Pho Ca Dao Restaurant

Crystal Pyramid Productions San Diego Video Company

If you ever told yourself that one person could not make a difference, think again. We have been dining at Pho Ca Dao for DECADES. We have popped in for a bowl of chicken pho after a mountain-bike ride on the nearby Stowe Trail. We have brought lots and lots of friends to enjoy a nice dinner. We have eaten there on holidays. It's been very special. The food is wonderful. I love the pork chop with broken rice. But everything changed last week. We were hungry after enjoying the Santee summer concert. Pho Ca Dao closes at 9PM. We entered the establishment at 8:40 PM. An employee we had encountered a week or so ago said "We're closed!" This guy had been extremely grumpy and resentful when he waited on us last week. We thought maybe he was having a bad day. No. He's just someone who should not be a service employee. His "bad day" continued as the manager said we could come in. So we came in, sat down, ordered fast, as it was evident that the staff wanted to finish their day. I ordered a three-bean drink to go. The surly server stood off to the side of our table bussing other tables and banging dishes and utensils into a container on his cart. It was extremely uncomfortable for everybody there to enjoy a meal. My three-bean drink never arrived. When I asked about it, a female server wearing a mask rolled her eyes at me. No customer should ever have to feel bad about spending money in an establishment. And I said this very thing to the manager as we paid and left. Knowing that after MANY years of dining there and bringing MANY friends, that would be the last time we would step foot in there, just because of that one guy who could not contain his anger at us, some of the people who provide $$ to pay his paycheck. Pho Ca Dao, what I would say to you now is that if you are so hellbent on leaving before closing hour of 9PM, then make your closing hour 8:30PM. As I left, I warned the manager that I would be writing this review. The idea that resentful employees might have been spitting into our food clinches our decision to never return. At least until Surly Server has vacated the building for good. ADDENDUM: In less than 24 hours, the owner rectified the situation and we will happily be heading back to our favorite Pho restaurant soon! ANOTHER ADDENDUM as of 7-29-2022: We returned last night with two guests from LA. This time we arrived around 8:20 PM. Our friends did not want to stay and dine because they could sense antipathy from some members of the staff. So we went next door for Sushi and a bowl of Udon noodles at Takka Sushi. The food at Pho Ca Dao is wonderful, the service fast, but at the moment there is a dearth of good service employees who are happy with their employment. It's difficult to feel comfortable at a dining establishment where the staff are shooting daggers at you from their eyes, and if given the chance, would most likely spit into your soup or something worse.

Dawn Henkens

We had a great lunch with Pho and Vermicelli! Very yummy! The service was excellent. I have found me new favorite:)

Steve Cramer

Used to be a great spot. Food is always good. Service sucks. Last two times I’ve been there they have been rude. Asked for more sprouts (I always ask) for my soup. Didn’t show up so asked again. Took at least 5 min fir them to bring it. Looked like he was upset that I asked. And def upset when he brought it. The rolls I ordered never showed up. I told him I never got them. He still didn’t bring them. But they were on the bill. So had ti get somebody ti translate we never received them. I’m not going back. I’ll find another spot

License2Diva

Time to update my review. Wow! We went today remembering how good the food was and it sure wasn't the case! They must have new owners because instead of getting seated we got dirty looks from the staff as if we were supposed to know what to do after we first walked in. It was really awkward, even my daughter was uncomfortable. When we got our bowls there was no space for the noodles to expand since they changed the type/size of the bowl; let alone have any juice and only 2 pieces of meat. It had no flavor, as if it was only oiled noodle juice. During our lunch not two words were said to us, not hello or goodbye. They just seated us and I even had to hunt down the waiter to give us our check. I found him outside of the restaurant, sitting on the cement bench counting his tips. All I can say is we won't be back. A Little Spot In Santee This place is right on the corner of a small strip mall. It gives good portion sizes, and extremely quick and good food service. We've become regulars. The parking can be a little troublesome, because it's in a small strip mall. But, otherwise, don't hesitate to try a meal.