South x Saigon

1/3/26- Updated review- This was my second visit to South by Saigon, and it was much better than my first visit. I ordered 3 lbs of crawfish in the Traditional Cajun and Garlic Butter flavors, with sausage, plus an order of boudin balls. Since it's very early in the season, the crawfish were mostly on the small side, which I expected. That being said, the flavor was poppin this time around--way better than before. I only ordered the boudin balls because a lot of reviews mentioned they had cheese in them. I was really looking forward to that because Bonfire Wings used to have boudin balls with cheese, and I absolutely loved those. Unfortunately, these did not have cheese. They were okay, just not what I was expecting. Overall, this visit was a solid improvement, and I'm looking forward to going back soon, especially as the crawfish get bigger later in the season. South X Saigon has amazing reviews, and the food looks incredible! My main reason for visiting was the crawfish—I’ve been wanting to try this place for so long, and I finally got the chance. I called in an order for their 5 lb crawfish special for $35, and I added a sausage and an egg. I chose a mix of traditional Cajun and garlic with medium spice since I’m not a fan of the sweeter sauces. The gentleman at the counter was very kind and helpful during pickup. Once I got home and settled in to eat, I was a bit surprised by the size mix of the crawfish. These days, I eat crawfish 2 to 3 times a week (yes, I know I have a problem—but I’m not joining Crawfish Anonymous just yet! 😂). I'm used to a mix of mostly large, some medium, and a few jumbo, but rarely any small ones. This batch had quite a few small ones, which was a letdown. The flavor also wasn’t soaked into the crawfish themselves—the juice was where all the seasoning was. I ended up grabbing a side of Slap Ya Mama boil to mix into my butter for dipping just to give it more of a kick. The egg lacked flavor altogether—seemed like it had been boiled in plain water and tossed in without seasoning. Unfortunately, this meal didn’t hit the spot or satisfy my crawfish craving. Maybe it was just an off day, and I’m still open to giving them another try, but I’m not sure when that will be.

I came here last year when I visited Houston and had great crawfish, so I had to come back again. This time, my friend was told the crawfish were fresh, but they definitely didn’t taste like it, the flavor and texture were off, and it wasn’t what you’d expect from “fresh” crawfish. On top of that, this was the first time I’ve ever been charged extra per pound for sauce. Not only was the extra fee surprising, but the sauce itself was way too sweet and didn’t complement the crawfish at all. Overall, pretty disappointing. For the price, I expected much better quality.

I was too hungry to take good food photos, but this is hands down the best crawfish spot I’ve tried in Houston! The flavor was amazing, and the seasoning was spot-on. Service was top notch friendly, attentive, and fast. Everything was fresh, perfectly cooked, and bursting with flavor. I’ll definitely be coming back and bringing friends 😊

This place is AWESOME!!! The BEST seafood boil we've had. We got the house special flavor and we finished it all. Everything we ordered was delicious and flavorful. The staff members are so welcoming and kind. We will be back!

Looks can be deceiving walking into this establishment. I almost turned around but I was curious from all the other pictures we were greeted promptly. They explained the items on the menu. The food came pretty quickly. We were very surprised and very thrown back on how well it turns out the food was delicious. We actually got food and had to take the gold boxes. I would highly recommend don't let the the initial shock of it being a small establishment deter you from trying this place

The staff was kind and patient with my son, especially as he asked questions and sampled different sauces—he’s a big crawfish fan! We ordered the minimum 2 lbs of fresh crawfish, along with noodles, chicken skin, and fried cheesecake. The crawfish were definitely fresh; while most were on the smaller side (as some reviews mentioned), it didn’t bother me since I’m not a connoisseur. The noodles were tasty, though a bit heavy for a late-night meal. The chicken skin had potential, but could’ve been better with a spicier seasoning or an option for dry spices like those offered with the crawfish. As for the cheesecake, it was just okay—I had expected a deep-fried slice, but it was more basic than I imagined. Note on my rating scale: Sharing this for transparency, as I recognize that a 3-star review may be misinterpreted as reflecting a mediocre experience. 5 stars – Exceptional: Outstanding food, service, and/or overall experience. Truly worth going out of your way for. (For example, we frequently make the drive from San Antonio to Austin just for Uchi.) 4 stars – Very Good: Exceeds expectations in quality, service, or ambiance. 3 stars – Good: A solid experience that meets expectations. I consider any place with 3 stars or above worthy of a return visit. 2 stars – Disappointing: Falls short in food quality or service. 1 star – Poor: Not recommended.

