Halong Bay Noodle House — Restaurant in Castle Downs

Public Health Concerns - Nov 4,2016 when the restaurant was minimally filled with clients I observed them vacuuming the floor then using that same vacuum on the service counter directly around & touching all the dishes and bowls, as well food that was on and around the service counter. Brought the sanitary matter to their attention and there was shoulder shurgs lacking care until I told them about the Health Inspector at which point they apologized (too little too late after first denying, then acknowledging but showing little care, then finally giving a faint apology. I offered to pay for my order but told them I wouldn't be eating it because it's now filthy. They offered to make another - I declined as if this happens in front of a customer what happens behind the scenes? I reiterated that is pay for my "green onion cakes" but not take it - they said I didn't have to pay. I told them I'd follow up with the Health people and they were ticked. They initially told the Health Inspector that I wasn't there but their records on my phone from them proved otherwise. Then the owner tried to cover it up with the inspector (who speaks their language) as the inspector told me the owner asked him not to report the case on the Alberta Health online public restaurant check because "it would hurt their business if he reported it" - he agreed as per his follow up phone conversation with me. I spoke to the Health manager who then told the inspector to reopen the case and handle as per protocol instead of covering up. On Dec 1 the inspector spoke with me about his posting on the Alberta Health online public restaurant check dated Nov 8. I told him the remark he posted only speaks of cross contamination, nor the fact that they acknowledged to using the vacuum as described above. He said he put that in the full report online and one would have to pay for FOIP access to see it though there is no guarantee with FOIP payment it would be released to any member of the public. He was a bit frustrated and said that I can follow up with his...

STAFF PICKED OUT ONIONS FROM SOUP WITH BARE HANDS -- We have been here quite a few times, and this deserved the public's attention - especially when sending food back (be very aware if your food is a new plate or not)

We came in last week and we specifically asked for no onions & cilantro in the pho - got the soup with the onions still in. The original server approaches our table with her coat on ready to leave, while another server was traced down for assistance. The original server when she admitted she messed up the order - told us she will bring us A BRAND-NEW SOUP.. ( she took it back to the kitcen then LEFT the restaurant..lol)

Thank God their kitchen is some where we can look inside of because you cannot make this up - the old lady was holding a spoon, soaking up the onions with it and then PICKING OUT THE ONIONS WITH HER BARE FINGERS & putting that same broth back in the bowl. No gloves, that would still be gross - but bare fingers, my partner confronted the staff and immediately notified everyone what she did - the owner was notified, and he started yelling at this cook.

so FYI you want a new soup - they apparently can't give you a new one, why? waste of food? who knows - it's absolutely disgusting how my soup was about to be eaten after someone's fingers were dipping around in the broth.. we will never be going back -- and I really HOPE everyone reading this can only imagine how they handle other foods being prepped and/or sent back when their is an error with the order.

ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING. ** I also saw a similar experience to this on another review...

I have been going there for a while, staff is never friendly but the soup is good. Ordered beef satay soup for take out (along with four other items, total of over $70.00) and it was FULL of tripe. If you know the take out, the noodles are separated from the meat - you mix them together. The tripe was packed with the noodles. At a glance it looked like large white onion slices, and went undetected until it was in my mouth. I called to let them know what happened and they could care less. Very disappointing. I'm supporting a local business, they feed me an animals stomach lining and they cant even offer up an "whoops" or "hey sorry". Their poor response, or lack thereof, prompted me to drive over with the soup and request a refund. I was polite and simply asked for a refund (its almost $15.00 for one bowl of this soup). The entire staff came to the front and the lady at the counter was fishing through the soup asking me where the tripe was. Considering the soup was PACKED WITH TRIPE, it surfaced pretty quick. Again, no apology. Here's the thing, a simple sorry would have gone a long way. You cant put animal parts in someones food unless they order it. Its pretty offensive, your trusting them to prepare food for you. Not only not going back, will share the experience with everyone I know so they know there could be other things hidden in their food. ...