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    Pho Star

    4.6 (54 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Pho Star Takeout or Delivery

    Pho Star Photos

    PHO STAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - Pho Star

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    Reviews With Photos

    Wife building her bahn sew.
    Mark L.

    Stopped here while in Martinez. It was around 2pm so, lunch crowd was gone but, still a few tables with patrons. I ordered a bahn mi and my wife had a bahn sew. We also had a chicken wing appetizer. The bahn mi was excellent, great combination of cold cuts, pate, and veggies. My wife enjoyed her bahn sew, both rare to find at a lot of Vietnamese restaurants. The wings were fish sauce wings and they were well seasoned and absolutely delicious. The staff were friendly and fast with their service. Place looked clean with a clean bathroom. We really enjoyed the food and will be back when in Martinez.

    Pho taí

    Pho tái, four visits, same result every time. Broth is deep and clean -- you can tell it's been going for hours, not dumped from a base. The thin-sliced beef finishes right in the bowl and stays tender. Noodles fresh, herb plate actually fresh too. Big bowl for what they charge. Fast even at lunch rush.

    Seafood pho ($16) and Won Ton soup ($16)
    Angela M.

    Our usual spots are no longer favorites... so my brother and I ventured here in search of some decent pho. It is right off the freeway in a tiny plaza that can easily be missed - we missed it. The parking lot is pretty spacious with lots of open parking. We did arrive before noon so this could be the reason. The dining area within Pho Star has lots of bench style seating which we found considerably comfortable. The gentleman at the front was friendly upon entering, notifying us we could sit anywhere we chose. The menu offers something for everyone in food options, while the drink menu is quite limited to smoothie options (many flavors) and coffees. For our order, we decided on seafood pho ($15.95) with Vietnamese milk coffee ($6.50) and wonton soup ($15.95) with a mango smoothie ($6.50). The broth of the seafood pho had flavor but was lacking in intenseness. The crab was imitation lump (one lump, one small piece), one shrimp, no squid and plenty of fish balls. The Vietnamese coffee was really good, all ingredients portioned well with minimal ice without asking. My brother enjoyed his wonton soup. He drank majority of his broth and consumed the entirety of his dish. He said the mango smoothie was creamy and thick with lots of mango flavor. If we return, I would try something different. We will continue our search for pho without ruling Pho Star completely out.

    Chicken Seafood Soup
    Cynthia A.

    I was so excited to come here because they have chicken pho on the menu, and I loved it! It doesn't replace my favorite beef pho with tendon, but as someone who really enjoys chicken pho, this one definitely hit the spot. The jackfruit shake couldn't have been better. I enjoyed every sip. I'm not sure how new they are, but the service was great. Our server really tried hard to please us; he was nice.

    Combo won ton soup, pork spring rolls
    Catherine M.

    Came in on a Saturday around lunchtime, not very busy, got seated quickly. Restaurant was clean. Ordered and got our food quickly. Food wise, I got the wonton soup with egg noodle, medium size. The server recommended the combo wonton soup so I got that instead but was kinda disappointed because the photo had like 3 shrimp and slices of meat with the wontons and there was only 1 shrimp and like 4 wontons. The broth is very good though. My boyfriend got the pho star special with no tendon and enjoyed his food. He also thought the broth was very flavorful. Spring roll were also good. I do recommend this place, I would come back to try other things, including the banh mi sandwiches.

    Chicken bánh mì
    Elizabeth V.

    Craving some bánh mì so stopped by. Boyfriend came in and said it smelled like home (which is San Jose) so that's definitely a good thing! We did take-out for 2 bánh mì or Việt sandwiches and it was a very good price at $8.95 each. I got the grilled chicken and he got the grilled beef. I like the flavor marinade of the grilled chicken - it's the same as what would be on vermicelli. The beef was also tasty per the BF. Sandwich had a good ratio of veggies to meat (actually more meat than I expected!). Very filling and hefty. Service was nice. They replaced the other Pho restaurant here but quality is still good!

    My lemongrass bun
    Be J.

    People were friendly and nice. We ordered: 1) grilled pork fresh rolls - 5/5. Yummy flavor; 2) fish sause wings - 5/5 h said very tasty; 3) tendon & rare beef pho - 5/5 tasty broth and lots of melty tendon; and 4) lemongrass chicken bun - 4/5 lots of fresh herbs and veggies, very generous amount of chicken w the peanuts on the side so not sogged up. Marinade on ck had lots of lemongrass but not as good as my fav lemongrass chicken even tho excellent. We will be back to try more esp. Bahn mi.

