Saigon Sisters Reviews

This was a real surprise. Traveller who want a break from American meat and cheese cuisine, make your way down to West Loop Chicago. Under the EL, the room is spacious, clean and well lite. It also has an excellent bar and wine selection. They specialise in Bahn and those are very good. We also had the fish (sea bass), eggplant and the egg roll. The quality right up there with any Asian food i’ve Had. Service was excellent and well informed on all the dishes. Highly recommend this to anyone travelling to Chicago.

My wife and I had couple of appetizers, entrees, and dessert. Very creative dishes with vibrant flavors. The entrees were a bit salty due to the marinade, but both were still enjoyable. We had two servers take turns waiting on us. One was great, the other (also the host?) had bit of an attitude. We laughed it off and had a good evening.

What stood out for me at Saigon Sisters was how well they made Vietnamese cuisine interesting. I was here with a friend on a busy Saturday night. The dinner menu offers flavors and textures familiar from typical Vietnamese lunch places, but put together in new ways. Had excellent service throughout the meal. Would definitely recommend for someone who likes Vietnamese food, but wants something they haven't experienced yet.

I started with the real lobster and avocado spring rolls. There were 2 large spring rolls served with a flavorful orange sauce. The spring rolls were excellent. I had the crab cakes made with real crab as my entree. The crab was fresh and delicious. I also has some of the quinoa. The space is modern and intimate. Great for couples.

I was meeting with friends who work in the Boeing building and another friend who works on Lake. It is a small bright space with very friendly staff. Even the owner is there to make sure everything is good. The pho is excellent with lots of flavor. The spring rolls are what they call fresh rolls in other places or Nim Chow. Nicely rolled, but I prefer a lighter dipping sauce with rice wine vinegar and crusher peanuts. This one comes with more of a creamy peanut sauce. Big bowl of soup for 10 bucks, spring rolls $7.50 for 3 pieces.

Holy cow! I just discovered one of the best restaurants in Chicago and it's only taken me 4 years. Saigon Sisters was absolutely incredible. Atmosphere, Food, Service and Value. By far the best Asian food I have had in, well actually, ever!. The owner is a great guy who couldn't have been more attentive and helpful, the food was to die for and the drinks were incredible. We had a selection from across the menu and it all was amazing. If you are looking for a bar and want a real treat then this is the place to impress. Just became my new favourite restaurant anywhere and I travel a lot! This place is just Wow!

My wife and I have eaten here many times and the food and service are always excellent/outstanding. The Vietnamese cuisine with a French flair is aways interesting and frequently unusual. The shrimp fried rice with cold cucumber slices on top is a must and whatever the whole fish that's offered take it. The finish with onions and dill is really a treat. The owners and staff are very friendly and quite helpful. We'll continue to go there again and again.

The restaurant is conveniently located, within one minute walk of the Lake-Clinton L stop. The excellent service started with a warm greeting by the owner as my wife and I entered the restaurant. The owner did a good job to highlight several special items on the menu. The service was prompt, and the food was really good. Although the restaurant is small, the high ceiling gives a spacious feel. Saigon Sisters is a good place for casual dining, whether by yourself, or with a date or friends, a truly hidden gem in the West Loop!

Last night while staying in Chicago, my wife and I were looking for a unique (i.e., not pizza or burger joint) dining experience. We happened upon Saigon Sisters tucked unassumingly beneath the El on West Lake Street. To say that we were blown away would be an understatement! We were immediately greeted by the owner like we were old friends, and treated like royalty by him and the rest of the staff that evening. Were we the exception? No. As it turned out from a quick scan of the room, everyone was treated to the same gold-standard service. And the food -- oh my god...the food! Delicious, beautifully portioned and presented, and all at a reasonable cost for such high quality. We can not wait to come back. When in the Windy City, give a respectful nod to the deep-dish pizza, and then run -- don't walk, as fast as you can to this jewel of a restaurant!

We picked one of 3 locations just by proximity to home, and I was disappointed by the looks of the restaurant. Nevertheless we stayed and ordered the restaurants week menu. IT WAS DELICIOUS!! I don’t even know we’re to start - 3 course dinner for 36$ AND each of our dishes are asking for us to come back! Wonderfully balanced food and super nice staff. The phõ is the best I’ve ever tasted. We’ve been joining restaurants week for years, and so far Saigon sisters delivered the best menu we’ve tried.

My husband and I had lunch at Saigon Sisters while visiting Chicago for my birthday. The entire experience was absolutely delightful. We were treated like visiting royalty and we loved the food. The co-owner of the restaurant waited on us and we were overwhelmed by his hospitality. Both of us had bahn mi, my husband's lobster bahn mi was to die for. I had an order of pork belly buns and then ordered another for dessert. I could live on those tasty morsels! My husband also had pho and really enjoyed it. We both felt the price was reasonable given the quality of the ingredients. After lunch we had a pleasant walk along the river and went on an architectural tour. The perfect day!

Great service from beginning to end of meal. Pork belly spring rolls, steamed dumplings, bao dessert. Cannot wait to return!

We go out for food every week and we have never been treated with so much disrespect. We book at table for 8.30PM and as we walk in there is no table available, we sit and wait ... then a group of 3 people walked in with no reservation , a table freed up and the owner let the other people sit ... we asked why and the owner just told us another table was soon to be ready for us. Now it is about 9PM and another table freed up ... the owner says that he going to clean it and will be ready, in the meanwhile a group of 6 walked in and the owner just merged 2 table and reallocated to the new comers. At this point is 9.10PM and we asked again why not us and that we will be leaving and the owner said ... ok ... just go, I do not care about who has a reservation or not ... the more people, the more money I make ... Unfortunately due to covid restrictions we were not able to find another palace available at 9.10PM and we had to arrange late night take out. Pretty sad as it was supposed to be our date night after a long week :-(

Tripsters- Let me start by saying everything from the service to the nibbles to the atmosphere at Saigon Sisters was on point! This was an amazing restaurant and I will definitely be back soon. However having sampled Pho all over the US this was by far the most expensive bowl we've ever bought. I'll leave it to you whether or not to decide it's worth it (I say YOLO so go for it!). Try the following: Chicken Pho, Chicken Curry Noodles, Poached Lobster and Avocado spring rolls, and Tiger Beer to drink

A co-worker raves about the food here, then I came across a Groupon and thought huh, I have to check it out. I am certainly glad we did!!!! First, the food is a Vietnamese fusion that = Fantastic!!! We ordered 4 different dishes and they encourage sharing. Our server, who by the way was outstanding recommended a few dishes which we were super pleased with. Definitely will be returning for the another fantastic experience!!!!

