Saigon City Restaurant
6333 Brandon Ave, Springfield, VA, 22150
Saigon City Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Springfield for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Springfield for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Springfield for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
6333 Brandon Ave
Springfield, VA, 22150 - Phone (703) 569-0303
- Website https://www.saigoncityrestaurant.com/
- 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
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
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D K.
One of the best pho in Springfield! Just one thing, you'll see on the menu for special pho which includes meatballs. Most of the places meatballs are not included in the special. You say to yourself: "SWEET!" Then you order it, and then what you will get is half, thats right half of a meatball. The other half is separated at birth to a different table.
(3)Rachel A.
I like this place because the menu is extensive, which is always a plus for Vietnamese restaurants that serve Pho. The dishes are pretty much average. The pho is good, not greasy. The meat in their dishes tend to be really fatty, which is why I took a star off the rating. Every beef dish that I've had, including the pho, I've had to pick fat off of every piece. The rice dishes are good, although the vegetables and stuff they put on the side aren't as fresh and crispy as with other vietnamese restaurants I've tried. Bottom line: decent, good selection of vietnamese food, but fatty meat and not-so-fresh vegetables!
(3)Tom N.
Saigon City in Springfield is a wonderful little restaurant that should not be confused with the atrocious Saigon Citi in Alexandria. Anyway, I haven't had the pho here in forever because I'm addicted to ordering the hu tieu soup with egg noodle, pork and shrimp. Sometimes, it's a bit too salty though it always hits the spot for me. The bun rieu soup with tomato, crab, shrimp is tasty as well. They have an extensive menu and are probably the only good Vietnamese restaurant left in Springfield since Pho Cong Ly closed (the old owners retired as their lease expired.)
(3)Nandina J.
This place is good for a relatively quick bite to eat. If you go, you MUST try either the crispy egg noodle with vegetables (and meat if you're so inclined) or the tofu tomato. The tofu tomato is really my favorite dish there. It's basically fried tofu with tomatoes, tomato sauce and rice. It may not sound that good on here, but the taste is amazing! It's definitely one of my favorites! I think the last time I was there, they were showing some type of vietnamese musical on the television screens. I have only been to the one in Springfield so I'm not sure how the other one is but I'm sure they're both good. Hmmm...I should good back soon.
(4)Jason B.
Try the fried wings. They're awesome. The pho is good too, but I'd have a hard time differentiating it from others in the area.
(4)Dan J.
Living in Springfield, we go to this restaurant on a weekly basis. They have a menu with many different Vietnamese entrees, but we usually get the pho (Regular #16 to be exact). The beef broth is delicious and the ingredients are authentic and plentiful. The garden rolls are very good served with a thick peanut sauce. This restaurant is a true gem, and we don't have to drive to Eden Center or some other place in Falls Church to get great Vietnamese/pho. Check it out!
(4)David L.
The place is pretty good. It is not very expensive and they have a very large menu, which is not typical for a Vietnamese restaurant. The place was pretty crowded, which is a good indicator of how good the food is. The portion size was pretty good. This was my first time here, and I'll probably go back.
(4)Jason B.
Not the best Pho in town by far although the beef broth was good the noodles were soggy and the meat was well non existent. The wontons lacked substance and were over fried. The fish sauce was to sweet but this is common in this area. The Restraunt was dirty and the service was lacking probably because only one guy was out front. There were many people here so I would think they can afford to hire someone to clean. Place has tons of potential with the customer base it has but it seems they are just doing the minimum and not putting much back into the buisness.
(1)Mark B.
Weird that I'm be raving about wings from a Vietnamese restaurant but it's what I think all chicken crazy folks should know about. I've had better pho, noodles, pork chops etc at other places. But the freshly fried crispy chicken wings topped with garlic, herbs, and spices were to to die for. I just wanted to sit there with two dozen wings, drink beer, and watch tv. Sounds like an ideal Sunday to me.....even though my gf would have a problem with it.
(3)Dman P.
The best fried rice ever, my kids ate it all. Viet pancakes took forever to get to the table, but overall great food.
(3)Jon M.
great pho and great food. service is lackluster, needs work. can get packed during lunch hour so have a plan b.
(3)David B.
The Pros The Pho is delicious, and I mean DELICIOUS. Honestly, one of the best tasting pho places in the the Northern Virginia area. The broth is both rich and light, and it punches you in the face with it's hot goodness. Now I should note that this place does have it's good and bad days, some days my broth is not quite as good as it was the previous week. The noodles are usually fairly well cooked, but usually strays on the side of slightly overcooked for my liking. I prefer my pho noodles like I prefer my pasta, slightly al dente, just a little bit of bounce and chewiness to my noodles I find really helps bring out the slight natural sweetness of the rice in the rice noodles. The Pho also happens to be surprisingly light, I often find that after eating the pho no matter how much I ate(which is usually monstrous amount, as in I get a large bowl with 3 extra noodles and usually a plate of summer rolls or something of the sort), I never really feel bloated or anything. They are definitely NOT stingy with the meat, if you love the meat that comes in pho, Saigon will not let you down, they give heaping portions of meat along with their pho, and while at times some of the meat is again a little overcooked at times, this is understandable since the meat does sit in a hot broth which would inevitably tend to cook it beyond it's perfect point. The prices are VERY fair, Saigon will usually serve their pho at about a dollar cheaper than other pho stores such as those in Fairfax, Vienna, Centreville, Annandale, etc. Not only that, but their extra noodles come at almost half the price as the extra noodles in other pho stores such as Pho Hot, Pho Bistro, or Viet House. HOWEVER, take note that the extra noodles do NOT come in broth, but they simply cook the noodles and put it in a bowl. But honestly I prefer it that way, I like to add my extra noodles after I finish my initial helping of noodles, because if I tried to put my extra noodles in at the beginning of the meal, then my bowl would overflow wouldn't it? So it doesn't make any sense to let me noodles swim in soup because that would inevitably overcook it wouldn't it? The chicken wings here are freaking delicious, the skin is crispy and nicely flavored, while the saltiness from the ...well... the salt balances out nicely with the bitter freshness of the spring onions. The fried rice is also surprisingly tasty here, I know, I know, "fried rice how good could that be?" Well you'd be surprised, it's actually pretty good, the fried rice comes served on a plate, and there's a tiny amount of some kind of oil or fat probably from the meat intermixed with the fried rice, that leaves a delicious rich, smooth, flavor and feeling in your mouth. The restaurant is also quite clean, both the bathrooms, and the tables and the like. I can't say anything for the Women's bathrooms, but I can vouch for the men's bathroom and say that every time I have been there, the bathroom has been clean. The tables are clean, and the forks, chopsticks, and spoons are given to you by the waiters, which can be kind of annoying sometimes, but it does probably mean that there have been less grubby hands over my eating utensils. They are also great about just letting people/groups just sit and talk for as long as they want, whether you're eating/ordering or not. You can eat for 40 minutes, but just continue to sit and talk for an additional 3 hours, and the waiters will just come along and keep refilling your water glasses as needed, and no one will hurry you, or give you dirty looks, or do anything to make you feel as if you need to leave. It's a very relaxed atmosphere, great place to go out with friends, or for a date(not a first date) Now for the Cons :( :( The waiting service is just average, the waiters and waitresses are nice enough and more than willing to help out and bring you what you need. But most of them unfortunately aren't so hot at English which can make special requests such as steamed bean sprouts and whatnot a bit more difficult. The quality of the food fluctuates, not to say that the food is ever "bad," but sometimes the food goes from "good" to "oh my God this is delicious." It'd be nice for the food to remain as the latter rather than the former. All in all, Saigon has good food, for really cheap, and the ownership/management do put alot of thought into serving their customers. This actually happens to be a great spot to watch soccer if you're into it during the EuroCup and other such leagues, as it so happens as most of the waiting staff is also soccer fans, so if you go in during a game, when the restaurants not too busy, you'll often find yourself watching the game with the waiting staff, and cheering or arguing/booing alongside/with them
(5)Trang N.
