Wow so good!!! Healthy place. Clean and pleasant atmosphere!! Friendly staff and service. I would definitely come back. I had the Grilled Pork station wrap and the Brisket Quesadilla they were b good ! read more

All of y'all are tripping. This place is terrible. I don't know why the reviews are so good. I came in around 6pm with my family. The place was totally dead but there were still dirty tables no one even bothered to clean. Like another reviewer said, the staff blared Tejano music. I mean, whatever, Vietnamese food isn't that tricky to make. My husband ordered pho that didn't taste like pho. I got a pork rice bowl that legit had meat with hair and cartilage (I think it was ear, maybe snout?). I mean, I'm Pinay, I love sisig but for a $14 rice bowl, you think it would have better quality meat rather than ear! My kid had a tiny $8 quesadilla. We had two coconut Viet coffees. The flavor and texture were "off;" the Keurig coffee I make at home is thicker. Our meal was over $50 before tip. Idk how this place has been surviving or where all these reviews came in from, but damn, stop lying y'all. read more

Tried another new Pho place. This place was friendly and easy to order- kiosk or in-person. No cash; Card or tap only. The flavor was good (slightly Americanized) but not good enough for the prices. I had: * Eye Round Pho (Medium) added extra meatball ($3) - had to doctor it up with extra limes and hoisin sauce. The broth tasted plain and not enough beef bone flavors. * Grilled Pork/Shrimp Combo Summer Rolls (barely had any shrimp-- I think it was one shrimp cut in half). Peanut sauce needed more lime and hoisin. * Classic Vietnamese Iced Coffee- very good and strong with the right amount of sweetness. Total: $33.01 + $6 tip. I probably will not revisit... #tinzeats #nomnomnomin read more

A previous gas station turned into a pho place! Amazing build out and the pump area is the parking lot. The lunch special only $20 with unlimited refills. I ordered half sandwich with the salad noodles. The brisket sandwich is great. The noodles feel like the sauce is missing a little tang. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Lunch special - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

Very flavorful pho- spring roll are nice and fresh- Restaurant is very well kept and clean. Workers are friendly and helpful with any questions I had. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Chicken pho and shrimp spring roll- lunch special - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

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This was my first visit and I was impressed with the service and quality of the food and coffee. I got the Cinnamesse coffee hot and the pork Bahn Mi sandwich. Both were great and I am looking forward to my next visit. All the staff were genuinely kind and helpful. The nice guy who took my order even helped me to my car with my purchase. Great energy from this place and super tasty food. Win! read more

This was a cute restaurant with lots of space and great customer service. I ordered my favorite Vietnamese dish -- the meatball pho. They advertise that they don't use MSG, so I was really curious how the broth would taste. The food was served hot and came out quickly, but I wasn't a fan of their pho. The meatballs reminded me too much of spaghetti and meatballs, and the broth lacked flavor for me. That said, the grilled pork banh mi was absolutely delicious! read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Meatball Pho - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