South by Saigon is a gem! The house mix crawfish (medium) delivered the perfect heat and kick. The chicken fried rice was a nostalgic treat, and the crab fingers were flawless. The wings were juicy and packed with flavor. Owner Skip even came out to check on guests, adding a personal touch to an already stellar experience. Haven’t had a bad meal here yet—consistently amazing!

Owner is an awesome dude. Wait staff are professional and friendly and willing to explain the menu items. Lunch specials are a good portion and filling. We got the crawfish and it was fresh, meaty and juicy. Did not disappoint. Out of the 5-6 dishes we got everything was quality and tasty. Chicken Lo Mein and Southside Pasta were also delicious. Highly recommend. Will plan to go again when in the area.

I'm something like a big deal here (mail-lady) lol I eat here at least three times a week. I have tried majority of menu. I can say without a doubt... it's nothing I don't like. Hmm they did get rid of the soft shell crab but it ok! Because they open the schedule for Mondays! Ok so my favorite dish would be the south side shrimp. It has a crunch because they fry it and then toss it in a special sauce over white rice!!! Omg. My favorite! Secondly I'm say the Gumbo. We all know everyone can't make gumbo. Sausage, shrimp and crab meat and it have a little kick too. Try it!

Live crawfish, good size, very juicy & flavorful. Really good! Tried both their spicy level house and garlic/cajun mix, both very tasty, house flavor had a bit more sweetness and kick to it. I just had some few days ago and craving for some more already. I had tried many crawfish places in Houston and this is my new fav crawfish spot.

Really nice guys. They fixed me up with fish sauce chicken wings even though it wasn't on the menu and did a really nice job. It seems like their business is a combo of Vietnamese and Gulf Coast/Cajun with crawfish and crab, gumbo and basically all the things that makes Vietnamese food in Houston, unique and superb. I'm guessing these guys have been in this town for a long time. I'll be Back.

Lots of parking, and enough seating. I ordered the VEGGIE LO MEIN , egg rolls, rice paper pizza, mango slush and shaking beef. The food was fine, just what to would expect. But I would like to point out that the egg rolls and pizza were exceptionally delicious! Both had very good flavor. The server was attentive, but we were the only ones there lol! What was weird about it all was when she took our dishes away she brought them to the back, and sat them in a dirty bin by the rest room. Made me think that they washed dishes in the restroom ‍ They have 2-3 tvs to fulfill your needs lol. So feel free to go for a game.

Service was very friendly. Food came out fast. I ordered to go. Shrimp pasta was good, shrimp was grilled and seasoned well. Small inside the restaurant...not much to look at inside.

Came here right before beryl, not many places were open but they stood strong and welcomed us wholeheartedly. Wasn't too crowded, we were group of 8 and maybe 2 other tables taken. They properly seated us took our orders in a timely manner, and were very helpful in explaining the dishes. We ordered their house special blend for crawfish . It was delicious, a little kick of slickness and somewhat sweet and citrusy. The sizes were fairly large especially near the end of crawfish season. They were fresh and live before boiled. The lemon pepper wings were well seasoned, decent sized and crispy. The shrimp scampi Alfredo was really good, creamy, buttery, and full of rich flavor

Decided to pop in during our lunch break. The interior was pretty small. Customer service was phenomenal! The food was fantastic, the crawfish was fresh with the seasoning on point too. The gumbo took a while to come out but when it did the staff had separated the gumbo into 3 small bowls for us to have on our own :'), I usually don't like gumbo but I thought it was great & might have converted me! The lemon pepper hot honey wings were the star of the show!! We had ordered just regular lemon pepper wings but the worker insisted we try their hot honey lemon pepper. It was amazinggg. Easily a new favorite crawfish spot & we'll be coming back soon! :)

