Saigon Sisters

Came in with my friend. The presentation and service was ok, but both of us got stomach flu the day after. I can hardly believe that this is coincidental because the only thing we had in common throughout the past few days was the food from this restaurant! I’ve never had a stomach flu before and it took us several days to recover from the dreadful dehydration — would never go back again for my health’s sake!

Great Vietnamese restaurant in the West Loop! Went here for dinner with a few friends. As a vegetarian I was originally upset they didn’t have the veggie phở on the dinner menu, but they have the Ca Ri Ga with tofu that was AWESOME! Great coconut curry flavor and the noodles/​veggie ratio was on point.
Would come back next time for sure to try the bahn mi

I’ve probably had carry out sandwiches here like 15 times since they’ve been open. I know that’s not to often but I live in the burbs… I still think this is a solid spot to hit and have never been let down. I just went here yesterday and realized how much I miss the food! I love a good banh mi! It is a bit more $ than other spots but it’s not a dirty hole like so many other places. I’ll be back whenever I can!

I work right around the corner from Saigon Sisters and it is a great lunch spot.
It’s pretty easy to get a table during peak lunch times and the service is very prompt. The waiters clearly understand that most people are trying to get in and out quickly and get back to work.
I usually get the carmelized chicken rice bowl. It’s served with a hearty portion of both chicken and brown rice that keeps me full throughout the day. You can also get it topped with an egg and avocado. YES PLEASE!
Occasionally, I will switch it up and get the V.B.Q sandwich, which is also very good. It has wagyu beef, basil, and barbecue sauce on it. I like the different sauce options at the table — there are both sweet and spicy options that you can mix and match.
They also have a good selection of teas and kombucha!

Food was fantastic. I got the banh bo hue and pork belly banh boe. Spice was just right. The broth gives you a little sweat but not too much. Banh boe melts in your mouth.
Only recommendation is larger serving for phở ramen. Price was a little high for portion size.

Mary is absolutely one of the most thoughtful restaurant owners I’ve had the pleasure to meet! The ambience is great for the young professional crowd– swanky modern décor, with a touch of urban art. All the staff members were professionally dressed and the service was incredible! (Btw, you all have to try their teas! It’s incredibly aromatic and serves as a great pick-​me-​up.) It’s truly a gem! I definitely recommend the curry chicken. The sauce is so well done– the gravy flavor is tasteful but not overpowering. I was so glad that she had gluten free options and vegetarian options for my friends. In fact, they rave about trying out their lunch options next time. I can’t wait to see what their new Thai restaurant, BangChop, will offer.

«Lao Chicka Bao Bao. Whatcha gonna say? You act like you gon’ leave but I know you gon’ stay…» Oh, yes, Lil Wayne. I’m gon’ stay. And I am gon’ go back. Soon. Lao Chicka Bao Bao…
The food was perfection. Nothing short of it. The service was perfection. Nothing short of it. The sleek, dim space was everything he prefers, because he knows what happens when the lights are low. *raises eyebrows*
Kimchi Tater Tots… everyone with taste buds knows that kimchi should be eaten on everything. So kimchi with deep fried potatoes certainly supports my belief. They were very unusual. Crazy sounding even. Yes, give me more.
Thit Heo Kho was the star of the show. –Pork Belly in a rich warm broth served with rice and some pickled ginger. One of the best things I’ve eaten in some time. Especially delicious on a chilly Chicago night.
The BBQ Eggplant was mild, light, and perfect alongside some of the richer entrees.
Stir Fried Bok Choy was simple but loved just the same. I appreciate that they have lighter fare sides because sometimes you just don’t want fried rice.
And of course… Lao Chicka Bao. Two palm sized soft buns filled with fried patties made of ground chicken thigh, toasted rice, lime, mint, and chili. I liked mine. He *loved* his.
We sat. We enjoyed. We flirted. We slipped out feeling completely and perfectly happy.

Due to the mixed reviews on Unilocal,it took me a very long time to check out this place and I am glad o finally did. We went here twice — once on a busy Saturday night and again on a quiet Tuesday night. We tried the fresh shrimp spring rolls, chefs fried rice with pork belly and cat fish in caramel sauce.
Rolls were fresh but I don’t think the pork in it is necessary. Chefs fried rice was good but that cat fish was tender and delicious! Service was friendly though a tad bit slow on both visits.
Portion sizes are big so one entrée is easily shareable between two.

