Bida Saigon
8078 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37919
Bida Saigon Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Knoxville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
8078 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN, 37919 - Phone (865) 694-5999
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
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
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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John S.
So delicious! Amazing pho! As soon as you walk in the smell of star anise hits you and you know it's gonna be a great meal. They have an array of sauces at the table that enhance anything you order. The chili paste is especially spicy and really adds a kick to your entree. GOODMORNING VIETNAM!
(5)Amaryllia L.
I was passing though the area while driving from Atlanta to Michigan and decided to stop here for a quick lunch. * Bahn mi sandwich ($3) + extra fried egg on top ($2): good flavor, adequate amount of filling, and egg was perfectly fried. missing jalapenos so I had to steal some from my friend's pho toppings. * Small side of pho broth ($3): I normally get a soup to dunk my sandwich in. I ordered it without asking about the price because it's normally about $0.50 in Atlanta. when the bill came and I was charged $3 for the small bowl of broth, I was definitely shocked, especially when a full order of pho with all the meat and noodles was only around $6. Perhaps for this area the food is pretty good, but compared to any other larger city, it is very mediocre and overpriced (this same meal usually costs me around $4.50 rather than $8).
(3)Roxanne C.
I have a friend that has gained 11 pounds from eating here. If you like Vietnamese food they make excellent pho. Just try not to get addicted!
(5)Rachel S.
Well, I was a Pho newbie before coming here, so I don't know how this stacks up compared to bigger cities with lots of choices, etc, but Bida Saigon is certainly good enough for me and now in my regular rotation of places to eat 1-2/month. I really like the #3 appetizer and the #11 Pho dish. If I'm just average hungry the #11 is plenty of food for just me, if I'm extra ravenous I can finish both an appetizer and a Pho, but that's a serious quantity of food for one. I have no shame. Came here with a group of about 8 people once and that turned out really well, the service is always fast so if you're trying to eat before a movie, you can rest assured it's possible here. 7 out of our 8 people really enjoyed the place, and 1 was a picky eater that is low on joy in her life and didn't care for it. Her loss, more Pho for me! Oh and since they only serve beer it was no problem for us to bring wine, massive plus when dining near several giant liquor stores and helping to keep the price of the outing reasonable for all. Oh and for those that complain about the decor, well, it's not PFChangy Pretty (TM) but I'll take fish tanks and pool tables any day so long as the food is this good, and isn't overpriced to the level of places where the biggest asset is the decor. You can eat an outstanding meal for $8 plus tip here. Keep your expectations in that ballpark. I've also called in to-go orders here several times when I must, and they certainly do a great job of packing everything up so you can get as close to the product served as possible from the restaurant at home, but Pho really is the kind of dish best served immediately in the restaurant. Definitely eat in at least twice if you're new to Pho before getting a to-go order or you won't have a clue how to assemble it at home. This is another spot I kick myself for waiting so long to try, now that I have, it's a great option when I want a soup, or just something not fried or cheesy for lunch or dinner. Virtue tastes good here!
(5)Jonathan L.
I have been going to this place for years. Unfortunately, the food portion had reduced to less than half the original portion. With the price increase from $7 to $8 and less food. I don't think anyone would be too fond about it. Not to mention the side raw veggie that usually comes with when you order pho. There were hardly any basil leaves or lime! What an disappointment?!?!?! Knoxville needs another pho restaurant!
(2)Sam L.
The pho was average and didn't stand out in any way. The broth was a little sweet but was flavorful. What was most disappointing was the rare beef was cut very thick compared to what is normally done for pho and was very tough. The tendon also was undercooked. The decor wasn't as people make it out to be.
(3)Beth P.
Wonderful pho! Traveling through Knoxville on our way back to NC we craved pho. I had tofu pho hubby had big bowl pho. Very good brooth was sweet but I liked that. The sprimp rolls were a wee bit too chewy but the peanut dipping sauce was delish. Decor is kinda scary freezers and pool tables with junk under them meet you at the door. A total waste of space and worry some for cleanliness. But food made up for scary weird inside. 3 and half out of 5 cause they need to clean up their decor.
(4)Kate H.
If you want the best Banh Mi sandwich around, check them out! They have a delicious selection! The one with the fried egg is my favorite!
(4)Shari S.
Im giving this place 3 stars because of interior, kids and food. When I first walked in I didnt feel like it was a resturant, I felt like it was a $2.00 billards bar and when u look left its a dine in resturant, I think the decor needs to be updated. Next, There was 2 kids running around looking at 3 fish tanks, and so the little boy saw my son and told him to follow and look at fishes ( my first thought was NO, But my husband was there and he always think im over protected) So, I said go look and come back, My son came back and sat down and the next thing I know these two kids are running around everywhere!!!! I said, Nope not my child..you better sit here as the child I raised you to be, u Do Not Show Out In Public!!!! So im looking at the 2 adults ( lack there of) at the table and they are chowing down while these two bad kids are ripping and running. Then the little boy sat at my table while we are having an adult conversation (wtf) so then the food came and the little boy touched my son food. I was piss off at this point... I told him nicely to leave with and evil eye stare. Im a mom and I love kid friendly places but.... At their ages they should know better !!!!! Third, The food I ordered the Bho Kho .... It was ok, eatable and ok..nothing to brag about
(3)Kate O.
I found this place through Yelp while looking for a pho place. I had pho in different cities throughout the country and I notice that pho taste slightly different from each other in various parts of the country. I do enjoy the slight variation though, but for those who are hardcore about how their pho should taste may not enjoy it. We ordered the grilled pork rolls and 3 bowls of pho. The rolls are really good! I thought the pho was a little bit too sweet, but it was okay after I added a little bit of fish sauce. I thought they could have cook the noodle a little bit more, but it wasn't too bad. I like that they gave plenty of fresh veggies along with the pho. Service was good and the food arrived quickly. The ice coffee that I ordered was very good too.