Have you ever invited a group to go check out a new place and felt bad that you were the one who made the suggestion? That was me today. Following a church event, we had a group of six that wanted to hit a Houston Restaurant Weeks dinner. A suggestion was thrown out that some weren't happy with because they'd been there before, so I suggested this place as an alternative. On the whole, this place clearly attempts to be the type of Viet Cajun fusion food that has become a unique Houston cuisine. Sadly, it fails to be either one, and misses across the board. I'm not sure if the owners are cutting corners, or the cooks have never tried the cuisines they're trying to emulate, but it just doesn't work. From the point we walked in, it was clear this wouldn't be a five star experience. There was minimal staffing, the tables and chairs were smallish and uncomfortable, and there was an odd stench that was slightly off-putting. We ordered as soon as everyone was seated and the first misstep was right off the bat, as two friends who ordered unsweet tea got served a syrupy sweet tea that they immediately had to send back. For the first course, I went with the boudin balls and egg rolls and my wife went with the shrimp and crab finger scampi. The egg rolls were decent, and the boudin balls were good despite having almost no boudin in them. The scampi was a different story. Served in a hot steel plate like fajitas, it was clearly too far filled with sauce. It wasn't anything like scampi either. A strong lemon flavor overpowered everything else. It wasn't so much seafood cooked in a sauce as it was an inedible lemon soup. My wife gave up and stopped eating it so I swapped appetizers with her and finished what I could. We were both terrified when the waitress attempted to remove the platter that we might get doused in the excess lemon juice. The waitress might have been the most scared of all of us as she nervously removed the plate. For the second course I went with the shaking beef and my wife went with the chicken and shrimp pasta. The shaking beef was full of fat and bones, making for a meal that was much better looking than it tasted. The fried rice wasn't bad, but nowhere near good enough to save the dish. The chicken and shimp pasta wasn't any better. The thick pasta (papardelle?) held up to the sauce but was just too much for the proteins, which were horribly overcooked to the point of being dry and hard to chew. One of the others at our table opted for the 1lb snow crab legs, which ended up being a horrible mistake. They only had small gloves and tiny bibs on hand, so he couldn't properly cover himself for partaking in the meal, then they didn't have a crab cracker, so they gave him these pathetic scissors which couldn't really cut the shells. He ended up giving up on the dish and taking it to go. A couple in our group were not ordering off the HRW menu. One opted for the soft shell crab, which he described as "more batter than crab." Clearly yet another dish that was poorly prepared and not worth the price. At one point, it became clear that only two people (maybe a third) were working at the restaurant, and they were not trained on how to provide table service. I gave up and started moving empty dishes to an empty table and then one bothered to come over and start clearing it away. For dessert, we tried one of each of the offerings. The hush puppies were a questionable item altogether-- way too savory to belong in this segment of the menu covered with way too little honey to make up for it. The beignet strips were the best option of the lot by far, but were served with enough sauce for maybe 1/3 of what was provided. The fried who ordered the fried cheesecake was clearly disappointed with what she ordered, as it was once again an issue of too much breading with too little of the listed menu item. From everything we ordered, we saw a pattern of quantity over quality, but not in a way that saw the the quantity make up for the quality. It was clear that none of the six of us were pleased with the experience and we won't be going back. Heck, I might just go with the safe option we've all been to the next time we dine out.

When I had a short stay in Houston, I wanted to find something uniquely Houston!! I found South by Saigon and saw the great ratings and then saw the Saigon Pan Roast on the menu. I've only had a pan roast at the Oyster Bar in Vegas but figured it was worth a try. Oh my gosh, was it ever amazing and full of shrimp and crab and the flavors! Service is spot on and they shouldn't be too surprised if I show up tomorrow to have it one more time on my way to the Airport! Cute and clean spot too!! One of the top 10 dishes of my lifetime!!! Wow!

I recently got a chance to sample their cuisine at a board meeting. It was to go but still tasted delicious. I got the shrimp and pasta. Everything was perfect. The shrimp were jumbo and the sauce that came with the pasta was rich and creamy. I have to come back for actual dine in and try some of their other entrees!

10/10 Experience. Went for Houston food week and tried the 4 course meal. Everything I've tasted today exceeded my expectations. ESPECIALLY the pot roast and I didn't have high hopes so I was going pleasantly surprised. Gumbo tasted like legit Louisiana gumbo. The steak and the rice was perfectly cooked and tasted extremely fresh. Had a sandwich called "BANH MI QUE" it was nothing I've ever tasted before but it was a solid 4/5. The chef himself came out and recommended it and it was a good suggestion if you wanted to try a new taste Chicken skewers was JUICY & TENDER!! The Beignet bites was good as well tasted like regular beignets. The chef/Owner himself came out a couple of times to explain the food and let us know everything was from scratch. Great customer service and it was fun to get a lil knowledge on what we're eating and how it's made. Overall everything about my experience was perfect and id recommend to EVERYONE!

Outstanding salmon pasta. A must get. It's a huge plate with decent amount of salmon! Crawfish was okay size. Big ones on top and they get smaller as you go down the bag (at least when I went). Sauces are excellent and the right amount of spice. Fries reminds me of McDonald's but not McDonald's. Ambiance is laid back, modern, chill, and overall clean restaurant. Gloves and bibs are provided upon request. The only suggestion I would suggest is to provide disposable wipes in lemon scents after dining in. Decent amount of parking but be careful where you drive/park. There's a lot of glass so watch out for your tires!

