The most memorable meals are often found in places one might not expect. This certainly holds true for Saigon Street Viet Cuisine, tucked away in a mostly residential area at the southwest corner of Independence and Parker in Plano. You may enter the restaurant your first time as a stranger, but you’ll leave feeling like a part of the family.
Owner and Chef Tuong Bui opened Saigon Street after working alongside his mother in the kitchen at her Plano restaurant. His mother learned to cook by hosting big village parties in Vietnam, and it was from her that Tuong acquired his culinary appreciation. Her space eventually became an events-only venue, only open on the weekends. Not one to sit idly by, Tuong wanted a new adventure, so he opened Saigon Street Viet Cuisine in May of 2013.
When deciding on a location for his restaurant, Tuong wanted it to be close to home so he could spend as much time with his family as possible. He settled in Plano because of its exceptional school district, and chose to open his restaurant there as well.
Saigon Street Viet Cuisine derives its name from the major metropolitan area of Saigon in southern Vietnam. Tuong says he chose the name so that people would recognize the city and immediately associate the restaurant with Vietnam and its cuisine.
Running a restaurant is truly a family affair at Saigon Street. Tuong arrives early in the morning to do inventory and prep work, while his wife helps him cook from opening until mid-evening. Their two children often spend time with them at the restaurant in the hours between after school and dinner, before going home with their mother. Tuong wraps things up in the evening then starts it all over again the next day.
The menu at Saigon Street is based on the style of central Vietnamese cooking, which the owner says is a new concept for many Plano diners. Most people only know common Vietnamese dishes such as pho, vermicelli and bahn mi, but Tuong likes to showcase more spices, more proteins and more of the personality of central Vietnam. Some of his most popular items include the grilled pork chop, lemon fried shrimp, calamari salad, roasted quail and beef carpaccio. And don’t miss the chef’s favorite: fried red snapper with chili tomato sauce.
Saigon Street is BYOB, and guests are invited to bring along their favorite beer or wine to pair with Tuong’s authentic fare. True to the family theme, the restaurant offers free kids’ meals with an adult entrée purchase on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and 50 percent off kids’ meals with an adult entrée all day Sunday. In addition to the regular menu, the chef often features specials.
Saigon Street Viet Cuisine offers a unique and tasty option for families looking to answer that age-old question: “Where should we go for dinner?” Once you’ve been going there a while, don’t be surprised when Tuong greets you by name, like part of the family.
Saigon Street Website >[codepeople-post-map]