(4)Tommy G.
The food was awsome! Beware of the chili and oil it's very hot. Number 11b was my favorite do much I was stuffed can't wait to go back
(5)Joey D.
I love this place. I seriously do. The bahn mi is simple, crispy, and delicious. And it's $3.50. Earlier today I tried the Vietnamese crepes and they were astounding. I think it might boil down to cilantro. I love a cuisine that puts cilantro in everything! Also, the waitstaff are adorable and sweet, which is clearly a plus. One more thing ---- the setting is pretty awesome too. There's two pool tables that greet you when you walk in the door, but don't let that scare you. I've been in this restaurant before when a lot of Vietnamese men were hanging out, drinking and playing pool, and it was quite an awesome atmosphere. It reminded me of a Frank Reynolds basement gambling scene in Its Always Sunny. Awesome.
(5)Paul C.
Paul's Yelp Elite Rating : 5 Stars (Pho only - haven't tried anything else....YET)! ATTENTION PEOPLE OF KNOXVILLE! You have an incredibly and authentically DELICIOUS Vietnamese restaurant in your town! Don't judge a book by its cover...or in this case a restaurant by its facade. It's kind of a hole in the wall dive, as it contains a couple of pool tables. But it's the FOOD here that rocks! Went to West Town Mall (God I HAAAAAATE $#&%@# malls!) and THANKFULLY (as it turned out) their food court was filled with snot nosed kids and no seats were available so I used my handy Yelp App to find a nearby restaurant. Well I am SOOOOOO happy I picked Bida Saigon! I read the Yelp reviews for recommendations and I picked the #9 Pho Rare Beef. I admit to being both a Pho Junkie and Pho Snob. (And for those of you who don't know, Pho is NOT pronounced FOAH. It is correctly pronounced FUH. Just sayin....) This Pho was unbelievably rich and aromatic, with a very subtle sweetness which to me is what made the dish. It was topped with cilantro, scallions and some onion slices, in addition to the thinly sliced pieces of rare beef which cooks inside your Pho bowl. The noodles were cooked perfectly al dente. I asked what was added to give that deliciously subtle sweetness, and she said that the owner uses a "meticulously prescibed" amount of sugar. Don't get me wrong folks this dish is not "sweet" at all. It just has a PERFECT combination of sweet and savory. They do give you a side of sprouts, basil and lime but, I don't think this dish needs ANY of that added! Recommend that you eat it just as presented. Normally I can't finish an entire bowl but in this case I not only ate everything but I uncouthly drank the broth and licked the bowl! I just didn't care what that looked like to anyone! I'd have to say this was one of THE BEST Pho dishes I've ever had! I can't believe I found this quality of Pho in Knoxville! Skip the Mall Food Court folks and drive 3 minutes down Ray Mears to eat at this delicious restaurant! HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)Victoria L.
Reading the high-rated reviews for this restaurant, my family and I wanted to give this place a try. It was nice and quaint. Once you walk into the restaurant, you are met with a confusing side room with pool tables and random stuff stored underneath them. Then, as you look to the side you see the eating area. When I was there, all the blinds were closed making it way too uncomfortably dark inside the restaurant. And sadly, the decorations made the restaurant look like it was stuck in 90s. The food here was pretty average. My family and I tried the com suon dac biet and bun nem nhuong and cha gio. The rice plate was pretty good but the pork was cooked to an uncommon pinkish color. The bun portions were small, I kept wishing there were more cha gio to my plate. We also tried the banh mi dac biet which were lacking in ingredients. On the good side, the service was really friendly and fast! I wish they had provided more ingredients with their plates and would fix the interior decorations a little to make it a bit more appealing. Besides that, this place is a nice option for Viet food!
(3)Jason C.
I've been to Bida Saigon three times now. It is a 2-Star building that gets an extra star for the taste of the food, and another for the staff. As for the decor, the simple tables and chairs along with several unusable pool tables gives the place a "dive" kinda feel.
(4)Forrest B.
"Dadgum." The very first words out of my mouth as I bit into my spring roll. And once I started my meal, I'm not sure I said another word until I was done. My companion and I decided to sample a variety of things and see how good everything was. So, we split a #2 spring rolls, #6 Vietnamese crepes, #9 rare beef pho, and I think a #30, banh mi. (I'm not sure of the banh mi number, but it had sausage and ham on it.) The spring rolls were well constructed, flavorful, and balanced. They even didn't fall apart! The banh mi was a bit lacking in substance, as they often are. I would have loved more filling, alas, it was still delicious and the bread was great. I'm not the biggest fan of pho (a cardinal sin, from what I understand) but I do enjoy it on occasion. This was no exception. The pho was great and not too brothy. The beef was really tasty, but I'm not really sure what it added. No complaints about it though. The crepes were the highlight of the meal. Filled to the brim with tasty ingredients and balanced flavors, I had trouble sharing it. I'm not quite sure what the crepe ingredients were, but they seemed distinctively eggy. Add some sauce to it, and it's heaven. There's sauces on the table. Of course, there's the traditional ones, but there's also a red spice. I'm a major wimp, but this stuff was crazy spicy. Service was really good until the end, when the shift change happened and we had to wait about ten minutes to grab someone's attention for the check. Oh, and there was so much pho that I had it for lunch the next day. The outside is a bit drab, but the food is amazing and with a tip the entire meal was under $25.
(5)S C.
