Pho 888 - Des Moines

I have fond memories of dining here at least once a week during my time living in Des Moines. The Vietnamese cuisine is simply excellent. Their Beef Meatball Pho is a classic dish, and my roommate’s favorite was always the combination fried rice. The food is both delicious and affordable, and I have no complaints at all! I still make a point to eat here whenever I return for a visit.

Yes. You should eat here. We come here all the time because it’s consistently the tastiest and most authentic pho we can find in the Des Moines area. You won’t be impressed by the building, but the food more than makes up for it. Some of my favorite places to eat aren’t much to look at, but I’m not going there to look around, I’m going for food. You may even feel like you been plucked out of the Midwest and plopped down in a restaurant somewhere in Vietnam or at least on the West Coast. I like the vegetable pho and Lemongrass Vermicelli with tofu (not on the menu anymore, but they can still make it). They load up the pho with all kinds of veggies, a richly flavored broth and fresh crisp bean sprouts, Thai basil, jalapeños, lime wedges and culantro (yes culantro, not cilantro) to top it off. Remember to use your chopsticks and fork together. Noodles will slip right off your spoon, but you want a little broth with each bite.

I ordered the special combination pho and Bahn Mi, and they were among the best I've ever tasted. The service was also quick, as it took only about 15 minutes to prepare everything for takeout. I will definitely be returning!

While Pho 888 may not be the most renowned Vietnamese restaurant in Des Moines, it’s our go-to spot for a quick, satisfying meal—especially on chilly winter evenings. Conveniently located next to the Double Dragon supermarket, it’s run by the same family, ensuring that the ingredients are always fresh and well-stocked since they can easily replenish supplies from next door. As many know, a good pho is judged by its broth, and Pho 888 does not disappoint in that regard. We also love ordering a cracked rice dish to accompany our meals. There's plenty of parking available, and the service is handled by second-generation Vietnamese-Americans, so English speakers can feel at ease without any communication barriers.

I never had Vietnamese food before and I loved their pho! I had pho ga (I don’t eat beef so chose chicken broth instead) and it was amazing. The Vietnamese coffee is good too but it is too strong for me. The staff was friendly and attentive. I would definitely recommend this place.