It's hard to find good Vietnamese around town -- the closest is in Falls Church (Eden Center) or Arlington. This one is the nearest to home besides the ones that only serve Pho. I say this time and time again and I want everyone to remember it, "Do not get Pho if it is not a Pho only restaurant." With this being said, I cannot comment on the Pho at this place because I have never had it and refuse to ever try it. The prices are relatively cheap. I occasionally come here and when I do I almost always order the Grilled Pork Chop (with the added sunny side-up egg on my rice). This with the dipping sauce poured on top is the perfect balance of taste and food.
(3)Scott J.
I'm by no means a pho expert, but I thought they made a good bowl. It had great flavor and was really filling (although I can't remember what I ordered). Like others have said, this isn't the place you go for a great ambiance, but it's definitely a good choice for good food at a good price. My 18 month-old loved it too, which was a plus since he's not a big eater. We'll definitely go back
(3)Ana Ruth J.
The Pho was good and from what i could see the rest of the food was great too. My boyfriend had the grilled chicken and his friend had a pork platter (way too much pork for my taste) but they both enjoyed their meals. Can't wait to have it again when i come back and visit the east coast!
(4)Maria L.
Here I go again w/ the cheap eats! This place is FAB! They have two locations- I love them both. The Brandon Ave location can get pretty packed- the newer Alexandria location off of Linconia drive is always pretty empty. Both locations are not pretty- one is an old McDonalds, the other an old Pizza Hut, but the food is cheap, cheap cheap, and delish. My favorites- crispy spring rolls, crispy fried squid, Marinated grilled pork over vermicelli noodles, and the vietnamese pancakes. Also love the pork chops, the crispy fried tilapia, and of course, all the diffenent Pho's. The wait staff is always nice,- my favorite waiter goes back and forth btwn the two locations- as does the owner, who is always kind and attentive. I'd give this place a 5 star rating based on the food, but it can get a little grungy inside, and while this doesn't deter me from the succulent food, it does stop me from giving them the perfect score. They also have HUGE plasma t.v.s all over the place- so you can usually tune in to a vietnamese varity show, or football game! Edit- The last two times I was here- my fave waiter was no where to be found. Both times, got the same surly woman.And although I still love the food, ( the crispy squid was kinda yucky last time) the place seems even grungier than before. Think I'll be ordering take out from now on.
(4)Yipin G.
Cheap and Great! Walked in at 9 on Sunday and the place was empty, after 20 minutes five tables were filled. The food could have come faster for an empty place, but all in all the service was fine. Right off the highway, too. The spring rolls were decent, similar to what you get at all pho places. They had pork and shrimp in them, a plus. Next we got the papaya salad also with pork and shrimp. This was really delic. It was light and textured, but still had plenty of taste. We both got large combination pho. I have almost never had pho that I didn't like. This wasn't an exception. The broth could have been more seasoned, but at $7 and having leftovers I was content.
(4)Niki V.
This place is the best Vietnamese food around these parts that I know of. They are consistent and the food is really good. Their Vietnamese spring rolls are EXCELLENT! We also like their sweet and sour fish soup, and grilled pork / rice noodle dishes. I go here pretty often and am always pleased coming away with a full tummy. Cleanliness in the bathroom area needs some attention though.
(4)Amanda D.
One of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants in the Northern Virginia area, Saigon City Restaurant, might be small, but it's always a good place to go if you're looking for fast, cheap, yet quality Vietnamese food. My mom and I always stop here after long road trips or days where she doesn't feel like cooking. I don't really come by for the Pho, but there are a number of dishes that I would recommend. When it comes to appetizers, you can't beat the shrimp cha gio (egg/spring rolls) or the goi cuon (summer rolls). I can never visit without ordering one of the two. Fried chicken wings are something you don't normally expect to order in a Vietnamese restaurant, but you will not be disappointed after biting in. They give you so many that you might even have leftover deliciousness for the next day. Another dish that you can't go wrong with is the bun thit nuong (vermicelli noodles with grilled pork). It's probably the best I've ever had because the pork doesn't come with much fat. The meat is also grilled to the point where it's still tender, but also perfectly charred and crispy. There are a lot of great things to try here, but the items that I mentioned above are consistently good. If you're feeling a little more adventurous, I would look to soups like Hu Tieu Nam Vang (clear noodles soup) or Bun Bo Kho (Beef stew with vermicelli noodles). However, there is always a risk that the broth might not be as tasty as other places in the region. Overall, Saigon City is always good for a quick fix to your Vietnamese food cravings. Definitely plan a visit if you have the chance!
(4)Jo K.
Tried pho tai nam, and combination. There was plenty of beef which is good. The regular size was on the small side compared to other pho restaurants. The broth was pretty bland. Service was so so. Having so many choices in pho places, we will probably go back to others.
(2)Khoa N.
Foods ok, service sucks. Should not take 20 mins for 2 deserts and garden roll take out when theres only 3 tables in the whole restaurant..
(2)Karen C.
This place has a extensive menu and a good variety of noodle and rice dishes to choose from. The crispy chicken wings are so good. They are fresh, crunchy and full of flavor. i love the seasoning they use such as scallions, garlic and basil. I usually get the beef stew with rice noodles. They offer some of their noodle soups with a choice of either egg or rice noodle.
(5)Rocky C.
Before walking in to Saigon to experience Pho for the first time my sister said "The soup is good, be prepared for bad service though". I turned and looked at her with the expression "how bad can it possibly be?".... Well pretty bad. Let's start by pointing out that the waiters are next to lifeless I mean you would've of that someone just murdered their cat by the way they're facial expressions were, think the cartel twins in Breaking Bad that were trying to murder Walter White and you got a perfect comparison to what these two guys were like. I swear if it wasn't for that delicious soup I would gave this place one star I was kind of hopping it was so I could jump on here and write them a beautiful letter. I will continue to patron this location until I find a place with better or equal tasting soup, until then I will continue coming back for my new addiction.
(4)Rick G.
The Ph place in Springfield! Although most of their menu consists of other 'oriental' eats, and Vietnamese foods, their claim and best offerings are their Ph - Vietnamese noodle soups. They offer many, many varieties in two sizes each reasonably priced. The place is clean, the staff is helpful (although don't expect much conversation), incredible view of Marriott, Dunkin Donuts and the Dodge dealer! Otherwise stick to the Ph it's great! Whether your interest is in Ph Tái, Nm, Gu, Gân, Sách or Ph Tái, Nm, Gân, Sách, prefer Cà phê sa á hoc en á to Jasmine Tea, I think you'll enjoy this comfortable little Ph Joint!
(4)Sarah L.
I love this place! I always get the Shredded Pork Rolls and a bowl of Pho. It's all flavorful and delicious, I especially love the beef broth! I've had their Bubble Tea too and it's great as well. Some notes: The building used to be McDonalds, so if you can imagine, it's still kind of like a fast food place on the inside. Don't come here expecting beautiful decor and a romantic atmosphere. The service can be hit or miss. They tend not to do refills unless you ask (Soda is in can form anyway), but food always comes out quickly in my experience. The only time I ever have a problem with slowness is when I order bubble tea. I could care less if the waiter is friendly, just bring me my food!
(4)Charlemange F.
I love Vietnamese food, but this place is a bust. Our food only took 2 minutes to come out which tells me they have stuff sitting around and just reheat it. When I went there, they had a flatscreen TV with Fox News on it. This isn't a sports bar, why the TV? It was very annoying. Staff was mediocre. Only thing that was good here was the bubble tea, everything else is trash. You are better off shopping the Asian markets in the area and making your own meals.
(1)Dami k.
I visited a few time this places. Food is good. Even decoration is getting old and owner does not smile much. what I like the most is they open last so I can visit late night with people. Pho and Egg roll is good always. Chai Tea or Boba tea was great. Price is reasonable.
(4)K H.
I walked in here randomly late on Tuesday night looking to get pho for Carryout. I walked in a little confused but was greeted by an older guy and I asked for the takeout menu. He gave me the menu and I asked which pho was just pieces of beef and no trimmings or anything. He pointed it out and I asked for the large Carryout with meatballs. A few minutes later it was ready and it paid something like $11 and left. I don't have a lot of experience with Pho but I enjoyed it and it was exactly what I asked for; a large portion of noodles with the broth, leaves, sprouts and sauce on the side. It was pretty good and I would definitely try this place again.
