I drive 70 miles for Pho Viet. We're a family of 5 Vietnamese & been here 2 weeks in a row. Excellent pho - broth very good; missing some fresh herbs because it's Columbia & not Atlanta. I've eaten pho at most major cities with a Vietnamese community, and I can tell you the pho at Pho Viet is very good - better than most because of the broth & everything else is decent (meat, noodle). We ordered other dishes as well, they were OK - not bad. Try the Bun Bo Hue - spicy beef noodle soup; very spicy & authentic flavoring; again missing some ingredients - such as the blood cake (huyet). The servers are very friendly & nice; lady gave us some shopping coupons because we were heading for the mall afterward. I'm a regular customer now.
(5)
P K.
on the road for a 13 hour trip with 4 kids, used yelp & google maps to find this great restaurant. i'm no expert on vietnamese food but this is very tasty . so much so that my 10 year old daughter said "i'm stuffed but i can't stop eating !" very kid friendly. thanks yelpers!
(5)
Bechego E.
So, I came in expecting a great meal based on the reviews. While the BBQ beef was very good (texture and taste), the Pho (#15) was just okay. What it lacked was mostly the texture. For some reason they used thin rice noodles and they cut them up to small pieces. Also, the Hoisin sauce was not as potent as I expected. The Pho I had in Greenville, SC ("Saigon Fast Food") was better. Also, there is also only one dessert option. They do not offer juice drinks (no lychee, which I love) although they do offer many smoothies. I may not come back.
(3)
Rob D.
Excellent Pho and Vietnamese shrimp rolls. Service is friendly. Great value for what you receive.
(4)
John B.
Great food. Really surprized by the soup and how good it was. The staff was very attentive. Great meal at a very affordable price.
(4)
Andrew C.
Easily one of the best resturants in town. It is in the Decker Blvd. Asian section.
(5)
Krupali P.
I just recently moved from San Francisco to Columbia and have been craving decent Pho...Pho Viet lived up to my standards. Food was fresh and tasted very authentic. They come close to tasting like the Vietnamese food I am used to getting back home. Service and ambiance are also pretty decent. Definitely going back for more...
(4)
Tania S.
Very good Pho and the Salt and Pepper shrimp was the best I have had. They have good bubble tea and very friendly. Highly recommended.
(5)
Cathy L.
The food is great!! Luv their spring roll (#1) and beef stew noodle soup (#50)......Not expensive at all.
(4)
Courtney H.
Good service, great iced coffee, reasonable, dishes were all tasty! Pho had great flavor, soft noodles with fresh veggies and squid had just the right amount of spice. We will definitely visit again when we return to the area.
(4)
Monique G.
The food was decent, but what I really enjoyed was the coconut jelly pearl smoothie. The smoothie alone was enough to make me consider visiting again!!!
(3)
Sotith S.
This place I went a couple of days ago and was really good which was surprising because the parking lot was almost empty. So I ordered the pho special with side of rare steak. Yum yum. The pho tasted good and I was happy to find it in an area like that where ribs and bbq were the norm. Very impressed. Well be going there again tonight!
(4)
Farid A.
Great pho. Got salt and pepper shrimp as well which was very good very fresh shrimp. Picture had shrimp heads but I didn't get the heads. Disappointing. Seafood pho was fantastic so was beef. Also got shrimp spring rolls. Very nice I liked how they wrapped the whole shrimp with tail sticking out. They should clean the shrimp veins so they were clean. Worst part were bubble drinks which I love. Pearls were not sweet and just had a starchy taste. Drinks itself had too much ice so it was not smoothie consistency but more like a shaved ice with milk Definitely will go back I can't stop thinking of the shrimp. Also eating a lot of pho in Atlanta on beuford highway you get used to the broke down building look they always have. Let the food speak for the restaurant
(4)
Rick T.
Pretty decent pho on my side of town, great on a cold day. I really like that they serve curried goat and frog legs prepared many different ways. The location could use a little work on the inside and a lot of work on the outside. Cut the grass, do some landscaping and maybe put out a outdoor picnic table for the lunch crowd when it's not to hot. Otherwise I would give this location a sold for stars. I heard the location downtown In Five points is a bit better, I will have to try it out soon. Open seven days a week now!
(3)
Ryan T.
This has been one of my favorite places to eat since 2010. Their crispy rolls are great and the #60 with the lettuce, sprouts, noodles, bbq pork and shrimp, is my most ordered dish. I also highly recommend the #18 beef soup and the salt and pepper squid. I don't think I've ever had anything here that wasn't good.
(5)
Alice W.
My first time here & my boyfriend's first time having pho. We both LOVED ours. He got the beef noodle stew & I got regular rare steak pho & it was perfect. The best pho broth I've ever had. Added some sriracha to make it extra spicy & ate the entire bowl. Definitely will be returning.
(5)
Anna D.
This place has good pho. Since moving here I frequented this place a few times before discovering the other Pho Viet in 5 points. I like them both but prefer the other one a little better. This location has less flavor in the broth in my opinion but it doesn't mean it's flavorless. It still tastes darn good. The size of the portions here as a little small so I get the large size. The rolls (both spring and summer) are small as well but it's still filling. The one thing that i do appreciate here is that there is ample parking. There's nothing worse than looking for parking when you're hungry or having to find coins for a metered spot and not having any. Thank god for free and plentiful lots!
(4)
Quan D.
Quick Summary: Ft Jackson/Columbia SC isn't a place I'd expect to find a viet restaurant. This locale did not disappoint and satisfied my cravings well. After a couple of weeks being stuck on base eating DFAC food... I had to get out and get something 'ethnic' (not sure viet counts as ethic for me). This spot isn't too far from the base and seemed to come with a good reputation; which they lived up to. The bowl of pho was nicely flavored and of a decent size. And the cafe sua da was delicious. Tried ordering in viet here... that didn't work... but you can't blame the girl she was very young... and hell I barely speak the language except to order food. If you happen to find yourself in this corner of the South Atlantic craving some viet, this a good spot to ease those hunger pangs.
(3)
Roh H.
For the state this pho restaurant is mediocre. The Pho is overpriced with small portions. Coming from California this place is okay for the area it's in. The Boba drinks are not made fresh and taste bland.
(3)
Bob B.
While heading back home from a road trip Betty and I stopped off here for a late night bite to try and steer clear of your usual Interstate pit stops. We were pleasantly surprised with the offerings. I got the BBQ pork and shrimp Rice Vermicelli, Served with fresh lettuce, radish, bean sprouts, topped with crushed peanuts. Betty got the spicy hue's style noodle soup with slices of beef & pork belly. Both were hearty dishes and nicely priced at $8.50 a piece. There was plenty of meat in both and were very filling for a dinner. I would definitely hit this place up if it were in my 'hood.
(4)
Terry N.
The food is the best thing. The owners are very polite and nice, sometimes they have more business than they can handle, but that can be good and bad. If you want authenic Vietnamese, this is the place to go!
(4)
Michael Y.
I've heard great things about this place, so I brought my workers here for lunch. The service was great, food was excellent, great portion sizes, and great prices. I tried the #82 chicken and vegetable stir fry and it was excellent. My crew loved their food too. I will definitely be coming back soon.
(5)
Joanne M.
I've always been to the Pho Viet in 5 Points, but was told that I should give this one at Decker a try...so I did. I ordered the same things I normally order at the other place...vietnamese rice paper spring rolls and beef ball/tripe pho...most of the food was average and slightly blander than the restaurant at 5 Points (the rice noodles in the spring roll were not soft enough, and the pho soup base did not have as much flavor as I am used to). I also order a Thai tea bubble tea, which was really sweet and creamy, exactly as Thai tea should be. Overall, I prefer the Pho Viet at 5 Points better than this one.
(2)
John B.
Driving through Columbia on business last June, I thought I'd give this place a try for lunch. WIN! Their pho broth is the real deal. True unami flavor. I could taste the roasted beef bones, not much (if any) sugar, and no MSG. A bit skimpy on the spices. And no basil, sadly. But I was so pleased with it that I came back for supper on my way home! Be prepared for underwhelming ambiance, and don't come here if you're picky about bathrooms. But if you're needing a fix of good pho, you'll find it here. As I paid my bill, the very earnest fellow behind the register explained that they grow their own basil, and had just run out the prior weekend. "It's too hard to grow basil in summer" he said on June 3rd. Damn climate change!!!
(4)
Paola G.
Well, this place was a major disappointment. You see, I'm from TX; where food is pretty darn delicious, which possibly makes me extra picky. My husband and I are huge foodies, so we came on here and read reviews about this place. Most people seemed to love it, so I was def pumped to get my Vietnamese fix. So I order my go-to chicken pho and my husband gets the chicken/shrimp vermicelli. I get my order and the first thing I noticed were the noodles. They were different from all others I've had, and not good. My husband vermicelli was okay, not good nor great, just... meh. I didn't finish my food, I actually barely ate any of it. I literally felt sick afterward. I didn't try the boba but maybe I'll go back and try it, but it's highly doubtful.
(1)
Brittany W.
this place was great! i got the soup and my husband got lemongrass chicken and it was delicious. the fresh spring rolls were huge and very fresh tasting. and the price for our meal and the amount of food we got was very reasonable. ill go back again soon
(5)
Craig B.
