SanSai - Japanese Grill

The History of SanSai™ –How it all started...
The two founders of SanSai USA, Inc., Dan Burns and Yon Suk Lipsky, are true restaurant professionals who have been developing unique and innovative restaurant concepts since 1978. From pizza to sushi, Burns and Lipsky have satisfied the tastes of a wide variety of markets.

When Dan and Yon Suk first met they found that their talents and visions for what makes a restaurant concept successful were instantly compatible and complementary. They soon began to identify a void in the marketplace for a restaurant that not only serves the highest quality and tastiest food, but that is quick and casual and can provide a healthy and affordable everyday solution for today’s busy lifestyles.

In 2002 they were inspired to open the first SanSai™ Japanese Grill restaurant in Glendale, California. After transforming an old 50’s diner into a modern quick-service Japanese grill with a plasma screen TV, SanSai became a popular spot for lunch and dinner. It was not long after opening day that crowds gathered to enjoy YonSuk’s fresh salads along side her grilled teriyaki salmon. In spite of competition by eight different nearby traditional Japanese restaurants, no parking, and an inherent stigma that came with opening a restaurant in one of those "jinxed" locations where previous business owners had failed, SanSai prevailed with an overwhelmingly positive reception. It was then that Dan (the experienced restauranteur) and Yon Suk (the culinary expert) realized how truly unique the SanSai dining experience was: fresh, quick, delicious, affordable healthy food, accompanied by superior service, a friendly environment and a positive spirit.

Before the year's end they opened their second store in Orange County, CA with even greater success. In 2003 they expanded to Pasadena, Ventura, Beverly Hills, and St. Louis, Missouri. In 2004 they opened stores in San Diego, Moorpark, and Brentwood, CA, and Clayton, MO. Now, with over 15 thriving locations, Dan and Yon Suk's vision is to offer their smart, fresh, and tasty alternative to many more guests for years to come.

Why Missouri? Well, that’s where Dan’s from.