Hometown Taste — Restaurant in Beaverton

I just moved in and as part of a packet of coupons, I got a $15 coupon for Hometown Taste. The only restriction it showed was an expiration date (7/31/2024). I love Chinese food and this place is only a couple blocks from my house, so I was looking forward to testing it out.

The coupon said, I needed to present it when I ordered, and that was a bit of a red flag. It turns out, that's because they have an extra restriction. I couldn't order $17 worth of food. This was basically a buy-one-get-one-free offer (although not stated anywhere). I wasn't going to argue with the person taking my order about it, so I felt like my only choice was to go ahead and order more food, or leave.

I did order the twice fried pork belly and an order of potstickers. The food was pretty good, although I was surprised that the pork belly (while tasty) wasn't at all crisp.

The service was friendly, so my 1 star review on service, is based on the following...

I'm just sick of businesses misleading us. It's bad enough when there's something hidden in the fine print, but when it's not there at all and just a policy they use decided on because of short-sighted business practices, it's more than annoying.

I'm glad the pork belly wasn't amazing, because I would be tempted to go back. Considering the food wasn't incredible, I have no problem committing to not going back again.

Note: I don't generally leave negative reviews. This is even more true when it comes to small (seemingly family run) businesses. It's just not an excuse for exercising false advertising.

They saved $15, just to lose several years of potential repeat business. I expect they paid to place the coupon in the packet, so it's a serious error in business judgement.

I hope they will reply to this review and let people know they will honor the coupons as written and/or update the coupons and/or discontinue using them.

Update 7/18/2024 - In consideration of the owner's response, and trusting that this means my experience with the coupon was was just a mistake, I've adjusted my review up to 3 stars.

While I appreciate the fast and friendly response, I would have liked to of seen a couple of additional things. 1) What you've done to prevent it from happening again (Example: I've made sure the servers are clear on the rules for the coupons). 2) Your interest in making it right (Example: If you contact me (Manager/Owner Name) I'd be happy to provide another $15 coupon along with a suggestion for one of our excellent dishes).

Note: I'm not asking for anything here, just sharing feedback to help you with your business...

New 11/2023 Hometown Taste Chinese (Szechuan and Cantonese) is completely different menu, owner and remodel - Finally made it here once. Sadly some of my favorite menu items are gone. What's changed? Pricing went way up and portion size went way down. They still had the yellow curry chicken, but it was a little different, same sauce, but much smaller portion and different mix of veggies to chicken ratio. Otherwise, everything else looks and sounds good with the new updated menu, but I'm not a big fan of the big price increase with smaller portions. Sign of the times.

Previous review was for the former Chiam 2022 - this place is consistent, prices remain reasonable and the menu hasn't changed.

Chiam is my favorite hole in the wall Chinese, I've been coming here since 2018 when I moved into the area. The never been remodeled decor gives it that old comfort feeling, hahaa. Old-school, sometimes you just have to have it, too much modern fusion going on. The food ... Although not traditional, my favorite still has to be the yellow curry chicken and beef, many places just can't get curry right. Nice bright yellow curry with a clean rich mild flavor profile, not muddy brown. Delicious! The standard fried rice isn't anything special, otherwise everything here is actually pretty good with a few not so good entrees here and there. The Lo Mein is that soft noodle style and comes in large portions. The Chow Mein is tasty and might take you down memory lane if you're a fan of the old stir fried celery, bean sprouts, and water chestnuts served over a bed of crispy crunch dried noodle. If PF Changs is what you consider great food, then this place is not for you. Chiam is a small friendly family owned and operated establishment, they're even managing to stay open with togo orders during the pandemic and shut downs. Excellent little place for some well priced grub.

#YellowCurry...

My Partner and I came here with a Groupon that I received as a Birthday Gift, and had such a fabulous time. The Host/ Proprietor was so accommodating and good-humored. There was a television screen near our part of the restaurant which was honestly a distraction, especially since this was not a sports bar, and it was showing mindless nonsense; my Partner took a shot and politely asked them to turn it off, which they did right away. Them seeing that a guest didn't care for something and not batting an eye at correcting it was extremely impressive. Our Waitress was equally delightful; very kind and expedient, and everything was served so beautiful. We ordered:

Two rounds of Shirley Temples One order of Honey-Walnut Shrimp One order of General Tso's Chicken One order of Combination Fried Rice One order of Crab Puffs

Phenomenally good, neighborhood-style Cantonese cuisine. This place had such a pleasing effect on us, that we've now set it as our own regular Chinese destination. We'll likely do both dine-in as well as take-out, in the future. It's been such a long time since I had been out for a good Chinese dinner, and this exceeded all expectations. The Owners and Staff are all doing such a fabulous job. As for the decor, it's simple but pleasing, and the tables with their Imperial Chinese chairs are so fun and beautiful. I just can't stop raving about this place. We love it! Thank you Hometown Taste for making a birthday present of mine forever memorable. Oh and by the way, your cuisine made for excellent next-day left-overs for what we were able to take home after we were more than stuffed with what you served us.

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