Phở Duyên Mai

This was my first time dining-in. The first time I tried food here was takeout. Shortly upon walking in and "checking in" on the iPad, I was greeted and led by a server. She placed a menu on a table, returning with an iced water and asking if I was ready to order. I asked for a large #29 (Tai gau; slices of rare steak + brisket), pointing at the number to hopefully avoid confusion since I don't speak Vietnamese. Instead, for some reason, I was given a #23 (House Special; slices of rare steak, well-done steak, briskets, flanks, tendons, tripe.) I specifically didn't order that one because I've never had flanks, tendons, nor tripe. And since I've never had them before, I didn't exactly realize/recognize them in the soup. It had plenty of meat, but I don't think I care too much for the texture of tripe. It would have been nice to get the soup I actually ordered. I only hesitated to say anything until I saw the receipt, because it's been a while since I've had pho, and I thought maybe I'd remembered it differently. But my receipt confirmed that my order was indeed wrong. Nevertheless, the soup was pretty good--piping hot, with lots of noodles--and the toppings were fresh. My server checked in once or twice, but was pretty hands-off. The other staff were observant, treating patrons decently. A very efficiently-run restaurant. Ambiance-wise, the tables were kind of close together, enough where you could hear your neighbors' entire conversations. There was gentle music playing the entire time, but pretty low in the background. So, I'd say noise-wise, it was moderate. Additionally, there was a small restroom (women's and men's) at the back of the restaurant. My server never returned with my bill, so I went to the front counter to pay (maybe this is standard practice in Vietnamese restaurants?). The cashiers (two guys working the front) were kind, and quickly accommodated me when I asked for a Thai tea to-go. It was pretty standard, but I would've preferred chewier/fresher boba, in a perfect world. Overall, it was an adequate restaurant, and I'd try it again, ensuring I got the right order next time.

Currently the best pho in San Diego. The broth is unbeatable. Highly reccomend their pork spring rolls. Will be trying a lot more items here, salt and pepper wings were amazing too.

i’ve had a lot of pho over the years n this place is honestly one of the very best i’ve ever had! the broth was so tasty n there were a lot of meat. we’re obsessed with the nem nuong as well. the service was good n despite there being a line- the wait time wasn’t even long. it is now my go to pho place with my family!

Friendly, quick lunch. Jalapenos were not spicy, small filet mignon meat portions, and no cilantro in the soup. Delicious bean drink. Everything was fresh and flavorful.

Pho Duyen Mai never disappoints! They open at 10am, which is perfect when you're craving pho early in the day. The service is fast and friendly, and the food always comes out hot and fresh. The pho broth is hands down one of the best in town—rich, flavorful, and incredibly comforting. It’s my go-to spot for authentic Vietnamese pho. Highly recommend!

Decent pho and rolls. Little more expensive than others I been to but flavors was good! Not as much meat or side garnish as others but decent. Pricing a little high for lunch. Order pho and summer roll and total was $26 plus tip being $31 for lunch.

I had pho, the broth was very flavorful and they were generous with the meat. The Thai tea was also delicious, tastes made in house and very concentrated. Prices are very fair also.

Pho Duyen Mai is amazing! My daughter ordered the pho with rare steak and I had the vegan fried tofu with lemongrass and pepper sauce. We also shared the vegan tofu spring rolls. Everything was so delicious. The portions were really big and we left feeling full and happy. The service was excellent too with friendly and quick staff. Highly recommend this place for great food and a great experience.

Stop by today for lunch, amazing restaurant with the good service. I recommended for everyone !! Especially beef steak cube it come with fries rice and salad, its so delicious !!!

Pho Duyen Mai is tucked within an area with industrial warehouses and a little bit off the main road. The GPS will most likely take you to the back side of the restaurant so enter from the back and head to the front to put your name on the waitlist. As for food this is a no frills Vietnamese restaurant. Food was good and consistent to everything you would expect out of vietnamese cuisine. The nem nuong here was surprisingly good. In fact I would even say they resemble 95% of the early day Brodards before they let their quality fall. I wish the nem was just grilled a tad more but it was fresh and delicious as is, highly recommend. For the pho there was not too much to speak more about. The broth was clean and the tai was cooked perfectly. It was much needed after days of heavy eating elsewhere. Overall if you're looking for a place that serves fresh food with ample amount of veggies, I would highly recommend Pho Duyen Mai. Staff was courteous and sweet.

