I tried this place for the first time a few months ago and have been back multiple times since. The service is attentive and the pho is amazing. I've tried the rare steak, seafood and pork pho and they are all excellent. I love the fresh summer rolls and Thai iced tea. When it's warmer they put a few tables outside which is always nice. It's an overall enjoyable dining experience and I plan on going back often.
(4)
CC S.
This I the second time my boyfriend and I have eaten here. Their iced Vietnamese coffee is AMAZING!! The Pho and Vermicelli bowls are the best I've had since moving to Massachusetts. Great service and great food. Definitely a favorite in Worcester.
(5)
Mat H.
I'm an a partly asian man, I've been around chopsticks and noodle soups my entire life. When I go to a Pho place I get Pho. I get Pho with everything. My rating is based soley on the Pho. The noodles are great, they have a good firmness and taste, the meats and the meat parts :-) are good as well, thumbs up. Thai basil is good.....but I would have liked to see some culantro or cilantro as well...my personal favorite. The part that was lacking for me is one of the most important, the broth. This broth has that Pho taste, but it doesn't envelop you like some places do. It doesn't have the Pho complexity that I want when I get Pho, the lasting flavors. It gives me a hint of it but that is it. It's a tease. If I'm here, I'll still get the Pho, but It's just an ok Pho on my book.
(3)
Marek T.
I have a friend that loves this place, but for me it is rather underwhelming. Lately I got the vietnamese hot pot (i forget the real name) and it was incredibly mediocre with rather less food than I expected. That being said, some of the fresher apps are worthwhile. The spring rolls you roll yourself are very tasty.
(3)
Tom M.
I was recently reminded that Pho Dakao exists (Webster Square might as well be on the other side of the planet from Burncoat) and went for the first time in a couple years. Service is very good. The atmosphere is nice, though I worried the two fish in the fish tank might be lonely. Fish need fish friends, right? Anyway. My food was delicious - always go for the menu items with little chili peppers. I don't know if it's authentic or anything, Vietnamese isn't my area of expertise. I could ask the one Vietnamese guy at my work, but he doesn't speak English, save for swears. Drinks are excellent too, and come with a fruit salad's worth of garnish.
(4)
Grace J.
Horrible service, small portions, and super expensive!! My 8 year old niece ordered the Mongolian beef and got horrible food positioning! (And the water tastes like bath water! Yuk!)
(1)
Myle N.
The only thing I eat here is Duck with bamboo soup (Bun Mang Vit). I like how they serve it with banana flower (not too many place does it). Everything else is made to aim American (or foreigners customers).
(3)
Beverly R.
Our favorite pho joint for service, quality, and atmosphere.
(4)
Ting L.
One of my first vietnamese restaurants, I've been a long time customer here way before they added the full bar to their expansion. Their crispy egg rolls are still my favorite. However, I feel their pho isn't as good as before--probably since I've had better. Prices are expensive compared to other vietnamese restaurants where the offering are the same.
(4)
Khanh P.
This place is really expensive for so-so dishes. The portions are good, but the food is ok, not amazing. I feel like most of my money goes to the atmosphere.. NOT GOOD. So, you aren't served any drinks unless you ask. The waitresses/waiters typically take orders by memory. There was this one time, I came in with a group of 7 and the waitress was taking drink orders. She seemed very confident in what she could remember, but whoops, she messed up. She offered it to one of my friends and charged us for her mistake...really?? The drinks here are so expensive ... and it's totally not worth it because I can get it cheaper somewhere within less than a mile. The only thing that's worthy of my time here is the che ba mau. I am obsessed lol.
(3)
Jessica B.
Very tasty. Tried the Vietnamese crepe, fresh summer rolls ( a favorite most places) - accompanying sauces , peanut and sweet, peanut was lovely but sweet was had a tad too much fish sauce. And of course, Pho! I'm only giving this Resturant 3 stars beCause my Pho soup was not what I asked for , but still delicious .
(3)
Julian N.
Favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Worcester! Def recommend the Mongolian beef, Thai fried rice and Pho dac biet.
(5)
Lisa E.
Loved it. Great variety. Amazing flavors. Reasonable prices. Nice people. Not sure what the negative reviews are about but we'd be there ever other night if we didn't have to travel so far. It's just feel good food. My favorites were the chicken pho, Vietnamese crepe and salmon with tomato sauce. I could eat that tomato sauce with a spoon. So good.
(5)
Khoa N.
One of the few Vietnamese restaurants I go to where I have to order by number. And I'm Vietnamese. Big no no. The food is very mediocre and more expensive than other Vietnamese restaurants in Worcester. I've been here a few times just because it's a nice atmosphere. But I don't remember being fully satisfied with my food any of those times. The salted chicken (ga hap muoi) is very bland and a little dry. This dish usually comes with steamed green veggies but what was on my plate instead were lettuce and tomatoes. It was my fault to order one of my favorite dishes here knowing I will be disappointed. Pho is ok. Other rice dishes are alright as well. Eggrolls are tiny - more like Thai eggrolls not Vietnamese. Dakao lacks authenticity and tastiness. Try other places like Hien Vuong or Vietnam Cafe if you want better food.
(2)
Dan B.
I've been here a bunch and its a decent Vietnamese restaurant. I love the ambiance and ever since they remodeled the interior its even better, now with outside seating too. Most of the staff is quick to seat you and, depending, they are good on checking up on you. Please note though: its an open restaurant so noise travels fast and far. If you have kids, make sure they're not loud cause I've had many meals somewhat ruined on account to loud children. Again I've been here a bunch and I have noticed a lack of consistency which kind of is a let down. If they were bad all the time then I'd try not to go but if they were good all the time I'd frequent here more often. I love Vietnamese food, or any food of Asian culture (partly cause I am Asian and totally bias towards it and mostly cause its friggin delicious) but it's slightly upsetting to sit down and hope to get fresh veggies for my pho but they come out a bit brown and somewhat slimy sometimes. I feel its a hit or miss sometimes. For example I've been in and been seated, ordered, got our apps and drinks in a flash and food was out not long after then. All of it very fresh and very tasty. Other times I'll go in get seated and wait a few minutes for our drink order to be put in, wait a bit longer for a food order, get our apps a bit longer than I would think it takes to make them and the condiments are wilty or just not pleasant to look at much less eat. Mix this combination together you can maybe see why the lack of consistency is a let down. If it was okay all of the time, great. I hate to just go and hope to get good food then be let down or expect to get something meh but its okay. But when the food is good, man is it good! I get pho a lot here and the broth is very flavorful and usually packed with vermicelli, green onions and everything else. The crispy spring rolls are also to die for, when they are cooked well, and the spring rolls are just as good. But again I regress, things could be better but then again things could be worse. I will probably end up back here to get my fill of pho but until then I will always be on the look out for a place with better pho all the time. Also their boba shakes are always a wise consideration to get cause they're always top notch.
(3)
Robo T.
I had a joyous feast at Pho Dakao! The bo lui marinated beef rolls w/lemongrass were delicious and tender. The order contained three but I couldve eaten twenty! The goi cuon guay summer rolls with tofu were delicious and actually contained a good amount of tofu! The ga xao sa ot chicken lemongrass is something i tend to get when I go to vietnamese restaurants. Im sort of a creature of habit like that. That said, Dakao's was deliciously awesome and a total standout! Of course they have that bomb fresh made limeade too. This meal was awesome!! Im getting hungry just thinking about it. I cant wait to go back and try the bahn hoi bo!!!
(5)
Brian S.
A favorite "go to" resto. Dinner tonight was solid as always. Summer rolls, spring rolls, Mongolian beef, roll your own pork and spicy beef. All this and wine for 3 for 99 bucks! Great deal! And great taste! Been here many times in the past and surely many times in the future!
(5)
Jeff J.
Here are my requirements for a great Vietnamese restaurant. Great pho (good meat, good broth), cheap price. Pho Dakao is none of these things. The restaurant is upscale feeling, which is a nice change from your typical Vietnamese scene. However, I have several complaints about the pho. 1. I've never had to choose between yellow and white noodles. Me: "can I just get the regular ones? I think they're white" 2. I ordered an Extra-Large bowl, and the amount of noodles that came in the bowl was about the regular size of a Small. Extra-Large means extra ingredients, not give me a bigger bowl with more broth in it. 3. I ordered Extra Rare Steak. I assume this meant extra "rare steak" and not "extra rare" steak. Not that it'd matter because by the time it hits the broth, it'd all be cooked anyway. I think I counted 5 pieces of beef. So if this constitutes "extra", what is the regular? 3 pieces? 4. The broth was oddly flat. Price? $10.95. Conclusion? I paid dearly for the overhead.
(2)
Huong L.
Very bad attitude toward the customer. My boyfriend and I came in today and the waitress didn't pay any attentions to what we said and turned away before we finished talking. We tried to call the other waitresses but they just ignored. The restaurant was not even crowded (Tuesday). Headed out right away and would never come back.
(1)
Robin C.
the pho chicken soup is amazing, the Mongolian beef was great. I had a tofu and Chinese cabbage dish that was healthy and delicious. the wait staff are very nice. 2 times here... 2 times fabulous.
(4)
Sonnque G.
I seriously wanted to be have a good food experience. I reaaaalllly wanted to give this place a 4 or so star. (SIGH)....The only reason i give it a 3 star was because our waiter was awesome (Liam). *cute smile too*. The food on the other hand was a 2 or 1.5 star.i ordered the marinated chicken. It comes with rice, tomato, cucumber and some other veggy i forget. That is how it is statesd in the menu at least. Well, maybe it was I who was expecting more than half a slice of tomato, 1 lettuce leaf, 1 slice of cucumber and 3 sticks of something that seemed to have been soaked in vinegar way too long and was eye twitching tart. If your menu states, " it comes with rice, lettuce, tomato" i am expecting a little more than it being used as garnish, otherwise don't mention it as though it is a salad or something. The rice tasted like stale uncle bens rice. It was cold. The chicken was ok, nothing epic. I was hungry having waited 2hrs plus for company that got there late and pretty much nibbled off every ones plate. The drinks were good. I enjoyed that....... I have wanted to try this place for a while, but, it was a let down foodwise. It is a nice inside and the bar in he middle of two dinning areas. I will try it again, maybe it was a bad night......:(
(3)
Robert G.
The beef curry is very reasonable and absolutely fantastic. Wait staff is friendly and excellent. Don't understand the current rating.
(5)
Jessie H.
I've only sat at the bar, many times though. Great atmosphere, service, drinks & food. I wish the parking lot was bigger, but that's only a minor detail.
(5)
Kevin L.
The decor and set up for Pho Dakao is very nice for a Vietnamese restaurant. Unfortunately, that's all the positive stuff I got to say. My experience with pho here is lackluster. The flavor in the broth is poor. The noodles were "soggy." The texture gave me the impression it has been sitting in hot water for ages. My friend and I both had stomachaches afterwards. The service was decent but the most important part PHO was disappointing.
(2)
Hannah C.
I thought it was illegal to serve durian. Not here! Don't get me wrong. I didn't order it. But it's on the menu, so this place is authentic. The bubble teas lack tea, and are more reminiscent of smoothies with tapioca pearls, but they're delish all the same. The pho was as pho should be - hot, filling, reviving, salty, and served with all the right fresh self-dosed accompaniments of bean sprouts, mint, lime, hoisin sauce, and sriracha. The mochi was a great unexpected treat for dessert. The service was friendly and fast. This place might make Worcester a nearly ok place to live for a short period of time. ;)
(5)
Sasha R.
Getting used to a) dining in establishments set in strip malls and 2) driving 35 miles for pho (OK, it was close to work). It was decent, actually, good decor, nice atmosphere, large bar area. The bar area came with its own Central Mass smokey drunk sucking on dinner. We feasted on some very tasty pho, actually, and some sort of fish cooked in its own juice in a hotpot thing that was phenomenal, so much so, that we wanted to take it to go. We even got it all wrapped... and left it at the restaurant. HATE that. Entertainment was also provided, in the form of a couple at the table next to us, who were clearly on a first date, and were making the best animated small talk they could muster.* All this fun for about 15% less than the Hub. *Entertainment not guaranteed.