I told my self that I would not come back due to unclean; but I was craving pho so bad. Last time I was there was 07/17/2013. Almost a year!!!! I decided to try it again. To my surprise, they fixed and cleaned the men's restroom. All of the sarichi bottles were wiped clean. The papers on the door were taken down.I notice new staff and they were all smiles and very polite. I ordered by standard and noodles were cooked perfectly. Beef was tender, and the broth had great depth of flavors. If they keep up the good work, Ill be back. Keep up with the cleaning. It will pay off in the long run.
(4)
Suman K.
Check out the Asian beer collection... Personal fav is SAPPORO. Taro bubble tea is amazing.
(4)
Dawna Q.
This restaurant's Pho Ga is now my go to for chicken noodle soup. I have enjoyed so many dishes at this restaurant. Yes, true, the service is very low key. I don't mind it for the price. It's very casual and I never wait for my food. I pay my check by going up to the counter. It's easier. My mother is addicted to the shaking beef and I've found a love of soup I never had before. If you want a lot of delicious food, in a very casual environment, for a very reasonable price, you should give Pho Viet a try. Or maybe not,because you too may have a craving for pho. (BTW mine always has basil, lime, sprouts, and extra jalapenos).
(4)
Erica J.
First time having Vietnamese food and I enjoyed it. Had spring rolls which were okay but my actual meal I can't remember what it's called was good. Only thing is I needed a fork towards the end of my meal. The water tastes funny. I would go back and try Vietnamese food again.
(3)
Jane S.
Im from california and pho is a must, this pho is good but not as good as California but definitely way better than the pho in south korea.!!! Must try the pho tai and the crispy rolls i have tried about everything on there menu.
(4)
Virasith S.
love this place feels like im in the motherland , the pho is on point and the kitchen food is pretty good as well
(4)
Leonor C.
At first, the location looked empty or abandoned from outside but maybe it was the time because lot of people arrived after us. The Thai smoothie and avocado smoothie are delicious. The spicy soup is awesome. The yellow noodles are really good. Service is very nice.
(5)
Mel K.
Coming from California looking for a pho spot and my good friend brought me here. This place is amazing. Their broth had so much flavor and everything. I almost ate all of it. Every time I come this will be a spot I for sure have to stop at. Great customer service as well.
(5)
Bill H.
1st time here. I had lemon beef and kids had pho beef. Service was good. Beer selection is ok. Timeliness of good was good. Food was good. Seemed fresh. Would recommend and go again.
(3)
Christine M.
I come here because sometimes I just dont feel like making my own pho for hours. The pho has became very bland.. picture pho with no star anise, cinnamon, and coriander seeds, they never have any mint or basil, the lime is almost always a joke. They constantly, mess up my order in many different ways. After 2 years of coming here I think I'm done.
(2)
T E.
Second time eating at Pho Viet and I got the frog legs sauteed with lemongrass and chili, fried rice, and shrimp spring rolls. The spring rolls were very crunchy and had alot of flavor. The sauce that accompanied the spring rolls was also very flavorful. The frog legs were really good and the sauce it was cooked in was great. Nothing was greasy and everything tasted fresh. I will definitely be eating there again.
(4)
Dee A.
When I was young I can remember waking up and smelling anise, cinnamon and beef simmering on the stovetop. My mom's Vietnamese. She's an amazing cook. My grandma opened the first Vietnamese restaurant in Cleveland. I eat pho when I'm sad. I eat it when I'm sick. I eat it when I'm happy. I have eaten it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The pho here isn't bad at all. I like the broth (my favorite part). I wish they would give basil to put in it. I usually get the rare beef on the side so I can add it myself. The portions are big for what you pay. I like the Vietnamese coffee too although they only offer an iced option. I also like the spring rolls. They're small and tasty. I'm not a big fan of the pork vermicelli. Last time I ordered it the pork was very fatty and it was like one big huge piece meat and hard to cut up. The fried rice is horrible. It's this strange yellow color and contains frozen carrots and peas. The vegetables and meat taste old. I've had it a few times at both locations somehow thinking it will be different than last time and it never is. I would give anything, pay anything for a banh mi sandwich and some fried rice with chinese sausage and egg. This is probably the only Vietnamese restaurant I've been to that doesn't sell banh mi sandwiches. Overall, this place satisfies my pho cravings and is close to my house. The people working here are incredibly friendly and I will keep coming back.
(3)
Tony M.
Not bad - average. The bun is kinda plain - I went there twice. The 2nd time confirmed the so-so ness.
(3)
Huntting B.
My first time here was great. It was last year, the food was good; the service decent; but this place is pretty bad now. The ice coffee is made early in the day and then sits there waiting for someone to order it. It tasted awful, like really awful, the worst I have ever had...ever. They said they used condensed milk, it tasted like regular milk even. The server knew nothing about the menu. It isn't uncommon to have to order by number, but when ordered in Vietnamese and the most common of all dishes, Pho Tai, they should understand. The soup, is good, I can't fault it at all. The Bun we ordered, we wanted grilled pork, the woman's told us the "grilled pork with rolls" and the "grilled pork patties" was the same meat. She lied...the grilled pork patties is grilled ham, not grilled pork. It was pretty awful if you were expecting the other one. The fried rolls, while plentiful, were too small to taste good. The fresh rolls were just bleh, not really bad, but really not great either. So...if you come here order only the pho, nothing else.
(1)
Jodie J.
Noodles are great! Good place for lunch but if you are in a hurry to head back to work, the place may not be right for you. It will take a while to get you order.
(4)
Jennifer R.
Excellent! It has been chilly these last few day, so pho really hit the spot. Don't be fooled by the exterior - it's very nice and cozy inside. Friendly staff and yummy food... What else can a girl ask for?
(5)
Ed D.
Seems to be going downhill. Pho broth is good but no more basil and few side veggies, one wedge of lime. "Beef ball" in the #19 pho: cut up hot dogs. Not good.
(2)
Uniquely M.
I have eaten at the one on Decker a few times and have a different dishes each time. The food has always been fresh, tasty and comes out in a reasonable amount of time. The pho is great and so is #60. The spring rolls are great. I've had two different types. They make these tapioca bubble smoothies with green tea that are to die for. I've had the avocadi smoothie that I was skeptical about, but it was really good. It had just the right amount of sweetness, and it was thick and creamy. Definitely worth a try. The atmosphere is very quiet. All the times I've been, there have been only a few people in there eating. Service is friendly. The menu prices are quite reasonable and portions are large. I'd recommend it.
(5)
Danita R.
My sister and I just slurped up a storm in our hotel room having devoured #12 (Pho Chin) and #10 (Tai Chin Nam Gau Gan Sach). We're in town from Philly and Huntsville respectively, and what a delight to have discovered this gem on Decker Blvd. It was my sister's first foray into the pho combo, and, judging from her empty bowl, she appears to have enjoyed the mix of textures and flavors. Me, I'm a bit averse to multiple beef textures in one bowl, so I handled my well-done beef brisket accordingly. The menu offers a lot of options, definitely go hungry. Tasty, flavorful beef broth; plenty of cilantro, jalapenos, scallions and basil; very generous portions--I so appreciate not having to ask for extra anything! Placed our order to go. The server was a bit distracted over the phone due to the business of the place, but when I arrived they greeted me warmly and promptly. We've added it to our list of good eats in our home state, so if you're in town, dust off your chop sticks and get your slurp on :)
(4)
Stephanie R.
We stopped by this place in hopes to get a Vietnamese meal we are used to in Tampa. Unfortunately it didn't meet our expectations. I got #70 - the rice was old and partially burnt, the order came out minus the shrimp at first which they then put 3 on there, the BBQ pork was a little dry. My husband got the pho and it was a decent, he would have given 3 stars. The shrimp spring rolls were tasty though. Overall I wouldn't go out of my way to return but it satisfied our hunger.
(2)
Michelle T.
Amazing!!!!!! If you like strong coffee try the Vietnamese iced coffee. It's addicting. We had # 60 and the salmon stir fry #79 I believe. Plenty of food. Super hot and everything was fresh. Must try again when on town.
(5)
Jennifer N.
It's not beyond amazing but it's not terrible either. I like eating the pho, bun bo hue, and the rice noodle dishes. I always remember to order the spring rolls as an appetizer. Perfect meal for lunch or dinner. The portions are big so you will definitely be full.
(5)
Lauryn D.
This was my first time having Pho... I had the all meat - minus tripe, which my soul wasn't open for. Overall, the soup was good, the service was cool. The place is real quiet, not a lot of action - but keep in mind it was about 7 at night on a Sunday. I wanted bubble tea but they didn't have any... the shrimp spring rolls were dope. I'd try this place again.
(4)
Linda K.
The pho is good here besides the fact that they don't use basil often. The spring rolls are average. The buns are good. The boba is bland here. If you want good boba u have to go to the downtown phoviet location. They need to clean the where the windows are... There's too much dust there. And they also need to fix the bathrooms. The soap dispenser is broken (im surprised DHEC didn't notice still cause it's been months) and the bathroom stall door won't close.
(4)
Karen D.