My favorite pho spot in San Diego!! The filet mignon pho is my go to order. I always go here after a weekend out to help me recover. I ask for Sate which is a chili oil to dip my meat into or add a bit to my bowl. I also tried the coconut coffee which is like a coconut freeze with Vietnamese coffee? It was really good and I would order it again. Not pictured but I also like to order from here are the egg rolls and the shaken beef which comes on a hot skillet plate. So yummy!! When you enter the restaurant you add your name to the waiting list on an iPad. We got there around 6:30pm and were seated after 15 min. We went to the spicy Lao kitchen at the corner of the plaza to grab beef jerky.

This review is just for the banh xeo and goi cuon! I was craving vietnamese cuisine that was not pho and saw Pho Duyen Mai had a lot of street food/specialties so I decided to come here. Easy to find and big parking lot. Staff was friendly and service was quick. There was no wait at 8pm on a weekday I like that they have the option of mixed goi cuon (1 shrimp paste and 1 grilled pork roll) Banh xeo came with lots of side veggies and lettuce which I appreciate as someone who loves her veggies. Most places that have banh xeo that I've been to don't give enough lettuce. It was crispy but not excessively oily. The filling had a good amount of shrimp and bean sprouts too. Recommend to try out if youre looking for some vietnamese specialties in San Diego area

Pho was good and the goi cuon were fresh tasting. Overall a good meal and helped me recover from the late night I had before!

This is a rough one because I like frequenting this Pho spot but the loss of stars is for the plastic red piece I found in my Pho Ga. I mean talk about ingesting micro plastics in food this was a macro plastic. You know this place is not known for its service but the food has always been good. My kids love the egg rolls and the way everything comes out hot and fresh is important. They took away the plastic part before I could snap a picture. But here is receipt proof of them taking off the Pho Ga below They were apologetic about it and said it was the ties for the noodles. For the 4 of it would of been over $70. Don't know if I'll be back soon.

I've heard raving reviews about this spot for years and I have to say what people say is true!! They have the most flavorful pho. I don't need to put any hoisin or sriracha in my pho at all. It was so fragrant and it had the perfect amount of seasoning too. I ordered a large of the filet mignon pho yesterday. The staff were lovely, the restaurant is clean, and service was fast. Can't wait to come back. I will say that for a large bowl of pho, it was mostly noodles, and there was not much meat in my bowl. I'll ask for extra next time.

Small portion for price vs market value at comparable. Shrimp lacking, pork lacking. Food is basic. Lunch crowd: law enforcement, construction/caltrans workers, nearby office employees keeps restaurant full.

Amazing catering Service! They were very prompt and they helped cleaned up so much. I appreciate the pricing and all the food was prepared so that it was an easy for our guest to navigate and help themselves. Highly recommend going to their restaurant because the food is consistent!

We want some Pho and looked up and there it was. Zero knowledge of the place, first impression "wow its packed " ( good sign) i It was a little later and they sold.out on a few dishes (good sign) Service was quick and friendly. The broth was spot on,not to greasy but still flavorful.

Amazing pho! We went around 12pm on a Saturday. We ended up going through the back entrance and realized there's more people in the front so we cut through. There were a lot of people waiting but we were able to be seated fast. We both ordered the well done steak pho and it was so good! The meat was very tender and the noodles were chewy. It was very filling. Overall it was great pho! I highly recommend if you're in the Kearny Mesa area :-)

This is my go-to pho spot in San Diego, based on proximity and deliciousness. Nothing else in the area compares. A TIER.

Pho Du Yen Mai in Kearny Villa never disappoints! Their broth is always on point. Got the #23 large and it was just what I needed. Highly recommend!

The house special pho large bowl was a mid nothing too special. It didn't have that home flavored taste not to mention the bowl seem skimp out. Viet Huong located in El monte still number 1 on my books with Golden deli located in San Gabriel being 2nd and will be Thien Huong located in Chinatown Los Angeles being 3rd. Service was good server was nice enough to recommend the chicken curry for my lady, which was really good I would give that a 5 since I'm doing pho review I give it a 3 star. The place had that simple long tables per section nice roomy and simple.

