Ta Restaurant

Large airy restaurant in a small strip mall right off Calaveras. It was virtually empty, so Covid distancing is just fine. Large banquettes seat 4 easily. The cubed steak was perfectly cooked with sweet onions on a bed of lettuce. The spring rolls were large and shareable, 6 on a plate. The peanut sauce was very good, dark and mild with great flavor. Not as peanut buttery texture as many are. The server was very nice. I asked about them staying open and she wasn’t sure how long. They normally did big celebrations and parties—explains the huge dance floor—but given the restrictions, they’re getting little business.

This place used to be a good Vietnamese Restaurant but sadly Mr Chi Dinh Ta, the 66 yr owner apparently killed 4 of his wife's relatives, and the restaurant changed hands. The decor was black and white and gaudy. They probably rent it out for weddings. It has a stage and a bar and two large rooms. Everything is dark, black, and tawdry. Our Meetup Group went there for a Melanin Comedy Club venue held at this restaurant tonight. There did not seem to be anyone in charge, the staff was overworked, 3 servers, 1 barman, serving about 100 people inside. Service was very slow, there were about 5 menu choices - all overpriced and greasy carbs, meant for Happy Hour snacks not a dinner menu. I paid $17 for two tacos with canned salsa and charred meat, 2 tablespoons of rice and beans. It was not a dinner. Outrageous pricing. Margaritas were $16 each - out of a can, not even salt around the rim or fresh slice of lime! No cutlery, no napkins, no organization for serving or billing or orders. Absolute chaos in the kitchen. This is not the fault of the servers but the new owners. On stage, the loudspeakers blared some ghastly canned music till we became deaf. There was a strobe light placed on the floor of stage that flashed in everyone's face non stop the entire evening - their version of a disco ball. The microphone went on and off during use. The volume of sound was blaringly loud and my nerves were shattered by end of evening. No one seemed in charge at this restaurant/ venue. You need a spoon, you go get one. You need water, go to the kitchen and ask for a glass. You need volume turned down, go to the DJ guy ask him 3 times, but nothing gets adjusted. It was REALLY LOUD, and we could not talk among friends. After an eternity of mind numbing noise that passed for music, the show began. The comedians let loose a stream of profanity that was shocking. It was not funny. They insulted women, school teachers, handicapped people in wheelchairs and every second word was an expletive. Use of the N word repeatedly is NOT okay even when used by Black comedians who said 'We are all N------s'. This is not an all Black audience and we did not spring from the ghetto. My ears are still hurting and feel abused. One of our group was hiding in the women's restroom escaping this insulting and angry monologue. She could not take it either! We came here to relax and unwind and laugh, not be disrespected, degraded, insulted, and stressed out with the loud volume, strobe lights in our faces all night, and an angry tirade passing for comedy. When the star attraction the Indian comedian, Kabir Singh of AGT fame, finally came on after 4 comedians, he was hammered. We had seen him drinking heavily before that. Wow! We paid money to see this alcoholic make a fool of himself on stage? His timing was off, his eyes were glazed, he slurred his words, forgot his punchlines, and was a huge embarrassment. After 2 mins, I walked out. Enough is enough. This was an ordeal to be endured not a relaxing evening with friends. I felt robbed and degraded. I feel not only ripped off by this horrible place, but disrespected by having to listen to these profanity laced angry rants by the other jokers. I am going to ask for a refund for my comedy club cover charge. And then I am going to post my review EVERYWHERE online. This place is dead. Do not go there! As malevolent as the spirit of the dead owner who shot up his entire wife's family to death because he was jealous of her.

My family and I came here late on a Sunday night. We were the only ones there, which usually drives me to leave. But it was late and everyone was hungry so we stood. WOW- Thank goodness we did. The food was very very good and the service was fine. Definitely our new go to- hopefully the quality of food does not change. Prices are reasonable and they have a big menu with variety of options. Must try!