Came in around 10:30 on a Sunday. Most of the tables had someone sitting but there was very little line and I was able to get a table immediately. I went to place my order and wanted the mi ga (Sunday only) but it seemed like they weren't making it! It was fine, I ended up getting the standard beef pho and a Thai tea. My drink came out instantly and the pho very soon after. No wonder this place is so popular! It was well seasoned, beef well cooked, and delicious! Perfect for a cooler wet day! The servers were very fast and efficient, and the clientele seemed like all regulars that came here often to enjoy pho. Definitely will be back whenever I'm in the Hartford area! Parking lot was empty when I entered but when I left around 11 it seemed almost full, so be sure to get there early. read more

Pho 501 - Beef Phở - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

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I came here on a Saturday afternoon around 12:30 pm and unfortunately they were already sold out on ox tail and some other dishes. I ended up getting a combo pho ($16) and viet iced coffee and they came out in about 10 mins. The overall pho was on the savory side , and it was a very clean looking broth. Broth would rank just slightly above average for me. Meat was decent. This seemed like a family establishment which was neat. Overall I was satisfied with this meal. Food(50%): 6.4 Staff/service(25%): 7.0 Value(25%): 7.0 Overall: 6.7/10 read more

Pho 501 - Viet iced coffee - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

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Ive been coming here for most of my life and pho 501 has never let me down ive always gotten my food exactly how i ordered, all the staff are nice and take good care of me every time, I ordered a medium beef broth pho with oxtail extra flank steak, extra tendon, extra noodles and meatballs and I've ordered it this way for as long as i can remember read more

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Never get tired of this place. Its our lunch gathering break. Its inexpensive and delicious. And they are very friendly too. See ya soon read more

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I have known about Pho 501 for some time. I had to drop my mom off to hair appointment instead of waiting for my mom hair to get done. I decided to go check out Pho 501. When I walked in you are greeted promptly great customer service. Be prepared to wait as it's always crowded as they open at 8:30 am it moves fairly quickly. The ambiance is so comforting you feel like you've been transported to a Vietnamese family home. I ordered to go the spicy beef shanks with extra pigs feet. It was like an explosion of flavors. They also tell you how to prepare your to-go meal at home. If your in East Hartford Connecticut check out Pho501 if you want authentic Vietnamese food. You all my Yelpers let's continue to eat our way through the world #foodie4life. read more

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Great pho one of the best I've been to great flavors I have been trying to get their Saturday spicy Pho today they ran out again I'll try getting there earlier next time read more

Pho 501 - Another picture noodle and bean sprouts vegetable with beef - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

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I came here and the parking lot was packed so it was hard to drive around with all the cars. Inside the line was long and not a ton of room. I got a small classic pho and I guess you should try to claim a table before ordering since not a ton of seats for eating in. I got the spring roll and that was solid. I would say for the pho itself, the broth was slightly salty but the noodles and meat were good. I would say probably the best place for pho in the area. That being said the service was not great so takeout is probably the way to go. read more

Stopped here on a Saturday evening as it was on the way back up to boston. They've changed how it's run, now more like cafeteria style. You order and pay at the counter and then you're seated. They do bring your food to your table though and clear the table after. The staff was friendly and accommodating. We had two toddlers with us and they brought out extra bowls and scissors to cut the noodles which was a nice thought! Also I asked for my beansprouts cooked and they were able to accommodate it. We ordered the large pho, Thai iced tea, and Vietnamese coffee. I wanted the bun bo hue but they were sold out. The pho was delicious as I remember it but the coffee and Thai tea were outright terrible. Both extremely watered down. I'm a little disappointed with this recent experience because they nickel and dime for everything now. They used to provide tap water back in the day and my niece wanted some water and all they had was bottled water. We had a little leftovers and it was a 50 cent charge for the quart size container. I feel like I'd rather they marked up their prices on the menu to cover the costs so it doesn't take away from the experience.. read more

Good food. Small menu. But everything was really tasty. The service is friendly and attentive. I have eaten there several times,I haven't been drinking read more

I used to frequent this restaurant 14 years ago when I worked in the area - sometimes having lunch twice a week. I recall the broth was chicken based, now it is beef. This is not bad, just different. I clearly remember always asking for extra basil and they happily supplied it - in addition to the amount that came "standard" on the side. This time I was informed they no longer serve basil. I miss the basil. Perhaps I'll try them again in another 14 years. read more

