LORTON, VA — Hi! I’m Jiya Doctor. I’m 11-years-old and I write articles for The Lorton Patch. During the pandemic, I want to interview local businesses to learn how they are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis. My hope is the readers of my articles will support local businesses just as the local businesses support the communities.
This week, I interviewed a fascinating local and family-owned restaurant called Phó Chateau. It is located at 7718 Gunston Plaza Drive in Lorton, and serves Vietnamese dishes. I interviewed the owners, the Nguyen family, who live in Fairfax Station.
Historical fact — did you know that Vietnamese food has been influenced by French cuisine, hence the Nguyen family includes chateau in their restaurant name. Even with the French influence the Phó Chateau is very true to Vietnamese culture.
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Here’s my interview with the Nguyen family at their restaurant Phó Chateau:
Jiya: Are you open during COVID-19?
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Ms. Nguyen: We are open for carry out and through Door Dash delivery.
Jiya: How is COVID-19 affecting your employees and you?
Ms. Nguyen: It is less busy because we don’t have as many customers as before and a lot of employees had to take voluntary time off.
Jiya: How long have you owned this restaurant?
Ms. Nguyen: We’ve has this restaurant for four years!
Jiya: Since when?
Ms. Nguyen: I believe December 2016.
Jiya: Has this been a family owned restaurant?
Ms. Nguyen: Yes, it’s a family owned restaurant.
Jiya: Do you live locally?
Ms. Nguyen: We live in Fairfax Station.
Jiya: What was your inspiration to open your restaurant?
Ms Nguyen: Well, my mom loves to cook and she always wanted to open her own restaurant. A lot of people in my family own restaurants as well, so I guess it’s just in the family.
Jiya: What are some of the most popular foods being served now?
Ms. Nguyen: Well, our Phó soups, as well as our spring rolls, and Bánh Mì sandwich.
Jiya: How many customers do you have each day?
Ms. Nguyen: We have an average of around 60-70 transactions.
Jiya: What is your inspiration?
Ms. Nguyen: Our inspiration is our loyal customers who are supporting us, and we hope to open a second restaurant.
Jiya: Did you make your own recipes?
Ms. Nguyen: Yes, we made all of our own recipes.
Jiya: That is very inspiring for all the young chefs out there! So, are you the chef at your restaurant, or are you more of the manager?
Ms. Nguyen: I’m more of the manager, but I also help out in the kitchen sometimes.
Jiya: In your opinion what is your favorite food at this restaurant?
Ms. Nguyen: I have to say that my favorite would be Imperial spicy beef noodle soup!
Jiya: And could you describe how this tastes?
Ms. Nguyen: It’s more hearty compared to Phó and more beef flavored, and it’s spicy and really flavorful.
Jiya: What changes have you made because of corona virus?
Ms. Nguyen: We are following the Governor’s health guidelines. We have masks enforcement and are also sanitizing. We also added a touch-less credit card machine. We’re not doing indoor dining.
Jiya: Do you have any advice for other restaurant owners?
Ms. Nguyen: My advice would just be keep going and it will get better.
After this interview I ordered spring rolls to give a review, and I must say that the crust was perfectly deep fried and had that amazing crunch. The veggies were stupendously sauteed and seasoned. I hope the readers of this article are tempted to get a bite at Phó Chateau.