Definitely have experienced better. There aren't that many restaurants options in Knoxville for Vietnamese food. The meat is meager. The pho broth seemed a bit salty. The smoothies seem to have more milk and ice than actual flavor. The staff is okay. They're not rude but they're not overly welcoming either. Overall, it's alright and not that great.
(2)Claudia L.
I went here with my boyfriend because he said the only Vietnamese restaurants here in Tennessee were Viet Taste and Bida Saigon (I'm from California). I got the Com Suong Nuong and he got a Pho Dac Biet. I've had plenty of Vietnamese food, and for someone that grew up in a Vietnamese household, their food was disgusting. My pork tasted like they literally overcooked it, or cooked it, froze it, then microwaved it for me to eat. I tried my boyfriend's pho and it was okay. Not something I would go out of my way for. Their service was terribly slow for 2-3 waitresses on 6 tables. It took them about 15 minutes to realize that they forgot my Thai Iced Tea. They didn't even walk over to my table to ask. The waitress went over the wall divider and tapped me on my back and asked if I still wanted my tea. I didn't touch any of my food and decided to to-go it for my boyfriend to eat later, since he insisted that he didn't want food to be wasted. It took the waitress 20 minutes to bring the to-go box to us. DEFINITELY not returning. And definitely not authentic Vietnamese food.
(2)Lan N.
This place can get crowded in the first room, but they will open up the second room if needed. The service is fast and they accommodate to order adjustments such as in 'no onions' or putting items on the side dish. The beef pho broth is a bit on the sweeter side. The aromatic spices are proportionally used to add a unique taste. The noodles taste like the fresh ones rather than the dried packages being reconstituted. Fresh herbs and veg are a must: thai basil, spiky cilantro, bean sprouts, slices jalapeños, and lime wedges. They do put MSG into their broth for an extra enhancement in flavor. The crepe looked good but not as crispy as I had hope it would be. It came with a nuoc cham which is the fish dipping sauce. Try the ice coffee. It's a bit sweet but will get you quickly caffeinated. Overall, not bad. These people cook from their heart (with the help of MSG).
(3)Jason C.
One of the best places to eat in Knoxville. It may not be a fine dining experience but they make up for it with taste. I eat here 2 or 3 times a month.
(5)Jamie M.
First time I tried pho. I was hesitant because I'm not a huge soup fan and more of a rice person than noodle. However, this pho was good. It was filling but in a good way. The banh mi sandwiches are good and only $3. The sandwiches can enjoyed by anyone, even the less adventurous crowd. In total, we got beef pho, two banh mi sandwiches, and spring rolls for $20. The price can't be beaten.
(4)Brenda L.
I liked this place. come try this place please. I ordered the pho with shrimp and 2 egg rolls. The food came out in like 2 minutes. I am assuming they have the pho already made on the steam table or warmer and the rolls maybe they also have some extra done because no way they made those right away. it was super fast. The shrimp pho was so very delicious, the best part is that they give you a huge portion of sprouts, fresh slice jalapeños and mix spices. I loved it very flavorful and warm and delicious. The noodles where so good. Also very cool that they provide around 4 different table sauces. The rolls where ok pretty tasty, but a bit dry. The service was fast and friendly. A little too fast perhaps they should offer some desserts or coffee, but here I am just being overly critical because I own a restaurant and I feel for the owners. The service was very good. Come check this place out, if you like pho then this place will please you!
(4)Phillip B.
Had the #11 and ate almost all of it..had a little broth left..soooooo good and so was the Thai tea Would recommend this place to anyone
(4)Johnathan C.
Some of the best ph I've ever had! I've had a few different versions of their ph and I'm never disappointed. The bánh mì (sandwiches) I've had there is also really good, as are the spring rolls and (Vietnamese) egg rolls. The service is always great and we're there often enough that staff usually knows what we want as we walk in and even joke around with a friend of mine and his request for a fork. I definitely recommend this place to everyone!
(5)Susan P.
My go to pho in Knoxville :) Good: broth is amazing, basically makes it taste so wonderful! Also their bahn mi (sandwiches are so perfect!) Bad: portion sizes can be a little small. The guys always have to order extra noodles.
(5)Mary T.
My favorite place in town for PHO! This place is a total hole in the wall. I always seem to get the #9. Everytime I venture out, the #9 keeps calling my name the next time. They bring you out an additional plate of bean sprouts, basil, limes, and jalapeños. I not only stuff my bowl full of that but I also put sriracha and chili paste in mine. Stir it up with your spoon and chopsticks because there are no forks here :) The #9 is the Rare Beef Pho. I also enjoy their egg rolls and spring rolls. The only thing I would not order again was the sandwich. Too much old bread and not enough to fill it up. It is tucked in the shopping center next to Hooters. It's actually easier to find if you are on Ray Mears Blvd by Target and heading West. You will see the shopping center on your right, just passed BucketHead. Oh yes and the only alcoholic thing they serve is beer. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE #9 Cheers & Enjoy!
(5)Alex M.
I was happy to find this place. I really love pho in general and was pleased with the slightly sweet cinnamon and fennel broth I got in the number 11. My only critique would be that the meat used in the dish seemed to be a bit tougher than I have had at other restaurants and lacking flavor. Overall it was very good, I'll definitely be back.
(4)AP A.
Pros: Ordered the pho. Someone said this is an aromatic broth. They were right. It smells sweet, tastes a little sweet, but it is good. I added the chili oil, and it was a good combination. It's a good amount of food, it is not expensive, and it's tasty. Some reviewers complained about the pool tables and odd layout of the restaurant -- um. So what? It's good food. If you don't like the decor, just go eat at a chain where appearance matters more than taste. And the staff is friendly. Cam on, Bida Saigon. Cons: It's not the best pho I've had in the states, but it can hold its own. I'd eat here again. I wish they had more options -- tripe, tendon, etc....