This is my second time trying out Saltlight Station. The first time was when they first opened several years ago. It was a bit "meh;" nothing that really stood out and it was pricey. Well, I'm back in Texas and decided I would give them another chance. I was craving pho and spring rolls and they are close by. The mixed reviews were a warning sign, but we forged ahead, hoping for the best. The restaurant is in an old gas station, which they have decorated with a red and white theme, it's kept neat and clean with a play area inside for small children. The ordering process is via an order screen at the counter. We ordered spring rolls, Texan pho and their version of fried rice. The waitress was very friendly and helpful, and the food came out pretty quickly. The order came out to about $40, which was more than I thought it should cost for what we got, but if the food is tasty it would be worth it. Now for the food; the spring rolls had a lot of red cabbage in it, so that is pretty much all you taste. Not much shrimp in the shrimp spring rolls. The fried rice was "okay," It didn't really have any outstanding flavor to it. The Texan style pho was missing the tendon and tripe I expect in a "special" pho and it was sorely missed. The soup broth was okay; I was hoping for a more robust flavor since one of their selling points is their homemade soup broth. The pho didn't come with the bean sprouts, Thai basil, and jalapeños on a plate for you to add in yourself. When I asked the waitress about it, she said the bean sprouts were in the bottom of the bowl along with basil, but she wasn't sure if it was Thai basil or not. We had arrived shortly before closing time, so they had just started shutting down the restaurant for the night. The kitchen staff started blasting Hispanic music while the were cleaning up. I asked the waitress if the owner was on site, and she said they live in Boston. All in all, if you're looking for authentic tasting Vietnamese dishes, and not just an "interpretation," this is probably not going to fit the bill. Maybe it's the absentee owner, or the lack of anyone on staff who would be familiar with the nuances of Vietnamese cooking. This was an expensive reminder to take other people's reviews of a restaurant to heart. Although our waitress was helpful and attentive, we just didn't taste any love for Vietnamese dishes in any of our food. Very disappointing. read more

Soo let me start off by saying if you have asian tastebuds this isn't going to be good lol I had high hopes based on the overall reviews and positive feedback. Service is A+ very nice staff and contrary to the review about the "tacky kids area" we liked it! Kept the kids busy! Those are the reasons for 3 stars. Now to the food, the pho broth was very much lacking flavor. It was watery and unflavored, it sounded enticing saying a "spicy lemongrass broth" even when adding sriracha it didn't make up for it. It was overpriced at $15 for a medium (smallest size) The fried rice was good compared to the other items... Banh mi not pictured, also lacking in flavor. Thai tea was okay, viet coffee very strong (some might like this) but not sweet enough for us. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Creek Fried Rice (3PD) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

We drove by this pho place quite a few times before we decided to give it a try. When we walked in I was quite surprised how clean and modern the inside is. I had very little expectation when ordering food as the ambiance didn't really feel like a Vietnamese restaurant. However the pho and the rice bowl that we ordered were pretty decent. I don't think I'll go back to eat the food but it's worth stopping by if you're driving by and you want some Vietnamese. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

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Let's start with, this place has a toddler play area in it! Like, what?! Yes, yes, yes! Let's follow up with, how often is it cleaned though? Food and service is important! Food - it's okay. I ordered their Texas pho and it was salty. Pho is supposed to be flavorful. Let's not mistake salt as flavor. Salt adds flavor, but it shouldn't just be salt. Service is okay. It's a really no frills type place: you just walk up to the counter, place your order, get a number, place it at your table, food will be brought to you, eat, and then leave. You get your own dipping sauce and lime and such, also. I really did want to like this place as having a toddler play area meant peaceful eating for me. I plan to try this place again, maybe it was an off day, maybe I ordered the wrong item: we'll see! read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Play space for toddlers - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

* date visited: 09.16.2024 * ordered: shrimp verimicelli salad i've also tried their banh mi, pho, and other verimicelli bowls/rice plates and i really do like the items here. it is fusion (so the flavors are slightly catered more to generic audience) however i feel that the items retain their authenticity and flavor. i really like the quality of the items and i always leave feeling refreshed! this salad bowl was BIG (i only finished about half) and the dressing it came with was so good (fish sauce, sugar). i really enjoyed -- all of the ingredients were fresh and crisp and the shrimp was grilled very nicely. i only wish there were more shrimp. their banh mi has some of the best meat (texture wise and quality wise) i've ever had, and their pho feels clean and light. it's in an old converted gas station and is visually one of the cutest restaurants in allen in my opinion. cozy and i love the decor. also, the service is always great -- kind, efficient, and i always feel welcome :) read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - shrimp salad - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

