I wouldn't suggest going here if you don't have anyone with you that's been before. The atmosphere is really quite awful, but it is part of the experience and speedy service. Food's great and this place has been a lunch staple for my workmates and I for a long time. My suggestion is to pick a dish quick and don't make any changes.
Perfect ambience for what his restaurant is about, it's authentic! the plastic table, communal chopsticks, lino floor etc all feels right, good food, again pretty authentic and served super fast. Service isn't white glove but again it's what's right for the feel of the place, emphasis is on speed not smiles. Frankly I loved the experience, you just have to go with the right frame of mind.
I have to agree with some of the other reviewers that the ambience is pretty basic and that the service leaves a bit to be desired. But having said this I must also say that the basic beef pho is very good indeed (it is the only dish I eat here).
I have had pho at many Vietnamese restaurants and the one here stacks up very well.
The prices are so low for the city that one cannot expect much in the way of ambience and service; the food more than makes up for the deficiencies.
Still my favourite Vietnamese place. My fav dishes are the vermicelli with grilled pork or spring rolls (the best I've had in Sydney), and of course pho. I eat a lot of Viet and this is still one of my old-time favourites. I usually get takeaway which is fast and efficient, so can't comment on the table service!
I really get scared eating here. I use to cause my friends enjoy the pho here, but I won't be returning after my last visit. I use to get some enjoyment out of the rudeness of the service here, but even that has rubbed off. I would much rather go elsewhere to get a laugh of the appalling service, but at least I get good food.
I think people just go there because they don't know any better. Or they don't have any other options around the area. After having their pho I was so thirsty for the rest of the afternoon. We all know why? Overload of MSG! I went to the bathroom and it was shocking. Even the walkway leading up to the toilets looked like they haven't been cleaned for week. I guess why would the owners care given they're busy all day everyday.
Horrible food lacking quality and flavour. For the kind of food that's served even a mere $10 per dish is a rip off. Pasteur on George Street is a far cry from the Bankstown sister store.
Stay away from tomato rice (red rice) because instead of the normal wok fried tomato rice which tastes delicious, Pasteur's tomato rice tastes like butter and I don't mean a subtle taste, I mean a taste so strong it's as though they dissolved a whole block of butter in one serve of tomato rice. Horrible, greasy and inedible. I'm still shocked over how a Vietnamese restaurant can corrupt such a simple common dish.
Food was average, fast to arrive. Service was good until it was time to pay. Waiting at the counter for about 10 minutes whilst the guy at the counter yapped away on the mobile on a personal call, and did not acknowledge my presence at all. Other staff saw this and did not offer assistance, even when prompted that I wanted to pay and get out of there, nothing happened. in the end I had to take the bill myself from the counter, and leave the money with a staff member to sounds of giggling by staff at their own lack of service as I left.