Great restaurant! Authentic food. The family atmosphere was also welcoming and the pho was fresh, light and well worth the price. Will definitely be going here again!
Try their menu number 15 if you prefer soup, and 16 if you want dry and tasty one. I love the vermicelli number 16 very much!! The owner is true Vietnamese which is friendly and talkative. Best pho in town!! Perfect for winter time!
Stopped by after being at Children's Hospital. Just a 4 block walk down Penn Ave from there. Kind of divey interior - nice and casual, but food was amazing and inexpensive. We had Pho, Wonton soup, Vermicelli, Spring rolls, and everything was great - very fresh and tasty. Owner is Vietnamese, and was very nice. We will be back again soon.
Atmosphere is a different experience if you've never eaten there before. They do have the best fresh rolls & pho in the city, in my opinion.
Tasty food, good atmosphere, good Pho. I miss the tripe in my pho and the noodles used here are different but other than that great experience.
This was my first time eating Vietnamese food and it was fantastic! I got one of the spring rolls and the vermicelli with chicken and onion and it was truly to die for. Other reviewers are not kidding when the day the one-handed owner is very much like the soup nazi. I didn't read the reviews before I went, but we were joking while at the restaurant that we could picture him saying, "No spring roll for you!". It's definitely not the cleanest place; the plate I was given for my spring roll was dirty. If you can't handle that kind of thing, I wouldn't recommend this place for you. However, the food is well worth it, and I will definitely be going back.
So good!. I live within walking distance - that being said, I'm not sure why I'm not there more often. The spring rolls are the absolute best! Being a creature of habit, I order the same thing every time (#17 with chicken) and I never get tired of it. Some people liken the dining experience to a visit to the Soup Nazi. Yes, I can see that. The owner once told me (in a commanding type voice) to mix the entree and put some sauce on it - I did it! Please don't let this deter you from a fantastic dining experience. I never ate Vietnamese food prior to ding here - I'll never go elsewhere!
He may be Soup Nazi to some, I could see how possible, but no problem with me. Gave me a nice, hot tea while waited for takeout. Excellent food!
Randomly stumbled across this gem as I do so many times in the Burgh. The summer rolls along with the sauce is the best I've had. My vermicelli dish also great all the way down to the broth at the bottom. This is the type of place where you wished you lived closer. Still worth the drive!
Jason Alex Rutherford
+4.5
The food and service were both excellent. Nice little neighborhood atmosphere. Even the regular patrons were friendly. Definite new haunt!
Tram Delicious!. I've been eating at Trams for years and I absolutely LOVE it. The Pho soup and spring rolls sing with fresh exoctic flavors. Don't overlook some of the authentic beverages either. I always get shrimp rolls and chicken Pho! I'd like to try some other items but the owner sees me and doesn't even ask for my order! I suppose fatter years of dining he figures I'm stuck! :) and who could care, it's so very delicious! Don't forget to try the amazing dipping sauces with your fresh rolls. I LOVE Trams!
Pittsburgh classic. Doesn't get better than this for Vietnamese. The spring rolls are fantastic and so is the pho. Vermicelli with egg rolls is also pretty great.
Best restaurant in Pittsburgh. Hands down.
Wow!. I second the recommendation for the fresh spring rolls. They are unlike any spring roll I've ever had. Served cold with large pieces of shrimp, fresh herbs, and veggies they were delightful and refreshing. This was my first experience with pho and I loved it! I like the array of sauces on the table as well as the plate of fresh basil/lime/sprouts that lets you customize your pho. This restaurant is no frills but is clean and well-kept. I'm glad to have happened upon this hidden gem!
Tram's is as close to the Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld as you can get .And I mean that in the best of ways. The food will blow you away. But if you are too whiny, specific, or don't like the hasty ordering process... you will get shunned. Don't be that person.
Eat here. This isn't a fancy place, but the food is delicious. Listen to Tram. He knows what you want.
Wonderful Pho. We stopped on Friday and had some spring rolls, fried wontons, and chicken Pho. The Pho was wonderful and authentic tasting. The prices were very reasonable; I got the "large" portion of Pho for $8.99 and it was in a bowl big enough for two people. I would rank this up with some of the best Pho I've had.
