I used to always go to Pho So 1 and deal with terrible customer service because the food was so good (honestly once I figured out that it wasn't personal and that's just how the operate I stopped caring, I was there for the pho!) WELL at Pho Tay Do you will get the best of both worlds. The gentleman taking care of us was so personable and helpful with the menu! He checked on us multiple times during our meal. He seriously changed the pho eating game for me. The food was really good, and they have 4 different sizes you can choose from so there is something for everyone! read more

The broth is the nectar of the gods. I feel full of ichor when I leave Tay Do. Cash only, and worth it. Go on get you some.

Best pho and service been going here for 3-4 years now and I live an hour and a half away but it's worth it every time

Best pho place I've been to! The place itself is very cute with lots of art. Very affordable but cash only! read more

Pho Tay Do - Vietnamese coffee and chicken pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Top 3 pho spots in RVA. I'm a pho snob and I like my beef broth to be flavorful and this restaurant my friends, IS IT! Would highly recommend to go if you're ever in the city. read more

Anyone giving this place a low review clearly lacks a soul. Service is kick ass, food is incredible. The best hole in the wall pho place I've been to. The atmosphere is so homey and welcoming. I couldn't stop smiling just being there. The pho was truly perfect. I just ate it and already can't wait to go back for more. read more

Great tasting inexpensive pho. Great when you have COVID. I would increase the amount of meat. Friendly staff. Cash only.

Average pho. Cash only so I had to go to 7-11 to use the ATM. Would be better service if they accepted credit card. Who carries around cash nowadays? I'd choose Pho So 1 next door over Pho Tay Do any day. read more

AMAZING. amazing service, friendly staff, quick, delicious, a total gem in Richmond.

Best Pho in RVA. Delicious! Server was very attentive and never had to ask for anything! Quaint little place that offers affordable and amazing food. Parking is slim but don't let that scare you off! read more

Love at first roast pork summer roll. This place is an absolute gem, and it does not bother me that it is cash only. The service is always friendly whether front of the house or back of the house. I recently learned to make my own pho, and this is the closest I can get to homemade when I am feeling lazy! read more

Very reasonably priced and worthwhile spot to visit! We drove 20 minutes from downtown Richmond as we have Thai, Chinese and Japanese options but nothing Vietnamese with pho on the menu where we are. The cute retro paintings add to the family-owned, little-known about vibe. They are cash only, so make sure to bring some in advance. I am always trying out new pho places and can definitely say I'll be returning. Their spices to add to the pho were also great (not always available at other places), really spicy and moderately spicy options available at the table. We had a friendly waiter and overall great experience! read more

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I've had better. The family is nice and I like the intricate paintings. It's pretty filling and has a reasonable price. Last time I went I got minor food poisoning. My mistake for ordering tofu pho - my friends who ordered the beef pho were fine, and their broth tasted much better. I had not eaten anything other than banana for the previous 24 hours, so I'm quite certain it was this. I expected the broth to all be the same - just the meat subbed out - but the vegetarian broth was flavorless. The tofu tasted very off and I pulled it out of the soup. I will certainly be back, but I will ask for the standard beef broth with no actual meat in it. read more

Don't let this building fool you! The flavors of the broth is great, but not really a fan of their pork chop. Their summer roll peanut sauce is not peanut sauce. So you traditional summer roll eaters, beware the flavor of the sauce is extremely different. We only went here because our normal location, Pho So 1, was closed. I cannot say that I was upset or disappointed, Pho Tay Do did please the tummy. I ordered a meatball, round eye steak, and brisket pho, the flavors were great! read more

My all time favorite place to get authentic Vietnamese food in a homey environment. My favorite dish is definitely their Pho!

