JUST IN: Vietnamese restaurant re-opens more than 2 months after devastating fire

Hungry lunchers were not filing into the cozy Little Saigon Restaurant by accident this afternoon.

Loyal customers have been anxiously waiting for the reopening of the Vietnamese restaurant at 1718 Woodman Drive after a kitchen fire forced Little Saigon to close for more than two months. Following a final health department inspection yesterday, the restaurant officially reopened for business this morning.

Credit: Sarah Franks

Credit: Sarah Franks

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In operation for 30 years, Little Saigon had been closed since a kitchen fire damaged the stove, hood, gas system and other equipment between Thursday, May 24 and Friday, May 25.

Little Saigon co-owner Thauh Do "T.D." Tran said the restaurant has missed its customers very much. More than six tables of "regulars" filled the restaurant during lunchtime today. Meanwhile Tran rushed to greet even more familiar faces that walked through Little Saigon's front doors.

The family had planned to reopen the Vietnamese restaurant on July 25, however the restaurant first needed to pass a fire suppression system inspection from the fire department and then seek further permitting. To the disappointment of fans, Tran said she had to “wave away” customers who promptly showed up on the 25th, expecting to fill up on the egg rolls they’d been craving for months.

Credit: Sarah Franks

Credit: Sarah Franks

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Tran was explicit to mention that the menu has had a makeover since the May fire, and that loyal customers will need to get reacquainted with the menu’s new numbers and specials before calling in to place an order. The online menu will be updated by the end of today, Tran said.

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