Ordered takeout as a hangover cure from here, and it was pretty solid. The fried egg rolls were perfect. I liked the house special fried rice as well, although it had a type of Vietnamese sausage in it I didn't particularly care for, everything else in it was very good. My boyfriend had the spicy chicken noodle soup and said it was very good and adequately spicy - he likes things HOT. The coconut shake was fresh and super delicious with little bubble tea bubbles in it - yum! Word of warning - I'd suggest not ordering the pickled lemonade unless you grew up with it, since it's pretty much the grossest thing I (and three other people who I made try it) have ever tasted. It was so gross it was actually upsetting. But we were curious, and you get what you ask for, huh? They also have soda with egg and condensed milk on the drink menu, but after my pickled lemonade experience I'll stay away from that. Anyway if you're in the area and in the mood for Vietnamese, definitely try this place. Note: I just got a pedicure and asked my Vietnamese pedicurist what her favorite Vietnamese place in Portland is - this was it.
(4)
Charley Z.
You've got to keep your eyes open. You're driving down Forest Avenue, and there's a lot to take in - but keep your eyes peeled. Past the Starbucks, past RSVP, past the 16 different banks lined up on either side, past the Dominoes - wait! You've just gone too far! See that tiny, crumbling building, sitting directly next to Dominoes? Yeah, that's where you get the best Pho this side of Back Bay. Don't let the cliche decor or the relatively empty seats fool you - this is a hidden gem, my friend, one that you must savor. Just be wary of the unlabeled bottle hot sauce they keep on the side of every table - it packs quite a bit more punch than it may seem.
(4)
Emily G.
GREAT noodle soups, or Pho. And pretty cheap, too--under $8 for a small bowl, which is actually pretty big. It's kind of cheesy on the inside--flat screen TV, big fish tank, lots of mirrors. But the great soup makes up for it. For something out of the ordinary, try a mung bean shake. A little odd, but good. It's right next to the Dominos and the Lie Detector service. Don't miss it!
(4)
Rebecca B.
So far the best tasting Pho I've had in the Portland are. The chicken Pho for example had a nice roasted flavor to it as opposed to just boiled strips of chicken served everywhere else. I haven't tried their other dishes but I'm looking forward to it.
(4)
Sneaky S.
Update: I've since tried Pho Hanoi in South Portland, and meh, it was okay. Thanh Thanh's still the star.
(5)
Lou J.
Best Pho in Portland!! The plated dishes are delicious as well. This is one of my favorite places in Portland for a healthy meal. You can only win at this restaurant!
(5)
TJ S.
TAKE-OUT REVIEW ONLY Yeah, take-out review- Classic ridiculous cheap quasi-Asian-American restaurant decor. Don't want to ruin the food with staring at the interior for an hour. BUT, the food is excellent. This place is providing very classic, authentic, well done Vietnamese fare with fresh ingredients. Granted, no surprises here on the menu but everything is done to traditional Vietnamese standards. A little pricey if you misorder your portion sizes, so I'd say always under order or go for not quite the largest portion available.
(4)
Jay N.
My new favorite Thai spot.. Have the marinated grilled beef over rice with fish sauce and cucumbers and tomatoes on the side. Solid, hearty food, like you're sitting at the supper table of a welcoming Thai family. The service is wonderfully sweet and attentive and the price is right. You can't go wrong here. It's great Thai, exotic AND comfort food all in one.
(5)
Ryan Y.
I've had many bowls of pho in my lifetime, some good, lots bad, and a few great, and I'm happy to report that this place knows how to make a great bowl of noodles. The broth and noodles definitely rank up there with Little Saigon and the San Gabriel Valley in California, which is great since I now live on the East Coast. The broth is so good that I usually drink it all up. I've been here 3-4 times and it's been very consistent. It's not always perfect, but since the best times were so delicious, this place gets a 5! Highly recommend if you want authentic pho.
(5)
Troy D.
The Best Around for authentic Vietnamese food. Squid apt is awesome..also the fresh spring rolls and any dish on the menu really cant go wrong.
(5)
Marc B.
Some of the best Pho in Portland
(4)
G-Ray P.
I loved loved loved this restaurant. This is my favorite noodle soup restaurant in my whole world. This restaurant gets five stars because of the fish tank which has one huge fish in it, and because of the noodles. I usually eat the meat soup (PH 5 rare beef and well done brisket) and I like when my mommy puts a little bit of the spicy in it and a LOT of the sprouts and a squirt of lime but then I stole all the limes and put them in to my water without anyone noticing until they saw they had no limes for themselves! The people who work here are nice and bring you a empty bowl because there is enough to share with your family. They had high chairs for babies and but we put my sister's car seat on a chair this time. The restaurant is a little bit dirty but it's kind of ok because the food is so good and also, they don't get so mad if you spill some soup or noodles on the floor or that kind of thing. My mommies said that one time when I was little I threw and broke a bowl here and the people weren't even mad because it was an accident. This restaurant is sometimes a little bit noisy so people don't really hear when I forget to be inside quiet sometimes or if baby E cries a bit. I want to go back there more times because the noodle soup is so delicious. I think you should go to this restaurant because the people are so nice and the food is good, and if you eat everything and have good behavior sometimes you can get desert at home after.
(5)
Victoria T.
