We’re always looking out for the locals,” said Lisa Nguyen, co-owner of Pho Viet & Café, along with her husband, Son. Since buying the restaurant in December 2022, the Nguyens have not regretted the nearly half million-dollar investment. “It’s been a very fortunate decision, no regrets. It’s a nice community, the locals are so nice, we have so many regulars. Obviously, the regulars are the backbone of your business. And if you forget that, then you’re losing sight of why you’re doing business in the first place.”
Since opening in 2010, the restaurant has been “cosmetically untouched.” This summer, the restaurant will undergo a complete interior makeover. Nguyen says everything will be redone with new floors and new seating, giving it an updated and elevated vibe.
“I think it’s very important to have your space, the way it looks, reflect the quality of the food,” Nguyen told the Source. “And I feel like the way it looks right now, there’s a huge difference between the way it looks and what we serve.” Pho Viet will maintain its current menu with its classic extensive selection of pho, bahn mi, rice platters, authentic chili paste, boba and more.
Before owning Pho Viet, The Nguyens had prior restaurant experience from owning boba trucks all over Oregon. Son told the Source in a 2023 Chow article that he discovered Pho Viet not as a business opportunity, but as a fan. “I was a loyal customer,” says Nguyen. “I moved to Central Oregon and was looking for a Vietnamese restaurant to eat at, so I googled it, and that was how I found Pho Viet.”
Nguyen says they always intended to renovate the Third Street location, it was just a matter of when, and right now is a financially good time for them to do it. They opened a second location last year at The Grove food hall in Northwest Crossing, “There is a huge disconnect between the east side and the west side of town, and it’s nothing bad. It’s just a geographic area, especially when it snows.” Nguyen says.
Since Pho Viet operates as a commissary kitchen, meaning that all food gets cooked at the Third Street location and transported to the Grove, both locations will close during the renovations from July 28 to Aug. 8.
Pho Viet & Cafe
Reopens Saturday, Aug. 9
Wed.-Mon. 11am-9pm
1326 Northeast 3rd Street, Bend
This article appears in Source Weekly July 17, 2025.
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The difference in food quality between The Grove and 3rd Street is significant. Won’t be back to The Grove location. The Grove is free range kid hell anyhow.