I recently ate here with my girlfriend and ordered the green and yellow vegetable curry. Half way into our meal my girlfriend noticed a piece of a napkin and a small, black foreign object in her glass of water. She checked her table napkin and there wasn't a piece missing, so the napkin piece found in the glass must have come from elsewhere. When we called the waitress over she took the glass away without apologizing or finding out how the napkin or the black object made their way into the glass. We spoke with the manager who did not offer any apology or explanation, and who was condescending, rude and hostile towards us. She even suggested that the piece of napkin was actually a tea leaf, which it clearly was not. Not once did the manager offer an apology, but rather tried to shift the blame towards us and then abruptly walked away. When the server returned with our bill she apologized. We told her it wasn't her fault, paid for our meals, and left. We were regular customers, but after this incident I would not trust the cleanliness of this restaurant, or the integrity of their management.
I have been here several times and I wish I had the time to list all the horrible experiences I've had but it would take all day! The food is really good which is why I kept going back but there aren't words to describe how bad the service is and the worst part is they just don't care, not even the management! I go out to eat all the time and this is literally the only place where I have not left a tip before. I'm a server and even when I have bad service I feel bad and leave something anyways but I just couldn't tip here on a couple of occasions. I wont even get takeout anymore becuase i refuse to give my business to restaurant that obviously couldn't care less about the patrons that keep them in business.
I went to Pho Ben Thanh at the London, ON location on the evening of May 30th, 2012 with my boyfriend for dinner. What a mistake! We had the most UNACCEPTABLE experience there ever. I am not one to complain nor have I ever wrote a “review” for anything however this experience leaves me so flabbergasted I couldn’t help but try to make others aware of the HORRIFIC customer service there.
I have had pad thai from many other restaurants in the area with great enjoyment. When I was presented with the one from Pho Ben Thanh I was overcome with great disappointment. I calmly informed my server that I didn’t like the pad thai at which point she started to verbally attack me in a loud voice in the middle of the restaurant for all to hear stating repeatedly that there are so many other people in the restaurant who order this dish and I am the only one who is complaining. It was made obvious to me it was ‘my fault’ I didn’t like this dish. I calmly asked if she would be able to return this dish so I could order something else instead since I didn’t like it. She continued to speak in a loud and disrespectful voice for all in the restaurant to hear that she cannot do that because she would get in trouble by the management and be made to pay for my returned dish herself. I asked her then if I could speak with the management and was told they weren’t present. I asked if I could leave my phone number for them to contact me with at their convenience and was declined my ability to do so by the server. Becoming upset at this point I informed the server this was the worst customer service I have ever received and could not believe I was being treated and talked to in this manner in the middle of a restaurant. I didn’t care at this point if she had to pay for the dish herself or not after how she had been treating me so disrespectfully and I told her I was not going to be paying for this dish because I was not going to be eating it. She then informed me fine she would take the dish off my bill but again made it clear she would be punished for doing so and it would be coming out of her pay.
I am an owner of three independent businesses myself personally and am appalled that someone would show such disrespect towards a customer in a public way over something that is not their fault and that they were calmly bringing to a servers attention. I would never treat any customer that would walk into any of my businesses in any manner even remotely in the way I was being treated at this restaurant and if I found any of my employees doing this I would have them terminated immediately.
Unless you enjoy being verbally harassed loudly in public STAY AWAY from Pho Ben Thanh!!! I will be making it a point to spread this word publically in a variety of manners in hopes of saving someone else the humiliating experience I was made to endure at this restaurant.
All of the locations of this chain offer good food but relatively poor service. I had the fried calamari and Malaysian Laksa Seafood Noodle Soup. It was all very tasty, like at the other locations. However, service was slow and inattentive. I didn't expect any differently. Service aside, it is good food at a good price.
While it does have a wide, varied menu the prices and taste easily let's you know that it is a chain. You would be better off at another local where the service is better and the food far, far better.
I am a local to Guelph and I have been to Ben Thanh many times in the past however this was the last straw.
At our office we have half hour lunches so it is crucial that we place pre-orders to ensure our meals arrive on time and we have adequate time to sit and eat. The last time my colleagues and I went, we placed a pre-order at 11:20am and arrived at 12:00pm. My food didn't arrive until after 12:20pm and it was after talking to the manager about it. The response I got from the manager was however, very rude, and when the food did arrive it looked as if it was thrown together last minute. It was obvious they clearly forgot about my order.
Despite the bad experience we tried again today. Placed a pre-order at 11:30am and arrived sharp at 12:00pm. This time we waited for only 10 minutes and just left as neither of us received our food or even the slightest bit of adequate service. I didn't feel like having an arguing match with the manager this time and felt that if they were going to do anything, they would have as the wait staff watched us get up and leave.
If you are looking for mediocre Vietnamese food at best, wait staff that don't seem to know the meaning of service and management that doesn't seem to be bothered to rectify poor service, this is the restaurant for you. I however will no longer give my business to a place run so poorly and encourage those who frequent this restaurant to give strong consideration to their lack of service time and time again.
Came back here again on a business trip, and invited my colleagues this time. Ordered Malaysian Laksa Soup with Chicken, as well as the Chili Salt Chicken Wings for appetizer. I have not had better Chili Salt wings than here, and the soup was excellent as well. There is one issue worth mentioning - the ceiling looked like there was a water leak, and repaired hastily. That wasn't there when I came here last time, but I trust that it will be repaired properly soon. Not that it is any of my concern, I just feel that it takes away from the overall atmosphere of the restaurant.