Going to eat pho was the very first thing I did in Portland. Mostly because the lobster places I wanted to visit wouldn't open until later, but still. There were a few Vietnamese options in the area, but I chose Thanh Thanh 2 in honor of my mom, Thanh-Toan. The interior was larger than I thought, with an interestingly rustic, old-fashioned style. There was a fish tank that seemed devoid of fish, some artificial flowers scattered about, and a large bar area. The bubbly, friendly owner doubled as the server, and she helpfully bounced around the few early customers, engaging them in conversation. I observed her being honest with another customer about the MSG content in the food - "There is a little," she was saying. "We do put a small amount. Any Vietnamese restaurant in this area that tells you they don't, they're lying." The menus were cute. I liked the engraved design, with a metallic girl in a classic ao dai and non la gracing the cover. Inside, the selection was surprisingly large, with the usual options as well as unexpected items like pad Thai. Pho came in three sizes - small ($8.50), medium ($9.50) and large ($10.50). I really wanted to try their spicy Thanh Thanh sate pho, which was only 50 cents more - it seemed more unique, but I did feel obligated to try their original. I ended up ordering a medium pho dac biet. I was ravenous after a red-eye to Washington D.C. and a short flight up to Portland, and I immediately started digging in. The pho was delicious! The broth was densely flavored with cinnamon and beef, exactly what I'd been seeking. The meats were tender, and the noodles had soaked in a lot of flavor. The portion looked small, but was larger than I thought as it filled me up. I was very impressed. The owner checked on me, which I appreciated. The only weird part was when she brought the pho and asked if I needed a fork. Um, I'm okay. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for Vietnamese food. Check out more pho experiences at phoacrossamerica.com
(5)
Christa H.
Awwwww yeah. Now that's what I'm talking about. When it's cold and windy outside, come here to warm up with a giant bowl of Pho. I may have ordered too big of a bowl, but I don't care! I ordered a medium bowl of Pho with beef and it was gigantic, but I was starving. There was also a plate of fresh items to add to the broth including basil, bean sprouts, lime slices and jalapeno. The broth itself was rich and flavorful. I'm pretty sure mine was loaded with ginger because it a slightly sweet aftertaste that I really enjoyed. I ripped up a ton of basil and tossed it in. I'm pretty sure I inhaled most of it until I realized that my eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach and couldn't finish the whole bowl. I really wanted to though. It was just that tasty. We also ordered their dumplings which were some of the best I've had and I consider myself a dumpling expert. They were extra crispy on the outside and stuffed fill of ground pork. The dumpling to filling ratio was pretty spot on. Sometimes I've had them where the dumpling dough is so thick that it's all you taste. Not so in this case. The restaurant doesn't look like much on the outside and the parking lot is pretty small, but don't let that keep you from trying it out. I promise you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Adrian S.
I always have a soft spot for a place that introduced me to a specific dish. Thanh Thanh 2 was my first introduction to Pho, and I don't think I could love anyplace else quite as much as I love it here for that specific reason. I've been a number of times, but this time I came with my friend Chelsea, since she's home after having been in England for a year. I was not disappointed, and I don't know if I'll ever be disappointed. What we shared: - Steamed dumplings (6) - A perfect amount of very flavorful pork filling & perfectly steamed. We downed these pretty quickly, because we're dumpling fanatics. - Fresh spring rolls (2) - They do contain shrimp, so just be aware. But they're definitely fresh! I 100% believe that Thanh Thanh 2 also has the best peanut sauce. Yum yum yum! Chelsea and I even dipped our dumplings in the peanut sauce and loved it. What I Had: - PH5 (rare steak & well-done brisket) - This is my go-to pho. The brisket is always well.... well-done! And the steak is thin and delicious. There have been visits to other Vietnamese restaurants where I'm lucky to get more than 4 pieces of beef, but I always get a generous amount of meat in my pho, and I'm always happy. PLENTY of rice noodles! Also: If you're not really in to rice noodles, I've seen many people order pho with their yellow noodles... but I'm a little bit of a purist, I suppose... so rice noodles it is! The broth is always delicious without being too salty, which is also a problem I've had at other restaurants. Naturally, it comes with the fresh toppings you'd expect: Bean sprouts, jalapeño, Thai basil, and a lime wedge. (: What Chelsea had: - PH6 (Rare steak & tendon) - I did not try Chelsea's dish, but she swears by it & thoroughly enjoyed it. She said the tendon was scrumptious! SO: Go to Thanh Thanh 2. It's great (:
(5)
Charles W.
When pulling up to Thanh Thanh's the only thing I wanted or ever cared to really look at on the menu was the Pho. I was cold. The wind had been cutting into me and I had just seen a good albeit a crazy movie ("Birdman", really go see it). Walking in I noticed that there was no one here. Granted at 4 on a Sunday, Portland really does seem to close down a lot. I tried to flip through my menu all of the pages were stuck together ( semi gross) but found the Pho. All the glorious menu items of rare beef, beef tenderloin, meatballs, and brisket. I ordered the Pho Dac Biet which was amazing. I just ordered the small bowl and it was the perfect size. You are still going to get a ton of food with the small but if you are in need to be gluttonous medium and large are also some options. We also ordered the dumplings. There were panned fried and crispy. The plum sauce a great addition. Highly recommend. The prices have increased slightly but they still provide excellent food. The parking lot is pretty small but you can park down the street that abuts the property as well.
(4)
Dawn T.
I appreciate this Vietnamese restaurant for several reasons. The hostess is very pleasant, eager to offer her best service, and is easy to communicate with. The food is quite acceptable, my favorite is Pho soup. The value is outstanding, and the service is generally very fast, which is always something I appreciate any casual restaurant.
(4)
Steff D.