(3)Tony M.
It really pains me to do this. Since moving to the Springfield/Kingstowne area back in 2006, this place has been one of my favorites. Yes, there are better places to get pho, but not a pho place where I can get really good chicken wings like the crispy wings here at Saigon City. But over the past few years, things - especially the service, have slowly deteriorated. The wings kept bringing me back, even though we would have to suffer through abysmal service on just about every visit. And I'm not talking about just the usual all business, no smile, but efficient service that is typical of many asian eateries, I'm talking screwed up orders, scowls, no drink refills, everyone's meals coming out at different times, etc. etc. One time in particular I can remember sitting in there with my usual predicament of my water completely empty. One of the creepy emotionless waiters was standing off to the side. I made eye contact with him, then looked at my empty glass to politely and quietly signify that I would love a refill. He looked at me, then my empty glass, walked to the kitchen and never returned. We would bring other friends here and have to explain to them, "Listen the food here is great, but the service is really bad." It really required a warning. And the warning was still never enough. We would time and time again be embarrassed for the service of this place that we still loved because the wings, pho and other items on the menu kept bringing us back. I would never complain about the service. I was hooked bad on the wings and was afraid of putting myself in a position where they wouldn't serve me anymore. Then today happened. Smaller pho portions, 1 tiny plate of sprouts with 1 tiny twig of basil, 2 limes, and 3 slices of jalapeno for 3 orders of pho. And I ordered a #19 and received something completely different. One with tripe in it. I've tried tripe before but it's not my thing. I'm rarely ever a send it back type of guy but I really wasn't feeling tripe so had to do it. The redo came out quickly enough, but I've spent the rest of the evening on the can. I'm not accusing them of purposefully giving me tainted food, but nonetheless the food sickened me. So add to that no drink refills for 4 of us and a server who didn't know what "coffee" was and whose scowls made us feel uncomfortable and I made the sad decision to be done with Saigon City. It's been like a marriage that started off with lust and love but turned into emotional abuse and battery over the years, and today I have to divorce Saigon City over irreconcilable differences. I'm going to really miss those wings. Maybe I can beg Pho Viet Flare to add them to the menu...
(1)B B.
Rating - 3.75 This restaurant is situated in a busy area on the corner of Commerce and Brandon. It's about 1/2 mile off the highway (coming from the south) and right off the exit (coming from the north). As mentioned in other reviews, it's a former McDonald's, so the building exterior and interior layout looks familiar. Nothing fancy here, TVs if you happen to be following any of the games. Football (college?) was on the TV. I was staying in the Holiday Inn next door, so I walked over to pickup some dinner. (Damn, I sure miss being able to walk places.) I ordered the crispy shrimp rolls and tofu in tomato sauce. Both were very good. The rolls had large shrimp, were crispy and not oily. Tofu with tomato sauce (spicy) with chunks of tomatoes was very good. Something I've never had before and have never seen on any other menu. I would order both again. Large portions, enough for 2 meals. Entree was $8.00 and rolls(2) were $4.75. Counter service was quick and they thanked me a couple of times, after they gave me the prepared food and just as I walked out the door. (Travel Tip: My hotel room didn't have a refrigerator, so rather than toss my leftovers, I stored them in the ice bucket liner/ice bucket so that I could have them for breakfast. )
(4)Phyllis C.
Enjoyed a lunch of beef noodle soup and bubble tea. The food was delicious, the service, not so much. Although I liked the food, I won't be back because of the service.
(2)Nini T.
I have been coming here since 2006? I used to come here for lunch with my colleague when I used to work around the area, but now I don't anymore, I still order food here for dinner but to carryout. The place is clean and the service is great. Yes, sometime the service is a bit slack as some of the reviewer have stated but it's mainly during busy times, and I am sure they tried to accommodate everyone. The price is reasonable. The location can be a bit difficult to spot, but it's near the exit to 395? Though i do like this location versus other Vietnamese restaurant because parking is easier to find and not so crazy crowded and fill with smoke. :-D I have tried a lot of the dishes from here but my favorite so far are the following: - com dat biet (special rice something) - bo kho mi (the bread one, not the noodle one - this have tendon so if you don't like tendon, do not order this). - bun bo hue (not a big big fan, but i order this when i'm craving for the pork blood) - mi xao don CHAY (vegetarian fried noodle? their meat one is good too, but I preferred vegi) I have recommend this place to my family and friends; and I have been coming back and will continue.
(4)Mary Jo Lisa C.
Although I am usually skeptical of restaurants that have pictures of their food, let alone this place having a TV that is playing a slide show of their dishes, I still gave it a whirl. Had the #21 Pho and it was yummy. Its hard to get good Pho south of Alexandria, so this is the go to place for those living in the boonies. Flavorful broth and generous portions. Noodles were not falling apart as sometimes they do at pho-wannabe joints. Wait staff is your typical vietnamese no frills gentlemen. Ample parking. Will be going back to try the other pictured dishes ;)
(4)Random B.
THIS PLACE IS THE DUMPS! I can't believe anyone would give this place over a 1 star rating. I went for the first time last night. I ordered the spring rolls appetizer, beef combo pho, and my friend ordered combination fried rice. I had to use the restroom and as I walked towards it I see a huge caution strip over the door and a sign indicating it's closed. I asked the staff and they said it wasn't available. That was the only restroom they had. SO WHERE ARE PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO USE THE RESTROOM?! Also, the--I guess--waiter was very inattentive and lacked customer service. The pho was lukewarm, egg rolls looked old, and the combo fried rice was lacking in so many different areas. I'll never go here again! I wish I could get a refund but doubt I can, ugh.
(1)J. A.
I recommend this restaurant. The fresh spring rolls were as good as any I've ever had with good quality shrimp. The Pho, I had Tai Nam, was decent. They give you a lot of noodles, bean sprouts, lime, and peppers. I did not sense any MSG because it would have given me a massive headache but I drank a lot of water just in case. Service was good. They were very attentive and nice. Quick too. My only complaint: If you ever want to know how clean the kitchen is in a restaurant, check out the restroom. The doors going into and out of the bathroom were dirty. All it takes is a quick spray and wipe and the doors could be easily cleaned. Instead, they let it go. The customer sees dirty doors and it doesn't bother them. That's what you see. Imagine what you don't see! For this reason I took away a star because it might not bother a lot of people. But in my mind it's a 3 star.
(4)Heather R.
Un-pho-gettable experience! Yes... pun intended. If you're looking for Pho conveniently located in Springfield, VA with a decent parking lot, look no further. While there's a few Viet spots in Springfield, the Pho at Saigon City has my vote! They say they only accept credit cards if the order is $15 or more, but I've managed to swipe my Visa for a bill of $12. Hey, the fact that they actually accept Credit is good enough for this pho-lover. Don't expect award winning customer service... you're lucky if your water gets a refill, but for a quick in-n-out lunch, this is perfect!
(4)Kevin C.
Went for my Pho fix today to Saigon City with a former neighbor of mine. I ordered a regular bowl with Brisket and Round eye (#30). The Pho came out in about 2 minutes, pipping hot and gorgeous. I added the jalapenos, mint, basil, Hoisin and Sriracha and went to town. The broth was spot on and full of great flavor. A bit of the fat from the brisket was glistening on the surface, but I paid it no mind. It was defintiely worth the 20 minute drive from my house and I am definitely a fan and would like to try some of the other items on the menu. Parking can be a bit tricky. The prices are great as well. It was extremely busy when we arrived at Noon but was worth every satisfying slurp. Cannot wait to go back!!!!
(4)Lyn L.
