RR cafe dishes up pho

RIO RANCHO – A popular Southeast Heights Vietnamese restaurant has established a satellite location in central Rio Rancho.

Cafe Trang’s Pho Bar at 3301 Southern Blvd. is a “little sister” of Cafe Trang at Central and Louisiana, near the Talin Market in Albuquerque, co-owner Trang Nguyen said.

The eatery opened in August and offers an extensive lunch and dinner menu Monday through Saturday and also does carry-out orders.

	Cafe Trang’s Pho Bar What: Vietnamese restaurant Where: 3301 Southern Blvd. SE, Suite 502 Hours: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; closed Sundays Phone: 994-9150 web: www.pho-bar.com

Pho, pronounced “fuh” in Vietnamese, is a beef noodle soup which is traditional in northern Vietnam, said Trang’s husband and restaurant co-owner, Phong Nguyen.

The soup comes in a variety of bowl sizes; the largest is about 32 ounces.

The restaurant also has a wide variety of freshly made sandwiches (banh mi), spring rolls, salads, rice and noodle dishes and grilled meats. Appetizers include house specialties such as boneless stuffed chicken wings, which the restaurant lists as “chicken lollipops.”

Cafe Trang’s Pho Bar is planning to expand the menu by adding a selection of stir-fried items. It also has applied for a license to serve beer and wine.

Everything on the menu is made with fresh ingredients according to family recipes, Phong Nguyen said.

Bread for the sandwiches is baked daily at the Banh Mi Coda bakery in Albuquerque. The bakery is owned by Trang Nguyen’s parents.

Her family opened the Southeast Heights restaurant in 2005 and, when she married, her husband joined in the business. The couple lives in Rio Rancho and has long wanted to have another restaurant close to their home.

The 4,800-square-foot restaurant space is in the same commercial plaza as an Albertsons supermarket. It was previously occupied by the Black Olive restaurant.

Finding a location that was already fitted out as a restaurant was a big advantage, Phong Nguyen said.