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Pho 9n9
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9:30 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
70 reviews for Pho 9n9
Review Highlights
"I also tried the spring rolls and OMG were they good."
(in 19 reviews)
"...can forgive them because the food more than makes up for it."
(in 3 reviews)
"Great pho and vermicelli dishes."
(in 19 reviews)
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70 reviews in English
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Review from Timothy Y.
Raleigh, NC
9/27/2011
Being from the MD/D.C. area, I really miss a decent, flavorful bowl of pho down here. So far, this is the place that comes closest to satisfying the craving. We've come here several times for lunch/dinner. The broth isn't too light or overly seasoned. It's hard to find a place that gets the broth just right. The beef briskets and rare steak slices are good quality but I only wish they'd give you a bit more. The spring rolls taste fresh and the egg rolls come out hot and crispy. Their pork vermicelli is good except one occasion I got mostly fat pieces and less meat. The durian bubble tea, good for the venturous, but skip the bubbles.
The restaurant setup is basically the same setup as most pho restaurants, large rectangular tables in the middle flanked with smaller square tables on the sides of the walls in a simple, casual atmosphere. Don't expect much conversation with the wait staff, they come, deliver, and leave you unless you need something. They're efficient. After finishing a meal you walk up and pay at the counter. -
Review from Ivan W.
Durham, NC
1/9/2012
I have been to 9N9 many times over the last 5 years, and I have seen the quality of the food fluctuate over the years. I always get pho and occasionally banh mi. The pho is not bad - the soup is relatively flavorful, usually not too greasy, and I like getting the combination (with tripe, tendon, etc) for a great mix of textures. If those parts are weird to you, stick with the sliced steak or brisket. The food comes quickly, and the decor is simple but clean. If you come during dinner, there's usually no wait time. Lunch time can be busy since people who work in the area like to stop by.
The main problem I've seen with 9N9 is their consistency with the food quality. Every once in a while I'll get soup that's too greasy (pho should actually have little oil), banh mi with dry bread, few slices of pickled vegetables, and subpar cuts of pork, and a couple of times they even served us pho without any basil (which is unacceptable for a pho restaurant).
To summarize, 9N9 can serve up a pretty decent bowl of pho, perfect for a cold winter day, but if you happen to go on a "bad" day then you might be a little disappointed. I still go to 9N9 every once in a while, and would recommend this to anyone who's up for eating a hot bowl of pho or trying other Vietnamese cuisine. -
Review from Stuart S.
Durham, NC
11/1/2011
I spent almost two years in DC and northern Virginia, and during that time became very fond of pho. It's the perfect meal for winter, but good year round, too. It's one of the things I miss most about DC. Needless to say I am very happy to have found Pho9n9, especially after a very disappointing meal at Kim-Son.
Located in an obscure strip mall out by RTP, this is definitely a place you have to plan to visit if you do not work or live in the area. The restaurant's decor is as simple as its location; the tables are packed close together for maximum occupancy. But it's clean and a friend who's traveled there said it smelled like restaurants in Vietnam.
I ordered the pho ga. It was a little lighter than I expected, but had a full flavor. Lots of anise. The chicken was tender, the noodles had a good springy quality, and there were plenty of greens and garnishes. My friend ordered pork vermicelli and seemed pleased. We also ordered iced coffee, which was delicious.
We were, however, disappointed with the banh mi. Pho9n9 committed a cardinal sin of sandwich making by serving the banh mi on standard rolls, rather than the typical crusty baguette. This, coupled with lackluster fixings (mediocre pickled vegetables, for instance), is a reason not to order that again.
Definitely worth the trip. Efficient, no frills, but solid food. -
Review from Jaimey H.
Durham, NC
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Study group and I ate here last night. Food came out fast and the fresh spring rolls were AMAZING. But I've had better Vietnamese food with a wider selection. All in all, I would go back if I was in that part of town.
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Review from Tara M.
Durham, NC
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
So glad we found a good pho place in Durham! Having just moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, I was going through asian food withdrawal! Then I found Pho 9n9. Although, the egg rolls didn't come with lettuce and rice noodles. Is that not done here?
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Review from Lindsay S.