I have loved every day of my life(style) as a vegetarian. Every now and again, though, culinarily speaking it can be - what's best described as a - bummer. When you hear a place in town as THE BEST PHO EVER you hope against hope that they serve a veg-friendly option (which, understandably, most authentic places don't... I get that). I was a little bummed to find out that Thanh Thanh 2 does not. The lady very kindly explained that they were all - even their "vegetable" options - were made with either beef or chicken stock. Woe is me, I guess. However, my friend ended up getting the beef steak/tendon option (either PH2: Chin Nam Gan or PH3: Chin Nam - I can't remember) and loved it. Hearty, warm soup with just a touch of spice in the broth, tender pieces of meat, a bounty of noodles, and the traditional fixin's on the side. When he asked the waitress which size he should get, she suggested the medium. Either she's been reading other Yelp reviews, or they're one of the most honest restaurants in town (because there was no upselling here). She came right out and told him - small wasn't enough, large wasn't worth it because it was just more broth, and the medium was just right (the Three Bears agree). I ended up getting A2: Goi Cuon Dau Hu (vegetarian fresh spring rolls with tofu, rice vermicelli, and shredded lettuce served with peanut sauce) for $3.50. They - in my humble, non-Vietnamese knowledgeable opinion - were not that great. They just seemed really rubbery and bland. Neither my lunch-mate nor I finished ours. However, the peanut sauce they come with? It does NOT MATTER what you get - ask for a side of this peanut sauce and slather it on positively everything, got me? I also got the DH1: Dau Hu Xao Cao Ro (stir fried tofu with Chinese broccoli) for 7.95. I was hesitant about ordering it, so I asked the lovely waitress if it was meat, chicken, and seafood free. She nodded enthusiastically. "You're sure there's no oyster sauce or anything?" I pressed. A big smile crept across her face, and she reassuringly stuck her hand out as if she was reaching for me, "No meat. No seafood. No oyster sauce. No animal product of any kind. I promise." Man, I love that sort of reassurance. The dish itself was just perfect. I would order it again without hesitation. One serving was big enough for two meals - I always finish a meal that's delicious (even if it hurts to do so), but there was just SO MUCH Chinese broccoli that I couldn't eat another bite long after stuffing myself silly. The tofu had a wonderful, dense texture; the Chinese broccoli seemed fresh and had just enough of a crunch in the stems. Also - our waitress was one of the most personable and humorous servers I've had in the city. She alone is worth coming for! Like everyone else has said: don't let exterior of this building fool you... what lies within (the food, the staff) is totally worth your time!
(4)
Zachary B.
Me and my daughter absolutely LOVE this restaurant! I love Pho, and I've had it all over the country. This place is probably the best i've had. My daughter is obsessed with the chicken fried rice. She begs me to take her there. The lady who works there during the week is amazing. The guy who works there on weekends is horrible, cause he sits there watching tv and ignores customers, but the food is so good, I put up with his horrible service. All in all, the food is amazing, and the service is great 5 days a week!
(5)
Shane L.
With other options around the area for some good and fresh vietnamese cuisine, Tanh Tanh 2 is a place that you need to give a try. This location is located catty-corner to Dominos pizza on Forest Avenue which impedes parking during the times that people are trying to get some dinner and diving into the pizza joint right next door. So, some of the best times to try parking in the small 5-6 spot lot would be around 7pm or so. I have always been a fan of the vietnamese soup called Pho (like I have to tell foodies about this delicacy) and Tanh Tanh definitely delivers in this area with a very wide range of different options in the noodle soup. You can go with options that have all meat products with flank steak or a delicious and spicy vegetarian style Pho. They actually have 14 different styles of Pho which is probably the most that I have seen in any of the local vietnamese restaurants. The service is always great here where they are attentive and are ready and willing to help you and meet your needs making it easier for a first timer coming in to dive into the world of Pho ... which you should also be asking yourself, "Self, why have I never tried this thin noodled soup before?" One of the drawbacks of this establishment is that they are not very nice to look at. The decor is plain and a little dirty with a large sized fish tank in the middle of the dining area that is actually half full with water most of the time. (poor fishies need some room to roam) The restaurant also has a full bar and the price points here are really not all that bad. The appetizers are fresh and tasty but there is not a lot that you can do wrong with some great oriental appetizers. So, if you are looking for a beautiful and picturesque restaurant that delivers in an experience, then Tanh Tanh is not your kind of place but, if you are looking for some really good and fresh food, then stop in and check them out.
(4)
Rob L.
Wonderful food, excellent service, good prices and there were several Vietnamese people eating there. We're very glad the restaurant we were aiming for was closed on Sunday so that could just randomly find Thanh Thanh 2.
(5)
Whanza P.
Love it here!! I got raw beef salad, pho sate with beef balls and calamari appetizer. Everything was delicious. My advice is to try "RAW" beef salad.. it is raw and amazing. you would be surprised when it is served and after first bite, you would go like "WOW" ,"It doesn't taste like raw meat." Also, their beef soup is flavorful and very filling. P.S. don't expect to high about the atmosphere or go there for romantic dinner...it's a place to go there and really enjoy the food.
(5)
Alexander T.
Pretty good overall. The food comes in large quantities and I highly recommend trying the milkshakes (basically high quality slush bubble tea). This place has a nice family feel to it. The service took a while but the overall quality of the food made up for it. I'd personally avoid getting the beef tendon. The prices on their website seem to all be slightly lower than those in the store (prices may be subject to change frequently). Friendly service.
(4)
Tara L.
Big bowls of pho when it's raining and you have a terrible cold make the world a bit better of a place. We were in Portland for basically one day and it rained the whole time and we were all sick with a cold and cough but the pho was excellent and the summer rolls and dumplings were very good.
(4)
Emily D.
Oh Man. Great Place... here is the full review (i'm in a rush sorry): The interior of Than Than could definitely be spiced up a bit. It kind of feels like a big empty conference room w/ small tables all around it.. Maybe a nice rug to tie the room together? Everyone that works there is really nice and willing to hold a conversation with you if you are just hanging out waiting for your food. They've gone back to ask the chef all kinds of questions that I have and are always willing to make suggestions. now.. for the food: So I've been getting the Pho here regularly and think it certainly is one of the best in Portland but that is not what I'm about to rave about now. Beef Chowfoon. MC2 welcome to my life. (I've eaten it about 3 times in the last week. ) Its got a ton of thick wide rice noodles soaking in a brown sauce that is exploding with a beef flavor. Then add beef and fresh sauteed chinese broccoli (Still crispy stems! which meant they weren't just sitting around in a steamer all day). MMM I find all their food to be very full flavored from the Pho broth to the sauce on the beef chowfoon. They've got tons of Pho options to choose from and package it all separately if you are getting take out. (no soggy noodles) yum i dig.
