Just a heads up: they make their yellow curry with beef broth, somehow? The vegetarian pho broth is fine - doesn't really taste like pho, but that's hard to do without bone broth, so whatever. Enough hot sauce and hoisin makes everything good. But last night I ordered the yellow curry with tofu, an always-safe vegetarian staple. What came out was something much thicker, much shinier, and much less aromatic than any yellow curry I've ever seen. I tried it, and it didn't taste like yellow curry, or anything at all, really. I was mostly just disappointed, thinking I had wasted ten bucks on a flavorless curry, but then it dawned on me: nothing gets that shiny without animal fat. (I haven't eaten beef in nineteen years, okay, it took a second for me to clue in.) I went up to ask the manager if their yellow curry is made with animal products, and she confirmed that yes, it's made with some kind of beef base? I'm not even sure how that works, but the end result is more like a yellow beef gravy than anything else. She was honestly then pretty rude about it, telling me it was my fault, and that if I was a vegetarian, I should only order the vegetable broth pho, as apparently nothing else on the menu is safe - which is weird, considering how many of the menu items are traditionally vegetarian dishes, but, like, okay. Anyway. I was polite, they were annoyed. To their credit, they didn't make me pay for what I couldn't eat, but it also wouldn't have killed them to be a little nicer to a shaking, horrified, nauseated customer. No one even said oh no, I'm sorry that happened. I've eaten here many times and I do like their boba, but I obviously won't be back. And I guess no other vegetarian should ever grace those doors, assuming you might want anything other than a stock-standard vegetable soup. Oh, and they don't fry their tofu. Bland, naked cubes of tofu. Gross. read more

Pho...ok Bun Bo Hue ok Spring rolls.. cold and old Nothing special read more

They have really good pho and I love that you can get zucchini noodles for those trying to eat fewer carbs. Their meni is so big we were worried the food wouldn't be as good but the gyoza, fried rolls, and pho were very tasty. We will definitely be coming back again. read more

My favorite and go to pho spot. Always generous portions and short wait times. The bubble tea is great too! Definitely would recommend to anyone read more

Service is fast after you seat yourself. The Phò itself is fair, the broth ok compared to the other Phò places in Tacoma. It tends to stay dirty when they are busy but it is a popular place to eat in this plaza. Price is marginally expensive compared to other Phò restaurants, though cheap in the grand scheme of eating out. read more

Dirty, dirty, dirty! They always leave the tables full of dishes until customers run out of spots to sit in. Either get more servers to clean the table or don't run a restaurant! read more

Been here a few times now. As far as pho places go this one is up there near the top. Not only is the soup really stinkin good but the menu has a lot of different things, some of which you may have never seen before. I saw many new and tasty items like spicy soup this and savory soup that and other noddle dishes and other stuff. I will keep coming here because they pho spot by my house is just so so and the owner is a mean lady who gives you the stink eye when you come in like your a criminal. read more

When my four year old tells me she wants soup this is the place she is talking about. Both of my kids love this place, they prefer it over pizza. They always get Pho and like to add in their own mixture of sauces. The broth is flavorful, with a great mix of noodles and meat. They even offer a vegetable pho-but it still has beef stock. We usually also get gyoza or fresh spring rolls to share. The peanut dipping sauce is great and they serve lots of it. Occasionally I will get a salad bowl but I always come back for the soup. There are a lot of other things on the menu so it is a great place to bring friends who are not as adventurous. You can have pho and they can have fried rice or chow mien. read more

The broth was good (at least for me) because I love cilantro. The meatballs were good too, just like the ones from Pho Tai. Comparing the two, Pho 38th's soup is not as strong. And yes, the noodles are not as soft but good thing I prefer firm noodles. My husband ordered their spicy beef rice plate and said it was disgusting. The spicy sauce on the beef tasted sour so he barely ate his food. I would recommend Pho Tai's rice dishes instead--although they are oily. I'm giving this place three stars instead of two since I like their broth and that's the only thing I'm coming back for. read more

