Chef Papa Vietnamese Kitchen Flushing

Chef Papa is an authentic Vietnamese spot and I loved the food here. The beef pho had a rich, flavorful broth, the fried chicken was crispy and juicy, and the spring rolls were fresh and delicious. The beef sandwich was amazing and definitely a highlight. Everything tasted authentic and well made. Highly recommend if you’re craving real Vietnamese food!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

I stumbled into Chef Papa on a self care day and honestly, fate did its thing.

I just moved to Queens from Brooklyn and was spending the day exploring my new neighborhood. After the spa, I was actually on my way to a Thai spot when I caught the smell coming from Chef Papa’s kitchen. That smell stopped me in my tracks. I pivoted immediately and I’m so glad I did.

The menu is simple but thoughtful. Enough options to feel excited without feeling overwhelmed. I ordered with my eyes and went a little wild, no regrets.

The chicken was perfectly crispy and full of flavor. The pork chop was well seasoned, balanced, and cooked just right. And the pho? Hands down the best pho I’ve ever had. Rich, comforting, and deeply satisfying. The kind of bowl that makes you slow down and savor every bite.

I even had a Thai tea so I wouldn’t feel guilty about cancelling that Thai reservation. And even that was delicious.

Before my entrée even hit the table, I had already texted five friends telling them we needed to come here together. That’s how you know a place is special.

Chef Papa is officially my favorite spot in Queens. A happy accident that turned into a new go to. If you’re anywhere nearby, do not overthink it. Just go.

The only thing better than the food? The service. Such warm and kind staff.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Regular Pho, Chicken Wings

Ordered pork chop pho, no pork chops were given. Other food is good, but I’m eating the noodles without anything - great job.

$6 tip is crazy. All the best!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Today was just not the day. An otherwise solid 4-5 star meal all the other times I’ve visited for lunch, today was a first to go for an early dinner and regret it. Ordered signature and chicken pho, both incredibly salty. Seeing as the kitchen was very busy (forgetting our order of spring rolls until we pointed it out more than halfway through the meal), I poured half my water into the soup to mellow it out. Empty water cup never refilled. Forgotten Thai iced tea order came near the end of finishing the meal.

The saving grace was the banh xeo which thankfully has always been a hit so far, and served fresh and with good timing. The waitress even warned it takes some time to make when ordered, which was fine until we noticed the fastest orders were forgotten (referring to the aforementioned Thai iced tea and spring rolls).

For me, it seems to be busier when I come for lunch, but have not had a negative experience. Perhaps tonight they were short staffed? New employee in training? Somehow there were too many misses today which compelled me to write this review. I hope my next visit will be better.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

I came here for the food. That is the only reason I ever returned.

Kitchen mistakes happen. What followed was not a mistake — it was a serious failure in how food and customers are treated.

My seafood pho arrived with undercooked, cold scallops. I calmly asked for the scallops to be properly cooked. Nothing else needed to be changed.

What I received instead was a downgrade. The original bowl had two scallops about the size of a thumb. The replacement was clearly frozen scallop pieces, barely the size of a pinky joint. The attached photos show this clearly.

Customers are not stupid. Replacing a premium ingredient with something visibly inferior and hoping it goes unnoticed is unacceptable, especially in a $30 dish where scallops are the main value.

While I was still eating and writing this review, the server asked if everything was finished and if the table could be cleared, then brought the check. I explained the situation at that time. An apology was offered, and later the bill was not going to be charged, but I chose to pay anyway — including an 18% tip — because I felt that not paying would prevent me from honestly sharing this experience.

The problem was not only the food but the response. There was no clear explanation, no real accountability, and no transparency. That lack of care turned what should have been a simple fix into a deeply disappointing night.

I’m writing this as someone who once enjoyed this restaurant. I hope the chef and management see this, because this kind of handling causes lasting damage. It was, overall, a very disappointing evening.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

Loved the pho and loved the salt n pepper squid, yuzu soda is really good with the meal but ask for no or lite ice cause they feel that cup up with ice unnecessarily

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Regular Pho, Fried Salt \u0026 Pepper Squid, Short Rib Pho

Great fam owned restaurant!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Vietnamese restaurant in flushing. Parking is quite tight so you might need to find parking in the side streets as opposed to the main road. Pho was good, spring rolls, was kind of a miss compared to different Vietnamese restaurants. Got the iced coffee as well which was great. Overall, decent pho, I'd probably skip the spring rolls next time. Service was excellent!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

The food is amazing and the atmosphere is cozy for a winter weather. Will totally recommend to anyone who crave pho.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A small while in the wall restaurant. Always searching for a good bowl of Pho and this place kinda nailed it for me. The soup base was good and noodles were cooked well. Overall good taste. Was so hungry I didn’t take any photos. I’d go back here again for sure

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Came here twice, first time tried the Bon Bo hue - first time ever trying this dish. Had too much of a funky taste. Whatever

Came back the second time, had the pho, and it still had this funky taste that I am not used to in phos.

People who said the salt and pepper squid was good are lying too. Way too greasy, even with the parchment paper on the bottom.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

My go-to spot for Vietnamese food. The pho here is one of the best in Queens. Would like to advise people that the bahn mi is now 6 inches and only comes with half a sandwich for $9.99 which is quite pricy and am quite disappointed that we weren't informed before we placed the order

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent restaurant pho is amazing

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Lamb chops was delicious
Also the spring rolls were great

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5