Mike L.
Yelp
"Wait, what did you get?"
"I don't think I've ever seen anyone order that before..."
To be quite honest, I have no idea how many times I've been here over the years - numerous occasions with my family, even more with friends, and several times on my own. As such, even I have to admit that I'm not sure which is more surprising - the fact that it's taken me this long to write this (I legitimately thought I had written this already) or the look of shock from my friends when I ordered a rice plate. I mean, I've done it before, but considering how we usually come here explicitly for the pho I guess it is kind of weird for us...
Ironically enough, even though I've been to this Pho Huynh Hiep more than any of their other locations, it's actually isn't my favorite. That distinction goes to the one in Skyline Plaza, and the one in the Sunset in SF is far more convenient to where I live, but this one has a bit of nostalgia/habit for us, dating back to when some of my friends used to live nearby. Of course, it also helps that this place is incredibly fast, even compared to their sister spots. Which is even more impressive when you see just how many different choices you have to choose from, even if a lot of them are just different varieties of the same beef pho.
-- (#9) PHO BO TAI, NAM, GAN - Beef Pho with Medium Rare Steak, Well Done Flank, and Tendon...$10
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pho-huynh-hiep-kevin-s-noodle-house-daly-city?select=_hQHCtn6UdSxuFdFeI8OJQ)
My measuring stick when I try pho joints - the pho is good if it's better than this, bad if it's worse. Which essentially makes the definition of average. The portion is pretty fair, and they do a good job of putting in a balance amount of the meats/tendon, but the broth can be a little hit or miss.
-- (#41) COMBO PLATE - Grilled Pork Chop, 2 Fried Chicken Wings, and an Egg Roll with Rice...$13.50
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pho-huynh-hiep-kevin-s-noodle-house-daly-city?select=-I2SORrSSdw74gZSnwfg0Q)
It was a nice surprise to see this come with four wings instead of two, but I wonder if it was to make up for the fact that the pork chop was so small! It's even smaller when you factor in that a good chunk of it is bone. The egg roll wasn't bad, though - crispy and not super oily (same for the wings).
One big thing to note is that for as fast and efficient as the service is here, it cuts both ways. Typically, at just about any time of day or night, there's usually a good number of folks here, which sometimes results in there being a line (typically during the peak lunch hours on the weekends). However, because they're so quick, tables are constantly turning over, so you end up getting seated before you know it. Unfortunately, that's also when you see the flip side - a worker will walk up to your table to take your order before you've even read through all of their appetizers. Not a problem if you already know exactly what you want, somewhat awkward if you don't.
Despite how they will inevitably rush you to order (and/or give you the stink eye, if you should linger too long after you finish), Pho Huynh Hiep is about as solid of a pho joint as they come. It's not great, but it's not bad either and it's about as close to a fast food joint a restaurant can get without actually being a fast food joint. At the very least, every bowl comes with a nice side of nostalgia for me. That is, unless I decide to mix things up and get another rice plate again. Much to the shock and ridicule of my friends...