This place is perfection on the tastebuds. I thought I have tasted all the different culinary combinations of flavor until I came here. Fresh, healthy and amazingly delicious, this place is my new fav for Vietnamese cuisine. Needless to say, I highly recommend this restaurant, you will not be disappointed.
I originally booked for the event called Culinary Adventures which is a 4 course meal. I have never been here and I wanted to try something new and exciting. This place definitely delivered just that. I immediately contacted the organizers and they quickly responded with smooth communication. I was so impressed they were able to accommodate the meals to my diet (I don’t eat pork!) so they were really flexible at the last moment. That was a big star in my book!
The 1^st course had 3 items:
–Banana blossom salad (Very unique mouth-​watering flavor like none I’ve ever tasted before),
–White rose dumpling (Yummy! I wanted more!)
–Beef Wrapped in betel Leaf (This was my favorite out of the 3. I couldn’t explain the taste. It was so darn good!)
The 2^nd course:
–Mi Quang (This was a soup that had noodle, broth and shrimp with vegetables unique to Vietnam) I would have licked the bowl if I could have!
The 3^rd course was served family style:
–Braised lemongrass chicken with ginger (Oh my god! This was so tender, flavorful and juicy! I will definitely go back for this dish. Simply amazing!)
–Goat Curry (This was my first time having goat and it was falling off the bone from how tender and soft it was. It was so delicious. I had no idea goat could taste so good.)
–Grilled Whole Fish (This was so fresh, and perfectly seasoned to the taste!)
–Grilled Eggplant (Loved the smokey flavor)
–Fried Rice (This rice had Thai basil mixed in and I had two helping even though I was laying off the carbs. I couldn’t help it!)
The 4^th course was dessert:
–Asian Jewels Fruit salad (Nice, healthy and light. I loved the combination of exotic fruit. Jackfruit is my favorite.)
On top of this heavenly meal, the evening was perfected with impeccable customer service. The family that runs this restaurant greets you and makes you feel truly welcomed. That’s top notch in my book.
There is plenty of parking on the streets fortunately. The place was not as noticeable on the outside, but inside is decorated with a trendy style. Small but warm. I loved it and I am looking forward to my next meal here! So amazing!

Pretty convenient location to get Vietnamese food. The ambience is also pretty clean and trendy. I guess my main complaint is that the place charges upscale Western food prices for not terribly upscale tiny portion of Asian food. Too bad Argyle is so far… otherwise you can get way better food at much much cheaper prices.
We started with the fresh spring rolls. It was very refreshing and healthy, with shrimp and pork mixed with salad wrapped in a cold skin without frying. For $ 10 we only got 2 rolls, but I guess they were large in size and the shrimps were quite sizable.
For my entrée I ordered a «large» beef phở. But oh god it was tiny. Their large is clearly half the size of a regular size at a normal phở place… I don’t even want to imagine what the small version looks like. The taste was decent, but the broth was very greasy which I didn’t like. When I come for Asian food I want something healthy!

Wow… this place is amazing… it’s so rare that I am this impressed by food… trust.
Full disclosure, I went because OpenTable listed then as a high value points target, and I was going to be in the city doing a lot of other things…
Anywho, it’s a bit hard to spot, but it’s right next to a Dunkin Donuts.
Kinda small and tight inside… but ambiance is okay. Menu seems limited at dinner, especially for a table full of picky pescetarian and vegetarian peeps.
Service staff were very nice and accomodating… Busing of the table was timely, and the food… looks decent, tastes phenomenal! Wow.
Warm Quinoa was my favorite. Kimchi Tater Tots, Grilled Eggplant, and Seafood Phở (only one that was meh and not worth $ 19)… then Chocolate Ganache and Tapioca (was soupy… also meh)… was shared… totalled $ 80ish. for 3 people and we had some leftovers.
Definitely felt like a satisfied foodie… by the end of the night. Will be back.

