A nice bowl of Pho in Des Moines. Rich broth and a good selection of veggies with which to amend…read more Good service and a pleasant atmosphere.

This past week we went to Zavy's for dinner for our wedding anniversary. Upon arrival we got…read moregreeted and sat right away but the table seemed a little sticky and messy. Like it wasn't fully cleaned. Even the hostess hesitated a little when she sat us down. They had a huge party in the middle so I don't know if that was the reason they could have been behind (thinking like a waitress because I've been there). We ordered right away because we had seen the menu prior so we already knew what we wanted. Started off with the cream cheese Rangoon's and they were tasty. The beef ribs pho was spectacular! That is what my husband had. I enjoyed the beef bulgogi which was just as delicious. Really enjoyed their kimchi too it had great flavor. We couldn't not come to Zavy's without getting one of their yummy matcha. I got the mango sticky rice matcha and my husband got the strawberry one so we could try a different one. We both agreed the mango sticky rice matcha was still our favorite. It's just so good! Service was a little slow because of that party I'm assuming but the hostess' could have helped a little too. My husband had to go up to the front so we could get the check. Still recommend for anyone to try and will be back to have that yummy pho!

3.8* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 3* Value: 5*…read more Service: 3* Would I go back / Recommend?: 4* (Probably) Total check/person: $22 08/02/2025 While this place has an admittedly non-descript brick exterior and clean but average interior, I appreciated it most for what it was: solid Vietnamese food at a great value, served with a family-owned feel. Biggest disappointment was that while alcohol options showed on the menu, they were unable to serve any alcohol - claiming that their liquor license had not yet been renewed. I was craving a spring roll with peanut sauce, so to start things off, we ordered #90 Bo Bia steamed spring rolls with shredded shrimp, carrots and sausage served with plum sauce (see picture). While the wrap was thicker than the 'paper' wraps that I'm used to, they were very good - and I really liked the plum sauce. My wife was undecided and our very helpful waiter Archie, suggested #69 Com Ga Chien Xa Ot (chicken breast fried with spicy lemon grass - see picture). It was good, but both of us would have preferred a bit more spice, as we ended up adding Siracha at the table. I was considering #99 Banh Xeo Vietnamese style crispy pancake stuffed with shrimp, pork & veggies based on the menu picture, but Archie talked me into #97 Banh Tam Bi Xiu Mai udon noodles with shredded pork, steamed pork meatballs and veggies instead (see picture). I was impressed with the coconut milk and lemon sauce that he poured over it when served with the instructions to stir it all together - very tasty combination of savory, sweet and tart, with a very slight spiciness. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow.

Pho is an individual taste that checks all your palate boxes of freshness, well seasoned broth, a…read morevariety of herbs and veggies that sends the dish into obit. My chicken pho was good with the knowledgeable wait staff knowing which number would meet my needs. The calmness of the environment allowed me to enjoy all the enticing ingredients to the max.

After a long work week in Ames and having good, but mostly American/Western food, we needed an…read moreethnic fix. Enter my comfort zone, Pho from my motherland. I knew we were in the right place when we walked I. And half of the restaurant were Vietnamese peeps. Was a warming experiencing hearing patrons throw a few traditional Lunar New Year greetings at each other and the owners. It's a small mom and pop shop, so much so, pop was the sole soldier working the entire front of the house. As such, don't expect super fast service, but good service nonetheless. We started with the fresh spring rolls, which were good, and their fried egg rolls, which I probably won't order again. The egg rolls were pretty much veggies, loosely filled, and served with a sweet and sour type dipping sauce. It was more of an Americanized Chinese style egg roll, not a Vietnamese cha gio with nouc cham. I ordered the pho dac biet and it was VERY good. The large is HUGE. Most places back home have suffered from shrink-flation and large bowls are tiny now. Not this place, I struggled to finish the bowl. My friends got the seafood pho, and another got the pho ga (chicken). I of course did not slide my chopsticks in theirs and swipe a bite, but they said they enjoyed theirs. I would definitely come back here again and maybe try some of their other dishes.

First timer! Friday dinner time and were seated right away. Friendly service. Food came out really…read morefast - tasty dishes.

Stopped by for quick banh mi to go. Bread was soft and crunchy and the meat was flavorful. They…read moreportioned the pickled vegetables well too. They were a tad small but I think they matched the price well.