I love this place. I can't attest to its authenticity (I am not well versed in Vietnamese food), but I do know its cheap and delicious! I love the mung bean soup, and my boyfriend loves the Pho. We have gotten carry out and dined in, and we always have leftovers! Yeah, the restaurant is not "nice", but it doesn't gross me out or anything.
Delicious and Affordable. The food here is great (especially the vegetarian cuisine) and the atmosphere is relaxing and down to earth...it's cheap as hell too!
Delicious food! My favorite dishes are the vegetarian vegetables and lemon grass tofu. Absolutely great place to eat and super healthy, too. Pittsburgh is blessed to have such a gem in our city.
Update. They are currently closed due to a vacation and remodeling (much needed) of the restaurant and will be opening back in Mid August.
All other vietemeese sucks. This is the only authentic spot in Pittsburgh
Fresh rolls are the best anywere!!!
Try the soup. The soup is Fantastic, it's a must try!
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Say it with me, "Sah-tay". Trams looks like what it is, a neighborhood eatery run by a Vietnamese family. The waiters do not speak perfect english so if this sort of thing bothers you then you might want to head to Wendys instead.
The pho tastes as authentic as ive ever had, some places throw in a hard boiled egg, some add more nuc mon, some less, One place I ate in toronto put tripe in without telling you ahead of time! Trams does a good pho, but the real soup star on the menu is the Sate soup! If you feel like pho is too mild for you (it is a broth soup, it isnt gonna taste like prime rib) then the spicy kick of Sate will fit the bill! Filled with fresh jalapeno, the meat of your choice, and perfect angelhair pasta it has enough kick to clear the sinuses without making you tear up (and if you like to tear up the brutal cherry pepper hot sauce on the table will fulfill all your masochistic needs) try it and dont be surprised to find you have a new weekly craving.
The spring rolls are fresh, flavorful, and can be vegan. The "split rice" dish is an amazing take on fried rice with cucumbers, shredded pork, and fried egg with an amazing sweet sauce!
Trams isnt for everyone, it isnt the sort of place to cater to entitled cry-babies anymore than any other neighborhood diner place is, but for delicious food (is it authentic? who knows, who cares!? its good.) served quick and by a smiling family who bust their butts everyday then Trams is your place.
Trams is inexpensive, quick, delicious and everything always tastes fresh. I order take out every week. The mung bean soup with beef is AMAZING. Add a squeeze of lime and some chili sauce and it's perfect. Spring rolls are so fresh and yummy too.
Great food. Dont be turned off by the look or the seeming lack of caring by Tram. The food is great.
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Good take out pho; not for the squeamish. Tram's scares some people away because it looks like it's falling apart. Some food reviews describe a sensation of being transported to the native country of whatever; this is the real deal. Ask anyone who's been to Saigon, and they'll tell you that the best food is found in places that look like you should take your mean and run before the roof caves in.
The one-armed proprietor of the establishment (I assume this is "Tram") will give you something resembling what you asked for in exchange for approximately the correct amount of cash (no credit cards accepted). It may be slightly different from what you ordered, but don't worry. Tram knows what you need. Tram is wise.
If you're a lover of authentic ethnic food it will not disappoint. I haven't found a better bowl of pho in Pittsburgh yet, and when you order it for take out you get a complete pho hobby kit with the various ingredients wrapped separately. Those familiar with pho will understand how important this is, because the sprouts and paper-thin raw beef are meant to be enjoyed very shortly after being added to the hot broth. This is not something you want steeping in a plastic tub as you drive home.
If you're squeamish, if you need the wallpaper in a restaurant to be in great condition, if you need attentive service -- do not eat at Tram's (also, do not go to Vietnam). If you crave authentic vietnamese cuisine, and can overlook a lot if the food is great, this is a hidden gem you need to check out!
Great. I always get the fresh spring rolls and the chicken satay soup. It is so good that I find it hard to stray...The BEST thing if you are feeling under the weather. Amazing flavorful food. I've heard people complain about the service and ambiance...but I believe both add to the character of the place. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Oh MY. Delicious.....most interesting twist on spring rolls ever...the brown sauce on the table is to die for and the food is fab!!!
