Pho Express
If you're craving a delicious, cozy meal in Panama City Beach, Pho Express is the place to be. Located at 8776 Thomas Dr, this charming Vietnamese restaurant offers a relaxed and casual vibe that’s perfect for groups, families, or just a quiet solo meal. Whether you're in the mood to unwind with friends or treat your kids to something new, Pho Express offers a welcoming environment with outdoor seating options to enjoy the beautiful weather.
Pho Express specializes in classic Vietnamese dishes that will surely leave you craving more. The Pho, of course, is the star of the show here, offering rich, flavorful broths and perfectly tender noodles. But there’s more than just pho on the menu. For a light start, try their crispy Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls—they’re a perfect snack or appetizer. The Banh Mi sandwich is also a fan favorite, with its crisp baguette and savory fillings. If you're looking for something with a bit more kick, the Bun Bo Hue packs a spicy punch, and for vegetarians, the Vegetarian Pho offers a hearty, flavorful alternative that’s just as satisfying.
Pho Express stands out not just for its food but also for its atmosphere. The restaurant is casual and quiet, making it an ideal spot for a low-key meal. The outdoor seating area adds a touch of charm, allowing you to enjoy your meal al fresco. The vibe here is family-friendly, and you'll find it’s a great spot for a group meal, whether it's a casual dinner with friends or a family gathering. It's no surprise that locals and tourists alike return to Pho Express time and time again for its delicious food and welcoming atmosphere.
If you're near the beach and looking for a place to unwind with some tasty Vietnamese dishes, Pho Express is definitely worth a visit. With its laid-back vibe, mouth-watering menu, and great outdoor seating, it's easy to see why it’s become a local favorite!
Reviews
So very cute when you walk up- lots of plants which sets it apart from most PCB eateries right away. Very welcoming when we walked in. We had eaten at the previous location and this location is what this place was meant to be. Very warm and inviting. Staff was friendly. We ordered tofu spring rolls, veggie pho, and the beef and lemongrass pho. Everything was delicious! I've never had tofu spring rolls but I love them! If you're a fan of tofu, try them. The peanut sauce is very good! He loved his beef and lemongrass pho- he didn't season it much, maybe a couple of jalapeño slices. He was too busy slurping as was I. My veggie pho came with the fried tofu on the side, which was a nice touch. The broth was incredible! The seasoning was perfect- I'm not a big salt gal and I don't like when it's used to replace flavors, but I could taste vegetables in the broth, so I was all in. Good veggie to noodle ratio and while I didn't add any lime to it, I used plenty of those jalapeños as well as cilantro and the mung bean sprouts for that crunch. All in all, easily the best pho on the beach! I can see why almost every table was full by the time we left (and people outside were waiting for our parking spot). Glad this place is closer now.
In a city packed with heavy barbeque and grilled food, my family wanted to get some lighter Asian food for dinner, which brought us to Pho Express. There were several Asian families eating in the restaurant: not wanting to assume, but it was an indicator that the food there must be pretty genuine and good. And indeed it was. We got a small plain beef pho (Pho Khong P6), a large spicy beef pork pho (Bun Bo Hue), and a pork slices & fried egg platte. Don't be misled by the sizes for the pho (Small, Large, and XLarge), cause a "small" bowl was filling for a relatively light eater, and a large bowl was more than enough for a big eater like me. Can't imagine having the XL bowl (unless you're really craving). All of the dishes were amazing. First of all, the smell in the restaurant had our stomachs growling already. And the first taste totally got us. The broth was flavorful, the spices were perfect, and the meat had great texture and came in abundant amounts. I will say I wasn't a fan of the noodles cause they were a bit too firm and broke easily, but that was only a minor inconvenience. The rice platte was good too, with juicy pork seasoned to just the right amount. A crisp fried egg and steamy white rice were great supplements to it. We finished our meal in no time. I forgot to mention the spring rolls - definitely get them! We ordered grilled pork rolls, and they were great appetizers for us. Overall, a fantastic meal for anyone who likes Vietnamese food and seeking a warm bowl of soupy pho. Conveniently good for young people seeking fun next door after a full stomach. TLDR: Authentic Vietnamese food for anyone with a craving. Plain Beef Pho: 7.5/10 Spicy Beef Pork Pho: 8.5/10 Pork Slices Platte: 8/10 Grilled Pork Spring Rolls: 8/10
Perfect when you are looking for that bowl of hot noodle soup to warm your soul!! Interesting location being right next to a strip club... that was a little hard to explain to the kids lol. However, we didn't let that deter us. Small store with around 6 tables and counter seating. Friendly and efficient staff. Food came out quick, fresh, and tasty. We would recommend!
The place is right next to a gentleman's club which I thought was funny. The space inside is okay, not ideal for a big group of family, there was 15 of us so we used up 3 separate tables. The spicy pho was really good (second time trying pho In my life) so I really can't compare to anything else. The spicy level was not that high maybe a 6/10. The overall rating for the pho was 8/10. The spring rolls were good give them a 7.5/10 My spicy mango boba was alright, I've had better boba unfortunately. The drink itself was not spicy maybe they forgot to add all the things it described in the menu.
Absolutely recommend! We are from Washington DC area and we're looking for some good eats and everything was great! The owner is very sweet and provided amazing service. The restaurant is very clean and we would definitely go back!