text
stringlengths 1
5.27k
| label
class label 2
classes |
|---|---|
Wow! Talk about attitude on the phone! After all the glowing reviews that I read on-line, I decided to call this place and schedule and appointment for my cat who has been having issues lately. Due to my work schedule, I requested a Saturday appointment but was told that they don't take new clients on Saturdays. When I explained my situation, I was told that those were the rules of the clinic and that there were no exceptions. I asked about late hours but the latest appointment is at 6 PM. I work until 6PM. I asked about early morning appointments but was told that they begin see patients at 10 AM. I start work at 9 AM. I was then told that I should take a day off to bring the cat in for an exam. When I expressed my frustration, I was told, \""Well, I'm sorry. We reserve our Saturdays for existing clients only.\"" I replied that I would have been a client if they were willing to accommodate me. I got a snippy, \""Well, I'm sorry.\"" Never mind! I don't need to receive attitude from a receptionist. Clearly, they don't need my business. | 01
|
I brought my sick kitty here who was vomitting and had diahhrea for a few days and the Dr we saw was like \""so what do you want to do\"" and I was thinking well thats why I am here to ask for your professional advise. I felt like I spent $100 for absolutely nothing. I would not recommend this clinic for any legit issues, I am sure they are fine for a vaccination or routine check up but I would never allow them to treat one my sick babies. I had taken my lil girl to the AVETS clinic over the holiday and they stabilized her and asked us to F/U with a primary Vet (clearly something significant was going on), the visit I had was a total sham I felt it was useless and I found a new Vet to care for my lil ones. | 01
|
Living near Groceria Italiana is like having my Italian family nearby. Easy access to excellent food. Homemade pasta, sauce, desserts, etc.\n\nTheir ready to eat food is delicious. There is no reason a meatball sub should be a weekly part of my diet - but I can't help myself. \n\nEveryone that works there is so helpful. I've had a few parties catered by them - and they were overwhelmingly gracious. \n\nI highly recommend stopping in this place to grab dinner - either for ready made food or their pasta and sauce. You're about 10 minutes away from deliciousness. | 12
|
It's a nice small and authentic market that's just one block off the main strip. I absolutely love this place! If you come at the right time, you'll be able to see the fresh ravioli being made right in front of you. | 12
|
I consider myself a lucky girl to live in Pittsburgh's own Little Italy (although it has taken it's toll on my waist line, truth be told). Two separate and delicious family owned Italian grocery stores and countless amazing restaurants.\n\nGroceria Italiana is one of those quintessential corner stores that make you think of the way things may have been when your parents were young.\n\nIf you're one of those on the go-doing a million things at once types who rarely find the time to cook a meal, look no further than the hot food options they offer. It's that perfect delicious comfort food that these up coming autumn days.\n\nSkip out of work early and make a pit stop here on your way home, you'll thank me later. | 12
|
I had such high hopes. And though they clearly pride themselves in their pasta and ravioli, mine fell apart like crazy. It was a mess. An expensive mess. Artichoke and Gorgonzola everywhere. Not only the seams fell apart. The pasta broke all over. I may go back for tiramisu in time, but I'll definitely hesitate before spending 9 bucks on a dozen pieces of watery mess again. | 01
|
Years ago I discovered this quaint grocer and their awesome lunch counter. The meatball hoagie and weeding soup are seriously are amazing and authentic. I have not had better wedding soup in the city. I'm also in love with the homemade raviolis, (read the directions, these are baked not boiled.) My favorite is the artichoke gorgonzola, they are often sold out. If you're lucky enough, you'll get a chance to see the raviolis being made in action by one of the lovely pasta making ladies. Make certain to use the homemade sauce as well, we're talking heavenly good. Also, if you get there early enough, grab a warm, fresh Tuscan bread, (but maybe I shouldn't be telling you this.) it's crispy on the outside, and warm and soft on the inside. I dream of this bread. The deli counter is as well fantastic, get some meats and cheeses and have a banging sandwich. Anything you try from here is sure to keep you coming back for more! | 12
|
Love the fish sandwiches, they are all they are cracked up to be. If you want lunch - try a sandwich here - but order ahead for pick up, or be prepared to wait 30 minutes or more in a shady looking bar. The bar is very smoky, although it is also stocked with a soda machine if you get thirsty waiting for your sandwich to be made. Although for a fish sandwich and fries you'll probably drop about $10, I think its definitely worth it. | 12
|
I walked in to try the fish sandwich that I have heard so much about but decided not to stay. The smell of smoke is over powering. If your not a chain smoker, opt for takeout. | 01
|
The bar reeks of smoke and the bar table feels sticky. You'll definitely feel like you're in the deepest hole in the way. The only good thing is that the drinks are cheap. But I really wouldn't recommend going there. | 01
|
Yes, the fish was good. However, the restaurant was dirty, the bathroom smelled so awful that I could not go in it. The waitress was RUDE, CRUDE, and downright OBNOXIOUS!!!! Was the fish good enough for me to ever go back - NEVER!!!!!!!! | 01
|
Sandwich lives up to the hype! The cornmeal breading is phenomenal and it isn't greasy like some others.\n\nAs of 07/2014 food service stops at 7 PM on Friday. The sign looks like the one pictured but with a giant black 7 over the kitchen closing hour for Friday so I'd guess all the other hours are the same (I didn't take a very good look as I was focused on the deliciousness before me). | 12
|
Friendly, kind staff and good service. I'll go here again and again, for eat-in or take-out. I don't really have any favorites here...everything is tasty! | 12
|
Love this place. And they have coupons too. The bonus is definitely the amount of food, you get enough for delicious lunch leftovers! | 12
|
It's nice to know that there's decent Indian food that isn't far out in the boonies like Udipi (which, btw, is worth the trip). I can't say I thought the restaurant aesthetics were that fantastic. The acoustics in there are horrible, and it seems kind of dark. But the service was nice, and the food is great. Beware the stairs of death when you go to the bathroom.\n\nI haven't seen Chicken Muglai in years (they call it Muglai Korma on the menu) and the version they have is excellent. We also had the sag paneer and a number of other dishes I can't even remember. All I can recall is that I got my chicken muglai and it was GOOD. The rest was good too. I should also note that the portions are pretty large by Indian restaurant standards. One dish goes a LONG way.\n\nThe nan is a little eh. A little overcooked, in my estimation. The garlic nan had lots of garlic on it but little garlic taste. So, you get all the downside without any of the upside. Too bad.\n\nIn any case, I will most definitely be coming back. I | 12
|
Tried the vegetarian thali ($12ish) and was really impressed by the quality, variety, and spiciness to order. Will head back here with a smile. | 12
|
I had high hopes for Taste of India, after reading the reviews, but I was not impressed. The food did not taste fresh (I had pakoras and an eggplant dish) and the rice was definitely old and crisp from sitting in the bottom of the cooker. I asked for spicy and my dish was quite mild. We were there toward the end of the night and the staff seemed resentful of our presence. As much as I love Indian food, I'll probably give Taste of India one more chance sometime, earlier in the evening. I hope to report back with at least one additional star. | 01