Chicago has lots of good restaurants, but IMHO, don’t leave town without a Porky Banh Mi from Saigon Sisters. The crunchy bread with a generous portion of hoisin-glazed pork belly is not to be missed. Two people can share a Porky and definitely try something else on the menu for a memorable meal. Some of my other favorites are the Grilled Octopus, BBQ Eggplant, Whole Branzino for fish lovers and Bo Luc Lac for those who crave steak. Down it all with a Saigon Beer or glass of wine. Definitely peruse the dessert menu!

Food is very good - you should try the pho! The snapper is also a must-have. We ate here by chance, as we were walking around to look for a place to eat dinner in one night that we were feeling "spontaneous" - we did not regret it! Service is also good. Prices are a bit steep though, but not too bad.

We went for an early dinner after a matinee at the Lyric. We had reservations for 6 pm but literally had to have them unlock the doors for us at 5:30. They staff was very gracious and attentive without hovering. The waiter made several suggestions which we tried and were universally very good. We tried the green papaya salad, the whole snapper and the kim chi fried rice. I would recommend them all. We were quite full but tried the macaron assortment for dessert - I would rate it as unimaginative compared to the rest of the menu. The place started to fill by 6:30 and was vibrant without being noisy. We lingered over our wine and never felt any pressure to leave. We will definitely go again soon.

Make sure you reserve a table, it's a very popular place! The bao is amazing & flavorful! Loved the contrast of sweet pork belly, cilantro, & jalapeno. We also had the beef pho. Very little "tweaking" is needed to the dish. The pho broth is very well prepared, hints of fish, hosin sauce, and just the right of soy. Perfect atmosphere, and the service was spot on. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have only had banh mi here (twice as I wanted to give it a second chance) but I don't recommend it- they hardly have any cilantro in it and the carrots were flavorless (and there wasn't much else in it- nit well balanced in taste at all), the condiments were not sufficient and it lacked flavor- definitely not an authentic banh mi. They also come a bit soggy - but maybe banh mi are not at all good for delivery. Overall, it just seemed lazily and cheaply made (and considering the ingredients cost almost nothing anyway, that's appalling).

I love Vietnamese food and have traveled through Southeast Asia a handful of times. And while I live in a great city with access to a variety of Vietnamese fare, still, while on this mini-vacation to Chicago, I was hankering for and nostalgic for some Saigon flavors. Saigon Sisters' was comfort food for us. However, the green papaya in the green papaya salad had a hint of bitterness. In having eaten this dish myriads of time, tasting this bitterness was a first. We also had the grilled baby octopus, bánh xèo and bún riêu. When it comes to Vietnamese food, depending on a North or South influence, some dishes do call for some heavy-handedness on the sugar! I found the added sweetness of the grilled octopus to be a bit unappealing. The bành xèo was very good. To me, their bún riêu, was not the version I was pining for. Their broth was thin and my guess is that it was made with shrimp rather than with crab and crab base. It did NOT come with split water spinach stems and shredded banana flowers. I am used to bún riêu with a rich tomato broth and large cakes of crab and egg chunks. Yet, we walked out feeling copacetic for giving Saigon Sisters a try.

We were driving in from Wisconsin and the weather wasn’t cooperating so we decided we couldn’t make a reservation. As we got closer, we decided to call Saigon Sisters and see if they could seat us. We were told they would. Having been a frequent diner there, we thought we’d have our favorites. However Dan suggested a new item, steamed octopus dumplings in a clear broth. If they don’t put this item on the menu, we’ll be disappointed. I usually have the octopus with squid ink rice, but again they had a new dish with octopus, rice eggs and noodles. It too should be added to their upcoming spring menu. To round out the seafood, Dan and Mary suggested the “shaken” beef tenderloin pieces. Melt in your mouth, bursting with Vietnamese spices. My wife was disappointed that there was nothing left to take home. Happy Wife, Happy Life, so we ordered a classic Bon Mi to go (took a lot of willpower not to eat it for breakfast). It is refreshing to find a restaurant that keeps innovating while still offering the old standbys. Next time we have to bring more people so we can share more of the wonderful food. Thanks Mary and Dan, but don’t forget the Vietnamese Pasty idea.

I've been here numerous times because I genuinely enjoy their pho soup and the Thai iced teas and Vietnamese iced coffee. As I came in more often the owner Dan and his wife was kind enough to give me a free dessert on one visit and another iced thai drink on the house. Lunch can either be chaotic during their busy times or calm and peaceful if you arrive anytime after 4pm I've tried their chicken 🐔 and roast beef pho which comes with a light and extremely tasty broth. Today I chose their Vietnamese version of ramen with pieces of chicken katsu. The bowl 🥣 was so generously portioned I couldn't finish it. This soup though was extremely salty so of the three different soups I've tasted this was my least favorite. I also tried a spicy shrimp bahn mi sandwich 🥪 a couple of weeks ago which was extremely yummy and comes with jalapeños so be warned it's extremely spicy. There is a rewards program here but to be completely honest with you none of the staff here knew how it worked. Today it alerted me that I finally had redeemable points so I used them towards today's meal. Vibes here are non fussy and extremely casual with very comfortable seating. Music here is house 🏠 ambient and loud not very relaxing so I just tune it out. Prices are fair and a great place to enjoy pho with a friend or by yourself if you prefer dining solo like me.

My husband was excited about this brave new world of Vietnamese cuisine after reading reviews but I was pretty nonplussed by the menu and specials on the Saturday night we were there. It is a busy, small restaurant with a buzzing bar staff who clearly enthuse about their trade. Kudos there. For me, the entree menu was on the heavy (and rather dull) side - venison on the bone, octopus, two spicy yet southern fried style cornish hens served with a fried rice and mushroom side, a shellfish dish, a tofu offering - the trout was most appealing. Being a light eater I should have had the more appetizing appetizers that night and left room for the famed dessert. I agree with the reviewer above who found one or two staff members arrogant although our waiter was lovely. One man's meat ...

