Family Pho

1 Reviews on “Family Pho”

• Foodie_Wanderings

  I was excited to learn there was a new Vietnamese joint in Geelong, especially somewhere else to source a bowl of Ph. The other Vietnamese restaurant on Ryrie st has often been closed when Ph is the only thing Ive wanted. Ill start with the positives. Friendly service and a smiling face from the man who serves front of house was much appreciated. Parking out the front was easy. The restaurant was empty when we arrived but throughout our meal there was a constant stream of takeaway customers and another 3 tables became occupied too. Always a good sign – or so I thought. The food I feel is pricey for what you get. Is it because there really isnt many places that serve Vietnamese food in Geelong? We ordered spring rolls and fried wontons, a chicken dish, rice and Ph. Nothing to write home about. Very ordinary food. No complimentary green tea in a flask like you get at a lot of places in Melbourne & at the other Vietnamese place in Ryrie St. The man serving us apologised to customers for running out of bean sprouts – I received a small portion with my Ph and an apology. But the worst was yet to come. I had to use the bathroom facilities and theyre outside in the backyard. I literally had to walk through the restaurant kitchen to get there which is a safety hazard as I had the wrong shoes for starters. The yard was like a filthy neglected wreckers space. I had no clue where to look for the loo. I walked up some stairs and into a couple of rooms that were in a bungalow and each room looked like squatters lived there. Rubbish, junk and clothes everywhere .. so I kept looking. I walked past an upside down discarded espresso machine, empty paint buckets, junk, boxes and general rubbish.. & I actually started to feel afraid of where I was stepping. Should I ring the council? I eventually found the disgusting toilet. Walking back I had to descend a few stairs back into the kitchen. One of the cooks exited the kitchen with an already lit cigarette in his mouth as I was about to descend. I thought hed let me go down as wed made eye contact & there wasnt enough room for two people. Instead he bolted up the stairs first blowing smoke in my face!?! Going back into the kitchen I had to walk between a man with a mop and his phone which was perched against something on a stainless steel counter. The phone was playing an Asian soap opera or something on You Tube (or similar). He was intently watching while working and I said sorry as I tip toed between him & his viewing while hoping I wouldnt slip on the wet kitchen floor. I felt ill that wed eaten at this restaurant. Im also certain the food is laden with msg or chemicals galore as my heart was beating rapidly, I felt weak and even had laboured breathing for about an hour after the meal! All symptoms disappeared within 90 mins of eating our dinner. I might add, this is not what usually happens after I eat out. I hope the owners read this and clean up their yard and act – but well never go back.

  March 14, 2019, 8:02 am

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