Saltlight Station was a staple for me when I worked somewhere nearby. I frequented Saltlight weekly for several months and used it as an emotional support system lol. I love its airy, sunny vibe, its cleanliness, and the kind staff. I could tell the staff were well-trained and comfortable there. The food is high quality and fresh. I like the self-service condiment bar. I love lots of flavor and so I'd always grab a sauce, lime, and extra cilantro. I tried several things on the menu, but my favorites were the bahn mi, spring rolls, and beef pho. While I usually love spicy things, I tend to be pretty wimpy with southeast Asian spices and, for the pho, couldn't usually tolerate more than a mild or half-mild have spicy broth. I wish that the mild pho broth was a little more savory and had stronger flavor, but I could easily had more flavor by adding fish sauce. I appreciate the owner's love for the local community and really admire some of the decisions they make (loyalty rewards, supporting a movie that her mom had a hand in creating, etc.)! It is a bit expensive, but I do like to support local restaurants, and I always hope they do well. I recommend everyone in the area try Saltlight Station at least once. read more

Very cute and trendy counter order Vietnamese restaurant. I love how they repurposed an old gas station. Theres a cute outside patio area, as well as a nice drive thru window for those who would like to get a quick bite to eat, or tasty drinks, The service was really friendly. Ordered: Eye Round Steak Pho (spicy broth). The broth was not spicy at all! I appreciated how much steak the bowl of pho had! The portion sizes were very generous. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

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Decided to give their bahn mi a second chance after trying it a few years ago. I was disappointed both times. I get the chicken and the meat is very dry and flavorless. The vegetables also have little to no flavor. Mr. Bahn Mi in Frisco is the superior Bahn mi spot! It's a bit of a trek for me from Allen, but worth it! read more

Absolutely the freshest and best Bahn Mi I've ever had (brisket with extra pickled carrots, cucumber and jalapeño. The Pho is a complex, wonderful blend with melt-in-your-mouth chicken. Portions are huge and the staff is always amazing. Our go-to Pho! Try them out!! read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Their mantra in concrete! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

What a hidden gem, truly! When Saltlught opened we weren't sure what to make of it, but once we tried it we were hooked! The NO MSG broth is a giant win in our family. My favorites are the; Texan Pho + spicy lemongrass broth, Chargrilled Chicken Pho with ot without the Spicy Lemongrass Broth it's tasty, and a bowl of bone broth a la carte. I've also enjoyed the Summer Rolls. There are so many other yummy looking items on the menu I need tj get back soon & try them! Authentic and super tasty Pho keeps us coming back. You can order delivery, pick-up (they have a drive thru) or you can eat at the outdoor tables. The drive-thru is a plus for me & their delivery is fast! read more

Pho is phenomenal, quiet spot= perfect place to do work. Quick service and they make sure to have everything you need. Their cookies and hot chocolate are gas in the colder climate read more

The pho was pretty solid. Some of the noodles did not feels a bit firmer than standard. The spicy pho was not that spicy but enough to add flavor It was a bit pricier for the size portion. But the coffee was pretty good. The staff were nice and very attentive. The inside had a play area and the outside had a playground if you want to let your kids go crazy. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Spicy pho, normal pho, and coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

Is this authentic Vietnamese spot?..... ehhhhhh It's questionable. The banh mi is more like a hoagie. Not a true baguette. They put no pate nor mayo. Super dry and the pickled daikon and carrot is more on the sweet side. So let's go with fusion for American taste buds The broth is actually legit very clean idk I'd call it pho broth but it's great! Coffee ehhhh i did the coconut coffee and didn't slap barely any ice. The simple syrup stood out the most and naw. Customer service is really great id come back if im the area for broth and customer service. It's a cool set up looking like a gas station and they have a drive through. read more

The quality of their broth left me speechless . If you're in the area I Highly recommended 10/10. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Pan Seared Shrimp Pho (3PD) Milk Tea (3PD) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

