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    What the Pho

    4.1 (605 reviews)
    ModerateVietnamese, Soup
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order What the Pho Takeout or Delivery

    What the Pho Photos

    WHAT THE PHO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - What the Pho

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    Grilled chicken salad
    Monica G.

    I am from Houston, Texas where we are known for the plethora of food. If the food isn't up to par, it will not survive. Let's just say that if this restaurant was in Houston, it wouldn't last very long. I am also Vietnamese, so I know what the flavors should taste like, and I was very disappointed in the dishes. Service: Quick and the waitresses were sweet. Price: It seems pricey compared to Houston, but when compared to other restaurants in the surrounding Denver area, it is very reasonable. Also, the portions are huge with a lot of meat. Thus, the price point is justified. Grilled chicken salad: I was pleased to know that they offered this because I've never seen this offered. I wanted a chicken salad and thought I would have to make a weird request, but glad that I didn't have to. I was pleased with the amount of chicken. However, the flavor was way off. It didn't taste Vietnamese. In fact, it was interesting to me and wasn't that good. It didn't taste like regular grilled chicken either. I don't like wasting food or complaining, so I did eat it. Grilled pork vermicelli: Also a lot of meat and a huge portion. The flavor of the pork was alright. It wasn't as flavorful compared to what I'm used to. Maybe the pho is better?

    Small P9. Combination Beef Pho - Phở Đặc Biệt
    Vicky C.

    The pho is nice and aromatic. The meat is sliced thick. The service is quiet. Ambiance is relaxing. Best pho eating from out of town. My only complaint is the portions could be bigger.

    Menu
    Dennis X.

    Located in an awesome place downtown, right off 16th and Champa, this place is down the street from my workplace. The inner decor is cute and I'd definitely enjoy a drink here. I came in on a Wednesday at lunch and it was pretty empty. The food came out pretty quickly, but the broth was a little on the saltier side, IMO. By the end of the bowl, I felt really bloated. Would come back to fix my pho cravings, but there are plenty of other great food options around within the same price point 3.5/5

    Combo vermicelli bowl
    Lydia F.

    We are from out of town, and I usually don't review places until I've given them a second chance, unless I'm traveling. So the good: the location was easy to access, and the interior was nice. The service was good too. But I wouldn't go back if we are in Denver again. I ordered the vermicelli combo bowl. It was around $20 and a lot of food. But the meat was very thin and overcooked. The beef was like beef jerky. Chewy and tough. My husband ordered the bahn MI and didn't have any complaints. I did really like the egg roll, but that's about it. I also ordered an iced Vietnamese coffee, which I generally love. This one was so bitter I couldn't drink it. We were around $70 for three people and subpar food.

    Menu
    Brian T.

    Not much Vietnamese food near downtown Denver but found this place. Coming from a viet area I did not have high expectations for this place. Unfortunately it was still a miss. Servers were not the most courteous and food took a long time to come out. The rice vermicelli bowl took so long the rest of my party had finished their pho. Servers had to be constantly flagged down for missing items. Food was below average. The pho was not the most flavorful. Grilled pork was good though just interesting choice of lettuce they use. Would only come back if I am desperately craving Vietnamese food in Denver.

    P9. Combination Beef Pho - Phở Đặc Biệt Thai Iced Tea
    Mint T.

    interesting location in downtown, a tiny bit hard to get to but the pho was worth it. generous serving of bean sprouts, which im a sucker for. thai tea was pretty good too. would stop by again when im back in denver.

    My feast! Small Pho Tai, steamed dumplings, and iced Vietnamese coffee.
    Jolene B.

    Delicious! Excellent menu. Fast, attentive service. Done in option. Everything I love with Pho. Small Pho with excellent garnish plate. Steamed dumplings. And Vietnamese iced coffee- only way to cut the heat as you go back for more.

    Menu

    Love the name! that's one thing that catch our attention. If you are coming from LA and you need some Pho, trust this is a great place to go if you're in Denver. Forgot to take a picture of our orders, we were hungry! but this place won't disappoint trust!

    Vegetarian Pho at What the Pho
    Krys N.

