Pho 79
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Thọ Trần and Liễu Trần |
| Headquarters | Garden Grove, California , United States |
| Products | Vietnamese cuisine, specializing in pho |
Pho 79 is a Vietnamese dining establishment located in Garden Grove, California. In 2019, it received the distinction of being one of America's Classics awarded by the James Beard Foundation and holds a Bib Gourmand rating from Michelin.
This venue is not connected to the similarly named restaurant found in Glasgow, U.K.
History
Established in 1982 by Thọ Trần and Liễu Trần within what later became Little Saigon, Pho 79 was created after the founders resettled as Vietnamese boat people. The family elder, Nguyen Thi Dao, played a key role in initiating the enterprise. The restaurant’s name commemorates the year (1979) when numerous family members arrived in the United States. Pho 79 was among the pioneering establishments in the area to offer pho, contributing significantly to Southern California’s Little Saigon emerging as a prominent center for Vietnamese culinary traditions.
The founders hired extended relatives and newly arrived immigrants, supporting the local workforce and economy. Recognized as both a cultural landmark and culinary institution in Little Saigon, Pho 79 has received accolades emphasizing its influence in introducing Vietnamese cuisine to the region. Industry experts note it as one of the earliest Vietnamese eateries established in the U.S.
Menu
Pho 79 specializes in authentic Vietnamese pho, serving noodles immersed in a flavorful beef broth accompanied by brisket, meatballs, oxtails, round steak, or tripe. Their oxtail pho has been acclaimed as "rightfully legendary" by the Beard Foundation and identified by the Orange County Register as their hallmark offering. The Los Angeles Times characterized it as "renowned for its rich oxtail flavor," while The Infatuation praised its complex taste profile compared to other pho options throughout Southern California.
Recognition
The James Beard Foundation honored Pho 79 as one of America's Classics in 2019. Additionally, Michelin awarded it a Bib Gourmand designation in 2021, recognizing both its quality and value.
When informed about receiving the Beard award, the proprietors were initially unaware of the foundation and its importance.