Mari W.
Yelp
My friends, coworkers, and I were excited when YAYA Rice Box opened this year and couldn't wait to try it, but IMHO, it was a real disappointment.
The photos they posted online, on nextdoor, and on this FREE STUFF group were honestly teasing! The pictures made it look fresh, vibrant, and flavorful, but we got the opposite.
All five of us agreed: our meals were bland, served at room temperature, with small portions for the hefty price, dry rice, and chicken so tough it felt like jerky, pork was slimy (according to one of my colleagues) and the food's appearance contradicted what was posted here! Seriously ... And broccoli. No thank you
The staff seemed rushed and uninterested, avoiding eye contact. When I asked about vegan options, the employee didn't seem to understand the difference between vegan and vegetarian, which made it hard for her to order safely. She ended up skipping a meal and only having a drink, which was disappointing for her and awkward for the rest of us.
The dining area wasn't clean, which made us wonder about the kitchen. The tables and floors were sticky, and the bathroom was unacceptable. If the bathrooms and the dining area were unacceptable like this, I wonder what the kitchen and important areas looked like!
To top it off, flies kept trying to join us at our table uninvited while we were eating. That was rude!
Overall, YAYA Rice Box did not live up to expectations, and looking at other recent reviews, it seems we're not the only ones. I was hoping to support a new local spot, and maybe this review will encourage, the owners, to make improvements so people can feel comfortable having lunch with coworkers, family, and friends here.
I look forward to seeing the city of Houston's food establishment inspection report!
For now, though, there are many better spots in Houston where you can get fresh, clean, flavorful food, friendly service, and a clean environment for the same price or less. Sadly, we won't be coming back.