We got spring and egg rolls. We got the pork skin thinking it was like chicharrones. It was very much not. They were very kind and took them off our bill even though it was our fault. The shrimp, bbq pork and egg rolls were all delicious. They have so much on their menu I can't wait to come back and try. Nice open restaurant with a lot of seating options.

A great spot for casual and comforting pho! I ordered the large #27, which came with a huge bowl of pho with plenty of noodles, I especially liked the brisket. It was only around $15, which is very reasonable for the amount of food. The broth was very flavorful, but a little bit on the salty side. Even though we had 12 parties ahead of us in line when going at a Friday on 7pm, the wait was surprisingly only 10 minutes. Our server was also very nice and constantly came back to refill our water. The checkout system is also very efficient, as they have a cashier in the back corner that you can just walk up to.

Pho is amazing, the broth was the best I've had in San Diego. Servers are always coming by to see if you need anything. I like how it has a screen wall across the middle of the restaurant and also partially towards the outside, it creates a nicer cozier atmosphere.

Back again and it's never too hot outside for pho broth is good !egg rolls are great !banh mi grilled chicken so tasty service is fast place is good

Came here last night around 530pm for dinner and it was perfect. No wait. Got their pork roll (?) and beef rib pho. Perfect meal to end the day. The pork paste roll has the perfect crunch and their warm dipping sauce goes AMAZING with the cold roll. The beef rib came with so much meat I couldn't finish all the meat. It's a clean pho restaurant that serves bomb food. 10/10.

I've been to several pho spots in San Diego, but I was pleasantly surprised by the food at Pho Duyen Mai. We arrived during peak dinner hours on the weekend, but luckily we were seated fairly quickly regardless. For our appetizer, we ordered the salt - pepper chicken wings, and I ordered the rare filet mignon noodle soup. The appetizer arrived fairly quickly. The wings were very crispy, and the meat itself was very tender. The salt/pepper mix complemented the wings very well. The wings were so delicious. Shortly after, we got our noodle dishes. The noodle soup did not disappoint as well. The broth was savory but very light and refreshing. The meat was also very tender and easy to chew. Overall, I had an excellent experience at Pho Duyen Mai. The service was also very quick. I would definitely recommend this place to people in the area craving some good pho!

First time coming to Pho Duyen Mai. Pros: -free parking lot -came on superbowl weekend around 7:30pm and had no issues getting seated right away -generous portions. I was able to take away some left overs -on their menu it states they can split the bill 3 ways -their beef rib slides right off the bone Cons: -none Overall, solid place.

I was craving some Vietnamese food and remembered that this place serves Nem Nuong!!! The Pho broth was a little heavy on the star anise for my taste, but the meat was excellent. The tendon was a little too chewy compared to other places around town. Overall this place is great and I will be visiting again soon.

Pho Duyen Mai is inside of a strip mall. The restaurant is a good size with front and back entrances. The wait for 3 ppl was about 5 minutes at 6 pm on a Sunday night. The whole place was packed with ppl. I got the large #40 and added 2 beef ribs. The large bowl wasn't that big and looked like a regular bowl. They don't give the sauce dishes for your sauce so ask for it. The broth wasn't that oily and had good flavor. The beef ribs were on the salty side but good when dunked in the broth. I liked that they give each person a plate of bean sprouts, jalapeños and basil. Service is typical of any pho place. Pay at the cashier, card or cash

Our new go to place for Pho. It's a bit far of a drive for us, but it's worth it. Their service is efficient so keep that in mind if you are looking for friendly service. They have a lot of people to serve in a short amount of time so niceties take a back seat. The dining room is clean and tables are cleaned quickly for fast turnaround. Their pho is on point. Close to northern style pho that can find in SD. Their banh xeo and char pork spring rolls are also delicious. We have yet to find a dish that we didn't like. Their soups are worthy to serve to your Vietnamese mom. (She approves). Parking can be a challenge at times but they also have spots in the rear if things get too busy. The wait times can be long if you go during peak hours. They will have their ipad on during peak hours. Just check in and they will text you when your table is ready.

Pho Duyen Mai is a solid spot for Vietnamese cuisine. One of my favorite meals here is a bowl of their delicious pho, (rare steak is my favorite) with the 3-bean dessert. On a warm day, a bun bowl with vermicelli, egg rolls, and grilled shrimp is a delight. Prices are right, service is quick and the atmosphere is modern and clean. This is the only place Chun P's picky Vietnamese-Chinese parents enjoy for pho in San Diego.

