San Francisco chef Charles Phan, renowned for his role as the visionary behind the Slanted Door, passed away unexpectedly on Monday night at the age of 62.
Phan's journey began at the age of 13 when his family fled Vietnam and settled in the United States. In 1995, he established the iconic Vietnamese fine-dining restaurant, the Slanted Door, in San Francisco’s Mission District. The restaurant underwent several relocations, garnering numerous accolades throughout its history.
In a heartfelt statement on Instagram, the Phan family expressed, “To our loyal guests, he was the creator of unforgettable meals and memories. To friends, he enjoyed challenging you to a game of tennis. He never allowed anyone to leave the table without a story, a drink in hand, or a warm cup of tea.”
Reports surfaced over the weekend indicating that Phan had been hospitalized, and on Tuesday, his family confirmed that he had succumbed to cardiac arrest.
“Although this news is sudden and shocking for many, we will persevere as the Slanted Door has for nearly three decades,” stated the Slanted Door Group in a separate announcement. “The restaurants will continue to operate under the guidance of our management team as we navigate this transition.”
The Slanted Door has remained closed since 2020 but is anticipated to reopen in the Mission District this spring.
