Phở Gabo
{{Short description|Chain of Vietnamese restaurants in the U.S. state of Oregon}}
{{Infobox restaurant
| embed =
| name = Phở Gabo
| title =
| logo = Pho Gabo logo.png
| logo_width =
| logo_alt =
| image = Pho Gabo Hillsboro.jpg
| image_width =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Phở Gabo in Hillsboro, Oregon, 2024
| mapframe =
| pushpin_map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| map_size =
| established =
| closed =
| current-owner = Eddie Dong
| previous-owner =
| manager =
| head-chef =
| chef =
| pastry-chef =
| food-type = Vietnamese
| dress-code =
| rating =
| street-address =
| city = {{Flatlist|
}}
| county =
| state = Oregon
| postcode =
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{coord|45.5372|-122.8696|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| seating-capacity =
| reservations =
| other-locations =
| other-information =
| website = {{URL|phogabo.com}}
}}
Phở Gabo is a small chain of Vietnamese restaurants in the Portland metropolitan area, in the U.S. state of Oregon. The business is owned by Eddie Dong and has operated in Hillsboro since 2015 and Happy Valley since 2022. Previously, a third location operated in northeast Portland's Roseway neighborhood from 2018 to 2024. It closed due to a series of odor complaints by an anonymous neighbor, resulting in multiple visits from inspectors, fines, and later a change to the city's odor code.
The Portland location's closure received pushback by some community groups and politicians, including the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon and the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association. City commissioner Carmen Rubio directed the Bureau of Development Services to suspend the inspection of odor complaints about restaurants, a decision praised by Vietnamese American state legislators Daniel Nguyen, Hoa Nguyen, Hai Pham, Khanh Pham, and Thuy Tran. In April 2024, Dong announced plans to sue the city for discriminatory code enforcement.
Description
The Vietnamese restaurant chain Phở Gabo has operated three locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The business has locations in Happy Valley and Hillsboro, and previously operated at the intersection of 73rd Avenue and Fremont Street in northeast Portland's Roseway neighborhood. The menu includes beef noodle soup.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-24 |title=Portland Location of Pho Gabo Closes After 18-Month Battle With Neighbor |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2024/02/24/portland-location-of-pho-gabo-closes-after-18-month-battle-with-neighbor/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828234359/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2024/02/24/portland-location-of-pho-gabo-closes-after-18-month-battle-with-neighbor/ |url-status=live }}
History
Phở Gabo is owned by Eddie Dong. The Hillsboro, Portland, and Happy Valley locations opened in 2015, 2018, and 2022, respectively.{{Cite news |title='Incredibly unfair': Portland Vietnamese restaurant Pho Gabo closes due to smell complaints |url=https://www.koin.com/top-stories/incredibly-unfair-portland-vietnamese-restaurant-pho-gabo-closes-due-to-smell-complaints/ |work=KOIN |access-date=2024-08-28 |archive-date=2024-04-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412003534/https://www.koin.com/top-stories/incredibly-unfair-portland-vietnamese-restaurant-pho-gabo-closes-due-to-smell-complaints/ |url-status=live }} The Portland location operated in the space previously occupied by Phở Hùng, starting in 1995.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2024-03-08 |title=City, state leaders say odor code that closed Portland Vietnamese restaurant doesn't pass smell test |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2024/03/city-state-leaders-think-odor-code-that-closed-portland-vietnamese-restaurant-doesnt-pass-smell-test.html |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828234400/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2024/03/city-state-leaders-think-odor-code-that-closed-portland-vietnamese-restaurant-doesnt-pass-smell-test.html |url-status=live }}
= Portland closure =
In September 2022, Dong received a notice that the Portland restaurant "was in violation of the zoning code that prohibits odors impacting a nearby residential neighborhood", according to Willamette Week. The restaurant had not received any complaints during its first five years operating, and replaced an Asian restaurant that had operated for approximately three decades. In February 2024, following an eighteen-month-long series of odor complaints filed by an anonymous neighbor to the city's Bureau of Development Services, the location was closed temporarily. A note affixed to the door said, "Due to the city's and the neighborhood's complaints about the smell of the food that we grill and the foods that we serve customers we are temporarily closing this location." Complaints had resulted in a dozen visits from inspectors as well as fines.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2024-02-28 |title=Portland's latest restaurant closures include Roseway Vietnamese restaurant, Sellwood gastropub |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2024/02/portlands-latest-restaurant-closures-include-sellwood-moreland-gastropub-pork-tenderloin-sandwich-cart.html |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828234400/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2024/02/portlands-latest-restaurant-closures-include-sellwood-moreland-gastropub-pork-tenderloin-sandwich-cart.html |url-status=live }} The location had been broken into nine times over seven years, and the front door had a sign that read, "Please do not break windows/doors. No money inside. Thank you!"File:Portland, Oregon, April 26, 2025 - 156 (cropped).jpg
