MIDTOWN -
Mai's Restaurant has sat on the corner of Milam and Francis for more than three decades.
On Monday, a fire gutted the eatery and ended a long running tradition for many customers.
Ryan Boudreaux has been coming to the restaurant since she was 14. The mother of two said she started bringing in her own children to dine on Vietnamese and Chinese dishes at a young age. The restaurant was like a second home during their frequent visits.
"We order everything, she knows that we get 1-18, 1-24, sometimes we'll get the 35. I mean not only the employees, but the regulars know the entire menu by the numbers," said Boudreaux.
Boudreaux and her daughter stood by and watched as Houston firefighters tried to battle heavy flames and thick smoked fanned by the wind.
The fire broke out around 10:30 a.m., just an hour before the lunchtime rush was to begin.
"Everybody was running out. They didn't know the building was on fire," said Brian Collins, who saw the fire while inspecting a nearby property and called 911.
The fire comes one day after the Lunar New Year. Mai's had been closed to celebrate the holiday and expected to reopen Monday by launching its new 'Happy Hour' venture of half price appetizers and drinks.
"Very surprised and kind of sad actually, I liked that place, use to be really good," said Ahmed Mabrouk.
The restaurant was popular with club-goers as an after hours spot to dine on Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine.
"It was good food and everyone loved it, everybody went there. It's a sad thing it burnt down," said Kenneth Wilson.
News of the fire quickly spread word-of-mouth and via cyberspace with customers near and far expressing their sympathy and shock.
"My friend text me from West Virginia, told me Mai's was on fire," said Boudreaux. "
HFD Arson investigators believe a wok in the kitchen sparked the blaze.
The owner's daughter did tell 39News off-camera her family will rebuild the restaurant.
On Monday, a fire gutted the eatery and ended a long running tradition for many customers.
Ryan Boudreaux has been coming to the restaurant since she was 14. The mother of two said she started bringing in her own children to dine on Vietnamese and Chinese dishes at a young age. The restaurant was like a second home during their frequent visits.
"We order everything, she knows that we get 1-18, 1-24, sometimes we'll get the 35. I mean not only the employees, but the regulars know the entire menu by the numbers," said Boudreaux.
Boudreaux and her daughter stood by and watched as Houston firefighters tried to battle heavy flames and thick smoked fanned by the wind.
The fire broke out around 10:30 a.m., just an hour before the lunchtime rush was to begin.
"Everybody was running out. They didn't know the building was on fire," said Brian Collins, who saw the fire while inspecting a nearby property and called 911.
The fire comes one day after the Lunar New Year. Mai's had been closed to celebrate the holiday and expected to reopen Monday by launching its new 'Happy Hour' venture of half price appetizers and drinks.
"Very surprised and kind of sad actually, I liked that place, use to be really good," said Ahmed Mabrouk.
The restaurant was popular with club-goers as an after hours spot to dine on Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine.
"It was good food and everyone loved it, everybody went there. It's a sad thing it burnt down," said Kenneth Wilson.
News of the fire quickly spread word-of-mouth and via cyberspace with customers near and far expressing their sympathy and shock.
"My friend text me from West Virginia, told me Mai's was on fire," said Boudreaux. "
HFD Arson investigators believe a wok in the kitchen sparked the blaze.
The owner's daughter did tell 39News off-camera her family will rebuild the restaurant.
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