Saigon Rolls — Restaurant in Alexandria

If I could leave negative stars, this place would deserve it.

Let’s clear a few things up since the owner likes to write novels in response to bad reviews, full of excuses and half-truths.

First, that picture you attached of your “full house”? Congratulations, because about 80% of the people in that photo are literally us — the party you’re complaining about. You basically proved our point for us. Nice move.

Second, we never claimed your restaurant was empty while we were seated. We said it was empty when we walked in. So what exactly are you trying to prove by posting a picture of us already sitting down? That you can fill your restaurant with one single group? Bravo.

Third, this isn’t some fine-dining, reservations-only establishment. Stop acting like it is. Even if we had made a reservation, how would that magically create more rice in your kitchen? Do you call up your customers beforehand and ask, “Hey, will you be ordering rice tonight so we can make sure we cook some?” Of course not. What if all 12 of us ordered pho instead of rice dishes? Your logic is nonsense.

Fourth, you told us appetizers would be comped after this disaster. Now you’re on here whining that we didn’t pay for them? You can’t have it both ways. Maybe instead of lying in your replies, you should be consistent with what you tell customers face-to-face.

Fifth, the real issue isn’t even that you ran out of rice. Mistakes happen, supply runs out — fine. The issue is that you took our orders, made us wait, and only afterwards decided to let us know you couldn’t actually serve what we ordered. That’s not just bad service, that’s pure incompetence. A halfway-decent restaurant would immediately inform customers if a staple item like rice wasn’t available, not waste everyone’s time and then act like the customers are the problem for being upset.

And finally, the way you talk about customers in your replies is embarrassing. “Old Town watch out for groups like this”? Really? That’s your professional response? Maybe Old Town should actually watch out for businesses like yours — ones that blame their guests, twist facts, and double down instead of apologizing.

Here’s the truth: you dug your own grave. You made us wait, you didn’t communicate honestly, and you tried to spin the story afterwards. And judging by your long history of 1-star reviews, this isn’t the first time.

Save your time, money, and sanity. There are plenty of restaurants that know how to run a business and treat guests with basic respect. This isn’t...

1 of few places that offers specific Vietnamese dishes that I've come across. located in a busy, busy section of downtown (is it downtown? I'm not from the area) Alexandria. plenty of foot traffic and very difficult to find parking. gotta park a block or 2 away or lucky to find closer but paid meter parking.

the restaurant is cozy. modern. very cleaned and warm. I usually get my usual but since it was dinner, I decided to go for a hearty meal w rice. surprisingly, they offered bo luc lac w actual WATERCRESS! that's how it should be...not a bed of onions & peppers - that's PEPPER STEAK! however, their dish is half and half but I tried it out. steak was cooked well, juicy, flavorful, and tender. quite an abundance amount of veggies, mostly lettuce. I did enjoyed it but IMO not worth the price...maybe under $20 would've been fair.

also got their grilled pork spring rolls and coffee. both were delicious. the pork was had a sweet and savory flavor. coffee had a nice strong aroma and good balanced w the condensed milk.

since the main entree wasn't filling me up, I ordered a pork chop w rice dish since it comes w 2 pieces. sadly, when I got home only to find the 2nd piece was extremely smaller than the main piece - highly disappointed. I hope dining in won't have the same experience. didn't try it yet but figured I should note this down while it's fresh.

overall, I would entertain this place again. experiment w their other dishes. definitely worth it since the food was good....

My first time trying Vietnamese food at Saigon Rolls on King Street was amazing. We started with the summer and spring rolls--both were super fresh, bursting with vibrant herbs and served with a delicious dipping sauce.

For the main event, we went with the pho with well‑done beef, and also tried the pho with well‑done beef & tendon. The broth was incredibly rich and comforting, deeply flavorful and so satisfying. The beef was tender even though it was well-done, and the addition of tendon brought a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that I loved--it made for a memorable introduction to pho!

The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The dining room is clean, with a cozy, wooden décor and a casual yet polished feel--exactly the kind of welcoming vibe you'd want for a relaxed meal. It's a comfortable spot whether you're popping in for a quick lunch or settling in for a hearty dinner. The service was friendly and knowledgeable--our server helped explain the menu and made us feel right at home.

Highlights:

Appetizers: Fresh, crisp rolls with balanced flavors

Pho: Bold, flavorful broth; tender beef and decadent tendon

Ambience: Cozy wooden interiors, clean environment, relaxed vibe

Service: Friendly, helpful, and efficient

Overall, Saigon Rolls hit it out of the park for my first pho experience. Authentic flavors, a welcoming atmosphere, and great service make it a fantastic pick for Vietnamese cuisine in Old Town Alexandria. Can't...