OK, first of all, the building looked familiar, because it was a renovated McDonald's drive through. When we walked it, it lacked in character but instead felt like a fast food joint. The servers really did not take the time to ask you if you had any questions. Since this was our first time, we had some questions and the answers were pretty basic, no real explanation. We did not get any Pho but decided on the rice and noodle dishes. Unlike other Vietnamese places, this place served very small portions for what they charged. The noodles seems to stick to each other and the rice heaping was very large, compared to the few pieces of pork served with it. Probably would not come back. I honestly could not figure out what the excitement was all about.
(2)A. C.
I've passed this place several times and finally had the chance and the time to stop by. Comparing with the two Vietnamese places within the same area, I thought that this place had the most selection. The menu included pho, rice dishes, noodle dishes (soup and platter), appetizers like summer roll and spring roll, bubble tea and desert. There were also steamed pork buns by the cash register on the day I ate in. I must have been lucky because I was greeted and seated right away. I ordered the fresh summer rolls, which is comparable to many Vietnamese places I've gone to before. However, the sauce was good; it had almost a sweet hint to it. I also had the pork noodle dish, which was in a good size bowl. The pork was delicious although I would have loved if there were more pieces. It was chopped into bite-sized pieces and placed on top of the noodles with the basil, peanuts and bean sprouts. By the way, they gave me two small bowls for dipping and I don't what they were for because the summer roll I ordered had the peanut sauce on the side. That was my first try; on the second try, i called for pick up on the way home. I ordered the crispy noodle with beef and the crispy noodle with chicken. This is a type of dish where you put the noodles on your plate and then put some of the Vietnamese-style stir fry on top. (Note: it's not a Chinese restaurant so please don't compare the two. Stir fry is just a method of cooking just like sauteing but each Asian country has different ingredients, flavors, spices, etc.) Now, I have to be honest, if you take a bite of only the crispy noodles, it tasted just like a fried noodle (as it should) but there was a graininess that wasn't what I was expecting. Also, the flavor of the stir fry may seem light to some but if you eat both as they should be eaten, i.e. pour the stir fry on top of the crispy noodles, then the texture of the noodles and the taste of the dish are well balanced together. If it's too bland for you, there are condiments like oyster flavored sauce and sriracha (hot sauce) readily available on each table. The place had several tables filled with diners - a mix of Asian and American customers so that was a good sign. Overall, it's a hidden hole-in-the-wall, mom-and-pop type of restaurant. It's cozy inside with one TV that was playing the news when I visited. The server was attentive although I can tell one of them doesn't really speak English. The other server/cashier was good though. It's really not a bad place to go. The only thing I wish they had is ban mhi sandwich and stuffed chicken wings.
(3)Judith L.
Decent pho, from what my dining partner said. A larger and more extensive menu than the other pho place I recently reviewed in Springfield (pho cong ly). The vermicelli with pork & crispy roll was good. The pork was incredibly yummy- both smoky and sweet. The spring rolls are better at cong ly, though, by far. Four stars for a big menu, excellent vermicelli, and quick service. You pay at the register, and they are so fast that they cleared our table before we had even paid for our meal...
(4)Angie T.
Hey this place is pretty good for Springfield. I was in search for some good Bun Bo Hue close to where I live and this place hit the spot. I wouldn't say that they are rockin but I would say it's a good start. And what's even better is that the people that work there are very polite which makes the experience that much better.
(3)G B.
I agree with Maynor. Went downhill big time. I even told them that I would never return. I asked for white meat chicken pho and I was served dark meat. When it arrived, I even asked if it was white meat and the waiter said yes. I picked through it and it was dark meat and not even dark meat that I want to eat. I was so disappointed in the flavor and it was quite dirty in the bathrooms. I had to get my fix of pho so I went to pho bowl the next day. Pho Bowl is the best in the area!
(1)Joe J.
I eat here often and their Pho is solid. Bowls and utensils are clean...I say this because not all Pho places serve in clean dishes. The broth is flavorful and comes out hot. The meats you can add to the soup are clean and not overly fatty. The tendon especially are good. Very solid soup place. Also, they have a deep fried shrimp appetizer that is REALLY GOOD. This place is not my favorite Pho place but it is definitely good food and for an Asian place, the service is pretty good.
(4)Amanda E.
Five stars for having two flatscreen TVs for football on Sunday. 3.5 stars for the food, overall. Started with summer rolls - decent, although the rice paper was stale and not soft. I got the Saigon City Combo soup - the broth was light and needed flavoring. I added the chili sauce and voila - instant improvement. The soup was more than enough to fill me up with rice noodles, shredded egg, chicken and shrimp. Good alternative to pho or mi kho. We also got the duck salad (small size apparently) that was MORE than enough for the two of us. Very large portion that we ended up taking to the afternoon football party. Nice spot, solid menu and overall good experience. Will have to come back again
(3)Lisa C.
If you think of dining here, DON'T! There are other great Vietnamese restaurants in the area that will give you better service than this one. The younger guy behind the counter was especially rude and unprofessional! Even a thank you would've been nice, but evidently they're not thankful for your business! Too bad their Lincolnia site shut down. They were much nicer.
(1)Kim V.
I remember first eating here two years ago, the waiter a younger guy was really nice. We order bun bo hue and banh xeo, both was good. Their bun thit n. is alright too, but I think they started changing the way they make their meat, does not taste so bad. Ordered their strawberry bubble tea, it's more of a bubble gum flavor if you like it that way. Came here few months ago and it seems that they have hired new waiters/waitresses, the staff is not as attentive as the old one, could be better. Food: good Service: can be better Atmosphere: pretty clean
(3)Jonathan N.
Waitress, daughter or wife must have been molested or really messed up in her past life. She stands off to the side of the table almost out of hearing distance when taking order or serving. She annoys me and I hate it when she serves me. Aside from the psycho waitress, I do not mind going there.
(2)James S.
I really like this place. The portions are large, staff friendly, and prices very reasonable. Plus it's on may way home from the metro! Extensive menu with plenty of Pho choices and many other options. The family combos (called "party dinners") are also a good value and give you a chance to sample the menu with a group. It's not fancy but it's good!
(4)Jordan B.
Unfortunately, I had to re-edit my survey of this joint. It has gone downhill since last year. They have been using left overs for my Ga (chicken pho). Mostly, the meat is scarce as are the noodles. The meat used is usually the tendons and scraps. I had bone bits for goodness sake in my pho. The surface of the parking lot in the rear is like the surface of Pluto, there's a minimum of like $13 in order to use your credit card, and ask for extra napkins if you are getting spicy food because most times they give you 1 thin napkin.
(2)Gabe O.
So dissapointed in this place. My wifes Shakey Beef had dried/old lettuce and like two sclices of the tiny tomatoes. My grilled pork and spring rolls were dry and I only got one spring roll in the dish. My order of summer rolls came out after my entree??? Been here at least 5-6 times and it never got much better.
(2)Joe Nam D.
Yes, a pho joint in an old McDonald's. A good sign of the times perhaps? The pho broth here is dark and beefy. Wouldn't say it's outstanding. It's just alright. The fried Viet birds- sparrows and chicken wings are divine. Eat them now!
(3)Lendsey C.
If you're looking for cheap, large portions of delicious vietnamese pho then this is definitely the place to go! It's tiny restaurant on the corner that you nearly miss. The outside is misleading as to the service; which is friendly, fast, and very welcoming. The con about this place is now they've removed the LCD tvs that they had on the walls, so now you actually have to talk to whoever you're eating with haha.
(4)Ling F.
I love the Grilled pork with rice. I feel this place has the best Grilled pork chop in the area. Everything else is pretty much decent/good, such as like spring roll, and pho. Very spacious place and clean.
(4)David R.
My wife and I had lunch at Saigon City for the first time today. She ordered spring rolls, a beef pho bowl, and a hot coffee and I got papaya salad with beef, spicy lemongrass chicken with rice, and a mango bubble tea. We each enjoyed all of our food. The lemongrass chicken did not have a strong lemongrass flavor, but did have an enjoyable spicy sauce. Portions were good - the pho bowl was a medium, which was just right (a large would have been too much). Service was good at the start, a little slow at the end (they seemed a little understaffed for the lunch crowd that was there). The place was clean and well lit from the windows on this sunny day. Total was about $34 + tip. Definitely a place we'll go back to when in the mood for Vietnamese food.
