Tan Tan Fast Food

This Chinatown diner has been a Houston favorite ever since it started serving families, cops and the post-club crowd from morning to late night in 1986. The exhaustive menu has over 400 items and while they’re all worth a shot, almost every table orders the exceptional House Special Rice Cake to start. Follow that up with the equally popular hot pot or a noodle dish (we like the Cantonese style noodle soup). The dining room doesn’t lack for space but between the mirrored walls and fake palm trees housing little stuffed monkeys, it’s quite a sight at 3am. While Tan Tan is cheap and quick, this…

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The Extras:: Every year, Tan Tan hosts a Chinese New Year dragon dance to coincide with the neighborhood's larger celebration.

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User Reviews (38)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“the ambience is like any other chinatown restaurant, so don't expect much here, but you will find a big crowd during all hours of the day.”
dessert	75.0% positive	“Always good food, it seems to get cold kind of quick some times, mmmm rice cakes i beleive its called is great, the egg rolls are not that good, just about every plate is good and the prices great!” “The rice cake (dish 1) is a favorite.”
drinks	100.0% positive	“Less than a minute later he comes back " Are you ready to order" i said no and that we're ready to order drinks.”
food quality	88.88999938964844% positive	“highly recommended if you want good "authentic" asian food and a quick bite to eat.” “best place to grab a quick bite of asian food” “First of all, the food is not that good.” “its cheap, fast, and the food tastes decent.” “My fiancee's crispy noodles with beef and chinese brocolli was equally delectable and creative.” “Always good food, it seems to get cold kind of quick some times, mmmm rice cakes i beleive its called is great, the egg rolls are not that good, just about every plate is good and the prices great!” “The peking duck tastes authentic.” “The rice cake (dish 1) is a favorite.” “this place, like many of the asian restaurants on bellaire, stays true to "authentic" asian food, so you won't find some twisted fusion combinations or "americanized" versions here.” “tasty, authentic dishes fast!” “The service usually is bad but I expect that from a true authentic Chinese restaurant.” “great food, prices, and hours.” “We went on a Saturday night and had a wonderful sampling, by trying the whole roasted duck, and two of the pan fried noodle dishes.” “Pretty good food and great value.” “The food is very inexpensive, the service is awesome.” “the service is quick with a little bit more than decent quality of food, not to mention that this place stays open till the wee hours of the morn, so it's perfect for post clubbing and after hours.” “The food is always very good and consistent.” “My crispy noodles with three flavor seafood (scallops, shrimp, squid) was incredibly delicious and fresh.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Tan Tan has a very extensive asianchinese menu with a whole plethora of specials that are guaranteed to please any palate.” “Gotta love variety.”
overall	100.0% positive	“best place to grab a quick bite of asian food”
service	70.83000183105469% positive	“Even I do like fast service, but in this restaurant the waiter/waitress seem to hurry the customer so much.” “tucked in the heart of bellaire amidst all the other asian restaurants, tan tan is an old favorite among many asian people.” “tieu/mi. service is average, sometimes not too attentive because they're packed, but there's usually a busboy who can get someone for you.” “The food is very inexpensive, the service is awesome.” “The waiters and waitresses are rude and unprofessional.” “good people watching too.” “the service is quick with a little bit more than decent quality of food, not to mention that this place stays open till the wee hours of the morn, so it's perfect for post clubbing and after hours.” “Full of HPD at certain times, it is still a somewhat noisy, lively restaurant, convenient for take-out or eat in for people watching.” “The service is a little slow, and it's usually crowded at peak times.” “service pretty good and fast and friendly!” “The service usually is bad but I expect that from a true authentic Chinese restaurant.” “the service is kinda slow and the guy at the cashier is just nonchalantly rude!”
value	90.0% positive	“The food is very inexpensive, the service is awesome.” “Always good food, it seems to get cold kind of quick some times, mmmm rice cakes i beleive its called is great, the egg rolls are not that good, just about every plate is good and the prices great!” “great food, prices, and hours.” “its cheap, fast, and the food tastes decent.” “Pretty good food and great value.”
wait time	56.25% positive	“the service is quick with a little bit more than decent quality of food, not to mention that this place stays open till the wee hours of the morn, so it's perfect for post clubbing and after hours.” “Less than a minute later he comes back " Are you ready to order" i said no and that we're ready to order drinks.” “Service is a bit slow and they only accept cash.” “highly recommended if you want good "authentic" asian food and a quick bite to eat.” “The service is a little slow, and it's usually crowded at peak times.” “the service is kinda slow and the guy at the cashier is just nonchalantly rude!” “best place to grab a quick bite of asian food” “Always good food, it seems to get cold kind of quick some times, mmmm rice cakes i beleive its called is great, the egg rolls are not that good, just about every plate is good and the prices great!”