This is a Vietnamese fusion restaurant so if you are looking for authentic/traditional Vietnamese food, this place is not it. Their description of pho is "spicy lemongrass broth" which that is actually what bun bo hue (BBH) is. I got the Texan and hubby got the brisket pho. The broth is a very very mild BBH and lacked the depth of flavors pho/BBH usually have. I love BBH so I didn't mind the broth wasn't more like pho but if you want a traditional pho broth, this ain't it. I didn't care for the meatballs they used in Texan. It was a beef meatball that was dense and had a weird texture. I used to pork meatballs in pho/BBH. We also ordered the pan seared shrimp and threw Creek fried rice for the kiddos. The shrimp was good but nothing special. We did not like the fried rice at all, it had a weird after taste. Pho and rice dishes are nice portions but on the pricy side. $18-19 for a bowl of pho is expensive. Loved that they have a kids play pen which made dining with toddlers more pleasant. The restaurant has a nice vibe -open and bright. Vietnamese ice coffee and berry spritzer was okay. The honey lime tea was good. I personally didn't care for the fusion and the broth was a little tease that just made me wanted to have the real deal BBH but my husband said he would come back. 5 star for the ease/kid friendly. 3-star for food. read more

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I came here based on all the positive reviews because I was craving Pho. Ordered Brisket pho through a very friendly cashier girl. My soup has arrived covered with a pound of sliced onions, 2 slices of brisket underneath and the rest was all rice noodles with a cup of broth. When I showed excessive amount of noodles in my soup to chef Nestor, he informed me that I have to pay for extra broth in a very rude manner. Needless to say, I am not coming back. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Noodles (AKA Brisket Pho) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

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I really enjoyed it. I give the Texan Pho 4 outta 5 stars. Service with great attitudes 5 stars,, Venue and cleanliness a 5 stars. They were playing banquet music which was very relaxing. Very healthy pho and it's just what I needed. Jersey~Adam in Texas approved and Jackson was a really nice dude (server/counter guy) plus everyone actually was very nice to me read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

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This was a very interesting experience!! The play pen or kids area kinda threw me off a little. It didn't bother me but it just threw me off The pho portion was huge! It was lacking a little bit of flavor for my preference but I would say for the area it wasn't too bad. It beats me driving all the way to garland for some good pho. It is a bit on the expensive side so it would just depend on if I want to drive all the way to garland and spend gas money or pay a little more for my food for a lesser drive. I didn't like the cafe sửa da very much but I might just be picky about it. Food came out a bit slower than I thought it would but I wasn't in a rush to go anywhere. They are pretty much a self service restaurant. They have all the fixings and utensils and etc out for you to grab. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Texan Pho and pork banh mi - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

Summer Roll was very fresh and the ginger sauce was delicious! It was the best I've ever had and the Texan Pho hit the spot. Super cute converted gas station with spotless dining area & bathrooms. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Chicken Summer Rolls (3PD) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

First off I will say this place WOULD have a nice atmosphere inside, if it weren't for the tacky kids play area inside the dining area. Made me wonder if I got lost and walked into a daycare. Very strange. On a brighter side, the service was friendly and nice. Ordered two bowls of pho. Very sadly, the broth was really lacking in depth of flavor. I know their website says 12+ hrs, blah blah blah, but I've eaten a LOT of pho (I'm part Viet) and the broth was definitely on the flavorless side compared to a lot of other pho I've eaten. My wife agreed and was the first one to point it out. This was disappointing because I really wanted to like this place. The one redeeming quality of the pho and the reason I gave 2 stars instead of 1 was the meat. The meat was very tender. Sometimes even at authentic pho places, the beef will be very tough or chewy. The meatball was excellent too (although admittedly, not a traditional Vietnamese meatball at all). Overall, between the broth that lacked flavor and was watery tasting, and the kids play area, I can't say I'd recommend this place for those looking for good pho. To add insult to injury, the pho is also overpriced ($15 for a medium size , which is their smallest). This is above average pricing for pho. read more

