The Kansas City Pho Tour!
We begin! Quick question for the crowd: Who is here following from the calzone tour?
We will be visiting 7 locations to get some pho today, rating them on a scale of 1-10 on an average of 3 ratings. Based on deliciousness, vibe, and uh well I guess that's it.
If your favorite place isn't on the tour today, do NOT panic! You may still have your place on a list that we will try a different day, but still feel free to recommend a location!
I'm joined once again by u/joemeister44 but now, first time joiner to the tour, my fiance u/therockstone.
First stop: Bun Mee Phan
82 comments · 84% upvoted · other discussions
Bun Mee Phan! We went here due to Mr Le's being closed, but we are headed there now.
Let's talk rating. On a flat food critic level, this receives a 4.66/10 rating. Everything was fine, nothing was great. But let's talk more about business.
Im a businessman, I own a business, I often run another man's business, and many businessmen (and the ladies) will tell you that a business is a people business. "The customer is always right" "Make them happy"
These are common mantras around very successful businesses. Why? Because the customer is the reason they're allowed to operate.
When we entered Bun Mee Phan, the vibe was weird. Listed are the signs outside of the door. "NO SOLICITING, NO TRESPASSING, NO PUBLIC RESTROOM" does this sound like a business that loves people? What about when they pay in full for a bowl of pho, and then you refuse to give them 2 more bowls? Why? To save money? No, you would just clean them. Is it to protect them? Probably not. But when you refuse to let them bring in their own bowls???!!!
We know what you care about. The money. The fame. You don't care about the people.
I, and my colleagues highly recommend never visiting this establishment. We are not Karens, we didn't insult anyone, just don't go. Promise.
"When three people come in and order one bowl, we don't make money" yes you do. You sold a bowl of pho, we were just splitting it.
Awful customer service, whatever.
Mr Le's sushi next!
swagin13 5 points · Jan 2024
As a fan of local businesses and this one in particular, please refrain from telling others not to visit over one experience.
I can see where the customer is always right approach makes sense, but for three people to walk in, the expectation would be three meals being ordered and that is a loss of money from a conversion standpoint.
Getting extras bowls doesn’t seem like something they would refuse, but I get that inconvenience for you. However, to advocate against a patronage of a long standing local business is a bit too far, personally. Everyone has off days and this is a 4.6 rated restaurant on google for a reason.
JoeMeister44 0 points · Jan 2024 · Calzone Master
To be clear, we were nothing but kind to the woman taking our order, and the reason for ordering one bowl was explained. This is a Pho tour. We're visiting 7 different restaurants today alone. Splitting a bowl is a necessity, and the fact she refused to accommodate at all doesn't reflect well on the restaurant. I really hope this was an off day, because we felt let down.
[deleted] 5 points · Jan 2024
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Dudebug1 [OP] 1 points · Jan 2024 · Calzone Master
There was no one in the restaurant. Everyone else has been at least peaceful about us trying different food.
I'm not coming at you, and I don't want you to think I am. I'm disappointed in the business.
If you think they're a good business, go to the Google reviews, filter by 1 star, and read the RESPONSES from the OWNER.
It's baffling.
Futrel 4 points · Jan 2024
Ha. I just read the one star reviews and the responses. Pretty much the first three were where the customer, or their child, knocked their bowl on the floor then proceeded to give one star. I kind of enjoy the owner's replies tbh.
JoeMeister44 0 points · Jan 2024 · Calzone Master
Wow, I'm sorry this offended you. And for taking up one table in a completely empty restaurant. And for expressing our disappointment at unprofessional behavior because of a simple request. I guess we were completely wrong for wanting to try it, period.
Go ahead and take a look at the owner's responses to less than stellar reviews on google. I totally understand not consenting to every request, and expressing a level of frustration...but you can't tell me these responses are professional. Please take a look.