I recently moved here from San Francisco, and one thing I've been searching everywhere for is a really good beef rib pho. I've tried a few places, but nothing quite hit the mark--until now. This was everything I had been craving. The broth was rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. It wasn't overly sweet like some pho broths can be; it had that deep, savory flavor I had been hoping to find. The beef rib was incredibly tender and practically fell off the bone, and the brisket was just as delicious. The portions were also amazing. I enjoyed a huge, satisfying meal and still left with plenty of leftovers--including another whole beef rib and brisket--which I'm genuinely excited to eat later. This meal honestly exceeded my expectations, and I can confidently say I finally found my go-to pho spot. If you're debating whether to order the beef rib pho, do yourself a favor and get it. You won't regret it! read more

Pho is kind of average. Service is good. Don't get the chicken pho. We came on a Thursday evening and ordered the mega pho for $28.95. Mega pho: (3/5) The pho was pretty much average overall. It came with rare beef, brisket, tripe, tofu, chicken, tomatoes, bean sprouts, noodles, meatballs, jalapenos, onions, and lime. The broth didn't taste good, it tasted like any other broth at any pho restaurant. The amount of beef was acceptable for pho that costs 28.95, but the taste of the meat was average. The vegetables were fairly fresh and tasted fine. The noodle portions were acceptable for the price too, and tasted fine was also average. However, the chicken was flavorless and boiled to the point so that it was hard and chewy like wood. Service: (4/5) Our server came by and refilled our water quickly and regularly. Ambiance: (4/5) It was a little bit noisy and the interior was quite nice. Overall a good enough experience, though I would advise against getting a pho with chicken here. read more

Build The Pho - Mega pho (hand for comparison) - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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We stopped in after moving my daughter into her dorm room, and this place was just behind her building. Had the House Special Pho, and it was flavorful and very filling. My daughter had one of the rice bowls, which she often gets here. Ordered via the QR code on the table, so was quick and easy. The space was quite open and modern, with high ceilings. My daughter said the banh mi sandwiches are quite good as well. Oh, and we had the fried shrimp appetizer, which was very delicious and tangy. Overall, a very satisfying meal! read more

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My boyfriend and I love Build the Pho! Not only is it very conveniently located in University Circle, but the pho itself is consistently good. The restaurant is well-decorated, clean, and spatious and, once you're seated, you can order either manually (the servers will hand you a paper to fill out) or by QR code - which includes items from both Build the Pho and the nextdoor Sweet Spot (e.g., boba drinks, etc.). The only caveat is that they usually put all of the garnishes into your broth (jalapeño, basil, and bean sprouts) pre-emptively, and the only way to have them remove one of these would be to ask a server, as there's nowhere online where you can indicate that you don't want a specific garnish. The broth is hot and tasty, the noodles (usually) perfectly cooked, and the meat good quality. I usually get the ribeye or brisket, while my boyfriend gets the House Special, and we almost always leave satisfied with our meal. The appetizers (especially the rock shrimp and popcorn chicken) are also always great! However, most of all, we really enjoy the customer service here - my boyfriend and I come here quite often, and the servers always remember to tell the kitchen to remove the jalapeños in my bowl, which I appreciate. 5/5 would and am definitely coming back! read more

Build The Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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This is a newish spot in OHC. If you're looking for pho without going to Asiatown, this is a solid option for the neighborhood. The decor and ambiance feel modern and leans towards a young audience. The tables are packed in there so expect tight quarters with your dining neighbors. I enjoy the pho I got and would say that the large serving dishes mean the broth cools quickly so eat fast! read more

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It's good pho and good location. I'm hoping good reviews keep this place in service cuz I enjoy coming here

I was pleasantly surprised to find such a PHO-nomenal Vietnamese spot in Cleveland with authentic Vietnamese dishes such as banh mi, bun, and pho. I opted for the build your own pho option, which was priced very reasonably (~$11-16 depending on how many protein choices you wanted) and very easy to order. I was pleasantly surprised at the rich, aromatic beef broth (although it had a bit of MSG), and the portions of rice noodles, veggies and protein were very generous as well (even for takeout). Highly recommend checking them out if you're in the Case Western/Cleveland Clinic area and craving some authentic Asian food! read more

Build The Pho - House Special Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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The pho was very mid honestly. I ordered takeout here. The interior design is very beautiful and service was friendly + quick. However, the broth was not light and aromatic like how it should be. I'm not sure if they used a pre-made broth or pho broth cubes, but there was definitely something off. It almost tasted too salty and quite heavy (maybe too much msg or fish sauce?) It was $16.95, which is relatively expensive considering the quality. It satisfies a pho craving if you're desperate and is near the case western campus if you're looking for something quick but overall would not recommend. read more