Ordered beef pho with additional $3 meatballs. The soup is pretty tasty thanks to all msg, little to no beef flavor. The rice noodles if you don't finish it in 5 minutes it will become mushy and double up the volume so i gave it up, I don't like to taste the flour. It's not as good as Mecha noodles' pho. The package meatballs also doesnt taste like beef, u better off getting a can of spam for $3. My husband ordered additional oxtail, they gave him a bunch of meat looks & taste like flank but the guy kept saying oxtail like i never seen or eaten one. Rude guy, he gives you a look like you are dumb or something. Glad he gave my order wrong and missed the oxtail. Would recommend go to Kravin or saigonese or even the Mecha noodles for better pho. Btw the Vietnam coffee is like water sugar with little coffee taste (no condense milk), Just feel nothing authentic about this restaurant. Don't just come here for the rating, i always read the detail, eventually you are paying for the food quality. I think it's super over- rated Well i came few years ago because of the rating during weekend, I walked out disappointed. My family will like to try it because of the rating (again) and they had it over 30 years ago, after this visit driving an hour and half, they agree not to come back again. read more

Pho 501 - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

Came in for a lunch on Tuesday around 12:30. Ordered large Pho with beef brisket and a Diet Soda for $14.30, great deal for such a large bowl. Beef brisket is tender and tasty with a little hoisen. Broth is fantastic and filled with onions on top. Easily the best Pho spot in the near area if I dare say all of Connecticut. Can tell it's just a family that works there and I love to bring my business here. 10/10 read more

Pho 501 - Entrance - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

There is plenty of parking, but the parking lot looks a bit rough. If you're picking up for takeout, I'd recommend ordering ahead. Otherwise, the front waiting area is a bit tight. We came in on Saturday early evening and missed a rush of people that came after us. The staff seemed friendly, but didn't stay a long time or take too long to order. The menu had about 3 or 4 soup options with many meat add ons at an additional cost and a shrimp option. They had spring rolls, but they were only available during the weekday, which was a little disappointing. We ordered the beef pho with flank steak add-on. The soup and noodles were delicious. I paid extra for the flank steak, and it was a bit on the chewy side, so I would recommend another option of meat. I was surprised that the cup size for the thai coffee vs. the thai tea was different, but the same price. It threw me a little bit off to sit down in the restaurant, but pay up front. I may have been prone to order more if we paid after ordering and sitting. Since not knowing the sizes for the beverages, I had to order another thai tea since the thai iced coffee was smaller. I also requested a container to bring my remaining soup home and was asked for 50 cents. Unfortunately, I only had a credit card, no cash or change, but the waitress was kind enough to provide a container anyway. I didn't want the remaining soup to go to waste. I would recommend a pit stop here, and if you expect to have remaining soup after to ask for a container when you order or have some spare cash or change on you. read more

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Amazing pho! We stopped here for a quick bite after getting stuck in traffic for a while on the highway. It was Saturday so we tried to get a Bun Bo Hue, but it was already sold out by noon. We ended up with two bowls and pho and it did not disappoint. The broth was rich and flavorful, and portion sizes were great. Definitely one of the better pho places I've been to. Will definitely stop back here on road trips, and hopefully come early enough to try the bun Bo hue! read more

Pho 501 - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

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My favorite pho in Connecticut. The simplicity of this place adds to the charm. For example, today they were only serving beef pho. You get what you get and you don't get upset. And that's ok because these guys are the real deal. Authentic pho to its core. We had to take our pho to go due to time constraints, but I do appreciate that you can get your ingredients to go cold (and the beef rare) to heat at home. We have eaten here before and I prefer to have it served right from their kitchen nice and hot but the love and depth still comes through at home. Definitely recommend bringing the broth to a boil as the cold ingredients will bring the overall temp down quickly. I was bummed they didn't provide jalapeño slices, but I also didn't specifically ask for them. Everyone there is super nice and it's definitely a place I will revisit time and time again when we are in that part of the state. Absolutely delicious. read more

