BBQ, pho restaurants open in downtown Arlington Heights

Two new restaurants - both owned by husband-wife pairs - are now open in downtown Arlington Heights and ready for summer crowds.

Pho An, a Vietnamese-Korean fusion restaurant, owned by Sylvia and Mark An, opened at 6 S. Dunton Ave. on Tuesday, while just down the block, Porky's BBQ, owned by Connie and Frank DeJulio, started welcoming customers at 41 S. Dunton Ave. last month.

"The neighborhood seems happy to have us," said Connie DeJulio. "People love barbecue."

Porky's BBQ's menu includes pulled pork, beef brisket, smoked turkey breast and french fries. On Fridays, Saturday and Sundays, the couple serves half- and full slabs of ribs.

DeJulio said she and her husband had another restaurant in the city, but after their partner retired, they were looking for a new location. With family in Arlington Heights, they decided to move into the spot on Dunton, which had been vacant for several years.

"We love the area," she said.

With the Sounds of Summer concerts starting next month, DeJulio said she is hoping more people will stop by their new restaurant.

"People can grab some food and go to the concert," she said.

Up the street, Pho An officially opened Tuesday, replacing the former La Roca Tapas which closed last year.

The menu has a mix of Vietnamese dishes like pho, a traditional noodle soup, and bahn mi sandwiches, as well as Korean favorites such as bulgogi, seafood ramen and phah jun, a crispy pancake with seasoned vegetables.

Sylvia An and her husband Mark live in Buffalo Grove, but raised their children in Arlington Heights schools. It is the first restaurant for the couple.

"This was his dream for a lot of years," Sylvia said of her husband Mark, who is also the head chef at Pho An.

An said she is looking forward to bringing their family's traditional food to the Arlington Heights community.

"This is a good area. I have no doubt this is going to be a great place to be," she said. "We're ready and welcome everybody to come try some pho."