A cute little drive thru for banh mi in the Allen/Plano area. Food was quickly served (it wasn't crowded at all) and was fairly affordable (given the steadily increasing prices of banh mi). Always try to support smaller family businesses, so it was a great opportunity to try out some authentic Vietnamese food served in a more American way. We'd love to try more of the menu, but we did order two of the banh mi; the grilled pork and the brisket. I actually liked the grilled pork much more - it's flavorful and juicy, with the pate making a huge different. While the brisket was tender, it wasn't as flavorful and tasted less like bbq and more like stew meat. Given it's $2 more, I'd pass on the brisket and get the grilled pork instead. One thing I appreciated was that they put the jalapeños on the side! Heads up - watch your car when entering the ramp into the restaurant area if you have a low vehicle. It's a steep incline so slow down unless you want to damage the bottom of your car! read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Grilled pork Banh Mi Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

Food is delicious. The coffee is one of the best I have had. I can't get enough of it. Service is warm and ambience is cute and retro. read more

Ever since I had this pho a few weeks ago I simply cannot stop thinking about it. The restaurant itself is pretty neat, it appears to be an old gas station renovated into an eatery. Walk up to the counter and place your order. The feel inside is very much like a diner. Loved the marinated white meat chicken pho. Portions are huge so just a *know before you go*. The large portion had huge pieces of chicken and lots of yummy onions, basil and jalapenos were a tasty touch. The broth was phenomenal. I love Sriracha in my pho and they for sure had plenty of it. This is probably the cleanest Vietnamese restaurant I've ever been to. During the week it's nice and quiet inside so you can go in there and get some work done. Can't wait to go back and try more on the menu but the pho gets a solid 5 stars for me. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Some of the best marinated chicken pho I've ever had - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

Delicious!!!! And fast, very clean, kids play area, nice background music & there's a drive through! read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

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My husband and I have been driving past this place for almost three years at this point and we finally got to try it a few weeks ago with our parents. Funnily enough we had just gone to a different Viet place with friends earlier in the day for lunch, so we switched it up a bit with our order. We split the banh mi with grilled pork and the vermicelli salad with tofu and the sesame sauce dressing. I also got the local honey lime drink which comes out hot. Our parents all ordered some variation of pho. We were all pleasantly surprised by the food that we ordered! The banh mi meat was pretty dry but the bread was nice and soft on the inside + crispy on the outside and it was loaded with fresh and pickled veg. I was a little sad that there was no Viet mayo and pate spread on the bread. The vermicelli salad was very fresh, though my husband said he'd probably try the fish sauce dressing for something a little more traditional-tasting in the future. And the pho was a generous helping, though they put all the toppings in for you, which is different from some of the other Viet places we've been to that give you the toppings on the side and let you add them at will. I didn't try any since I don't like cilantro, but my husband said he thought the meat quality was very good and the broth was nice. Portion sizes are pretty generous too! My local honey lime drink was very tasty and would be a perfect fit for the colder months. Definitely going to try this place properly for pho in the future; it's convenient since it's very close to our house! The staff were all very helpful and the interior is very American diner style which is also fun, though the sunlight can be annoying once the sun starts to set and the rays blast in through the windows. read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Banh Mi Sandwich (3PD) with Grilled Pork - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

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The Bah Mi was great! Also love the Pho, especially for these crazy cold North TX nights we've been having! read more

This is a hidden gem. I found in searching for good banh mi places, and Saltlight exceeded expectations. We'll definitely be back!