The Portland location's closure prompted some pushback from the community.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-08 |title=How common are odor complaints about Portland restaurants? Not very, records show |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/investigations/odor-complaints-portland-restaurants-records/283-a200094b-b52b-47a9-a161-7d8e2aa1f47e |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=KGW |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828234400/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/investigations/odor-complaints-portland-restaurants-records/283-a200094b-b52b-47a9-a161-7d8e2aa1f47e |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-20 |title=After odor complaints shut down a Portland Vietnamese restaurant, city revisits a potentially discriminatory policy |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/pho-gabo-odor-complaints-portland-rcna143921 |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803011554/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/pho-gabo-odor-complaints-portland-rcna143921 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Corte |first=Michael La |date=2024-03-22 |title="It's just food": Why the closure of a Portland pho restaurant is sparking discrimination complaint |url=https://www.salon.com/2024/03/22/its-just-food-why-the-closure-of-a-portland-pho-restaurant-is-sparking-discrimination-complaints/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Salon |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240823222801/https://www.salon.com/2024/03/22/its-just-food-why-the-closure-of-a-portland-pho-restaurant-is-sparking-discrimination-complaints/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Following outcry, Portland is set to review its controversial odor complaint policy |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2024/03/27/portland-reviews-controversial-odor-complaints-policy/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Oregon Public Broadcasting |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828234400/https://www.opb.org/article/2024/03/27/portland-reviews-controversial-odor-complaints-policy/ |url-status=live }} The Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon took issue with the closure and said the zoning code "disproportionately impacts the BIPOC-owned businesses that bring vibrancy and cultural diversity to our neighborhoods".{{Cite web |last=Bicchieri |first=Paolo |date=2024-03-29 |title=Odor Complaints Closed This Vietnamese Restaurant. Now, Portland Is Changing Its Rules. |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2024/3/29/24115668/pho-gabo-odor-zoning-complaints-policy-change-carmen-rubio |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616001940/https://pdx.eater.com/2024/3/29/24115668/pho-gabo-odor-zoning-complaints-policy-change-carmen-rubio |url-status=live }} The Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association requested that the city review its "subjective, unfair 'smell' code immediately and cease targeting small restaurants and their owners, many of whom are people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds". Dong reportedly received "messages of support from Vietnamese community organizations and ... heard about City Hall's interest".{{Cite web |date=2024-02-28 |title=Restaurant Association Calls City Odor Code "Unfair" and "Unbelievable" |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/news-restaurants/2024/02/28/restaurant-association-calls-city-odor-code-unfair-and-unbelievable/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828234421/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/news-restaurants/2024/02/28/restaurant-association-calls-city-odor-code-unfair-and-unbelievable/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-28 |title=Vietnamese restaurant in Northeast Portland forced to close after repeated complaints about cooking smell |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/northeast-portland-restaurant-pho-gabo-closes/283-56ca47e2-6f1b-4adc-b97f-810e8b753659 |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=KGW |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828234416/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/northeast-portland-restaurant-pho-gabo-closes/283-56ca47e2-6f1b-4adc-b97f-810e8b753659 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2024-02-28 |title=A Portland Vietnamese Restaurant Has Closed Because a Neighbor Kept Complaining About the Smell |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2024/2/28/24085032/pho-gabo-closing-portland-smell |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616001912/https://pdx.eater.com/2024/2/28/24085032/pho-gabo-closing-portland-smell |url-status=live }} City commissioner Carmen Rubio directed the bureau to suspend the inspection of odor complaints about restaurants.