My wife and I have been to this restaurant prob. 3 times before and the
food was always great until this time. About 2 weeks ago.
I had ordered the scallops with snow peas and asparagus.
This meal was first cold when brought and very very bland.
Almost no tast to it at all. I don't know if they have a new cook or people
have complained food is too spicy. I love spice and their was none.
And cold is no excuse. I hate complaining but also no one asked us
if everything was alright, was the food OK.
We also asked for the complimentary jasmine tea when we ordered
and did not get it. Had to ask again.
Not sure whether we will returne, but in the past the food was
great. What happened.
I have frequented this restaurant regularly since they opened. Just recently we went out as a party of 5 and I was woefully disappointed in the service.
The food was good but the quality is declining.
It was the service which was suddenly dreadful.
Our server asked if we wanted utensils (we did) failed to bring them even though we asked again and again. Food was brought to the table cold. Tasted ok, but we had to ask for our drinks twice as I doubt they would ever have arrived.
No refills were offered and we received our dinners and still no utensils not even chopsticks which are always at the table when seated.
I finally managed to get another waitresses attention and asked for the errant utensils and she rolled her eyes at me and then flounced by.
i did eventually see her approach our server and there seemed to be some discussion. Our utensils were dropped off without any apology.
By that time the food was cold. We asked for takeout boxes and left.
I do not ever intend to darken the doors of this restaurant again. There are enough Thai places around that we can go elsewhere for the same fare.
What a shame because we have always raved about the food and service in the past. I mentioned this experience at my workplace and 4 others stated the service was awful before I even got that far.
What a shame as it is so hard to erase a bad experience when friendly and competant serving would have kept our patronage.
Fantastic experience. Love the food, love the atmosphere, love the leechie drink. mmm.
My group ordered a dish each to share amongst all of us. Everyone loved everything! Nothing was left and we were all very full in the end!
Service was good, but I was more focused on the group and she was very accommodating when we needed her!
I have also ordered delivery and never quite got a meal like this delivered before. It was fantastic! Some of the components to the meal were separated and you had to put it together to create the meal! It was great in that it wasn't soggy as take out can be if it's all assembled prior to being delivered!
I will definitely be back! A+++
Nice interior design and clean dining area.
Food was generally very tasty and orders came out in reasonable time.
Tom Yum Soup was my favorite and red curry was also very good. black bean beef was just so-so.
Would recommend.
The food was ok. However, I don't understand how the food comes out. (Mains before apps.) They even forgot the shakes, considering we had to ask them about it. When the shakes arrived, it didn't even taste fresh. I didn't bother asking about it because the server didn't even apologize when she forgot the shakes, so I'm guessing she doesn't really care. The staff needs some training and the cooks need to know what goes out first. Based on experience I would never come back, however seeing all these good reviews I might reconsider.
I've posted a review in the past. I've critisized the service which can be all over the place at times. However the food is great. It is consistent each and every time. My friends order the same thing almost every time and it is always arrives to us how we would expect it. That is key. As far as the service goes, it can be all over the place however, there is a great server working at BT. Her name escapes me, though she is super. Nothing to complain about as far as service when she is dealing with us.
Service was excellent, we had a good bye party for one of our co-workers, and everything got to us on time including drinks and appetizers. We had a party of 11 people, and we will definitely be coming back for other occasions. Food, service, atmosphere all AAA++!
the service is HORRIBLE...if you work there and you're reading this please listen:
-Greet the table
-Take drink orders and BRING the drinks within 3-5 min...not ONE HOUR (this actually happened to us, when it was dead!)
-Put in the order as SOON as you have it on your paper so the meals come on time
-When people order apps, make them come FIRST, not all at the same time unless they ASK you to do this.
LEARN how to SERVE TABLES and you will make better money...I'm a server and I have never not tipped...I did not tip!
but the food is GREAT :)
It is a nice and big restaurant for thai food, food was not bad at all and the service was quick and professional. My pad thai and shrimp chips were fresh and portions were ample.
This is the worst restaurant experience I have ever had.
I am a vegetarian and allergic to garlic. To begin I was given the wrong drink and then was served pork spring rolls when they said they were vegetable and was not told about the garlic. After I had taken a bite the waitress came up and said that those weren't for me. I then spent the next 10 in terrible pain in the bathroom. When I got back my friends told me that while I was in there they also brought me the wrong entree so they sent it away and got the right one. At the end of the meal and brought me the bill and had the full price of the drink and the entree. I went up to the counter and told them that I was still in horrible pain and that I refused to pay full price. After much complaining they finally took the drink off my bill. I am never going back here again.
I order takeout from here a few times a week for lunch while I'm at work. The food has never been disappointing and portions are good. I rarely ever have to wait for it once I'm there for the pickup.
I have dined in there with family once and was very impressed. Portions are slightly larger than takeout and everything arrived fairly promptly. Service was excellent and the atmosphere great. Only thing I would suggest is that they turn the lights up a little. It's a bit too dark when dining there at night.
I'm not sure what all the complainers are doing below, but I most definitely disagree and think that Ben Thanh is the place to go whether it be for a quick fix or a nice dinner out. Their food is great and the selection is incredible. There is so much to offer, I just want to try it all! The service is fantastic. On every occasion that I have visited the restaurant, the servers have been friendly, courteous and very helpful with regards to the menu.
