Cafe 88
| Address: | 923 Preston Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA |
| Phone: | +1 434-293-9888 |
| Rating: | 4.4 |
| Working: | 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM 11AM–8PM Closed |
Location
Photos 78
Reviews 20
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Shaoqing Yang
We saw many positive reviews about Cafe 88 on Yelp, so we decided to give it a try on our visit to C-Ville. However, it turned out this place was so highly overrated. The owner seemed to be the only one working there as host, cashier, chef and waitress all at the same time. No wonder how awful their service was. I went in with my wife and two little kids. We wanted to order food with dollar amount of $16 or so. To our surprise, the owner asked us to leave, as we did not "deserve" to take a table because of the less dollar amount we ordered. She even ignored how hungry our two kids were and how badly they wanted something to eat. Actually there were just two extra empty tables right out there. We tried to ignore her rudeness as we thought she only got her hands too full. However, we were so shocked when we realized that she really did not even take our orders and asked us out when we checked back with her. Her attitude was totally unacceptable and disrespectful. We were too shocked to say anything and just left with two hungry kids and feeling so humiliated. We of course dont think she deserves the positive feedbacks on Yelp. For those who think they were trying authentic Chinese or Taiwanese cuisine there, I could only say it was such a MISCONCEPT. Save your time and money for Peter Chang or Taste of China or some other places, this is just not the right place to go, not mention its poorly cooked so-called Taiwanese food, but the boss lousy way to humiliate her customer and their family. There were at least ten people in the room. All of them could prove what I said is true. If you dont believe, just go find out by yourself. Youll see what I mean. For the sake of my two toddler children and our self-esteem as human beings like anyone else, we will never ever go back there again!
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Don Mateo
Today I watched a father and his two daughters order from the owner, who has been in business in the same location since before I was born. They were the only other customers in the restaurant, and their order was just before mine so I got to see the whole thing. When their food came, they were sitting at an outside table. The owner put their food at an unoccupied inside table. The father came inside and asked, "Can we sit outside please?" The owner shrugged helplessly. He asked again, very politely "Wed really like to sit outside, do you think we could?" The owner pointed aggressively at his food, already sitting on an inside table, and gave him a challenging look. He bowed his head and agreed to eat inside. The owner is a very unkind person.
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A Private User
We visited Cafe 88 for lunch recently and plan to go back within the week. We each began with the Hot & Sour Soup and were immediately and pleasantly surprised by the fresh & light, but spicy taste. For entrees, we selected from the Bento Boxes. My companion had the Amazing Chicken and I chose the Crispy Tofu. Again, everything was very fresh and skillfully seasoned. Each Bento Box contains two side dishes of vegetables (chefs choice, vegetable-of-the-day); on the day we visited there were green beans with flecks of red bell pepper, and cabbage with shreds of carrot. All very tasty.
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A Private User
Cafe 88 serves authentic Asian cuisine. Run by a Taiwanese woman, this restaurant offers a fusion of Japanese and Chinese cuisine with very good quality ingredients, cooking and spices for the price of a normal delivery Chinese restaurant. Charlottesville is very fortunate to have this restaurant. The Salmon is wonderful. Cafe 88 blows away any other Chinese food in town. A smart choice for vegetarians, you cant go wrong here.
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A Private User
What stands out about Café 88 to me is the impressive attention to detail that the chef applies to each dish. Invariably, each dish is cooked to perfection: flavorful and delightfully crisp. I would recommend working ones way through the menu - I have yet to be disappointed by anything Ive ordered there. The daily rotation of new side dishes beside the entrees is further reason to frequent the place.
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Yung-Yeh Chang
Taiwanese style foods. The best Ibe ever had in VA, DC, or MD area. Their bento box is just like the ones I used to have in Taiwan. Pork chop is my favorite and the wonderful chicken is really wonderful. Spring roll is also worth of trying. The price is just right. I would have my lunch and dinner here if I crave for some Taiwanese style cooking.
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Matt Earnhardt
Great spot, wish I lived closer. Clearly grandmothers cooking...that is if your grandmother was Taiwanese. Beef noodle soup was amazing. The previous reviewers claiming the portion was small for the price must have smoked a large portion of the good stuff before dining here. Im leaving more than full, and who can complain for $10?
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Mohsin Pasha
It is not bad. The portion is small for 10 bucks, and the chicken is decent but not mind blowing. I asked for hot chili oil and they gave me sriracha.... The fried eggplant was great and it looks like they cook everything fresh. Im holding them to standards of food in major cities like la and Houston
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Nathan Brunelle
The couple who work here are truly fantastic hosts. They will happily carry on personal conversations as if you just walked into their home. It is really obvious by their demeanor and quality of their food that they have pride in what they do and care deeply for their customers.
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Lenny Li
Hole in the wall place run by an old taiwanese lady. Shes really nice and always makes meals that remind me of home. On Fridays and Saturdays she offers her signature dish, Taiwanese style beef noodle soup, which you cant find anywhere else in Charlottesville.
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A Private User
Ive known Lee for awhile, she is a great business owner and really loves to get to know her customers. She can talk for hours with you. The food is great, I order the same thing every time, the egg rolls. But I am sure the rest is just as good.
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A Private User
Truly enjoyed dining in at Cafe 88. It is like visiting your aunt and enjoy homecooking. We ordered Bento Boxes. Everything tastes fresh and good. I cannot wait to come back and try the House Special Soup! I highly recommend this restaurant!
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Johanna Cohoon
Best Chinese in Charlottesville, hands down. Order a bento box and youll get the vegetable sides of the day, which are always delicious. The eggplant is particularly good. There are three vegetarian bento options.
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Chris Koeritz
Delicious dim sum dishes, including lots of vegetarian selections, tasty fish and other bento boxes, specialty Taiwanese recipes, home of amazing chicken, also great people.
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daniel owen
Oh my gosh! Try the beef noodle soup on friday. Ohhhh its a euphoric explosion of spicy flavor in your mouth. Hands down my fave!
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Jenny Ho
This place has the best beef noodle soup in VA / MD /DC area. I have been there several times. Their food is always tasty.
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Lucas T
Eat a bento box from here and you will know what it feels like to have joy and comfort living in your tummy temporarily.
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Matt Vanden Hoek
I come here for the wonderful chicken bento box every now and then, and it really is wonderful. Highly recommended.
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Dodson Pest
Good Food. They all have tasty vegetarian dishes. There is not much seating but its nice quiet atmosphere.
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Abdoul Danso
A great Chinese restaurant with a twist of healthy food options, a friendly owner and a fast service.