(4)
Teri L.
I have finally lost my Vietnamese cherry!! I'm so proud....The nice part is that I didn't have to leave my city to lose it. Right here in Worcester is a gem of a restaurant that I never knew existed and I am ashamed that I didn't. It took Joey and Mandah to finally get me to this place and I will forever be grateful. I was very pleasantly surprised at how nice and well put together this restaurant was. The decor is restful and classy without being over done. Nice lighting and artwork. Overall, very nice! I ordered beef teriyaki and crispy spring rolls along with vegetable pho. I did order a beer but that never appeared and that was ok. I didn't need the calories. The apps came first and the spring rolls were excellent! Like the name, very crispy and very tasty! The beef teriyaki came rolled up tender, thin strips of beef with seasoning that made your mouth very happy! The HUGE bowl of pho came and I was floored at the size. The veggies were big slices of summer squash, zucchini, broccoli, pea pods, red peppers (I hope I'm not leaving anything out) I watched Mandah do it and followed her lead...being a virgin requires learning. I added hoisin sauce, lime and bean sprouts and it was scrumptious! The drawback to this visit...and I'm not sure if it was because it was busy or the waitress had way too many tables...she never came back to give us our bill for at least 40 minutes after we were done. Not good. It's a mark but a small mark against it. I will be back no worries and I'm sure that won't happen again. I can now understand why Mandah and Joey NEED this food on a regular basis. I can't wait to go back and have it. I need, I want, I love.....
(4)
C. P.
The food at Pho Dakao is so good. As a Northern Californian I am spoiled by the diversity and quality of food in the Bay Area. I came to Worcester on a very short visit and "Yelped" the area for high rated food. When in saw this restaurant I was both excited and dubious. The food here is wonderful! The Pho was flavorful and very tasty...the broth was so good. I came back the next day and had the BBQ'd Pork Bun. I have never had Bun before, now I am hooked. It was even better than the Pho! I just hope I can find a Vietnamese restaurant back home that is as good!
(5)
Rene' Y.
Good Vietnamese restaurant for Worcester. But the best one is still Le's in Allston and Cambridge.
(5)
Amy H.
Yummy. This is the best Pho I have ever had. Granted I am not a big Pho junkie or expert so my rating my not mean as much as others. I have had the chicken Pho and the vegetable pho with chicken. When I go back I will have the vegetable pho again made in the beef broth. Just to keep trying new things. I would recommend the vegetable pho as a starting point if you are a fan of vegetables. It just makes the soup more of a meal and it is good for you. I have also had the spring rolls and they are very tasty also. I highly recommend them as a start with the pho. Enjoy! I know I will again.
(4)
Mytch S.
I L-O-V-E pho. I could eat pho every day until I died. And Pho Dakao is a great spot to calm my cravings. It's an alternative from driving to Boston for some awesome pho. I always get the same thing, summer rolls, pho with just the steak, and coconut shake with bobba. My husband isn't a pho-natic like me and will order other dishes, like their sizzling beef and fried rice. All of which is amazing. The food is consistent and always delicious, but the wait staff is sometimes slow. Like hella slow. No worries, I get my pho fix, and I'm happy again.
(4)
Lauren A.
Eaten here a few times but what I mainly go here for is BOBA (BUBBLE) TEA! Coconut Boba is the best in Worcester, with chunks of coconut. Yum Yum Yum! They have a vegetarian (most is vegan as well) portion of the menu. Service is prompt and whenever I go there it's never a long wait for food. They just recently added a bar to the place with a TV for sports viewing and well drinking. Pricing not too shabby.
(4)
Patty X.
The hostess was not very friendly but food was good
(3)
Robert T.
I eat here at least once a week for lunch. Usually get the fresh spring rolls and the chicken pho, which the waiters know by now. Very satisfying and filling. I also love the tofu curry and like the crispy noodles. The place is clearly set up for dinner as well, with a nice-looking bar, but I've never been here in the evening. In terms of atmosphere, this feels like the most bourgeois of the Vietnamese restaurants in town--which is a good thing!
(4)
Cupcake S.
Yummy yummy and very reasonable. Parking can be a problem if the lot is full - but it's well worth the hassle.
(4)
Bruce L.
They do have veggie pho. It's ai-ight. I wouldn't really call it pho. More like veggie noodle soup. Which is a crushing disappointment for me, as pho is possibly my favorite food. At least, the pho served at some of my tasty spots in San Francisco and Seattle. But this is Worcester and I get the feeling that Worcester does best with things I don't eat, such as meat. Nice ambiance, satisfying but forgettable food, and they also serve cognac. Uh-huh. Yeah.
(3)
Amanda L.
Oh Pho Dakao, where were you my entire adolescent life? Oh yeah, I was going to places like Applebee's and TGIFridays -_- Ugh. So while playing with my Dad's GPS on the way home I stumbled upon Pho Dakao. I had remembered hearing about it on Yelp and that it had gotten good reviews (Thanks Dawn!) so I asked my Dad if he wanted Pho and he said why not. The inside is surprisingly nice for this area of Park Ave, especially looking at the outside. I ordered a Coconut Bubble Tea and I have to be honest, it wasn't the best. It wasn't even in the top 10. Oh well. My Dad and I each got an order of Spring Rolls. Nice and tightly packed with delicious goodness, and they had a nice crunch to them. Really enjoyed it. For my entree I went with the Curry Chicken with Vermicelli. The chicken was on the bone, which surprised me. There was some icky skin still left on the bones, but underneath was juicy chicken. The spice was just the right amount of hotness. The dish was lacking in the vegetable department, I've definitely had better. It was a nice surprise when I found some potato in it. It wasn't the most flavorful bowl of Pho I've had, but the seemingly endless amount of noodles made me a happy camper. Service was mediocre, it looked like there was only one server on, and he definitely took his time serving us. He didn't really check up on us either. While it isn't up to par with places such as Xinh Xing or Pho Pasteur, it's definitely a great option if you're stuck in Worcester with no Chinatown in sight.
(4)
Lilia G.
I live in Framingham but travel to Worcester just for the Bubble Tea! Gotta try it! They have great noodles and soups too.
(4)
Micha v.
Overall one of the better Vietnamese restaurants in/around Worcester. Pho's are excellent, other items range from ok to good.
(4)
Eva B.
ProNice decoration, very friendly waitress, a big selection on the menu, inexpensive... I love their papaya salad, Thai ice tea and crispy spring roll. My husband ordered the Roast chicken rice plate. The chicken was too raw though, we had to ask the waitress to take it back. We recommend this restaurant to people who like Vietnamese and Thai food. And we will definitely go back to try more.
(4)
Crystal L.
Since the last time I've been here, I would still say this place gets 3 stars. I've had their pho which was decent. A small is $6.75. Their sizzling beef dish is pretty good but is a little pricey. It's around $11. But still great service.
(3)
Nicole M.
I went back and got the meat course for two and it was enough for 4 people (& one box of leftovers). I loved how interactive the meal was. From grilling your own meat to making your own soup, I had such a fun time with my friends. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Sam W.
Pretty good pho noodles.
(4)
Gary B.
I had a very good meal here. Both my daughter and I had Pho and my wife had Pad Thai (she had never had Vietnamese food before and was not feeling adventurous). My son who is a year and a half decided that as soon as the food came he would get upset and not want to sit in the highchair without crying on the top of his lungs so my wife abandoned her dinner and tried to calm him. One of the waitresses was very kind and told her that the Vietnamese kids are always running around the restaurant so no one would mind a crying baby. That was very nice of her to say, but my wife took the baby outside to the car anyway so she is eating her dinner right now that we are back home. We started with the spring rolls and while they were very good I felt they were too expensive for how many they give you. We got three rolls for $3 and change. It is not the price I object to, but the amount of rolls. I would have been happier with 4 or 5 rolls for 4 or 5 bucks. The Pho was very good. This is my first Pho experience so I have none other to compare it too, but I was very satisfied. The one thing I was not completely happy with was the amount of time it took our waiter (who was very nice) to come to our table once we were done. My daughter and I sat there about 15 minutes while my wife and son were in the car trying to get his attention. Once we finally did he acted quickly though. The prices are quite reasonable and the portions are great. I am looking forward to going back and trying many other things on their extensive menu.
(4)
Emeyes i.
BUBBLE TEA TO THE RESCUE! I think I've sat down to eat here once...maybe twice. It was excellent...but whenever I'm in Worcester I stop by for bubble tea. So good.
(5)
Adam P.
Great PHO!!!! Great portions. Some of the other restruants around have one one bowl size. This place has 3 diffrent sizes to choose from. Plus there was lots of noddles and meat. This restraunt also serves alot of diffrent food as well, including Thia and chinesse. But you have to go there for the PHO. Very good for what is around.
(5)
K S.
I came here 3 weeks ago and had pho with rare steak and meatballs. The broth was good and way better than my experience at Dalat Restaurant down the street (I still do not care for Dalat Restaurant AT ALL! lol) The waitor was super nice and attentive and the decor was nice as well. The color theme is black and the ambience is pretty chill. I will probably dine here again to try other dishes but overall experience I had a good lunch with the husband and he's eaten there a few times and says its one of the better Vietnamese restaurants here in Worcester.
(3)
Alli J.
I dont know what I would do when in worcester if it were not for Pho Dakao! oh the pho on a cold winters night! oh the glowing fishtank that calms the most addled worcester-ites nerves! Oh the crispy fried spring rolls, the mussels and the pho what hass all da meats in it (I always ask the server to 'hold the tendon and the tripe, ifyou please"). pho d just got even better with an expanded bamboo-ish bar area, and a whole lotta liquor license. but what makes pho d the BEST ever is really the people - in particular our favorite waiter extraordinaire Curry. Thanks for putting up with me always asking you to hold the trip on my pho orders, Curry! :) oh and did i mention EXCELLENT prices?
(5)
angela k.
Great food!! It's much better than other vietnamese food in Worcester. We ordered lemon grass beef. It was delicious!! The restaurant is clean and nice looking as well..
(5)
kate m.
fabulous, yum, delicious, lovely. how could you not go to a place that serves salty lime soda?
(4)
E. P.
Had a craving for fruity drinks and curry last night so my brother and I chose Pho Dakao for dinner. We started with spring rolls and the aforementioned fruity drinks. After waiting longer than we should have, the spring rolls came out surprisingly hot (despite the wait). They didn't blow me away in the taste department, but were enough to tide me over till our dinners arrived. We also waited too long for our drinks to be served, but later realized that our cheerful waitress was working alone (and the place was packed). I can't recall seeing another employee the entire time we were there, but our waitress was very friendly and, despite her workload, checked in on us at the proper intervals (I should also add that she was bussing all of her own tables!). The drinks were delish and our cravings were satisfied when our dinners arrived. I had the chicken curry... Very standard but flavorful with lots of large, yummy veggies. My brother had the x-large Pho with beef. Prices were average. Service was great (considering our waitress was serving the entire restaurant). I'll be back!
(3)
Alicia C.
This place was a favorite back in my undergrad days, and I was glad to get a chance to go back recently on a road trip through Mass. The place was still good but not quite what I remembered (there was even a new bar extension). My friend and I both went with one of the noodle soups. However, they disproportionately aliquotted the meat and I wound up with the lion's share of it and my friend got the short end of the stick. We also tried the spicy ham cakes (think mini spicy sausages) and the vegetarian summer rolls (though they got rid of the nice mint they used to wrap inside it). All in all, it was a satisfying meal and brought back some nice memories.
(3)
m m.