Was looking for a good boiled shrimp/seafood spot near my house and happens to come across this gem. I am not in this specific area often but it seems like the restaurant is quite new. I really like the yellow and black decor and the service is always fast and friendly. As for the food it's really good. my favorite is the boiled shrimp medium spicy with the southwest sauce and the soft shell crab. They offer a AYCE menu and usually have some type of special going on. Every time I go it's not busy but I definitely think everyone should give it a try!

I came to South by Saigon during the crawfish special. Unbelievable value and scrumptious crawfish. We got the house special flavor. That $1 really worth every penny. Service was awesome. I thought we were the only customers right after it opened. But most of customers were takeouts as they came to pick up their lunch specials. There's also a hide away seating area. The place is not that big but the tables are big enough to make a mess. Yeah. We made a mess. The protective gears saved our day. Since it's in my neighborhood, I'm coming back to check out the lunch special like everyone else.

Love love ! Definitely going back ! Friendly service place was clean, food was bomb! We had the pasta and bisque so good and flavorful!

What a delicious meal during my favorite time of year - Crawfish Season! When I solicited recommendations for crawfish spots, fellow Yelper Chris W. recommended South by Saigon for its bold, spicy flavors. Excited to try some crawfish with a kick, three of us stopped by for the 5 lbs for $30 deal offered Tuesdays-Thursdays. We made a reservation in advance for 6 pm and found the restaurant pretty empty, though it filled to capacity by the time we left. We'd been told to get the Southside sauce, which was an extra $1 per lb, and we weren't disappointed! We ordered 5 lbs of crawfish with a corn add-in, a shrimp boil, and boudin balls. The balls came first, deliciously crispy and paired with a fantastic creamy Cajun sauce. Having tried boudin before, the balls didn't include the same meaty taste. However, they were seasoned well and had a wonderful crunch to them. Next came the crawfish - we opted for the spicy level and felt like that was perfect for us. It had a kick that made our eyes water but was not overpowering. This was my first Viet-Cajun experience, and the flavor was definitely unique. I throughly enjoyed it! The corn was also delicious. The shrimp had good flavoring, but seemed a bit over-boiled. After peeling, we doused our shrimp in sauce again before munching. Our servers were prompt, frequently stopping by to empty our shell bowls. I also liked the ambiance of the restaurant - the tables are well-spaced and the servers were accommodating of many differently-sized parties. I would love to come by again next crawfish season! Overall, their prices with the deal are pretty good in comparison to many Houston spots. I would probably only get their crawfish though, and try shrimp somewhere else.

No, just no. My husband wanted to come here, because, "Houston Restaurants Week is About Trying New Stuff blah blah blah," uh fine. Fine. So he corralled a church group to come here. Fine, just fine. My initial impression walking in was terrible. It smelled so bad inside, like food that had gone bad. I asked around and they all smelled something "bad" but no one could quite pinpoint what that bad smell was in our group. I think it was the crab legs patrons from another table were eating. I did the Houston Restaurants Week menu. I ordered the shrimp and finger crab scampi, because it seemed like a good choice. They described it as being cooked in a butter garlic sauce. No, it was cooked in lemon juice times the power of lemon juice squared. If you read any of my other reviews you know that's bad. It was so lemony that all I could taste was lemon, but you couldn't smell it. The bread was so drenched and overpowered with lemon, I had to give it to my husband and switch with his appetizer. It was a huge failure for me and started a downhill spiral with my stomach hurting and being upset and making me sick for the rest of the weekend. (For those that don't know...I love the smell and taste of oranges, lemons, etc. but it doesn't love me.) I ordered the chicken and shrimp pasta for my second course. I don't know what it was about that dish, whether the pasta was too big or didn't meld well with the sauce, but it was simply poorly executed. I felt like it was a pasta dish made by a 16 year old in some type of kitchen training at Olive Garden. Something was just off. I didn't get the "alfredo sauce" it seemed different. Not off, not unsafe, just didn't seem to match their descriptions. It was disappointing to the point that I just gave up. The final course, the dessert I can't remember who ordered what but between my husband and I we got the hush puppies and beignet sticks. They were okay. However, by the time we were eating, my stomach hurt so much I told my husband I wanted to leave. Interesting side notes, the guy from our group that ordered the crab legs. The restuarant didn't have the proper stuff to help him crack them. Another couple complained about the food. Service, I felt the waitress wasn't trained well and was overwhelmed due to her missteps, which made her cranky. Like, I usually don't like that in waitresses, but it was obvious this poor girl wasn't trained well from struggling to carry super hot trays to mixing up teas. Like it's basic stuff, but even in waitressing you're only as good as how your manager trains you. Poor thing. I definitely have no desire to come back and hope that the stuff I hated can be fixed over time.

