"Tan Tan is a one-size-fits-all kind of place. It’s got throwback eighties vibes with pink neon and flashing lights, a dining room built to feed half of Houston, and a menu so long it could probably circle the moon. And while nothing here will blow your mind, it’s still pretty darn good. It’s also inexpensive and great for a low-key night when just about anything tasty will do. photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen photo credit: Quit Nguyen This Vietnamese-Chinese restaurant seemingly has something for everyone. Like excellent hot pot and giant plates of fried rice, and even has an entire menu section dedicated to stir-fried macaroni. We recommend not skipping the savory, pudgy delight that is bánh bột chiên (the first dish listed on the whole menu). It tastes like eggs and cheese but is actually just a steamed rice cake with tapioca starch mixed in. We could inhale at least five. And, thanks to an atmosphere best described as “Y2K tanning salon,” Tan Tan makes any casual dinner feel fun, even if you roll up wearing sweatpants at 11pm on a Wednesday. Food Rundown photo credit: Quit Nguyen Bánh Bột Chiên This steamed rice and tapioca cake looks and tastes like a rich, savory cheese omelet despite containing neither egg nor cheese. It’s round, squishy, and absolutely perfect. Because you’ll probably end up ordering another one, we say start with at least two. photo credit: Quit Nguyen Combination Hot Pot There are three different options for hot pot here. All come with the same broths but varying ratios of meat and seafood. Choose all seafood or a combo, depending on what appeals to you. The actual pot of this hot pot arrives with a split down the middle, separating both mild and spicy broth. It’s also served with loads of veggies, like crispy mushrooms and cabbage, and a tangy ramekin of sauce you should mix into your personal bowl." - Chelsea Thomas
