Michelin-recognized pho restaurant to open first downtown Toronto location

A Vietnam-based pho chain that's been around for more than 50 years and has earned props from the Michelin guide is finally gearing up to open a location in downtown Toronto. It's been around three years since Saigon's Pho Le opened its first Canadian location in Richmond Hill , but the restaurant, which specializes in Southern Vietnam-style pho, is still going strong. Founded in Saigon in 1970, Pho Le had been a hot spot in Vietnam for decades before it embarked on its first international expansion in 2016 with new locations across major Asian cities. When it comes to Pho Le's Ho Chi Minh location, it's earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, shining a light on its high quality and affordable pricing. Come 2023, Pho Le finally landed in North America with its Richmond Hill location, just two years shy of the chain's 55th anniversary. Now, finally, after three years, the chain is gearing up to open a location closer to the heart of Toronto. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Phở Lệ 錦麗 Canada (@pholecanada) "You guessed it... Baldwin Village, we're almost ready to welcome you home," the caption of a post from the chain's Instagram account reads. The post shows the lengthy renovation and buildout of the new location's Baldwin Village space — no doubt responsible, at least in small part, for the long wait between the opening of Richmond Hill and Baldwin Village. Now, though, things are looking more or less ready to go, and while Pho Le doesn't confirm the exact opening date of the new location, they do tease that it could be opening as early as the week of Monday, March 16. You'll have to keep your eyes trained on Pho Le's Instagram account to see when they really do open. From the restaurant, you can expect steaming bowls of pho made using herbs and spices flown in directly from Vietnam, alongside a swath of other Vietnamese favourites, like hu tieu, bun rieu and platters. Pho Le's new Toronto restaurant will be located at 51 Baldwin Street.