I love this place! I eat there often as the food is light on calories and yet still very satisfying. I am stuck on the Chicken Bun, but tried the Tofu Vegie Pho recently and it was awesome. Super nice folks serving too. Always the same high quality.
(5)
Ne'Cole V.
Excellent fresh food!! My husband got #60 and I got #87, both dishes were fantastic!! Don't let the unkept exterior landscaping fool you, the food is worth it!!! So good!!
(5)
Hannah M.
So I went here with my boyfriend who is Vietnamese. This was my first time having pho and to my limited knowledge it was pretty delicious. I also had the bubble tea which was fun and awesome. I had the spring rolls and the crispy egg roll type things (can't remember what they are called) with the peanut sauce...amazing. My boyfriend said he has had better but hey to me it was delicious.
(4)
Nicky D.
First had Pho in DC so I wasn't sure what to expect from a Vietnamese restaurant in the south. I was not disappointed!!! I'd eat here everyday if it were closer to my house. Great food and excellent service!!
(5)
Sam T.
Good food, good smoothies but EXTREMELY POORLY MANAGED!!!!!! I have never seen such poor management in my entire life. There was five to eight tables of people, two call in/walk in orders and only ONE waiter. I felt bad for the guy, but he clearly was not equipped to manage this type of stressful environment and maybe he shouldn't have had to do that. They were running out of ingredients, orders were changing, and none of these things were the waiter's fault...but guess what...none of these things are the customer's fault either. Regardless of how stressful the environment is, it's clearly inappropriate to project that stress on a customer who has done nothing to deserve it. I'm a VERY polite customer, and I intentionally make constant attempts to be considerate in situations like this. But the waiter did not appear to be in control of his stress/attitude, evidenced by getting upset with me for having to change my order that was previously called in. Guess what...when your menu is incorrect, and your inventory is out of stock...it may not be your fault, but it's not the customer's fault either! Please remember that Pho Viet. As far as their smoothies - great...food - tasty & inexpensive (not mind-blowlingly good or anything, but the food is decent). All in all, mr. waiter, I'm sorry for what you had to go through today for having such an incompetent manager...not your fault, not the customer's fault...completely 100% the manager's fault!
(2)
Lisette M.
I had a pho bowl. I forget which number it was, but the steak was supposed to be rare. It was not. Not only that, but there was hardly any of it in there. And it was a couple dollars more than I'm used to spending for more. That said, the flavor was pretty damn good. And they brought me fish sauce. Yay.
(3)
Anthony B.
well....lets see it was ok ...very quiet atmosphere i felt like i was in a ghost town very empty at 6-7 pm..my girlfriend on layaway..(not a couple yet) was with me.. it was her first time time to try pho soup and she enjoyed it..well..lol the most of it until she was picking certain things out of her bowl ..lol but i was eating them while she was doing some spring cleaning in her soup..we both had the all meat pho soup and some spring rolls for an appetizer she had a sweet tea an i had some Japanese beer which is really good by the way! the broth was pretty good nice and clear taste..i didnt really like the chop sticks not a fan of long bulky plastic made it kinda hard to get my food..made me feel like a beginner or something...usually when i come to place like these i like to be seated in the middle or away from the trash can or the bathroom and the entrance ..it seems when i come to these places they love to sit me in these places!..hell naw..i have to speak up..lol i only came here because i wanted to do something special for someone who has not experienced Vietnamese food..annnnnd plus i was in the mood for it anyway the potential girlfriend was in the mood for pizza but i was thinking naaaaaaaaw thats tooooo much bread..so here we are.....
(3)
Alec Y.
This place is the best Vietnamese restaurant in Columbia (is it the only one?). Go for the Pho or some of their authentic dishes like the BBQ Pork (nothing like the American style but just as good or better).
(4)
Michael M.
Great place to have Pho. Great staff, quite and empty most of the time. Cheap food and worth your time.
(4)
Kathy N.
My family and I came from oc, california to columbia, SC to attend my sis basic combat training graduation, we decided to dine here because she hasnt have viet food in 10 weeks. The place was relaxing and nice. The people were friendly. The food was great! We had lunch then returned for dinner. At first we hesitated about coming here because we didnt think the pho would be good since there are barely any viets here. Nevertheless, after yelping it and reading the reviews we decided to give it try. I have been to so many pho place in little saigon ca but was never truly satisfied about the food or service. But this place, the food was delicious and the service was outstanding!
(5)
Crystal C.
Drive too fast down Columbia's International Corridor, and you'll miss a real gem of a place: Pho Viet (pronounced "Fuh Vee-yet") at 2300 Decker Boulevard. Cultural diversity takes center stage on this particular stretch of road, but hidden amidst the Latino bakeries and Asian markets, Pho Viet doesn't stand out. Yes, the building appears to be a revived Burger King with a bad paint job and a duct-taped drive-through window: but what it lacks in aesthetics, this place makes up for on flavor(....) Read the rest of the review here: examiner.com/restaurant-…
(5)
Lauren C.
Food is delicious and filling. Portions size is great. Love their drinks with tapioca pearls and their thai tea/coffee. Great atmosphere and friendly service. Only gripe with the service is it is so slow though. I think they may need to add another waiter/waitress or something. But, once you get your food, it is totally worth the wait!
(4)
Stephen S.
I had a great experience here and would like to say the Pho Chicken with beef broth and shrimp spring rolls were above average. The portions were large too. Service was oddly very friendly and fast. The only knock I have is that the environment is strange. Divine Street is one of the strangest streets I've ever seen actually. Its REALLY Ghetto, but has numerous ethnic places to eat in the area. This place has a decent inside but has that commonly 'icky' feeling that most asian places will give you if you look at the floors or booths too long. Nonetheless, I'll be back again.
(4)
Frank S.
If only it were kept cleaner. I first visited "Pho Viet" in San Jose, California as it was across the street from my Fairfield Suites hotel. I was thrilled to hear there were two in Columbia, S.C. since I visit frequently due to my son being a student at U.S.C. I have visited both locations, the Decker Blvd one and the Five Points restaurant. The food at both is just as good as the San Jose restaurant. This is run by the same extended family of Vietnamese immigrants and their care and pride in fresh ingredients shows. If I could rate both restaurants separately (can't get the Five points restaurant to show up with its own rating) I'd give the Decker Blvd one a 4 star and five points 3 stars. The ingredients are fresh. The broth is out of this world and always comes with fresh sprigs of mint, mung bean sprouts, lime, etc. (for you to garnish yourself). My only complaint was the filth of the Five points location. The combination of the irritating, neon-mucus-green paint on the wall combined with the long-worn-out floors of restaurants prior made me not want to look at anything while eating. There were cobwebs, dust and dead leaves/bugs collected at the botton of the plate glass window - not exactly what you want to be advertising to passers by. Even though the service was slow for my late Sunday supper (around 4 pm) due to three families of about 4 each that had visited just before my arrival --- and only one waiter --- the food itself was outstanding. I had the seafood medly Bho Pho (broth) with yellow noodles and Vietnamese Spring rolls wrapped in rice paper. If someone could replace the flooring, mop and broom, and do something with the horrendous green - this would be a very nice place. The one on Decker is more "easier-on-the-eyes" with tiki style palm-thatch roof over the seating areas and a bit cleaner and more nicely decorated. I realize this family is trying and money must be tightly controlled - but hopefully they get enough business to redo the interior. There is nothing more healthier than Vietnamese Bho Pho broth and noodles!
(3)
Crystal C.
Service can be hit and miss but the food is always grand. My daughter who hates everything will slather down a bowl of chicken and pho from here like nowhere else. I also adore the t-shirts with "What the Pho?" on the back. It can get pricey quick though
(4)
Jordan R.
Quite good Vietnamese food and perhaps the one restaurant to get people excited about this sort of cooking in Columbia (it was a long time coming). Have some guts (literally) and go for the pho combo with tripe, tendon, & flank. The tendon really is something special, both chewy and soft. Also, they got that stanky durian (at least in shake form). Try it, at least!! Its a kind of metallic/nutty taste. Other highlights for me have been the Vietnamese beef stew (so hearty) and the chili + lemongrass squid. Good veggie options for those who are so inclined. Also, jelly pearl smoothies are always nice as a desert!!! Mango, taro, Thai tea are just some of the tasty flavors. This restaurant also has a location in 5 Points but I've found the service and atmosphere there to be a little less desirable than the Decker Blvd. location.
(4)
Ali N.
First of all, a 50 cent pot of jasmine tea is just fantastic. Had #67, the spicy special something pho and it was delicious. Not too spicy, just enough to properly enhance the dish (and clear the sinuses a bit). Broth was amazing. Not sure what all meats were in the dish, but it didn't matter. Being from Louisiana, I know the parts you can't always recognize from a grocery store shelf are the ones that bring out the most flavor! Easy to pick around for more selective eaters. The beginning service was a little too slow. It's self-seating, and the girl did not come around particularly soon to get my drink and then food order, but after I got my meal, I think they came to check on me and ask me how everything was at least 4 times (between 2 women). For just short of $9 on the pho, I got A LOT of food - enough for at least two meals when very hungry. As a grad student, that makes me very happy. Pho for breakfast the next day? Why, yes, thank you. FYI: didn't bother looking at the second page of the menu, but all the pho was in the $7-$10 range, but again, it is a whole lot of food for that money, so consider it more like $5 a meal.
