Pho Saigon has been my go-to bowl in Catonsville for so, SO long, it was actually one of my favorite spots way back in my college days at Peabody, and it’s still the first place I point friends to whenever they ask where to get pho around here.
It’s a budget-friendly Vietnamese mom-and-pop on N Rolling Road where the service is quick, the plate of fresh herbs and sprouts comes out looking like a little garden, and even the “small” bowl beats me every single time. I always ask for extra jalapenos, and they never charge me for it, which honestly makes me love it even more. If you want a reliable, affordable bowl of pho in the area, this is my pick, Nomsters.
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What Makes Pho Saigon My Go-To in Catonsville
Part of it is just how consistent it is. The broth’s rich and comforting, the noodles come out perfectly every time, and you get a huge pile of fresh veggies to build your bowl exactly how you like it. Service has always been quick and friendly, even when the place is packed.
The other part’s the story behind it: the Tran family have been in the Baltimore restaurant world for about three decades and were among the very first to bring pho to Maryland. These days it’s run by Kenny Tran and his wife, and that kind of history really does show up in the bowl. If you’re putting together a Catonsville food crawl, it’s one of my picks in my guide to the best restaurants in Catonsville.
What to Order at Pho Saigon
Here’s my actual go-to order, plus a couple of things worth knowing about the wider menu.
#10 Tai Chin ($14 small / $16 large)
This is my classic, the one that always hits. It comes with tender slices of steak and brisket in a yum, aromatic broth that’s just as good in the summer as it is on a freezing day. Fair warning: the “small” is enormous. At $14 it’s so big I’ve honestly never finished one, so unless you’re feeding two people or came in starving, get the small and leave room for a side.
#22 Chà Giò ($6.95)
Probably my favorite Vietnamese spring rolls in the whole area. They’re crispy, golden, and the filling’s nice and juicy, and the dipping sauce they come with seals the deal. A must-order every time I go, no exceptions.
The Vegetarian and Vegan Options
This is where Pho Saigon really stands out from your average pho shop: alongside the classic beef bowls, they do a proper vegetarian pho, a vegan banh mi, and crispy fried tofu. It’s not an afterthought either, the menu’s deep on this because owner Kenny’s wife is vegan, so a mixed group can genuinely all eat happily here.
The Thai Tea (Save Room)
They’ve got a whole scratch-made drink program, and the Thai tea is the star, sealed up like a big cup of boba (they reportedly make hundreds of these a week). There are fruit smoothies too if you want something lighter. Grab one for the road.
More About Pho…
If you’re new to it, pho is Vietnam’s national noodle soup: rice noodles in a slow-simmered, spiced beef broth topped with thin slices of meat. The fun part is that it arrives half-finished on purpose. That garden plate of Thai basil, bean sprouts, and lime on the side? You tear the herbs in, squeeze the lime, and add hoisin and sriracha to taste (I like to put them on the side), so you’re basically seasoning the bowl to your own liking. At Pho Saigon the herb plate’s generous, so don’t be shy about piling it in.
The Vibe
Pho Saigon’s a casual, no-fuss neighborhood spot, the kind of place that’s about the food and the value, not a fancy dining room. Service is fast and friendly even at a rush, there’s tons of free parking, and they do dine-in, takeout, and delivery, so it works whether you’re settling in for a big bowl or grabbing one to go. It’s an easy solo lunch and an easy group dinner. And if you’re in a banh mi mood instead, another Catonsville favorite of mine is Saigon Blvd Banh Mi right down the road.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 1116 N Rolling Road, Catonsville, MD 21228
- Hours: Mon 11AM-10PM, closed Tue, Wed-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-9PM
- Phone: (410) 744-2740
- Ordering: Dine-in, takeout, and delivery; menu and online ordering at phosaigoncatonsville.com
- Price: Budget-friendly (the small pho is $14 and enormous)
- Good to know: Ask for extra jalapenos (they don’t charge for it), and there’s a deep vegetarian and vegan menu
- Don’t miss: The scratch-made Thai tea, and keep an eye out for their annual Pho Challenge (a roughly two-pound bowl)
- Parking: Lots of free parking
Is Pho Saigon Worth A Visit?
For me it’s an easy yes, and has been for years. It’s consistent, it’s affordable, the portions are huge, and there’s a real family behind it who helped put pho on the map in Maryland. That combination is exactly why it’s stayed my go-to since college.
Have you guys been to Pho Saigon yet? Let me know your go-to order in the comments (and whether you can actually finish the small), Nomsters.