Raleigh, NC
8/1/2011
Ventured out of the office to Pho 9n9 for a lovely lunch with Christina G. and am so excited that I tried something new. It's right in the middle of RTP, but kind of obscurred because it's in a strip shopping center behind a Sheetz Gas Station. Enter a dimly lit room with tables arranged in a grid style dining room. Nothing special to look at, but it gets the job done. Servers float around to take your order. They serve bubble tea as well, but I stuck with water.
I ordered the Egg Rolls for an appetizer. I love Egg Rolls in general, but was very eager to see what was different about them to make them "Vietnamese" Style. Well, they come with fish sauce to dip in unlike typical Chinese Egg Rolls, but more like Thai Spring Rolls. Man were they hot since they were so fresh!
Christina had told me about their Vermicelli so I followed suit in ordering that for my lunch. I ordered the Grilled Pork and Shrimp Vermicelli. It's served over lettuce, bean sprouts, mint, carrots, and cucumber. It also came with fish sauce. We each added some hot sauce to spice it up too. It was a huge portion in a good sized bowl that I couldn't finish, but the rest of it was still good for lunch the next day.
We paid at the counter and were on our way pretty quickly. Service didn't seem to be too friendly, but they got the job done. For my second time trying Vietnamese food, I was very happy and proud that I'd explored the area further. I'd love to go back too! -
Review from Robert C.
Durham, NC
1/9/2012
waitress needs some personality skills. The vermicelli and rice dishes which we had for lunch were pitiful! almost no vegetables. We will look elsewhere even though the place was packed for lunch. They have a captive audience at RTP.
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Review from Rebecca C.
Raleigh, NC
5/19/2011
Just tried this place for lunch today after wanting to try Pho for ages and I'm really happy I went. I tried the well done steak Pho. It came with the usual beansprouts, jalapenos and lime wedges. I stayed away from the spice cause I'm not really into spicey food but I'm not sure you would need to add it anyway because the broth was so flavorful. You could taste the anise but it wasn't overwhelming. It was just the right balance. The only downside was my meat was pretty fatty but everything else was good.
I also tried the spring rolls and OMG were they good! The combination of pork, shrimp, noodles and lettuce with the peanut sauce was perfect. I would come back just for these!
The service was quick and the prices were good. The decor just seems typical of a strip mall joint but the food definitely makes up for it.
I would definitely come back here for sure! -
Review from Andrew D.
Updated - 4/14/2011
A proper Banh Mi should consist of:
**BREAD: A baguette (French style, made with some rice flour)
**MEAT: One or more kinds of cooked or cured pork
**VEGGIES: Pickled daikon and carrot, a cilantro stalk or three
**HEAT: Some hot chiles, either bird chiles or jalapeno
**CONDIMENT: Fresh mayonaise, or chicken/pork liver pate
The quality of the sandwich is going to be determined by the quality of ingredients, yes?
SO the best places (e.g., Nhu Lan in Chicago http://www.yelp.com/bi...) are bakeries, that pump out fresh bread multiple times a day.
So to break down the constituent elements of the sandwich:
**The pork was excellent, they really cook it nicely - best thing about the sandwich.
**Upon further investigation I found a thin layer of pate.
**There were not nearly enough pickled veg's, but there was a full stalk of cilantro.
**There was some kind of green hot buried in there, maybe jalapenos.
**And finally, that roll was definitely not baked onsite, and was OK at best.
Having said all that ... everything inside the sandwich was actually Vietnamese food, so they do get some authenticity points.Listed in: Triangle Banh Mi's
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/26/2010
It's not you, it's me.
I've since had a real Banh Mi, and I gotta knock these guys down a peg. Read more »
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Review from Sowmya R.
Morrisville, NC
5/2/2011
It literally is located middle of nowhere but has the BEST vietnamese food I have ever had!!! (Comparable to food in restaurants in places like Boston/NY/SF)
Vietnamese sandwich (chicken/pork) is something like 3 dollars - very tasty - almost as big as a 6" sub! That could be my lunch!
A bunch of other dishes worth trying. I am definitely going back here to try other things.
Atmosphere and Ambiance is average but like I said - GOOD FOOD more than makes up for it! -
Review from Tom S.
