At last! I've finally found pho that tastes like something you would find on the means streets of Saigon. Unfortunately for the Golden Turtle, I never really was a fan of the 'authentic' pho that they serve in Vietnam.
+++PROS+++
1. Portion sizes are just right
2. Vietnamese owned
3. Cool hip area without the inflated prices
---CONS---
1. Broth isn't as complex as other pho places, I think it lacks that sweetness you get from star anise
2. Broth was cloudy
3. They use dry noodles for their pho, not fresh (like 90% of pho places in TO)
4. In the bun (vermicelli), the noodles were dry
5. Claim to fame is Susur Lee goes here to eat. I personally don't give a flying fuck who goes where to eat. This pho just isn't what it's cracked up to be.
6. Green onion overload!!!
Overall, this place is just average. I haven't been down the road to Pho Tien Thanh, but I would be very surprised if PTT is worse than the Golden Turtle. If you aren't living in the area, this place is not worth the drive to. Stick to Pho Pasteur on Dundas or Vietnam Noodle Star in Scarborough.