I love this place. It use to be called Dan's Seafood, but another family member took over and did a complete rebrand. Everything I've had from here has been delicious. Great crawfish, great wings, great fried shrimp, etc. The service is also perfect. I've never had an unfavorable interaction w any of the staff here. They are polite and quick to bring your food/dump your shells. They also play a great mix of music. I love it here. I can't wait to try more food. Next on my list is the fried catfish

"Fantastic, I'll take 14 of em right now!" Would love for this place to stay in business, especially since I live next door lol. The hospitality and food are excellent. I typically don't enjoy places with younger staff, but the crew he has there has been refreshing each time I've gone in. My go meal to is the "Shaken Beef" with a side of honey dipped Hush puppies. "Fantastic, I'll take 14 of em right now!"

First time visiting- was in town for my Sister's Birthday, and this was the chosen spot! Food & drinks (I had the Mixed Frozen Daiquiri) were amazing! The owner Chip (fellow Cali native) and his team were so accommodating towards our group of 20+ Next time I'm in town, I'm definitely stopping by for some yummy food! Thanks again Chip!!!

Our visit to South X Saigon in Houston left us craving more of their delightful seafood. The 5 lbs of crawfish with sausage, potatoes, and corn were cooked to perfection, and the accompanying sauce was a flavor explosion we couldn't resist. The boudin balls, tilapia, and shrimp fried were equally scrumptious. The staff provided exceptional service, ensuring our dining experience was enjoyable. However, we couldn't help but imagine the addition of raw oysters to their menu. The freshness and quality of their seafood lead us to believe that raw oysters would be a fantastic addition. We look forward to our next visit, with fingers crossed that South by Saigon will serve raw oysters. With their expertise in seafood and dedication to customer satisfaction, we believe it would be a remarkable addition to their already impressive menu.

The wife and I decided to give the Houston Restaurant Week thing another shot this year and stumbled upon South x Saigon as a cajun/seafood option, and I must say, I'm quite impressed and very happy we stumbled upon this place. Upon entering we were greeted by the restaurant's owner, "Skip." The personality definitely matched the name as he was just down to earth, honest, and someone who definitely knows his way around food. We asked about recommendations which he apologized for being out of certain resources to make most of his desserts that were listed. Skip did promise to accommodate with a hefty reduction in the bill which I found his gesture to be very heartfelt. The restaurant is quite clean and recently renovated. The pan roast skip makes is quite good. Hush puppies were a hit and some snowcrabs that stuck to the shell a bit. They have nights where they do all you can eat snowcrabs for a fair price. Overall happy with my visit for houston restaurant week.

My husband surprised me today and brought me to this restaurant, all I can say is Great choice honey. Skip was our waiter, and we had the lime pepper wings, the chicken skins, the shrimp scampi, and the combination fried rice, oh my husband had a mango and coconut slush x 2. The food was delicious, all of it, and Skip was very courteous. This is an awesome place that will have you returning. We will be back!

OMG! The reviews were right! The crawfish was flavorful. We tried both the garlic butter and southsaigon mix. They have a deal: 5 lbs. for $30. We also ordered shrimp like mein, shrimp pasta, and mango habanero chicken wings (not pictured). This is now one of my favorite crawfish place. We'll be back to try the other menu items.

Skip and his kitchen staff and chef are fantastic The restaurant is extremely clean & the food is delicious. I highly recommend it.

This was such an unexpected treat! We decided to try this spot after my son's basketball tournament based on the Yelp reviews and proximity to the tournament location. It did not disappoint! Everything we had was delicious and prepared fresh. We had the shrimp lo mein and it was the best I've ever tasted. The catfish and fries were cooked to order and perfectly seasoned. We rounded the meal off with some honey lemon pepper wings that were piping hot and tasty. To top it off, the service was great! We will definitely be back.

AMAZING!! Can't believe I hadn't heard of this place Sooner. The crawfish was so flavorful and corn was soaked with flavor as well. We tried the garlic butter 5lbs for $30 and i would highly recommend it. The south side fries were also sooo tasty. Will definitely be coming back for more. If you're having a crawfish craving, come here!

South by Saigon is heaven for those seeking an authentic taste of Vietnam in the heart of Houston. The attention to detail in each dish and the use of high-quality ingredients is amazing. The crawfish here is incredible. It is on par with the top crawfish restaurants in Houston. I highly recommend trying the southside mix at a spicy level. The flavors are just amazing. Overall, my visit here was amazing. The food was delicious and the service was quick and friendly. I can't wait to be back.

