pho comes out ridiculously fast. The broth is SO yummy and gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling in your tummy. Generous amount of tripe and meat! The #14 bowl is massive. On most days I can share it with my roommate and still be full. On bad days (Saturday mornings), I can finish the #15, which is a big bowl in itself, but much smaller than the #14. My boyfriend finished the entire #14 bowl. If you have the appetite of a small bear like he does, I think coughing up an extra dollar for the extra big bowl is worth it.
(5)
Ambrose C.
Probably one of the few Vietnamese restaurants in Allston and the nearest one to my place, this is probably one of my options if I do not want to go to Boston's Chinatown or the somewhat rough neighborhood of Dorchester for Vietnamese food. During a really cold day, I usually would get an Extra Large Pho noodle soup, also known as #14, the Xe Lua. This is a really large bowl of soup, with various thin cuts of beef, tripe, noodles, scallions, onions and cilantro. If you are really hungry, one bowl, combined with the bean sprouts provided, should fill up your stomach. I found the beef to be decently good and tasty, using the dark hoisin sauce and the red Sriracha sauce made the flavor of the beef and the noodles even better. The price of one big bowl (probably 3x the size of a bowl that you would eat cereal or oatmeal and maybe 5x size of a small rice bowl) should be under $9. When the weather is at its best and ideal conditions, as in when the weather is more than 20 degrees Celsius, there is beautiful sunshine, and clear blue skies, I usually would get a vermicelli noodle dish, which is known as "Bun" in the Vietnamese language or "mai fun/mi fen" in Cantonese/Mandarin Chinese. I would usually get a #28, Bun Thit Nuong, which is the Grilled Meat Vermicelli. I would usually get beef or pork. However, I also would get the #30, which is the Bun This Nuong Cha Gio, which is the same dish as #28, but with a small crispy spring roll. Both dishes are about the same price, under $9 as well. The texture of the meat is pretty good and really tasty, and the cold vegetables provided are fairly fresh. The vinaigrette provided made the vegetables and noodles tastier, and I poured it over the vegetables and the noodles. The spring roll tasted like the staff bought a huge packet of frozen spring rolls from a distributor and reheated enough as if it was fresh out of the kitchen, so it was definitely lacking a homemade taste to it. One major disadvantage this place has is the way the staff prepares the broth for their Pho noodle soups. The way they prepare it can be really questionable, because one time when I was eating the soup, my tongue detected small traces of monosodium glutamate (also known as mei jing or wei jing in Cantonese/Mandarin Chinese). This made me feel really thirsty. As for interior, it is probably one of the biggest Vietnamese restaurants I have been to in the somewhat decent city of Boston, so it's a great choice if you have a large group of people asking for Vietnamese food and if they are open-minded about the food. Service was just satisfactory, but I think there is some authenticity because I actually heard Vietnamese spoken by the staff. They were nice enough to make sure I had plenty of water. Did not encounter any rudeness, but I was nice to them though. Overall, I think these people can get the job done well in terms of Vietnamese food, the prices are reasonable, but I think they need to cut down on their usage of monosodium glutamate on their Pho. If they can do that, along with providing more meat, in proportion to the noodles in both the Pho and the Vermicelli dishes, and somehow make the meat even more tastier I think this place has a lot of potential to be a really awesome Vietnamese restaurant.
(4)
Beatweeze C.
Basic Pho. I grew up in SF where the pho is pho-nominal. har har. But Le's hits the spot when I have the certain craving. Vietnamese coffee is so good. I don't think Le's makes it as strong as some places, so it's safe to drink for dinner too!
(4)
Nate Y.
Who wouldn't want a big bowl of hot, steaming, soup during this time of year and the kind of weather we've been having? So when a friend wanted to get some dinner before catching a movie at the CC theater, and with the plethora of restaurants along Harvard Ave., my only qualification was soup, so pho it is. We stepped into Le's and were seated immediately. We order a couple Vietnamese beers and peruse the menu. Now I know everyone typically just goes for pho, which we did order a large bowl of pho soup with chicken, but what was especially good was the whole fish we ordered. A lightly breaded, pan fried, bass of a fish, it was amazing! The pho was good, even better with a little bit of hot pepper to kick it up a notch, but the fish was moist and tasteful, mm, mm, good! Plenty of fresh vegetables and herbs with the soup and the fish as well. After finishing we were perfectly satisfied, but not stuffed where I needed a nap. Made it to the movie too just after the previews were rolling! :)
(4)
Hana T.
I entered Le's Restaurant at 1:19 pm, and was immediately shown a booth. Before my butt touched the seat, a waiter came over with a glass of ice water and menu. Since I had been dreaming of pho for a few days, I knew exactly what I wanted: pho with rare beef and brisket, with a vietnamese iced coffee. I went ahead and ordered without contemplating the menu, and picked up my cell phone to text my boyfriend. Before I could finish typing out my text, a bowl of pho, plate of veggies, and iced coffee were brought out to me. Time: 1:21 pm. True story. The pho broth was pretty tasty and satisfied my pho craving. The meat seemed to have been cooked a little longer than I was used to - I like when the rare beef is still pink, so that it can cook in the hot broth, but it was already well done. It came with the typical vegetable plate of bean sprouts, basil, and lime (I later asked for a few peppers to spice things up). The thing that really bugged me was the small quantity of noodles in the pho. After about 3 bites, I found myself fishing for noodles...and having to make do with a handful of bean sprouts instead. My iced coffee was good with a healthy serving of condensed milk, but extremely weak. All in all, I finished my meal happily, but without the my-stomach-is-going-to-explode feeling that I've associated with eating pho. Not the best pho I've ever had in my life, but it hit the spot, and I'll definitely be back.
(3)
Catherine W.
This place has held up over the years. Had the grilled pork chop over rice and husband had grilled pork, shrimp bun with egg roll (both $7.95). Very good. The way they cook pork is delicious. Spacious seating, we got a round table in the back for a group of 7. Service was friendly and courteous.
(4)
Doc B.
Expensive for what it was. It was freezing cold as the heat did not appear to have been turned on. We ate with our jackets on... Food was mediocre. Don't order the banh xeo because you'll just spending $10 for a plate of bean sprouts...lol The pho was also very lacking.
(1)
David Y.
Le's was a go-to when I lived in Allston. It's quick, cheap, and always good. The Le's combo fried rice is amazing and a personal favorite. The ingredients are always fresh and it feels like you're eating something much healthier than the standard greasy Chinese fried rice. We always get the spring rolls as well. I've tried numerous other options on the menu and never had a bad meal. Go here for a quality taste of Vietnam where you can be in-and-out fairly quickly and won't break the bank by any means. Oh and btw you'll definitely have leftovers.
(4)
Benjamin T.
I've been going to Pho Le's with my family for a very long time. All I can say is the people that work there are really nice. The service is fine. The pricing for the food is also good. The design of the restaurant is decent. I can find nothing wrong with it. The food is awesome. If your a noodle soup person, then I highly recommend trying their pho dat biet, bun bo hue, or pho ga. Either one of those noodles soups should be fine. The other entrees are enjoyable. Pho le is cheap and affordable, the portions are decent. If your just looking for something to eat and enjoy at a cheap price then this is the place to go.
(3)
TnC M.
Lucky me, I live 3 minute walk from my favorite vietnamese restaurant EVER! (I've tried pho pasteaur in chinatown, xinh xinh, new dk to name a few) I often goto Le's for their vietnamese pho (#20 on the menu is my personal favorite) and drain their soups before even touching my noodles. Sometimes I even ask for extra portions of the soup. I don't think I will or can ever get sick of their food and I often order same things off of the menu. For appetizer, I go for their shrimp toast or their summer rolls. As for the main dish, I order #20 or vermicelli with spring rolls and grilled pork which is served with fish sauce. Amazing spot for cheap GREAT vietnamese food! I highly recommend this place.
(5)
L M.
Food was bland. Me and my boyfriend went in really excited because we had never had pho before. We got there at 5 pm on a Friday and there were literally only 2 other couples being served. The waitress did not ask for our order for 25 minutes seemingly because she did not know anyone else was waiting to be served.....although I made it a point to turn around and try to get her attention without being rude. 2 other couples came in while we were waiting and they were served immediately. Ridiculous. The pho was decent, but I won't be returning here due to horrible service.
(1)
Yancey L.
I choose to have my moon festival dinner over there which I think was a great decision. Their Caramelized Fish in a stone pot tastes simply awesome. It's a little sweet, savory, crispy which is a little similar to how we cook fish in my hometown. I also ordered their signature Crepes which are lightly fried golden brown pancake folding shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and a delicate sauce. Believe me, it's totally different from the french crepes you have for breakfast.
(4)
Julie A.
Wow I loved the Pho and Nime Chow here! The soup-base is the big thing as each place makes it a little different. It was the perfect amount of sweet and salty. The sprouts were fresh. Service was fantastic. Got seated right away, and were tended to promptly and often! Would definitely like to come back. :D
(5)
Vivian C.
What was once Pho Pasteur is now known as Le's. There's a good chance I hadn't been back here till now since it had adopted its new moniker, but it's not from a lack of wanting to. Anyhow, tonight's gathering pleasantly brought me back to its familiar surroundings, cold shakes, and quick entrees. I might have the name wrong, but I have a soft spot for three color ice, which could be known as either a dessert or a drink. Le's version was tasty, but tonight was a little chunky on the yellow mung bean and the ice cubes. It could have also used a bit more liquid to make it more of a drink and less dessert/food. The pork chop on rice came with a side salad garnish and two pork chops. I love it when the pork is nicely browned and caramelized... mmmmm... But the fish sauce seemed a little light on the flavor this time around. Portions-wise, I ate just over half my meat and rice, and all the veggies on the plate. But don't forget, I also had the beans and the agar from my 3 color ice taking up space in my tummy. Our waiter was a little preoccupied as he took our order, but as the evening progressed, he became friendlier and more responsive despite the fact that the restaurant got more busy. Parking can be tough, so head over a little early if you want to be on time. Food plus drink plus tip/tax rounded up: $14 *** 7/2011 visit *** Got the Pork Chop plate for $7.95. Two decently meaty chops with a pile of fresh salad vegetables, and a bowl formed portion of rice. Nice. I took a chop and some rice home after finishing my 1/2 and 1/2 red bean and mung bean shake $3.50. The portions here are still good... unlike the sister spot at the Atrium Mall. *** 7/2012 visit *** The Pork Chop rice plate is still $7.95 and a good portion. I ate half and took half home... but then I had also enjoyed a yummy quarter of a quail and finished up a red bean shake (now served in a plastic take-out cup). *** 7/2013 *** Pork Chop rice plate still yummy. Quail were nice and plump. *** 7/2014 *** We ordered the Roasted Quail $9.50 and the entree Vietnamese Fried Calamari $10.95 as our appetizers. The quail were a bit puny relative to past visits. The calamari crisp and tasty, despite the tasty moist vegetable garnish. I was feeling veggie, so I ordered the Curry Tofu $10.50. It came with rice and celery in addition to the named veggies - tofu sauteed with garlic, curry, sliced red peppers, onions, summer squash, zucchini, green beans, snow peas and roasted peanuts. The veggies retained a good bite, but the sauce was a bit too spicy for me. Next time I feel veggie, I'll try the Tofu with Vegetable Medley (tofu sauted with sliced red bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, summer squash, zucchini, green beans and snow peas) for the same price. Grilled Pork Chop with White Rice $8.50 still looked good, though the pork chops have gotten thinner cut over the years. The avocado shake is pretty much always tasty and of smooth consistency here. Beef with Fresh Watercress $10.95 looked good - maybe next time... PS - my friend's favorite avocado shake comes from here, because it is always smooth. *** 7/2015 *** Their Roasted Quail $9.50 sauteed with sliced onions, scallions, red bell peppers, served over a bed of watercress (1 quail, quartered) was as good as ever, and the Avocado Smoothie (no boba) $3.50 smooth and yummy. The chicken in my Stir Fried Flat Rice Noodles (Chicken) $8.95 was a bit dry - perhaps I should have gotten it with tofu instead, or the tofu with vegetable and rice that a DC had ordered. The grilled pork chop another DC ordered were cut thin and found to be a bit dry this time. They now offer a kids menu with options priced at $5.95 or $6.50. (photo posted) My usual faves are now priced as follows: Grilled Pork Chop with White Rice $8.50 Grilled Meat and Crispy Rolls Vermicelli $8.50 Stir Fried Flat Rice Noodles $8.95 Special Beef Noodle Soup $6.95/$7.95/$8.50
(4)
Patrick D.
I've been here a number of times, and unfortunately I can't say I've been very adventurous with the menu aside from an underwhelming experience with some salty plum soda, but that was on me. The other drink ordered that night was the jasmine limeade which was amazing. I've had the most popular pho option each time and every time it's delicious. Consistent every time across the board, perfect portions as well, always plenty for the typical dinner and almost always some left over if you're really hungry (the XL bowl that is). Music is funny to be honest, last time I was here Shake it Off and Fireball made it into the mix, a very lighthearted restaurant with great service. Highly recommended for some tasty pho if you're like me and feeling adventurous or even if you grew up eating it like a few of my friends I've been here with. Very reasonably priced too, a $9 bowl is more than enough for one person. Everything is very healthy and refreshing too, awesome place for some guilt-free dining.
(4)
Jeffrey B.
There's nothing like a bowl of ph'o at Le's on a snowy day... or a rainy day... or any day for that matter! The ph'o here is easily among the best, if not THE best in the Boston area, at a very reasonable price. Try starting with the summer rolls, which are served with a pretty amazing peanut sauce. Also delicious is the Le's Fried Rice, which I almost always split with another friend (make sure you try it with Sriracha sauce) so that I have enough room in my stomach for the ph'o. My go-to order is the ph'o with flank and brisket (#20 on the menu), and I've never been disappointed! Who says patience is a virtue? The food is always served very quickly, and the staff is very friendly. Le's is a must-try for delicious and cheap Vietnamese food!
(4)
Burton V.
The food here used to be awesome, especially the pho but the last time I went, it tasted like it was either over cooked or leftovers from another bowl. The noodles were all broken up and tasted nasty. I haven't gone back since then. Their spring rolls are delish and thai iced tea is bomb. Hopefully, they have fixed the noodle situation since then.
(2)
Winston G.
#39 House Special or Viet Fried Rice (not sure what it's called). Best fried rice I've ever had - highly recommended. At about $7, it is also really cheap and affordable. The pho here is also great - just order depending on what type of meats you want. Service can be slow at times, but generally, they get you in and out quickly. I've been here countless times when I was in college - still a solid play.
(5)
Pratik P.
3-stars for two reasons: incredibly CHEAP ($15/pp with appetizers) and a "large pho" on the menu essentially means it's a big ass bowl. I'm a huge dude and I couldn't even finish it, but I do appreciate the staff not skimping out on the food portions!
(3)
Rosie O.
Delicious food but they had no clue about gluten free...and were also kinda rude about it... Had the summer rolls and a "no gluten chicken and broccoli" after much confusion...and now my stomach is in serious pain.
(2)
Jen S.
Only rating this 3 stars because it was our first time there (our as my hub and me)- will go a few more times and update my review. This place is around the corner from our apartment. I have an evening class so it was very convenient to just stop off here before going home. I got the veggie pho and it was good- though I hope they can make it without cilantro because I always forget how much I hate cilantro until it hits my tongue. So while cilantro is one of the most important ingredients in pho, I could go without it. Someone told me that in Vietnam you can get mint to replace the cilantro. So I'll have to ask next time. If not, whatever. I forgot to specify whether or not I wanted the LARGE size or the SMALL size, so I was just given the large. Make sure you clarify! The large pho was definitely WAYY too big for me. Thankfully they had to go containers! My hub ate it the next day and thoroughly enjoyed it. The basil they give you to put in it is very fresh and makes the broth AMAZING. We went on Valentine's day and one of my scallions sitting atop a piece of squash was in the shape of a heart!! I'll post a picture on here! My husband got a beef/curry dish and didn't like the curry part so much. He likes curry, just not this kind. He also said the beef was too rubbery. He's not NEARLY as picky as I am... Service wasn't that great- nobody came by to see how we were doing until they wanted to know if we wanted to get our check. But I won't judge an entire service on one night. Our glasses seemed a bit dirty. Not so much DIRTY as maybe the fact all of these glasses are washed by the dozen and then air dried, so then there are lots of spots all over it. I want to try a few more of their dishes, so this is mainly a first impression review.
(3)
Eric R.
Here are my choices: 1) Snarky, sarcastic 2 paragraph essay about why you're stupid if you don't eat at Le's. 2) Haiku, explaining. Why i love the soup at le's. Did it anyway. 3) Gushing, overly dramatic review describing how the light glistening off the perfectly cooked chicken makes me feel homesick. 4) Short review so I can go to Le's. I pick 4. The pho is to die for. Everything is fresh. The people are nice. Seriously, the best pho in Boston. Hands down. Go. Eat.
(5)
Yuri C.
Good place to have Pho, huge portions. Fast and friendly service. Other locations are not as good as the one in Allston.
(5)
Julie L.
Delicious and very affordable. Great selection of different types (beef rare/cooked, tendons, tripe, chicken, seafood) and sizes of pho, vermicelli and rice dishes. Service is quick and the quality is reliable. They are also super speedy with takeout orders.
(4)
Ranee A.
Decent food at a decent price. Friendly service.
(3)
Ainura B.
We go the all the time, love the pho and chicken fried rice. Nice service and very affordable. Their bubble tea is very good!
(4)
Janice T.
When you have a craving for dac biet pho, you come here. Order at least the medium, if not the large. And be sure you get fresh spring rolls and the taro root bubble tea. Comfort food at its best.
(5)
yuke-wui c.
great place to get a decent food. the pho is good (any choices) and so is the steamed vermicelli. it's one of the few places in boston that still gives you the best value for your money when it comes to eating.
(5)
Stephanie Y.
I love the pho here but the reason that i am giving a 2 stars rating is because of their service. When we walked in to the restaurant we get our seat right away, which is good. But when I was trying to ask the hostess a question( I have the college student coupon book and I know some restaurant will ask you to show the coupon first) she didn't wait till I finish the question just directly said "go ask the waiter". For me this is pretty rude because I work at a restaurant as a hostess and I will never did that to a customer. Second, we order our food, the waitress didn't introduce herself but I don't really mind about that. Me and my boyfriend ordered a summer roll and 2 bowls of pho (number 14 on the menu). Food came out in 2 seconds and a server took some sauce from other table to our table. Then a minute later that server took our sauce without asking us and gave them to another table. I think it will be better for a server to ask "are you done with the sauce" or "do you mind if I take these sauce to another customer because we are kind of ran out of them". After all we do gave them a note and pretty bad tips because of no server came and asked about the food or would we like to order some more items and they just put down our check without asking or saying thank you for coming, etc. I might come back to this restaurant but if I am not that lazy I will rather go to Chinatown or other places to have pho.
(2)
Wendy L.
Your standard, cheap PHO restaurant in town. The service is quick but they don't really speak english so it's hard to customize your order. It's not particularly clean but it's like most other Pho places...I prefer the pho broth at the one in Chinatown. This one is a lot more spacious and easier to find parking though. The atmosphere is a bit lacking but you can't really expect much at Pho place. They have Christmas decorations up all year round.
(3)
Jeremy W.
Great place for Vietnamese noodles! It's very cheap and really worth it if you get the XXL Beef Noodle soup. Everything is pretty good there, nothing out of the ordinary you would find at a Vietnamese noodle joint. Always a go to spot if my friends and I can't figure out somewhere to go.
(4)
Jules M.
Whenever any of my friends ask what Pho is this is where I take them. I love the different options and there is definitely something for everybody. I also love that Le's is a 5 minute drive from work. I can always get 2 or 3 other coworkers to place orders with me. I know I should probably try other things off the menu but I am hooked on the Pho and those spring rolls. I can honestly say that everyone I have taken there loves it too.
(4)
Alex L.
Just went there tonight--a slow, rainy Thursday night seeking pho to help me with the tail end of a cold. Hadn't been there for a long time, but remembered it as one of the better places in Boston. The rice paper on the fresh rolls was tough--pretty clearly not made to order, or else the paper itself was tough when they made the rolls, but I suspect the former, since the rolls weren't cracking or anything. The pho tasted like they had emptied a can of beef broth into a bowl and added stuff. It was too salty, and there were no notes of clove, star anise, or anything. Just salty beef. Not deep. Not sure one way or the other about MSG. I would bet money that they did not make the broth on the premises. (And before you point out that I have a cold, which is true...I asked my dining companion if she caught any notes of clove, etc., and she said not at all.) I'm sure there's worse pho in Boston. Maybe I'm spoiled by having spent too much time in California. Nonetheless, I'd like to send an unambiguous message: Salty beef broth with stuff in it pho Very disappointed. 1 star!
(1)
Katelan Y.
This place is one of the few reasons why I miss living in Allston. My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Boston! No other Vietnamese has been able to compare to Le's! Their pho is sooo comforting and satisfying - THE perfect meal on a rainy day or a cold winter night. Their portions are huge and the prices are so cheap. A small is enormous and it's only like $6.75! Other good things to get here are summer rolls (peanut sauce is amazing) and the vermicelli with spring rolls and grilled beef :) LOVE LE'S!
(5)
Christopher M.
Enjoy the Chicken Vermicelli... It's prepared to perfection. Food overall is solid. Not a place to get drunk... But kick back with a decent wine selection or enjoy some average domestic beer. The atmosphere is mediocre. It's usually quiet, no real life to the place. Friendly staff and always great service. If you like Vietnamese food, check it out, if not, why are you reading a review for a Vietnamese place? Get your shit together.
(3)
Tiffany L.
My favorite place! Their pork spring rolls are the best I have! They are generous with their portions and their peanut sauce is so good! I won't be surprised if there is some sort of healing power to their noodle soups because it certainly cures my satisfaction. I love this place!!!
(4)
Sarah S.
This place never disappoints and it is nice and big so hardly ever a wait for a table! I was in here around Chinese new year and a parade of people including drummers and people in dragon costumes came in for a performance, which was a pretty cool surprise! Come for the pho and stay for the chance that ppl in dragon costumes may come to entertain you!!
(5)
L R.
I really enjoyed my pho, spring rolls and Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. I don't often get down to Allston, but I hit this place up every time.
(5)
Nicole S.
#34! I love Bun! Love it. I order shrimp paste on sugar cane vermicelli (Bun Chao Tom) all the time. At all different restaurants so I can compare. And their bun is great! I always ask for extra fish sauce because it is so damn good. The fish sauce permeates the whole dish and balances really well against the sweetish shrimp paste. Overall the portions are huge so you really get your money's worth. But the bun for $9 is a great deal anyway. The appetizers are great too! I love to get spring rolls and crush them on my Bun so I get a mix f textures. but their fresh springs rolls with peanut sauce is great too. Everything is really fresh. Service is great too. They work really well as a tea but their are times their quickness in getting the food out can be funny. It can be a bit tricky when you ask your waiter for more water, he leaves, a different guy brings your meal over and sees your are low on water and he leaves to get more, just then your waiter comes over with water... you get the picture. But extra water is not so bad in the big scheme of things.
(4)
John A.
I'm having trouble understanding how this place won a Best of Boston award. Going in, I expected a decent dining experience with great food but got something completely different. The pho was forgettable. It was as if the chef just threw a bunch of exotic vegetables and random beef parts into some soup stock and called it a day. Very bland and not nearly comparable to some other soup joints around town. The waitstaff was very aloof and our waiter never came around once to check on us. I spent most of my meal needing soy sauce but never actually got it. Poor performance for the waitstaff. I don't think I'll be back to give this place another chance and with all the asian restaurants in the Allston/Brighton area there's probably no reason for you to be at this one.
(2)
Jennifer B.
I was debating btw 4-5 stars but I come here often and always get some type of pho and sometimes a side of fresh spring rolls. It's consistently good, huge bowl for like $7 you can't beat it. The staff is super friendly and the pho always comes out in like a minute. I've tried almost every pho place in Boston and its comparable to the ones in Dorchester. Plus I don't have to be in Dorchester. The only thing is its hard looking for parking.
(4)
Lisa F.
Casual restaurant that serves a wide range of different types of pho. You can go in for a quick meal, and most of the food is pretty good.
(4)
Dee T.
Cheap pho for when I'm too lazy to make it at home! Except they jip you on the beef balls by slicing it instead of full size balls so you technically only get a meatball or two if you're lucky
(4)
Sara M.
So to even out my last rating, I am dropping this down two stars. I took Hubby here for pho and bun since I loved it so much the last time. Even though I love Pho Viet, I like being served. Our server was an older lady, who was hovering and did not listen to me. I said I wanted the grilled pork summer rolls and she was like, shrimp and pork? I corrected her because we wanted grilled pork and no shrimp. Well, she brought out the traditional summer rolls without shrimp, just pork - NOT grilled pork and not as flavorful. Bad sign already. Then the pho and bun came. The broth just wasn't as delicious as I remembered. I cannot place my finger on it but it didn't taste the same. Also, I didn't get any tendon! Hubby enjoyed his bun, which was pretty good but it tasted icky the next day. Also, they were washing the windows on the outside as we were sitting by them. It was quite distracting, especially since our server was commenting and making jokes at the person doing it OUTSIDE. I think I would have rather sat cafeteria style and received what I asked for...
(3)
Rachel L.
I always whined about wanting to go here with Davel and today, we finally went. I thought it'd be different, but it was just the same - nothing special really. Service was kind of unfriendly, it was almost like the guy didn't care. He came by to take our order and rather than having it be polite, he was just like, "what you want?" So, Davel ordered the grilled sliced meat summer roll with pork and I got the #15 and the waiter assumed that Davel was going to get #14 and then he did ended up getting it. The food was okay, and like I said before - it wasn't anything special like I thought it would be. The waiter left the check and well, he didn't bother coming to get it and just sat down to eat his dinner when we left. I'll probably listen to Davel next time and not come back for awhile.
(3)
Paul C.
Where to begin... You can get a good bowl of pho at other places, so i'm not going to be raving about that. BUT, Le's does have something that makes this place the BEST pho place ever. If you know your stuff, sharing an order of fried rice with your piping hot bowl of pho is a given. THAT is where Le's rises above the rest... THE LE'S FRIED RICE!!!!!!! I'm gonna say that it probably is loaded with msg, but it's ok, because hopefully you're not coming here everyday. Follow these steps, and you'll be on your way to an msg-induced experience that will have you coming back for more. 1. Go to Le's with a friend (could be your significant other, but a good buddy would be better) 2. Order your bowl of Pho 3. Order the Le's Fried Rice (put sriracha and hoisin sauce in a grid-like pattern) 4. Eat and Enjoy
(5)
Jennifer E.
: ) Pho: as good as some pho in California. awesome. : ( Spring rolls: 3 scrawny little ones.... not impressed : ( Summer rolls: not impressed : ) Le's fried rice w/ pork: impressed! really great, simple tasting fried rice, wow. Overall, pretty good for the east coast. Pretty good. Lord knows there are no good pho places in Manhattan... Le's will have to do. Love it!
(4)
Chloe L.
The food was decent/good. I just feel like the serving sizes are kind of small compared to other vietnamese places in boston.
(3)
Kathy W.
We came here for a weekday lunch and were seated right away. I ordered the extra large pho and the boyfriend ordered a noodle dish off of the lunch specials. I probably should have downsized my order when the waiter gave me a look of shock and said "good size!" But, that day I was really yearning for some pho and decided to go for the gold. When my order arrived, I understood the waiter's comments. The bowl is indeed huge! I finished about half and even though the boyfriend helped me with the rest, we still have left over noodles. What a shame--it was delicious too! Boyfriend said his noodle dish was good (plenty of veggies), but the pho was the standout!
(5)
Nick W.
I love finding an eatery that, if you hadn't randomly stumbled into or been advised to dine there, you'd never know about. Le's is very unassuming from the outside and I guess it's rather unassuming from within as well, no frills, just good. When it comes to consistent service and quality Vietnamese soup it's second to none. The servers are very pleasant and the food always comes out promptly and perfectly. If you are looking for amazing pho that's consistently delicious and affordable Le's is your place.
(4)
Summer L.
This review only concerns the vegetarian pho and veggie fried spring rolls. The vegetarian pho is out of this world! Tender cabbages, broccoli, carrots, sprouts, and noodles in a tasty veggie broth (not chicken or beef broth like the menu reads) and is highly recommended! I asked for added tofu and it was filling! The size is large, can easily be made into two meals. It heated up nicely the next day too. I can't wait to go back! Less than $7 for the best pho I've had yet. The veggie fried spring rolls were the best I've had. My bf and I fought over the last one. The peanut sauce IS tasty like other yelpers shared. Make it to Le's and enjoy some really great pho. Lost one star for poor service. Be ready to wave someone down for the check or more lime.
(4)
L T.
Excellent service and great Vietnamese food. I'm from California and this is probably one of the best places to get Vietnamese food in the city of Boston. If you come here, try the Pho, grilled pork rice dishes, clay pot ca kho to, and tamarind soup.
(5)
Cyn C.
When I come to Le's, I'm craving a big bowl of pho. Either I'm cranky, I'm getting sick, am sick, getting better, or just hungry. There's never a time I don't feel like pho. This location is heads and shoulders better than the Le's in the Atrium Mall. Soda lemonade, vietenamese coffee, bun, and pho all get the heads up here. As well as the egg crepe thingy with the bean sprouts inside. However, the last two visits, I've had to fish out quite a bit of the meat from my pho, b/c it was extremely fatty. Otherwise, I'd give 4 stars. Hopefully, they'll redeem themselves next time. Because, of course, I'll keep going back.
(3)
Lindsay E.
Delicious pho, friendly service, fresh food, great prices, no wait, definitely a good place! I love the family style sweet and sour soup. The broth is deliciously pungent and the vegetables are super fresh and not overcooked. They never forget to leave the cilantro out when I ask, another huge plus :)
(4)
Stasy P.
One of my favorite places in Boston. You have a hangover go to Le's and have a soup with a lot of cock sauce in it. You will feel like you were reborn after that! Small hunger, big hunger Le's can manage everything.They have a great choice of soups, appetizers ( love those summer rolls) and all kinds of noodles, fillet Mignon, seafood! My favorites are: sweet and sour soup with salmon, soup # 21 with glass noodles or flat rice noodles with beef and steamed vegetables. Don't forget to make friends with the staff. They are very friendly and helpful most of the time. things I would do better: decoration/renovation!
(4)
Julia F.
I came here tonight with my little sister tonight. Some nights, you just need a little bit of "soup #17" (as my little sister refers to it) and tonight was one of those nights. We were seated in a booth (our choice) as soon as the table was cleaned off and set up. No waiting involved. The same guy who seated us/cleaned the table came right back over with waters for us and took our order. We got the spring rolls with the slices of chicken* in it - this is the first time we've ordered them, so good. I like the peanut sauce better than the other sauce. We each got a bowl of "soup #17" and when it arrived, we were both satisfied with having ordered the small one. We ALWAYS order the large one and NEVER get close to finishing it. It's gross to picture that as a leftover too... igg. Big time. I squirted a METRIC TON of hot sauce in my soup (part one of ridding myself of this stupid cold!) and we took our time chatting and eating. Our waters were refilled promptly - which was part deux of getting rid of my stuffy nose! All and in all we were stuffed when we left (neither of us could finish a SMALL SOUP!!!! Egads...) the bill was under $20! That, my friends, is what's up. *My little sister doesn't eat any kind of fish (though I want to tell her that there is probably all kinds of fish pastes and other things in what she's eating.... I don't!)
(4)
David P.
Apps: fresh spring rolls with shrimp 1-star: why would you place only one small shrimp inside the roll unless you were CHEAP (no other reason for this), grilled sliced meat summer rolls 1.5-stars: bland but more meat than the 1 shrimp in the fresh spring roll, Vietnamese crepe 2 stars: a little too pancake-y. Entrees: tai gan sach beef noodle soup 4 stars: good lean meat in pretty good broth compared to the xe luet or bac diet in which they add fatty flank steak and brisket (3 stars) Just go for the pho and nothing else.
(3)
J M.
I really like this place. Been here a few times over the years, and the quality is pretty consistent. I definitely recommend getting the shrimp toast if you visit with friends, it is probably the best appetizer there. Pho is pretty good and has good portions. For vegetarians, they have a lot of options, so it was nice seeing that, since it's kind of rare to see any veggie options for people in a vietnamese restaurant sometimes. I wouldn't recommend going here by yourself (as in no company). I went a few times alone, they sort of ignored me and it took forever to get the check. Plus, there were a few items missing from my pho, which was kind of disappointing. Never happened when I went with other people though. So not sure what that's all about. Anyways, would definitely recommend, especially if you are hungover and need something in your stomach. It cures mine every time! :P
(4)
Wesley W.
I've have got to say...wow...i definitely experienced better pho than this place, i'd figured it was a good place, since it's mostly packed in there...but now it hit me why it's full, it's only 1 of 2 pho places in the brookline/allston area. the other one at super 88 food connection is mediocre, and this one is barely any better. Let's start to begin as we sat down and they bring us water, yes we know most water at restaurants come out of the sink/tap, w/e fine, we'll drink it, but seriously do you have to fill the water out in the dining area out of the wash sink? can't you do it in the damn kitchen, very appealing to the customer... On to the next, i agree with some of the reviews on here about obnoxious, condescending staff, and i'll get to some points on here. The staff for one, cannot speak or understand Vietnamese, i frankly do not speak it or understand it, but i did go eat with some friends who did and when they went to order, the staff member was like 'HUH?' and it goes to show when we learn Thai people own the joint. I guess they expect customers to read them numbers...owell really helpful... To help that out, when we asked for hot tea, the staff asked how many cups, and it was like the pause moment of WTF? we told them the number and proceeded to ask why it matters and the staff was like "Tea is not free, $1 a cup" huh wow...never have i ever been to a asian restaurant and tea was not free...It's basically like saying they are charging us $1 a cup for hot water lol...word..this is getting better by the moment. So as the food comes out, there is the usual platter of bean sprouts, mint, lime, peppers. Never have i seen a pho plate soo cheap on the add-on platter, it lacked chili peppers, and when it was full, it seemed as if the beansprouts was a hefty bunch, but once it grabbed for two pho dishes, wala!!! cabbage on the bottom, lol that's how you cover it up hmm... Pho to say the least, have had better for the same price. To top of with the finale, when the bill came, we had a discount coupon, and as we were calculating the total cost and how much each person should pay, the coupon was in someones hand, and the staff say it. She proceeded to say in a condescending way "are you going to give that to me?," note we weren't even ready to pay as we calculated. So pretty much an overall horrible experience. To sum it up, i would not recommend this place for pho, if you want pho, go to chinatown/downtown area and have better pho there like from new dong khanh. if you are srsly craving pho but no quality pho, and too hungry and don't want to go to chinatown, fine....go to Le's, but i would rather you go to Super 88 food connections and get pho at pho viet
(2)
Nikki I.
I LOVE THIS PLACE!! The curry chicken is delicious and affordable.
(4)
Amanda C.
I ate here today for lunch and for Pho it is pretty good. I did not get the traditional beef pho, instead I opted for the chicken pho. I wish the broth was a little bit more complex in flavor, but the noodles were cooked perfectly and there was a generous portion of chicken in the dish. I also had the quail as an appetizer. It was crispy and had a very good flavor to it. The mixed vegetable salad with it was a great addition to the plate. I suggest this place if you are in Allston, it is a great place to walk to and have a good meal.
(4)
Danielle K.
Le's was formerly Pho Pasteur. The food is just as great with the new name. Every time I'm there I try a new dish. The portions are quite generous, while the pricing is reasonable. The staff is usually quite attentive, even when the restaurant is busy. They can sometimes go a bit heavy on the garlic (like in the Pad Thai I ordered on Thursday) but the food is still quite tasty. I can't leave without having a delicious Mango bubble tea. I highly recommend you check out this restaurant when you're visiting Brighton Ave.
(4)
Anne F.
Having recently resolved to cut back on my beef consumption, we only went here to satisfy my hung-over boyfriend's recurring Pho hankerings. It was a large and solid Pho, Pho being possibly the best thing ever invented by man, at an extremely reasonable price. I've been trying out the noodle dishes, which were also very tasty. They brought out some jasmine tea at the start of the meal which was apparently good enough to get my bf, an enormous tea snob, to label it the best he's ever encountered for free at an Asian restaurant. I would happily have given this establishment 5 stars, even if we have had better Vietnamese (Eden center, Falls Church VA; go if you're in DC). It was still excellent and cheap. Unfortunately, we were not especially impressed with our service. We were basically completely ignored after the tea and food came out; we had to ask for napkins and water refills. This wouldn't have bothered us as much if they weren't simultaneously completely doting on the Vietnamese couple next to us. Fortunately enough, they deliver. Pho to go. (Apparently. the last sentence doesn't rhyme, but whatever.) Yummy cow tendon!
(4)
Jennafir E.
Nom, Nom, Nom! Enough said. Well not really... This place is fantastic. My amazing friend suggested this place and I love that she did, because the only other Vietnamese place that is as good is Lemongrass in Brookline. This however, is down the street and the proximity is making it be the winner. The vermicelli bowl is like heaven in ones mouth. Pork or Beef, one should never care, because it's fantastic. It is also cheap! Good and Cheap? It's a dream come true. You won't be disappointed, and if you are, well, go again because I can't believe it could ever happen
(5)
Philip K.
This place was a SURPRISE. It looks cheap, it looks tacky, it might scare you and make you want to go out, BUT DONT, go in. I came here with a Friend shortly after I moved into my new Allston apartment for the summer for some cheap good eats. Le's did everything I wanted. It was cheap, authentic, and fresh. We started with some dumplings which were delicious and fresh tasting and came with a nice sauce. I got the lemongrass chicken which was different than anything I ever had but very tasty. Tender pieces of chicken in a spicy, lemongrass infused peanut sauce served with tasty rice, it was very good. My Friend got the pho, which I have had a lot of experience with, and it looked great as well. The best thing is you can eat here for under $10. That's the same as a lot of the crap chains you stop at for a quick bite and get the same generic food. Le's provides authentic Vietnamese flavors all for an extremely reasonable price, with fast service, I'll take that over BK any day.
(4)
TK W.
Nothing special but good enough. I like another one much better in Dorchester, but hardly get to that area, so Le's is my goto place for Pho
(4)
Thaddeus M.
Le's is a great restaurant. Looking at it you may think that it may seem a little ghetto, dirty or somewhat but that is just how Allston is. As for the restaurant, the food is great every dish I have had there has never disappointed. My favorite is number 14 "Xe Lua" which I believe to be the biggest bowl of pho that you can order at Le's. Their pho is flavorful, as well as great for days that you are sick, or hungover. The servers are very friendly and will remember you fi you go there quite often. They always say hi to me both inside and outside the restuarant. Though they may be a little slow to refill your water, or get the bill. The food comes out very quickly. The price is fairly cheap, getting the largest dish for just around $8 is great. I highly recommend coming here for casual eating, or recovering from whatever ailments you may have. Great place for large groups and convenient location in Allston.
(4)
Amy Y.
One of the better pho chains in Boston. The location of the restaurant works in my favor (better than trekking to Pho Pasteur in Chinatown, or pho restaurants in Dorchestor). Le's is my go-to choice for dining with large groups. I love tendon, so I always get a customized pho bowl with only tendon and veggies in it. Mmm Yum yum. The service is very speedy, but I wish the soup came out hotter! I'm not talking boiling pot of scalding liquid, but heat that makes you want to take the time to sip the soup and slowly enjoy each bite as the bowl of goods continue to cook in front of your eyes. Over the past few times that I've gone, I've felt like I was racing against time to finish my soup before it became cold... the noodles were also unable to fully cook/heat up in the lukewarm temp. If it's your first time trying the restaurant, you won't go wrong with the special beef or the chicken noodle soup, or if you're super hungry, the extra large beef bowl will be sure to satisfy! Great on a cold day. Great after a day of hitting the slopes. Just be careful, parking is a pain on Brighton/Harvard Ave.
(4)
Felicity L.
I visited Le's on a Monday around 4pm. I was seated right away, but from then on service was very poor. Only 3 other tables had guests and yet I had to wait a long time before a waiter came back to take my order. I ordered the shrimp and pork Summer Rolls with fish sauce instead of peanut sauce. The waiter brought me peanut sauce instead and before I even had time to register the mistake the waiter had vanished, so I had to wait again and flag down another waiter. The rolls themselves were not good. They were very bland and fell apart after one bite. The wrappers were incredibly chewy and rubbery. My water was never refilled.
(1)
Meghan M.
My boyfriend and I come here so often the staff knows us and our orders by heart. You can feed two people for under 20 dollars...and you are completely satisfied. The pho tai soup is the best!! The make your own summer rolls are messy but completely worth it. There is another location on route 9 if you are shopping at the atrium mall.
(5)
Marian M.
This place is a pretty standard pho place. I always get the seafood pho, which again is standard for pho. Last time, I got a Thai shake with boba. The boba was really hard... Prices are cheap, and there's a discount in those college books. I come here pretty often..
(3)
I-Chun C.
Seriously, pho is the best hangover food ever. And while Foodler charges an exorbitant $4.99 to bring Dac Biet to my doorstep, on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon, when I'm too hung over to even move, it's worth it. I actually prefer Pho Viet in Super88 but they don't deliver. :(
(4)
Katie V.
I am a recent Pho convert -- it's the best for when you're feeling a little under the weather. The broth is so flavorful and the portions at Le's are huge. I don't claim to be a Pho connoisseur, but I'm not generally a big fan of soup as a meal, but Pho is the exception. It's filling, hearty and makes me feel warm and happy. And I'm guessing it's fairly healthy? I could be making that up, but until someone corrects me, I'm going to believe it.
(4)
Helen L.
I think Le's is awesome. It's cheap and FAST!!! The menu is exactly like Pho Pasteur and it's really delicious. Of course, their beef noodle soups are the specialities, and they are amazing! You order it, and 5 seconds later, it's there. I've also gotten the vegetable and beef medley, which I LOVE. That's about $10. Their beef noodle soups are around $6 or $7, depending what size. I go to the one in Harvard Square sometimes, and my only complaint is that their tables are ALWAYS wobbly and I always have to ask them to fix it. But besides that, for the price and the quality of food, you can't beat it!
(5)
King L.
My favorite place for Vietnamese food in Boston. Cheap and convenient. Good place to go if you're with a large group.
(4)
M Q.
Ordered the Bun Tom to go (see pic). Ready in about 15 min, not bad. Nice presentation. Sauce was a bit mild - could use a bit more fish sauce and lime juice IMO. I'm glad it's not way too salty. Came with 5 shrimps (size is about 26/30 - large size in case you don't know) that still have shells on. It's like an Asian version of pasta salad for $8. Pretty healthy stuff for a light meal. I only ordered this so I don't know how good the rest of the stuff on the menu is.
(4)
Catie C.
I like the fact that they don't OD on MSG in their broth. They skimp on the portion. I ordered the Beef Pho with everything in it, small size. I normally can't finish a small else where especially after a summer roll. I could've finished the whole bowl today. I don't think they put enough noodles in there. The service wasn't that great. I had better service there before. I had to ask for more water. Didn't offer tea. I probably need to go to the Atrium location for better service consistently.
(3)
Erica H.
It was hot out and I needed something light for lunch. The place was busy, but the staff was fast, friendly and majority of them were not Vietnamese. As soon as you walk in, you can smell the Pho, which a lot of patrons had ordered. I ordered the Summer Rolls (fresh spring rolls) and Vermicelli with BBQ pork and crispy spring roll. The peanut sauce was a great balance of salty, sweet and nutty. The spring rolls were stuffed with iceberg lettuce and rice noodles with a hint of shrimp and pork. You needed to drench them in the peanut sauce to get them down. The BBQ pork was delicious! Perfectly charred and in a huge bowl. The black pepper and lemongrass were on the verge of being overpowering, but I think the massive amount of noodles and vegetables helped. I was pleasantly surprised because this is the first place where the noodles came out warm. I'm not sure if that's what caused a lot of breakage in the noodles, but it was still good. My eyes were bigger than my stomach because I ordered the Tri-Colored dessert with mung beans, red beans, pandan jello slices and coconut milk. It's usually served with shaved ice, but this came out with ice cubes. It was a little sweeter than I'm used to, but just what I needed after such a flavorful lunch. They put the rest in a foam cup for me to take home and finish later. Overall, great value, presentation and good food. I will definitely be back to try the Pho when it's not so hot.