Return to Pho Tay Do again and again for its complex and flavorful Pho and it's papaya salad! Tremendous service and thoughtful and friendly staff. read more

Awesome variety of Pho!! I ordered the Vegetarian Pho and it was delicious. My only change: steamed tofu vs fried but not a deal breaker! The place is in a small house which I was caught off guard but the inside has wonderfully painted artwork on the walls!! Denzel was our waiter and was such a sweet guy! As we were slurping our Pho, the line was out the door waiting for spots to open! The place is THAT good! Tip: bring cash!! That is all they accept! read more

This place has the best Pho in America. I've had Pho all over and nothing holds a candle to this place. Only negative is it's cash only, but that is part of the charm. The staff is great. They give you the personal attention you'd expect from a smaller place, but they seem to give just a little more. Wish Yelp had additional stars for this place. I would also suggest the grilled pork on noodles or rice - it might be the greatest pork I've ever tried. read more

Some of the beat pho in town. My favorite are the grilled pork rolls along with the Pho Ga with extra garlic and green onions. A close second would be the all pho that comes with all the beef parts in it. Awesome service and good food! read more

BRING CASH. NO CARD OR ATM THERE.* Pho =good. Grilled Pork with rice= really good Goi cuon=tasteless and dipping sauce was slimey. :( I would come back again to try to it once more. read more

Set up in a little blue house with a quaint atmosphere, Pho Tay Do serves up the best pho in Richmond. And when your Vietnamese friends agree with this statement, you know it's legit. There's hand-painted murals of Vietnamese women and scenery everywhere you look, making for a one-of-a-kind experience. Not to mention the service is top-notch, you can count on Denzel welcoming you with a smile. In terms of the food, one sip of their beef broth and you can tell it's homemade. It's a complex mix of savory flavors that can only be described as pho. The portions are generous and the price is even better. If you're looking for pho in Richmond, this is as authentic as it gets. read more

Pricing is amazing for the quality. Service was awesome. I've been looking for a great Vietnamese spot and this is beyond expectations!

Really really really excellent Pho. I am mind blown by the broth. I even started semi annoyed because they were out of bean sprouts but anything less than 5 stars would be a crime. Friendly, quick... truly a diamond in the rough. read more

Best Pho in Richmond. And I've tried them all. Service is on point and it's a nice mix if Vietnamese people and Richmond denizens in the know. read more

Simply the best Pho on this side of town! I love the atmosphere, I love the broth, the customer service is always top notch & always accommodating. Never a wait & always great! I would recommend all to eat here. Great for cold winter days/nights! read more

Pho Tay Do - I love their Vietnamese iced coffee - Vietnamese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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This place was not at all what I was expecting when I pulled up but it did not disappoint!! Great pho and very tidy inside. I also had one of the jelly drinks which the waitress described as something that you actually "eat". Probably one of the stranger things I've ever consumed--it was a mixture of ice, beans, jelly bits, and coconut milk. Pretty good but after a few bites I'd had enough. Bill was very reasonable! read more

I visited Pho Tay Do about a week ago on Saturday, 03/13/2021. While it wasn't a horrible experience, it wasn't the best, either. To focus on the positives first, the flavor was desirable. The broth - while visibly oilier than neighboring Pho Thien Phat - was pleasantly aromatic with a mild 'cinnamon-y' scent that was surprisingly comforting. The beef flavor was evident, and there was not an excessive amount of MSG detected. I ordered the Tai, Gan, which translates to eye of round steak with tendon. I ordered my Tai on the side, as I prefer to receive it rare and cook it in the broth to my desired doneness upon receipt. I also paid an additional $1.00 for Bo Vien (Vietnamese meatballs), as they do not come with the 'combo' in which I am generally interested. It should be noted that I requested the 'XL' bowl, as the sizes appeared misrepresented, and their 'XL' was truly that which what would equate to a 'L' at comparable establishments. My dissatisfaction began almost immediately. Our server (whose race I won't specify) was visibly NOT Vietnamese. However, he took it upon himself to 'correct' my pronunciation on more than one occasion (namely, 'Bo Vien' and 'Hanh Dam' (Vietnamese pickled onions)), which wouldn't have been as embarrassingly inappropriate if his pronunciation had been correct. Unbeknownst to him, I have been mentored by Vietnamese natives, which made his unsolicited audacity that much more uncomfortable than it would otherwise have been - it was cringeworthy. I chose not to vocalize my embarrassment for the sake of his pride, but hopefully, this review will result in his being coached going forward to spare him of repeated experiences. When I received my 'XL' bowl of Tai, Gan with Tai and Hanh Dam on the side, there were literally more pickled onions than beef. And, no, I am not joking - there were probably approximately five slices of beef. Understandably shocked, I immediately inquired as to whether or not that was the standard portion. Given the promptness with which he responded, I'm assuming our server has probably gotten that question before, as he immediately assured me it was, and proceeded to offer the explanation that it was because I ordered a 'combo' in which I also had Gan (tendon) and Bo Vien (Vietnamese meatballs). No, sir - I ordered a 'combo' which came with Tai (eye of round steak) and Gan (tendon) - I paid $1.00 extra for Bo Vien which was not included. His explanation apparently wasn't thought out well enough in advance because it made no sense, whatsoever. Assuming five slices of beef is the standard serving in an 'XL' bowl, the logical explanation, then, would be that four slices would be the standard serving in a 'L' bowl, three slices would be the standard serving in a 'M' bowl, two slices would be the standard serving in a 'S' bowl, and one slice would be the standard serving in a children's bowl - does that even sound reasonable? No, I didn't think so, either. Double those serving sizes, and they still wouldn't be justifiable. But, again, I chose not to vocalize my concerns, but rather flagged down another server/busboy who supported what his colleague had already stated. No surprise there, but no less disheartening, nonetheless. The Hanh Dam added a nice flavor to what was already a nicely prepared broth. The temperature was desirable, and the vegetables seemed relatively fresh. For the reasons specified above, however, I will not be revisiting this establishment, nor will I recommend it - I will stick with Pho Thien Phat where the sizes are accurately represented, and the servers are familiar with how to accurately pronounce menu items. Should you choose to 'give them a go', however, be advised that they are cash only. Otherwise, they will retain your driver's license (heaven forbid you get pulled over in the process) while you commute to a nearby ATM for cash, as they did mine. Good luck. read more