(4)Mary W.
This is a weekly (sometimes even more) spot for me and my hubby. I get the vermicelli option(24) and my husband gets pho (11b). It's so delicious and about as authentic as you will get in Knoxville. Very reasonably priced, although the atmosphere might leave something to be desired. But the quality and service is always consistent. So much yum!!!
(5)Veronica G.
I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and I have been spoiled with authentic Vietnamese food all my life. I recently moved to Knoxville and really didn't know what I'd get when looking for Asian cuisine. Well winter has rolled around and I've managed to catch a cold. I always eat pho to help it go away so I gave this place a shot. I was very pleasantly surprised! Authentic, came with all the garnishing and a fair price!
(5)Dee O.
Yummy My second experience at trying at pho. And it was fantastic. My first pho encounter was just there. I was in San Francisco and my cousin had recommended this place for their excellent pho. We both got the veggie pho and I probably didn't even eat a quarter of my dish. It just wasn't tasty. But not at Bida Saigon. My tofu pho was huge and delicious. I still didn't eat it all because it was a big plate but I was very satisfied and can't wait to go try it again. Service was good on a busy night. This place is most definitely a treasure for little ol Knoxville and I will be a frequent flier!
(4)Natt A.
I took my parents here for the first time and we all enjoyed our experience. The restaurant is located at the end of a strip mall and the decor/atmosphere is casual and nothing impressive. BUT, that's one of the common similarity to family-owned, quaint Vietnamese restaurant with yummy food. On that same note, usually the service is sub-par or very Asian-like -- it's a culture thing for those who are use to American expectation -- however, the service was pretty good. They had two waitresses handling all the tables - one main one seating customers and taking the orders and the other helping her out and running the food out. They were very nice, quick, accommodating, and friendly while doing a good job multitasking. We started off with the shrimp spring roll and pork spring roll. They were well made and flavorful with the dipping sauces, but we did hope for a bit more greens/lettuce to give a more color and crunch. I don't remember the names of our pho dishes, but I do remember the numbers (It's easier to order by the number than embarrass myself). We had #8, 11b, and 13 (I believe). The broth is aromatic and balance, however it did run on the sweet side compared to traditional pho. Nonetheless it was tasty and fresh. They provided fresh bean sprouts (my favorite in pho!), thai basil, slice jalapeños, lime wedges, and Vietnamese cilantro/herb. We all finished our pho and enjoyed the meal. Though it wasn't the best pho we have had or close to it, it was soothing and a great start to Vietnamese Pho Restaurants in Knoxville. I'm really glad to see the area growing in Asian cuisine. I'm a fan and gave it 4 stars instead of 3 because they persevered with the restaurant and allowed the area to become diversify and grow to learn to love Pho. They've been in business for around 4 years now (so I'm told), and is finally seeing people come more and more. Best of luck!
(4)Andrew M.
Great food for reasonable prices. Fast and delicious. They have recently expanded their location and even have billiards, now! Do not skimp on the fish sauce. Seriously.
(5)Emily K.
I don't know what some of these people are talking about, because EVERYTHING at Bida Saigon is absolutely amazing! I go every Sunday. The bahn mi's are the best I've ever had the bread is always perfect. And I've tried about every pho combination but number 8 is my favorite. Love this place, love the people, love the food and I will always be a customer! I wish I could give it more stars.
(5)Catherine R.
I love this place. They've had a recent renovation adding on to the seating/dining space. In my opinion, Bida Saigon has the best Pho in town. Their spring rolls and Bahn Mi are also fantastic. But it's awfully hard to try other things because when I go, I can't resist the Pho!
(5)Lisa H.
We didn't think there was a pho restaurant in Knoxville that could come close to California restaurants, that is, until we found Bida Saigon. We happened upon it and are so glad we did! The pho was delicious as was the spring roll. (We recommend the grilled pork). We had the rare beef and shrimp pho and both were wonderful. We'll definitely make this a favorite place to go!
(5)David N.
Here's a real critique coming from a unbiased viet from Chicago. Spring rolls and sauce was excellent which saved this place from receiving a 2 star. Please remove Bun Bo Hue from the menu. Wrong in every way possible. The soup was missing the proper seasonings (shrimp paste), greens, meats that is suppose to go with it. Let's just say that it was my first time having raw pho (steak) meat in bbh. Was able to sample my girlfriend's pho special. The soup's flavor was surprisingly solid...even if compared to more urban areas offerings. My friend liked her vietnamese crepe, but from my view, I can tell that it was not done properly in regards to texture. Zero crispness to it. Smoothies was overly icy...but that is typical of any Viet restaurant serving smoothies. Overall, not bad...for Tennessee.
(3)Libby G.
Just had lunch there for the 2nd time this week. I am addicted to the pho! The flavor is spot on, best in Knoxville. They recently added a tofu pho (#15) which is my favorite and really delicious. This place is the real deal. The exterior is lackluster but they have renovated the inside. Still nothing fancy but now there is more seating and 2 pool tables. But honestly, the inside could be a rat hole and I would still go to get that pho.
(5)Cosby L.
Do not judge this book by its cover. This place is the bomb. I've had Pho from all over the world and this place ranks up there at the top. Service is excellent too. Go with the number 11 because it's the bomb.com
(5)Brian G.
What I ate was very good and the price was right, I found the menu pretty limited. However, if you want really authentic Vietnamese food and to eat healthy this is probably a great place for you.
(3)Y. S.
It was one of the best Vietnamese place I have been to. Very delicious pork chops. My wife also really liked their pho soup. I love the fact they have Vietnamese sandwiches, which I used to get in California. Strongly recommend it.
