Hoa Tam — Restaurant in Adelaide

2weeks ago I visited this restaurant for the second time because I wanted to introduce my friends to the spicy pho that I wanted on this day as well. On the day, I had the worst experience anyone could ever have in a restaurant.

Out of the five foods that I ordered, the pho -which was the reason I came to this restaurant for- came out last and it was not the one that I ordered. I'm not sure if it was because it was the last thing that came out for our table, but the server offered us to just have this instead of the one I ordered saying that it was the kitchen's fault. (Looking at the receipt afterwards, it was the server's fault)

Because this spicy pho was specifically the reason why I was at this restaurant, I asked the server if we could have the correct menu that I ordered. Despite the fact that it was their wrong to give us the wrong food, and after waiting for all the food to come out, they served all of the other tables first, then served us with the correct pho at last. Hence everyone else on the table was finished with their food when the pho finally made its way onto our table.

The beverage that we ordered at first did not even come out until we got the wrong food on the table so we asked the server when it is coming and they just apoligised without any other action. We asked the server to cancel the beverage order after that and they only replied with "I'll cancel it."

Then at that moment we witnessed the last piece of the sweet and sour pork was undercooked. We let the staff know and they just walked off saying that they will let the kitchen know.

At checkout, I double checked the receipt to see the wrong order on the list and they said it cannot be taken out on the receipt so they'll refund the money in cash after having us pay everything including the wrong order on card. Also, when I checked when I got back home, the eftpos surcharge was included in the subtotal charge not separately listed.

Even the cash refund that I received was a little bit less than the actual amount so I said "excuse me" and they just went to talk to the next customer although we were not done checking out and told us to "wait a minute".

It was not even busy in the restaurant because when i got there it was a bit past lunch time and there were only 3-4 tables filled. I am writing this not only because of the appalling customer service they performed, but also the undercooked meat that could cause serious health problems. If anyone is planning on visiting this restaurant after reading this review, I suggest double checking your order, amount of the check, and if the food is...

Edited after most recent visit

I've been coming here for YEARS. The one thing I appreciated about this place was the consistency....

It is with much regret that I have to advise I will not be returning. I believe this place has changed ownership now a couple of times since I first started going.... The first change of ownership wasn't too bad or noticeable (couple of weird things happened like hair in my soup or one time a scourer being in another soup) but the food was mostly still good. I think it's changed hands again (i could be wrong but I recognised NO ONE there today..) and legit I'm worried I will get food poisoning now after tonight.

I ordered a chicken Hoa Tam special and a sizzling black pepper beef. The first bite of the chicken I spat the piece out thinking it wasn't cooked properly it was so rubbery and chewy. I then cut it open and it was indeed cooked. I have no idea what shit part of the chicken this meat came from (I joked maybe it was chicken feet to my dining partner) but it was almost like eating chewing gum. The beef was then put down and even my partner commented that it had a weird colour about it.

I was more concerned that it didn't smell right. I took a bite out of it and never in my life has beef tasted whatever the taste I was eating was. I'm not sure if it was either dog, cat, out of date beef or some random part of the cow that no one normally eats, but i could only stomach two pieces before I couldnt eat any more. I asked my partner to try a piece and she refused. She eventually agreed to smell the meat and when she did she almost vomited saying "yeah i dont know wtf that is, but its not beef".

She ordered a Tom Yum noodle soup and while it wasn't as bad as mine, she was scooping out bits of carrot and other vegetables that looked like they were either moudly, burnt or some of the worst vegetable she's ever seen.

Given I was waiting all day to eat there tonight, I left extremely disappointed and annyoed at how bad this meal was.

Suffice to say - You guys have lost a long LONG standing customer.... I don't know why the sudden dip in quality but, it's an...

Hoa Tam Gilles Plains - A Bit Light on Portions (3 Stars) Hoa Tam in Gilles Plains offers some genuinely tasty Vietnamese dishes, but my recent experience left me feeling a little short-changed on the serving sizes, which brings it down to a 3-star rating for me.

The flavours are certainly there – the Pho broth was aromatic and rich, and the fresh ingredients in the spring rolls were evident. The restaurant has a clean and simple ambiance, suitable for a casual meal. The staff are generally polite and efficient, ensuring a smooth dining experience.

However, the main issue I encountered was with the portion sizes, particularly with the Salt and Pepper Calamari. While the calamari itself was perfectly cooked and seasoned, the serving was noticeably small, feeling more like an appetizer than a substantial main or a sharing plate for two. We found ourselves ordering additional dishes to feel satisfied, which quickly adds up. This wasn't just an isolated incident; other dishes, while delicious, also felt a touch on the smaller side compared to similar establishments.

In conclusion, Hoa Tam delivers on taste and has a pleasant environment, but if you arrive with a hearty appetite, you might find yourself needing to order more than you initially planned, especially if you're keen on the Salt and Pepper Calamari. It's a good spot for a quick bite if you're not overly hungry, but for a full meal, be prepared to...