Pho Mai Mai aimed at filling North Las Vegas niche

In Vietnamese, mai mai means forever. That’s one of the reasons Mike Mai and his wife, Hang, of North Las Vegas, named their Vietnamese restaurant Pho Mai Mai. It’s also their last name.

The couple, who are both from Vietnam and have been married for nearly 20 years, opened Mai Mai on Aug. 2 at Craig and Losee roads, Hang Mai said. Mike Mai had been working in the food industry — in kitchens including Planet Hollywood’s and the Aladdin’s — since he moved to Las Vegas in 1999.

The couple picked up recipes from their families, who enjoyed cooking and serving food, Mike Mai said. At Pho Mai Mai, they incorporate Vietnamese and Americanized dishes, such as orange and teriyaki chicken. They opened in North Las Vegas because it was close to home and not many restaurants sell pho in the area, Hang Mai said.

Pho, a noodle dish that comes with several meat options including rare steak, oxtail, chicken and tofu, stats at $8.25 and is one of their most popular dishes, she said. Appetizers include spring rolls (shrimp or shrimp and pork) for $4.50 and egg rolls (Mai Mai fried shrimp or chicken) starting at $3.

There is a children’s menu including pho, grilled pork with vermicelli and a rice dish (with grilled pork, beef or chicken) for $5.50 each.

Contact Kailyn Brown at kbrown@viewnews.com or 702-387-5233. Follow @kailynhype on Twitter.