I think I found a new sister.
I saw this place was on groupon (yes, I’m cheap!) and knew I had to go before this place went out of business or something. I remember a time when this place was in all the food mags and it was the place to be. Well, it still is.
We started with the octopus, he had the lamb burger and we shared the vegetarian curry. The octopus was meaty but not the best. The curry on the other hand blew my mind. I’ve been around the curry block a time or two and honestly never had something so perfectly seasoned and flavorful. Even the tofu was done right. You know how hard it is to find a good tofu?!
Saigon sisters hit it out the park and I’m so glad I gave it a shot. I felt a tiny bit claustrophobic in the small seating spaces but other than that, I will be back for more!

The bf and I came here for dinner on a Friday night. We had made reservations, which I would recommend if you want a table, but otherwise between 6:30 — 8:30 pm there was plenty of bar seating available during our visit. We came here with a Groupon ($ 40 for $ 70), and the voucher could only be used for food, not drinks. We were allowed to choose from the entire menu, and $ 70 for two very hungry people bought enough food for us to be stuffed at the end of our meal. In addition to two drinks, we had the following dishes:
Crispy Spring Rolls (Nems)
Beef Phở
Banh Xeo
Tomato Salad (daily special)
A noodle dish with beef, fish balls, and chicarrons (daily special)
Ginger Tapioca (dessert)
All of our food and drinks were delicious and had good presentation. The Banh Xeo in particular was surprisingly savory compared to other Vietnamese places at which I’ve had this dish, but still very tasty. Service was excellent, and the ambiance was very nice. All in all we had a wonderful experience Saigon Sisters, and I’d highly recommend this restaurant to those looking for something different from the classic Vietnamese fare found at Argyle.

It’s no Nhu Lan but their bahn mi has the basic garnishes of pickled daikon/​carrots, cilantro, and jalapeños and the crusty, chewy bread. It’s not authentic or cheap.
I got the Phở Banh Mi for my 1^st try of Saigon Sisters at the French Market. It was… fine I guess. My gripe was that half the beef brisket was just fatty that I had to pick it off my sandwich and eat whatever meat I can extract… not the best. Got a bit messy. I may try something else next. I knew it was trying to a «fancy» upscale bahn mi but not worth the price.
otherwise service was super fast and easy.

Little food, big price… your best bet is to go to Chinatown or Argyle and seek out some more «authentic,» less bougie options.
But, let’s say you’re in the west loop, and you’re hankering for banh mi or some sort of Vietnamese. Especially for lunch, this place will do the trick. The banh mi is good, but it can’t be great because it’s $ 7-​$ 8.50. A little sandwich for that much can never be great.
For dinner here, I think I’d just feel sort of meh, especially after tax and tip. I think it’s best to stick to lunch.
The atmosphere is certainly nice — it feels modern and clean, and the windows are very large and industrial. Location is also good.
Another tip: check out the maker-​space across the street. It’s pretty cool.

I visited the location at the French Market (which didn’t seem to have it’s own page, so I am reviewing here).
It was my first time trying Saigon Sisters and I had a bahn mi sandwich which was delicious. Definitely a wonderful lunch meal! The service was quick and efficient and I liked that the sandwich was nice and warm.
I will say that the service wasn’t overly friendly, but they took my order and quickly filled it so that I was on my way in no time.
Worth a vist. The sandwich was fresh and delicious and I felt that the ingredients were high quality.

I hit up Saigon Sisters with a Groupon. The Groupon is definitely a good deal if you can still get it. The deal specified a shared appetizer, a soup/​salad/​whatever, and two entrees. But when we got there, they said that they would cover the $ 70 value in whatever we chose to order (food only). It was nice to just order what we wanted without having to deal with the specs of the deal.
The food is yummy. My favorite were the wings. They were spicy and sweet and perfectly cooked with a little crisp on the skin, which I loved. I highly recommend giving these a try. I also loved the fried rice. We ordered it with pork belly. As it should be ordered!
I’m not a fan of cold spring rolls. I know this but we ordered them anyway. And, as I usually don’t, I didn’t care for the «skin» on a cold spring roll. But that’s not Saigon Sister’s fault. However, I did try to eat the filling and I found it pretty bland. Load up on the sauce to add flavor.
Be sure to make a reservation. You will not get a seat on a weekend without one. And, don’t think if you arrive a few minutes early, you’ll get seated. The place is very small and totally packed on the weekends. And there really isn’t a comfortable place to wait. You’ll find yourself awkwardly standing in the doorway in everyone’s way.