(4)Anson P.
Ladies, one of the sexiest things you can do is pronounce the word "pho" correctly. The only thing that surpasses that is taking down a large bowl of pho. And if you consume a large bowl with all the cuts of the cow...well, then you're approaching goddess status. I say this because I overheard a couple of females calling it "foe". It pains me. Anyway, I was not in the mood for my steak and brisket combo aka "the white guy special" and instead opted for the dac biet. It was alright. The broth was good but I noticed that the meat was lacking. The meat was cut so small that I was going on hunting expeditions to track it down. I also got the cha gio (egg rolls) and they were ok...not very big, but the wrappers had a good crispiness. Service is like that of any efficient pho joint. No pleasantries...just cold calculated service. Overall, I'd go with pho cong ly...however, this is a decent choice for pho if you're in the area.
(3)Erwen T.
This place used to be great two years ago. Then it started going downhill. The management is definitely cutting corners. 1. The quality of the broth is what makes a good Pho. The broth as of late is watery and doesn't have much flavor. 2. They gives you about half the meat as other restaurants. 3. They put their chopsticks into these paper sleeves. Great right? However, they re-use the sleeves that other patrons discard! We got a "fresh" set of chopsticks where the sleeves were obviously worn and wrinkled. Skip this one. There are other Pho places in the area.
(1)Howard S.
Saigon City has been around for a while. I live in Springfield so I've been to every Vietnamese restaurant in the area. Pros: Large selection of entrees, the Pho and other dishes were pretty good. Cons: They never seem to give you enough portions for the price they charge. Every time I go, I say to myself, "this is it?". The waiters have no personality at all, no smile. The woman behind the counter didn't even thank me after I pay, no smile either. The attitude of the people here really spoiled the experience for me. With the lack of portions and unfriendly service, I haven't been back in a long time. Conclusion: If you like a wide variety of foods to choose from, you may want to consider this place. However, have no expectations of friendly service and you may end up enjoying the place.
(3)Steph L.
I was saddened by my recent visit to Saigon City. A couple years back, when the boyfriend lived in Springfield, we would frequent this place, and the food was much better then. It was more fresh, more generous servings, and better tasting. I ordered the pho with everything as usual this time and the boyfriend had the bun bo hue. Bun bo hue is one of our favorite noodle soups and I give Saigon City credit for offering it, but their version is in every way inferior to the goodness I love from Hai Duong or Phung Huang. There was no congealed blood in it, no pig's feet, the beef slices were all very tough, the flavor of the broth wasn't as complex, pungent or spicy. The pho was disappointing this time as well. I got about half as much meat as I was used to and the worst of all, only half a meatball! Even the places in the city give you more than that! The broth was also lacking in flavor. One more restaurant crossed off my if-in-the-area-must-go list. I will miss the good times we had, Saigon City.
(2)Wack C.
There is no middle ground with Pho...either it sucks or it's PHO-nomenal...this time is was the latter! Eat here and try the summer rolls!
(5)Samana L.
This used to be one of my favorite pho spots, until I found a piece of hair in my pho. And a week prior my cousin also found a piece of hair in her pho. I had told the server I found hair and he took the pho back and asked me if I wanted another one. My appetite was ruined so I just said no thanks instead I'll have bubble tea. When we go to pay the owner is charging me for one pho that my cousin had and for the two bubble teas I had ordered in place of my pho. I told him that it doesn't make sense to charge me when I found hair in my food. I had mentioned to the server I'm not gonna pay for my pho so I want bubble tea to replace it. The owner was being so rude and was suggesting that we put the hair in our food. Ridiculous. I would never go back cause of their horrible service and no remorse for the hair in the food. I used to be a usual at this place, but now I would not recommend it to anyone!
(1)J S.
I want to be a loyal fan but feel that they have room for improvement. Food is excellent but inconsistent. I have been to this place several time and each time the foods are served just a little bit different. The service is about what you would expect at a buffet which is strange for a full service restaurant. So go, eat and enjoy but know in advance that service and food have room for improvement.
(4)Ashley W.
Very good pho, definitely the best in Springfield. The pork spring rolls (forget name) are really good too! The pad Thai is not good tho.
(4)Hung N.
Variety of dishes. Reasonable price.
(4)Mike J.
Good pho. Portions are good and the prices are too.
(4)Candi W.
I am pretty picky when it comes to Vietnamese food. They had an extensive menu, made it hard to choose from but it was great to have options. My friend and I had ordered an order of soft spring rolls. Not your typical soft spring rolls, they had sausages in them. It was different and it took a couple of bites to get used to. Overall it was tasty and I would get them again. We also ordered, what we thought was crispy spring rolls but it was a triangle shaped something with shrimp and crab meat in it. Kinda almost similar to a dim sum dish. For our entrée we ordered the typical Pho with everything in it. The soup base was tasty but the soup could of been a bit hotter in temperature. Over all I was happy with my experience and I would come back again.
(4)Charlie C.
I ordered the round eye pho. The broth was flavorful but fatty. The meat was tender. The plate of veggies that came on the side looked dried out. The basil was wilted, the jalapeños were dried out. Maybe the veggies looked old because I went to eat here around 8pm. The summer rolls were okay. The peanut sauce was bland and really creamy in a weird way. I ordered a mango bubble tea and it came in a small flimsy cup...not too flavorful. The establishment was a little on the dirty side. Maybe the other numerous dishes on the menu are better but I don't think I will go back.
(2)M N.
Good PHO! Many others have already stated it, but here it goes again - lots of meat, lots of portion. The essence of any good PHO (much like Japanese ramein) is the broth - the broth is excellent. Tasty, yet not overpowering, not salty - to add "zing," add some of the chili sauce. My wife does not eat the pho, but she tries the various rice dishes - no complaints. So to me, its a good sign. I found the place about four years ago because my realtor's office is close by. Not in an easily accessible area, it is located in an mixed area - mix of hotels, car dealers, strip malls, Duncan Donuts is located diagonally across the street, a block or two away from an Afghan kabob restaurant which I have yet to try. Its a good sign when the patrons of the restaurant are Vietnamese as well as an eclectic mix of Caucasians as well as Mexicans. We all know the value of good, affordable, tasty "chow." Its a bit out of the way for me (from home), but whenever I get the cravings for some PHO, I always attempt to drive out to Saigon.
(4)Cyrus M.
Very good pho. I always get the pho tae and the meat is quite lean. Like most pho places, service is very quick. I also enjoy their coconut bubble tea.. takes a little getting used to the gelatin balls, but it's almost like a milk shake.
(4)Jiin L.
This is the one place I go, if ever in the mood for Vietnamese food and around the area. They have a wide arrange of dishes which I love! cause I can never make up my mind on what to eat.
(3)CY J.
