My friends would say this is one of the OG pho houses of SJ, I've always had a good bowl of soup here and the son of the business is always good with the service. One thing you'll notice is the amount of fresh ac·cou·tre·ment ouii. (basil, sprouts and limes) they give you here. Not sure if you love adding as much fresh herbs and citrus to your pho as my friends and I do, but this is one thing i love about this place. Not sure if its on the menu or if we ask for it from the server but I always go with the Tai, Chin, Nam bowl here. Noodles always seem to have good texture when served. Their broth is also very flavorful from the times i've gone. One of my friends has had a hit or miss experience with their broth though, but they tend to end up coming back here. This spot def ranks in my top 5 pho spots of san jose, and SJ has the best pho spots in the bay area. read more

Broth is one of the most flavorful I've ever tasted. My family has been coming here for over 20 years.. the same old big screen TV that plays Vietnameswe kararoke music and/or music videos still remains, haha. Service was nice/pleasant and quick but the one thing I did not like was that they accept cash only. I hate that!!! It's not like I carry $50 in cash everyday now! But yes, this place is crazy packed on weekend mornings and the parking isn't all that great and plentiful either so go early or go after the "rush" or you'll be sorry.. read more

This review is LONG overdue. I've been coming here for YEARS now and it's still my favorite pho place to go. I would say its the BEST in town but there's like a billion pho places in San Jose and I haven't tried every single one yet. But I have tried a handful and this is STILL my favorite place. I always get #1 with no tendon or #28 because the grilled pork has no bones. It has been very challenging tryna find a place that serves grilled pork with no bones cuz all them places have bones!!! I like my grilled pork boneless. I really like the quality of the soup. I don't know how to describe it but it's really good. I've tried other places and it just wasn't the same. The other pho places I tried the soup was not as good. It's so good that I wanna drink it all!!! The service is LOL. There's a bunch of them and they are really fast. As soon as you walk in, they will seat you, give you your menu, take your order and minutes later your food will arrive. It's not hard flagging them down because there are so many of them and there are mirrors--one time we raised our hand and the lady turned around HELLA fast because she saw us through the mirror LOL! I've been here a million times and I will continue to come here because it has not failed me. Surprisingly the bathroom is not as bad as I imagined cuz you know how dirty Asian restaurants restrooms could be lol. The parking lot is heck weird!!! The parking spots aren't even parallel lololol. Good luck finding parking on a Saturday morning. It gets super crowded on the weekends, especially in the morning. Luckily I've never had to wait but I always see big ass crowds outside waiting. Yup its worth waiting for. Pho54 is my favorite spot for pho and rice plate with grilled boneless pork. read more

Pho 54 - #28 because it's THAT good - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

Cute little hole in the wall. Really old inside. They definitely need to save money to get a renovation. I was craving some soup and I'm not really into pho but it sounded good at the time. My bf and I were very famished after working out. We both got a large. It is no joke here when they say large. I had two spoonfuls left and barely drank any broth. They give sides like lime, mint, bean sprouts, and some leafy thing. Definitely not cabbage or bok coy. It was good but I've had some pho with bits of chicharones. I was kinda hoping for that. Would I come back? Maybe not. Nothing special really. read more

Pho 54 - Large bowl #15. - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

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I had a great time eating here with my friend. The pho tasted very good and is really high quality. The waiter was very kind to us as well. I highly recommend everyone to come eat here sometime for some delicious pho. read more

Pho 54 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

As much as I want to hate on Pho 54 because they gave me a fork and gave my Asian friend chop sticks...I can't , cause their pho was pretty good. But seriously, who the hell do I look like using a fork in a Vietnamese restaurant. It's not their fault though..they don't know me. I'll let it slide this time lol read more

Pho 54 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Their pho used to be really good but I recently went back and it tasted different. Service was fast though. Lots of parking.

Solid Pho joint with outdoor seating and a great staff ready to seat and serve you during these Covid-19 times. It was so very nice having a hot bowl of pho on a cold night. Great portions and the broth tasted fresh and clean (not greasy or salty). Nicely set up of tables, tents and chairs. read more

Great Pho! We chose #1 choice (I forgot its name; it's the store special one). The serving is quite generous. Everything looks and feels clean. Remember to bring cash! read more

Apparently I've been eating "fake" pho all my life. This is the first time I had pho and didn't feel like it was loaded with MSG. It tastes like a clean, pure, unadultered broth which is the way it should be. I heard that this restaurant brews the broth from scratch. The first time I came here, I ordered the standard bowl of pho + fried egg rolls + a Vietnamese iced coffee. I came here two more times after and ordered the same thing. The interesting thing about this place is that you can order the meat (that goes in your pho) on the side, so it doesn't get overcooked. The restaurant itself doesn't look super fancy, but those are generally the best places. I always hit up this spot whenever I'm around the Alum rock area. read more