Raleigh, NC
2/13/2011
Christina G might boot me off Yelp for this one, but I love this spot. It is an oasis in the fast food landscape that is RTP. Is it authentic and the most amazing vietnamese you'll ever have: probably not. Does it meet the "i have one hour to eat lunch and need something that releases me from the steel grip of the $5 foot long": yes.
Decor - Folks, it looks like a glorified cafeteria space, and in my experience, that's not a bad thing. Look past the lack of fancy decor, and consider that maybe it's because they focus their money on ingredients and the people that use them versus getting 18x24 blown up photos of Vietnam, an indoor water fountain and fancy carpet.
Service - Fast, friendly, organized, and on point. I have never had to send something back because it wasn't what i ordered, and never feel rushed. Friendly people, dishing out good stuff, and hoping you come back for more.
Food - Here's where I differ from some of these reviews. I think the food here is great, and I've had some pretty amazing vietnamese before. Going with a coworker? Do yourself a favor, split a Banh Mi. I've had a few dishes here, however, my automatic is the Pho Tai. The rare steak cooks in the broth, adds awesome flavor, and the large definitely does the trick. X large could put you into a food coma, resulting in an afternoon in poor work performance and delay in getting those TPS reports in on time.
Price - For the quantity and quality of food, can't beat it.
Work in RTP and haven't been yet? Your only excuse is if you bring a sandwich or microwave meal. Otherwise, get in the car, do the quick drive, and rest assured that you'll be back in time, and happy you did it. -
Review from Liwei Y.
9/21/2011
It's really hard to get the best soup taste in pho, but I think the place does a pretty good job. The bowls are really big and the meat is good, but they don't give you a lot. Lime and Basil in Chapel Hill gives more meat but their soup doesn't taste as good as the one here. I also like the jelly, mung beans, and red beans dessert here.
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Review from Yilun K.
Durham, NC
4/4/2011
This is a gem. Coming from Boston which had 3 Pho restaurants side by side around the corner, this is definitely a restaurant that equals in quality as that in Boston. Pho has always been my comfort food after a night of drinking, and they did not disappoint me.
Pros: The flavors of the Pho soup were rich, the portions were large. The beef flanks could have been a bit more tender though and directly put in soup raw as how it should be served. Nevertheless it was tasty.
Cons: It's not a really nice place for a date. -
Review from Dave L.
Cary, NC
Pho 9n9 is just the ticket for lunch on a chilly day in RTP. I am a RTP restaurant lurker and know that most places are packed between 12-1, but wow does Pho 9n9 draw the crowds when there is a chill in the air! The interior is pretty sparse, this place is all about the Pho.
I have sampled the (A1) Spring Rolls, cold pork and shrimp roll served with peanut sauce, (P1) Rare Slice Steak Pho Tai & (P7) Combination Pho - Pho Dac Biet (Rare steak, brisket, tendon, tripe & beefball). There are some great flavors going on there.
Overall I thought the food was a hit, but the service has been beyond slow - I will have to try to get over here a bit earlier for lunch because my 11:45 arrival did not get me out the door until just before 1 on my last visit.
The winter is just too cold not to go back and try Pho 9n9 again.Listed in: Lunch in RTP
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Review from Charlie V.
Apex, NC
1/25/2011
This place is awesome. The Pho is great and close to as good as it gets. I've had better Pho in San Diego when I was there, but this place is probably the best in the Triangle.
Today I had the P2 and A1. The cold spring rolls with the pork and shrimp are great. The peanut sauce is nice and sweet. I like to make my Pho hot with extra Jalapenos so alternating between the spicy soup and sweet rolls was a great combination.
This place is getting 5 stars for me mostly for quality of the Pho and the price. The restaurant isn't pretty - but who cares about pretty when you are eating Pho? -
Review from Adam M.
San Francisco, CA
2/27/2011
Come for the pho, vermicelli bowls, bahn mi, vietnamese coffee, and efficient service.
When I left Arlington - a major hub of Vietnamese immigration after the war - I thought my pho days were over. But the mess-hall-efficient service and deep, marrow-and-anise broth reminds me of Pho 75 on Wilson. If only we had a restaurant on the level of NoVA's Minh's or Four Sisters in NC, we could have great Vietnamese for dinner, too. -
Review from Duke C.
