Pho Mai Cali & Grill

Reviews

• Louis P.

  star star star star star 4 August 2026

  Who knew that a pho craving would result in me finding the best Vietnamese restaurant in San Diego?!  Folks, it's true... this place is it!  Came here for dinner on a weekend night and was blown away.  
  
  The restaurant is located in a bustling shopping center (parking can be tight during peak hours).  Once inside, you're greeted to some elegant Vietnamese charm.  The restaurant is a decent size, not super tiny, and is clean and modern. The menu has all your Vietnamese staples: egg rolls, pho, other noodle dishes, rice, drinks, etc.  For dinner, I went with the egg rolls to start and a large bowl of pho for the main entree.  After a few short minutes, and I mean short, the food came out and was phenomenal.  I've eaten a lot of Vietnamese food and this is some of the absolute best you will find outside of Vietnam, and certainly anything in San Diego.  The egg rolls were simply perfection and the pho was delicious.  The food was so good, I even ordered fried rice to go!  5 stars and hands down the best Vietnamese restaurant this side of the Pacific.  I'll be back!

• Stephanie L.

  star star star star star_border 29 July 2026

  Disclaimer: I ordered with Uber Eats, so I haven't a clue what the location or service is like. All I know is that they had my order ready for my driver to pick up almost instantly.
  
  I ordered a Barbeque Pork Bahn Mi and a Thai tea.
  
  The flavor profile on the bahn mi was a bit lacking compared to other bahn mi sandwich joints. The meat was good but it wasn't "omg my taste buds are having a rave in my mouth," and I couldn't tell there was mayo in the sandwich until the last few bites.
  
  But!
  
  The baguette was heavenly. No joke. It was so pillow-y that I wanted to just be engulfed in it and take a nap in it. It was such a delight taking that first bite and encountering that crisp outer shell and then just...yes. Other bahn mi sandwiches tend to have thinner/tougher baguettes, but oh my....
  
  (Excuse me while I compose myself.)
  
  The sandwich was also MASSIVE with all the fillings jammed inside. Lots of the pickled veggies and jalapenos and barbeque pork and it tasted fresh. I probably will ask for extra cilantro next time, though.
  
  And yes, there will most definitely be a next time.

• Sam P.

  star star star star star 29 July 2026

  This place doesn't mess around.  The special combo rice vermicelli was as delicious as it was presented.
  
  Lots of meat toppings.  Start digging in by grabbing a big piece of meat first and appreciate the thick cut of nicely charred, but not overly marinated, succulent meats because you will have plenty more to go through.  Giving your mouth a nice workout.  Blend of beef, egg rolls, pork and shrimp(2) with lots of veggies topping, its time for you to mix and swirl anyway you like.  Personally I like to enhance the flavor by pouring in the clear sauce(save a little in the small bowl to dip the egg roll while they are crunchy early) and also add tons of schiracha and chili sauce.  The portion was big and I would say bigger than any of the other Vietnamese restaurant in town and I've tried, well, quite a few of them throughout San Diego
  
  I would like to come back and try their pho's and other delights such as bbq pork sandwiches but for now this definitely satisfied my craving for some good Vietnamese.  Thank you.  See you soon.

• Stephanie P.

  star star star star star 27 July 2026

  My favorite restaurant! Service is great and food is amazing!
  Thai tea was super yummy! 100% recommend!

• Maritess C.

  star star star star star_border 16 July 2026

  We came here for dinner! Got seated right away. We got waters to drink. I decided to order the number 39. It comes with shrimp, meat, chicken and egg rolls over vermicelli noodles and chopped up lettuce and veggies. The plate was huge and delicious! I was impressed but my meat was a little cold. I have been to one where the meat is cooked hot not left out. I was hungry and got my food last. My daughter enjoyed her chicken pho. We took hers home as leftovers. Only two pieces of shrimp and the shrimp wasn't flavored.
  
  Anyway, the noodles in my dish was soft and the veggies were fresh. The egg rolls were hot and crunchy. They were good. The guy kept refilling our drinks except mine because I wanted to fill up on food not water. My water glass was still full.
  
  Inside is small and there's parking in front. I would come back and try other items on their menu. Descent place.