Cute little mom and pops pho restaurant! The staff was welcoming and the food was delicious. Definitely a must stop for a chilly day.

I love this place! Definitely one of the top 3 pho places I've been to in VA. Top quality materials, great taste, amazing service, cleanliness, and fair prices. This place offers high quality authentic Vietnamese food and my favorite place to get the thin sliced beef pho. I also recommend their egg rolls, it's delicious! I haven't tried a lot of the stuff on their menu, which is very broad, but I did hear good reviews about it from people who have. I brought my friends and family here numerous times whoever they craved pho and we always left fulfilled and with the desire to come back. There's ample amounts of seating. Could do better with parking, but they are limited due to the building structure and placement. The rest rooms were fairly clean. Honestly if you're looking for some good pho, this place is the one. Perfect for the cold days when you're craving some nice hot broth with thinly sliced beef. Just amazing! read more

Two words: Bring. Cash. I know, I know, all of the reviews mention this so I should have known (since, of course I read all of them prior to heading to Pho Tay Do). However, when I hopped in the car to drive over, the idea that I needed actual paper money completely slipped my mind. I guess there is a downside to only carrying plastic. 7-11's ATM to the rescue! For anyone else who rarely carries cash, swoop into the convenience store that's about a block away from Pho Tay Do and you'll be all set. Now back to the food! I ordered the bbq shrimp vermicelli and it was absolutely delicious. The shrimp was cooked perfectly- nothing beats a perfectly bbq'd protein, am I right? I was starved prior to ordering, so I actually finished almost all of the dish. For me, that's a feat in itself. I'm often the queen of leftovers, but my appetite was having none of that leftover biz on this visit. My point is- the vermicelli portion is filling without being overly large (i.e. not completely American-sized, but enough to satisfy your hunger pangs). I'd definitely recommend this dish to anyone who enjoys shrimp because the flavors were fantastic and all components of the meal tasted extremely fresh. And did I mention how completely affordable it is?? $6 and some change for a nice-sized meal that totally hit the spot. #winning Sure, the restaurant looks a tad sketchy tucked away in a neighborhood, but looks can be deceiving! Give it a go, and I doubt you'll be disappointed. read more

I'm fairly certain this is the best Pho you can find in Richmond. A few tips: 1. BRING CASH! 2. Yes. It's a house. Go in anyways. 3. Try the coffee -- its an experience. 4. Embrace the creepy decorations. There you go! Now don't miss out on this quirky standout in RVA's saturated vietnamese dining scene. read more

Best pho in RVA hands down!! (tip: it's CASH only. ) It's a little hidden behind Pho So 1. It's small & is family operated but if you want some good pho, this place is a MUST! Friendly staff and broth is just simply delicious! You know it's good, when your entire bowl is empty ;) read more

My absolute favorite pho, but don't forget to bring cash!