(5)
Tiffany T.
Who knew but looks can be deceiving. The inside of this place is HUGE! Well, larger than I expected. This restaurant is literally in my backyard. It takes me less than 5 minutes to bike here. The location is highly convenient and contributed to why I gave it 4 stars. I haven't tried enough of their menu items to say anymore. Sorry extremely nice lady from Saigon Restaurant, but I think I like the pho here a little better. The broth isn't as sweet as the pho from Saigon restaurant and I'm more of a savory girl anyways. Preferences I guess. They have canh chua here. But the canh chua is expensive! One day I will be lazy enough to try this (not hard to be lazy). What interests me the most about this place is their daily specials. Last time I was here, I saw that they had bun bo hue as a special on Fridays and Saturdays? A little dark and dirty but nothing awful. They'll get to know me well over the next few years =)
(4)
Eliza M.
man, i was hoping to get a first to review on this one, but alas-- sarah has beat me to it! No one EVER goes to a serious vietnamese restaurant for the decor. Let's face it. You go for the PHO! This Pho is fabulous. I love it and used to eat it frequently when I lived in Portland and worked out on forest ave. I'd always get the lime ade, spring rolls, and bowl of pho. So satisfying and a killer hangover cure! They are incredibly nice as well... Parking can be an issue, so know that going into it!
(5)
Jessica S.
I have been going to Thanh Thanh II for many years and sticked with one menu - PH1. It was great value, great tasting pho. HOWEVER, the last two interactions I had with this place was just DISGUSTING and I recommand everyone to EXTREMELY carefully look at what you are getting and inspect it, before you eat it. Or, simply, like me, stop going there. The extra cilantro I ordered had mold ALL over it. And when i contronted the wait staff, they said they are "sorry" but didn't not seemed at all to be that surprised. Another time (before) I ordered extra bean sprouts, it had like dirts and stuff that I am very sure that was not supposed to be there. When I asked for the new plate of bean sprouts, the wait staff walked by, instead of taking it right away, looked at it, EXAMINED it, and made gestures as if he doesn't see anything and that I am over-reacting. (I only went back for after this incident because I truely loved their pho and thought maybe it will be a one time mistake) Like, seriously, this place has cleanliness issue.
(1)
John W.
Nice Vietnamese restaurant in Portland. If you are in the mood for pho, a nice surprise so far up north.
(3)
S. K.
Very mediocre pho.
(3)
Will S.
Their Pho is some of the best I've ever had. Thanh Thanh II is hands down awesome. The Pho is quickly served with nice fresh ingredients on the side (as is customary). What else can I say? I would say as far as the Pho is concerned, you will want to order the ph 6, the ph 7, the ph 11 or the ph 12. I do think that the medium is the best value as you seem to be simply paying for more broth when ordering the large. As far as the rest of the food goes, I recommend the following (if not in a Pho mood): Beef fried rice - stunningly awesome Spring rolls (both veggie and meat are great) - peanut sauce is dreamy Beef yum - cold blooded killa. Their coconut fruit shakes are also tasty and refreshing when the green chiles start biting back. The service is always prompt and friendly. They serve Tiger beer. Can't really offer up more than facts here. It's simple and delicious. Eat here soon if you haven't yet.
(5)
Kat D.
So far best Pho in Portland! Very yummy springs rolls as well. The only negative thing is that they don't give much noodles.
(4)
Dev C.
The Pho was great. I had the PH1 with meatbals, steak, brisket and tendon and it was delicious. The reason it didn't get five stars is the Tiger was a bit pricey for an early meal at $4. Also the pho was a large and it could have had an extra serving of noodles.
(4)
Jax P.
Ok, so this place looks fairly awful, from the tacky mirrors, to dimly lit dining area, and poorly tiled floors. If you can get past that, one of the best meals to be had for under $10 is totally here at Thanh Thanh. The pho is flavorful, service is fairly attentive, and lets face it, good cheap eats are sometimes a rare find. Yes, they give you more beef at Veranda Noodle House, and the ambience is nicer there, but the pho is also about $3-4 more as well - and here? We feel like this is the kind of place we can bring our young child and it's easy to make a quick exit if we have to. Favorite thing? The fried squid appetizer is fantastic. Perfectly fried curly squares of squid that's topped with a spicy pepper "salsa" for lack of a better word, that is totally delicious.
(4)
Jenny N.
The service was really quick, the woman was efficient, and she stopped by frequently to ensure that my food was to my liking. I am Vietnamese and am picky about pho. I expect a flavorful, strong broth with plentiful noodles and meat. I expect the ingredients to taste fresh and the herbs and vegetables that come with it be fresh, as well. Also, I expect my durian smoothies to be rich and creamy with a strong durian flavor. The pho had a strong, flavorful broth that was satisfactory. I ate a good amount of it and was surprised that it had such flavor. However, the noodles and meat weren't plentiful enough for me to think the meal was worth the $6.50 price. My bowl wasn't even completely full. At the same time, I felt my durian smoothie was a bit watery. The flavors of the food I ordered were all very strong and tasty. I did enjoy that, which is why I gave it four stars. However, I wish that they had given us proper portions. All in all, the food was good. The service was great. But the portions were small. If I were able to have larger portions, I probably would have given them five stars.
(4)
sarah s.
I ate here with some friends tonight. The decor is hilarious, and includes an empty 5 foot long fish tank with tropical 80's background. They had been here once before and said it was really crowded, but it was almost empty at 8:15 on Thursday night. Service was good and fast. Some friends got pho. My other vegan friend and I got tofu with broccoli, no fish sauce/no oyster sauce. They were really nice and the woman who was doing the cooking even came out to ask if we wanted it steamed, or if she should use another, non-animal-based sauce (we opted for the latter). It was very good.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Lola N.