(5)Casey H.
On our way to DC and got hungry. Got on yelp to look for a decent place to grab a carry out order. Got the nem nuong cuon (grill vietnamese meatball rolls) $3 and banh mi dac biet (special vietnamese sandwich) $3. Called it in and ready in 10 minutes. Both were very yummy.
(4)Rich D.
Had a wide selection of Pho, one was vegetarian (with tofu). I ordered the Bun tofu with peanut sauce instead of fish sauce. Once the sauce was added it was very tasty. Unfortunately the tofu was overcooked. I had the rice paper wrap with tofu, which is not on the menu, but was suggested by the server. The server was very friendly and made excellent suggestions. While the portions are good size, I view this as more of a lunch type restaurant. I will return (and try the Pho next time).
(3)Len S.
I've had pho all over the world and Bida Saigon's version ranks near the top. Their broth is especially noteworthy. They are also generous with peppers, limes and cilantro. It astounds me that this gem exists in Knoxville. Go often. Tip well.
(4)Bruce K.
So, lets just say trying to discover a vietnamese place in Knoxville will be harder to find after eating at this place. I wouldn't so far as to say that the food wasn't good, which was decent, but the service is what turned me off. I see that the reviews were all about the food and well to me I like to write about my whole experience at a restaurant, the whole nine yards. So lets get to it. The food. Of course at every Vietnamese pho restaurant I get my Pho Dac Biet. When I looked at the menu, nothing. However, they do have the combination. And well, that's what it is so that's what I order. It came in a deep bowl and I was pretty exciting about it. When I tasted it, not bad. I thought it had okay flavor, but nothing exciting. The amount of it was filling, and it had everything in there. So why two stars? Well the service was kind of abysmal in my opinion. It seemed like our waiter had an attitude the whole time and honestly, it made me feel like I wasn't wanted there. Or maybe, it was just because she just came off as really pushy. I think she was in a bad mood and just didnt want to be there though. Apparently this restaurant doesn't have vinegar, which is interesting as most do. I usually eat my meats with onions in red vinegar as a side when eating my pho. However, when it came time for billing, this is what set me from 3 stars to 2 stars. When she brought the check I gave her an Amex card, not knowing that they didn't take Amex. She comes back and says that they don't take Amex. Luckily, my father was carrying cash. So, he dug into his wallet and pulled out $43. (The bill was $35). This is what happened. She sat there waiting for my father to pay. She started gathering the dishes and at which gave a feeling that she wanted to get paid right there and then. After my father gives her the amount, with her hands full of plates and dishes, she goes into the kitchen. We're about to leave when she comes running back out and says that my father only paid $23. So a whole $20 was missing. My father just have her another $20 because he couldn't argue her accusation. First off, you shouldn't stand there waiting for a customer to pay. You should just drop the check off and go do other things until the customer is ready. I wasn't even paying and I felt rushed. Losing $20 and then accusing the customer because you're hands were full and could not count on the spot makes the customer feeling swindled. Secondly, it would be a lot easier and a lot less awkward if the waiter figures out the order to do things, especially when it comes to money. Such as the gathering of the plates and dealing with money. I think it would be easier to just let the customer go to the cash register and do all that there and separate the two. But that's just how I see it. Overall, just because of that experience, I don't think I'll come back here. My outlooks for pho spots aren't that great considering this is one of the best ones in Knoxville. If I'm absolutely craving for pho, maybe. If not, I'll just wait until I'm in another city.
(2)Rachel M.
Absolutely delicious! We each had a sandwich and shared a pho soup. It was more than enough, and with 2 Thai teas the bill was still only $22! We will be back. There's nothing like it in Knoxville.
(5)Ricky T.
Not bad. Food-wise, the Pho is actually pretty authentic. It comes with bean sprouts, basil, the usual. The broth was excellent! and the noodles were fresh and not over-cooked. The prices are reasonable, although I feel that the combination for $9 was a bit over-priced. The iced coffee was OK, nothing spectacular. The ambiance was very simple. I thought is was a bit awkward that there was no door that separated the kitchen from the dining area. I believe there was only two people working the entire restaurant, and they looked like husband and wife. Despite the limit of workers, we got our food at a reasonable time. Overall, I have yet to find another Vietnamese restaurant in Knoxville as decently priced and authentic as this one. I will definitely be back.
(4)B B.
Ate there a couple weeks ago. Had the pho noodle and meatball. Pretty good food and great friendly service. Kind of difficult to find, my gps said it was on the right set of buildings when in fact it was at the end if the set on the left.
(4)Bonny C.
Adored this place. Easy to find but still off the main path. Service was good - a little casual but attentive. The prices were the best part. We were traveling and just a little hungry so the shrimp spring rolls for my friend and the bahn mi sandwich for me were perfect and great on our budget. I have only done Vietnamese once before so next time we are in the area I plan to be more adventurous with what I try.
(4)Rod O.
The Owner is very friendly and speaks English very well!!! A bunch of "good ole Boys" were enjoying this place which only made me think this is probably the BEST Place in Town for Vietnamese! !! !!! The Sandwich was very good! We eat Banh Mi everywhere we go and I give this one at least 4 yelp stars! The "Fish" Sauce was very good! Pho was Fantastic!!! 5 yelp stars for the Pho! Egg Rolls were more like an Imperial Roll, very good! Bun was good, the Pork Chop was Extremely Tender, though I did not like the marinade. I'm giving this dish 3.75 stars Vietnamese Coffee was Very good!
(4)Kevin D.
I travel all over the country and everywhere I go I seek out Pho. It's sort of an addiction I have. I can say with full confidence that Bida Saigon ranks at the very top of Pho restaurants I have had the pleasure of visiting. In speaking with the very attentive staff they informed that me the broth for the Pho is made fresh everyday for 5-6 hours. And it shows.