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stopped by Pho 501 and ordered the Beef Pho with added oxtail, and I have to say - it's the best pho I've ever had. On a chilly day, it was exactly what I needed. The broth was full of rich, complex flavors, and the generous portions of meat were tender and flavorful, something that's hard to find consistently at pho spots. The service was fast, and the staff was incredibly friendly, making for a warm, welcoming experience. The restaurant is a bit on the smaller side, so while seating could be a challenge for larger groups, it's perfectly comfortable for 4 or fewer. Fortunately, I didn't have any issues finding a seat, and parking was easy as well. Pho 501 is a must-visit if you're looking for quality pho that doesn't skimp on flavor or portions. Highly recommend! Also the prices were incredible!! Where can you get oxtail for these prices?! read more

Pho 501 - Pho Beef - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

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I stopped here on a Saturday morning on my way back from Hartford to Boston. As soon as you step inside, you're met with a quaint restaurant with a collection of authentic Asian decorations - I could tell right away that the food was going to be great. Even before 11am, the restaurant was nearly full with patrons and you could tell most diners were regulars. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful in helping us to order. Our food came out quickly and I appreciated that the servers offered us a variety of condiments for our pho. The pho itself was delicious and tasted very authentic. It honestly might be a top contender for the best pho's I've had the pleasure of eating. The meat was incredible - I'm used to beef in pho being more lean than I personally prefer but Pho 501's had a perfect balance of fattiness. If I ever find myself back in the Hartford area, this will be a restaurant I'll be sure to go back to. read more

Chilly September 25 in the afternoon returning back from MA to go back to NYC 501: For here or to go? Me: To stay 501: What can I get you? We only have pho. Me: do you have beef ? 501: yeah what size ? (Points to the three sizes) Me: Medium 501: that will be 11.47 Me: May I use the restroom. 501: yeah right there After exiting the rest room I ask the server "do you have meatballs ? 501: yes would you like extra ? Me: yes how much? 501: $3.00 Me: here you go... Moments later while sitting at the table one of the best bowls of Pho I have had in quite some time arrived. Tasting the broth before adding anything and it was a nice deep flavor. The broth was amazing. Easy off the highway in any direction. Well worth the price which was under $15.00 for medium. read more

Pho 501 - Inside - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

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Only 2 choices: small or large, lol, but oh so good!! Sometimes there's spring rolls! Note!!! Closed for vacation until August 20, 2024! read more

Pho 501 - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

I will definitely be back. Service was outstanding, they took their time with us being that it was our first time there. The ambiance is cool, it doesn't lack the cultural feel and I love that. Let's get into the food, I absolutely love it the flavor profile did not disappoint. The Vietnamese ice coffee was a hit as well as the limeade, the Thai tea wasn't bad but I like the coffee and the limeade better. This place is very affordable which is a plus. I really enjoyed Pho 501, I will be going back. If you've never tried Pho I think this should be your first stop it won't disappoint in my opinion. So if you're ever in the East Hartford area, stop by and give them a try. read more

I've heard about this place soon after I met my husband who raved about it. Today he was working out that way and got Pho to cook at home. He arrived at 9:58 am and it was closed. At exactly 10 am the door opened and 5 cars pulled up.. Order placed. Order packed. Paid and out the door 10:05, including shrimp spring rolls. The decor is simplistic and functional. No frills, but the food is the draw, not the wallpaper. Finale: all ingredients packaged w/ "Pho for Dummies" content. Put the richest, delicious stock in pan. Heat until simmer. Add bag 1 . Onions, protein, herbs. Add noodles/extra 1 minute. Ladle into bowls, top with/ sprouts etc. Daily item.... Pho. Sat/Sun menu is more exciting. My only choice when available. read more

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Had lunch here today around 10:15 I. The morning and almost all the seats were full in the restaurant. And there was a line. At 10:15 in the morning on a Tuesday. There is no need to give my 5 star review, but here it is anyways. I ordered a small beef pho. It was delicious and humongous. I also had a yummy shrimp roll as an appetizer and an iced Thai coffee. Everything hit the spot and I will definitely be back when I have a pho craving. read more

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Very authentic experience with amazing customer service. The Pho was top notch and the restaurant was constantly feeding customers! Great meal. read more