(4)
Ka T.
This seemed to be the only Pho place in the city. I am glad i decided to hunt the place down. The atmosphere is very clean and service was very friendly. The pho was good and spring rolls were fresh. I would come again, if i had the opportunity.
(4)
Jenny C.
This was the only Vietnamese restaurant when I was livin in Cola. And it's hella far so I think we've only been there twice. The most memorable dish was the vermicelli with grilled pork (or was it beef?). The meat was a flavor overload!! Wish we had frequented it more. Lucky y'all current Columbians/gamecocks with the new location!
(4)
Tina C.
Great restaurant. The chicken lemongrass wih chili oil is superb. The pho' is out of this world. You also have to try the vietnamese iced coffee.
(5)
Ryan B.
The food is absolutely amazing. Very fresh and healthy, and it smells almost as good as it tastes. The service is very good and friendly too. The number 4 appetizer is my favorite, and I've tried something from every category on the menu to my great pleasure. My favorite is the shrimp stirfry with rice noodles, but it's a close call. One of my top 5 restaurants in Columbia, and I love to eat good food!
(5)
Stephanie D.
The quality of pho here is what better than what you find in Charlotte and comparable to those in Atlanta. A small bowl is just a little over $8 if you include tax, and a large bowl is just a dollar more. I was hoping they would give as much meat as What the Pho in GA, but they missed that mark by just a few pieces. They were also missing a few extra herbs that could put in the soup, but those herbs aren't available in Columbia (so it wasn't a big deal). Nonetheless, it was MUCH better than the $10+ bowl I paid for in Charlotte a little while ago. Of course, nothing compares to homemade pho. My waitress was a bit slow with the drinks. The only reason why it was annoying is because the restaurant itself was hot and muggy. My group and I wanted to get a head start on our cold drinks to cool down before devouring the soup. She also never offered to refill my water. Pho Viet, accoring to my brother, is not the place to go if you expect great service. I'd recommend this restaurant to those who are interested in trying Vietnamese cuisine. There really isn't any other place nearby that is comparable. The dish everyone should try at least once is pho. I'd ask the waitress for advice on how to dress it up if you're new to the dish. The avocado smoothies is a popular treat if you're craving something cold and sweet.
(4)
Vanessa N.
Food and service was great only complaint is, that it needs to be closer to me. Will visit again when in the area.
(5)
Epicurious E.
Pho Viet, on Decker Blvd. in the Northeastern area of Columbia, is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in all of Columbia. That may be a bit of an overstatement, but it is without a doubt the restaurant we eat at almost every week, without fail. It offers the best Vietnamese food in these parts (but, considering there isn't any competition around, that really doesn't say that much), and, IMHO, considering all the Asian cuisine in general around here (lumping together Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese), it is probably the most authentic and accurate of all the Asian restaurants in Columbia in terms of the flavors and menu offerings. For me, Pho Viet = comfort food. It reminds me of the kind of flavors I used to enjoy when I lived back in Los Angeles - while Pho Viet would be an average Vietnamese restaurant back in Los Angeles, here, it is exceptional for the area. I have been going here since I moved, back when the menu was tiny (only about 15 dishes total), but since January 2009, they renovated the restaurant and now offer a gigantic menu of Vietnamese dishes - pho, bun, and rice dishes - to choose from. I may sound like a shill for the restaurant, but I just really, really like their food a lot, and definitely recommend that you try the food there at least once. Lastly, for the vegetarians out there, Pho Viet also offers a decent amount of vegetarian options. For more details about Vietnamese food in general, as well as photos of both the restaurant and some of the dishes offered here, you can visit my food blog, epicurious-eats.blogspot…
(5)
Leah S.
I'm from out of town. My dad works here and on a visit I decided to try something I couldn't find at home. Fantastic service and the food was incredible!
(5)
Michelle E.
Good noodle soups. Shrimp spring rolls with satay sauce are great.
(4)
Nicholas K.
For as long as I can remember, one of my best friends drove around town with a sticker on his car that stated simply: "I HEART PHO". So for the longest time, I have wanted to try this mysterious Vietnamese specialty. For ages, the only option for Columbians eager to satisfy this craving was to be sure to go to a good Korean restaurant whilst in a more cosmopolitan city nearby (ahem Atlanta). But when this place opened up nearly a year ago, it became remarkably easy for this particular lazy guy to go get some pho and see what all the fuss is about. "Oh, PHO, yummmmmm.... That's why he had that sticker on his little blue Rabbit all those years." That was my reaction the first time I dined here almost a year ago and that has been my reaction in the 3-4 times since that I have gone. Even since, I haven't felt it necessary to stray away from the restaurant's namesake. It's that good. Of course, m' lady gets adventurous with the menu and still, having long abandoned the traditional pho, has not found a menu item she dislikes. Pho is a little like the Korean equivalent to the American chicken noodle soup, except served in enormously large bowls with impossibly fresh bean sprouts, Thai basil, and jalepeno peppers that complement an already vast array of spices, broth, noodles, and your choice of beef. Oh, I hope it's okay to slurp in Korean culture because as soon as I get my pho I'm like a Japanese tourist at a noodle stand, shoveling my face full and slurp slurping away. It's so freakin' good, I'm sorry. The icing on the cake that gives Pho Viet it's 5-stars finally came yesterday. We took a vegetarian friend of ours there and we worried if he would find enough to eat. Alas, the fresh veggie spring rolls and the veggie pho seemed to fill him up more than enough. Here is a man who inhales $20 worth of Blue Cactus vegetarian fare like it was a McDouble cheeseburger and at the end of the meal, he was left staring at a rather large portion of veggie pho noodle. I was surprised. He was full. The best little treat for m' lady and I is when we finish our meal we usually split a little tapioca pearl drink. And I know this isn't necessarily a Korean treat (more of a Chinatown concoction) but, boy, do we love it. Try and get one of the flavors that uses fresh ingredients (like avocado) and not the powdered flavors.
(5)
Sean A.
Good food, better then the outside makes it seem. They forgot half our order but it was still good enough for us to come back. this is a healthy alternative to some other more american based selections.
(4)
Ken N.
Very fresh. Food was great. Service was exceptionally friendly. My 8 year old even said it was better than McDonald (which is next door). My 4 year old who is THE pickiest eater ate the phó with little remorse. Over all one of the best Vietnamese restaurants I've been to.
(5)
Mike G.
I visited the location on Devine Street in Five Points. My guest had the Pho Chicken (forgot the Vietnamese name) and other guest enjoyed the Chicken and Shrimp BBQ, I think it was #71. The Pho Bo I ordered was deliciously prepared and the service was friendly and efficient. I will definitely return.
(5)
Jonathan Z.
If you arent familiar with pho (pronounced phuh), it is a huge bowl of rice noodles and spiced broth with selected cuts of meat simmered in the soup, with crunchy bean sprouts, basil, mint, jalapeno, and limes on the side for you to add as you wish. It is cheap for the quantity of food you get and is quite delicious if you get it at a decent place. My fear in coming here was that they would not do the dish justice by cutting corners and thinking that people in a smaller town like Columbia wouldn't know the difference (since there are not a whole lot of Vietnamese people here). Not a good assumption on my part. This was a very decent bowl of pho, much better than I had expected. Everything was spiced well even if the broth did lack some of the fatty mouth feel of a top shelf broth. The garnishes were fresh and crisp to add textural contrast and flavor to the soft meat, noodles, and soup. Add a couple of squirts of hoisin sauce and the very spicy chili sauce on the table for sweetness and heat if you like. Be careful of the chili sauce (called siracha). It is really hot so buyer beware. Atmosphere here is nonexistent but you don't really go to ethnic restaurants for nice ambiance. You go for good cheap food that hopefully tastes delicious. If you go here for a first date or something, she better be in to food and not expecting anything fancy. So, I am very pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed my bowl o pho at Pho Viet. If you are looking to branch out to something new, different, and delicious, give it a try.
(4)
Josh M.
Outside can be a little intimidating, as it's located in an old fast food joint. Inside is much more attractive, with live plants and intimate booths. Waitstaff is attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, which is important. Food is authentic, delicious and affordable. The vegetarian in the group was very happy, as they have vegetable pho broth and spring rolls. Bathrooms need serious TLC.
(4)
Wendy M.
Super Yum! Ordered the vegetarian spring rolls and vermicelli with tofu and spicy peppers both totally delicious! Highly recommended ;-)
(4)
jimmy s.
Best pho I've had in Columbia. Decent broth (waaaay better than the Golden Chopsticks broth), the meat was OK but ribeye was sliced way to thick. Brisket also was lacking - needs to be more tender and fatty. 3.5 stars.
(4)
Ashish G.
Food is good but the service is HORRIBLE!! go to the other location in five points - you wont regret it.
(2)
Emily E.
Crispy rolls are to die for! Also a huge fan of the shaking beef and yellow noodle combo. Bubble tea is decent but not the best in Columbia. Service is super fast and friendly. I could eat here every day!
(5)
Gabe L.
Good food, fresh summer rolls. Nice place
(4)
John H.
