West Seattle restaurant news: Saigon Boat Café about to reopen

While heading back to HQ after tonight’s Alki Community Council meeting (story to come), spotted this banner outside the Saigon Boat Café, the pho/sandwich restaurant that’s been closed for two months (here’s our Feb. 18 report on King County Public Health closing it for lacking a permit and “approved … plans”). The closure came less than a month after it opened. But tonight, that banner’s up, and if you can’t quite read the right side, the date it lists is 4/16/2010 — tomorrow. (The restaurant’s in a renovated house at 2632 Alki.)

18 Replies to "West Seattle restaurant news: Saigon Boat Café about to reopen"

  • BeachDriveBoy April 16, 2010 (5:50 am)

    I’m glad they’re re-opening finally! Their Vietnamese sandwiches were actually quite good, and I had heard good things about the pho, and was eager to try it! Thanks again WSB for being ‘in the know’!

  • D.A. April 16, 2010 (7:42 am)

    I’m looking forward to trying this place! Although the photo did scare me a bit. The lights make it look like the kitchen is on fire! I saw the photo first with the sign and thought, “Oh no! They are just reopening and it caught fire!” Good to know that’s Not the case and they are reopening!!

    • WSB April 16, 2010 (8:18 am)

      sorry, DA, had only the iPhone in tow as I drove by last night, probably needs a lens-cleaning to avoid the dreaded light flare … TR

  • Baba April 16, 2010 (9:17 am)

    Only in America restaurant can operate for a whole month without any kind of permits!!! But my all time favourite was that “Gone to Vietman for New Year” note on the front door of the place after they got BUSTED!!! LOL!

  • on board April 16, 2010 (9:34 am)

    “Only in America restaurant can operate for a whole month without any kind of permits!!! ”

    Only in America (and other developed countries) will a restaurant even REQUIRE permits. The rest of the world would have handled this with a bribe and a handshake.

    Can’t wait for some good spring rolls.

  • stb April 16, 2010 (10:34 am)

    Well, I ate there before it closed, blissfully unaware they did not have the proper permits. The pho was delicious (probably the best I’ve ever had) and the service was lovely. My kids and I are very happy they are reopening.

  • MariStar April 16, 2010 (12:10 pm)

    I am SO glad they are back in business!! Saigon Boat Café immediately became a staple in our household as soon as they opened and we have dearly missed them these months. FINALLY we get our local Phó and Vietnamese sandwiches again!

  • DownOnAlki April 16, 2010 (1:58 pm)

    So am I MariStar!! I am sending my husband (as I type) to pick us up lunch. Their Phó is fantastic.

  • ad April 16, 2010 (4:43 pm)

    D.A, I thought the same thing initially when I saw the photo. *chuckle*

  • bridge to somewhere April 16, 2010 (11:04 pm)

    Had the sandwich and the Vietnamese coffee — tasted great, cheap, and a great view outside! (there was a tv and a stereo inside though they could do without). I’ll be heading back!

  • alki_2008 April 17, 2010 (12:31 am)

    @baba – Why don’t you confirm things before you accuse people of lying? Unless you know for a fact that they were not in Vietnam for New Year’s (lunar, not Jan 1st)…then keep your insinuations and slander to yourself.

    I’m looking forward to their reopening. They seemed to have too much MSG in their pho the first time I went there, but their sandwiches were great.

  • alkikmac April 17, 2010 (7:36 am)

    @Alki_2008 – I can confirm what baba said. The ownership was on Alki the entire time they were closed. I saw the owners almost every day I worked while they were closed. They will not be getting any business from me.

    • WSB April 17, 2010 (7:40 am)

      FWIW I don’t know how long the “New Year'” sign was up but we checked frequently on this establishment’s status by walking/driving by (since other means of obtaining information weren’t working) and the sign changed at least a month ago to WE WILL OPEN SOON.

  • Baba April 17, 2010 (12:45 pm)

    The point is, you only get one chance to make a first impression. The folks at this establishment chose to start with cheating. With that in mind I will be cautious about their pho ingredients if, god forbid, the place hits rough times.

    And to all the excuse makers out there – “Restaurant bussines for Dummies” goes for $9.99 on amazon.

  • White Rock Restaurant April 19, 2010 (5:23 pm)

    I did have the Pho there too when I was in Seattle, and it really WAS delicious. I hope they make it this time(with all permits of course)

  • angelescrest April 24, 2010 (9:16 pm)

    We had pho soup tonight at Saigon Boat, and for the second time, I got the MSG reaction. (Warm, squeezy feeling aorund the temples.) Both times, it has only been me–and the food was good! great!–but if you are sensitive, careful!

  • bebecat April 25, 2010 (7:48 am)

    Thank you for the heads up on MSG. I am so allergic I will never cross the threashold.

  • K April 29, 2010 (3:48 pm)

    I asked them if they use MSG, and they said they didn’t. Doesn’t a restaurant have to disclose if they use it or not?

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