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-06 |title=Commissioner Rubio pauses odor complaints in Portland following closure of Vietnamese restaurant Pho Gabo |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/commissioner-rubio-odor-complaints-portland-vietnamese-restaurant/283-77fe8414-46d7-4f19-8a8b-6b7031b9d8d9 |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=KGW |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828234435/https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/commissioner-rubio-odor-complaints-portland-vietnamese-restaurant/283-77fe8414-46d7-4f19-8a8b-6b7031b9d8d9 |url-status=live }} Additionally, five Vietnamese American state legislators—Daniel Nguyen, Hoa Nguyen, Hai Pham, Khanh Pham, and Thuy Tran—issued a statement about the closure and praising Rubio's decision.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-06 |title=Commissioner Carmen Rubio Suspends City Inspections of Restaurant Odor Complaints |url=https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2024/03/06/commissioner-carmen-rubio-suspends-city-inspections-of-restaurant-odor-complaints/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419004314/https://www.wweek.com/restaurants/2024/03/06/commissioner-carmen-rubio-suspends-city-inspections-of-restaurant-odor-complaints/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Aguilar |first=Paulina |date=2024-03-07 |title=State leaders call Portland 'smell' ordinance unfair, discriminatory after complaint closes pho restaurant |url=https://www.kptv.com/2024/03/07/state-leaders-call-portland-smell-ordinance-unfair-discriminatory-after-complaint-closes-pho-restaurant/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=KPTV |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307145057/https://www.kptv.com/2024/03/07/state-leaders-call-portland-smell-ordinance-unfair-discriminatory-after-complaint-closes-pho-restaurant/ |url-status=live }}
In April 2024, Dong announced plans to sue the city for "economic and noneconomic damages related to the City’s subjective, selective and disproportionate enforcement of city codes", and "discriminatory enforcement of city odor codes".{{Cite web |date=2024-04-11 |title=Pho Gabo Owner Eddie Dong Prepares to Sue City |url=https://www.wweek.com/food/2024/04/11/pho-gabo-owner-eddie-dong-prepares-to-sue-city/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616001927/https://www.wweek.com/food/2024/04/11/pho-gabo-owner-eddie-dong-prepares-to-sue-city/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Danny |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Pho Gabo owner intends to sue City of Portland over smell code closure |url=https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/eddie-dong-pho-gabo-owner-intends-to-sue-city-of-portland-over-smell-code-closure-04112024/ |work=KOIN |access-date=August 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240418071300/https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/eddie-dong-pho-gabo-owner-intends-to-sue-city-of-portland-over-smell-code-closure-04112024/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=Pho Gabo owner intends to sue city of Portland after closure stemming from odor complaints, fines |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/money/business/portland-vietnamese-restaurant-pho-gabo-tort-claim/283-33faed29-7682-43df-a41c-372051e0f988 |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=KGW |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828234522/https://www.kgw.com/article/money/business/portland-vietnamese-restaurant-pho-gabo-tort-claim/283-33faed29-7682-43df-a41c-372051e0f988 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-04-12 |title=Restaurant owner plans to sue City of Portland over odor code closure |url=https://www.kptv.com/2024/04/12/restaurant-owner-plans-sue-city-portland-over-odor-code-closure/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=KPTV |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420132751/https://www.kptv.com/2024/04/12/restaurant-owner-plans-sue-city-portland-over-odor-code-closure/ |url-status=live }} The claim also said Dong "has suffered…reputational harm, fear, humiliation, embarrassment, emotional distress, and loss of his community".