Pho Boston

I was actually planning on returning to Noorani Kabab House to try their lunch buffet, but when I arrived I found out that it was closed on Mondays, so I asked my new roommate where she wanted to go eat, and we decided on pho. I wanted to try a Vietnamese restaurant in Richmond that I hadn't already been to, so after a quick Yelp search, we settled on Pho Boston.

Pho Boston is located across the street from the plaza where I had used a Groupon at Vietnam Garden. It's near a TJ Maxx, and two doors down from Sweet Olive (a Mediterranean restaurant that a classmate recommended that I've been meaning to try as well; now I know where it is).

Pho Boston is quite a large, spacious restaurant, and I really liked the paintings on the walls in each alcove. The interior decorations were very nice overall, and definitely had a Vietnamese flare. We spent a good amount of time at the beginning of our meal reading the Chinese zodiac placemats on the table as well.

I couldn't decide on what to order (the fact that the menu was extremely extensive didn't help either). On the one hand, I felt obligated to try Pho Boston's pho, because I always like to try a Vietnamese restaurant's pho on first visits. However, I was also in the mood for bun (vermicelli dish). I enlisted the help of one of my dining companions (we were a party of four) to split a pho, so I was able to order both. xD

I thoroughly enjoyed the pho. It was nice and piping hot, just the way I like it. I noticed that the broth here was sweeter here without being overly heavy. It was quite nice. The bun was not bad either.

Service was prompt and decent. The kitchen did mess up one person's drink order though; he ordered a taro shake with boba, but it came out as honeydew. When we got the check at the end of the meal, taro was written on the bill as well.

We paid separately at the front counter, and the employee was kind enough to even split the cost of the shared pho between the friend and me (it was a little more work on her part doing the calculation).

Pho Boston, another great Vietnamese establishment (one of the many in Richmond) to add to my list! =)

Ever since they changed over from Da Lat, their food has not been the same! Da Lat was my favorite spot to go to when I was missing my mommy and craving a particular dish. They used to offer authentic, high quality food with generous portions. They still have a large number of Vietnamese items on their menu with most of the the prices ranging from $7-$20. Their servers are also still really sweet and it is a nice contrast to other Vietnamese restaurants. Serves can sometimes be a little slow however, but I am used to flagging down one of the waiters when needed.

Sadly, it seems like Pho Boston is taking short cuts and cutting back on quality and it is noticeable in their food [noooooo....]

For example, I went back yesterday and my beloved crab meat soup [pic uploaded] no longer had much crab and tasted a lot like regular egg drop soup. Their salty fish in clay pot [ca kho--pic uploaded] was chewy and even though it was listed as a family platter, they only gave us a small amount of fish. We also got their canh chua [sweet and sour soup-- pic uploaded] with catfish and it was still offered in a gigantic bowl and was still as good as when it was Da Lat---thank goodness! The soup was jammed packed with vegetables and has a good helping of catfish [a lot more than what was given in the salty fish dish] and the broth is pleasantly sweet and sour. I will keep coming back for their canh chua because it's that good so hopefully they don't change a thing! Also, they do not charge extra for rice which kept the boys at the table happy.

I will probably continue to come back in order to compare the differences between the old and new so hopefully it will get better! Also, with Pho So 1 [another popular Viet restaurant] opening its new restaurant in the same shopping center, Pho Boston has to step up its game in order to compete!

Food: 3
Value: 4
Service: 4

I really really really like this place.

I had never been here before until today. I will be back!

The one reason I went is because it seemed as if the restaurant was new and it had the word "Pho" in it which immediately attracted my attention.

The service was excellent and the Pho was very delicious. By far, the best I've had in Richmond. (I've been to almost every Pho place in Richmond)

It was very clean in the restaurant and after looking over the menu, I noticed that all of the prices were very reasonable.

Definitely one of the most authentic Vietnamese cuisine restaurants in the area! Being Vietnamese myself, it's always comforting to go here whenever I'm missing my mom's food! I love their Banh Xeo (a crispy shrimp and pork crepe with assorted vegetables and herbs) and all their broken rice dishes. The pho is decent, but I think their other main entrees are better.

Their previous name was "Da Lat", but nothing else has changed!

Richmond is becoming quite the Pho place and we now seeing a new Pho Restaurant opening. It was formally known as Da Lat. The NEW Owner is from Boston, and he named it Pho Boston.... Maybe he wants to let us know where he is from... lol

They have some kinks to work out. The waitstaff are extremely great and nice. Since they are calling themselves a Pho Restaurant.... what else are you going to try; PHO of course. So, I ordered the mini Wonton with Roast Pork. However, instead of the Egg Noodles, I asked for Pho Noodles. This was not a problem. When the dish came out, it was a rich Chicken Broth which I like.... with lots of Mini Wontons... but where was the PORK? No Pork. By the time I discovered it, my waiter was somewhere else, so I called him over and he told me the Chef forgot the Pork, and he would bring me one with the pork. I said NO, as I had already started eating, and there was NO way I could eat more than what I had... I didn't want to waste it by having them throw what I had away and making a new one...

However, they forgot the Bean Sprouts and Thai Basil... He did bring that at my request. I am looking forward in going back... I was told a new menu will be coming out with a number of NEW Pho dishes added. So, I am giving it a 4. I have a feeling once they get their service down and the Chef on putting the food together correctly, I will be giving it a 5. I am looking forward in going back as I saw other items on the menu in which I want to order.....

For all you Pho fans and those who what to try Pho.... this is an excellent place to go.

I feel that this is not the same as DaLat. The new owners are certainly kind and gracious.
The service is impeccable if you are fortunate to get one of the waiters who is left from the original Da Lat staff.
The food is not quite a good.
It is still ok but just not quite the same quality of operation and food.

Pho is good. Menu is huge! I want to come back and order some of their dinner items. Looks authentic. I want to give it 4 stars, but I have to go back and order other dishes before I do that.

The place is pretty big and they serve quickly. Price was reasonable but the crispy spring rolls, along with some other appetizers, only come with 1 in an order. That is a strange to me.

The Bun Bo Hue was ok. That noodle soup is much better at Vietnam Garden, across the street. (But the Pho at Vietnam Garden is terrible.)

The young teenager that works there looks so bored. lol. If that is you and you're reading, don't worry...I remember working for my parents too ;)

Really love the food here, friendly staff, open dining area, and great pho! Really enjoy the mien Ga soup! Always a necessary stop when in town!

My favorite Vietnamese dish of all time is the Bun Tom Thit Nuong, or the shrimp and pork rice noodles. It's delicious here. And the portion size is humongous. Great price, too. The crispy spring roll is another winner. The employees greet you with a huge smile, and the food comes out quickly. Decor is a bit cheesy with the wide open dining area and no design interest. But it's clean, spacious and doesn't have that funny smell that another Vietnamese favorite further down Broad Street has (but I love them, too). The outside is pimped out with bright neon lights everywhere, but who cares when the food, price and service are all great!

Excellent food - crispy pan-fried noodles with shiitake mushrooms and vegetables, delicious soft-wrapped spring rolls... and all in a very large, well-kept and beautiful dining room! This is definitely one of the best Vietnamese places in Richmond, although my favorite is still Phoenix Garden Vegetarian over on Brook Road.

The menu here has plenty to choose from , pleasing both American and Vietnamese palates alike at a good price. Most of the entrees are meat or seafood-based, but there's enough for vegetarians. They also have bubble tea!

Not sure how the name Pho "Boston" came about, but I'm sure Boston-ians wouldn't mind after they ate here! Now... someone want to make a Pho Richmond?