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Is Tank Noodle really the best?

Is Tank Noodle really the best?
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  • Post #121 - February 17th, 2020, 1:44 pm
    Post #121 - February 17th, 2020, 1:44 pm Post #121 - February 17th, 2020, 1:44 pm
    Bummed that Fischman's closed for a second and likely final time. Always like that place. Reminds me I need to get up that way to eat at Community though. Always had good experiences there.
  • Post #122 - January 8th, 2021, 10:56 pm
    Post #122 - January 8th, 2021, 10:56 pm Post #122 - January 8th, 2021, 10:56 pm
    You think we are just going to forget your white washing of this? You’ve truly shown your true colors.
  • Post #123 - January 8th, 2021, 11:32 pm
    Post #123 - January 8th, 2021, 11:32 pm Post #123 - January 8th, 2021, 11:32 pm
    Octarine wrote:You think we are just going to forget your white washing of this? You’ve truly shown your true colors.

    If you're referring to the recent news about Tank's owners, the moderators decided to remove a series of posts that were very quickly veering toward political discussion, which does not comply with our Posting Guidelines, and which has always been off limits here. There was no effort made to whitewash but as you know (you've been around here a long time), we don't want conversation of that nature taking place in this space. And please, let's all do our best to keep it that way.

    Thanks, for your understanding.

    =R=
    for the Moderators
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #124 - January 9th, 2021, 9:34 am
    Post #124 - January 9th, 2021, 9:34 am Post #124 - January 9th, 2021, 9:34 am
    Does anyone have recommendations of other places for good Vietnamese food in the Argyle/Broadway area, for those who don't want to go to Tank Noodle?
  • Post #125 - January 9th, 2021, 10:34 am
    Post #125 - January 9th, 2021, 10:34 am Post #125 - January 9th, 2021, 10:34 am
    Nha Hang Viet Nam
    1032 W Argyle St
    Chicago, IL 60640

    viewtopic.php?f=14&t=33231

    has consistently good reviews. I've only eaten there 2-3 times, but the food lived up to the talk. [Last reviews were a few years ago, so eat at your own risk. Fresher reviews welcome.]

    Giovanna
    =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

    "Enjoy every sandwich."

    -Warren Zevon
  • Post #126 - January 9th, 2021, 1:24 pm
    Post #126 - January 9th, 2021, 1:24 pm Post #126 - January 9th, 2021, 1:24 pm
    nsxtasy wrote:Does anyone have recommendations of other places for good Vietnamese food in the Argyle/Broadway area, for those who don't want to go to Tank Noodle?

    With the caveat that I haven't carried out from any of these during Covid: Pho Luan, Hai Yen, Pho 777, Pho 888
  • Post #127 - January 9th, 2021, 3:50 pm
    Post #127 - January 9th, 2021, 3:50 pm Post #127 - January 9th, 2021, 3:50 pm
    nsxtasy wrote:Does anyone have recommendations of other places for good Vietnamese food in the Argyle/Broadway area, for those who don't want to go to Tank Noodle?
    Were they your favorite place in the area before this news? That would be a crappy situation, and no faulting you at all for feeling the need to change. Cafe Hoang for Bun Bo Hue and Nha Hang have been good for me, among others.
  • Post #128 - January 9th, 2021, 4:08 pm
    Post #128 - January 9th, 2021, 4:08 pm Post #128 - January 9th, 2021, 4:08 pm
    It's been some time since I've been to Cafe Hoang, but their goi ga (chicken salad and item number 9 on the menu) and do it yourself spring roll wrap with beef (item 54) have been excellent every time I've ordered them.

    At Hai Yen, I really like the 9 piece Bo La Lot a lot (sorry, couldn't help that). I'm sure there are some other good things there but it's been ages since I've eaten there.
  • Post #129 - January 11th, 2021, 6:50 am
    Post #129 - January 11th, 2021, 6:50 am Post #129 - January 11th, 2021, 6:50 am
    Giovanna wrote:Nha Hang Viet Nam
    1032 W Argyle St
    Chicago, IL 60640

    viewtopic.php?f=14&t=33231

    has consistently good reviews. I've only eaten there 2-3 times, but the food lived up to the talk. [Last reviews were a few years ago, so eat at your own risk. Fresher reviews welcome.]

    Giovanna


    Nha Hang has our 'go-to' for Vietnamese since dansh, Laikom, Turkob, and others wrote about it on this site. We have done take out from them during the pandemic (probably most recently summer or early fall) and it was excellent and well-packaged for the trip home. They seem to have been open inconsistently during the pandemic. We've called a few times and haven't gotten an answer. I drove by yesterday mid-morning while running an errand near by and they were closed, despite the fact that their posted hours are 8:30 am to 10 pm. There was a sign in the window written in Vietnamese with the exception of 'part-time' so they seem to be open (and maybe looking for part-time workers) but I would call before you go. Hai Yen, across the street, was open.
  • Post #130 - March 3rd, 2021, 3:07 pm
    Post #130 - March 3rd, 2021, 3:07 pm Post #130 - March 3rd, 2021, 3:07 pm
    More bad press for Tank today with news of fairly severe labor violations: Uptown’s Tank Noodle Forced To Pay Staff $700K After Not Paying Workers, Other Labor Violations, Feds Say
  • Post #131 - March 4th, 2021, 10:22 am
    Post #131 - March 4th, 2021, 10:22 am Post #131 - March 4th, 2021, 10:22 am
    As much as I enjoy a few of their dishes and have some great memories of chowing here my father told me yrs ago that principles cost. Nha Hang for the win.
    "In pursuit of joys untasted"
    from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata
  • Post #132 - March 4th, 2021, 11:19 am
    Post #132 - March 4th, 2021, 11:19 am Post #132 - March 4th, 2021, 11:19 am
    For whatever it is worth:

