To celebrate the Fourth of July, also known as America’s Independence Day, the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, teamed up with twenty food outlets for the Kingdom’s first ever American Restaurant Week.
Officially ending on July 4, the restaurant week was not designed to only spotlight American culture and cuisine.
“We also want to highlight the growing interest from American businesses and investors to Cambodia,” Margaret Hsiang, deputy political and economic section chief of the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, said.
“It’s a great example of the nationals here that are bringing back things they have learned, and investing in Cambodia.
“In addition, this [past] week was meant to highlight just a few of the companies that are here and to have those companies offer promotions for the general public, partly as a celebration and partly for business promotion.”
The companies that participated in the restaurant week ranged from well-known American franchises to high-end eateries, such as New York Steakhouse. “We wanted to show that American food was not just hot dogs and hamburgers,” Hsiang said.
Domino’s Pizza
Kouch Sokly, managing director of CBM Group, which represents Domino’s Pizza, said the franchise was offering a $19.99 promotion during the restaurant week, consisting of a large meat pizza called Meatzza, a six-piece pack of chicken, and a cheese bread. Sokly said that since American Restaurant Week also fell over the weekend, it boosted Domino’s popularity to a higher level. The manager is considering extending the promotion period for those who haven’t gotten the chance to enjoy it yet. The American pizza chain arrived in Phnom Penh in early 2015, setting up shop in Boeng Keng Kang I.
Mike’s Burger House
Cambodian owner Mike, who spent much of his life in America, has turned this popular fast-food restaurant into a household name. Nestled in a Sokimex gas station along Russian Boulevard, the food outlet offers up cheap, but sizeable authentic American cheeseburgers and much more.
As a result of increasing support from local and international customers, Mike’s Burger House has expanded rapidly since starting up in 2010. Three branches are located in Phom Penh, with one outlet in Siem Reap and another Mike’s Burger House in Sihanoukville, right around the Golden Lion Roudabout. During the American Restaurant Week, the stores offered a free serving of cheese and onion fries with any burger purchase.
