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| - It's always tough to give a low rating when the operators of the restaurant clearly care and want to improve. The girl who served us was constantly checking up on our table and asking for feedback. I felt she was very genuine so I want to be honest and direct in this review.
My parents and I ordered a large house special pho, a grilled meat combo, fried spring rolls, Q faves five rice, grilled oysters, and Vietnamese iced coffee.
The grilled meat combo was a combination of 3 pcs beef ribs, some grilled chicken, and 2 skewers of pork belly. Our server said they were out of lamb (?) but she did not say if it would be replaced with anything. The beef ribs and chicken were average, but the pork belly was very good. It would be nice if the combo came out at the same time on 1 platter instead of separately.
Grilled oysters were a ripoff at $7 per pc simply due to size. Each oyster was smaller than a chicken nugget. Typically, grilled oysters are made using larger types. The flavour was good and apparently served with a family secret sauce. Either price needs to be decrease or size increased.
Spring rolls were average fare. No real comment.
As I've read in other reviews, I agree that the pho broth was on the lighter side. To the point of the owner's reply to a review, it may just be something the customer is not used to. But put it this way, it did not make me want to eat more the way richer broths do. No customer is going to return to a restaurant to get used to the food.
The iced coffee was not good. It was served with the condensed milk and ice already in the cup, causing the condensed milk to harden and not melt from the dripping hot coffee. This also results in the ice melting and diluting the coffee. Thought this was a simple thing to mess up.
I would say the Q fave five rice was my favorite of the whole meal. You get 5 different items with rice so it's a taste of everything.
To me, the experience of great service and average food is always better than average (or poor) service and great food. That's why it's hard to give this place 3 stars.
I wish Pho'Q success as the owners truly care about their craft.
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