Pho Mai Cali & Grill image

Pho Mai Cali & Grill

Restaurant β€’ Vietnamese restaurant β€’ Pho restaurant

😠 I cannot comment on their food more or less an act that they did. I have much more respect for the company I work for, and my customers. I literally watched the lady in the back drop a handful of rolls and put them back on a plate. I have more respect for the customers that I deliver to that I decid... People often mention great, time, good, Vietnamese, order, rolls, favorite, staff, service, love,


Address

1635 Sweetwater Rd h, National City, CA 91950

Website

www.phomaicalingrill.com

Contact

(619) 477-0677

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (555 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: great (13) time (13) good (9) Vietnamese (8) order (8) rolls (8) favorite (8) staff (7) service (7) love (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 E B. 1 year ago on Google
    The best Vietnamese food I have ever tasted. There is seating outside next to the restaurant, the trees makes a great shading from the sun. Pricing is great but the flavor of the food is better! Some of the staff don't know how to speak English but has been always courteous and kind. The owner is hard working and must have a photographic memory because she remembers what we order the last time. (June 2018): If I could pick up this restaurant including the owner and the staff, I would move it to my home state. Next time I come to visit National City this would be the first place I'd like to dine at. If you haven't been here before, trust me, you'll love the place and come here often. Edit (Oct 2019): Came back to National City for a visit and just found out the the original owners moved out to the east coast. Food flavor isn't the same as it was before. So sorry...and I was so looking forward to dinner here. Edit (May 2022): What can I say!? Keep coming back when I am in town! Already said this before and I'll say it again...best Vietnamese food I have ever tasted. Got the beef pho this time. Loved it!
    5 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 1/5 You Don't know m. 1 year ago on Google
    I cannot comment on their food more or less an act that they did. I have much more respect for the company I work for, and my customers. I literally watched the lady in the back drop a handful of rolls and put them back on a plate. I have more respect for the customers that I deliver to that I decided to cancel the delivery. I just thought everybody should know. Disgusting.
    5 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Ruth P. 1 year ago on Google
    Best Vietnamese place ever!! Excellent tasting food... Yes everything! Great portion size, too! Yummy yummy. We eat almost weekly here! Update: the Beef Rib Pho is my husband and sobs absolute favorite. I enjoy seafood Pho with vegetables. The Grilled Pork spring rolls are the bomb πŸ’£ and the calamari is awesome, too. My mother in law enjoys the Mango Boba, I enjoy the sweet green tea,strawberry and basil drink. They serve delicious Vietnamese coffee.
    4 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 wilMER οΏ½. 10 months ago on Google β€’ 22 reviews
    I come here often, its a very cozy feel for me. Entire staff is fun and pleasant. I think it's because I eat A LOT. This time I ordered a papaya salad, but everything is great on the menu. PSA. Don't be overly picky with your food, they take great care in creating their cuisine for us to have. Embrace their cuisine, their heritage and their hospitality. Trust your experience will be exceptional if you do so!!!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 H T. 9 months ago on Google β€’ 21 reviews
    Such a comfortable, clean, and DELICIOUS spot for pho!!! We also got beef fried rice and vegetable spring rolls. All of it is so good!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Flo W. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 7 reviews
    Wow! I lived near here for years and never saw this place until today. Best Pho place I have been to for a long time. Owners great! His name is "Little". Best Bahn Mi sandwich because they make their bread there fresh. Its big too! Also the Pho soups and broth delicious. I havent tried everything but the menu has unique dishes added on than other places. Prices great, ambiance casual and nice. Definitely try it out. Next time I want to try the salmon plate, oxtail soup, and fried shrimp.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Heidy A. 2 years ago on Google
    The Pho is great! My mom's first time and she loved it! Their milk tea is also really good! Would for sure come back again :)
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Ruth P. 2 years ago on Google
    Our favorite Vietnamese restaurant, located in National City off 805 and Sweetwater Road. The best Beef Rib Pho! The Grilled Pork Spring Rolls are amazing, and so is the Fried Squid (Calamari)!!!
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Jade B. 10 months ago on Google
    Large bowl of phΓ΄ for $13.75?? Yes, please! Order extra noodles for $1.50 to go with that. Parking can be tight, but early Saturday morning is no problem. Clean space and kind servers.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 sol b. 11 months ago on Google
    Great service! Funny waiter & very friendly staff. Delicious food every time we dine-in or take-out. Our favorite pho place near by. Beef Rib Pho & Vietnamese crepe is soooo good!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Miguel C Y. 1 year ago on Google
    You have to go, the food is great, the service, the taste. I love going to this place with my family. My parents also love this place. I would recommend it.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 2/5 R D. 2 years ago on Google
    So...this place gives free boba if you leave a 5 star review...so that explains THAT. The spring rolls were literally the worst I've ever had in my life; they weren't disgusting per se but the meat was so dry!! The pho was okay, nothing special and the fatty brisket was almost all fat and the noodles were clumped together. Service was poor, the girl was incredibly sweet but my food came out like a full 5 minutes before my friend's and it was very difficult to get anyone's attention to order or for our bill, and it wasn't a crowded night at all. For the price it's not bad but I won't be going out of my way for this place.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Angelica Denise G. 2 years ago on Google
    My favorite place to eat pho. I recommend this place. I don’t live close but I do not mind the drive. It’s worth it! You won’t be disappointed.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Robbie C. 7 months ago on Google β€’ 5 reviews
    This is the best pho spot in town totally recommend this is a local spot been here for years great reputation great service fresh food very clean even fast on take out

