I just drove by the former Rico’s Tacos space on NE 3rd Street and saw a beautiful beacon of light in the form of a sign announcing a new Vietnamese restaurant opening. I dropped in to talk to the owners, who were in the middle of some pretty heavy construction.
The owner, Peter Nguyen, said the family owns a Vietnamese restaurant in the Portland area and he and his wife decided to open a Vietnamese place in Bend. Nguyen plans to open on January 15.
They already have a menu available, which has ten varieties of pho as well as other Vietnamese specialties. But really, the most important part is that Bend is finally getting a pho restaurant. It took us 30 years longer than everywhere else, but it’s here! And thank God. Because I’ve been trying to make pho at home and my pho sucks.
This article appears in Dec 30, 2010 – Jan 5, 2011.
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Awesome. Now I can get my ph? on in Bend. You know who else has some fine Vietnamese restaurants and ph? shops? Oklahoma City. Why? It’s a mystery.
Great news! Whenever we fly out of Portland, we make a point to go to Yen Ha on Sandy Blvd., and now we can enjoy some of that wonderful Vietnamese cooking here in central Oregon. Maybe someone will also try to bring Greek cuisine back here next.
What a welcome addition to our community! Having spent many years in the Silicon Valley before moving to Bend in 2005, this was a staple food that could be found (literally) every couple of blocks. Pho (pronounce it “fuh,” not “foh”) is healthy, low fat and calories, inexpensive, filling, and perfect for lunch or dinner. I’ll be there for their first lunch serving on the 15th! It can be made at home, by the way. But it entails a trip to Newport Market for Thai basil and some of the spices.
Yeah! Finally! Even though Larry makes great pho, sometimes we just want it NOW! Should be a winner restaurant in Bend.
HURRAY!! It’s about time! We will be there!
Super excited about this…tried to go in on Saturday, but they weren’t quite ready. The owner promised he’d be open Monday the 17th, and it looks like the place is ready for business =)
He gave us a few menus, everything looks delicious! Prices seem a lil’ high: $7.95 for a small & $8.95 for a large (never experienced $9 Pho before)…but if it tastes as good as it looks, the price isn’t an issue. Heading there in an hour for lunch!
Does anyone know the hours or a phone number? We are so excited! We really miss the place we use to go to in Portland before we move over here.
It’s at 1326 NE 3rd Street – the old Rico’s Tacos. 541-382-2929
Ate there today. Pho was okay but overpriced. Not worth the $9 dollars.