Build The Pho - House Special Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Clean, modern , convenient Vietnamese place a few blocks away from the University Hospitals and Case Western. Service was friendly and prompt. You seat yourself and order yourself using a QR code at the table. Like others have said, it is a little off putting that there is an automatic 18% "Convenient Fee" added to the bill AND you're prompted to add an additional tip before you even order, pay, or get your food. I got the pho and fish cake appetizer. They were just okay. The pho did the job for my pho craving, yet the broth was a little bland. It didn't seem as authentic and aromatic as other pho places. Also, the basil, bean sprouts, and jalapeños are already in the soup versus having it on the side like most pho places. Bonus points that they had the chili oil on the table though. Bottom line: this place gets the job done if you're in the area and have a pho craving, but don't expect a fully authentic aromatic flavor. read more

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This establishment used to be better, but ever since they converted their ordering system to be online, the food seems overpriced for what you're receiving. After the mandatory 18% tip, the food turns out to be around $20/person for a bowl of pho, which just really isn't worth it. The broth is average, but the food often comes out lukewarm instead of piping hot like you'd expect from a traditional pho place. The waiters are nice, but don't do much besides hand you their food, since they don't have to come and personally take your order anyways. read more

I've heard mixed reviews about build the pho so I finally went to check out the place myself. While the interior is spacious and modern, the service is rather lacking. Even with only a few patrons in the restaurant, our waiter did not check in on us to ask about the food or even just refill our waters. Ordering occurs via a QR code and the only interactions we had were transactions. As for the pho, the aroma of the broth was very familiar and homey. Perhaps that was the detriment since it raised my expectations for the pho. In truth, the broth is bland and unseasoned, making an already unsavory experience all the more unappetizing. I'm hoping more effort will be put into the menu in the future. read more

Pretty solid Vietnamese spot in University Circle. Ordering is through a QR code and the food comes out relatively fast. The broth is good and definitely helps bring together the dish. The meat is on the chewier side but the flavor is still there. There was a decent balance of noodles, veggies, and meat and portion sizes were reasonable. read more

Build The Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

This is one of my go-to lunch spots as it's nearby for work. I'm a fan of their pho with beef brisket, grilled pork chop plate, and spring rolls. There's always a table everytime I've gone. Service is super quick, as you are seated right away and can use a QR code system to order. The cool part is that everyone can order separately on their phones at the same table but it all adds to the same bill. Overall, it's nothing fancy, but it's delicious and affordable food in a very convenient location. The inside is clean and cozy. read more

Build The Pho - beef brisket pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I would give this restaurant 4.5 stars if possible. This place is by far the best restaurant within walking distance from Case Western Reserve University. The restaurant is clean, and customer service is generally very good. We've been here multiple times. Unfortunately , if the restaurant is busy, expect a much slower service. Our favorite dish is the grilled pork chops, nicely sliced in thin pieces and grilled just perfectly. The summer rolls were excellent with the peanut sauce to dip. The spring rolls were okay. The beef broth is so flavorful. If you order the beef broth pho with beef brisket (4 slices), there is an extra spice to it since they add jalapeños in the broth. You can order a combo (appetizer, entree and drink), and receive a $3 discount. We've always ordered their Thai ice tea which is excellent. A must try restaurant if you're in the area. read more

Build The Pho - Pork chops on the side - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Build the Pho is a very modern restaurant where you order your food on your phone via QR code. My friend and I ordered the summer rolls and they were extremely cold as if it was sitting in the fridge for a while. I ordered the pho with 2 meats, and got the brisket and raw meat. Broth was good and the brisket was tender. I think i'll forego the raw meat next time because it was a little bit tougher that I had hoped for. They put all the mix-ins in your bowl so you don't really get to adjust how much toppings you want. read more

Build The Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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I wanted to give this place 5 stars but I couldn't justify it based it on them running out of pork on Friday at 6pm...so I will be back and hopefully so will the pork! The taste, presentation, menu selection were all amazing! The food looks just like the menu pics online. Our server was very nice and attentive. Prices are reasonable, the speed of the food was quick and portions were good sized. Wish there were simple paper menus so you didn't have to be on your phone and order through there... BF got their rare beef pho and I got the grilled chicken bun cha. Also the basil popcorn chicken which was FIRE. Only wish that the fresh ingredients that come in pho could have come out separately so you can decide how much to throw in! read more