Food is always fresh with healthy portions. Beef and chicken are nicely prepared. Service can be a little slow, but the food is worth it. The neon is a little much. The soups are cheap and outstanding. Nothing like venturing in on a cold day after a hike for a bowl of noodles and some hot tea.
(4)
Joe H.
Excellent fresh food. They have an extensive menu of Vietnamese and Thai specialties. The Thai rice with chicken or shrimp is a favorite along with old reliable Pad Thai. Service has been good, although if you are in a hurry at lunch time, they don't always move you out quickly.
(4)
Joon C.
Pho Dakao is my go-to place in Worcester whenever I get the cravings for some Vietnamese food! Price is reasonable, staff is always nice, and I love the food there. What more can you ask for?
(5)
benantha n.
We were on vacation and was in the area and felt like Vietnamese food. I never been served by a non Vietnamese person at a Vietnamese restaurant before. Which is fine....just felt strange. The food was not bad for an area that didn't have lots of Asian people. I love eating roasted quail and am use to eating it with lime with salt and pepper. However instead of this they pour some grease sauce on it. There we're flys flying around. Enough for me to notice.
(3)
C.C. H.
Dinner with the parents on a Tuesday night before heading back to Chicago. Restaurant seemed one-third full at most but it took our server more than a few minutes to give us the water we had asked for after ordering. Banh xeo - lots of fresh veggies like watercress, mint, and pickled daikon and carrots accompanying a crepe that was hearty on substance but devoid of crisp. Pho dac biet - the strongest item at dinner with a flavorful broth and lots of beef. Skimpy on the thai basil. Caramelized catfish - at either $12 or 13, this felt like a rip-off when it came to the table and was only four pieces of fish amounting to less than a pound. I will grant that the sauce was rich and delicious and that the fish tasted very fresh, but wow, what a small portion for what was charged. Spicy beef - this was about equal parts beef slices and veggies and the sauce was insipid and barely spicy. Came with big bowl of white rice. Nothing special. Restaurant did have a private lot, clean interior, and fully stocked bar. Nonetheless, not worth the drive from Shrewsbury.
(2)
Jesse D.
I had their chicken teriyaki skewers and their vegetarian spring rolls. The people I was with all had pho and said it was great. My food wasn't the greatest.
(3)
Daisy K.
More expensive/fancy pho place in Worcester. Not bad but overpriced for their portion sizes. I also find it odd that they have a bar inside and it could legit be a club without all the tables. My friends very much enjoyed their avocado smoothies, which is also an odd thing to serve with pho.. Just odd..
(3)
Tan P.
The food was awful..
(1)
Matthew H.
I see 3.5 stars and wonder...what exactly are people looking for? I see a recent review "Best Pho in the city" with no negative comments and only 4 stars...hmmmmm... I digress The Pho here is phenomenal. It's the quality I would typically expect from a hole in the wall in San Francisco (meaning, authentic, inexpensive and delicious). The apps are great as well (I particularly enjoy the Goi Ga (Chicken Salad) and Goi Cuon (Fresh Summer Rolls) Staff is friendly, prices are right and service is quick. I don't know what else you could want in a Pho spot!
(5)
Ciel N.
Raw oyster sauce n raw soy sauce was used in papaya salad Oyster n soy sauce r mostly for frying or cooking. If they r gonna used it raw, it should b tasty. Creative but practically awful taste. Papaya salad with shrimp doesn't look that big like in picture I saw here. Even if portion for that is big I wouldn't touch the salad. I didn't eat the salad which touches with sauce but I ate the shrimp cut in half n decorated over the salad. Not good for family since portions r small.
(2)
Kathryn G.
Love it here! Great food and great service! Table seating for small and large groups. Cute bar too. The Pho soup is awesome. Perfect for an appetizer or for a meal.
(5)
William F.
Decent pho, but I feel like you're paying for the atmosphere more than the pho. Not as good as some of the hole-in-the-wall spots in the area and more expensive. Personally, I don't care if a pho place has tablecloths or cloth napkins so Pho Dakao's extras don't add to the experience for me.
(3)
Anthony D.
The prices here are ok . The coconut water they have is from a frozen store bought cup. The food is not very good but the service is good.
(2)
Kamikazekiddo G.
Best Pho in the city! Wide range of menu items. Friendly service and very clean dining room. Been going since a Vietnamese friend recommended it over 10 years ago.
(4)
Sondra M.
My parents and I like to come here every time I visit. They like it for the ambience, and the cocktails (lychee martini). I've been coming here for over six years now, and the restaurant has changed a lot, for the better. It definitely has the best ambience of almost any other Vietnamese restaurant I've been to. Just opened up a new restaurant in Framingham. They're definitely getting very popular, so for me they lose a little bit of that mom-and-pop feel with all the expansion. That being said, there are a few things here I get every time, and really love. The softshell crab appetizer is delicious, crispy and spicy. I like their goi cuon, the sauce is very good as well. I shared a big seafood hot pot once with a friend, and it was okay. I definitely stick to my regular order for reason. I found that whenever I try to branch out it's always tasty, but not outstanding. Overall, if you're looking for a Vietnamese restaurant to bring friends to, where you can get a nice cocktail and introduce someone to Vietnamese food, this would be the place to do it.
(4)
Joanne Z.
I only recommend the Vietnamese summer rolls. Nothing else. Every time I go there, I cannot make a choice about what to eat coz everything is just so so.
(3)
Michael W.
Fresh food at remarkably low prices. The pho is the best because whoever is making it does not ascribe to the idea that salt should be measured with a shovel....the broth is well flavored and always piping hot. The waitstaff is not too friendly and sometimes seem a bit put out when they have to explain the menu, but that's a small price to pay for the quality of the food here,
(4)
Titi T.
I usually come here with the family. love the food at this place.. everything is always really good..prices are higher than should be though.. they have the best canh chia and ca kho..sour soup and caramelized fish..
(4)
Marsha L.
One of the better Vietnamese restaurants in Worcester. You can depend on them to have good quality food. Our favorites include the fresh summer rolls, papaya salad and Bún - especially with grilled pork and spring rolls. I also like their Seafood Noodle Soup a lot, There are many interesting-sounding dishes on the menu that I hope to try on future visits, This would be a good place to try for someone who has never experienced Vietnamese cuisine and is nervous about what to expect; the menu has better descriptions than in many of the Vietnamese restaurants around and the staff seems more fluent in English if you need more information.
(4)
CharlCharl C.
The food is okay, the portion is tiny. I dine in a few time and got take out from there, however, they gave me the wrong orders 9 out of 10 times. They forgot my white rice the first time. I called, but they said they don't deliver. The other time when I ordered a pad thai, they gave me shrimp fried rice. So I had to go back all the way to the restaurant to get it. If you do order, make sure to check every order to see if it's correct. I can assure you that if you order there more than 5 times, you will sure get a wrong order.
(1)
James R.
I am a Worcester-Pho virgin no longer. So I tried this place 1st due to its approximate proximity to my location in Auburn, MA. Figured, hey, if this place rocks, it will be convenient for me to grab take-out on the way home from my long commute. Having come from the Middlesex County area, there are plenty of Pho options. And I've tried just about all of them I think...Pho 88 in Lowell stands out head and shoulders above the rest. yelp.com/biz/pho-88-lowe… This Pho Dakao seemed to get the most, consistent reviews so gave it a try...and my sister, whom had never eaten Pho before. "Ah, I see where you're going, Grasshopper...compare and contrast the two opinions...veteran vs rookie." So out come the Veggie Spring Rolls. Tofu, Rice Noodles, Lettuce wrapped in wonton to dip in Peanut Sauce goodness...which gets mixed with a healthy amount of Sriracha by my own preference. (I notice that the dictionary does not seem to include the word Sriracha in it's spell-check. Please note, this word should be added to EVERY dictionary.) Anyway, they were ok...they tasted like they may have been premade that morning. They're fine. Nothing great, but not bad. Good Peanut Sauce. Out comes the "mirepoix" of Vietnamese restaurants...Basil, bean sprouts, lime wedges... Then the bowl of 'goodness' we all know as Pho...not Pho as in "Fo' Sho'" but as in Fuh, like Fuhgeddaboutit. Beef with Rare Steak...#18 on this menu. I always taste the broth...and it's fine. But there is something I taste in this broth that I don't usually taste in Pho...and I can't pinpoint it. Well, I dump the mirepoix into my soup...showing my sister how "peeps do pho"...and she clones my actions. Other notable is that the noodles are mushy. I know the noodles don't sit in the broth, but they had been sitting in some liquid for too long. That may be a one time oops(I would hope) but did not lend to a great 1st impression. Long story short...she likes it...I like it...but meh, I've experienced better. So for the Pho and the spring rolls...I am somewhere between a 2 and 3. For the service, par for course. For the decor, it was a little fancy for typical Pho establishments...and the prices seem to be just a tad higher than most places I've been. Hey, someone has to pay for the pretty lights, right? Anyway, many Pho options in the Worcester area...so the hunt is on. Try this place out...if I were back it would be to try something else.
(3)
Eric R.
Vietnamese food in central mass is a strange beast. You either end up with crappy american versions, or truly authentic stuff that white people just can't eat. I have two places for pho in this world. One is in cambridge, for when I'm at work. The other is here, for when I am home. They have various thai dishes here as well, but I come for the pho. It's great. It's authentic. They give you all the fixings, and the meat, broth, and other bits are all really fresh. The ambiance is straight out of an 80's nail salon, which is awesome. The waitresses are a mixed bag. The asian girls are great. The american teenagers look at you funny unless you prononce "pho tai" as "pho with beef" and the like. I tried ordering pho tai, and nearly got pad thai. Know what I'm saying? That's about as close as I'll get to a criticism. This place is great. If you want great pho, don't delay.
(4)
Jon R.
I really like a hot noodle bowl of chicken soup... Pho Ga during the winter months. I ran across this place while in Worcester yesterday. The decor is very nice and the place appears clean. The chicken soup is flavorful with all of the appropriate garnishes and accompaniments. The noodles are excellent too. But my one complaint is that I actually had a hard time finding any chicken in it. The price was more than fair, and quite frankly I would rather have paid a little more and get some meat in my soup. The service was excellent, but I did not feel like complaining would have been the right thing to do, as things like this are preparation techniques and quantities dictated by ownership. So, if management and ownership see this they now know how this one customer feels.
(3)
Joshua S.
I enjoyed this a lot. Nice clean fresh food. Really tastes homemade and the price is reasonable too. I will be returning again soon.
(4)
Jennifer H.
I am such a stubborn girl when it comes to changing my order at a restaurant. Except for my last visit here, I've only ever had Pad Thai, but it is the BOMB. B-o-m-b. I think the only place that can beat it is this one place in Ontario, Canada, but that is too far away for a college student on a budget. The last time I came here, the waitress suggested I get the Sauteed Lemongrass Chicken. Umm, I figured that'd be the same as Pad Thai; think again! Nice spicy flavor without dramatically changing my plate! +1 Waitress. My friends have ordered the Pho (and only the Pho!) and I've sampled it. Very minty, relaxing. If I feel like it one day, I'll get it. Or when I'm sick. Whichever comes first. Oh, and thank you all for the nice shapes and hearts on our strawpaper. p.s. Coconut Smoothie and Sparkling Limeade - both BOSSSSSSSSS~! I haven't had either since I was a kid! But, there were some times where I felt I was more of a bother :/, or they stuck us in the dreaded... corneroftherestaurant! We got 3 different people asking us about different things and so there was a lot of cross-communicating. Fixed lately, but not cool. I have to try a lot more things as time passes, likeeee the fire* pot and the sizzling beef that makes me jealous whenever it goes to someone's table. So just 4* til I do. But if you haven't come here before at least give it a shot. :)
(4)
Jason C.
Love Pho Dakao, great bar area, good food, we hit the Pho here and the crispy spring rolls always great service at the bar
(4)
Valerie D.