    Fried chicken & fried shrimp
    Ayana K.

    I was in the area and decided I didn't want breakfast food at 10am I was greeted with a smile by the owner when I walked in. The place is clean and inviting. Has parking as well. The prices are reasonable. I ordered A5(fried chicken wings) & A6(fried shrimp). Everything was made to order, fresh and well seasoned. I didn't even need to use any sauces. I will definitely be back

    Pho beef brisket and flank
    Steve L.

    The food was great and the staff was very nice! The food is certainly better than the last pho spot that was here. We got the flank and brisket pho, the meat quality was good, but not great. We did ask for a side of cabbage and they provided that for us at no cost which was awesome. The tofu spring rolls were very good, but we didn't get those until we were already half way into our pho. We also didn't get our smoothie until that point either, but the food was really good so we didn't mind. The staff was very nice, but the service was a little slow once the place started to get busy. The atmosphere is nice, I like the decorative covers they put over the lights on the ceiling. The music on the tv was funny because they were showing girls dance around in bikinis in the islands - didn't seem like something I would see at a pho place in Martinez. I'd certainly come back and try the stir fry, banh mi sandwiches or one of the other soups.

    I have eaten here over the last 2 weeks three times already. This is the best Pho I've had in the Bay Area. Delicious.

    Pho
    Robin W.

    It's soup season, and I love a great bowl of Pho! After getting my nails done in Martinez, I decided to try Pho Star on Alhambra Ave. It was my first time visiting, and I wasn't disappointed. I got a B9-Pho Tai Bo Vien and an order of fried egg rolls, and everything was delish! I really enjoyed the broth; it had great flavor without any single ingredient being overpowering. The restaurant was really clean; even the bathroom sparkled! Service was great. I asked for a box for my leftover egg rolls, and the owner started packing new egg rolls for me. When I asked him why, he told me he thought my order was a little overcooked and that I should have a fresh batch. Wow!

    Spicy beef noodle soup. The bomb!
    Phil S.

    Absolutely obsessed with the Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (Bún Bò Huế)! This bowl is a flavor explosion, the broth is deeply rich and beefy with just the right amount of spicy heat from the chili oil that builds nicely without overpowering everything. Tender slices of beef, perfectly chewy thick noodles, and loaded with fresh herbs, onions, and cilantro. The side plate of bean sprouts, lime, and jalapeños lets you customize it perfectly. Way more exciting than regular pho if you're craving something with a kick! Generous portion, super fresh, and the service was quick and friendly. Best Vietnamese comfort food in Martinez. I'll be back soon!

    Won ton soup w/noodles.
    Dorothy W.

    Delicious won ton soup with egg noodles! Broth was excellent. Will gladly come back and try more food!

    Bum Bo Hue

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    Pho Gai with rice noodles and a mango smoothie. If you are sick or pretending to be sick, this will cure you.

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    The pho was delicious and full of flavor. The fried egg rolls were just okay, but the staff was very pleasant.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Pho Star

    Is this the same locale where old Vietnamese restaurant was found?

    Yes, old one was called Pho May

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Impression of Lanzhou

    Impression of Lanzhou

    4.6
    (408 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    I tried the Numbing Spicy Minced Pork Noodles yesterday, and they were delicious. I went with…read moretheir widest noodle option, and the noodles were thick, chewy, and bouncy. The minced pork sauce clung onto them really really well. The minced pork had a nice balance of sweet and savory, although it leaned towards a little sweeter than I personally prefer. But it wasn't a problem at all, since I was able to adjust the flavor to make it more savory by using the Chicken Granules, Cumin, Chili Oil, and White Pepper condiments. Overall, it was a very satisfying dish! We also tried their new shaved ice dessert. It wasn't like the Hawaiian style shaved ice which is based on frozen water, but more like Korean style Bingsoo with a milky shaved ice base. The flavor and texture were both good, but I thought it was missing the toppings. It relied solely on syrup, and I think it would've been much better with fresh fruit or other toppings to add more flavor. It was $5.99 per order as of July 2026.

    My 2nd or 3rd time here. I found this last time via Yelp!…read more Same consistency this time: like how fresh the noodles tasted and felt. The dumplings and beef baos were good. What I liked about this place was the both was not too heavy or salty: just about right plain and simple. The ribs noodle was good. Amazingly the chicken wings were very good. Got Pig Ears and Cold noodles take out at the end: very good. Not too salty. Service was quick, accurate and finely. Very clean, simple store. Not overly decorated. Parking was easy. Will come again.