Delish!. Really good!!! loved everything we got especially the spring rolls and shrimp curry!!!!!!!!
A treasure.. There's nothing I haven't loved at Tram's, and before going there I'd never had Vietnamese food.
The fried and fresh spring rolls are both a must!!!
Amazing food. Tram's is one of the best places to eat in Pittsburgh. Tram's Satay soup and chicken fried rice are delicious. Nothing is missing in the flavor of their Pho! If you are on a budget this is a great place to eat.
So let's face it! Tram's is not the place you go for an atmosphere that makes you feel like you are in Vietnam or even a restaurant for that matter. Tram's is where you go for Pho in this town. Admittedly not the best Pho I have ever consumed but for Pittsburgh it is the best thus far. The broth actually tastes like it is made from scratch ... a HUGE rarity in this town! This goes to show that, in the long run, food that is even slightly above mediocre will win over decor. Take that to the bank!!
Best fresh spring rolls. Get the satay soup and fresh spring rolls..I've tried other things,and they are very good, but these two menu items are what keeps me coming back.
Small dining room with old plastic tablecloths and the owner that rushes you along are all part of the experience. I love this place!
Good stuff. Yes, tram's has a very bare-bones and lackluster dining room, but the food is great. awesome pho, spring rolls, etc.
they're a cash only operation, so keep that in mind before you have to run to nearest atm to pay for your meal.
Tram's Kitchen has the best Vietnamese food I've ever eaten. Even better than the pho I tried in Asia. Their lemon grass tofu, pho, egg rolls, spring rolls, all phenomenal.
Excellent food, bad service. Just don't ask questions or order a drink! With that said, the pho was so good, I can't wait to go back!
Different experience. Food was definitely great. Very different. Nothing I have ever experienced before. I would suggest NOT getting spring rolls. It looks like human skin. Service was ok... They were very busy. We sat for almost 15 minutes before we had to flag waiter down to get our order. Banana desert is phenomnal. Special coffee is a goodie as well.
Great!. No frills, nothing fancy, but very good. The fresh spring rolls are a must, and the tofu rice noodle dish always good.
Neighborhood staple.. I eat here weekly, and have been coming for years. i have never been there and not ordered the spring rolls. they are hands down the best spring rolls ive ever eaten-- nothing comes close to them. TOTES cravable. moved away for a bit and definitely went through withdrawal.
the decor may seem slightly intimidating/drab to a newcomer, but i don't notice it any more.. unless they get new tablecloths :) .
BYOB with no corkage fees. cash only.
Great Food - Great People !. Its real simple here, they put the quality and care on the table! It's not on the wall or in the decor. The restaurant is clean and respectable and the service is good. The owner is a real gentleman and I would recommend to anyone! The best in the city !
One of the first things I learned about Pittsburgh.... One of the first things I learned about Pittsburgh is that the dirtier the pizza shop, the better the pizza.
Maybe the same holds true for Vietnamese restaurants? I wanted to leave this place the moment I got in it, but over 400 urban spooners can't be wrong, can they?
My spring rolls were alright, they tasted kind of stale. My chicken and peanut Sate soup was beyond amazing though. My husband had some vermicelli with beef (17 I think?) and it was delicious as well. I'm glad I was able to fit up my upturned nose through the door, because this ended up being a real treat.
Lunch. Took my sweetheart here for lunch. The food came piping hot and tasted great. Service was excellent. Will be back to this place again.
Vermicelli. I like Trams. I really do. I like that it smells a little "off" inside. I like when the owner comes to take our order he says "You order now." and I especially like how he always has on Pitt football games. That being said I've been slightly disappointed the past couple of times. The spring rolls tasted a little old today - not their usual fresh, crunch self - and the tofu vermicelli was runny and had a hauntingly, awful after taste I'm going to dismiss this as a one time thing, the tofu is still the best in the city, and is unmatched at any other pan-asian restaurant. Regardless I'll still go back there any day.
