Bustling chain specializing in a variety of broth-based Vietnamese soups in a basic setting.
a week ago
I recently visited Phở 79, located right at the intersection of Hazard and Brookhurst. The restaurant offers a spacious dining area, which makes the atmosphere feel open and inviting. However, a word of advice: the parking lot is quite small and gets very crowded during peak hours. If you visit on a holiday or weekend, expect a bit of a wait. I had to put my name on the list and waited about 30 minutes before being seated, but the line moved fairly quickly. The service was a standout feature of my visit. The staff members are energetic, attentive, and very fast. I also appreciated that they provide complimentary water for the table. Important note: This is a Cash Only restaurant, so remember to bring bills with you to avoid any issues when the check comes! For my meal, I ordered the Bánh Hỏi Thịt Nướng (Fine Vermicelli with Grilled Pork). The presentation was beautiful and very eye-catching. The portion size was perfect—not too much, but definitely enough to feel full. They were very generous with the fresh herbs and vegetables, which I love. The grilled pork was tender and savory, and the dipping fish sauce (nước mắm) was the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The only negative part of the experience was that the floor was quite slippery. I had to walk carefully to avoid sliding. Despite that, the food quality and friendly service make this a great spot for authentic Vietnamese food. I’ll definitely be back
a month ago
The pho broth is to die for. Not too greasy. Hits all the right notes. Everything - the soup, the meat, the greens - was so fresh and aromatic. And the spring rolls with pork sausage were utterly delicious. I've been living out of SoCal for 13 years and coming back to Pho 79 was a stark reminder of what good pho really tastes like. I honestly forgot what I was missing. Don't forget it's cash only - and come early on a weekday for lunch if you can. Otherwise, parking and waiting are a bit squirrely.
in the last week
I found Pho 79 via ChatGPT! Before showing up, I heard parking is difficult. Not being a local, this would be the first true Pho restaurant that I ate that was awarded the James Beard Foundation Award AND Michelin award. Sure competition would be fierce in OC for your business and $, I am sure there are others Pho, but … I will tell you, their attention to the details in the product well earned them those mentions awarded. Will be back for sure!
a month ago
My family took me here for dinner on a Sunday night and it was packed with people lining up outside. Don't forget to put your name on the list when you get there. It's also CASH ONLY. Orders were taken quickly once everyone's seated and the food came out soon after. The broth was very flavorful and the brisket beef slices were quite tender in my pho chin. The greens were fresh too. I ordered the regular size bowl. The larger size bowl is huge. Almost double the noodles and broth. Prices were reasonable too. There's a small parking lot but cars are constantly coming and going so we were able to find a spot after a few minutes of waiting.
a month ago
I’ve never had such good pho in my life, in my husband’s words, it’s better than phos in Vietnam. You know a place is worth trying when the restaurant is filled by locals. Rarely do we leave a restaurant thinking “there’s nothing to pick/complain about”. What we tried: • Pho Tai - Perfection, I’ve never tasted this bomb broth before • Bun Cha - Great taste, good for sharing • Che 3 Mau or 3 Flavor bean with coconut milk - good for sharing, perfect sweetness (not too sweet at all) • Soy Milk - Just like it should be from Asia