My favorite place in the area for noodles. This is mine and my coworker's usual spot for lunch. Their BBH is super good. I tried the meatball soup as well and it was good but their BBH is better. They also have very strong Vietnamese iced coffee. Service is quick and friendly. The space is a little small, but we've never had to wait for a table. read more

Love this place. The food was very well done and everything we ordered was fantastic. The cold coffee rocked too! Definitely will be back again read more

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Unsuspecting place. Very mom and pop and felt like a classic Vietnamese spot your uncles and aunts would hangout in. I had the bun of which I never had before and a Banh mi to go along with a honeydew smoothie. All great and the owners were very nice. Will come again. read more

Just like most places, the service can be dicey, but after trying almost all the options for bun bo hue, I have to say this one takes the spot for first place. It's been consistent on taste and the best by far for flavor. Their banh mi is also the best tasting just wished there was a bit more slices of meat! read more

Such a wonderful and unique dining experience! It was around 9:30am on a Wednesday morning and my husband and me were craving pho.. we found this place here on Yelp and decided to check it! We are so glad we did!!! If you're looking for a very different Vietnamese food experience this is the place to go. Wonderful soups, and awesome rice plate! Just try it! You'll be happy you did! We ordered the meatball soup with bread, pork and shrimp soup, and the shrimp and pork rice plate (and to our sweet surprise a lovely bowl of soup is served with your rice plate.) It truly was such a cool experience and the food was absolutely delicious. We look forward to returning and are glad to support small family businesses such as this. read more

I can't believe I haven't discovered this place before. Came here for breakfast with a homie. Rice plate was really good. Also got a bahnmi to go. I'd come back here again, everything was fresh, the spices, very authentic. The grilled beef in my rice plate was bomb, had good flavor and they were not stingy on there portions either. So if you feel the need to come in the morning I recommend getting here early because it fills up quick. read more

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I love this place so much. It's my go-to for a really flavor packed bowl of soup on a cold day or when sick. Not only that you cant beat the prices. They are a family owned joint, so you can expect to see the family and kids roaming around while dining, but most customers have been going there for years and have made friends with them. Its not a fine dine place at all, casual as can be and low budget, but again... GREAT food! You can be in and out for about $9-$12/person. There is very little street parking and its awkwardly placed into a residential street so you may have to walk up to 40yrds for parking. read more

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My coworker loves the vietnamese sandwiches from here so she finally brought me some to try because she knows I love my banh mi's.. and I'm a fatty lol I really enjoyed the banh mi dac biet (combo). All the meats & cold cuts were plentiful which is great, and everything looked and tasted well. Knocked off 1* because I'm very picky about my bread. I don't like it when it's too toasted aka "hard", it makes biting into the sandwich less enjoyable. The sandwich itself is comparable to my favorite spot in chinatown, Lan Hue. Seriously, the similarities of their bread and everything is uncanny except the bread is more soft and fulfilling at Lan Hue. Overall, pretty good for the south end and a win for Tacoma residents. read more

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Hands down the best Pho I have had in Washington. I have enjoyed everything I have ordered on the menu. Never had escargot noodle before I visited this restaurant. I was unsure of ordering it. Now it is my first choice when I return. read more

God bless yelp. I looked up sandwich and found this shop. It's $7 for a delicious banh mi and coke. Great service, quick, and tasty. Will be back! read more

If you want the most authentic vietnamese experience. This will be the #1 place, it's a hidden gem. The bread is amazing and so is the food they make. When I go here, I feel like I'm back in Vietnam read more

Cafe La Vie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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Want to impress your Vietnamese or Bodian (Cambodian) girlfriend? Take her here! Order the spicy beef noodles and eat those blood & fish cakes like a G! They have good rice soup, banh mi sandwiches, hot tea, cold tea, and also serve hot Vietnamese coffee with condense milk. Don't mind the older timers chilling there all day. They are there just to play the lotto. This is a chill spot for 'em! There is a big ol' lottery machine located inside so they just sit there all day long, drinking hot tea or coffee, buy more tickets, scratch off the tickets, drink more hot tea, go outside to smoke and repeat. Don't mind if they start to stare at you either. Don't worry. They aren't looking at you. You are fugly! read more

Cafe La Vie - Spicy beef noodle with mystery meat LOL!!! Just close your eyes and enjoy! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Tiny menu but bomb food. You wont get a rice place else where with that price. Spicy pho is amazing! Coffee is a little bitter but maybe that's how its supposed to taste? Overall, worth giving a try especially if you are a fan of super authentic asian food in real good price. I had to come again after first time. Recommend it! read more

Cafe La Vie - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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Came for breakfast when I was visiting a friend. Kind of reminded me of my family gatherings when I was younger. Lots of people eating good heart warming food and watching NFL on the multiple screens haha. But seriously. The food is excellent and I will come back. read more

