Ricky Thai opened Aloha Pho in Katy in July 2016 with no prior experience in the restaurant industry. But he believed in his recipes’ uniqueness amid a plethora of dining options in the area.

“I know one day it’s going to be something,” he said. “Our food is really ... tasty.”

As the name suggests, Aloha Pho, at 2710 N. Mason Road, Katy, offers a combination of Hawaiian and Vietnamese dishes. But Thai insisted he is not serving “fusion” food; rather, visitors to his restaurant will get a taste of what locals eat on the island of Oahu.

Such dishes include loco moco, lau lau, Vietnamese vermicelli, and banh mi sandwiches among other items.

Thai was born in Vietnam, and his family moved to Hawaii in 1979. He moved to Texas nearly two years ago because he felt it was cheaper to raise his two children.

Once in Katy, he could not find any local restaurants that served the food he grew up eating. So he opened his own.

“I said, ‘Why not?’ I know how to make Hawaiian food; I know how to make local food,’” Thai said.

Thai is the head chef while his wife, mother-in-law and cousin help with customers and kitchen prep. Living and working in Katy is more affordable than in Honolulu, but Thai still misses his hometown.

Mission Bend resident Vincent Herrera, a native of Guam and a regular customer at Aloha Pho, could relate. Herrera is a regular and brought a group of friends to try the moco loco in September.

“The flavors—it takes us back, takes us home,” he said.

With about a year under his belt, Thai said the foot traffic at Aloha Pho is slower than he would like. But being in less densely populated northeast Katy has its perks. Thai said he hopes to establish a reputation before more restaurant competition appears around Aloha Pho.

“Everything is building on this side,” he said.

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Aloha Pho
2710 N. Mason Road, Katy
281-206-7607
www.facebook.com/ALOHA-PHO-714129165356762/
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., closed Sundays.