I look for Vietnamese food where ever I go, and this is one of the best. Fresh food, great flavor, healthy, lots of veggies. Other than in Springfield MA, this is one of the best Pho broth I have had. Restaurant has recently expanded in size and the decor is very nice. It isn't uncommon to see mostly Asian diners, which give me confidence in their authenticity. My son has eaten here as often as 3 times in two days. I have brought many, many people here over the years and they have fallen in love with it too.
(5)
Girldrinkdrunk S.
We had really great service (an American girl) and the decor is modern and clean. The food was about 30% more expensive than Da Lat and not quite as flavorful. It's not a bad option, but I'll stick with Da Lat.
(3)
Tammy L.
Went here with my boyfriend and will not be coming back. I suggest heading over to Hien Vuong if you're craving pho. Portions were okay. I would say they are a tad overpriced for the food they offer, I guess the nice decor makes you FEEL like you aren't getting ripped off. We ordered two thai teas, egg rolls, I got a pho, and my boyfriend got some chicken and rice dish. None of the food was satisfying. Thai tea was far too sweet I barely took a sip and couldn't finish it after that. Egg rolls were small, cold, and looked like they just heated it up through microwave. Pho was eh. Probably had more msg than I would like. Chicken was okay. Service was probably the worst I've ever experienced. First of all, when my appetizer came out it was wrong. (Even after I clearly specified to the waitress it was the fried crispy rolls, not the fresh.) Anyways, after a long long wait a different waiter comes up and hands us our check. WE HADN'T EVEN GOT OUR MAIN DISHES YET!! They clearly forgot about us or something. Even a table that came after us had already finished their food. It's not like we were hidden in a corner or the restaurant was really busy. There were only 4 tables occupied while we were there. I can't believe I even stayed that long for food that was not even worth waiting for.
(1)
Jelle L.
Great Pho, even I only tried a few things there and stayed with it, but was never disappointed. Open late in the evenings.
(4)
Zack L.
Good food and nice service! I ordered pork chop. It's large and tasty! I don't prefer pork skin and pork cake. Next time I'll order one without them.
(4)
Tiff D.
Im very suprised by the good reviews. Based on take out of Curry Chicken and Pad Thai...1 star The Pad Thai was the driest, blandest, Pad Thai I have ever had and the Curry Chicken was watery with big pieces of grey chicken. For $25, I was very disapointed. Not only was the food sub par, the staff were rude. After handing me back my card and the bill to sign, the lady disappeared. I had no idea which bag of food on the table was mine. No Hi, Thank you, nothing. Maybe their Vietnamese food is better than their Thai. I wont be back to try it...
(1)
Kristin X.
The portions are small and the food is overpriced compared to other Vietnamese restaurants. Egg Soda: pretty good, I learned how to make my own Summer rolls: miserly little rolls, not enough meat, no basil or mint X-tra large beef pho: more like a small beef pho, the broth was watery and tasted like MSG, where's the beef flavor? Will not be coming back. I prefer Pho 54 on Stafford St.
(3)
Jeffrey L.
Americanized to the max, most of the waiting staff don't know anything about Vietnamese food. What they lack in authenticity they make up for in decor however I go to eat not to admire scenery. Again this place is targeted for non-Asians.
(2)
Steven B.
If you're new to Vietnamese food, Dakao is a great place to start. The slick neon exterior lighting and dark faux granite table tops are an atmospheric cut above not only other Vietnamese restaurants in Worcester, but just about every other Vietnamese place I have ever been. Dakao is the archetypal crossover ethnic restaurant. If you want to bring your culturally unadventurous mom out for her first Vietnamese experience, bring her here. The fare runs the gamut from regionally specific authentic Vietnamese cuisine, to more anglicized asian fusion dishes for your friends who can't distinguish a rice noodle from a pad thai. While a little piece of my soul died when I overheard someone ask for General Gao's the last time I was there, you can take that as a positive, and know that if you are going out with family and friends, and you have that one person in your group who ate only grilled cheese sandwiches until they were 18, you can still go out for Vietnamese and find them something on the menu they will probably be able to eat. As for the actual Vietnamese food, I usually get the Pho with everything, tendon, tripe, etc. I think its a number 15. Its good Pho, not superb, but more than passable. The vermicelli bowl with the little spring rolls is good, and thats also a safe option for the aforementioned conservative palate. The grilled pork chop plate with rice and cucumber is actually really good here, as are the summer rolls. They have a full bar too, which is a plus. The best thing about this place though is the durian shake. I ask for one everywhere I go, and maybe one out of ten Vietnamese restaurants has a durian shake, but they do here and its an outstanding way to end a meal. Sometimes, on a hot summer day, ill just swing through for a minute and grab a durian shake to go. It's that good.
(3)
Ezra B.
Hot Pho. Cold day. Full tummy. Tired people. Satisfied with the finer things in life, a good meal for a decent buck. Pho, chicken and spring rolls all on the tasty list. Slightly whacky tacky in the decor. That's the thing that has put me off on this place for so long. But food is good. Decent looking bar too....
(4)
HyunJoo K.
I recently had dinner with my friend, mom, brother and his wife at this place .... it was deelish! I didn't know what to expect, but the outside sign and some of the inside had some recent updates from what my sister in law said. I got my usual pho ga, and it was just as good in Boston Chinatown as well as the flavor/quality/portion. My mom had a roasted chicken dish with rice (looks like it was seasoned with ketchup or some tomato base sauce), and that was very good - had a small sampling. My brother and his wife got the rice vermicelli with pork and fried rolls ... the rolls were good! And the dish is supposedly great according to them! I bet! We also had some fresh spring rolls to start off with, and they were very good - like any great Vietnamese restaurant in Boston! Oh, and I also had Thai iced tea - tasted a little different than the usual (maybe some floral taste - like rose water?), but then again, I asked for Thai Iced tea at a Vietnamese restaurant!
(4)
Jacquelyn G.
This was my first experience at a Vietnamese restaurant, and it was a good one. It's spacious and clean and has a nice, trendy atmosphere. Food was fairly priced for the portions, and our waitress was very friendly. I ordered the Curry Chicken with Vegetable Medley. The sauce had just enough spice to give the dish a kick and was thickened with the addition of white rice. My boyfriend got the Sizzling Mongolian Beef, which did indeed come out sizzling. He get it every time he goes to Pho but said the plate always varies as far as how much beef he gets, versus scallions and onions. I'm eager to go back and try more dishes and drinks. As for beverages, it's worth noting that they serve soft drinks in cans, so don't count on free refills!
(4)
Rui W.
My in-laws lives in Worcester, so we've been to Pho Dakao for dinner many times over the years. Compare to others their pho is above average. My wife likes their Pad Thai as she thinks it's better than many other Vietnamese restaurants we've been to. Pho Dakao's business grew quit a bit over the years, expanded from 1/2 of the building to the whole building. Now they have a full bar. The deco is getting trendier as well.
(4)
Meomappy N.
This VN restaurant is trying to impress by having their wait staff "remember" your order without writing it down. Problem is if you are more than 2 people, they MESS THINGS UP. Not to mention any special accomodation to dish. Ordered vermicelli WITHOUT bean sprouts... specifically reminding the waiter NO BEAN SPROUTS... only to have the order come back with bean tons of bean sprouts. Come on .. WTF.. It was faster to just take it out myself. Oh, and we ordered 3 shakes, but only one of the three with "pearls/boba". They brought back the order properly, but the bill charged us for 3 shakes, all of which with pearls/boba. Only $0.75 each, so that $1.50 is not a big deal... BUT, with the vermicelli screw up and over charge for shake (only noticed AFTER we paid)... I have to say.. EPIC FAIL. If the food was spectacular, could almost overlook. But the food is just SO SO, with prices being higher than the SO SO food should cost. Don't expect to be impressed... instead, expect to be underwhelmed !
(1)
Jason K.
Review is based only on pho.. one word to describe it, "bland." Really?? For those who know good pho, the broth is an important factor in determining if its good or bad. Good pho's you can taste the broth and not add anything to it, but this place you have to add everything to it... man what a disappointment! Shame on everyone who thought the pho here was good... and its overpriced! Double whammy! Eff this place...
(2)
Dawn E.
This is the best Pho I've had west of Boston. This is also the only Pho I've had west of Boston. That said, it's quite delicious. The soup, for the record, is better than Mr. Le's (which I gave five stars too)... but they don't have the delicious rice chowder that I crave late at night. I have only had Pho and fresh rolls here, and I would go back again for them. The decor is all 80s modern nail salonesque, and that's okay. The food is good and the service is friendly.
(4)
Wayne B.
Great soups and pad Tao , also try the mongolian beef dish. Portions are small but it reflects the price .
(4)
Bethany B.
I have gotten my Mom addicted to the Bun Bo Hue Vietnamese style. :) Find me here almost weekly picking up to-go orders for her, me & extra noodles for the wee ones!
(4)
Trevor B.
We have been coming here for years. I have never had a bad meal at Pho Dakao. I'm spoiled, they treat my toddler really well. I fluctuate between the Pho and the Bun. If you are looking to have a great meal and not pay through the nose, I really recommend it. I really wish they would add Bahn Mi to the menu, so if your looking for that you are out of luck.
(4)
Timothy H.
Came here for Easter lunch with my fiancee's family, and we ordered a number of dishes family style. Nothing really stood out in my mind as being really memorable, or different from the thai food I usually get back in Chicago with Pho being the exception. Honestly, I'd say the best thing about this place is the fish tank. It looks like they went out and bought all of the different fish that appeared in Pixar's Finding Nemo. No joke.
(2)
James H.
This place has ill pho. Good soups. Go for lunch and avoid the rush. You'll get to enjoy the atmosphere. Make sure you're specific about you order, some of the waitstaff aren't indigenously familiar with the particulars of certain dishes.
(4)
Aleta M.
There's a lot of potential here--the bar is beautiful and the restaurant has a lovely personality and decor. I went in the middle of a dead afternoon. There were staff everywhere and they were friendly, but it took fooreevveerrr to get my food or my drinks refilled. I ordered the Pho which was a little watery and bland, but not outright bad. The summer rolls were dry, there were too many noodles and not enough of (the very dry) meat. The peanut sauce was par for the course. The Thai iced tea was great and I'd recommend visiting the bar. The food is good enough to supplement a drinking binge (like Vietnamese pub food), just not enough to stand on its own.
(2)
laura p.
Went to dinnere here a couple of weeks ago with a friend. It was Suer. I had some scrumptious Summer Rolls & a Rice Plate, the ingredients were all very fresh! My friend had a bowl ofg soup, that looked like two people could eat it, hahaha. Seriously, if you are looking for food that is cooked to perfection and uses fresh ingredients you shouldn't miss Pho Dako!
(4)
Joey L.
The vietnamese food is good here. Nothing bland about it and seasoned well. It was a place where I can get vietnamese food when I was in school. Where I am from, there is no shortages of vietnamese restaurants but in worcester, your options are limited.
(4)
Sonny P.
This restaurant is pure 4/5 for sure. Nice location, restaurant takes over the entire plaza :). Decent size parking lot, I had never had to fight or look for a spot during lunch. The restaurant is nice outside and inside and looks promising with their huge "Pho Dakao" sign again, taking up the whole plaza. You can't miss this place, it's easy to find on whatever that street I was on when I accidentally found this place. Waitress/waiter are very friendly, and seems like they have some good team work going on here. I have not ordered anything else other than Beef Pho with flank and tendon here so I can't comment much on other things. The Pho was good, came with good amounts of bean sprouts and other veggies to go inline with the soup. Have eaten here 3 times already, and all 3 times were a great experience, will eat here again.
(4)
Ron M.
Whether you go for the plain and simple steak pho or go for the entire enchilada, you cannot go wrong. Pretty good bubble tea too! Realistically 9/10
(5)
Alice D.
Catered for people that like service and restaurant environment. As an Vietnamese person, pho was alright - - broth has more of a sour and bitterness than that I'm used too and the noodles are al dente, which I personally liked them fully cooked. Service is excellent and the restaurant is beautiful inside and out, also very clean.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Victoria C.