Was pretty good, but not the quality to merit 4.5 stars from my experience. Good enough to go back to, but not so amazing that it leaves you wanting more.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch 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 : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Hung D.
I drive 70 miles for Pho Viet. We're a family of 5 Vietnamese & been here 2 weeks in a row. Excellent pho - broth very good; missing some fresh herbs because it's Columbia & not Atlanta. I've eaten pho at most major cities with a Vietnamese community, and I can tell you the pho at Pho Viet is very good - better than most because of the broth & everything else is decent (meat, noodle). We ordered other dishes as well, they were OK - not bad. Try the Bun Bo Hue - spicy beef noodle soup; very spicy & authentic flavoring; again missing some ingredients - such as the blood cake (huyet). The servers are very friendly & nice; lady gave us some shopping coupons because we were heading for the mall afterward. I'm a regular customer now.
(5)P K.
on the road for a 13 hour trip with 4 kids, used yelp & google maps to find this great restaurant. i'm no expert on vietnamese food but this is very tasty . so much so that my 10 year old daughter said "i'm stuffed but i can't stop eating !" very kid friendly. thanks yelpers!
(5)Bechego E.
So, I came in expecting a great meal based on the reviews. While the BBQ beef was very good (texture and taste), the Pho (#15) was just okay. What it lacked was mostly the texture. For some reason they used thin rice noodles and they cut them up to small pieces. Also, the Hoisin sauce was not as potent as I expected. The Pho I had in Greenville, SC ("Saigon Fast Food") was better. Also, there is also only one dessert option. They do not offer juice drinks (no lychee, which I love) although they do offer many smoothies. I may not come back.
(3)Rob D.
Excellent Pho and Vietnamese shrimp rolls. Service is friendly. Great value for what you receive.
(4)John B.
Great food. Really surprized by the soup and how good it was. The staff was very attentive. Great meal at a very affordable price.
(4)Andrew C.
Easily one of the best resturants in town. It is in the Decker Blvd. Asian section.
(5)Krupali P.
I just recently moved from San Francisco to Columbia and have been craving decent Pho...Pho Viet lived up to my standards. Food was fresh and tasted very authentic. They come close to tasting like the Vietnamese food I am used to getting back home. Service and ambiance are also pretty decent. Definitely going back for more...
(4)Tania S.
Very good Pho and the Salt and Pepper shrimp was the best I have had. They have good bubble tea and very friendly. Highly recommended.
(5)Cathy L.
The food is great!! Luv their spring roll (#1) and beef stew noodle soup (#50)......Not expensive at all.
(4)Courtney H.
Good service, great iced coffee, reasonable, dishes were all tasty! Pho had great flavor, soft noodles with fresh veggies and squid had just the right amount of spice. We will definitely visit again when we return to the area.
(4)Monique G.
The food was decent, but what I really enjoyed was the coconut jelly pearl smoothie. The smoothie alone was enough to make me consider visiting again!!!
(3)Sotith S.
This place I went a couple of days ago and was really good which was surprising because the parking lot was almost empty. So I ordered the pho special with side of rare steak. Yum yum. The pho tasted good and I was happy to find it in an area like that where ribs and bbq were the norm. Very impressed. Well be going there again tonight!
(4)Farid A.
Great pho. Got salt and pepper shrimp as well which was very good very fresh shrimp. Picture had shrimp heads but I didn't get the heads. Disappointing. Seafood pho was fantastic so was beef. Also got shrimp spring rolls. Very nice I liked how they wrapped the whole shrimp with tail sticking out. They should clean the shrimp veins so they were clean. Worst part were bubble drinks which I love. Pearls were not sweet and just had a starchy taste. Drinks itself had too much ice so it was not smoothie consistency but more like a shaved ice with milk Definitely will go back I can't stop thinking of the shrimp. Also eating a lot of pho in Atlanta on beuford highway you get used to the broke down building look they always have. Let the food speak for the restaurant
(4)Rick T.
Pretty decent pho on my side of town, great on a cold day. I really like that they serve curried goat and frog legs prepared many different ways. The location could use a little work on the inside and a lot of work on the outside. Cut the grass, do some landscaping and maybe put out a outdoor picnic table for the lunch crowd when it's not to hot. Otherwise I would give this location a sold for stars. I heard the location downtown In Five points is a bit better, I will have to try it out soon. Open seven days a week now!
(3)Ryan T.
This has been one of my favorite places to eat since 2010. Their crispy rolls are great and the #60 with the lettuce, sprouts, noodles, bbq pork and shrimp, is my most ordered dish. I also highly recommend the #18 beef soup and the salt and pepper squid. I don't think I've ever had anything here that wasn't good.
(5)Alice W.
My first time here & my boyfriend's first time having pho. We both LOVED ours. He got the beef noodle stew & I got regular rare steak pho & it was perfect. The best pho broth I've ever had. Added some sriracha to make it extra spicy & ate the entire bowl. Definitely will be returning.
(5)Anna D.
This place has good pho. Since moving here I frequented this place a few times before discovering the other Pho Viet in 5 points. I like them both but prefer the other one a little better. This location has less flavor in the broth in my opinion but it doesn't mean it's flavorless. It still tastes darn good. The size of the portions here as a little small so I get the large size. The rolls (both spring and summer) are small as well but it's still filling. The one thing that i do appreciate here is that there is ample parking. There's nothing worse than looking for parking when you're hungry or having to find coins for a metered spot and not having any. Thank god for free and plentiful lots!
(4)Quan D.
Quick Summary: Ft Jackson/Columbia SC isn't a place I'd expect to find a viet restaurant. This locale did not disappoint and satisfied my cravings well. After a couple of weeks being stuck on base eating DFAC food... I had to get out and get something 'ethnic' (not sure viet counts as ethic for me). This spot isn't too far from the base and seemed to come with a good reputation; which they lived up to. The bowl of pho was nicely flavored and of a decent size. And the cafe sua da was delicious. Tried ordering in viet here... that didn't work... but you can't blame the girl she was very young... and hell I barely speak the language except to order food. If you happen to find yourself in this corner of the South Atlantic craving some viet, this a good spot to ease those hunger pangs.
(3)Roh H.
For the state this pho restaurant is mediocre. The Pho is overpriced with small portions. Coming from California this place is okay for the area it's in. The Boba drinks are not made fresh and taste bland.
(3)Bob B.
While heading back home from a road trip Betty and I stopped off here for a late night bite to try and steer clear of your usual Interstate pit stops. We were pleasantly surprised with the offerings. I got the BBQ pork and shrimp Rice Vermicelli, Served with fresh lettuce, radish, bean sprouts, topped with crushed peanuts. Betty got the spicy hue's style noodle soup with slices of beef & pork belly. Both were hearty dishes and nicely priced at $8.50 a piece. There was plenty of meat in both and were very filling for a dinner. I would definitely hit this place up if it were in my 'hood.
(4)Terry N.
The food is the best thing. The owners are very polite and nice, sometimes they have more business than they can handle, but that can be good and bad. If you want authenic Vietnamese, this is the place to go!
(4)Michael Y.
I've heard great things about this place, so I brought my workers here for lunch. The service was great, food was excellent, great portion sizes, and great prices. I tried the #82 chicken and vegetable stir fry and it was excellent. My crew loved their food too. I will definitely be coming back soon.
(5)Joanne M.
I've always been to the Pho Viet in 5 Points, but was told that I should give this one at Decker a try...so I did. I ordered the same things I normally order at the other place...vietnamese rice paper spring rolls and beef ball/tripe pho...most of the food was average and slightly blander than the restaurant at 5 Points (the rice noodles in the spring roll were not soft enough, and the pho soup base did not have as much flavor as I am used to). I also order a Thai tea bubble tea, which was really sweet and creamy, exactly as Thai tea should be. Overall, I prefer the Pho Viet at 5 Points better than this one.
(2)John B.
Driving through Columbia on business last June, I thought I'd give this place a try for lunch. WIN! Their pho broth is the real deal. True unami flavor. I could taste the roasted beef bones, not much (if any) sugar, and no MSG. A bit skimpy on the spices. And no basil, sadly. But I was so pleased with it that I came back for supper on my way home! Be prepared for underwhelming ambiance, and don't come here if you're picky about bathrooms. But if you're needing a fix of good pho, you'll find it here. As I paid my bill, the very earnest fellow behind the register explained that they grow their own basil, and had just run out the prior weekend. "It's too hard to grow basil in summer" he said on June 3rd. Damn climate change!!!
(4)Paola G.
Well, this place was a major disappointment. You see, I'm from TX; where food is pretty darn delicious, which possibly makes me extra picky. My husband and I are huge foodies, so we came on here and read reviews about this place. Most people seemed to love it, so I was def pumped to get my Vietnamese fix. So I order my go-to chicken pho and my husband gets the chicken/shrimp vermicelli. I get my order and the first thing I noticed were the noodles. They were different from all others I've had, and not good. My husband vermicelli was okay, not good nor great, just... meh. I didn't finish my food, I actually barely ate any of it. I literally felt sick afterward. I didn't try the boba but maybe I'll go back and try it, but it's highly doubtful.
(1)Brittany W.
this place was great! i got the soup and my husband got lemongrass chicken and it was delicious. the fresh spring rolls were huge and very fresh tasting. and the price for our meal and the amount of food we got was very reasonable. ill go back again soon
(5)Craig B.
