Com Tam Dat Thanh - San Jose

I visited this restaurant on a Saturday around noon. There were plenty of available seats and parking was no problem. I have been aware of this place for about 15 to 20 years, always catching a whiff of it while driving by, but I never actually dined here until now. Typically, if I am craving com tam, I would go to a pho place since San Jose is a bit of a hassle to drive to just for food. I decided to try the #7 dish, and to sum it up, it was really amazing. The egg cake, shrimp cake, and sugarcane were delicious, but the grilled shrimp stole the show with its perfect cook and juiciness. Surprisingly, I don't usually enjoy shrimp that much. The beef ribs were decent, but probably the least impressive part of the meal. The portions were generous, which is fitting for the price. The food was a bit salty, but still tasty. After 20 years of curiosity, my dream of dining at this restaurant finally came true, and it exceeded my expectations set by the inviting smell I always noticed while driving past.

On 11/2/2023, I purchased two com thit nuong bi cha to go. When I opened one of the boxes, I discovered a dead termite or cockroach inside the salad bag. It was very disgusting! I will not be returning to this restaurant for at least a few months.

The Vietnamese food at this restaurant is authentic and delicious. The chili is hand-crushed, giving it a spicy kick that you can really feel!

This restaurant has been in business for a long time, serving the same traditional Com Tam dishes. It is known as the go-to spot in the Bay area for delicious broken rice with grilled sides. Their menu offers a variety of side combinations, so be sure to try them all!

If you prefer dining in clean, highly rated restaurants, I would suggest avoiding this place. However, my review is solely based on the food. I have only tried their broken rice plates, which feature cracked or damaged rice grains that have the same taste but a different texture. It is definitely worth giving a try. Although I cannot recall the specific name of the dish I had ordered (given the numerous combination options available), it included bbq pork chop, shredded pork skin, egg cake, and fried shrimp cake, all of which were delicious. I always finish everything on my plate when dining here. In terms of cleanliness, it may not meet your expectations. On one occasion, I observed a lady squatting in the corner behind a screen slicing meat, suggesting limited space in the kitchen.