[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 124 (Wednesday, July 29, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S4332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING WINN'S PIZZA & STEAKHOUSE AND WINN & SARA'S KITCHEN

 Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair of the Senate Committee on 
Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an 
outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to honor Winn 
Nguyen and his family's restaurants Winn's Pizza & Steakhouse and Winn 
& Sara's Kitchen of Warren County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of 
the Week.
  Winn Nguyen spent more than 13 years at Best Steakhouse, mastering 
every aspect of the restaurant business. Inspired by the American dream 
and driven by a desire to build a strong legacy, he opened Winn's Pizza 
& Steakhouse in Indianola in 2003. He grew the restaurant from a team 
of 7 employees to approximately 20 today, including several members of 
his own family. In 2015, as the Indianola location flourished, Winn 
opened a second restaurant in Norwalk, now managed by his son Andrew 
Sayasane. This expansion enabled the family business to serve a rapidly 
growing community while creating an opportunity for future generations 
to carry on the family's legacy.
  In 2024, Winn and his wife Sara opened Winn & Sara's Kitchen. 
Operating primarily from a booth at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, 
the business quickly became a crowd favorite. The family hand-wraps 
more than 3,000 egg rolls each day during the fair--a remarkable 
testament to their craftsmanship, work ethic, and commitment to 
quality. Outside of the Iowa State Fair, Winn & Sara's Kitchen 
regularly hosts popular pop-up events at both Winn's Pizza & Steakhouse 
locations. Today, the Nguyen family operates a thriving, family-owned 
network of businesses across Indianola, Norwalk, and Des Moines. Their 
continued growth demonstrates the power of entrepreneurship rooted in 
family values.
  Beyond their commercial success, the Nguyen family and their 
businesses remain deeply engaged in Warren County. They are members of 
the Indianola Chamber of Commerce, which has been a strong supporter of 
Winn & Sara's Kitchen at the Iowa State Fair. The businesses regularly 
participate in community events, providing catering for school 
functions, public graduation celebrations, and fundraising events 
benefiting Indianola High School. In 2017, the Des Moines Register 
named Winn's Pizza & Steakhouse best family-owned restaurant and best 
pizza restaurant. At the 2024 and 2025 Iowa State Fairs, Winn & Sara's 
Kitchen earned the People's Choice Award for Best New Fair Food and was 
named a top three finalist again in 2026, with a chance to claim the 
title for a third time this August. From a single restaurant in 2003 to 
multiple successful ventures today, the Nguyens credit the Indianola 
community for supporting their family over the past 23 years. Their 
entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to excellence, and dedication to 
serving others embody the qualities that make Iowa's small businesses 
exceptional.
  It is my honor to recognize the Nguyen family and the entire team 
behind Winn's Pizza & Steakhouse and Winn & Sara's Kitchen. I look 
forward to their continued success and wish them the best in the years 
ahead.

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