New owners for Vietnamese restaurant with chicken-wing cult following in Tacoma, Seattle

After four years in Tacoma’s South End, the owners of i5 Pho announced they have sold the business to new owners, who will take over as of Nov. 16.

A new website has launched to reflect the change. It describes the restaurant as “a cornerstone in the Tacoma community” that garnered a reputation for “excellent service and friendly staff” and its “modern interpretation of classic dishes.”

Indeed, original owners Phong Dang, his two brothers and his mother took the familial aspect to heart when they opened in 2017, leading to a second location in Seattle’s Pioneer Square the following year and three other outposts. The latter have since closed, but the Pioneer Square remains.

i5 Pho had amassed a cult following of sorts for, incidentally, its version of ga chien: Vietnamese chicken wings served with salt and pepper, doused in a housemade sriracha sauce or the family’s signature sauce of sugar, shallots, chili, soybean oil and high-quality fish sauce.

“It’s not a new dish,” Dang told The News Tribune in February, but “it’s in the sauce.”

He was an affable owner, often on-site at the Tacoma restaurant and always having fun on social media.

“Mondays are meant for self-care and banh ‘mi time,’” a recent post read. i5 Pho also caught attention for its creative bánh mì dip, a spin on roast beef au jus ubiquitous on area sandwich menus.

He was also audibly supportive of other local businesses, featuring one on the i5 Pho Instagram every week — from fellow Vietnamese restaurants such as Cafe La Vie, Saigon House and Bambu Tacoma to T Town Cafe, Alma Mater and cookie decorator Rubie’s Little Bakery.

On Thursday, Dang wrote to say thank you to the community for years of support: “Together, we went through the ups, downs, and trying times. Sometimes it’s challenging but mostly just Pho(fun). We’ve learned so much and taken pride in being able to deliver quality food and services to you. It’s so rewarding!”

Throughout most of the pandemic, they had kept the dining room closed, opting for takeout-only (like new neighbor Sweet Rice Tacoma, serving Lao and Thai food) but continuing specials like the popular BOGO wing Wednesday.

“We love the food and hospitality work,” said Dang in a text message, “so we will look for a location to do our Go Boba business and are actively looking for a suitable storefront location.”

Last year the team introduced its own boba brand, Go Boba. Rather than sealed in the typical plastic cups, these bubble teas are packaged in a can (but still were made in-house).

“@gobobalife will be a brand we want to build,” added Dang. “Hope to see you again on our next adventures.”

He said those wings will stick around under the new management and encouraged fans of the restaurant to support this new iteration of i5 Pho.

I5 PHO

▪ 8611 S. Hosmer St., Tacoma, 253-212-0487, i5photacomawa.com

▪ Details: pho, vermicelli bowls, rice plates, bánh mì and Vietnamese chicken wings

This story was originally published November 5, 2021 at 5:00 AM.