Friends And Pho, Hamilton’s new ethnic cuisine endeavor, opened its doors on Saturday, January 26.

Friends And Pho’s menu highlights a variety of classic Vietnamese dishes. The restaurant is open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Located on Lebanon street, directly next to the Hamilton Theater, the restaurant sits where the recently-closed N13 restaurant was before.

Entrees include classic Pho with beef options such as well-done brisket, eye-round steak and beef balls, as well. Pho Ga (Pho with chicken) and Bo Kho (a Vietnamese stew with beef and vegetables) are other items included on the menu. Bun Thit Nuong (a Vietnamese grilled beef noodle salad),

Bun Bo Hue (spicy beef and pork shrimp balls), Banh mi ny (a steak sandwich with onions and pickled carrots) and Bun Cha Gio (an egg roll noodle salad) are also offered daily. All entrees are $9.95, and egg and spring roll side dishes are offered for $4.95. The menu also includes Nuoc Mam Fish and peanut sauces for noodle salads and spring rolls.

Freshman Ben Gagnon said the restaurant is a welcome addition to the town.

“I’m really happy to see what this new restaurant has to offer, and a new place in town can diversify our options when it comes to picking places in Hamilton to get lunch and dinner,” Gagnon said.

Sophomore Katie Brunell went to Friends and Pho during its opening weekend, eager to experience the Vietnamese food. She said she thinks

Hamilton is somewhat limited when it comes to eating out, so new restaurants and businesses usually catch the eyes of many students who like to frequent downtown.

“I was extremely excited to try a new food that I don’t see around often,” Brunell said.

Nhut Ho, Vietnamese-born owner of Friends and Pho and Hamilton resident for 13 years, expressed immense excitement regarding his new business, an idea he said he hoped to execute in Hamilton for a long time. Ho considers Hamilton a culturally diverse area already, and was eager to bring Vietnamese food and new ethnic identity to town. In his travels around the world, Ho has seen an immense rise in Pho’s popularity, and said he is confident that his dishes will have a wide and lasting appreciation. Ho believes strongly that Hamilton is populated by good students and good people, and that his restaurant will serve them well.