Ordered takeout as a hangover cure from here, and it was pretty solid. The fried egg rolls were perfect. I liked the house special fried rice as well, although it had a type of Vietnamese sausage in it I didn't particularly care for, everything else in it was very good. My boyfriend had the spicy chicken noodle soup and said it was very good and adequately spicy - he likes things HOT. The coconut shake was fresh and super delicious with little bubble tea bubbles in it - yum! Word of warning - I'd suggest not ordering the pickled lemonade unless you grew up with it, since it's pretty much the grossest thing I (and three other people who I made try it) have ever tasted. It was so gross it was actually upsetting. But we were curious, and you get what you ask for, huh? They also have soda with egg and condensed milk on the drink menu, but after my pickled lemonade experience I'll stay away from that. Anyway if you're in the area and in the mood for Vietnamese, definitely try this place. Note: I just got a pedicure and asked my Vietnamese pedicurist what her favorite Vietnamese place in Portland is - this was it.
(4)Charley Z.
You've got to keep your eyes open. You're driving down Forest Avenue, and there's a lot to take in - but keep your eyes peeled. Past the Starbucks, past RSVP, past the 16 different banks lined up on either side, past the Dominoes - wait! You've just gone too far! See that tiny, crumbling building, sitting directly next to Dominoes? Yeah, that's where you get the best Pho this side of Back Bay. Don't let the cliche decor or the relatively empty seats fool you - this is a hidden gem, my friend, one that you must savor. Just be wary of the unlabeled bottle hot sauce they keep on the side of every table - it packs quite a bit more punch than it may seem.
(4)Emily G.
GREAT noodle soups, or Pho. And pretty cheap, too--under $8 for a small bowl, which is actually pretty big. It's kind of cheesy on the inside--flat screen TV, big fish tank, lots of mirrors. But the great soup makes up for it. For something out of the ordinary, try a mung bean shake. A little odd, but good. It's right next to the Dominos and the Lie Detector service. Don't miss it!
(4)Rebecca B.
So far the best tasting Pho I've had in the Portland are. The chicken Pho for example had a nice roasted flavor to it as opposed to just boiled strips of chicken served everywhere else. I haven't tried their other dishes but I'm looking forward to it.
(4)Sneaky S.
Update: I've since tried Pho Hanoi in South Portland, and meh, it was okay. Thanh Thanh's still the star.
(5)Lou J.
Best Pho in Portland!! The plated dishes are delicious as well. This is one of my favorite places in Portland for a healthy meal. You can only win at this restaurant!
(5)TJ S.
TAKE-OUT REVIEW ONLY Yeah, take-out review- Classic ridiculous cheap quasi-Asian-American restaurant decor. Don't want to ruin the food with staring at the interior for an hour. BUT, the food is excellent. This place is providing very classic, authentic, well done Vietnamese fare with fresh ingredients. Granted, no surprises here on the menu but everything is done to traditional Vietnamese standards. A little pricey if you misorder your portion sizes, so I'd say always under order or go for not quite the largest portion available.
(4)Jay N.
My new favorite Thai spot.. Have the marinated grilled beef over rice with fish sauce and cucumbers and tomatoes on the side. Solid, hearty food, like you're sitting at the supper table of a welcoming Thai family. The service is wonderfully sweet and attentive and the price is right. You can't go wrong here. It's great Thai, exotic AND comfort food all in one.
(5)Ryan Y.
I've had many bowls of pho in my lifetime, some good, lots bad, and a few great, and I'm happy to report that this place knows how to make a great bowl of noodles. The broth and noodles definitely rank up there with Little Saigon and the San Gabriel Valley in California, which is great since I now live on the East Coast. The broth is so good that I usually drink it all up. I've been here 3-4 times and it's been very consistent. It's not always perfect, but since the best times were so delicious, this place gets a 5! Highly recommend if you want authentic pho.
(5)Troy D.
The Best Around for authentic Vietnamese food. Squid apt is awesome..also the fresh spring rolls and any dish on the menu really cant go wrong.
(5)Marc B.
Some of the best Pho in Portland
(4)G-Ray P.
I loved loved loved this restaurant. This is my favorite noodle soup restaurant in my whole world. This restaurant gets five stars because of the fish tank which has one huge fish in it, and because of the noodles. I usually eat the meat soup (PH 5 rare beef and well done brisket) and I like when my mommy puts a little bit of the spicy in it and a LOT of the sprouts and a squirt of lime but then I stole all the limes and put them in to my water without anyone noticing until they saw they had no limes for themselves! The people who work here are nice and bring you a empty bowl because there is enough to share with your family. They had high chairs for babies and but we put my sister's car seat on a chair this time. The restaurant is a little bit dirty but it's kind of ok because the food is so good and also, they don't get so mad if you spill some soup or noodles on the floor or that kind of thing. My mommies said that one time when I was little I threw and broke a bowl here and the people weren't even mad because it was an accident. This restaurant is sometimes a little bit noisy so people don't really hear when I forget to be inside quiet sometimes or if baby E cries a bit. I want to go back there more times because the noodle soup is so delicious. I think you should go to this restaurant because the people are so nice and the food is good, and if you eat everything and have good behavior sometimes you can get desert at home after.
(5)Victoria T.