6/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet. A lunchtime staple in RTP. I give it 2 stars because I'm comparing with other pho houses I've been to around the world. The soup lacks flavor, the tendon is often undercooked. They keep downsizing the portions while upsizing the price. On the plus side, the service is usually fast and the food comes up hot. All that being side, it's still a pretty good place to grab a quick lunch - just not world class pho.
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Review from Virginia C.
Durham, NC
1/11/2011
I love pho. Love it. I'm a pretty basic pho tai, tiny dash of sriraca, tiny dash of hoisin, meat on the side kind of girl. The pho here is pretty damn good but not spectacular. I've tried the banh mi as well and wasn't impressed.
I think the pho is on par with Saigon Grill but when I have the choice between the two, I usually default to Saigon Grill because they're nice, closer to my friend's house and they don't keep funky hours. (note: 9n9 is not like 7-11... sometimes they close before 9. I recommend calling before you leave the house. I've docked a star here for being erratic in your hours.) -
Review from Michael H.
Raleigh, NC
11/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
I occasionally stop at Pho 9n9 on my way home from work, and I'm thinking that this might be the best pho I've found in the Triangle. It's not the best pho I've ever had (that crown goes to a restaurant in Guelph, Ontario), but this please is cheap and cheerful and delicious.
I have started branching out on the menu, and the non-pho items I have tried are also tasty.
My only real beef is that 3G cellular reception stinks in this place. I'm sure it's not their fault (curse you, AT&T!), but stay close to the front of the restaurant near the windows if you're expecting an important call. -
Review from Huntting B.
Washington, DC
11/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
Few upfront comments:
- I ordered the wrong thing, this place is all about the soup, skip the dry noodles with the "grilled" pork.
- they charge 2 bucks for hot tea (wtf). It was good tea though...so at least there was that
I broke rules that id forgotten. Rule 1: if a vietnamese place calls it an egg roll, don't order it and skip the dry noodle dishes/things with fish sauce. Rule 2: when you go to a new pho joint resist the urge to order quickly and check out what other people are eating.
Having broken these I ordered the grilled pork & roll bowl, hot tea and ice coffee. Total bill was 15. If it hadn't been for the tea, it would be pretty standard pricing.
The pork looked almost boiled, not grilled and wasn't chopped well. The fish sauce was a good base flavor but lacking the nice kick that a well done one should have. The noodles were really good, though. There wasn't any peanut and the carrots were pickled (ew), finally shredded lettuce made up 90% of the veggie with the occasional cucumber piece found there.
The roll was 90% fried and a little bit of filling. So little bit that you couldn't taste the filling.
The coffee was good, but mighta had a bit too much milk.
With that type of review you'd think it'd be a 2 star joint but I'm giving 3 because it is still better than most places in DC and looking at the soup that other people had it was clear I ordered the wrong thing...
So, if ur in the area, come, enjoy the Noodle SOUP =)Listed in: Vietnamese Pho-shore
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Review from Melissa P.
Durham, NC
9/3/2011
Durham doesn't have the finest selection of Vietnamese food, but this is the best I've come across. My friend raves that this is the pho in the area. Not the best bahn mi I've tried (I will admit that I tend to be picky about my bahn mi), but it was definitely tasty enough that it's where I return when I get that craving. Smaller and more expensive than what you'd expect from your classic hole-in-the-wall bahn mi place, but the meat is also higher quality and tastier than what you're probably used to, as well. Spring rolls were average. Avocado boba was creamy and refreshing. Check for hours before you make the drive, as this shopping center caters to the RTP lunch crowd, and is sometimes closed earlier than you'd expect.
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Review from Christina G.
Durham, NC
It pains me to do this -- in fact, I've been putting it off in the hopes that they'll upswing again. But 9n9, dudes, what the pho?
In my past several visits, there's been lackluster service (yeah, I know it's not a place that's going to spit-shine your shoes... but if I'm not ready to order in the first three minutes that I arrived, I would like you to at least think about coming back in the next 15 so I don't have to get up walk toward the kitchen and flag you over); skimpier, sad-looking veggies; and the real offender -- egg rolls that were still FROZEN in the middle. Yeck!
I still come here because I still need a Viet food fix from time to time. But rumor has it there are some other options for me that may begin to trump this spot altogether.
