Location: 2215 Ayrsley Town Blvd. Ste DCharlotte, NC 28273
I feel like I have put off this review for a long time, having been to Pho Ngon frequently for both lunch and dinner; that in itself says a lot, because unlike many Ayrsley restaurants, I have had very few bad experiences while dining in this restaurant. The eatery is located two minutes down the road from the mediocre Pho Cali and, in this reviewer’s opinion, it is a much better option. The journey started out a little confusing for Pho Ngon, given that it was originally La Crawfish, but when people who wanted gumbo had to eat Pho they decided to rebrand themselves. The opportunity to do this arose when their neighbor went out of business, the spot that was originally occupied by the ill-fated Olives (a restaurant that will be missed). Now that the dust seems to have settled in that immediate area, I can say I am pleased with the results. Although I have fond memories of Olives, Pho Ngon is a bright spot in the otherwise quick to expire Ayrsley restaurant scene.
The Good: The primary reason to visit this establishment is the food (go figure); I always seem to start with the summer roll (pictured above), which is a solid item, light and satisfying. I have had their Banh Mi sandwiches more times than I can count, and while they may lose the “Pespi Challenge” against Le’s, they are still definitely tasty. The sandwiches are a bit more expensive than Le’s, but still cheaper than the disastrous Co off of Woodlawn. My overall experience with their Bahn Mi is positive, although I could use more variety in the flavors offered. The Pho was also pretty tasty, but I am hard pressed to remember a bad Pho, once again, while it is a bit more expensive than some other places, it is well worth the extra $1 or $2.
There are a lot of other items on the menu that I have yet to enjoy, but look very good. The Hotpots in particular look appealing, with flavors such as Seafood and Goat they are definitely on my to-do list.
The Bad: My experience with their take-out has been mixed at best, usually the Bahn Mi is fine, but if your order gets more complicated than that, there could be trouble. I ordered a salad, minus the noodles and it was basically onion and meat. The meal also wasn’t cheap which added insult to injury. A second order of a noodle dish wasn’t the same quality as when you dine in the restaurant. In their defense, I have only tried an entrée diner when it first opened, now that it is more established I will give it another try.
As mentioned earlier Pho Ngon is a bit more expensive than other Vietnamese places especially those off Central Avenue; it is a good option if you are in the area, but not so much if you have a 20 minute commute.
The Ugly: Although I enjoy eating in the restaurant I really don’t like the décor at all. Pho Ngon took over Olives and hasn’t changed the restaurant at all. In this reviewer’s opinion, the décor does not fit the new atmosphere or create a sense of ambience ( straight guy, queer eye.. whatever). A few cliché paintings have been added, along with a couple of television sets, which I find almost confusing: I regularly ask myself, am I eating Vietnamese or getting ready to eat potatoes skins in a sports bar.
Service is ok, but it contributes to the cold atmosphere; at times the servers can seem a bit frazzled and overwhelmed.
The Verdict: Casual Dining 6.5 out of 10: If one were to go only for Bahn Mi Sandwiches, this could probably be classified as a quick bites establishment, which may have made the score higher. The food at Pho Ngon has always been consistently good, but it isn’t as if I am “wowed” by something unique, it is more a reliable place to get a meal. There may be better Vietnamese places in Charlotte, but I can recommend this restaurant because of the solid, good food I get every time I visit. If you are in the area and want a quick Bahn Mi or a good Pho, Pho Ngon is a good choice.