Going to eat pho was the very first thing I did in Portland. Mostly because the lobster places I wanted to visit wouldn't open until later, but still. There were a few Vietnamese options in the area, but I chose Thanh Thanh 2 in honor of my mom, Thanh-Toan. The interior was larger than I thought, with an interestingly rustic, old-fashioned style. There was a fish tank that seemed devoid of fish, some artificial flowers scattered about, and a large bar area. The bubbly, friendly owner doubled as the server, and she helpfully bounced around the few early customers, engaging them in conversation. I observed her being honest with another customer about the MSG content in the food - "There is a little," she was saying. "We do put a small amount. Any Vietnamese restaurant in this area that tells you they don't, they're lying." The menus were cute. I liked the engraved design, with a metallic girl in a classic ao dai and non la gracing the cover. Inside, the selection was surprisingly large, with the usual options as well as unexpected items like pad Thai. Pho came in three sizes - small ($8.50), medium ($9.50) and large ($10.50). I really wanted to try their spicy Thanh Thanh sate pho, which was only 50 cents more - it seemed more unique, but I did feel obligated to try their original. I ended up ordering a medium pho dac biet. I was ravenous after a red-eye to Washington D.C. and a short flight up to Portland, and I immediately started digging in. The pho was delicious! The broth was densely flavored with cinnamon and beef, exactly what I'd been seeking. The meats were tender, and the noodles had soaked in a lot of flavor. The portion looked small, but was larger than I thought as it filled me up. I was very impressed. The owner checked on me, which I appreciated. The only weird part was when she brought the pho and asked if I needed a fork. Um, I'm okay. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for Vietnamese food. Check out more pho experiences at phoacrossamerica.com
(5)Christa H.
Awwwww yeah. Now that's what I'm talking about. When it's cold and windy outside, come here to warm up with a giant bowl of Pho. I may have ordered too big of a bowl, but I don't care! I ordered a medium bowl of Pho with beef and it was gigantic, but I was starving. There was also a plate of fresh items to add to the broth including basil, bean sprouts, lime slices and jalapeno. The broth itself was rich and flavorful. I'm pretty sure mine was loaded with ginger because it a slightly sweet aftertaste that I really enjoyed. I ripped up a ton of basil and tossed it in. I'm pretty sure I inhaled most of it until I realized that my eyes were definitely bigger than my stomach and couldn't finish the whole bowl. I really wanted to though. It was just that tasty. We also ordered their dumplings which were some of the best I've had and I consider myself a dumpling expert. They were extra crispy on the outside and stuffed fill of ground pork. The dumpling to filling ratio was pretty spot on. Sometimes I've had them where the dumpling dough is so thick that it's all you taste. Not so in this case. The restaurant doesn't look like much on the outside and the parking lot is pretty small, but don't let that keep you from trying it out. I promise you won't be disappointed.
(4)Adrian S.
I always have a soft spot for a place that introduced me to a specific dish. Thanh Thanh 2 was my first introduction to Pho, and I don't think I could love anyplace else quite as much as I love it here for that specific reason. I've been a number of times, but this time I came with my friend Chelsea, since she's home after having been in England for a year. I was not disappointed, and I don't know if I'll ever be disappointed. What we shared: - Steamed dumplings (6) - A perfect amount of very flavorful pork filling & perfectly steamed. We downed these pretty quickly, because we're dumpling fanatics. - Fresh spring rolls (2) - They do contain shrimp, so just be aware. But they're definitely fresh! I 100% believe that Thanh Thanh 2 also has the best peanut sauce. Yum yum yum! Chelsea and I even dipped our dumplings in the peanut sauce and loved it. What I Had: - PH5 (rare steak & well-done brisket) - This is my go-to pho. The brisket is always well.... well-done! And the steak is thin and delicious. There have been visits to other Vietnamese restaurants where I'm lucky to get more than 4 pieces of beef, but I always get a generous amount of meat in my pho, and I'm always happy. PLENTY of rice noodles! Also: If you're not really in to rice noodles, I've seen many people order pho with their yellow noodles... but I'm a little bit of a purist, I suppose... so rice noodles it is! The broth is always delicious without being too salty, which is also a problem I've had at other restaurants. Naturally, it comes with the fresh toppings you'd expect: Bean sprouts, jalapeño, Thai basil, and a lime wedge. (: What Chelsea had: - PH6 (Rare steak & tendon) - I did not try Chelsea's dish, but she swears by it & thoroughly enjoyed it. She said the tendon was scrumptious! SO: Go to Thanh Thanh 2. It's great (:
(5)Charles W.
When pulling up to Thanh Thanh's the only thing I wanted or ever cared to really look at on the menu was the Pho. I was cold. The wind had been cutting into me and I had just seen a good albeit a crazy movie ("Birdman", really go see it). Walking in I noticed that there was no one here. Granted at 4 on a Sunday, Portland really does seem to close down a lot. I tried to flip through my menu all of the pages were stuck together ( semi gross) but found the Pho. All the glorious menu items of rare beef, beef tenderloin, meatballs, and brisket. I ordered the Pho Dac Biet which was amazing. I just ordered the small bowl and it was the perfect size. You are still going to get a ton of food with the small but if you are in need to be gluttonous medium and large are also some options. We also ordered the dumplings. There were panned fried and crispy. The plum sauce a great addition. Highly recommend. The prices have increased slightly but they still provide excellent food. The parking lot is pretty small but you can park down the street that abuts the property as well.
(4)Dawn T.
I appreciate this Vietnamese restaurant for several reasons. The hostess is very pleasant, eager to offer her best service, and is easy to communicate with. The food is quite acceptable, my favorite is Pho soup. The value is outstanding, and the service is generally very fast, which is always something I appreciate any casual restaurant.
(4)Steff D.