Come on 9n9 -- get your act together -- I know you can be pho'nomenal again!Listed in: The Asian Invasion, Durham, my best of, Triangle Vietnamese
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/1/2008
This is one of those diamonds in the rough! By far the tastiest and most authentic Viet I've sampled… Read more »
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Review from Ellen C.
8/4/2010
Not bad for an RTP lunch spot. There are things they do well (e.g. quick service, large portions) and things they do so-so (e.g. their food, for the most part).
We started off with the summer rolls, which contained limp shrimp, lacked mint, and were kind of rubbery in texture. The phò was slightly better, although broth was pretty one-dimensional and the accompanying herbs/bean sprouts weren't very fresh. To be honest, I wasn't very excited about eating the leftover phò the next day. I enjoyed the BBQ chicken bún dish the most - but I wasn't drooling over it, either. The spring roll was standard, veggies were chunky yet plentiful, chicken was nicely grilled but on the chewy side.
All in all, I've definitely had better Vietnamese dishes in other cities, but for the rapid service, large servings, and OK food, it's not bad for the Triangle. -
Review from Kun P.
Chapel Hill, NC
Updated - 6/22/2010 1 Check-in Here
Went for a hangover cure; Bun Bo Hue.
What I got was a mediocre bowl of skimpy portions, noodles, and bad trimmings (bean sprouts that were brownish). Slow service, and seems like they have had a change in management (I could be wrong on this, but the hellion daughter was nowhere to be found).
The last several times I've been down here, it's been consistently mediocre at best. Either they're playing the location card factor or just don't give a hoot. No compelling reason to drive from CH for sub-par Bun Bo Hue.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/15/2008
+1 to the daughter. She's a bit of a hellion on legs. Quite the entertainer depending on her mood.… Read more »
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Review from Jane Y.
Cary, NC
4/20/2010
SCORE BREAKDOWN:
OVERALL: 2 (and yes, i have experienced better - MUCH better).
SERVICE: 1 STAR
FOOD: 2.75 STARS.
I feel the need of writing this review in the middle of my workday because I just ordered carry out from them and resulted in absolute FAIL.
I ordered a (B7) grilled pork & shrimp on vermicelli over the phone.
The lady who picked up the phone sounded like she just woke up.
I got there, and said I was here for carry out.
The guy immediate knew - "B7"? "Yes, B7"
He then proceeds to charge me $7 for B7, which was indeed the price. (i know you are thinking what the heck im complaining about, but LET ME FINISH).
I walk out excited about my vermicelli noodle dish.
I go into my office and opens the paper bag - A carryout container of broth.
now, wait a minute, my vermicelli dish is dry noodles.
I open the styrofoam box, I see sliced meats and noodle for pho.
SONOFABOOGER! THEY GAVE ME PHO.
Don't CONFIRM my order, proceeds to charging me for my order and GIVE ME THE WRONG ORDER. FAIL. - i ate it anyway.
broth was way too oily.
meats were fine - nothing special.
beansprouts were brown on the ends, meaning old.
(I know you might think my depression about the wrong order have skewed my judgment on the quality of food, but I assure you. My reviews on food is never affected my external factors)
mehhhhhhhhhh. i'm so saaaaaaadddd.
will i come back? yes. because they are one of the only vietnamese restaurants around.
will i come back if they mess up my order again? no because then they have proven their inability of providing me what i crave.
************
I CHANGED IT TO ONE STAR CUZ I GOT UPSET TUMMY TONIGHT. FML.Listed in: FAILBOATS
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Review from amie k.
Durham, NC
7/3/2011
Delish & cheap! A friend bought take-out, so I can't speak for the actual place, but the food was excellent! Had a fabulous pork sandwich and spring rolls with fish sauce. There was so much food that I ate lunch the next day - and the leftover pork sandwich was perfect then too!
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Review from Emily R.
A disappointment. Service was OK, and the food came out fast. But my seafood pho was bland and only had a few tiny shrimps in addition to squid (which I don't eat) and imitation crab meat (lame). The trimmings plate was pathetic - just bean sprouts, 1 sad sprig of basil, and a few jalapeno slices. No lime! no other herbs! There was no fish sauce on the table. Don't most Vietnamese restaurants have this on the table with the other condiments?
