Banh Sai Brick And Mortar Opens In Cargo East

Banh Sai food truck has transitioned from its mobile roots to a permanent brick-and-mortar location, sparking excitement among their loyal followers who have missed its presence at local breweries and events.

The restaurant celebrated a grand opening July 20.

“We’re super excited to be open,” shared co-owner Austin Belt. “We’ve been out of the truck for a couple of months now, and we’re just eager to feed people in Wilmington again.”

Bahn Sai began its journey as a food truck at the end of 2020, offering a unique mix of Asian-inspired dishes. From the start, Belt’s vision has been to perfect his recipes and gain the financial stability that would allow him to open a restaurant with a built-in customer base.

Thanks to a partnership with the co-owners of The Half, including Carl Cross, Andrew Dennison, Dean Charles Fogg and Dean Moore, Belt and his wife, Lucy, have seen their dream come to fruition.

The transition to a physical location started in September of last year when they secured the space at 2162 Wrightsville Ave. in the Cargo East section of the Cargo District. But transforming the empty space into a fully functioning restaurant has been a significant undertaking.

“It was definitely a major upfit,” Austin Belt said. “We had to do a lot of plumbing, electrical work and install a hood system to create a restaurant.”

Choosing the Cargo District was a strategic decision influenced by the food truck’s history in the area and a desire to bring more people to the Cargo East area anchored by neighboring establishments Mess Hall and Ruff Draft.

“We wanted to be part of the Cargo District when we thought about going brick and mortar,” Austin Belt said. “We had served from the truck at some of the neighboring businesses, and the local, supportive vibe is something we really love.”

Fans of Banh Sai will be happy to see the return of many of their favorite dishes including rice bowls and burritos with a variety of protein choices including grilled or fried chicken, beef bulgogi, pork meatballs and tofu. The menu will also feature cobra fries with Banh Sai aioli, sriracha, hoisin, green onion and red pepper; pork egg rolls; and a monthly rotating pork katsu sandwich.

With the expanded kitchen space, the team looks forward to experimenting with new dishes and specials. Beer, wine and a selection of nonalcoholic beverages are available as is a kid’s menu.

The new location offers both indoor seating and a walk-up order window. Customers place orders at the counter and receive a buzzer to notify them when the order is complete.

The interior boasts a fun, nostalgic ’80s and ’90s theme complete with music, neon lights and retro posters.

Hours will be Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant will be closed on Tuesdays.