Mai's

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3403 Milam St (at Downtown)
Houston, TX 77002

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(713) 520-7684
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Mai's - Houston, TX
Reviews
( 24 )
( 16 )
( 1 )
( 4 )
( 12 )

Best

The owners said they will reopen Mai's. Not sure if in the same location or close by. More to follow... Pros: Food Cons: Closed

Worst

We have been loyal patrons at Mai's for about 5 years now, and beginning with a young lady who speaks really good english (I think she's the owners daughter), she has made our exp...

Offended 12/15/2005

I try to be community involved, so i meet new people often. Last night I brought in a group of twelve. The wait staff knows me and we were seated prompytly. We enjoyed appetizers and anticipated a great meal. However, ""Ms. Owner"" visited our table and attacked one of my guests. I listened a moment as she tried to charge him for lemon wedges. Embarrased for my friend...I confronted her and she became very argumentative. I knew from her run-ins with other patrons, that it was a lost cause. We cancelled our meal and left our table. I payed for our appetizers as she continued to try and argue with me. I have met some very sour people....and she is certainly one of them. I thought I would never be one of those patrons that would be caught up in a scene. I was mistaken...so...sadly I won't return to Mai's. Pros: good food Cons: poor service, argumentative owner, embarrassing scenes more
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What's the big deal about this place? 11/15/2005

To start, they didn't put any meat on my father's plate except for one strip of beef. So we had to order extra. On my brother's plate, the chicken is extremely old and dry. When we ask for a replacement, the lady says she can't because he already bit the chicken. After much debate, the waitress brings out a sweet n sour chicken plate. She whispers not to say anything or she'll get fired. During check out, the cashier was getting frustrated at trying to separate the tickets and lets us know by snapping at us (and other customers). A buddy of ours didn't write in his tip on his CC slip and while we're outside the waitress runs outside to chase him down to add it. He should have tipped, but to run somebody down for a tip is the lowest I've seen anyone go. Pros: something different? Cons: Dry food, bad service, mediocre atmosphere more
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Now, these are are great guys! 11/2/2005

I love to come to Mai's, I had a bit of a problem getting to it at first and always got lost late at night (girl, late night and downtown houston = not good match) but every time is worth it. The food is the best Viet I have tried. Pros: Great Food, Ambiance is great, Good Service Cons: Somehow pricy more
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Don't believe what you hear 4/8/2005

People love this place 'cause they only eat there when they're wasted. Even drunk I thought the food was pretty aweful, and I was hardly alone in that thought. It's quick, portions are big, and it's open late. But the food stinks. more
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Excellent appetizers 1/25/2005

Their pan-fried rice cakes are excellent, both as a starter and for those who have lighter appetites. Pros: convenient parking, close to trolley, friendly waitstaff more
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A Great Late-Night Chinese & Vegan Venue 9/27/2004

This place is great! Not only is the service always attentive with a notably clean atmosphere, but the food is delish! They also offer several vegan and vegetarian dishes. My favorite place to go after hours. Pros: Inexpensive, Open Late, Cozy Atmosphere more
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Mai's is great! 9/26/2004

Mai's has everything I want in a restaurant. The dishes are huge and filling- not heavy, endless choices, great for vegetarians and meat eaters. Food is fresh and flavorful, prices are good,(I'm a poor student). Mai's is fast to-go and dining in. Tofu spring rolls are a must. All of the vermicelli bowls are great-julienne veggie's, noodles, and endless choices of meat/tofu/hot veggies on top. 5 bucks! Sweet vietnamese coffee brews at your table, and the sweet rice with dipping sauce is another must. The servers can be rushed but that's the culture-get over it. Parking isn't any worse than anywhere else--it's DOWNTOWN! The menu is so long and they all know it well--just give 'em a number! I've been going there since I was a little girl and it is my favorite place--I moved away and still drive 40 miles to eat there regularly. Mai's is definately a find. Pros: Great food-fast !, Cheap prices, Variety Cons: , in lot across street! more
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kittykatgrr 7/20/2004

Since meeting a pregnant craving friend 1 year ago, this is my favorite place to eat. I know have all of my coworkers, and family eating there. The restaurant has new bathrooms and has been upgraded and is very confortable. All the waitstaff has been helpful and nice. Come in with a smile and expect to be treated with one. Favorites: Vietnamese egg rolls, garlic chicken, soft shelled crab. Excellent place to eat!!! Pros: fast, excellent food Cons: , waiting area is small more
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Late Night Dining 7/4/2004