I have loved every day of my life(style) as a vegetarian. Every now and again, though, culinarily speaking it can be - what's best described as a - bummer. When you hear a place in town as THE BEST PHO EVER you hope against hope that they serve a veg-friendly option (which, understandably, most authentic places don't... I get that). I was a little bummed to find out that Thanh Thanh 2 does not. The lady very kindly explained that they were all - even their "vegetable" options - were made with either beef or chicken stock. Woe is me, I guess. However, my friend ended up getting the beef steak/tendon option (either PH2: Chin Nam Gan or PH3: Chin Nam - I can't remember) and loved it. Hearty, warm soup with just a touch of spice in the broth, tender pieces of meat, a bounty of noodles, and the traditional fixin's on the side. When he asked the waitress which size he should get, she suggested the medium. Either she's been reading other Yelp reviews, or they're one of the most honest restaurants in town (because there was no upselling here). She came right out and told him - small wasn't enough, large wasn't worth it because it was just more broth, and the medium was just right (the Three Bears agree). I ended up getting A2: Goi Cuon Dau Hu (vegetarian fresh spring rolls with tofu, rice vermicelli, and shredded lettuce served with peanut sauce) for $3.50. They - in my humble, non-Vietnamese knowledgeable opinion - were not that great. They just seemed really rubbery and bland. Neither my lunch-mate nor I finished ours. However, the peanut sauce they come with? It does NOT MATTER what you get - ask for a side of this peanut sauce and slather it on positively everything, got me? I also got the DH1: Dau Hu Xao Cao Ro (stir fried tofu with Chinese broccoli) for 7.95. I was hesitant about ordering it, so I asked the lovely waitress if it was meat, chicken, and seafood free. She nodded enthusiastically. "You're sure there's no oyster sauce or anything?" I pressed. A big smile crept across her face, and she reassuringly stuck her hand out as if she was reaching for me, "No meat. No seafood. No oyster sauce. No animal product of any kind. I promise." Man, I love that sort of reassurance. The dish itself was just perfect. I would order it again without hesitation. One serving was big enough for two meals - I always finish a meal that's delicious (even if it hurts to do so), but there was just SO MUCH Chinese broccoli that I couldn't eat another bite long after stuffing myself silly. The tofu had a wonderful, dense texture; the Chinese broccoli seemed fresh and had just enough of a crunch in the stems. Also - our waitress was one of the most personable and humorous servers I've had in the city. She alone is worth coming for! Like everyone else has said: don't let exterior of this building fool you... what lies within (the food, the staff) is totally worth your time!
(4)Zachary B.
Me and my daughter absolutely LOVE this restaurant! I love Pho, and I've had it all over the country. This place is probably the best i've had. My daughter is obsessed with the chicken fried rice. She begs me to take her there. The lady who works there during the week is amazing. The guy who works there on weekends is horrible, cause he sits there watching tv and ignores customers, but the food is so good, I put up with his horrible service. All in all, the food is amazing, and the service is great 5 days a week!
(5)Shane L.
With other options around the area for some good and fresh vietnamese cuisine, Tanh Tanh 2 is a place that you need to give a try. This location is located catty-corner to Dominos pizza on Forest Avenue which impedes parking during the times that people are trying to get some dinner and diving into the pizza joint right next door. So, some of the best times to try parking in the small 5-6 spot lot would be around 7pm or so. I have always been a fan of the vietnamese soup called Pho (like I have to tell foodies about this delicacy) and Tanh Tanh definitely delivers in this area with a very wide range of different options in the noodle soup. You can go with options that have all meat products with flank steak or a delicious and spicy vegetarian style Pho. They actually have 14 different styles of Pho which is probably the most that I have seen in any of the local vietnamese restaurants. The service is always great here where they are attentive and are ready and willing to help you and meet your needs making it easier for a first timer coming in to dive into the world of Pho ... which you should also be asking yourself, "Self, why have I never tried this thin noodled soup before?" One of the drawbacks of this establishment is that they are not very nice to look at. The decor is plain and a little dirty with a large sized fish tank in the middle of the dining area that is actually half full with water most of the time. (poor fishies need some room to roam) The restaurant also has a full bar and the price points here are really not all that bad. The appetizers are fresh and tasty but there is not a lot that you can do wrong with some great oriental appetizers. So, if you are looking for a beautiful and picturesque restaurant that delivers in an experience, then Tanh Tanh is not your kind of place but, if you are looking for some really good and fresh food, then stop in and check them out.
(4)Rob L.
Wonderful food, excellent service, good prices and there were several Vietnamese people eating there. We're very glad the restaurant we were aiming for was closed on Sunday so that could just randomly find Thanh Thanh 2.
(5)Whanza P.
Love it here!! I got raw beef salad, pho sate with beef balls and calamari appetizer. Everything was delicious. My advice is to try "RAW" beef salad.. it is raw and amazing. you would be surprised when it is served and after first bite, you would go like "WOW" ,"It doesn't taste like raw meat." Also, their beef soup is flavorful and very filling. P.S. don't expect to high about the atmosphere or go there for romantic dinner...it's a place to go there and really enjoy the food.
(5)Alexander T.
Pretty good overall. The food comes in large quantities and I highly recommend trying the milkshakes (basically high quality slush bubble tea). This place has a nice family feel to it. The service took a while but the overall quality of the food made up for it. I'd personally avoid getting the beef tendon. The prices on their website seem to all be slightly lower than those in the store (prices may be subject to change frequently). Friendly service.
(4)Tara L.
Big bowls of pho when it's raining and you have a terrible cold make the world a bit better of a place. We were in Portland for basically one day and it rained the whole time and we were all sick with a cold and cough but the pho was excellent and the summer rolls and dumplings were very good.
(4)Emily D.
Oh Man. Great Place... here is the full review (i'm in a rush sorry): The interior of Than Than could definitely be spiced up a bit. It kind of feels like a big empty conference room w/ small tables all around it.. Maybe a nice rug to tie the room together? Everyone that works there is really nice and willing to hold a conversation with you if you are just hanging out waiting for your food. They've gone back to ask the chef all kinds of questions that I have and are always willing to make suggestions. now.. for the food: So I've been getting the Pho here regularly and think it certainly is one of the best in Portland but that is not what I'm about to rave about now. Beef Chowfoon. MC2 welcome to my life. (I've eaten it about 3 times in the last week. ) Its got a ton of thick wide rice noodles soaking in a brown sauce that is exploding with a beef flavor. Then add beef and fresh sauteed chinese broccoli (Still crispy stems! which meant they weren't just sitting around in a steamer all day). MMM I find all their food to be very full flavored from the Pho broth to the sauce on the beef chowfoon. They've got tons of Pho options to choose from and package it all separately if you are getting take out. (no soggy noodles) yum i dig.
