Welcome to Pho Cao
"Pho Cao" is a unique fusion of Vietnamese cuisine, live music, and dive bar ambiance, making it a must-visit spot in Scottsdale. Known for their exceptional Pho offerings, such as the Special Combo Pho and Steak Pho, the restaurant also impresses with their Cao's Special Fried Rice and Shrimp Fried Rice. Customers rave about the friendly service, great atmosphere, and fantastic broth. With a diverse menu, lively entertainment, and a welcoming vibe, "Pho Cao" truly stands out as a favorite destination for those seeking a memorable dining experience.
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7436 E McDowell Rd Scottsdale, AZ 852577436 E McDowell Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85257 Hotline: (480) 947-2608
Welcome to Pho Cao, a hidden gem nestled in Scottsdale, Arizona, where the lively ambiance harmonizes beautifully with an authentic Vietnamese culinary experience. Located at 7436 E McDowell Rd, this vibrant venue seamlessly combines the excitement of a dive bar and the delight of a music venue, making it an ideal spot for a fun night out.
As a food reviewer, I found myself immediately drawn to Pho Cao's unique vibe, brought to life by live music and friendly service. The atmosphere is electrifying, especially on weekends, where aspiring musicians share their original songs while diners savor the rich flavors of traditional Vietnamese dishes. The blend of music and cuisine creates an experience unlike any other, turning each visit into a memorable occasion.
The menu at Pho Cao offers a delightful range of options, from their celebrated pho, which consistently garners praise for its flavorful broth, to vegetarian entrees that cater to a variety of dietary preferences. Notably, the veggie fried rice (Com chien chay) and vegetarian curry (Cari chay) feature fresh vegetables and tofu cooked to perfection, ensuring every bite is a taste of home.
One of the standout dishes is, of course, the pho. With tender meats like brisket and lean rare steak swimming in a aromatic broth, it strikes a perfect balance of savory and fragrant, captivating the taste buds of both locals and visitors alike. Customers rave about the unique twist it offers, featuring ramen noodles in place of traditional vermicelli, delivering a delightful texture and flavor.
In addition to the main courses, Pho Cao also provides a variety of tantalizing drinks, such as the Iced Vietnamese coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) and the refreshing Fresh young coconut (Nuoc Dua Tuoi), which perfectly complement the meal. For dessert, indulge in the Coconut Ice Cream, served in a fresh coconut and topped with an assortment of fruits—an exquisite way to end a fantastic dinner.
Whether you're looking for a date night spot or a lively place to unwind with friends, Pho Cao checks off all the boxes. Its blend of phenomenal cuisine, warm service, and enchanting music creates a welcoming atmosphere that feels like home. Customers leave with full bellies and warm hearts, eagerly planning their next visit. Pho Cao is not just a restaurant; it's a vibrant community hub where the flavors of Vietnam come alive, one bowl of pho at a time.
Excellent Vietnamese pho. Great atmosphere life band on a Friday night waiter is very friendly.
Great place for date night. It's a dive bar but I love the music, the vibe, and the fusion of different types of Asian food. Great music. We went on a Saturday night to watch a friend play music there. It was a packed house. And I only saw 3 people taking orders, delivering orders and cleaning. I'm sure there was a chef in the back. However they did not show any signs of stress. They were friendly and patient as we made our order. We ordered the spring rolls with shrimp and pork. VERY GOOD. We also ordered the fried rice - it was amazing. We ate everything on the plate! We also ordered the Ramen Pho. I'm Vietnamese so I know I have a bias and I probably prefer traditional pho dishes over modern, fun renditions of pho. This bowl had ramen noodles instead of vermicelli noodles - it was skinny noodles not the udon thick kind - it was okay. The meat (brisket and lean rare steak) were fabulous. The broth was interesting but good. Overall I would give the spring rolls and fried rice 5 stars and the pho 4 stars. We had a great time here. And will come again!
DATE NIGHT SPOT ***!!! if you love the dive bar/pool/live music experience ANDDDD great asian cuisine.. come to pho cao!!!!! i have been coming back here and bringing all of my friends since 2018 and have been extremely happy EVERY single time. no one can beat their pho and their broth is perfection. the service is always fast and the place is always so busy, there's never a time where i see this place "dead".. will be coming back for many more years to come! - all my friends also LOVE this place! also a great date spot to bring too, but with the live music it CAN get a little loud so be wary of that!
MY CHEERS BAR. Feel at home here. The broth is fantastic and I was born raised in HI. A lot of the staff there r so nice and welcoming. LOVE IT.
My husband and I were visiting Scottsdale for the weekend and this very unique destination was just a 10 minute walk from our hotel. It definitely wasn't what we expected, but that isn't a bad thing. I would describe this place as a dive-ish kind of locals' bar with live music (young musicians trying out original music with their first band) and legit Vietnamese food. We thought the place was super cool. Never been to any place like it. We sat at the bar, the music was a little on the loud side, it was difficult to carry on a continuous conversation, but the entertainment was entertaining and the Pho was phenomenal. My husband had the fried rice and said it was some of the best he has ever had. I wouldn't recommend the spring rolls, but the dumplings looked legit. If you are craving some genuine Vietnamese flavors and some rock music--this is the place. So unexpected and a lot of fun.
There was excellent service. The ambiance was great, there was local musicians playing and music was at a great level without being overwhelming. You are still able to have a conversation Pho is great, shrimp fried rice well the rice was great but the shrimp in it were alright a bit overcooked and seemed they were boiled vs cooked in with the rice Overall everything was great and recommend. Would've given 5 stars if it wasn't for the shrimp alone
A little bit of everything. If you are looking for a place that has Vietnamese food, live entertainment, full bar and sports on TV.....this is the place. Definitely a different vibe than your traditional Vietnamese restaurant. Food was good, more on the traditional side as it is savory over sweet. I got the pho special late at night and was surprised it was good. A little light on protein. As for entertainment, it was a blues band. I would never have guessed. They were really good. Waitress told me they have open mic night and try to offer live entertainment daily. Playoff basketball, baseball games surround the full bar. Service was exceptional. Waitress was amazing. Not only she was the bartender, she waited on the table and also cleaned them. Amazing. As for atmosphere, yes definitely a dive bar but again, the experience was well worth the non-yuppy vibe people may be looking for. Recommend.