This is a must visit restaurant! Our friends brought us here after a great experience, and it was better than expected. From the minute you walk in the door, you’re greeted by many friendly faces. The owner Dan is absolutely awesome and makes you feel so welcome. The food is fantastic - everything we tried was delicious! We highly recommend the pork belly Banh Bao and sweet + spicy fried chicken with rice. We can’t wait to come back!

we (three of us) thoroughly enjoyed dinner here the other night. we all opted for the four course prix menu ($40) and thought it was a good deal. all the food we ate was lovely but i have to say the pork belly bun was one of the best things i've eaten in a long time. if i'm ever within two miles of this place at lunch time i will walk here and by a bag of three pork belly buns!

My husband had a procedure at Northwestern Memorial Hosp on Tuesday. After he was in recovery, decided to take a walk and see about dinner. The first restaurant said it would be 45 min for a take-out salad. A nearby pizzeria didn't do single slice take-out at dinner, so it would have been 45 min for a whole pizza. Decided to explore the restaurants on the second floor of Galter Pavilion in the Hospital and tried Saigon Sisters where I had a delicious, inexpensive, takeout meal equal or superior to the restaurants near the Hospital. The Pho Bowl with beef was delicious and comforting, after being in the cold surgical waiting room all day. The shrimp rolls were outstanding. The staff offered me free shrimp chips, while I waited. (My food was ready in about five minutes). When I looked at the cash register, noticed a Zagat-Rated sticker! This experience was just what the doctor ordered after a stressful day upstairs! Thank you, Saigon Sisters!

I found this restaurant by a pure chance, have been visiting on a regular basis ever since. Small dining room. Very tasty food, try Vietnamese coffee. Lunch menu is abbreviated and slightly different than dinner menu, so I recommend visiting for both lunch and dinner. Prices are OK.

After having been all over Chicago on our first wedding anniversary we were feeling a little tired and run down. We came to Saigon Sisters for a Pho Pick me up. In no time flat the hot and spicy soup brought us back to life and we thank them for this. I will definitely refer this place to friends and be back myself.

I went with my family for dinner. We were not disappointed. Food was great - the pho had a great noodle to meat ratio. I love noodles and was happy to see how many noodles were in there. Also, bean sprouts were on the side which was a plus. One thing I will say is that no one at the table liked the pork laab. The smell of it turned me off and my parents both said it had a very vinger-y taste. I recommend the pho and the kim chi tots, as well as the BBQ eggplant. Saigon 75 is a great drink. I loved it for dinner and am really excited to come back for lunch for bahn mi.

I have been there a few times and have liked it quite a bit each time. Their pho is not the best I have had... A little underwhelming. Their steamed buns and bahn mi sandwiches are awesome. Good clean bold Vietnamese favors with a little playfulness. Service is good. The dinner menu is pricier but its a great value for lunch!

Looking for a place to pick up food while in town for work. About a 5 min walk from the hotel. Ordered the crispy rolls as appetizer and the grilled pork bell bao. The bao was very good. Good flavor. Would definitely order again. The crispy rolls were ok. I would probably try a different appetizer next time. All in all. Tummy is full and I would definitely not turn down an opportunity to go back again !

Saigon Sisters has grown from a stand at the French Market to several locations in the city. Another soon to open at Northwestern. The Bahn mi are delicious as are the summer rolls. The main restaurant features some amazing dishes. Only problem is the small size can make it hard to get a table.

I stopped at the branch of Saigon Sisters in Northwestern Memorial Hospital for carryout. With tax and no tip, a bowl of chicken Pho was $9.50. It had approximately 1 ounce of chicken. How do they expect to stay in business? It was like 2 cans of Campbells chicken noodle soup with no chicken and a squirt of lime juice. What a disappointment, who are they kidding? Not that it matters, but the atmosphere is meh and the service was the polar opposite of courteous. If that bowl of soup cost $3, I still wouldn't go back.

I had the Porker sandwich. It was very flavorful, the bread was flakey and good, and it was all-around tasty! The other person had the Pho. It came in a huge bowl and was excellent. The fresh sprouts and herbs were a nice touch. The waiter was attentive and friendly. The atmosphere under the el tracks isn't much, but the food made up for it.

Amazing food! Service was outstanding. I’m spice sensitive so waitstaff explained menu items and had chef alter my meal. Would go back!

What a nice place! Perfect attention and better food. Can’t wait to come back to enjoy lunch or dinner. Thanks Daniel!

Very friendly place surrounded by glass right under the L tracks. Kind of cramped seating if you are a party of 2. I suspect they do a much bigger volume at lunch than they do at dinner. We had spring rolls with pork and shrimp. They were good, not great. Mostly lettuce, which for $10, well, a bit pricey. We both had the beef pho, which was also tasty, but nowhere near as good as Tank Noodle on the north side. It was a bit on the small side, and although the meat was tasty, there was probably 2oz or less of the good stuff. The service was attentive and kind. Considering the cost of parking and the loop location, if you want a great value and authentic Vietnamese food, I suggest you drive up to Argyle and Broadway and just pick a spot. I would go here for lunch if I worked in the loop, but won't make the drive again for dinner. Our bill was $62 for two. No alcohol.

My husband and I had a delightful dinner in this small, attractive candle-lit restaurant last night. The menu is not huge, but it offers a wide range of options, from pho to more elegant main course meals, all delicately seasoned with fresh herbs. The specials, listed on a blackboard, included a yellow tomatoe salad with basil and anchovies that we loved along with deep fried Bronzino, a real treat. From the printed menu we enjoyed chicken curry (order a side of rice to accompany this), fried rice with shrimp and stir fried fresh vegetables. We had planned to tote some of our sizable order home, but it was so good, we polished everything off in one sitting. Service was caring and friendly. Mary, the owner, roamed then room, visiting tables and making suggestions. We will be back soon.m

For Vietnamese food in the busy loop of Chicago, noone does it better. The hot Viet Coffee was something new and fine for me. The menu is wide and varied. That is a bonus for me. The spring rolls were very good . What I liked best was that they had sardine sandwiches. Before them I could only have them at home. I do say that the sardines were a little like jack mackeral but that is because sardines are different in different places and I had only had north sea ones before. This is a good place for a different . lunch. The server helped me out, as a new customer, with good advice.