(5)Jason G.
Love this place! My girlfriend and I both grew up with parents that owned restaurants. She is Thai and knows 'good' Asian food. This is it. Best asian food in Knoxville.
(5)Joseph B.
We've been to a few places and this is the best so far for Pho. They home-make it, and the proof is in the taste.
(4)Danny T.
Went tonight for the first time and while we will probably go back, it was not the greatest. The food was good, but I had a vermicelli and it was mainly rice and not much meat. I would have preferred more meat.
(3)Jack P.
Disgusting. Not to come across as a Vietnamese food snob, but as someone partnered to a Vietnamese national (who accompanied me on this outing), and one who has eaten Vietnamese food all over the US, as well as in Saigon, Hanoi, and Hue, I can certainly say that this is the crappiest excuse for Vietnamese food I've ever experienced. The first tipoff was that none of the waitstaff speaks Vietnamese--and I was ready to leave after making this realization. Instead, we ordered a multitude of dishes for takeout, all of which were absolutely disgusting, and most of which ended up in the garbage can. The Ban Xeo was seeped in grease and liquid, and was a total mess. The Banh Mi was the farthest thing from the authentic Viet sandwich, and was instead something that I spit out in my first bite. THIS IS NOT WHAT VIETNAMESE FOOD IS SUPPOSED TO TASTE LIKE!!! IT'S GARBAGE!
(1)Owen F.
I eat Vietnamese every where I travel. I went here because of the reviews. I don't know what the comments about ambiance are about. It's quite nice. Besides i don't care to pay for ambiance. I care about the food. A+++ I had #18 I believe it is. BBQ pork soup with shrimp and both egg and rice noodles. Home run!!! The most full favored robust pork broth ever. Outstanding! !! I will eat here again and recommend Bida Saigon to everyone.
(5)Sheryl P.
After Cocoa Moon closed on Parkside in Turkey Creek, we knew it would be hard to find another great pho place in town. Until we tried Bida Saigon. Great little place. Lay out is weird. The restaurant itself isn't very pretty. But who cares? As long as it's clean and there's somewhere to sit and eat, then I don't care. And of course, the food has to be good. Every time we have eaten there, the owner has been there. He is extremely welcoming and has started a conversation with us each time we have been there. Whenever we eat here we order the same thing. Two bowls of pho for my husband and I and an order of spring rolls. And every time it has not disappointed. It's not the best pho I've ever had. But it definitely isn't the worst. But it's still delicious!
(4)Mary S.
Looks can be deceiving. Don't be fooled by the aloof exterior and substandard sign. The food here is fantastics and the soups here are great! Each of us had a different soup dish...one had pork and shrimp, one had chicken, and my husband had beef. They were all very tasty, hot, and full of good stuff! The fourth person in our party had a vermicelli dish with veggies and other healthy toppings and that too was on the mark. The owner was super friendly and accommodating!
(4)Melanie T.
This is a strange little place...but strange in good way. I felt like I had just walked into a Jackie Chan movie and was intruding on a Triads meeting, lol. There's the pool hall area and a smoking dining section. Then there's a little non smoking room with 4 little tables, that's where my husband and I were seated. There's a few tvs and that night there was a football game on, so you know my husband was happy. We ordered 2 bowls of pho with rare steak meat, an order or eggrolls and iced coffee. Pho was $7 a bowl, cheapest I've seen in the area and... *mouth drool* tastes like someone from the old world made it. Deeeeelicious!!! My husband and I skimmed our bowl until there were no noodles or meat left. Broth wasn't fatty or greasy. I wish we would have found this place sooner (as we're about to move out of the Knoxville area back to our home in the Chicago area). The eggrolls I can't say the same for. There were about 6 mini eggrolls and they were over cooked and oily. I ate one and didn't eat the rest. The iced coffee...scrumptious! I personally like mines a little watered down so I added more water to it, but even without the added water its just as good. Our server was very kind and informative about the menu and questions we had about the place. Service was fast and I appreciated that she wore gloves and the pool hall/restaurant was very clean. After we ate dinner we decided we wanted to play a game of pool. $10 for one hour, not bad. We actually played a little longer than an hour but the server and owner never really minded or tried to rush us out. They offered two kinds of beer, Corona and Heinekin. I forgot how much they were. All in all...I would recommend Bida Saigon. It's definitely a hole in the wall but their food is great, the people are kind and helpful, tvs so you can watch sports of whatever you want for that matter (you just gotta ask), you can smoke in there and they serve beer. What more can you ask for?!
(5)kir h.
i, in fact, love this little place. the first time i went i walked right past the door, but once i went in and ate i could never do that again. the food is always fresh and delicious, and they may have my favorite egg rolls. service is always fast and friendly, and i like the quirky atmosphere.
(5)Stephen M.
I love this place. I judge every Vietnamese restaurant in every city based on their Pho. The Pho here is amazing. Fresh and very tasty.
(5)Erin B.
It's a pool hall. It's a restaurant. I skipped the pho and had what the waitress described as spicy beef soup. I can't remember the actual name. The broth--sublime. The beef--tender & plentiful. The veg & herbage--fresh & delicious. The noodles--not rice-based, but thicker, wheat-based (& outstanding.) It was not terribly spicy, but they had an assortment of sauces at the table, sriracha, sambal, etc. I opted for the homemade red concoction in the little jar with a spoon. The service was great--they didn't seem at all bothered by the fact that I had my 19 month old with me in a stroller. Our waitress ushered us through the billiards area (a bit smoky) to the non-smoking area in the back. Very friendly, very accommodating. The menu is on the wall, all in Vietnamese. I'd bet my ass that have a banh mi, and you can bet yours that I'm going back to get one. Oh--and don't expect a fork. It's all slurpy chopstick action, baby.
