Saigon Sams - End of An Era?

DanJC

DanJC

Active member
Saigon Sams re-opened tonight after a long absence citing spending time with family and getting the decorators in.

I excitedly hurried down eager to try my favourite Chinese on Teesside. Struggling to get through on the phone, (standard for the popularity the place has) I resigned myself to going down and placing my order in person.

I noticed the stalwart staff who have been with Saigon over the years had changed. The menu/till has been updated (price increase across the board).

The order I received was slightly incorrect, but the quality was still very good. Yet despite seeing Saigon manning the Wok as I walked out I had the lingering feeling that he may be selling the business to another party.

Anyone heard anything or thoughts?
 
It’s not surprising the staff have moved on when he shuts down for months at a time and there are plenty of jobs out there at the moment.

I would imagine he is due for retirement so would be good for him to hand it over while still being at the helm as the reputation is where the value is and someone should be being mentored by him for the live cooking experience
 
I am home for a week at the beginning of December.....I'd better get in there and get my Special Pepper, Chilli and Garlic one last time maybe then??
 
gravy173 said:
It’s not surprising the staff have moved on when he shuts down for months at a time and there are plenty of jobs out there at the moment.

I would imagine he is due for retirement so would be good for him to hand it over while still being at the helm as the reputation is where the value is and someone should be being mentored by him for the live cooking experience
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if he wants to sell it as a going concern to give himself a nice retirement, the value is in the food, so he will have to include some sort of training / mentoring into the sale… I assume that’s what’s going on

if he doesn’t do that, his “business” is worth the price of the wok and oven
 
same as YK Chow but we got to the bottom of why the name change there

ive started using the food palace in thornaby again. Used to go there when i was dating someone from the town
 
His adult children work there I think? I'd always assumed they may take over, but he must be getting on now so no surprise if he wants to retire.

I find the food overrated tbh.
 
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We just went again tonight, Saigon himself wasn’t there. First time I’ve ever seen someone else man the wok!

What a run Peter has had!
 
Verdict: Curry was nice. Yet the sauce had clearly had been thinned down and taste was different. Meat was the same which was a good point.
 
gregorgregorovich said:
Peter has indeed sold up, but is training the new owners or at least the new Chef. I went last week and it was just as nice as I remembered. It was a fair bit more expensive mind, but the portions were a little bigger than before. I'll be going again this Wednesday, looking forward to it. Peter is due a well earned and hopefully long and happy retirement.
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Well said and great post
 
gregorgregorovich said:
Peter has indeed sold up, but is training the new owners or at least the new Chef. I went last week and it was just as nice as I remembered. It was a fair bit more expensive mind, but the portions were a little bigger than before. I'll be going again this Wednesday, looking forward to it. Peter is due a well earned and hopefully long and happy retirement.
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The boy done good
 
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