Is there parking at Phuong Trang?

Yes, there's free parking in the lot right there on Convoy Street in Clairemont. You won't have to circle the block looking for a spot, which is a big plus when this place gets slammed during lunch and dinner rush.

Do I need a reservation or can I just walk in?

They take reservations and you should use them—this spot is consistently packed, especially during business lunch and dinner hours. Walk-ins will wait, sometimes significantly. If you're a group of five or more, know that an automatic 18% gratuity gets added to your bill.

What should I order on my first visit?

Start with their Cơm Tấm (broken rice) combo—reviewers who grew up eating it in Vietnam say it's among the most authentic in San Diego. The deep-fried spring rolls are excellent, and the pho (especially the beef short rib and Xe lua combination versions) is a solid move if you're going that route.

Is this place good for families with kids?

Absolutely. It's tagged as kid-friendly and works well for group dinners, so you won't feel out of place bringing children. Fair warning: it gets crowded, so managing expectations about wait times and noise level is smart.

Can you accommodate vegetarian or dietary restrictions?

They have vegetarian options available. For anything more specific, your best bet is calling ahead or asking the Vietnamese-speaking staff when you arrive—they'll give you straight answers about what can be modified.

When's the best time to go if I want to avoid a long wait?

This is a neighborhood staple that's been going strong for decades, so it's consistently busy. Try late-night hours if you can—it's listed as a late-night spot and might have shorter waits than peak lunch or dinner times.

Do they accept cards or is it cash only?

They accept both cards and cash now. They were cash-only for a while, but switched to accepting cards, which makes payment convenient.

Phuong Trang — Vietnamese in Clairemont, San Diego

“Phuong Trang has been feeding Clairemont's Vietnamese cravings for over three decades with portions that assume you're sharing.”

While newer Vietnamese spots around the village lean into Instagram-friendly bánh mì or photogenic vermicelli bowls, Phuong Trang operates on a different axis entirely: this is the spot for cơm tấm (broken rice plates) done the way Saigon expats remember them, and pho combinations that arrive in bowls big enough to require table real estate negotiation. The kitchen doesn't pivot toward fusion or simplification — they're cooking for the Vietnamese community first, which means depth over accessibility.

The **cơm tấm combo** is the anchor here: charred pork chop, shredded pork skin, fried egg, all meeting broken rice with nước mắm that's been calibrated just right. It's the kind of plate that locals' mothers-in-law request by name six years later. The **xe lửa phở** (train pho, loaded with every beef cut they've got) works if you want the full spectrum in one bowl. **Deep-fried spring rolls** come out hot, tight, and crunchier than most neighborhood competitors manage.

Expect a wait — this place packs out at peak hours, and they don't rush tables. Parking's free in the lot, which matters more than it should on Convoy. The staff skews Vietnamese, service is brisk but not chatty, and there's an 18% auto-grat for parties of five or more. They finally take cards now, though old-timers still remember the cash-only years.

Downsides: consistency has reportedly slipped for some long-term regulars, and if you're flying solo, the portion sizes work against you. But for groups looking to share across the table without wrecking the budget, Phuong Trang still does what it's always done — feed people well, in quantity, without apology.

Phuong Trang

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