Tee Jay's Corner Cafe — Restaurant in Carson City

If you are visiting Carson City this is a must. If you live in Carson City you already know about this place, or you should. I moved here from Goat Rodeo, Arizona a few years back and have no interest in Casinos (I became allergic to goats-hence the move). So Tee Jays did not appeal.

I was stupid. I should have known. Don’t be like me. Go to Tee Jay’s. Do It Now.

Tee Jays makes food for you behind a small L shaped Formica counter top firmly ensconced within the jangling confines of Cacti’s Jacks Casino. Jactas Cacks has seen better days, but that is part of the charm. Like a diamond in the rough, Tee Jays menu is both southeast Asian (Indonesian to be precise) and straight up Nevada Americana. Like burgers and sports? Their burgers are outstanding. They have a TV on the wall. Bliss. How about a nice curry? Tee Jays makes fresh curry with unbelievably perfect taste and spices, and vegetables so fresh they beg for mercy when you when you eat them. Ignore their cries….

The signature fried chicken is like nothing you have ever eaten…no really, stub your expectations out in the closest ashtray as you walk in the door and just dive in. It is a dry chicken chopped into 4X2 squares and is meant to be eaten by pulling the meat off the bone and stuffing it into your mouth. Chuck, your server, will detail why you are a pure heathen for putting that chicken bone in your mouth. Listen to his wisdom, he is a bodhisattva of epicurean entertainment and esoteric southeast Asian knowledge. Tee Jays and friends make everything fresh and this includes the sauce—which will light your rocket right up and send you to the moon. Fear not, mortal-this earthy and spicy sauce, filled with garlicky goodness and salted to perfection is your ticket to additional happiness both in this life and the next. Use sparingly, or just pile it on and stop whining.

Did I mention salads? Well you be the judge of that. I likes me some meats and all meats are served to perfection. But what about vegetarian options for our long living, sandal wearing, Chrystal necklace clutching Grateful Dead crowd? Tee Jays has got you bro! Push your way through the second hand smoke and try not to trip on an ancient slot machine and indulge. Does the smell of old cigarettes and cheap beer annoy you? Get over it and imbibe the vibe. To be honest it is really not that bad, and the casino sights, sounds, and smells lends a certain “je ne said quoi” to the experience (that’s a rural Arizona phrase meaning “I don’t get it but my goat does”).

Much like eating a steak at a rodeo and gulping a Coors beer while watching two cowboys fight over a bull ride score, it is an adventure for all the senses. Or you can get it TO GO!!! . Yes-to go! With your phone! That thing you are staring at right now that you cannot live without! Call them and place an order so you can hide in your little house and eschew all human contact because that is totally normal now! Joy of humanity!

Or don’t be weak. Leave your home (you can bring your phone-it’s OK). Engage the scene and your senses and just get down to Tee Jays and chat with Chuck while he wipes the counter, discusses the lack of chopstick use, and regales you with tales far beyond the norm while Tee Jays works feverishly to prepare you and yours a meal of unmitigated delight. Turn to the person next to you and lean your elbows on the Formica counter top and say, “Hi, how are you? What brings you here? Have you tried the chili?”

Then sit back and enjoy the conversation with some really nice people who are genuinely interested in you and wipe your little fingers on a clean cloth after dipping them in a lemon scented finger bowl. Come for the food and conversation and location and just enjoy the whole thing in its unbelievable entirety. Play some slots-why not? You’re in Nevada!

Then, step out of Cactus Jacks and into downtown Carson City, and ponder…..did I just enter a little slice of earthly...

A Dismal Display of Customer Service: We Will Never Return

My family and I planned on trying Tee Jays for the first as a celebration dinner for my Birthday.

I cannot comment on their food, as I never got the opportunity to try it. What I can comment on, however, is the absolutely appalling behavior of the cook and owner, which left my family and I stunned and deeply disappointed.

My family was unaware that the restaurant was only bar stool seating with counter service. After realizing this, we paused to discuss whether this was the atmosphere we wanted for dinner. Our hesitation apparently triggered the ire of the man behind the counter. Instead of letting us quietly deliberate, he decided to chime in with sarcastic and downright rude remarks, proclaiming we were "making a mistake" and that it was “our loss.” If that wasn’t bad enough, as we turned to leave, he mockingly added, “Don’t let the door kick you in the a** on the way out!”

This kind of condescending and unprofessional attitude is, frankly, unacceptable in any business. Customers should feel welcomed, not ridiculed for making a personal dining decision. What’s more, when one of our party left a review detailing this experience, the owner of the restaurant responded, doubling down on the snide remarks rather than apologizing or trying to salvage the situation. Though their response is now edited, the damage to their reputation was done—because this is apparently how they think it’s acceptable to treat potential patrons.

Tee Jay’s Corner may have glowing reviews for its food, but it seems those accolades have done nothing to foster humility or respect in its management. For us, this was a reminder that good food doesn’t matter when served with a side of arrogance and disdain. Tee Jay’s Corner didn’t just lose our business that evening—they’ve lost it permanently.

If you’re looking for a meal served with dignity and hospitality,...

You would never guess it but quite literally, some of the best food you can get anywhere can be found at this little lunch counter of a diner inside Cactus Jacks! While they serve up all kinds of foods ranging from burgers to burritos, what I would say is their specialty, is their amazing Indonesian dishes. Being that there's only about 50 Indonesian restaurants in the entire United States of American, I'm sure a lot of you won't know what it is and what I can tell you is that it's a lot like Thai food but oh so much better. Tee Jay is an outstanding chef that is super nice, polite, courteous and a lot of fun to talk to as well. Whenever my wife and I come, she typically likes to have the Pad Thai and I have the pineapple friend rice with chicken (spicy of course) but I've also had their drunken noodles and other dishes and can say they are all very fresh and cooked perfectly. As a pro tip, I would highly recommend you order up a Thai iced tea to complete your dining experience. As mentioned, this is a lunch counter like establishment and so seating is limited but Tee Jay and patrons at the counter are always nice enough to move around as needed to help accommodate more guests. Of course, being that this restaurant is located in a casino, there is a bar next door that you can order adult beverages and there are plenty of gaming machines to play on if that's your thing. Parking is also plentiful on the street and in the lot across the street. If there is one down side to this delicious diner, it's that their hours are limited so be sure to check them before stopping in and really, this is a must stop whether you're a local or just passing through town. I really can't say enough good things about this place - YUM!!!

UPDATE! Just had their fried banana for desert for the first time and all I can say is WOW!! This is a super tasty...