This restaurant was good, but you can get really delicious Vietnamese for a lower cost in other areas. The Pho was good, but again, kind of pricey for Pho.

I've been to Saigon Sisters restaurant several times and the flavors are unique and always special. The food is very refined as far as Vietnamese cuisine goes. It's a very well attended restaurant but does requires a taste in a different kind of food and flavors. I'd recommend it for "foodies" who are looking for something very different in asian cuisine.

They know how to bring out the flavors in food without excessive oils and soy sauces (salt). More of an Avant Garde Vietnamese none the less its dishes complete the Vietnamese tradition. The best way to eat here is to consider everything like a 'tapas" and share with all members at your table.

I'll try to have Pho once or twice a week, all over the US where I can find it. Now maybe I'm spoiled since I live near Garden Grove, San Gabriel, and Los Angeles, where I've had some really good Pho. But I wasn't expecting much from Saigon Sisters, but it was just not good. There was no flavor with the broth, I really don't think the broth was homemade, probably from a mix. I guess I can't ask for too much being in downtown Chicago where there's so many other better types of food, but I was craving some good Pho after eating all of the other great Chicago foods. I actually went to Shake Shack afterwards and got a burger, then to Downtown Dogs and got a Char Dog, both had much more flavor than my Pho unfortunately.

We went to this restaurant to eat something different from the American diet and it was a success. We made a reservation through open table and Dan, the owner, seemed like he was waiting for us. We had imperial rolls, pho and a sirloin dish with vegetables and excellent rice. Dan treated us to the amazing Banana butter cake dessert. I really recommend it to you.

This place is great! The vegetarian pho is incredible. I have been there twice and have gotten the pho both times. The spring rolls are great too. I am definitely going back!

I could not wait to eat my spicy and flavorful dish entrees. The shrimp spring rolls at this establishment are now one of favorite appetizers locally.

we just had sandwiches and they were very good but I don´t know about the rest of the menu. the place (the french market) is good for an informal lunch

Excellent Vietnamese food - fresh, delectably prepared. Very authentic. Excellent service. Excellent cleanliness. Surroundings just a bit noisy. Highly recommended.

After buying food at the Siagon Sisters at the Olgilve French Market. Our waiters/servers we very friendly and accommodating, with the suggestions for food & beverages. We starte with The Drapon's Pearl (made of NorthShore VodkaYuzu Shu ,yuzu juice, Honey Vanilla Syrup & Basil Seeds) for my wife and I had the Balthazar, which consisted of Cognac,tamarind,cardimon, brown sugar, Orange Juice & Beef Jerky. I normally do not go for cokctails but this drink is a cocktail I will come back for, The Cognac, Tamarind, Orange Juice blend together so very well, neither overpowering the other, The Beef Jerkey absorbed the drink well. For dinner we had teh Vietnamese Pizza, which was nice, the Pork Belly Bahn Bao, which were mazazing, the pork was so delecate and the Buns were my wife favorite. Our main course was the Branzini, which after being fried and stewed in the vietnamese sauce was an outstanding dish. Our servers Christopher ( I am sorry I forget the other servers names, They were so very nice and helpful with our questions. This dinner was an amazing experience. We will be back !! if your are adventurous Definitely try te Siagon Sisters at 567 Lake Streetin Chicago, you will not be disappointed !!! & have the Balthazar cocktail!

Our daughter recommended the Saigon Sisters, and my wife and I are glad to have stepped in there on a Friday evening, late summer. Mary and Dan have set up this nook on Lake Street (one of their three establishments), that was filled with warmth and Asian hospitality, and delicious food with distinctive Asian flavors. Tasty, flavorful, and light – what more could you ask for? Aaaaah - a selection of adult beverages, you ask? Yes, a menu full of those as well – in addition to authentic Asian drinks and cocktails. The Spring Rolls were heavenly, with or without the sauce – so much so, that we ordered a second helping (yeah, that good, really!!!). We tried two Baos – with turmeric-infused curry chicken (halal, of course), and barbecued Jackfruit. I grew up eating jackfruit as a fruit – couldn’t ever imagine a barbecued jackfruit could taste this goooood!!! Dan explained to us that he had some specials that evening, and inquired if we were in an adventurous mood. Our daughter and I were, my wife stayed the normal course. She tried the Pad See Ew with Tofu and extra spices. She was delighted with the taste. We ordered the seared Branzino (fish), flavored with Turmeric and Dill. The light sauce that came on the dish mixed well with white rice. I tried the Bo Luc Lac – the Japanese-style seared Sirloins with Arugula and white rice. Delicious!!! We polished off our meal with a serving of bread pudding – a special family recipe, accompanied by Vietnamese-style, cinnamon whipped cream. Light, flavorful and compact in sweetness!! Couldn’t have asked for a better finish to our dinner. Definitely a place to return to - looking forward to visiting Mary and Dan's restaurant on Lake Street, during our next visit to Chicago.

Saigon sisters was on our “must try” list during our Chicago visit in December....and it did not disappoint. The quaint yet vibey location in west loop had a great atmosphere. We started off with: Thai iced tea An organic traditional kombucha drink A Thai coffee Food: Stiffed baos ( a steamed Vietnamese fluffy yet spongey bread)....kinda like an English muffin consistency. Three different baos stuffed with caramelized chicken, Hoisin glazed pork belly ( my favorite) and a Wagyu beef...all topped with pickled daikon and carrots, cilantro and jalapeños, great little snacks packed with flavors and freshness! We also tried the spring rolls...I wasn’t a fan as they weren’t the deep fried variety🙈but the cold summer roll types with the soft rice wrapper.... but it came with an amazing sauce which we asked for a refill of and dipped our bao into 😀 Mains: ca ri ga chicken curry And their Tuesday special: fried rice. Amazing depth of flavors with the black sesame seeds, chilis, spring onions ....Absolutely delish!! The flavors were bold and authentic ( based on our other Vietnamese dining experience) but no other Vietnamese restaurant I’ve been to so far was as bold and flavorful. The owners husband came around and had we had a great convo. Amazing customer service. I’d go back just for the great customer service.....but in this case definitely the food too! Would love to try out the rest of the menu. You gotta eat here!