(4)
Joe K.
Food here is great and affordable. The service is usually pretty quick, but they do seem to take their sweet time giving you your check sometimes.
(4)
Leo j. R.
a cold rainy march night, just getting over a bad cold - so what could be better than a steaming huge bowl of pho? Unfortunately Le's was not the place to go. My companion's pho came with a big piece of plastic in it! Hey - that wasn't on the menu! My bowl of ribeye pho was weak and dispirited. Where are the yummy bits?? Where is the complex broth? So sad. Oh and boring spring rolls to start. ugh.
(1)
Kim C.
Hands down-- the tastiest pho broth I have had. I Loved the taste of the soup --- so flavorful (even without all the extra sauce). I loved the thin noodles too. 5/5 However--- after all my raving about the Pho, I'm sad to say I did not order that bowl. I had the spicy soup (dunno how to spell here) BO BUN HUA... see I butchered it. The noodles were fat and chubby... like a thinner version of udon but loved the chewy texture. Soup was supposed to be spicy. but it definitely was on the mild side. However- the meat that came along with the soup noodle was not as tender as I thought it should have been. 3.5/5 (the meat knocked out a lot of the stars) Summer spring rolls--Loved the peanut sauce-- loaded with lots of peanut crumbs!! so good! but I'd say I can skip out on the summer rolls and just enjoy a big bowl of pho. I ordered the tri-colored dessert. For those of you that never had this before--its really like an icy sweet coconut milk drink mixed with jellies and red beans. So instead of eating it after my meal, I asked the waiter to serve it with my noodles --- so I can sip it like a cold drink! satisfied my craving for awhile. Yumsss 4/5 (ices were chunky-- so it got in the way of me trying to scoop up all those jellies and redbeans. i wanted to avoid having to bite into the chunky ice) Good pho always comes from authentic places!!!
(4)
deb y.
I once went to get a pedicure in Brighton and the Vietnamese ladies there all implored me to try Le's for pho, claiming "You know it's a good Vietnamese restaurant when real Vietnamese people go there!" So, I went, I ate, I left, and I was happy. You get a HUGE bowl of pho with all the different "cuts" of meat for like $8 and everything else is $6.50 and under. And being poor law students, yummy and cheap is always a plus. We also saw someone order bubble tea, so I guess they serve that there too. The general consensus though is that Pasteur's (in Chinatown) for pho is better, but we theorized that they were both owned by the same people since we saw the Pasteur name on one of the Le's menus. So I think if you live in Allston/Brighton and need a good pho fix, this is it.
(4)
Henry C.
A friend introduced spot to me while skipping classes for no good reason back in 1998... and I've been coming to this Pho spot since. This is my favorite spot on Saturdays... the day after drinking my self stupid, this place is a life saver. Over the years, the portions have been dwindling, but the soup flavor is still up there on my top 2 pho spots. 99% of the time, I order the DacBiet with the beef on the side. I love undercooked bloody meat. There is plenty of seating, so you'll never really have to wait. And the service staff are mostly friendly and attentive. Most of them remembers me being the annoying one that orders the beef on the side, requesting fresh chilli peppers, and chilli oil. (most of the them they just bring it out for me ^__^) One thing that REALLY irritates me, is when they try to seat me in the 'outcast' section of the restaurant. (the left side)... I dunno it's just my thing. Awesome spot for hangover fixes, quick cheap delicious Pho. Love this spot! I dreamed about this spot when I was in Korea because the Pho there is $#@^@ garbage ugggh and expensive too. Annnnd Mr.Afro is awesome.
(5)
Liz B.
Le's Allston you need to go take a refresher course from your sister in Chestnut Hill. Your service is bad, your food a little less yummy and decor meh. I know I'll be back because you're now my closest spot to ease my pho cravings but just know that every time I show up I'll be wishing I'd made the drive out route 9...
(3)
M M.
Ah, pho. The perfect winter day meal. Le's is swankier than your run-of-the-mill pho joint - I mean, who has ever heard of a pho restaurant with a working website before? Usually places that look like this charge a bit more for their entrees, but Le's prices aren't too shabby. Plus, it's nice not feeling the need to wipe down your utensils before digging in. It's not the best bowl of pho I've ever had (and the accompanying bean sprouts typically don't look very fresh), but it is certainly one of the largest I've seen outside of Oakland Chinatown. Not a pho fan? Their other entrees, including many of the rice dishes, are solid too. If it's cold enough for your pho craving to start bubbling but too cold for you to make the trip out to Chinatown, Le's is your place.
(4)
Jen L.
I have been coming to this place since I was a sophomore in college. That was a really long time ago and this place was called "Pho Pasteur". I was broke and a vegetarian and my ESL students (from, you guessed it, Vietnam) recommended this place. I have been coming back there ever since. That was like 1994 or 1995 :) My best pal in college and I would have competitions to see if we could eat until full under $20 (with tip and drinks). We were Harvard undergrads at the time (not the rich kind, I can assure you) and we managed it here ever single time. To this day, this same friend and I (he has moved to that OTHER big city int he Northeast) celebrate ALL our birthday dinners here. I love the soup, I love the vermicelli, I love the tofu (omg what a wonderful find for a vegetarian), I eat the peanut sauce with a soup spoon, and I can drink a gallon of the lime aid. It fed me when I was poor. It feeds me now that I am not so broke, not at all vegetarian, and there is NOTHING on this earth better when you are sick than a huge, spicy, heaping, steamy bowl of pho. To say this place is consistent is an understatement.
(5)
Leslie N.
I'm from California and just recently came to boston for a visit. And because of the reviews here on yelp i went and tried le's for lunch. I wasn't expecting anything amazing, just a good, quick, cheap place to eat for lunch. let me first say that, if I'm going to eat VIETNAMESE food, I'd like it to be made by VIETNAMESE people. I'm not a 100%, but I don't think the people working at the time I ate were vietnamese. The food, not delicious and they try to present the food in a "gourmet" style, which annoyed me quiet a bit, because it wasn't very "gourmet" at all. The pho is not the greatest I've ever had and I definitely wouldn't compare it to heaven. And the fried rice is.. the only word I could use to describe it is CRAP. The "Banh Xeo" is bad. and my last note, the person I went with, we had a fight of sorts and we both just payed and stomped out because we could stand the sight of each other anymore. and I'm sorry, yes, we didn't tip. we get in the car and I hear a knock on the window. the waiter walked all the way out to to show us the receipt telling us "the the tip isn't included in the price." He walks away for the curb and walks to the front of the restaurant waiting outside. I know its polite to leave a tip, but I don't remember it being mandatory thing? and of course we drove away. In conclusion, this place is not at all even close to being good or being authentic Vietnamese food. I've lost some trust in yelp.... maybe Boston just has some different standards....
(1)
A R.
This is one of my favorite places to go for a cheap and satisfying meal. The restaurant could use some sprucing up with some brighter colors but the food is so delicious that I don't mind. My favorite is the pho with slices of eye round steak and tripe. I love that the tripe here is cut into thin strands as opposed to large chunks that other Vietnamese restaurants serve. I agree with my friend Amy Y. that their soup could come out a little hotter but my noodles and steak always end up cooked. The vermicelli (bun) with grilled shrimp is also a great choice for a light meal on a hot summer day. Their bean sprouts, basil, and mint are all fresh (and not browning around the edges!) and taste phenomenally refreshing with the vermicelli and fish sauce. Le's is good about seating large groups of people and their service is fast. For less than $7 or $8, I can be happy, full, and in the company of good friends. Yum, yum.
(4)
Faith N.
LOVE this place! Awesome tofu vermicelli, such tasty tofu curry! The servings are huge and I love having left overs for the next day. The service has always been lightning speed and friendly. great.great.great.
(4)
Seiji K.
I've been hooked on Pho lately. I have at least one bowl a week. This might seem not so unusual for many, but there's no Pho joint within 20+ mile radius from where I live. A visit to Le's just hits the spot for me. Out of about six or so places I have tried, (Worcester, Leominster, Randolph...and of course several in Boston area) they seem to have the best soup stock. Very flavorful without having to be over-powering. The noodle can be too soft at times. The service is efficient as with any Vietnamese joint. Getting my fix for ten bucks including the tip is my idea of high value.
(4)
Bethany F.
I wanted to like this. I wish I liked this. I just didn't.... I will admit that the poor rating is based solely on my own experience, which ended in an upset stomach (which I rarely ever get). The 'vermicelli' noodles with pork and shrimp and a side of fish sauce vinaigrette seemed like a good idea. It was safe (for someone fairly unfamiliar with Vietnamese cuisine). The first few bites were good, but then something happened and my body kept telling me to stop eating or it would be mad at me all day. I had also tried some sort of appetizer (spring rice roll or something) with what I thought was a delicious peanut sauce. Once again, first couple of bites were good and then the sauce started to seem 'wrong' to me. The waitress was super nice and attentive. The restaurant's decor wasn't impressive but was clean and nice enough. Maybe I just didn't order the right thing....suggestions? I'm open, just cautious, considering this past bad experience...
(2)
Jen H.
This review is going to be short and sweet...... Pho. That's really all you need to know. Let's just say I'm not a huge Pho-aholic like some Yelpers are, but I came here twice in the same week. Yes.... I liked it that much. Oh, and it's inexpensive. Nuff said.
(4)
Hana C.
Love this place- love the spring rolls. BF gets the quail all the time- its delicious too. And the pho is sooo good! I always get the pho with flank. love the broth. I know a lot of people get the shrimp toast too- but i find it a little too greasy although I do take a bite or two sometimes when friends order it and is very good. My only complaint- is that it could be cleaner, like they should renovate the place. but I still come back always!
(4)
Josephine P.
I am not a big fan of Pho. Part of that stems from the fact that I am a vegetarian. THIS PLACE IS STILL AWESOME! I ordered the spring role vermicelli and extra vegetarian spring rolls because they were that good. The peanut sauce is the bee's knees. They don't get annoyed when you ask for more either. They get 5 stars because their portions are huge, you really get the most for your money Their waiters/waitresses are super courteous and attentive. My boyfriend raves about their beef special. They have plenty of seating and they are open late. Pho lovers, make sure you go to this place, it is the epitome of GREAT Vietnamese food.
(5)
Jimmy H.
I think their signature dish is chicken noodle soup. It is so good that I cannot order anything else(Not that I mean I don't want to try other dish, but I cannot miss it whenever I go there). Maybe I should go there twice a day. Noodle soup for lunch and some other dish for dinner. I've seen someone ordering chicken fried rice and it looked really good. It's not like those greasy brown smothered-excessively-with-soy-sauce kinda fried rice. It didn't look greasy nor smothered with soy sauce. It was white and some mixed vegetable and good amount of chicken. Price is so cheap. You can walk out of there with in $8 including tip. It's absolute steal!
(5)
Roni E.
::makes sounds of delightful content:: Mmmm... hmmm.. mmmrrrrmmm..... ::slurp::slurp:: *dips beef brisket in hoisin sauce and cocksauce and shoves in mouth* *picks up more noodles with chopsticks and shoves noodles in mouth* *laps up some more soup* Mmmmrrrhmmmm..... *puts down soup spoon in left hand and picks up egg soda* *takes a sip* Ahhhhh..... *continues eating pho noodles and slurps up some more soup, brisket, noodles, bean sprouts, basil, hoisin sauce, and cocksauce concoction until bowl is empty* *Pulls out wallet and puts down $15 for the large soup, egg soda, tax, and tip* *Walks away content with a big goofy smile on face*
(4)
Sophie J.
Love this place! I come here for the Pho or the huge noodle soups. Everything is cheap and amazingly fresh! They always have crisp vegetables and fresh herbs that can brighten up the dullest day. For a while I actually avoided it, not wanting to eat a greasy version of good Vietnamese food, but boy was I wrong! I now bring everyone there to experience how delicious it is. And always get the spring rolls - yum all around!
(5)
Insun M.
Pros: - the waiters know what my order is because I go so often (slightly embarrassing) - food comes out FAST like a pho restaurant should - DELICIOUS. everything on the menu is DELICIOUS. - they waiters don't give me a funny look when I order an extra large pho Cons: - the gods are with you if you find street parking close by but seriously, I get le's withdrawal if I go for more than a week without it...drool.....
(5)
Jackie V.
Five reasons to like Le's: 1. The pho is yummy 2. The bowl of yummy pho is HUGE! 3. The huge bowl of yummy pho is cheap! 4. The huge bowl of yummy pho is cheap and served super fast 5. The service of the cheap, huge bowls of yummy pho is also super friendly! If that's not enough, the regular menu items are also really good. I don't think I've ever had a meal that I didn't leave completely content. and if THAT's not enough, well, you're just too high maintenance for Allston ;)
(4)
Christina D.
Came to the Cheesecake Factory, but the wait was too long so we went to Le's instead. They were packed too, but were able to seat us faster. When we sat, we could tell the staff was overwhelmed by how busy it was. My pho was alright, my boyfriend's salty fish fried rice was really bad- almost no fish. We sent it back, they made another one, and it did come out better but that was a pain and it took forever because they were so busy. The prices are reasonable, 4 of us ate for less than $50 with apps and drinks. I'd recommend it, but I don't live in the area, so I probably wouldn't return.
(3)
M R.
oh my god. this place is great. must order the crispy spring rolls and the beef noodle soup (i personally favor it with the rare eye-round). also, everyone is so friendly working there. i have probably had delivery/take out from here more than any other restaurant combined.
(5)
Julie T.
I don't come here as often as I should but it doesn't change the fact that it's an excellent place to go when you need your Vietnamese fix! It's cheap and delicious which are two important qualities that I look for in a restaurant, haha. Oh, and definitely try the Shrimp Toast. I feel that it really sets Le's apart from all the other Vietnamese cuisine places ;)
(4)
Lydia W.
Great food for a great price. The vegetables are always cooked to perfection and the service is always nice. Recommend if you are on a budget and want some good veggies.
(4)
Mary D.
Pretty sure that this place has saved my life once, and we haven't even known one another that long. I haven't eaten much pho in my lifetime -- a bad experience once early-on scared me away from it for years -- but in the months since discovering that I actually enjoy the stuff and it doesn't have to be horrifying, this place has become a staple for those nights when piping hot and flavorful soup seem like just the right kind of liquid bandage for what ails you. Good thing I rediscovered it, too. That aforementioned lifesaving? Yeah...well... All I can say is that pho really does earn its place among the august ranks of sure-fire hangover cures. Hot and hydrating and oily and spicy and filling and full of protein. I would go so far as to say that between a bucket of this stuff and a hot shower there probably aren't many critical system functions I wouldn't be able to bring back on-line after a long night in the trenches. I tend to stick with the chicken pho, in the old style broth. I dig the meatballs but the pho-novice in me is showing: there's gristle in them there tidbits, and it scares me a wee bit. They taste good though...there's no disputing that...so if you're not a texture person like me it probably wouldn't matter so much. I eat the spring rolls happily. I tried the shrimp paste on toast for something different, and neither loved nor hated it, but they were extremely greasy...probably one of those guilty-pleasure items best had in-house rather than delivered. The fried rice on those occasions that I've had it is actually pretty tasty; it's oily but light and sweet rather than dark and overdone. The wonton soup is completely forgettable... But this is a pho place. You want the pho anyway. Right? Right.
(4)
Vee X.
The chicken pho was light and delicious. Unlike with beef pho, where you have 30 seconds to eat before the scalding hot liquid renders the eye-round cut as tough as shoe leather, the chuncks of chicken breast in the chicken pho remained tender, juicy, and flavorful for every bite. Le's chicken pho + a squirt of sriracha = heaven, and at $6.95 a bowl, it's guilt-free for both your wallet and your waistline. YUMMY! Also, the service was lightning fast, even faster than Super 88, so if you need a quick bite, this is definitely the place to go. Minus a star because my friend's said the bubbles in their boba were bad.
(4)
Amanda L.
Le's Restaurant is about 10x better than its sister restaurant over in Chinatown (Pho Pasteur), and not just because it's in my hood and I don't have to trek all.the.way to Chinatown just for some delicious Pho. After Joe's brother's art show, a group of us decided (ok, I decided) that we were going to have Pho for dinner. It was fairly late for dinner (about 9:00PM) but the place was still alive! It's bigger than I thought it would be, with plenty of tables for big parties such as us. Their Thai Iced Tea is some of the best I've had. It almost tasted like there was ice cream in it! The boba was a nice consistency, not too squishy, not too hard, just right. And now, onto the Pho. Large veggie pho with yellow noodles, OF COURSE. Some of the best broth I've had ever. I could have seriously drank all of it, which I almost never do, since I get too full and usually it isn't worth it. But this broth was amazing! There was a nice assortment of vegetables too, from squash, snow peas, snap peas, carrots, the elusive baby corn, and even some zucchini in the mix. The yellow noodle was in abundance, the cock sauce was flowing, major slurping was happening. Prices are cheap, cheap, cheap! The Bubble Tea is a bit on the expensive side, but it's delicious, so it is very much worth it. Joe and I paid about $20 for Pho and Thai Iced Tea. I like it :) By the time I was done, I was ready to curl up and go to bed. Delicious. I'll be coming back here A.LOT. Top 5 Pho places for me!
(4)
Erica B.
Pho was a 4 but the shrimp pork rolls a 2. Pho broth was lovely, but some of the meat fatty/stringy. Rolls low on fresh herbs and pork was flavorless and dry. Peanut sauce too heavy on the fish sauce.
(3)
Jeff W.
Gives you tons of food (if you get pho, which is what I always come here for) for a good price. I like the seafood yellow noodle. I've tried a couple non-pho things as well, which were also pretty good.
(4)
David V.
This is a very nice and clean sit-down restaurant. I went with a group of co-workers, and we were all pleased. For starters, we all shared some veggie/tofu summer rolls, which were fresh, but just OK. They were kind of plain, but the tasty peanut sauce helped out. I had the chicken pad Thai, which seemed to be prepared in a more Vietnamese style (which makes sense because it is a Vietnamese restaurant). It was not as heavy/sweet/oily as other pad Thai I've had, and I thought it was excellent. The veggies were so crisp and FRESH, and the portion size was quite large. I would like to return to Le's in the near future to sample some more of their food!
(4)
Solomon C.
Le's is a decent place for Vietnamese. Stopped by for pho last night with some friends. The place is clean and well kept, their food tastes legitimately Vietnamese and is presentable, staff speaks english. Really what more do u want?
(4)
Victoria B.
I don't mind coming here for Vietnamese food if I only order Pho, but they really need to provide fresh bean sprouts, limes, and thai basil. The last time I was here, I had ordered the Bun vermicelli with spring rolls and grilled pork. THE PORK WAS RAW!!! Good thing I tend to eat meats last. I brought that to the waiter's attention and he said "that's how the kitchen cooks it"...you mean, you guys don't cook your pork thoroughly and that's acceptable? Later, he double checked the meat and said it was raw - Sorry, but are you fking stupid you had to double check? Anyways, they took 10% off of our bill, which was about a dollar. What a big deal!!!.... I'm not sure how in the hell they are rated Boston's no. 1 Vietnamese restaurant and if a health inspector ever comes in to check. Oh, also, they have recently watered down the cock sauce (srirachi chili sauce), not sure why they just started to do that being voted No.1 in Boston and all.
(2)
Doris K.
Not the best place for pho but also not the worst. The broth had a lot of MSG in it so if you're allergic I would suggest trying another place. I felt that the meat to noddle ratio was a little off in that there wasn't enough meat. They also no longer have limes; they use lemons because it's cheaper. We also heard that the quality of limes had decreased and that there wasn't much juice in the limes. I think that it's probably more due to cost than anything.
(3)
Rachel C.
I am extremely mad at myself for living in Allston for almost two years and never going to Le's until recently. The only Pho I had ever had was from Pho and I when I was in college. Wow, how foolish I had been! I still can't get over how mind-boggling fast the service was. I mean I'm sure it doesn't take that long to prep in the first place, but I feel like our soups came out minutes after we ordered. I'm getting ahead of myself though. First came our drinks. I ordered a thai iced tea with boba, and it was not what I expected... it was like ten times better!! It was like a milkshake! I would normally never order one, but it was a total treat! So rich, creamy and flavorful. Not too frozen either. I actually wished I hadn't ordered it with boba because the balls were too big and frozen hard (get your mind out of the gutter) to be sucked up the straw (wow there is no way to not make that sound dirty). I think my eyes bugged out of my head on the first sip, but I then understood why it was a little pricey. Now onto the soup. I don't know too much about Pho, but this was the best I have had so far! The ingredients were so fresh and the broth was so flavorful. Not too salty at all and with plenty of meat. One of my dining companions got her's with vegetables and it looked to die for. But i was satisfied with my own! So many noodles cooked to perfection and plenty of broth to go around. Its practically a steal at under $7 a bowl. Service was prompt but not all that friendly and the dining room has definitely seen better days, but I would come back in a heartbeat!
(4)
Tan E.
I haven't back to this place since the college days. One of the best Pho place around and inexpensive too. Had the fresh spring rolls and Pho #18. Overall it was very good, soup base is top notch, cooking the rare beef in the soup is the best. Nice and fresh. I never leave this place disappointed. The service is very good, the waitress catered to our needs. I've always ordered the regular soup base, maybe next time I'll get the special soup ( bun rue), I doubt that I be disappointed!
(4)
Matthew H.
Having eaten at Le's/Pho Pasteur in 4 different locations, I generally have good things to say about this small chain. However, the Le's at this location is my least favorite by far...namely, because of both the decor and service. The food is the same good quality that you've come to expect from Le's, but the whole experienced is marred by the cafeteria-like decor and the rude and inattentive service. I'm not usually picky about decor, but the place looks run down and BADLY needs a makeover. The servers are not very friendly, don't pay much attention to you, and do not seem to care much about making your meal a good experience. Go to the Le's in the Atrium Mall instead. The decor is much nicer and the staff is a lot friendlier.
(2)
Karen W.
The Vietnamese food here was great. Ordered two appetizers: shrimp toast and vegetarian spring roll, greasy goodness! Had the bun with grilled shrimp-- yum, with well-pickled carrots and veggies and rice noodles. Seafood noodle pho was equally delicious filled with fish cake, shrimp, squid, and imitation crab meat and pho noodles. Soup came w/a large array of fresh vegetables: basil, bean sprouts, and other leafy vegetation. Service was just okay, we had a different server bring out each course. Great value for the portion size and taste.
(4)
Tracy C.
Nothing warms up my stomach and cures a cold gloomy day like a bowl of Pho. The hot soup, all kinds of beef, tendon and tripe plus the rice noodles all made perfect by raw bean sprouts, basil and lime. It's like a hug of loving arms, thick, heavy but smooth and natural, always seems a little too much but you cannot get enough of it at the same time. The fresh spring rolls and the crispy spring rolls are both good. I also like the shrimp toast and shrimp paste on sugar cane. Once or twice I had their soy drink and the avocado smoothie, they were both delicious although a bit pricy.
(3)
Kit C.
The pho here is pretty good but there are some other awesome things to eat here that you might want to try when you're in the mood for something other than deliciously hot beef noodle soup. For instance, right now its summertime and you might want something light and crisp. I like: - Sashimi Bi Bim Bap which is mackerel, tuna, salmon, yellow tail cubed up and sitting atop a bed of rice with lots of vegetables with a red red red korean hot sauce on the side. - Bun with Beef or Chicken which is vermicelli noodles, bean sprouts, lettuce, carrots, topped with mint and basil and succulent and crispy meat. Comes with fish sauce on the side. - Limeade is delicious!
(4)
Em E.
I love pho so I'm here all the time. The prices are great, $6 for a bowl! If you're new to pho, I'd start with the "pho tai" or rare steak pho. The meat cooks itself in the broth and stays really tender. MmMm so good!! Their fried egg rolls are really yummy, but the fresh spring rolls are terrible (it's only got lettuce and very little meat, where's the rest of the fresh herbs you're so supposed to put in??). P.s. Pho is the BEST HANGOVER FOOD!!
(4)
Julie N.
Oh my. It seems that there are plenty of reviews for Le's but I'm going to add my two cents anyway. I have been eating at this place since they were Pho Pasteur and have always loved it. Since they switch to Le's the menu has expanded and there is a bottle of Sriracha on every table. The soups are great, the hubby LOVES the chicken curry, But the true gem is the #34 shrimp paste on vermicelli. So so good. The shrimp paste is cooked on sugar cane which adds a bit of sweetness. It is served over perfectly cooked vermicelli with fresh shredded lettuce and bean sprouts. mmmmmm so delicious. The service can be spotty and the decor isn't much to look at but the food is great and the prices are absurdly cheap for the amount of food you get. For me, that is enough to carry the place and earn 4 stars.
(4)
Lnc T.
Went to this restaurant based on yelp reviews/ since I was in the neighborhood. Must say wasn't bad at all! My boyfriend and I ordered the 'Xua Lau' which is an extra large bowl of noodle soup (pho) and the 'Mi Xao w/ Beef' which is fried crispy yellow noodles. Both entrees were very good. This restaurant use to be called Pho Pasteur (I'm a fan of the one in Chinatown) and I have to say Le's restaurant was much tastier, the portions weren't as big as Pho Pasteur, but the flavors def. made up for it. The environment of the restaurant was pretty 'blaaah'. Like every other restaurant in Allston/ Brighton there was only street parking, so I parked in the super 88 market lot considering I was stopping by there anyways. . . . The waiters were very friendly. I would recommend this place.
(4)
Joan B.
I love Le! Lots of options for wheat-free dining, all of them delicious! Also much better, cheaper, and more predictable than the Harvard Square location. Occasionally slow service, but all the servers have been very good about responding to questions about menu ingredients. Everything is good, but I love the fresh limeade, the pho, and the lemongrass chicken. The crispy spring rolls have rice wrappers instead of the usual wheat wrappers, too. Yum!
(5)
Jenn W.
Had dinner with some friends the other day. Had the lemongrass beef. SO DELICIOUS! The flavors were just right and it wasn't too spicy (since I unfortunately have a low tolerance for anything with any remote heat). Pretty big portion; I was able to save half for lunch the next day. And since I had finished off the rice that came with, my waiter was kind enough to bag an additional order of rice with my leftovers. Super fast service as well; I can't wait to come back and dig into a big bowl of pho or bun.
(4)
Connie L.
A pretty good pho joint as far as Boston goes (and definitely better than the chain stores in Chinatown). The broth is sometimes tepid and the noodles are sometimes stuck together. Last time we ordered an extra large order of pho with beef and tendon - there were maybe 4 or 5 slices of pho and a few bits of too-soft tendon floating around in a lukewarm broth. Lame!
(3)
Karlis B.
Le's, we've been neighbors for so long and yet, we never hung out. I'm glad you could come through when I had no money and a serious hankering for curry tofu. But then you also offered me a $3.50 Anchor Steam bottle and I knew we'd be together forever. Your pho is good, so onto other things. Your fresh spring rolls with beef are so damn tasty. Your fresh spring rolls without beef are kinda meh. Your tofu curry was the bomb on my first visit. But you're starting to prove unreliable because on my second visit, your sauce was watered down and not as flavorful. I know friendship is give and take, so I'm gonna give you one more chance and grace you with my presence. But hey, this time, could you not shove a fork and knife in my food? I know how to use chopsticks and you shouldn't assume otherwise because of the way I look. And if you insist on giving a fork and knife (even though you didn't the first time) kindly put it on the table next to my plate. A fork should not be jabbed into my food unless I'm holding the fork. Kthxbai! See you again!
(4)
Mercer S.
Literally the best pho. Huge portions, cheap prices.
(5)
Pallavi J.
Good, cheap food. Just what the heart craves. I had the veggie fresh spring rolls - they were ok, nothing to write home about. I think the Vietnamese place in Super 88 has better veggie spring rolls. Howevah, the Lemongrass Tofu was a whole different story. It was perfectly seasoned, the tofu wasn't dreadfully greasy or insipid, the HEAPING mound ensured I had enough for lunch the next day *purrs in lazy delight* Friend had the beef pho, which she pronounced delish. Will definitely go back - maybe for pho this time!
(4)
Josh U.
Food 4/5 Decor 2/5 Service 3/5 Value 4/5 I was pretty happy with my pho with some rib meat. Pretty much the standard dish for any Vietnamese place and I was not dissapointed with Le's Restaurant. Soup broth was very good and prices were even better. Once you get past the decor, which looks like two separate places that decided to share furniture, you can appreciate the cheap good food. I'll be going back soon to check out the rest of the menu.
(4)
Narin S.
Great place. I have been to quite a few Pho Joints over the years and this one is tops on my list. The staff is very friendly and attentive. I have been coming here for a few years with a few buddies of mine (a few pints from across the street and a bowl of Pho makes for a good night) and the staff usally has our normal bowl of pho ready within minutes after arriving. I love that type of attentiveness and keeps my buddies and I coming back. Our favorite waiter/ manager there is Christopher. If you get him you will be well taken care of, though all the staff there is great.
(5)
Joseph G.
Great cheap place to go for a nice dinner. My girlfriend and I go here a lot because she has celiac's and they are great about making sure it is all safe for her to eat. They tend to recognize us when we go there now. Also a nice meal for two including an appetizer for$23 ridiculous!
(5)
Diana B.
cheap good food everytime!! two thumbs up Stick with the pho and the vermicelli dishes and you can't go wrong. On a side note- the service here is better than most asian extablishments. And this location is not as busy as the other ones so they don't rush you out as quickly =)
(4)
Pauline S.
My recent discovery of Pho has been like the discovery of Christ for others. How have I lived so long without knowing the way? How can I tell others about this and let them in on my newfound source of happiness? Being introduced to this unbelievably satisfying and delicious form of food has made everything in life better. I am not exaggerating. My boyfriend brought me to Pho and since I am pretty sure he has had Pho in every possible location-his rave of this one is worth noting. We go on average once a week for the cheap bowls of heaven and coconut smoothies, as well as spring rolls that are a vegetarian's savior. Him: x-large bowl of Beef Pho Me: small bowl of Chicken Pho. Sometimes I eat chicken-don't judge. Both: satisfied to the core. Must say, that when I was on the verge of dying from a hangover (multiple occassions)Pho has come to the rescue and never failed. Adding a Vietnamese style ice coffee just seals the deal. Rooster sauce, a bowl of Pho with sprouts and the most attentive and sweet waitstaff make this place ideal for a lazy Sunday meal or (as I just found out) a hopping Saturday night meal out. Right off the green line too, so truly I have no complaints.
(5)
Nicole M.
Le's is my to-go place for comfort food. The food is especially delicious when it's raining, snowing, or when you feel that your soul just died from the crushing monotony of work. My favorite combination for pigging out: the big ol' pancake, spring rolls, then a hearty bowl of pho, beef round-eye for preference. The bun is also fabulous--I usually order the one with spring rolls. Also try the avocado shake! You won't gain weight at all! Unless you have it everyday for a month, like I did! BUT IT WAS WORTH IT.
(4)
Linh V.
I'm a bit puzzled by this place to say the least. Is it Vietnamese? If so, it's looking like i should go back to How To Be Vietnamese Boot Camp because i just didn't get. The food is just not authentic. The waitress left me wanting more, more of her attention. The food was ehh. The service was ehh. This place was just ehh.
(1)
J R.
There can be a lot of pressure your first time. You might feel anxiety. You may feel embarrassed about how you look, or worried you're not doing it right. You should be able to talk to someone who is more experienced about how you feel and about any concerns you may have. If you're not able to talk about these things - then you probably shouldn't be eating Pho. Try the Goi Cuon (Fresh Summer Rolls, $4.15 for 4) and the Pho Tai (Beef Noodle Soup). The Pho comes in three sizes: Medium ($5.75), Large ($6.50) and Extra-Large. People say it's not always great the first time. But, at Le's the food is great every time.
(4)
Liz T.
My boyfriend and I rarely go out for Vietnamese because there's always a pot of pho, bun rieu, or bun bo hue simmering at his mom's or my mom's place. One day we were craving it and we weren't in Hawaii, so I brought him to Pho Pasteur... Only it had changed ownership to Le's. I'm glad we took the risk of eating at Le's because the pho was as good as I remembered when it was Pho Pasteur. The broth was delicious and there was just the right amount of noodles, meat, and extras. I love rare beef on the side because you can dip it as you go instead of having it overcooked and chewy from the start. The Spring Rolls were pretty good--nowhere in the ballpark of mom's spring rolls--but crisp and savory nonetheless. The one thing I didn't like was the Vietnamese Iced Coffee. That stuff is strong! This could be fixed by Le's adding a tablespoon or 4 more of condensed milk. Overall, this is a great Vietnamese restaurant outside of Dorchester. =D
(4)
Cher K.
I like Le's. The food is always delicious. Also, when I am sick and I order the soup, I asked for chopped garlic to put in and they always give me lots of extra garlic (which makes the soup a super healing food). You have to ask for the free hot tea, but when you do you get it. The service varies depending on how busy they are but everyone is always nice and helpful. Whenever I have lunch with my best friend she says, "Let's go to the noodle place." which is code for Le's. I've gone with out of towners and they were shocked when the bill came, "How could it possibly be this cheap." and I say, "Because we're in Allston." Good stuff!
(4)
Irene F.
We ordered in from delivery.com , what a fantastic idea! This place was great! One thing I dug was that the pho comes in all different containers and you combine it at home as you see fit. Very cool. I got some fresh rolls, some salad, and a beef vermicelli dish. OK, so I was a little hungry when we ordered and there's quite a bit left over, but that's half the fun of ordering in! Delicious, pretty quick delivery, how can you go wrong?
(4)
Sandra C.
Good service. Good for hangover. Oh yes, yes, yes.
(5)
Drew V.
There's nothing better when you're feeling alil' under the weather than a big bowl of pho. (I know it sounds cheesy...) A friend brought me here a few years ago for my first bowl and I've been a fan ever since. The service is quick and friendly, and the food comes out quick!
(4)
Julie S.
The same Pho as always. I now live in Las Vegas and this is a spot I always try to go when I am home. May fav is the vegetarian spring rolls with peanut sauce and of course the soup, classic chicken with hot sauce for me.
(5)
Sarah R.
I've only been to Le's twice now, but so far their track record is good and consistent: large, fresh dishes that taste good and won't make your wallet cry. The first time I went I had some kind of dish consisting of wide noodles, seafood, and veggies (I forget the name). Last night I had the seafood noodle soup. Seafood and I are like this *crosses index and middle fingers* Both were yummy, came in large portions, and as I said before, cheap. I've had their spring rolls too. Yum. The seafood noodle soup was just what I needed on a chilly January night, and the broth was light but full of flavor. The seafood was fresh, too. It's true that the atmosphere is nothing special. On the plus side, though, they do have large tables to comfortably accommodate your posse. I always think of the Harvard Ave/Brighton Ave area of Allston as sort of the international food court. There are so many different types of restaurants in such a small area. Le's is definitely one of my top recommendations for those who are in the area. I can't say I'd trek all the way from Somerville just to eat there, but if I'm already in Allston, it's a solid choice.
(4)
Diana L.
You can't sell mediocre Vietnamese food to an Asian girl from California. You can't. I know the difference between pho and pho-inspired noodles. I know the difference between fish sauce and not-so-fish sauce. I know the difference between a spring roll and a bland, overstuffed rice paper concoction. I have a mouth. And the ability to recall flavors. I know, Le's, I know. Three stars only cause you're nice.
(3)
Bhuvana H.
I hadn't been to Le's for years; the last time we were there, it was still called Pho Pasteur. A few weeks ago I went back with the hubby and his brother; they wanted to watch a game later that night so we figured we could do dinner at Le's and then pool/sports at Big City across the street afterward. The food wasn't as good as we remembered from the past; I had tofu vermicelli and the hubby had beef pho. The service was also a bit slow even though the place wasn't ultra busy.
(3)
Colin N.
Pho kyeah! Aren't pho jokes great? You know what else is great? Pho Tai at Le's. 3 of us got dinner here. Jasmine tea, 2 appetizers and 2 giant bowls of Pho Tai and a giant thing of Bun for $30 excl. tip. Wa wa we wa! What a great deal. It was too much food for us to finish too. Awesome. I haven't been this fat and happy since the last time I had pho in Houston!
(5)
Pierce H.
The Pho around here might fool college kids but it won't fool a man of the world, or even a Bostonian who takes the time to get down to Chinatown once in a while. Weak broth and small portions of meat (relatively speaking). Le's is a clean and well lit place, however, and the food came out faster than a Lutheran converts to Episcopalianism if he's socially ambitious and living on the East coast.
(2)
Lindley E.
A reliable standard for pho in Boston. This last visit they left the hot peppers off our plate of basil, sprouts, and lime, which took me by surprise. Were they out? There's nothing really remarkable about this place except its location. Once it was one of two Vietnamese restaurants in the neighborhood (V. Majestic RIP), now it is the last joint standing. Good news? They can accommodate large parties. So call ahead.
(3)
Leilani B.
Ate there last night and it was delicious. I had #30 with pork, and it was fantastic. Highly recommend it. The group I went with all got pho and enjoyed it. I would definitely go again. I'm used to Seattle area pricing, so I thought it was a bit pricey (6.50 to 7 ish for the pho opposed to like 4.50 or 5/6ish in Seattle), but I think it was worth the price, since I haven't seen too many pho places around (maybe I just live under a rock and there are tons somewhere, but I haven't seen many).
(4)
Katie P.
Yummy. Yummy. Consistently yummy at each location. The only reason that I didn't give it five stars is because of the Atrium Mall location - the staff there is hit or miss. I've gone in and had the most wonderful servers and then there were several other occasions where I felt like the waiter (the same one everytime) was irritated with our presence and wanted to be left alone. A lot of eye rolling and an exasperated look when I'd ask for something that he forgot to put on the table like silverware. However, the food is excellent and doesn't disappoint.
(4)
M.E. F.
I'm down with this place. Service isn't anything to write home about, but the pho is excellent and the vermicelli is in extremely reasonable portions. There's always plenty of seating, and it's excellently located. Better than Super 88's food court, no offense, guys.
(4)
Lauren V.
Le's is great for a very cheap, quick Vietnamese-in-the-middle-of-Allston experience. You know, in case you are searching for that very unique, very specific experience. The pho is great. I can't ever finish the whole bowl (no matter what the size) and for $7 I don't feel so bad about that. The portions are pretty large so it is great for sharing. Also, the food comes out amazingly quick. I think I waited about 6 minutes last time. The server I always have is nice and she always calls me and the boy, "honey". Like the stereotypical diner waitress...only in Vietnam. All in all, very decent food in a very decent atmosphere with very decent service.
(3)
Shih-Hao H.
A nice place with nice food and service, probably the beat Vietnamese restaurant in the area.
(4)
Adam S.
A haven for the cash-strapped collegiate, Le's serves the finest Pho in Boston, hands-down. Growing up in Portland, Oregon among many Vietnamese friends, I was exposed to the most authentic Pho to be had in America, prepared by Vietnamese families that had recently moved to the west coast from Vietnam. Le's Pho is just as good, if not better, and exceptionally consistent. I would recommend anyone who enjoys Pho to order extra eye of round on the side next time, raw (just say "extra beef on the side"). It's only $2 more, and that way you can achieve medium-rare temps in the beef in the soup. I am not familiar with the rest of the menu, but I give Le's 5 stars for the Pho alone.
(5)
Amar K.
I had never eaten Vietnamese food before and was happy to find a restaurant in Harvard Sq. Le's has become one of my new favorite restaurants because it has a large number of vegetarian options and the food tastes great. The price is very reasonable. The service is faster than I have EVER seen anywhere. Try their spring rolls, summer rolls, Tofu curries - all are fantastic.
(4)
C S.
It's been a while but I was very pleased. 7pm Saturday night and we were seated immediately. The place is pretty big for Allston. The service is the fastest I've seen, food is very hot and fresh and the portions were huge. I mean huge. There were 4 of us and we ordered fresh summer rolls, spring rolls(fried), 2 medium(really gigantic) cahn chua soups.1 with a lot of shrimp and the other loaded with white chicken. Lemongrass chicken and a medium (also gigantic) bowl of chicken noodle soup. 4 large bowls of rice came along side, Thai basil and sprouts. Total bill came to $47. We took home enough for 2 more meals. Personally, I love their food and our servers were very polite. Parking can be tough on the street but be patient. There is a public lot behind Blanchards on the corner of Harvard.
(4)
Wendy K.
My favorite affordable place to eat. I've been a huge fan for years...It's quick, delicious, and cheap! I like the one on Brighton Ave but the Harvard Square one is decent too. The broth can be more oily at some locations like the Atrium mall location (where they also make you pay for tea :P) The Brighton location has good broth that's tasty but light. They always gives you fresh sprouts and limes with your pho. I usually get the chicken or beef noodle soup and add vegetables on the side for additional $2. It's filling but not bad for you, and perfect for warming up on cold winter days. I also recommend the summer rolls with peanut sauce as a great appetizer. Other menu items: Smoothies are decent, other non-soup noodles are tasty, and even their fried rice is really good :)
(4)
Anna W.
I love Pho Pasteur/Le's Restaurants and all their different incarnations. You seriously cannot go wrong with huge bowls of MSG-infused broth, noodles, and meat. And for under $7? Sign me up! I like this particular location because it is rather large, and clean, and the tables are spaced out enough so that I can have a conversation without feeling like everyone can hear me. I've been here a handful of times for lunch or dinner and have never had to wait for a table. In addition to the soup, some other yummy dishes to try are the curry (chicken or beef), bun (vermicelli noodles with veggies -- very healthy but still yummy), wonton soup (this gets overlooked a lot because of the aforementioned pho soups, but their wonton soup is simply delish), and the variety of vegetarian dishes they have available (the garlic watercress is a personal fave). Oh, and this is also one of the few locations where I've always been able to find a parking spot even though it's in a busy area. Definite plus for me and my laziness :-)
(4)
Kristin P.
My boyfriend and I get takeout from here quite a bit and we've always been happy with the food. Today, however, I was waiting for my takeout and saw one of the waiters take a sip out of the side of a glass of bubble tea, then deliver it to a table (a family with small children). I couldn't believe it, he even did it in plain sight! 5 stars for the food, 1 star for that awful waiter.
(2)
Abe K.
I understand why Le's doesn't have 5 stars. It's probably from one of thousand people who grew up having a different taste of pho and so they gave Le's Restaurant an unnecessary harsh review. Now, I don't understand why this restaurant is not rated 4.5 stars. It's definitely worth at least that much. Who doesn't like large quantities? Their portions are huge! Now we've all heard the saying "quality over quantity." It must be your lucky day. Even though their portions are large, their quality of their food is even better! Since I am adamantly in love with pho, I sadly have not tried all of their dishes. However, here is my analysis (tried to be unbiased) of the dishes I ate here. #14 = their extra large bowl of pho. This review goes for all their pho. It's freaking good. If you are a pho lover, you must try their #14. It's largeee. You know how McDonalds first came out with their "big" mac. That became a hoax. However, Le's #14 pho REALLY is extra large. It's filling, EVEN FOR ME! For an average to minimal eater, I doubt they will finish this dish. Plenty of noodle, beef, and the broth is a little taste of heaven. (Especially when you have a hangover). Even when I'm sick, Le's pho cures my cold. #39 (Combination Fried Rice) = you see this dish everywhere. You don't taste this anywhere else. The rice, corn, string beans, carrot, sausage, shrimp, chicken, and everything else is cooked SO perfectly. I recommend you to take small bites so you can savor the taste. PS: if you eat it with your pho, it's even better. Vermicelli = If you had pho 10 days in a row and wanted a little change, here's a great substitute. It's like pho, without the soup, and with a lot more veggies. Veggies?? NOOO? But don't fear. The dish is SO well proportioned, that you won't even notice the veggies. I personally have not eaten anything else, but I have brought my boss, friends, acquaintances, roommates, and significant others. They have tried the pad thai and other rice dishes. "But wait, I thought Le's was a Vietnamese restaurant." You are absolutely right, however, Le's was gracious enough to extend their culinary expertise to serve Thai, Chinese, and other authentic foods. How grateful of them. Appetizers: spring rolls, summer rolls, shrimp toast, etc. All their appetizers are great. Enough said. So now let's answer some of your questions. What is NOT great about Le's? Well, you only get it in Boston (Allston, downtown, and Cambridge). I really wish it branched out to other states. I even come alone sometimes when I'm craving some good pho. That's how good it is. Don't need a third wheel, as long as I have their pho. Now stop reading this, and get yourself out there to Le's Restaurant! Walk in, smile, and say Hello to Chris and Tom and hope you enjoy your meal!