Best Tofu. I'm by no means a vegetarian, but I like Tofu if prepared well. I tried the Tofu Fried Rice based on a friend's recommendation, and it has become my favorite dish here. I have never had Tofu prepared this way. It is a soft tofu, mildly seasoned. The overall dish has a mildly sweet taste to it. I also really like the Mixed Meat (Pork, Chicken, Beef, Shrimp) Coconut Vermicelli. Regarding the service, well, I guess you have to get use to it. I've eaten here about a dozen times, and on average you have less than 60 seconds to figure out what you want to order after seating yourself. The owner is not rude, just efficient and focused on getting your food out quickly and cooked right. BYOB is also a plus.
Tram's rocks. Never disappointing. I could eat here every day. I especially love the fresh spring rolls, the pho, and the lemongrass tofu. I love these things so much that's it's difficult to order anything else, in fact.
One of a kind. Tram's Kitchen is, I believe, one of Pittsburgh's best-kept secrets. They have delicious authentic Vietnamese food at a staggeringly affordable price. I've eaten there countless of times and the food and the polite service still continues to amaze me.
So good. I had the #24, crispy w/tofu, I savored every morsel. My four young nephews were with me and they treated them wonderfully. Worth the the drive to get there.
Outstanding. We eat there frequently. Best springrolls we've ever had. We always get the Sate soup and #17 vermicelli with coconut. Yummy.
Taking Tram's. I find that take-out is a tricky thing, at times. It really gets rather hard to package dishes with fresh and hot ingredients, so when I decided to copy a coworkers and order a #15 with shrimp, I was very pleasantly surprised when the order arrived.
The dish includes: shrimp, flat noodles, broth, fresh basil, dill, lime, and bean sprouts.
The hot broth was happily separate from the other ingredients. Another container held the noodles that nestled the shrimp on top, and the fresh herbs, sprouts, and lime were also treated to their own baggy.
This kind of special treatment with their to-goes speaks volumes on how carefully they treat their product, and it is refreshing to see that actual presence in the restaurant is not vital to receiving an excellent meal.
Delicious food. Their food is great. They have the best spring rolls in the city, and their Pho is also the best. If you're new to Vietnamese food, get the Pho (soup) with chicken. It'll be one of the best chicken noodle soups you've ever had in your life.
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As Real As It Gets. Having never been to Vietnam, I can't really speak to the authenticity. But I teach a number of Vietnamese students, and their choice for the best food in town is unequivocally Tram's.
The first thing most people notice or talk about when it comes to Tram's is that Mr. Thao's is missing his right hand. Wow... Get over it. His country was at war for more than 100 years, it's not uncommon.
The next thing people notice is that the place isn't the least bit fancy. Again, get over it. It's plenty clean enough, and there's enough space and seating. And thankfully so, because the place is pretty busy even on weeknights.
And finally, people (myself included) feel that the service could be friendlier. But the fact of the matter is, they're more concerned with running a good restaurant than making friends. And it shows in the food.
The food is delicious, and it comes out of the kitchen consistently and rather quickly. The menu isn't huge, but you can bet it's all good. I recommend the pho bo tai and the chicken curry.
Best Pho Soup in the city!. My mom is Vietnamese, and took me to Tram's. I was a bit turned off by it's appearance (it's visually a hot mess) but the pho soup was AMAZING. It tasted like homeade pho soup my mom made! The owner is friendly, and the food is delicious!
GREAT!. Fantastic spring rolls.
Everything I have ordered has been great.
We take friends here, since the food is so good.
Prices are also good.
Pho with mojo. Had the spring roll and the pho. Both hit the spot are a perfect pair for a cold windy winter day.
Love!. Great food. Always fast and tastes fresh. One of my frequent stops!
A Pittsburgh Treasure. I've been going to Tram's kitchen for many years. The food is consistently fresh and tasty. We lived in Friendship for several years and had Tram's takeout all the time. Now that we live in Point Breeze, we don't have Tram's nearly as much as we'd live.
I HIGHLY recommend this place. Eccentric, quirky, delicious, and the clientele is always fascinating!