|
5:30pm, worst Baingan Bartha I've ever had. Un-fresh and damn near flavorless all but for some powdery heat. Please invest in fresh chillies; they keep well and will make that \""8\"" really pop with flavor. | 01
|
Food from the motherland is a weakness of mine so despite good feedback from some friends, I tried to resist coming here when I first moved to Lawrenceville. So much for that!\n\nTaste of India is flat out great. Prices are reasonable. The atmosphere is simple and tastefully done (unlike another restaurant in Oakland, cough cough).\n\nThe staff are courteous and accommodating. I called out for take-out one night and when I walked up to the restaurant, I found that they had mixed up my order and I'd have to wait a few more minutes. As an apology for waiting, they threw in free samosas! (btw, the samosas here are delicious). Rest assured, this isn't a regular occurrence; the next time I ordered from here, the order was promptly ready.\n\nThe tandoori is very good. The chicken tikka masala is nice and creamy with good flavor. The palak paneer is also delicious. My taste buds are very happy to have found good Indian take-out within the city limits. (My waist-line is NOT pleased). | 12
|
Jordan & I have been eating Taste of India at CMU for a while, without knowing it was Taste of India. At CMU they offer super inexpensive lunches that are more filling than anywhere else to eat at lunch. During this winter break, we have been going through some serious withdraw while the cafe is closed.\n\nThank you YELPERS once again, in our search to satiate our curry addiction, we have found our distributor! We were excited to read that this restaurant supplied our weekly lunches and we ordered!!\n\nI ordered the Alu Matar Mushroom at a spicy rating of 3 (yes, I'm a sissy), but it was EXACTLY what I wanted!! Jordan ordered Alu Gobhi which was cauliflower & potato at a spicy rating of 5. We truly weren't sure how to scale our tolerance; but we decided that next time we could both go hotter.\n\nWe also can't wait to try the Lunch Buffet! We really wish we would have known that this existed during the week in between Christmas & New Years when we were fiending for Indian food. Now that we know, I have no doubt we will soon become regulars.\n\nWe have also tried Tamarind in Oakland, but that place just made my mouth go numb after it was all said and done (and left me with an unpleasant digestion experience). All of the bad cliche things you hear about Indian food, is nothing like Taste of India. You can taste the love cooked in. | 12
|
I tried to eat here tonight using a $25 gift certificate purchased from Restaurant.com. After waiting over 15 minutes for my server to stop by for my order, I showed her my gift certificate. She told me they stopped taking them, however I had just purchased it 15 minutes earlier. \n\nI spoke to the manager and he wasn't the least bit interested. He told me Restaurant.com was a scam (I have used it before with no problems) and he hasn't been able to get in touch with them to cancel. While I was still talking to him, he answered a call on his cell phone without even saying excuse me. He obviously didn't care at all.\n\nI called Restaurant.com for a refund, and told them what he said. They told me that they have actually been trying to get in touch with the restaurant for weeks. I can only assume he owes them money or something. Either way, it is outrageous that he will not honor a gift certificate for a program he agreed to sign up for.\n\nBeyond this problem, I can't recommend this place simply based on how awfully they dealt with this issue. I didn't get a chance to try any food and I never will. | 01
|
Darren brought me here, and as a Indian food n00b, I was impressed with everything included in the economical Dinner for Two which gets a diner nan, a meat dish, a veggie dish, dal, a dessert, and tea. The tea and kheer was a nice way to cap off the meal. The mango beef and alu palak were superb. I could live on the bread alone. They look to have renovated the place, and Darren said the bathrooms were much nicer this time around. | 12
|
This was my first time at taste of India. The service was very pleasant and I found the food and alcoholic beverages to be quite inexpensive. Most importantly, the food was fantastic. The flavors were well balanced and succulent. I will definitely be coming around more often. | 12
|
It was more expensive than other Indian places I've been to, but it was good! We did takeout and they gave us a ton of rice and I order way too much naan. It was $65 for four of us. \n I got the Chicken Tikka Masala and I loved it, my wife got the Chicken Curry, also very good. The other couple got a shrimp dish and a tilapia dish, which I tried but didn't care for. I would never have ordered those dishes anyway so I won't count that against them.\nI would like to try lunch here - I saw a buffet table, so that might be a more cost efficient choice for this place. | 12
|
Buffet, while small is totally worth it. Has all the essentials! | 12
|
If you really know and like Indian cuisine then food here gonna be flavorless and bland for you. Tandoori chicken doesn't taste like one etc. Decor is tasteless and old. Carpet looks really dirty. I'm definitely not coming back. | 01
|
This is the restaurant where I bring people when I want to impress them with the great Indian food in Pittsburgh - twice now, I've gotten the special meal for two, and not only is it flavorful and well-spiced (I feel like they're great at matching the spice level you request - and other people dining with me agreed), it's a good value - so much food that you can easily make another meal out of the leftovers.\n\nThe lamb dishes are delicious; I've had the Boti-Kabab Masala and Lamb Sag, but I really enjoyed the vegetarian dish I had, Hariyali Handi (vegetables in spinach), so much so that I've had it both times and may not be able to stop myself from ordering it again. My real yardstick for greatness, though is the samosas: when you order the special meal, they come along as part of the deal - it would be easy to take less care with a \""throwaway\"" item, but they are quite simply the best samosas I have ever had, slightly spicy, super-crispy, and big enough to share.\n\nThe bill comes on a tiny tray filled with sugar crystals, caraway and coriander seeds and colorful bits of candy - I've seen similar combinations at other Indian restaurants, but it's artfully presented, and as with the rest of Taste of India, it leaves me charmed and satisfied, just as an excellent restaurant should. | 12
|
Not fancy but great Indian food at a really reasonable price. The eggplant was particularly yummy. | 12
|
I would have to say that this is some of the best Indian I've had in pittsburgh so far. The staff were friendly and attentive. \n\nThe chicken korma was delicious. It had almonds and raisins in it, which complemented the sauce nicely. \n\nThe check comes in a tray with candy coated fennel seeds. We didn't know it was edible until our server said to try some. I liked it because I like black licorice. Also, our server explained that it helps to cleanse the palette after a spicy meal. \n\nThe prices were on point. The seats and tables were new and comfortable. | 12
|
This place is awesome. He was closed but was still there cleaning and took me in for a great old school cut. I'd tried some salons and was relying on Sueprcuts a lot and hadn't been to a barber in quite some time. Sure, I haven't had this kind of haircut since gradeschool, but he did clean it up quite nicely and even gave my beard a clean trim. Definitely recommended if this is what you're looking for. Also, some great conversation | 12