I told my self that I would not come back due to unclean; but I was craving pho so bad. Last time I was there was 07/17/2013. Almost a year!!!! I decided to try it again. To my surprise, they fixed and cleaned the men's restroom. All of the sarichi bottles were wiped clean. The papers on the door were taken down.I notice new staff and they were all smiles and very polite. I ordered by standard and noodles were cooked perfectly. Beef was tender, and the broth had great depth of flavors. If they keep up the good work, Ill be back. Keep up with the cleaning. It will pay off in the long run.
(4)Suman K.
Check out the Asian beer collection... Personal fav is SAPPORO. Taro bubble tea is amazing.
(4)Dawna Q.
This restaurant's Pho Ga is now my go to for chicken noodle soup. I have enjoyed so many dishes at this restaurant. Yes, true, the service is very low key. I don't mind it for the price. It's very casual and I never wait for my food. I pay my check by going up to the counter. It's easier. My mother is addicted to the shaking beef and I've found a love of soup I never had before. If you want a lot of delicious food, in a very casual environment, for a very reasonable price, you should give Pho Viet a try. Or maybe not,because you too may have a craving for pho. (BTW mine always has basil, lime, sprouts, and extra jalapenos).
(4)Erica J.
First time having Vietnamese food and I enjoyed it. Had spring rolls which were okay but my actual meal I can't remember what it's called was good. Only thing is I needed a fork towards the end of my meal. The water tastes funny. I would go back and try Vietnamese food again.
(3)Jane S.
Im from california and pho is a must, this pho is good but not as good as California but definitely way better than the pho in south korea.!!! Must try the pho tai and the crispy rolls i have tried about everything on there menu.
(4)Virasith S.
love this place feels like im in the motherland , the pho is on point and the kitchen food is pretty good as well
(4)Leonor C.
At first, the location looked empty or abandoned from outside but maybe it was the time because lot of people arrived after us. The Thai smoothie and avocado smoothie are delicious. The spicy soup is awesome. The yellow noodles are really good. Service is very nice.
(5)Mel K.
Coming from California looking for a pho spot and my good friend brought me here. This place is amazing. Their broth had so much flavor and everything. I almost ate all of it. Every time I come this will be a spot I for sure have to stop at. Great customer service as well.
(5)Bill H.
1st time here. I had lemon beef and kids had pho beef. Service was good. Beer selection is ok. Timeliness of good was good. Food was good. Seemed fresh. Would recommend and go again.
(3)Christine M.
I come here because sometimes I just dont feel like making my own pho for hours. The pho has became very bland.. picture pho with no star anise, cinnamon, and coriander seeds, they never have any mint or basil, the lime is almost always a joke. They constantly, mess up my order in many different ways. After 2 years of coming here I think I'm done.
(2)T E.
Second time eating at Pho Viet and I got the frog legs sauteed with lemongrass and chili, fried rice, and shrimp spring rolls. The spring rolls were very crunchy and had alot of flavor. The sauce that accompanied the spring rolls was also very flavorful. The frog legs were really good and the sauce it was cooked in was great. Nothing was greasy and everything tasted fresh. I will definitely be eating there again.
(4)Dee A.
When I was young I can remember waking up and smelling anise, cinnamon and beef simmering on the stovetop. My mom's Vietnamese. She's an amazing cook. My grandma opened the first Vietnamese restaurant in Cleveland. I eat pho when I'm sad. I eat it when I'm sick. I eat it when I'm happy. I have eaten it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The pho here isn't bad at all. I like the broth (my favorite part). I wish they would give basil to put in it. I usually get the rare beef on the side so I can add it myself. The portions are big for what you pay. I like the Vietnamese coffee too although they only offer an iced option. I also like the spring rolls. They're small and tasty. I'm not a big fan of the pork vermicelli. Last time I ordered it the pork was very fatty and it was like one big huge piece meat and hard to cut up. The fried rice is horrible. It's this strange yellow color and contains frozen carrots and peas. The vegetables and meat taste old. I've had it a few times at both locations somehow thinking it will be different than last time and it never is. I would give anything, pay anything for a banh mi sandwich and some fried rice with chinese sausage and egg. This is probably the only Vietnamese restaurant I've been to that doesn't sell banh mi sandwiches. Overall, this place satisfies my pho cravings and is close to my house. The people working here are incredibly friendly and I will keep coming back.
(3)Tony M.
Not bad - average. The bun is kinda plain - I went there twice. The 2nd time confirmed the so-so ness.
(3)Huntting B.
My first time here was great. It was last year, the food was good; the service decent; but this place is pretty bad now. The ice coffee is made early in the day and then sits there waiting for someone to order it. It tasted awful, like really awful, the worst I have ever had...ever. They said they used condensed milk, it tasted like regular milk even. The server knew nothing about the menu. It isn't uncommon to have to order by number, but when ordered in Vietnamese and the most common of all dishes, Pho Tai, they should understand. The soup, is good, I can't fault it at all. The Bun we ordered, we wanted grilled pork, the woman's told us the "grilled pork with rolls" and the "grilled pork patties" was the same meat. She lied...the grilled pork patties is grilled ham, not grilled pork. It was pretty awful if you were expecting the other one. The fried rolls, while plentiful, were too small to taste good. The fresh rolls were just bleh, not really bad, but really not great either. So...if you come here order only the pho, nothing else.
(1)Jodie J.
Noodles are great! Good place for lunch but if you are in a hurry to head back to work, the place may not be right for you. It will take a while to get you order.
(4)Jennifer R.
Excellent! It has been chilly these last few day, so pho really hit the spot. Don't be fooled by the exterior - it's very nice and cozy inside. Friendly staff and yummy food... What else can a girl ask for?
(5)Ed D.
Seems to be going downhill. Pho broth is good but no more basil and few side veggies, one wedge of lime. "Beef ball" in the #19 pho: cut up hot dogs. Not good.
(2)Uniquely M.
I have eaten at the one on Decker a few times and have a different dishes each time. The food has always been fresh, tasty and comes out in a reasonable amount of time. The pho is great and so is #60. The spring rolls are great. I've had two different types. They make these tapioca bubble smoothies with green tea that are to die for. I've had the avocadi smoothie that I was skeptical about, but it was really good. It had just the right amount of sweetness, and it was thick and creamy. Definitely worth a try. The atmosphere is very quiet. All the times I've been, there have been only a few people in there eating. Service is friendly. The menu prices are quite reasonable and portions are large. I'd recommend it.
(5)Danita R.
My sister and I just slurped up a storm in our hotel room having devoured #12 (Pho Chin) and #10 (Tai Chin Nam Gau Gan Sach). We're in town from Philly and Huntsville respectively, and what a delight to have discovered this gem on Decker Blvd. It was my sister's first foray into the pho combo, and, judging from her empty bowl, she appears to have enjoyed the mix of textures and flavors. Me, I'm a bit averse to multiple beef textures in one bowl, so I handled my well-done beef brisket accordingly. The menu offers a lot of options, definitely go hungry. Tasty, flavorful beef broth; plenty of cilantro, jalapenos, scallions and basil; very generous portions--I so appreciate not having to ask for extra anything! Placed our order to go. The server was a bit distracted over the phone due to the business of the place, but when I arrived they greeted me warmly and promptly. We've added it to our list of good eats in our home state, so if you're in town, dust off your chop sticks and get your slurp on :)
(4)Stephanie R.
We stopped by this place in hopes to get a Vietnamese meal we are used to in Tampa. Unfortunately it didn't meet our expectations. I got #70 - the rice was old and partially burnt, the order came out minus the shrimp at first which they then put 3 on there, the BBQ pork was a little dry. My husband got the pho and it was a decent, he would have given 3 stars. The shrimp spring rolls were tasty though. Overall I wouldn't go out of my way to return but it satisfied our hunger.
(2)Michelle T.
Amazing!!!!!! If you like strong coffee try the Vietnamese iced coffee. It's addicting. We had # 60 and the salmon stir fry #79 I believe. Plenty of food. Super hot and everything was fresh. Must try again when on town.
(5)Jennifer N.
It's not beyond amazing but it's not terrible either. I like eating the pho, bun bo hue, and the rice noodle dishes. I always remember to order the spring rolls as an appetizer. Perfect meal for lunch or dinner. The portions are big so you will definitely be full.
(5)Lauryn D.
This was my first time having Pho... I had the all meat - minus tripe, which my soul wasn't open for. Overall, the soup was good, the service was cool. The place is real quiet, not a lot of action - but keep in mind it was about 7 at night on a Sunday. I wanted bubble tea but they didn't have any... the shrimp spring rolls were dope. I'd try this place again.
(4)Linda K.
The pho is good here besides the fact that they don't use basil often. The spring rolls are average. The buns are good. The boba is bland here. If you want good boba u have to go to the downtown phoviet location. They need to clean the where the windows are... There's too much dust there. And they also need to fix the bathrooms. The soap dispenser is broken (im surprised DHEC didn't notice still cause it's been months) and the bathroom stall door won't close.
(4)Karen D.