This was my second time here. I wish I took pictures the first time I came in but here I am back again. This place is so new but they have the best crawfish I have tried in Houston. If you like the Viet-Cajun style, you will love this place. The crawfish had the right amount of spice and sweetness. Flavor is definitely 1000/10. The hush puppies were also delicious and I usually don't even like hush puppies. The boudin balls had cheese inside of them! Soooo delicious! I also ordered the frog legs, they taste like chicken that falls right off the bone. The honey lemon pepper wings are also delicious. None of the food items I ordered missed. They were all great. This restaurant is pretty hidden and small, they have about 12 tables max. It is nice and clean. Service wasn't anything crazy from the normal employees but the manager here is really nice! He came in and checked up on us throughout our meal. They also have a 5 for $15 beer bucket deal and they serve micheladas here! This is going to be my new go to for great crawfish.

Love... Love.Love. The food is always good. I'm not sure who the Asian guy is but he got that business in tip-top shape! They need to give him a raise or his own bigger restaurant. The cooks in the back, man, I can't say enough!! The Mexicans can cook, Cook! You heard! Customer service is wonderful like Chick-fil-A wonderful. They had this pasta that they used to sell, that they took off the menu, THAT THEY NEED TO PUT BACK ON. I cried when they said they didn't sell that anymore, but that's when they were named Dans. Go try it, all the food is good including the crawfish

5 stars for the CRAWFISH ONLY. It was flavorful, fresh and seasoned perfectly! I also had the wings which were not that great and just ok. It wasn't crispy and the flavors were barely detectable. The sauces taste homemade which is appreciative but it was bland. Like wings were not saucy enough and the mango habanero was not spicy and just sweet. The lime pepper and garlic parmesan was also ok but didn't have enough seasoning.. I'd pass on the wings and fries. Focus on the crawfish. Great deal too btw! As of May 2023 it was $7.99/lb and the sizes were a mixture of big and small but at least I didn't get any dead ones. The lunch special was $8.99 and came with 6 wings + fries.

Took my family that came down from out of town and they loved it. Crawfish size was good and no dead ones! They did an awesome special buy 5lbs and get one free. Staff was very attentive and the owner was hands on too helping out and checking on customers. My kids love to come here every other week for their crawfish and seafood fix. My husband enjoyed their gumbo and turkey necks. High recommend coming here even after crawfish season for their other seafood and dishes.

Came here for the crawfish so that's all I can review. We each ordered 2 lbs south side flavor. Most people were there for the 5 lb special, but we were not able to partake because one of us wanted spicy and one wanted mild and they won't split the 5 lb that way. The quality and cook of the crawfish (5+/5) was probably one of the best I've had this season. The meat tasted fresh, and it was tender and juicy. The flavor was only 3/5 to me though as I prefer a bit more sweet in the flavor. There also wasn't much sauce to dip the meat in. And I will echo other reviewers, even mild is spicy. My lips were tingling after just a few crawdads in. So just personal preference the south side flavor was not my favorite of the season. I did order one of the flavored ice teas and found it to be extremely sweet. The inside is small compared to all the other crawfish places. Maybe 10-12 tables? We snagged the last table and everyone else had to wait. Crawfish is not the fastest dining experience so I'm glad we didn't have to wait. Service was good - complimentary bibs and gloves are offered and shells are frequently emptied. No sinks available- have to go into bathrooms to wash up. Overall 3.5/5 - rounded to 4.

To all my Houston crawfish lovers: please please please don't sleep on this place. For reference - whenever crawfish season rolls around, my usual go-to spots are either Crawfish Cafe or Crawfish n' Noodles. Let me just say that South x Saigon is in the same tier. The crawfish of South x Saigon is of the same size, taste, and quality - except that it doesn't have the crazy prices of Crawfish n Noodles (I paid $9.00 a pound here in Feb 2023) and it doesn't have the crowds of Crawfish Cafe. We dined in and the interior is clean and has a relaxed vibe. The two servers (young lady and gentleman) during this February 19th, 2023 lunch outing were incredibly kind and attentive. Because it is so early in the season, I was a bit worried that the crawfish wouldn't be adequately sized - so I got a pound of crawfish and a pound of shrimp. I was pleasantly surprised when almost every single one of my crawfish were medium to large size and definitely tasted fresh and well cleaned. I can't wait to come back later in the season and order just pounds and pound s of crawfish because I expect to get some monsters since their vendor seems to supply quality goods. What caught me off guard was the shrimp though! These were absolutely gigantic and went great with the seasoning. I chose their "mix" spice, which is a blend of the traditional cajun mix + the viet garlic/butter that Houston is famous for, and it was spot on. I got medium spice which was actually on the spicier side of typical mediums that I've had and it was perfect for me. I'd definitely implore caution if you go past medium. The cherry on top of all of this is that my wife is not a big fan of crawfish or seafood in general and is typically not very excited whenever I drag her out to a seafood boil. However, she said if I ever do have to drag her out to crawfish again, this would be her preferred option. She got the chicken fried rice which was a huge portion that could easily serve 2 people and it had a great wok hay. She also got a side of the onion strings which was surprisingly good - think a bloomin' onion from Outback Steakhouse that has already been peeled apart for you. All in all - I was a little hesitant to write this review because I kind of wanted to keep it my little secret - but because I had such a good experience and they deserve all the success in the world, I just had to get the word out.