As far as I'm concerned, this is the only place to go to for pho in Richmond. Pho So 1 used to be my favorite until I noticed that they started skimping on the broth, using beef powder to supplement their pho broth. Plus the main flavor in their broth is beefiness, which isn't a bad thing, but at Pho Tay Do, you can taste the nuances of the different spices, along with the beef broth. At other pho houses, I usually have to supplement the broth with hoisin and sriracha, but at Pho Tay Do, the broth doesn't need anything more than the herbs, a squirt of lime, and a few jalapeno slices for some spiciness. I will occasionally add a squirt of sriracha just to get some of that garlicy-spicy flavor with the broth, but not to supplement it. I will say that I prefer the way Pho So 1 cuts their tripe compared to Tay Do, but overall, Pho Tay Do has superior broth and superior pho. Pho Tay Do is located inside of a little blue house on the street behind Pho So 1 and Full Kee. From the minute you walk in, you can tell it's a family place, and because we go about once a week, we've gotten to know them well. The murals on the wall are painted by a member of the family, and my particular favorite is the mural featuring a bathing beauty covering herself with a red towel. The reason I like it is because of the expression of the horse in the background. It's priceless, and if I could buy this mural for my future basement den, I'd totally make an offer. The murals are mostly tasteful images of Vietnamese scenery, but I prefer the older paintings, which were a little more interesting and fun to laugh about. There used to be a gollum fountain by the cash register, but I think he's been retired since it's been a while since he's been there. So besides the pho, we usually order the iced coffee, which is always a nice balance to the warm savoriness of the pho. It comes with a metal coffee filter on top of a small glass of condensed milk. After the coffee filters through, you can control how sweet your coffee is by mixing in all of the condensed milk, or only mixing in half. Then you pour it over ice in a separate glass to drink and enjoy. They offer other menu items, but so far we haven't found anything that isn't done better at other places. Pho So 1 definitely has the best grilled pork, and the vermicelli bowl here is only so-so. The spring rolls are okay, but I'd rather stop by Vi's Bakery to pick up spring rolls if I have a craving. Pho Tay Do is a place for pho enthusiasts who are looking for more than just a bowl of beefy sriracha/hoisin broth with noodles. Just know that this place is cash-only, and on Sundays they open later than 9 because of church. They usually open around 10-10:30ish (I haven't figured out the exact time), and it's surprisingly crowded at that time with older men who want some post-church pho. read more

I ordered the tai pho (rare steak) and it was okay. The grilled bbq pork/egg roll with vermicelli was also ordered, and the pork was fatty (granted some people like it this way, but not me). The prices were great - lower than other places in RVA. Downside, they only take cash and this is a pain for me as I never carry cash. However, there is a 7-11 nearby should you need to grab cash. The atmosphere is def reason to visit - almost life size wooden cutouts of busty ladies, painted murals, and other interesting decor. The staff is very friendly and nice! I will probably go back again to try other dishes and to enjoy the funky decor. It would be a fun super casual date night joint. Cheers! read more

I went her for a pho girl's night! The restaurant itself is creatively decorated. (the murals are very entertaining). We went right around 7pm so it was pretty crowded when we first got there. We waited for someone to come take our drink order but it wasn't happening so we had to go ask for one of the 2 people working to get our drink (and by that point, food order). The food came out in a timely fashion once ordered and did not disappoint. I ordered the large brisket pho thinking I would have plenty to take home. I was very wrong. The food was so good that I couldn't help but eat all of it! MUST BRING CASH! This place only takes cash so make sure you have some when you eat here. The staff was super friendly but since there were only 2 of them, we spent a lot of time waiting which made me give it 3 stars. read more

Arguably the best pho in town. Tasty broth with fresh condiments in tow. Believe the hype. In three words: cheap, authentic, delicious. I had a filling bowl of pho (with flank steak) and spent less than $7. The atmosphere is super kitschy. It feels like you're in a distant relative's living room. The service is quick and polite. They only accept cash so keep that in mind. My friends swear by the iced coffee here--they give you your own press. I'll definitely head back here regularly. read more