|
I was desperately in need of a hair cut. Generally I had went to Hair friends in Oakland, who are great for styling hair in a particular fashion , but quite pricey. I wanted a shorter, neat cut, and this shop was open. \n\nThe gentleman was very affable, and the atmosphere was pleasant. As others have stated, he does a very thorough, and quick hair cut. This is not Supercuts, folks, he knows how to cut hair. \n\nFunny guy too, I will return. | 12
|
I called in to see if I could squeeze an appointment in on the day of the call. He said he was pretty busy, but that I could swing by at 4:30pm. This place is a one-man-shop with two barber chairs, and I knew that going in. I'm pretty sure that he knows all of his repeat customers. I found out about this place from a friend who said that the guy who runs it is awesome, and the person getting his hair cut before I arrived was busy in good conversation when I arrived.\n\nAnyways, the hair cut was nice, what I wanted, quick, and $14, so not bad. I know nothing about cutting hair, but this guy undoubtedly has a technique he has honed. At the end, instead of using an electric razor to shave the back of my neck, he used a straight razor with warm shaving cream.\n\nI'm going to keep coming to this place because I like the traditional feel and the familiar atmosphere. | 12
|
Great conversationalist, inexpensive and high quality hair cuts, wonderful old school atmosphere. No computers, no expensive hair products they're trying to hawk, just a man doing his craft. Every time I go there I'm so happy this place is still thriving. | 12
|
My husband comes here to get his hair and beard trimmed. I am always happy with the result. that simple. :)\n\nA couple of times I have accompanied him to the Golden Razor and have always found Tom to be accommodating, very friendly, efficient and professional. He is also so kind to my daughter - who loves to go with daddy to get his hair cut. \n\nI could not recommend him enough. My husband always has a great experience there and holds a very high opinion of Tom. \n\nHe takes appointments and even though the man is very busy he will try to accommodate walk-ins but I would suggest you call ahead first. | 12
|
I'm a pretty hard core karaoke fan, so I was excited to visit Nico's on a Saturday night after hearing about their awesome karaoke. Sadly, I was disappointed. The place is rather small and was packed by the time we came (about 10pm). It took ages to get a drink and it's hard to get around the bar with so many people standing around. That said, my drink was nice and strong and the prices are reasonable. \n\nNow the karaoke crowd was pretty fun...mostly hipsters with a few good singers but mostly people trying to be funny with their song choice. The karaoke host was just lame. He was an older guy, and seemed rather cranky and jaded, which really kills the mood when you're a karaoke buff looking for a good time. And he had a CD setup -- seriously, CDs, in 2010. His song list was waaaaaay out of date. He had a tiny TV screen that was setup in such a way that if you needed to look at the words, you would be facing away from the crowd. It was just really lackluster in my opinion. | 01
|
This will be simple...\nThe karaoke had a very limited selection. \nThe DJ kept fiddling with the volume while you were singing. \nWas way over-crowded with wanna-be hipsters who were attempting to be ironic which just made them look pathetic, especially since they kept taking pictures to most likely show Facebook people how much fun they were having and how great they are.\nThere was only one server for a bar packed with people and was hard to get a drink.\n\nWon't be going back. | 01
|
Bloomfield has some hidden gems and Nico's is one of those kind of places that is getting less and less common around the 'burgh. It's not a gastropub, it's not bohemian, Nico's is just an old time bar/restaurant that makes me nostalgic for a time before I was even born. \n\nI always come here on Monday nights for the wing special. It's something like 24 wings for 8 bucks which is not a bad deal. There are definitely better wings around the city, but I still keep coming back to Nico's. Maybe it has to do with the friendly atmosphere (seems to be a family run place), and the divey feel. The location is great as it just pops up in the middle of a residential section in the heart of Bloomfield.\n\nThe patrons are always friendly, and on more than one occasion I've had random people start chatting me up like we've known each other for years. If you are feeling adventurous try out karaoke night on Saturdays, its always good for some laughs and fun times.\n\nLong live the old school joints in Pittsburgh, I hope you last forever. | 12
|
This is a friendly, hipsters-and-yinzers-living-in-harmony kind of joint. Sports on the TVs, Yeungling on tap--quintessential Pittsburgh. The fried fish (with fries and coleslaw) is Lenten-Catholic quality. If I minded cigarette smoke, this place would be a four; but since I don't, perfect score. Like Scorpion once intoned...\""Get over here!\"" | 12
|
Pay attention to the bill.\n\nCurly haired male bartender intentionally added $20 of drinks to my tab. When I confronted him he blamed the extra drinks on my friends who hadn't been drinking those things in the first place. | 01
|
I don't understand why people love this place. I've been here a dozen times.\n\nThe beer selection is decent. The prices are good. The bar food is typical.\n\nIt is just a standard bar to me. If you want no frills beer and bar food, they are no frills. | 01
|
Favorite local bar! The service is great, owner is on top of everything and her staff is always helpful and friendly. Great karaoke on Saturday nights, Pirates game specials and Meatloaf of Tuesdays is to die for! | 12
|
I was walking my small granddaughter (not yet two) and when I passed I decided to go in to pick up some shrimp for my son. I waited quite a bit of time in line for the shrimp, then again to check out. When I checked out the woman at the register told me that they did not accept cards for purchases under $5 and since I had no money with me I told her I couldn't get the shrimp. THERE IS NO SIGN ON THE DOOR STATING THIS OR I WOULD NOT HAVE WASTED MY TIME OR MY GRANDCHILD'S IMPATIENCE GETTING THE PRODUCT. PUT A SIGN ON THE DOOR SO PEOPLE CAN EITHER PASS BY YOUR STORE OR GO TO THE BANK ATM PRIOR TO ENTERING. I will not be back (the woman was rude). I have been there before, making much larger purchases, but never have been aware of the restriction. PUT A SIGN ON YOUR DOOR WHEN THERE ARE STORE CONDITIONS I LOOKED FOR ONE ON ENTERING. Restrictions are understandable, just not when you fail to publish them and I waste my time. | 01
|
I *used* to think Donatelli's was a great place--they're incredibly cheap, the premade foods like crab raviolis are delicious, and they have awesome chocolate covered pretzels and biscotti.\nThen I saw one of the deli members drop meat on the floor, pick it up, and stick it right back in the case! Also, a whole tray of meatballs and sauce from the hot bar was spilled all over the floor. They just scooped it right back in and I only hope it wasn't served! The place smells awful and the workers are grumpy. There's a lady there who's always screaming and cursing and some fat guy that's just as bad. The LAST experience I had with Donatelli's was when I bought a tub of \""freshly packed\"" soynuts. I got home, cracked a brew, and reached into my beer snack to find a WORM!!! If you value your health as I do, do not eat anything from Donatelli's that was packed there. | 01
|
Jane is so right. The food and prices may be great, but who wants to eat dirt with it? I've seen someone mop the filthy snow tracked floor then put the bucket of water on the deli counter. No thanks. I'll pay a little more for sanitation. There are other Italian grocery stores close by. | 01
|
