Outrage has erupted among Vietnamese-American state representatives and local leaders after the closure of Pho Gabo, a previously thriving restaurant in Northeast Portland. The issue at hand is the enforcement of an odor ordinance, which resulted in the shuttering of Eddie Dong's establishment following a neighbor's anonymous complaint about the smell emanating from his kitchen. Dong, who has operated Pho Gabo for five years quoted, "Right now I cannot reopen, I cannot sell, because nobody wants to come here with the neighbor like that. Basically, our restaurant is gone," as reported by KPTV.
In a city known for its diverse food scene, this event casts a shadow over Portland's commitment to cultural inclusivity. Five Vietnamese American lawmakers, including Rep. Daniel Nguyen and Rep. Khanh Pham, have challenged the policy as prejudicial and potentially harmful to minority-owned businesses. They are calling for a revision to the city's code, which, according to KOIN 6, necessitates closure based on the subjective assessment of food odors. Despite installing a filtration system and altering his cooking practices, Dong's efforts were not enough to allay the complaints, leaving Pho Gabo's future uncertain.
The backlash has been swift and garnered attention from the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, which has demanded that the city officials closely review the odor code. Commissioner Rubio's office has already signaled a willingness to address these concerns. Her Chief of Staff relayed to KATU News that "Commissioner Rubio is very concerned and is raising serious questions about the negative impacts of this policy." To this end, the Commissioner has halted similar odor complaints against food establishments and plans to rework the regulations.
