A small stone building with a dark gray shingle roof houses a Vietnamese restaurant named "Pho 11." Above the windows and entrance is a banner featuring colorful images of Vietnamese dishes alongside the restaurant's name and logo. The building's entrance is accessed by a small set of concrete stairs with a metal railing. A neon "OPEN" sign glows in one of the windows on the left. Below the window is a standing signboard with the restaurant's name, "Pho 11 Vietnamese Restaurant," and a phone number. A bright orange traffic cone is placed near the base of the stairs, and the surrounding area includes shrubs and a parking lot.

Pho 11 Review: The Best Vietnamese Food in State College, PA

While other Asian restaurants in State College may dabble in Vietnamese food, Pho 11 is the only strictly Vietnamese restaurant in town. But does it deliver?

Interior

After entering Pho 11, you’ll see two kiosks off to the left. From there you can order dine-in or take out.

Two self-service ordering kiosks at Pho 11 restaurant in State College, Pennsylvania. The kiosks feature touchscreen displays with 'ORDER HERE' signage at the top and payment options for major credit cards and mobile payments. The screens display menu items with photos, descriptions, and prices for easy selection. Behind the kiosks, the wall is adorned with a menu board, featuring dishes and promotions, including information about 'Fantuan Delivery.' The setup provides a modern and convenient ordering experience for customers.

The interior is spacious and tables have ample space between them. Tables are wood with most having a tablet anchored to them for ordering food. Seats are wood with leather backs. It’s difficult for me to sit on hard wood seats for extended periods of time, so my posterior started to go numb after about 30 minutes. It was a small price to pay for delicious Vietnamese food, however.

Interior of Pho 11 restaurant in State College, Pennsylvania, showing a spacious dining area with dark wooden tables and chairs with leather seating. Each table is set with condiments, including bottles of sriracha. Bright natural light enters through large windows, complementing the warm-toned walls adorned with framed art and traditional decor. A wooden doorway is visible in the back, flanked by decorative red banners. The vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and hanging pendant lights enhances the cozy, inviting atmosphere. Large potted plants add greenery to the space.

The multiple counters are reserved for takeout and delivery orders, or for customers who want to pay for their meal with cash.

Interior of Pho 11 restaurant in State College, Pennsylvania, featuring a cozy design with dark wood counters, bamboo-like textures, and light wooden trim. Frosted glass with tropical designs of palm trees and huts decorates the back of the counter. Signs for 'Pick Up Here' are displayed for DoorDash and takeout services. Red Chinese ornaments and festive decor add cultural touches. The right side shows shelves with to-go containers and supplies. A table with leather chairs is visible in the foreground, with warm overhead and natural lighting creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Service

With Pho 11 utilizing kiosks for ordering, interaction with the staff is limited.

About 10 minutes after ordering, my food was wheeled out on a plastic cart and placed in front of me on plastic cafeteria-style tray. The lady who presented me my food was pleasant and hoped I was going to enjoy my meal.

(Spoiler – I did enjoy it!)

Food

I ordered Fried Chicken Wings and Roast Duck Pho. The Fried Chicken Wings cost $9.00 while the Roast Duck Pho cost $14.00.

Menu display showing a dish of Fried Chicken Wings (炸雞翅) at Pho 11 restaurant. The image features four golden-brown fried chicken wings arranged on a white plate with a small cup of red dipping sauce in the center. The item description highlights that it includes 4 pieces of fried chicken wings. The text and image are part of a digital ordering interface.
Menu display showing the Roast Duck Pho (鴨粉) at Pho 11 restaurant. The image features a bowl of pho with clear noodles, topped with slices of roasted duck, green onions, and garnishes. The description states that the dish is a roast duck noodle soup served with lime, bean sprouts, and jalapeños. The text and image are part of a digital ordering interface.

Fried Chicken Wings

The Fried Chicken Wings come in a serving of four with sweet and sour dipping sauce on the side.

While they were a touch oily, the wings had great flavor and were fried to crispy perfection.

A serving of Fried Chicken Wings at Pho 11 restaurant. The dish includes four golden-brown fried chicken wings arranged on a white plate, accompanied by a small cup of red sweet chili dipping sauce. The crispy texture of the wings contrasts with the vibrant color of the sauce, creating an appetizing presentation on a dark wooden table.

Roast Duck Pho

The Roast Duck Pho delivered on all fronts.

A serving of Roast Duck Pho at Pho 11 restaurant. The dish features a large white bowl filled with broth, clear noodles, and tender slices of roasted duck garnished with green onions and thinly sliced onions. Accompanying the bowl is a side plate with fresh bean sprouts and a lime wedge, along with a pair of chopsticks placed on the tray. The meal is presented on a brown serving tray, creating a warm and appetizing presentation.

The roast duck was cooked well and I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of amount of it included in the pho. I was halfway through the bowl and still discovered two more pieces of roast duck after I’d thought I’d eaten it all.

The broth was divine, as well. It was the perfect amount of savory that kept me slurping spoonful after spoonful.

Wrapping Up

For lovers of Vietnamese cuisine, Pho 11 is a must-visit destination.

Have you eaten at Pho 11?

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