(5)Sana A.
This is my favorite go to place if I'm craving Vietnamese food! The Pho Ga here is to die for !!!
(5)Vivian D.
This is really a hole in the wall restaurant but they do have authentic Vietnamese dishes. AND SANDWICHES (banh mi). I was so glad to find this place. When you first walk in, it doesn't have the full restaurant atmosphere. It kinda reminded me of walking into a doctor's office with a bunch of tables and chairs. It was like if the owners ran out of money and just had to stop with the interior decorating and renovations. But as long as they have tables and chairs, it didn't bother me. I came here twice and I tried different Vietnamese dishes both time. First time I went there I tried their Pho, special combination (beef noodle soup with a bunch of different meat parts: tripe, brisket, steak, beef balls, etc). I approve. Second time I went here we were suppose to go to the other Vietnamese restaurant/bistro but they were closed on Sundays (or that particular Sunday). I had the Bun bowl (dried vermicelli noodles; kinda like a white rice noodle salad) with eggrolls, grilled pork and lemony-fish sauce dressing. Both times I came here, I always ordered a sandwich for next-day's lunch. It's as authentic as it can get. I love their sandwiches. Reminds me of my hometown in California. If you want to try something new and willing to get out of your comfort zone, check this place out. OH AND DID I TELL YOU THE PRICES ARE REASONABLE?! Well, they are. :)
(5)Jenny J.
I read about this place in the metropulse. I wanted to try a new restaurant so I dragged my husband along; he protested the whole way there (I should have listened to him). It is located way in the back of a strip mall. Outside and inside are not very inviting. Saturday night at eight o'clock, there were only two other seated tables in the place. It had a strong odor of fish sauce, like an Asian market. My husband still tried to escape but I forced him to sit down. I told the waitress that we were new to the menu items and what would she suggest to beginners. She suggested the egg crepe with pork. The egg crepe was under cooked and slimy; the pork was bland. The egg sandwich with fresh veggies was ok, no seasoning, just a splash of soy sauce. The rice paper rolls of vermicelli and shrimp had no seasoning. The rice paper was so rubbery that I could not chew it. Some kind of peanut sauce was on the table; however, I was not fond of the flavor. We only ate a few bites and left. It took a few weeks to live that fiasco down with my husband.
(1)Jac S.
Pho king badassery. Prepare to be throat punched with awesome. The food is really fresh, delicious, and cheap. The service is fast. I am pretty sure some type of gambling is going on next door. This place is awesome.
(5)Justa G.
I adore Bida Siagon. I had the flu last year & all I wanted the whole time was #13. It has healing powers! I know little of Vietnamese cusine but I love Phó! The staff are nice, attentive, and prompt! My husband ADORES #23 which is a pork chop with perfectly fried egg rice and cucumber. We don't go for the atmosphere or decor. We love the staff & the food. We keep going back!
(4)Greg V.
Awesome! Didn't know we had anything this authentic here. We will be back. The Crepe was fantastic and we had three different bowls of Pho (pronounced "Fa") Service was great as was the Vietnamese coffee and milk. I'd be here more often if we lived closer.
(5)Megan S.
We've been to this place several times, and have been generally pleased with the food. The pho is my weakness, and it tends to be very good, although sometimes the broth can be inconsistent (read: oily). You don't come here for the atmosphere--it's basically a pool hall with a restaurant tacked onto it. But this is kind of awesome in a way. The only thing I had there that really didn't work for me was a banh mi. I love banh mi, but the crazy pork products they put on this one were a bit disgusting. I know this is traditional, and that I should have gotten the pulled pork banh mi, but word to the wise: if you don't like poor quality pâté, don't get this one. We like the place, all told, and it's one of our regular choices when we have to eat lunch out.
(4)Melissa H.
My husband & I were really hopeful that we would be impressed by this place. We live in Johnson City, TN and drove 104 miles one way to experience this place. It was well worth the drive. We also got 2 to go orders :-)
(5)Anthony F.
I have visited Vietnam twice in 2 years. I really like the food there. So I was excited to see that there was a Vietnamese restaurant here in Knoxville where I'm staying for business. The restaurant is a small hole in the wall that could easily be overlooked. We seated ourselves and perused the menu. Everything was in Vietnamese with English subtitles beside it. The waitress came over and took drink orders. Although I knew what most items were, my friends didn't. I wish the waitress would have taken the time to ask if anyone had eaten there and if they understood the menu. I could only do so much... I also wish that the various sauces on the table were explained to us. The bowls of Pho were huge and hot. The food that I ordered was fresh and tasty. I really don't remember what it was called- but it had cut up spring rolls, greens, rice noodles and pork. I also had the traditional Iced Coffee which is awesome. The restaurant was busy for a Friday night. The decor was minimal and dated. If you are looking for authentic real Vietnamese dishes- this is the place!
(4)Sarah F.
Pho is so so. Not very marrow-y, and the spice is a little light, almost like it needs to boil for a few more hours. Good noodle to broth ratio and the fruit shakes are tasty, a little icy but good.
(3)Candice K.
omg amazing pho.
(5)A K.
Incredible. Super fresh. The pho is amazing. Small and casual. The owner is extremely nice and will explain ingredients and "proper" preparation of dishes. We eat here every time we are in Knoxville.
(5)Consuelo R.
I second the Jackie Chan comment! Too funny! Spring rolls were fresh. Pho was good. Too many noodle but very comforting. The rare beef pho was yummy. Thin slices of meat. Lots of basil. Service was great.