I tried this place for the first time a few months ago and have been back multiple times since. The service is attentive and the pho is amazing. I've tried the rare steak, seafood and pork pho and they are all excellent. I love the fresh summer rolls and Thai iced tea. When it's warmer they put a few tables outside which is always nice. It's an overall enjoyable dining experience and I plan on going back often.
(4)CC S.
This I the second time my boyfriend and I have eaten here. Their iced Vietnamese coffee is AMAZING!! The Pho and Vermicelli bowls are the best I've had since moving to Massachusetts. Great service and great food. Definitely a favorite in Worcester.
(5)Mat H.
I'm an a partly asian man, I've been around chopsticks and noodle soups my entire life. When I go to a Pho place I get Pho. I get Pho with everything. My rating is based soley on the Pho. The noodles are great, they have a good firmness and taste, the meats and the meat parts :-) are good as well, thumbs up. Thai basil is good.....but I would have liked to see some culantro or cilantro as well...my personal favorite. The part that was lacking for me is one of the most important, the broth. This broth has that Pho taste, but it doesn't envelop you like some places do. It doesn't have the Pho complexity that I want when I get Pho, the lasting flavors. It gives me a hint of it but that is it. It's a tease. If I'm here, I'll still get the Pho, but It's just an ok Pho on my book.
(3)Marek T.
I have a friend that loves this place, but for me it is rather underwhelming. Lately I got the vietnamese hot pot (i forget the real name) and it was incredibly mediocre with rather less food than I expected. That being said, some of the fresher apps are worthwhile. The spring rolls you roll yourself are very tasty.
(3)Tom M.
I was recently reminded that Pho Dakao exists (Webster Square might as well be on the other side of the planet from Burncoat) and went for the first time in a couple years. Service is very good. The atmosphere is nice, though I worried the two fish in the fish tank might be lonely. Fish need fish friends, right? Anyway. My food was delicious - always go for the menu items with little chili peppers. I don't know if it's authentic or anything, Vietnamese isn't my area of expertise. I could ask the one Vietnamese guy at my work, but he doesn't speak English, save for swears. Drinks are excellent too, and come with a fruit salad's worth of garnish.
(4)Grace J.
Horrible service, small portions, and super expensive!! My 8 year old niece ordered the Mongolian beef and got horrible food positioning! (And the water tastes like bath water! Yuk!)
(1)Myle N.
The only thing I eat here is Duck with bamboo soup (Bun Mang Vit). I like how they serve it with banana flower (not too many place does it). Everything else is made to aim American (or foreigners customers).
(3)Beverly R.
Our favorite pho joint for service, quality, and atmosphere.
(4)Ting L.
One of my first vietnamese restaurants, I've been a long time customer here way before they added the full bar to their expansion. Their crispy egg rolls are still my favorite. However, I feel their pho isn't as good as before--probably since I've had better. Prices are expensive compared to other vietnamese restaurants where the offering are the same.
(4)Khanh P.
This place is really expensive for so-so dishes. The portions are good, but the food is ok, not amazing. I feel like most of my money goes to the atmosphere.. NOT GOOD. So, you aren't served any drinks unless you ask. The waitresses/waiters typically take orders by memory. There was this one time, I came in with a group of 7 and the waitress was taking drink orders. She seemed very confident in what she could remember, but whoops, she messed up. She offered it to one of my friends and charged us for her mistake...really?? The drinks here are so expensive ... and it's totally not worth it because I can get it cheaper somewhere within less than a mile. The only thing that's worthy of my time here is the che ba mau. I am obsessed lol.
(3)Jessica B.
Very tasty. Tried the Vietnamese crepe, fresh summer rolls ( a favorite most places) - accompanying sauces , peanut and sweet, peanut was lovely but sweet was had a tad too much fish sauce. And of course, Pho! I'm only giving this Resturant 3 stars beCause my Pho soup was not what I asked for , but still delicious .
(3)Julian N.
Favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Worcester! Def recommend the Mongolian beef, Thai fried rice and Pho dac biet.
(5)Lisa E.
Loved it. Great variety. Amazing flavors. Reasonable prices. Nice people. Not sure what the negative reviews are about but we'd be there ever other night if we didn't have to travel so far. It's just feel good food. My favorites were the chicken pho, Vietnamese crepe and salmon with tomato sauce. I could eat that tomato sauce with a spoon. So good.
(5)Khoa N.
One of the few Vietnamese restaurants I go to where I have to order by number. And I'm Vietnamese. Big no no. The food is very mediocre and more expensive than other Vietnamese restaurants in Worcester. I've been here a few times just because it's a nice atmosphere. But I don't remember being fully satisfied with my food any of those times. The salted chicken (ga hap muoi) is very bland and a little dry. This dish usually comes with steamed green veggies but what was on my plate instead were lettuce and tomatoes. It was my fault to order one of my favorite dishes here knowing I will be disappointed. Pho is ok. Other rice dishes are alright as well. Eggrolls are tiny - more like Thai eggrolls not Vietnamese. Dakao lacks authenticity and tastiness. Try other places like Hien Vuong or Vietnam Cafe if you want better food.
(2)Dan B.
I've been here a bunch and its a decent Vietnamese restaurant. I love the ambiance and ever since they remodeled the interior its even better, now with outside seating too. Most of the staff is quick to seat you and, depending, they are good on checking up on you. Please note though: its an open restaurant so noise travels fast and far. If you have kids, make sure they're not loud cause I've had many meals somewhat ruined on account to loud children. Again I've been here a bunch and I have noticed a lack of consistency which kind of is a let down. If they were bad all the time then I'd try not to go but if they were good all the time I'd frequent here more often. I love Vietnamese food, or any food of Asian culture (partly cause I am Asian and totally bias towards it and mostly cause its friggin delicious) but it's slightly upsetting to sit down and hope to get fresh veggies for my pho but they come out a bit brown and somewhat slimy sometimes. I feel its a hit or miss sometimes. For example I've been in and been seated, ordered, got our apps and drinks in a flash and food was out not long after then. All of it very fresh and very tasty. Other times I'll go in get seated and wait a few minutes for our drink order to be put in, wait a bit longer for a food order, get our apps a bit longer than I would think it takes to make them and the condiments are wilty or just not pleasant to look at much less eat. Mix this combination together you can maybe see why the lack of consistency is a let down. If it was okay all of the time, great. I hate to just go and hope to get good food then be let down or expect to get something meh but its okay. But when the food is good, man is it good! I get pho a lot here and the broth is very flavorful and usually packed with vermicelli, green onions and everything else. The crispy spring rolls are also to die for, when they are cooked well, and the spring rolls are just as good. But again I regress, things could be better but then again things could be worse. I will probably end up back here to get my fill of pho but until then I will always be on the look out for a place with better pho all the time. Also their boba shakes are always a wise consideration to get cause they're always top notch.
(3)Robo T.
I had a joyous feast at Pho Dakao! The bo lui marinated beef rolls w/lemongrass were delicious and tender. The order contained three but I couldve eaten twenty! The goi cuon guay summer rolls with tofu were delicious and actually contained a good amount of tofu! The ga xao sa ot chicken lemongrass is something i tend to get when I go to vietnamese restaurants. Im sort of a creature of habit like that. That said, Dakao's was deliciously awesome and a total standout! Of course they have that bomb fresh made limeade too. This meal was awesome!! Im getting hungry just thinking about it. I cant wait to go back and try the bahn hoi bo!!!
(5)Brian S.
A favorite "go to" resto. Dinner tonight was solid as always. Summer rolls, spring rolls, Mongolian beef, roll your own pork and spicy beef. All this and wine for 3 for 99 bucks! Great deal! And great taste! Been here many times in the past and surely many times in the future!
(5)Jeff J.
Here are my requirements for a great Vietnamese restaurant. Great pho (good meat, good broth), cheap price. Pho Dakao is none of these things. The restaurant is upscale feeling, which is a nice change from your typical Vietnamese scene. However, I have several complaints about the pho. 1. I've never had to choose between yellow and white noodles. Me: "can I just get the regular ones? I think they're white" 2. I ordered an Extra-Large bowl, and the amount of noodles that came in the bowl was about the regular size of a Small. Extra-Large means extra ingredients, not give me a bigger bowl with more broth in it. 3. I ordered Extra Rare Steak. I assume this meant extra "rare steak" and not "extra rare" steak. Not that it'd matter because by the time it hits the broth, it'd all be cooked anyway. I think I counted 5 pieces of beef. So if this constitutes "extra", what is the regular? 3 pieces? 4. The broth was oddly flat. Price? $10.95. Conclusion? I paid dearly for the overhead.
(2)Huong L.
Very bad attitude toward the customer. My boyfriend and I came in today and the waitress didn't pay any attentions to what we said and turned away before we finished talking. We tried to call the other waitresses but they just ignored. The restaurant was not even crowded (Tuesday). Headed out right away and would never come back.
(1)Robin C.
the pho chicken soup is amazing, the Mongolian beef was great. I had a tofu and Chinese cabbage dish that was healthy and delicious. the wait staff are very nice. 2 times here... 2 times fabulous.
(4)Sonnque G.
I seriously wanted to be have a good food experience. I reaaaalllly wanted to give this place a 4 or so star. (SIGH)....The only reason i give it a 3 star was because our waiter was awesome (Liam). *cute smile too*. The food on the other hand was a 2 or 1.5 star.i ordered the marinated chicken. It comes with rice, tomato, cucumber and some other veggy i forget. That is how it is statesd in the menu at least. Well, maybe it was I who was expecting more than half a slice of tomato, 1 lettuce leaf, 1 slice of cucumber and 3 sticks of something that seemed to have been soaked in vinegar way too long and was eye twitching tart. If your menu states, " it comes with rice, lettuce, tomato" i am expecting a little more than it being used as garnish, otherwise don't mention it as though it is a salad or something. The rice tasted like stale uncle bens rice. It was cold. The chicken was ok, nothing epic. I was hungry having waited 2hrs plus for company that got there late and pretty much nibbled off every ones plate. The drinks were good. I enjoyed that....... I have wanted to try this place for a while, but, it was a let down foodwise. It is a nice inside and the bar in he middle of two dinning areas. I will try it again, maybe it was a bad night......:(
(3)Robert G.
The beef curry is very reasonable and absolutely fantastic. Wait staff is friendly and excellent. Don't understand the current rating.
(5)Jessie H.
I've only sat at the bar, many times though. Great atmosphere, service, drinks & food. I wish the parking lot was bigger, but that's only a minor detail.
(5)Kevin L.
The decor and set up for Pho Dakao is very nice for a Vietnamese restaurant. Unfortunately, that's all the positive stuff I got to say. My experience with pho here is lackluster. The flavor in the broth is poor. The noodles were "soggy." The texture gave me the impression it has been sitting in hot water for ages. My friend and I both had stomachaches afterwards. The service was decent but the most important part PHO was disappointing.
(2)Hannah C.
I thought it was illegal to serve durian. Not here! Don't get me wrong. I didn't order it. But it's on the menu, so this place is authentic. The bubble teas lack tea, and are more reminiscent of smoothies with tapioca pearls, but they're delish all the same. The pho was as pho should be - hot, filling, reviving, salty, and served with all the right fresh self-dosed accompaniments of bean sprouts, mint, lime, hoisin sauce, and sriracha. The mochi was a great unexpected treat for dessert. The service was friendly and fast. This place might make Worcester a nearly ok place to live for a short period of time. ;)
(5)Sasha R.
