In the Bronx, restaurant history matters. Places don’t just open — they evolve. And few transformations are as fascinating as VPHO, a Vietnamese restaurant that now occupies a building once known for serving one of the neighborhood’s most beloved Italian pizzas for nearly 48 years.What makes VPHO special isn’t just the pho. It’s the way the restaurant respects the past while building something entirely new. From Italian Pizza Institution to VPHO Bronx Before VPHO, this location was a classic Italian pizza restaurant — the kind of place locals grew up with. For decades, it served slices, pasta, and comfort food that defined the block. When VPHO’s owners took over, they didn’t erase that history. They purchased the entire building, kept parts of the Italian menu alive, and reimagined the space as a multicultural kitchen that reflects modern Bronx food culture. That decision alone sets VPHO apart from most restaurant takeovers in NYC. Instead of choosing between cuisines, VPHO chose both. A Rare Menu: Vietnamese Pho Meets Italian Classics At the heart of VPHO is its Vietnamese pho, a deeply aromatic, slow-simmered broth that anchors the menu. Rich, clean, and balanced, the pho delivers the comfort it’s known for — especially on cold Bronx days. The noodles are tender, the herbs are fresh, and the broth shows patience, not shortcuts. But VPHO doesn’t stop there. In a move that feels risky but works, the restaurant continues to serve Italian pasta and pizza, honoring the building’s legacy. The pizza holds onto old-school Bronx pizzeria roots, while the pasta dishes lean classic and familiar. It’s not fusion for shock value — it’s coexistence. You can sit at one table and order: A steaming bowl of Vietnamese pho A classic Italian pasta dish A slice of pizza that locals still swear by That range is rare in NYC, and even rarer when done well. The Bronx Identity: Why VPHO Works Here VPHO feels right for the Bronx because the Bronx itself is layered. This borough thrives on overlap — cultures, languages, histories sharing the same block. VPHO mirrors that reality. Instead of rebranding the space completely, the restaurant embraces what was already there. Locals who once came for pizza still recognize the room. New customers come for pho and discover Italian comfort food they didn’t expect. That’s how neighborhood restaurants survive long-term: by serving memory and curiosity at the same time. Atmosphere and Experience Inside, VPHO keeps things casual and welcoming. It’s not trying to be trendy or performative. The focus is the food, the portions, and consistency. Families, longtime locals, and new diners all share the same space — another sign that the restaurant understands its community. Service is straightforward, efficient, and unpretentious. This is a place built for repeat visits, not just social media moments. Final Verdict: A Bronx Food Story Worth Telling VPHO isn’t just a Vietnamese restaurant. It isn’t just an Italian restaurant either. It’s a Bronx restaurant, shaped by history, adaptation, and respect for what came before. By preserving an Italian pizzeria legacy while introducing high-quality Vietnamese pho and a full, diverse menu, VPHO has created something genuinely rare in NYC’s food scene. If you’re looking for: Authentic pho in the Bronx A restaurant with real neighborhood history A full menu that bridges Italian and Vietnamese food VPHO deserves your attention — and your appetit