Mohinee Mukherjee

Review of Saigon Sisters

This is my second review of this first-rate, famil...

This is my second review of this first-rate, family-run small business. Well-deserving of repeated adulations, Saigon Sisters is exceptional in its cuisine, service, and its tenacity to survive an ongoing pandemic.

My friends and I discovered this hidden gem near the Chicago River when I had a desperate craving for Banh Mi one July afternoon. At first, I was uneasy about eating indoors anywhere given COVID-19, but our host and restaurant-owner, Dan, made us feel right at home and assertively followed indoor-dining restrictions. The food was SO GOOD that we came back three times that week to enjoy more Fresh Shrimp and Pork Spring Rolls, Banh Baos, and Vietnamese Coffee.

Over the past eight months, I have sampled almost everything on the menu from Papaya Salad and Pho to Bo Luc Lac (beef tenderloin) and BBQ Eggplant and I truly love every dish. The crown jewels of the menu are the Laksa and the Whole Branzino. It goes without saying that you should definitely make room for the desserts such as the Bread Pudding (with Vietnamese-style whipped cream) and Fried Baos.

Beyond the bold fusion of flavors, Saigon Sisters offers plenty of vegetarian/vegan, gluten-free, and Halal dishes which I can attest are equally (if not more!) delicious. In addition, the extensive non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage offerings (especially the Saigon 75 cocktail) are very refreshing.

Mary, co-owner and behind-the-scenes food visionary, is constantly innovating in the kitchen. While she pushes the culinary boundaries, her esteemed mother plants the roots on homestyle recipes (such as her special prawn crackers) as a testament to their homeland of Vietnam from where they became refugees to the US.

Their motto of hospitality and culinary excellence extends beyond their Lake Street restaurant and outposts at the French Market and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. During the pandemic, Mary collaborated with fellow womxn and immigrant-run, independent restaurants to offer cross-cuisine menu packages which besides exciting even the most scrupulous of foodies provided an inspirational level of support and fellowship in these difficult times.

Saigon Sisters is an esteemed staple in the effervescent Chicago food scene. And yet, Dan and Mary treat you like family whether you re a first-time diner or a frequent flyer like myself. On your future dining (and carry-out!) excursions, be sure to visit Saigon Sisters!