Oh boy... where to even begin... I believe in giving grades not in absolute terms but in relative terms. Considering that the quality of pho in NoVa in general pales in comparison to other areas (e.g. Philadelphia), it would not have been fair to compare them to the best I've had, just to its local competition. Having said that, if I had been comparing this to the best, a single star would have been ludicrously generous. I was passing by the restaurant, hungry, and with about a half hour to kill, decided to get some pho. I ordered a large soup and summer rolls. The rolls came out fairly quickly, within 2-3 minutes of ordering. They were the smallest, thinnest rolls I've ever had. I've recently smoked a Presidente cigar that was about the same width. On top of that, about half the roll was stuffed with lettuce, making this the weirdest tasting summer roll I've had in a while. At least it was wrapped nice and tight, with no holes (although at that size and width, considering the whole thing was layered 2-3x times, it would've been impossible to mess up). Then I sat idly by as minute after minute went by, waiting for my soup. I soon got bored and started messing around with my phone. When I finally realized that something wasn't right, it was 25 minutes since I had ordered (I had sent a text right after ordering, giving me the exact time). When I alerted the waiter that it's been 25 minutes since I ordered, he held up a finger to shush me. Soon a lady came out with the soup, laughing as she placed it front of me, giving me an excuse of "Oh, we've been so busy". Yea.. must be why the family that came in after me were getting ready to leave after eating already. After I put in some sauce and started mixing the soup, I realized it wasn't even the soup I ordered. It was pretty clear that they had completely forgotten about my order, grabbed whatever was coming out next in the kitchen, and placed it on my table. When I told the same waiter that it wasn't the soup I ordered, he silently takes my soup back in, comes back with the SAME soup with just the "topping" i hadn't ordered removed and a SINGLE piece of tendon added. It was pretty clear since the broth was colored in the same shade as I had already put in the Hoishin sauce. The tendon I had to ignore, since they had just thrown in a piece that had yet to soften and was inedible. Annoyed and insulted, I just wanted to get out of there asap. It was fairly easy as it was the smallest "large" bowl of pho I had encountered nationally. The soup itself seemed okay enough, although I would've been able to give it a more definitive endorsement had there been more than a few chopstickfulls of the thing. The two stars is only because the soup itself seemed to taste fine, had there been more there than a cup noodle. The place accepts credit cards with a minimum of $15 (which is illegal, but most Asian places ignore anyway). The tiny bowl of soup and rolls came out to $12.40. I didn't want to leave a tip but placed $15 on the counter anyway and left. Better to just leave this awful place and never come back altogether. TL;DR - terrible terrible terrible service, overpriced, tiny portions,
(2)Joseph Jr W.
As far as my experience with SC: I have been going here for years. I go maybe 5 times a year at least just so I won't get used to their good cooking. To be fair, I order a certain dish at every "Asian Food" place to test their cooking. Nothing fancy, speedy, and at a good price.
(4)Buddha N.
ehhhh place is a mom and pop place needs to be updated and smells like a old persons home. Went here for PHO one night and wasnt pleased with what I was served, Pho broth had no flavor and had to add a bunch of sauce and spice to it to make it flavorful. Pho Noodles were overcooked and meat was ehhh I have had better. The egg rolls here were ok, I have had better. The Vegetarian dishes were blah here, not enough choices and the choices they had were not flavorful. the only reason I gave this place 2 stars is cause of parking and service.
(2)Heather Y.
Having never been to the area and unsure what would be good this place rocked. Their food was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone.
(4)J X.
WARNING: Do NOT come here for "pho". If you're craving for some "pho", then go to Pho Hot or Pho 75. Their main specialty includes dried vermicelli noodles/ rice + grilled pork chop + fish sauce. Basically all the dried stuff, not the soupy stuff. That's the best in NorthernVA! ORDER that and you won't be disappointed. Other than that, everything else are just meh. Service is okay. Prices are pretty affordable.
(5)Baskin N.
This is my go-to Pho place. It always satisfies my Pho cravings without disappointment, and cures my hangovers! My husband and I go here at least once a week. I usually order the crispy rolls as an appetizer. I would not say their rolls are my favorite, but I tend to order them every time without fail. I always order the #32 Pho which comes with cuts of eye-round beef. My husband asks for the meat on top that way when it comes to the table the meat is still raw and cooks in the warm broth once you stir things up. The meat is very tender and pretty lean. The service is fast and the prices are also reasonable.
(4)Jose P.
I used to go to this place a lot since my wife was pregnant with my kids.. Now they are 7 and 8 anyway the food was always great however this couple of times that I went there, the servers were slow, they had long nails touching my food and the worst thing I saw couple of roaches walking around..
(2)Chris C.
This is my favorite pho in the area.
(4)Gregarius G.
Food was good, prices were reasonable. I don't speak Vietnamese and the wait staff seemed to be in outer space with their limited English. ...Maybe it was just me, but I waited like 20 minutes for the check and asked 4 times before I was told to just go to the cash register around the corner.
(3)Dimitri Y.
The best part of the pho here is the meat. Lots of meat, and really tasty (that's what she said...) The spring roll shrimp though? Too fishy... (that's what.. yeah)
(3)Steve J.
I love the shrimp rolls, but the chicken with broccoli was very slimy.
(3)vinnie t.
ain't the greatest place for viet food but if you don't want to drive out to eden and just want a quick fix of viet food this place will do. don't expect much though
(2)Angela D.
Not bad. I ordered takeout because I had other plans. There was only three ppl there, so i was pretty worried (you know, if it's dead - that speaks volumes about the food). Well first thing first...they don't accept credit cards/debit cards unless the order is over $15. But since this was my first time there, he gave me a pass...which I'm happy for. I had the chicken with rice vermicelli - very tasty. And it only took about 10 minutes. The place loses a star due to the decorum. But it wasn't like I was there to enjoy it. And I wasn't there for the service either. So I can't comment on those. Overall...the food was good. And that's what matters.
(4)Kunal P.
I was quite surprised at how awful our experience was at this place. The service was terrible to start. I don't know if the server was having a bad day or what, he was just rude from the moment we sat down. Being first timers, we inquired what their specialty dish and their most popular dish were. If they had any vegetarian option and what they tasted like, etc. We didn't even get any water for over 10 minutes after we sat down. Took more than 40 min for our food to arrive, even though the place was only may be 1/4 full. We ordered spicy lemongrass chicken and rice noodle veggies. this wasn't our first rodeo at a Vietnamese restaurant. But, the food tasted just awful. After like a second bite, we decided this wasn't worth the bout of emesis that may come forth later. We asked for our bill and decided to go across the street with the hope of a better experience. What ticked us off even more was, at the end, when we went to pay, the person THREW the bill at us. I mean, who does that???
(1)Cm S.
Went here for lunch on a Sunday. The A/C wasn't on so the restaurant seemed warm to me. It's an old McDonalds so don't come here for ambiance. I ordered chicken Pho. It took about 15-20 minutes for it to come out. It should take less than 5 because this dish is very simple to prepare. There were green onions inside my Pho that had not been washed. I could clearly see the dirt on them. I couldn't help but wonder why I waited 20 minutes in a restaurant with no A/C to eat dirt soup. The staff was friendly. I probably won't go back here.
(2)Sophie U.
Crispiest. Spring rolls. Ever. Marianne L. took me here for lunch and we both ordered the same stuff: crispy spring rolls and #54, the vermicelli with pork and crispy spring rolls. Delicious! Service was efficient and the food came out fast. Perhaps my only complaint so far would be that the fish sauce could stand to be a little stronger.
(4)Lhen C.
Good food I give it 5 stars but service sucks big time. If you want to enjoy your food just get it to go.
(3)Madinah O.
I came here a few weeks ago hoping to find a good local pho restaurant. I'm really pleased to say that I would definitely make this a regular place. I ordered pho, summer rolls, and bubble tea. They were all amazing! The best part is that the meat is cooked perfectly! This is my second time coming here and we ordered almost all of the same stuff. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because we found a few pieces of fat from the brisket inside the bowl of pho. We easily just took them out and put them aside. Overall, we've had a pretty good experience with this restaurant. The customer service is okay. Also, they do have free Wi-Fi! I highly recommend trying this place out! It's now our regular place for some good pho!
(4)Amanda S.
I give the food a 5 but the service is really bad. The serves have attitudes on top of the language barrier and ours even slammed stuff on the table. But the pho is worth it! Its fresh and the broth is really good not to watery.
(4)Hee Jin B.
This is my go-to pho place in the Springfield area. Not saying it's outstanding or really stands out from other pho places, but it is better than average I'd say. Their service isn't that great, but nothing unexpected really from a pho place. Inside looks clean enough but there's still the oddly familiar dirty feeling from the establishment that you get from pho places. Pho is pretty good. Broth is nice, and meat usually good and plenty of it. Their chicken wings are good, usually made on spot so you get it nice and hot. Eggrolls/springrolls are alright, nothing too special though. I have not tried their other dishes, and probably won't to be honest. I love pho haha.
(4)Stephanie N.
I am Vietnamese so you know my answer will be genuine. This has got to be one of the worst Vietnamese restaurants i've ever been to. Egg rolls were so terrible i swear I could go buy some at a supermarket and make it myself and it'd be 10x better. All my parents did while eating were complain about how bad this place was. "First time here, but also my last time here" - Mom
(1)Shijo J.