(5)
Naoko M.
I haven't had pho in a couple years but I'm glad I had it here! It was a freezing cold day visiting a friend at Harvard and the words "pho" and "dinner" sounded amazing in one sentence. I got the "normal" pho which was delightfully filling but not too heavy at the same time. I also ordered the crispy spring rolls which were quite tasty. My friend loved her vegetarian dish so much she was sad she couldn't finish it from being so full. Lots of options here even for non-pho eaters (like 2 of my friends who ordered wonton soup....eh...).
(4)
Jenni L.
I always order pho dac biet (the special noodle soup) when I eat at Vietnamese restaurants, and quite frankly --Le's has the worst. The broth isn't as delicious as it used to be when the restaurant was once Pho Pasteur. The vegetables do not seem too, too fresh each time I go. I've gone back to Le's a few times to see if it was just that day --and it's not. The food is just not the same anymore, and you can definitely find better in Boston. The appetizer, gio cuon (fresh summer rolls) are packed with way TOO much vermicelli noodles and chopped up Iceberg lettuce. Seriously... gio cuon used to have the shrimp, the pork, the lettuce, the noodles, the mint leaves and other veggies. These are definitely not worth what the charge --much like their many other appetizers on the menu that are just plate filled with vegetables. I love avocado smoothies, but they use a coconut base here for most of their drinks --and it does not go well together for me! I guess it maybe a matter of taste. I used to love this place. USED TO. Not anymore. I go to Chinatown to eat pho from now on. So disappointing.
(1)
Mytch S.
This. Is. My. Spot. I L-O-V-E this place. I used to go weekly when I was going to school in Boston, so often the staff recognize me 8 years later. I get the same thing every time; fresh summer rolls, small pho with sliced eye round, and fruit shake with bobba. This is where I was first introduced to peanut sauce, and I can't get enough of it. And this is one of the few places that has hot oil, which is a plus for me. The food is always delicious. When I go up to Boston, this is usually on of my stops. The wait staff is always friendly and I would probably spend all my money here if I were still up in Boston.
(5)
Andrea C.
How on earth is this restaurant rated as Best of Boston for Vietnamese food? I don't know who is reviewing, but this place is not a good reflection of good let alone great Vietnamese food at all. The service is awful, and the food is not much better. We started off with drinks. I ordered a Thai Ice Tea with pearls and nearly spit it up. Their Thai Ice tea is not home made, it is made of some chalky powder and mine was not completely blended with clumps in it as well as stale pearls. That was quite a disappointment. Next came our appetizer which was goi cuon, the typical Vietnamese Spring Roll. Goi cuon is a Vietnamese staple and very easy to make. Theirs was awful, probably because it was obviously prerolled/premade. The entire roll was filled with noodles and wilted brown lettuce and one tiny shrimp was split in half for an entire roll. In addition, the peanut sauce was extremely chalky, not sure what they tried to mix into it. My husband had the streamed fish which was very bland and I had a traditional bowl of Pho Tai. I will only elaborate on my Pho which was a bowl of noodles and not much more. There was barely any meat and the veggies that accompanied them were absolutely pathetic. I guess what was even more frustrating was that their prices weren't even that great compared to other Vietnamese restaurants. They were on the high side for not great quality food. For me, Vietnamese food is sooo wonderful because it is always fresh, tasty, healthy, and inexpensive. I can't say that for Le's restaurant. If you don't mind the trek, I highly recommend going to Chinatown instead or going to Saigon Hut in East Boston.
(2)
Silent S.
I've dined at Le's in Allston several times, and I always get pho. I can't address any of the non-pho entrees, which are numerous. I did try a dessert once, but it wasn't memorable. Like most people, I go to Le's for one thing: pho. And while their pho is far from the best I've had, it definitely satisfies me whenever I've had a craving. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement, but when you're craving pho, any endorsement will do. If you're not craving pho - or if you have never tried it before - consider looking elsewhere.
(3)
Sean M.
When you add it all up Le's is GREAT. The food quality is always good, service is super fast and it is cheap. I stick with the Chicken Pho (noodle soup) or the Bun (steamed verimicelli) with grilled chicken on top. Whenever I order the pho I always ask for fresh ginger and hot peppers (the little green ones) and they always get them for me at no extra cost without nickle and diming you to death. Although some have complaints because of isolated experiences I have eaten at this place over 30 times and overall can only say, there must be a reason I keep coming back!
(4)
Ben H.
I love this place. Great noodle dishes, great fresh rolls. That's all I tried, but every other dish I saw come out of the kitchen looked delicious.
(5)
C K.
Yum! I could live off of this place. The Lemongrass dishes are incredible, and the Ban Hoi, wrap-it-yourself, plates are so amazing I don't even have the words. This place is a solid choice. I would give it 5 stars but the atmosphere is just so-so. I mean it's clean and the service is great but it's nothing special. The FOOD, though... if you've never had Vietnamese food you'll be an instant fan. And if you love Vietnamese food, this place will please you to no end. I could go for some right now.
(4)
Princess T.
I enjoy Le's Dac Biet pho. Its packed with so much noodles, its amazing if any one person can finish the entire bowl. The pho has been a saving grace for a few of my cold Boston nights. Along with the Dac Biet, I usually have a delicious avocado shake on the side. The best part is that there are a ton of coupons for this place and an occasional groupon giving you a really good deal for good food.
(3)
Fiddos J.
We went to this place after reading the reviews on Yelp. I can't say I particularly enjoyed the experience. I had the pho - which was very very ordinary. The broth wasn't particularly tasty - the noodles were way too soggy and mushy and the meat was rare in the sense of hard to find. And the waitress disappeared after serving us. We didn't see her until the very end of the meal - with the cheque. I don't know what to make of that. In the allston/brookline area - so far the best pho i've eaten is at oriental pearl in brookline village. The pho at Le doesn't even begin to match up.
(2)
Han K.
My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the area. Even after moving out of Brighton, I still take the time to come back. Best Pho broth, not too salty but very flavorful with the right mix of ingredients, good bun, and the best iced coffee IMHO. I love it there since I always walk out of there paying less than $30 for a full dinner for two and walk away stuffed to the gills. As I undertand it ,there was a disagreement between the owners of Pho Pastuer in Chinatown (which also opened an outlet in Needham until it closed) and the outlets in Brighton, Harvard, Atrium Mall, and the ex Newbury Street and Stuart Street location etc. etc. There's also many restaurants outside of Boston named Pho Pastuer. The owner wanted to make sure people knew the difference between his chain and other places, thus the name change. So there was no change in ownership, just a change in name.
(5)
Lindsey M.
This place has solid Pho and Bun vermicelli, I particularly liked the discernible lemongrass on the chicken in my noodle bowl. I'm only giving it 4 stars because they lied to me about the fresh spring rolls coming with mint. I take the fresh herbs in my meals seriously, and they missed the 5th star on this account. I'd go to this location over the Harvard Square one, not only is it less busy but also has better food. The fast service, gluten free options, and cheap prices make this place somewhere I'd frequent to satiate my pho/bun addiction. **rubs belly**
(4)
Brian N.
Out of the three Le's in the Boston area, I like this Le's for its speedy service and cheap prices. Their pho really hits the spot; more importantly, their other entrees are good too. I particularly like their shrimp fried rice and the vermicelli shrimp wraps as well. It is a sizable amount of food - many times, I end up taking some home for the next meal! The service here is very good; they don't try to rush you out the door like the Harvard Square Le's and not as slow as the Chestnut Hill Le's. The restaurant decor fits well into the Allston/Brighton neighborhood. I would avoid the vietnamese spring rolls though - they have always consistently been extremely dry!
(4)
Hieu N.
Used to come here all the time. My brother and I would come because of convenience and well, it was pretty good. Until i came once with my friend. They never served us. I mean we sat there for a good 20 minutes with no one there. The other time, my brother and I didnt like the Pho since they changed the name, it just tasted...eh. On the last occasion, there was a grasshopper in my soup, what the fuck? Honestly, never again. Go if you really want to try it, it used to be good, but dont get the Pho, really.
(3)
Kristine H.
mmm mmmm pho here is PERFECT on a cold winter's day. crispy spring rolls are hot & delicious, not fishy at all. the pho "small" was definitely smaller than any LA pho size, but its the perfect size. lower level is quaint, sort of has an outside-cafe feel with the comfort of the indoors & the heater! got the #17, the most basic pho (rare beef) and enjoyed every bite. they could give more bean sprouts on the side tho.
(5)
Maxim L.
Don't let terrible decor and the occasional drunk waiter keep you from Le's. The Large Pho, at $6.95 is probably the best meal for its price in Boston, outside of the other locations in the area run by the same owner. Pho, as far as I know, is the national dish of Vietnam. It consists of rice noodles with a broth flavored from various animal parts cooked in very large quantities over long periods of time. You then get to which of the more palatable (sorta palatable. I'm not a fan of tendon or tripe...) cuts of meat are added to your bowl and cooked by the boiling broth. Then, at the table you add fresh mint, bean sprouts and lime to your liking. This truly is a meal in the bowl, and even if you eat too much, you don't feel bloated since the ingredients are pretty light. If you aren't a fan of pho, I also recommend the Pad Thai, which is ironically better than anything I've had at Thai restaurants. The Banh Mi, sweet barbecued pork over rice noodles, peanuts and fresh vegetables is also a favorite. Considering what it costs to eat here, my only complaint is that the leftmost seating area is unbearable. The water from the lobster tanks is way to loud and the speaker in the ceiling buzzes. Otherwise, you can't go wrong.
(5)
Patrick P.
Boy oh boy was I pleasantly surprised by my trip to Le's in Allston. I had never tried Pho before so away we went on a Saturday afternoon. We found parking on street which was lucky!. The staff and hostess were quite nice and seated us right away. There was a good crowd there for that time of day. We both had a Singha beer and ordered the Pho. My partner had the one that had everything in it, while I had one with just beef. It was so good. Served with a plate of fresh Thai Basil, spicy Thai chilis, beansprouts and lime wedges which you add to taste. Also on every table is a huge bottle of Sirancha red chili sauce (very hot) and a rich plum sauce. Mixing some of each in the delicious beef broth adds a great layer of heat to the already fantastic dish. The huge amount of noodles were so good. We liked it so much we went back the next week! Update 8/9/11 Le's has faded as of late. To say it is run down is an understatement and parking there is a nightmare. The last few times there pho was not hot enough and just ok. Nothing more. Many other options available these days.
(2)
Nick S.
Dude. That GI-FREAKING-GANTIC bowl of really good pho for $7? Yes please. Jasmine limeade? Whoa. Cool. I've only have a few experiences with this place but in all cases the staff was polite and did their jobs, the food was tasty, and the prices were reasonable. I'm surprised (and relieved) that this place is formerly associated with Pho Pasteur. I don't like that place.
(4)
Lisa T.
My favorite pho in Boston! It's so incredibly affordable, healthy, and tasty. The service is good but not so unnecessarily that it reflects on the prices. It's one of the few places that both Vietnamese people and those with less acquainted tastes agree on. Their other dishes are great too. Try the Ban Xeo (the crepe appetizer). The summer rolls are not bad either, but we all know what that tastes like. It's appropriate to go in large groups, as a couple, or even alone, as I myself have done a couple of times when craving pho and happened to be in the area. This restaurant is probably my favorite in the Allston area.
(5)
Chu C.
Inexpensive, pretty solid Vietnamese Pho soup, noodles and rice plates. I go with my church group quite often, and they seat 25-30 of us on short notice with no problem. The food comes out fast, it's great for groups to get a quick bite to eat, and there's nothing quite like warm pho to warm you on a cold winter day. Some of my favorite things to eat here: -Seafood pho with egg noodles -Extra large beef pho -rice plate with sliced pork (make sure to ask for the sliced pork, not the default) -Vietnamese fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce -Fried rice (it's actually really good!) All of the above with liberal use of Sri Racha hot sauce (the one with the rooster on it). Many of my friends say that it's not that great in the heirarchy of Vietnamese restaurants, so don't expect to be blown away. But for the price, I don't know what more you could want.
(4)
Cassie H.
Although I am able to make some homemade Vietnamese dishes from my mother's and grandmother's recipes, sometimes it's nice to have a staple Vietnamese restaurant to order food from to give myself a break. My husband and I decided to try Le's (although it's not the closest Vietnamese restaurant to us) based on some word-of-mouth reviews from colleagues at work. We had the egg rolls (by far the best ones we've had here in Boston so far), the combination fried rice (tastes just like homemade) and the muc rang muoi [squid] which was a little bit tough/chewy. We will definitely be back to try more, although I am not sure we will be trying the muc rang muoi again. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Peter R.
I dunno there is something about a hot steaming bowl of noodles filled with yummy goodness that just hits a warm spot deep in me. Whether packed with Beef, Chicken, Seafood or Meatball topped with a distinct broth these noodles are excellent. Personally i only order 1 of 3 items, that is the beef noodle, seafood noodle, or the pork cutlet on rice. (I have heard that the meatballs aren't the best but definitely not inedible in any way) Especially during the winter time i definitely make this place a regular to warm up from the snow, large portions and good soups are the perfect response to the NE cold winters. **extra** - if you really like spicy try some of those chile's in oil in the soup - a whole vegetarian section (i never even realized till my friend who is a vegi showed me) - sometimes i end up going alot and don't want the soup, i enjoy the rice dishes, and the fresh spring rolls (drown them in the sauce) - Cheap Cheap Cheap Cheap - Excellent Coffee, they crush the ice, its really strong and they use some really sweet syrup, some may want to wait for some of the ice to melt so its not as strong
(4)
Ashley O.
i always get the same thing when i come here and it never fails to satisfy, the Beef Noodle / Tai soup. i LOVE pho, especially with extra lime juice and siracha ^_^
(5)
Eric Y.
Boston doesn't have many places you can get good Pho. Luckily I had to chance to dine here on my last trip. I even tried the rice plates and was satisfied with the flavors and different meats. Pork chops, spring rolls, chicken were as good as I've had at any other place in the Bay Area. A visit into Chinatown is worth the walk if you're looking for good pho and asian food. You can order to go too.
(4)
Mushhoor A.
So my friend and I stumbled upon this place on a late night walk through Alston. We were bored and looking for some Asian food. We passed on a Korean restaurant near-by and walked into Le's. Our eating experience has never been the same. I couldn't find Pad Thai on the menu so I asked the waiter and he brought me out the best shrimp Pad Thai I've had in my life. I go with my friends at least once every week now. They're appetizers and Pho are also amazing. The staff are cool and laid back and the food always comes out fresh and quick. To my surprise, the plates were garnished with fresh basil and sprouts and the chicken was white meat! When was the last time you saw white meat chicken at an Asian restaurant? The seafood is also fresh and they skip dumping sauce over it to cover the nasty taste like most restaurants. Everything is fresh and cooked to perfection. Prices are amazing and so are the portions. Best Viet food ever.
(5)
Matthew T.
I've been here a couple times- as a person who likes vegetarian and ethnic cuisine, I highly recommend this place. The yellow noodles are phenomenal! And their soups are very good too (not to mention pretty enormous). The prices are very reasonable, especially when you see how much food you get. If you're looking to find a place that serves good Vietnamese food (and you want leftovers), you should definitely visit this restaurant.
(4)
Jeffrey K.
Le's is the best. I eat there at least once a week and sometimes as many as 3 or 4. It basically costs me $10 including a high percentage tip for a huge meal. Since I'm basically eating there for dinner on my own, the staff knows I'm looking to get in and out. They are always friendly and welcoming. The combination fried rice is delicious and so is the Xe Lua (a big bowl of beef soup).
(5)
Jessica W.
Gotta love eating in Boston Restaurants! Years ago - back in 01, I used to get take out here when it was Pho Pasteur and it was excellent. When my sister and I walked by yesterday and noticed it had changed name's I thought "what the heck, let's give it a try" - and I'm glad we did. I had the lemongrass shrimp which had roasted peanuts on it and chunks of peppers & onions... YUM. VERY good. My sister had a Curry Beef dish which she also said was excellent. The service was good - can't complain. Very tasty, I'm glad the food didn't go downhill when the name changed.
(5)
Sara K.
Thank you Yelpers! I just moved to the area, but found this place which was right around the corner because of you. I had my first Vietnamese food in Va (yea, I know) 2 months ago, and have been craving it again, so I was happy to find this place only a few short blocks from my place! My companion ordered a beef pho, and it seemed to have more fat than a normal piece of meat,.... but I guess that's expected for under $7. I ordered the large veggie Pho (only 6.95!) And the broth was delicious, and it was laden with a bunch of veggies! They even indulged my request for a second plate of bean sprouts, basil (giant stems of it!) , and lime (where were any chilis :-( ). (love those flavors!) Fast service, and great food, especially for dinner (do they have lunch?) make this a great place for Vietnamese (or at least Pho!)
(4)
Maryann-David M.
I love the pho here, best pho I had better than my own lol, plus its a good deal.
(4)
Melinda M.
I order from here all the time. The veggies are usually fresh and crisp which I haven't found to be the norm in alot of places. The people are nice and the prices are good. The dining room could use some work, it's a little run down. But its usually nice and quiet, a laid-back atmosphere. I've seen a lot of people dine here alone.
(4)
Jerrica J.
My friends are Vietnamese, so they decided to take me here to try the Pho'! HUGE portions and they give you the perfect amount of basil and extra limes which I am extremely happy about! The waiter was also friendly and even joked around about my "extra large bowl" being "small" sized. Haha I ate all the noodles and beef in my Pho' and just left the broth in the bowl. I can't believe I ate so much! I would come back here!
(5)
Rene' Y.
I am there about twice per month. Always ordered the same entree--the Shrimp with steam Vermeceille and the pho. Services are always good and the cheap dinner.
(5)
Lily S.
I've been here a few times and have been satisfied each time. Great crispy spring rolls! The pho is very good, and the grilled pork with vermicelli is fresh and balanced, with lots of peanuts. I generally love vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, but I don't like how they serve the coffee and milk already mixed together and with a lot of crushed ice. Not a big deal though-- it still tastes delicious. The food was served quickly, and, overall, it is a fulfilling place to eat.
(4)
Natalie S.
The one place I'm really going to miss in Boston!!! Never messed up, always cheap and always good eats
(5)
Kim L.
I love soup. so. I love PHO. MMMMmmmm. Broth, noodles and fresh veggies.....You get a small - and it can feed you for two meals. Well...me any ways, and I have a big appetite, although, I usually eat ALL the bean sprouts. The one thing about take out that annoys me is that they never give you enough hoisin sauce....even when you ask for extra. What's up with that??
(4)
Space O.
We have eaten here 4-5 times. A decent bowl of soup is $5 or so. You can feed a group of four (without alcohol) for less than $25. The tea they serve is jasmine tea - very good, and widely available for consumption at home (go to Super 88 down the street). We have never eaten the deserts - we usually go across the street to the bubble tea store (ba bao tea) or the Chinese bakery. I usually get the Hue soup - Hue is a provincial capital in Vietnam and the images of Hue in 1968 are forever in my mind. For those of you who are interested, Pho means noodle in Vietnamese.
(4)
Arestia R.
I must say the pho here was phabulous. One glance at their huge menu, I was having some seriously phantasies about what to order, when my phriend said to me, "You have to get the pho. It's what their phamous phor. Look around." Sure enough, he was right - everyone was having pho! I opted for the seaphood with white noodles and we ordered spring rolls, too. Mmmmm. The peanut sauce was pretty good and the rolls were stuffed with vegetable goodness. But the pho...oh the phoooo. Huge, steaming bowls of meat, vegetables and noodles all phor $7.50! The servers where attentive and phriendly, too. I'll definitely head back here phor my pho phix!
(4)
Autumn A.
When I'm craving something that will fill me up and not weigh me down, I head to Le's in allston. I'm here at an off hour on a saturday and there are still quite a few people sobering up on some life-saving pho. Just by chance I was thinking of getting some work done on my computer, and to my pleasant suprise there is also full bars of free wi-fi! They don't advertise it, maybe they don't know (i don't see people cozying up with laptops ever, they're usually too busy head down slurping up noodles) BUT it's here. Tried a new beef dish and asked for vermicelli noodles instead of rice and tastes sharp and not too heavy. Thanks Le's for making my hectic saturday morning worth the afternoon down-time.
(5)
Q S.
Ok, I know the Le's is kind of a chain, but it's my favorite Pho place. The summer rolls are yummy (they're not spring rolls or egg rolls... please stop the ignorance). And my favorite Pho is the seafood with pork. The chicken is always a classic too. I am also a fan of the vermecelli dishes. The hot pot is not bad either. This is also a very good place to have a coconut shake or coconut juice.
(5)
Alla A.
I love this place! I tried many dishes, but my staple is fried spring rolls and beef noodle soup. The rolls are perfect, crispy and served with a great sauce. The soup is unbelivably flavorful, with many cuts of beef, noodles, lime, been sprouts, cilantro, and it is oh so big, i can barely finish it. And the order comes to about $13 for both. I used to live around the conner from this place, but then moved away, and I still drive by at least once every couple of weeks to satisfy my Beef Noodle Soup cravings :)
(5)
Sasha R.
Best low key Vietnamese joint around. Nothing has changed since they had a magical rebirth with the new name, not even the licensing on the walls. They've got the best, and the most cost-effective, pho, and the other specials are mighty tasty. Add in the obligatory floral carpeting, moving painting with fake stream, jade Buddha figure, and a loud group of authentic Vietnamese or Korean kids at the next table, and you've got yourself a pleasant evening! Very quick for takeout, too - one day, I made the mistake of grocery shopping after work, by 8pm I was STARVING, and I thought I'd have to eat my own fingertips while waiting for takeout - but it only took 7 minutes - and the food was hot and delicious.
(5)
buckminster f.
this place has decent tasting pho, but they pour in the MSG (the servers will confirm it). obviously these chemicals affect people in different ways, but everytime i have MSG, i feel parched for hours after and suffer from a throbbing headache, and so i try to avoid it at all costs. i dont know why they have to resort to such low road tactics, especially since they have absolutely no competition for miles around. i mean the nearest pho place is in allston or chinatown.
(2)
Paul L.
This place was once great for Pho (other dishes, not so great). We would go once a week, at least, especially to cure jet lag! However, every Le's we have been to (Brighton, Chestnut Hill, Needham) went from great to awful a few months ago. From sublime boullion to what looked and tasted like filthy dish-water. From delicate and subtle flavoring to "i have had better soup from campbells"!!! What a tragedy. I agree with Julie T, goto Super 88 before Le's (R.I.P. :-(
(1)
Patrick B.
The wonton soup ($3.95) was delicious--not oily, lots of wonton, scallion, and not too much cilantro which can often overpower. The pan-fried salmon in black bean sauce ($7.95) on the lunch specials menu was fantastic--yummy crispy salmon, veggies, and white rice. The super red sauce on the table had a real kick to it. Very filling, but didn't want to crawl under the table and sleep. A friend had something with asparagus and, while he likes asparagus, he wasn't expecting a pound of it, and by the end of his meal there was still enough of it on his plate to feed another table. Service was quick but not always correct. Another friend, already pissed that a cab had taken her for a ride to get to us, stewed in her seat as the waiter forgot her coffee once, twice, oooh, almost thrice, but he made it. Just. And there was something going on with the bill that really confused our waiter. Rather than explaining it to us, though, he merely made a noise of incredulity, smacked himself in the head, and skulked off. Still not sure what happened there, but I think I'll start coming here more often to try other specials.
(4)
Felix L.
I'd really vote maybe 3.5.... i guess i round up. Its not the best pho i've ever had, but its definitely the best east of chinatown. I give it props for not jacking up the price of pho too much, still looking for that good 4 dollar pho though. This place is a whole lot better than super 88 foodcourt, based on the pho.
(4)
Laura B.
The food is always good. I've been coming here since I was a poor college kid and $5 worth of soup fed me with leftovers for lunch. Now I'm a "grownup" with a baby. This is our favorite restaurant - the baby eats almost everything on the menu, and the staff are super nice and friendly to us. (The boy is excellently behaved in restaurants, but we've received unpleasant service at other restaurants simply because the staff assume he'll be a problem.) Anyway, I would recommend it to everyone!
(5)
Jungmin L.
So consistent, so flavorful, so warm, so savory. One of my go-to's any night.
(4)
Matt S.
still love this place ten years later. this was my intro to vietnamese food. back when it was still pho pasteur and still wicked cheap. took my now fiance there for our first date two years ago. had the pho and the shredded pork with chilis. still great. but not pho pasteur great. but I love it and will keep going back. SOMETHING has to stay constant in allston! (other than twin donuts, the model, and the alkies queuing up at the silhouette in the morning.)
(4)
Frank S.
Wow... the food was decent, but the service was utterly terrible. We noticed we had been given the wrong check and told the waitress, after she had tried several times to rush us to pay as we finished eating. She and several others argued for about 7 minutes, after which she brought us a handwritten check and told us we had to pay in cash because they had lost the check. We tried to explain how patently ridiculous this was, though she did not seem to understand. After a minute of discussion, she went back to huddle with the others. A full TWENTY minutes later, we got a machine printed check and were able to leave. Also, she never refilled our water glasses, despite our request. Incidentally, they also messed up the order of the table next to us. Maybe this was a fluke, but we will certainly not be returning to this restaurant.
(1)
P'raka ..
I can't believe it's taken me this long to review Pho (Le's). This place is my go-to place when I am sick. The soups are pretty huge and inexpensive. The chicken noodle soup is excellent but my new favourite is the CANH CHUA (hot sweet and sour soup - it is NOTHING like chinese hot&sour soup) - the broth is slighter spicer than the other pho soups and clears up your sinuses in a second.
(5)
Kathleen Y.
Woo for cheap, delicious, quick Vietnamese food! The summer rolls aren't that great, but they are a wonderful medium for their great peanut sauce. I also am a fan of their vermicelli with grilled pork and crisy rolls.
(4)
Iska B.
Liked this place quite a bit. Nice and cheap and there is a lot to choose from. Did not get the pho since they don't have as many options as they do at the pho place in Super 88 (meaning they don't have beef options without tripe and tendon, things I am none too fond of) but I had noodles which were very nice. The portions were a good size and flavorful. I was a little disappointed with the fresh rolls since they tasted a little plasticy and had almost no flavor though the peanut sauce was pretty good.
(4)
krystle j.
great food, great prices, except for the bubble tea! do NOT get it. $3.50 for a bunch of super icy tea, plus $1.50 for bubbles. what a ripoff. i am still a huge fan of their pho though
(4)
Deann M.
Absolutely pho - bulous! It was a rainy day in Boston and a big bowl of pho was the perfect remedy. Got the #1 (of course) which comes in an extra large portion - all for $5.95. The broth and assortment of meat goodies (I love "weird," chewy, textured food) were yum yum yummy. I certainly can't think of a pho place in SF that I love more. The sliced pork rice dish looked pretty good and the spring rolls were 3-4 star quality. Pho is the way to go.
(5)
Ed P.
although i have only been to le's once, i am looking forward to going back! i had such a great culinary experience that everytime my friend tells me he's going there i get jealous. the spring rolls, the noodles, the iced espresso with condensed milk.. mmm mmm good. great job guys.
(4)
Pat B.
Besides serving delicious, well prepared food, and generous portions, the ambiance at Le's is particularly nice. The wait staff and owner have always been helpful and welcoming, going out of their way to find us just the right table for dining with young children. Service is quick. My grandson who is five loves the food and feels very much at home at Le's. He has developed a taste for pho (excellent soup) and other Vietnamese dishes. Le's is frequented by a mix of Asian people and locals, not a lot of college students like many Allston establishments. I would highly recommend Le's to anyone looking for good food, a warm and inviting atmosphere and very convenient location on Brighton Avenue. To avoid the usual Allston parking problem, you can get there easily on the 57 and 66 buses or the B line if you want to walk a bit (the 64 will get you pretty close too).
(5)
Jonathan L.
It's good. Standard Vietnamese food and standard cheap prices. Nothing especially stood out. I recommend this place if you need good food cheap and fast. Pho 99 in Malden beats Le's, no question. I'm sure a lot of Vietnamese joints in Dorchester would beat Le's as well. However, if you want some Vietnamese food in the Brighton area, you can't go wrong with Le's.
(3)
George W.
It's not easy to park nearby to put it mildly. But very good quality and reasonable prices. Good service. This makes it a good value.
(4)
ann c.
I've been going here for years (when it was Pho Pasteurs). The prices are great and even my very fussy children like it. My favorites are any of there soups but especially the Wonton soup, and the whole lobster fried in ginger and soy sauce. Be prepared to battle for a parking space though.
(4)
Katherine W.
They say "girls just wanna have pho" and all I wanna have is the pho at this place. (Actually, no one says that except me) With good pho, good prices, good atmosphere, and good service, you could come twice a week and not get sick of it. The springrolls that you wrap yourself in rice paper are a fun group activity, and try the mung bean shake (it sounds gross but is milky, sweet goodness)! And yes, this location is the best: definitely tastier than the Harvard Square one, and less divey than the Chinatown one.
(5)
Jocelyn C.
I [heart] Pho, and this place always makes me happy. I always get #13, and even the small bowl is the size of my head. So good. I also usually get a plate of Chinese fried rice to share with friends (it's called something "Chien" on the menu, can't think of it right now), and that's pretty awesome. Spring rolls are tasty too. I think the Allston location is the better one (based on service, since the food is the same no matter which one you go to), but the ones in Harvard Square and Chinatown are okay too. Not really sure what's going on with the name change though - I'm still calling it Pho Pasteur, but that's because I'm stubborn.
(4)
meital f.
We decided on Le's after reading the great reviews- I even sent my husband leaving our regular circle area to get it- (no delivery and no parking) so we can enjoy some good fresh roles and noodles- but we were in for a disappointment! I emphasized that we are vegetarians but still found meat in my spring rolls- the food was eatable at best- and they made a mistake in our bill... for good Vietnamese I'm going to keep looking!
(1)
Thomas J.
Pho Pasteur (Le's) gets 5 stars in my book. Its quick, cheap, and oh so delicious! Having recently moved out of Boston, this is one of the few restaurants I really miss. The Pho is pretty standard, but it is always fresh and consistently good. The entire menu is not 5 stars, so it's very important to order correctly here. If you're going to go with the pho (always a wise choice) the Pho Tai is your best bet. You can't go wrong with the crispy spring rolls appetizer either. I really like the Canh Chua, its a hot and sour soup with tomatoes, celery, bean sprouts, pineapple, and meat. Sounds weird right? Trust me, it's awesome. The paad thai is also really good, it's a Vietnamese version of the thai classic loaded up with a ton of vegetables. Also the pork/beef rice plate was what I would get when I was really hungry, and always hit the spot. As for beverages, I really liked the strawberry shakes and Vietnamese iced coffees. The Pho Pasteur's vary from location to location, and the one in Allston was always the most consistent. I'm shedding a tear as I write this review, I'll miss you pho pastuer...
(5)
Joann A.
I was taken here by a friend and I'm glad I went. The food was fresh and not over-cooked. I loved the cabbage/salad. Not sure if I liked the chicken, but I really enjoyed the pineapple tofu dish. I may go back as the location is easy to get to.
(4)
Denis K.
Pho Pasteur, this is probably my favorite place to eat Pho. I haven't been there since I moved out of Boston, and I dearly miss it. I remember the place was always packed whenever I went. Although Pho Pasteur apparently changed their name to Le's for some mystifying reason, I have not been able find a place to match the sheer deliciousness of Le's (formerly Pho Pasteur). Pho, Bun, Rolls.. all of it was so good and the food always came out so fast,, amazing. Don't expect 5 star service or decor, just 10 star food.
(4)
Busy L.
Great Pho! Soup base was very flavorful. Got my usual ex-large beef pho. Spring rolls were also very good. Good sign of a good pho soup is the fact you aren't dying of thirst an hour after you left because they load the soup up with MSG and salt to cheap out of simmering the stock with lots of bones. This was good soup base.
(4)
faine g.
I go to school in Great Barrington in the Charmingly Rustic Berkshires. This is nice and all, but being in the boonies means that decent Asian food can be distressingly hard to find, especially Asian food that is both actually spiced and does not cost more then my tuition. So you can imagine my pleasure when I discovered a real live Vietnamese restaurant in Cambridge, the very fish-sauce infused cuisine that I had missed so much when away from California. We had to go there for lunch. There was no question. Le's is located in an distressingly brightly colored shopping complex called "The Garage", which almost managed to throw me off the place, if not for the warren of shiny magazine award signs that plaster the glass windows. The decor is bright and airy, although the restaurant was very crowded among 1:30 when we dropped in (although there was no wait for a table.) The crowd was loud, rowdy, and obviously quite happy, and the service reflected it's popularity - food came out quickly, but our treatment was somewhat curt. But whatever, how's the food? We began with the steamed vermicelli and shrimp rolls (13.00) which are of the variety you roll yourself. Carefully dip the rice paper in the provided bowl of warm water, and make sure you don't screw up and allow it fold into an un-useable lump at the bottom of the dish. (See, you did it already.) The huge plate came with delicious grilled shell-on shrimp, some vinegary carrot and daikon slaw, some big hunks of cucumber and romaine, and a whole bunch of mint and other herbs for garnish. The vermicelli noodles came in the form of rather tough mats that ripped off into roll-sized hunks, an interesting presentation. In any case, roll it up and dish it in the accompanying fish sauce and you're good to go - I also like a little hoisin on the side. It's hard to go wrong with a dish as fresh and interactive as this. We moved on to entrees, selecting a dish of sliced chicken in curry sauce with a vegetable medley, and a hot and sour soup with catfish and pineapple. The dish of curry chicken was absolutely huge, featuring a mound of white rice and an equally large quantity of sliced vegetables. Too bad it wasn't that good - the curry sauce, although possessing a decent flavor, was far too soupy, and the chicken didn't possess much flavor. The vegetables were quickly cooked and therefore quite tasty, although I needed to add some chili sauce to wake them up a little. The soup was more successful, featuring firm chunks of white catfish, interspersed with bean sprouts, sliced tomato, pineapple, and some fried garlic as a flavorful garnish. The broth had a decent kick to it, although I found it too sweet, preferring to use it as a dipping sauce for the fish rather then actually drinking it. The fish was excellently done, keeping the familiar "mud" flavor of catfish to a respectful minimum. I added a little sambaal for an extra kick and was generally quite happy - they were also kind enough to bring out additional bowls for sharing. Overall, Le's is a decent Vietnamese restaurant that's managed to make itself palatable to the general public. (I'm comparing it to my favorite, somewhat...interesting...Vietnamese joints back home in California.) The food is fresh and plentiful, if a bit quieted down for the Western palate, and service is quick if not friendly. Is it the Real Authentic Health-Code-Iffy Vietnamese Food Deal? Not in the slightest. But it's a good choice if you want something healthy, inexpensive, and a little bit exotic in the Cambridge area.
(3)
Jennifer D.
I love this place. This has become a hot spot for lunch for me and my colleagues. There is never a wait for a table and the dining room can easily accommodate a party of 2 or even 15. This is the most authentic Vietnamese food that I've had in this area so far...I've actually even tried the other Le's locations on Newbury and in Harvard Square, but this one is the best. Pho Lemongrass is pretty good as well, but has a bit of a more upscale feeling. If you're looking for cheap prices and laid back atmosphere filled with fellow Asian diners slurping up their soups as we traditionally do, this is the place to go. Of course, nothing compares to my dad's pho or my grandmother's spring rolls, but Le's comes pretty close!
(5)
Martin C.
I can't lie--my experience with the entire menu is pretty limited, but that's credit to the amazing pho this place serves up in pretty much any variety you could think of. The straight pho ga (chicken noodle soup) is amazing, I think it's better than the more popular beef soup (depends how you feel about tripe). Even if you go just for the pho and nothing else, as I've been doing for a long (probably too long) time, this place is a gem amongst the ethnic restaurants found in Allston.
(4)
Jason S.
As far as Pho goes, this place is perfectly acceptable, but nothing more. Definitely better than Lemongrass on Harvard in Brookline. The service was fast. The broth flavorful enough, the noodles the right consistency, the portion (got the medium) pretty large. It was a bit skimpy on the meat. I ordered a combo bowl (#15), and I counted only one piece each of rare steak and tendon, which are my favorites. Go here if you happen to be in the area and hungry, but don't consider it a destination.
(3)
John S.
Great Pho-the best place to go on a cold or rainy day. Relatively inexpensive.
(3)
Richard C.
To be honest, I've only ever had the Pho and that's probably all I'll ever have. It's the perfect meal when I'm on the mend, and it's amazing every time.
(5)
Dave C.
Went with my cutsie babel and we went in and sat down. Then comes the guy that does the geico commercials. so ez a caveman can do it? hahaa thats him. so we got summer rolls with beef which were good but the wrap was too chewy and i had to really go at it to tear it apart. I got XL pho because before i could speak the dude was like 14? i was like uhhhh sure... babes got 15 which is the large and she finished it ALL:) time for check which i had to wait a white before i got his attention and then i never saw him again.... i wanted to pay with my card but we waited like 5 minutes and he never showed so i just paid with cash and left. on the way out he made the final apperance to say have a nice day.
(3)
steve s.
Love the soups, but it's definitely time for a renovation inside. Great value for your money.
(4)
Ben K.
Pho is really good here. Also try the ban xeo. I still think Xinh Xinh in Chinatown is better, but for a great neighborhood place, I come here. Yay Le's!
(4)
L-Train A.
The lovable house of Pho. This is the place with the noodle soups the size of your head, where the thin slices of beef cook in the hot broth on the way to your table. This is also where the summer spring rolls have the best peanut sauce ever and you covet your sauce dishes and don't let the waiters clear them so you can use them with your entrees. It is not a fancy place, but a comforting place where the food comes out at lightning speed and is always good. I am always pleasantly surprised by the quality of the meat preparation here, and they also have great vegetable stir-fries and curries as well. This is a great spontaneous feeding spot, as you can always be seated immediately, even if you are a big party. The best is in the winter, when you fall into silence at the arrival of your noodle soup (Pho), coupled with a plate of Thai basil, lime wedges, and bean sprouts, and for the next 20 minutes, it becomes a meditation of broth slurping and shriracha and plum sauce squirting. Go, and go often, and it won't hurt your wallet much.
(5)
Haley T.
Great place. Huge menu. Everything I've had here I've been impressed with. The value is amazing-most places this cheap are not places you'd want to stay and eat. But the service is good as is the food, and I'm happy to take friends from out of town there. One note though- they seem to put peanuts on everything, whether it's noted on the menu or not.
(4)
Linh L.
Le's Restaurant had great friendly service when I went. My bf ordered the pho and I ordered the bun thit nuong cha gio. Both dishes were great!
(4)
J P.
Oh, come on Le's. Your too good for words. /End
(5)
Julie T.
This is going to be short: they do a better job at Pho Viet's at the food court at 88. Go there and get your money's worth. I would like to think that once you go there, you will never come back here...
(1)
Sarah A.
Mmmmm. Visited this location for the first time last night. A great experience. The service was very good: the hostess was incredibly nice and polite and attentive to our needs, as members of our party arrived at different times. The waiters had a bit of a stand off approach, which was great considering we were a large group and wanted time to chat and assemble everyone before ordering. The also allowed us to linger over our meal and generally just hang out for a bit after we paid, which I always appreciate. Not pushy at all! Wonderful! The food was incredibly quality for the price. A great value and huge portions! At the suggestion of yelpers and others I tried the #25, which was great. Huge portion for only $6! This place could soon become a favorite destination. Very, very satisfied with Pho Pasteur!
(4)
Tracie L.
Being a whitey raised in a primarily Vietnamese community, I've been exposed to a lot of Vietnamese food. And that will have a lot of influence on my review. I think Le's was delicious and fairly authentic. One of my fellow diners was Vietnamese, and he thought his pho was better than a lot that he could get in San Francisco. The service was great even though they were packed, and the grilled chicken that came in my vermicelli was very very good. I just wish there was more of it. The ingredients tasted fresh and light, although the summer rolls left something to be desired.
(4)
Wesley C.
i usually dont write reviews for mediocre establishments because there are just too many of them. i visit le's a few times a year when i have cravings for pho and for 6 bucks(a very big bowl of pho) you should not complain. they recently raise their price(a buck, no big deal) but at the same time reduce the quantity quite a bit, now that is a dumb azz move!
(2)
Michael K.
this place is great for pho noodle soups and they've been able to maintain pretty cheap prices throughout all the years. it's very quick and filling. the service is really kind too. i've gotten to know a few of the folks there. they're very friendly. sometimes you'll catch them at the sunset grill grabbing a beer after work.
(4)
Matthew M.
I tried this place because so many yelpers said it was among the best Vietnamese food in Boston. Sadly, it was good, but not great. The meat in our dishes was all well prepared and was tasty, but the vermicelli was mushy and the spring rolls (both fresh and crispy) tasted like they came frozen out of a box. Vietnamese food has been a staple in my diet for many years before I moved to Boston, and I've been desperate to find good Vietnamese food since I moved here. Sadly, Pho Pasteur was just ... decent. I would come back if I were in the neighborhood (and roll the dice on different dishes), but I wouldn't go out of my way again to come here. So far, I have to say that Pho Hoa in chinatown is a better choice, though admittedly, I haven't tried any of the Vietnamese restaurants on Dot ave yet.
(3)
fraulein v.
I love this place! The veggies have always been fresh. The soups you crave in winter while walking in icy brown Allston slush up to your ankles. I can always get amazing amounts of great food here for under $10. The place in Harvard Square is as good.
(4)
joan l.
Never had pho here, I'm always here to eat their porkchop with rice and I seriously have no complants. The servers was nice and attentive, and I love that they have bubble tea. I usually go to the one in Harvard Square, but the place is just the same but a little bit smaller.
(4)
Toonie R.
My test dish for a new Vietnamese restaurant is vermicelli with spring rolls and grilled pork. I've had this dish all over the country in different Vietnamese restaurants. Le's is the best I've had. Wonderful flavors and fresh ingredients. The service was prompt and friendly. The atmosphere is casual. The prices are reasonable.
(5)
Angie T.
My family knows the owner and she is so down to earth! I see her helping the waiters to clean tables and she always find time to talk to us. This place is definitely nice to have something quick and then leave. It gets hectic on some nights, but you barely have to wait long for a table. The food is ok, obviously not as great as homemade, but i would say its up there. the waiters are always friendly and professional. their avocado milk shakes with pearls are excellent and different from other places because theres a hint of coconut in it.
(5)
Lewis L.
I used to come here every day for about 3 years. Back then their pho was my favorite, but over the years the quality kinda dropped. not sure what happened... It just doesn't taste the same anymore. It used to have more flavor. It used to be 5 stars, but now I'll say it's 3.5.
(3)
Martin M.
When I feel like sitting down and actually enjoying Pho rather than inhaling it, Le's is where I go. All the food I've had here has been tasty. Service is fairly prompt and the booths are nice if you get one. The summers rolls are awesome too.
(4)
S. O.
I think this was definitely the worst Vietnamese food I've ever had. We ordered the grilled pork chop and they didn't taste anything like the typical Vietnamese pork chops on rice. I didn't think it was possible to screw that dish up but I guess it is. Other than the food, the people who worked there were very nice.