I stopped in during a crunch and grabbed the fresh spring rolls. Delicious! Good food at value prices.

Small restaurant in an inelegant location (under the loop on Lake St.) with exquisite food. The blending of flavors is amazing. Asian Fusion with a Vietnamese tinge, with the kitchen directed by the owner's mother-in-law. Everything was excellent from the pork belly "sandwich" (in a steamed Chines bun), through the lamb, red snapper, eggplant and the unusual salad with noodles. Wine list is OK but somewhat limited. Service is good but not superior

I went to an early dinner with my 20-something daughter prior to putting her on the Amtrak home. Wait staff was attentive in the right proportion with helpful suggestions. It's winter in Chicago and the standard front door and tall glass windows made for an occasional chill to the air. Place got busy by about 7 to 7:30pm. We ordered the Pork Belly Bao, Ban Xeo (scallop & pork belly crepe) and Bun Bo Hue soup to share. The bao was a perfect starter. The crepe was good but messy. And the Bun Bo Hue was simply amazing. I thought the pricing was a bit inflated for the amount/type of food, but I would definitely come back for the soup or lunch when the pricing is more circumspect.

These gals rock. A range of pho and ban minh to die for. The stocks are outstanding. Brilliant fresh flavours, spicy, clean, sour, refreshing. The real deal. Yes it's in a concrete bunker next to a railway station, but for a pick me up hit, and some of the best Vietnamese I've had (for less than 10 bucks) seek it out. Brilliiant.

There are so many places to choose from in the French Market, but if you like Bahn Mi, this place is the best. Crispy bread wraps a good portion of deliciously spiced meats or veggies. I had the powerfully, (but not too much) seasoned chicken curry. Great flavors of crunch, soft bread insides and meat. Shrimp chips, at $2/pack were delicious. Get the seasoned ones--excellent shrimp flavor and not greasy.

We had dinner at Saigon Sisters on a recent trip to Chicago. Without a doubt, this was the best Vietnamese food I have ever eaten. The meal, the presentation, the service were all excellent. We shared their "daily special" for both the spring rolls and the fish, and enjoyed both of them. The spring rolls were BLTA spring rolls, and they worked waaaay better for me than the BLTA sushi rolls I tried in a St. Louis restaurant that shall remain nameless.. The wrapper was very delicate, not heavy or tough. The rest blended together beautifully, with no one ingredient overpowering the others. The dipping sauce was a garlic/soy aioli with just a hint of chili an it perked up the flavor wonderfully. We had the fish special, which was a whole sanpper, flash fried and served with most of the meat removed from the skeleton. When we had almost finished, we asked the waiter to help us remove some of the cheek meat, and were very glad of his assistance. Yes, we had the dessert, which may not have been "real" Vietnamese fare, but we enjoyed the banana bread pudding with a tamarind reduction very much anyway. The restaurant is located in a business district, and also serves Vietnamese banh minh during the lunch hour. While it is not "close" to the loop or the downtown hotels, they were doing an amazing amount of business on a Saturday evening when one considers the location. We loved it. We were prepared for the prices, which did not seem that high to us given the quality and quantity of the food served.

Saigon Sisters was our favorite dining experience while we were visiting in Chicago. Everything was perfect from start to finish! The service was excellent, and although we had a pretty good idea of what we wanted, our server made a couple of nice suggestions. Dining at Saigon Sisters is almost like eating Vietnamese tapas. Some fusion is definitely incorporated into the menu.We started with Beef Pho which was enhanced by fresh basil, scallions and jalapeno that you can cut up and place in your soup. Baby octopus with black rice was cooked well and had great flavor. The stir fry vegetables were a treat. Stalks of broccoli, with spinach and a shrimp paste made me want to make an entire meal of that! Banh Xeo was our final course. Call it a Vietnamese frittata. Large crepe with bacon and scallops and finally wrapped in lettuce leaves. Outstanding! I could go on and on about this restaurant,.but will end by saying we were on a tight schedule because of tickets to a later event. That said the service was relaxed, the food excellent, and we made our next event with time to spare!

Loved this place. The dumplings and wings are terrific. Their specialty cocktail, the "Sista Rita" is AMAZING. If you like spicy, give it a go. Enjoyed the chicken Pho too. MATT was a great HOST, and his recommendations were all excellent. Thank you!

Usually restaurants that serve Pho are a great value. Unfortunately, Saigon Sisters has decided to charge a relatively high amount for what is delivered. Food is good but not great. Perhaps due to their small size, they need to charge a bit to get the total revenue up per person. That is okay, but make me feel like I got a great value. Pho and rice bowls are on the small side.

I went to Saigon sisters with my family and really enjoyed the food. Even though we are all vegetarian, we had plenty to choose from. We ordered spring rolls for the appetizer which was a tasty and healthy option. The smoked banh bao was pretty flavorful and good. The Banh xeo and ca ri ga curry were fantastic!! Definitely going back soon.

I live in the suburbs and don't have access to great Vietnamese food. Saigon Sisters is exemplary. I've eaten there many times over the years, but with so many choices in the city, it had been awhile. What a mistake. Our meal was out of the park. They have a special right now -- goat curry. I love goat, but it's not always done properly. This dish is full of unbelievable flavors, tender, mild goat meat and completely worth the gamble if you're a newbie to eating goat. So if you're visiting Chicago -- or just hankering for some good kimchi fried rice or an excellent banh bao -- you need to eat here. They also have a delicious lunch menu of banh mi sandwiches, among other things, if you can't make it for dinner. Hope this helps for a Chicago visit recommendation.

I love Vietnamese food and have enjoyed many types of it. Unfortunately, I cannot understand the rave reviews. Dinner via a Groupon coupon should have explained it. Limited dinner menu, and the flavors were heavy, and greasy and full of smoky bacon or pork belly. AWFUL. Would have loved a pho and banh mi, not available. I love Le Colonial in Chicago, this is 180 degrees different. there are lovely Vietnamese places in Chinatown. Anything is better than this. Vietnamese should be fresh, lots of herbs, mint and cilantro, not romaine with ribs and cucumbers only. Save your money.