    Photos
    Inside view from entrance
    Inside view from entrance
    Spicy Big Plate Chicken Over Flat Noodles
    Spicy Big Plate Chicken Over Flat Noodles
    Signature Spicy Wonton...

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    Signature Spicy Wonton...
    Dumpling and Noodle House

    Dumpling and Noodle House

    4.3
    (348 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    The food is authentic Chinese cuisine and the servers are great…read more Our family loves the claypot soup with the tasty broth, stir fried green beans, cumin beef, pan fried soup pork buns, and pork soup dumplings. I have brought friends from Shanghai and college alumni and church friends. We are thankful that we have found this place.

    This place is excellent! The food is incredibly tasty, fresh, and full of flavor, and the service…read moreis just as impressive. Everything we ordered came out fresh and well-prepared, and you can really tell there's care put into the food. If you're a fan of the type of food you get at 88 Bao Bao, I'd definitely recommend giving this place a try. In my opinion, it's a step above, with a much wider variety of dishes and plenty of choices beyond the usual favorites. Their beef rolls are especially worth ordering, they're much more substantial, packed with flavor, and very satisfying. Another thing that really stood out to me is the space. The restaurant is relatively clean, open, and spacious, which makes the overall experience much more comfortable than some of the smaller, crowded spots in the area. If you're ever near 99 Ranch in Concord, put this place on your list. Great food, generous portions, good service, and a comfortable atmosphere make it well worth checking out. I'll definitely be back to try more of their dishes!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Siumai
    Siumai
    Chinese Beef Roll-牛肉卷饼

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    Chinese Beef Roll-牛肉卷饼
    Tasty Szechuan

    Tasty Szechuan

    4.5
    (98 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    I had to take the time to write a review about this restaurant... because we were so impressed by…read morethe food, and we can't wait to go back! The TLDR report is: Fantastic, delicious, plenty of high quality ingredients... and big servings! Here are the details: Last week, we popped in to get take-out for the first time. Many people may realize that this is the space that 'Los Panchos' inhabited for literally decades, so having gone there for so many years I have to say that it was a bit surreal to enter the space we'd known as the former eatery - now transformed. This new-(ish) Chinese food establishment definitely specializes in SPICY. My gosh, it's so good! As we walked in, we were greeted enthusiastically by the hostess. We planned to order food to go, we explained, so she had us get comfy at a table and we were served hot jasmine-scented tea and a dish of tasty salted peanuts which we were thankful for! The hostess had such an air of sincere hospitality. The floor-plan in the space has been completely redesigned, and now there is a ton of indoor seating for diners. The overall ambiance of the establishment is bright, acoustics are a tad loud (but fine), and there is what looks to be a little private room for banquets which I'm sure will be a hit for big groups. A TV on the wall was showing videos of food being enjoyed. So, the menu is extensive and leans wonderfully towards spicy options. Do not expect Cantonese food; that is not what they do. There are plenty of items that are less common, and there are also dishes that will make a more adventurous eater cheerful. One thing that's interesting about how the menu is organized is... there is a menu category called "Chinese-American" dishes. Most of the dishes in this category (such as Kung Pao Chicken, General Tso's Chicken, etc.) are normal to see at lots of Chinese food places, so getting a reminder that "these dishes only exist outside of China" is honestly pretty neat. We ordered Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce & Dry Cooked String Beans, plus steamed rice. The pork was such good quality -- tender, plentiful... there were tons of slivered wood-ear fungus which I LOVE... and the dish had a vibrant 'Medium' spicy level. A level of spice that will make you pay attention! The string beans were succulent! Not 'saucy'... and I mean that in a good way, for sure! So much flavor, and each bean was trimmed with care. They were tender/al-dente and bursting with concentrated goodness. It's been a week since we were there and we can't stop thinking about how good everything was. Mmmmmm. Don't expect elegant ambiance... just phenomenal food, and friendly staff! We will be back OFTEN.