(5)Tiffany T.
Who knew but looks can be deceiving. The inside of this place is HUGE! Well, larger than I expected. This restaurant is literally in my backyard. It takes me less than 5 minutes to bike here. The location is highly convenient and contributed to why I gave it 4 stars. I haven't tried enough of their menu items to say anymore. Sorry extremely nice lady from Saigon Restaurant, but I think I like the pho here a little better. The broth isn't as sweet as the pho from Saigon restaurant and I'm more of a savory girl anyways. Preferences I guess. They have canh chua here. But the canh chua is expensive! One day I will be lazy enough to try this (not hard to be lazy). What interests me the most about this place is their daily specials. Last time I was here, I saw that they had bun bo hue as a special on Fridays and Saturdays? A little dark and dirty but nothing awful. They'll get to know me well over the next few years =)
(4)Eliza M.
man, i was hoping to get a first to review on this one, but alas-- sarah has beat me to it! No one EVER goes to a serious vietnamese restaurant for the decor. Let's face it. You go for the PHO! This Pho is fabulous. I love it and used to eat it frequently when I lived in Portland and worked out on forest ave. I'd always get the lime ade, spring rolls, and bowl of pho. So satisfying and a killer hangover cure! They are incredibly nice as well... Parking can be an issue, so know that going into it!
(5)Jessica S.
I have been going to Thanh Thanh II for many years and sticked with one menu - PH1. It was great value, great tasting pho. HOWEVER, the last two interactions I had with this place was just DISGUSTING and I recommand everyone to EXTREMELY carefully look at what you are getting and inspect it, before you eat it. Or, simply, like me, stop going there. The extra cilantro I ordered had mold ALL over it. And when i contronted the wait staff, they said they are "sorry" but didn't not seemed at all to be that surprised. Another time (before) I ordered extra bean sprouts, it had like dirts and stuff that I am very sure that was not supposed to be there. When I asked for the new plate of bean sprouts, the wait staff walked by, instead of taking it right away, looked at it, EXAMINED it, and made gestures as if he doesn't see anything and that I am over-reacting. (I only went back for after this incident because I truely loved their pho and thought maybe it will be a one time mistake) Like, seriously, this place has cleanliness issue.
(1)John W.
Nice Vietnamese restaurant in Portland. If you are in the mood for pho, a nice surprise so far up north.
(3)S. K.
Very mediocre pho.
(3)Will S.
Their Pho is some of the best I've ever had. Thanh Thanh II is hands down awesome. The Pho is quickly served with nice fresh ingredients on the side (as is customary). What else can I say? I would say as far as the Pho is concerned, you will want to order the ph 6, the ph 7, the ph 11 or the ph 12. I do think that the medium is the best value as you seem to be simply paying for more broth when ordering the large. As far as the rest of the food goes, I recommend the following (if not in a Pho mood): Beef fried rice - stunningly awesome Spring rolls (both veggie and meat are great) - peanut sauce is dreamy Beef yum - cold blooded killa. Their coconut fruit shakes are also tasty and refreshing when the green chiles start biting back. The service is always prompt and friendly. They serve Tiger beer. Can't really offer up more than facts here. It's simple and delicious. Eat here soon if you haven't yet.
(5)Kat D.
So far best Pho in Portland! Very yummy springs rolls as well. The only negative thing is that they don't give much noodles.
(4)Dev C.
The Pho was great. I had the PH1 with meatbals, steak, brisket and tendon and it was delicious. The reason it didn't get five stars is the Tiger was a bit pricey for an early meal at $4. Also the pho was a large and it could have had an extra serving of noodles.
(4)Jax P.
Ok, so this place looks fairly awful, from the tacky mirrors, to dimly lit dining area, and poorly tiled floors. If you can get past that, one of the best meals to be had for under $10 is totally here at Thanh Thanh. The pho is flavorful, service is fairly attentive, and lets face it, good cheap eats are sometimes a rare find. Yes, they give you more beef at Veranda Noodle House, and the ambience is nicer there, but the pho is also about $3-4 more as well - and here? We feel like this is the kind of place we can bring our young child and it's easy to make a quick exit if we have to. Favorite thing? The fried squid appetizer is fantastic. Perfectly fried curly squares of squid that's topped with a spicy pepper "salsa" for lack of a better word, that is totally delicious.
(4)Jenny N.
The service was really quick, the woman was efficient, and she stopped by frequently to ensure that my food was to my liking. I am Vietnamese and am picky about pho. I expect a flavorful, strong broth with plentiful noodles and meat. I expect the ingredients to taste fresh and the herbs and vegetables that come with it be fresh, as well. Also, I expect my durian smoothies to be rich and creamy with a strong durian flavor. The pho had a strong, flavorful broth that was satisfactory. I ate a good amount of it and was surprised that it had such flavor. However, the noodles and meat weren't plentiful enough for me to think the meal was worth the $6.50 price. My bowl wasn't even completely full. At the same time, I felt my durian smoothie was a bit watery. The flavors of the food I ordered were all very strong and tasty. I did enjoy that, which is why I gave it four stars. However, I wish that they had given us proper portions. All in all, the food was good. The service was great. But the portions were small. If I were able to have larger portions, I probably would have given them five stars.
(4)sarah s.
I ate here with some friends tonight. The decor is hilarious, and includes an empty 5 foot long fish tank with tropical 80's background. They had been here once before and said it was really crowded, but it was almost empty at 8:15 on Thursday night. Service was good and fast. Some friends got pho. My other vegan friend and I got tofu with broccoli, no fish sauce/no oyster sauce. They were really nice and the woman who was doing the cooking even came out to ask if we wanted it steamed, or if she should use another, non-animal-based sauce (we opted for the latter). It was very good.
(4)