Had an amazing meal here last night. Delicious food, great cocktails. We shared several things, started with the Spring Roll, then had the Pork Belly Bao (amazing!), and the Beef Pho (superb). My cocktail was gin-based and was flavored with mint, cilantro, and basil--perfect! Everyone on the staff was appropriately friendly, and all had great pride in what they do there. We were first-timers, and will be back! Highly recommended.

Outstanding meal. Went with a group and they were able to accommodate a change in number without any fuss.

I had to pick up something quick to eat so I decided to go to Saigon Sisters at the French Market/Ogilvie station based on friend's recommendation. When I saw they have "Pho Bahn Mi" I was excited: Pho and Bahn Mi are two of my favorite Vietnamese dishes, if they can combine the two together that'd be wonderful. However, after eating the Pho Bahn Mi I was extremely disappointed. The beef brisket is too wet so it makes the baguette extremely soggy; the pickled daikon is pink in color but lacks of favor, and the onions are also too wet. The service in the French Market is also pretty bad. I came in around 6pm when there were no other customers, but the girl (named Bryanna from my receipt) taking my order is rude. She seemed to have some argument with the cook staff, so she did not ask if I have special request for my Bahn Mi - usually I will ask NOT to put hot peppers. My Bahn Mi is extremely spicy for me. She also did not ask if I need my receipt. Also, it's a take-out, she did not put the Bahn Mi in a bag, neither did she provide any napkins. When I asked for a bag and napkin she simply just ignored. I am not sure if Saigon Sisters in other two locations have the same problems, but I am extremely disappointed with the Pho Mahn Mi and will not recommend it.

Any time we come to Chicago Saigon Sisters is always the culinary highlight of my stay. The atmosphere is warm & inviting with candlelight & earthy decor. Music is relaxing & contemporary. From the minute you are seated you can look around & see people excited, sharing & enjoying all of the unique dishes on their tables. Spring roll specials & pork belly bahn bao are consistent favorites, with fresh herbs & sauces showcased in every dish. Recommend ordering multiple dishes for sharing. Owner Dan is welcoming & gracious & shares a toast whenever we are in town. Can't wait to come back for more!

In the mood for noodles? Perfect lunch spot with great food and a good attitude; wonderful little place for a quick lunch that is not fast food.

We got the groupon for this, but even without it, it's still a great deal and one of the best places to eat in Chicago. We live not too far from this restaurant and we always bring family and friends when they are in town. The food in superb, the eggplant, oxtail soup, broken rice, we have never had a bad dish here. It's not too far from all the tourist crap we have to walk though but it's well worth it if you want amazing Vietnamese food. It's right before the popular west loop row of restaurants.

While in the mid-range in terms of price, the avocado and other side options for the pho were delicious!

We took my mother here for her 87th birthday. The menu looked good but out of the 7 items we ordered I would only order 1 of them again. The waiter asked when Moms birthday was and when we said tomorrow he said, "that's cheating isn't it?" Then he asked her 3 times if she wanted a beverage. After two negative replies, she agreed half heartedly, to have some sparkling wine. He did not show her the drink menu and brought a glass for her and a small one for himself. He toasted her birthday. Later when we got the bill we realized it was a $17 glass of brut. She was not comped anything for her birthday. For a $200+ meal he could have comped a drink or dessert. Needless to say we will not be going back there again.

Owner was very accommodating. We arrived on a Saturday night without a reservation. Promptly seated and served. Food was good. Limited seating so plan ahead!

Wonderful! Three of us , loads of residence/experience in Chicago were seeking an authentic experience . What a find! My daughter worked in a Thai restaurant during school years and is knowledgeable. She had a delicious Bao trio. The barbecued jackfruit was amazing. I craved a traditional pad Thai with tofu , and it was wonderful. It had that delicate balance between crunchy and soft, with a delicious sauce. So good. Other family member enjoyed stir fry vegetables. Service was so friendly, swift, people here were so nice. Not large, but fortunately not too loud. The prices were also reasonable, imo. Highly recommend!

Food was generally pretty good with a proper homemade vibe. Owner sees it his duty to volunteer information on life, the universe and everything. The cocktail was a little peculiar, but quite nice.

Major attitude from the server upon arrival. Seemed annoyed we'd BYOB (party of 4). Attitude improved as we proceeded to order a large portion of the menu. Food on average was good, some was really good. Owner at the end came over was very gracious.

After a long day of training, my friends and I sought out someplace that would make us all happy and had vegan/veggie options. They seated all 10 of us with ease. Our food was fast, it was all delicious and the wait staff was funny and kind. Wish I could go back and eat that delicious Vietnamese crepe that passed our table. Next time!

This restaurant is quaint and the owner was at hand helping out from orders to deliveries and chit chat. The food was brilliant and we had a fabulous meal. The Porky (Banh Mi) was superb, the Pho was a tad bid too salty but still very edible. Even the owner agreed as the Pho was his lunch too.. Very recommended as the service and the food (sans the Pho) was top notch.

Totally thrilled with the food I ordered. Vietnamese but with a twist. Wonderful spices and creativity. I found a great new restaurant for me.

Thank you for a unexpected lunch home away from home. Since my partner and I had cravings for some authentic Vietnamese Food we came across Saigon Sisters. Food and Presentation as you would get it in Vietnam. The menu offers. Great variety of Banh Mi, Pho, Vermicelli Salads for a really really reasonable price. Thank you for the complimentary tea as we bumped into the owner which takes his craft serious. Recommend to anyone and wish all the best to Saigon Sisters! Xin Cam On Anh Neu. Btw the Hoi Sin Flavored pork Belly was extra yum

Food was okay. Food was overpriced. Pho was $17. You can get better and cheaper pho elsewhere. Restaurant looked nice though.

This was our first meal while in Chicago. Service was attentive, quick and very friendly. The food was fabulous. I'm still dreaming about the lobster banh mi and pho. Would definitely go back over and over again.