(2)
haley t.
all i can say is that I have serious food poisoning from this place about a year ago....
(1)
Lior M.
Good soups @ a good price (haven't tried anything else yet).
(4)
Alex L.
Some of the best pho I've had in Boston, probably THE best pho I've had in Boston. The portions are big which is awesome, I hate going to pho places, ordering a large and not being full when I'm finished. I never have that problem here. The only thing I wish were better/more authentic is the iced coffee. It seems like they just use a powder or something cheap rather than the individually brewed coffee that places I'm used to do.
(4)
Hanh N.
This is the best restaurant in town. I first time there was about 15 years ago as a college student. Now I bring my husband, my kids and my family there when we want Vietnamese food, eventhough we live in Worcester. Good food, great service and very friendly place. Give it a try and you will see.
(5)
Allison B.
i love le's! quite possibly my favorite place to eat in allston. can you really beat $8 for a gigantic bowl of vermicelli, veggies, meat, spring rolls and a delicioso sauce? i defy you. i usually have to take at least half home. the waitstaff is super quick and friendly. they keep my water full and my belly happy. to me, le's is worth the walk from coolidge corner and and its nearby vietnamese equivalent, pho lemongrass. and that's sayin something.
(5)
Al C.
Been coming here for years, since back when it was Pho Pasteur. Nothing better on a frozen Boston day than a big steaming bowl of Le's pho. All non-pho dishes are also great. Fairly inexpensive, great wait staff.
(5)
M. Deloris D.
I recommend take out here where you can score 32 oz. of broth and three takeout cartons filled with noodles, your protein and your veggies unfortunately, last night, i dined in. The food was Photastic but the environment left something to be desired. Our booth seat was covered with duct tape and some napkins were littering the floor. I had to ask for hot peppers which I've NEVER had to do at a Pho establishment, and is a no-no because I like my heat. For a $20 dinner including appetizer and jasmine green tea, I can barely complain, but I can deny two stars. So there.
(3)
Tiffany D.
Very yummie!!! I always get pho here for takeout!!! :) I also love the fried spring rolls and the summer rolls are to die for! I recently tried something non-pho for the first time (haha) and the Beef Fire Pot is very good! So try it if you wanna make your own "summer" rolls :) And I also tried their pineapple fruit shake which was veryyyy good!!!
(4)
Liza H.
Excellent Vietnamese food, fast service and cheep! prices make it a long standing favorite of mine. I usually agonize over getting pho, bun or Vietnamese crepe and slaw. The food is light, making it one of the few places I have reviewed that will not give you a great big ass.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No 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 : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Dave G.
Hands down the best pho I've had in my life thus far. You should not call yourself a Bostonian unless you've dined here. A must-go if you're visiting from out of town. I came here with my friend 5 years ago after a night of drinking at Boston College and instantly became appreciative of how a bowl of pho and plate of fried rice made the hangover virtually disappear. The same fragrant, savory taste that I experienced so long ago was confirmed with an order of the extra large beef noodle soup. It was not a blurry, too-good-to-be-true dream in food heaven after all! In fact, I was compelled to place another order of the same dish because I wouldn't be able to find this kind of pho anywhere else, including Chicago and NYC. Truly a noteworthy cultural cuisine.
(5)Sunny C.
Ordered regular combination pho. Visited on a saturday afternoon. The GOOD: service was fast, as are most pho places. Noodles and broth were up to expectations. room for IMPROVEMENT: I usually really enjoy the tendons in pho, but these had a funny taste to them. If they are not already parboiled before putting into the broth, they should. perhaps a freshness issue?
(3)Michelle C.
Been going here for about 7 years now (jeez), cannot go wrong! Great pho but I don't order pho anymore anywhere because I've had it so much here, never want it. My go to now is chicken noodle soup with yellow noodles. Delicious! Lighter and cleaner than regular pho broth. Summer rolls are great, esp the peanut sauce. Fried rice is so good. Always order one or two for the table. Pork chop rice dish is always on point, viet pork chops in general are delicious. Thai iced tea may be one of the best in the area. Tl;dr - 7 year customer going strong. Pretty sure everything on menu is good. Pho, fried rice, Thai iced tea are musts.
(4)Angela L.
Favorite pho place. Was introduced to Les back in college and it was the first place I tried pho! The broth is so good... I'm always tempted to drink it all. The dishes always come out quick so come hungry. If you're super hungry, #15. I usually order #14 and get either shrimp toast or summer rolls to split with friends. Staff are all really friendly and attentive. The restaurant could update some of the seating, but the food is so cheap it's kind of okay.
(4)Erica K.
Awesome pho! The broth is so salty and delicious and the meatballs are perfect. I ordered meatballs and my boyfriend got some spicy one and we both devoured our meals. It was a delicious lunch. They do charge for refills on soda though so keep that in mind. service was slightly slow but it wasn't bad. Go go go!
(5)Andy D.
There are a few times during your life time when you have the urge to kill. And when the bad evil waiter man argues with you because as the person who is patronizing your business , I AM WRONG, and proceeds to spit in your face in front of your child, mother, wife , that time may come. Saying I had a bad experience here is like saying the Jewish people had a bad experience during the holocaust. You would think he would would have the decency of not arguing when they didn't bring us chopsticks , napkins, water, after 5 minutes of waiting and asking him twice to bring them. But NO, he continues to rip me apart and say it was my fault , that the tables are divided by section. You know a restaurant is bad when 5 waiters are just hanging out around the bar and not helping out the guests. America, one of the few countries that enforce tipping, is also where I have had some of the worst services ever. Even the nice old ladies who push their Pho carts served in plastic green and red bowls around Saigon in the morning have better service . And nothing makes it worse than when you order 2 bowls of Xe Lua and they give you 1 lime. 2 basil stems and no pepper. You make me sick. For all you who read this, do yourself a favor, do Boston a favor, do market competition a favor and don't patronize this place.
(1)William O.
The food isn't good at all! Okay first off tried to give the benefit of the doubt that we were being poorly served because of our ethnicity such as time being served, but then a Vietnamese couple came in 15 mins after us. They ordered pretty much the same thing and 5 mins later got there food still took another 10 mins to get our food which was pho and grilled beef and rice entree. I thought it may have been because of the beef but the beef was just warm not hot so for anyone that is going to come here beware.
(1)Grace L.
I thought the pho here was pretty decent. I enjoyed their flavorful broth however, I thought the noodles were a bit overcooked. I regret not trying the fried rice since that was recommended by a couple of people who have been here.
(4)Mika S.
The staff at Le's are all so smiley and friendly - they were definitely the highlight of my dinner and deserve a five-star rating. On the other hand, I wasn't a big fan of the food because I found it quite flavourless. To be fair, I haven't had a lot of Vietnamese food, so a "mild flavour" could just be a characteristic of Vietnamese cuisine. Aside from the taste of the food, I thought that the prices were very cheap given how generous the portion sizes were.
(3)Jennifer C.
Best pho ever. There is no comparison. And great price. What more do you need. Other things that are great at Le's. Overlooked many times because of their amazing pho but their vermicelli is also great! And also to pair with your pho the combination fried rice is the perfect pairing. Tips: you ask for your meat on the side if you like your meat raw. Also you can ask for just the soup too if you get the vermicelli for example and still want broth.
(5)Sean M.
3.57 Stars Le's is a solid pho choice if you are in Allston. It isn't a imperative destination but on a Sunday morning or other times when you can park on Brighton Ave. it's worth stopping by. At this point I would say I like the food and atmosphere here more than the Harvard Sq. location. The big bowls are beyond my capacity, these are for the young and the hungry; you have been warned. I tend to stick the soups, the rice plates are lackluster in my opinion. I will admit I like the pork chop rice plate. The bun (noodle) dishes are good and that's my second choice. The summer rolls, spring rolls, and crepe are just ok. The room is wide open seating for large parties at the circular and booths that that can fit four or maybe 5. There are smaller round table for one or two persons. The bar is not for sitting. * flat noodles with your fav protein can't go wrong * beef with watercress * quail is yummy * vermicelli + grilled [insert your fav meat] * Viet 33 Export sold here * parking can be impossible
(4)Christine T.
Good food. crap service. Maybe it was because I was coughing like I had tuberculosis but we were flat out ignored. If I did have tuberculosis you should probably get me out of your restaurant as soon as possible... We eat quick and normally tip well. I wanted a coffee and he wanted dessert so we were sitting with our table basically bussed, the girl brought us the check, was confused when I asked for a coffee and a dessert, went back, 20 mins later the dessert comes out wrong coffee, 10 mins guy at the bar finishes 2 coffees, the girl grabs one and gives it to a bench 2 seats away leaves the other, makes her rounds, avoids us, goes to the bench right next to ours and asks if everything is ok... My coffee is still sitting on the bar... I finally have to wave down another of the girls... And this is the abbreviated version of my complaint. Not going back. Food: pho:was good nice and flavorful broth generous portions of meat and noodles. Best thing about the experience Fresh summer roll: a serving is 2 rolls and I think we may have gotten 1 shrimp and a slice of pork combined in the 2 rolls. The lettuce was also dry and wilty. Caramel flan: I didn't like it he did. It was at least a day old and overly syrupy. I also don't understand why you need whip cream on a flan... Hot coffee: good with condensed sweetened milk, made fresh smells great is probably folgers.
(3)Ina K.
One of the more traditional Viet places in Boston! Just hop on the B line, and you're there. I would like to point out the fact that the portions are HUGE! Considering that you will be most likely paying less than $10 for your meal, I'd say this is an amazing deal! The service is amazing. The staff is nice and prompt. There is a lot of area to sit, so seating is not a big concern if you have a semi-large party. --- Great for lunch!
(4)Michelle L.
Food is always consistent here, so good! I always get #46 which is the vermicelli dish where you can make your own rolls, mine is with pork and it is grilled to perfection yuuuum. Their Thai iced tea and coconut smoothie is bomb. Get it if you like those flavours. The service is sometimes lacking when there's a larger volume of customers, but they're generally very friendly and the host/owner is great and always asks how you are as well as the food.
(4)Chun S.
This review is way overdue. I came here on a cold winter night for dinner takeout. The place was pretty empty because it was snowing like crazy outside and most people stayed home. I remember it was like the day before a snow day where there was no work or school. So I went in and ordered the pork chop with rice to go for dinner. I was greeted by an old guy, who was presumably to be the owner of the restaurant or an experienced server. He was very friendly and nice. Even though I was getting a takeout, he offered me hot tea without me asking for it, which was a friendly gesture to customers who came in on a cold winter night. Service: based on the old server/owner (?), I would say it was impeccable. 5/5 stars. Food: when I went home and ate it, it was delicious! I would definitely go back and order the same pork chop with rice again! 5/5 stars. Price: pretty affordable. ~$10 for takeout. 5/5 stars. Definitely would be coming back for more! :)
(5)Michael R.
Delicious Vietnamese. Really fresh food and pretty good service. One of our meals took a lot longer then the other so they were able to compensate us for the extended delay.
(4)Audrey C.
I'm giving this place 4 stars based on the prices and the amount of food they give you. They're portions are huuuuuuge and normally all for under $8! The place is also very clean with really quick service also, they always have seating and I've never had to wait. Best thing ever for hangover food. I normally get the chicken pho with clear noodles. Yes, you can also request for different types of noodles! I can barely finish a small and the broth is delicious to drink without getting super thirsty from the MSG like a lot of places. Their spring rolls and egg rolls are also standard, great for a sharing appetizer. All in all, good place to come for a quick and cheap meal!
(4)Ray Ray K.
Great value! Great service! Ordered the regular pho with beef cuts. It was delicious and only $7.95. Beware, even the "large" portion could be big enough to instead be the "extra large" portion! Fast friendly service. Would go back anytime.
(5)Anne V.
I have been a loyal customer for years and have been here with my family many times. We love the noodle soups and usually also get Summer rolls for appetizer. I always go for the XL chicken noodle soup (with plenty of basil and bean sprouts provided). I've also tried the beef noodle soup and the broth is delicious. Another classic dish here is their fried rice which is awesome. Looking forward to my next visit!
(5)Myan T.
This place is my beau's and I second best to Pho Pasteur, although I prefer Le's. The wait staff are always friendly and attentive. Meals are always good and is served relatively quick. Parking, in my experience is better in this area compared to Chinatown since people are usually in and out.
(4)Judy K.
The portions are huge so you get a lot for your money considering how cheap it is. If you get pho, it comes out lukewarm usually, but it's not all so bad. It's good to go on a cold rainy day or if you're hungover. The fried rice is basic. The noodles are basic. Nothing is outstanding, but I still coming back because pho is something I love. It's not the best place in Boston, but it's conveniently located for me. I wouldn't recommend coming here unless it was close by. The service is great though. Food comes out super fast, the waiters are attentive and they always stop by your table to make sure you're doing alright.
(3)An L.
Really nice solid vietnamese food all around. We enjoy their bun chao tom (vermicelli shrimp), vege fried egg rolls, hu tieu (wide rice noodles), and broccoli dishes.
(5)Nanci C.
Terrible service!!! Enough said! I came here plenty of times and every time was just a bad experience. Portions are small! Not the tastiest Viet food in town. Don't waste your time here especially with their service! Their eyes are after your money! Waiting for tips tips tips!!! They are so rude!!!!!!!
(1)Elleen P.
I've heard crazy things about Pho Pasteur/Le's, and with my newfound acceptance of pho, have been meaning to make a trip out to the depths of Allston to try this place. (jk, not depths. but the B line makes it feel that way) I came here with a group of people at around 6 pm and it was pretty spacious. We were seated quickly after the party had arrived, and after ordering, food came out relatively quickly afterwards as well. Everybody else was ordering pho, and the past name suggested their pho would be good, so .. I ordered a small beef pho (not sure exactly which one, but it's probably one of the popular ones lol) and it was pretty good. To be honest, I really can't tell the difference between good and bad pho -- I just know I like pho in Boston a hundred times over what they have in LA. The small was an ample amount for me, although I wasn't too hungry to begin with... if you're hungry, I'd probably recommend a medium. Didn't really notice anything with service, can't remember anything great but it wasn't terrible at least. Place is clean although a bit run down, but hey, that adds to Asian restaurants' authenticity : )
(4)Aynsley C.
4.5-5 When I crave pho, this is a really good go to place if you're around Allston. Usually never too busy as I've never had to wait to be seated. Their staff is pretty friendly but sometimes have to wave over to them to get their attention. I usually get pho dac biet that comes with flank, brisket, tripe, and lots of other toppings that I missed! Their broth isn't too oily or salty, and they bring out just enough bean sprouts and mint; other places bring out so much but I feel bad when I don't use all of it. Always happy after eating here.
(4)Kelly O.
I'm pretty boring when it comes to Vietnamese food; 9 times out of 10 you'll find me ordering bun (vermicelli) topped with that amazing pork that's kinda like crack, sometimes with the addition of a halved spring roll. So that dish tends to be what I judge restaurants by, and Le's passes with flying colors... large portion for little money, perfectly grilled and flavorful pork of high quality (no real gristly bits), perfectly fried spring roll, and fresh and spotless accoutrements (no brown spots on the basil, perfectly crisp carrot strips, etc). Exactly what I love and expect. My one small complaint is that I'd personally prefer a bigger side of nuoc cham because I like to slather my food with the stuff (so delicious), although I'd bet if I had asked I could have gotten some more- but that's about all I can think of that I wasn't 100% happy with, so I'm clearly a fan. Le's is a great go-to when I don't feel like trekking to Pho Pasteur in Chinatown (although honestly, the two are basically neck and neck for me, and I'd need to do some back-to-back comparison to see who serves the better bun).
(4)Young P.
I 100% fully support and endorse Le's Restaurant in Allston. How rare is it to find a good pho place? Probably not so hard. How rare is it to find a good pho place combined with bomb fried rice? VERY RARE! Pho here is great but what makes this place so special is their combination fried rice. Next time you visit, order yourself a bowl of pho + combination fried rice. You will understand why I am so passionate about this place.
(5)Amanda L.
Some solid pho in Allston. Not the best pho I've ever had, but it was pretty damn delicious. It definitely hit the spot. Broth wasn't too salty, and there was a decent amount of meat. I polished off my Large bowl and was comfortably full. We also got summer rolls to start. The peanut sauce is super addictive. We were dipping the bean sprouts (for the pho) into the sauce and eating them like chips and dip, lol. Service wasn't stellar, but it wasn't horrible either. As wrong as this may sound, I hold Asian restaurants to a lower standard (the NYC Chinatown standard)... I never expect anything more than them bringing me the correct order. Reasonable prices!
(4)Katie M.
I've loved everything I've tried here! The noodles are fantastic no matter how they are served and all of the ingredients taste fresh and excellent. The brown peanut sauce was addicting!
(4)Ann J.
Great Vietnamese spot in Allston. It's a big restaurant with lots of seats and very quick service. Le's offers the normal Vietnamese classics including my personal favorite Pho. I ordered the wonton soup and the vermicelli with beef. Both were delicious. Now I will mention a rumor I've heard that the spices used by the chefs are Thai and not Vietnamese. Either way, the food was amazing, the atmosphere is great and the food is cheap. The portions are also huge so be prepared to bring some back. Le's is a good option for students in the area who are looking for a nice, cheap, place to eat. Alcohol is pretty expensive but being in Allston means there are lots of options after dinner to get much cheaper drinks.
(4)Pam C.
I LOVE Le's. It's not the best Vietnamese food in the world, especially when I compare it to my options to SoCal, but it's probably the closest we're going to get on this side of New York. The prices are reasonable, service is speedy, and the portions are there - the broth is a little on the salty side, but it definitely hits the spot on a cold day, or when you're feeling a cold coming on. You might have to be a bit aggressive when flagging down a waiter and definitely don't expect the staff to check in on you through your meal. They have a pretty extensive menu, including a bunch of Thai food and a selection of drinks. Most of them are so-so, although I am pretty fond of their pad thai.
(5)Brian S.
After a long night out, les really hits the spot. The typical order is an order of summer rolls, pho of your choice and a order of fried rice to share per two people. I've been coming for the last two years and their broth has come a long way. I use to not be a fan, but I've come around and this place is definitely a must for pho.
(4)Barbara A.
Hi, my name is Barbara A and I have a pho addiction. Thankfully, both of Le's locations are close enough that I can partake when the craving strikes. Today, my daughter and I came here - she has a bad head cold and stayed home from school and wanted soup. Yes, I used my sick daughter to get the pho I so crave. Usually I have one of the beef pho but since I am also fighting a cold, I have been getting the chicken noodle - a really good, solid broth and the herb mixture with the thinly sliced onions and noodle consistency is perfect. The last time I came, the gentleman behind the counter could tell I had an extremely bad head cold and took really good care of me and hooked my up with my pho quickly with extra lime and hot sauce. I have not had much else here except spring rolls and summer rolls. Both items are really well executed, especially the summer roll - nice to find a place that makes them well and they won't fall apart. AND of course, the Thai Iced Tea ... this is the place that got me addicted to the drink.
(4)Diana L.
BEST Vietnamese food in my 'hood, which means a lot to me, because I hail from Hartford, land of the many-numbered Vietnamese huts o' pho. (Pho 68, Pho 88, Pho Saigon, Pho Boston, Pho 501, etc.) I HIGHLY recommend the pho with tendon, tripe & rare eye round. It is what they are known for and it is what you should order. Don't be a baby and get chicken/flank steak pho. Get that dank meat. It's so delicious, I promise! If it's not you can walk over to my apartment and slap me. The vermicelli is also phenomenal, my favorite being the one with pork AND egg rolls - sooo good. And the vietnamese iced coffee is great too. They crush the ice, which I like. Also the vietnamese crepe appetizer is super tasty, with bean sprouts and shrimp. YUM! Can't wait to frequent this joint in the cold miserable Boston winter.
(5)April K.
Bring a $20 bill and a friend, and that's all you need. My friend and I splurged by getting two appetizers (shared), a bowl of pho for each of us, and a smoothie. We were shocked when the bill came and it was only 20$ per person (including a 20%+ tip)! My favorite here is the fresh summer rolls because their peanut sauce is amazing. The only problem is this past time that I came, the veggies in the summer rolls were kind of browning. Regardless, they still tasted incredible. I always order a number 15, small (their most popular dish). It fills me right up. Although the broth is probably loaded with MSG, that doesn't stop me from enjoying it. Their noodle dishes are packed with flavor. I also usually get the red bean smoothie from here, which I've never had any issues with. However, this past time that I came, it tasted a little funky. I don't know if maybe they added some of the durian flavor, but it did not taste completely like red bean. =/ I'm still giving this place a good rating though because it has pretty good pho, and that's hard to find near me.
(4)Grace C.
Every time I go here, the customer service is always excellent. Attentive staff, courteous and extremely friendly. Price wise, they're similar to other Pho places. Taste wise, I think they're good too. Place is clean, portion is big, can't complain. It's a big Pho restaurant too, so big groups can come. Good place to sit down and chat with friends to have a economical yet tasty meal! Suitable for college students especially.
(4)Nicola Y.
Le's is great. I came here many a cold Allston night. I had always liked pho back home in NorCal, but oh MAN when I first had Le's it was HEAVEN. I'm so happy nobody ever charged me extra for the obscene amounts of hoisin sauce and sriracha I used. If you're looking for a good deal, get the big bowl with everything. FYI, the size smalls are pretty small. But I'm not here to talk about the pho. I'm here to talk about the PAD THAI! To my surprise, it was pretty good. The only thing I disliked was how the dish was like half vegetables, and not much noodles. To their credit, the vegetables were still pretty good (and I hate vegetables... lol). So Le's has decent pad thai AND great pho. I gave them five stars. I must admit, Le's earned that last star just for sheer nostalgia.
(5)Alan W.
I always get a great meal here! My favorites are the roast quail, summer rolls, special beef noodle pho, curry chicken with vermicelli and either an avocado or mango shake. A great value and atmosphere. A friendly management and staff are a plus.
(5)Shauna H.
Incredible service & so delicious!!! I ordered the seafood soup w/shrimp, squid, crabmeat, fishcakes, & pork(huge portions). Normally I'm not a huge fan of fishcakes but after my meal last night I'm wondering if perhaps I've just never had really good fishcakes before; not gummy or overly fishy, much closer to the consistency of a slightly firm matzo ball. My friend's veggie soup was also delicious, and he emptied his bowl entirely. I got the remainder of my huge meal wrapped to go, and the server gave me an additional container of broth so it would be just as delicious the second time around- WOW!!! I was so touched I wanted to share with everyone!
(5)Quynh Nhu D.
Whenever my friends wants to go to Le's now I tell them to go without me. I just don't like it here. Spotty service and average food doesn't make me want to come back. I've been here multiple times however not of my own volition. Pho: I make it my duty to try it at every Vietnamese restaurant praying that one day I would find THE ONE. This one isn't. The beef one taste average and the Chicken Pho taste like nothing. My rule is if I have to put a banana loads of hoisin and sriracha sauce then it's not good Pho. Ginger Chicken: meh. I had no expectation it was going to be good so I didn't care for the dish. What is actually GOOD there is call Bo Nhung Dam - Vinegar Dipped Beef (whatever the translation is). The concoction taste like Canh Chua, actually just get this to drink the "soup". But $20 is kind of expensive for this type of dish that go for half the price at other places.
(3)Mac C.
This is the GOLD STANDARD! It may not look like much, and we didn't really think much about it until we started to venture outside the city and tried other places - we just keep comparing it to this one and the one in Harvard Square and both are tops. The grilling is great, the veggies are fresh, and the prices are the best (which is odd because being in Boston, you'd think the prices would be higher due to higher rents, but it's consistently the cheapest of the bunch). For instance, we've been to other "Pho's" in and out of the city, especially in the suburbs, where you'd think the cost should be cheaper, but alas, prices here can't be beat (it might just be a dollar or two a dish, but it adds up) and the bowls are bigger, and tastier.
(5)Jessica L.
My favorite pho place in Boston. I always order a number 19 (large) and the food never tastes any different (consistency is good when it comes to pho). The service is a little lacking at times, but overall, it's a great place to get your fix. Price is always fantastic and I would eat here everyday if I could. Best place to go eat pho in the Allston/Brighton area.
(4)Jenn S.
This place is hands town the best place for pho in Boston. Good spring rolls (fresh and fried) and obviously the pho! All of the vegetables are always so fresh!
(4)Jessica L.
I got pho here. And it was aight. The portion goes from S to L with no M, so it's either you are hungry after a S or get a L and have some left over. I opted for the latter. The broth was a little bland compared to other pho places I've been to. The rare beef wasn't very rare when it came out, and all in all the flavor was just a little off for me. Some other's in my party ordered other menus, and they really seemed to enjoy their food, and honestly, their menu is so long and extensive that you would definitely find at least SOMETHING you would like. But if you like deep flavorful broth, this place really didn't do it for me.
(3)Jen S.
I LOVE this place. I usually find parking around Allston pretty easily on the streets or in the lot behind the liquor store. It's much more convenient for me than trekking to Chinatown or Dorchester for pho, and there are so many tables, I've never had to wait in line. Their portions are quite generous and for under $10, you get a pretty tasty meal. For the pho, I always ask to get my eyeround beef raw on a separate plate rather than in the soup so that I can cook it myself, and it's awesome. I've done this over 20 times and have never gotten sick, so I do trust their meat. Their bun (vermicelli) dish is my favorite and I love the ones with meat and crispy rolls. There's lots of veggies on it and I devour the whole dish soaked with fish sauce. Their pork chops and catfish are both very good as well. The only bummer is that over the years, it seems they've started to skimp on the shrimp and pork spring rolls which I used to love. Since the portions are so big, I've stopped getting appetizers, although the shrimp toast and the quail were both tasty when I used to get them. The shakes take a while and aren't better than nearby competitors, so I usually stick with the coconut juice which they put baby coconut in. I generally go every few months and during the winter, maybe every few weeks. (On a side note, after visiting Vietnam and having pho there, I actually enjoy the pho here better for the flavor and generous toppings.) Don't expect it to be mindblowing. I just really enjoy how consistent, simple, and good it always is.
(5)Ali M.
Le's in Harvard Square and Allston are both very very good! Although I'm not so knowledgable in Vietnamese cuisine, I like to pretend I am. Last night my boyfriend ordered his favorite pho, and I ordered the pork banh hoi. Never having banh hoi before, I thought it was really enjoyable and pretty fun to make your own "burritos" as I like to call them. They are delcious with a little squirt of hoisin sauce and some sriracha! The only regret I have is forgetting to bring my leftovers to work for lunch today!
(4)Minju K.
This is my favorite affordable asian restaurant ever. Pretty much everything is the menu is going to taste really good or decent enough for its price. My friends really like their pho but I personally like the other dishes better. Their lunch specials come out in huge portion for cheap price!
(5)Sophie P.
I was so excited to eat pho hungover. I couldn't wait to eat the hot, steamy, flavorful broth to slurp with thin noodles and drench in Sriracha and brown sauce. This place has definitely gone downhill from what I remember. The broth is not flavorful at all, and was missing a kick. They gave us lemons instead of limes, and I felt like I couldn't taste anything when I squeezed it into my soup. The broth wasn't even hot when we got it. Even the meat wasn't good. It wasn't tender, soft, or chewy like I wanted it to be. Overall it's seriously only good if you NEED pho and you live close by. Also, it's cheap compared to other restaurant's in the area. Use your 10% off coupon if you have it. Otherwise, go to China Town.
(1)Diana F.
Please note: The last time I was at this restaurant was in 2012. Things may have changed since then so please take note of other more recent reviewers. - - - This used to be my go-to Vietnamese restaurant when I was living in Boston. I'd trek through hail and snow for their pho! It was that good. They make perfectly seasoned ox tail soups for their bowls of pho and their portions are more than generous. In fact, I realized that their portions were so generous, you could easily double your pho meal by ordering an extra side of noodles (which were only $2 when I used to frequent this place). For $2 extra, you could get two bowls of pho instead of one. That's pretty darn fantastic, if you ask me! :) Everything they make is fresh, clean, and well-seasoned. I definitely think this place ranks as one of the most authentic Vietnamese restaurants in Boston and a must see if you're ever in town! Food: 5/5 -- delicious and authentic! Service: 5/5 -- attentive and accomodating Atmosphere: 3/5 -- decent, clean, spacious, but nothing remarkable Overall: 5/5 -- exceptional!
(5)Kartik P.
Unexpectedly landed up here during a weekend dinner time. Its vietnamese restaurant and till I get over with the Pho fantasy I am gonna keep trying Pho till my body gets saturated may be. I would say good quality, quantity and service was quick. I ordered a large bowl as the small one just doesnt cut it for me. Good portion of meat and noodles. Has a lot of seating and surrounded by loads of other restaurants. So if you are in Allston/brighton area and craving Viet/thai food. this would serve as a good option. value for $ spent.
(4)Irina B.
Pretty solid grub here. Their pho is pretty tasty and I like their huge selection of appetizers and entrees. For apps I recommend the beef teriyaki, summer rolls and fried spring rolls. I almost always have the beef pho but the last time I came, I had chicken pho with vegetable medley which was pretty tasty! I especially loved the vegetables but would only get them in the chicken pho. The chicken broth is so delicate, so the veggies work very well with it. But I just LOVE the beef pho, my #1 choice when I get pho anywhere. Having said this, I still prefer my Pho Hoa in Dorchester but will come here if I'm in the area. Their service is also pretty good, one of the better places for service when it comes to Pho. I was in between 3 and 4 stars.. I would say more like 3.5 side note - they also gave us lemons instead of limes which I was kind of disappointed about, I thought they were out of limes for the day, guess they made this change recently .. are lemons cheaper? =/
(3)Jong K.
They serve best Vietnamese foods in Boston area. The quality and quantity of the food is good. The price is very reasonable and they do not charge extra for the hot tea. The hot noodle soup serves especially well on cold days or when you feel a cold coming on. I like their version of Pad Thai better than the ones served in Thai restaurants because it has more meats and vegetables and is not as overly sweet. Their staff are generally nice and attentive.
(5)Katelyn G.
The Pho was amazing and the flat noodles were so good. The food took a little long to get out, but it was worth it. I wish that there was as much meat as there was vermicelli noodles in the Pho, but it was still good all around.
(4)Christina V.
My friends brought me here recently and I'm glad they did. I never had Pho and was pleasantly surprised. We've now been twice and both times I had the Chicken Noodle Soup with Fresh Summer Rolls and Beef Teriyaki -- all delicious. Everything was fresh and well seasoned. My only complaint is we went in the winter to warm up and it was chilly in the restaurant. It was full, but we never had to wait. The service is eh. They are quick but sometimes the girls have a little attitude. Also the staff eats and flirts in the back. We were seated like right next to them and heard and saw everything which was a little distracting. The food is definitely cheap and are large portions, both times I had some to take home. Overall a good place, will go back.
(4)Mattie M.
I don't understand how this place gets good reviews. I've been here several times, and only once did I get good service. They've overcharged my credit card twice and haven't ever refunded it. They've brought me cold pho on multiple occasions and it's pretty evident that they don't make the soup or broth fresh. Also it's wicked oily (see picture below) I only come here when I'm seriously craving pho and can't go downtown, because it's the only place in Allston. Just don't come here.
(2)Corinne T.
Pho broth is good here. Large portions. Meat is really well marinated and grilled in vermicelli and rice dishes. We come here all the time, consistent. Great service. Extra large pho for 8 bucks. Another tip - this location is more laid back than H Square location.
(5)Jessica H.
This place has improved a lot, not sure if it was because they changed their name/possible ownership/menu or what, but it's much better than it used to be. It used to be my least favorite Vietnamese place a few years ago - their vegetarian options were limited, they would run out of food, their service was terrible (they would tell you your order couldn't be made because they didn't' have something in stock but after 25 mins after you'd been waiting for it and your friends were already served). Now however they seem to have gotten MUCH better. Their vegetarian menu is a big improvement and they even have dedicated vegetarian stock for their veggie pho! We went last night for an early Father's Day dinner and my boyfriend and his son each got chicken pho and I got the vegetarian pho. Everyone enjoyed their meal and we all had some leftovers. The vegetarian pho was super flavorful which was nice because some places it can be kind of bland. We also had vegetarian fried spring rolls with the peanut butter/hoisin dipping sauce and some hot tea and I had a glass of wine. The wine was reasonable priced. They also don't charge you for the tea. The only suggestion I'd make would be to add some more vegetables to my pho. There was a decent amount but compared to some other places in Chinatown they could go a little heavier. I'm glad there is now another Vietnamese place that is efficient, yummy, and has a good vegetarian and vegan friendly menu! Nothing beats eating pho to warm you up on a cold rainy day.
(4)Cindy H.
Not the most hygienic place, as my friend found a hair in his soup, but the pho is bomb. I love how they have hot oil on the side as well - not much pho places do! As a giant fan of pho, I was content with my meals there. The decor and location are a big plus as well.
(4)Raphael Y.
Great food and reasonable pricing. Service was also excellent. I have a fish allergy and the owner came by to specifically address the food and make sure it was prepared separately (not an easy feat in Vietnam cuisine which uses a lot of fish sauce). I will be coming here for my Vietnamese food/pho fix from now on.
(5)Ariana Z.
My old job used to get catering from Le's all the time and we've always loved it but we've never been inside the restaurant. I'm happy to say that they are just as good in house as they are catering. The food is very fresh plentiful. There is something for everyone to enjoy. I am a fan of their bun vermicelli plates, especially the ones with pork, shrimp and crispy rolls. Service is speedy and friendly. You can tell people love Le's because it's always crowded, but the wait is never long. While I am a fan of their food and service, I was only ok with their bubble tea, which makes sense. It is primarily a lunch/dinner restaurant. It was still delicious and I drank it all up. Definitely coming back.
(4)Alena G.
Hands down one of the best restaurants Allston has to offer. Exceptionally cheap, fast, and delicious, and the service is great as well. They have what looks like a full bar and an extensive menu of traditional Vietnamese dishes, pho being the highlight and the main draw - go for the special, you won't be disappointed (unless you're freaked out by tripe and beef tendon... #yolo). Le's is one of the very few places that are open for Thanksgiving and most other holidays. I normally get take-out, and the meals are prepared in minutes. However, last night I stopped by with the boyfriend to grab a sit down dinner - his first time trying pho, so it had to be Le's. The waiter stopped by to ask us what we wanted, but we needed some time to decide. He didn't come back for about 15-20 minutes, until I raised my hand (rude, I know, but we were starving). The hostess noticed, and we were offered shrimp summer rolls at no charge. I know shit happens (the waiter seemed distraught, so who knows what kind of a day he was having), but it's up to the restaurant and the rest of the staff to handle it appropriately. Le's did. 5 stars without a second thought. I HIGHLY recommend the Special pho, the grilled meat summer rolls (beef or pork), the pork and vegetable medley. Douse everything with plum sauce, just like God intended you to.
(5)Sun Ju L.
I am giving two stars only because the managers were responsive and the food was not bad. We admit that we arrived to the restro close to the closing time but the lady who is thai was incredibly rude. She was saying unbelievably rude words, more than swearing, in Thai and kept giving us horrible look as if we did something so bad to her. The manager should keep on eye on her.
(2)Evan H.
Le's apparently has been around for a couple decades. Clearly they have spent that time making some great dishes, including Pho Ga, which is something I never order at a Vietnamese restaurant. I always go for Pho Tai or another variation. What makes it even more impressive is that I got it via takeout. I ordered through an online site, which did not make them happy upon pickup. The clearly would prefer i call my order in. I guess I can't blame them, as it costs them money. Either way, the food was of the highest quality. Dishes: Lemongrass Tofu - super flavorful, and an actually decent vegetarian dish from a Vietnamese restaurant. Usually they can be a little plain, since fish sauce goes in everything. Pho Ga - very flavorful broth with a ton of noodles and additions (typical stuff). The soup was only $6.50, so it's cheap too. Ca Kho To - carmelized fish pot. This was great and always a favorite of mine. It was a little on the small side, but I'd get it again in the restaurant. Bun Thit Nuong - virmicelli bowl with pork. Another winner, though next time I'd do the fried spring roll. I'll be ordering / going here again, that's for sure.
(4)Oscar P.
Best pho in the 02134 area with a descent price.
(4)Jen K.
Delicious summer rolls & vermicelli dish! I forget what it was called but it had shrimp and beef in it. Also surprisingly cheap. The only negative thing I could say about this place is that it's a bit slower than other Vietnamese places, where it's usually really fast. I think it took about 10 minutes to get my thai tea? But it was probably a fluke, and I can't wait to go back :)
(4)Imry L.
This is our (me, wife, 6 years old and 11 years old) favourite restaurant. The staff is always nice and the food is real 100% authentic Vietnamese. We normally take the Pho with rare beef but over the years managed to try a lot of other dishes and were never disappointed. Highly recommended!
(5)Anastassia S.
I JUST GOT FLY IN MY SOUP!!!!!!!!!!!!server even didn't say sorry and brought the full check .....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Horrible lunch ever. !!!! Avoid this place, im still in shock
(1)Jeff F.
I don't much about Vietnamese and have probably had it less than a handful of times. With that context, I found the Seafood Noodle Soup and the Chicken with Vegetable Medley to be slightly above average. If I lived locally, I might put this in my rotation given the price and portions. Not worth making a trip out to Allston though.
(3)Kevin S.
Good food and awesome price. I still remember the first day I had my first pho here and it was so delicious. It is still good and I wish the place can keep it little bit cleaner.
(4)Elizabeth W.
Le's is great. I'm a regular at Le's, eating there a couple times a month. It's an easy and relatively quick choice for both eat-in and take-out. Its Allston location is convenient and centrally located although street parking can be tricky depending on the time of day. If you're a first timer at Le's you should get the pho, it's pho-nominal! The prices are incredibly affordable and the sizes are generous. I find a small is plenty for me and I can't always finish. From what I can tell a small and a medium are the same size so save yourself some spare change in that respect. Ordering a large or extra large will pretty much guarantee leftovers. When you order out they supply a generous amount of accoutrements (Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime wedges, sriracha, and hoisin). I find they give less in the restaurant but will bring more upon request (I love me some extra bean sprouts and lime). I've never been unhappy with the pho tai gau or the pho ga. It's hard not to order the pho, but I've recently discovered how amazing the vermicelli dishes are as well. The seasoning on the meat is perfectly done and the bowl is beautiful when it arrives. I also love the spring rolls. I find the fried vegetarian spring rolls with the peanut dipping sauce to be amazing. I'm less of a fan of the fresh summer rolls here, they seem to have a lot of filler, okay but nothing to rave about. Overall I find the food at Les to be consistent, and thus the five stars. Mr. Le is almost always there behind the counter with a smile and a greeting. Most of the servers are good although there is one I'm not crazy about. The restaurant is large and I'm almost always seated right away. Lots of space for big group gatherings. The inside is casual and maybe a bit outdated, but I go for cheap and delicious food, not a fine dining experience. I definitely recommend this place.
(5)K G.
Pretty good food. I love the coconut crepe with shrimp app and the saltfish with rice (huuuge portion). Pho was just okay. Homemade is better. Always get the same waitress with deadpan expression and awkward demeanor.
(3)Katie B.
I've been back to Le's a few times now and have to give it one more star, simply because it's hard to beat their prices. The pho is good, I started ordering the various beef based ones. I like a lot of noodles but not too much soup so last time I went I ordered a medium plus extra noodles. the fresh spring rolls are good but i prefer the fried ones. With the 10% off coupon in the collegiate coupon book I usually end up spending around $10-12 after tax and tip per person
(4)Bryan C.
Always reliable. My favorite restaurant. God bless Les! Food is quick and good. Staff is super friendly. Great environment! Number 14 forever!
(5)Sam S.
Great Vietnamese with a trendy diner feel, but not pretentious. Extensive menu, but easy to understand and sift through. Great pho and vermicelli. Even the "medium" bowls are big. Big bowls are a real facefull, so be prepared to take some home with you for another meal! I have also read that this place has a great lunch deal re a special sandwich dish for $6? Either way, totally going back.
(5)Konstantin K.
The best vietnamese around!Friendly staff!Allways ready to help!Try their hot and sour soup!delish!also all of their pho soups!very tasty!
(5)Lillian C.
I was craving pho after a long hard day of studying and I dragged a group of people here for some pho! Now that the weather's getting colder I love soup with noodles! We took the T here and wow... let me just say I never want to take the B line. At least it's only a short walk from the Harvard Ave. stop. It's a pretty good sized restaurant so I think that's a good sign that you won't ever have to wait too long. I ordered the medium sized house special pho with crispy egg rolls. The 3 egg rolls came cut in half and were just okay... Prob not something I would order again. I did try the spring rolls and they were really good and you can tell the ingredients were fresh. They weren't stingy with the bean sprouts so that was good, but they didn't have any jalapeno slices! There is a good balance of noodles and meat but I felt that the broth was under flavored and under seasoned. The medium size definitely filled me up and it was pretty cheap, but I'm not too impressed...
(3)Sophia L.
I miss Le's; I used to come here A LOT back in my college days. The food is delicious, down-to-earth and inexpensive. You can get a lot of food for your money. Best of all, service is fast, but if you do want to sit there for a good an hour or two longer, they dont do anything to shoo you out. This is a great place to go with friends and family-- a very practical eatery. Lets just say if a guy takes me here on a first date, I probably won't be impressed.
(4)Olivia J.
I had their pho and I thought it was so so... Definitely have had better pho elsewhere (ie Boston Chinatown). The broth had too much grease and gave me a tummy ache afterwards. But I went with a huge group, like thirty people, and they were very accommodating!
(3)Fred H.
It's been nine years since I first stepped foot into Le's (formerly known as Pho Pasteur) so allow me to pass on key pieces of information I've learned over the years. 1) These guys are known for their noodle soup. It typically comes out within minutes of ordering because they've got pho down to a science. You can customize your soup to any specification, i.e. no tripe, extra scallions or chicken noodle soup with raw beef on the side and etc. 2) This is an inexpensive meal. I usually get away with paying around $25 for two people, including tip. Sometimes I'll get extra fancy and order an appetizer like Shrimp Toast which obviously adds to the bill. My record visits in a day was three times during my college days. 3) Le's is consistent. Their broths have changed very little in the near decade I've been visiting. The same goes for their other dishes. Don't change anything that ain't broke is my best advice. Every meal is an enjoyable, and filling, stroll down memory lane. Some, like myself, call this comfort food. 4) This is a large restaurant as far as Pho restaurants go. My estimate is they can seat about 100 patrons. I've never waited more than a couple minutes to be seated. They've got comfortable booths that line three rooms along with tables in the middle. I've seen people come here by themselves to parties as large as twenty or more.
(5)Helen J.
Fresh and tasty pho! Super friendly staff, clean and spacious eatery. Would come back for sure :)
(4)Eli G.
I used to love the Pho Pasteur in Harvards Square, but never had been to this location until after they change their name. My first question is: why did they change the name? The menu is still exactlly the same and the food is no different. Regardless of the name Le's is solid Vietnamese food (I mean who doesn't like some good Pho). My problem is that after trying Pho2000 in Dorchester nothing can compete. So for all you P.P./Le's fans, do yourself a favor and make the trip!
(3)Laura K.
Plain & simple- The food is awesome so you get your money's worth and walk out a happy camper!
(4)Liz G.
I'm on my way there now for lunch. Me and my coworkers love the cheap chicken soup...its so filling, yet you dont feel terrible after eating it since its not greasy and I dont think it has MSG, so I'm not as tired as other places. Overall, yummy food and we can get in and out in time to get back to work within an hour
(4)Cass S.
Great value, best place for your money in Harvard Square to sit down and have a cheep yet tasty meal.
(5)Chase W.
Le's get's four stars for the simplicity of the value and quality of the food served consistantly. The dining room is nothing fancy and dated at best, but it is kept clean, and the service is quite good. If you have been meaning to stop in and try it but were unsure if it was worth a stop, use this review as an excuse to check it out- You can have a few beers and dinner for 2 for under 40$ and be 100% satisfied. Trust me!