Whenever I'm in Bloomfield, I've gotta stop in at Donatelli's. Okay, Donatelli's was my primary reason for going to Bloomfield the other day. I had to pick up a few of the usual staples. Our fridge was getting mighty low on mozzarella, provolone, and Italian lunch meats (the salami was on special, BTW!). Ditto for our pantry--It was getting a little shy on the fine imported pastas, biscottis, etc. Gotta restock! | 12
|
Yet another review for Donatelli's? \n\nWell let's take a look at the January specials. Imported Polish ham for $3.99 lb. Polish ham at an Italian store? Okay! Fresh homemade pasta for $2.49 lb! Gonna be having some veal tortellini with spicy Italian sausage and my homemade marinara sauce for dinner tonight. Nicholas coffee for $6.99 lib. We all know that Susan doesn't resume the form of a human female until she's had that 2nd cup. | 12
|
After visiting Donatelli's today as part of a Yelp Event, my husband and I returned to purchase Cheese Ravioli, Grandma's Plain Sauce, and Chocolate-Covered Almond Biscotti for dinner. After having tried all three this evening, I can definitely recommend Donatelli's food and look forward to having these items again! | 12
|
I RUSHED to tan today after work. I got to Yolanda's at 7:20PM, only to find that the salon was closed. Both the sign on the door and the listed hours on the website state that Yolanda's tanning side is open until 8pm. I'm pretty pissed that I wasted time driving the whole way from Monroeville to Bloomfield for nothing. I've spent money on (multiple) tanning packages here, but I will definitely be taking my sad, untanned booty somewhere more reliable from now on. | 01
|
Four star food, three star service, and two star ambience.\n\nWent in, got the stink-eye from two or three folks sitting at the bar watching the hockey game. Sat in the dining room, and it was spooky quiet; for the first half of our meal, no one else was there, there wasn't music, and the only other sounds came from the next room, which just felt odd. Atmosphere was bad.\n\nGot the pasta roll, which was absolutely delicious; awesome pasta/pine nuts/spinach under a relatively light red cream sauce. The salad I had was lackluster, though; wilted greens, dry shredded carrots, and a pepperoncini that was just off; it tasted bitter, which was an all-new, all-bad taste for those. Ew. Five star entree, two star salad, maybe.\n\nThere were two waitresses and only two tables; refills on water were pretty quick up front (several times), but we wound up hanging out for five or ten minutes after we were done eating before seeing our waitress again.\n\nTwo and a half stars? I'd stop in and get a pasta roll for take-out, maybe, but there's a lot of competition for selling red-sauce italian food in the Italian neighborhood, ya know? | 01
|
If you wanna see local color, come to D'Amicos. If you wanna get a stiff drink in the middle of the afternoon while walking around with a bandage on your face and wanna fly under the radar (true story), come to D'Amico's. This place is absolutely no bells or whistles, the waitresses are loud, and the stale sent of grease and old liquor hangs in the air. All the way down to the cracked teal vinyl seats, this place is legit. \n\nD'Amico's just don't give a s**t.\n\nBut it's all good. Having traveled quite a bit, I often find placees like this refreshing. The Wedding Soup is comforting and they are generous with the bread. And....they have no judgements about the previously mentioned strong drink that I consumed at 2:37pm on a Friday afternoon. | 01
|
D'Amico's is like...Olive Garden, only less festive and with more \""local color.\"" We came here for a coworker holiday dinner at 530 pm on a Thursday. We made a reservation for seven of us, but there was no need to call ahead - the place was empty except for a man sitting at the bar, and a couple of girls at another table across the room. Definitely not hoppin'. The color of the walls and the decor remind me of a hotel restaurant that only serves a breakfast buffet. It's very quiet in there, except for the low noises from a TV showing a football game in the next room.\n\nOur server was definitely \""set in her ways,\"" as one of my coworkers said. She had a routine in terms of when she took drink orders, when she took food orders, when she brought the check. Deviations in the schedule seemed to cause a \""does not compute\"" response across her face....like when I sat down and she asked what I wanted to drink. I said I was going to wait until my next coworker arrived (thinking she might want to share some wine with me), and she was just like \""...you want to wait? to order something to drink...?\"" and I was all \""yes, I just got here....I don't even know what I want!\"" and she looked so confused, like how could some idiot like me possibly not know what they wanted to drink - finally she was like \""oh, do you need a list or something?\"" I know, I'm one of those difficult customers who requires a wine list in order to determine what wine I plan to order. I'm weird like that. Trying to order food at the same time as drinks was also a no-go. You have to play by her rules. When we did figure out the complicated drink-ordering situation, my coworker and I enjoyed our half-carafe of chardonnay. I'd recommend getting a half carafe - the wine glasses are so small, paying $6 for a glass is a total rip off. Get a half or full carafe and get your money's worth.\n\nThe entrees come with soup and salad, which seems really old-school and kind of awesome to me. They had one kind of soup, so you get what you get. It was a chicken-vegetable-tortellini soup served in a little cup. I liked it, because I like thin, brothy soups, but it wasn't anything special. The four little tortellinis floating around were the best part, and it was nice to have some veggies too. Salad was standard iceberg lettuce, carrot shreds, some tinny-tasting black olives, and the acidic but not-bad strawberry vinaigrette that came on the side. I didn't bother with the bread - it didn't look like anything special and it just came with butter packets.\n\nI got the pasta roll for my entree. Despite having lots of ingredients (pasta, spinach, prosciutto, pine nuts, sambuca, tomato cream sauce, probably some cheese somewhere), the dish was surprisingly one note. I didn't think it was well-seasoned - I ended up pouring red pepper flakes on top to give it a zing, which didn't help terribly. The texture was good, and it was a cool idea, and it wasn't a BAD dish, but it was just...meh. Nothing exciting. Very average. Pretty bland. I tasted a few other people's dishes and my response was the same. It's just generic stuff. Like I said, Olive Garden, only local. Considering how \""meh\"" the food was, I think it's way overpriced.\n\nSo I wouldn't go back. It's not my kind of food, or place. For all the Italian folks around here, I'm sure Pittsburgh must have way better Italian food offerings than this. | 01
|
I live right around the corner, so I've been here a couple times. The atmosphere is local, and the service is friendly and attentive. What wins this place 5*s is the food - some of the best italian food I've ever had! Pasta, gnocci... even the salads have been delicious. The bar is beautiful as well. It looks very old but in a good way. I was so surprised by this place - it's one of those Bloomfield gems that I was very happy to discover. | 12
|
Damicos has been closed since December 2012 | 01
|
Hole in the wall - check. Stern (at times) owner who rules his roost - check.\n\nI don't really trust a Vitnamese restaurant to be really really good unless it is a hole in the wall kind of place. :) And this place is good. Now, my one beef with this restaurant is the limited menu. But really, they do everything on the menu so well that you can't really complain. And the prices are extremely reasonable. Make sure you get the fresh rolls. I usually get the vermicelli with a little bit of everything on top. And unless you are ridiculously hungry, get the smaller bowl - it is still a lot of food.\n\nBYOB, so feel free to bring your own alcohol of choice. I can't remember what the corkage fee is, probably because there is none, I believe. And bring cash. | 12