The food ranged from the not so good (I have never seen anyone dessicate Berkshire Pork the way they did here) to the great (Oxtail Pho w/noodle soup - one of the best dishes I've had in months). The quail was strong but good and the black pepper tofu excellent. All sauces very well done in all dishes. Service was stiff and staff came off as arrogant. Hostess needs a clue on how to seat and space people. Main waiter rushed insisted on appetizers and mains ordered at same time which is not good because you never know the portion sizes (we left food on the table). He said so chef could prepare - I doubt it, the mains were not that complicated and the restaurant pretty empty (except for the group squeezed next to us - see hostess note above!). This plus what can only be described as a pretty dismal location would prevent me from going back.

In search of the perfect Cha Gio across the globe. Found our perfect 10/10 tonight. The dipping sauce has the perfect combination of sweet/heat/savory. The Ca-Ri-Ga was phenomenal. Owners Dan and Mary ( one of da “sisters”were on hand and even provided the “sista Rita” as 27 year gift- and as good as it sounds

Unpretentious, with limited space, still with a reasonable sized menu, good simple Vietnamese fare. Has a sister outlet at the Northwestern hospital complex in Streeterville. Tasty food at affordable price.

Enjoyed every part of my meal here! Started with the spring rolls on the specials menu- really fresh and tasty! Then had the vegetarian ca ri ga- so flavorful it was perfect on a cold night! The bread pudding dessert was also to die for- friendly service, highly recommend!

Nice take on Vietnamese food. Its more modern but still offers Banh mi and pho. Good lunch place. Not terribly formal.

Today, I walked into Saigon Sisters. It certainly was not my first time in the establishment. Having worked at Embeya for the past two years (before we recently closed our doors), I frequented this cozy little Vietnamese spot over the years. The food was okay (nothing compared to Embeya's cuisine, but good nonetheless - especially for a quick lunch). When I went into the restaurant today, I immediately asked for a menu. The cashier looked me up and down and said she needed to know whether or not I was staying or ordering to go. I let her know it would be a to go order, then asked to use the restroom. Sidenote: I am pregnant, and for those of you who have been you know when you have to go you have to go. She let me know that I needed to order before I could use the restroom as it was against their policy to let the public use the restroom. I let her know that I absolutely intended to have lunch there, but she rolled her eyes and proceeded to direct me to the Starbucks across the street. At that point, I really had to go, so I left the establishment and found a restroom. I was so disturbed by her treatment of me, that I returned shortly after to speak with a manager. I introduced myself as the old Maitre D of Embeya. I let him know what had happened. And to my shock and dismay he let me know that I did not look pregnant, and that it was their policy to not let anyone use the restroom until they order. And that he could not do anything about it.... that I would have to speak to the owner who was not present. Little did he know I have sent them well over 50 customers in my time at Embeya and working in the West Loop. Little did he know that I absolutely was craving Vietnamese food when I walked into the restaurant. Their astounding profiling of me caused me to never want to step foot in the restaurant again. And I will CERTAINLY not be sending people their way anymore. Should any of the owners take the time to read these reviews, please do contact me as that is what your manager suggested I do.

Had lunch here after rave reviews from colleagues. It didn't disappoint. The service was great and the we thoroughly enjoyed the food. Will definitely dine here again.

We order 4 different entrees and shared them all. The flavors were amazing and unique. Even our tween age kids loved the food. We will be back!

I like the unique selections of food here and the restaurant has a small unimposing seating area. Downside is I felt the staff was somewhat standoffish and found the manager on one occasion make me feel like I was more of a nuisance then a paying customer

I was there with my family including my daughter. I have to tell this place is not kids friendly. Mostly city yuppies come there after work. The service is excellent, however food (we have ordered 5 items ) was consistently very hot spicy and overpriced. Papaya salad had bacon and beef jerky in it. I liked the ambiance of the restaurant but inside was freezing cold as well. The presentation of the food is excellent, but I am not sure if this experience was worth it.

Excellent food and ambience. Friendly & attentive staff. Met one of the co-owners who was extremely helpful. A must stop. Recommend reservation or getting on waitlist list ahead of time

We went on a cold snowy winter day before attending the Opera. The restaurant (including the restrooms) was spotless and stylish. The staff was very attentive. The Pho was perfect for a cold winter's day and the Banh mi sandwich was tasty. Prices were reasonable and the location nearly perfect for getting to the Opera. It appears that the evening dinner menu is more ambitious and trendy (and more expensive) but sounded wonderful.

Read about Saigon Sisters from a Chowhound Chicago regular, so decided to make it our one evening meal on a quick 24-hour trip to the city. Had spring rolls and an innovative baby beets salad (curried tapioca, cocoa pods, beets three ways, arugula) first courses. Mixed together the flavors popped. Same for the sea scallop main course--innovative and popping flavors: grain in a broth, pickled ramps, scallops, two vegetable purees. Another main of the quail with rice fritter and preserved lemon puree was delicious. Loved this dish, especially the fritter. Desserts less interesting. Next table people didn't leave a drop of their oxtail pho or occtopus salad. Good wine and beer list. Staff may have read above review, as everyone was attentive, polite, helpful. We walked over and back from our hotel on Columbus and Wacker on a Saturday pm. and paid about $120 for three courses, wine, tax, tip. Very good to see something new, and innovative. Good luck to them.

After reading an article about banh mi, vietnamese sandwiches, I had to try some so I came here and I love them. I also think they have the best pho, noodle soup, I have had; which I have had at many places and so far it is the best. They also have some cool looking dinner stuff and drinks but I have only been for lunch

This is a simple bistro-style restaurant, without pretension. The food was quite unique, very flavourful, and fun to share as a group. Great friendly service. So, a nice overall relaxed, memorable experience. Easy to see re-visiting when in Chicago again (the best compliment for a restaurant!)

Saigon Sisters is a great restaurant close to many offices in the loop ... would probably be better for lunch as the bill was quite a bit higher than I would expect for Vietnamese. The pho was very good, pork/shrimp spring roll with peanut sauce good and the craft cocktails are the perfect pairing. Service was also very friendly.

Had a quick lunch here with colleagues before a meeting next door. The menu looks very appetizing. I had a Vietnamese sandwich and it was good, delivered quickly. The waitress was friendly, and the menu inexpensive. There is also plenty of room to sit in the restaurant.