This is my favorite place to get Pho. An experience at Pho 501 is typically as follows: You show up. Pray to whoever that there's parking. Wait in line until you get to the register (there usually is one). Choose your Pho and pay up front. Hope that there's a seat. Sit down. After you sit down, you realize that this is someone's home. This someone has decided to share their Pho with the people of this country and refuses to serve anything below their standards to their customers. Quality. Every single time. Clean, clear and aromatic broth. My pictures look the same everytime because the quality is always there. Consistency is key if the people like what you offer. You know what else? I believe Pho 501 is the cheapest place to get Pho in this area. Typically $11 for a bowl of Beef Pho. Last I checked, their underwhelming competition has been charging $13-15 per bowl. Some variations but either way, Pho 501 has yet to disappoint me. Their take out is also very convenient. Order it ready to eat all in one container or cold with separated ingredients, ready for you to heat up whenever. Pho 501 will be my standard for Pho. The passion, quality and transparency. No secrets here. Just Pho. I don't even know what I'm saying anymore it's just that good. read more

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I write this review in a broth-dotted shirt, and that's . . . OK. Because today, for the time in a long time, I ate my favorite CT pho at Pho 501. 501 was actually the first place where I ate pho. It must have been the early 2000's, and I heard my co-workers praising 501. Not long after, I tried 501 and I was hooked on pho right away. Because of my lack of experience at the time, I didn't know how lucky I was to start with 501. I've been to dozens of pho places since. Pho 501 is right up there with the best I've tried in any state, and it's my favorite in CT. My medium beef pho today was just as good as I remember. Some days, there is nothing more satisfying than a steaming hot bowl of well flavored broth, noodles and thin beef. 501's pho has great clarity of flavors. The star anise. The cilantro. The onion. The umami from the broth. Of course you get to modify the flavor to suit your tastes. It's terrific pho and is really restorative when you're feeling off. The Yelp Pho 501 Duchess (she knows who she is :) ) who has 348 Yelp Check-ins at 501 clued me into some advancements since my last visit. Back in the day, 501 pretty much just had a couple pho choices each day. Now, they have fried spring rolls, wings and/or maybe some other stuff on different days. I tried the wings. They were straight up delicious. Sweet and good salty with a touch of heat. Pho 501 is fairly small and the atmosphere is not a selling point. Due to 501's popularity, parking can be challenging at peak times, but it usually seems to work out. Same with the seating. Once you can park and sit, you're set for some outstanding pho. Five Stars read more

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Wow, finished the broth and all! We loved it, wonderful to have a medium on the menu not just small/large! Such a satisfying meal, super quick service and atmosphere, you're gonna love it just watch out for the bumps in the parking lot to the left of the building. read more

Pho 501 - YÜM - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

I'm no expert in pho but the pho here was pretty good. They have a very small menu with certain dishes available only on certain days. I believe there is only one type of pho available for any specific day. They also have a few appetizers but the spring rolls were not available when I went so I settled for the summer roll. The summer roll was a bit small and simple but still good. I had a medium beef pho and it was very satisfying. read more

Pho 501 - Beef pho - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

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Just thought I'd update my review for pho 501, the absolute best Pho you will find in Connecticut. This is a family-owned business and and we go there every Sunday morning for the chicken Pho, my husband and son are totally addicted to it and the owners make a satay which is a type of hot sauce and it's fantastic they put so much in their bowls are deep red. When people walk by our table they say what are you having when we say chicken noodle soup quote Pho. They usually laugh and Walk On by can't believe we're eating it that hot. read more

Pho 501 - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

This place specializes in pho and it shows. I got the Pho Tai. As a Vietnamese american, I can attest that the broth taste authentic. There's good depth and balance of flavor. Portions are generous The waiters are attentive and the decor matches the food being served. Is it the best? No. That honor belongs to pho restaurants in Texas. Is it the pho good enough for the area? Very likely. read more

Pho 501 - Pho tai - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

This is hands down the best spot for Pho in this state. I have been coming here for close to 20 years and never had the quality slipped. The family that runs it is so nice which is an added bonus. The menu is simple, they stick to pho, spring rolls, egg rolls, and a few other specialty items which I personally like. Quality, not quantity right? Whenever I come I always get a spring roll, a beef pho, and a Vietnamese Coffee. Excellent every single time. If you want a true foodie experience check this place out. You won't be disappointed read more

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Absolutely hands down the best broth flavor out there and the homemade chili paste is like nothing else you will find, in a good way! Super friendly service. The atmosphere is something that some may find not up to par but hey, we go for the food not how the place is decorated! read more

