A new Vietnamese restaurant is set to open in Owensboro later this year, offering a dedicated option for authentic dishes like pho and bánh mì. The family-run eatery — named I Love Pho and Sandwiches — is targeting an October opening.
The restaurant is located at 3245 Mount Moriah Avenue, just behind Five Guys and Huddle House on KY 54.
The eatery is the latest venture by a local Vietnamese family that’s already well established in the community through their nail salon business, Eve Nails and Spa. While the restaurant will be owned and operated under family matriarch Nga Le, her son-in-law Brandon Hurley is handling much of the behind-the-scenes work.
“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 launched a successful YouTube channel focused on Vietnamese language and culture. He met his wife there in 2016, and they relocated 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 will launch with a simplified menu of four to five traditional Vietnamese staples:
- Pho – The iconic beef noodle soup, featuring broth simmered for 12+ hours, fresh rice noodles, customizable cuts of beef, and herbs.
- Bánh mì – A Vietnamese sandwich made with a French-style baguette, pickled vegetables, cilantro, pate, and various meats.
- Bún thịt nướng – A dry noodle dish with grilled pork, fried spring rolls, bean sprouts, pickled vegetables, and chili sauce.
- Cơm tấm (Broken Rice) – A dish served with a pork chop, fried egg, and traditional sides, topped with Vietnamese chili sauce.
Hurley emphasized the freshness of Vietnamese cuisine compared to 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.”
They also plan to offer Vietnamese coffee from day one, with the possibility of boba tea and additional traditional beverages being added later.
The idea is not just to serve food but to share culture.
“Most people in Owensboro have never tried Vietnamese food, and we want to help bridge that gap,” Hurley 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.”
The restaurant space is currently under renovation, with new paint, signage, and interior updates in progress. Hurley said the family plans to launch social media pages and branding efforts as opening day nears.
As for what to expect when the restaurant opens this fall?
“Expect something you’ve never had before,” Hurley said. “Something fresh, something flavorful, and something that just might become your new favorite.”
Hurley brings a unique perspective to the venture. In Vietnam, he gained a reputation as a cultural ambassador of sorts — teaching Vietnamese through comedy sketches, hosting TV shows, and even collaborating with brands like Netflix and Discovery Channel. His YouTube channel and Instagram (@phucmapvlog) reach thousands of viewers, many of whom are in Vietnamese communities across the U.S.
“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.”
