Pho 18 Ave
“pork chop and pho taste good, it's the best Viet place I can find in Bensonhurst.”
“It is honestly not the most authentic but it the best Vietnamese restaurant on the Avenue!”
“Would definitely choose here over Pho Tay Ho because it services the people far from the 86st/BayParkway area.”
Pho 18 Ave
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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I was super ecstatic to find out there was a new Vietnamese restaurant located on 18th ave. I was thrilled to know I wouldn't have to walk to Pho Tay Ho on 86th street. Sadly, this place didn't do any justice. What so ever. After trying this place yesterday, I learned to stay far far away.
Crispy spring roll: I took my first bite and wanted to spit it out immediately. I asked my friend to try a piece and we both concluded the meat was bad. It tasted extremely sour as if it were old and undercooked. We all know uncooked/expired meat is detrimental to our health.
Pho: One word, BLAND. Their pho is just completely off. I drenched my pho is hot sauce but that didn't help much either. The noodles itself were strange too.
One thing I did enjoy was their ice coffee. If you're in the neighborhood and looking for a traditional Vietnamese restaurant this is NOT the place to go!
Updated review 1/1/16:
Wanted to give it a second chance. YES. Things have improved! No more bratty girl at the counter.
The pho standard remains the same. Lightly salted. The bean sprouts come steam washed.
The beef sandwich is warm and crusty if you dine in. Good flavor.
Service improved. More older experienced folks.
The price is cheaper by 1-2 dollars compared to its competitors. But definitely very good for the price.
I am pleased. The other patrons seem to agree, since there has been a lot more business compared to the past. They all appear to be locals.
May the new year bring lots of fortune for them.
I dislike this place ALOT. This one waiter were super rude. Ate here once, never again. I rather go all the way to 8th ave to get better pho and better customer service.
I tried it once when it opened up and the waiter had SO much to say. While I sat down, got my pho, I asked the waiter oh how come their portion is bigger than ours (next table) ? He says oh because it's a different order you order something different. Yes, that was my mistake and I said ok. That was it. Then after I said ok, he goes on explaining to me yes both of your meal was the same, his was cheaper and a bigger portion because they were doing a promotion to attract customers. Um? I wasn't informed anywhere there was even a promo going on. Regardless, I just said ok. HOWEVER, he goes on and kept saying, "Oh do you think the noodles are going to be this price in a month or two? Once this gets big, you won't even have it for this price." (In Cantonese, they don't seem to know English) Unnecessary comment while I was eating. I don't think I even looked at the price when I order because I HONESTLY do not CARE if it's more expensive by a dollar or two. But he goes on comparing prices with Chinatown's and 8th Ave prices…man he was so annoying. I just wanted my pho and I asked one question.
That is the reason why I will never go back there no matter what.
I don't know why people are so negative about the only pho place on the avenue! If I lived in this neighborhood, I would welcome this restaurant with open arms because I love myself a good bowl of pho. The waitress was timid and spoke mandarin to us, but she was harmless and all smiles. As for the food, it was nothing exceptional, but nothing below average either. The tables are spacious which is great for me because I love having more eating room to myself. It's also nice that I was able to leave this restaurant feeling less thirsty than usual from other Vietnamese restaurants I've been to.
This place was open yesterday (the day after the storm!)…4-star for being open in really bad wether!
I ordered #127: Bun Bo Lui and it was delicious and very filling!! I forgot to stir the noodles, so the vegetables at the bottom kind of just sat there…ahhh. Next time I'll remember to stir!
Fast service too!
I came in for lunch with my boyfriend. It was fairly empty and we got seated right way.
We got the pho doc biet (special rice noodle soup with beef, brisket, omosa, round eye, tendon), some kind of pork & egg with rice, and a summer roll.
This is my first time trying a summer roll, so I don't know if the ones here are authentic or not, but it definitely feels like a roll I would eat in the summer. The roll itself was cool, and had generous amounts of shrimp and came with a peanut based dipping sauce. It was quite refreshing.
The pho was not bad, but I wished there were more tendons in my order. The beef was pretty much cooked already when I got my bowl so boo 🙁 But other than that, no complaints.
My boyfriend's pork chop and sliced pork (?) was good, but the egg that came with it tasted weird. We have no idea what it was cooked with.
Overall, this place is decent. Seeing that it's the only Vietnamese restaurant in the vicinity (that I'm aware of), I would definitely come back if I crave pho but don't feel like traveling. Nothing outstanding, but nothing to keep me from coming back either.
Finally, a Viet restaurant on 18th avenue. Unfortunately, I'll pretend this place didn't exist. The soup base was really salty for their version of the #1. The peanut sauce accompanied with the summer rolls was more than watery. The restaurant itself seemed really really dark and quiet, quite strange for a Viet restaurant. Maybe this place just needs a little more time and that's what I'm going to give it.
I've had a lot of Vietnamese food in many different places and I must say this was probably the worst one I've had. The reason for two stars is because when I came here with friends and when we were ready to order, the waiter barely knew what we were trying to say…and we were speaking English loud and clear. I ordered the spring rolls along with the pork vermicelli. And I was satisfied with the meal although I don't think I would be back.