Lovers of pho, meet Pho Lover. A new restaurant specializing in Vietnamese cuisine — including pho soups, Banh Mi and bubble tea — plans to open soon in the former NY Sushi location at North Henderson and Sanborn streets.
Liu and Jessica Xio, who own and operate several restaurants in Chicago and Wisconsin, will operate Pho Lover at 1349 N. Henderson St. Galesburg native Gabriel Quarterman will help run the restaurant.
Quarterman said Pho Lover will specialize in its namesake — pho soup. Pronounced “fuh,” pho is Vietnamese noodle soup with meat of your choice, topped with onion and cilantro in a rich beef stock with fresh rice noodles.
“I think Galesburg will like it,” said Quarterman, who recently worked as a cook at a pho restaurant in Oregon. “People love to try different culture foods. The pho soup will be our most popular item. But I think our teas will be really popular, too.”
In addition to pho, Pho Lover will serve Vietnamese sandwiches called banh mi (pronounced “bun me”), along with appetizers such as spring roll, egg rolls, chicken on a stick and chicken wings. They will also offer vegan options.
Pho Lover will not serve alcohol, but will feature a wide variety of specialty drinks, including bubble tea. Also known as boba milk tea, bubble tea is a cold, frothy drink made with a tea base shaken with flavors, sweeteners and/or milk with tapioca pearls at the base of the drink. Pho Lover also will serve smoothies.
Once the longtime home of the popular Old Peking restaurant, Quarterman says Pho Lover will make improvements to the building’s interior and exterior, including all new kitchen equipment.
Pho Lover will be open seven days a week, and anticipates opening by late February or early March.
Quarterman said, “The reception has been awesome since we announced we were opening. The community has been awesome. It’s been so cool. A lot of people saying they are looking forward to trying us.”
Liu owns several restaurants in the Chicago area, including Sushi Lover, and Pho Noodle Station & Bubble Tea in Downers Grove.
Pho Lover will soon launch a website and Facebook page.