(4)Heather H.
Each Pho Pasteur (or Le's in this case) location has it's own subtleties. Business has been doing well enough here that they knocked down a wall and expanded into the next door space since last I was here. The broth was fantastic in my pho today, not greasy at all and very flavorful. They even offered bird chilies alongside the bean sprouts and basil, which they don't always have at the Harvard Sq. location. Service is quick but not as friendly as in Harvard Sq. My Vietnamese host said he likes this place second only to Pho2000 in Dorchester (I must get there).
(4)Rachel D.
From Los Angeles (Alhambra area) so of course, tons of Asian food available so may be partially biased. Le's is great for what's around, though! Large sizes, reasonable prices. The Pho may have a bit too much MSG though. Would still go again! The one in Harvard Square can get quite crowded and the wait staff can be very abrupt, but it's expected in a super busy restaurant.
(3)Seafoodie R.
The fresh spring rolls are excellent, the chicken soup with clear noodles, the shrimp toasts (a cardiologists dream), the vietnamese pancake and the wonton soup are phenomenal! try the grilled beef skewers sprinkled with peanuts. The salted shrimp are an excellent combo with the house special fried rice (white colored)! menus differ across all their locations...
(4)Alyssa N.
After my dining companion told them he was allergic to peanuts, they served us a dish with a garnish of..... PEANUTS. He reminded the waiter of his allergy. The waiter says "can't you just push them off?" My friend says "no, I could die". Even after that, they were not very accommodating. And the food wasn't that great.
(1)Clint L.
Le's Restaurant is one of the best Vietnamese around Boston. You could never go wrong with their Pho(noodle soup) selections. I have been going there before they were called Le's(Pho Pasteur), which was a long time ago. I still dream about the first one they had in Chinatown on Tyler St., it was awesome. I use to get a Xe Lua(Pho XL) everyday. When I was done, the bowl always seem sparkling clean. That was how much I loved it. Too bad Le's is not in town anymore. They also have one at the Atrium Mall around Chestnut hill. The only one that has a full bar, yay! Yelp does not seem to have data on it. Try everything, because most of it is pretty darn good and reasonably priced! They need to serve some Banh Mi.
(4)Jennifer S.
Yeah...It was pretty good. I had the shrimp and chicken spring rolls (my favorite part of that dish was the peanut sauce which I actually saved to put in my noodle bowl) and one of the beef noodle bowls (I can't remember which one, I just remember it was the one without the tripe.) It was yummy and I'll be back, maybe then I'll give it another star.
(3)Andrea C.
My meal was very cheap and i enjoyed it a lot. The bathroom was really gross so that was a downside but i had a great meal so i'd certainly return again.
(4)Jennifer F.
This is probably my favourite place in Boston to eat cheap meals. I've been going to the Allston one for about 15 years, and it's always fab: delicious food for good prices, and good service. They split up with their brothers in Chinatown, and to be honest, I prefer Le's to them, but the food is good there too, perhaps a little cheaper. Parking is a pain, but Pho Le's (formerly Pho Pasteur, as they have to keep saying) is the best: way better, price and taste wise, than Pho Viet at Super88 or Lemongrass at Coolidge.
(5)Atrebor B.
My bowl of pho here was average; it wasn't bad but it certainly wasn't good either and it would have gotten an extra star but for the rather off-putting antics of my waitress. The broth was completely forgettable as were the generic meatballs. I decided to order the "meatball pho" since they didn't have "bo bun hue" (my favourite) and told her very specifically that I wanted a "small" size. She said "yes" then proceeded to rush off with the menu. Suffice it to say, my bowl of noodles arrived and surprise, surprise, she had delivered a "large" size despite my vehement request for the other size. This greatly displeased me since I did not look forward to finishing off such a large bowl of average tasting material. That had been a few months ago and I haven't been back even once since. In terms of taste, I much prefer Pho Pasteur in Chinatown, although both places will serve up heaping portions of attitude free of charge. Disappointingly average pho.
(2)Anne B.
Pho Pasteur is an excellent Vietnamese restaurant in Allston, but some of there entrees are a bit expensive and a coke there is like 2 dollars, and of course they do not give you free refills, though they will not do that at any Vietnamese Restaurant. The food is very good, though. I personally like the noodle bowls and the wonton soup. Unfortunetly, they don't seem to have many luch discounts
(4)George K.
#1 Pho house in the city. Spring rolls and peanut dipping sauce are a fav too.
(4)Melissa B.
Outside of the Chinatown location of Pho Pasteur, I find this location the best (way better than Harvard Square). Favorites are the bun with pork and shrimp and spring rolls or the #35. Or is it #37. Great for when you're starving because the fresh rolls will come out fast. Get an iced Vietnamese coffee to go for $2.50. So good.
(4)So S.
I agree with Lori. This location is the best. The other ones are actually pretty bad even though under same name... which is why all the asians are here including myself. I admit that the quality and authenticity has gone down with its popularity. Regardless, it is still the best authentic Vietnamese restaurant in town with Pho Hoa of Chinatown coming in 2nd best. Great Vermicelli w/ beef and spring rolls. Also the pancake appetizer is pretty good here. And the "pho" and fresh spring rolls w/ shrimp& pork are the best in town.
(5)Jennifer K.
We're frequent patrons to this Pho. The food is so great, and always fresh, and is served so quickly (you can count on getting in and out if you're in a hurry). Wonderful appetizers and soups.
(5)Jessica H.
I love Pho man! The food is great. I always get number 25. It's vermicelli noodles with beef and a spring roll. So good! Not to mention, it only costs about six bucks. Make sure you go to the Allston location though. I've been to the one in Harvard Sq. and the servers are so rude! They are really nice at this one though. AND, there is always a parking spot nearby, either on the street or in the public parking lot behind Blanchards.
(4)C S.
I've been going to Le's (formerly Pho Pasteur) for a few years now, and I've only ordered one dish: Chicken Bun. It's delicious, inexpensive, and I can get 2 meals out of it!
(3)J B.
The most authentic Vietnamese restaurant in Boston --and yes, it's this location only. The others are good too, but there's something about this location that's special. Plus you'll notice that it's filled with tons of Asians --which I always take as a very good sign.
(4)Ely W.
This has been our favorite spot for Vietnamese for a while. The vermicelli with beef is what I would recommend. The last time we went they seemed to prepare the food differently, and it wasn't as good. We're hoping that it was just an off day and they haven't changed anything.
(4)monkey l.
good, solid pho and rolls. and decent variety. it's not too pricey, and you can usually get a seat. i found the harvard location to be better than the newbury street one.
(3)L S.
I LOVE this restaurant! But most of all I love this location the best! The servers here are so sweet! I come here all the time and it is always wonderful! I always get bun, which are vermicelli noodles. The fresh springrolls are good and so are the fried ones, gosh I love this place!
(5)Sesha P.
Still the best pho in Boston and this location is the best of all of them. I eat here almost every week - the food is consistently good, the service quick, and prices are very reasonable. I recommend the spring rolls, the curry tofu with vegetables and, of course, the pho with chicken. The shakes are also spectacular, especially the jackfruit and pineapple.
(5)Melissa B.
Cheap soups & noodles & always a good choice. I love this place. Not a fancy night out, but always good.
(4)Jeffrey L.
Hit or miss, used to be the best when it was pho Pasteur but now a bunch of Cambodian and Thai people own it and they drove it down hill. The flavors are all different this place is more for touristy type of people with no taste IMO.
(2)Kevin L.
How is it that Vietnamese food has the ability to be immensely satisfying while leaving you feeling like you just stuffed your face with flavorful air? Take for example the vermicelli combination (combination because it has shaved beef, shell-on shrimp, and crispy spring rolls in it). Foodler had it arrive in under forty minutes of putting in the online order, everything neatly packaged with fish sauce on the side. The aluminum dish was stacked to the brim with perfectly soft, light vermicelli and tons of veggies and herbs like julienne cucumber, carrots, bean sprouts, green onions and mint. Just halfway through I was already full. Of course, being the fatty I am, I finished the whole thing in one go... I can only imagine that dining in would result in food that's even more fresh and delicious at a completely reasonable price point considering the volume and quantity provided. Good grub without the resulting food coma -- thumbs up to Le's all around!
(4)Ed Y.
Large bowl of pho, yellow noodles for me and rare thin cut steak. Add tons of basil, 3 squirts of fresh lime and 1 squirt of sriracha sauce and i'm in heaven. Yummy Yummy! Can't beat the price, its as good as it gets.
(5)Susan K.
Recently went here for lunch on a Sunday and met up with friends. Our waitress was HORRIBLE. This wasn't your regular, stoic, stingy Asian staff that you usually see in Asian restuarants...this one was just plain HORRIBLE. The way she talked to us was kind of condesending and plain rude. My pho was OK. The noodles were kind of stuck together and broth not warm enough. But I was too hungry to complain and I didn't want to deal with our HORRIBLE waitress. If a staff at Le's is reading this, please...talk some sense into one of your waitresses...an older lady with make-up and hair that looks like its been done in the 80s. Someone needs a course on 'Waiting Tables Professionally 101'. Absolutely terrible service. That's why we left a small tip...but I wish we didn't leave any. I don't know if I would come back. I would choose a number of other pho places over this one. HORRIBLE service.
(2)Dawn E.
Mr. Le's Vietnamese Delicious fresh rolls, if you please. The Pho, indeed, goes down with ease, But it's the rice chowder that brings me to me knees! This place is FANTASTIC. Unless you have to park. Then leave early.
(4)David Y.
I got the Bun Cha Gio which is vermicelli noodles with a fried spring roll. Priced at $7.75, it was more than generous with the portions they offered. The ingredients were fresh, the noodles cooked right, and the taste was great. The place was packed pretty good and the service was still very fast and responsive. I hope to try their huge bowls of pho next. Parking was a pain in this area.
(4)Bradley C.
Never again. It is so dirty.
(1)Asavari G.
I'm not a fan of pho but everyone I know/have gone with for the pho LOVE it. Best pho in town. The spring rolls are also Fabulous. They always come hot and tasty. I usually get a lo-mein type dish which is standard but good. Also serve tsing-tao beer which is light and tasty and a nice after-dinner coffee which has a chocolate-y after taste. Yum.
(5)Enjella L.
Where I first tried Pho and quickly became addicted. I have yet to eat Vietnamese food and Pho that tastes anything close to Pho Pasteur. Hands down - the best Vietnamese food & Pho.
(5)Madeleine Q.
Their service is faster than most fast food restaurants! Their pho is great for cold wintry days and they also have options for vegetarians that come with fresh vegetables and tofu in veggie broth, which I love. I also recommend their vermicelli variations, pork chop with rice, and avocado smoothies. Parking is horrible if you plan on driving into harvard square, but the restaurant is right by the T stop and is within walking distance from any part of harvard square.
(4)Sonya S.
Mr. Le's is THE best food on earth! When I lived in MA, my husband and I used to come here at least once a week, and when we moved to Vermont, we would travel 4 hours about once a month to eat here, and now that we live in Florida, when we travel up to New England, we make a point to travel to eat here. My husband loves the Lemongrass Tofu, and I love the Tofu Curry. It has the perfect combination of sweet and savory tastes, and is loaded with fresh veggies. The crispy spring rolls, fresh spring rolls and the rolls that you roll yourself are all splendid. The soup is also really great, but really, the curry is to die for! I have eaten at 15-20 different Viet restaurants across the country, and I always leave wishing that I could send them to the chef at Le's for a lesson. Don't hesitate, try this place if you are in the area. You won't regret it!
(5)Matt P.
I've been eating here since 2007 when it was Pho Pasteur. Great food, and GREAT PRICES! I eat here just about once a week.
(5)Melinda N.
very nice waiter. quick service. it was really busy. they were accommodating large parties. the bill came out really cheap for appetizer, two entrees and a glass of wine. i ordered fried spring rolls, grilled pork, and shrimp over vermicelli. it was delicious! and i got plenty of shredded lettuce and bean sprouts as well. it was a a busy tuesday night
(4)Neshy B.
I LOVE THIS PLACE I think this is my favorite restaurant in the whole of Boston. The food is just perfectly delicious every time. The staff are adorably friendly, a total delight, and VERY prompt. The strawberry milkshake thing is OUT OF THIS WORLD, I seriously recommend it even if you don't normally order a milkshake... This place is just perfect, they really are on top of their game, pick any dish as you cannot go wrong here its all delicious. It's so nice to be able to get tasty food and excellent service without having to break the bank to pay the bill. Le's in Allston, i love you. Thank you!
(5)Sarah J.
You won't find pho like this in any other city. I've had friends who have left Boston and they all say that the one thing that they all miss is Le's pho! For the price, you can't go wrong. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that I have been here over 100 times. With that being said, I've had a lot of items on the menu and have been very satisfied with most of the items. My staple go to dishes are the Vermicelli (Vietnamese salads) and the Seafood rice plate with garlic sauce. Of course you have to try the PHO! I used to only get the pho but then one time I took leftovers home and put it in the refrigerator. When I went to heat it up the next day, there was an inch of fat that had solidified at the top of the container and that grossed me out. Obviously there's fat in the soup (especially if you get the beef), but I didn't realize how much. Since then I've been getting the seafood pho and the vegetable pho with vegetable broth (not the regular broth they use). But seriously, it's all good and even after seeing the layer of fat, my husband still orders the beef dac biet and loves every bite! If you're visiting Boston, this is a MUST GO. Those who have left Boston regret that they didn't go more often while they lived here. :)
(5)song h.
The food is cheap (although they have been raising their prices) and it comes out quick. The food must have some type of crack on it because I've had great pho in other places but for some reason, I salivate whenever I think about this place. Even now, when I'm no longer in Boston, I dream about the delicious pho with combination fried rice (aka com chien) At one point, I was there at least twice a week to the point where waiters knew my order as soon as I walked in the door. A MUST TRY. But beware! Eat at your own risk because once will NOT be enough.
(5)Matthew P.
This is the first place I tried Vietnamese Pho. It's quite good. The staff are friendly enough and they bring the soup out quickly. The prices are decent as well. Other than the Pho I've also tried the house fried rice. I will say that their fried rice is one of the best I've had. They have lots of space so it's perfect for bigger parties, and there is rarely any wait. It's also very good on a cold winter day!
(4)Brit W.
Heard so many wonderful things about Le's from my friends that live in the Allston area, and before entering a hardcore tattoo session, pho seemed like an excellent idea. Le's served it up! AMAZING pho! Not to mention it reheated amazingly the next day, too. Super super fresh, amazing flavors - wow wow wow. Can't wait to come back here for more pho next time I'm back on the east coast working!!
(4)Shivani G.
You don't have to venture to Chinatown to have a great bowl of bun or pho!!! I think it's even better that the place has its own identity than being lumped with the Pho franchise. I think it's better! Their chicken is flavorful, their veggies crisp and fresh. It's a great treat and quite affordable. A gem in the string of great restaurants along Brighton Ave!
(5)Silvia P.
Ordered combination vermicelli with grilled pork, shrimp, and spring roll. Really good!!! Large portion and inexpensive. Boyfriend ordered beef pho, medium size, very good broth and also inexpensive! Great place for authentic Vietnamese food, and nice atmosphere, good for dinner.
(5)Wei W.
I am SO grateful that they'll seat large parties before everyone arrives - otherwise, the more punctual people in our group might have starved waiting for the latecomers to arrive! We had a group of 7 coming in for a 6:30 meet up, but only 3 of us had arrived on time. The hostess still sat us at our two-table set up, despite our group being short the full number of guests. We ended up ordering some drinks, as well as the roast quail and calamari as an appetizer as we waited for the rest of our group to arrive. Our order came out of the kitchen quickly, but our drinks took a bit longer to make (apparently, only one blender was available for the entire restaurant). Once the rest of our party arrived, we put in our pho orders (I'm a big proponent of dac biet pho - beef noodle soup with sliced rare eyeround, well done flank, brisket, beef flank, tendon, and tripe), and got some more drinks. Unfortunately, our waiter seemed distracted by other tables that were in the process of paying their checks, so it took us awhile to get his attention for some more drink orders. Luckily, the fair prices and large portions make up for this downside. I'll be back more often now that the weather is cooling down - nothing beats a cold winter day better than a big bowl of pho!
(4)Shirley Y.
Great stop for a nice hot bowl of pho. Overall, good food. Service is a little slow, but if you're coming in hungry, even a minute seems too long. Try the tei color bean dessert =]
(4)Abby R.
I think the pho is the thing to get here. That being said, I haven't had the pho here, hence the measly 3-star rating. Don't get me wrong, it was still perfectly respectable. I got a chicken curry and asked for it spicy as usual, and they delivered. Quite heavy on the garlic though, and it seemed like all the curries were. It's not a problem for me, but some people would prefer to avoid. I have a friend who orders their curries with less garlic though so it is an option. Anyway, good flavor and everything, but nothing earth-shattering. The atmosphere is kind of like a Friendly's circa 1995. Drab colors, formica, the ol' "family restaurant" feel. Good for big groups; there's a lot of seating. Prices are on point, a bowl of pho will cost about $8, and my meal came to just over $10 I think. Very casual feel. They have a full bar but I didn't try anything. I will be back to try the pho though!
(3)Chi Kit L.
Food is not good and the service was lousy. They gave you a mean face when you called the wrong thing. Also, they ignored your request.
(3)frac t.
I'm a huge Pho Fan but haven't really dived in since I moved back to Boston from the "Left Coast" where Pho is much more prevalent. I'm glad I didn't check the reviews here first (went on a whim as I was passing by today). There are a few nasty ones, but my experience was totally the opposite. Everything was top notch. As is normal and expected with Pho I was staring at a hot bowl full of still cooking meat and noodles within 5 minutes of planting my butt down (granted, I was there around 5:30, so probably not a busy time). Would have been quicker, but I actually consulted the menu for a minute since it's my first time here. Service was friendlier than expected at a Pho joint (honestly, though, I don't mind the standoffish service I usually get a Pho places... I don't need a new best friend). But all that other stuff is secondary to... The bad ass Pho they served me! Seriously good stuff! I got the regular large, which at $7.95 is a heck of a deal. The bowl was packed with some wonderful meats and noodles. I was especially impressed with the tripe, which normally is more of a filler, but they shredded it up finer than usual and it took in the broth flavor nicely. The highlight (as should always be the case with Pho!) was the broth. Very flavorful and balanced! I drank it right down to the bottom. Oh, and they do have limes back, which is nice, because I would have been slightly disappointed with a lemon as well. I don't go out to Allston much, but I'm glad to see there's one in Harvard Sq as well. I'm looking forward to sampling another bowl! Thanks Le's!
(5)Giulio C.
Beware! While the food is OK - NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR CREDIT / DEBIT CARD!!! My friend took us out, gave his credit card to the server, and it disappeared. The manager swore up and down that no one took the card, even suggested that my friend had misplaced it when he got the receipt back. Of course he immediately had to call his bank to deactivate the card. The evening only got worse - his car got towed from the lot near the CVS down the street - turns out this is a known scam.
(1)Mel C.
Best place to get your hangover/rainy day pho. The service is really fast, the portions are generous, the prices are cheap, the crispy spring rolls are balanced, the pho noodles are chewy, and the broth is flavorful. There's nothing better than the Extra Large Pho or the Bun Bo Hue (if you want a different noodle soup). Dump the bean sprouts, basil, lime, and sriracha in. Cover the meat and veggies with your noodles, wait a minute, and DEVOUR. For only $10, you can waddle out of the restaurant in under 30 minutes and leave satisfied.
(5)Lucy M.
I had always heard that this place had really good food, and that may be true. In fact I dont remember not liking the food. I was too preoccupied with cockroach that was on the floor and the general condition of the place. If there are cockroaches in the front, what is out back?!?
(1)Heather V.
I took me forever that day to find out what I wanted to eat. I walked up and down the street twice until I peered in the window and had seen someone eating very tasty looking noodles. I ordered a vermicelli dish was was very happy with the quality and quantity of food. The one thing that made this a less then perfect experience was that the staff was lacking with service.
(3)Charles W.
I am a regular at this restaurant. Each time I've come here has been a pleasant experience. The atmosphere is relatively low key and service is not great but nothing to complain about either. Why I keep coming back however is because the food is just delicious. With an extra large been noodle pho costing only 8.50, and numerous other nicely priced dishes, le's is my number one go to when I crave pho.
(5)Nanette S.
Although I used to love Le's, they are really pouring in the MSG now and letting the quality go. I ordered the beef soup, as I often do. My dinner partner asked if they could omit MSG -- no, it's put in during prep, no surprise. I inwardly thought, "what a prima donna, so sensitive to everything" since I'm not usually affected. However, this was extreme. Within minutes of eating, I experienced that characteristic flush and low grade head ache. It persisted for 6 hours, well into the nigh, wrecking my sleep. To make it worse, the soup wasn't as flavorful as I've had before -- short on beef and big on vermicili and thin broth. I was sick enough to not want to chance Le's again.It's sad. Le's used to be a go-to.
(1)Ken I.
Vietnamese food is not exactly my cup of tea. However, I love Vietnamese seafood soups in general, and their hot, sweet, and sour soup is one of the best IMO. I stop by this restaurant time to time for a pick-up, so I can say consistency is there too. Always the same delicious soup! The price is decent and the portion is appropriate. Thank God they are in my neighborhood!
(4)Michelle S.
They have a very extensive and authentic Vietnamese menu. I am half Vietnamese. The portions are generous and the prices are very reasonable. I have eaten at many Vietnamese restaurants but this one is hands down the best tasting and best dining experience. My boyfriend and I were very impressed. Will definitely make it a must go to place whenever I am in Boston.
(5)Marjoline F.
I always get the same thing here-- stir fried yellow noodles with tofu and assorted vegetables. They have all the typical Vietnamese dishes but I'm always in the mood for flavorful noodles and this entrée always hits the spot.
(5)Igor W.
Very comfortable, friendly waitresses/waiters and it mixes 2 great things: Food quality and price. I have been coming to this restaurant for 3 months and I always find seats. The food is excellent! This is definitely my favorite Vietnamese Restaurant in Boston.
(5)Alexandra S.
A few times every winter we head to Allston to enjoy the delicious, steaming hot bowls of pho served here. Yesterday was one of the coldest we've had so far this winter and a bowl of pho was just what we needed for a late lunch. Hot cups of tea were offered to us the moment we sat down warming us up so we could focus on the menu and decide which pho we wanted. There are many different kinds so depending on your mood and what kind of noodles you'd like, there is a choice for everyone. We each ordered a different type of seafood pho. As feeling returned to our fingers and toes we ordered bottles of 33 Export beer from Viet Nam. The menu has much to offer but it's always the pho for which we come. The service is friendly, the atmostphere spacious bright and unpretentious. We started with an order of fried veggie spring rolls which were crisp and delicious. Each large bowl of pho is around 7 dollars. It comes with a plate of condiments; lime slices, basil, and bean sprouts. With the squirt of sriracha I added, mine was perfection. This was a fresh tasting and filling meal that made my taste buds happy. Pho is a simple seeming dish but complex in flavors. The pho here will certainly cure whatever ails you; of this I'm sure. If I lived closer, as I once did, I'd be here all the time. I love this place.
(4)Vicky H.
Le's is good. They open late enough so you can still make it there on a late night. The food is pretty good. My fav is the watercress and pork soup. it's served with a heaping bowl or white rice and you know you'd be stuff by the end of it. The water staff is pretty laid back and sometimes will chat with you. The older guy knows us and exactly what we order now. He always make fun of us because we always order the extra large and he would say, "you sure you can finish?" we're like "YEA". he happily obliges. The service is always prompt and haven't had issues or attitudes. Sometimes you get that but it's been pretty good so far. I would give this place another star if the price was a little cheaper. It isn't expensive but it definitely is comparison to size and price of that in Chinatown.
(3)Rachel W.
I have loved this restaurant for years now. I have been to every Vietnamese restaurant around Boston that you can imagine & this one stays on top. In all honesty, some of my visits have been lacking, (probably because they are always so busy) & attention to detail has been sub par, but all in all you just can't beat their flavorful broth that, I have noticed, contains lemongrass. They also have x-large sizes for their soups, which not every pho restaurant has, & their vegetarian options are fabulous! I do recommend!
(5)Chenkai L.
Standard viet place with decent pho at a great price. Fast service and and casual atmosphere. Doesn't stand out too much in my mind.
(3)Nancy Y.
This is the best Vietnamese restaurant I've been to in the greater Boston area. I've tried Pho Hoa (Chinatown) and Pho Lemongrass (Coolidge Corner) and this place has both beaten out of the water. They have great portion sizes - pho and bun - and the broth and noodles were all right on mark. Their prices are very reasonable and this joint is NOT cash-only. I tried the chicken noodle soup, which is adventurous for me, because I usually stick with my eye round beef broth. It was comfort food to the max. I'm definitely going back for more!
(5)Han T.
Decent place for Vietnamese...because there's nothing else around. In terms of tasty authentic Vietnamese food and atmosphere, forget it! I've come to Le (pronunciation is sorta like Lei, not Lee) many times over the years and the experience has only been ehhhh. This place gets high ratings (as just about every other restaurant on Yelp!!) because people don't seem to expect much from their dining experience, mostly. A Vietnamese restaurant blasting Kiss 108 and commercials really doesn't feel right. How about playing some Paris By Night? Oh wait, waitress said CD player is broken and students might be uncomfortable with non-English music (paraphrased). Um, that's sad. Especially for someone oozing of Viet Pride like myself...(I'm naturalized so can't deport me!!!! Woot!) Anyway, the food might be better if you have Minh cooking instead of Manuel. For better Viet, go to Chinatown or Field's Corner in Dorchester...if you don't mind ducking the occasional midday stray bullet.
(2)Alex S.
Best pho in Boston hands down. I've tried most of the popular places around town and nothing compares to the taste and size of Le's. I usually get the #14 which is their largest bowl with all of the fixings. The owner is super nice and the service is extremely efficient. Best of all, it's cheap! I'm not sure why people say the service is slow because in the 50+ times I've been here, my order always comes out in 2 minutes flat. Check out my blog (complete with pictures and childish humor) for the full review! thesuchef.org/2013/11/03…
(5)Ashley D.
going to upgrade Le's to 3.5 stars after trying some of their other dishes. I mentioned before that I don't think the pho is anything special. So if you do dare venture outside of the world of pho (I promise it's not dangerous) here's what I would recommend: shrimp, pork, and egg roll vermicelli caramelized fish (ca kho to)- best if you're splitting a few things with other people and my new personal fav banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes)
(3)Harmony L.
Visiting Boston and I really like this place! From Cali, so I've been to my fare share of Pho places. I actually got the Tofu and Vegetable Medley that I thought was amazing. It was a bit salty and had a lot of sauce, so I found myself dabbing it off on the side of the plate. They ran out of brown rice (+$1), but it's all good! My friends really enjoyed the pho and thai iced tea. Everything had really great flavor!
(4)Joanna H.
Today was the first time I ordered the #14- their extra large pho special. I must say, it is totally worth it! The bowl of pho is bigger than the size of your face with considerable tripe, brisket, flank, and tendon. My friend mixed a little bit of Sriracha and Hoisin sauce together and dipped the meat in there. I totally recommend it. This will be a $10 dinner that leaves you more than satisfied. If you're looking for an appetizer, fresh summer rolls are always the way to go.
(4)Andy L.
Great food but watch out for the tip... the way they calculate 'suggested' tip includes the tax which increases the tip. I actually pointed this out to one of the waiters and he was not very happy about it and said that's normal practice. Although relatively speaking it's not that much of an addition (I typically give 18% or above) I felt peeved by the fact that it's 'suggested' that I have to pay tip on a tax, which is not part of service. Food is great though!
(3)Minh H.
I always hesitate to review Vietnamese restaurants because I know the food will never beat homemade Viet food, but I think Le's has pretty decent food for the price. I usually order the vermaselli or the rice dishes and they hit the spot every time. My only gripe is the price for the spring rolls. 2 small rolls for 5 dollars just seems way too expensive for me, and they are filled more with shredded lettuce than anything else. Very disappointing. Just stick with the main dishes and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Netalin T.
Food is pretty tasty. I love this location more than Harvard sq one. Service is also fast.
(5)Anthony P.
Time to get my pho cravings down. Hearing rumors of pho better than NYC (which isn't that hard honestly), I was anticipating getting a big bowl of pho in Boston. Le's didn't disappoint in that regard. I got the Pho Xe Lua (literally Pho Train), one giant, whopping bowl of pho for $7.95. The broth was your standard Pho broth that you can find at most run of the mill Pho joints. There was an average amount of every type of meat, brisket, eye round, tripe and tendon. Honestly, my Pho craving was fulfilled by Le's but I found it average overall. -1 star for the fact that the service was lacking. Slow and when we asked the server to take a picture of our table, he gave us a curt "we are too busy right now, and walked away." Talk about customer service. I'd rather go somewhere where the staff is more homely.
(2)Kswagg X.
My go to spot for Pho and rice plates. Get the grilled pork chop. Shrimp toast is bomb too. Everything is flavorful and service is great.
(5)Victoria P.
Started off with the spring rolls and they were just okay. I really wanted to try the fresh summer rolls, but I'm not a huge fan of mint in them and politely asked the waiter if they could remove the mint and he said that the rolls were already made and that was not possible. It's a bit off putting that they pre-make their "fresh" summer rolls so I think I may have dodged a bullet. Ordered the #19 (pho with rare eyeround and tendon) - it was delicious! The broth was hearty and they definitely didn't skimp on the meat. The service was good. Overall a great experience...just avoid the fresh summer rolls.
(4)James T.
Ehh food was good, I mean it tasted good but took over 1 and half hours to come out. My party was 8 people so I understand a little delay, not 90 minutes. After we all finished eating, we asked for seperate checks to pay individually but they said not. Fine we could just split the check because we basically all ordered the same thing. The little Latino girl took over 20 minutes to print the receipt and when she gave it to me, she sighed like she was upset. The fact that she couldn't work the POS system to print a freaking receipt, and getting mad at the customer was so petty and immature. She even threw a pen on the table instead of handing it to my friend. The staff is so rude especially to big parties because they don't have the experience...
(1)Caroline R.
Le's is fantastic. It has great food and all at a wonderful value. I highly recommend all of their pho's and the wonton soup. The broth is delicious and not to be missed! My other favorite thing to get here are their vermicelli dishes but you must must must get it with the pork. I'm not sure if it's the way that the pork is seasoned or cooked or whatever but it is crave-worthy. Their spring rolls (fresh), pork and rice plates, and beef dishes are also great. Service at the restaurant can sometimes be slow but I've never had a bad meal. I usually do take out from this location but have also sat in the restaurant a couple of times. However, it seems that the food portion is bigger if you sit down rather than do take out. You won't be disappointed!
(4)O M.
Food is middling. Summer roll had half a shrimp per roll and waitress claims this is how they are rolled. Pho was ok.
(1)Jack K.
Good and cheap. There is a good variety of Vietnamese and Thai dishes, but I definitely come here for the Pho. I usually go to Pho Pastuer in Chinatown, but it's a long ways away. This place is literally minutes from my place and I enjoy that it is basically the same quality, just under a different name. Can't write anything more except that the Pho hits the spot!
(4)Robyn B.
Chicken pho! Or the beef tenderloin vermicelli. Can't lose. Spring rolls are also delicious (that peanut sauce.....mmm)
(5)Allie B.
The day I moved to Allston I unpacked and was starving with my dad. Went to Le's and ordered a wonton soup and chicken & broc. Portions are huge and the food was AWESOME!!!! The atmosphere was lackluster but I have returned since then :) thanks for an awesome welcoming to Boston!
(5)Jaclyn S.
If you want: Cheap, Vietnamese, authentic, quick service, large menu, and low-key/minimal restaurant decor this is the place for you. Easily can eat here for under $10, i think the pho was $8 (or $7.95). It was good and there are so many options. The restaurant is what you'd expect and is good for a low key meal, groups, or just grabbing a bite to eat. I dropped an eggroll because the chopsticks were so slippery and they brought me a new fresh one. I've never seen this place packed, so it can be quiet. I really liked that they had noodle dishes and rice dishes on the menu - definitely options for everyone.
(4)Alyssa A.
Very good food and average service. The food took a little while but once it arrived we could tell that it was because they put a lot of care into making it. Out of 5 of us everyone liked their meal. I have a slight peanut allergy and after my food arrived I realized that it had peanuts. I checked the menu and realized it was my mistake and asked the gentleman who served us for another plate. He said okay and promptly got me a new dish within 5 minutes and no extra charge. So, for that I was thankful. All in all very good and I would definitely go back again
(4)Erik W.
This is a generous 4 stars because the place is currently undergoing construction and it was super loud when we were in there. The ambiance here is certainly lacking. They were blasting 90s country-pop music while I was there, ha. That being said, the food here was excellent. I came here yesterday with my Dad for lunch. I ordered the #93 with crispy noodles. It was so, so, good. In fact, I had dreams about it last night. The veggies were plentiful and fresh, the sauce was delicious, and the noodles, well, the noodles were crispy. Great little Vietnamese joint.
(4)David K.
Good pho place with decent price! (The booths are really comfortable FYI!) Will definitely go again when I'm craving some Vietnamese food
(4)Jimmy R.
Great food and very affordable price. The service is ok. Definitely a good place to go for a big bowl of PHO.
(4)Shreya B.
Ample seating space. Came here with my family. Loved the Veg Spring Roll served with peanut sauce. The sauce had crushed peanuts in as well. For entree we had Veggie Pho which had tons of veggies but not very flavorful. The broth did not have any character in it. Also tried the Veggie Meddley with rice which turned out to be a savior from our bland pho. Anyways.. Now we know what to order the next time we visit Le's. Good service.
(3)Nathan O.
I love this place, almost as much as they love me... Huge vegetarian selection, though I seem to always order the same. While it's farther than a stone's throw from fine dining, you have to appreciate quick and inexpensive eats. I mean, it is Allston after all. One thing I don't understand are the sketchy "fish" tanks in the back left of the restaurant. I've never once seen anything in them, yet there they are. Bacterial breeding grounds...perhaps.
(4)Mal S.
I was NOT impressed with this place. I have not tried any of the other local vietnamese restaurants but I have definitely had better. The pho broth was bland. The service was a bit slow and the tables seemed a bit dirty. I think this place may appeal to those who are not seeking authentic vietnamese cuisine rather an americanized version of vietnamese food.
(2)Cmarie W.
Beef pho was excellent - 5 stars. Fresh rolls were.... Meh. All lettuce, barely a hint of other ingredients. Lost a star because of that. Inside could be updated but the food is awesome and will return for the pho!
(4)Joe B.
Very good food here, the ambience of the restaurant was warm and welcoming. The staff was very friendly and courteous. The seafood options such as squid, shrimp and scollops were pretty good. I wouldn't say the food was amazing but for about $8 ~ 12 a plate the food was reasonably priced. With that being said, be prepared to have large quantities of vegetables than actual meat/seafood.
(4)Ace K.
Ordered grilled pork chop and meat patty with rice. Grilled pork chop tastes delicious but not impress with meat patty. It was tasteless and dry.
(3)Sarah G.
Ok. The food here is good. I've been to this same restaurant in Harvard Square. But the service at this location was so rude!! Both my friend and I got a drink and pho each. The waiter came to our table three times, to get our order, bring the food and drinks and take the dishes away. We paid in cash with the tip included (a little over 10% because he didn't do much) The waiter came back to our table and told us that we did not leave him enough of a tip!!! And he pointed to the bottom of the receipt where it has "suggested tips" based on percentage and said "you have to leave me more money". I have NEVER been to a restaurant where the waiter has the audacity to tell a customer they didn't leave enough tip...ESPECIALLY when the service was ordinary. If you want to try Le's, go to Harvard square.
(1)Kimberly W.
I've been in Boston for over four years and with Le's just down Brighton Avenue, it's a go-to for Vietnamese food. However, this past time I went, although the food itself was great [had spring rolls over vermicelli with peanut sauce], it was FREEZING. I felt like I was outside...That kind of killing things for me, especially because my friend and I were there for so long...Boston is cold and when you go out to eat, you expect ot be inside and comfortable. Not frozen... In the past I can't recall having problems; the food is good and the portions are more than decent. But just this one time...
(3)Alissa K.
Mmmmmm.....pho.... Seriously I go to this place sometimes twice a week. I live around the corner, and it's dangerous. The pho is so good, and filling, and CHEAP! Super fast service. The inside is a little shabby and random. but I don't care, it's clean and cheap so you can't complain. Every time I go in, I want to try something else, but the Pho always pulls me back in.... that being said, I have gone, on occasion, with other people and gotten to try some other stuff, all awesome: the chicken curry is a best seller, as is the wonton soup and the thai salad app is light and delicious. TEN STARS!
(5)Alex K.
There is no better hangover food in the world. In my wilder college days, every night on the town would be followed by a large bowl of pho the next day. That isn't to say that Le's is strictly hangover food. When Boston's cold weather sets in around November, very few things in this city can warm your heart and soul like a big, hot bowl of pho. I stick with a #18 and I split a house fried rice with a friend. Insider tip: you can add a barbecue pork chop to your fried rice for about $2. Crispy spring rolls and shrimp toast top my list for appetizers.
(5)John W.
I'm a regular, frequent here once to twice a week (Brighton Ave location). I've been to all other locations, which in my opinion they're not as good - in terms of service, flavors, and portion sizes. Le's offer great comfort food! Good service! Great prices! Never been disappointed! Usually, start with fried crispy spring rolls, grilled beef teriyaki (well done), and grilled chicken teriyaki (well done), I like mine crispy! Sometimes when I'm in the mood, I get the fresh spring rolls with shrimp with peanut dipping sauce. YUM! My usual entree: Tai (thinly sliced flank beef) beef noodle soup with yellow noodles, rather than the traditional white rice noodles; like to dip my noodles in their chili oil. Sooo Gooood!
(4)Lisa S.
Mediocre. We ate dinner here before a show at the Brighton Music Hall. The most Americanized Vietnamese food I've ever eaten. Most of the cooked vegetables in the food we ordered were frozen. The fresh red peppers tasted moldy. I ordered the soft shelled crab dish that was on the "specials" menu. The crabs were about 3 hours away from spoiled and should never have left the kitchen. If the restaurant doesn't serve enough of that dish to turn over the fresh crabs fast enough before they spoil, they should take it off the menu. We didn't finish our food. The whole dining room could use a major steam cleaning with industrial cleaner. I can only imagine how dirty the kitchen is if they don't care about what the patrons can see. I was in the restroom with a server, and she used the toilet and walked out without washing her hands. I'm not a college student; I don't think every restaurant I eat in has fantastic food because I can't cook. I suppose in this area of Brighton it's easy for a restaurant to stay in business serving lousy food in a dirty dining room because students don't know any better.
(2)Craig N.
Great service. We have 3 kids and they were so accommodating. The owner came and checked to see if we were happy twice. Food came out fast and was delicious
(5)Jen Y.
Pho I love you long time. If heaven had a height, YOU would be THAT tall...HAH! Anyhow I've been going to this joint since it was called Pho Pasteur back in the day...It's quick, fast , cheap and easy- and I'm not talking about just your date ..D'OH! .the food is good...Love the fresh summer rolls...the seafood pho is my fave and if you want a nice little treat when it's cold out, the watercress soup is a hidden gem...it's ginormous, comes with rice you can throw in and you can pick your meat...mmm pork! The rice dishes are really good too...porkchops are yummy and if you can get past the name of it, the quail is really good too...! I always get the older waiter with the high bouffant hair...reminds me of Gary Oldman in Dracula when he has that creepy high white hair....BUT He's the man. Always remembers my order and is ON POINT every time. It's just a great cheap and yummy place! The only thing is I wished the tea pots were bigger because this homegirl can drink a lot of tea and I feel dumb asking them to refill it every 3 seconds!!!!
(4)Crystal Z.
I wanted to like this place, I really did. However, there were just so many negative factors that affected my decision. First of all, this place is pretty small. I went on a Saturday night at 5:30 and it was already pretty crowded. Secondly, the service is terrible. I understand that its a busy Saturday night, but they seemed more concerned with squishing people into this tiny space than they did trying to get the check or refill water or do anything other than bring out the food and sit guests. Thirdly, I've had better pho. Honestly, its pretty mediocre. The broth is the same as all other average broths. Anywhoooo. Maybe I'll go back one day when I'm super hungry. That usually does the trick :]
(3)Quynh L.
Don't eat there. One of the worst Pho I had ate for a long time in a restaurant. The broth was not tasteful at all and even with a lot of Hoisin sauce, I couldn't make it taste better. Even worse than the food is the service. What kind of waiter go to your table with the bill and ask you if you did tip? It's not like we forget it. We just put it directly on the table. No apologies at all. The waitress was not respectful at all. I will not go back to that restaurant. Please save your money and go eat Pho at another restaurant. I'm sure it can only be better than what I ate here.
(1)Fernanda P.
My favorite dish is the soup. Even the vegetable soup has so much flavor. The service is good and they are fast.
(5)Katie W.
I love all the Le's restaurants in Boston. Best pho! I'm also a big fan of their fried rice and flat rice noodles. All locations serve your food fast (within 10 minutes), but this location is particularly speedy. You can easily do a 30 min lunch here. They usually come out with your food within 3 minutes of ordering, so you have a good 20 minutes to eat before the check. Parking is hard to find, but it's conveniently located off Harvard Ave.
(5)Matthew S.
Solid place; I've gone here about a half dozen times and enjoyed it every time. They have vegan, vegetarian, and carnivorous options, so no matter which way you swing you'll find something. They have bubble tea, and the coconut version of it is absolutely delicious. I usually like finding something to complain about with everything in my life, since I'm a miserable human being, so there's this: one time I saw a husband & wife (I think they run the place) arguing and trying to drag me into their argument. Weird. But made for an interesting story. Other than that, no complaints. Prices are on the low end, food quality is high, and service is rapid.
(4)Karina L.
Best in Boston is right! I love Le's. Cheap pho (around $7/bowl) and such a great, chill environment. Service is spot on and super accommodating.The best part is that the pho comes out ridiculously fast. The broth is SO yummy and gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling in your tummy. Generous amount of tripe and meat! The #14 bowl is massive. On most days I can share it with my roommate and still be full. On bad days (Saturday mornings), I can finish the #15, which is a big bowl in itself, but much smaller than the #14. My boyfriend finished the entire #14 bowl. If you have the appetite of a small bear like he does, I think coughing up an extra dollar for the extra big bowl is worth it.
(5)Ambrose C.
Probably one of the few Vietnamese restaurants in Allston and the nearest one to my place, this is probably one of my options if I do not want to go to Boston's Chinatown or the somewhat rough neighborhood of Dorchester for Vietnamese food. During a really cold day, I usually would get an Extra Large Pho noodle soup, also known as #14, the Xe Lua. This is a really large bowl of soup, with various thin cuts of beef, tripe, noodles, scallions, onions and cilantro. If you are really hungry, one bowl, combined with the bean sprouts provided, should fill up your stomach. I found the beef to be decently good and tasty, using the dark hoisin sauce and the red Sriracha sauce made the flavor of the beef and the noodles even better. The price of one big bowl (probably 3x the size of a bowl that you would eat cereal or oatmeal and maybe 5x size of a small rice bowl) should be under $9. When the weather is at its best and ideal conditions, as in when the weather is more than 20 degrees Celsius, there is beautiful sunshine, and clear blue skies, I usually would get a vermicelli noodle dish, which is known as "Bun" in the Vietnamese language or "mai fun/mi fen" in Cantonese/Mandarin Chinese. I would usually get a #28, Bun Thit Nuong, which is the Grilled Meat Vermicelli. I would usually get beef or pork. However, I also would get the #30, which is the Bun This Nuong Cha Gio, which is the same dish as #28, but with a small crispy spring roll. Both dishes are about the same price, under $9 as well. The texture of the meat is pretty good and really tasty, and the cold vegetables provided are fairly fresh. The vinaigrette provided made the vegetables and noodles tastier, and I poured it over the vegetables and the noodles. The spring roll tasted like the staff bought a huge packet of frozen spring rolls from a distributor and reheated enough as if it was fresh out of the kitchen, so it was definitely lacking a homemade taste to it. One major disadvantage this place has is the way the staff prepares the broth for their Pho noodle soups. The way they prepare it can be really questionable, because one time when I was eating the soup, my tongue detected small traces of monosodium glutamate (also known as mei jing or wei jing in Cantonese/Mandarin Chinese). This made me feel really thirsty. As for interior, it is probably one of the biggest Vietnamese restaurants I have been to in the somewhat decent city of Boston, so it's a great choice if you have a large group of people asking for Vietnamese food and if they are open-minded about the food. Service was just satisfactory, but I think there is some authenticity because I actually heard Vietnamese spoken by the staff. They were nice enough to make sure I had plenty of water. Did not encounter any rudeness, but I was nice to them though. Overall, I think these people can get the job done well in terms of Vietnamese food, the prices are reasonable, but I think they need to cut down on their usage of monosodium glutamate on their Pho. If they can do that, along with providing more meat, in proportion to the noodles in both the Pho and the Vermicelli dishes, and somehow make the meat even more tastier I think this place has a lot of potential to be a really awesome Vietnamese restaurant.