Get the chicken wings in fish sauce! It's fried chicken wings covered in "chili" fish sauce (I don't think it's spicy at all, but I do see chili flakes in the sauce). The wings were crisp despite being covered in sauce. The umami bomb was incredible. There are only 6 pieces for $13; it is pricey but man these wings were so delicious! They also have a variety of Vietnamese coffee, but I got the classic this time. I'd be curious to try others next time. Next time? Of course! This place seems promising; the wait staff were efficient and you can tell that they get a lot of regulars (they asked me if I needed the menu when I got seated). With that kind of patronage, you know the food has to be good!

My go to Vietnamese spot in San Diego!! Whether it's pho or a simple rice plate- they haven't disappointed. Service is quick and food comes out fast. There's also a lot of seating but it can get busy at peak hours.

Quick and good service! The taste wasn't really authentic but the nem nuong rolls sauce was pretty darn authentic. My favorite here was the catfish and then the nem. The sauce tasted a bit bitter to me. It's not quite brodard, but Broward isn't the best either. Pho bosa makes the best sauce!! The pho lacked flavor. My com thit nuong dish also lacked flavor but better than most places, but for the nem, I'll definitely come back! Yum!

There are so many things on this menu that I wanted to try! But instead I just got a classic house special pho that usually has a combo of meats and tripe. The broth in this pho was very good and probs some of the best pho I've had in San Diego. I got the small portion and it was perfect because usually pho places have such huge bowls and I can't finish and have to take out. The prices are very reasonable here as well. Definitely coming back to try their vermicelli noodle bowls and nem nuong rolls

Was craving broken rice and had a good meal My friend ordered pho and I was a little surprised at how light the broth came out to be, but it was delicious and complemented our palette that night. Service was also great! However, we did wait for the bill for a while before realizing we had to pay at the register. Not sure if that is communicated to customers?

I came here for the pork paste rolls (goi cuon nem nuong). Service was very fast and attentive. Prices are reasonable too. For the pork paste rolls, you have the option of 2 rolls or 4 rolls. 4 rolls $12 which is soo cheap because it was packed!! Some other places skimpy on the portions. The dipping sauce was almost as good as brodard. Very addicting! Would totally come back for some more! Cravings satisfied.

It was my first time going here a week ago and I really liked it. Typical standard pho spot quick service. The broth was richer than the other top spots in San Diego, but it was delicious and I would come back when I'm in the area.

This is the spot for me and hubby. This is comfort. We came on a Sunday around lunch and it was poppin'. We waited for at least 25 mins, which is a considerably long wait. We usually never have to wait for a table, even at the busiest of times. But, this kinda lets you know how many ppl love this tried and true restaurant. My hubby always orders Bun, and I used to order Pho, but now I've switched to Bun Rieu. I am not Viet, but I think I've had enough Bun Rieu to know that this prob isn't top tier Bun Rieu but tbh it was pretty damn good on this day. The broth was flavorful and the ingredients were on point (the crab meat/meat ball, the pork blood, tofus, tomatos).

Probably the best pho I've had in San Diego! Popped in on a Sunday around lunch time and the place was PACKED. Now I know why! The second you walk through the door you're hit in the face with the undeniably mouth-watering aroma of well-seasoned, simmering pho broth. They have an easy electronic wait list that you can put in your number and you'll get a text once the table is ready. For our part of 3 we only waited about 10 min. They move fast here! The menu is extensive and has all the Vietnamese favorites: pho, broken rice plates, vermicelli, etc. The pork paste spring rolls and they were as delicious as they looked! There's a "sausage" inside with fresh herbs, veggies, and a crispy fried eggroll skin that gives every bite a satisfying crunch. (If you've been to Brodard's in OC, it's like that). Pho was fantastic and served with generous portions of noodles and meat. If beef isn't your thing, they also have chicken pho and veggie pho as well! I also spotted bo luc lac (shaking beef) and suong sa hat luu on the menu - which I will 100% be coming back for next time!