    I am aware of a restaurant owner whose cooks all wanted to be paid cash with no reporting to the IRS. When this owner did not agree, the cooks all left. Exciting time to be an owner when you are front of the house and cooking at the same time until new people could be hired and trained.

    Maybe Tank was pressured or allowed a cash payment environment to their cooks?

    Tony Hu survived underreporting his restaurant's income and some time in the penitentiary.

    When restaurants were mostly cash businesses, I think a lot of informal arrangements occurred. Payment by credit cards almost exclusively has changed the fiscal scenery.

    Of course, I have yet to meet the person who is thrilled to pay taxes.

    Regards,
    Cathy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #133 - March 4th, 2021, 11:32 am
    Post #133 - March 4th, 2021, 11:32 am Post #133 - March 4th, 2021, 11:32 am
    Somewhat, but not totally unrelated is the old Chris Rock line: "when someone is paying you minimum wage, what they're telling you is 'I'd pay you less, but the law won't let me.'" Certain people will try to take advantage of opportunities, especially when cash flow is an issue. I 100% get the pressure that exists to survive in a small operation like that, but the reality is that you don't exist but for the people who are willing to do the work for you and they have their own obligations and financial woes.
  • Post #134 - March 5th, 2021, 2:07 pm
    Post #134 - March 5th, 2021, 2:07 pm Post #134 - March 5th, 2021, 2:07 pm
    Tank Noodle Could Lose $150K State COVID-19 Grant for Violating Labor Laws

    https://chicago.eater.com/2021/3/5/2231 ... d-19-grant
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #135 - April 9th, 2021, 7:25 pm
    Post #135 - April 9th, 2021, 7:25 pm Post #135 - April 9th, 2021, 7:25 pm
    Dave148 wrote:
    Tank Noodle Could Lose $150K State COVID-19 Grant for Violating Labor Laws

    https://chicago.eater.com/2021/3/5/2231 ... d-19-grant



    Uptown’s Tank Noodle Must Pay Back $150K Pandemic Grant After Breaking Federal Labor Laws, State Says.
    https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/04/09 ... tate-says/
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #136 - April 9th, 2021, 8:30 pm
    Post #136 - April 9th, 2021, 8:30 pm Post #136 - April 9th, 2021, 8:30 pm
    And the hits keep happening. Guess I need to find another place for the duck egg noodle soup, pork belly and catfish claypot and banh xeo of theirs I love.
    "In pursuit of joys untasted"
    from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata
  • Post #137 - May 4th, 2021, 2:50 pm
    Post #137 - May 4th, 2021, 2:50 pm Post #137 - May 4th, 2021, 2:50 pm
    Tank Noodle federal investigation that led to $700,000 in back wages for 60 started with 1 employee: ‘We felt betrayed and helpless’

    https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/c ... story.html
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #138 - July 29th, 2021, 4:18 pm
    Post #138 - July 29th, 2021, 4:18 pm Post #138 - July 29th, 2021, 4:18 pm
    Uptown’s Tank Noodle Investigated By City After ‘Egregious’ Labor Violations.
    https://blockclubchicago.org/2021/07/29 ... cial-says/
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #139 - March 14th, 2022, 9:50 am
    Post #139 - March 14th, 2022, 9:50 am Post #139 - March 14th, 2022, 9:50 am
    I'm embarrassed to admit it, but this weekend I tried Tank again, despite all the political and other information as listed previously in more recent posts, just because it used to be one of my favorites. The good news is that if any one else was thinking of going again, in my opinion you really don't have to.

    After a strong start with the papaya salad with shrimp and pork, the pho came, and it was probably the most anemic and weak tasting pho I have ever had. I'd be surprised if it had more than 2 spices and was cooked more than 20 minutes. Really, really disappointing.

    Likewise, the catfish and pork belly claypot was very one note in taste and had none of the depth this dish usually provides.

    I left feeling sad and slightly heartbroken, like meeting someone again I used to know and like and found that they had changed for the worst. I know I should have suspected this anyways, but at least now I won't feel bad about never coming here again and I look forward to Nha Hang becoming my new Vietnamese hang.
    "My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people."

    -Orson Welles-
  • Post #140 - March 14th, 2022, 11:02 am
    Post #140 - March 14th, 2022, 11:02 am Post #140 - March 14th, 2022, 11:02 am
    I've been jonesing for that pork belly/catfish and duck pho. It was something I shared w/stevez frequently, and brought to the hospital during the bad times. I've gone once since but thought it was pretty much the same. This will make it easier to 86.
    "In pursuit of joys untasted"
    from Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata

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