(4)Beatweeze C.
Basic Pho. I grew up in SF where the pho is pho-nominal. har har. But Le's hits the spot when I have the certain craving. Vietnamese coffee is so good. I don't think Le's makes it as strong as some places, so it's safe to drink for dinner too!
(4)Nate Y.
Who wouldn't want a big bowl of hot, steaming, soup during this time of year and the kind of weather we've been having? So when a friend wanted to get some dinner before catching a movie at the CC theater, and with the plethora of restaurants along Harvard Ave., my only qualification was soup, so pho it is. We stepped into Le's and were seated immediately. We order a couple Vietnamese beers and peruse the menu. Now I know everyone typically just goes for pho, which we did order a large bowl of pho soup with chicken, but what was especially good was the whole fish we ordered. A lightly breaded, pan fried, bass of a fish, it was amazing! The pho was good, even better with a little bit of hot pepper to kick it up a notch, but the fish was moist and tasteful, mm, mm, good! Plenty of fresh vegetables and herbs with the soup and the fish as well. After finishing we were perfectly satisfied, but not stuffed where I needed a nap. Made it to the movie too just after the previews were rolling! :)
(4)Hana T.
I entered Le's Restaurant at 1:19 pm, and was immediately shown a booth. Before my butt touched the seat, a waiter came over with a glass of ice water and menu. Since I had been dreaming of pho for a few days, I knew exactly what I wanted: pho with rare beef and brisket, with a vietnamese iced coffee. I went ahead and ordered without contemplating the menu, and picked up my cell phone to text my boyfriend. Before I could finish typing out my text, a bowl of pho, plate of veggies, and iced coffee were brought out to me. Time: 1:21 pm. True story. The pho broth was pretty tasty and satisfied my pho craving. The meat seemed to have been cooked a little longer than I was used to - I like when the rare beef is still pink, so that it can cook in the hot broth, but it was already well done. It came with the typical vegetable plate of bean sprouts, basil, and lime (I later asked for a few peppers to spice things up). The thing that really bugged me was the small quantity of noodles in the pho. After about 3 bites, I found myself fishing for noodles...and having to make do with a handful of bean sprouts instead. My iced coffee was good with a healthy serving of condensed milk, but extremely weak. All in all, I finished my meal happily, but without the my-stomach-is-going-to-explode feeling that I've associated with eating pho. Not the best pho I've ever had in my life, but it hit the spot, and I'll definitely be back.
(3)Catherine W.
This place has held up over the years. Had the grilled pork chop over rice and husband had grilled pork, shrimp bun with egg roll (both $7.95). Very good. The way they cook pork is delicious. Spacious seating, we got a round table in the back for a group of 7. Service was friendly and courteous.
(4)Doc B.
Expensive for what it was. It was freezing cold as the heat did not appear to have been turned on. We ate with our jackets on... Food was mediocre. Don't order the banh xeo because you'll just spending $10 for a plate of bean sprouts...lol The pho was also very lacking.
(1)David Y.
Le's was a go-to when I lived in Allston. It's quick, cheap, and always good. The Le's combo fried rice is amazing and a personal favorite. The ingredients are always fresh and it feels like you're eating something much healthier than the standard greasy Chinese fried rice. We always get the spring rolls as well. I've tried numerous other options on the menu and never had a bad meal. Go here for a quality taste of Vietnam where you can be in-and-out fairly quickly and won't break the bank by any means. Oh and btw you'll definitely have leftovers.
(4)Benjamin T.
I've been going to Pho Le's with my family for a very long time. All I can say is the people that work there are really nice. The service is fine. The pricing for the food is also good. The design of the restaurant is decent. I can find nothing wrong with it. The food is awesome. If your a noodle soup person, then I highly recommend trying their pho dat biet, bun bo hue, or pho ga. Either one of those noodles soups should be fine. The other entrees are enjoyable. Pho le is cheap and affordable, the portions are decent. If your just looking for something to eat and enjoy at a cheap price then this is the place to go.
(3)TnC M.
Lucky me, I live 3 minute walk from my favorite vietnamese restaurant EVER! (I've tried pho pasteaur in chinatown, xinh xinh, new dk to name a few) I often goto Le's for their vietnamese pho (#20 on the menu is my personal favorite) and drain their soups before even touching my noodles. Sometimes I even ask for extra portions of the soup. I don't think I will or can ever get sick of their food and I often order same things off of the menu. For appetizer, I go for their shrimp toast or their summer rolls. As for the main dish, I order #20 or vermicelli with spring rolls and grilled pork which is served with fish sauce. Amazing spot for cheap GREAT vietnamese food! I highly recommend this place.
(5)L M.
Food was bland. Me and my boyfriend went in really excited because we had never had pho before. We got there at 5 pm on a Friday and there were literally only 2 other couples being served. The waitress did not ask for our order for 25 minutes seemingly because she did not know anyone else was waiting to be served.....although I made it a point to turn around and try to get her attention without being rude. 2 other couples came in while we were waiting and they were served immediately. Ridiculous. The pho was decent, but I won't be returning here due to horrible service.
(1)Yancey L.
I choose to have my moon festival dinner over there which I think was a great decision. Their Caramelized Fish in a stone pot tastes simply awesome. It's a little sweet, savory, crispy which is a little similar to how we cook fish in my hometown. I also ordered their signature Crepes which are lightly fried golden brown pancake folding shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and a delicate sauce. Believe me, it's totally different from the french crepes you have for breakfast.
(4)Julie A.
Wow I loved the Pho and Nime Chow here! The soup-base is the big thing as each place makes it a little different. It was the perfect amount of sweet and salty. The sprouts were fresh. Service was fantastic. Got seated right away, and were tended to promptly and often! Would definitely like to come back. :D
(5)Vivian C.
What was once Pho Pasteur is now known as Le's. There's a good chance I hadn't been back here till now since it had adopted its new moniker, but it's not from a lack of wanting to. Anyhow, tonight's gathering pleasantly brought me back to its familiar surroundings, cold shakes, and quick entrees. I might have the name wrong, but I have a soft spot for three color ice, which could be known as either a dessert or a drink. Le's version was tasty, but tonight was a little chunky on the yellow mung bean and the ice cubes. It could have also used a bit more liquid to make it more of a drink and less dessert/food. The pork chop on rice came with a side salad garnish and two pork chops. I love it when the pork is nicely browned and caramelized... mmmmm... But the fish sauce seemed a little light on the flavor this time around. Portions-wise, I ate just over half my meat and rice, and all the veggies on the plate. But don't forget, I also had the beans and the agar from my 3 color ice taking up space in my tummy. Our waiter was a little preoccupied as he took our order, but as the evening progressed, he became friendlier and more responsive despite the fact that the restaurant got more busy. Parking can be tough, so head over a little early if you want to be on time. Food plus drink plus tip/tax rounded up: $14 *** 7/2011 visit *** Got the Pork Chop plate for $7.95. Two decently meaty chops with a pile of fresh salad vegetables, and a bowl formed portion of rice. Nice. I took a chop and some rice home after finishing my 1/2 and 1/2 red bean and mung bean shake $3.50. The portions here are still good... unlike the sister spot at the Atrium Mall. *** 7/2012 visit *** The Pork Chop rice plate is still $7.95 and a good portion. I ate half and took half home... but then I had also enjoyed a yummy quarter of a quail and finished up a red bean shake (now served in a plastic take-out cup). *** 7/2013 *** Pork Chop rice plate still yummy. Quail were nice and plump. *** 7/2014 *** We ordered the Roasted Quail $9.50 and the entree Vietnamese Fried Calamari $10.95 as our appetizers. The quail were a bit puny relative to past visits. The calamari crisp and tasty, despite the tasty moist vegetable garnish. I was feeling veggie, so I ordered the Curry Tofu $10.50. It came with rice and celery in addition to the named veggies - tofu sauteed with garlic, curry, sliced red peppers, onions, summer squash, zucchini, green beans, snow peas and roasted peanuts. The veggies retained a good bite, but the sauce was a bit too spicy for me. Next time I feel veggie, I'll try the Tofu with Vegetable Medley (tofu sauted with sliced red bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, summer squash, zucchini, green beans and snow peas) for the same price. Grilled Pork Chop with White Rice $8.50 still looked good, though the pork chops have gotten thinner cut over the years. The avocado shake is pretty much always tasty and of smooth consistency here. Beef with Fresh Watercress $10.95 looked good - maybe next time... PS - my friend's favorite avocado shake comes from here, because it is always smooth. *** 7/2015 *** Their Roasted Quail $9.50 sauteed with sliced onions, scallions, red bell peppers, served over a bed of watercress (1 quail, quartered) was as good as ever, and the Avocado Smoothie (no boba) $3.50 smooth and yummy. The chicken in my Stir Fried Flat Rice Noodles (Chicken) $8.95 was a bit dry - perhaps I should have gotten it with tofu instead, or the tofu with vegetable and rice that a DC had ordered. The grilled pork chop another DC ordered were cut thin and found to be a bit dry this time. They now offer a kids menu with options priced at $5.95 or $6.50. (photo posted) My usual faves are now priced as follows: Grilled Pork Chop with White Rice $8.50 Grilled Meat and Crispy Rolls Vermicelli $8.50 Stir Fried Flat Rice Noodles $8.95 Special Beef Noodle Soup $6.95/$7.95/$8.50
(4)Patrick D.
I've been here a number of times, and unfortunately I can't say I've been very adventurous with the menu aside from an underwhelming experience with some salty plum soda, but that was on me. The other drink ordered that night was the jasmine limeade which was amazing. I've had the most popular pho option each time and every time it's delicious. Consistent every time across the board, perfect portions as well, always plenty for the typical dinner and almost always some left over if you're really hungry (the XL bowl that is). Music is funny to be honest, last time I was here Shake it Off and Fireball made it into the mix, a very lighthearted restaurant with great service. Highly recommended for some tasty pho if you're like me and feeling adventurous or even if you grew up eating it like a few of my friends I've been here with. Very reasonably priced too, a $9 bowl is more than enough for one person. Everything is very healthy and refreshing too, awesome place for some guilt-free dining.
(4)Jeffrey B.
There's nothing like a bowl of ph'o at Le's on a snowy day... or a rainy day... or any day for that matter! The ph'o here is easily among the best, if not THE best in the Boston area, at a very reasonable price. Try starting with the summer rolls, which are served with a pretty amazing peanut sauce. Also delicious is the Le's Fried Rice, which I almost always split with another friend (make sure you try it with Sriracha sauce) so that I have enough room in my stomach for the ph'o. My go-to order is the ph'o with flank and brisket (#20 on the menu), and I've never been disappointed! Who says patience is a virtue? The food is always served very quickly, and the staff is very friendly. Le's is a must-try for delicious and cheap Vietnamese food!
(4)Burton V.
The food here used to be awesome, especially the pho but the last time I went, it tasted like it was either over cooked or leftovers from another bowl. The noodles were all broken up and tasted nasty. I haven't gone back since then. Their spring rolls are delish and thai iced tea is bomb. Hopefully, they have fixed the noodle situation since then.
(2)Winston G.
#39 House Special or Viet Fried Rice (not sure what it's called). Best fried rice I've ever had - highly recommended. At about $7, it is also really cheap and affordable. The pho here is also great - just order depending on what type of meats you want. Service can be slow at times, but generally, they get you in and out quickly. I've been here countless times when I was in college - still a solid play.
(5)Pratik P.
3-stars for two reasons: incredibly CHEAP ($15/pp with appetizers) and a "large pho" on the menu essentially means it's a big ass bowl. I'm a huge dude and I couldn't even finish it, but I do appreciate the staff not skimping out on the food portions!
(3)Rosie O.
Delicious food but they had no clue about gluten free...and were also kinda rude about it... Had the summer rolls and a "no gluten chicken and broccoli" after much confusion...and now my stomach is in serious pain.
(2)Jen S.
Only rating this 3 stars because it was our first time there (our as my hub and me)- will go a few more times and update my review. This place is around the corner from our apartment. I have an evening class so it was very convenient to just stop off here before going home. I got the veggie pho and it was good- though I hope they can make it without cilantro because I always forget how much I hate cilantro until it hits my tongue. So while cilantro is one of the most important ingredients in pho, I could go without it. Someone told me that in Vietnam you can get mint to replace the cilantro. So I'll have to ask next time. If not, whatever. I forgot to specify whether or not I wanted the LARGE size or the SMALL size, so I was just given the large. Make sure you clarify! The large pho was definitely WAYY too big for me. Thankfully they had to go containers! My hub ate it the next day and thoroughly enjoyed it. The basil they give you to put in it is very fresh and makes the broth AMAZING. We went on Valentine's day and one of my scallions sitting atop a piece of squash was in the shape of a heart!! I'll post a picture on here! My husband got a beef/curry dish and didn't like the curry part so much. He likes curry, just not this kind. He also said the beef was too rubbery. He's not NEARLY as picky as I am... Service wasn't that great- nobody came by to see how we were doing until they wanted to know if we wanted to get our check. But I won't judge an entire service on one night. Our glasses seemed a bit dirty. Not so much DIRTY as maybe the fact all of these glasses are washed by the dozen and then air dried, so then there are lots of spots all over it. I want to try a few more of their dishes, so this is mainly a first impression review.
(3)Eric R.
Here are my choices: 1) Snarky, sarcastic 2 paragraph essay about why you're stupid if you don't eat at Le's. 2) Haiku, explaining. Why i love the soup at le's. Did it anyway. 3) Gushing, overly dramatic review describing how the light glistening off the perfectly cooked chicken makes me feel homesick. 4) Short review so I can go to Le's. I pick 4. The pho is to die for. Everything is fresh. The people are nice. Seriously, the best pho in Boston. Hands down. Go. Eat.
(5)Yuri C.
Good place to have Pho, huge portions. Fast and friendly service. Other locations are not as good as the one in Allston.
(5)Julie L.
Delicious and very affordable. Great selection of different types (beef rare/cooked, tendons, tripe, chicken, seafood) and sizes of pho, vermicelli and rice dishes. Service is quick and the quality is reliable. They are also super speedy with takeout orders.
(4)Ranee A.
Decent food at a decent price. Friendly service.
(3)Ainura B.
We go the all the time, love the pho and chicken fried rice. Nice service and very affordable. Their bubble tea is very good!
(4)Janice T.
When you have a craving for dac biet pho, you come here. Order at least the medium, if not the large. And be sure you get fresh spring rolls and the taro root bubble tea. Comfort food at its best.
(5)yuke-wui c.
great place to get a decent food. the pho is good (any choices) and so is the steamed vermicelli. it's one of the few places in boston that still gives you the best value for your money when it comes to eating.
(5)Stephanie Y.
I love the pho here but the reason that i am giving a 2 stars rating is because of their service. When we walked in to the restaurant we get our seat right away, which is good. But when I was trying to ask the hostess a question( I have the college student coupon book and I know some restaurant will ask you to show the coupon first) she didn't wait till I finish the question just directly said "go ask the waiter". For me this is pretty rude because I work at a restaurant as a hostess and I will never did that to a customer. Second, we order our food, the waitress didn't introduce herself but I don't really mind about that. Me and my boyfriend ordered a summer roll and 2 bowls of pho (number 14 on the menu). Food came out in 2 seconds and a server took some sauce from other table to our table. Then a minute later that server took our sauce without asking us and gave them to another table. I think it will be better for a server to ask "are you done with the sauce" or "do you mind if I take these sauce to another customer because we are kind of ran out of them". After all we do gave them a note and pretty bad tips because of no server came and asked about the food or would we like to order some more items and they just put down our check without asking or saying thank you for coming, etc. I might come back to this restaurant but if I am not that lazy I will rather go to Chinatown or other places to have pho.
(2)Wendy L.
Your standard, cheap PHO restaurant in town. The service is quick but they don't really speak english so it's hard to customize your order. It's not particularly clean but it's like most other Pho places...I prefer the pho broth at the one in Chinatown. This one is a lot more spacious and easier to find parking though. The atmosphere is a bit lacking but you can't really expect much at Pho place. They have Christmas decorations up all year round.
(3)Jeremy W.
Great place for Vietnamese noodles! It's very cheap and really worth it if you get the XXL Beef Noodle soup. Everything is pretty good there, nothing out of the ordinary you would find at a Vietnamese noodle joint. Always a go to spot if my friends and I can't figure out somewhere to go.
(4)Jules M.
Whenever any of my friends ask what Pho is this is where I take them. I love the different options and there is definitely something for everybody. I also love that Le's is a 5 minute drive from work. I can always get 2 or 3 other coworkers to place orders with me. I know I should probably try other things off the menu but I am hooked on the Pho and those spring rolls. I can honestly say that everyone I have taken there loves it too.
(4)Alex L.
Just went there tonight--a slow, rainy Thursday night seeking pho to help me with the tail end of a cold. Hadn't been there for a long time, but remembered it as one of the better places in Boston. The rice paper on the fresh rolls was tough--pretty clearly not made to order, or else the paper itself was tough when they made the rolls, but I suspect the former, since the rolls weren't cracking or anything. The pho tasted like they had emptied a can of beef broth into a bowl and added stuff. It was too salty, and there were no notes of clove, star anise, or anything. Just salty beef. Not deep. Not sure one way or the other about MSG. I would bet money that they did not make the broth on the premises. (And before you point out that I have a cold, which is true...I asked my dining companion if she caught any notes of clove, etc., and she said not at all.) I'm sure there's worse pho in Boston. Maybe I'm spoiled by having spent too much time in California. Nonetheless, I'd like to send an unambiguous message: Salty beef broth with stuff in it pho Very disappointed. 1 star!
(1)Katelan Y.
This place is one of the few reasons why I miss living in Allston. My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Boston! No other Vietnamese has been able to compare to Le's! Their pho is sooo comforting and satisfying - THE perfect meal on a rainy day or a cold winter night. Their portions are huge and the prices are so cheap. A small is enormous and it's only like $6.75! Other good things to get here are summer rolls (peanut sauce is amazing) and the vermicelli with spring rolls and grilled beef :) LOVE LE'S!
(5)Christopher M.
Enjoy the Chicken Vermicelli... It's prepared to perfection. Food overall is solid. Not a place to get drunk... But kick back with a decent wine selection or enjoy some average domestic beer. The atmosphere is mediocre. It's usually quiet, no real life to the place. Friendly staff and always great service. If you like Vietnamese food, check it out, if not, why are you reading a review for a Vietnamese place? Get your shit together.
(3)Tiffany L.
My favorite place! Their pork spring rolls are the best I have! They are generous with their portions and their peanut sauce is so good! I won't be surprised if there is some sort of healing power to their noodle soups because it certainly cures my satisfaction. I love this place!!!
(4)Sarah S.
This place never disappoints and it is nice and big so hardly ever a wait for a table! I was in here around Chinese new year and a parade of people including drummers and people in dragon costumes came in for a performance, which was a pretty cool surprise! Come for the pho and stay for the chance that ppl in dragon costumes may come to entertain you!!
(5)L R.
I really enjoyed my pho, spring rolls and Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. I don't often get down to Allston, but I hit this place up every time.
(5)Nicole S.
#34! I love Bun! Love it. I order shrimp paste on sugar cane vermicelli (Bun Chao Tom) all the time. At all different restaurants so I can compare. And their bun is great! I always ask for extra fish sauce because it is so damn good. The fish sauce permeates the whole dish and balances really well against the sweetish shrimp paste. Overall the portions are huge so you really get your money's worth. But the bun for $9 is a great deal anyway. The appetizers are great too! I love to get spring rolls and crush them on my Bun so I get a mix f textures. but their fresh springs rolls with peanut sauce is great too. Everything is really fresh. Service is great too. They work really well as a tea but their are times their quickness in getting the food out can be funny. It can be a bit tricky when you ask your waiter for more water, he leaves, a different guy brings your meal over and sees your are low on water and he leaves to get more, just then your waiter comes over with water... you get the picture. But extra water is not so bad in the big scheme of things.
(4)John A.
I'm having trouble understanding how this place won a Best of Boston award. Going in, I expected a decent dining experience with great food but got something completely different. The pho was forgettable. It was as if the chef just threw a bunch of exotic vegetables and random beef parts into some soup stock and called it a day. Very bland and not nearly comparable to some other soup joints around town. The waitstaff was very aloof and our waiter never came around once to check on us. I spent most of my meal needing soy sauce but never actually got it. Poor performance for the waitstaff. I don't think I'll be back to give this place another chance and with all the asian restaurants in the Allston/Brighton area there's probably no reason for you to be at this one.
(2)Jennifer B.
I was debating btw 4-5 stars but I come here often and always get some type of pho and sometimes a side of fresh spring rolls. It's consistently good, huge bowl for like $7 you can't beat it. The staff is super friendly and the pho always comes out in like a minute. I've tried almost every pho place in Boston and its comparable to the ones in Dorchester. Plus I don't have to be in Dorchester. The only thing is its hard looking for parking.
(4)Lisa F.
Casual restaurant that serves a wide range of different types of pho. You can go in for a quick meal, and most of the food is pretty good.
(4)Dee T.
Cheap pho for when I'm too lazy to make it at home! Except they jip you on the beef balls by slicing it instead of full size balls so you technically only get a meatball or two if you're lucky
(4)Sara M.
So to even out my last rating, I am dropping this down two stars. I took Hubby here for pho and bun since I loved it so much the last time. Even though I love Pho Viet, I like being served. Our server was an older lady, who was hovering and did not listen to me. I said I wanted the grilled pork summer rolls and she was like, shrimp and pork? I corrected her because we wanted grilled pork and no shrimp. Well, she brought out the traditional summer rolls without shrimp, just pork - NOT grilled pork and not as flavorful. Bad sign already. Then the pho and bun came. The broth just wasn't as delicious as I remembered. I cannot place my finger on it but it didn't taste the same. Also, I didn't get any tendon! Hubby enjoyed his bun, which was pretty good but it tasted icky the next day. Also, they were washing the windows on the outside as we were sitting by them. It was quite distracting, especially since our server was commenting and making jokes at the person doing it OUTSIDE. I think I would have rather sat cafeteria style and received what I asked for...
(3)Rachel L.
I always whined about wanting to go here with Davel and today, we finally went. I thought it'd be different, but it was just the same - nothing special really. Service was kind of unfriendly, it was almost like the guy didn't care. He came by to take our order and rather than having it be polite, he was just like, "what you want?" So, Davel ordered the grilled sliced meat summer roll with pork and I got the #15 and the waiter assumed that Davel was going to get #14 and then he did ended up getting it. The food was okay, and like I said before - it wasn't anything special like I thought it would be. The waiter left the check and well, he didn't bother coming to get it and just sat down to eat his dinner when we left. I'll probably listen to Davel next time and not come back for awhile.
(3)Paul C.
Where to begin... You can get a good bowl of pho at other places, so i'm not going to be raving about that. BUT, Le's does have something that makes this place the BEST pho place ever. If you know your stuff, sharing an order of fried rice with your piping hot bowl of pho is a given. THAT is where Le's rises above the rest... THE LE'S FRIED RICE!!!!!!! I'm gonna say that it probably is loaded with msg, but it's ok, because hopefully you're not coming here everyday. Follow these steps, and you'll be on your way to an msg-induced experience that will have you coming back for more. 1. Go to Le's with a friend (could be your significant other, but a good buddy would be better) 2. Order your bowl of Pho 3. Order the Le's Fried Rice (put sriracha and hoisin sauce in a grid-like pattern) 4. Eat and Enjoy
(5)Jennifer E.
: ) Pho: as good as some pho in California. awesome. : ( Spring rolls: 3 scrawny little ones.... not impressed : ( Summer rolls: not impressed : ) Le's fried rice w/ pork: impressed! really great, simple tasting fried rice, wow. Overall, pretty good for the east coast. Pretty good. Lord knows there are no good pho places in Manhattan... Le's will have to do. Love it!
(4)Chloe L.
The food was decent/good. I just feel like the serving sizes are kind of small compared to other vietnamese places in boston.
(3)Kathy W.
We came here for a weekday lunch and were seated right away. I ordered the extra large pho and the boyfriend ordered a noodle dish off of the lunch specials. I probably should have downsized my order when the waiter gave me a look of shock and said "good size!" But, that day I was really yearning for some pho and decided to go for the gold. When my order arrived, I understood the waiter's comments. The bowl is indeed huge! I finished about half and even though the boyfriend helped me with the rest, we still have left over noodles. What a shame--it was delicious too! Boyfriend said his noodle dish was good (plenty of veggies), but the pho was the standout!
(5)Nick W.
I love finding an eatery that, if you hadn't randomly stumbled into or been advised to dine there, you'd never know about. Le's is very unassuming from the outside and I guess it's rather unassuming from within as well, no frills, just good. When it comes to consistent service and quality Vietnamese soup it's second to none. The servers are very pleasant and the food always comes out promptly and perfectly. If you are looking for amazing pho that's consistently delicious and affordable Le's is your place.
(4)Summer L.
This review only concerns the vegetarian pho and veggie fried spring rolls. The vegetarian pho is out of this world! Tender cabbages, broccoli, carrots, sprouts, and noodles in a tasty veggie broth (not chicken or beef broth like the menu reads) and is highly recommended! I asked for added tofu and it was filling! The size is large, can easily be made into two meals. It heated up nicely the next day too. I can't wait to go back! Less than $7 for the best pho I've had yet. The veggie fried spring rolls were the best I've had. My bf and I fought over the last one. The peanut sauce IS tasty like other yelpers shared. Make it to Le's and enjoy some really great pho. Lost one star for poor service. Be ready to wave someone down for the check or more lime.
(4)L T.
Excellent service and great Vietnamese food. I'm from California and this is probably one of the best places to get Vietnamese food in the city of Boston. If you come here, try the Pho, grilled pork rice dishes, clay pot ca kho to, and tamarind soup.
(5)Cyn C.
When I come to Le's, I'm craving a big bowl of pho. Either I'm cranky, I'm getting sick, am sick, getting better, or just hungry. There's never a time I don't feel like pho. This location is heads and shoulders better than the Le's in the Atrium Mall. Soda lemonade, vietenamese coffee, bun, and pho all get the heads up here. As well as the egg crepe thingy with the bean sprouts inside. However, the last two visits, I've had to fish out quite a bit of the meat from my pho, b/c it was extremely fatty. Otherwise, I'd give 4 stars. Hopefully, they'll redeem themselves next time. Because, of course, I'll keep going back.
(3)Lindsay E.
Delicious pho, friendly service, fresh food, great prices, no wait, definitely a good place! I love the family style sweet and sour soup. The broth is deliciously pungent and the vegetables are super fresh and not overcooked. They never forget to leave the cilantro out when I ask, another huge plus :)
(4)Stasy P.
One of my favorite places in Boston. You have a hangover go to Le's and have a soup with a lot of cock sauce in it. You will feel like you were reborn after that! Small hunger, big hunger Le's can manage everything.They have a great choice of soups, appetizers ( love those summer rolls) and all kinds of noodles, fillet Mignon, seafood! My favorites are: sweet and sour soup with salmon, soup # 21 with glass noodles or flat rice noodles with beef and steamed vegetables. Don't forget to make friends with the staff. They are very friendly and helpful most of the time. things I would do better: decoration/renovation!
(4)Julia F.
I came here tonight with my little sister tonight. Some nights, you just need a little bit of "soup #17" (as my little sister refers to it) and tonight was one of those nights. We were seated in a booth (our choice) as soon as the table was cleaned off and set up. No waiting involved. The same guy who seated us/cleaned the table came right back over with waters for us and took our order. We got the spring rolls with the slices of chicken* in it - this is the first time we've ordered them, so good. I like the peanut sauce better than the other sauce. We each got a bowl of "soup #17" and when it arrived, we were both satisfied with having ordered the small one. We ALWAYS order the large one and NEVER get close to finishing it. It's gross to picture that as a leftover too... igg. Big time. I squirted a METRIC TON of hot sauce in my soup (part one of ridding myself of this stupid cold!) and we took our time chatting and eating. Our waters were refilled promptly - which was part deux of getting rid of my stuffy nose! All and in all we were stuffed when we left (neither of us could finish a SMALL SOUP!!!! Egads...) the bill was under $20! That, my friends, is what's up. *My little sister doesn't eat any kind of fish (though I want to tell her that there is probably all kinds of fish pastes and other things in what she's eating.... I don't!)
(4)David P.
Apps: fresh spring rolls with shrimp 1-star: why would you place only one small shrimp inside the roll unless you were CHEAP (no other reason for this), grilled sliced meat summer rolls 1.5-stars: bland but more meat than the 1 shrimp in the fresh spring roll, Vietnamese crepe 2 stars: a little too pancake-y. Entrees: tai gan sach beef noodle soup 4 stars: good lean meat in pretty good broth compared to the xe luet or bac diet in which they add fatty flank steak and brisket (3 stars) Just go for the pho and nothing else.
(3)J M.
I really like this place. Been here a few times over the years, and the quality is pretty consistent. I definitely recommend getting the shrimp toast if you visit with friends, it is probably the best appetizer there. Pho is pretty good and has good portions. For vegetarians, they have a lot of options, so it was nice seeing that, since it's kind of rare to see any veggie options for people in a vietnamese restaurant sometimes. I wouldn't recommend going here by yourself (as in no company). I went a few times alone, they sort of ignored me and it took forever to get the check. Plus, there were a few items missing from my pho, which was kind of disappointing. Never happened when I went with other people though. So not sure what that's all about. Anyways, would definitely recommend, especially if you are hungover and need something in your stomach. It cures mine every time! :P
(4)Wesley W.
I've have got to say...wow...i definitely experienced better pho than this place, i'd figured it was a good place, since it's mostly packed in there...but now it hit me why it's full, it's only 1 of 2 pho places in the brookline/allston area. the other one at super 88 food connection is mediocre, and this one is barely any better. Let's start to begin as we sat down and they bring us water, yes we know most water at restaurants come out of the sink/tap, w/e fine, we'll drink it, but seriously do you have to fill the water out in the dining area out of the wash sink? can't you do it in the damn kitchen, very appealing to the customer... On to the next, i agree with some of the reviews on here about obnoxious, condescending staff, and i'll get to some points on here. The staff for one, cannot speak or understand Vietnamese, i frankly do not speak it or understand it, but i did go eat with some friends who did and when they went to order, the staff member was like 'HUH?' and it goes to show when we learn Thai people own the joint. I guess they expect customers to read them numbers...owell really helpful... To help that out, when we asked for hot tea, the staff asked how many cups, and it was like the pause moment of WTF? we told them the number and proceeded to ask why it matters and the staff was like "Tea is not free, $1 a cup" huh wow...never have i ever been to a asian restaurant and tea was not free...It's basically like saying they are charging us $1 a cup for hot water lol...word..this is getting better by the moment. So as the food comes out, there is the usual platter of bean sprouts, mint, lime, peppers. Never have i seen a pho plate soo cheap on the add-on platter, it lacked chili peppers, and when it was full, it seemed as if the beansprouts was a hefty bunch, but once it grabbed for two pho dishes, wala!!! cabbage on the bottom, lol that's how you cover it up hmm... Pho to say the least, have had better for the same price. To top of with the finale, when the bill came, we had a discount coupon, and as we were calculating the total cost and how much each person should pay, the coupon was in someones hand, and the staff say it. She proceeded to say in a condescending way "are you going to give that to me?," note we weren't even ready to pay as we calculated. So pretty much an overall horrible experience. To sum it up, i would not recommend this place for pho, if you want pho, go to chinatown/downtown area and have better pho there like from new dong khanh. if you are srsly craving pho but no quality pho, and too hungry and don't want to go to chinatown, fine....go to Le's, but i would rather you go to Super 88 food connections and get pho at pho viet
(2)Nikki I.
I LOVE THIS PLACE!! The curry chicken is delicious and affordable.
(4)Amanda C.
I ate here today for lunch and for Pho it is pretty good. I did not get the traditional beef pho, instead I opted for the chicken pho. I wish the broth was a little bit more complex in flavor, but the noodles were cooked perfectly and there was a generous portion of chicken in the dish. I also had the quail as an appetizer. It was crispy and had a very good flavor to it. The mixed vegetable salad with it was a great addition to the plate. I suggest this place if you are in Allston, it is a great place to walk to and have a good meal.
(4)Danielle K.
Le's was formerly Pho Pasteur. The food is just as great with the new name. Every time I'm there I try a new dish. The portions are quite generous, while the pricing is reasonable. The staff is usually quite attentive, even when the restaurant is busy. They can sometimes go a bit heavy on the garlic (like in the Pad Thai I ordered on Thursday) but the food is still quite tasty. I can't leave without having a delicious Mango bubble tea. I highly recommend you check out this restaurant when you're visiting Brighton Ave.
(4)Anne F.
Having recently resolved to cut back on my beef consumption, we only went here to satisfy my hung-over boyfriend's recurring Pho hankerings. It was a large and solid Pho, Pho being possibly the best thing ever invented by man, at an extremely reasonable price. I've been trying out the noodle dishes, which were also very tasty. They brought out some jasmine tea at the start of the meal which was apparently good enough to get my bf, an enormous tea snob, to label it the best he's ever encountered for free at an Asian restaurant. I would happily have given this establishment 5 stars, even if we have had better Vietnamese (Eden center, Falls Church VA; go if you're in DC). It was still excellent and cheap. Unfortunately, we were not especially impressed with our service. We were basically completely ignored after the tea and food came out; we had to ask for napkins and water refills. This wouldn't have bothered us as much if they weren't simultaneously completely doting on the Vietnamese couple next to us. Fortunately enough, they deliver. Pho to go. (Apparently. the last sentence doesn't rhyme, but whatever.) Yummy cow tendon!
(4)Jennafir E.
Nom, Nom, Nom! Enough said. Well not really... This place is fantastic. My amazing friend suggested this place and I love that she did, because the only other Vietnamese place that is as good is Lemongrass in Brookline. This however, is down the street and the proximity is making it be the winner. The vermicelli bowl is like heaven in ones mouth. Pork or Beef, one should never care, because it's fantastic. It is also cheap! Good and Cheap? It's a dream come true. You won't be disappointed, and if you are, well, go again because I can't believe it could ever happen
(5)Philip K.
This place was a SURPRISE. It looks cheap, it looks tacky, it might scare you and make you want to go out, BUT DONT, go in. I came here with a Friend shortly after I moved into my new Allston apartment for the summer for some cheap good eats. Le's did everything I wanted. It was cheap, authentic, and fresh. We started with some dumplings which were delicious and fresh tasting and came with a nice sauce. I got the lemongrass chicken which was different than anything I ever had but very tasty. Tender pieces of chicken in a spicy, lemongrass infused peanut sauce served with tasty rice, it was very good. My Friend got the pho, which I have had a lot of experience with, and it looked great as well. The best thing is you can eat here for under $10. That's the same as a lot of the crap chains you stop at for a quick bite and get the same generic food. Le's provides authentic Vietnamese flavors all for an extremely reasonable price, with fast service, I'll take that over BK any day.
(4)TK W.
Nothing special but good enough. I like another one much better in Dorchester, but hardly get to that area, so Le's is my goto place for Pho
(4)Thaddeus M.
Le's is a great restaurant. Looking at it you may think that it may seem a little ghetto, dirty or somewhat but that is just how Allston is. As for the restaurant, the food is great every dish I have had there has never disappointed. My favorite is number 14 "Xe Lua" which I believe to be the biggest bowl of pho that you can order at Le's. Their pho is flavorful, as well as great for days that you are sick, or hungover. The servers are very friendly and will remember you fi you go there quite often. They always say hi to me both inside and outside the restuarant. Though they may be a little slow to refill your water, or get the bill. The food comes out very quickly. The price is fairly cheap, getting the largest dish for just around $8 is great. I highly recommend coming here for casual eating, or recovering from whatever ailments you may have. Great place for large groups and convenient location in Allston.
(4)Amy Y.
One of the better pho chains in Boston. The location of the restaurant works in my favor (better than trekking to Pho Pasteur in Chinatown, or pho restaurants in Dorchestor). Le's is my go-to choice for dining with large groups. I love tendon, so I always get a customized pho bowl with only tendon and veggies in it. Mmm Yum yum. The service is very speedy, but I wish the soup came out hotter! I'm not talking boiling pot of scalding liquid, but heat that makes you want to take the time to sip the soup and slowly enjoy each bite as the bowl of goods continue to cook in front of your eyes. Over the past few times that I've gone, I've felt like I was racing against time to finish my soup before it became cold... the noodles were also unable to fully cook/heat up in the lukewarm temp. If it's your first time trying the restaurant, you won't go wrong with the special beef or the chicken noodle soup, or if you're super hungry, the extra large beef bowl will be sure to satisfy! Great on a cold day. Great after a day of hitting the slopes. Just be careful, parking is a pain on Brighton/Harvard Ave.
(4)Felicity L.
I visited Le's on a Monday around 4pm. I was seated right away, but from then on service was very poor. Only 3 other tables had guests and yet I had to wait a long time before a waiter came back to take my order. I ordered the shrimp and pork Summer Rolls with fish sauce instead of peanut sauce. The waiter brought me peanut sauce instead and before I even had time to register the mistake the waiter had vanished, so I had to wait again and flag down another waiter. The rolls themselves were not good. They were very bland and fell apart after one bite. The wrappers were incredibly chewy and rubbery. My water was never refilled.
(1)Meghan M.
My boyfriend and I come here so often the staff knows us and our orders by heart. You can feed two people for under 20 dollars...and you are completely satisfied. The pho tai soup is the best!! The make your own summer rolls are messy but completely worth it. There is another location on route 9 if you are shopping at the atrium mall.
(5)Marian M.
This place is a pretty standard pho place. I always get the seafood pho, which again is standard for pho. Last time, I got a Thai shake with boba. The boba was really hard... Prices are cheap, and there's a discount in those college books. I come here pretty often..
(3)I-Chun C.
Seriously, pho is the best hangover food ever. And while Foodler charges an exorbitant $4.99 to bring Dac Biet to my doorstep, on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon, when I'm too hung over to even move, it's worth it. I actually prefer Pho Viet in Super88 but they don't deliver. :(
(4)Katie V.
I am a recent Pho convert -- it's the best for when you're feeling a little under the weather. The broth is so flavorful and the portions at Le's are huge. I don't claim to be a Pho connoisseur, but I'm not generally a big fan of soup as a meal, but Pho is the exception. It's filling, hearty and makes me feel warm and happy. And I'm guessing it's fairly healthy? I could be making that up, but until someone corrects me, I'm going to believe it.
(4)Helen L.
I think Le's is awesome. It's cheap and FAST!!! The menu is exactly like Pho Pasteur and it's really delicious. Of course, their beef noodle soups are the specialities, and they are amazing! You order it, and 5 seconds later, it's there. I've also gotten the vegetable and beef medley, which I LOVE. That's about $10. Their beef noodle soups are around $6 or $7, depending what size. I go to the one in Harvard Square sometimes, and my only complaint is that their tables are ALWAYS wobbly and I always have to ask them to fix it. But besides that, for the price and the quality of food, you can't beat it!
(5)King L.
My favorite place for Vietnamese food in Boston. Cheap and convenient. Good place to go if you're with a large group.
(4)M Q.
Ordered the Bun Tom to go (see pic). Ready in about 15 min, not bad. Nice presentation. Sauce was a bit mild - could use a bit more fish sauce and lime juice IMO. I'm glad it's not way too salty. Came with 5 shrimps (size is about 26/30 - large size in case you don't know) that still have shells on. It's like an Asian version of pasta salad for $8. Pretty healthy stuff for a light meal. I only ordered this so I don't know how good the rest of the stuff on the menu is.
(4)Catie C.
I like the fact that they don't OD on MSG in their broth. They skimp on the portion. I ordered the Beef Pho with everything in it, small size. I normally can't finish a small else where especially after a summer roll. I could've finished the whole bowl today. I don't think they put enough noodles in there. The service wasn't that great. I had better service there before. I had to ask for more water. Didn't offer tea. I probably need to go to the Atrium location for better service consistently.
(3)Erica H.
It was hot out and I needed something light for lunch. The place was busy, but the staff was fast, friendly and majority of them were not Vietnamese. As soon as you walk in, you can smell the Pho, which a lot of patrons had ordered. I ordered the Summer Rolls (fresh spring rolls) and Vermicelli with BBQ pork and crispy spring roll. The peanut sauce was a great balance of salty, sweet and nutty. The spring rolls were stuffed with iceberg lettuce and rice noodles with a hint of shrimp and pork. You needed to drench them in the peanut sauce to get them down. The BBQ pork was delicious! Perfectly charred and in a huge bowl. The black pepper and lemongrass were on the verge of being overpowering, but I think the massive amount of noodles and vegetables helped. I was pleasantly surprised because this is the first place where the noodles came out warm. I'm not sure if that's what caused a lot of breakage in the noodles, but it was still good. My eyes were bigger than my stomach because I ordered the Tri-Colored dessert with mung beans, red beans, pandan jello slices and coconut milk. It's usually served with shaved ice, but this came out with ice cubes. It was a little sweeter than I'm used to, but just what I needed after such a flavorful lunch. They put the rest in a foam cup for me to take home and finish later. Overall, great value, presentation and good food. I will definitely be back to try the Pho when it's not so hot.
(4)Joe K.
Food here is great and affordable. The service is usually pretty quick, but they do seem to take their sweet time giving you your check sometimes.
(4)Leo j. R.
a cold rainy march night, just getting over a bad cold - so what could be better than a steaming huge bowl of pho? Unfortunately Le's was not the place to go. My companion's pho came with a big piece of plastic in it! Hey - that wasn't on the menu! My bowl of ribeye pho was weak and dispirited. Where are the yummy bits?? Where is the complex broth? So sad. Oh and boring spring rolls to start. ugh.
(1)Kim C.
Hands down-- the tastiest pho broth I have had. I Loved the taste of the soup --- so flavorful (even without all the extra sauce). I loved the thin noodles too. 5/5 However--- after all my raving about the Pho, I'm sad to say I did not order that bowl. I had the spicy soup (dunno how to spell here) BO BUN HUA... see I butchered it. The noodles were fat and chubby... like a thinner version of udon but loved the chewy texture. Soup was supposed to be spicy. but it definitely was on the mild side. However- the meat that came along with the soup noodle was not as tender as I thought it should have been. 3.5/5 (the meat knocked out a lot of the stars) Summer spring rolls--Loved the peanut sauce-- loaded with lots of peanut crumbs!! so good! but I'd say I can skip out on the summer rolls and just enjoy a big bowl of pho. I ordered the tri-colored dessert. For those of you that never had this before--its really like an icy sweet coconut milk drink mixed with jellies and red beans. So instead of eating it after my meal, I asked the waiter to serve it with my noodles --- so I can sip it like a cold drink! satisfied my craving for awhile. Yumsss 4/5 (ices were chunky-- so it got in the way of me trying to scoop up all those jellies and redbeans. i wanted to avoid having to bite into the chunky ice) Good pho always comes from authentic places!!!