    Gotta love a local hole-in-the-wall, no-fuss, casual dining restaurant! We were craving pho and found this gem near our hotel in downtown Denver. They have a solid selection of all kinds of pho from seafood to brisket. I had the vegetarian pho with extra veggies (bok choy, broccoli) and they gave a healthy portion of thai basil, bean sprouts, and lemon slices. One note: that veggie broth is spicy! I'm typically not a big spicy food person, so consider yourself warned! Delicious? Indeed. They offer a bunch of Vietnamese meals such as banh mi, various rice and noodles, and of course, spring rolls. The service was efficient and if you're in a tight timeline, this is a good place to get in and out with a good meal.

    A4. Crab Cheese Wontons - Honh Thnh and P1. Rare Steak Pho - Ph Ti
    Emily B.

    While staying in Denver we got to try some amazing places, and this was one of them! It's tucked away, so if you blink you'll miss it, but it's definitely a hidden gem! You are able to order dine in or take out, and there was amble amount of seating available inside too. The service was quick and everyone was very nice. Food came out correct and in a timely manner as well. The pho was very good and the portions were fair for the price. Overall we really enjoyed our meal and would recommend others to try them out!

    Chicken Pho
    Jolene L.

    Oh the fragrance of Pho, simmering all day, filling the air of their large dining area. Thankfully, this restaurant was a close and easy walk from our meeting site. Four of my coworkers came with me for lunch and we were seated right away. Good thing we beat the regular lunch crowd because this place filled up quick! All of our orders were served up in a timely manner. My chicken pho was tasty, maybe a little bit in the salty side for my preference but others enjoyed the broth. Herbs and veggies were fresh. What the Pho, thank you for your quick service and tasty food. We appreciate the separate checks for our group too.

    Brisket pho (small) and vegetable egg rolls
    Rachel S.

    This is the best pho I have ever had. The broth is SO flavorful and the table sauces are the perfect garnish. Could not recommend it more!

    A1. Shrimp and Pork Spring Rolls - Gi Cun Tm Tht

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    5 months ago

    Good food and a decent beer selection. Very nice meal. And how can you not love the name!

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    Page 1 of 16

    What the Pho Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - What the Pho

    Does the food have msg? I asked my waiter and he said he didn't know what it was. The vegetarian bowl. He did say it was vegan as well…

    Hello, maybe you could show them "mt ong" to better understand what it is.

    View All 2 Questions

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    Dan Da

    4.7
    (225 reviews)
    6.4 mi
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    Ambience : clean Service: Great! Although how they managed…read moreto hustled between 3 servers when it's super packed I'll never know how. Food: delicious! My vietnamese blood cannot be picky about thìs place. We live 10 min from Asia central in federal and food here hands down beat most of our favorites. We ordered 1) clay pot fish (bone in). Huge portion. Worth it. And the flavor is authentic. 2) shaken beef. Tender. 3) to go salad combo. Even good the next day 4) bun Bo vermicelli. My hub said the best in Denver he had and he had a few 5) lotus wonton. My picky toddler liked it. 6) lemonade lychee. They were so sweet even gave my 2 yo extra lychee when I asked so she can behave in her chair Overall highly recommend. Wish they were closer to us but it's a great place

    It's been a long time coming but Dan Da is hands down my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Colorado…read moreand probably in the US. When you think of Vietnamese, Americans tend to think of Pho, noodle bowls and lemongrass chicken but we need more places the focuses in home cooking and dishes that locals eat. Ingredients are fresh and dishes pack a powerful flavor bomb...I mean wow! The use of shrimp paste and other traditional ingredients really elevate flavors that many Americans are not used to, but you have to try it to understand. Their claypots are a must order and with a side of rice....you'll be eating for days! The star of the night was the pork and calamari claypot which is cooked in shrimp paste and your favorite Vietnamese spices and herbs. You'll finish bowls of rice with this dish, it packs so much flavor that you'll be wanting more. It's a great mix of salty, sweet and umami from the fermented shrimp paste. The Vietnamese curry was thick and packed with succulent shrimp. The veggies at a very nice brightness to balance out the coconut milk. The last dish we had was a shrimp lemon grass in the clay pot and that was also a hit with everyone! Service is amazing and they definitely know how to recommend dishes to match your taste buds. They went out of the way to help everyone and it shows. If you need a new spot, check Dan Da!