|
Why do so many people in Pittsburgh love this place? The other day someone asked me... where's your favourite Vietnamese food? I told them that I didn't know which was my favourite, but I could tell you which was my least favourite: Tram's. \n\nI don't even care about the decor or seating etc. Usually the best Vietnamese comes from fairly sketchy looking joints. \n\nI had their \""Special\"" noodle bowl which is their version of Bun thit nuong. It looked a mess. The spring rolls were cut up brutally and then everything was tossed in. Usually when you order this at other place, it doesn't come \""pre-mixed.\"" Honestly, it looked like someone had already starting eating this. I thought to myself... \""Okay they have a different presentation style.\"" \n\nBut as I ate, I was even more disappointed. They hardly put any fresh vegetables in it, and the vermicelli is overcooked. The spring rolls were completely soggy. \n\nI don't think their menu is limited though, it seemed fairly typical. I don't know, maybe their Pho is better, but I'm already too disappointed to come back.\n\nAfter reading other people's reviews and trying other Vietnamese places around the city and then having Vietnamese food in Toronto(at an average place), I'm throughly convinced that people in this city have no idea what Vietnamese food is supposed to taste like.\n\nOh and one last thing... do you actually believe that their food is vegetarian? I guess the joke's on you. | 01
|
Like a couple others, I'm really not sure what all the fuss is about this place. I moved to Pittsburgh from Seattle where you can find some of the absolute best Vietnamese food. This place is a hole-in-the-wall with a very brusque owner/waiter and kind of dingy decor. I don't mind any of these things actually, but the food I definitely took some issue with. I ordered a tofu-veggie dish (can't remember the name) served over rice. My boyfriend ordered the pork rice vermicelli bowl. Our food came fast enough and it was served hot. However, my dish was nothing to brag about. It was pretty average tasting Asian fare. It didn't taste bad by any means, but not restaurant quality. Good thing it was only about 6 bucks. My boyfriend's dinner was a real disappointment, however. My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Seattle had HUGE vermicelli bowls with absolutely fresh lettuce and onions, piled high on top of perfectly cooked noodles. The meat/tofu you ordered with it was never sparse and it was cooked to perfection. Everything was doused with some sweet fish sauce and presented with some sliced egg roll. The pork vermicelli that came to my table did not resemble this at all. It was served in a rather small bowl with just a few pieces of lettuce and onion. The \""pork\"" that was on top amounted to about 1/4 of a cup of weird texturized, shredded something. It almost looked like boiled ground beef. I felt sorry for my boyfriend because he had never eaten Vietnamese food before and I had recommended a vermicelli dish to him because they are (usually) delicious. As a double whammy, his dish was about 9 dollars! Neither of us were full when we were done with our meals, so we ordered some spring rolls, which were supposed to be what they are famous for. I don't understand this either. The rolls were extremely bland and chewy. The sauce that was served with it didn't do much to save it. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place and I will continue my search for good Vietnamese food elsewhere. Also, please take note they only accept cash and no cards. | 01
|
Like the owner. Informal atmosphere- almost Asian cafeteria style except the food is really good. Decor is a little disjointed. Cheap prices so I'm not complaining. Always fast service. Good place for a casual hang out w/ friends or a not-out-to-impress date. Do not add fish sauce to stuff- it almost ruined my Tram's proclivity forever.\n\nGood place to get a spicy hot soup in the winter if you're cold.\n\nSeems good for large groups. Cash only I think... | 12
|
The first thing that charmed me about Tram's kitchen was the tablecloths. They are exactly like the tablecloths I saw in a little hole-in-the-wall restaurants throughout Vietnam. The decor is very similar to what you'd get in Vietnam, so if you don't like the decor, you probably should never go to Vietnam. \n\nIn terms of food, the service was quick, the food was piping hot and quite delicious. I was expecting more fresh herbs on the pho, but the complex broth more than made up for any lackings. \n\nI will definitely be heading back to this cheap, tasty hole-in-the wall. | 12
|
Cheap, tasty, filling. We tried the pho, spring rolls, and lemongrass chicken; all were well worth ordering again. This was, however, my first Vietnamese meal, so my thoughts are necessarily less discerning. \n\nThe owner is indeed a character, and he more or less ordered for one of us. Luckily, we're pretty easy going, and generally happy to take a proprietor's advice on what's good. He struck me as amusing and endearing rather than abrasive.\n\nThe place was packed, though we went at 7 on a Friday. Given this and the fact that they take no reservations, it'd probably be a hassle to go there with parties larger than 4. | 12
|
Meh. I was visiting from NYC when I ate here before a show at the Brillobox. The beef pho was sub par. Food took about 10 minutes to arrive when it did the beef was already cooked through (that's a BIG no-no in my book). I could hardly make out the star anise in the broth, and the bean sprouts had seen better days. The framed PPG review says Tram's has the best Pho in Pittsuburgh; if that's actually true, then the state of Pho in Pittsburgh is in bad shape.\n\nI also tried the vegetarian satay that my wife ordered and it was pretty decent, so plus one star for having vegetarian soups, and more importantly, actually trying to make it good. It beat the pants off of the veggie Viet place on 6th st. in NYC. I kinda have my doubts about their interpretation of \""vegetarian\"" though I kept that to myself...\n\nAs others have noted, the decor is kinda dumpy and the guy that took my order was surly, but I wonder if there's some kind of inverse halo effect going on here. Some hole-in-the-walls are just that: a hole in the wall.\n\nAlso: $8 for Pho does not make for hole-in-the-wall pricing. | 01
|
I do have a special place in my stomach for Tram's kitchen and I try to eat there every now and again. Pho is a good meal to warm you up in the winter and this place is a great place to stop in for a yummy dinner. I have been a little wary to go off the beaten path of the spring rolls and the Pho, so I got the spring rolls and the chicken peanut soup (I think that is what it was called). It was very close to the chicken Pho, except it had less noodles, more veggies, and a little different twist on the sauce with some crunched peanuts that settled at the bottom and a bit more spice. The dishes definitely didn't disappoint. The parking is on the street (which is usually pretty empty after working hours), and the ambiance seems to have perked up a little bit with what I think is a new coat of baby blue paint and some new flowery table cloths. Don't worry though, the mother of pearl wall art is still there, and your chances of not understanding your server is still high. The prices are cheap, the grub is good, and the place is uh... rustic, oh yeah, and bring cash! | 12
|
Great pho and fresh spring rolls! | 12
|
great place. great food. perfect spice level and it doesn't interfere with the flavor. had an everything bowl with vermicelli and some egg rolls. very good. quick for lunch too. excellent pricing. cant wait to eat here again. | 12