Pho 54 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

This is an old school vietnamese pho restaurant. The interior took me by surprise- I guess I just expecting a pho restaurant that was slightly newer looking. Ordered a large pho #1 and my boyfriend got a large chicken pho for lunch. Service was very fast-immediatley when we sat down we were given tea and after we ordered we were given our bean sprouts quickly. I love that they have everything prepped and ready to go! When the bowls came I was really surprised. The large here was the largest pho bowl I've seen in awhile! Normally I feel like at other places the bowls are bit smaller but here when they say large they really do mean large bowl. Usually I am able to finish my bowl of pho but today I could not. You could tell by my picture that I had a lot of noodles and meat left! I think this place would be great for those who have big appetites or really love pho. The pho was very decent, such a highly rated place I thought that the broth would be outstanding but it doesn't taste much different than other pho restaurants I've been to. There wasn't much oil in the pho which was great! However, the meat quality isn't as high as other places which is why I decided to give this place three stars. The beef in my were a lot thicker than other places and did not have a fresh taste. My boyfriend's chicken tasted kind of funny so we both were scared to finish his chicken. He always get chicken pho at any pho restaurants so we know what a good chicken pho tastes like. Overall, this is a decent place to eat if you're looking for a quick, cheap and decent bowl of pho. read more

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If you want to eat "like in a restaurant", they have plenty of outdoor seating. If it looks all busy, don't worry, they will bring more tables outside. Simple food, generous portions, they served as a good takeout place in the community before re-opening. I highly recommend their egg rolls and Vietnamese coffee is always delicious. A downside eating outside is flies and napkins flying off your table if you don't pay attention. read more

this will always be my go to pho spot in ESSJ. it's great quantity for price. cash only. parking is small lot FYI

Not good.PHO..bad waiter....so grumpy....The cooked meat was old..The owner should try out the food to see the quality before serving to customer. read more

I heard Pho 54 was a popular pho restaurant in SJ so I had to check it out. The pho was good but it was not above average like I expected. The price is decent and if you're craving pho, I would recommend this place. Also, it is important to note that they accept "cash only". read more

Pho 54 - #4 beef pho - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

I've been going here with my family for the past quarter century. Just as delicious as when I was a little squirt. Traditional, cheap, homey. My only qualm is that they no longer send off kids with a balloon :) read more

Consistently the best pho in the Bay Area, hands down. Generous portions, delicious and flavorful broth, and cheap prices. I grew up in the Bay and have had my fair share of pho, and consistenly nothing else beats the pho from Pho 54! The place is no frills and I been going here on the regular for the past 3 years. Also, they're open now during the crazy COVID-19 times, and if you order from them, they'll meticulously pack each one of the pho ingredients individually for you so you can eat it 100% fresh at home. There's no better place to cure a pho craving! read more

A great hole in the wall, Pho 54 has good food, but that can't be the same for the interior. A big bowl of pho could feed two to three people. The pho does not have a lot of noticeable msg and does not leave you thirsty after consuming. That fact alone would have already made this pho place a great place to go to for pho cravings. read more

I rarely give low review but witnessing the owner yelling at her staff, put them down in Vietnamese, it is not only hurts my ears but my heart. And it's only 8:30 AM in the morning. Imagine these employees have to put up with her all day? So sad! I believe in taking care of my staff in all business that I run. I believe in treating people that works for me with respect. I believe in communications and there is no reason to put people down in the public place while others I can hear it. I lost my appetite and with heavy heart, left more than half of the bowl! CASH ONLY business. I agree with other Yelpers. The server puts down the menu and standing next to you, didn't leave you sometimes to go through the menu. Clear broth, a bit salty for my taste, low quality of meat, but very generous in veggies and herbs. The server is also the cashier lady, she got really dirty and nasty fingers and nails. It's hard to look at in a restaurant service. Even though she was nice. She needs to clean up and have a good hygiene if she is in the restaurant business and serving guests. Unfortunately, I will not come back. I feel so sorry for those employees who work here. I always check out new Pho places every week. But this place is a total miss for me! Next! read more

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Bad service 30" wait for to go with 1 items Pho. The owner talk me next time don't buy... read more

The large bowl is too big to finish at the restaurant. Pretty decent soup for $15.50 after tax read more

Pho 54 - Number 5: rare steak, brisket, flank and tendon - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

This is my go to pho spot. The food is delicious and never disappoints. You get complimentary tea which is delicious and everyone is so nice and friendly. 12/10 recommend read more