Getting used to a) dining in establishments set in strip malls and 2) driving 35 miles for pho (OK, it was close to work). It was decent, actually, good decor, nice atmosphere, large bar area. The bar area came with its own Central Mass smokey drunk sucking on dinner. We feasted on some very tasty pho, actually, and some sort of fish cooked in its own juice in a hotpot thing that was phenomenal, so much so, that we wanted to take it to go. We even got it all wrapped... and left it at the restaurant. HATE that. Entertainment was also provided, in the form of a couple at the table next to us, who were clearly on a first date, and were making the best animated small talk they could muster.* All this fun for about 15% less than the Hub. *Entertainment not guaranteed.
(4)Teri L.
I have finally lost my Vietnamese cherry!! I'm so proud....The nice part is that I didn't have to leave my city to lose it. Right here in Worcester is a gem of a restaurant that I never knew existed and I am ashamed that I didn't. It took Joey and Mandah to finally get me to this place and I will forever be grateful. I was very pleasantly surprised at how nice and well put together this restaurant was. The decor is restful and classy without being over done. Nice lighting and artwork. Overall, very nice! I ordered beef teriyaki and crispy spring rolls along with vegetable pho. I did order a beer but that never appeared and that was ok. I didn't need the calories. The apps came first and the spring rolls were excellent! Like the name, very crispy and very tasty! The beef teriyaki came rolled up tender, thin strips of beef with seasoning that made your mouth very happy! The HUGE bowl of pho came and I was floored at the size. The veggies were big slices of summer squash, zucchini, broccoli, pea pods, red peppers (I hope I'm not leaving anything out) I watched Mandah do it and followed her lead...being a virgin requires learning. I added hoisin sauce, lime and bean sprouts and it was scrumptious! The drawback to this visit...and I'm not sure if it was because it was busy or the waitress had way too many tables...she never came back to give us our bill for at least 40 minutes after we were done. Not good. It's a mark but a small mark against it. I will be back no worries and I'm sure that won't happen again. I can now understand why Mandah and Joey NEED this food on a regular basis. I can't wait to go back and have it. I need, I want, I love.....
(4)C. P.
The food at Pho Dakao is so good. As a Northern Californian I am spoiled by the diversity and quality of food in the Bay Area. I came to Worcester on a very short visit and "Yelped" the area for high rated food. When in saw this restaurant I was both excited and dubious. The food here is wonderful! The Pho was flavorful and very tasty...the broth was so good. I came back the next day and had the BBQ'd Pork Bun. I have never had Bun before, now I am hooked. It was even better than the Pho! I just hope I can find a Vietnamese restaurant back home that is as good!
(5)Rene' Y.
Good Vietnamese restaurant for Worcester. But the best one is still Le's in Allston and Cambridge.
(5)Amy H.
Yummy. This is the best Pho I have ever had. Granted I am not a big Pho junkie or expert so my rating my not mean as much as others. I have had the chicken Pho and the vegetable pho with chicken. When I go back I will have the vegetable pho again made in the beef broth. Just to keep trying new things. I would recommend the vegetable pho as a starting point if you are a fan of vegetables. It just makes the soup more of a meal and it is good for you. I have also had the spring rolls and they are very tasty also. I highly recommend them as a start with the pho. Enjoy! I know I will again.
(4)Mytch S.
I L-O-V-E pho. I could eat pho every day until I died. And Pho Dakao is a great spot to calm my cravings. It's an alternative from driving to Boston for some awesome pho. I always get the same thing, summer rolls, pho with just the steak, and coconut shake with bobba. My husband isn't a pho-natic like me and will order other dishes, like their sizzling beef and fried rice. All of which is amazing. The food is consistent and always delicious, but the wait staff is sometimes slow. Like hella slow. No worries, I get my pho fix, and I'm happy again.
(4)Lauren A.
Eaten here a few times but what I mainly go here for is BOBA (BUBBLE) TEA! Coconut Boba is the best in Worcester, with chunks of coconut. Yum Yum Yum! They have a vegetarian (most is vegan as well) portion of the menu. Service is prompt and whenever I go there it's never a long wait for food. They just recently added a bar to the place with a TV for sports viewing and well drinking. Pricing not too shabby.
(4)Patty X.
The hostess was not very friendly but food was good
(3)Robert T.
I eat here at least once a week for lunch. Usually get the fresh spring rolls and the chicken pho, which the waiters know by now. Very satisfying and filling. I also love the tofu curry and like the crispy noodles. The place is clearly set up for dinner as well, with a nice-looking bar, but I've never been here in the evening. In terms of atmosphere, this feels like the most bourgeois of the Vietnamese restaurants in town--which is a good thing!
(4)Cupcake S.
Yummy yummy and very reasonable. Parking can be a problem if the lot is full - but it's well worth the hassle.
(4)Bruce L.
They do have veggie pho. It's ai-ight. I wouldn't really call it pho. More like veggie noodle soup. Which is a crushing disappointment for me, as pho is possibly my favorite food. At least, the pho served at some of my tasty spots in San Francisco and Seattle. But this is Worcester and I get the feeling that Worcester does best with things I don't eat, such as meat. Nice ambiance, satisfying but forgettable food, and they also serve cognac. Uh-huh. Yeah.
(3)Amanda L.
Oh Pho Dakao, where were you my entire adolescent life? Oh yeah, I was going to places like Applebee's and TGIFridays -_- Ugh. So while playing with my Dad's GPS on the way home I stumbled upon Pho Dakao. I had remembered hearing about it on Yelp and that it had gotten good reviews (Thanks Dawn!) so I asked my Dad if he wanted Pho and he said why not. The inside is surprisingly nice for this area of Park Ave, especially looking at the outside. I ordered a Coconut Bubble Tea and I have to be honest, it wasn't the best. It wasn't even in the top 10. Oh well. My Dad and I each got an order of Spring Rolls. Nice and tightly packed with delicious goodness, and they had a nice crunch to them. Really enjoyed it. For my entree I went with the Curry Chicken with Vermicelli. The chicken was on the bone, which surprised me. There was some icky skin still left on the bones, but underneath was juicy chicken. The spice was just the right amount of hotness. The dish was lacking in the vegetable department, I've definitely had better. It was a nice surprise when I found some potato in it. It wasn't the most flavorful bowl of Pho I've had, but the seemingly endless amount of noodles made me a happy camper. Service was mediocre, it looked like there was only one server on, and he definitely took his time serving us. He didn't really check up on us either. While it isn't up to par with places such as Xinh Xing or Pho Pasteur, it's definitely a great option if you're stuck in Worcester with no Chinatown in sight.
(4)Lilia G.
I live in Framingham but travel to Worcester just for the Bubble Tea! Gotta try it! They have great noodles and soups too.
(4)Micha v.
Overall one of the better Vietnamese restaurants in/around Worcester. Pho's are excellent, other items range from ok to good.
(4)Eva B.
ProNice decoration, very friendly waitress, a big selection on the menu, inexpensive... I love their papaya salad, Thai ice tea and crispy spring roll. My husband ordered the Roast chicken rice plate. The chicken was too raw though, we had to ask the waitress to take it back. We recommend this restaurant to people who like Vietnamese and Thai food. And we will definitely go back to try more.
(4)Crystal L.
Since the last time I've been here, I would still say this place gets 3 stars. I've had their pho which was decent. A small is $6.75. Their sizzling beef dish is pretty good but is a little pricey. It's around $11. But still great service.
(3)Nicole M.
I went back and got the meat course for two and it was enough for 4 people (& one box of leftovers). I loved how interactive the meal was. From grilling your own meat to making your own soup, I had such a fun time with my friends. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Sam W.
Pretty good pho noodles.
(4)Gary B.
I had a very good meal here. Both my daughter and I had Pho and my wife had Pad Thai (she had never had Vietnamese food before and was not feeling adventurous). My son who is a year and a half decided that as soon as the food came he would get upset and not want to sit in the highchair without crying on the top of his lungs so my wife abandoned her dinner and tried to calm him. One of the waitresses was very kind and told her that the Vietnamese kids are always running around the restaurant so no one would mind a crying baby. That was very nice of her to say, but my wife took the baby outside to the car anyway so she is eating her dinner right now that we are back home. We started with the spring rolls and while they were very good I felt they were too expensive for how many they give you. We got three rolls for $3 and change. It is not the price I object to, but the amount of rolls. I would have been happier with 4 or 5 rolls for 4 or 5 bucks. The Pho was very good. This is my first Pho experience so I have none other to compare it too, but I was very satisfied. The one thing I was not completely happy with was the amount of time it took our waiter (who was very nice) to come to our table once we were done. My daughter and I sat there about 15 minutes while my wife and son were in the car trying to get his attention. Once we finally did he acted quickly though. The prices are quite reasonable and the portions are great. I am looking forward to going back and trying many other things on their extensive menu.
(4)Emeyes i.
BUBBLE TEA TO THE RESCUE! I think I've sat down to eat here once...maybe twice. It was excellent...but whenever I'm in Worcester I stop by for bubble tea. So good.
(5)Adam P.
Great PHO!!!! Great portions. Some of the other restruants around have one one bowl size. This place has 3 diffrent sizes to choose from. Plus there was lots of noddles and meat. This restraunt also serves alot of diffrent food as well, including Thia and chinesse. But you have to go there for the PHO. Very good for what is around.
(5)K S.
I came here 3 weeks ago and had pho with rare steak and meatballs. The broth was good and way better than my experience at Dalat Restaurant down the street (I still do not care for Dalat Restaurant AT ALL! lol) The waitor was super nice and attentive and the decor was nice as well. The color theme is black and the ambience is pretty chill. I will probably dine here again to try other dishes but overall experience I had a good lunch with the husband and he's eaten there a few times and says its one of the better Vietnamese restaurants here in Worcester.
(3)Alli J.
I dont know what I would do when in worcester if it were not for Pho Dakao! oh the pho on a cold winters night! oh the glowing fishtank that calms the most addled worcester-ites nerves! Oh the crispy fried spring rolls, the mussels and the pho what hass all da meats in it (I always ask the server to 'hold the tendon and the tripe, ifyou please"). pho d just got even better with an expanded bamboo-ish bar area, and a whole lotta liquor license. but what makes pho d the BEST ever is really the people - in particular our favorite waiter extraordinaire Curry. Thanks for putting up with me always asking you to hold the trip on my pho orders, Curry! :) oh and did i mention EXCELLENT prices?
(5)angela k.
Great food!! It's much better than other vietnamese food in Worcester. We ordered lemon grass beef. It was delicious!! The restaurant is clean and nice looking as well..
(5)kate m.
fabulous, yum, delicious, lovely. how could you not go to a place that serves salty lime soda?
(4)E. P.
Had a craving for fruity drinks and curry last night so my brother and I chose Pho Dakao for dinner. We started with spring rolls and the aforementioned fruity drinks. After waiting longer than we should have, the spring rolls came out surprisingly hot (despite the wait). They didn't blow me away in the taste department, but were enough to tide me over till our dinners arrived. We also waited too long for our drinks to be served, but later realized that our cheerful waitress was working alone (and the place was packed). I can't recall seeing another employee the entire time we were there, but our waitress was very friendly and, despite her workload, checked in on us at the proper intervals (I should also add that she was bussing all of her own tables!). The drinks were delish and our cravings were satisfied when our dinners arrived. I had the chicken curry... Very standard but flavorful with lots of large, yummy veggies. My brother had the x-large Pho with beef. Prices were average. Service was great (considering our waitress was serving the entire restaurant). I'll be back!
(3)Alicia C.
This place was a favorite back in my undergrad days, and I was glad to get a chance to go back recently on a road trip through Mass. The place was still good but not quite what I remembered (there was even a new bar extension). My friend and I both went with one of the noodle soups. However, they disproportionately aliquotted the meat and I wound up with the lion's share of it and my friend got the short end of the stick. We also tried the spicy ham cakes (think mini spicy sausages) and the vegetarian summer rolls (though they got rid of the nice mint they used to wrap inside it). All in all, it was a satisfying meal and brought back some nice memories.
(3)m m.