Best Pho in the city. Don't be deceived by the inelegant dining area, complete with vinyl picnic tablecloths, bright wall art and a counter/kitchen that looks more take-out than gourmet. This small Vietnamese restaurant in an inconspicuous area of Penn Avenue attracts everyone from hipsters to students to professionals looking to dive into a bowl of their famous Pho. Noodles, sprouts, veggies and meat or tofu swim in a delicate broth and must be complimented with the bottles of plum and soy sauce on the table. I've heard that the owner, an older man missing half an arm who serves his own customers, will stop by to forcibly show you how to add the sauce. The few times I've come here, I have not found that to be true, but it's nice to hear about a chef so passionate about his work.
Excellent. Made the quick trip out to trams this past weekend with the GF and we will definatly be going back. We had spring rolls and split and order of curry chicken and a big bowl of beef Pho. Everything was Extremely fresh and DELICIOUS. The service was FAST and to the point, no unnecessary pleasantries, you can tell this place is all about the food! give it a try you wont be disappointed :)
Amazing. I started going to Trams about 10 years ago, when it was even a smaller hole in the wall across the street. The owner has always been fun to talk to and animated about the fact you decided to come to his restaraunt.
In those 10 years I have probably only ever had 3 different dishes. There isn't a place in this city that makes better spring rolls. The rice paper is a perfect consistency and adding a little sriracha to the perfect peanut sauce is addicting. The pho is excellent, but I found early on that the egg noodle soup keeps me coming back again and again. The meat does not matter, the broth is what hooked me in. It is a perfect chicken broth with a hint of celery and garlic. Perfection.
Lunch at Tram's Kitchen. My husband and i had a late lunch at Tram's Kitchen yesterday, and it was wonderful. The place would be easy to drive right by, and the restaurant is tiny and very spare. But the food is terrific! I ordered spring rolls and vermicelli with shredded pork. The spring rolls were beautiful to look at with a couple of plump, pink shrimp wrapped inside. The vermicelli was full of surprises - tiny, tiny bits of meat and vegetables in a light dressing. My husband really liked to bowl of Pho he ordered with chicken. Service was extremely fast - it felt like we were in and out in 30 minutes. The menu is very limited, but I can't wait to go back and try something new!
I go here for the Pho. The only place that serves a good bowl of Pho and fast. Nothing beats it like when it's snowing outside and I go here and get some Pho. It's delicious!
Very good. Great food authentic and inexpensive.
Veggie and Vegan Fun. Affordable and quick service - I number one choice for many vegans and vegetarians.
Kitchen table atmosphere. Tram's is a small spot but usually busy with it's regular client's. The food is very good and served quickly. I have certain favorites that I continually order and enjoy. No credit cards is bad though. Lot's of times I can't stop there because I dont have cash with me.
Trust me on this one. A+. I'm reluctant to even write a good review of Tram's because part of me wants to keep it a secret. I'm afraid if it becomes more popular something might change and that would be bad because it's perfect!
If you visit I suggest the pork Saigon soup, no detail is missed. Also Coconut vermicelli, and don't forget to start with shrimp or tofu freshrolls. Sidecars of spices, lime, basil, and sprouts allow you to controll the flavor. It's truly remarkable. I cannot resist the allure of Tram's and find myself here often.
This is a strange place and if you are uptight about things other than quality of Pho do me a favor and leave this one for me. The flaws in service, consistensy I find endearing. YUMM
Tram's is awesome. Tram's is my favorite restaurant in town. It's not fancy, the menu is on the small side, and the staff's English skills lead to occasional confusion, but none of that matters once the food's on the table. There are a few Vietnamese places around, and all of the ones I've tried have been very good, but Tram's stands out as the clear victor. The flavors are bolder; I hazard to guess that it's less "Americanized" than other Vietnamese restaurants. If you can't decide what to order, just ask the staff (usually the older gentleman will be taking your order) and just order whatever he tells you to - he's never wrong.
Friendly. The service was friendly and the food was served in a reasonable amount of time. There's not much in the way of decor / ambiance, but the friendliness and desire to serve makes up for it to a large extent :) The portions were fairly large. The spices are strong and unique ~ some in our group enjoyed, and others didn't care for the Vietnamese cuisine.