(4)deb y.
I once went to get a pedicure in Brighton and the Vietnamese ladies there all implored me to try Le's for pho, claiming "You know it's a good Vietnamese restaurant when real Vietnamese people go there!" So, I went, I ate, I left, and I was happy. You get a HUGE bowl of pho with all the different "cuts" of meat for like $8 and everything else is $6.50 and under. And being poor law students, yummy and cheap is always a plus. We also saw someone order bubble tea, so I guess they serve that there too. The general consensus though is that Pasteur's (in Chinatown) for pho is better, but we theorized that they were both owned by the same people since we saw the Pasteur name on one of the Le's menus. So I think if you live in Allston/Brighton and need a good pho fix, this is it.
(4)Henry C.
A friend introduced spot to me while skipping classes for no good reason back in 1998... and I've been coming to this Pho spot since. This is my favorite spot on Saturdays... the day after drinking my self stupid, this place is a life saver. Over the years, the portions have been dwindling, but the soup flavor is still up there on my top 2 pho spots. 99% of the time, I order the DacBiet with the beef on the side. I love undercooked bloody meat. There is plenty of seating, so you'll never really have to wait. And the service staff are mostly friendly and attentive. Most of them remembers me being the annoying one that orders the beef on the side, requesting fresh chilli peppers, and chilli oil. (most of the them they just bring it out for me ^__^) One thing that REALLY irritates me, is when they try to seat me in the 'outcast' section of the restaurant. (the left side)... I dunno it's just my thing. Awesome spot for hangover fixes, quick cheap delicious Pho. Love this spot! I dreamed about this spot when I was in Korea because the Pho there is $#@^@ garbage ugggh and expensive too. Annnnd Mr.Afro is awesome.
(5)Liz B.
Le's Allston you need to go take a refresher course from your sister in Chestnut Hill. Your service is bad, your food a little less yummy and decor meh. I know I'll be back because you're now my closest spot to ease my pho cravings but just know that every time I show up I'll be wishing I'd made the drive out route 9...
(3)M M.
Ah, pho. The perfect winter day meal. Le's is swankier than your run-of-the-mill pho joint - I mean, who has ever heard of a pho restaurant with a working website before? Usually places that look like this charge a bit more for their entrees, but Le's prices aren't too shabby. Plus, it's nice not feeling the need to wipe down your utensils before digging in. It's not the best bowl of pho I've ever had (and the accompanying bean sprouts typically don't look very fresh), but it is certainly one of the largest I've seen outside of Oakland Chinatown. Not a pho fan? Their other entrees, including many of the rice dishes, are solid too. If it's cold enough for your pho craving to start bubbling but too cold for you to make the trip out to Chinatown, Le's is your place.
(4)Jen L.
I have been coming to this place since I was a sophomore in college. That was a really long time ago and this place was called "Pho Pasteur". I was broke and a vegetarian and my ESL students (from, you guessed it, Vietnam) recommended this place. I have been coming back there ever since. That was like 1994 or 1995 :) My best pal in college and I would have competitions to see if we could eat until full under $20 (with tip and drinks). We were Harvard undergrads at the time (not the rich kind, I can assure you) and we managed it here ever single time. To this day, this same friend and I (he has moved to that OTHER big city int he Northeast) celebrate ALL our birthday dinners here. I love the soup, I love the vermicelli, I love the tofu (omg what a wonderful find for a vegetarian), I eat the peanut sauce with a soup spoon, and I can drink a gallon of the lime aid. It fed me when I was poor. It feeds me now that I am not so broke, not at all vegetarian, and there is NOTHING on this earth better when you are sick than a huge, spicy, heaping, steamy bowl of pho. To say this place is consistent is an understatement.
(5)Leslie N.
I'm from California and just recently came to boston for a visit. And because of the reviews here on yelp i went and tried le's for lunch. I wasn't expecting anything amazing, just a good, quick, cheap place to eat for lunch. let me first say that, if I'm going to eat VIETNAMESE food, I'd like it to be made by VIETNAMESE people. I'm not a 100%, but I don't think the people working at the time I ate were vietnamese. The food, not delicious and they try to present the food in a "gourmet" style, which annoyed me quiet a bit, because it wasn't very "gourmet" at all. The pho is not the greatest I've ever had and I definitely wouldn't compare it to heaven. And the fried rice is.. the only word I could use to describe it is CRAP. The "Banh Xeo" is bad. and my last note, the person I went with, we had a fight of sorts and we both just payed and stomped out because we could stand the sight of each other anymore. and I'm sorry, yes, we didn't tip. we get in the car and I hear a knock on the window. the waiter walked all the way out to to show us the receipt telling us "the the tip isn't included in the price." He walks away for the curb and walks to the front of the restaurant waiting outside. I know its polite to leave a tip, but I don't remember it being mandatory thing? and of course we drove away. In conclusion, this place is not at all even close to being good or being authentic Vietnamese food. I've lost some trust in yelp.... maybe Boston just has some different standards....
(1)A R.
This is one of my favorite places to go for a cheap and satisfying meal. The restaurant could use some sprucing up with some brighter colors but the food is so delicious that I don't mind. My favorite is the pho with slices of eye round steak and tripe. I love that the tripe here is cut into thin strands as opposed to large chunks that other Vietnamese restaurants serve. I agree with my friend Amy Y. that their soup could come out a little hotter but my noodles and steak always end up cooked. The vermicelli (bun) with grilled shrimp is also a great choice for a light meal on a hot summer day. Their bean sprouts, basil, and mint are all fresh (and not browning around the edges!) and taste phenomenally refreshing with the vermicelli and fish sauce. Le's is good about seating large groups of people and their service is fast. For less than $7 or $8, I can be happy, full, and in the company of good friends. Yum, yum.
(4)Faith N.
LOVE this place! Awesome tofu vermicelli, such tasty tofu curry! The servings are huge and I love having left overs for the next day. The service has always been lightning speed and friendly. great.great.great.
(4)Seiji K.
I've been hooked on Pho lately. I have at least one bowl a week. This might seem not so unusual for many, but there's no Pho joint within 20+ mile radius from where I live. A visit to Le's just hits the spot for me. Out of about six or so places I have tried, (Worcester, Leominster, Randolph...and of course several in Boston area) they seem to have the best soup stock. Very flavorful without having to be over-powering. The noodle can be too soft at times. The service is efficient as with any Vietnamese joint. Getting my fix for ten bucks including the tip is my idea of high value.
(4)Bethany F.
I wanted to like this. I wish I liked this. I just didn't.... I will admit that the poor rating is based solely on my own experience, which ended in an upset stomach (which I rarely ever get). The 'vermicelli' noodles with pork and shrimp and a side of fish sauce vinaigrette seemed like a good idea. It was safe (for someone fairly unfamiliar with Vietnamese cuisine). The first few bites were good, but then something happened and my body kept telling me to stop eating or it would be mad at me all day. I had also tried some sort of appetizer (spring rice roll or something) with what I thought was a delicious peanut sauce. Once again, first couple of bites were good and then the sauce started to seem 'wrong' to me. The waitress was super nice and attentive. The restaurant's decor wasn't impressive but was clean and nice enough. Maybe I just didn't order the right thing....suggestions? I'm open, just cautious, considering this past bad experience...
(2)Jen H.
This review is going to be short and sweet...... Pho. That's really all you need to know. Let's just say I'm not a huge Pho-aholic like some Yelpers are, but I came here twice in the same week. Yes.... I liked it that much. Oh, and it's inexpensive. Nuff said.
(4)Hana C.
Love this place- love the spring rolls. BF gets the quail all the time- its delicious too. And the pho is sooo good! I always get the pho with flank. love the broth. I know a lot of people get the shrimp toast too- but i find it a little too greasy although I do take a bite or two sometimes when friends order it and is very good. My only complaint- is that it could be cleaner, like they should renovate the place. but I still come back always!
(4)Josephine P.
I am not a big fan of Pho. Part of that stems from the fact that I am a vegetarian. THIS PLACE IS STILL AWESOME! I ordered the spring role vermicelli and extra vegetarian spring rolls because they were that good. The peanut sauce is the bee's knees. They don't get annoyed when you ask for more either. They get 5 stars because their portions are huge, you really get the most for your money Their waiters/waitresses are super courteous and attentive. My boyfriend raves about their beef special. They have plenty of seating and they are open late. Pho lovers, make sure you go to this place, it is the epitome of GREAT Vietnamese food.
(5)Jimmy H.
I think their signature dish is chicken noodle soup. It is so good that I cannot order anything else(Not that I mean I don't want to try other dish, but I cannot miss it whenever I go there). Maybe I should go there twice a day. Noodle soup for lunch and some other dish for dinner. I've seen someone ordering chicken fried rice and it looked really good. It's not like those greasy brown smothered-excessively-with-soy-sauce kinda fried rice. It didn't look greasy nor smothered with soy sauce. It was white and some mixed vegetable and good amount of chicken. Price is so cheap. You can walk out of there with in $8 including tip. It's absolute steal!
(5)Roni E.
::makes sounds of delightful content:: Mmmm... hmmm.. mmmrrrrmmm..... ::slurp::slurp:: *dips beef brisket in hoisin sauce and cocksauce and shoves in mouth* *picks up more noodles with chopsticks and shoves noodles in mouth* *laps up some more soup* Mmmmrrrhmmmm..... *puts down soup spoon in left hand and picks up egg soda* *takes a sip* Ahhhhh..... *continues eating pho noodles and slurps up some more soup, brisket, noodles, bean sprouts, basil, hoisin sauce, and cocksauce concoction until bowl is empty* *Pulls out wallet and puts down $15 for the large soup, egg soda, tax, and tip* *Walks away content with a big goofy smile on face*
(4)Sophie J.
Love this place! I come here for the Pho or the huge noodle soups. Everything is cheap and amazingly fresh! They always have crisp vegetables and fresh herbs that can brighten up the dullest day. For a while I actually avoided it, not wanting to eat a greasy version of good Vietnamese food, but boy was I wrong! I now bring everyone there to experience how delicious it is. And always get the spring rolls - yum all around!
(5)Insun M.
Pros: - the waiters know what my order is because I go so often (slightly embarrassing) - food comes out FAST like a pho restaurant should - DELICIOUS. everything on the menu is DELICIOUS. - they waiters don't give me a funny look when I order an extra large pho Cons: - the gods are with you if you find street parking close by but seriously, I get le's withdrawal if I go for more than a week without it...drool.....
(5)Jackie V.
Five reasons to like Le's: 1. The pho is yummy 2. The bowl of yummy pho is HUGE! 3. The huge bowl of yummy pho is cheap! 4. The huge bowl of yummy pho is cheap and served super fast 5. The service of the cheap, huge bowls of yummy pho is also super friendly! If that's not enough, the regular menu items are also really good. I don't think I've ever had a meal that I didn't leave completely content. and if THAT's not enough, well, you're just too high maintenance for Allston ;)
(4)Christina D.
Came to the Cheesecake Factory, but the wait was too long so we went to Le's instead. They were packed too, but were able to seat us faster. When we sat, we could tell the staff was overwhelmed by how busy it was. My pho was alright, my boyfriend's salty fish fried rice was really bad- almost no fish. We sent it back, they made another one, and it did come out better but that was a pain and it took forever because they were so busy. The prices are reasonable, 4 of us ate for less than $50 with apps and drinks. I'd recommend it, but I don't live in the area, so I probably wouldn't return.
(3)M R.
oh my god. this place is great. must order the crispy spring rolls and the beef noodle soup (i personally favor it with the rare eye-round). also, everyone is so friendly working there. i have probably had delivery/take out from here more than any other restaurant combined.
(5)Julie T.
I don't come here as often as I should but it doesn't change the fact that it's an excellent place to go when you need your Vietnamese fix! It's cheap and delicious which are two important qualities that I look for in a restaurant, haha. Oh, and definitely try the Shrimp Toast. I feel that it really sets Le's apart from all the other Vietnamese cuisine places ;)
(4)Lydia W.
Great food for a great price. The vegetables are always cooked to perfection and the service is always nice. Recommend if you are on a budget and want some good veggies.
(4)Mary D.
Pretty sure that this place has saved my life once, and we haven't even known one another that long. I haven't eaten much pho in my lifetime -- a bad experience once early-on scared me away from it for years -- but in the months since discovering that I actually enjoy the stuff and it doesn't have to be horrifying, this place has become a staple for those nights when piping hot and flavorful soup seem like just the right kind of liquid bandage for what ails you. Good thing I rediscovered it, too. That aforementioned lifesaving? Yeah...well... All I can say is that pho really does earn its place among the august ranks of sure-fire hangover cures. Hot and hydrating and oily and spicy and filling and full of protein. I would go so far as to say that between a bucket of this stuff and a hot shower there probably aren't many critical system functions I wouldn't be able to bring back on-line after a long night in the trenches. I tend to stick with the chicken pho, in the old style broth. I dig the meatballs but the pho-novice in me is showing: there's gristle in them there tidbits, and it scares me a wee bit. They taste good though...there's no disputing that...so if you're not a texture person like me it probably wouldn't matter so much. I eat the spring rolls happily. I tried the shrimp paste on toast for something different, and neither loved nor hated it, but they were extremely greasy...probably one of those guilty-pleasure items best had in-house rather than delivered. The fried rice on those occasions that I've had it is actually pretty tasty; it's oily but light and sweet rather than dark and overdone. The wonton soup is completely forgettable... But this is a pho place. You want the pho anyway. Right? Right.
(4)Vee X.
The chicken pho was light and delicious. Unlike with beef pho, where you have 30 seconds to eat before the scalding hot liquid renders the eye-round cut as tough as shoe leather, the chuncks of chicken breast in the chicken pho remained tender, juicy, and flavorful for every bite. Le's chicken pho + a squirt of sriracha = heaven, and at $6.95 a bowl, it's guilt-free for both your wallet and your waistline. YUMMY! Also, the service was lightning fast, even faster than Super 88, so if you need a quick bite, this is definitely the place to go. Minus a star because my friend's said the bubbles in their boba were bad.
(4)Amanda L.
Le's Restaurant is about 10x better than its sister restaurant over in Chinatown (Pho Pasteur), and not just because it's in my hood and I don't have to trek all.the.way to Chinatown just for some delicious Pho. After Joe's brother's art show, a group of us decided (ok, I decided) that we were going to have Pho for dinner. It was fairly late for dinner (about 9:00PM) but the place was still alive! It's bigger than I thought it would be, with plenty of tables for big parties such as us. Their Thai Iced Tea is some of the best I've had. It almost tasted like there was ice cream in it! The boba was a nice consistency, not too squishy, not too hard, just right. And now, onto the Pho. Large veggie pho with yellow noodles, OF COURSE. Some of the best broth I've had ever. I could have seriously drank all of it, which I almost never do, since I get too full and usually it isn't worth it. But this broth was amazing! There was a nice assortment of vegetables too, from squash, snow peas, snap peas, carrots, the elusive baby corn, and even some zucchini in the mix. The yellow noodle was in abundance, the cock sauce was flowing, major slurping was happening. Prices are cheap, cheap, cheap! The Bubble Tea is a bit on the expensive side, but it's delicious, so it is very much worth it. Joe and I paid about $20 for Pho and Thai Iced Tea. I like it :) By the time I was done, I was ready to curl up and go to bed. Delicious. I'll be coming back here A.LOT. Top 5 Pho places for me!
(4)Erica B.
Pho was a 4 but the shrimp pork rolls a 2. Pho broth was lovely, but some of the meat fatty/stringy. Rolls low on fresh herbs and pork was flavorless and dry. Peanut sauce too heavy on the fish sauce.
(3)Jeff W.
Gives you tons of food (if you get pho, which is what I always come here for) for a good price. I like the seafood yellow noodle. I've tried a couple non-pho things as well, which were also pretty good.
(4)David V.
This is a very nice and clean sit-down restaurant. I went with a group of co-workers, and we were all pleased. For starters, we all shared some veggie/tofu summer rolls, which were fresh, but just OK. They were kind of plain, but the tasty peanut sauce helped out. I had the chicken pad Thai, which seemed to be prepared in a more Vietnamese style (which makes sense because it is a Vietnamese restaurant). It was not as heavy/sweet/oily as other pad Thai I've had, and I thought it was excellent. The veggies were so crisp and FRESH, and the portion size was quite large. I would like to return to Le's in the near future to sample some more of their food!
(4)Solomon C.
Le's is a decent place for Vietnamese. Stopped by for pho last night with some friends. The place is clean and well kept, their food tastes legitimately Vietnamese and is presentable, staff speaks english. Really what more do u want?
(4)Victoria B.
I don't mind coming here for Vietnamese food if I only order Pho, but they really need to provide fresh bean sprouts, limes, and thai basil. The last time I was here, I had ordered the Bun vermicelli with spring rolls and grilled pork. THE PORK WAS RAW!!! Good thing I tend to eat meats last. I brought that to the waiter's attention and he said "that's how the kitchen cooks it"...you mean, you guys don't cook your pork thoroughly and that's acceptable? Later, he double checked the meat and said it was raw - Sorry, but are you fking stupid you had to double check? Anyways, they took 10% off of our bill, which was about a dollar. What a big deal!!!.... I'm not sure how in the hell they are rated Boston's no. 1 Vietnamese restaurant and if a health inspector ever comes in to check. Oh, also, they have recently watered down the cock sauce (srirachi chili sauce), not sure why they just started to do that being voted No.1 in Boston and all.
(2)Doris K.
Not the best place for pho but also not the worst. The broth had a lot of MSG in it so if you're allergic I would suggest trying another place. I felt that the meat to noddle ratio was a little off in that there wasn't enough meat. They also no longer have limes; they use lemons because it's cheaper. We also heard that the quality of limes had decreased and that there wasn't much juice in the limes. I think that it's probably more due to cost than anything.
(3)Rachel C.
I am extremely mad at myself for living in Allston for almost two years and never going to Le's until recently. The only Pho I had ever had was from Pho and I when I was in college. Wow, how foolish I had been! I still can't get over how mind-boggling fast the service was. I mean I'm sure it doesn't take that long to prep in the first place, but I feel like our soups came out minutes after we ordered. I'm getting ahead of myself though. First came our drinks. I ordered a thai iced tea with boba, and it was not what I expected... it was like ten times better!! It was like a milkshake! I would normally never order one, but it was a total treat! So rich, creamy and flavorful. Not too frozen either. I actually wished I hadn't ordered it with boba because the balls were too big and frozen hard (get your mind out of the gutter) to be sucked up the straw (wow there is no way to not make that sound dirty). I think my eyes bugged out of my head on the first sip, but I then understood why it was a little pricey. Now onto the soup. I don't know too much about Pho, but this was the best I have had so far! The ingredients were so fresh and the broth was so flavorful. Not too salty at all and with plenty of meat. One of my dining companions got her's with vegetables and it looked to die for. But i was satisfied with my own! So many noodles cooked to perfection and plenty of broth to go around. Its practically a steal at under $7 a bowl. Service was prompt but not all that friendly and the dining room has definitely seen better days, but I would come back in a heartbeat!
(4)Tan E.
I haven't back to this place since the college days. One of the best Pho place around and inexpensive too. Had the fresh spring rolls and Pho #18. Overall it was very good, soup base is top notch, cooking the rare beef in the soup is the best. Nice and fresh. I never leave this place disappointed. The service is very good, the waitress catered to our needs. I've always ordered the regular soup base, maybe next time I'll get the special soup ( bun rue), I doubt that I be disappointed!
(4)Matthew H.
Having eaten at Le's/Pho Pasteur in 4 different locations, I generally have good things to say about this small chain. However, the Le's at this location is my least favorite by far...namely, because of both the decor and service. The food is the same good quality that you've come to expect from Le's, but the whole experienced is marred by the cafeteria-like decor and the rude and inattentive service. I'm not usually picky about decor, but the place looks run down and BADLY needs a makeover. The servers are not very friendly, don't pay much attention to you, and do not seem to care much about making your meal a good experience. Go to the Le's in the Atrium Mall instead. The decor is much nicer and the staff is a lot friendlier.
(2)Karen W.
The Vietnamese food here was great. Ordered two appetizers: shrimp toast and vegetarian spring roll, greasy goodness! Had the bun with grilled shrimp-- yum, with well-pickled carrots and veggies and rice noodles. Seafood noodle pho was equally delicious filled with fish cake, shrimp, squid, and imitation crab meat and pho noodles. Soup came w/a large array of fresh vegetables: basil, bean sprouts, and other leafy vegetation. Service was just okay, we had a different server bring out each course. Great value for the portion size and taste.
(4)Tracy C.
Nothing warms up my stomach and cures a cold gloomy day like a bowl of Pho. The hot soup, all kinds of beef, tendon and tripe plus the rice noodles all made perfect by raw bean sprouts, basil and lime. It's like a hug of loving arms, thick, heavy but smooth and natural, always seems a little too much but you cannot get enough of it at the same time. The fresh spring rolls and the crispy spring rolls are both good. I also like the shrimp toast and shrimp paste on sugar cane. Once or twice I had their soy drink and the avocado smoothie, they were both delicious although a bit pricy.
(3)Kit C.
The pho here is pretty good but there are some other awesome things to eat here that you might want to try when you're in the mood for something other than deliciously hot beef noodle soup. For instance, right now its summertime and you might want something light and crisp. I like: - Sashimi Bi Bim Bap which is mackerel, tuna, salmon, yellow tail cubed up and sitting atop a bed of rice with lots of vegetables with a red red red korean hot sauce on the side. - Bun with Beef or Chicken which is vermicelli noodles, bean sprouts, lettuce, carrots, topped with mint and basil and succulent and crispy meat. Comes with fish sauce on the side. - Limeade is delicious!
(4)Em E.
I love pho so I'm here all the time. The prices are great, $6 for a bowl! If you're new to pho, I'd start with the "pho tai" or rare steak pho. The meat cooks itself in the broth and stays really tender. MmMm so good!! Their fried egg rolls are really yummy, but the fresh spring rolls are terrible (it's only got lettuce and very little meat, where's the rest of the fresh herbs you're so supposed to put in??). P.s. Pho is the BEST HANGOVER FOOD!!
(4)Julie N.
Oh my. It seems that there are plenty of reviews for Le's but I'm going to add my two cents anyway. I have been eating at this place since they were Pho Pasteur and have always loved it. Since they switch to Le's the menu has expanded and there is a bottle of Sriracha on every table. The soups are great, the hubby LOVES the chicken curry, But the true gem is the #34 shrimp paste on vermicelli. So so good. The shrimp paste is cooked on sugar cane which adds a bit of sweetness. It is served over perfectly cooked vermicelli with fresh shredded lettuce and bean sprouts. mmmmmm so delicious. The service can be spotty and the decor isn't much to look at but the food is great and the prices are absurdly cheap for the amount of food you get. For me, that is enough to carry the place and earn 4 stars.
(4)Lnc T.
Went to this restaurant based on yelp reviews/ since I was in the neighborhood. Must say wasn't bad at all! My boyfriend and I ordered the 'Xua Lau' which is an extra large bowl of noodle soup (pho) and the 'Mi Xao w/ Beef' which is fried crispy yellow noodles. Both entrees were very good. This restaurant use to be called Pho Pasteur (I'm a fan of the one in Chinatown) and I have to say Le's restaurant was much tastier, the portions weren't as big as Pho Pasteur, but the flavors def. made up for it. The environment of the restaurant was pretty 'blaaah'. Like every other restaurant in Allston/ Brighton there was only street parking, so I parked in the super 88 market lot considering I was stopping by there anyways. . . . The waiters were very friendly. I would recommend this place.
(4)Joan B.
I love Le! Lots of options for wheat-free dining, all of them delicious! Also much better, cheaper, and more predictable than the Harvard Square location. Occasionally slow service, but all the servers have been very good about responding to questions about menu ingredients. Everything is good, but I love the fresh limeade, the pho, and the lemongrass chicken. The crispy spring rolls have rice wrappers instead of the usual wheat wrappers, too. Yum!
(5)Jenn W.
Had dinner with some friends the other day. Had the lemongrass beef. SO DELICIOUS! The flavors were just right and it wasn't too spicy (since I unfortunately have a low tolerance for anything with any remote heat). Pretty big portion; I was able to save half for lunch the next day. And since I had finished off the rice that came with, my waiter was kind enough to bag an additional order of rice with my leftovers. Super fast service as well; I can't wait to come back and dig into a big bowl of pho or bun.
(4)Connie L.
A pretty good pho joint as far as Boston goes (and definitely better than the chain stores in Chinatown). The broth is sometimes tepid and the noodles are sometimes stuck together. Last time we ordered an extra large order of pho with beef and tendon - there were maybe 4 or 5 slices of pho and a few bits of too-soft tendon floating around in a lukewarm broth. Lame!
(3)Karlis B.
Le's, we've been neighbors for so long and yet, we never hung out. I'm glad you could come through when I had no money and a serious hankering for curry tofu. But then you also offered me a $3.50 Anchor Steam bottle and I knew we'd be together forever. Your pho is good, so onto other things. Your fresh spring rolls with beef are so damn tasty. Your fresh spring rolls without beef are kinda meh. Your tofu curry was the bomb on my first visit. But you're starting to prove unreliable because on my second visit, your sauce was watered down and not as flavorful. I know friendship is give and take, so I'm gonna give you one more chance and grace you with my presence. But hey, this time, could you not shove a fork and knife in my food? I know how to use chopsticks and you shouldn't assume otherwise because of the way I look. And if you insist on giving a fork and knife (even though you didn't the first time) kindly put it on the table next to my plate. A fork should not be jabbed into my food unless I'm holding the fork. Kthxbai! See you again!
(4)Mercer S.
Literally the best pho. Huge portions, cheap prices.
(5)Pallavi J.
Good, cheap food. Just what the heart craves. I had the veggie fresh spring rolls - they were ok, nothing to write home about. I think the Vietnamese place in Super 88 has better veggie spring rolls. Howevah, the Lemongrass Tofu was a whole different story. It was perfectly seasoned, the tofu wasn't dreadfully greasy or insipid, the HEAPING mound ensured I had enough for lunch the next day *purrs in lazy delight* Friend had the beef pho, which she pronounced delish. Will definitely go back - maybe for pho this time!
(4)Josh U.
Food 4/5 Decor 2/5 Service 3/5 Value 4/5 I was pretty happy with my pho with some rib meat. Pretty much the standard dish for any Vietnamese place and I was not dissapointed with Le's Restaurant. Soup broth was very good and prices were even better. Once you get past the decor, which looks like two separate places that decided to share furniture, you can appreciate the cheap good food. I'll be going back soon to check out the rest of the menu.
(4)Narin S.
Great place. I have been to quite a few Pho Joints over the years and this one is tops on my list. The staff is very friendly and attentive. I have been coming here for a few years with a few buddies of mine (a few pints from across the street and a bowl of Pho makes for a good night) and the staff usally has our normal bowl of pho ready within minutes after arriving. I love that type of attentiveness and keeps my buddies and I coming back. Our favorite waiter/ manager there is Christopher. If you get him you will be well taken care of, though all the staff there is great.
(5)Joseph G.
Great cheap place to go for a nice dinner. My girlfriend and I go here a lot because she has celiac's and they are great about making sure it is all safe for her to eat. They tend to recognize us when we go there now. Also a nice meal for two including an appetizer for$23 ridiculous!
(5)Diana B.
cheap good food everytime!! two thumbs up Stick with the pho and the vermicelli dishes and you can't go wrong. On a side note- the service here is better than most asian extablishments. And this location is not as busy as the other ones so they don't rush you out as quickly =)
(4)Pauline S.
My recent discovery of Pho has been like the discovery of Christ for others. How have I lived so long without knowing the way? How can I tell others about this and let them in on my newfound source of happiness? Being introduced to this unbelievably satisfying and delicious form of food has made everything in life better. I am not exaggerating. My boyfriend brought me to Pho and since I am pretty sure he has had Pho in every possible location-his rave of this one is worth noting. We go on average once a week for the cheap bowls of heaven and coconut smoothies, as well as spring rolls that are a vegetarian's savior. Him: x-large bowl of Beef Pho Me: small bowl of Chicken Pho. Sometimes I eat chicken-don't judge. Both: satisfied to the core. Must say, that when I was on the verge of dying from a hangover (multiple occassions)Pho has come to the rescue and never failed. Adding a Vietnamese style ice coffee just seals the deal. Rooster sauce, a bowl of Pho with sprouts and the most attentive and sweet waitstaff make this place ideal for a lazy Sunday meal or (as I just found out) a hopping Saturday night meal out. Right off the green line too, so truly I have no complaints.
(5)Nicole M.
Le's is my to-go place for comfort food. The food is especially delicious when it's raining, snowing, or when you feel that your soul just died from the crushing monotony of work. My favorite combination for pigging out: the big ol' pancake, spring rolls, then a hearty bowl of pho, beef round-eye for preference. The bun is also fabulous--I usually order the one with spring rolls. Also try the avocado shake! You won't gain weight at all! Unless you have it everyday for a month, like I did! BUT IT WAS WORTH IT.
(4)Linh V.
I'm a bit puzzled by this place to say the least. Is it Vietnamese? If so, it's looking like i should go back to How To Be Vietnamese Boot Camp because i just didn't get. The food is just not authentic. The waitress left me wanting more, more of her attention. The food was ehh. The service was ehh. This place was just ehh.
(1)J R.
There can be a lot of pressure your first time. You might feel anxiety. You may feel embarrassed about how you look, or worried you're not doing it right. You should be able to talk to someone who is more experienced about how you feel and about any concerns you may have. If you're not able to talk about these things - then you probably shouldn't be eating Pho. Try the Goi Cuon (Fresh Summer Rolls, $4.15 for 4) and the Pho Tai (Beef Noodle Soup). The Pho comes in three sizes: Medium ($5.75), Large ($6.50) and Extra-Large. People say it's not always great the first time. But, at Le's the food is great every time.
(4)Liz T.
My boyfriend and I rarely go out for Vietnamese because there's always a pot of pho, bun rieu, or bun bo hue simmering at his mom's or my mom's place. One day we were craving it and we weren't in Hawaii, so I brought him to Pho Pasteur... Only it had changed ownership to Le's. I'm glad we took the risk of eating at Le's because the pho was as good as I remembered when it was Pho Pasteur. The broth was delicious and there was just the right amount of noodles, meat, and extras. I love rare beef on the side because you can dip it as you go instead of having it overcooked and chewy from the start. The Spring Rolls were pretty good--nowhere in the ballpark of mom's spring rolls--but crisp and savory nonetheless. The one thing I didn't like was the Vietnamese Iced Coffee. That stuff is strong! This could be fixed by Le's adding a tablespoon or 4 more of condensed milk. Overall, this is a great Vietnamese restaurant outside of Dorchester. =D
(4)Cher K.
I like Le's. The food is always delicious. Also, when I am sick and I order the soup, I asked for chopped garlic to put in and they always give me lots of extra garlic (which makes the soup a super healing food). You have to ask for the free hot tea, but when you do you get it. The service varies depending on how busy they are but everyone is always nice and helpful. Whenever I have lunch with my best friend she says, "Let's go to the noodle place." which is code for Le's. I've gone with out of towners and they were shocked when the bill came, "How could it possibly be this cheap." and I say, "Because we're in Allston." Good stuff!
(4)Irene F.
We ordered in from delivery.com , what a fantastic idea! This place was great! One thing I dug was that the pho comes in all different containers and you combine it at home as you see fit. Very cool. I got some fresh rolls, some salad, and a beef vermicelli dish. OK, so I was a little hungry when we ordered and there's quite a bit left over, but that's half the fun of ordering in! Delicious, pretty quick delivery, how can you go wrong?
(4)Sandra C.
Good service. Good for hangover. Oh yes, yes, yes.
(5)Drew V.
There's nothing better when you're feeling alil' under the weather than a big bowl of pho. (I know it sounds cheesy...) A friend brought me here a few years ago for my first bowl and I've been a fan ever since. The service is quick and friendly, and the food comes out quick!
(4)Julie S.
The same Pho as always. I now live in Las Vegas and this is a spot I always try to go when I am home. May fav is the vegetarian spring rolls with peanut sauce and of course the soup, classic chicken with hot sauce for me.
(5)Sarah R.
I've only been to Le's twice now, but so far their track record is good and consistent: large, fresh dishes that taste good and won't make your wallet cry. The first time I went I had some kind of dish consisting of wide noodles, seafood, and veggies (I forget the name). Last night I had the seafood noodle soup. Seafood and I are like this *crosses index and middle fingers* Both were yummy, came in large portions, and as I said before, cheap. I've had their spring rolls too. Yum. The seafood noodle soup was just what I needed on a chilly January night, and the broth was light but full of flavor. The seafood was fresh, too. It's true that the atmosphere is nothing special. On the plus side, though, they do have large tables to comfortably accommodate your posse. I always think of the Harvard Ave/Brighton Ave area of Allston as sort of the international food court. There are so many different types of restaurants in such a small area. Le's is definitely one of my top recommendations for those who are in the area. I can't say I'd trek all the way from Somerville just to eat there, but if I'm already in Allston, it's a solid choice.
(4)Diana L.
You can't sell mediocre Vietnamese food to an Asian girl from California. You can't. I know the difference between pho and pho-inspired noodles. I know the difference between fish sauce and not-so-fish sauce. I know the difference between a spring roll and a bland, overstuffed rice paper concoction. I have a mouth. And the ability to recall flavors. I know, Le's, I know. Three stars only cause you're nice.
(3)Bhuvana H.
I hadn't been to Le's for years; the last time we were there, it was still called Pho Pasteur. A few weeks ago I went back with the hubby and his brother; they wanted to watch a game later that night so we figured we could do dinner at Le's and then pool/sports at Big City across the street afterward. The food wasn't as good as we remembered from the past; I had tofu vermicelli and the hubby had beef pho. The service was also a bit slow even though the place wasn't ultra busy.
(3)Colin N.
Pho kyeah! Aren't pho jokes great? You know what else is great? Pho Tai at Le's. 3 of us got dinner here. Jasmine tea, 2 appetizers and 2 giant bowls of Pho Tai and a giant thing of Bun for $30 excl. tip. Wa wa we wa! What a great deal. It was too much food for us to finish too. Awesome. I haven't been this fat and happy since the last time I had pho in Houston!
(5)Pierce H.
The Pho around here might fool college kids but it won't fool a man of the world, or even a Bostonian who takes the time to get down to Chinatown once in a while. Weak broth and small portions of meat (relatively speaking). Le's is a clean and well lit place, however, and the food came out faster than a Lutheran converts to Episcopalianism if he's socially ambitious and living on the East coast.
(2)Lindley E.
A reliable standard for pho in Boston. This last visit they left the hot peppers off our plate of basil, sprouts, and lime, which took me by surprise. Were they out? There's nothing really remarkable about this place except its location. Once it was one of two Vietnamese restaurants in the neighborhood (V. Majestic RIP), now it is the last joint standing. Good news? They can accommodate large parties. So call ahead.
(3)Leilani B.
Ate there last night and it was delicious. I had #30 with pork, and it was fantastic. Highly recommend it. The group I went with all got pho and enjoyed it. I would definitely go again. I'm used to Seattle area pricing, so I thought it was a bit pricey (6.50 to 7 ish for the pho opposed to like 4.50 or 5/6ish in Seattle), but I think it was worth the price, since I haven't seen too many pho places around (maybe I just live under a rock and there are tons somewhere, but I haven't seen many).
(4)Katie P.
Yummy. Yummy. Consistently yummy at each location. The only reason that I didn't give it five stars is because of the Atrium Mall location - the staff there is hit or miss. I've gone in and had the most wonderful servers and then there were several other occasions where I felt like the waiter (the same one everytime) was irritated with our presence and wanted to be left alone. A lot of eye rolling and an exasperated look when I'd ask for something that he forgot to put on the table like silverware. However, the food is excellent and doesn't disappoint.
(4)M.E. F.
I'm down with this place. Service isn't anything to write home about, but the pho is excellent and the vermicelli is in extremely reasonable portions. There's always plenty of seating, and it's excellently located. Better than Super 88's food court, no offense, guys.
(4)Lauren V.
Le's is great for a very cheap, quick Vietnamese-in-the-middle-of-Allston experience. You know, in case you are searching for that very unique, very specific experience. The pho is great. I can't ever finish the whole bowl (no matter what the size) and for $7 I don't feel so bad about that. The portions are pretty large so it is great for sharing. Also, the food comes out amazingly quick. I think I waited about 6 minutes last time. The server I always have is nice and she always calls me and the boy, "honey". Like the stereotypical diner waitress...only in Vietnam. All in all, very decent food in a very decent atmosphere with very decent service.
(3)Shih-Hao H.
A nice place with nice food and service, probably the beat Vietnamese restaurant in the area.
(4)Adam S.
A haven for the cash-strapped collegiate, Le's serves the finest Pho in Boston, hands-down. Growing up in Portland, Oregon among many Vietnamese friends, I was exposed to the most authentic Pho to be had in America, prepared by Vietnamese families that had recently moved to the west coast from Vietnam. Le's Pho is just as good, if not better, and exceptionally consistent. I would recommend anyone who enjoys Pho to order extra eye of round on the side next time, raw (just say "extra beef on the side"). It's only $2 more, and that way you can achieve medium-rare temps in the beef in the soup. I am not familiar with the rest of the menu, but I give Le's 5 stars for the Pho alone.
(5)Amar K.
I had never eaten Vietnamese food before and was happy to find a restaurant in Harvard Sq. Le's has become one of my new favorite restaurants because it has a large number of vegetarian options and the food tastes great. The price is very reasonable. The service is faster than I have EVER seen anywhere. Try their spring rolls, summer rolls, Tofu curries - all are fantastic.
(4)C S.
It's been a while but I was very pleased. 7pm Saturday night and we were seated immediately. The place is pretty big for Allston. The service is the fastest I've seen, food is very hot and fresh and the portions were huge. I mean huge. There were 4 of us and we ordered fresh summer rolls, spring rolls(fried), 2 medium(really gigantic) cahn chua soups.1 with a lot of shrimp and the other loaded with white chicken. Lemongrass chicken and a medium (also gigantic) bowl of chicken noodle soup. 4 large bowls of rice came along side, Thai basil and sprouts. Total bill came to $47. We took home enough for 2 more meals. Personally, I love their food and our servers were very polite. Parking can be tough on the street but be patient. There is a public lot behind Blanchards on the corner of Harvard.
(4)Wendy K.
My favorite affordable place to eat. I've been a huge fan for years...It's quick, delicious, and cheap! I like the one on Brighton Ave but the Harvard Square one is decent too. The broth can be more oily at some locations like the Atrium mall location (where they also make you pay for tea :P) The Brighton location has good broth that's tasty but light. They always gives you fresh sprouts and limes with your pho. I usually get the chicken or beef noodle soup and add vegetables on the side for additional $2. It's filling but not bad for you, and perfect for warming up on cold winter days. I also recommend the summer rolls with peanut sauce as a great appetizer. Other menu items: Smoothies are decent, other non-soup noodles are tasty, and even their fried rice is really good :)
(4)Anna W.
I love Pho Pasteur/Le's Restaurants and all their different incarnations. You seriously cannot go wrong with huge bowls of MSG-infused broth, noodles, and meat. And for under $7? Sign me up! I like this particular location because it is rather large, and clean, and the tables are spaced out enough so that I can have a conversation without feeling like everyone can hear me. I've been here a handful of times for lunch or dinner and have never had to wait for a table. In addition to the soup, some other yummy dishes to try are the curry (chicken or beef), bun (vermicelli noodles with veggies -- very healthy but still yummy), wonton soup (this gets overlooked a lot because of the aforementioned pho soups, but their wonton soup is simply delish), and the variety of vegetarian dishes they have available (the garlic watercress is a personal fave). Oh, and this is also one of the few locations where I've always been able to find a parking spot even though it's in a busy area. Definite plus for me and my laziness :-)
(4)Kristin P.
My boyfriend and I get takeout from here quite a bit and we've always been happy with the food. Today, however, I was waiting for my takeout and saw one of the waiters take a sip out of the side of a glass of bubble tea, then deliver it to a table (a family with small children). I couldn't believe it, he even did it in plain sight! 5 stars for the food, 1 star for that awful waiter.
(2)Abe K.
I understand why Le's doesn't have 5 stars. It's probably from one of thousand people who grew up having a different taste of pho and so they gave Le's Restaurant an unnecessary harsh review. Now, I don't understand why this restaurant is not rated 4.5 stars. It's definitely worth at least that much. Who doesn't like large quantities? Their portions are huge! Now we've all heard the saying "quality over quantity." It must be your lucky day. Even though their portions are large, their quality of their food is even better! Since I am adamantly in love with pho, I sadly have not tried all of their dishes. However, here is my analysis (tried to be unbiased) of the dishes I ate here. #14 = their extra large bowl of pho. This review goes for all their pho. It's freaking good. If you are a pho lover, you must try their #14. It's largeee. You know how McDonalds first came out with their "big" mac. That became a hoax. However, Le's #14 pho REALLY is extra large. It's filling, EVEN FOR ME! For an average to minimal eater, I doubt they will finish this dish. Plenty of noodle, beef, and the broth is a little taste of heaven. (Especially when you have a hangover). Even when I'm sick, Le's pho cures my cold. #39 (Combination Fried Rice) = you see this dish everywhere. You don't taste this anywhere else. The rice, corn, string beans, carrot, sausage, shrimp, chicken, and everything else is cooked SO perfectly. I recommend you to take small bites so you can savor the taste. PS: if you eat it with your pho, it's even better. Vermicelli = If you had pho 10 days in a row and wanted a little change, here's a great substitute. It's like pho, without the soup, and with a lot more veggies. Veggies?? NOOO? But don't fear. The dish is SO well proportioned, that you won't even notice the veggies. I personally have not eaten anything else, but I have brought my boss, friends, acquaintances, roommates, and significant others. They have tried the pad thai and other rice dishes. "But wait, I thought Le's was a Vietnamese restaurant." You are absolutely right, however, Le's was gracious enough to extend their culinary expertise to serve Thai, Chinese, and other authentic foods. How grateful of them. Appetizers: spring rolls, summer rolls, shrimp toast, etc. All their appetizers are great. Enough said. So now let's answer some of your questions. What is NOT great about Le's? Well, you only get it in Boston (Allston, downtown, and Cambridge). I really wish it branched out to other states. I even come alone sometimes when I'm craving some good pho. That's how good it is. Don't need a third wheel, as long as I have their pho. Now stop reading this, and get yourself out there to Le's Restaurant! Walk in, smile, and say Hello to Chris and Tom and hope you enjoy your meal!
(5)Naoko M.
I haven't had pho in a couple years but I'm glad I had it here! It was a freezing cold day visiting a friend at Harvard and the words "pho" and "dinner" sounded amazing in one sentence. I got the "normal" pho which was delightfully filling but not too heavy at the same time. I also ordered the crispy spring rolls which were quite tasty. My friend loved her vegetarian dish so much she was sad she couldn't finish it from being so full. Lots of options here even for non-pho eaters (like 2 of my friends who ordered wonton soup....eh...).
(4)Jenni L.
I always order pho dac biet (the special noodle soup) when I eat at Vietnamese restaurants, and quite frankly --Le's has the worst. The broth isn't as delicious as it used to be when the restaurant was once Pho Pasteur. The vegetables do not seem too, too fresh each time I go. I've gone back to Le's a few times to see if it was just that day --and it's not. The food is just not the same anymore, and you can definitely find better in Boston. The appetizer, gio cuon (fresh summer rolls) are packed with way TOO much vermicelli noodles and chopped up Iceberg lettuce. Seriously... gio cuon used to have the shrimp, the pork, the lettuce, the noodles, the mint leaves and other veggies. These are definitely not worth what the charge --much like their many other appetizers on the menu that are just plate filled with vegetables. I love avocado smoothies, but they use a coconut base here for most of their drinks --and it does not go well together for me! I guess it maybe a matter of taste. I used to love this place. USED TO. Not anymore. I go to Chinatown to eat pho from now on. So disappointing.
