Pho Social Celebrates Grand Opening With Discounted Meals Through April 30

After two years of challenging setbacks, husband-and-wife duo Tuan Nguyen and Phuong Tran have finally opened Pho Social, their restaurant in the former home of Studio Lites at 333 Broadway. To celebrate the end of a long journey, the restaurant is offering 20 percent off all meals through April 30.

Pho Social's official opening day was Sunday, April 27. "I had a dream there was a line down Broadway," laughed Tran over dinner service chatter that day. "And then I had a dream there was no one! So this is beyond amazing."

The couple was overjoyed to find themselves tending to a bustling dining room from open to close. Family, friends and community members who had been following their progress on Instagram all showed up to celebrate, grabbing seats at booths and tables in the dining room, which was illuminated by a subtle glow from a small bar by the entrance.

While they waited, people enjoyed offerings from the cocktail menu: five classics with inventive, Vietnamese-inspired twists, such as the Lychee Moscow Mule and the Lychee Martini, both of which come with a tasty lychee garnish. The Vietnamese Espresso Martini was another must-try, with the velvety sweetness of the Vietnamese coffee taking the cocktail to the next level. Sake, soju, wine, draft and bottled beer are also available.
The food roster includes a robust lineup of classic Vietnamese khai vi, or appetizers, such as crispy coconut shrimp, fried or steamed pork dumplings, softshell crab and more. There are also two specialty boards: the Vietnamese appetizer board ($28) with spring rolls, egg rolls, crab cheese wontons, pork dumplings and steamed edamame; and the Bánh Mi charcuterie board ($25), a do-it-yourself variation on the classic bánh mi sandwich, with a Vietnamese pork roll, cured cold cuts, pâté, pickled carrots, daikon, cucumber, cilantro, mayo and baguette-style bread slices.

The main menu offers steaming bowls of deeply flavorful pho in small, medium or large sizes, with the traditional fixings of lime, basil and bean sprouts, alongside a choice of brisket, steak, tripe, tendon, meatballs, chicken or seafood. Various rice bowls, vermicelli noodle bowls and bánh mîs are also available.

After the inaugural diners had worked their way through as much of the menu as they could, they congratulated the owners on a successful first service, vowing to return.

Join them before the end of the month, and you'll be guaranteed good food and a tasty discount.

Pho Social is located at 333 Broadway, and is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, visit its Instagram at @phosocialdenver.