Food is always fresh with healthy portions. Beef and chicken are nicely prepared. Service can be a little slow, but the food is worth it. The neon is a little much. The soups are cheap and outstanding. Nothing like venturing in on a cold day after a hike for a bowl of noodles and some hot tea.
(4)Joe H.
Excellent fresh food. They have an extensive menu of Vietnamese and Thai specialties. The Thai rice with chicken or shrimp is a favorite along with old reliable Pad Thai. Service has been good, although if you are in a hurry at lunch time, they don't always move you out quickly.
(4)Joon C.
Pho Dakao is my go-to place in Worcester whenever I get the cravings for some Vietnamese food! Price is reasonable, staff is always nice, and I love the food there. What more can you ask for?
(5)benantha n.
We were on vacation and was in the area and felt like Vietnamese food. I never been served by a non Vietnamese person at a Vietnamese restaurant before. Which is fine....just felt strange. The food was not bad for an area that didn't have lots of Asian people. I love eating roasted quail and am use to eating it with lime with salt and pepper. However instead of this they pour some grease sauce on it. There we're flys flying around. Enough for me to notice.
(3)C.C. H.
Dinner with the parents on a Tuesday night before heading back to Chicago. Restaurant seemed one-third full at most but it took our server more than a few minutes to give us the water we had asked for after ordering. Banh xeo - lots of fresh veggies like watercress, mint, and pickled daikon and carrots accompanying a crepe that was hearty on substance but devoid of crisp. Pho dac biet - the strongest item at dinner with a flavorful broth and lots of beef. Skimpy on the thai basil. Caramelized catfish - at either $12 or 13, this felt like a rip-off when it came to the table and was only four pieces of fish amounting to less than a pound. I will grant that the sauce was rich and delicious and that the fish tasted very fresh, but wow, what a small portion for what was charged. Spicy beef - this was about equal parts beef slices and veggies and the sauce was insipid and barely spicy. Came with big bowl of white rice. Nothing special. Restaurant did have a private lot, clean interior, and fully stocked bar. Nonetheless, not worth the drive from Shrewsbury.
(2)Jesse D.
I had their chicken teriyaki skewers and their vegetarian spring rolls. The people I was with all had pho and said it was great. My food wasn't the greatest.
(3)Daisy K.
More expensive/fancy pho place in Worcester. Not bad but overpriced for their portion sizes. I also find it odd that they have a bar inside and it could legit be a club without all the tables. My friends very much enjoyed their avocado smoothies, which is also an odd thing to serve with pho.. Just odd..
(3)Tan P.
The food was awful..
(1)Matthew H.
I see 3.5 stars and wonder...what exactly are people looking for? I see a recent review "Best Pho in the city" with no negative comments and only 4 stars...hmmmmm... I digress The Pho here is phenomenal. It's the quality I would typically expect from a hole in the wall in San Francisco (meaning, authentic, inexpensive and delicious). The apps are great as well (I particularly enjoy the Goi Ga (Chicken Salad) and Goi Cuon (Fresh Summer Rolls) Staff is friendly, prices are right and service is quick. I don't know what else you could want in a Pho spot!
(5)Ciel N.
Raw oyster sauce n raw soy sauce was used in papaya salad Oyster n soy sauce r mostly for frying or cooking. If they r gonna used it raw, it should b tasty. Creative but practically awful taste. Papaya salad with shrimp doesn't look that big like in picture I saw here. Even if portion for that is big I wouldn't touch the salad. I didn't eat the salad which touches with sauce but I ate the shrimp cut in half n decorated over the salad. Not good for family since portions r small.
(2)Kathryn G.
Love it here! Great food and great service! Table seating for small and large groups. Cute bar too. The Pho soup is awesome. Perfect for an appetizer or for a meal.
(5)William F.
Decent pho, but I feel like you're paying for the atmosphere more than the pho. Not as good as some of the hole-in-the-wall spots in the area and more expensive. Personally, I don't care if a pho place has tablecloths or cloth napkins so Pho Dakao's extras don't add to the experience for me.
(3)Anthony D.
The prices here are ok . The coconut water they have is from a frozen store bought cup. The food is not very good but the service is good.
(2)Kamikazekiddo G.
Best Pho in the city! Wide range of menu items. Friendly service and very clean dining room. Been going since a Vietnamese friend recommended it over 10 years ago.
(4)Sondra M.
My parents and I like to come here every time I visit. They like it for the ambience, and the cocktails (lychee martini). I've been coming here for over six years now, and the restaurant has changed a lot, for the better. It definitely has the best ambience of almost any other Vietnamese restaurant I've been to. Just opened up a new restaurant in Framingham. They're definitely getting very popular, so for me they lose a little bit of that mom-and-pop feel with all the expansion. That being said, there are a few things here I get every time, and really love. The softshell crab appetizer is delicious, crispy and spicy. I like their goi cuon, the sauce is very good as well. I shared a big seafood hot pot once with a friend, and it was okay. I definitely stick to my regular order for reason. I found that whenever I try to branch out it's always tasty, but not outstanding. Overall, if you're looking for a Vietnamese restaurant to bring friends to, where you can get a nice cocktail and introduce someone to Vietnamese food, this would be the place to do it.
(4)Joanne Z.
I only recommend the Vietnamese summer rolls. Nothing else. Every time I go there, I cannot make a choice about what to eat coz everything is just so so.
(3)Michael W.
Fresh food at remarkably low prices. The pho is the best because whoever is making it does not ascribe to the idea that salt should be measured with a shovel....the broth is well flavored and always piping hot. The waitstaff is not too friendly and sometimes seem a bit put out when they have to explain the menu, but that's a small price to pay for the quality of the food here,
(4)Titi T.
I usually come here with the family. love the food at this place.. everything is always really good..prices are higher than should be though.. they have the best canh chia and ca kho..sour soup and caramelized fish..
(4)Marsha L.
One of the better Vietnamese restaurants in Worcester. You can depend on them to have good quality food. Our favorites include the fresh summer rolls, papaya salad and Bún - especially with grilled pork and spring rolls. I also like their Seafood Noodle Soup a lot, There are many interesting-sounding dishes on the menu that I hope to try on future visits, This would be a good place to try for someone who has never experienced Vietnamese cuisine and is nervous about what to expect; the menu has better descriptions than in many of the Vietnamese restaurants around and the staff seems more fluent in English if you need more information.
(4)CharlCharl C.
The food is okay, the portion is tiny. I dine in a few time and got take out from there, however, they gave me the wrong orders 9 out of 10 times. They forgot my white rice the first time. I called, but they said they don't deliver. The other time when I ordered a pad thai, they gave me shrimp fried rice. So I had to go back all the way to the restaurant to get it. If you do order, make sure to check every order to see if it's correct. I can assure you that if you order there more than 5 times, you will sure get a wrong order.
(1)James R.
I am a Worcester-Pho virgin no longer. So I tried this place 1st due to its approximate proximity to my location in Auburn, MA. Figured, hey, if this place rocks, it will be convenient for me to grab take-out on the way home from my long commute. Having come from the Middlesex County area, there are plenty of Pho options. And I've tried just about all of them I think...Pho 88 in Lowell stands out head and shoulders above the rest. yelp.com/biz/pho-88-lowe… This Pho Dakao seemed to get the most, consistent reviews so gave it a try...and my sister, whom had never eaten Pho before. "Ah, I see where you're going, Grasshopper...compare and contrast the two opinions...veteran vs rookie." So out come the Veggie Spring Rolls. Tofu, Rice Noodles, Lettuce wrapped in wonton to dip in Peanut Sauce goodness...which gets mixed with a healthy amount of Sriracha by my own preference. (I notice that the dictionary does not seem to include the word Sriracha in it's spell-check. Please note, this word should be added to EVERY dictionary.) Anyway, they were ok...they tasted like they may have been premade that morning. They're fine. Nothing great, but not bad. Good Peanut Sauce. Out comes the "mirepoix" of Vietnamese restaurants...Basil, bean sprouts, lime wedges... Then the bowl of 'goodness' we all know as Pho...not Pho as in "Fo' Sho'" but as in Fuh, like Fuhgeddaboutit. Beef with Rare Steak...#18 on this menu. I always taste the broth...and it's fine. But there is something I taste in this broth that I don't usually taste in Pho...and I can't pinpoint it. Well, I dump the mirepoix into my soup...showing my sister how "peeps do pho"...and she clones my actions. Other notable is that the noodles are mushy. I know the noodles don't sit in the broth, but they had been sitting in some liquid for too long. That may be a one time oops(I would hope) but did not lend to a great 1st impression. Long story short...she likes it...I like it...but meh, I've experienced better. So for the Pho and the spring rolls...I am somewhere between a 2 and 3. For the service, par for course. For the decor, it was a little fancy for typical Pho establishments...and the prices seem to be just a tad higher than most places I've been. Hey, someone has to pay for the pretty lights, right? Anyway, many Pho options in the Worcester area...so the hunt is on. Try this place out...if I were back it would be to try something else.
(3)Eric R.
Vietnamese food in central mass is a strange beast. You either end up with crappy american versions, or truly authentic stuff that white people just can't eat. I have two places for pho in this world. One is in cambridge, for when I'm at work. The other is here, for when I am home. They have various thai dishes here as well, but I come for the pho. It's great. It's authentic. They give you all the fixings, and the meat, broth, and other bits are all really fresh. The ambiance is straight out of an 80's nail salon, which is awesome. The waitresses are a mixed bag. The asian girls are great. The american teenagers look at you funny unless you prononce "pho tai" as "pho with beef" and the like. I tried ordering pho tai, and nearly got pad thai. Know what I'm saying? That's about as close as I'll get to a criticism. This place is great. If you want great pho, don't delay.
(4)Jon R.
I really like a hot noodle bowl of chicken soup... Pho Ga during the winter months. I ran across this place while in Worcester yesterday. The decor is very nice and the place appears clean. The chicken soup is flavorful with all of the appropriate garnishes and accompaniments. The noodles are excellent too. But my one complaint is that I actually had a hard time finding any chicken in it. The price was more than fair, and quite frankly I would rather have paid a little more and get some meat in my soup. The service was excellent, but I did not feel like complaining would have been the right thing to do, as things like this are preparation techniques and quantities dictated by ownership. So, if management and ownership see this they now know how this one customer feels.
(3)Joshua S.
I enjoyed this a lot. Nice clean fresh food. Really tastes homemade and the price is reasonable too. I will be returning again soon.
(4)Jennifer H.
I am such a stubborn girl when it comes to changing my order at a restaurant. Except for my last visit here, I've only ever had Pad Thai, but it is the BOMB. B-o-m-b. I think the only place that can beat it is this one place in Ontario, Canada, but that is too far away for a college student on a budget. The last time I came here, the waitress suggested I get the Sauteed Lemongrass Chicken. Umm, I figured that'd be the same as Pad Thai; think again! Nice spicy flavor without dramatically changing my plate! +1 Waitress. My friends have ordered the Pho (and only the Pho!) and I've sampled it. Very minty, relaxing. If I feel like it one day, I'll get it. Or when I'm sick. Whichever comes first. Oh, and thank you all for the nice shapes and hearts on our strawpaper. p.s. Coconut Smoothie and Sparkling Limeade - both BOSSSSSSSSS~! I haven't had either since I was a kid! But, there were some times where I felt I was more of a bother :/, or they stuck us in the dreaded... corneroftherestaurant! We got 3 different people asking us about different things and so there was a lot of cross-communicating. Fixed lately, but not cool. I have to try a lot more things as time passes, likeeee the fire* pot and the sizzling beef that makes me jealous whenever it goes to someone's table. So just 4* til I do. But if you haven't come here before at least give it a shot. :)
(4)Jason C.
Love Pho Dakao, great bar area, good food, we hit the Pho here and the crispy spring rolls always great service at the bar
(4)Valerie D.
