PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Vietnam Restaurant at 11th and Spring Streets in Chinatown is celebrating its 40th anniversary in the best way possible: as the Mid-Atlantic winner of the James Beard America’s Classics award.
The James Beard Foundation said the honor is bestowed upon locally owned restaurants that serve quality food, have timeless appeal, and reflect the character of their communities.
Jonathan Lai, general manager of Vietnam Restaurant and the son of owner Benny Lai, said being a part of the Chinatown community is an important part of the restaurant’s success.
“This award is special because it’s about us but it’s also about those people,” he said. “Without that patronage, without those friendships we’ve built, we really wouldn’t have a lot.”
The close-knit relationship the restaurant has with the community is reflected in its family ownership, which spans multiple generations.
“We’re extremely involved, if you show up to our restaurant you’ll see my mom, my dad, myself, brother, my uncles are in the kitchen,” said Lai. “We’re still there, and we’re gonna be there for a very long time.”
Lai’s grandparents opened Vietnam Restaurant in 1984 after fleeing their home country, and he said the fact it’s grown to this point is a shock.
“This doesn’t happen to a lot of people and a lot of families so it’s truly just a blessing and an honor,” said Lai.
The Lai's also run a second, smaller location called Vietnam Cafe in University City that first opened in 2008.