If you’re looking for Pho hands down this is the best. They have really good veggie options, and the service is amazing thank you Dan!

This restaurant has been getting soem healthy buzz in the local press, so I was excited when my daughter booked us a table during a recent visit of mine to the Windy City. After reading the other reviews I can assume that my tastes are radically different from other peoples (dont think so) or that we caught them on an off night. The restaurant was maybe 1/3 full, so getting a table wasn't that tough. The service was quick, efficient, knowledgable and maybe a little bit too overpowering, we felt that the waiter didn't have enough to do so kept coming by our table. We started off my sharing the Pork Belly Bao Buns, served with pickeled onions and assorted herbs. They were just OK. I'd actually say that the onions overpowered the pork on several bites, and the meat was very lightly seasoned. Comparing it to a similar dish, at say Sampan in Philadelphia, it was disappointing. For entrees we ordered the Flank Steak (with coffee puree and cocao nibs) and the Lamb Luc Lac (with oyster sauce and onions). The Lamb was tasty, well cooked and seaoned and enjoyable. The flank steak was flavorless, rather fatty and just kind of sat there on a plate surrounded by arugula and coffee puree. We ordered a couple of Asia-Pacific beers to go with the meal - good selection there - and a dessert special of sticky rice. Nothing special to light up the taste buds there either. So although the restaurant has a good selection of fish, meat, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes, and it might not be fair to judge it on the basis of one visit, I'd rate it considerably below the other Viretnamese restaurants I've visted in the past couple of years - so hence the 2 stars. Dining Tips. 1. Eating on a Monday or Tuesday evening is a good way to score a table. 2. Parking is available on-street (on Lake St.) - especially if you are early, as there is a no parking restriction from 4-6 on weekdays. 3. I wish I'd had more of a chance to sample the menu - so visit with a larger group and share!!

Seven of us showed up at Saigon Sisters without reservations. The very friendly owner made sure we would get a table with only a short wait. The food was wonderful; everyone loved their meal. Besides the food, the friendly owner is another reason we look forward to returning on our next visit to Chicago. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone!

deliciously original cooking & wonderful hospitality from two sisters who regularly take their chef home to vietnam to discover new spices & recipes. you cant go wrong anywhere on the menu tho i do get cravings for the eggplant with jasmine rice, the goat curry and the pork belly bao. good wine, cocktail & beer list & excellent accoustics for having a great conversation, even when they're full (don't know how they do that with such a grandly high loft ceiling).

I have been hearing the buzz about this West Loop Vietnamese restaurant. I has a great, hip atmosphere with very creative menu. I loved the lobster spring rolls, the green papaya salad and the steamed sea bass entree. The two ice creams were also great. Loved David the server who was helpful and friendly. This is more upscale/gourmet Vietnamese. The entire experience was really outstanding. Don't miss it!

Occasion: Group dinner for 9 people (25-50 yr. age range) The space is small, but has nice decor and ambiance. The service was attentive and personal. The wine selection was good. We ordered numerous small plates and everything was tasty.

We came with zero expectations- a friend had recommended it to my friend as a place to try so the three of us went to see what it was all about. From start to finish, it was probably one of the best Asian- no best EVEr meals. We had reservations for a Friday night- when we got there, the place was packed - it's tiny. We ordered a bottle of wine and told our waiter (Chris) our dining dilemmas and let him steer us through our meal. The roll of the day was lobster with avocado, so with that decision out of the way, he advised us to try the monkfish fritters as our small plates to share. The Lobster rolls were exactly what you'd expect- divine. There was some kind of papaya (?) sauce to dip the roll in and it was a perfect addition. The monkfish fritters made on of my dining companions yell out, "oh. My God." and another one went straight to the Holy Trinity..." Seriously that good. The monkfish is sweet and flavorful and the breading on the outside is light and airy with the perfect amount of salt and pepper. They were not a bit greasy- just amazing. We were stunned. Then it was time for the larger plates- again we ordered to share. Chris recommended the Ssam special which that night was a whole trout atop the bed of rice, served with pickled carrots, kimchi (converted my two dining partners in to kimchi fans- it was smokey and subtle, not at all in your face hot) and cabbage that we wrapped in the lettuce leaves. He also recommended the sea scallops over farro. I can't even begin to describe how perfect these scallops were. Scallops can be over-cooked, under-cooked, and sadly, all too often served past their prime. These were perfect. PERFECT. I will likely never have a scallop as perfect as the scallop that I had there. I cut it into micro bites to make it last longer. For dessert we ordered the special of the day which was a sweet potato custard with a marshmallow (toasted of course) top. Again, amazing.

Friendly service and very nice. I don't think it represents great value. $15 for 2 x rice paper rolls $15 for a noodle dish containing 6 very small shrimps. $14 cocktail $4 sparkling water. Chef does not allow any substitutions and I thought this was a touch arrogant / insensitive to those with dietary issues. I enjoyed it but would not return. I think you can do better.

Lovely family owned restaurant. Owner was friendly and greeted us right away. Food was delicious and reasonably priced. Had the green papaya salad, porky banh mi, banh xeo and mango sticky rice. No bad bite was had.

As i am not really fan of Thai food as it has less spices and more natural ingredients like rice and veggies, however I still loved taste at Saigon Sisters as it was big plates full of noodles and spices

A horribly americanized Vientnamese place. Bacon in the Banh Xeo, seriously? And the nems were really disappointing. Also the price was way too high (~50 dollars each including couple of drinks) for the poor quality we got.

Hello everyone, my experience eating at this restaurant was great but OH MY GOSH, the prices here are ridiculous. My girlfriend and I had an order of spring rolls which was $9 pretty CRAZY. Then our next order were 2 bowls of beef pho which were $17 which are smaller then a size small at a regular pho restaurant. So, our total bill was $47, who the heck pays $47 for 2 bowls of pho and an order of spring rolls. The most I ever paid was $20. So from all this I'm just letting you future diners know that avoid this restaurant and go to pho 777. No lie you'll save more money and Saigon sisters isn't worth it for pho. Hope y'all take my considerations.

The food is ok to good, not great. Service again, is acceptable. The cost is why I wouldn't really recommend. It is just not worth the amount of money charged for the experience.