(1)Mytch S.
This. Is. My. Spot. I L-O-V-E this place. I used to go weekly when I was going to school in Boston, so often the staff recognize me 8 years later. I get the same thing every time; fresh summer rolls, small pho with sliced eye round, and fruit shake with bobba. This is where I was first introduced to peanut sauce, and I can't get enough of it. And this is one of the few places that has hot oil, which is a plus for me. The food is always delicious. When I go up to Boston, this is usually on of my stops. The wait staff is always friendly and I would probably spend all my money here if I were still up in Boston.
(5)Andrea C.
How on earth is this restaurant rated as Best of Boston for Vietnamese food? I don't know who is reviewing, but this place is not a good reflection of good let alone great Vietnamese food at all. The service is awful, and the food is not much better. We started off with drinks. I ordered a Thai Ice Tea with pearls and nearly spit it up. Their Thai Ice tea is not home made, it is made of some chalky powder and mine was not completely blended with clumps in it as well as stale pearls. That was quite a disappointment. Next came our appetizer which was goi cuon, the typical Vietnamese Spring Roll. Goi cuon is a Vietnamese staple and very easy to make. Theirs was awful, probably because it was obviously prerolled/premade. The entire roll was filled with noodles and wilted brown lettuce and one tiny shrimp was split in half for an entire roll. In addition, the peanut sauce was extremely chalky, not sure what they tried to mix into it. My husband had the streamed fish which was very bland and I had a traditional bowl of Pho Tai. I will only elaborate on my Pho which was a bowl of noodles and not much more. There was barely any meat and the veggies that accompanied them were absolutely pathetic. I guess what was even more frustrating was that their prices weren't even that great compared to other Vietnamese restaurants. They were on the high side for not great quality food. For me, Vietnamese food is sooo wonderful because it is always fresh, tasty, healthy, and inexpensive. I can't say that for Le's restaurant. If you don't mind the trek, I highly recommend going to Chinatown instead or going to Saigon Hut in East Boston.
(2)Silent S.
I've dined at Le's in Allston several times, and I always get pho. I can't address any of the non-pho entrees, which are numerous. I did try a dessert once, but it wasn't memorable. Like most people, I go to Le's for one thing: pho. And while their pho is far from the best I've had, it definitely satisfies me whenever I've had a craving. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement, but when you're craving pho, any endorsement will do. If you're not craving pho - or if you have never tried it before - consider looking elsewhere.
(3)Sean M.
When you add it all up Le's is GREAT. The food quality is always good, service is super fast and it is cheap. I stick with the Chicken Pho (noodle soup) or the Bun (steamed verimicelli) with grilled chicken on top. Whenever I order the pho I always ask for fresh ginger and hot peppers (the little green ones) and they always get them for me at no extra cost without nickle and diming you to death. Although some have complaints because of isolated experiences I have eaten at this place over 30 times and overall can only say, there must be a reason I keep coming back!
(4)Ben H.
I love this place. Great noodle dishes, great fresh rolls. That's all I tried, but every other dish I saw come out of the kitchen looked delicious.
(5)C K.
Yum! I could live off of this place. The Lemongrass dishes are incredible, and the Ban Hoi, wrap-it-yourself, plates are so amazing I don't even have the words. This place is a solid choice. I would give it 5 stars but the atmosphere is just so-so. I mean it's clean and the service is great but it's nothing special. The FOOD, though... if you've never had Vietnamese food you'll be an instant fan. And if you love Vietnamese food, this place will please you to no end. I could go for some right now.
(4)Princess T.
I enjoy Le's Dac Biet pho. Its packed with so much noodles, its amazing if any one person can finish the entire bowl. The pho has been a saving grace for a few of my cold Boston nights. Along with the Dac Biet, I usually have a delicious avocado shake on the side. The best part is that there are a ton of coupons for this place and an occasional groupon giving you a really good deal for good food.
(3)Fiddos J.
We went to this place after reading the reviews on Yelp. I can't say I particularly enjoyed the experience. I had the pho - which was very very ordinary. The broth wasn't particularly tasty - the noodles were way too soggy and mushy and the meat was rare in the sense of hard to find. And the waitress disappeared after serving us. We didn't see her until the very end of the meal - with the cheque. I don't know what to make of that. In the allston/brookline area - so far the best pho i've eaten is at oriental pearl in brookline village. The pho at Le doesn't even begin to match up.
(2)Han K.
My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the area. Even after moving out of Brighton, I still take the time to come back. Best Pho broth, not too salty but very flavorful with the right mix of ingredients, good bun, and the best iced coffee IMHO. I love it there since I always walk out of there paying less than $30 for a full dinner for two and walk away stuffed to the gills. As I undertand it ,there was a disagreement between the owners of Pho Pastuer in Chinatown (which also opened an outlet in Needham until it closed) and the outlets in Brighton, Harvard, Atrium Mall, and the ex Newbury Street and Stuart Street location etc. etc. There's also many restaurants outside of Boston named Pho Pastuer. The owner wanted to make sure people knew the difference between his chain and other places, thus the name change. So there was no change in ownership, just a change in name.
(5)Lindsey M.
This place has solid Pho and Bun vermicelli, I particularly liked the discernible lemongrass on the chicken in my noodle bowl. I'm only giving it 4 stars because they lied to me about the fresh spring rolls coming with mint. I take the fresh herbs in my meals seriously, and they missed the 5th star on this account. I'd go to this location over the Harvard Square one, not only is it less busy but also has better food. The fast service, gluten free options, and cheap prices make this place somewhere I'd frequent to satiate my pho/bun addiction. **rubs belly**
(4)Brian N.
Out of the three Le's in the Boston area, I like this Le's for its speedy service and cheap prices. Their pho really hits the spot; more importantly, their other entrees are good too. I particularly like their shrimp fried rice and the vermicelli shrimp wraps as well. It is a sizable amount of food - many times, I end up taking some home for the next meal! The service here is very good; they don't try to rush you out the door like the Harvard Square Le's and not as slow as the Chestnut Hill Le's. The restaurant decor fits well into the Allston/Brighton neighborhood. I would avoid the vietnamese spring rolls though - they have always consistently been extremely dry!
(4)Hieu N.
Used to come here all the time. My brother and I would come because of convenience and well, it was pretty good. Until i came once with my friend. They never served us. I mean we sat there for a good 20 minutes with no one there. The other time, my brother and I didnt like the Pho since they changed the name, it just tasted...eh. On the last occasion, there was a grasshopper in my soup, what the fuck? Honestly, never again. Go if you really want to try it, it used to be good, but dont get the Pho, really.
(3)Kristine H.
mmm mmmm pho here is PERFECT on a cold winter's day. crispy spring rolls are hot & delicious, not fishy at all. the pho "small" was definitely smaller than any LA pho size, but its the perfect size. lower level is quaint, sort of has an outside-cafe feel with the comfort of the indoors & the heater! got the #17, the most basic pho (rare beef) and enjoyed every bite. they could give more bean sprouts on the side tho.
(5)Maxim L.
Don't let terrible decor and the occasional drunk waiter keep you from Le's. The Large Pho, at $6.95 is probably the best meal for its price in Boston, outside of the other locations in the area run by the same owner. Pho, as far as I know, is the national dish of Vietnam. It consists of rice noodles with a broth flavored from various animal parts cooked in very large quantities over long periods of time. You then get to which of the more palatable (sorta palatable. I'm not a fan of tendon or tripe...) cuts of meat are added to your bowl and cooked by the boiling broth. Then, at the table you add fresh mint, bean sprouts and lime to your liking. This truly is a meal in the bowl, and even if you eat too much, you don't feel bloated since the ingredients are pretty light. If you aren't a fan of pho, I also recommend the Pad Thai, which is ironically better than anything I've had at Thai restaurants. The Banh Mi, sweet barbecued pork over rice noodles, peanuts and fresh vegetables is also a favorite. Considering what it costs to eat here, my only complaint is that the leftmost seating area is unbearable. The water from the lobster tanks is way to loud and the speaker in the ceiling buzzes. Otherwise, you can't go wrong.
(5)Patrick P.
Boy oh boy was I pleasantly surprised by my trip to Le's in Allston. I had never tried Pho before so away we went on a Saturday afternoon. We found parking on street which was lucky!. The staff and hostess were quite nice and seated us right away. There was a good crowd there for that time of day. We both had a Singha beer and ordered the Pho. My partner had the one that had everything in it, while I had one with just beef. It was so good. Served with a plate of fresh Thai Basil, spicy Thai chilis, beansprouts and lime wedges which you add to taste. Also on every table is a huge bottle of Sirancha red chili sauce (very hot) and a rich plum sauce. Mixing some of each in the delicious beef broth adds a great layer of heat to the already fantastic dish. The huge amount of noodles were so good. We liked it so much we went back the next week! Update 8/9/11 Le's has faded as of late. To say it is run down is an understatement and parking there is a nightmare. The last few times there pho was not hot enough and just ok. Nothing more. Many other options available these days.
(2)Nick S.
Dude. That GI-FREAKING-GANTIC bowl of really good pho for $7? Yes please. Jasmine limeade? Whoa. Cool. I've only have a few experiences with this place but in all cases the staff was polite and did their jobs, the food was tasty, and the prices were reasonable. I'm surprised (and relieved) that this place is formerly associated with Pho Pasteur. I don't like that place.
(4)Lisa T.
My favorite pho in Boston! It's so incredibly affordable, healthy, and tasty. The service is good but not so unnecessarily that it reflects on the prices. It's one of the few places that both Vietnamese people and those with less acquainted tastes agree on. Their other dishes are great too. Try the Ban Xeo (the crepe appetizer). The summer rolls are not bad either, but we all know what that tastes like. It's appropriate to go in large groups, as a couple, or even alone, as I myself have done a couple of times when craving pho and happened to be in the area. This restaurant is probably my favorite in the Allston area.
(5)Chu C.
Inexpensive, pretty solid Vietnamese Pho soup, noodles and rice plates. I go with my church group quite often, and they seat 25-30 of us on short notice with no problem. The food comes out fast, it's great for groups to get a quick bite to eat, and there's nothing quite like warm pho to warm you on a cold winter day. Some of my favorite things to eat here: -Seafood pho with egg noodles -Extra large beef pho -rice plate with sliced pork (make sure to ask for the sliced pork, not the default) -Vietnamese fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce -Fried rice (it's actually really good!) All of the above with liberal use of Sri Racha hot sauce (the one with the rooster on it). Many of my friends say that it's not that great in the heirarchy of Vietnamese restaurants, so don't expect to be blown away. But for the price, I don't know what more you could want.
(4)Cassie H.
Although I am able to make some homemade Vietnamese dishes from my mother's and grandmother's recipes, sometimes it's nice to have a staple Vietnamese restaurant to order food from to give myself a break. My husband and I decided to try Le's (although it's not the closest Vietnamese restaurant to us) based on some word-of-mouth reviews from colleagues at work. We had the egg rolls (by far the best ones we've had here in Boston so far), the combination fried rice (tastes just like homemade) and the muc rang muoi [squid] which was a little bit tough/chewy. We will definitely be back to try more, although I am not sure we will be trying the muc rang muoi again. Definitely recommend!
(5)Peter R.
I dunno there is something about a hot steaming bowl of noodles filled with yummy goodness that just hits a warm spot deep in me. Whether packed with Beef, Chicken, Seafood or Meatball topped with a distinct broth these noodles are excellent. Personally i only order 1 of 3 items, that is the beef noodle, seafood noodle, or the pork cutlet on rice. (I have heard that the meatballs aren't the best but definitely not inedible in any way) Especially during the winter time i definitely make this place a regular to warm up from the snow, large portions and good soups are the perfect response to the NE cold winters. **extra** - if you really like spicy try some of those chile's in oil in the soup - a whole vegetarian section (i never even realized till my friend who is a vegi showed me) - sometimes i end up going alot and don't want the soup, i enjoy the rice dishes, and the fresh spring rolls (drown them in the sauce) - Cheap Cheap Cheap Cheap - Excellent Coffee, they crush the ice, its really strong and they use some really sweet syrup, some may want to wait for some of the ice to melt so its not as strong
(4)Ashley O.
i always get the same thing when i come here and it never fails to satisfy, the Beef Noodle / Tai soup. i LOVE pho, especially with extra lime juice and siracha ^_^
(5)Eric Y.
Boston doesn't have many places you can get good Pho. Luckily I had to chance to dine here on my last trip. I even tried the rice plates and was satisfied with the flavors and different meats. Pork chops, spring rolls, chicken were as good as I've had at any other place in the Bay Area. A visit into Chinatown is worth the walk if you're looking for good pho and asian food. You can order to go too.
(4)Mushhoor A.
So my friend and I stumbled upon this place on a late night walk through Alston. We were bored and looking for some Asian food. We passed on a Korean restaurant near-by and walked into Le's. Our eating experience has never been the same. I couldn't find Pad Thai on the menu so I asked the waiter and he brought me out the best shrimp Pad Thai I've had in my life. I go with my friends at least once every week now. They're appetizers and Pho are also amazing. The staff are cool and laid back and the food always comes out fresh and quick. To my surprise, the plates were garnished with fresh basil and sprouts and the chicken was white meat! When was the last time you saw white meat chicken at an Asian restaurant? The seafood is also fresh and they skip dumping sauce over it to cover the nasty taste like most restaurants. Everything is fresh and cooked to perfection. Prices are amazing and so are the portions. Best Viet food ever.
(5)Matthew T.
I've been here a couple times- as a person who likes vegetarian and ethnic cuisine, I highly recommend this place. The yellow noodles are phenomenal! And their soups are very good too (not to mention pretty enormous). The prices are very reasonable, especially when you see how much food you get. If you're looking to find a place that serves good Vietnamese food (and you want leftovers), you should definitely visit this restaurant.
(4)Jeffrey K.
Le's is the best. I eat there at least once a week and sometimes as many as 3 or 4. It basically costs me $10 including a high percentage tip for a huge meal. Since I'm basically eating there for dinner on my own, the staff knows I'm looking to get in and out. They are always friendly and welcoming. The combination fried rice is delicious and so is the Xe Lua (a big bowl of beef soup).
(5)Jessica W.
Gotta love eating in Boston Restaurants! Years ago - back in 01, I used to get take out here when it was Pho Pasteur and it was excellent. When my sister and I walked by yesterday and noticed it had changed name's I thought "what the heck, let's give it a try" - and I'm glad we did. I had the lemongrass shrimp which had roasted peanuts on it and chunks of peppers & onions... YUM. VERY good. My sister had a Curry Beef dish which she also said was excellent. The service was good - can't complain. Very tasty, I'm glad the food didn't go downhill when the name changed.
(5)Sara K.
Thank you Yelpers! I just moved to the area, but found this place which was right around the corner because of you. I had my first Vietnamese food in Va (yea, I know) 2 months ago, and have been craving it again, so I was happy to find this place only a few short blocks from my place! My companion ordered a beef pho, and it seemed to have more fat than a normal piece of meat,.... but I guess that's expected for under $7. I ordered the large veggie Pho (only 6.95!) And the broth was delicious, and it was laden with a bunch of veggies! They even indulged my request for a second plate of bean sprouts, basil (giant stems of it!) , and lime (where were any chilis :-( ). (love those flavors!) Fast service, and great food, especially for dinner (do they have lunch?) make this a great place for Vietnamese (or at least Pho!)
(4)Maryann-David M.
I love the pho here, best pho I had better than my own lol, plus its a good deal.
(4)Melinda M.
I order from here all the time. The veggies are usually fresh and crisp which I haven't found to be the norm in alot of places. The people are nice and the prices are good. The dining room could use some work, it's a little run down. But its usually nice and quiet, a laid-back atmosphere. I've seen a lot of people dine here alone.
(4)Jerrica J.
My friends are Vietnamese, so they decided to take me here to try the Pho'! HUGE portions and they give you the perfect amount of basil and extra limes which I am extremely happy about! The waiter was also friendly and even joked around about my "extra large bowl" being "small" sized. Haha I ate all the noodles and beef in my Pho' and just left the broth in the bowl. I can't believe I ate so much! I would come back here!
(5)Rene' Y.
I am there about twice per month. Always ordered the same entree--the Shrimp with steam Vermeceille and the pho. Services are always good and the cheap dinner.
(5)Lily S.
I've been here a few times and have been satisfied each time. Great crispy spring rolls! The pho is very good, and the grilled pork with vermicelli is fresh and balanced, with lots of peanuts. I generally love vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk, but I don't like how they serve the coffee and milk already mixed together and with a lot of crushed ice. Not a big deal though-- it still tastes delicious. The food was served quickly, and, overall, it is a fulfilling place to eat.
(4)Natalie S.
The one place I'm really going to miss in Boston!!! Never messed up, always cheap and always good eats
(5)Kim L.
I love soup. so. I love PHO. MMMMmmmm. Broth, noodles and fresh veggies.....You get a small - and it can feed you for two meals. Well...me any ways, and I have a big appetite, although, I usually eat ALL the bean sprouts. The one thing about take out that annoys me is that they never give you enough hoisin sauce....even when you ask for extra. What's up with that??
(4)Space O.
We have eaten here 4-5 times. A decent bowl of soup is $5 or so. You can feed a group of four (without alcohol) for less than $25. The tea they serve is jasmine tea - very good, and widely available for consumption at home (go to Super 88 down the street). We have never eaten the deserts - we usually go across the street to the bubble tea store (ba bao tea) or the Chinese bakery. I usually get the Hue soup - Hue is a provincial capital in Vietnam and the images of Hue in 1968 are forever in my mind. For those of you who are interested, Pho means noodle in Vietnamese.
(4)Arestia R.
I must say the pho here was phabulous. One glance at their huge menu, I was having some seriously phantasies about what to order, when my phriend said to me, "You have to get the pho. It's what their phamous phor. Look around." Sure enough, he was right - everyone was having pho! I opted for the seaphood with white noodles and we ordered spring rolls, too. Mmmmm. The peanut sauce was pretty good and the rolls were stuffed with vegetable goodness. But the pho...oh the phoooo. Huge, steaming bowls of meat, vegetables and noodles all phor $7.50! The servers where attentive and phriendly, too. I'll definitely head back here phor my pho phix!
(4)Autumn A.
When I'm craving something that will fill me up and not weigh me down, I head to Le's in allston. I'm here at an off hour on a saturday and there are still quite a few people sobering up on some life-saving pho. Just by chance I was thinking of getting some work done on my computer, and to my pleasant suprise there is also full bars of free wi-fi! They don't advertise it, maybe they don't know (i don't see people cozying up with laptops ever, they're usually too busy head down slurping up noodles) BUT it's here. Tried a new beef dish and asked for vermicelli noodles instead of rice and tastes sharp and not too heavy. Thanks Le's for making my hectic saturday morning worth the afternoon down-time.
(5)Q S.
Ok, I know the Le's is kind of a chain, but it's my favorite Pho place. The summer rolls are yummy (they're not spring rolls or egg rolls... please stop the ignorance). And my favorite Pho is the seafood with pork. The chicken is always a classic too. I am also a fan of the vermecelli dishes. The hot pot is not bad either. This is also a very good place to have a coconut shake or coconut juice.
(5)Alla A.
I love this place! I tried many dishes, but my staple is fried spring rolls and beef noodle soup. The rolls are perfect, crispy and served with a great sauce. The soup is unbelivably flavorful, with many cuts of beef, noodles, lime, been sprouts, cilantro, and it is oh so big, i can barely finish it. And the order comes to about $13 for both. I used to live around the conner from this place, but then moved away, and I still drive by at least once every couple of weeks to satisfy my Beef Noodle Soup cravings :)
(5)Sasha R.
Best low key Vietnamese joint around. Nothing has changed since they had a magical rebirth with the new name, not even the licensing on the walls. They've got the best, and the most cost-effective, pho, and the other specials are mighty tasty. Add in the obligatory floral carpeting, moving painting with fake stream, jade Buddha figure, and a loud group of authentic Vietnamese or Korean kids at the next table, and you've got yourself a pleasant evening! Very quick for takeout, too - one day, I made the mistake of grocery shopping after work, by 8pm I was STARVING, and I thought I'd have to eat my own fingertips while waiting for takeout - but it only took 7 minutes - and the food was hot and delicious.
(5)buckminster f.
this place has decent tasting pho, but they pour in the MSG (the servers will confirm it). obviously these chemicals affect people in different ways, but everytime i have MSG, i feel parched for hours after and suffer from a throbbing headache, and so i try to avoid it at all costs. i dont know why they have to resort to such low road tactics, especially since they have absolutely no competition for miles around. i mean the nearest pho place is in allston or chinatown.
(2)Paul L.
This place was once great for Pho (other dishes, not so great). We would go once a week, at least, especially to cure jet lag! However, every Le's we have been to (Brighton, Chestnut Hill, Needham) went from great to awful a few months ago. From sublime boullion to what looked and tasted like filthy dish-water. From delicate and subtle flavoring to "i have had better soup from campbells"!!! What a tragedy. I agree with Julie T, goto Super 88 before Le's (R.I.P. :-(
(1)Patrick B.
The wonton soup ($3.95) was delicious--not oily, lots of wonton, scallion, and not too much cilantro which can often overpower. The pan-fried salmon in black bean sauce ($7.95) on the lunch specials menu was fantastic--yummy crispy salmon, veggies, and white rice. The super red sauce on the table had a real kick to it. Very filling, but didn't want to crawl under the table and sleep. A friend had something with asparagus and, while he likes asparagus, he wasn't expecting a pound of it, and by the end of his meal there was still enough of it on his plate to feed another table. Service was quick but not always correct. Another friend, already pissed that a cab had taken her for a ride to get to us, stewed in her seat as the waiter forgot her coffee once, twice, oooh, almost thrice, but he made it. Just. And there was something going on with the bill that really confused our waiter. Rather than explaining it to us, though, he merely made a noise of incredulity, smacked himself in the head, and skulked off. Still not sure what happened there, but I think I'll start coming here more often to try other specials.
(4)Felix L.
I'd really vote maybe 3.5.... i guess i round up. Its not the best pho i've ever had, but its definitely the best east of chinatown. I give it props for not jacking up the price of pho too much, still looking for that good 4 dollar pho though. This place is a whole lot better than super 88 foodcourt, based on the pho.
(4)Laura B.
The food is always good. I've been coming here since I was a poor college kid and $5 worth of soup fed me with leftovers for lunch. Now I'm a "grownup" with a baby. This is our favorite restaurant - the baby eats almost everything on the menu, and the staff are super nice and friendly to us. (The boy is excellently behaved in restaurants, but we've received unpleasant service at other restaurants simply because the staff assume he'll be a problem.) Anyway, I would recommend it to everyone!
(5)Jungmin L.
So consistent, so flavorful, so warm, so savory. One of my go-to's any night.
(4)Matt S.
still love this place ten years later. this was my intro to vietnamese food. back when it was still pho pasteur and still wicked cheap. took my now fiance there for our first date two years ago. had the pho and the shredded pork with chilis. still great. but not pho pasteur great. but I love it and will keep going back. SOMETHING has to stay constant in allston! (other than twin donuts, the model, and the alkies queuing up at the silhouette in the morning.)
(4)Frank S.
Wow... the food was decent, but the service was utterly terrible. We noticed we had been given the wrong check and told the waitress, after she had tried several times to rush us to pay as we finished eating. She and several others argued for about 7 minutes, after which she brought us a handwritten check and told us we had to pay in cash because they had lost the check. We tried to explain how patently ridiculous this was, though she did not seem to understand. After a minute of discussion, she went back to huddle with the others. A full TWENTY minutes later, we got a machine printed check and were able to leave. Also, she never refilled our water glasses, despite our request. Incidentally, they also messed up the order of the table next to us. Maybe this was a fluke, but we will certainly not be returning to this restaurant.
(1)P'raka ..
I can't believe it's taken me this long to review Pho (Le's). This place is my go-to place when I am sick. The soups are pretty huge and inexpensive. The chicken noodle soup is excellent but my new favourite is the CANH CHUA (hot sweet and sour soup - it is NOTHING like chinese hot&sour soup) - the broth is slighter spicer than the other pho soups and clears up your sinuses in a second.
(5)Kathleen Y.
Woo for cheap, delicious, quick Vietnamese food! The summer rolls aren't that great, but they are a wonderful medium for their great peanut sauce. I also am a fan of their vermicelli with grilled pork and crisy rolls.
(4)Iska B.
Liked this place quite a bit. Nice and cheap and there is a lot to choose from. Did not get the pho since they don't have as many options as they do at the pho place in Super 88 (meaning they don't have beef options without tripe and tendon, things I am none too fond of) but I had noodles which were very nice. The portions were a good size and flavorful. I was a little disappointed with the fresh rolls since they tasted a little plasticy and had almost no flavor though the peanut sauce was pretty good.
(4)krystle j.
great food, great prices, except for the bubble tea! do NOT get it. $3.50 for a bunch of super icy tea, plus $1.50 for bubbles. what a ripoff. i am still a huge fan of their pho though
(4)Deann M.
Absolutely pho - bulous! It was a rainy day in Boston and a big bowl of pho was the perfect remedy. Got the #1 (of course) which comes in an extra large portion - all for $5.95. The broth and assortment of meat goodies (I love "weird," chewy, textured food) were yum yum yummy. I certainly can't think of a pho place in SF that I love more. The sliced pork rice dish looked pretty good and the spring rolls were 3-4 star quality. Pho is the way to go.
(5)Ed P.
although i have only been to le's once, i am looking forward to going back! i had such a great culinary experience that everytime my friend tells me he's going there i get jealous. the spring rolls, the noodles, the iced espresso with condensed milk.. mmm mmm good. great job guys.
(4)Pat B.
Besides serving delicious, well prepared food, and generous portions, the ambiance at Le's is particularly nice. The wait staff and owner have always been helpful and welcoming, going out of their way to find us just the right table for dining with young children. Service is quick. My grandson who is five loves the food and feels very much at home at Le's. He has developed a taste for pho (excellent soup) and other Vietnamese dishes. Le's is frequented by a mix of Asian people and locals, not a lot of college students like many Allston establishments. I would highly recommend Le's to anyone looking for good food, a warm and inviting atmosphere and very convenient location on Brighton Avenue. To avoid the usual Allston parking problem, you can get there easily on the 57 and 66 buses or the B line if you want to walk a bit (the 64 will get you pretty close too).
(5)Jonathan L.
It's good. Standard Vietnamese food and standard cheap prices. Nothing especially stood out. I recommend this place if you need good food cheap and fast. Pho 99 in Malden beats Le's, no question. I'm sure a lot of Vietnamese joints in Dorchester would beat Le's as well. However, if you want some Vietnamese food in the Brighton area, you can't go wrong with Le's.
(3)George W.
It's not easy to park nearby to put it mildly. But very good quality and reasonable prices. Good service. This makes it a good value.
(4)ann c.
I've been going here for years (when it was Pho Pasteurs). The prices are great and even my very fussy children like it. My favorites are any of there soups but especially the Wonton soup, and the whole lobster fried in ginger and soy sauce. Be prepared to battle for a parking space though.
(4)Katherine W.
They say "girls just wanna have pho" and all I wanna have is the pho at this place. (Actually, no one says that except me) With good pho, good prices, good atmosphere, and good service, you could come twice a week and not get sick of it. The springrolls that you wrap yourself in rice paper are a fun group activity, and try the mung bean shake (it sounds gross but is milky, sweet goodness)! And yes, this location is the best: definitely tastier than the Harvard Square one, and less divey than the Chinatown one.
(5)Jocelyn C.
I [heart] Pho, and this place always makes me happy. I always get #13, and even the small bowl is the size of my head. So good. I also usually get a plate of Chinese fried rice to share with friends (it's called something "Chien" on the menu, can't think of it right now), and that's pretty awesome. Spring rolls are tasty too. I think the Allston location is the better one (based on service, since the food is the same no matter which one you go to), but the ones in Harvard Square and Chinatown are okay too. Not really sure what's going on with the name change though - I'm still calling it Pho Pasteur, but that's because I'm stubborn.
(4)meital f.
We decided on Le's after reading the great reviews- I even sent my husband leaving our regular circle area to get it- (no delivery and no parking) so we can enjoy some good fresh roles and noodles- but we were in for a disappointment! I emphasized that we are vegetarians but still found meat in my spring rolls- the food was eatable at best- and they made a mistake in our bill... for good Vietnamese I'm going to keep looking!
(1)Thomas J.
Pho Pasteur (Le's) gets 5 stars in my book. Its quick, cheap, and oh so delicious! Having recently moved out of Boston, this is one of the few restaurants I really miss. The Pho is pretty standard, but it is always fresh and consistently good. The entire menu is not 5 stars, so it's very important to order correctly here. If you're going to go with the pho (always a wise choice) the Pho Tai is your best bet. You can't go wrong with the crispy spring rolls appetizer either. I really like the Canh Chua, its a hot and sour soup with tomatoes, celery, bean sprouts, pineapple, and meat. Sounds weird right? Trust me, it's awesome. The paad thai is also really good, it's a Vietnamese version of the thai classic loaded up with a ton of vegetables. Also the pork/beef rice plate was what I would get when I was really hungry, and always hit the spot. As for beverages, I really liked the strawberry shakes and Vietnamese iced coffees. The Pho Pasteur's vary from location to location, and the one in Allston was always the most consistent. I'm shedding a tear as I write this review, I'll miss you pho pastuer...
(5)Joann A.
I was taken here by a friend and I'm glad I went. The food was fresh and not over-cooked. I loved the cabbage/salad. Not sure if I liked the chicken, but I really enjoyed the pineapple tofu dish. I may go back as the location is easy to get to.
(4)Denis K.
Pho Pasteur, this is probably my favorite place to eat Pho. I haven't been there since I moved out of Boston, and I dearly miss it. I remember the place was always packed whenever I went. Although Pho Pasteur apparently changed their name to Le's for some mystifying reason, I have not been able find a place to match the sheer deliciousness of Le's (formerly Pho Pasteur). Pho, Bun, Rolls.. all of it was so good and the food always came out so fast,, amazing. Don't expect 5 star service or decor, just 10 star food.
(4)Busy L.
Great Pho! Soup base was very flavorful. Got my usual ex-large beef pho. Spring rolls were also very good. Good sign of a good pho soup is the fact you aren't dying of thirst an hour after you left because they load the soup up with MSG and salt to cheap out of simmering the stock with lots of bones. This was good soup base.
(4)faine g.
I go to school in Great Barrington in the Charmingly Rustic Berkshires. This is nice and all, but being in the boonies means that decent Asian food can be distressingly hard to find, especially Asian food that is both actually spiced and does not cost more then my tuition. So you can imagine my pleasure when I discovered a real live Vietnamese restaurant in Cambridge, the very fish-sauce infused cuisine that I had missed so much when away from California. We had to go there for lunch. There was no question. Le's is located in an distressingly brightly colored shopping complex called "The Garage", which almost managed to throw me off the place, if not for the warren of shiny magazine award signs that plaster the glass windows. The decor is bright and airy, although the restaurant was very crowded among 1:30 when we dropped in (although there was no wait for a table.) The crowd was loud, rowdy, and obviously quite happy, and the service reflected it's popularity - food came out quickly, but our treatment was somewhat curt. But whatever, how's the food? We began with the steamed vermicelli and shrimp rolls (13.00) which are of the variety you roll yourself. Carefully dip the rice paper in the provided bowl of warm water, and make sure you don't screw up and allow it fold into an un-useable lump at the bottom of the dish. (See, you did it already.) The huge plate came with delicious grilled shell-on shrimp, some vinegary carrot and daikon slaw, some big hunks of cucumber and romaine, and a whole bunch of mint and other herbs for garnish. The vermicelli noodles came in the form of rather tough mats that ripped off into roll-sized hunks, an interesting presentation. In any case, roll it up and dish it in the accompanying fish sauce and you're good to go - I also like a little hoisin on the side. It's hard to go wrong with a dish as fresh and interactive as this. We moved on to entrees, selecting a dish of sliced chicken in curry sauce with a vegetable medley, and a hot and sour soup with catfish and pineapple. The dish of curry chicken was absolutely huge, featuring a mound of white rice and an equally large quantity of sliced vegetables. Too bad it wasn't that good - the curry sauce, although possessing a decent flavor, was far too soupy, and the chicken didn't possess much flavor. The vegetables were quickly cooked and therefore quite tasty, although I needed to add some chili sauce to wake them up a little. The soup was more successful, featuring firm chunks of white catfish, interspersed with bean sprouts, sliced tomato, pineapple, and some fried garlic as a flavorful garnish. The broth had a decent kick to it, although I found it too sweet, preferring to use it as a dipping sauce for the fish rather then actually drinking it. The fish was excellently done, keeping the familiar "mud" flavor of catfish to a respectful minimum. I added a little sambaal for an extra kick and was generally quite happy - they were also kind enough to bring out additional bowls for sharing. Overall, Le's is a decent Vietnamese restaurant that's managed to make itself palatable to the general public. (I'm comparing it to my favorite, somewhat...interesting...Vietnamese joints back home in California.) The food is fresh and plentiful, if a bit quieted down for the Western palate, and service is quick if not friendly. Is it the Real Authentic Health-Code-Iffy Vietnamese Food Deal? Not in the slightest. But it's a good choice if you want something healthy, inexpensive, and a little bit exotic in the Cambridge area.
(3)Jennifer D.
I love this place. This has become a hot spot for lunch for me and my colleagues. There is never a wait for a table and the dining room can easily accommodate a party of 2 or even 15. This is the most authentic Vietnamese food that I've had in this area so far...I've actually even tried the other Le's locations on Newbury and in Harvard Square, but this one is the best. Pho Lemongrass is pretty good as well, but has a bit of a more upscale feeling. If you're looking for cheap prices and laid back atmosphere filled with fellow Asian diners slurping up their soups as we traditionally do, this is the place to go. Of course, nothing compares to my dad's pho or my grandmother's spring rolls, but Le's comes pretty close!
(5)Martin C.
I can't lie--my experience with the entire menu is pretty limited, but that's credit to the amazing pho this place serves up in pretty much any variety you could think of. The straight pho ga (chicken noodle soup) is amazing, I think it's better than the more popular beef soup (depends how you feel about tripe). Even if you go just for the pho and nothing else, as I've been doing for a long (probably too long) time, this place is a gem amongst the ethnic restaurants found in Allston.
(4)Jason S.
As far as Pho goes, this place is perfectly acceptable, but nothing more. Definitely better than Lemongrass on Harvard in Brookline. The service was fast. The broth flavorful enough, the noodles the right consistency, the portion (got the medium) pretty large. It was a bit skimpy on the meat. I ordered a combo bowl (#15), and I counted only one piece each of rare steak and tendon, which are my favorites. Go here if you happen to be in the area and hungry, but don't consider it a destination.
(3)John S.
Great Pho-the best place to go on a cold or rainy day. Relatively inexpensive.
(3)Richard C.
To be honest, I've only ever had the Pho and that's probably all I'll ever have. It's the perfect meal when I'm on the mend, and it's amazing every time.
(5)Dave C.
Went with my cutsie babel and we went in and sat down. Then comes the guy that does the geico commercials. so ez a caveman can do it? hahaa thats him. so we got summer rolls with beef which were good but the wrap was too chewy and i had to really go at it to tear it apart. I got XL pho because before i could speak the dude was like 14? i was like uhhhh sure... babes got 15 which is the large and she finished it ALL:) time for check which i had to wait a white before i got his attention and then i never saw him again.... i wanted to pay with my card but we waited like 5 minutes and he never showed so i just paid with cash and left. on the way out he made the final apperance to say have a nice day.
(3)steve s.
Love the soups, but it's definitely time for a renovation inside. Great value for your money.
(4)Ben K.
Pho is really good here. Also try the ban xeo. I still think Xinh Xinh in Chinatown is better, but for a great neighborhood place, I come here. Yay Le's!
(4)L-Train A.
The lovable house of Pho. This is the place with the noodle soups the size of your head, where the thin slices of beef cook in the hot broth on the way to your table. This is also where the summer spring rolls have the best peanut sauce ever and you covet your sauce dishes and don't let the waiters clear them so you can use them with your entrees. It is not a fancy place, but a comforting place where the food comes out at lightning speed and is always good. I am always pleasantly surprised by the quality of the meat preparation here, and they also have great vegetable stir-fries and curries as well. This is a great spontaneous feeding spot, as you can always be seated immediately, even if you are a big party. The best is in the winter, when you fall into silence at the arrival of your noodle soup (Pho), coupled with a plate of Thai basil, lime wedges, and bean sprouts, and for the next 20 minutes, it becomes a meditation of broth slurping and shriracha and plum sauce squirting. Go, and go often, and it won't hurt your wallet much.
(5)Haley T.
Great place. Huge menu. Everything I've had here I've been impressed with. The value is amazing-most places this cheap are not places you'd want to stay and eat. But the service is good as is the food, and I'm happy to take friends from out of town there. One note though- they seem to put peanuts on everything, whether it's noted on the menu or not.
(4)Linh L.
Le's Restaurant had great friendly service when I went. My bf ordered the pho and I ordered the bun thit nuong cha gio. Both dishes were great!
(4)J P.
Oh, come on Le's. Your too good for words. /End
(5)Julie T.
This is going to be short: they do a better job at Pho Viet's at the food court at 88. Go there and get your money's worth. I would like to think that once you go there, you will never come back here...
(1)Sarah A.
Mmmmm. Visited this location for the first time last night. A great experience. The service was very good: the hostess was incredibly nice and polite and attentive to our needs, as members of our party arrived at different times. The waiters had a bit of a stand off approach, which was great considering we were a large group and wanted time to chat and assemble everyone before ordering. The also allowed us to linger over our meal and generally just hang out for a bit after we paid, which I always appreciate. Not pushy at all! Wonderful! The food was incredibly quality for the price. A great value and huge portions! At the suggestion of yelpers and others I tried the #25, which was great. Huge portion for only $6! This place could soon become a favorite destination. Very, very satisfied with Pho Pasteur!
(4)Tracie L.
Being a whitey raised in a primarily Vietnamese community, I've been exposed to a lot of Vietnamese food. And that will have a lot of influence on my review. I think Le's was delicious and fairly authentic. One of my fellow diners was Vietnamese, and he thought his pho was better than a lot that he could get in San Francisco. The service was great even though they were packed, and the grilled chicken that came in my vermicelli was very very good. I just wish there was more of it. The ingredients tasted fresh and light, although the summer rolls left something to be desired.
(4)Wesley C.
i usually dont write reviews for mediocre establishments because there are just too many of them. i visit le's a few times a year when i have cravings for pho and for 6 bucks(a very big bowl of pho) you should not complain. they recently raise their price(a buck, no big deal) but at the same time reduce the quantity quite a bit, now that is a dumb azz move!
(2)Michael K.
this place is great for pho noodle soups and they've been able to maintain pretty cheap prices throughout all the years. it's very quick and filling. the service is really kind too. i've gotten to know a few of the folks there. they're very friendly. sometimes you'll catch them at the sunset grill grabbing a beer after work.
(4)Matthew M.
I tried this place because so many yelpers said it was among the best Vietnamese food in Boston. Sadly, it was good, but not great. The meat in our dishes was all well prepared and was tasty, but the vermicelli was mushy and the spring rolls (both fresh and crispy) tasted like they came frozen out of a box. Vietnamese food has been a staple in my diet for many years before I moved to Boston, and I've been desperate to find good Vietnamese food since I moved here. Sadly, Pho Pasteur was just ... decent. I would come back if I were in the neighborhood (and roll the dice on different dishes), but I wouldn't go out of my way again to come here. So far, I have to say that Pho Hoa in chinatown is a better choice, though admittedly, I haven't tried any of the Vietnamese restaurants on Dot ave yet.
(3)fraulein v.
I love this place! The veggies have always been fresh. The soups you crave in winter while walking in icy brown Allston slush up to your ankles. I can always get amazing amounts of great food here for under $10. The place in Harvard Square is as good.
(4)joan l.
Never had pho here, I'm always here to eat their porkchop with rice and I seriously have no complants. The servers was nice and attentive, and I love that they have bubble tea. I usually go to the one in Harvard Square, but the place is just the same but a little bit smaller.
(4)Toonie R.
My test dish for a new Vietnamese restaurant is vermicelli with spring rolls and grilled pork. I've had this dish all over the country in different Vietnamese restaurants. Le's is the best I've had. Wonderful flavors and fresh ingredients. The service was prompt and friendly. The atmosphere is casual. The prices are reasonable.
(5)Angie T.
My family knows the owner and she is so down to earth! I see her helping the waiters to clean tables and she always find time to talk to us. This place is definitely nice to have something quick and then leave. It gets hectic on some nights, but you barely have to wait long for a table. The food is ok, obviously not as great as homemade, but i would say its up there. the waiters are always friendly and professional. their avocado milk shakes with pearls are excellent and different from other places because theres a hint of coconut in it.
(5)Lewis L.
I used to come here every day for about 3 years. Back then their pho was my favorite, but over the years the quality kinda dropped. not sure what happened... It just doesn't taste the same anymore. It used to have more flavor. It used to be 5 stars, but now I'll say it's 3.5.
(3)Martin M.
When I feel like sitting down and actually enjoying Pho rather than inhaling it, Le's is where I go. All the food I've had here has been tasty. Service is fairly prompt and the booths are nice if you get one. The summers rolls are awesome too.
(4)S. O.
I think this was definitely the worst Vietnamese food I've ever had. We ordered the grilled pork chop and they didn't taste anything like the typical Vietnamese pork chops on rice. I didn't think it was possible to screw that dish up but I guess it is. Other than the food, the people who worked there were very nice.
(2)haley t.
all i can say is that I have serious food poisoning from this place about a year ago....
(1)Lior M.
Good soups @ a good price (haven't tried anything else yet).
(4)Alex L.
Some of the best pho I've had in Boston, probably THE best pho I've had in Boston. The portions are big which is awesome, I hate going to pho places, ordering a large and not being full when I'm finished. I never have that problem here. The only thing I wish were better/more authentic is the iced coffee. It seems like they just use a powder or something cheap rather than the individually brewed coffee that places I'm used to do.
(4)Hanh N.
This is the best restaurant in town. I first time there was about 15 years ago as a college student. Now I bring my husband, my kids and my family there when we want Vietnamese food, eventhough we live in Worcester. Good food, great service and very friendly place. Give it a try and you will see.
(5)Allison B.
i love le's! quite possibly my favorite place to eat in allston. can you really beat $8 for a gigantic bowl of vermicelli, veggies, meat, spring rolls and a delicioso sauce? i defy you. i usually have to take at least half home. the waitstaff is super quick and friendly. they keep my water full and my belly happy. to me, le's is worth the walk from coolidge corner and and its nearby vietnamese equivalent, pho lemongrass. and that's sayin something.
(5)Al C.
Been coming here for years, since back when it was Pho Pasteur. Nothing better on a frozen Boston day than a big steaming bowl of Le's pho. All non-pho dishes are also great. Fairly inexpensive, great wait staff.
(5)M. Deloris D.
I recommend take out here where you can score 32 oz. of broth and three takeout cartons filled with noodles, your protein and your veggies unfortunately, last night, i dined in. The food was Photastic but the environment left something to be desired. Our booth seat was covered with duct tape and some napkins were littering the floor. I had to ask for hot peppers which I've NEVER had to do at a Pho establishment, and is a no-no because I like my heat. For a $20 dinner including appetizer and jasmine green tea, I can barely complain, but I can deny two stars. So there.
(3)Tiffany D.
Very yummie!!! I always get pho here for takeout!!! :) I also love the fried spring rolls and the summer rolls are to die for! I recently tried something non-pho for the first time (haha) and the Beef Fire Pot is very good! So try it if you wanna make your own "summer" rolls :) And I also tried their pineapple fruit shake which was veryyyy good!!!
(4)Liza H.
Excellent Vietnamese food, fast service and cheep! prices make it a long standing favorite of mine. I usually agonize over getting pho, bun or Vietnamese crepe and slaw. The food is light, making it one of the few places I have reviewed that will not give you a great big ass.
(5)