Tam’s Place Vietnamese Cuisine

3 Reviews on “Tam’s Place Vietnamese Cuisine”

• Jared Castle

  Fans of Tam’s Place Vietnamese Cuisine cite the dark green food cart on 29th and Friendly among Eugenes many culinary marvels. We made our first visit Friday at noon and the unmistakable sweet, sour and umami scents with fish sauce undertones wafted across the parking lot as we approached.We enjoyed (and recommend) these four dishes:Cha Gio Vietnamese fried egg rollsBanh Mi Vietnamese sandwichCanh Ga Chien Nuoc Vietnamese fish sauce chicken wingsCanh Ga Rang Me Vietnamese tamarind sauce chicken wingsWe saw cha gio pictured on the carts side just below the bahn mi. We ordered both.Crackle-skinned and burnished golden brown, the egg rolls arrived first (and arrived hot) at our picnic table accompanied with nuoc cham Vietnamese dipping sauce. Tams rolls are filled with mushrooms, vegetables and noodle, compactly wrapped with wheat flour paper. The cigar size and tight wrap ensures a greaseless experience, unlike the fried egg rolls found at county fairs, enlarged to burrito-like portions for American customers.Tams cha gio is a delicate dish served with a beguiling combination of crispy and chewy textures. Paired with the dipping sauce, the appetizer demands to be devoured at once and, as it so refreshingly light, will tempt you to place a second order. The only hitch is Tams doesnt serve cha gio with herbs or raw lettuce leaf, which are traditionally used to hold the rolls as they are dipped in the nuoc cham.Tam had asked us if we wanted the pork banh mi spicy and we happily said yes. The sandwich arrived as we finished the egg rolls.Stuffed inside a simple, crusty French baguette was the best banh mi sandwich weve eaten in Eugene. Check out my pictures to see the quality of the classic fillings the bright carrot and daikon pickles, the fresh jalapeno and cilantro, and the savory, spicy pork.Here it should be noted Tams commitment to quality ingredients. The pork and chicken are locally sourced from Eugene-based Longs Meat Market. The tofu is certified organic and made in Eugene by Surata Soyfoods.Tam Howitt came out of her food truck to check on our progress and offered to prepare us a sample of her two fried chicken wings, the Canh Ga Chien Nuoc (fish sauce wings) and Canh Ga Rang Me (tamarind wings). I posted pictures of both dishes. Tams crunchy wings provided a perfect combination of sweet, salty, and umami. We enjoyed alternating bites of the wings doused in tart tamarind sauce and the tangy fish sauce.A quick map search shows Tam’s is the only Vietnamese restaurants in Eugene south of 11th Ave. Her food cart sits in the parking lot of The Healthy Pet, in the southeast corner against Monroe Alley, which is where we first encountered the Red Wagon Creamery food cart (another of Eugenes culinary marvels) many years ago.Although the covered outdoor seating is spare, Tam adorns her two picnic tables with bowls of fresh flowers to accompany the napkin holders and bottles of Sriracha hot sauce and hoisin sauce. We enjoyed watching locals come and place and pick up their lunch orders. Without a word spoken, an older man wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat placed a $10 bill on the counter and walked back across the parking lot, disappearing down Friendly Street. He returned to pick up an order of Bun Thit Nuong ($10), a Vermicelli noodle dish served with vegetables and choice of grilled pork, chicken or tofu. He smiled and told us he really looks forward to lunch.On our next visit we plan to order a bowl of beef Pho ($10) and the Com Tam Ba Ghien ($10) a broken rice plate loaded with grilled pork chop and pickled vegetables, shrimp, cucumber and Vietnamese meatloaf. And, yes, well spend the extra $1 to top that with a fried egg.Good mercy. This is what it feels like to strike gold.

  September 13, 2016, 10:13 pm

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• Shaemorningtree

  Best Vietnamese food in town!. The pho was everything I was hoping for and the wings were incredible. Also everything on the menu is msg free and most dishes are gluten free as well. They use local good quality meats. All things I look for in any restaurant. Menu is limited but has something for everyone.

  April 18, 2015, 6:57 am

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• Kimivan2

  YUMMY!. I love this little place; it’s getting addicting! Wonderful Banh Mi sandwich- tasty, spicy, crunchy, good! The spring rolls are great, but my absolute favorite appetizer is the Fish- Sauce Wings. They are truly mouth-watering! So good! The noodle dish is one of the best I’ve had, and can last at least two or more meals for me. I have to remember to ask if there is a special when I go- they have some wonderful sounding ones! They take call in orders, which is nice, as the food is cooked to order and that can save some time. Friendly, helpful people; a great fit for the neighborhood!

  March 5, 2015, 7:15 pm

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