  • 5/5 Brissi P. 10 months ago on Google β€’ 5 reviews
    I love this place, honestly my favorite Vietnamese restaurant. The pho is consistently good. Never fails when I’m hungover or feeling sick, a hug for the soul. I’d definitely recommend visit. #13, #36, Special appetizer are my favorites. You can also try their boba, is yummy.

  • 5/5 Ashley G. 7 months ago on Google β€’ 4 reviews
    Little was so kind and accommodating for our party. He sat us in the patio to accommodate our dog. 5 stars for great service and for 5 stars for being pet friendly!

  • 5/5 Melody B. 1 year ago on Google
    I won’t eat Pho any where else. Their broth is so flavorful. Spring roll and egg roll on point. Love the staff. I am here almost once every week. Keep up the good work!

  • 5/5 Demarcus W. 10 months ago on Google
    First time ever coming here and they have the best tasting pho! They com in large bowls and plenty of meat all for a great price! Mr. Little was so generous and friendly I absolutely enjoyed my time here. Will definitely come again with my family 😁 so good! They also have a little outdoor seating area where we sat at so pretty

  • 5/5 ChampagneShore 7 months ago on Google
    My favorite spot for Bun! Everybody is always friendly, and they treat you like family. And the food has always been fresh and delicious! I highly recommend the spot.

  • 1/5 jesse s. 1 year ago on Google
    Had to place an order online since no one answered the phone after trying for 30 min. I don’t mind placing online orders. I just feel I shouldn’t be charged a convenience fee for taking my own order, and paying ahead of time. Which also means you tip ahead of time not knowing how the service is going to be. The service was HORRIBLE. I understand the whole world is short handed so I try to be extra Courteous to our service providers. I was never greeted or acknowledged by the man at the register. I understand he was busy but he made me feel like I was bothering him. After waiting patiently for five minutes I finally received my order that was sitting on the table ready. I asked for chopsticks, and was given a bad attitude for requesting them. Mind you I had already requested them online. When I got home I only received 2 spring rolls when the online order said 4. When I called to advise them of the mistake, the same man hung up on me. I will definitely take my $47. dollars elsewhere next time. Never again!