|
If you have been to any other PHO restaurant, in any other city, Tram's Kitchen would be OUT OF BUSINESS! \n\nFor starters, the portion of the PHO is extremely SKIMPY! I don't think we have had such a small portion of PHO since we were Babies! Seriously, would it kill you to add more rice noodles? \n\nSince we had the PHO as our Appetizers, we then ordered the Seafood Pan Fried Noodles...Oh wait...we paid for Seafood...but all we got were vegetables and some imitation they call seafood. What a Joke! \n\nSuggestion if you plan on going here. Come FULL and just order the Spring Roll. | 01
|
This place isn't much to look at, but when the I'm talking about a restaurant ambiance falls second to good food. The pho here is great. Really flavorful with a great balance of ingredients. I need to go back and try the Bun. | 12
|
stop 4 on our 7 state pho tour - and everything else you read is true.\n\nmy thoughts were like this...\nsmall, border line clean, authentic, no tripe?, took forever to get food on the table, excellent pho, nice little place. | 12
|
I'm Vietnamese and I grew up eating Vietnamese food everyday. Let me tell you, this place is a big let down. I don't know why people are giving it such rave reviews. All my Viet friends in this city also avoid this place because it really is NOT good. \n\nThe portions are tiny, and the pho broth leaves you unsatisfied. It lacks the true flavor that pho broth should have. I've had pho at home and in 30+ different pho restaurants and this was probably in my top 5 most disappointing. As for the other dishes, it comes to the table looking like someone already ate it or like a jumbled mess.\n\nThis is aside from the service..I actually like the old man that works there...he's the only reason I give it two stars. | 01
|
I didn't care too much for the atmosphere because most hole in the wall sort of restaurant are authentic & non-Americanized (which is what I'm looking for). Location of the restaurant was in a run down (kind of Old Pittsburgh style) and parallel parking was a must, be aware that you may have to park far and walk to the restaurant if you're not able to get front door service. Inside I didn't expect much, tablecloths were vinyl and chairs with uneven stands. All I care about was the authenticity of the food & cost for what it's worth.\n\nI started my meal with an appetizer of Goi Cuon with shrimp. I was highly disappointing when disecting what was in it. There was 1 shrimp cut in half lengthwise, mainly bun (rice noodle) for fillers along with a few strands of beansprouts & lettuce to make it look presentable. I quickly devoured the tiny appetizer in 2 bites. My main entree was Pho Ha Noi. It took forever for the food to arrive, it was a big bowl. Until I stirred it around to find out it was mainly broth and green onions. The broth was flavorless, actually it didn't have any flavor; so I had to add hoisin sause to give it a little of whatever to go along with the sliced pork. I was confused about the noodle itself, Pho is usually served with flat vermicelli noodle; but this Pho Ha Noi was served with round vermicelli noodles usually for Bun Bo entree. I asked the old man with the amputated arm, why it was served with bun (round rice noodle) instead of pho (flat rice noodle) noodles, he laughed and insisted it was pho (flat rice noodle). Ok I may be young but I wasnt born yesterday, I think I know my pho noodle and sorry it wasn't. \n\nNext visit to the 'burgh, I think I'll try Pho Minh & see how their PHO compares to Tram's Kitchen. So HIGHLY disappointed with my Pho experience. | 01
|
They have the best Pho (I get the vegetarian version), vegetarian spring rolls and tofu w lemongrass. Those are the only things I order there bc they are so delicious I can't bare to order anything else. It's not the best atmosphere, but the food is delicious.. and that's what you go to a restaurant for!! | 12
|
Visiting Pittsburgh for a few days and wanted some Vietnamese so we stopped by here expecting to find the best pho in Pittsburgh. \n\nThe restaurant setting is very typical of a vietnamese restaurant. The menu is small with very limited choices. Service is minimal. \n\nWe ordered some spring roll appetizer which was pretty good. Then we had 3 different kind of pho for our main entree. We ordered a \""sate\"" soup, a Saigon soup and a pho Hanoi soup. Only decent one was the pho Hanoi soup which isn't really like the typical pho. No beef tripe, tendon or beef balls in the soup and the noodles are fatter then what you'd find in typical pho. There was also excessive MSG in the soup dishes. | 01
|
awesome vermicelli with coconut milk. if i lived around here i would eat at tram's every day. actually, i live in san francisco, which (obviously) has excellent restaurants, many of them vietnamese. i would put tram's up against any of them, any day of the week. | 12
|
I've been to Tram's several times, always hoping for a better experience, and more importantly, better food. I eventually gave up. The food tends to be bland, the owner brusque, and with Pho Minh just up the street, I find myself going there when I'm craving a hot bowl of pho on a cold Pittsburgh winter night.\n\nFood highlights - \n None that I can really think of. The food is cheap.\n\nFood cons - \n The component that makes or breaks a bowl of pho is the broth. It is the one thing that must be good for the soup to be enjoyable. I've never had any hint of real flavor from the broth itself (before you add the plum sauce and the srirachia and basil and lime). This is something that Tram's has gotten badly wrong every time I visited. | 01
|
Although everyone comes here for the pho, i also like the fried rice and the egg noodles with tofu yummy! yummy! | 12
|
I don't know how other reviewers compare Trams to Pho Minh. Pho Minh is disgusting and uses a very tasteless powder broth/soup base for their pho. Pho Minh is a lot closer to the real deal, but their pho selection is really small.\n\nThis has been the best bowl of pho I've had in Pittsburgh, and the four stars is totally relative for the 'burgh. | 12
|
Trams has Vietnamese food and it's in Pittsburgh. So if you're craving spring rolls with peanut sauce or vermicelli with fish sauce and fresh herbs, this is the place to go if you're in Pittsburgh. Be forewarned - if you've had Vietnamese food from places with large Vietnamese populations, Trams satisfies an urge but it's definitely not the greatest. They're stingy with the herbs and the peanut sauce; a bit on the expensive side for this kind of food (especially for being such a dive); the pork is dry; and the vermicelli bowls are pre-mixed - even the fish sauce has already been dumped in. | 01
|
I've been to Tram's Kitchen a few times with friends and I hear good things from people about this place. Personally, I don't see what is so special about it. It's kind of a hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but the food is what I expected walking in. Spring rolls are not flavorful and has too much minced meat and not enough of veggies for a good balance. Also, I suspect they are the frozen variety and are not made in house. Summer rolls are meh.... They're big, but again nothing special. I've had the pho here and once again Pittsburgh disappoints me in the quality of pho that it has. At Tram's, the pho bowl is small. I don't expect a huge basin-size bowl, but a bowl of pho needs to have enough noodle, broth, herbs and spiced. The meat is too overcooked for pho tai (pho with thinly sliced beef steak that is supposed to be cooked only when the boiling hot broth is poured in the bowl). The taste is reminiscent of pho but isn't quite right. You need to want to take your bowl and drink all the broth at the end of the meal and you should feel satisfied and be in a comatose state after a good bowl of pho. This wasn't it. \n\nThat said, the service is nice. However, I didn't feel too comfortable/relaxed eating here. It was dark and crowded (and a little bit dingy). I prefer dining at Pho Minh to satisfy my Vietnamese cravings. | 01