I also had an avocado shake, which was yummy, but originally I wanted soursoup, and they were out of that, along with durian and jackfruit. They served me the shake with boba, which I didn't order. Good thing I like boba or I would have been like "wth is this?"
Decor is plain with the usual tacky paintings you see in Vietnamese places. The one of different colored horses is pretty awesome. -
Review from Romin B.
7/30/2011
Food is fine, especially their pork dishes, and prices are fairly reasonable although they've recently gone up. The thing that drives me crazy though is the service. I swear, you have to basically wave your arms for 30 seconds before someone will get you a refill. I'll say that my gf really loves their pho, although I don't see what's so amazing. They changed the bread on the banh mi and it's lost some of its luster as a result. Spring rolls are decent, not fried, and served with a traditional peanut sauce.
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Review from Ethan N.
Cary, NC
Updated - 10/21/2011
Stick to the pho. I tried the grilled chicken over bun (vermicelli) and it was awful. The chicken was nearly inedible - instead of being grilled and juicy it comes out with a red hue (pre-packaged marinade maybe?) and dry as a bone. Not a good flavor, and definitely nowhere near as good as what I've had at other Vietnamese restaurants. And although they advertise bubble tea, they've never had the black tea with milk when we've asked for it. Bummer.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/3/2011
Tried Pho 9n9 today for the first time and came away happy to have found a decent Vietnamese option… Read more »
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Review from Phil G.
2/12/2010 2 Check-ins Here
This is my favorite of the Vietnamese restaurants in the area. This place is a bit out of the way (convenient to RTP companies but not most homes) but it's definitely worth the drive. My favorite entree here is the lemongrass chicken vermicelli. The pho is also a great option (the name of the restaurant probably gives that away). I usually get the rare beef pho and add a little more hot sauce -- great for the winter months.
The interior is a bit unspectacular but you can forgive them because the food more than makes up for it. There's cafeteria style tables in the middle of the restaurant and smaller tables along the sides.
Staff is friendly but they do sometimes "leave you be" for a bit too long (especially a problem if you're sucking down water because you added too much hot sauce). If you're lucky you'll be visited by the resident child at the restaurant who likes to curiously watch the customers. I find it a bit endearing. Makes me appreciate the family-owned nature of the restaurant.Listed in: My Finds in Durham, Cheap Eats, Lunch Spots, Ethnic Food
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Review from Ron W.
Ok Pho 9n9, I guess I should have waited a bit longer before crowning you with the "Best Pho in the Triangle" award! My return visit wasn't nearly as good as the first time around. The beef broth didn't have any pizzazz and you went skimpy on the meat! What happened to that great bowl I had on my first visit? Thankfully the roast pork banh mi (sandwich) I grabbed was decent, a saving grace.
The place was pretty busy but service held up during my visit. And while everything was fine at the 9n9, I'm moving my pho crown over to Pho Cali up on Capital Blvd!Listed in: RTP Lunch Love
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/27/2009
Now I have eaten a lot of vietnamese food over the years, probably had it once or twice a week for… Read more »
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Review from Amy A.
Amarillo, TX
6/23/2011
Delicious food! Inexpensive! =) I had beef pho and spring rolls (on the menu as P1 and A1) - I recommend them both!
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Review from Luke C.
Durham, NC
10/13/2008 1 Check-in Here
This is it. We've found it. This place serves the most authentic Pho in the triangle. The broth is flavorful and should be devoured as soon as it arrives at your table.
As with most authentic places, don't expect the restaurant to be teeming with atmosphere. This is an eatery and that's all there is to it. You can tell that it is family run and has a low key feel to it.
There are several other offerings on the menu, however, they are not as good as the Pho. Pho is what they do well. Other places may do a better job with other dishes. -
Review from Caroline Z.
Chapel Hill, NC
4/5/2008
In an unassuming Miami Blvd strip mall, you'll find one of the area's best surprises - Pho 9n9. RTP employees fill the place for weekday lunch, but you can have the place practically to yourself for dinner.
As you can tell from the name of the restaurant, you'll find plenty of pho options on the menu, including steak, tripe, tofu and chicken, as well as a number of rice and vermicelli dishes.