I visited Build the Pho the other day with my best friend. This was only my second time trying pho and it left a bit to be desired. The broth was somewhat bland, requiring a lot of doctoring with chili oil, hoisin and sriracha. I appreciated the fact that they had a vegetarian option but I would've liked it to be more flavorful. The ingredients tasted fresh but lacked any "wow" factor in the flavor arena. The vegetable spring rolls were my favorite part of the meal. I also got a strawberry mango smoothie with Crystal boba which was just okay. The food came out relatively quickly. At this location, you are prompted to order and pay using your phone which was pretty convenient. The restaurant was visually appealing and a great spot to sit and eat. It's spacious and wasn't extremely busy while I was there. Overall, it was an okay experience. read more

Build The Pho - Tofu Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

One of my favorite places to go for Vietnamese food! The rock shrimp, basil chicken and of course summer rolls are must have appetizers. My dad loves their banh mi sandwiches which are delicious. I love the bun noodles bowls with pork or steak. The pho is absolutely to die for! The broth is simple but incredibly well seasoned and perfect for a cold day or if you're feeling unwell. The Thai tea is delicious too. I also love how quiet and inviting the restaurant is and the service is never slow. read more

I had the beef cold noodle dish and some wings. Everything was prepared well. The wings were crispy and the sauce which came with the noodle dish paired well with the wings as well. I didn't really care that they intended to charge me $1 each for 4 packets of hoisin and sriracha. Didn't want to ask about sauce for the wings for fear they'd want to charge me for that as well. The food was no doubt tasty, the service just a little rough at the edges. read more

This is located on a drag strip of other restaurants and cute little shops, we were in the area for testing at Cleveland Clinic and decided to give it a try. When you walk in you can see the full menu on the big screen, you are seated and there is a QR code you scan on your phone and order, I LOVE this kind of technology at restaurants! Not only does it give you the time and space you need to decide, but it cuts down the waiting time for a server to come to your table. Once you order your meal is brought out to you, as you can see by my picture it is a nice size portion! If we are in town we would definitely eat here again, not only was the food good, and fast, but the place was CLEAN, spotless. Great location. read more

Build The Pho - Build your own pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Food was pretty average. They didn't give us huge portions of meat, but it was pretty good if you're looking for a place to grab a quick bite. read more

Ordered the BYO beef brisket pho with thick rice noodles and was extremely disappointed when I arrived home and saw the state of the rice noodles! I've order thick rice noodles from plenty of other Vietnamese restaurants and never have my noodles ever looked like this! Had to scoop my noodles up with a spoon just to eat them! Tried the broth before dressing it up and it was okay, tasted a little better after adding chili oil, hoisin, and sriracha. I was looking forward to this bowl of pho but the noodles really ruined this for me. If I eat here again I guess I'll just stick with regular rice noodles and hope the same thing doesn't happen! read more

Build The Pho - Build your own beef brisket pho dressed up with chili oil, hoisin, and sriracha - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Good place. Tasty. Reasonable prices. Good service. Typical Asian corner restaurant. Will become a regular.

Rich savory broth with lots of good quality meat!!! And there are many tasty appetizers like juicy fried chicken. read more

Build The Pho - Pork chop with 10 oz. Grilled Pork Chop - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I wish I could show a photo of my bowl before I absolutely devoured it. This pho was exactly what I was craving, even on a hot summer day. Tried every single appetizer and I didn't leave a single bite... Ended up needing to be rolled out of the shop. The wings are so good and well seasoned. Absolutely delicious. Now, one thing you 10000% need to get is their tendon. It's the best tendon I have ever had. How many times can you say you've had tendon that is so creamy and melts in your mouth? You KNOW it's been cooked properly and cooked for such a long time. Broth is also great! So packed full of flavor. You can taste the different spices they use in their broth. 100% recommend. 5/5 stars. read more

Build The Pho - Empty bowl of pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Service is friendly, easy to order/customize your pho. We had the mega though - that didn't allow for customization. Flavors are good, there is PLENTY of meat. We had to get extra noodles to finish all the meat.. My only request is to have hot chili oil available (I prefer that to sriracha for my pho). Overall, great addition to the University campus. read more