Pho 54 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

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This is literally the only place I go to for pho in the Bay Area, hands down it is THE BEST. At first glance this place really doesn't look like much, in fact it looks kind of sketch in a super fucked up parking lot (like seriously whoever designed this parking lot needs to get their degree or credentials or whatever revoked because none of the spaces make sense) BUT don't you judge a book by its cover. Decor: Pho 54 pretty much lives up to the stereotype of hole in the wall Asian restaurant. The inside is clean but faaaar from trendy which for me adds to the charm of the place. Service: Since I've been going here for years, service has always been a little better than the usual taciturn service most Asian places are known for. The place is family owned and some of the staff now recognize me and my mom whenever we walk into the door. However, there are days when service can be non existent. An example is a time when I brought a friend to dinner and it took quite a bit of nudging to get us two glasses of water. Food: But I'm not here for 5 star service, I'm here for good pho and this place delivers. Let's start with the herb plate that comes out. Every pho place has an herb plate that usually comes with bean sprouts, lime, and basil. What makes this place stand out is their ngo gai (the direction English translation for this is "Spiky Herb") a cilantro-y tasting herb that you don't find in other pho places. My mom loves this herb and loves that she's able to have it here. Then there are the sides. I eat my pho with vinegar onions and fatty onions, and it is from the fatty onion that I can tell if a pho place uses actual beef bones for their broth or not. And guess what? This place does. Fatty onion is basically green onion roots put into hot beef fat that has been skimmed off the top of the broth. It's spicy, warm, and full of flavor. Real beef fat is exactly that: fatty. Where other places either water down the fat or try to disguise it with tons of MSG flavoring (btw MSG is fantastic but too much takes away from the actual bone flavor in pho. A little goes a long way) pho 54 gives me that full fat flavor that leaves me nice and satisfied. Then there's the pho itself. When you go during their peak lunch and dinner hours (look for lots of people) the broth is full and delicious and not thinned out. Order the rare steak on the side and you can have your meat cooked to just the right medium rare consistency: What I like is how this place doesn't skimp on meat and gives you just the right amount so that you don't food coma immediately. There's a home-quality to this broth and you can tell that it is probably a family recipe that is being shared with the rest of the community. Keep in mind that this place is cash only, so come prepared! read more

Best food for the best price, always friendly kinda, if your hungover get the tea or they also have beer if you prefer that, you won't be disappointed, always my go to on this side of town read more

Solid! What a great rec from a friend who, luckily for us, used to date a Vietnamese girl in San Jose. I asked where to go for Pho since I'd be down in the area and am really happy I was sent here. Cost: $10-$15 for a large bowl, including tax/tip. Wait: None on a Saturday at about 5pm. The place was largely empty. We got: * Pho Ga (chicken) w/ yellow noodle - 4 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pho-54-san-jose?select=E3L8dkKXPT__2I2DU8xdcg#8a_515BGuWMcrXMPImW_zQ pic (half-eaten): http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pho-54-san-jose?select=E3L8dkKXPT__2I2DU8xdcg#E3L8dkKXPT__2I2DU8xdcg This had really good broth that was not overly salty and felt really healthy to drink. The chicken was tender, though I do wish it was a little bit softer with a more shredded texture. But at least it wasn't that rubbery friend chicken you'll get at some pho restaurants. I was really in the mood for this yellow noodle and it satisfied my craving perfectly; a little thinner and more al dente compared to traditional pho noodles, this had just the right balance of texture, being both soft and chewy - perfect QQ! read more

Pho 54 - Pho Ga (chicken) w/ yellow noodle - 4 stars (Saturday dinner, 2013-10-26) - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Order: I got the #1 dac biet/combo with no tripe. Also tried the pho ga/chicken pho. The beef pho (#1) was pretty good but a little salty for my taste. Portions were huge! The small is more like a large sized bowl at most other places. Initial spoonfuls of soup tasted weirdly fragrant to me, almost floral, which was strange but not terrible. Not the best I've ever had but hit the spot. Definitely thirsty after the meal in terms of MSG. Chicken pho had a nice clear broth, but was not very flavorful and was salty. Chicken was dry. Would not get this again. TLDR: 3.5/5 - decent pho with huge portions. Cash only! read more

I luv Pho54 and I don't mind the drive to East SJ for the best Vietnamese Pho in the Bay area. The beef soup is excellent, and they always give us plenty of fresh herbs, vegetables and limes to put in the hot soup. I would say beef soup is the Southern style of Pho and it's pretty authentic from my recollection of my childhood. The services are very fast and professional. The place is very clean and bright with plenty of parking spaces out front. You remember the number of the table where you sat and go to the cashier to pay. I recall they only take cash and I usually leave the tips at the table. I have eaten lots of Pho in the Bay area and I keep coming back to this restaurant for the delicious bowl of Pho. When I have out of town visitors, I would take them here for Pho. read more