|
I am from Houston, since I came here I've been searching for the perfect bowl of pho. I have to say this is the closest thing yet from home!!! Good pho with fair pricing, doesn't get ebtter than this. | 12
|
Darren and I came here last weekend, and I liked it very much. The \""Saigon Soup\"" was sssoooooo goood! I couldn't finish it! The portion was so generous. I also liked their egg rolls and the sauce that came with them. The owner was nice to us but doesn't play around! You have to order fast because the place is always full! I appreciated how he found a table and some chairs to seat us even though they were superbusy. I love Asian food, and now I have another place to enjoy.\n\nI didn't mind the decor, and the place isn't \""dirty\"" either. What do people expect? The Le Mont? | 12
|
I don't see the hype. Bad service, bland food. | 01
|
Went here last weekend with friends. Two of us became violently ill with food poisoning. Ordinarily, I would recommend the spring rolls and the pho, of course, but since my trip to the ER, I won't be back here again. | 01
|
Don't believe the hype.\n\nWas in the Pittsburgh area for one day and decided to try the pho here. It was a toss up between Pho Minh and here. I think I chose wrong.\n\nA rule of thumb is a good ethnic restaurant will be swarming with that particular ethnic people. When I went, all I saw were non-Asians. \n\nOrdered the pho and it was mediocre and forgettable. It did not taste flavorful and authentic but maybe that's what is available in Pittsburgh.\n\nAnother sour note, they dropped off some spring rolls at our table. It was our first time there and I thought they were complimentary so we ate them.\n\nLater on, we saw them on our bill. WE DIDN'T EVEN ORDER THEM.\n\nThey were overpriced, and not worth it.\n\nBe careful if they drop off food or drinks at your table, they will bill you for it afterwards even if you didn't order it. | 01
|
This is one of the best secrets of Pittsburgh. By far the best Pho in the area and over many places I have visited. If you want good service & environment, you'd better stop here. It's a hole in the wall by a seemingly angry asian (he's actually quite nice). Expect to wait on water or wait on refills. If you make your order too complicated, it'll probably get messed up.\n\nWith that, the Pho. It's amazing and I've had a lot of Pho. However, it has it hit and miss days too. The meatball is more tender and flavorful than the beef which can be dry or tough to some that haven't had Pho before. I wouldn't recommend any other versions. A small is available as most Americans I bring here are unable to finish a bowl.\n\nSpring rolls are great (cold/fresh) with a peanut dipping sauce. The egg rolls are just amazingly full of flavor (fried) with a fish style dipping sauce. Place is very inexpensive too. Oh, this place is BYOB in terms of alcohol. Forgot to mention it's cash only. There's an ATM at the entrance or any of the nearby gas stations. | 12
|
The food here was awesome. Get some | 12
|
I really want to give this place more stars but the food at Pho Van is so much better. Tram's Kitchen tastes like home cooking, and it also feels like home with the owner's kids running around. \n\nBut the bun thit nuong (pork vermicelli) was pretty sub-par, even with my already low expectations for a Vietnamese restaurant in Pittsburgh (we're Vietnamese from Cali so our expectations are usually really high!). The pork was so dry and tough it was inedible for me (though the bf ate all of his). The egg rolls were okay but just not the kind I'd sell at a restaurant. The spring rolls were edible yet I have to say the worst I've had (even I make way better ones). \n\nThe waiter/owner(?) is really sweet, and I feel a bit guilty for not supporting the restaurant but I'm sure those that love this place will keep it going strong. I'll try this place once more and hope to give it a better review next time! | 01
|
My favorite pho resturant in town the fresh rolls are great the pho is very tasty. The prices are good and the food is great. | 12
|
if you're going out to vietnamese for the food, go here. if you're going out for the ambiance, go somewhere else. when you walk into tram's, you'll be seated and handed menus and approximately 45 seconds later be asked if you're ready to order yet. the staff is pretty get-in-get-out-get-going style. it is byob though, which is pretty cool too.\ni ordered the beef pho soup. i really enjoyed it. like i said, if you're going for the food itself, you should definitely check this place out, it's pretty damn good. | 12
|
I came here once and ordered pho, and I was very disappointed. Bland broth, tough meat, I didn't get the Tram's hype. Not that I've ever tried mind-blowing pho (I've only eaten it in Pennsylvania, which is probably the problem) but this was even worse than most.\n\nHowever, I've since been back and ordered the bun. Now I was impressed! Specifically with the version doused in coconut milk--I love coconut anything, and on top of vermicelli noodles with a squirt of hoisin and sriracha, it was heaven. Only thing is, I don't like the selection of vegetables they use. Onions and broccoli just aren't my jam, and my favorite veggie to have with my bun, cucumber, was sadly MIA from Tram's version.\n\nI do consider myself to be a little bit of a fresh spring roll connoisseur (ooookay, maybe not, but I eat them a lot), and Tram's are good, but not my favorite in the city. I know, a lot of people are all about Tram's rolls, but I like mine with lots of Thai basil, and you can barely taste it in theirs. They're still super fresh with a good amount of meat, so this is just a matter of preferences, not quality.\n\nRegardless of the meh pho, I can't stress enough that it's totally worth it to come here for the coconut milk bun! Delicious!! | 12
|
GREAT FOOD! Like the other reviews - you will not be disappointed by the fresh spring rolls. Best I've had in the city. The only part of our experience I wish I cloud have changed was the ordering process. We weren't really sure what any of the dish's were, and the server offered no clarification. My boyfriend was so flustered he just ordered by number and ended up with two entrees! It was pretty funny. Everything was flavorful and cooked perfectly. We will definitely be going back (with a bit more knowledge of the menu)! | 12
|
If you can get past its humble appearance, Tram's Kitchen has the best pho and fresh spring rolls in Pittsburgh. \n\nThe restaurant, which is owned and operated by a family of Vietnamese immigrants that left the old country in the early 1990s, is very down to earth and low key.\n\nThe service is primarily provided by Tram's father, who has one hand but somehow manages to seat, take your order, pour/refill your water, brings your food, clear the table and cash you out. He can be moody at times, but I have never found him to be rude even on a bad or busy day (he probably just doesn't have time for slowpokes who can't make up their mind). I would cut him some slack if he doesn't appear to be the most patient person in the world. \n\nParking in Lawrenceville can be iffy at times, but if you drive west a few blocks past Tram's there are usually many streetside spots. Cash only. BYOB. | 12
|
1.5 / 5 - Beef Pho: Kind of bland tasting\n2.0 / 5 - Pork Chop: Not much meat and as much flavor as I'm used to, but still good. | 01
|
