By Samantha Schoville and Josephine Layug
Saigon Bistro Review – Fresh Seafood Chicago
Someone pinch me! It’s been a few days and I am still dreaming about all the deliciousness at Saigon Bistro (6242 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60659). Though certainly off-the-beaten-track—it took me two trains and a bus just to get there—with its unassuming exterior, Saigon Bistro is the real deal. It’s truly a neighborhood gem that only locals know about. Although I’ve been to this tiny strip mall before for a night out for karaoke fun, I never had the chance to explore the wonders of Saigon Bistro until this past Thursday.
When you enter the interior of Saigon Bistro it welcomes you with a familiar feel of many “ma and pop” restaurants in this city. There is a bar to the right, with booths lining the perimeter and two- and four-tops in the center. They also have TVs on the walls to catch a game or fight depending on the night. Our waitress greeted my friend and me politely upon arrival, and we took our seat. There is nothing over the top in the decor, but that’s what makes it great; the lack of pretension allows one to shamelessly dig into the food.
We started off with a few cocktails. My friend had the Lychee Martini, and I had the Blue Hawaiian Daiquiri. Both were delicious, refreshing, and not too sweet. The drink menu also consisted of Vietnamese and domestic beers, but don’t get caught up too much in the drinks—the crawfish is why people come, and the drinks are there to wash down the spice.
As the waiter brought out a plastic bib and bucket for the discarded shells, it became clear we were in for a treat. We had Corn, Scallops, Shrimp, Clams, and Crawfish in red garlicky sauce that tasted buttery and had a kick of savory spice all at once. You can order the crawfish as spicy as you like. Keep in mind that the crawfish isn’t really on the menu online or even in person. The crawfish are shipped in fresh every day. It’s best to ask for recommendations by your waiter to get briefed on what’s available.
Then, the Blue Crabs and Caribbean Lobster in the same sauce came out. These also come in fresh every day. The crabs could be opened by placing one’s fingers inside the belly of the shell, breaking it open to reveal the tender white meat. It was light and sweet. And finally more Crawfish, Smoked Sausage, and Shrimp arrived in sweet orange sauce. This dish was served with orange slices which were saturated in the glory of the sauce. It was a great combination of sweet and salty and the flavors were evenly balanced. All of this was accompanied by a side of perfectly Sautéed Greens in light buttery garlic sauce, Jasmine rice, and dry-toasted bread. The greens change seasonally, and range from spinach to peapod leaves.
The sauces at Saigon Bistro were all finger lickin’ good, and we couldn’t help but dip the bread, shrimp, lobster, and our fingers in it. It took a lot of self-control to not actually lick the plate—it was that delicious! The food felt endless. Round after round of crawfish was served family style, and if you opt to buy 5 lbs, you get 1 lb free!
A true communal meal, Saigon Bistro is a perfect place to bring your family and friends to break bread. We happened to have dinner on a Thursday night with quiet tables of families and couples drifting in. Saigon Bistro is still gearing up to full capacity, yet I think the secret on this hidden gem is out. Be sure to get in line because the forecast looks like this on-the-cusp joint is soon to be mighty crowded!
I cannot recommend this place more if you’re feeling adventurous and in the mood for seafood. Unlike other popular seafood restaurants in the area, Saigon Bistro has other Vietnamese options on the menu, such as pho, rice dishes, noodle dishes, as well as a variety of banh mi. We are looking forward to another great visit to this West Rogers Park treasure…that is, if we can still get a table now that the word is out!