This Restaurant is a great place to eat for a late night Dinner. In Midtown, Easy to find. All sortsof people comes to eat here. Everybody fits in. Pros: Late Nite Hours, Great Location, Great Selection more
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Great for Late Night 2/29/2004

As far as food: by far, my favorite spring rolls -- never tasted better!!! Crowd: You're likely to run in to quite a few people that have been partying downtown. Pros: spring rolls, inexpensive, great location more
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Just okay 10/26/2003

Food is okay but there are better places down the street. However, late at night, there is nothing better to eat after you have been drinking more
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MIA'S 7/23/2003

LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!! Wonderful food, people, location, service, and prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best place in town!!!!! Cons: Prices, Food, Service more
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Looks can be deceiving. 2/13/2003

TOTAL disappointment! Been there 3 times. 3 times too many. Why do people like this place? Food is bland and service is horrible if you are of Vietnamese origin. Van Loc down the street has much better food and service. Mai's signature dish, Bo Loc Lac (cubed steak), looks and smells good but sure doesn't deliver on taste. Van Loc really knows how to do this dish. Sure lots of people eat here but billions and billions have ate at McDonalds, doesn't mean it's that good. Pros: Open late, variety of foods Cons: Bad service if Asian, Bland food, crowded and cramp more
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Mai's is great, but not Chinese 2/10/2003

Mai's is Vietnamese food, not Chinese, but nonetheless, the food is great. BUT, there is this one waitress that is a compete terror to deal with-she is RUDE! more
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Best Darn late night place 1/17/2003

Best weekend late nite place in downtown area. Price is right, the service is a bit slow due to getting packed. But best damn food late at night. been going there for years. Pros: Open late, Good food, cheap prices Cons: Parking, service more
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Bad Service???? Where??? 12/30/2002

I have to wonder if those who are saying the service at Mai's is bad are basing their experience on one trip during a busy period... are there any periods that aren't busy at this restaurant? My wife and I are regulars who eat here at least once a week (and I eat here two - three times a week sometimes) When my wife and I pull up more than half the time we walk in to find our table set, or drinks waiting, and our order of Vietnamese Eggrolls already on the way... I can't imagine bad service at Mai's and the food is incredible! If I have any complaint it's that it's noisy sometimes, but as I have a severe hearing loss, I have this problem in almost all restaraunts. So that's not really a complaint at all... just an observation. Pros: Great Food!, Great Service, Great Value Cons: parking stinks, Construction area, noisy more
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I don't get it 12/19/2002

I have been going to Mai's for years and never had any problems. First of all, if you're expecting the waitstaff to give you personalized service, you're at the wrong place. It's usually crowded (especially late at night) and they're very busy. Get over it, you're not at Brennan's. Secondly, I'm sure they get tired of dealing with all the beligerant drunks that go in there after the clubs close down. If you're going to act like an ass, expect to get treated like one. The food is good and reasonable and in most cases the service is fine. I have and would recommend it to someone that hasn't been. Pros: good food, open late, reasonably priced Cons: often crowded, parking is a hassle, downtown construction more
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great food, bad service 12/9/2002

I have been going to Mai's for years. It has really the best vietnmese food in Houston. However, the service there really sucks. They are open for convienence at hours when the rest aren't which is the reason I went there at first. I have taken all of my freinds there---and women seem to get addicted to the food and wind up craving it later. We all joke that they put hormones in the food. Really though the Garlic Chicken is the best around Pros: Food is great, price is reasonable, great hours Cons: service sucks more
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Good food...service, well, ugh! 11/25/2002

What is it with the waiter that doesn't even wait until you are completely done ordering before walking away? Or the waitress that always looks like she is mad? I love the food, but the service...ugh! I have actually learned to lower my expectations of the service, therefore allowing me to go there. I would back up their food 120%....but their service leaves A LOT to be desired! Pros: Great Food Cons: Service more
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unigue,tasty 11/9/2002

service was good, and food unusual, although their salty shrimp was too spicy and the ususual hot garlic pieces caused a burning sensation in my throat. pwais,R.D.,M.S. Pros: good selection, good service, good price Cons: some dishes too spicy more
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Menu for Mai's


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Current owner Mai Thi Nguyen's parents opened Houston's first Vietnamese restaurant in 1975. Today, the restaurant attracts a rabidly loyal following of students, artists,...

  • 11/27/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-3am; Fri-Sat 10am-4am
  • Payments: American Express, Discover, Master Card, Diner's Club, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: South Central, Midtown
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