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    Clay pot lemongrass pork!
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    O Lien Kitchen

    O Lien Kitchen

    4.3
    (106 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    Everything was absolutely delicious--and that's coming from a Vietnamese person! My friends and I…read moreshared several dishes, and everything had that homemade touch that reminded me of authentic Vietnamese cooking. Our server was incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to explain the dishes in English to my friends who don't speak Vietnamese. He even brought us three additional slices of bánh mì to go with our bò kho (beef stew), since the dish only comes with two slices and there were five of us. Such a thoughtful gesture! This place is truly a hidden gem in Denver. Overall, all five of us were very impressed. The portions were generous, the prices were reasonable, and our server was attentive, helpful, and provided excellent service. We also didn't have to wait long for our food.

    Came here during happy hour, which interestingly enough is after 4 PM, which works well for me…read moreafter work. A mix of great flavors but lack of service and sufficient cleanliness that could be better. What I ordered for food: - P16 (Beef Rib & Brisket Pho): Since it was happy hour, this was a decent deal. The rib was solid! Very tender and tasty. The broth itself was clear and had that savory flavor that makes a good bowl of pho. Portions were huge though because it only comes in large. -BH2 (Bún Bò Huế Pork Hock): The broth was clear and rich which I liked, but unfortunately, the pork hock itself didn't taste like much and lacked flavor. Wouldn't get again. -BH5 (Bánh Lọc Trần) & BH7 (Bánh Ít Có Ram): The waiter recommended putting these two together as a combo, which worked out great. The starchy tapioca dumplings paired perfectly with the spicy fish sauce on the side, and the sweet rice flour dumplings on the shrimp crackers gave it a really satisfying crunch. Would order again, but I also can see how I wouldn't keep ordering cause can be a bit heavy and starchy. The Service: This is where the experience fell short. The restaurant wasn't filled at all, yet it took a long time for a server to bring us water and take our order. Throughout the meal, no one ever checked in or refilled our waters. When we were ready to leave, we couldn't get anyone's attention for a to-go container. Ambiance: My main concern was the dirtiness of the chairs and tables. There was leftover food from prior customers and stains. Also a fly kept getting close to our food, I was uncomfortable. Overall, the food has a lot of potential, but the service and cleanliness need a major upgrade to match the kitchen. I'd give a 5 for food overall, but 3 for service and cleanliness.

    Photos
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    Menu
    Banh loc la
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    Bun Bo hue with beef ribs

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    Vinameals

    Vinameals

    4.7
    (82 reviews)
    9.3 mi
    $$

    Have you had that yearning feeling where you miss your homeland food and need to go to a local…read moreVietnamese restaurant that can fulfill your needs? Well that's how I felt this morning, so VinaMeals was where I ended. I ordered two items, so join me and read my food journey... Just had bánh ít tràn, a Vietnamese, steamed sticky rice dumplings dish. This dish reminds me of my mom's cooking where she used to make us this dish all the time to eat for breakfast. Lots ingredients inside the these three dumplings including mung bean, wood ear mushroom, jicama carrot, onion, garlic, minced with pork and shrimp. It came with steamed bean sprouts, cucumber, and fish sauce to dip the dumplings or just pour over the dish. I felt the accommodating items didn't add any value to this dish, but boy, did these dumplings bring back good memory. Of course, when you are here, you have to get their small wonton soup. It is one of the best I have ever eaten. I believe the broth that is the star, and the wontons come very close but just a second too late. This small soup is very filling, and I always wonder if adding a bowl of plain rice into the soup will make this dish a complete meal. We will have to find out later. As I am sitting here writing this review, I am truly enjoying the atmosphere. Listening to the music over my head, I am sing a little bit too loud, louder than mouthing the words. My head is moving from side to side, and my feet are tapping. I found my happiness here even though we leapt/spring one hour ahead earlier today.

    Plenty of places to park in the strip mall. TONS of tables/seats to dine in…read more Combination pho- large ($18.50). Broth pretty good Roast pork bahn mi- bread was not good- hard. Overall sandwich was meh, 100% would not get again. Overall, alright for pho

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    Beef vermicelli
    Beef vermicelli
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    What the Pho - vietnamese - Updated July 2026

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