This was my first time dining-in. The first time I tried food here was takeout. Shortly upon walking in and "checking in" on the iPad, I was greeted and led by a server. She placed a menu on a table, returning with an iced water and asking if I was ready to order. I asked for a large #29 (Tai gau; slices of rare steak + brisket), pointing at the number to hopefully avoid confusion since I don't speak Vietnamese. Instead, for some reason, I was given a #23 (House Special; slices of rare steak, well-done steak, briskets, flanks, tendons, tripe.) I specifically didn't order that one because I've never had flanks, tendons, nor tripe. And since I've never had them before, I didn't exactly realize/recognize them in the soup. It had plenty of meat, but I don't think I care too much for the texture of tripe. It would have been nice to get the soup I actually ordered. I only hesitated to say anything until I saw the receipt, because it's been a while since I've had pho, and I thought maybe I'd remembered it differently. But my receipt confirmed that my order was indeed wrong. Nevertheless, the soup was pretty good--piping hot, with lots of noodles--and the toppings were fresh. My server checked in once or twice, but was pretty hands-off. The other staff were observant, treating patrons decently. A very efficiently-run restaurant. Ambiance-wise, the tables were kind of close together, enough where you could hear your neighbors' entire conversations. There was gentle music playing the entire time, but pretty low in the background. So, I'd say noise-wise, it was moderate. Additionally, there was a small restroom (women's and men's) at the back of the restaurant. My server never returned with my bill, so I went to the front counter to pay (maybe this is standard practice in Vietnamese restaurants?). The cashiers (two guys working the front) were kind, and quickly accommodated me when I asked for a Thai tea to-go. It was pretty standard, but I would've preferred chewier/fresher boba, in a perfect world. Overall, it was an adequate restaurant, and I'd try it again, ensuring I got the right order next time.

QUICK TAKE// Some of the most flavorful Vietnamese soup noodle broths in all of SD. The BUN BO HUE is the go to, but all of their are amazing. Definitely get the PORK PASTE ROLLS too. FOOD// I got a tip from a friend when I told them that I love BUN BO HUE that I had to come and try this restaurant. I've come here now dozens of times and have never have been disappointed with the options. Their Bun Bo Hue's broth is very flavorful, the meat options aren't the most traditional (no pork blood for example), but still very packed with variety. During this trip I also got the BUN RIEU for the first time and it tasted SO good. Now I'll be struggling to choose between the two options . I also really love their PORK PASTE ROLLS! Always a plus when restaurants actually add in the fried egg roll stick in the spring rolls. SERVICE// quick & attentive - I always find it amazing how the servers here (at least none of the times I've come here) ever write down an order, they just memorize and recite it back. VIBES// standard Asian noodle eatery restaurant. Pretty spacious and can accommodate bigger, double digit party tables.

This is my absolute favorite Viet restaurant in San Diego. I haven't found one better, and I grew up in Little Saigon. The food here is authentic and crazy good. I've loved every item I got here and nothing has been bad. This place used to be a secret gem, but now it's starting to pick up. They're more crowded now and there's a line! I'm happy for them. Don't miss out on the beef ribs. I try to get them every time. They usually have it in the evening or they sell out. It's so soft and tender and goes amazing as an appetizer with Sriracha and hoisin sauce dip. Their Vietnamese coffee is also authentic, and really good. I always get it if I come in the morning. There's parking in the front and the back of the restaurant and it's always open. I've never not found a spot, even when they're packed and there's a line out the door. Food comes out really fast and the servers are really nice. I come here almost every other week!

Pho Duyen Mai came recommended on Reddit and also by one of my friends. So on a "cold" night in SD we decided to pay a visit for some pho. First off, it's in a strip mall right off the freeway, not your typical Convoy location. There is a parking lot but it fills up fast. The restaurant itself is pretty large and as you can usually come to expect, the service is quick and efficient, but don't come here expecting a lot of pleasantries. You come here for the food and it did not disappoint! The Food: Large diverse menu and the prices are decent. We ordered 2 appetizers and 2 pho which in hindsight was way too much but still tasted good the next day. - Bahn Xeo: I may be a little bit of a bahn xeo snob after my friend introduced me to it in the Bay Area, but this one was very good and large and had both pork & shrimp. - Surf & Turf Spring Rolls: Again, love surf & turf combo and these were pretty delicious. - Rare Steak & Flank Pho: Broth was rich and flavorful, large portion. - Seafood Pho: Impressed at how much seafood was in it and was pleasantly surprised that bok Choy was also in it. The broth was good but not as savory as the rare steak pho. I could've used a tad bit more broth but otherwise very solid. I definitely recommend and I will return when the pho craving hits one again.