We started with some fresh shrimp spring rolls that were very well constructed (not falling apart after each bite) and delicious.
Family operated ethnic restaurant with home cooking flavors. The tastes are excellent. The envience is simple. But with the excellence in tastes, anyone could very much enjoy the dining experience in this restaurant. Cash only. The price is reasonable.
Can’t find a better bowl of pho than this in Pittsburgh. Every bowl has an amazing quality to it. Have never had a bad experience here.
Delicious food!
I had the Mixed Wonton Noodle Soup and it was one of the top 5 meals I’ve ever had. Everything in it tasted amazing! Bring cash and enjoy this simple venue with unique food.
It has been several years since I have stopped by Trams, and for that I’m sorry. One of the best Pho and fresh roll options around the city, and lucky me they started serving my favorite sandwich the Banh Mi. I wish the veggies were more pickled but at least did it right with a good crust baguette. Also it was a big sandwich. I promise I’ll be back again soon. **** Fair warning it is cash only.
Clean and bright restaurant. Very delicious pho. Affordable price. Absolutely worthy the value. Will definitely come back.
The tofu lemon grass is a mind blowing dish. Never thought tofu could be made in this way.
Yummy Pho and noodle dish. We also had the spring rolls which were my favorite. We had the vegetarian versions. Perfect lenten alternative meal. Inside isn't fancy but is very clean and the staff are very friendly and welcoming.
My husband and I were in Greenburg and drove into Pittsburgh to bring home to NJ just for Trams Pho! The broth is amazing. I had the Saigon Soup. We will come here whenever in Pittsburgh.
This is the best Vietnamese restaurant in Pittsburgh. The spring rolls are a must, simple and delicious they also don't fall apart every time you take a bite. The pho is my favorite and it is the pho by which all others I have eaten are judged. It is a hole in the wall but a recent remodel was an improvement overall. It is also CASH ONLY but there is an ATM in the entry so that isn't a huge issue.
I first experienced this restaurant more than 2 decades ago, at a time when I was not used to Vietnamese cuisine and couldn't fully appreciate it. A few days ago, a friend wanted to go there, so we went. My palate has apparently matured. The food was wonderful and we were treated like family. I plan to make frequent visits to this place. A new favorite.
Pho was amazing. Bean sprouts and basil leaves were clean and dry.
However, I wish they had updated their menus in store to reflect new prices. It's confusing to get a hand-written receipt with prices that dont match the menu :(
A hole in wall restaurant run by a Vietnamese family. One of my favorites in Pgh! I love the coconut milk vermicelli with shredded pork, curry and pho. It is cash only though so be aware.
From out of town and wanted to try Vietnamese food in Pittsburgh. Got the "Saigon Soup" w beef from their menu. Apparently it is not phở. It is actually hủ tiếu, and the flavor is just as authentic as ones I grew up with in Sài Gòn. Very glad I tried it. The restaurant should clarify on the menu that it's hủ tiếu so people can tell the difference because it's so good!
Really delicious authentic Vietnamese food. Saigon soup was so flavorful. Spring rolls very fresh. Prices were good.
Great food and great service! The food is very authentic. This is definitely a hole in the wall gem. Would definately come back the next time I crave authentic Vietnamese cuisine 🇻🇳❤️
My friend who grew up in the area took me to this place. Pretty good Vietnamese food with great prices. I had the Sate Soup. The broth was really tasty and all the fresh ingredient really enhanced it, but the noodles were bland. Luckily a little hoisin and chili paste made it work. It's cash only, but there is an ATM that only charges $1.50. I'd go back and try something else.
I loved it! Will visit again! Ca$h only!!
Got the tofu lemongrass and vegetarian pho, which were so incredibly tasty. Some of the best pho I've ever had
if you are vietnamese, do not get the mi xao!
everything else was great, all things considered.
probably the most authentic vietnamese restaurant experience you can get in the area, the owner is an interesting guy.
i think it is pretty authentic as it gets. tried their pho and ban mi and both were amazing. the broth is great, better than some of other vietnamese places in pittsburgh. vermicelli noodle bowls were average.
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