Best of Cy-Fair: Pho Houston

PHO HOUSTON

Growing up in a small Kentucky town, I have fond memories of family night dinners of egg rolls, fried rice doused in soy sauce and Chow Mein, all eaten gingerly with chop sticks, and of course, fortune cookies from Ho Kow, the one Chinese restaurant in town. Since then, my appreciation of Asian cuisine has grown to include one special Vietnamese dish: Pho. While many restaurants sell this savory dish, one of my favorites, Pho Houston, is owned and operated by Vu Nguyen. Not only do I enjoy his food, but it is his dedication to family and culture, community and commitment to country that draws me in, again and again. “My mama and I have been serving food in Houston for almost 20 years, and there is nothing that fascinates me more than finding my childhood memories through food. That's why at Pho Houston, we only use the best fresh ingredients for 14 November | December 2020

PLACES TO EAT Story & Photos by Patricia Hudson our simple dishes. We use local ranch beef for our Pho, produce that was grown in our own greenhouse, homemade ingredients for our garlic oily, pate, and five spice sauce,” comments Vu. Getting back to the object of my affection, I asked Vu to explain the fascination of Pho. “Pho is a beef broth soup with rice noodles, served with various cuts of meat, from fresh cuts of filets to tender brisket. Pho is being served at every corner, every city in Vietnam, each region with its own flavor and herbs, mostly freshly prepared. It is a gourmet style meal, prepared fresh and served in the instant, the moment you order, perfect for lunch and this cooler Texas weather.” I truly enjoy the scent of a steaming bowl of pho as it is carried, almost reverently, to my table. There is something delightful at being able to select my cuts of meat, add crisp bean sprouts, my favorite herb, Thai basil, and LOTS of squeezed lime juice. I add hoisin sauce for sweetness, and, depending on my need for adventure, dashes of sriracha and a slice or two of jalapenos. Truth be told, I MIGHT add just one jalapeno. There is something so very comforting about that bowl of pho that I could honestly eat it EVERY DAY! Google experts say it might even reduce swelling and improve joint health for this decrepit body. Add a Shrimp Spring Roll, and a Fruity Mango Tea, and I’ve found my bliss! Pho is not the only thing that thrills the palette on the Pho Houston menu. Vietnamese Banh Mi, made with crispy baguettes, mouthwatering meats, homemade mayonnaise, a mix of cucumber and pickles with daikon, are popular diner choices. The Grilled Shrimp Rice Plate is another of my favorites, and if you’ve never had Shaken Beef, Mama Nguyen’s recipe is juicy and tender, with a Vu Nguyen

“French-influenced sauce,” butter and garlic, and Vietnamese style street fried rice with eggs. “We look for new ways to introduce Vietnamese tastes that match with the Tex-Mex culture. Our latest dish on the menu is a taco with Vietnamese style grilled pork shoulder or chicken breast with lemongrass-honey glazed sauce. The texture is crispy from fresh cut vegetables, and a balanced richness and savory taste from the well-seasoned smoky pork.” Vu Nguyen, at 32 years old, is one of the most driven young men I know. Not only is he the owner/operator of Pho Houston, but he keeps an eye on Viva, his mother’s restaurant, just down the road at 1960. He puts in “sweat equity” at his greenhouse which supplies flowers and plants to landscaping companies, and makes time to arrange get-togethers for his Vietnamese friends. As a high school student, he joined JROTC, where he decided that he wanted to serve this country. As that time, finances would not

allow him to follow his dream, so he worked alongside his mother to open a Vietnamese restaurant. Some 15 years later, he has enlisted in the Army Reserves. No novice to social media, Nguyen exhorts his Vietnamese community to “get involved in the community, and give back through service.” A regular bilingual volunteer at Cy-Fair Helping Hands, Vu has committed to donating $1 for every hot or cold sandwich sold until the end of December through Metta’s Local Eats Dine Out for Charity, benefitting Cy-Fair Helping Hands. One last thing; Vu Nguyen is single. Pho Houston 8552 Hwy. 6 North • Suite 300 • Houston, TX 77095 832-906-6893 • phohouston.co Days/Hours of Operation: Sunday-Saturday: 10am-8pm For more restaurant reviews visit: www.bestofcyfair.com.