I really liked this place a lot , been going here for about a year now with friends. They do have the best pho I've had, and I've been to a couple places. But I've noticed lately that I've become sick after I eat there. stomach up set and just sick feeling. My friend has the same issue, so I know its not just me. But you cant go wrong with the price pretty good when you can get away with a meal for two for $12 Bucks'. But not worth the feeling after. Also noticed that the noodles in the chicken pho is different now. The broth has to be the best though for sure! The two stars is for the service, its just plan sucks. They are very rude, take their time to take your order. And if you order a drink, you get it in the middle of your meal. I get that they are busy sometimes but they have a large staff, no excuse. Wish they would go back to the way it was. Going to try to stop eating there! read more

Good FOOD, ok service! Always check your to go order before you leave! its never right!!! B++++++++ read more

I would come here often a couple years ago but started noticing the service was going down then I stopped all together. I decided to try it again and it's even worse, the food quality is bad. The pho is average but in that case I rather go to the one by pacific and 38th st. Anyways, I wouldn't recommend this place, two star just because of the average pho. My wife ordered grilled chicken and it looked, felt and tasted like a 2 day old microwaved plate. Not good... place looks dirty, and customer service is mostly bad with a few exceptions of the table - cleaning ladies but if only the food was good I would keep coming once in a while but now I will avoid this place unless it's the final choice. Hope this helps :) read more

It really pains me not to rate this place full five stars because it's food it's great. But man customer service it's not their strong. I had #23 and it was incredible. I'm sure I will go back and eat me some pho. Conscious that I will be ignored the whole time I'm in there until it's time for the check! read more

I just started eating pho and now I'm addicted!!! I don't understand the bad reviews? There menu is extensive the staff is decent the place looks a bit run down but for the food and the price you can't beat it read more

Tofu pho , broth was taste but the tofu tasted like it had been frozen for a lomg time . Spring rolls come with sweet dipping sauce. Reasonably priced read more

We had an awful experience ordering from here. Half of our group is vegetarian based on religious beliefs, and their menu does not specify that the vegetable menu items are made with beef broth. When we called to ask them, they insisted that it was our fault and would not help with the issue. They were very rude on the phone. With a thousand great pho places in the area there is absolutely no reason to go to this one. read more

Husband and I love this place, we are regulars and come in all the time the staff don't even give us menus because they already know what we want hahah, best pho I've tasted and I've been to ALOT of places that have been disappointing. Broth is always on point and is served super speedy for us. Love the icecream milkshakes and the meatball pho. read more

I usually have really good experiences at this place but this time it was not good at all. The first thing was the spring roll had a hair straight up Inside. We also had to wait 40 mins untill our food showed up even though like 5 people showed up after us and got their food. I'm am disappointed. read more

This is good pho restaurant and my favorite food are sandwich and pho. If you are pho lover I recommend this restaurant. read more

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After reading the recent review from Michael K. I decided to give this place a try. I talked a co-worker into going with me at noon for lunch and the place was packed. We were able to get two spots at the end of a long table. It was a nasty day outside so pho was a perfect choice. We both went for the rare beef and brisket. I also ordered a side of tofu. It was nice, clean, and well lit inside unlike my previous visits to pho places on 38th and off of South Tacoma Way. I would say it was a good, nothing spectacular, safe bet if you are looking for pho. read more

Went in for the first time, we ordered a spicy bun Bo hue, spring rolls and a number 40 rare beef pho with extra brisket. My bun Bo came out and loomed good but was super oily and greasy without much flavor. Instead of a rare beef pho they brought out a bowl of tofu pho and a small bowl of soup with brisket in it. When we tried to tell them that wasn't what we ordered they couldn't understand and tried to just walk away. Needless to say we were beyond confused and unsatisfied. There's plenty of other pho places in the area to go to that will serve customers right. read more

Love this place. I recommend the Vietnamese rice noodle bowl with chicken and egg roll. The only thing I don't like is that it's a little difficult to get a refill on your drink. read more

Their food is delicious, the staff is always quick and friendly (they are not much for small talk, but they are never unfriendly). Pho 38th delivers a solid meal every single time, they have tons of options and all of them are delicious and they truly appreciate the business. I have never left Pho 38th feeling slighted in any way or like I didn't get my moneys worth. read more

Just moved here from Philly. Best Pho I've had in WA so far. Very fast, very cheap, pretty good broth!