Decent crawfish. Good service. We got 5 lb of crawfish for $30 (I think it was a weekly promotion) The sauce was a bit too salty for me. But the taste was good. Onion straws were not what I expected. They were more like onion rings.

Everything was pretty tasty. Although I prefer there to be more sauce in the boil. It was definitely sauced up but no extra for dipping, you have to extra side of sauce. Wings were crispy and very flavorful but a tad too salty. The pasta was great. Noodles were al dente. Lo me in is okay, didn't taste the crawfish at all, mostly soy sauce. Spring rolls are well seasoned filling and crispy. Gumbo is fantastic and not too watery.

I was on my way through to Austin. After being disappointed from a couple of crawfish stops, 1 in NOLA and 1 in Galveston (Cajun Greek) , we decided to make a stop in Houston and try to make up for it. I was so glad I did and even more glad that a Yelp review stating the flavor was 50/10 led me to this place. It was more than I was expecting. The flavor was amazing!!! they had a great deal going on oder 5 pounds for 7.99 get 6th pound free. (Lunch special ) Mixed Cajun/garlic butter. MUST TRY Staff was so friendly attentive and helpful. Restaurant was clean.

Service great, very attentive. Manager or someone that looked like came and inquired as to our visit. Ambiance trendy-ish with metal decor throughout. Food was tasty. Gumbo came out piping hot and was visually filled with shrimp and sausage. Crawfish spicy warning -u betta like burn everything! Very good and garlicky sauce. Dry rubbed was good as well and less messy. They do provide gloves/bibs if needed. Our crawfish shells bowl was emptied regularly. I ate my hushpuppies like a dessert-yum!

Solid way to satisfy those viet cajun cravings... our dinner crew feasted on everything from crawfish (super succulent and garlicky and jumbo sized) to the soft shell crab (nice and tender). The gumbo was flavorful, and their "bisque" was delightful even though it was more of an etouffee. Even their boudin balls had a nice cheesy gooey center that was scrumptious.

Almost forgot to post a review! sorry! Straight to the point, those crawfishes. . .*drooling* they were AMAZING!! Hands down some of the best I've had. Will be stopping by soon

10/10 I got the catfish and fried rice and it was soooo fillling. Honestly I want more food bc it was so good. Service is AMAZING. The ambiance is chill and vibey

The food is worth it... We ordered crab fingers as an appetizer... small portions but lightly fried in their seasoned batter. This flavoring prompted us to order the frog legs. The legs were juicy... and flavorful with a slight crunch, a little too salty but overall good flavor. The fried rice was a hit for me. The shrimps are very large and grilled... the lunch portion is a perfect size. You really can't mess up Fried rice. We also tried the Shake beef. Great portion size and flavor. Beef was very tender and juicy and the sauce did not overpower the meat itself... Please also note their menu has been updated. Pricing is affordable. Meal portions are good sizes... will be back to try other items on the menu

Im honestly surprised that there isn't a line out the door! The plate presentation is on point! Even the smaller lunch portions are plated so beautifully in my opinion. It all tastes as good as it looks. The chef/owner/waiter/cashier is just the most patient, down to earth soul. Im never disappointed from the moment I walk through the door.