Would highly recommend for a Vietnamese resturant. Doesn't look like much but it'll certainly take…read moreyour breath away with the flavor they offer. The food is great, you would be hesitant to try it based on the strip mall look from the outside. The Service is fast and the politeness of the staff make it enjoyable to come here. Come give it a try if you're in the area

It's been about two years since i've updated my review and it says a lot about the restaurant that…read moreit's been there as long as it has. It's conveniently located in the strip mall with plenty of parking..it's the same mall off of University with Campbell's health foods, Hy-Vee pharmacy, Frederich's coffee. This restaurant still has that old time mom and pop Asian family feel it's a definite classic type vibe with Auntie snd the neices up front taking orders and the rest of the family in the back cooking and putting to go orders together. I always like to support a locally owned business. It's also about expectations, everyone is under staffed, so I always appreciate the service staff who are working. Having said that the service was fast and efficient . It's also about being realistic about the food. This is not a mall based chain restaurant or a high end bistro somewhere. The food was well prepared hot and delicious. This is a Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant. So there's lots of variety in the menu. I have had the build your own Pho, Korean style Kalbi ribs. They also have Hunan Chinese style dishes, i have tried Mongolian beef, combination fried rice and potstickers. I also have tried the pork fried egg rolls. I usually go for a late lunch early dinner. I talked to the owner and asked her how they made their soup and she said they boiled bones and added their own spices which is the traditional way to do things, I think they have a good soup base, all soup comes with sprouts and fresh Thai basil, I usually add bok choy, brisket and steak. They have plenty of other Vietnamese dishes too. I have enjoyed their pork vermicelli which is a cool salad type dish which is nice on a hot day. Some of my friends really enjoy their chicken wings. So there's still a good option with lots of choices, good staff and reasonable prices.

Really good pho! Just what I was craving! The service was good and our food came quickly. I'll be…read moreback to try more dishes!

Service was quick and friendly. The location is your typical vietnamese joint, don't expect…read moreanything fancy because all of the attention goes into the delicious food. The Pho Dac Biet (includes 3 types of beef!) was incredible, very tasty broth without being too salty. Also went with a basic mongolian beef & broccoli, no regrets on the flavor profile there. Come on by they will be happy to have you!

The food is authentic, they are reasonably priced, they have large portions and fast service.read more

I went on a Friday for a late lunch. I had no idea if I like vetnames food or not. but there was a…read morebuffet, so I opted for that. it was so good. service was good. I was in a hurry, which is probably good, because I could eat and eat that stuff. I will definitely try the buffet out again. it sounds like I was very lucky because the buffet is the last Friday of the month, and there i was.

I remember when they 1st opened, I used to take my daughter in all the time. I recently stopped by…read moreagain, and it's still as wonderful as it was then. If you are in the mall, please stop by and try this gem! The Pho just can't be beat!!

Well a couple of stops in Wow they were open thanksgiving…read moreday! That was a total surprise A few things picked up Kimchi was one of the things on that day Ok next was Black Friday stop in Busy but not as slammed as thanks giving day Veggie Spring roles and pork egg rolls were my quest Spring roles yup 14 bucks for 80 as just over 4 lbs And yes as expected they tasted good with dragon fly brand sweet and sour sauce Deep fried at 400f in canola oil This is my fave cooker https://amzn.to/4i7UNCF Disappointed in the egg role section Over 30 bucks for a few egg roles? I should to have asked on that As it may to have been for a larger pack not in stock An ok couple of stops in for a mini restock

Great place to find things you can't get in a regular supermarket far as different vegetables from…read moreother countries and food as well from different parts of the world

Definitely worth a visit! Their pho is incredible, affordable, and it comes out very quickly! For…read moreanyone who isn't absolutely starving, I'd say a small or medium size would be perfect. Their large bowl is absolutely giant! I highly recommend the #2, which is the raw steak and brisket. It comes with a heaping plate of bean sprouts, jalapeños, limes, and cilantro you can put into the pho, as well as some chili garlic oil and another teriyaki-ish type sauce. Every bit of the meal was absolutely fantastic!

So lucky to have a great local pho spot in Ankeny. Always fresh and delish. Staff is always…read morefriendly.