Daniel B.
Yelp
Pho 24 opened its newest location, number 7, in Atlantic Station on February 1, 2019 after the typical restaurant opening delays (Atlantic Station had announced Pho 24 was going to open in fall 2018). Since opening their original location on Buford Highway in January 2011 (https://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-24-atlanta-2), this chain has expanded with a few new locations in recent years including downtown Atlanta (https://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-24-atlanta-4) and Sandy Springs (https://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-24-sandy-springs).
If you've been to one Pho 24, you've been to them all. This one is no different. What you get is authentic, but average-tasting Vietnamese food that includes apps like Vietnamese egg rolls and spring rolls, banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches on French bread), pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), bun (vermicelli noodles), com (rice dishes), com chien (fried rice), Vietnamese drinks like iced coffee and pennywort juice, smoothies, and bubble tea. This is far from the best Vietnamese food in Atlanta, but I'm still happy this place opened to give Atlantic Station a Vietnamese food option and it's a local business.
None of the Pho 24 locations are actually open 24 hours. The Buford Highway location used to be, but now it isn't. This location is open from 10am to 10pm daily - still pretty decent considering a lot of restaurants close at 9pm on weekdays.
In Atlantic Station, Pho 24 replaced Boneheads (https://www.yelp.com/biz/boneheads-atlanta-12). If you remember Boneheads, the space hasn't changed much. The most significant change is the patio is now fully enclosed, California Pizza Kitchen style, expanding the poor weather seating options considerably. When we visited for dinner last night (a Saturday night), they definitely needed the extra space. The place was packed. They have tables and booths for big groups and small. Vietnamese music played on the restaurant's old and worn-out ceiling speakers. This is a sit-down restaurant, but you can pay either at your table (the staff bring a Clover handheld device to swipe your card, get your tip amount and signature, and print your receipt) or at the register on your way out.
I tried a few items:
* P8. Pho with well-done brisket, flank, fatty brisket, tendon, and tripe - medium size for $11.75
* B6. Grilled pork and egg roll with rice vermicelli noodles - $12.75
* M4. Pork ham and steamed pork sandwich (banh mi dac biet) - $6.95
In general, the food wasn't bad, just mediocre. In Atlanta, I still think Pho Dai Loi #2 is king (https://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-dai-loi-2-atlanta). In Midtown, Dua (https://www.yelp.com/biz/dua-vietnamese-noodle-soup-atlanta) and even Pho King (https://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-king-midtown-atlanta) are better options.
The pho was better than the bun (vermicelli). Currently, Pho 24's prices for pho are $10.50 for a small bowl, $11.75 for a medium, and $13.50 for an extra large (they skip large and go straight to extra large). Their special combination pho (dac biet, P7) which comes with oxtail, meat balls, filet mignon, flank, fatty brisket, tendon, and tripe comes in extra large size only for $19.95 (pricey). It's too bad their special combination pho doesn't come in a smaller size. The closest you'll get is P8.
The P8 pho was okay. The ingredients were fresh and of good-enough quality. The portion size was generous, especially for a medium-size bowl. I think a lot of people would consider Pho 24's medium bowl more like a large bowl. The bowl was packed with noodles and meat (high density). The noodle-and-meat-to-soup ratio was higher than a lot of other Viet places. The broth was a little bland and therefore disappointing. Hoisin sauce and Sriracha were certainly needed to enhance flavor. Customary sides included culantro, cilantro, basil, bean sprouts, jalapeno, and lime -- good variety and quality.
The vermicelli was average at best. Like other locations of Pho 24, the grilled pork quality was underwhelming. Some pieces were tasty while other pieces were too tough or tasted almost downright bad. Along with a small egg roll, other ingredients included oiled cilantro, sliced cucumber, shredded and pickled daikon radish and carrots, crushed peanuts, fresh bean sprouts, shredded cabbage, and a side of nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sauce) with carrots. You'll want to pour the fish sauce into your bowl of noodles for maximum flavor. If they could improve the quality of their pork, this would be a decent dish. Bun is priced at $11 to $13.95 each.
The banh mi was fine. They used pieces of the same kind of unsatisfactory grilled pork from the vermicelli in the sandwich as well. Aside from that, the other ingredients were A-OK. They included cilantro, cucumber, jalapeno, pickled carrots and daikon, and mayo. The Vietnamese steamed pork (cha lua) was the best (and my favorite) part. All banh mi are priced at $6.95 per sandwich with no bulk discounts.
As this is a new restaurant, they're still hiring and training staff.