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...

excellent 11/9/2002

I love the spring rolls at Mai's. Also, be sure to order #39. It's excellent. more
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Much room for Improvement 11/9/2002

Mai's has a good selection of Viet-Chinese dishes that are priced well and, for the most part, hold true to the authentic flavors of the dishes; however, like a previous rater suggested, service could really be worked on. Customer service could really make or break a food business -- unfortunately it broke this one. Pros: food Cons: service more
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simply nice 11/7/2002

I've eaten all over the world and Mai's has consistenly given me good service and food. Its a very causal atmosphere that is comfortable for all. Pros: Inexpensive, Good parking, variety Cons: location more
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Need to improve 10/4/2002

Over the years, Mai's Restaurant has decrease dramatically. The food and service & the workers need to work harderrr to gain back and maintain custoemrs!!!! It is a great location right in downtown Houston, where alot of clubs are opening more and more. One day I belive another Vietnamese restaurant will open in downtown and will compete against them and they will lose all their customers. If you will notice, a well known customers or a frequent customer they will serve you the besttttt and for the others, well the rest have said...I have worked and run a restaurant and that is no way to treat anyone not even your friends....I belive that they have pleanty of money thefore they dont need to improve. . There are others late night restuarnt just drive down to Bellaire and the food and service is much better...... Pros: ok foood Cons: service is bad, rudeeeeeee, needs help more
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Good Value/Super Fast Service! 9/21/2002

I've been going to Mai's for over seven years and I have mixed feeling about the place. It's great place to eat after hours on the weekends, because it stays open until 4am on Friday and Saturday. The food is good, but a bit Americanized and not authentic Vietnamese. The service is super fast, and on the weekends, you can expect to wait about 15 minutes or so for a table. Overall it's good value... but again, if you are looking for authentic Pho (Soup) or Bo Luc Lac (Stir Fried Filet), I'd go somewhere else. Everytime I've gone there, there is always alot of hustle and bustle, making the ambience a little too rushed. Or maybe it's because the tables are too close together. more
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Slimey and rude 9/6/2002

Mai's used to be my favorite late-night restaurant. I have always enjoyed the food there. The problem is that some of the staff there have bad attitudes. I am a waiter myself and I know the job. These people act as if they are doing you a favor. My friends and I had our waiter literally yelled at us because we asked for something that they no longer serve....even though I had it last week. This is not the only occasion that I have been treated badly at this establishment. I have given Mai's the benifit of the boubt several times in the past, not to mention the ""Slime in the ice machine"" factor. Sometimes the food can only take a place so far... I have to scratch Mai's off my list. there are much better places to go Houston! Pros: customers Cons: staff attitude more
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Great Oriental 8/27/2002

Even though Mais is not Chinese it is by far the best oriental restuarant in this city. And for those of you that have never had the pleasure: try fried VIETNAMESE egg rolls. They are so crispy and much tastier than their Chinese cousins. And of course Sprinr Rolls dipped in peanut sauce or absolutely to DIE FOR!!! more
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family favorite for over 10 years 8/21/2002

Mai's is the family favorite from age 50 to age 8. It is not unusual for the kids to bring friends or for the family to join neighbors at Mai's. It is a must stop whenever we have out of town guests. Now they even have beautiful aquariums in the dining room.... Pros: food, service, fish Cons: street construction more
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AMAZING FOOD! 8/15/2002

As a vegetarian, Mai's is one of my favorite places to eat. The staff may not always be friendly, but some of them are very nice and even know some of my friends by name. The prices are good, the food is unbeatable, and they're fixing it up (anyone else notice that the construction that's been there for years is actually done now??). Yes, we've all had a couple of bad experiences with frustrated waiters there, but the food and the late hours make all of that bearable. more
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It's not good 8/14/2002

I have been here many times (usually because friends want to go). The service has been rude and very slow. The bathrooms are not clean. more
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Best Vietnamese food EVER 8/12/2002

Mai's is a cosy, still family run joint on Milam towards downtown. Without a doubt, Mai cooks the best food for the buck anywhere I've found in Houston. Especially good for vegetarians - most of the tofu is to die for. Pros: great grub, good veggie affair, late night service Cons: not, a, one more
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Very Fast Service!!! 8/8/2002

If you need a quick restaurant to go to this is the place. The service is fast and the plates are big. Pros: Fast Service, Good Parking, Good Food Cons: Often Crowded more
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MAI-be the best asian food in town 8/8/2002

This is a good place. Good Value, Good Food. The place isn't fancy, but you don't need iot to be, you go to Mai's for the food. Pros: good food, generous portions Cons: crowded at night more
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They could care less! 8/7/2002

Mai's staff act as if they could care less if you were there or not. The food is good, but I do not like to patronize places that don't appreciate my business. Pros: Food Cons: Service, Attitude more
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i love mai's 7/27/2002

Mai's is a great place to go with friends or co-workers. Their prices are a little expensive but they give you plenty of food --> togo. *If you are in a hurry, they are very quick with togo orders. Pros: open late more
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Pretty Good, Pretty Cheap 7/26/2002

I tried this place out for the first time the other night and was pleasantly suprised with how good the food was. The service was not good, but for the price of the dinner, it was forgivable. Good stuff! Pros: good food, cheap prices, open very late Cons: poor service more
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great food so-so service 7/20/2002

I have to agree that the service is lousy. The waitress never smiles until it is time to pay - tip time. I go back because of the special garlic chicken, but I usually get it to go. The parking situation leaves much to be desired. more
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YUMMY! 7/20/2002

this is a great place to eat late nite! provides delicious authentic vietnamese food for a very affordable price( for those nights out downtown, when after you've blown a ton of money at the bars!) Pros: Inexpensive 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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