I look for Vietnamese food where ever I go, and this is one of the best. Fresh food, great flavor, healthy, lots of veggies. Other than in Springfield MA, this is one of the best Pho broth I have had. Restaurant has recently expanded in size and the decor is very nice. It isn't uncommon to see mostly Asian diners, which give me confidence in their authenticity. My son has eaten here as often as 3 times in two days. I have brought many, many people here over the years and they have fallen in love with it too.
(5)Girldrinkdrunk S.
We had really great service (an American girl) and the decor is modern and clean. The food was about 30% more expensive than Da Lat and not quite as flavorful. It's not a bad option, but I'll stick with Da Lat.
(3)Tammy L.
Went here with my boyfriend and will not be coming back. I suggest heading over to Hien Vuong if you're craving pho. Portions were okay. I would say they are a tad overpriced for the food they offer, I guess the nice decor makes you FEEL like you aren't getting ripped off. We ordered two thai teas, egg rolls, I got a pho, and my boyfriend got some chicken and rice dish. None of the food was satisfying. Thai tea was far too sweet I barely took a sip and couldn't finish it after that. Egg rolls were small, cold, and looked like they just heated it up through microwave. Pho was eh. Probably had more msg than I would like. Chicken was okay. Service was probably the worst I've ever experienced. First of all, when my appetizer came out it was wrong. (Even after I clearly specified to the waitress it was the fried crispy rolls, not the fresh.) Anyways, after a long long wait a different waiter comes up and hands us our check. WE HADN'T EVEN GOT OUR MAIN DISHES YET!! They clearly forgot about us or something. Even a table that came after us had already finished their food. It's not like we were hidden in a corner or the restaurant was really busy. There were only 4 tables occupied while we were there. I can't believe I even stayed that long for food that was not even worth waiting for.
(1)Jelle L.
Great Pho, even I only tried a few things there and stayed with it, but was never disappointed. Open late in the evenings.
(4)Zack L.
Good food and nice service! I ordered pork chop. It's large and tasty! I don't prefer pork skin and pork cake. Next time I'll order one without them.
(4)Tiff D.
Im very suprised by the good reviews. Based on take out of Curry Chicken and Pad Thai...1 star The Pad Thai was the driest, blandest, Pad Thai I have ever had and the Curry Chicken was watery with big pieces of grey chicken. For $25, I was very disapointed. Not only was the food sub par, the staff were rude. After handing me back my card and the bill to sign, the lady disappeared. I had no idea which bag of food on the table was mine. No Hi, Thank you, nothing. Maybe their Vietnamese food is better than their Thai. I wont be back to try it...
(1)Kristin X.
The portions are small and the food is overpriced compared to other Vietnamese restaurants. Egg Soda: pretty good, I learned how to make my own Summer rolls: miserly little rolls, not enough meat, no basil or mint X-tra large beef pho: more like a small beef pho, the broth was watery and tasted like MSG, where's the beef flavor? Will not be coming back. I prefer Pho 54 on Stafford St.
(3)Jeffrey L.
Americanized to the max, most of the waiting staff don't know anything about Vietnamese food. What they lack in authenticity they make up for in decor however I go to eat not to admire scenery. Again this place is targeted for non-Asians.
(2)Steven B.
If you're new to Vietnamese food, Dakao is a great place to start. The slick neon exterior lighting and dark faux granite table tops are an atmospheric cut above not only other Vietnamese restaurants in Worcester, but just about every other Vietnamese place I have ever been. Dakao is the archetypal crossover ethnic restaurant. If you want to bring your culturally unadventurous mom out for her first Vietnamese experience, bring her here. The fare runs the gamut from regionally specific authentic Vietnamese cuisine, to more anglicized asian fusion dishes for your friends who can't distinguish a rice noodle from a pad thai. While a little piece of my soul died when I overheard someone ask for General Gao's the last time I was there, you can take that as a positive, and know that if you are going out with family and friends, and you have that one person in your group who ate only grilled cheese sandwiches until they were 18, you can still go out for Vietnamese and find them something on the menu they will probably be able to eat. As for the actual Vietnamese food, I usually get the Pho with everything, tendon, tripe, etc. I think its a number 15. Its good Pho, not superb, but more than passable. The vermicelli bowl with the little spring rolls is good, and thats also a safe option for the aforementioned conservative palate. The grilled pork chop plate with rice and cucumber is actually really good here, as are the summer rolls. They have a full bar too, which is a plus. The best thing about this place though is the durian shake. I ask for one everywhere I go, and maybe one out of ten Vietnamese restaurants has a durian shake, but they do here and its an outstanding way to end a meal. Sometimes, on a hot summer day, ill just swing through for a minute and grab a durian shake to go. It's that good.
(3)Ezra B.
Hot Pho. Cold day. Full tummy. Tired people. Satisfied with the finer things in life, a good meal for a decent buck. Pho, chicken and spring rolls all on the tasty list. Slightly whacky tacky in the decor. That's the thing that has put me off on this place for so long. But food is good. Decent looking bar too....
(4)HyunJoo K.
I recently had dinner with my friend, mom, brother and his wife at this place .... it was deelish! I didn't know what to expect, but the outside sign and some of the inside had some recent updates from what my sister in law said. I got my usual pho ga, and it was just as good in Boston Chinatown as well as the flavor/quality/portion. My mom had a roasted chicken dish with rice (looks like it was seasoned with ketchup or some tomato base sauce), and that was very good - had a small sampling. My brother and his wife got the rice vermicelli with pork and fried rolls ... the rolls were good! And the dish is supposedly great according to them! I bet! We also had some fresh spring rolls to start off with, and they were very good - like any great Vietnamese restaurant in Boston! Oh, and I also had Thai iced tea - tasted a little different than the usual (maybe some floral taste - like rose water?), but then again, I asked for Thai Iced tea at a Vietnamese restaurant!
(4)Jacquelyn G.
This was my first experience at a Vietnamese restaurant, and it was a good one. It's spacious and clean and has a nice, trendy atmosphere. Food was fairly priced for the portions, and our waitress was very friendly. I ordered the Curry Chicken with Vegetable Medley. The sauce had just enough spice to give the dish a kick and was thickened with the addition of white rice. My boyfriend got the Sizzling Mongolian Beef, which did indeed come out sizzling. He get it every time he goes to Pho but said the plate always varies as far as how much beef he gets, versus scallions and onions. I'm eager to go back and try more dishes and drinks. As for beverages, it's worth noting that they serve soft drinks in cans, so don't count on free refills!
(4)Rui W.
My in-laws lives in Worcester, so we've been to Pho Dakao for dinner many times over the years. Compare to others their pho is above average. My wife likes their Pad Thai as she thinks it's better than many other Vietnamese restaurants we've been to. Pho Dakao's business grew quit a bit over the years, expanded from 1/2 of the building to the whole building. Now they have a full bar. The deco is getting trendier as well.
(4)Meomappy N.
This VN restaurant is trying to impress by having their wait staff "remember" your order without writing it down. Problem is if you are more than 2 people, they MESS THINGS UP. Not to mention any special accomodation to dish. Ordered vermicelli WITHOUT bean sprouts... specifically reminding the waiter NO BEAN SPROUTS... only to have the order come back with bean tons of bean sprouts. Come on .. WTF.. It was faster to just take it out myself. Oh, and we ordered 3 shakes, but only one of the three with "pearls/boba". They brought back the order properly, but the bill charged us for 3 shakes, all of which with pearls/boba. Only $0.75 each, so that $1.50 is not a big deal... BUT, with the vermicelli screw up and over charge for shake (only noticed AFTER we paid)... I have to say.. EPIC FAIL. If the food was spectacular, could almost overlook. But the food is just SO SO, with prices being higher than the SO SO food should cost. Don't expect to be impressed... instead, expect to be underwhelmed !
(1)Jason K.
Review is based only on pho.. one word to describe it, "bland." Really?? For those who know good pho, the broth is an important factor in determining if its good or bad. Good pho's you can taste the broth and not add anything to it, but this place you have to add everything to it... man what a disappointment! Shame on everyone who thought the pho here was good... and its overpriced! Double whammy! Eff this place...
(2)Dawn E.
This is the best Pho I've had west of Boston. This is also the only Pho I've had west of Boston. That said, it's quite delicious. The soup, for the record, is better than Mr. Le's (which I gave five stars too)... but they don't have the delicious rice chowder that I crave late at night. I have only had Pho and fresh rolls here, and I would go back again for them. The decor is all 80s modern nail salonesque, and that's okay. The food is good and the service is friendly.
(4)Wayne B.
Great soups and pad Tao , also try the mongolian beef dish. Portions are small but it reflects the price .
(4)Bethany B.
I have gotten my Mom addicted to the Bun Bo Hue Vietnamese style. :) Find me here almost weekly picking up to-go orders for her, me & extra noodles for the wee ones!
(4)Trevor B.
We have been coming here for years. I have never had a bad meal at Pho Dakao. I'm spoiled, they treat my toddler really well. I fluctuate between the Pho and the Bun. If you are looking to have a great meal and not pay through the nose, I really recommend it. I really wish they would add Bahn Mi to the menu, so if your looking for that you are out of luck.
(4)Timothy H.
Came here for Easter lunch with my fiancee's family, and we ordered a number of dishes family style. Nothing really stood out in my mind as being really memorable, or different from the thai food I usually get back in Chicago with Pho being the exception. Honestly, I'd say the best thing about this place is the fish tank. It looks like they went out and bought all of the different fish that appeared in Pixar's Finding Nemo. No joke.
(2)James H.
This place has ill pho. Good soups. Go for lunch and avoid the rush. You'll get to enjoy the atmosphere. Make sure you're specific about you order, some of the waitstaff aren't indigenously familiar with the particulars of certain dishes.
(4)Aleta M.
There's a lot of potential here--the bar is beautiful and the restaurant has a lovely personality and decor. I went in the middle of a dead afternoon. There were staff everywhere and they were friendly, but it took fooreevveerrr to get my food or my drinks refilled. I ordered the Pho which was a little watery and bland, but not outright bad. The summer rolls were dry, there were too many noodles and not enough of (the very dry) meat. The peanut sauce was par for the course. The Thai iced tea was great and I'd recommend visiting the bar. The food is good enough to supplement a drinking binge (like Vietnamese pub food), just not enough to stand on its own.
(2)laura p.
Went to dinnere here a couple of weeks ago with a friend. It was Suer. I had some scrumptious Summer Rolls & a Rice Plate, the ingredients were all very fresh! My friend had a bowl ofg soup, that looked like two people could eat it, hahaha. Seriously, if you are looking for food that is cooked to perfection and uses fresh ingredients you shouldn't miss Pho Dako!
(4)Joey L.
The vietnamese food is good here. Nothing bland about it and seasoned well. It was a place where I can get vietnamese food when I was in school. Where I am from, there is no shortages of vietnamese restaurants but in worcester, your options are limited.
(4)Sonny P.
This restaurant is pure 4/5 for sure. Nice location, restaurant takes over the entire plaza :). Decent size parking lot, I had never had to fight or look for a spot during lunch. The restaurant is nice outside and inside and looks promising with their huge "Pho Dakao" sign again, taking up the whole plaza. You can't miss this place, it's easy to find on whatever that street I was on when I accidentally found this place. Waitress/waiter are very friendly, and seems like they have some good team work going on here. I have not ordered anything else other than Beef Pho with flank and tendon here so I can't comment much on other things. The Pho was good, came with good amounts of bean sprouts and other veggies to go inline with the soup. Have eaten here 3 times already, and all 3 times were a great experience, will eat here again.
(4)Ron M.
Whether you go for the plain and simple steak pho or go for the entire enchilada, you cannot go wrong. Pretty good bubble tea too! Realistically 9/10
(5)Alice D.
Catered for people that like service and restaurant environment. As an Vietnamese person, pho was alright - - broth has more of a sour and bitterness than that I'm used too and the noodles are al dente, which I personally liked them fully cooked. Service is excellent and the restaurant is beautiful inside and out, also very clean.
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