Vietnamese-American lawmakers raise concerns over Portland odor code after restaurant closure

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – After a restaurant in Northeast Portland was forced to shut down due to a complaint about its smell, Vietnamese-American lawmakers are expressing concerns about the city’s odor code.

The restaurant, Phở Gabo, is one of three restaurants in the Portland metro area owned and operated by Eddie Dong. Last week, Dong told KOIN 6 he was forced to close down the shop at Northeast Fremont Street and 73rd Avenue after a neighbor made a complaint about the smell.

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“As elected leaders within the Vietnamese community, we believe the closure of Phở Gabo sets a dangerous precedent and sends a troubling message about the value placed on cultural diversity within Portland,” the legislators wrote.

Dong said the sign posted on Phở Gabo’s front door said the business needed to be shut down because of “the city’s and the neighborhood’s complaints about the smell of the food that we grill and the foods that we serve customers.”

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But five state representatives – Daniel Nguyen of Lake Oswego and Southwest Portland; Hai Pham of South Hillsboro and West Beaverton; Thuy Tran of Northeast and Southeast Portland; Hoa Nguyen of Damascus and East Portland​​​​; and Khanh Pham of outer Southeast Portland – all say that was not a good enough reason.

“We believe that, as currently written and enforced, the city’s odor code is discriminatory and not
objective by any known standards, leaving out certain, minority-owned small businesses,” they said.

The statement issued Wednesday said the lawmakers support Commissioner Carmen Rubio’s decision to pause all action on restaurant odor complaints until the code is reviewed and amended to ensure this discrimination is taken into account.

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Chief of Staff Jillian Schoene says the commissioner “is very concerned and is raising serious questions about the negative impacts of this policy.”

“Upon learning about this issue, her office has met with the impacted business owner, and has since directed the Bureau of Development Services to put in place an immediate pause on odor complaints tied to food establishments, and launched an immediate evaluation of the relevant code to make recommendations on changes,” Schoene said.

According to Schoene, Commissioner Rubio hopes to see these code changes as soon as possible – though it will need to go through an extensive review process.

Stay with KOIN 6 as this story develops.

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