Tam Deli & Cafe
| Address: | 8222 N Lamar Blvd # D33, Austin, TX 78753, USA |
| Phone: | +1 512-271-6817 |
| Site: | tamdelicafe.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 11AM–8PM 11AM–3PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM |
Location
Photos 64
Reviews 6
PA
Paul Slotsema
I feel like I went to the wrong Tam Deli and Cafe. I went for dinner on a Thursday night. I was the only one there, they heard me walk in, yet I had to wait a minute or two for them to tell me to sit down if I wasnt there to pick up take out. Then they busied themselves behind the counter for another few minutes while I sat at the table. Luckily I could start looking at a menu since I had picked one up while I waited for them to tell me to sit down. When the time came, eventually, to place my order, I asked for a recommendation. The menu has around 100 items on it, numbered, and Ive read great reviews about the food. Instead of receiving a recommendation like I aksed for she asked me what I wanted. Instead of saying "a recommendation" I told her that I had heard good things about the Pho so she asked me which one of those (5 or 6 options) I wanted. I guessed at one. I then asked about some sort of Crepe with beef and shrimp. She said it was good so I ordered it as well. I also asked for a water. Eventually my Pho came out but still no water. I asked if I should get my own water because, though unlikely, I really thought maybe that was the deal. Then she got me my water which was good because I was so thirsty. The Pho was not great. The beef was chewy. Then the crepe came out. The crepe itself was overdone in places. Burned and crunchy. The shrimp inside still had some peels on them. It was hard to differentiate between the shrimp peels and the burned crepe at times. I had good expectations because of the reviews but I was disappointed. I was treated like it was a burden for them that I was there and the food was not good. Maybe its a case of "The Emperors New Clothes." Everyone feels like they should like it because its an obscure strip mall ethnic joint that other people rave about. Or maybe Im crazy.
FE
Felix Chien
The service I got from the older man was bad. He was a bit rude. I havent ordered much food from this place yet, but Im sure its great. The ladies there also seemed nice. Unfortunately, my first experience wasnt welcoming. I thought Id stop in this place for a quick vietnamese coffee before my meeting at a business nearby. An older man gave me a menu and asked whether I wanted eat in or "to go". I felt rushed with the way he asked me. He came back later to take my order. I said I wanted a vietnamese coffee and he said "And tell me more, tell me more" waving his hand as if to say "..and keep going". In other words, he was pressing me to finish telling him the full item which is "Iced Vietnamese coffee WITH condensed milk" (there are multiple items starting with Vietnamese coffee). I thought this was a bit rude; he could have just asked me "Would you like it iced, hot, or with condensed milk?". I brushed that off and assumed they were just very busy. Then, I had to wait about 15 minutes just for him to bring out the coffee with the french press. I didnt understand why itd take that long. It wasnt even like the hot water had been sitting there dripping through the french press which means he had JUST made it. There were a number of tables earlier. But by the time I got the coffee, there was only one other table. I waited another 5 minutes for the coffee to finish dripping through the press. What I thought would have been a quick coffee took longer than ordering a Pho. The worst part of the experience was the service and the attitude of this man. Felt like he just didnt want me there. I regret actually leaving a tip.
CH
Chris Kosho
I went there on a Saturday with my mother in law and 9 months pregnant wife. After reading the reviews I felt very sure of our decision to go there, but I was severely disappointed by the service. I am not a hard to please customer -- I do not expect to be treated like royalty. At the very least I would expect to get refills on our water without asking for it. I had to go up to the counter to ask for more water and order desert/coffee. The owner of the place was our server. He is witty and likes to play around and make jokes with the customers. Its charming at first, but it quickly became too much. I ordered Vietnamese coffee. When it came I was unsure if he had included the condensed milk so I asked him about it. He then tells me "Thats the definition of condensed, its on the bottom. You seemed so sure of yourself when you ordered it I thought you would know. Typical American." Then he kept looking at me for some sort of reaction. I was very embarrassed by his condescending remarks. The people at the table next to us were looking at us and laughing to themselves. Decide for yourself, but I personally would not recommend this place to anyone. Another reviewer wrote that they felt they were a burden to the staff there. I agree. I will not be going back.
PA
Pat Fuller
This will be a running review as the food isnt here yet but my experience is unparrallelled so far. My server was out front smoking when I came in. He poked his head in the door and yelled in Vietnamese and a lady from the back yelled back. She came out to take my order and spoke no English at all. No problem at all, we worked our way through and things are going smoothly. The only other table in the place is having a discussion about the differences between milking the venom from a cobra versus milking the venom from a rattlesnake. So far so good. The food is out now. The spring rolls are great. I got the ones with pork. I got the rice rolls with more pork. They are more substantial than the spring rolls and are topped with pate and fried onions with bean sprouts and julienned cucumbers. There is a nice and spicy dipping sauce with it. Great stuff. The snake people left. This is really good. I will definitely come back.
BE
Ben Mineo
Tiny little awkward strip mall location, disastrously closed on Tuesdays. Theres your negatives. Everything else is positive. The food is tremendous, highlighted for me by the incredible Shrimp and Yam Fritters. They might be my favorite thing to eat in all of Austin. Crispy, Crunchy on the outside, soft and pillowy inside, with bits of shrimp scattered throughout. The obligatory fish sauce based dipping sauce makes them amazing. Also really great here are the banh mi. Easily the best Ive had in town. They are served warm, with perfect bread. They are a good bit pricier than other spots, but worth every penny. The service here is always warm and friendly. The noodle soups here are not the best in town, i usually focus on other things here. The kumquat lemonade is also a winner. Be sure to buy a couple of cream puffs at the register to snack on later.
KA
Karen Eubanks
I didnt expect much from this place since it was kind of in the middle of a random plaza on North Lamar, but Ive been craving it ever since I left! Its a small little place, sort of looks like a corner store but with tables. I was once told by a friend who is an expert on Asian cuisine that a good sign for authenticity is a place that looks like a corner store, itll most likely be run by a family that knows what theyre doing. Im not sure what the situation on Tam Deli is specifically, but they sure do a great job. I enjoyed a really nice Banh Mi and a rice and beef dish that was cooked really well. When I visited, a friend had ordered for me so I didnt get to explore too much of the menu. I cant wait to go back and order something really signature, because I know theyll do a great job! Thumbs up!!