I love this place! I eat there often as the food is light on calories and yet still very satisfying. I am stuck on the Chicken Bun, but tried the Tofu Vegie Pho recently and it was awesome. Super nice folks serving too. Always the same high quality.
(5)Ne'Cole V.
Excellent fresh food!! My husband got #60 and I got #87, both dishes were fantastic!! Don't let the unkept exterior landscaping fool you, the food is worth it!!! So good!!
(5)Hannah M.
So I went here with my boyfriend who is Vietnamese. This was my first time having pho and to my limited knowledge it was pretty delicious. I also had the bubble tea which was fun and awesome. I had the spring rolls and the crispy egg roll type things (can't remember what they are called) with the peanut sauce...amazing. My boyfriend said he has had better but hey to me it was delicious.
(4)Nicky D.
First had Pho in DC so I wasn't sure what to expect from a Vietnamese restaurant in the south. I was not disappointed!!! I'd eat here everyday if it were closer to my house. Great food and excellent service!!
(5)Sam T.
Good food, good smoothies but EXTREMELY POORLY MANAGED!!!!!! I have never seen such poor management in my entire life. There was five to eight tables of people, two call in/walk in orders and only ONE waiter. I felt bad for the guy, but he clearly was not equipped to manage this type of stressful environment and maybe he shouldn't have had to do that. They were running out of ingredients, orders were changing, and none of these things were the waiter's fault...but guess what...none of these things are the customer's fault either. Regardless of how stressful the environment is, it's clearly inappropriate to project that stress on a customer who has done nothing to deserve it. I'm a VERY polite customer, and I intentionally make constant attempts to be considerate in situations like this. But the waiter did not appear to be in control of his stress/attitude, evidenced by getting upset with me for having to change my order that was previously called in. Guess what...when your menu is incorrect, and your inventory is out of stock...it may not be your fault, but it's not the customer's fault either! Please remember that Pho Viet. As far as their smoothies - great...food - tasty & inexpensive (not mind-blowlingly good or anything, but the food is decent). All in all, mr. waiter, I'm sorry for what you had to go through today for having such an incompetent manager...not your fault, not the customer's fault...completely 100% the manager's fault!
(2)Lisette M.
I had a pho bowl. I forget which number it was, but the steak was supposed to be rare. It was not. Not only that, but there was hardly any of it in there. And it was a couple dollars more than I'm used to spending for more. That said, the flavor was pretty damn good. And they brought me fish sauce. Yay.
(3)Anthony B.
well....lets see it was ok ...very quiet atmosphere i felt like i was in a ghost town very empty at 6-7 pm..my girlfriend on layaway..(not a couple yet) was with me.. it was her first time time to try pho soup and she enjoyed it..well..lol the most of it until she was picking certain things out of her bowl ..lol but i was eating them while she was doing some spring cleaning in her soup..we both had the all meat pho soup and some spring rolls for an appetizer she had a sweet tea an i had some Japanese beer which is really good by the way! the broth was pretty good nice and clear taste..i didnt really like the chop sticks not a fan of long bulky plastic made it kinda hard to get my food..made me feel like a beginner or something...usually when i come to place like these i like to be seated in the middle or away from the trash can or the bathroom and the entrance ..it seems when i come to these places they love to sit me in these places!..hell naw..i have to speak up..lol i only came here because i wanted to do something special for someone who has not experienced Vietnamese food..annnnnd plus i was in the mood for it anyway the potential girlfriend was in the mood for pizza but i was thinking naaaaaaaaw thats tooooo much bread..so here we are.....
(3)Alec Y.
This place is the best Vietnamese restaurant in Columbia (is it the only one?). Go for the Pho or some of their authentic dishes like the BBQ Pork (nothing like the American style but just as good or better).
(4)Michael M.
Great place to have Pho. Great staff, quite and empty most of the time. Cheap food and worth your time.
(4)Kathy N.
My family and I came from oc, california to columbia, SC to attend my sis basic combat training graduation, we decided to dine here because she hasnt have viet food in 10 weeks. The place was relaxing and nice. The people were friendly. The food was great! We had lunch then returned for dinner. At first we hesitated about coming here because we didnt think the pho would be good since there are barely any viets here. Nevertheless, after yelping it and reading the reviews we decided to give it try. I have been to so many pho place in little saigon ca but was never truly satisfied about the food or service. But this place, the food was delicious and the service was outstanding!
(5)Crystal C.
Drive too fast down Columbia's International Corridor, and you'll miss a real gem of a place: Pho Viet (pronounced "Fuh Vee-yet") at 2300 Decker Boulevard. Cultural diversity takes center stage on this particular stretch of road, but hidden amidst the Latino bakeries and Asian markets, Pho Viet doesn't stand out. Yes, the building appears to be a revived Burger King with a bad paint job and a duct-taped drive-through window: but what it lacks in aesthetics, this place makes up for on flavor(....) Read the rest of the review here: examiner.com/restaurant-…
(5)Lauren C.
Food is delicious and filling. Portions size is great. Love their drinks with tapioca pearls and their thai tea/coffee. Great atmosphere and friendly service. Only gripe with the service is it is so slow though. I think they may need to add another waiter/waitress or something. But, once you get your food, it is totally worth the wait!
(4)Stephen S.
I had a great experience here and would like to say the Pho Chicken with beef broth and shrimp spring rolls were above average. The portions were large too. Service was oddly very friendly and fast. The only knock I have is that the environment is strange. Divine Street is one of the strangest streets I've ever seen actually. Its REALLY Ghetto, but has numerous ethnic places to eat in the area. This place has a decent inside but has that commonly 'icky' feeling that most asian places will give you if you look at the floors or booths too long. Nonetheless, I'll be back again.
(4)Frank S.
If only it were kept cleaner. I first visited "Pho Viet" in San Jose, California as it was across the street from my Fairfield Suites hotel. I was thrilled to hear there were two in Columbia, S.C. since I visit frequently due to my son being a student at U.S.C. I have visited both locations, the Decker Blvd one and the Five Points restaurant. The food at both is just as good as the San Jose restaurant. This is run by the same extended family of Vietnamese immigrants and their care and pride in fresh ingredients shows. If I could rate both restaurants separately (can't get the Five points restaurant to show up with its own rating) I'd give the Decker Blvd one a 4 star and five points 3 stars. The ingredients are fresh. The broth is out of this world and always comes with fresh sprigs of mint, mung bean sprouts, lime, etc. (for you to garnish yourself). My only complaint was the filth of the Five points location. The combination of the irritating, neon-mucus-green paint on the wall combined with the long-worn-out floors of restaurants prior made me not want to look at anything while eating. There were cobwebs, dust and dead leaves/bugs collected at the botton of the plate glass window - not exactly what you want to be advertising to passers by. Even though the service was slow for my late Sunday supper (around 4 pm) due to three families of about 4 each that had visited just before my arrival --- and only one waiter --- the food itself was outstanding. I had the seafood medly Bho Pho (broth) with yellow noodles and Vietnamese Spring rolls wrapped in rice paper. If someone could replace the flooring, mop and broom, and do something with the horrendous green - this would be a very nice place. The one on Decker is more "easier-on-the-eyes" with tiki style palm-thatch roof over the seating areas and a bit cleaner and more nicely decorated. I realize this family is trying and money must be tightly controlled - but hopefully they get enough business to redo the interior. There is nothing more healthier than Vietnamese Bho Pho broth and noodles!
(3)Crystal C.
Service can be hit and miss but the food is always grand. My daughter who hates everything will slather down a bowl of chicken and pho from here like nowhere else. I also adore the t-shirts with "What the Pho?" on the back. It can get pricey quick though
(4)Jordan R.
Quite good Vietnamese food and perhaps the one restaurant to get people excited about this sort of cooking in Columbia (it was a long time coming). Have some guts (literally) and go for the pho combo with tripe, tendon, & flank. The tendon really is something special, both chewy and soft. Also, they got that stanky durian (at least in shake form). Try it, at least!! Its a kind of metallic/nutty taste. Other highlights for me have been the Vietnamese beef stew (so hearty) and the chili + lemongrass squid. Good veggie options for those who are so inclined. Also, jelly pearl smoothies are always nice as a desert!!! Mango, taro, Thai tea are just some of the tasty flavors. This restaurant also has a location in 5 Points but I've found the service and atmosphere there to be a little less desirable than the Decker Blvd. location.
(4)Ali N.
First of all, a 50 cent pot of jasmine tea is just fantastic. Had #67, the spicy special something pho and it was delicious. Not too spicy, just enough to properly enhance the dish (and clear the sinuses a bit). Broth was amazing. Not sure what all meats were in the dish, but it didn't matter. Being from Louisiana, I know the parts you can't always recognize from a grocery store shelf are the ones that bring out the most flavor! Easy to pick around for more selective eaters. The beginning service was a little too slow. It's self-seating, and the girl did not come around particularly soon to get my drink and then food order, but after I got my meal, I think they came to check on me and ask me how everything was at least 4 times (between 2 women). For just short of $9 on the pho, I got A LOT of food - enough for at least two meals when very hungry. As a grad student, that makes me very happy. Pho for breakfast the next day? Why, yes, thank you. FYI: didn't bother looking at the second page of the menu, but all the pho was in the $7-$10 range, but again, it is a whole lot of food for that money, so consider it more like $5 a meal.