I used to come here fairly frequently after they opened; since I worked a couple blocks away in, what else? Your typical loft office with a ton of space above you, but little to the sides: a cube farm where they constantly a greater yield on your milk.
Saigon Sisters was something to look forward to: delicious food at a reasonable price in a neighborhood that tended to cluster at Blackbird and Sepia high versus Jimmy Johns and Sarpino lows. Delicious phở here (and seemed to be much better than their stall in the French fhod market a block away, for which the broth never seemed to be complex enough). They had a great variety too.
Unfortunately, my recent visit was marred by long, dark-​haired Barbie service. A woman (still girl?) who must have been out of high school for at least five or ten years, but who still carried herself like one of those bitchy «in-​crowd» girls at a suburban high school with nary an ethnic group in sight.
I had the teriyaki tofu. (Which granted, has little Vietnamese ethnicity itself, but I needed something simple. Read on.) It was delicious, but on that particular day I had an unfortunate doctor-​ordered diet that forbid scallions and cucumber. I wasn’t pushy; I was even apologetic, given that I’m fully Minnesotan on my mother’s side. I rarely ask for menu changes.
No problem. EXCEPT, that the dish was whisked out to me with both of these ingredients. I hunted her down, she made no apology, and they had to make another dish, and I had to convince my polite friend to eat hers while it was hot. While waiting, we also asked for water, which we had asked for and other tables had been presented when they sat down. To err is human, but to apologize is polite. This woman didn’t even thank us when she brought the check; she did nothing to indicate that we were welcome there.
Normally I weight my rating stars heavily on food, because service is less important to me. But in this case, I’ll mirror the service and also not apologize for the appropriate 10% tip.

Very cute small neighborhood restaurant. The prices are a bit high for the food but I’m guessing it’s due to the location and the place being Vietnamese fusion. We came here with a gilt city coupon, which made the place worth it for the money.
Started off with the spring rolls ($ 10). Very bland, no flavor, the shrimp was definitely the frozen kind, the pork was really dry. Avoid these. Also avoid the papaya salad ($ 12), same problem as above, served with the same pork and shrimp.
The pork belly banh mi ($ 12) was better, much more flavor but the pork belly itself was dry. The sandwich could have used some type sauce.
The beef phở ($ ⁹⁄₁₇) was the best part of the dinner. Very hearty dish with a whole lotta flavor and the meatballs were juicy. The noodles nicely cooked. Would definitely come back for this phở again.
The caramel chicken wings ($ 15) were also good, spicy and sweet, needed some acidity tho. For me, they were on the spicier side.
The last dish we ordered was the baby octopus ($ 16) served with black ink rice. The black ink rice was a nice touch and had good flavor. But the octopus itself was on the sweeter and chewier side. Not into sweet octopus.
Overall, this was an ok meal considering I had a gilt city discount. Without the discount I would be very disappointed cause the meal without the discount cost $ 100. I would come back for their lunch specials as they are much cheaper for a good amount of food.

Saigon Sisters introduced me to another culinary side of Chicago that I hadn’t experienced. Refreshingly flavorful sums up the food served here.
This is where tried Bánh Mì for the first time, and I absolutely loved it. The braised pork belly was just tender and melt-​in-​your mouth. The shredded pickled carrots, daikon radish, and jalapeño complemented the savory hoisin flavor of the pork.
Also ordered was a side of Shrimp Spring Rolls. This makes for a cool and light appetizer. However, I’m not partial to fresh spring rolls because of the bursting combination of mint and cilantro flavors, so I liked this the least. I’m not a fan, but everyone else in my group enjoyed it.
The service is excellent here. Not only was our waitress attentive, but the food was served to us in no time. We also spoke to the manager, who did a great job overseeing the entire restaurant, and made us feel at home — I hope he considers my idea of Saigon Sisters opening up a shop in Vegas.