Ok, people… If you love Pho half as much as I do, you will dig this spot and I give fair warning, it has almost a cult status with the locals. It’s that good. You may end up with, um, some “problems” if you don’t get your fix on a regular basis.

We first discovered this hole in the wall place during our first visit to Hawai’i Island almost a year ago. Before we knew we’d actually call this Island home, in fact. It definitely made the decision easier, as if that was really even necessary to stack the odds in favor of moving to paradise. But hey, it definitely added a check in the “pros” column of the equation.

To get to Hilo from where I live now requires about a 40 minute drive of the most scenic, breath taking, winding tropical jungle action you ever saw. I love to drive the windy roads through the mountains, but I also love to just be the passenger because that’s the only way you can ever see everything you want to look at. I’m not joking, it is so amazing, you’ll get whiplash just trying to spot all the waterfalls, rushing gulches and wild orchids on the way to town. But the drive back, is even better.  Like literally, the best drive to town and back in the world… and we regularly do it for fun, just to go get pho. No lie.

But this isn’t just any pho… It’s stand-in-line-until-it’s-your-turn-to-get-a-table pho. And sad story, but true, you can actually stand in line but (queue tears here) sometimes, it’s busy and… and… (gulp) they. run. out. GASP! WTF??!! How is that possible?! I’m here! I’m in line, you can see me through the window!! OMG!! I’M GONNA FREAK OUT. lol! (I’m lol’ing but truthfully, this was a sincere let down moment if ever there was one.)

Yep, it happens and I hope to hell it never happens to you because when you want pho, you want THIS PHO!

Drama aside, this is a true story and when you have a craving for the Beef Stew that this family puts out, you will know inherently why they sell out. And well, shit, you are just shit out of luck but you understand in a fist-pump kinda way.

It won’t stop you from standing in line again and again. Only next time, you strategize and get there earlier.

Parking can be a challenge but only if you are like, seriously impatient and have no clue about aloha. I have my secret spots but if I tell you, then I’d be SOL there, too.

So figure out how you’ll get there, when you’ll get there, who’ll wait outside for your group’s table while the other circles downtown looking for a good parking spot.

And don’t even think about running in or calling ahead for take-out. They simply don’t do it. They won’t do it. Not even if you are sitting at a table and want to take the poor sucker you left home some as a consolation prize. Nope. No can do. They don’t go for that.

Figure it out. It’s worth every bit of effort.

The menu is small and pretty much chicken pho or beef stew with a few variations on those two themes. The spring rolls are ok, the egg rolls are more reminiscent of Phillipino style egg rolls but they’re really good.

The real show stopper here is the Beef Stew, which is prepared fresh every day at 4:30 am by the father of the family. Mom runs the register and takes orders. The kids bus and wait on the customers. Family run, they work hard and they have the golden key to being in the restaurant business: Do what you do well and just kill it. Kill it until your pot runs dry. And start all over the next day for the crying fools that may have been SOL the night before but just can’t get over it…

Yep, that’s for sure me and will be you, too, if you ever get the chance to enjoy this awesome little place. Oh, and did I say affordable? Best $8 you will ever spend on dinner, I promise you that. Take the fam. Splurge. It’s “Fine Dining” at it’s very best. But don’t cry for me Argentina, if you get there late. I tried to tell you.

Pho Viet Restaurant
80 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
(808) 935-1080