This place is like home, man! I LOVE it! It's the real deal! No frills, just good food! Try a glass of coconut water. Comes with huge thin slices of fresh coconut. So refreshing! The coffee is great too! nice and sweet, yet strong and i dont even drink coffee. The stars on the menu for me are the grilled pork with noodles and the pho (without the tripe or tendons, but with some yummy meatballs added (request them)) and an order of A2 (fresh spring rolls/summer rolls) No over-the-top great service, but the food is on point and the service is good enough--not rude, but not waiting on you hand and foot and that's just fine by me. Oh, and let's not forget that you'll get your food in a flash! Now that's fast food! Cheap eats, too! Guys, if you eat a lot, get a large, ladies, small or regular (whichever it is) is usually enough for me. TIPS ****CASH ONLY*** **Bring your payment to the register window after dining** No, it doesn't really seem like waiter service because all they do is take your order and drop off your food (they do not "check up" on you like the typical American restaurant), however tipping is certainly the general custom among diners here and I am sure it is certainly appreciated. UPDATE: Came here last week (end of May 2010) and had the papaya salad. I was hoping for a substitute for the Cambodian version (similar to Thai), but I sure was surprised. Luckily for me, it was a pleasant surprise. The Vietnamese version is more texturally varied and has a sweet brown sauce, as opposed to the sour, citrus-y sauce used in Cambodian/Thai versions. The jerky is sweet and chewy and the papaya is julienned finer, almost like thin rice noodles, and is almost chewy as well. This was a very light, very tasty meal for me, since I was kind of between meals. I really enjoyed the mixture of sweet/salty/herbiness. It was topped with lots of basil and I would certainly have this dish again. Yum! BUT, this is not for the safe "adventurous diners." If you're not comfortable with home-y SE Asian food already (as in not the typical dishes pushed in restaurants catering to Americans-- sweeter or oilier dishes like pad se-eew, drunken noodles or something), then don't get this dish. It's not for the "I'm just gonna try dipping my feet in the water first" types. The basil is very strong and the texture it has that almost acquired taste thing going on because of the chewy textures often prized in many Asian cuisines (take the tendon in pho or chewy Korean rice cakes (tduk), for example). P.S. I snuck a peak of the kitchen while paying...floors look like the rest of the place and all cooking surfaces and machinery looked very clean :). read more

Great Hidden Secret for one of the best places to get Pho in Richmond. I had tried Da Lat a couple times and while it sufficed, I was eager to try Tay Do after hearing about it from several different people. While the neighborhood isn't one I'd typically be wandering through, I'll definitely come back for their delicious Pho. The place is family run and apparently, the broth can vary depending on which family member is currently there. The daughters are awesome and the service was fine. The inside in nothing fancy and there are all these painting all over the walls which actually are quite interesting to look at. PHO TAY DO! Make sure you take cash because THEY NO TAKE CARD! I'll definitely go back here! read more

Out of the 3 pho places I've tried in RVA, this is my fave! Fair warning though, the portions here are smaller than at, say, Pho So 1 - if you've got a big appetite, you'll get more bang for your buck somewhere else. I always get the pho tai chin (#12) and, if I'm extra hungie, the BBQ pork spring rolls. The total for both is an even $10. Perfect. Their pork spring rolls are def delish and thus far the only ones I've liked. The pho broth is great and flavorful without being too rich, the noodles are good texture, and there's always a generous portion of meat! The pho ga (chicken pho) was a disappointment, so I wouldn't bother with that. Again, their portions are smalller than average, but enough to still be satisfied. Because of the small portioning, it is a bit expensive IMO, but I feel the superior taste more than makes up for it. ***This is why I gave this place 4 instead of 5 stars. Tbh it's more a 4.5 from me than anything else. My pho conclusions for RVA: Pho Tay Do if you want the best tasting and you aren't starving; Pho So 1 if you want good tasting and you could eat a horse. Can't speak for the service here, as I only get takeout. The owners seem nice though! Note: cash only. The parking lot is tiny, but you could always park on the street. The building looks like an unassuming little blue house so you may drive right past it if you're not looking! Just a heads up. read more