(4)Ryan S.
I travel quite often and make a point to try local Pho. Bida offers some of best Pho that I've had. The broth is flavorful and the herbs and veggies very fresh. I make it a point to visit here every time I'm in town.
(5)Timothy S.
I'll second the positive experiences of many who have written reviews of Bida Saigon. First the food. I was delighted to find a Vietnamese restaurant in Knoxville. There were so many attractive choices on the menu that I had a hard time choosing and settled on something straightforward, the Pho Ga. The broth and pho noodles were excellent, the chicken well cooked, and there was a lot of everything. My wife had the Bun Cha Gio, kind of pho without the broth. She raved about it. We shared an appetizer of Goi Cuon a kind of roll wrapped in rice paper with shrimp, lettuce, and rice noodles and a peanut dipping sauce. Very good. The ambience is very casual, to say the least. We were told that Bida means a pool hall and, sure enough, there is a pool room next to the dining room. But the dining room is clean and smoke free. The service was prompt and the prices very reasonable. The man and woman who own the restaurant were very welcoming and we even got a hug when we left. We talked about cooking, our trip to Vietnam, and what brought them to Knoxville. We will definitely go back, probably many times. I want to explore more of the menu, especially the Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwiches).
(4)John D.
Very good. Really enjoyed it. We each had a bowl of pho and we split a sandwich. Both were excellent, but the Pho was in a GINORMOUS bowl and we couldn't finish it all. The baguette for the sandwich was perfectly light and crispy like you would expect in Paris. I would rate the food easily a 4 or even 5 star, and only deduct points for the spartan atmosphere and less than clean bathroom. We will definitely be back for more!!! So delicious!
(3)Chris A.
The place is truly a room with some tables - whole in the wall style; but damn - it's AWESOME. Highly recommend!
(5)Sebastian W.
Best Pho EVER! Eat here at least twice a week!
(5)Eric R.
The best Vietnamese we have ever had. Best pho broth we've had. Excellent banh mi. Cannot say enough about the quality of the food or how good the prices are. Banh mi was $3. Excellent coffee for $3 as well.
(5)Carissa D.
The Pho was excellent! Atmosphere is the only reason I did not give it a 5 star, but who cares when the Pho is that good :)
(4)Steve Q.
Returned visit brought one more star. This time the broth was more hot, though not as hot as other viet places. I already mentioned their meat was tender and comes from superior cut of beef, and this time the portion was decent. The time before may have been an exception. I only wish the broth is not quite so sweet. And they badly needed more rice dishes. The vietnamese sandwich my partner had was good, the bread wonderfully fresh. Overall I had better experience this time.
(3)Annie D.
I found this hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant through yelp. Great choice! I ordered the egg rolls and vermacelli soup. Next time I must try their pho. The banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) combination was PHENOMENAL. I absolutely love Vietnamese sandwiches and Bida has to be my top three for bang mi. I will definietely come here again for those sandwiches next time I drive through Knoxville.
(5)Thu N.
The place is kind of awkward. Once you get past the three tables in the entry way there are 5 more tables that look into the kitchen. Then, a secret door that leads to the unknown room that a lot of people come in and out of. By the looks of it it looks like a shady pool or gambling area. The menu had the basic Vietnamese style food. Pho, bun bo hue, banh xeo (just added last week the signs say), Sinh to, banh mi, and a few rice and vermicelli dishes. We got the some nem nuong rolls that were freshly made and had a good filling of meat. Those were awesome as everything was fresh. The bun no hue tasted good just not super authentic. The pho dac biet left a lot to be desired. Tasted like pre-made pho mix. The meat was not the freshest tasting, and the gan was basically nonexistent after asking specifically for that after not seeing them list that on the menu. the service was great. An older gentleman who seemed like the owner came around to make sure we were okay and yelling to the kitchen staff to hurry. Funny cuz it was just us and another two top in the whole restaurant. The waitress was a younger Vietnamese girl who was very quick and courteous. If I was craving Vietnamese food again and in the area may stop again, just wouldn't get the pho. Maybe the com thit nuong...
(3)Adrienne W.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Knoxville. I've probably eaten at Bida Saigon 20 times and I've never had a bad experience. I've had couple of different kinds of there appetizer rolls, three different types of their soups and some of their sandwiches, and they are all fantastic. And then of course is their avocado milkshakes, which I think is actually avocado, sweeten condensed milk and ice blended together. I get one to go every time!
(4)Alan P.
Not bad. The broth is pretty tasty, but the pho is a little bit on the soggy side. Also came with a big plate of bean sprout. This is really a mom-and-pop joint. There was a little kid running around, so it is definitely somewhere you want to take your first date.
(3)Aaron H.
yuck! thats all i have to say. never again
(1)Rootie M.
I love pho & was glad a friend suggested bida Saigon as it was on our way thru town. Everything was hot fresh & timely. My only mild complaint is the broth is a little sweeter than I prefer & have had in the past. It's still full of solid flavor & delicious. Just a wee sweet. I had #11 (rare beef pho) & we got the shrimp rolls appetizer which all were yum. Would definitely suggest & return as I pass thru Ktown
(3)J W.
This is the only place in town I go for Pho and I always enjoy it. I just wish this place was downtown so I could walk there.
(4)Jay S.
Fantastic Pho and spring rolls. Their hot chili sauce is For Real! I can't feel my lips as I'm typing this. I think they're vibrating from capsicum. I personally don't care for the television on the wall, but that's a personal preference. I prefer my pho non-partisan.
(4)Kelly V.
I love this place! Two people can eat like kings for under $20. The bahn mi with the fried egg is amaze and I like the slight sweetness to the broth for the pho. Get an avocado smoothie!
(5)