Probably hands down my favorite pho in San Diego. I am a firm believer that my pho should be boiling hot, not just Luke warm. And this place executed. They had reasonable prices and the broth didn't need any extra salt. I will come again with my other half and explore more of the menu.

My fiance and I came here for our Wednesdate. It wasn't crowded for a Wednesday night, we got seated immediately. I wanted to try their vegetarian options so I opted for the bun dao hu chien (rice noodles with fried tofu) was really good! My fiance got the com tam thit nuong. He said the pork was really flavorful! The only downside was that the bathrooms were a little smelly. Other than that, we'd come back again.

Located at a lil strip mall. Went here searching for the best pho around. Still looking. The rib pho was solid but the meat wasn't tender enough. There was a lot of broth and noodles which was a plus. The calamari was actually really good. The spring rolls with the crispy wrappers weren't as good as I hoped for. Overall good spot for huge pho for a low price.

Pho Duyen Mai is my favorite place for pho here in San Diego. If you don't trust my word, take the full restaurant and people waiting outside on a Friday night as a sign that it's a good place to get Vietnamese food. After placing my name on the waitlist and receiving a text that my table was ready. The host was very quick and efficient at bringing me to my table. The waiters are really quick and attentive when it comes to you placing your order. As an appetizer, I ordered the Pork Paste Rolls (4 for $12). This is my favorite appetizer to get here. This rolls has an amazing tasting pork paste and inside the roll, there are also fried pieces of egg roll skin. This adds another dimension to the roll. The accompanying dipping sauce adds even more flavor to the roll. For my main dish, I ordered the small slices of rare steak and briskets for $12.50. The pho at Pho Duyen Mai is so flavorful. The broth was perfectly flavored and nicely aromatic. The noodles were cooked perfect to my liking, on the firmer side vs mushy. The rare steak cooked well in the broth and was very tender when consumed. The brisket was also perfectly tender and full of flavor. I was surprised when I realized that there was so much meat in this dish. You will definitely get your money's worth. Besides the great food, the pricing is also very affordable. I was able to get a good size bowl of pho for only $12.50. If I wanted to get a larger size, it was only a $1.00 difference. Overall, if you're looking for a place to get quality, home cooked feeling Vietnamese food in San Diego, Pho Duyen Mai is the place to go!

Got the #23 large. Pho came out with 75% broth and barely any noodles or meat. This is just comparing my experiences with places such as pho Hoa or pho Van in San Diego. Broth was subtle but not anything special. Also ordered the bun Rieu. Would pass on the bun Rieu here. Also if you're viet and used to abundant veggies. This place skimps on the veggies. One twig of basil. Small handful of bean sprouts. 2-3 slices of jalepenos. This establishment is catered to pho casuals. Or first time pho eaters. Overall. It was ok. But probably won't be back.

I was pleasantly surprised by how good the food at this place was. We ordered the lotus salad with shrimp and pork. This dish came with some puffed shrimp chips and fish sauce. We also ordered the grilled pork rolls. This was just a light snack in the middle of the afternoon to hold us over until dinner time. We'll have to come back to see how the pho is!

