Pho 54 in Del City: Straightforward Northern Vietnamese Bowls at Lunch Prices

Pho 54 is a casual counter-service pho house in Del City that specializes in Northern-style beef and chicken broths simmered for depth rather than spice. The restaurant seats roughly 40 across a handful of tables, operates weekday lunch hours primarily, and charges $10 to $13 for a full bowl, making it one of the lower-priced pho stops in the Oklahoma City metro.

What Pho 54 actually is

Northern Vietnamese pho differs from the Southern style most Americans encounter: the broth relies on long-simmering beef bones and charred onion rather than heavy spice, and the bowl arrives with fewer fresh herbs on the side. Pho 54 follows this quieter approach. The kitchen uses beef stock for its signature pho bo (beef pho) and offers a chicken version as well. Noodles are fresh rice vermicelli, cooked to order. The restaurant does not position itself as a full-service Vietnamese destination; it focuses on pho and a limited secondaries menu, which keeps prep time short and quality consistent.

Menu, pricing, and what to order

A large bowl of pho bo or pho ga runs $12 to $13, depending on meat choice and cut. Regular sizes are $10 to $11. Add-on proteins like brisket or chicken leg cost $1 to $2 extra. The broth carries a clean, savory backbone with none of the chili-forward heat common in Southern pho. Fresh herbs arrive at the table in a small plate: Thai basil, cilantro, and lime wedges. Sriracha and hoisin sit on every table, allowing diners to adjust heat and sweetness to preference.

The menu also includes a handful of vermicelli bowls (bun), banh mi sandwiches, and spring rolls as secondary options. Vermicelli bowls, typically $9 to $11, pair grilled meat with cold noodles and a light fish-sauce dressing. Banh mi sandwiches, $7 to $9, come with pâté and pickled vegetables. Spring rolls are $4 to $5 for an order of two. Soft drinks and Vietnamese iced coffee (ca phe sua da) cost $2 to $3.

None of these side dishes compete with the pho in execution; the kitchen's focus and skill land squarely in the broth. Order pho if you want to eat well; order the vermicelli or banh mi only if pho does not appeal or if you are looking for a lighter meal.

How Pho 54 compares to other Vietnamese pho in Oklahoma City

Pho 54 sits at the low end of the Oklahoma City pho spectrum on both price and ambition. Thanh Huong, located on South Western Avenue in Oklahoma City proper, operates as a larger restaurant with a broader menu that includes hot pots, vermicelli, banh mi, and pho. Thanh Huong bowls cost $11 to $14 and the restaurant stays open for lunch and dinner, making it the better choice if you want evening pho or plan to stay longer. However, Thanh Huong's broth is Southern-style, with more prominent spice and sweetness.

Pho 54 works best if you want a no-frills Northern pho in a quick lunch window and prefer a quieter, less sweet broth. Thanh Huong is the pick if you want later hours, a bigger menu, or a bolder, spicier bowl.

Who Pho 54 suits and who it does not

Pho 54 works well for weekday lunch crowds who know what they want and do not linger. The counter service, small seating area, and brief menu make fast ordering and eating straightforward. Anyone accustomed to Southern pho or expecting a full Vietnamese menu may feel the restaurant is limited. The early-closing hours (lunch only, typically 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., though hours warrant confirmation) rule it out for dinner seekers.

The quiet broth also suits people who prefer savory depth over heat; those who like pho loaded with chili and Sriracha may find the baseline broth mild until they add condiments themselves.

What the first visit involves

Walk in and order at the counter. A staff member will ask your protein choice and bowl size. You will wait 5 to 8 minutes for pho; faster dishes like banh mi or spring rolls arrive sooner. Grab a table, unpack the herb plate, and customize with lime, basil, and condiments to taste. The space is clean but minimal. No reservation is needed or taken.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Pho 54 operates Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (confirm current hours before visiting, as lunch-only schedules shift seasonally). The restaurant sits in a small shopping center off SE 29th Street in Del City, with free off-street parking directly in front. No public transportation serves the location reliably; a car is necessary.

Pho 54 fills a specific need: fast, cheap, Northern-style pho during a narrow window. For that purpose, it delivers consistency without pretense.