Saigon Bistro

I’m Vietnamese and my family likes to cook. When I want authentic Viet food, I can easily tell someone at home to make me what I want. However, when you’re with a large group of people and each person wants a different dish, it’s probably better to go to a restaurant.
We had family from out of town over and since it was their last day in Wichita, we decided to have lunch at Saigon Bistro because it was spacious. My family told me to go first to get seats. When I arrived, I was greeted by a friendly server. She asked me how many people and I said 20. She looked confused.
They put some tables side by side so that all 20+ of us could sit by each other. It was a disaster. It seemed like they were overwhelmed, which was odd because we’ve brought bigger groups here before. Maybe the workers were new. Who knows.
I ordered a bowl of grilled pork noodles with shrimp and egg rolls. I was one of the first people to order. Thirty minutes later after everyone got their food there was still nothing in front of me except a glass of water (with ice, even though I specifically said I didn’t want ice). The girl came back and asked if I ordered grilled pork noodles. I said yes and she went back into the kitchen. It appeared like they had forgotten to put in my order. I was hangry.
I eventually got my food and was happy again. Food here is relatively cheap and the portions are big. I’m not sure how I feel about bringing large groups here though. Service is below average but probably not the worst either.

The menu is typical: phở, vermicelli, rice. The service is good, food is served quickly. Large portions with fresh produce.

I think their banh mi is pretty good and cheap but the main reason why I don’t come back or recommend it to anyone is because right down the street there is Phở Special who has better banh mi (and cheaper!) and the waitstaffs with greater customer engagement skills.
The guy at the pay counter is really in need of a customer service class. He seems to be mute or deaf because he’s unresponsive to anything any customer says, whether you’re Vietnamese or not. Maybe somebody can try sign language next time? Or guess what? He’s upset because you have to pay him and leave!
I feel bad for the owner at this place because he/​she doesn’t know how to teach their employees to say basic phrases such as «Thank you» or «You’re welcome» or «What would you like?» or «Come back and see us soon» or even crack a smile on the face???
If you can’t speak English, just say it in Vietnamese and a big sincere smile! We’ll understand!

My son and I love Saigon bistro! It’s his number one pick to eat no matter when or what time of day it is. My favorite starter is the Vietnamese Egg Rolls! The service is quiet and quick to the point but that doesn’t bother me none, I appreciate the prompt service! This is a GREAT lunch spot!

I am updating my review because I’ve been back several times and have been disappointed. I have brought several people here to try their banh canh and it has been subpar every time. They started using time noodles (like the ones they use in bun Bo hue) and the regular size seems smaller. The most disappointing part is that the soup is bland. I still gave them 4 stars for service, cleanliness, and their coconut juice

Appalling customer service. Employees are rude, not accommodating, and awkwardly silent. I’ve walked in several times and was ignored. Other times menu was thrown down at me and I was asked «muon gi»? Lit. Translation: what do you want? Incredibly impolite and disinterested in what they are doing. Being vietnamese myself and not having a language barrier that others might have, I cannot even began to imagine how they treat non vietnamese customers.
When I went up to pay, the manager in the white polo is quiet, gives me an evil eye, doesn’t say a word to me and just puts his hand out asking for payment. Hands me a pen to sign my receipt and doesn’t bother to say goodbye.
In general, Vietnamese restaurants aren’t known for their customer service, but none have been as appalling as the many awful experiences with this restaurant.
My mom who is From Vietnam is even embarrassed by their lack of care towards basic manners.

This place is good, has variety of Vietnamese dishes. Lunch time is packed w/​patrons, quick service and friendly staff. My favorite is Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup), probably best in town.

The best Phở in town in my opinion. I have never felt like an «outsider» at this restaurant, and I’ve rarely eaten here when there were not other White people here, especially military people from the base. The food is excellent and inexpensive. Try the Vietnamese iced coffee for sure. I would not get the tofu spring rolls, but the regular fresh spring rolls are very good and have a good sauce. Go to the counter to pay.

good pork chop plate

Probably one of the popular places to eat phở and other Vietnamese dishes, the place can get busy during lunch hours best time to go is during the evening on the weekends when it’s less busy.

not bad for Wichita. Crispy noodles are good and phở is okay. price is reasonable.

Authentic or not, they have gigantic portions (even for a fat guy) and great pricing.

Food is fine but terrible staff. I felt like an intruder who was not welcome. Very unfriendly and put upon attitude. I’m sorry but if they are so well off they don’t my $ so be it. Will not return

I probably couldn’t tell bún bò hu from phở if the bowls were labeled, but that would probably be chalked up to me having my face in the bowl slurping some noodles. Still, it was the former I decided to try, partly because it seemed like Saigon Bistro’s menu put a little more emphasis on it, and partly because within a minute of standing over me I had an unenthusiastic Vietnamese man standing over me ready to take my order.
My experience seemed to echo previous reviewer’s mentions of the service, though I already felt like an outsider by virtue of being one of the only white guys in the place. It’s not something I mind — the place was quite busy and heavily populated with an Asian population that probably knows more about this type of food than me, so as long as I can get in on some of the good eats, I don’t care if my water glass goes without being refilled.
The bún bò hu had the traditional fatty pieces of brisket you find around here, plus the meatballs, the slices of pâté, and the mountain of bean sprouts, basil, onions that you can add at your whim. I sat there for 45 minutes and worked my way to the bottom of the bowl.
I also got a bánh mi that was on special but whose name I couldn’t tell you because the combination of poor handwriting and the foreign language left it unintelligible. The sandwich itself was still great, and super cheap at $ 3.50.
Maybe I don’t know too much about Vietnamese food, but it looked like I was sharing my meal with plenty of others who are well-​versed, and they seemed to be happy with their selections. Besides, when the food tastes good, what else do you need?

Fast food delivery, but service was non-​existent. Large size portions, but mostly noodles. Egg roll in Bun was tasty, but shrimp&veggies were limp and bland. Hoisin, srirache, and peppers at table, so you can season to taste. Claims «Asian» cuisine, but really Vietnamese only.

I went here a second time and again the food was just fine. But the last time I was here, I came with a few friends who had never been here before and we arrived 20 minutes before closing. The place was empty and we weren’t sure if we should still eat here, but they sat us down and I figured they could use the business. We barely took a look at the menu when the waiter was already looming at our table. She didn’t say anything so I asked for waters all around, but then she asks us to hurry up and order so they can put it in. She explained that it’s just that they already cleaned the kitchen but we can still take our time to eat. But of course we weren’t ready and we didn’t want to be a hassle so we were like «Uh we’ll just go eat somewhere else, sorry (we didn’t mean to come in so late).» But why not just close at 7:30 instead of 8?