Pho Duyen Mai's transformation from a small, under-the-radar Vietnamese restaurant to a bustling success is a testament to their exceptional cuisine and outstanding service. Their dedication to quality has truly earned them a reputation as one of the best.   Food: Every single item on the menu is a standout. My favorite appetizers are the pork paste rolls and the salt & pepper wings. For pho, my go-to is #33, tái chín. Their bún bò Huế, vermicelli bowls, and cơm tấm (broken rice plates) are also phenomenal. When I'm traveling and missing San Diego, I'm dreaming of eating here first thing! Their pho is excellent--piping hot, and perfect in every bite. Sipping their broth brings back memories of every bowl I've had here, and each time feels as special as the first. Their salt & pepper wings are hands down the best in San Diego. No competition. They also offer egg-foam Vietnamese iced coffee, which is fire. This style of drink is finally getting the attention it deserves, and, like everything else on their menu, Duyen Mai makes it an absolute knockout.   Service: The team here feels like family. I've been coming for at least eight years, and seeing the same friendly faces only adds to the experience. I have to shout out Terry--he's a pillar of this place! He always checks in on me and my friends (also regulars). One of my closest friends, who moved out of state, used to eat here with me, and Terry still asks about her every single time. His kindness is genuine, and his dedication to his work is admirable. People like Terry are rare, and his warmth makes dining here unforgettable. The other servers are just as wonderful, and in nearly a decade, my order has never been wrong.   Ambiance: The restaurant is always clean, even when it's busy. They've implemented an electronic queue system to manage the crowd, but even when it's packed, you'll be seated quickly. The tables turn fast, and your food arrives almost immediately. Whether I come alone or with a group of ten, the service is always impeccable.   Location and parking: Parking has never been an issue. There are plenty of spots in the lot, but here's a tip: park behind the restaurant, where there are always open spaces.   Pho Duyen Mai has my heart. After nearly a decade of dining here, no other restaurant has given me the same feeling of comfort for my favorite cuisine and meal. This place will always be why San Diego feels like home.   5/5

My absolute favorite place to get Vietnamese food in SD as a Vietnamese girly. Super flavorful food that always delivers and a kind staff. Their "Gỏi Cuốn Nem Nướng" (Pork Paste Rolls) always hit, and are super flavorful! You can tell they're made-to-order as the rolled up fried egg roll paper they include inside is always crispy upon first bite! All the veggies inside are also noticeably fresh each time and are always crisp as well. All the contents really complement and balance out the pork paste, making each bite enjoyable. It's one of the dishes that keeps me coming back. My go-to entree is their "Cơm Tấm Dặc Biệt Đậu Hũ Ky" (House Special Combo), a childhood classic that they do just as well. Extremely flavorful with a great variety of everything. Really love the grilled pork in this dish as it not only delivers a great punch of smoky flavor, but is also tender. The chicken in the dish is also cooked with the same marinade, and has the same flavor, but I personally, am more of a pork fan when it comes to this dish as the chicken is sometimes on the hard side and is not as enjoyable to eat. The grilled pork seems to absorb the flavor of the marinade better than the chicken. The Bì Heo (shredded pork skin) in this dish really delivers as well and is reminiscent of the one my mother would make growing up. Aside from the grilled pork in this dish, the real treat is the Đậu Hũ Ky (shrimp paste in bean curd skin). It's super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The only thing that upsets me is the portion is so small. I wish they included a bigger roll of it :). As for the steamed meatloaf, I think it's just ok -- still good, just not always hot when delivered as it's pre-made. Parking is decent as there's a front and back lot. The place can get pretty busy during dinner though.

Came here during lunch and it was packed, but we were seated immediately and didn't have to wait long at all for our food, which was a huge plus! We ordered the broken rice plate with chicken and pork, and it was great. Both meats were flavorful and cooked just right. The pho filet mignon was okay, not my favorite which was unfortunate because it is a premium pricing. The beef wasn't as tender as I've had at other places, and the broth was a bit heavy on cinnamon and spices. Not bad, just not quite my style. That said, I'd definitely come back to try some of their other soups. Service was quick and efficient even during the rush. It was just your standard Vietnamese restaurant vibes.

The place is located in a small plaza, it's decent size. The service is good. The food is ok for me. The stir fried beef vermicelli I ordered, too much oil. The sauce for the spring rolls is kinda salty. The waiter couldn't answer the question that I was looking for about the food and the recommendations.

Really great service by Lu (?). I stopped by for a quick early dinner after the gym and thank goodness the restaurant had plenty of a/c. There was plenty of seating in the large restaurant. I've eaten here before when it was very busy. This visit I tried: Pork Paste Rolls $6: - $3 per roll seemed ok. I requested the rolls without the crunchy fried rice paper inside. The rolls are made fresh to order and served with a side of their warm dipping sauce. It was a nice appetizer HOUSE SPECIAL COMBO $14.50: - Grilled pork, chicken, shrimp paste in bean curd skin, pork rinds and steamed meatloaf . The pork and chicken tasted dry. The shrimp paste in bean curd was best part as it was freshly fried and delicious. Pork rinds were a good portion and enjoyable Lu would stop by and make sure all was good. You pay up front once you're done so it's a quick process. I'd be back if I was in the area.