Pho Tay Ho

05/28/07

Some of the best pho I ever had in my life...better than in Manhattan or Flushing

by andre10056 at Citysearch

Excellent Vietnamese restaurant, one of my favorite places in Brooklyn (and that's saying a lot).

The beef noodle soup (known as pho) here is really superb....and the prices can't be beat. $4.50 for a regular-sized bowl, $4.95 for a large bowl, and $5.50 for an extra large bowl. I, personally, like the pho that includes the rice noodle soup filled with slices of eye round and brisket...but feel free to get a combination to try out several different cuts of beef. And don't forget to use a combination of plum sauce and hot sauce on the beef...and to make ample use of the "provided on the side" bean sprouts and basil leaves to drop into the soup. Delicious!

As far as the wait service is concerned, I couldn't be happier about it. You walk in, you're immediately seated, menus arrive seconds thereafter, and your meal comes out within minutes of your ordering it (at least, that's true of the pho). My water glass was filled promptly after it got on the low side. True...nobody sat down next to me and tried to engage me in conversation, but is that really what you want or do you want to be left alone to savor the food?

Parking in this Bensonhurst neighborhood is impossible on 86th Street, but far more likely on the side streets.

All in all, this is a Brooklyn gem, and I'm already looking forward to another visit in the very near future.

Oh...by the way...this restaurant is filled with Vietnamese people, so if you feel intimidated by being in the minority at any restaurant you visit, that could be a negative for you. For me, it's very much a positive as I know for a fact that the "deliciousness" I'm tasting is very much authentic and appreciated by those who must know what good Vietnamese food should taste like.

Attire is pretty much what you want to wear...as people come in dressed very nicely and others come in in jeans and T-shirts.

• Pros: The pho, the prices, the quick and efficient service
• Cons: Parking in the neighborhood is a little tough, wish I had a bit more bean sprouts and basil (so I'll just ask for it next time)

03/16/07

TERRIBLE SERVICE!

by gingerrogers at Citysearch

The food is great but the service is horrible. In addition, the waiters are almost as rude as the food is good. I never dine in anymore just because these guys are so discourteous. If you get it to go or call for delivery, you won't regret it.

• Pros: Food, Price
• Cons: Service, Waiters

01/30/07

Great Authentic food at reasonable prices

by fishkill at Citysearch

Ok, so its not fancy, and no one is going to go out of their way to treat you like royalty here, but what you do get is top notch AUTHENTIC Viet food at reasonable prices. I've sampled a good deal of their menu from pho to frogs legs and everything has been delicious. Do you need to ask for water.. yes, will you need to ask for bowls and other things you might normally expect .. sure. With all that said joints like Pho Tay aren't about flash and fancy.. they are about the food which gets high marks, something that can be echoed by the fact that modest dining room is usually quite busy during dinner hours, the delivery guys aren't hanging around flapping their jaws, and guess what , most of the people eating there are Vietnamese.

Good for kids ( they dont serve chicken nuggets or hamburgers so make sure your kids are pre-fed or adventerous eaters) bad for dates (unless your date loves authentic VN food)

• Pros: Authentic food at reasonable prices
• Cons: Parking can be tricky - if you want something you need to ask for it - not for the meek