Phong Lan Restaurant
| Address: | 216 8th St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, USA |
| Phone: | +1 319-365-5784 |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 13
MA
Matt Uhlman
In the same vein as many of the previous Yelpers, this is a very good find in a really nice place for the area! I meandered on in on a lazy Friday afternoon when I got off work a little bit early. They open at 11 and arriving at 11:30 I was seated quickly. The digs here are very humble, and super reminiscence of a mom and pop type place. Plenty of Asian inspired artwork and statues on the walls set the stage for what was the delicious experience. The menu seemed to showcase plenty of different dishes, however I came for the Pho! There were seven or eight different types of the soup including the standards like chicken and meat ball, as well as a seafood themed dish but they seemed pretty excited about. The standard accoutrements are at your table and included fish sauce, hoisin sauce, and sriracha. The soup is served in a standard large ball and comes in one size. Its not big enough to bathe a small animal in, but it would be large enough for a small fish to comfortably hang out in for a while. The broth was good, but had a little bit different flavor than Im used to. It almost taste it a little seafood and I wonder if it had remnants of the seafood soup that they had been talking about. It was nothing overpowering, and not something that would keep me from coming back. The noodles were plentiful, the standard sides of bean sprouts, basil leaves and a lime or included not everywhere includes the sides so they get points for having the standards! I had the beef and meatball soup and it was tasty! Good amount of meat, but not so much that it seems like youre eating broth that numerous animals are also enjoying. Each bowl ran about 8:50, and was totally worth it for the price. I also enjoy the delightful cup of tea which was something like $0.95. This is a really solid place to enjoy some delicious pho! The serving sizes are excellent, and not too big. The meat and noodles are done very nicely and the ambiance is absolutely what I hope for when I go to a place like this. If youre a fan of Vietnamese noodle soup, you owe it to yourself to check this place out!
A
A Private User
wasnt the worst..... for a price of $8 or $9 the portion of the noodle was very small. i missed eating pho so it did the job.... visiting from LA the portion was way less than the small bowls they serve in LA and for 8 or 9 dollars the price was over priced compared to the potion of noodles. we had this one guy serve us... and i asked for more limes and some extra onions. he pointed that there is 1 slice of lime already on the table. i said i know but i want extra... and he gave me one tiny piece of lime.... i just hate it when restaurants are so stingy over limes and onions. how much are onions.. and limes.... and they have to be so stingy about limes and onions.... i asked for more onions... and i think the guy literally sat in the kitchen counting the layers of onions.... he gave me a total of 5 tiny layers of onions. it was alright but they are stingy over the noodles.... the price was way over priced.... they were stingy over the limes and onions.... id probably not go there again.... i could probably find a buffet around this area for the price of one noodle dish... or any other asian restaurants.... where they are not stingy with simple things like limes and onions... and definately be cheaper than what they charged me....
CA
Cassini 2k4
Fantastic phơ; really great bún -- Ive been here several times now, Ive tried a couple different phơ dishes, a couple different bún dishes, and a couple other offerings from their menu. Each time I have left completely satisfied. This place is excellent for lunch or dinner. I really wish we had Vietnamese food this good in Iowa City, but for now, Im more than happy to make the commute north to dine at Phong Lan. Also be sure to check out the food market next door.
CH
charls32
This establishment was easy to find and not crowded. In fact there was barley anyone there. I had the shrimp rolls to start and were tasty but oily. I had the rice platter supreme which was very good. Seems as though having a waitress was not in their budget as I was served by the owner. He also served the 2 other customers in between cleaning tables. All in all I would go back to try the other dishes but still wonder why the place was so empty.
AL
Allison Faust
Wonderful Vegan Pho. What a wonderful find and convenient location downtown. Called in without seeing a menu and we were looking for their vegan options and the man we spoke to was very pleasant and helpful. Our food was done in 10 mins and they were very nice when we picked it up. We have already gone back and will continue to go! We appreciate restaurants that offer wide variety of dietary options.
CA
Catherine J
Awesome, yummy variety in food. So far Im trying something different everytime I go and theyre good. There prices are super respectable. It has an airy open feeling inside. I love the unique yet locally owned status of the place. The shrimp egg rolls are good and I typically dont go for egg rolls. The crab ragoons rock. Try a soup! Love the rice plates. Bring a friend!
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A Private User
pho is way over priced!! $7-8 a bowl and you get so little noodles!! Des moines area restaurants have better prices and portions as well as taste!!! Instead of getting pho, get fried rice! Taste and portions is better than pho! The curry dishes are not spicy at all as well...so skip those! Otherwise, go mcdonald, lol
CC
CC PC
Its the best Pho in CR, but thats not saying much. If you are used to big city pho, like Denver or Chicago, youll be disappointed. Ive never eaten pho where theres been a layer of grease floating on top like here. The flavor was ok, but I will only eat here when Im super craving. Still waiting for good pho in CR!!
JO
Jonah Westphalen
If you like Asian food go to Phong Lan. The waiter speaks very little english but will be by your side every step of the way. Great Ma and Pop place. Best crab rangoons around. Delicious Pho (my favorite). Great vermicelli dishes. Cheap prices, and large portions. Must Visit! its my local favorite.
CH
Christoph Trappe
I had given them a five for many years but then in 2017 I got sick literally while eating the meal. I went to the bathroom to throw up. And when I mentioned it to them all they would tell me is that that has never happened in 10 years. They did eventually take that meals charge of the bill.
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A Private User
i love this place!! would recommend to anyone looking for something different.. ALWAYS fresh veggies.. prices are great.. and i always want to come back and try something new the next time.. 5 stars.. would give 6 stars if i could!! love it.. plenty for vegetarians, and non-veggies too..
CH
Christie Nguyen
Ive been coming here with my family for a very long time and the food is delicious! They make the best crab ragoons in the state and their Pho is absolutely delicious. Everything is made fresh and by hand so you arent eating anything made less than before you came.
NI
Nicole King
I had heard from a few people that this place had great bar food, and they were right! There were 4 of us and we had the shrimp, pried pickles, and cheese sticks for appetizers, a sirloin steak, Mahi, a salad, and I ordered a Reuben, but got a patty melt instead.