This is a review from a Thai-American who is used to Asian mom & pop shops (where you come into a business that feels like you're kinda stepping into their personal space, where they happen to have a business selling something). Everybody (staff and customers) are Asian, and it's quiet except for the staff talking loudly amongst themselves. We walked in seeing car keys in baskets, mail and prescription meds in a corner of the restaurant, etc, etc. Also, for the weekend, they ONLY had beef pho to offer. However, what they lack in ambiance, they make up for in flavor. The pho broth is amazing; having lived in Los Angeles for decades and having visited family in Southeast Asia frequently, this is the best tasting pho broth I have come across in a long time - a stand out in Connecticut. However, you're not going to find anything fru-fru here... You get a bowl of soup with beef, noodles, and a plate of lime wedges and beansprouts. There is hoisin and Sriracha at the table to add in as condiments. If you care about the broth and feel that it's what makes this dish (knowing that it's been cooking for hours to bring this depth of flavor), then this is the place for you. If you're looking for more than what makes the basics for a bowl of pho (like other ingredients or other Vietnamese dishes), then this might not be for you. Also, for my family of 4, where we had 4 bowls of pho and 2 ice coffees, it was one of the most economical sit-down meals, in the $50 range. read more

I walked here from a tire place down the street while my flat is being repaired. They were out of the Saturday pho I wanted to try, so I went with the standard beef, and it was delicious! read more

Pho 501 - Beef pho - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

First off I hands down think this is the best pho around . I've been coming here for years and moved away , I've tried many other places and nothing compares to this place . The beef pho is my favorite the broth is rich with great flavors !! The owners are great people and always very attentive. I couldn't recommend this place enough !! They have brought their hometown traditions to East Hartford CT were lucky to have such a gem in town !! Can't wait to come back soon thanks again read more

Pho 501 - Back parking lot - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

My favorite PHO spot EVER!!!! Always on point!!! I've never been disappointed with them.

My favorite Pho spot in CT! You get a lot of bank for your buck here! The owners are funny and welcoming. Even though the restaurant is small, it gives a unique, family feel and vibe, plus it's always super cozy. 501 has the best Pho broth (IMO). The broth is nice and clear, never muddy or oily, and the portions are large. I always order extra beef and always leave spending under $30 (with tip). My favorite Pho spot, hands-down. read more

Pho 501 - Pho (Beef, Beef Broth) - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

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We came on a Sunday this time and got to try the mi ga in addition to our usual beef pho since the mi ga is only served on Sunday. The mi ga had great flavor! Slightly different spices compared to pho. It has more chicken-y flavor compared to the cinnamon/star anise flavor. My partner got the large which was huge. They didn't skimp on the meat either. They changed their ordering system since we last were here. Now you order at the counter first and then they seat you at a table and bring your food out. Very friendly as well. read more

A friend reccomended this place saying it was the best Pho in CT. It was both of our first time here and boy did it live up to the hype. The menu is simple and prices reasonable. On weekdays, you choose between beef or shrimp (weekends have a few more choices). The prices range from $8 - $10. It gets kind of busy so we parked across the street. There was a bit of a line but we were able to sneak a table. I loved the simplicity of this place and the flavors didn't dissapoint! I can't wait to come back on another chilly afternoon. read more

Pho 501 - Med Beef Pho (the best I've had) - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut

came here on 7/21. theyre closed for summer vacation and will not return until mid august !!! beware!!

OK, I finally made my way up to East Hartford to try their Mi Ga (Vietnamese chicken egg noodle soup) and it was delicious as others have said. The soup broth was fresh and hearty with a good portion of noodles and chicken. The side bean sprouts and lime were great as well. Holy cow, the other Yelpers were not kidding when they advised to come EARLY on Sundays. I got there at 9 AM (an hour after opening) and there was a decent line outside the door (I was so happy that I got parking)! Good thing I snacked on an apple before arrival to minimize the Hanger flare. However, the wait was not too bad and the staff was efficient in taking orders and bringing out the food. Great food and great service. I will aim next time on a Saturday to try their Bun Bo Hue and this will complete the 3 main noodle soup courses. I just wish this place was closer to Wallingford or that I'd lived closer to Hartford. Hah. read more

Pho 501 - Mi ga (chicken egg noodle soup); I made it spicy and red with their delicious sate chili - Vietnamese Near Me - East Hartford, Connecticut