    Authentic Chinese Szechuan food at the most unlikely place. This restaurant located in a little…read morestrip mall in Pacheco and I passed by it so many times and didn't even notice it there. The food is excellent. Highly recommend the hotpot for $20, you get your pick up three meat and three veggies and it's good enough for two. Steam soup dumplings and mapo tofu were awesome as well. Service was great, the ladies who worked there kept checking up on us to make sure we have everything we need. Served us tea, water, a little plate of peanuts without even asking. I think it's safe to say you can order anything on the menu and be happy with it. The only downside/tip I have is to not sit by the door. Their door slams super hard every time someone comes in and it's very distracting, other than that fantastic place to come back

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Tasty Szechuan
    Lamb with Cumin

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    Lamb with Cumin
    Isla Grand

    Isla Grand

    3.7
    (453 reviews)
    3.6 mi
    $$

    I heard about this restaurant from my brother, and we decided to give it a try. My first…read moreimpression walking into it was that the restaurant was surprisingly huge inside, and I loved how well air conditioned it was, especially on a hot day. Overall, the place felt very clean, tidy, and well organized. The service was also great and staff were friendly and welcoming, which was definitely a plus. Now, let's get to the food review. Original Sisig Kapampangan: Absolutely delicious. It was served on a hot plate and had a savory, creamy flavor (possibly from the mayonnaise) while still tasting a bit tangy once you squeezed lemon over it. I'd definitely order this again. Beef Brisket Kare Kare: I honestly thought I didn't like kare kare until I tried their version. The peanut sauce was rich and savory without tasting like peanut butter in a jar like Skippy. The beef was tender, and I also loved the assortment of vegetables included in the dish. What really took it to another level, though, was the bagoong sauce (on the side), which paired so well with this dish. This dish was absolutely yummy. Sizzling Beef Brisket Ala Pobre: We were really excited to try this because we'd heard great things about it, but unfortunately, it didn't really deliver. The flavor was pretty bland, and even though it was topped with fried garlic, it was still missing a strong garlic flavor. The beef itself was tender, which was probably the only good thing about the dish, but aside from that, the sauce and overall flavor were just underwhelming. Garlic Rice: This came in a pretty generous portion enough for three. I could definitely taste the garlic, but I think it could've used a little more. Still, it was good overall.

    We came here for a birthday party with a large group and the restaurant is massive! The bar side…read morewith the live band is a little overstimulating and a lot was going on. We ordered way too much food and the food was good, but not the best Filipino food I've had. Our list of food is too long, but I'll point out the items that stood out. The beef kare kare was comforting, the sisig was good and I think the adobo rice was done right. I don't recommend the palabok -- the sauce was too thick and needed more noodles. The servers did their best with the volume of patrons. I mean they worked their tails off and everyone was serving every table. The music was waaaayyy too loud; we could not talk to each other. I love live bands but the sound system was on steroids to the point where we had to leave because many of us were overwhelmed. lol. The restaurant is nice but I think there's just a lot going on all at once. It has potential to improve for sure.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Crispy Pata
    Crispy Pata
    Pancit Bihun Guisado ^.^

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    Pancit Bihun Guisado ^.^
    Spicy Joi

    Spicy Joi

    4.3
    (780 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    Absolutely love the food here. Ordered party trays for a business meeting (Drunken Noodles both…read moreChicken and Tofu). Not only was it a crowd pleaser, the dishes helped get a couple new regulars to the restaurant. Joi and the team are absolute gems. Can't recommend enough!

    I've been eating at Spicy Joi for years. Same order, same medium heat, same happy belly--until this…read morevisit. What I got instead was an episode of Hot Ones with Sean Evans. You know that show has "Da Bomb"? Well, this place dropped "Da Nuke" on us--and didn't even bother with a warning label. I can handle my spice. My personal ceiling is the red Buldak noodles, the ones that make normal people cry and question their life choices. But this? This was beyond. I specifically asked for medium because I was on a date, not trying to audition for a gastrointestinal stuntman role. The second that food hit my mouth, my body reacted like I'd just bitten into a battery acid gummy. It felt like my mouth was cut and within minutes, I was riding a wave of nausea. By the time we got home, my stomach was auditioning for a volcano documentary. I brought the dish back to the counter and politely told the waitress this was not medium. She nodded, gave me a knowing look, and said, "We'll let the back know." And that was it. No replacement. No apology. She offered a glass of milk with just a little chuckle--like we'd been the victims of a prank show and the cameras were about to pop out. Now I realize why they made me pay and tip first. Because if I'd tasted that plate before handing over my card, that tip would've been as small as my remaining taste buds. To the owner, I know your place is better than this. it feels like your staff may be sabotaging your business. Good luck to you and your customers. I for sure know I won't be going back or be recommending this place.

    Photos
    Order at the counter (01/2026)
    Order at the counter (01/2026)
    Nam Khao Crispy Coconut Rice
    Nam Khao Crispy Coconut Rice
    Phad Krapow: perfect

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    Phad Krapow: perfect

    Pho Star - vietnamese - Updated August 2026

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