Saigon Star... What Happened!!??

Is this place under new management? We used to LOVE everything there. The food, the service, everything was perfect. Yesterday we ordered for the first time in about 3 months or so, and after nothing showed up an hour later, we called, and they sent the food right to our house. That is way too long to wait for delivery from 30 second drive away.

So we proceed on with our spring rolls, which we ordered vegetarian by the way, the outer crust was weird and bumpy, not light and crispy as previously, and as I cut into them, they are full of this weird ham like sandwhich meat, in my veg rolls! So we call them back and they promise to come back with the right ones. (30 minutes later when we were done eating, still no rolls ever showed... we called again and they had no idea what we were talking about).

Anyway, my tofu dish with jalapenos had no jalapenos, my vegetarian egg noodle dish had no egg noodles, there were rice noodles, and fish sauce, on my veg dish... Disgusting! All the ingredients were different, the food was low quality and poorly put together, the meats were fatty and disgustings. Nothing was like it was. When we questioned them on it, the lady on the phone said she had no idea if mgmt was different, she was new there.

What a shame! This used to be one of the good places left where we could get consistent quality food.

 

I agree - which explains why we dont order or go there. They had some of the best pho broth in the area and now it is horrible. Sad because we loved to walk down there and get our pho fix - now we have to pack up the baby and head down to falls church.

 

For Pho, you don't have to go to Falls Church. There is a PHO 75 in Herndon.

Enjoy

 

Oh, this is disappointing! I loved Saigon Star! Their chicken and rice was darn tasty - and anytime I felt the slightest hint of a cold/flu, I would get the small chicken Pho with extra peppers and pour sarracho (spelling I know) sauce in it. I would instantly feel better. Dang. Im bummed.

 

Oh no! I was just there last week and everything was good. I hope they didn't lose their chef!

 

Let's not proclaim disaster due to one bad report!!

 

The original owner sold the business, but I know she still works there once every blue moon to "help out." I think it's hard to "help out" when you dont own the business anymore.

I noticed the chef that normally cooks, is no longer there either, my wife would always ordered the shaky beef platter, and the last time she ordered it, it just wasnt the same. I also noticed they no longer advertise in the clipper magazines.

I've been going there less and less... I can't even get a decent cup of Vietnamese Iced coffee??!?!?? WZUP with that?!

Granted they are trying to figure things out, and there will be a learning curve, but I've been there at least 2 times a month for the least 3 months.. and the last visit, I think I am going to give up and just drive down to Eden next time I want Vietnamese food.... that sucks Cause I want Viet food all the time...

There is no decent Vietnamese food place around here anymore...

 

GeorgeSC and others--

There are 2 Vietnamese restaurants in Sterling that great. Taste of Vietnam at Regal Plaza near Regal Cinema in Sterling. Also, another good Vietnamese restaurant at Parc Center in Sterling. I do not recall the name of the restaurant; but it located in the strip mall where Aoba Japanese Restaurant and Cheng's Restaurant are located.

We have eaten at both in the past (not within the last 3 or 4 months); but give it a try. I don't know the web sites either. Also, for Japanese, Aoba is great!

Foodie

 

Taste of Vietnam is GREAT!!!! I go there whenever I'm over that way. The grilled lemongrass chicken with vermicelli is terrific!

Went to Saigon Star when they first opened. Both times we had lousy service, with entrees arriving at different times, once with the last one arriving 20 minutes after the first was served. And that was just with me, my husband, and our son. Never went back.

 

To be honest - you should reserve judgement on a restaurant if you go when they first open and give them a chance to get the "bugs" out. It's really not fair to judge a restaurant right after they open I don't think. I guess that's a mute point now since it's changed ownership and went downhill. I never ate there so I can't judge.

 

I didn't mean exactly after they opened, but it was within the first year or so. And thanks for the suggestion -- I can agree to a certain point, but after two horrible visits, I didn't want to go back.

 

Ah - ok - I totally don't blame you there.....a year should be plenty time to get the bugs out!!

 

Have you tried Pho Bistro over by the Ice Rink. Very good, we get it there when we want it, close by...

 

PHO 2000 at World Gate is also good. Unfortunately the best place is at the Eden Center out in Falls Church I believe (I'm usually the passenger so I don't pay attention).

 

Pho Bistro is very good (by the ice rink) and sadly, I too have noticed that my beloved Saigon Star has gone downhill. I used to order pho at least once a week (more in the winter) and the food and the service were both excellent.