Build The Pho - Mega pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

We were so hungry after workout and stumbled upon this place. I had heard about this place before and was skeptical because I'm Vietnamese. I tend to be very picky with Viet food especially with places that owned by non-Vietnamese. I came in with low expectation but wanted to see what this place was about. To see menu, you have to scan the QR code. I did have some problem with my phone's internet initially but they offered free wifi. We placed the order through their web portal. They charged 18% service fee but also gave an option for additional tip. We ordered house special pho with ribeye steak added, grilled pork chop with rice, and beef banh mi. We also got some stuff from next door's store: bubble teas and mochinut. The pho was a bit pricey but huge. I should have read the description before order it because it was too big for me. The pho was pretty good, to my surprise. The meat quality was much better than some of the authentic Vietnamese places. The broth was a bit in the sweet side which was a plus for me. The downside about the pho was lack of aroma, and the garnish was small. Typically, you would get a small plate with raw herbs such as Thai basil, culantro, lemon, jalapeño and bean sprouts to add to your soup. However, this place added bean sprouts, jalapeño, and a small amount of Thai basil to your soup. I missed being able to add my own herbs. Also, the ribeye steak slices were raw but the broth should be able to cook them to medium rare. Moving to the banh mi, the bread was wrong. We use baguettes for our banh mi because of the French influence. The mayo was lack of thickness. Nonetheless, the beef was very well seasoned and the picked vegetables were good. I wish they would add more picked vegetables. My boyfriend enjoyed his rice dish. The pork was pretty good quality and well seasoned. Additionally, my boyfriend thought the mochinut was pretty interesting. We got the ube flavor. Their bubble teas were so-so. I got the green Thai tea and it was a bit bitter for me. My boyfriend liked his cucumber berry tea. I also wanted to give them kudos for using the correct brand of fish sauce. My family uses the three crabs Viet Huong fish sauce. When I saw those bottles at this restaurant, I smiled a bit. Overall, this is a great place for people who have never tried Vietnamese foods before, and people like me who are too lazy to cook pho at home. read more

Don't let my 4 star rating dissuade you from trying this place. It's very solid, but I'm incredibly picky about my pho. Located right across from Case Western Reserve University's bookstore and walking distance from MOCA, you can hit up this pho spot from the front or back entrance. Vibe: very strong college vibe here. Pretty casual. You can sit and scan the QR code for the menu and order through the website. The process is fairly simple and intuitive. I do however wish they would let you have an option to pay through the website. It has your table still saved you can could add more, but doesn't seem like I could pay through there and if there is a way, it's definitely not easy to find. Don't know if the server is supposed to bring you the check at the end, but we waited a while and then decided to get up and pay at the front counter. Food: very strong beef flavor from the pho, but the pho broth is a tad bit heavy to me. There's a big difference between light pho broth with strong beef flavor and heavy one. The tendon is very good. If you love tendon, you'll love this. The brisket was fine. Lots of ability to customize the pho exactly how you want it so that's a plus. They have lots of options and lots of meat. They also have a mega pho bowl that comes with everything. It's priced around $26.95 at the time of this review. Service: came in during a slow time. My friend's food got delivered before mine despite me ordering way before him. As a matter of fact, his food came to me, which I luckily didn't mistake as my own, and then mine came a couple minutes later. Other than that, like I mentioned before, don't know if I was supposed to pay up at the front or if the server was supposed to bring the check so there's that. The hostess was quite nice and helpful with everything. I might stop by again when I'm in town and try something else, but with limited parking and other options for the price point, it's hard to tell. Cheers! read more

Build The Pho - Build Your Own Pho with 3 Protein: brisket and double tendon - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Great little spot! We both had the build your own pho bowl -- I had chicken and my husband had beef-- and they were both delicious. A little spicy but not too spicy. We saw other diners enjoying the rice plates and will probably try that next time. read more

This is a new restaurant in the uptown area, and it was pretty good! There is a parking complex right behind that allows free parking for up to an hour (though I believe there are some recent renovations and it's totally free right now). The bowls of pho were huge. I ended up going with the chicken and vegan broth, which was just ok compared to the traditional beef broth that my partner got. Otherwise the service was good and a good addition to the area! read more

Build The Pho - Beef Tripe - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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A really ingenious idea for a pho place as it really caters to what the guest wants on their pho! This was such an amazing way to order as everything was on your phone and you just had to submit the order- fast and easy :) Presentation was phenomenal and the photos do not do justice just how amazing the food looked. Service was great and we received our food promptly. The reason for docking one star is twofold: the broth was a little disappointing as it wasn't as flavorful as I would have expected, definitely didn't hit the mark as best broth in town; and the toppings provided were scarce at best. As you can see from the photos, what is given is less than what you might expect. Overall, this is a great place in a pinch as it's close to CWRU campus and flavor is decent! read more

