In May, owners Jimmy and Kim Tran of Hot Pot Heaven decided to start offering pho at the eatery’s Kailua location. The hot pot restaurant included pho, fresh spring rolls, summer rolls and papaya salad on its menu on a regular basis and, according to Kim Tran, the eatery started getting busier.
The pho started becoming so popular that the Trans decided to change the restaurant concept. Pho N Grindz — which is still in the Hot Pot Heaven Kailua space on Hamakua Drive — is opening today, and it features a brand-new menu.
For its grand opening, Pho N Grindz will offer 20% off for one week (Sept. 10 to 17).
The restaurant now features authentic Vietnamese dishes and popular plate lunch plates, according to Tran. The plate lunch addition is for her husband, whom she says is “a local boy.”
“On a day that’s so hot — where maybe you don’t want pho — you might want plate lunch,” she says.
While hot pot is still her go-to dining experience, Tran says she wanted the new restaurant concept to incorporate hers and Jimmy’s favorites.
“We’re bringing you all of Kim’s favorite soups — pho, miso udon, bun Thai, wonton soup and more — and Jimmy gets his favorite grindz — garlic shrimp plate, shoyu chicken, ribs and plenty more local favorites,” the restaurant’s Instagram post reads.
Customers will still find the eatery’s signature pho, which come with bean sprouts, basil, lime, scallions and onions. Choose from proteins like rare steak, brisket, tripe, meatball or more. Options include pho seafood ($20) — with fish fillet, shrimp, fishcake and squid — pho beef rib ($25) and a veggie pho ($18), which is vegan-friendly, according to Tran.
“We have a vegan pho that is truly vegan,” she says of the dish, which includes tofu, mushrooms, broccoli and carrots.
Diners can also still find popular appetizers — like spring rolls ($10) and summer rolls ($12) — from the eatery’s former menu.
New menu additions include the eatery’s selection of plate lunch-style rice plates, ranging from garlic chicken ($17) and braised pork spare ribs ($19) to garlic shrimp ($19) and barbecue baby back ribs ($25).
Tran encourages customers to try the Vietnamese beef stew ($23) — which includes carrots, onions and lemongrass, served with a choice of noodles or rice — and curry ($19-$21). The latter includes carrots, potatoes and onions; diners have a choice of chicken or shrimp.
Tran also notes that the restaurant also offers vegan-friendly dishes. Choose from braised vegan “scallops” (mushrooms) and bok choy ($19), tofu curry ($19), eggplant and tofu stir-fry ($19) and more.
“We have a lot of people in this community that enjoy vegan food,” Tran says.
The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The 20% grand opening discount applies to both, dine-in and takeout orders, according to Tran.
CONTACT
Pho N Grindz
201 Hamakua Drive, Kailua
Instagram: @phongrindz
Open daily, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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