I was skeptical at first based on all the other reviews about service and taste, but I found it to be very good. There was only one waitress and a decent sized crowd. All my food came out as ordered and fast. The pho had great flavor, wings were crispy, and topped it off with homemade lemonade. Overall pleased with the experience.
(4)Nargis A.
This Pho restaurant is great! I have tried a couple different pho restaurants but saigon is my favorite. The noodles and broth are always on point and the owner of the restaurant is very nice. They lose a star for their service. Although the waiters are quick to take your order and bring out your food; they are not friendly at all and they never come back around to ask if you need anything. There have been many times where i would run out of water, but there would be no waiters around to give refills. Overall, this is a great pho place, i go often and have never been disappointed with the quality of their food!
(4)Remy ..
Being Vietnamese, this got to me one of the WORST Vietnamese restaurants that I've been too. It is definitely NOT AUTHENTIC Vietnamese cuisine and the broth taste like tap water mixed in with MSG. This restaurant may work for the typical American but it would not work for the authentic Asian taste bud. Service was bad along with the food. Ordered an extra large bowl #41 and got 2 small shrimps along with 4 thin slices of small roast pork which tasted like it was leftover from a week ago. Food is 100% not fresh and not authentic at all, typical of what you find in Vietnamese style Pho noodle soup restaurants around this area. They cook food just to get your money but honestly its NOT quality food and not what you expect when you go out to eat. Definitely NOT coming back, I rather eat instant ramen noodles than this lame fake place that says authentic quality food when it taste like S**T.
(1)Ashleigh L.
Came here again on a Wednesday night and it was packed. The food is good, so I know why, but they only have two guys working in the front with about 15 or so tables of people. I really think if they are usually this busy that they need to have a couple extra people on board to help with waiting the tables. The food is great but the server only came over to take our order, bring us water, bring us the wrong food and came back with the right food. I kill my pho with sriracha (oops) so I was casually dying and in need of a refill on my h2o with no one in sight. I feel like every review on this restaurant mentions the service aspect....if they would add a few more people I swear this place would easily get five stars from a lot of yelpers...
(3)Cat P.
This is a long overdue review for Saigon City Restaurant. I must confess that the owners are family friends, but I'll try to be as objective as possible. Anyway, Saigon City is probably the most authentic Vietnamese restaurant, with the most varied menu, in the Springfield-Alexandria area. Of course, they serve pho, and their pho is pretty darn good. But I urge you to try other items on the menu, especially their hu tieu (rice noodle soup in pork broth) or hu tieu xao (stir fried rice noodles with your choice of protein or veggie). The caramelized fish a.k.a. clay pot fish is awesome!!!!!! (I would vote theirs and Hai Duong's the best I've had in recent memory.) A safe vegetarian option is the tofu in tomato sauce, though this isn't the best compared to the other items. The family behind Saigon City is very friendly and helpful. I only wish that I could say the same for some of their servers... I won't lie: Certain servers aren't too friendly and work at a snail's pace. The last time I visited, it seemed like some nicer folks had replaced them, though. Hope that wasn't a temporary thing. Saigon City is a godsend to people who live in this area because they don't have to go to Eden Center to get their Vietnamese food fix. If you're in the Springfield Mall area, you should definitely stop by for lunch or dinner.
(4)Laura D.
Great pho with chicken and summer rolls. The broth itself was really flavorful and lots of fresh basil, bean sprouts, jalapeños, onions and noodles. Takeout was ready in 10 minutes- great for quick Vietnamese grub!
(3)Mo A.
A friend of mine was in the mood for Vietnamese and suggested meeting at this place for lunch on a Sunday. Located not far from the 395/95 Highway entrances/exits, Saigon City is a moderately sized family run restaurant. Service started off good as we were placing our order but after they were placed the waiter pulled out a magic trick by *poof*.....disappearing. Don't worry though folks, later on he did another magic trick to reappear....with the bill. I started off with the crispy shrimp egg rolls for an appetizer. They actually look like samosas with their triangle shaped fried pastry shell. Once I bit into it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the roll was packed with shrimp...albeit ground up shrimp. They were some of these best egg rolls I've ever had. The texture contrasts between the fried shell and the ground up shrimp really worked well. I definitely wish I had ordered more, especially after receiving my entree. My main course was the Tai Pho. A fairly large bowl of noodles, broth and eye of round steak. The noodles were properly cooked and then after that it was downhill. The meat was kinda tough and flavorless. The much more egregious issue was the lack of flavor in the broth. Very very disappointing. The prices are decent and parking is convenient BUT when it comes to this place, I think I have anal glaucoma, which in layman's terms means I can't see my a$$ returning.
(2)B. N.
Average. I only go here when I can't make it to Eden center. Don't get anything broth-based here because they are not fresh but frozen and reheated. I usually play it safe and order one of the rice combo plates.
(3)Carlos V.
The employees could have been more hospitable. With that said, my wife and I did not feel the atmosphere was inviting. Won't be coming back, they were more friendly to the Asian clientele. I visited another Pho place today called,"Pho Vietflare," on South Van Dorn. Very nice and clean atmosphere, people were nice and courteous. I did a carry out but I left a $3.00 tip just because of how they treated me. That Saigon place was low class and S@&tty, I gave them a tip just because they served me but now that I think about it they did not deserve anything and I regret given them my service. There is a big difference between these two places. I think they should shut the Saigon place down.
(1)Mila P.
Mmmmm fresh. The selection and ambience us relaxing. They have a great variety of pho!!! Such a treat! Good service!
(5)William D.
Did lunch take out and ordered by just walking up to the counter. Food was up about 10 minutes later, about what I'd expect. The place was about half-full with diners at the tables, which was a good sign. I got two orders to-go of their vegetarian (Chay) soup (#34). Got two containers of the broth and two take-out containers with the vegetables and tofu. Everything survived a 15 minute drive home and everything was still warm. Once I opened the broth, it filled my room with a great aroma and it tasted rich. The vegetables were nicely sliced and had a great variety. I loved the tiny container of the hot pepper sauce. Combined the two in a large bowl and I had a great lunch for a fair price without waiting too long. Highly recommend.
(4)Nunu H.
The food here is pretty good but I feel like it's over priced compared to most Vietnamese restaurants.
(3)Manda J.
This is my favorite pho restaurant in the area, best broth in Alexandria and good beef and fresh toppings. I dined in on a weeknight and had no issues with service, though they do look busier on weekends. The get an extra star from me for most authentic bubble tea around as well.
(5)Marc Alen D.
Their bubble tea is always good. Never too sweet or watered down. The pho is just as consistent. Very laid-back kind of atmosphere and the bubble tea flavors seem endless. Lunch time is always bustling with local office goers.
(4)Kat V.
I'm updating my previous review to reflect the amazing pho i had on my 2nd trip here. The service was still not great..but THE PHO. THE PHO. OMG. How have I never had their brisket pho before!?!!?! The soup was,as usual, delicious and rich and tasty but their brisket took it to another level. Yes, the place is not decorated well..yes, the service is hit or miss...but this is the only place I will over look these things for their delicious pho. Although there are much nicer pho places to go to in this area, I will still choose Saigon City for the very well executed broth.
(4)Sam K.
I can only talk about the Pho Ga and bubble tea, because that is all I have tried over here every time I go. It is one of the best broths I have had in this region and I have been regular to Eden garden. This is my go-to spot for some noodle soup. I invariably ha r a cantaloupe bubble tea afterwards . A nice contrast between hot and cold, their bubble tea is excellent, churned just right and not watery. The service can definitely be improved. The waiter is not very attentive. Also, for what it's worth, their prices are a tad bit higher than the Pho495 down the street.
(4)Michele P.
Went with my parents and husband on a rainy Friday night, three of us in the mood for pho. Hubs got a ginger chicken and vegetable dish that was quite nice. The place was comfortably full of diners, many Asian, which is what you want to see in an Asian restaurant. The food was really good. Service was strange, the three soups came right out, followed by our appetizers, and after quite a long lag in time my husband's entree. But service aside, the food was really good, the broth as pleasantly seasoned. I'd probably go back, especially as it's close by, but it would be nice if the staff were a bit on their game.