Staff is respectful, food came out in a timely manner, and the portions were huge!! Definitely coming back! This place is one of my favs!

The waiter is racist & has an attitude. & they take forever. the facility is unsanitary, they gave us water w/ dirt in it.

I pretty much am addicted to Pho 38th. My husband turned me on to Pho and I can't get enough. I have been trying out different broths, but this place has it down. They are pretty busy most of the week, but Sundays are slower. Very good experience and the soup is served fast. read more

I never ate pho before moving here to tacoma and this place made me fall in love with it. I always get it with brisket and its tasty. The broth is always on point and the cilantro and onions compliment the pho perfectly. I have tried a few other places and this one is my fave for the time being. Also you can't beat the prices. read more

It is one of the best Pho restaurant for me. There are many different menus than other Pho restaurant. The taste was very delicious. It was very clean and fresh. Also, ice coffee was so good after the meal. I am so glad to find good pho restaurant. Service was very nice too. I will definitely go again with my family. *** read more

I've been here quite a few times and usually it's not terrible but this last time we waited over 45 mins for food. One of the spring rolls has a hair in it and the lady just took someone else's spring roll and placed it down on our table to make up for it. Which of course it didn't. People who came in after us got their food before us. It wasn't like 1 or 2 people it was a good 5-6 orders and it was an hour before we got our pho. The gyoza didn't even come until after the pho. This was the worst experience I've had at a place and we still paid full price. For the spring roll with hair and all. Don't plan to go back anytime soon. read more

I went yesterday and my husband had ordered Pho soup and the waitress brought over some pieces of cilantro and on one of the leafs two white mole like animals were crawling on it , disgusting never again . I was really disappointed. read more

One of the top Pho restaurants I have ever been to. They have a lot of seating, well-staffed, and are very quick and organized. The prices are reasonable, their menu is larger than any Pho restaurant I've ever seen, and their food is very nice. I have usually order the pork noodle salad, which is very delicious, and it comes with a nice bowl of fish sauce (some restaurants only give a tiny ramekin). Very good Vietnamese Sandwiches for only $4.25! Definitely check it out! read more

Average sums it up. Pros: Quick and convenient Cons: Service (very rude and impersonal) Food is barely above average. read more

Another amazing Pho restaurant in Tacoma! They're always friendly, open late, and good pricing. The soup tastes great of course. My favorite part? There's a Half Price Books next door! read more

This is the worst Vietnamese food I have ever eaten. The service was bad, the food was really really bad. Also the place was dirty and the people who came from the kitchen to bring the food had bad body odor! read more

I was surprised by how good the pho was at this little strip mall spot- but I was pleased! The service was decent- but it was a bit TOO busy for me to really sit back and relax. Definitely worth a try though! read more

I stopped here for a banh mi. It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't good, either. The bread was underwhelming, the veggies rather bland, and the pork was super sweet rather than flavorful. The whole thing had the taste and texture of assemble-to-order fast food rather than cook-to-order fresh food. It will satisfy your hunger but you won't fall in love. read more

Broth was great. Plenty of meat AND they have the most amazing zucchini noodles!!! (Been about a year since I ate here but finally remembered to leave a review!) read more

Customer service sucks so don't expect anything there, but the pho is decent and close by to my work, which is why our office frequents here. I've never stayed and eaten in the restaurant (which looks very run down and not terribly clean) but have ordered to-go a handful of times here and it's decent enough pho to satisfy your craving when you have it. I'd love to drive down the street to Pho Thai, but with the traffic on 38th it really is just much more convenient for me to order from Pho 38th. If you're really craving pho it'll do the job, but I think there are better (and friendlier!) places. read more

I like the amount of meat they put into your pho and the broth was good, ive just had better. Prices were a tad bit pricey on some of the items and portions are fair. Service was good. read more