One of my favorite things about 9n9 is the banh-mi, a French-Asian sandwich hybrid. It's a baguette with meat (for example, Vietnamese-style pork or chicken), carrots, fresh cilantro, jalapeos, and mayonnaise. A very unique combination of ingredients, but delicious! You can get these for $2 each at lunch. Prices on the rest of the menu are very reasonable also, typically under 8-10 dollars for a dinner entree.
Atmosphere is very low-key and family-friendly (there's a kid's menu), especially in the evenings. -
Review from Daniel S.
Manhattan, NY
3/3/2010
Let me start by saying two things:
1) I love PHO. If you asked me any stranded-on-a-deserted-island question, I would find a way to include pho in my response.
2) I've had pho from everywhere...Los Angeles, San Fran, DC, NY, St. Louis even South Korea...and obviously lots of places in Raleigh.
Now that I got that off my chest, I will say that 9n9 is the best pho in Raleigh...which unfortunately isn't saying much. It's nowhere near the best pho that I've had. It ain't bad...I might even say it's good...maybe. But if I need a pho fix, this is where I go.
Portions are decent if you get the large. Price is high compared to the big city but let's not getting into comparisons to LA or DC. -
Review from Luis A.
Raleigh, NC
4/12/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I have had better pho. I believe Pho Far East is better in Raleigh. I had the combination pho and they could have added some more meat. Overall the place was cheap though and was crowded.
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Review from Renee S.
12/19/2009 1 photo
Pho - its your in your name, it should be your thing, just saying....
I went here with pho in my heart and on my mind. It was snowing (one of the rare times it does snow in North Carolina) and I don't know how to drive in the snow but I still ventured out because again I had pho in my heart and on my mind, specifically Pho 9n9's based on all the positive yelp reviews.
Well, the pho was OK, not very flavorful - it needed more anise. I know it can be better.
I also ordered the spring rolls and they were warm (in a bad way) and really could have used some carrots and sliced cucumber for some flavor.
My dining companions both got the lemon grass chicken (weird they both ordered the same thing, but I digress...) which was delicious - just needed some more veggies (I'm seeing a theme/pattern here) because it was a rather large portion of just noodles and flavorful chicken.
Service and decor - standard for pho restaurants - they are never known for either, so there is no point even considering it as a reviewable factor.
Standard end of the review question: Would I come back? Answer: Only after I've tried all the other pho establishments in Raleigh/Durham and deemed them all worse. -
Review from Melodie S.
Cary, NC
7/6/2008
PHO!! Thank God. I was getting concerned, and yes, I will delightedly make the drive to 9n9 from Cary. This is the real thing (for NC), folks. The broth rivals my favorite place in SF, not too salty just a little tang. I will indeed come back to try the vermicelli, that is if I can overcome the compulsion for more of this fantastic Pho.
This place is going to save me during winter when only a steaming bowl of authentic Pho will cure my winter blues.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Riki L.
Cary, NC
2/17/2010
This Vietnamese restaurant has the best tasting Pho noodles in the area, and according to some, even better than those found in nearby large metros like Washington DC.
My recommendation would be their Rare Steak Pho (P1) and Shrimp Spring Rolls (A1). Nothing is more enjoyable than a hearty bowl of Pho noodle soup in cold NC winters.
The restaurant is sometimes very crowded, and you have to strategically arrive before all the RTP workers during lunch time. However, it is also an excellent choice for dinner because: (1) it is not crowded, (2) it opens until 8PM, (3) its price for dinner is the same as for lunch.
One thing to beware of is their retarded naming of their menu selections. Once I asked for "P1" and I was served "B1", and so I got vermicelli instead of Pho. Make the server repeat what you ordered. -
Review from Denise B.
Raleigh, NC
9/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you are expecting a warm intimate restaurant this is not it. If you want good food served fast then come on in. In a typical NC strip mall this place gets packed at lunch time. The wait staff is impersonal and pretty much just take your order and bring out your meal..no chitchat here and that's fine by me..I just want the delicious addictive food brought out to me!! The bowl of Pho are incredibly huge and the fried rice is wonderful too. For a little under 7 bucks you will go away happy. I keep coming back and forget to check in cause I'm drooling by the time I hit the door!
