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Pho Star
$ · Vietnamese, Pho

3214 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 813-7622
Closed
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Pho in SoMa

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Pho Star 7.6
Mission
Vibes: Family Friendly Favorites Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Quick Bites Champions
Mission Dolores newcomer offering straightforward bowls and banh mi in a casual dining room. Handy for a quick warm-up before or after 16th Street bar hops.
Must-Try Dishes: Rare steak pho, Chicken pho, Five-spice chicken banh mi
Scores:
Value: 8 Service: 7.5 Consistency: 7.2 Food Quality: 7.8 Atmosphere: 7 Cultural Relevance: 6.8
What makes it special: Accessible pho and banh mi near the 16th Street nightlife strip.
Who should go: Casual diners and bar-hoppers
When to visit: Evenings before the bar rush
What to order: Rare steak pho, chicken pho, five-spice banh mi
Insider tip: It’s spacious—larger groups can usually walk in.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Mission Dolores can be tight, especially evenings; best bets are residential blocks a few streets off Mission.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate—lively but you can still hold a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes, often walk-in friendly due to its larger dining room.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian pho and tofu banh mi available.
Vegan options: Limited—can adapt a couple of dishes by requesting no meat broth or mayo.
Gluten-free options: Partially—pho bowls can be gluten-free but banh mi bread contains gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for romance—it’s more casual and functional, better for friends or pre-bar eats.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t needed; most groups can walk in and be seated quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—family-friendly with simple pho and banh mi options; space accommodates strollers.
Best For
Better for: Affordable, quick, and group-friendly pho close to nightlife.
Skip if: You’re seeking refined flavors, stylish décor, or a date-night atmosphere.

Hours

Monday11am - 8:30pm
Tuesday11am - 8:30pm
Wednesday11am - 8:30pm
Thursday11am - 8:30pm
Friday11am - 8:30pm
Saturday11am - 8:30pm
Sunday11am - 8:30pm