Stephanie Nghiem laughing in a V-Roll apron in front of a green leaf wall, holding a bowl

Our story

We all know Mama’s recipes are always the best.

— Stephanie Nghiem (her last name rhymes with Kim)

01 Sài Gòn

Stephanie’s parents and grandmother were born in Vietnam. After the fall of Saigon they came to the United States, carrying the family’s recipes with them.

No photograph from this chapter — just the recipes, which you can still order.

02 Colorado

The family opened restaurants in Colorado. Stephanie’s parents met when her mom’s parents bought her dad’s family’s restaurant: “My dad was the dishwasher at the time, and he fell in love with my mom.” More than forty years later, they’re still together.

Her grandmother was “the glue of the family” and the main cook, the one who always cooked for everybody.

Two V-Roll team members posing at the hand-painted how do U roll? mural
Today’s crew at the “how do U roll?” mural in Gulfport.

03 Gulfport

Stephanie moved to St. Pete in 2024 after visiting her sister. In May 2025 she took over the former Golden Dinosaurs space at 2930 Beach Blvd S, held several sold-out soft opens, and now cooks the family recipes alongside her mother, Ann — the main cook of her generation, at a counter of her own.

Stephanie Nghiem holding a bowl behind a table of bánh mì, bao and spring rolls
Stephanie with the whole spread.

“I’m a Vietnamese place, not a vegan place.”

— Stephanie Nghiem, in The Gabber

Our traditional recipes use fish sauce and oyster sauce, the way they’re supposed to taste. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are built into the line — five-spice tofu, sesame and peanut sauces, rice and lettuce bases — they’re just not the headline.

Six house sauces including nước chấm, peanut and V-Bomb in white dishes
The V-Roll team at the grand-opening ribbon cutting in front of the shop
Cutting the ribbon at V-Roll's front door
A V-Roll branded bowl of greens on the front window counter
A V-Roll team member at the how do U roll? mural

Opening day, and the year after

  1. Soft opens sold out, one after another
  2. May 2025 the keys to 2930 Beach Blvd S
  3. Aug 1, 2025 grand opening & ribbon cutting with the Gulfport Merchants Chamber, city council members, a lion dance and a champagne spray
  4. 5 → 14 employees, with Florida SBDC consultants in our corner
  5. Aug 1, 2026 1st anniversary, Taste of Vietnam
A smiling V-Roll team member holding up an empty plate
The goal, achieved.

Why we’re here — Serve high-quality, fast-casual Vietnamese cuisine that satisfies customers and becomes a valued part of the community.

And the bigger picture: to bring the vibrant flavors and traditions of Vietnamese cuisine to life in a welcoming, modern setting, with authentic dishes and fresh ingredients.

“Not many people are used to eating Vietnamese food in a fast casual setting, and this is a different way to serve Vietnamese food in an authentic way still and get you the quality that is still very high with fresh ingredients.”

As seen in

Overhead V-Roll spread of bánh mì, bowl, egg rolls and sauces on a wood table
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