A new Vietnamese restaurant opened Saturday in Owensboro, bringing authentic dishes such as pho and bánh mì to the local dining scene.
I Love Pho and Sandwiches opened at 3245 Mount Moriah Avenue, just behind Five Guys and Huddle House on KY 54.
The family-run restaurant is operated by a local Vietnamese family already known in the community through their nail salon business, Eve Nails and Spa. The restaurant is owned by family matriarch Nga Le, while her son-in-law, Brandon Hurley, has helped coordinate much of the work leading up to opening day.
“I don’t have an investment in it, but I’m helping the family with everything from buildout to marketing,” Hurley said. “It’s really my mother-in-law’s vision, and she’s the one doing the cooking.”
Hurley, a Florida native, spent nearly a decade living in Vietnam, where he became fluent in the language and built a large online following through videos about Vietnamese language and culture. He met his wife there in 2016, and the couple later moved to Owensboro to be closer to her family after she received her Green Card.
“My wife’s family has done nails in Owensboro for about 8 to 10 years,” Hurley said. “Her brother wanted to diversify and open a restaurant. A space became available right behind the salon, and they jumped on it.”
The restaurant opened with a simplified menu of several traditional Vietnamese staples, including pho, bánh mì, bún thịt nướng, and cơm tấm.
Pho — a Vietnamese beef noodle soup — features broth simmered for more than 12 hours, fresh rice noodles, customizable cuts of beef, and herbs. Bánh mì is a Vietnamese sandwich served on a French-style baguette with pickled vegetables, cilantro, pate, and various meats.
The menu also includes bún thịt nướng, a dry noodle dish with grilled pork, fried spring rolls, bean sprouts, pickled vegetables, and chili sauce, and cơm tấm, also known as broken rice, served with a pork chop, fried egg, traditional sides, and Vietnamese chili sauce.
Hurley said the freshness of Vietnamese cuisine sets it apart from many other Asian dishes.
“What sets Vietnamese food apart is how fresh everything is — the vegetables, the noodles, the rice, the bread. There’s not a lot of oil or heavy frying,” he said. “It’s light, flavorful, and healthy.”
The restaurant is also serving traditional Vietnamese coffee, with plans to potentially add boba tea and additional beverages later.
Hurley said the goal is not only to introduce Owensboro residents to Vietnamese food but also to share the culture behind it.
“Most people in Owensboro have never tried Vietnamese food, and we want to help bridge that gap,” he said. “We’ll even offer free delivery to customers inside the nail salon. If you’re getting a pedicure and want a bánh mì, we’ll bring it right over.”
Hurley said he hopes customers come away with a new appreciation for the cuisine.
“Expect something you’ve never had before,” he said. “Something fresh, something flavorful, and something that just might become your new favorite.”
Hurley also brings a unique background to the venture. While living in Vietnam, he gained a following as a cultural ambassador — producing comedy sketches, hosting television shows, and collaborating with brands such as Netflix and the Discovery Channel. His YouTube channel and Instagram account (@phucmapvlog) reach thousands of viewers, many of whom are part of Vietnamese communities across the United States.
“I’ve emceed Vietnamese weddings, festivals, and events all over the country,” he said. “When my family here wanted to open this restaurant, it just made sense for me to help. I want to be the person who can explain the food, the flavors, and the culture to people here in Owensboro.”