(4)Rob G.
This place has been getting progressively worse. New owners have not made anything better. Paint coming off the walls, constantly cold (no heat), floors and walls dirty. One of the bigger complaints is that the staff is very rude. I will not be coming back to this location. Save your time and money and go somewhere else.
(1)Lauren J.
Came here for dinner last night and it was really good. I enjoyed the food and the staff were definitely on top of things.
(4)Jeff C.
Got the #16 pho with everything... Not bad but I've only been to 3 pho places in my life and this would rank #3. The regular size seemed smaller than those of the other pho joints but it was big enough. Also got crispy egg rolls which were good. Had vermicelli noodles inside and were very crispy, like dinosaur skin texture. Kind of liked the casual atmosphere but it was humid and didn't feel super clean.
(3)Debbie M.
This is the best Pho place I have gone to in years. Don't judge the outside until you go inside. The little hole in the wall restaurant has fantastic food. It always comes out quickly and hot. The only reason it didn't 5 stars?? The service could have been a little better - I shouldn't have to ask for more to drink if my glass is empty.
(4)NeTosha P.
This USED to be one of my family's favorite spots to eat at. Although we are African American, we are well traveled and ADORE a variety of Asian cuisine. My daughter is a chef specializing in Korean cuisine. My sister and I went on a Saturday afternoon. It was crowded but tragically sad to be told that there were no tables available although we could see 3 clean open tables. We had to ask if we could be seated at one of them and then were begrudgingly shown to our seats. It took 15 min to have one of 3 waiters take our order. It was another 20 mins before we got water and utensils. We witnessed 3 other groups of customers get seated after the waiter took our order, get their water, utensils and food BEFORE we even got water. A woman beside us was seated, given water and utensils right away and her food with 10 mins of entering the restaurant. Our came 45 min after being seated. When the waiter FINALLY brought my food it was the wrong order but he left so quickly I did not have a chance to tell him that it wasn't what I had ordered. I had to go to the register where he admitted that what he brought me wasn't what I ordered and then proceeded to ask me did I want to try what he brought me. It was the worst food ever. Long story short, I ended up paying for the waiters mistake ANYWAYS. I tipped him 20% and told the rest of my family of 6 never to eat there again. Tragically sad to loose a family favorite over the color of our skin.
(1)Annie K.
My BFF and I were craving for bubble tea and didn't want to venture outside of Springfield due to the inclement weather, so we settled on Saigon City. I ordered the black milk tea and she ordered the taro. Both were in smoothie form, which I wasn't used to because black milk is usually just liquid, but it wasn't too bad -- it was just different. My BFF had chunks of taro in hers -- but it tasted like real taro, (not the powdered form!) which is a good sign for freshness. They only accept credit card if the transaction is over $15, so be prepared with cash if you plan to spend less than that, which can be inconvenient. Even though we only ordered bubble tea, we were allowed to sit at a table and chat, which was nice. Next time, I'll be back to try their bun bo hue!
(3)Marianne L.
Rapidly becoming a common lunch and dinner spot for me, this little unassuming place dishes up wonderful food and very reasonable prices. Saturday stopped in with a friend for some Vermicelli noodles with crispy pork and spring rolls - one of my favorite and go-to Vietnamese dishes. We go both crispy and summer rolls and I had a refreshing thai spice bubble tea. The bill came to $30 for a massive amount of food, basically leaving me stuffed for the day (and no room for "grazing" at our next stop Costco). I've also gotten Pho Ga from here for take-out several times. With the Pho, as with other dishes I've observed landing on nearby tables, the portions are very generous and I've yet to finish my order whatever I've gotten (even having arrived with a growling stomach). I love how they package food for take-out too. Sometimes I've gotten dinner to-go, and an order of Pho to take to work for lunch the next day (broth is in one container and everything else in another so things don't get soggy overnight YAY). I cried when its sister location in Landmark closed since it was so close to my house. But this isn't too far for me to go, and while there are some other Vietnamese places I enjoy more, this place has good food, is a good value, its easy to park and convenient to other places I frequent in the area.
(4)Elain X.
Seriously, I'm so torn on coming back still. Even though the food is good the service sucks! They always mix things up, always on their phones and unprofessional. No one speaks English here either. I called in today to make an order for my co worker and I and when I get here they forgot about my coworkers food. They jacked their shaky beef price up to $11.95 from $8.95 and didn't update their menu or website and when I asked about it they said they haven't looked at it in awhile. Well I hope you check yelp since everytime I come here your service gets worse and worse. Last time I ordered the lady was yelling I'm Vietnamese to someone else while I was trying to tell her what I wanted and once she got my order she just hung up on me. This place is really starting to not be worth my money or my time. You've been told my fellow yelpers.
(1)Autumn V.
Order the avocado bubble tea here and it was terrible. Didn't taste like avocado at all, just a mush of flavors.
(1)Danny G.
Not terrible, but definitely not worth your money when there are so many good pho restaurants in the area. Staff was nice enough, but the food just doesn't compare to Viet House (Fairfax) and DEFINITELY doesn't compare to Saigon Quan (right down the street in Springfield).
(2)Kekee R.
MY FAVORITE PHO PLACE! I have been coming to this place for years! I always leave satisfied. It's authentic and the food is nothing short of amazing. The pho broth is tasty and different from most places in the area! I also never go here without getting an appetizer! They're all so delicious! You can never go wrong with their crispy spring rolls and summer rolls! Also LOVE the rice platters they serve, if you're a pork eater try the pork rice platter; if you're not, try the chicken, it is just as delicious! My family loves this place and it's definitely a hidden gem in the area!
(5)Heather P.
THE BEST PHO, EVER!!! Everytime I come to visit VA, I must come here. I live on Long Island, and I've tried the pho in various places in NYC and other states. The Pho Chay, hands down is the best at Saigon City. It cures hangovers and prepares me for a night's drinking and other shenanigans with friends. Thanks for being a staple in the community and my heart when I come to visit friends and family in VA.
(5)Ja A.
THE "WAIT STAFF" SERVICE IS HORRIBLE! Collectively, they are rude, unprofessional, and pathetically SLOW. Initially, I hesitated in writing this review in fear the ownership will not read or comprehend my comments. However i have come to the conclusion that writing this review will hopefully assist someone else from wasting their time and spending your hard earned cash at Saigon City. I am certain there are better Vietnamese restaurants in the area who will appreciate my business and will show it with better, prompt service.
(1)Mark V.
~3.5 stars~ I always enjoy coming to "the McDonald's of Vietnamese food," because like Mickey D's, you can get comforting food for a very low price. Luckily, it's a lot more healthy than McDonald's. The food here is reasonably good, but not fancy at all. I have enjoyed their crispy spring rolls, but their summer rolls have too much lettuce and too-dry pork in them. The pho is fine, but make sure to get the appetizer portion of it if you plan to order an entree. And do order the entrees, because they are mostly under $10! I ordered the grilled pork over rice noodles on my latest visit, and it was fine (and had A LOT of noodles). The pork was perfectly done. Even better was the caramel pork entree I got during my previous visit (not on the menu - ask for it!). It was leagues better than fancy-pants Present's version, not to mention a lot cheaper. This place is going to have to up their game if they want to earn that fourth star, however. The service was downright clueless, as the waiter we got was obviously never got trained in service and was more interested in checking his phone than being attentive to his tables. I also wasn't thrilled that the plate of basil and sprouts that came with the soup were completely wilted. Is it so hard to have fresh vegetables available the entire time you are open? But even with those reservations, this is the kind of place I like - a local place with good food at a low price. I'll be back!
(3)Brian L.
My go to pho place if I am out of the city. Good pho, good rolls, good vermicelli, and good iced coffee. I usually ask for uncooked eye round steak on top of my pho.
(4)Vu N.
Very good authentic Vietnamese food. Got to try the 'banh xeo'. Delicious!!!
(4)