Saigon Republic Fire

[jhlurie]

It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you, my fellow New Jersey eGulleteers, that there was a fire in the building occupied by one of our favorites--Saigon Republic in Englewood.

This brings to mind the fire which destroyed Little Saigon, in Nutley, although thankfully Saigon Republic isn't even close to that state. It is with much relief that I can ALSO inform you that our fearless (but absent tonight) leader Jason Perlow spoke briefly with owner K.T. (and then called me), and that it is at least initially estimated that the restaurant will only be closed for a few weeks.

After speaking briefly with Jason, I drove by the location myself and looked in the window. The fire--wherever it was in the building--doesn't seem to have been serious enough to mark the dining room area. The Chinese takeout restaurant two doors down has also been closed, although again... at least from the front window there didn't really seem to be major damage.

Jason will probably post more details here when he gets back.

For more on Saigon Republic, click here.

May 25, edit by JHP: Saigon Republic has re-opened as of last week.

[Jason Perlow]

Well, I did an onsite inspection of the place today -- since KT was nice enough to call me over and ask that I take some of the produce and meat and food that was going to immediately go bad. I now have like 16 quarts of just-made Pho broth that is reducing on my stove. It would have been used for tonight's service.

The kitchen is a complete mess, and the power is out, so its hard to say how much damage was done -- hopefully, there isn't much damage behind the walls and just the appliances need to be replaced -- the insurance inspectors still need to go in there and see what's what. The walk in freezer area off the kitchen seems to be fine, and the dining room and prep/storage area in back seems to be ok as well. It looks like it wil take them about a month, maybe a week or two more to get the place back in order worst case.

In the meantime, work on Mo'Pho Noodle Company on Main Street in Fort Lee is proceeding nicely -- they've already started moving supplies and stuff over from Saigon Republic -- and the place will likely open by the end of the month. At least there will be a place for everyone to get their Pho fix while Saigon's kitchen is being redone -- and I am sure the place will be taking up a lot of the slack and have no lack of customers in its opening weeks.

[menton1]

That's terrible news! Seems like Murphy's law, one of the best places in the county shuts down after a little less than 2 years.

Jason, any word on Joe? Will he be able to hang in to be there for the re-opening?

[Jason Perlow]

Well, I'm sure Joe will be needed for the launch of Mo'pho Noodles, but he does a lot of managerial stuff at the restaurant, so I think he's going to be pretty busy irregardless.

[Rosie]

Let us know when Mo'pho opens.

[Jason Perlow]

BTW Saigon Republic has been open for over a week, and Mo'Pho should be open in about 2 weeks.

Apparently the damage to the restaurant was minor, the basement wiring had to be completely redone and the dishwashing machine is slightly damaged.