Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Lee.
Hi Sara, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Pat and I opened our first restaurant together in September 2006. Pat grew up in the Asian grocery business and I grew up in the restaurant business with my parents. After we got married and also expecting our first child, we were presented with an opportunity to open our own restaurant in the same center as Pat’s family’s grocery store, and that was the start of our restaurant journey together.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s most definitely not been a smooth road. Over the last two decades we have opened, closed, partnered and sold multiple restaurant locations. Through every high, there were a fair share of lows. From construction to hiring, food costs, rent prices, covid; anything you can think of has constantly changed over the years and we just had to learn to pivot when necessary.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a family-owned and operate Asian restaurant, primarily serving Vietnamese cuisine, but for this specific location, we have incorporated other dishes that we grew up eating from other parts of Asia, which is why we identify as Asian comfort food. We wanted to open a restaurant that served authentic flavors, but in an more elevated dining experience, as we felt on should not have to be sacrificed for the other. What makes this one more special is having our family name on the sign. We live and raise our kids in this same community and this gave us an opportunity to give back to a place we love and call home. We regularly host and cater special events for our school district and local organizations.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Patience – it’s easy to get consumed by the daily stresses of the hospitality industry. The only way to survive a rough day is to be patient and continue providing amazing food and great service, and normally the positive results outweigh the challenges.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leeskitchenatx.com
- Instagram: leeskitchenatx
- Facebook: leeskitchenatx