New favorite Vietnamese cafe. I always order a banh mi and bun bo hue. The food comes out super fast and the family that works there is really nice and sweet. Their Vietnamese coffee is delicious! read more

Sunday morning teleportation to southeast Asia. Though technically speaking it's not really great service I wouldn't change a thing! Great tastes and super nice staff with the best coffee ever. read more

Bottom Line: CASH ONLY. Solid, inexpensive basics at a friendly hole in the wall located one block from Lincoln High . Banh mi, $3.5 - $5. Small assortment of bubble tea and coffee. Other Vietnamese items on the specials board. Oh, and lottery tickets! ------------------------------------------------------------------- Looking at my bookmarks on yelp, I decided to hit Cafe La Vie on this sunny day. A perfect day to visit as it turns out, because the house in which the cafe is located is very light and has some outdoor seating. Very basic, solid food here. Banh mi sandwiches are asian cold cuts or bbq pork for $3.5. A deluxe is double cold cut meat for $5 (http://s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/3_crPRbpxRa1H8HxGO4b8A/l.jpg). The bread is fresh and toothsome, nicely toasted and the condiments are very good - their pickled carrots are some of the best I've had on banh mi. I mention that this is asian cold cuts because one meat is bright red and there also seems to be pate spread....I love it but it's not everyone's cup o' tea. I noticed several people happily eating pho, but didn't see it listed anywhere. There isn't much of a menu, definitely no descriptions of what they sell. There is a specials sheet of sorts, but it is written in Vietnamese and I am woefully ignorant in this cuisine! My Thai iced tea smoothie($3.5) was excellent, with rainbow jellies. It had a consistency more like a milkshake than granita...yum! Very, very friendly counter people. While the details may have been lost in translation, their kindness was intact. read more

Cafe La Vie - The red is lunch meat. Yummy pickled carrot! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

The best place to for a Vietnamese French Sandwich (cold cut w/veggies)! I've come here since I was a little girl and honesty the taste has not been altered. The bread is light, airy and crispy. The second best thing on their menu is their Bun Bo Hue. It's perfectly spicy but you have the option to add more chili oil with the tray of condiments they bring out with your dish. The service is average. Keep in mind that this is a family run business so if screaming children bother you, call ahead to pick up your order. Parking is a little tight but they do have a small parking area in the back of their building. Aside from the atmosphere the food is fantastic! read more

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When I am hungry and don't want to drive too far for some good sandwiches, I stop by Cafe La Vie. Vietnamese Sandwiches here are the best that I know of in Tacoma. The restaurant has been here FOREVER! Last time I was here the placed was packed and everyone there seemed to be having a great time. I ordered 2 sandwiches and ate them all in one sitting. It was so good! I am not sure about the other dishes served here because I have never ordered any. The staff is very friendly. There were 2 locations near each other but I am not sure if the old location is still open. Just righting a review is making me want some now...........BRB ;) ......................... Good thing for auto-save since i was able to just dream about getting some since the place is closed around this time. "SIGH" Only a few hours left til I am able to get some. read more

Cafe La Vie - Vietnamese Sandwich $3.00 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Cafe La Vie has been on my radar for a while. Steve went here by himself and came back with much praise for the place. One weekend when I was able to shake loose from my typical weekend activities I swung by here. I got their BBQ sandwich. Now when we refer to sandwiches here the sandwiches are oriented in Banh Mi style type of sandwiches just to clear up any possible confusion. The sandwich itself was excellent. It was very fresh and the meat was in top form... great flavors. Truly a nice little meal there. I also got a Boba Tea here. I got their Strawberry flavor and normally I simply am crazy for this kind of tea their version was simply too sweet. The tapioca balls were fine but the rest of the drink was so sugary I simply couldn't finish it and it left my stomach churning. So that part I didn't like so much. The restaurant itself is very cute and cozy. The people that work here are very sweet and patient so absolutely no complaint there. I really enjoyed the sandwich and would indeed come back for another but I focus more on their coffee drinks rather than the Boba Tea or just have water since what I had here was a bit overwhelming. read more

Omg I wished I took pics! 1st time here and I'm loving the food! I was skeptical at first when I pulled up but omg omg the food is so delicious! Customer service was wonderful and the Banh Mi was jaw dropping delicious! We ordered the regular French Banh mi and BBQ flavor! Definitely coming back here again when I'm visiting Seattle!!!! read more

The staff here are very friendly. The pork banh mi and beef soup is so delicious, I am definitely coming back ;)

Love the banh mi sandwiches, my first time trying it but so far, so good. I plan on coming here in the near future. I hear the coffee is also very good. read more

Cafe La Vie - Omg...so good. I only go there for the banh mi sandwiches and iced coffee...I still have yet to try the other food..... - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I've come here a couple of times in the early morning and it's always so homey and warm. Came here for some escargot soup and its pretty good. It definitely feels like A cultural experience being surrounded by the various smells, small cozy seats, and a group of old fellas who seem like good friends who frequents the Cafe. Menu is simple and it's in a neighborhood across from a high school. It's easy to miss so keep those eyes peeled. read more

