Day 81 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and this one’s super exciting for the DMV. Phowheels in Burtonsville is Maryland’s FIRST Vietnamese drive-thru, and Tuan and his team are doing something really special over there. We’re talking creative Vietnamese fusion you don’t typically see around here: roti tacos stuffed with your choice of protein, a shaky beef rice bowl that instantly became one of my personal favorites, cheesesteaks with brisket or oxtail, and wings with house-made sauces that are SO good it’s hard to pick just one. Tuan was an incredible host, and I left happy, full, and already thinking about when I’m going back.
View this reel on Instagram
What Makes Phowheels a Standout Vietnamese Spot in Burtonsville
Phowheels has been serving modernized Vietnamese street food across the DMV for years, with locations at Union Market in D.C. and a kiosk in Arlington. But the Burtonsville spot is something new entirely: a full drive-thru, dine-in, and patio setup that makes Vietnamese food more accessible than ever. It opened recently in a former drive-thru location on Old Columbia Pike, and it’s the first of its kind in the region. Tuan helms the kitchen, and his approach is all about taking classic Vietnamese flavors and reframing them in ways that feel both familiar and fresh.
The menu is genuinely creative. Alongside pho and banh mi, you’ve got roti tacos, Vietnamese cheesesteaks, and rice bowls. It’s the kind of place where Vietnamese food fans and curious first-timers are both going to find something they love. If you’ve been following my Vietnamese food adventures around Maryland, you know how much I appreciate a spot that respects the classics while also taking some swings. Phowheels definitely swings. For other great Vietnamese spots worth knowing in Maryland, check out my review of An Loi in Columbia, a solid pho and banh mi spot with really affordable prices.
What to Order at Phowheels
Whole Wings
The Whole Wings ($11.98 for 4 pieces) are MASSIVE. These are not your average wing-night wings. They’re big, they’re well-cooked, and the sauces are the real star. Phowheels offers a bunch of sauce options and every single one I tried was yum. My honest advice: try a few. It’s really hard to pick a favorite, which is a great problem to have, lol.
Roti Tacos
The roti tacos are the item you need to know about. Available with chicken thigh ($13.98 for 2), tofu, shaky beef, oxtail, and more, these swap the usual tortilla for a flaky Malaysian roti canai shell, which adds this buttery, layered texture that works perfectly as a taco wrapper. The fillings are generous and the roti shell holds everything together really well. I got the chicken thigh version and it was a GREAT intro to the concept.
Vietnamese Cheesesteaks
Yes, cheesesteaks. The brisket cheesesteak (12″ for $24.98) is REALLY tasty, and the flavors are on point. The brisket’s tender and scrumptious, and the whole thing comes together really well. The oxtail cheesesteak (12″ for $34.98) is the splurge option, and delicious. If you’re a cheesesteak person who’s also a Vietnamese food person, this is a very happy mashup.
Shaky Beef Rice Bowl
The Shaky Beef Rice Bowl ($21.98) is easily one of my faves from this visit. Bo luc lac (shaky beef) is a Vietnamese classic where beef cubes are marinated and then wok-seared at high heat with garlic, onion, and butter, which gives the meat this incredible savory, caramelized crust. At Phowheels, the meat’s marinated really well, and the bowl comes with pickled goodness and a fried egg on top. It’s the kind of bowl where every bite has something going on. Really worth ordering.
Drinks
Vietnamese coffee and Thai iced tea are both on the menu, which is always a yes from me. A great Vietnamese meal deserves a great drink to go with it.
What Is a Roti Taco?
If you haven’t heard of a roti taco before, here’s the quick explainer. Roti canai is a flaky, buttery flatbread with Malaysian and Indian roots, made by repeatedly folding and stretching dough with fat, then cooking it on a hot griddle until it’s got these gorgeous crispy layers. When you use it as a taco shell, you get something way more interesting than a standard tortilla: it’s got chew, crunch, and a richness that holds up to juicy fillings without getting soggy. It’s become a popular Vietnamese-fusion move in the DMV, and Phowheels does it really well. Their roti tacos are consistently cited as a crowd favorite, so go ahead and order a couple.
A Big Thank-You to Tuan
A HUGE thanks to Tuan for having us in and treating us to this meal. He and his team put out some seriously creative food, and we really appreciated the hospitality. Spots like this are exactly why I do this series, and this one’s a keeper. You guys know I’m always hunting for Vietnamese spots worth knowing around here, and if you want another great one in the area, my review of V N Noodle House in Gambrills is worth a read too.
The Vibe and Experience
The setup at Phowheels Burtonsville gives you options: drive-thru for a quick pickup, or stay a while in the dine-in area or on the patio. It’s an easy spot to work into any outing, whether you’re grabbing something quick or sitting down for a full meal. Burtonsville isn’t always top of mind when people are planning a food outing, but this place is worth making the trip.
Good to Know
- Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 11am to 10pm
- 15707 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866
- Phone: +1 301-302-8560
- Website: phowheelsdc.com
- Google rating: 4.7 stars based on 594 reviews
- Price range: Inexpensive (drive-thru, dine-in, and patio all available)
- Drive-thru: Yes, Maryland’s first Vietnamese drive-thru
Phowheels is one of those spots that does something genuinely new without losing sight of the flavors that make Vietnamese food so good. The roti tacos are a must, the shaky beef rice bowl is a personal favorite, and the wings deserve way more attention than they’ll probably get. Tuan and his team are building something real in Burtonsville, and I’m so glad Day 81 brought me here. Go check them out, Nomsters.
Have you been to Phowheels yet? Let me know what you order in the comments!