01/01/12

Bad! Cutting conner.

by sonysony1

I should give a minus point!

Tan Tan "was" one of favor for the last few years. (Cheap, fast and faily good food) but "something is wrong here!"

On Dec-30th-2011 our family went to Tan Tan for diner. We ordered Wonton soup and Rice cake (banh bot chien) the foods came out very fast (less than few minutes after ordered).

Something was wrong here!. Wonton soup was pre-cooked they are soaked , the Wonton skins fell apart. and the broth was not even hot.. Rice cake "Banh Bot Chien" came out dry and tasted like one day old or microwave oven TV diner!..

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10/07/09

Tastey

by Jewel1982

Tan Tan is the place to go anytime of the day. The food is consistently tastey and reasonably priced. We usually get the flat noodle wonton soup, and the hu tieu xao do bien ap chao... it can get crowded on the weekends especially at night... but their food never disappoints! This place is a must go for vietnamese/chinese food.

Pros: the food and price
Cons: service

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10/06/09

Good for late night munchies

by ninjalinda

Great for late night cravings for Asian food. Reasonably priced and filling. I typically get beef flat noodles or hot pot. Yummm

Staff can be inattentive on busy nights.

Pros: long hours, decent food
Cons: sometimes loud & crowded

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12/07/08

Fabulous

by wadester

I took my family here, based upon reviews and having picked up a menu from the restaurant on the way home one day. We went on a Saturday night and had a wonderful sampling, by trying the whole roasted duck, and two of the pan fried noodle dishes. Tan Tan has a very extensive asian\chinese menu with a whole plethora of specials that are guaranteed to please any palate. My crispy noodles with three flavor seafood (scallops, shrimp, squid) was incredibly delicious and fresh. My fiancee's crispy noodles with beef and chinese brocolli was equally delectable and creative.

Tan Tan is a neighborhood establishment with formica tables bolted to the floor, complete with hidden recessed gas hot burners in the middle of the table. These are used to serve one of many varieties of chinese "hot pots", which can be customed tailored for any palate; some include seafood, while others are geared towards vegetarian or beef connosieurs. Top this off with really great, extended hours (open 'till 3 a.m. on Saturday evenings), and you have a winning combination for true asian cuisine.

Pros: Incredible menu variety, and open late

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09/02/08

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE SERVICE

by Mickey54

I'll get straight to the point...

I didnt even get a chance to sit down when the server came up to us and asked us if we are ready to order. I said no not yet. Less than a minute later he comes back " Are you ready to order" i said no and that we're ready to order drinks. so right when i said two ice teas, he ask us again, "Are you ready to order?"I stared at him in disbelief. I skimmed through the menu and just started ordering away. About five minutes later, my friends soup came out. We haven't even received our drinks yet let alone appetizers!!!!!!! I had no refills on my ice tea, i had to get up and get my own hot sauce, I had to go to their waiter station to get to go boxes.

What happen to this place??

Pros: NOTHING!
Cons: FEELING RUSHED!

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Tan Tan Fast Food

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Nikki Metzgar

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Editor's Tips

01/01/12

Bad! Cutting conner.

by sonysony1

10/07/09

Tastey

by Jewel1982

10/06/09

Good for late night munchies

by ninjalinda

12/07/08

Fabulous

by wadester

09/02/08

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE SERVICE

by Mickey54

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