This is one of those places that when you discover it, you realize how many gems there are in existence that you just don't know about yet. A buddy of mine has ranted about this place for quite some time, but I had my regular phot spot already, and didn't want to budge. Finally, we were able to make this place work, and I'm very happy we did. So lets get to it. We walk in and we're greeted immediately. My buddy dines here so often they know him by name. I ordered the steak pho, I also ordered pork summer rolls. Additionally, my friend ordered tacos. I wasn't really feeling tacos in a pho restaurant, but hey, lets try it... He ordered a sauce of some sort and bread for himself. I can't review his food other than to say this is his favorite place and he loves, but here's what I thought. On to the food... The pho was ridiculously flavorful; like more that you can imagine and better than you can imagine too. The pork rolls were very unique and almost like a fusion type thing, but hard to explain... damn they were good... like CRAZY GOOD. Then there's the tacos... They are called "Station Tacos", and they were INCREDIBLE. I can't explain how excited I am about this restaurant. To put this in perspective, I live in Allen, and this place is probably the farthest pho place in Allen from my house, YET it will be my go to spot moving forward. This pho was just great, I mean like wow wow wubbzy great. They say there's nothing like the first time, but I'm so looking forward to my second. That pho made me happier than seagull with a french fry!! The place was clean, the staff was awesome, friendly and wonderful, and the food is great. I'll give this place my Arnold Schwarzenegger rating: I'll be back!! read more

Saltlight is the right name for this place if you want pho bc the broth is SALTY and not much flavor. If you're not used to having salt, I would steer clear of the pho. The summer rolls were great and fresh though! Will have to try the banh mi next time. 5/5 stars for the decor and kids play area. Love that there is a play area for littles. Plenty of parking but careful of the hill as you exit read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Lunch combo - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

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Not a real Vietnamese restaurant. The cook is Mexican people. Taste not like real pho at all. And much more expensive than the real ones. I should try pho an instead. Definitely will not come again read more

Saltlight Station - Banh Mi & Pho - Brisket Pho (3PD) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Allen, Texas

Fresh-Flavorful-Friendly-Fast..I just found my go to Vietnamese restaurant! Let's start with the Summer Rolls. Hands down the best I've ever had. Yes, fresh, flavorful and fast. Two per order. The peanut sauce was spot on. The rolls come cut in half so they are perfect for sharing with a group as an appetizer bites. Beware, save yourself a table fight and get your own order. They are delish. For an entree I selected the Jasmine rice bowl with chicken. Good size portion and once again fresh and flavorful. I had plenty leftover for another meal. Now let's talk atmosphere. The restaurant is located just on the Plano/Allen line. It's a converted service station's convenience store but the only hint you will see is the creative parking out front. The interior of the space was well designed for light and families. There is even a child area for kids. The staff is friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. I can tell they love what they do. You can order at the counter or skip the line and order from your table. I visited at lunch and it took maybe r minutes for my meal to arrive. Indoor and outdoor seating is available as well as to go. Looking forward to my next visit. I am looking forward to trying one of their Baum mi sandwiches, coffee, smoothie or desserts. I love finding gems like this. Bring your family and friends. You will all love its read more

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The service was great. The cashier recommended some items and were very patient with us. This is not authentic pho. The broth was so bland, I asked for fish sauce and they charge for fish sauce that isn't meant for pho. Its the mixed kind you eat with egg rolls or vermicelli banh mi is ok. The darken and carrot was the speciality because they said its been marinating, its good just nit authentic banh mi veggies. read more

Overall: worth the visit for the novelty, but pho needs the MSG! :) Tips: order ahead (good tech setup) or plan on a decent wait for the food ----- If you haven't gathered, this is a Vietnamese restaurant with an American flavor/twist. Banh Mi (pork): love how they shredded the pork, carrots, toppings, and thinly sliced the jalapeños. Never realized how much that fine touch adds to the flavor. Some type of mayo sauce instead of lard as twist on the idea. Loved it except for the price ($9). Pho (Texan - brisket, meatballs): this is where their "no MSG" in their broth is shows why MSG is still king. Very little flavor for their broth and meats except for the meatball, which as housemade and very good, BUT NOT the usual flavor you except. My partner was disappointed. Highlights was actually just the fun location of a previous , cute decor including outdoor seating, and toddler area. My kid loved it! I wouldn't visit again on my own, but wouldn't mind bring a friend to check it out! Would def try some of their other menu items next time too. read more

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