Hello crawfish season! Having heard a lot of great things about South by Saigon, I pulled up with a ton of friends to make good use of their 5 lbs for $30 special that they run Tuesday through Thursday. I phoned ahead letting them know to expect a bigger group and they kindly let me make a reservation for my table. Here are my thoughts on what we tried: Boudin balls: Crisp, savory, and perfectly fried, these hefty morsels were swiftly devoured alongside their deliciously creamy and spicy sauce. Definitely share though, they can fill you up! Southside-sauced crawfish: SBS's special flavor mix fuses their cajun and garlic butter flavors and adds extra green onions and garlic. We ordered our first bag of well-sized crawfish with this sauce at the "spicy" level and were already starting to tear up 5 minutes in. The burn is so good you can't stop! Do note that this sauce option incurs an extra $1/lb surcharge, but it's definitely worth it! Cajun crawfish: This clean-tasting traditional boil is a good choice if you're looking for a less buttery, classic crawfish experience. We had this bag with the "mild" spice level and all agreed that "medium" would have been the right choice for our group. We dumped in the leftover sauce from our other bag to add some extra spice. Extras: An order of fries is only $3, but makes for fantastic dipping fodder for the Southside sauce! And don't forget to order corn, potatoes, and sausage for extra goodies. The waitstaff were super patient with us and were quick to empty our waste bowls, though we did see them less towards the end of our meal. The place is on the smaller side so try to go early or make a reservation if you're not wanting to wait. I'll probably swing by a few more times before the crawfish season ends and try their soft shell crab and frogs legs!

Love the way they incorporate a Viet twist on Cajun food. GUMBO was so darn good!!! I got the chicken lo me in for my kiddos it was the bomb chicken was similar to Cơm tấm style service was great they even called to tell me my order was ready for takeout. Place was packed everyone was eating crawfish so judging by what I saw order some crawfish! I have them 4 stars due to portion sizing on gumbo was slightly small other than that def will be returning! BONUS : They even have lunch specials !

Omg! This place is delicious! The crawfish was good size and it was perfectly soaked. I also got the fried frog legs which was flavorful. Service was great as well they doubled checked my togo order and made sure everything was correct. This is a true hidden gem!

Good was good. I'll definitely come back. Food was cooked great. Thy family enjoyed their food too.

Coming out of my Yelp retirement to say that this might be my new favorite restaurant in the City of Plenty. With very attentive staff, perfect seasonings, great prices (especially in this economy!) and easy parking (ugh lol), South by Saigon hits all the marks for me. I've only been once, but we're already planning our next visit after our next paycheck. We took advantage of the 5 pounds of crawfish for $30 deal (aka $6 a pound, available Tues - Thurs) with the Southside flavor. It had just a touch higher than low spice level, big chunks of delicious onions and garlic throughout. Every crawfish was juicy and well-seasoned, and the occasional shake of the bag would toss around the seasonings. The sausage, corn and potatoes were huge portions, much bigger than we expected. We enjoyed how the sausage were sliced, which allowed the seasonings to also flavor each link.  We also tried the boudin balls (thick, chunky, good cheese pull, didn't need the accompanying sauce) and the Saigon Roast Pan (basically a gumbo/etouffee type but with Viet spices - if it weren't for the crawfish, this would be my favorite dish. It's a little expensive at $17, but they filled it to the literal brim and had a lot of shrimp and sausage).  I saw some noodle dishes at other tables but we were there for the crawfish special. I think next time I might try their fried seafood plates or the crawfish fried rice. It's not a big space, so there might be a wait, but the turn over seemed pretty decent and there's room to wait outside on the covered sidewalk. Not sure if there's a sign-up list, but we got seated within minutes of arrival after they cleared a table that had just left. They offered gloves, which we used, and bibs, which we probably should've used. Some of the furnishings are a little rough around the edges, like in the bathroom which was a bit untidy but it was the end of the day so I'd let it slide. The staff was hustling to empty trash cans and clear plates and empty our giant shell bowl. I wish they used larger cups for water (they use a styrofoam coffee cup size), so I had to ask for water or they'd refill it when they were servicing other tables, but there was never a wait. The staff was always table touching around the room. We saw a fun interaction between a table and who I think was Chef Skip, and it made me enjoy the restaurant vibe even more. The music was also a vibe, with some 2000s throwbacks between hip hop, alternative and some more current bops. It's in a strip mall that's very much a microcosm of Houston's landscape: a pupuseria, a taco shop, a Latin dance studio, hair and nail salons, foot massage joint and the ever present CBD outlet. So add South by Saigon to your Google Maps lists and maybe we'll be side-by-side at dinner!

South x Saigon had a Restaurants Weeks menu that did not disappoint. The waitress, Jess, provided amazing service that was attentive , but not overbearing. We had the Saigon Pan Roast, the Shaking Beef fried rice and Shrimp/chicken pasta (stellar entrees), and the fried cheesecake/ beignets. Every item was made to perfection! The frozen drinks were excellent as well!