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Everyone should boycott any unreasonable restaurant extra fees!! I went to Build the Pho around 3:15pm today for dine-in. To my surprise, when I tried to order using the QR code, I was hit with an "18% convenient fee" that I've never encountered before at this restaurant. When I asked the server about it, he couldn't even explain what it was for, stating it is neither a tax nor a tip, and told me the manager/owner was too busy to speak with me (at 3pm??), telling me there's nothing he can do and the only thing I can do is to order for takeout if I don't want to pay 18% convenient fee for dine in! What the heck is it?? So I must pay 18% extra for dine-in?? This DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL!! I'm SOOO disappointed that such unreasonable charges are being imposed on dine-in customers. This isn't the experience I expected from my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Cleveland. This is kind of business' preposterous behavior must be exposed on social media to raise awareness and promote community accountability until the owner realizes that imposing an unreasonable 18% extra fee is WRONG. I always give other restaurant owners 5-star reviews on Google, but this outrageous practice has made me extremely furious. I have never been this angry before. If this 18% could be tips, then where is the button for customers to adjust the percentage? This needs to STOP! As a restaurant owner, it's important to treat your customers fairly and respectfully. read more

Build The Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Simple not expensive but not cheap fare including the basic Vietnamese rice dishes and a variety of pho as well as fried appetizers like egg rolls and chicken bites. The rare beef pho came in a large bowl with plenty of tasty broth and basil and sprouts. They forgot the jalapeños. The service was quick and the pho only took about ten minutes to come out so this place is great for a quick lunch across from work. read more

I would say this place is plus for location as it is conveniently located in uptown area close to hospitals, hotel, university, and a few parking lots! I was pleasantly surprised by the large serving that was given! Personally, I like my pho aromatic (for example: fresh basil and herbs usually made with the soup) with a slightly richer broth! I also found a piece of hair in my pho which I wasn't too fond of, but it's okay. Service can be a little slow, but staff is really nice! Overall, it is a decent place! I would return to try their other rice and noodle dishes. read more

We keep coming back for excellent and flavorful food. This is definitely our favorite restaurant on campus. The meat is always very tender, and the combos come with a rich and delicious soup that we drink up quickly. The Green Thai Tea is also great. One time we came and it did take a really long time to get our food since it was crowded, but the servers were apologetic and ever since service has been timely. read more

Cleveland is definitely lacking excellent place for pho, so I was excited to check out build the pho. I was working at the hospital on a Sunday, and decided to get carry out from here for lunch. I called ahead to the restaurant around 12:20, and they told me that the pho would be ready in 10 minutes! I'm definitely glad I ordered ahead, because when I went to go pick up the food, the place was poppin! The carry out container is pretty innovative: the noodles and toppings are held in a tray above the broth, so they don't get soggy. I thought the broth was quite savory and delicious (I wish it were a smidge more rich and savory), and the meat portions were pretty generous. I do wish they had given a bit more hoisin and Sriracha, and a bigger spoon bc the tiny plastic spoons are not great for soup, but not a huge problem. The location is super convenient, and I will definitely be returning to try more items off the menu! read more

Build The Pho - Pho with beef brisket and rare beef, and bubble tea from kung fu tea - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Walked in and loved it all: food, service and environment! Totally perfect Pho place!

i always love build the pho on a nice rainy day. the day i went was perfect. coming off the heels of a cold is also my favorite time to inhale a giant bowl of pho to clear my sinuses, and give love to my taste buds. i got my usual, build your own pho with beef broth, sliced chicken, and all the toppings, and vietnamese spring rolls. it was to my surprise that i discovered that they now have bahn mi!! i had to add half of a chicken bahn mi to the mix. i was so glad i did! this is more of a self-service type of environment. you scan a qr code and the menu pops up, which is where you order and pay. however, the staff is still attentive and will answer any questions you may have upon ordering. the inside is lined with vietnamese art, and their tables are organized where you can have a private conversation or a quiet place to study. this place is right by my house and with the cooler seasons coming around the corner, i'm so excited to frequent one of my favorite hidden gems more regularly! 10/10 as always! read more

Build The Pho - Build Your Own Pho with beef broth and sliced chicken (added hoison, chili oil, and sriracha) - Vietnamese Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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I stood in line for take out for a few minutes to order, I was never addressed... they seemed busy so I thought I should just wait and he would get to me when he could. This is a good moment for communication or a quick "we'll be right with you." Nothing is said but I wait patiently. Someone walks up beside me... immediately this person is greeted and asked what they needed. Ironically, he only needed the password for the wifi lol. And after giving it to him, this will person still doesn't say anything to me. I still had to give 3 friendly hellos just to be able to place an order. ‍ read more

The food was pretty good and came out reasonably quickly. Unfortunately, if you dine in, they charge an 18% convenience fee when you order through the Toast app. Plus the system adds a tip by default, so it doesn't appear that was some sort of mandatory tip. I asked the staff about it and they said that was a charge for dining in (I.e. It didn't appear there was a way to avoid the fee). I'm not into deceptive junk fees that obscure the real prices of places. read more