Pho Thành & Café

Having recently moved to CdA and seeing so many good reviews, I was excited to try this place. I love me some good phở! I’ve been twice. The first time, I was underwhelmed. The restaurant is dingy, big mirror streaked with dirt and generally run down. Service: less than stellar-​unfriendly, bare minimum kind of service. Dinner: beef was overcooked and noodles were so-​so. I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt and go back to try something else. The second time, spring rolls were sticking to each other and did not appear fresh. The entrée was salty, meat overcooked, and food came out lukewarm. The worst part is, I was SICK within 4 – 5 hours of eating. Sick as in– spent 7 hours vomiting and two additional days with stomach cramps. Needless to say, I won’t be going back.

Dirty. Dirty. Dirty. My water glass came with lipstick. I don’t wear lipstick. I asked about customer favorites. Number 12 Chow Mein was suggested. I asked about the noodles. The server suggested a few and I ended up with Number 6. We decided to try fresh rolls for the appetizer.
THE SERVER WAS IMPATIENT. We were his only customers. DID NOT FEEL WELCOMED.
The server brought another glass. Cleaner. Along with the sloppy fresh rolls, meaning they were falling apart.
There was a large portion of fat in one of the rolls as well. They were about a 4 on a scale of 1 – 10. They came with what looked like chocolate pudding with peanut crumbles on top. Okay flavor.
Food is served.
My boyfriend gets the Chow Mein. We both taste it. Peanut Flavor overpowered the dish. The shrimp, the chicken, the other meat, the noodles all tasted like peanut butter. The ingredients were stuck together.
WE LEFT THE FULL PLATE THERE.
I shared my Noodles. It was enjoyable. The jalapeños, sprouts, and lemon came on the side. The broth seemed lacking in the flavors I expected.
Getting ready to leave, I requested a to go bowl. The server asked if I needed two. I said no, he just went to the kitchen came back with a container and the check.
STILL NO PROPER CUSTOMER SERVICE. OR POLITENESS
I’m not a food critic. I like to cook. I like to try new things. I’ve had delicious Phở elsewhere. If you want to try it I would suggest a soup. It was passable.
Since I do cook, next time I will make it at home.

For the North Idaho area… I am impressed. I have honestly seen this my whole life growing up, but have never tried it. Since I have become a foodie, and since my time in SD, I really wanted to try this out!
It is owned by a Vietnamese family, which if you understand the politics of North Idaho as well as Idaho’s demographics… you will understand why I was very excited to see this. I got a traditional phở soup with all of the fixins. The broth was very flavorful, and you could tell that everything in the bowl was fresh. I would note that personally, I didn’t like the meatballs. Just a texture thing — flavor was great though!
My boyfriend got a noodle dish which was also good (sorry the description isn’t very specific not that… the holidays got the best of me so I am catching up on some of my reviews)! Regardless, the prices were very good for authentic and delicious Vietnamese cuisine. I will frequent this place from now on. If you ever find yourself in the need for some delicious Phở, here’s your place! (Disregard the retro décor: P)

5star reason? It’s the only Vietnamese food in northern Idaho and it’s actually freaking good!
Summer rolls was big. Hoisin sauce was great.
Spring rolls were gigantic. Served without lettuce garnish plate though. Fish sauce was delish here.
Phở Dac Biet was ordered. The broth was not as intense but def not bland as expected from phở served in small towns. Bowl was well balanced between broth noodle and meat. Actually has beef ribs in this bowl which threw me off but was super tender so I’ll hand it to them. I did had to add a little hot and hoisin.
Don’t order the large. I barely finished their small size bowl.
Place is clean. Owner operated. Family owned. Friendly. Bathroom is clean. Parking lot access. Located well on main corridor.
Overall, given the desolate city in the north west sandwiched between Washington and Montana? This place deserves kudos for serving good tasting food! Support this place!

Truly one of the best Phó in West US, probably the best in Idaho, at least for Phò fans like me. the broth is richer than typical Vietnamese restaurant, the amount of beef is so generous you wont complain. The owner gave me free spring roll appetizer and Im really grateful, Would come back here again if Im around this town. *two thumbs up!*