Kim Tai Restaurant
| Address: | 2602 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002, USA |
| Phone: | +1 713-652-0644 |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 10:30AM–8PM 10:30AM–8PM 10:30AM–8PM 10:30AM–8PM 10:30AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 14
J.
J. Ashar
I went to Kim Tai Restaurant on a Sunday afternoon with a friend. We were on the hunt for a beef noodle soup (pho) in the Midtown area without having to travel all the way to Chinatown. Its located in a beat up location on the corner of McGowen and Fannin St. beside Leons Lounge. There are not big signs to find it, and the place looks totally run down from the outside. They are currently doing repairs on the roof (March 2016), so hopefully it will start to look better in the future. They do have a few spaces out front to park, but these are usually full. You can find some street parking nearby. The inside is quite small and stuffy. We were seated at our table and started with the Banh Bot Chien (Fried Rice Cake with Egg) for $4.95. This is very similar to Tan Tan Restaurants House Special Rice Cake, but the rice cake was much more crispy here. It was still good though. Overlooking the menu, Kim Tai serves much more than Vietnamese food, including burgers and fries at very cheap prices if youre into eat American food at Asian restaurants... I went with the Pho Tai, Chin Nam (Noodle Soup with Steak and Brisket) for $6.95. What I noticed right away was the meat was cut quite thick and tough. They only had one size, and I do have to say there was a lot of clumpy meat. It was okay, but I wouldnt come back here for their beef noodle soup. Pros: -Friendly Service Cons: -Meat in their pho was quite thick and clumpy -Location is very rundown, but they are repairing their roof currently (March 2016) -Private parking lot is limited, may need to find street parking
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A Private User
When you come back from lunch and your friends feel it necessary to actually spray you down with Lysol to kill the odor of rancid fry oil which has permeated your clothes, this could signal a poor dining experience. Maybe I would have fared better with the Vietnamese dishes, but the hamburger I ordered was greasy enough that I felt compelled to soak up some of the extra with my napkin. It tasted ok, not too bad, but once I started smelling the rancid oil from the fryer, I began to notice the same rancid aftertaste on my fries. I felt a little ill afterwards, but Im happy to report no full blown food poisoning. Im not really a picky eater, but I doubt Ill be going back.
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Dave Hagy
Ok I have gone a few times now and can say a few words, good hot food cheap- vietnamese sandwiches for 3.50- fresh and tasty- excellent bread every time we have gone (not to say that will vary because you know that it will) but noodle dishes were excellent and authentic (I am not vietnamese but delved into the culture for years and have experienced homemade dishes for years) and the flavors of the bun bo hue are pretty good, fresh vegetables and service has always been good (even when crowded) I would skip the cafe su da...eh there is better elsewhere (my opinion- which of course is awesome). Check it out grab some sandwiches and the rice cake and egg appetizer !!!
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amiley lai
This cute little family owned restaurant came at a small price for some delicious food. For a lazy sunday after church my girlfriends and I stumbled upon this place and ordered our typical favorites as well as what their specials seemed to be. One of my favorite dishes in the vietnamese cuisine is bun bo hue. The flavors have to be just right with a good amount of spice and protein variety. This place had all the right flavors and proved to be so satisfying. They also had this traditional curry dish that came with a chunk of french baguette. It was so good. A crunchy piece of toasted baguette dipped in warm spiced curry. Super yummy and satisfying.
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Amanda Shipley
Only on one occasion have I been disappointed here and it was because the AC was out and it made it seem like the service was really slow when it probably wasnt. The waitstaff (family who owns it) are really sweet. The food is great and pretty cheaply priced. I love the tofu banh mi, it has a cinnamony deliciousness not found anywhere else in my experience. My only disappointment here is that they arent open one day of the weekend and I can never remember which one it is when Im hungry! (also where are those images coming from? That is not Kim Tai.)
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Ryan Cirilo
This place was AWESOME! Ive been looking for a replacement for the best Vietnamese egg rolls in the business (Van Loc). They were a home made recipe that nobody has been able to come close to in my search. (Houston, New Orleans, NYC). Great Pho broth...total hole in the wall, which I Love! Its a family run business and the waitress has a smile that would make you forget what you wanted to order. Lol
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A Private User
Its a simple little spot with AMAZING tasting food! We had found this place over a year ago because of a review in the Houston Press and thank god for that because my husband and I are addicted to this place. For starters their PHO is a lot better than Mais. They have killer Grilled beef spring rolls! You cant go wrong with ANYTHING on that menu. And the staff is sweet! Family run restaurant <3
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Wendi Beck
Love this place!! Plenty of authentic dishes to choose from. I pick up to-go orders from here at least once a week. Everything Ive had has been extremely tasty and fresh. Ive not been disappointed yet. The people that run it are also very nice, most especially when you compare their attitude with other Vietnamese restaurants in the immediate area.
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Richard Abi-Rached
Hidden jem. Well, its not really hidden just small and easy to pass up. Best pork bahn mi in Hou. Their phó is amazing. Their spring rolls are larger and come with 1 extra compared to the other guys. Quality, inexpensive, fantastic staff. I seldom review unless a place is horrid or spectacular. This place is of the latter.
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A Private User
The food is OK compared to nearby few other Vietnamese restaurant, the interior is a bit beaten up, stuffs were piled up around the counter area, not very clean looking. after finishing the soup, my throat got itchy and rough, I guess it was the over-loaded MSG. Most dishes is from $7 to $12, not too bad for a quick bite.
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Nancy Ngo
Really good authentic Vietnamese food here. First time we took our family here and the mi vit tiem was super good. Broth was good and tasty. They give very decent food portions and prices are very cheap compared to other restaurants at Bellaire . Hidden food treasure in downtown Houston...
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A Private User
The menu has both American and Vietnamese food but we always get the Vietnamese food which is absolutely delicious! We usually get the beef pho (noodles) and an item from their special menu...always turns out great! Service is quick. Easy parking. Would definitely recommend it to others.
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Blaine Taylor
This place caught me off guard as i pulled into what seemed to be a house. Didnt even intend to eat here but the smell from the kitchen pulled me in. Definitely the FRESHEST vietnamese I have EVER had. It has a Mom and Pop feel which if you dont like you are wrong.
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Kent Prochazka
The wonton soup was fan-freakingtastic. The beef spring rolls were delicious and was a large order of 3. The review would have been four stars except that I found hair in two other orders. Ban mi pork and egg was good. Prices are low.
