Ramen Tatsu-ya — Restaurant in Austin

This review is for post covid opening as I believe the quality of food and certainly service has gone down compared with during and before adjustments made to follow state health mandates.

The food itself was bland. I believe all three of us had the pork broth and everyone agreed overall lacking in taste that salt couldn't provide. Noodles were underdone, the meat overdone, my portion of extra noodles was only highlighted by the lack of in my friends, edamames were undercooked, same with my extra ajitama egg, and the pork dumplings came out cooked well and obviously were crisp but very soggy because they had forgotten to bring them with/before the entrees.

The service was a bewildering show of the hostess sitting us outside after saying the inside wait (without reservations lol) was 15 or 20 minutes, informed us to just place an order with our phone and they'd have it brought right out after of course she got us some waters. The waters came after maybe 10 minutes it was apparent she had too many duties as all the ice had melted in the glasses before she had a chance to bring them to us outside. Utensils as well were missing a set so even after someone else ran the food out we had to bug an additional employee who was maybe a different hostess? For another set before we could eat, which took an additional 5 minutes because she also had so many duties.

I don't recall not having a specific waiter at this establishment pre covid, maybe it was a thing recently enough but the whole experience felt very impersonal. As if none of the employees cared enough to provide any one table adequate service. Or like they didn't want to be fully open and still providing to go only orders would more likely explain the dissociation.

This would all be OK if they were operating as a fast casual restaurant which seems partially what they're trying to do by ordering with just your phone and transient interactions with 4 or 5 different employees none of which is actually YOUR waiter. Somewhere in between where it is not any one employees duty to serve you but all of theirs, was not working well outside one can only imagine going as poorly inside for people who went out of their way to make reservations, which I dont think is a bad idea just perhaps unnecessary for what they're offering at the moment.

The tables outside might have actually had a good breeze on a cloudy day like it was, if not for the shanty temporary wood and plexiglass walls constructed around the additional seating. Would have been better as just a sound barrier or perhaps an actual barrier on the curb from passing cars in...

Title: Incredible Ramen, Disastrous Front Counter Service

I’m giving this place one star solely for the cashier’s service, not for the food or the overall experience. The ramen here is absolutely incredible—the best I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, the service at the front counter completely ruined both of my visits.

I’ve been here twice with my family, and both times, the same cashier made the experience frustrating and unpleasant.

The first time, we were waiting in line, and when we saw a couple in front of us get seated, my wife and son sat down while I was next to order. The first thing the cashier said to me wasn’t “Welcome” or anything friendly—it was an immediate scolding, telling me that we weren’t allowed to do that and that I was “messing up the seating system.” I let it go.

Today (1.26.2025) was much worse. All tables for 3-4 people were taken, so when we arrived, the same cashier asked if we wanted to sit at the communal tables or wait for a table for four. I told her we would wait. I even let two people order ahead of me. Then, as soon as I saw a family leave, I approached the counter to order. Instead of seating us, she gave the table to the couple behind us—even though she knew we had been waiting specifically for that spot. When I pointed it out, she just casually said, “Oh, I forgot,” and then tried to redirect us to another table that was about to open.

Fine. I agreed and started placing my order. She immediately cut me off, saying I had to wait again and that she couldn’t take my order yet. At this point, the line behind me had grown, and I wasn’t willing to wait for another repeat of this nonsense. Given her lack of attention (or basic competence), I wouldn’t be surprised if she seated someone else at that table again.

I rarely leave reviews—this is only my second negative review ever. But as a former restaurant owner, I know how crucial front-of-house service is. No matter how amazing your food is, if your guests feel disrespected or frustrated before even placing their order, the whole experience is ruined.

To anyone reading this: Go to another location of this restaurant chain. The ramen is phenomenal, but it’s not worth dealing with this cashier and...

Im writing this review in hopes someone sees this and can make things better. My bf and I order from a few of the locations I wanna say once, to every two weeks. Sometimes more frequently than that. We’ve always had a good experience with customer service and the food is great which is why we come back so often.

Recently, however I wanna say in the last two months every time we’ve order pickup something is always missing we were charged for. Normally I’m not one to complain especially if it’s just an extra egg ($1 value) that’s missing I still enjoy my food but I’m a bit disappointed.

I ordered for pick up two days ago and the meat in one of the ramens was missing ($4 value). I double checked my receipt to make sure I was charged and I was. Again, it wouldn’t be a big deal just disappointing but as many times as this has happened where I was charged for stuff I didn’t get it’s starting to add up exponentially especially with as much as we order.

Usually this only happens with pick up orders but it also happened once while dining in about 3 weeks ago. I paid for an extra egg and when getting my ramen I asked where it was and was just told it wasn’t on the ticket. I told them I was charged for it and if they wanted to make sure to go ask the person who checked me out. They just walked away from me and nothing came of it. I could’ve gone up and asked but again in my head I was like it’s just an egg. But after this recent mistake on my to go I tried calling more than 10 times to at least to talk to a manger to let them know that people consistently arent getting what they’re paying for but my calls have been forwarded every. Single. Time.

I’m not looking for compensation but if I had a business and my employees were constantly not double checking tickets to make sure every guest gets what they paid for I would wanna know. It’s just gotten really frustrating. I wanna keep coming back to ramen tatsu ya because the food is so good I’m just tired of being disappointed and...