Oregon is home to a lot of restaurants, bars, wineries, and breweries, but there are tons of hidden gems that the majority of Portlanders just aren't unearthing. To help guide us to these potential discoveries, we've enlisted some of our city's many food luminaries to share their under-the-radar recommendations for a weekly feature dubbed Dining Confidential.
Image of Pho Hung courtesy AsiaGuidePDX
Chef David Mork of Lapellah Restaurant & Bar is best known for luring Portlanders across the bridge to Vancouver so they can grab a seat at his chef counter and watch him work the wood-fired oven and grill. Although Mork has serious pride for the 'Couv, now that he's on the north side, he still finds comfort on the south side on 48th and Powell at Pho Hung.
"Pho Hung has become the higher power in my life — I try to visit at least once a week. There are two locations, but I love the one on 48th and Powell because of the ambiance, it feels authentic. I've tried almost every pho restaurant in the area, and this is by far my favorite. My love affair with Pho Hung started 12 years ago, and since then, they've been able to expect my weekly visit. The same waitress who always helps me can write up my order without me saying a word — the #10 eye of round steak with fatty brisket, please. The broth is so good! My daughter Finleigh has grown up there and has her own go-to dish. It's a bowl of rice with a fried chicken leg. This place is my favorite lowbrow dining spot because of the authentic food, but also because we have a relationship. It's like the family vibe behind a restaurant kitchen line — they're not afraid to yell at me a little when I take too long. I love that! And more than anything, I love that #10."
· Pho Hung [Official Site]
· All Previous Dining Confidentials [Eater PDX]