Pho 54 - Side vegetables came with every bowl of Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

One of my favorite places in San Jose to get pho! Service is always fast and nice. Their broth is always flavorful and good. It's always well kept and clean as well read more

Pho 54 - Pho tom and pho ga! Regular size is huge! - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

Number 17 with meatballs, broth is really flavorful. Service was fast, and friendly. Don't mind coming back again, price and size is decent. I got the regular and I was full. Ratio of meat to noodles was good and because I got meatballs with it too. read more

Let the image speak for itself. When I voiced concern I was told That's how brisket is supposed to look and that I was rude. Wanted to provide an. Update... got sick before I even got home. read more

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It was our first time here and we were impressed! The Pho Ga was yummy and had a lot of white meat chicken in it! Also they give a lot of basil. Their service was good too. read more

Let's be friends pho-ever! Jaykay. Price: $8.50 (Regular) Tina's Travel and Tabloid - Fond memories here! I believe this was the first of few in San Jose when Pho started becoming popular! - They used to give out balloons to the kiddies, like myself. - Order the rare steak on the side, squeeze some lime juice on it, and put it into your hot broth. Mmmm.... - I believe ownership did change, but it's alright here. Some flies inside store, need to air it out! - Like most Asian restaurants who are mom and pop shops, still cash only! read more

Coming from a Vietnamese, this is one of the best pho spots in San Jose. I actually REALLY like their chicken broth. You can ask for chicken broth on all their dishes! If ordering for take out, I recommend having them NOT cook the noodle. They end up giving you a lot more. One large order can easily serve two! HIGHLY recommend this spot. read more

I may have a soft spot for this place because I grew up with it, but I'd still call it the best pho place in SJ. Over the years the price has definitely increased but it's still great value for what you get (especially when comparing to other restaurants-bay area pricing is no surprise). My parents love this place because they give a lot of meat and herbs when you order to-go, and the taste is without saying. It is pretty intimidating to dine here if you don't know Vietnamese though - but that's when you know it's really an authentic experience :p read more

Pho restaurant with huge portions. Service is fast. Broth taste good Many outdoor tables Many options on menu I ordered a number 1 large. Which was so big. Can be shared between 2 people. read more

Pho 54 - #1 large - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

Very authentic and fresh Pho. I got the large chicken Pho and it was excellent. The large is hard to finish all and well worth the money.

Came here for lunch with my boyfriend and friends. My friend told me this place is pretty good and is her go to spot so I decided to give it a try. Service was pretty fast and even if you are still thinking about what you want to get, they will stand there looking at you till you say something, pretty hilarious. I ordered the #6 regular. Broth was very light, but flavorful and noodles were decent and chewy. Meats are pretty good, some were kind of too dry for my taste. This place is super cheap and generous with their portions! It is definitely very authentic also. I personally still prefer Pho #1. read more

Pho 54 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

I got regular size pho dac biet and vietnamese ice coffee :) The broth on the pho was nice and clean, it wasn't full of msg or anything..Quailty of the meat was good..Love the vietnamese ice coffee :) Best customer service ever compare to south sacramento pho place..The staff was so nice and friendly.. read more

Pho 54 - regular size pho dac biet and vietnamese ice coffee - Vietnamese Near Me - San Jose, California

In A Nutshell: -Whatever Pho 54 has been doing over the years, they shouldn't change b/c they are doing the pho some justice. -The location is boujee. -Their broth has always been spot-on and they aren't cheap w/ their veggies and meat. -The only thing I noticed is that a small bowl of pho is now over $9, when I remember it used to be $5 back in the day. Overall, still some good pho located way over in the East Side. Worth the drive. read more

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3.5 Solid bowl of pho but pricey as shit. Spent $10.54 including tax for a pho ga regular but with an extra bowl of noodles. I got the extra noodles after I finished the noodles from the original order. I dont think the portion price ratio is really that great. Its already $8.5 for a reg bowl, and usually a reg bowl fills me up, but I still had to get extra noodles. They did give a good portion of chicken tho. The guy was really nice tho. I didnt realize it was cash only and tried to go to the ATM next door, but it wasnt working so I offered to leave my ID as collateral and drive to a Chase ATM. The guy said it was fine and to just come back next time. Overall, i dont think the food here made enough of an impression on me to come back...since it was kinda pricey too...but well see. read more