Sing it, Boise: New restaurant opens with variety, free delivery — and karaoke
When An Nguyen opened a new 208 Pho & Vegan restaurant last month, his wife wasn’t entirely sure it was a prudent move, he says.
But he saw potential — even during a pandemic.
“I’m a Titanic captain, you know,” Nguyen jokes during a phone interview. “So I don’t be afraid of it. I talk to my wife and she say, ‘Nobody want to open up business. Not many people want to start a business right now, right?’ And I say, ‘There’s some opportunity in it.’ ”
The nearly 3,000-square-foot space at 8675 W. Franklin Road is the second location for 208 Pho & Vegan. The cozy original spot, a chopstick’s toss from Boise Co-op, has been serving Vietnamese dishes to happy North End customers since 2016.
After COVID’s arrival, Nguyen made quick changes, offering free in-house delivery (not using third-party services) and creating larger, family-size dinners.
The West Boise restaurant has taken a similarly adaptive approach.
The new Pho 208 offers online ordering. There’s no delivery charge for an order of at least $15 within a 5-mile radius. The larger restaurant also has more menu variety, Nguyen says.
The specialty is pho, a deliciously salty, slow-simmered broth filled with meat and noodles. The signature offering, 208 Pho ($11.50), includes rare steak, brisket and choice of meatball or tendon.
Carnivores and vegetarians alike should be pleased with an array of other dishes, whether it’s moderately priced crispy egg or spring rolls, vermicelli noodle and rice dishes, boba and smoothies — or grab a $15 special such as stir-fried squid or shaking beef. (And, yes, beer and wine are available for dine-in patrons.)
Pho 208’s sizable menu is attracting a diverse clientele, Nguyen says, including plenty of Vietnamese-American customers.
“They come over here, and I say, ‘What do you want? Soup or dry? Or rice? Noodles? What meats you like? How much?’ ”
One night a week, usually Saturday, the new Pho 208 offers entertainment by putting a microphone in customers’ hands. Small groups are able to spread out in the room for American- and Vietnamese-style karaoke, Nguyen says, featured on six TVs.
Although employees wear masks and sanitize, Nguyen says, customers are allowed to remove their facial coverings to eat, of course — and to sing. In karaoke-loving Vietnam, you’re expected to stretch for those high notes.
Nguyen hopes to add live performers on the outdoor patio in the future, he says, allowing music to flow into the restaurant.
In the meantime, if you decide to order free delivery? The drivers do appreciate tips.
“Mention that they use jet fuel!” Nguyen says with a laugh.
Online: 208phoandveganboise.com.
This story was originally published August 26, 2020 at 11:47 AM.