Cali Sandwich & Pho — Restaurant in Houston

First and the last time ever going. Upon entrance, we were greeted with a really bad stench that unequivocally became evident as to why from the naked eye. The tables were dirty, the chairs sticky, overfilled trashcans and a few flies swarming around. I have over a decade of experience in the restaurant/bar industry and I know matter of factly that if the front of the house looks like a dump, the kitchen can only be worse. Nonetheless and regrettably so, we heeded a fellow business owner's recommendation to give Cali a try. So we walked up to the counter to take a look at the board menu and noticed there were a tub of dirty dishes stacked high in a bustub right directly behind the cashier! Even worse, the 20 something year old Vietnamese girl behind the counter casually dressed in a tank top and jeans, had the attitude to match the ambience of the diner. We grabbed a few of the grimey menus and took them back to a nearby table to look them over. An older Vietnamese lady came by to greet us and asked if we had any questions about their menu. Unlike the cashier, she was very friendly, service-oriented and even made some recommendations. By the time we decided what to order, we proceeded to the counter and told the girl our menu selections. Then we sat back at our table to wait and soon after, she came around with the boba milk teas we ordered. I was somewhat disappointed bc both of our drinks were a lil under 3/4 full and loaded with ice to the brim. I believe it was a total of $8 for the drinks that she cheated us out on, so that's where my disappoint came into play. Not too long after, we received our to-go order and little did I know at the time (bc I was busy filling up a small container of Siracha), she grabbed my fiancée's arm and flirtatiously smiled at him all while behind my back! He had told me what she had did on the way home and how it made him feel very uncomfortable and sick. Luckily for her, he knew better than to tell me while there or else all hell wlda broke loose bc I have zero tolerance for disrespect and lewd behavior. Surprisingly, the garlic beef was on point but the egg rolls tasted like they were fried in a fish fryer and the stuffing tasted sour/old. We only ate one. So in conclusion, we wasted our time&money including the $5 we tipped her in exchange for all in all a horrible experience. As a business owner myself, I know first hand that first impressions are everything and furthermore, everlasting ones are the ones that you walk out associating whether or not you'll be a return customer. In this case: MOST. DEFINITELY. NOT.. Especially in the competitive sea of all the other Vietnamese...

Cali sandwich was a "dingi" place 18 years ago and their "Vietnamese" sandwich as sold to Americans were not quite up to par ... But they had a face lift along the way, better looking tables, less clustered & shabby, better quality sandwiches - even up to Vietnamese standard - and better than Givral sandwiches (which has closed due to covid) But still not as good as Thien An (which is 3 blocks away on San Jacinto); however, it was done to attract the "Americans". The prices are higher; standard add-ons, like a free soup bowl with your rice plates are now + $2; and the service is better! As for me, I am an American-Vietnamese who looks like an asian, speaks Vietnamese, but dress like a bummy-18-wheeler-driver in my faded jeans, work shirt, steel toe boots & baseball cap. So I get treated rudely like a poor asian.. even though my meal adds up to $19+ each time I eat there. The last time & final time I was there, I started off with their most expensive Vietnamese sandwich... Which no American would normally order... And I asked the sandwich maker for extra fish sauce on the side... The owner yelled out to not put any fish sauce in my sandwich but only put it on the side.. I objected and say please put some sauce on the sandwich... She said, no, we don't make it that way, you either have it on the sandwich or on the side..??!!? Power matters in the Vietnamese culture, much more than customer's service or customer's retention. I looked at her son, who spoke English well, and asked, is she the owner of the place? He looked uncomfortable and replied, yes. I replied, I thought so because she wouldn't make my sandwich the way that I wanted, and only an owner would do that.. He looked uncomfortable, so we both shrugged at each other and I walked out without ordering any lunch. Extra fish sauce on the side: 5 cents. Lost customer who can pay: $19/for each visit. Yep, this place is now geared for...

My friends RAVED about this restaurant for months. I finally decide to check it out. The food was ALL THAT AND MORE. The price was reasonable. However the staff have a lot to learn with regards to FOOD ALLERGIES.

I ordered the wonton soup. After two (2) spoonfuls of the soup I cut into a dumpling. Imagine my shock when I discovered large pieces of shrimp (I have shell fish allergies) inside the dumpling. I immediately summoned my waitstaff. I asked for a menu (they were taken after order was placed). I proceeded to inquire about the shrimp. I further pointed out that their menu did not disclose shrimp were in the dumplings. He asked 'You no like shrimp'. My response was 'Sir please understand I have shell fish allergies'. He responded 'You no like'.

It was clear there was no need to further discuss this matter. As he was not capable of understanding the severity of the danger he had placed me. I paid my bill (even for the soup he was unwilling to take off). Another indication he has not been properly trained in health and food safety.

So I did what I felt needed to be done. I filed a complaint with HDHHS BUREAU OF CONSUMER HEALTH SERVICES. Perhaps this restaurant will obtain the proper training it is so...