Hidden Gems: Meet Sandy Tobin of Dumpling Inn and Shanghai Saloon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Tobin.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It all started with my immigrant dad, Phat Vuong. He was the former dish washer turned executive chef for Panda Inn-Horton Plaza and now the current owner of Minh Ky off El Cajon Blvd. He always imparted on us the importance of family gatherings and has prided himself on being able to provide that experience at an affordable price. When the opportunity came up for us to add Dumpling Inn to the family business he saw an opportunity to reach a broader and larger audience. Our motto is “From our family to yours” and that truly is the case at Dumpling Inn. Family recipes that my dad has locked away in his mind for years are being served to our guests today. We pride ourselves on having something for everyone. My sister Priscila Vuong and I run the day to day operations of Dumpling Inn. Working with my family on a daily basis has really reinforced our relationship and brought us closer together to share our story.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In all honesty, it has been relatively smooth with the exception of COVID-a9 and the after effects of it. There were some growing pains when we first took over the business 6 years ago. Of course, falling into a groove working with family took a little time but it was all relatively painless. Of course, COVID tossed everyone for a loop. Being that my parents are older and that we employ staff that are at higher risk we took the threat very seriously.

Not only were we battling the virus itself, but the constantly changing regulations, and then being the people that have to enforce the rules was the most difficult part. Now we are facing something that I don’t think many would have predicted, the lack of staffing. We and our guests are ready to resume regular pre-covid hours but due to the lack of staffing, we are unable to do so. Not only are we stretched thin but are borderline having to close our doors because we don’t have enough people to serve our guests. I would say today is more stressful than 6 months ago. The guests are all ready to come back but we simply don’t yet have the staff to be at full capacity again resulting in less than stellar service and longer wait times.

We’ve been impressed with Dumpling Inn & Shanghai Saloon, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a Chinese restaurant that specializes in handmade dumplings with a full service bar consisting of 30 beers on tap and large whiskey portfolio. Dumpling Inn is most known for our Xiao Long Bao (XLB “Soup Dumplings”) these are handmade dumplings that are like a coin pouch made up of a dough exterior and filled with meat and broth. What sets us apart besides the fact that we pride ourselves on providing handmade quality is the fact that we provide an environment for you to enjoy them that is casually fun and for everyone. We are the spot where you can come and enjoy some stellar Chinese food with a nice pour of whiskey or where you take your family for celebratory dinners. We are blessed with an amazing team of people that are more like family than employees. I am honored to be able to say that they take pride in working for Dumpling Inn just as we do as its owners and I think you get that when you meet our team.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Our success has been and will continue to be straying true to our small family business roots. We will forever be grateful and are constantly humbled by just how big of a following we have. Surprisingly we had a family all the way from ID, who rad about us in a library book on places to stop in San Diego! I was so absolutely blown away by just how far-reaching our name is and how beyond honored I am to be a part of its ongoing story.

Contact Info:

• Email: dumpling.inn@gmail.com
• Website: Dumplinginn.com
• Instagram: DumplingInn_SD