(4)Ka T.
This seemed to be the only Pho place in the city. I am glad i decided to hunt the place down. The atmosphere is very clean and service was very friendly. The pho was good and spring rolls were fresh. I would come again, if i had the opportunity.
(4)Jenny C.
This was the only Vietnamese restaurant when I was livin in Cola. And it's hella far so I think we've only been there twice. The most memorable dish was the vermicelli with grilled pork (or was it beef?). The meat was a flavor overload!! Wish we had frequented it more. Lucky y'all current Columbians/gamecocks with the new location!
(4)Tina C.
Great restaurant. The chicken lemongrass wih chili oil is superb. The pho' is out of this world. You also have to try the vietnamese iced coffee.
(5)Ryan B.
The food is absolutely amazing. Very fresh and healthy, and it smells almost as good as it tastes. The service is very good and friendly too. The number 4 appetizer is my favorite, and I've tried something from every category on the menu to my great pleasure. My favorite is the shrimp stirfry with rice noodles, but it's a close call. One of my top 5 restaurants in Columbia, and I love to eat good food!
(5)Stephanie D.
The quality of pho here is what better than what you find in Charlotte and comparable to those in Atlanta. A small bowl is just a little over $8 if you include tax, and a large bowl is just a dollar more. I was hoping they would give as much meat as What the Pho in GA, but they missed that mark by just a few pieces. They were also missing a few extra herbs that could put in the soup, but those herbs aren't available in Columbia (so it wasn't a big deal). Nonetheless, it was MUCH better than the $10+ bowl I paid for in Charlotte a little while ago. Of course, nothing compares to homemade pho. My waitress was a bit slow with the drinks. The only reason why it was annoying is because the restaurant itself was hot and muggy. My group and I wanted to get a head start on our cold drinks to cool down before devouring the soup. She also never offered to refill my water. Pho Viet, accoring to my brother, is not the place to go if you expect great service. I'd recommend this restaurant to those who are interested in trying Vietnamese cuisine. There really isn't any other place nearby that is comparable. The dish everyone should try at least once is pho. I'd ask the waitress for advice on how to dress it up if you're new to the dish. The avocado smoothies is a popular treat if you're craving something cold and sweet.
(4)Vanessa N.
Food and service was great only complaint is, that it needs to be closer to me. Will visit again when in the area.
(5)Epicurious E.
Pho Viet, on Decker Blvd. in the Northeastern area of Columbia, is quite possibly my favorite restaurant in all of Columbia. That may be a bit of an overstatement, but it is without a doubt the restaurant we eat at almost every week, without fail. It offers the best Vietnamese food in these parts (but, considering there isn't any competition around, that really doesn't say that much), and, IMHO, considering all the Asian cuisine in general around here (lumping together Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese), it is probably the most authentic and accurate of all the Asian restaurants in Columbia in terms of the flavors and menu offerings. For me, Pho Viet = comfort food. It reminds me of the kind of flavors I used to enjoy when I lived back in Los Angeles - while Pho Viet would be an average Vietnamese restaurant back in Los Angeles, here, it is exceptional for the area. I have been going here since I moved, back when the menu was tiny (only about 15 dishes total), but since January 2009, they renovated the restaurant and now offer a gigantic menu of Vietnamese dishes - pho, bun, and rice dishes - to choose from. I may sound like a shill for the restaurant, but I just really, really like their food a lot, and definitely recommend that you try the food there at least once. Lastly, for the vegetarians out there, Pho Viet also offers a decent amount of vegetarian options. For more details about Vietnamese food in general, as well as photos of both the restaurant and some of the dishes offered here, you can visit my food blog, epicurious-eats.blogspot…
(5)Leah S.
I'm from out of town. My dad works here and on a visit I decided to try something I couldn't find at home. Fantastic service and the food was incredible!
(5)Michelle E.
Good noodle soups. Shrimp spring rolls with satay sauce are great.
(4)Nicholas K.
For as long as I can remember, one of my best friends drove around town with a sticker on his car that stated simply: "I HEART PHO". So for the longest time, I have wanted to try this mysterious Vietnamese specialty. For ages, the only option for Columbians eager to satisfy this craving was to be sure to go to a good Korean restaurant whilst in a more cosmopolitan city nearby (ahem Atlanta). But when this place opened up nearly a year ago, it became remarkably easy for this particular lazy guy to go get some pho and see what all the fuss is about. "Oh, PHO, yummmmmm.... That's why he had that sticker on his little blue Rabbit all those years." That was my reaction the first time I dined here almost a year ago and that has been my reaction in the 3-4 times since that I have gone. Even since, I haven't felt it necessary to stray away from the restaurant's namesake. It's that good. Of course, m' lady gets adventurous with the menu and still, having long abandoned the traditional pho, has not found a menu item she dislikes. Pho is a little like the Korean equivalent to the American chicken noodle soup, except served in enormously large bowls with impossibly fresh bean sprouts, Thai basil, and jalepeno peppers that complement an already vast array of spices, broth, noodles, and your choice of beef. Oh, I hope it's okay to slurp in Korean culture because as soon as I get my pho I'm like a Japanese tourist at a noodle stand, shoveling my face full and slurp slurping away. It's so freakin' good, I'm sorry. The icing on the cake that gives Pho Viet it's 5-stars finally came yesterday. We took a vegetarian friend of ours there and we worried if he would find enough to eat. Alas, the fresh veggie spring rolls and the veggie pho seemed to fill him up more than enough. Here is a man who inhales $20 worth of Blue Cactus vegetarian fare like it was a McDouble cheeseburger and at the end of the meal, he was left staring at a rather large portion of veggie pho noodle. I was surprised. He was full. The best little treat for m' lady and I is when we finish our meal we usually split a little tapioca pearl drink. And I know this isn't necessarily a Korean treat (more of a Chinatown concoction) but, boy, do we love it. Try and get one of the flavors that uses fresh ingredients (like avocado) and not the powdered flavors.
(5)Sean A.
Good food, better then the outside makes it seem. They forgot half our order but it was still good enough for us to come back. this is a healthy alternative to some other more american based selections.
(4)Ken N.
Very fresh. Food was great. Service was exceptionally friendly. My 8 year old even said it was better than McDonald (which is next door). My 4 year old who is THE pickiest eater ate the phó with little remorse. Over all one of the best Vietnamese restaurants I've been to.
(5)Mike G.
I visited the location on Devine Street in Five Points. My guest had the Pho Chicken (forgot the Vietnamese name) and other guest enjoyed the Chicken and Shrimp BBQ, I think it was #71. The Pho Bo I ordered was deliciously prepared and the service was friendly and efficient. I will definitely return.
(5)Jonathan Z.
If you arent familiar with pho (pronounced phuh), it is a huge bowl of rice noodles and spiced broth with selected cuts of meat simmered in the soup, with crunchy bean sprouts, basil, mint, jalapeno, and limes on the side for you to add as you wish. It is cheap for the quantity of food you get and is quite delicious if you get it at a decent place. My fear in coming here was that they would not do the dish justice by cutting corners and thinking that people in a smaller town like Columbia wouldn't know the difference (since there are not a whole lot of Vietnamese people here). Not a good assumption on my part. This was a very decent bowl of pho, much better than I had expected. Everything was spiced well even if the broth did lack some of the fatty mouth feel of a top shelf broth. The garnishes were fresh and crisp to add textural contrast and flavor to the soft meat, noodles, and soup. Add a couple of squirts of hoisin sauce and the very spicy chili sauce on the table for sweetness and heat if you like. Be careful of the chili sauce (called siracha). It is really hot so buyer beware. Atmosphere here is nonexistent but you don't really go to ethnic restaurants for nice ambiance. You go for good cheap food that hopefully tastes delicious. If you go here for a first date or something, she better be in to food and not expecting anything fancy. So, I am very pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed my bowl o pho at Pho Viet. If you are looking to branch out to something new, different, and delicious, give it a try.
(4)Josh M.
Outside can be a little intimidating, as it's located in an old fast food joint. Inside is much more attractive, with live plants and intimate booths. Waitstaff is attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, which is important. Food is authentic, delicious and affordable. The vegetarian in the group was very happy, as they have vegetable pho broth and spring rolls. Bathrooms need serious TLC.
(4)Wendy M.
Super Yum! Ordered the vegetarian spring rolls and vermicelli with tofu and spicy peppers both totally delicious! Highly recommended ;-)
(4)jimmy s.
Best pho I've had in Columbia. Decent broth (waaaay better than the Golden Chopsticks broth), the meat was OK but ribeye was sliced way to thick. Brisket also was lacking - needs to be more tender and fatty. 3.5 stars.
(4)Ashish G.
Food is good but the service is HORRIBLE!! go to the other location in five points - you wont regret it.
(2)Emily E.
Crispy rolls are to die for! Also a huge fan of the shaking beef and yellow noodle combo. Bubble tea is decent but not the best in Columbia. Service is super fast and friendly. I could eat here every day!
(5)Gabe L.
Good food, fresh summer rolls. Nice place
(4)John H.
Was pretty good, but not the quality to merit 4.5 stars from my experience. Good enough to go back to, but not so amazing that it leaves you wanting more.
(3)