  • 5/5 Laura T. 11 months ago on Google
    They have alot of variety in drinks I got a Thai iced tea add Boba for 25cents. I was surprised that the special pho had meatballs included at not extra cost I know that in other places they charge you for extra meatball servers where so friendly and food quality was amazing I love it β™‘ please give this place a chance it's so worth it πŸ₯°

  • 1/5 Jonathan H. 1 year ago on Google
    no person who values treating people with respect should order from here. Teach your employees to treat their customers well. We came to pick up a meal like just like everyone else. It's cold, i had a tooth extraction so we wanted Pho. The host gave us our meal. We asked for 5 sauce packets specifically. He got an attitude, then came back with 2 sauce packets. My wife said "hey I asked for 5 sauces." He replied defiantly "I gave you enough, what more do you want!" Extra garnish is already $1 extra and the Pho is $14 (which is wildly overpriced for a Pho place). Now you're making a big deal out of sauce packets? We will never eat here again. This is how you treat customers?

  • 4/5 Jack L. 1 year ago on Google
    Good food. My wife had the chicken pho and I had a BBQ chicken salad. Both were very good. Only draw back was AC was either broken or not on. Place was very warm.

  • 1/5 bill c. 1 year ago on Google
    The worst chicken vermicelli I have ever had. The noodles were so oily and slimy. Not enough carrots and lettuce. No egg rolls on top of the dish. The presentation was very unpleasant and looked very un appetizing. The only thing good I can say about the visit was the portion size was very large and the waitress/hostess was very nice and pleasant. I will not return because of very low quality food for the high prices. THE OFFER TO SAVE A VALUABLE CUSTOMER IS NOT IN THIS BUSINESS'S DNA.

  • 5/5 Rick B. 4 years ago on Google
    My favorite pho soup in san diego. Really great tasting pho or phat thai with your side od spring rolls or eggroll, Don't forget to ask for your boba tea and smoothie. Mango smoothie is definitely my favirite. Service staff is very friendly and always asking if you need anything unlike other places where you only see the staff once. Space us limited but worth it.

  • 1/5 Kousei A. 1 year ago on Google
    The order came out wrong a couple times. Just wasn't it for me or one of my friends. I do NOT recommend for people trying shops by here. The lettuce wraps here are pretty decent, if anything. Of you want Authentic Pho, this ain't it. From muddy broth to offering RIBS to the Pho, this is NOT what Vietnamese people eat.

  • 5/5 Greg G. 2 years ago on Google
    I've been here twice on the recommendation of one of my good friends and they never disappoint. They are a small mom and pop spot but their Pho is amazing and they have several different style for whatever you're looking for.

  • 5/5 alannah d. 7 months ago on Google β€’ 2 reviews
    The portion of meat they add to the dishes is a lot, the beef is always nicely flavored. My favorite go to meals are BBQ spring rolls, rice vermicelli, and of course the banh mai. Staff is always accommodating, and sweet. love supporting this small businesses
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Leo R. 4 months ago on Google β€’ 1 review
    One of The Best Pho in town by far!, also the Matcha Boba tea is awesome πŸ™‚.


Call (619) 477-0677 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • βœ“οΈ Dogs allowed outside
  • Parking
    • βœ“οΈ Free parking lot
    • βœ“οΈ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • βœ“οΈ Debit cards
    • βœ“οΈ Credit cards
    • βœ“οΈ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • βœ“οΈ Coffee
    • βœ“οΈ Quick bite
    • βœ“οΈ Comfort food
    • βœ“οΈ Small plates
    • βœ“οΈ Vegan options
    • βœ“οΈ Healthy options
    • βœ“οΈ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • βœ“οΈ Lunch
    • βœ“οΈ Dinner
    • βœ“οΈ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • βœ“οΈ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • βœ“οΈ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • βœ“οΈ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • βœ“οΈ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • βœ“οΈ Lunch
    • βœ“οΈ Dinner
    • βœ“οΈ Dessert
    • βœ“οΈ Seating
  • Service options
    • βœ“οΈ Dine-in
    • βœ“οΈ Takeout
    • βœ“οΈ Delivery
    • βœ“οΈ Outdoor seating
    • βœ“οΈ No-contact delivery

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