{{Cite web |last=Bicchieri |first=Paolo |date=2024-04-12 |title=The Odor Complaint Controversy Is Heating Up With A New Lawsuit |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2024/4/12/24128517/the-odor-complaint-controversy-is-heating-up-with-a-new-lawsuit |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2024-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616001703/https://pdx.eater.com/2024/4/12/24128517/the-odor-complaint-controversy-is-heating-up-with-a-new-lawsuit |url-status=live }} The building that housed the Portland restaurant is slated to be sold.{{Cite web |last=Slaughter |first=Shelby |date=2024-04-12 |title=Pho Gabo owner files notice to sue the city of Portland following odor ordinance debate |url=https://katu.com/news/local/pho-gabo-owner-files-notice-to-sue-city-following-smell-ordinance-debate-vietnamese-restaurant-food-odor-city-portland-noodles-meat-fines-complaint |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=KATU |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416024225/https://katu.com/news/local/pho-gabo-owner-files-notice-to-sue-city-following-smell-ordinance-debate-vietnamese-restaurant-food-odor-city-portland-noodles-meat-fines-complaint |url-status=live }} The city changed its odor code in November 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=City Council Amends Restaurant Odor Code in Response to Pho Gabo Closure |url=https://www.wweek.com/food/2024/11/15/city-council-amends-restaurant-odor-code-in-response-to-pho-gabo-closure/ |access-date=2024-11-19 |website=Willamette Week |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-14 |title=Restaurants no longer included in Portland's controversial 'odor' ordinance |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/portland-controversial-odor-ordinance-amended-city-council-pho-gabo-closed/283-2ccb20de-fab9-4327-b163-57bd00d2c1bb |access-date=2024-11-19 |website= |publisher=KGW |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=Portland amends odor code after smell complaints caused Vietnamese restaurant's closure |url=https://www.koin.com/news/food/portland-amends-odor-code-after-smell-complaints-caused-vietnamese-restaurants-closure/ |access-date=2024-11-19 |website= |publisher=KOIN |language=en-US}} Dong filed a lawsuit seeking up to $2.4 million in December.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2024-12-12 |title=Pho Gabo owner files $2.4 million lawsuit over City of Portland's 'smell code' enforcement |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2024/12/pho-gabo-owner-files-24-million-lawsuit-over-city-of-portlands-selective-smell-code-enforcement.html |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=The Oregonian |language=en |archive-date=2024-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213005917/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2024/12/pho-gabo-owner-files-24-million-lawsuit-over-city-of-portlands-selective-smell-code-enforcement.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-12 |title=Pho Gabo restaurant owner files $2.4M lawsuit against city of Portland |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/pho-gabo-restaurant-owner-lawsuit-portland/283-d9e495e9-9809-44bb-be28-6cd811877a5a |access-date=2024-12-13 |website= |publisher=KGW |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-13 |title=Pho Gabo Owner Sues City for $2.4 Million, Claims Discrimination |url=https://www.wweek.com/food/2024/12/12/pho-gabo-owner-sues-city-for-24-million-claims-discrimination/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2024-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213104940/https://www.wweek.com/food/2024/12/12/pho-gabo-owner-sues-city-for-24-million-claims-discrimination/ |url-status=live }}
Reception
In 2022, Willamette Week said Phở Gabo was "certainly worth a stop for noodleheads".{{Cite web |date=2022-12-23 |title=These Are Portland's Souper Stars |url=https://www.wweek.com/food/2022/12/22/these-are-portlands-souper-stars/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=Willamette Week |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114053330/https://www.wweek.com/food/2022/12/22/these-are-portlands-souper-stars/ |url-status=live }} Michael Russell included the business in The Oregonian{{'s}} list of the 21 "most painful" restaurant and bar closures of 2024.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Michael |date=2024-12-21 |title=Portland's 21 most painful restaurant and bar closures of 2024 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2024/12/portlands-21-most-painful-restaurant-and-bar-closures-of-2024.html |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=The Oregonian |language=en}}
See also
{{Portal|Oregon}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Phở Gabo}}
- {{Official website|https://phogabo.com}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://www.delish.com/food-news/a60045101/portland-restaurant-pho-gabo-closed-smell/|title= Vietnamese Restaurant Forced To Close Because A Neighbor Complained About The Smell|website=Delish|date=March 1, 2024|first=Danielle|last=Harling}}
{{Defunct restaurants in Portland, Oregon}}
Category:Culture of Hillsboro, Oregon
Category:Defunct restaurants in Northeast Portland, Oregon
Category:Defunct Vietnamese restaurants in Portland, Oregon
Category:Regional restaurant chains in the United States