Being Vietnamese I've had tried tons of Vietnamese Pho restaurants and Tram's has to be one of the worse place I've ever been to. The food was mediocre and full of MSG. I ordered a rice vermicelli dish with egg rolls and they were oily and greasy. The Pho was nothing special and place was small and looks dirty. \n\nMy total bill doesn't reflect the price of the dishes I ordered. My bill came out to be higher than what's listed on the menu. Maybe because I'm vietnamese and being a visitor to Pittsburg for the first time, they think is ok to overprice their dishes on a Sunday night. \n\nAlthough the old man at the place is nice, this place doesn't deserve the stars that's given. I don't recommend this place to anyone especially my Vietnamese comrades whom may visit to Pittsburg looking for good authentic home town cooking. | 01
|
Location:4050 Penn Ave Pittsburgh\nPrice: $ 1/2\nService: Good\n\nMy family was really hungry and everywhere my parents visit they always want to try native food. So, I search Viet restaurant on the GPS and it lead us there- I mean if it was apart of the GPS' top 10 it must be good. I feel like being Vietnamese made me more critical on the food when I do go to Vietnamese restaurants. \n\nIt is in a residental neighbourhood downtown.You're able to park along the streets. It was a very humble environment and very cute. The service was okay, they were really nice and never rude. \n\nWe ordered Pho (of course...), com tam, pad thai, and bun. It all tasted plain;the Pho was a little off, the pad thai wasn't spicy or had enough of the sweet/sour taste to it. The portions were really small. I definitely feel like my GPS lied to me and that I've experienced better. | 01
|
Love the Hanoi Pho and spring roll. Nice plump shrimp too. Do yourself a favor...it's far from a fashion spot, just real good eats. Reminds of what SF's Tenderloin excellent Cambodian and Vietnamese were back before everything cost an arm n a leg. | 12
|
If you grew up in a part of the country with lots of Vietnamese food or have eaten it in such places, you're not going to be impressed by Tram's.\n\nI gave this place two tries and was disappointed both times. I will admit that I only tried the pho and a vermicelli bowl (on separate trips), but having ordered anything else on each of my trips would have put my bill in the neighborhood of $12+. Having grown up with cheap Vietnamese food in Texas, I wasn't prepared to spend that much for what's supposed to be a budget lunch, even with the understanding that I was going to leave hungry and that the lack of non-European ethnic diversity in Pittsburgh is going to automatically make things more expensive.\n\nEither way, I don't understand the hype surrounding this place. The pho bowl was small, with a tasteless broth and child-sized portions of noodles and meat. After a few bites, I drenched the whole thing in Sriracha just to give it some flavor and to try to trick my stomach into feeling a bit more like I had eaten something.\n\nThe vermicelli was not so great either--a small portion of vegetables and noodles with a few too-thick chunks of pork that were not grilled long enough for any sort of darkness or crisp (but which still managed to be dry). The color of the dish was as bland as the taste.\n\nAs for the atmosphere, not a big deal for me. The restaurant is small, with minimal seating and some dinginess to it, but that's fairly common for older Vietnamese restaurants. Most diners are young, hip, and not Asian (which could be a turn-off for some due to the perceived lack of authenticity and/or hipsteriness). Parking is a chore; if you live nearby and choose to give the place a try, walk or ride your bike, or prepare to find yourself circling nearby blocks of permit-only parking.\n\nFolks who dine at Tram's should keep in mind that cheaper, better, more authentic Vietnamese food exists out there. I grew up in North Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth area), where with one of the largest Vietnamese populations in the country, good, cheap Vietnamese food can be found all over the metro area. Pho portions down there are reasonably big, there are plenty of different meat combinations, and you can almost always choose the size of the bowl you want (usually kid's, small, large, and extra-large). Additionally, due to the presence of plenty of fresh ingredient suppliers and competition, prices are more in line with portion size, and the food is, more often than not, good. Most folks with normal appetites are able to leave satisfied having spent no more than $7 or $8 a person with tax and tip (compared to $20 at Tram's). Out of all the Vietnamese spots in North Texas that I've tried, my absolute favorite is Pho Pasteur, in Arlington: The pho, vermicelli bowls, crushed rice dishes, spring and egg rolls, and prices are all excellent. Tram's would be put out of business if anyone ever opened a restaurant like that up here.\n\nIf none of the other few choices in Pittsburgh are satisfying your Vietnamese food cravings, it might be worth it to take a weekend trip up to Toronto. You would also have access there to some other Asian foods that we don't have here, such as dim sum and Taiwanese \""small eats.\"" For a slightly shorter drive, you can also find these things (though more sparsely) in the D.C. suburbs. | 01
|
The best Vietnamese I have tried in Pittsburgh. The Tufu lemon from the appetizers was just perfect. I found the place from Yelp.com and I would definitely recommend it! Very inexpensive too! I really like it! | 12
|
It's about 2.5. We live in Squirrel Hill with a lot of good restaurants and I thought this place is better than where we usually go. The pho is the cheapest in Pittsburgh but the portion is very small. The spring roll is the most expensive vietnamese spring roll. \nI ordered the Saigon soup for myself and #17 for my husband. My husband likes it because he is an america and like sweet stuff. Everything with coconut is good for him. These dishes we got doesn't look like what they showed on the photo. The Vietnamese place in Squirrel hill or the stripe is a lot better. | 01
|
This is my go-to place for Pho. I normally get take out since I live in the area, but sitting here is quite an experience too. This is authentic Vietnamese food. \n\nHighly recommend to anyone looking for some good Pho. | 12
|
First of all, Tram's has been cited by the Allegheny Health Department for code violations like not storing meat at proper temperatures. I also personally know several people who have gotten violently ill from eating there. If that's not enough to stop you, read on.\n\nI feel like people who like this place are confusing \""dirty & mean\"" with authentic. The staff are unpleasant and it doesn't feel like a place you'd want someone cooking food. \n\nAnd finally, sure, all of this could be different if the food was good, but in my opinion, it is not. Bland and disappointing, the Pho most of all. Pittsburgh has so many great asian restaurants, including other Vietnamese options, that I don't see any reason to eat here. | 01
|
For starters I had a fresh spring roll and a fried egg roll. The fresh spring roll is big and stuffed with shrimp, shredded pork, lettuce, basil, and rice. It was probably a sixth of the size of a chipotle burrito. The fried egg roll is a little smaller, yet it is still packed. I enjoyed the fried egg roll way more, but I wouldn't discourage someone from trying Tram's fresh spring roll.\n\nFor dinner, I had the Vermicelli noodles with coconut milk and beef. It was sweet and savory, but it missed a kick of spiciness to counter the coconut milk. I asked the staff for crushed red chili pepper flakes, but there was a significant language barrier which impeded me from conveying my request. Eventually, I said pepper enough, and I was brought jalape\u00f1o peppers. Not quite what I was looking for but they were an acceptable alternative.\n\nThe only subpar point of the night was the difficulty with service. The cash only policy could have been trouble; luckily, I read some reviews beforehand which prepared me. Also note that Tram's lets you BYOB. | 12
|
Delicious. Side benefit: cheap. We got the pork chop split rice and the pork sate pho. Both were good. Service is prompt and efficient. Cash only. | 12
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.