I always, always, ALWAYS get the deluxe banh mi. So freakin' good! I love that it's the right amount of crunch to the bread (not too much bread at all!) and the spread with cilantro and meat: YUM. I love it so much that when I had the deluxe banh mi, I can usually only eat half then save the rest for later, but today, I ate the whole thing and almost yakked lol. But that just goes to show how great it tastes. The bbq banh mi is great too! read more

This is my one and only coffee shop that I go too for many many years no matter where I'm at. Love this place and most of all staffs are incredible and friendly. read more

My husband and I were looking for a noodle place that was open very early and found this place on yelp. So we drove and got a little confused because we ended up in a neighborhood. It felt very cozy, it was almost like a big family get together. So we ordered Escargot noodle soup, Rice plate, spring rolls, egg rolls and two ice Vietnamese coffee. Everything was delicious. We will come back again. read more

Good place to have your congee early in the morning 6am while other local open 11am haha

Service: Sucked. Sat down and orders were taken, food was given and no waters were refilled. We didn't get checks on at all after food was given. Food: Wasn't anything worth going there again for. We had the French Sandwich- I've had better. Also the rice plate- I've had way better. No char on meat and everything on plate was warm. I don't like Pho Tai, but I prefer to go down the street and eat there opposed to this place. read more

This place is very authentic. Note that their soups are made with animal innards. Delicious and spot on for taste. Rice pork has pork innards and comes with donut bread that you dip in the soup. It was heaven in my mouth. Bahn Mi French was fabulous but too crunchy. Spicy beef also has innards and is just hard to eat w the meat attached to the bone. read more

Cafe La Vie - Pork rice soup. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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Don't let the aesthetics of the shop fool you. This place has the best banh mi (vietnamese sandwich) you will ever eat in the Puget Sound. The baguette is cooked freshly and to perfection - crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. Perfect ratio of meat to veggies, and on-par spices. All for $3 per sandwich!!! If you're a meat lover, buy the double meat deluxe for only $5. A couple bites of the sandwich and you'll definitely taste the jalapenos, but definitely not overpowering nor too spicy. Good service, not as much language barrier as other Vietnamese places. Only con about this shop is the menu. Since the menu is so small, it can benefit from adding pictures to help foreigners visualize what they will be ordering. Try it, you will not be disappointed. read more

Very friendly people here. It is an oriental cafe. I didn't have a sandwich, but they look great! I was hoping for an espresso, but they don't have an espresso machine. I got coffee which comes with tea. ? Haha okay! read more

Cafe La Vie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

This place is a hidden gem. Haven't had Pho and Ice coffee for breakfast since I left Vietnam about 6 months ago. Excellent food, service and helpful staff. I'll definitely go back. read more

First and foremost, cash only! They serve only two types of bahn-mi here: BBQ and French, both of which are equally delicious. Just a note, the French packs quite a bit of heat with the jalapenos. Hawt! First time I was here, I accompanied my Wife for ice coffee. I was a little concerned I didn't see any sweetener added, but as soon as I took my initial sip, perfect. Just the right amount coffee over ice and sweetened to the T. Do not let the aesthetics of the shop fool you. Try it, you won't be disappointed! read more

This location is located in a neighbourhood, you'd probably mistaken it for a house. Here you'll see lots of old Vietnamese dudes throughout the whole day, especially in the morning just hanging out chatting over coffee or smoking outside, but don't feel hesitant to go in! The people here are very friendly. The sandwiches are less than 5 dollars. You can also get other authentic Vietnamese dishes here too but I feel like this is an in and out place so I stick with the sandwiches. They are so good! The loafs are not gum ripping hard, and they come with a lot of flavourful meat. It always tastes fresh. However the wait time is a little longer..so if you don't mind waiting around for 12 minutes are so in a small space..try it out!! Best viet sandwiches in Tacoma in my opinion. read more

The best Bahn mi!!!! I had the French, pork cold cuts, double meat. Excellent! The best I've had around. Wish they had fresh spring rolls that would make it absolutely perfect read more

I come here frequently before work! Very friendly staff. They always know my order without me saying anything. My favorite is bun bo hue! The best I've had in Tacoma! read more

Killer sandwiches, dirt cheap and pennywort drink! Boom! read more

I believe it's a family business. The brothers, grandpa and grandma treat me very friendly every time. Food is always consistent and delicious. I get my same BBQ sandwich with extra jalapeño and a coffee double shot. I've been coming for years now. I remember I forgot my wallet one day and they said it was okay if I came back!! Talk about taking care of your regulars!!! I like how they updated their place so it's not cash only anymore either. read more

Yes best Vietnamese sandwiches ever I have been going to this place since I was a little girl. Owners are awesome people read more