We Stepped Into a Comic Book: Inside Orlando’s 2D Noodle Bar, Twenty-Pho Hour
At Twenty-Pho Hour in Orlando, the noodles are hot, the walls are flat, and the entire restaurant looks like it’s been sketched straight out of a comic book.
Craving a journey off the beaten path? Backroad Bites uncovers the unsung heroes of local cuisine—mom-and-pop diners, hidden food trucks, and beloved neighborhood spots where flavor tells the story of a place. We celebrate the dishes, traditions, and passionate people that make each community unique. So buckle up and join us on a delicious detour—because the best meals aren’t always found on the main drag.
The writer was invited to this location as part of a paid press trip opportunity. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are their own and not influenced by the developing company in any way.
I have to admit, I didn't know what to expect when my States of Discovery co-host Sara and I pulled up to Twenty-Pho Hour in Orlando, Florida. For starters, I thought it was just a regular ol' pho place that happened to cater to the midnight crowd, being open 24 hours a day. It's somewhat of a strip mall surprise (my personal favorite), and you really have to keep your eyes peeled pulling into the parking lot.
It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, which meant, of course, nothing could be better than a warm bowl of rich broth and noodles that pulled for days. But what we experienced beyond the food was something out of a dream... no exaggeration.
Marisa Roman - Only In Your State
Some restaurants serve good food, while others pull you into another dimension completely. Twenty-Pho Hour in Orlando is firmly in the latter category. Walking in, Sara and I were instantly surrounded by an optical illusion so convincing, it felt like we’d stepped off the sidewalk and straight into a hand-drawn world. Every wall, chair, and tabletop is painted in bold black-and-white outlines, transforming the entire space into a living sketch—the first 2D noodle bar in America.
It’s a surreal kind of immersion that makes your brain do a double-take. The floorboards look like ink lines, the walls bend and curve like cartoon panels, and even the light fixtures seem more like illustrations than objects. We couldn’t help but laugh as we took our seats, half-expecting a speech bubble to appear above us saying, “Pass the hot sauce!”
Marisa Roman - Only In Your State
But make no mistake, the food here is every bit as creative as the design. The menu takes traditional Vietnamese comfort dishes and gives them a playful, modern twist. I ordered a steaming bowl of tofu pho with extra lime and veggies (because no amount of tang is ever enough for me), while Sara went for their signature pho, piping hot with thin layers of pork throughout.
Between spoonfuls of fragrant broth and slurps of noodles, we found ourselves marveling not just at the food, but at the experience. The place hums with quiet excitement; couples snapping photos against the illustrated walls, kids peering around in disbelief, and friends debating which part of the restaurant feels the most “real.” It’s whimsical without being gimmicky, a rare mix of art, design, and comfort food that makes eating there feel like a performance.
Marisa Roman - Only In Your State
Sara Heddleston - Only In Your State
For our States of Discovery series exploring Orlando, Sara and I wanted to uncover the city’s creative side, showcasing the kind of spots that surprise you, delight you, and tell a bigger story about the people shaping the local culture. Twenty-Pho Hour captures that perfectly. It’s a reminder that Orlando’s magic extends far beyond its theme parks; you can find it tucked away in the most unexpected corners, even inside a two-dimensional noodle shop that turns dinner into art.
If you want to hear more about our visit, including behind-the-scenes chats about Orlando’s food scene and the people redefining its creative identity, tune into our States of Discovery Orlando series.
