When searching for a quick, easy, and filling lunch during my break, I ended up here at this cute little Viet Bagel & Banh Mi shop called Tay Tah Cafe! When you first enter, you're guided by arrows that lead you to the ordering tablet, or you can order at the main counter. The shop is small, but has plenty of counter seating and some small tables available as well! In between the front door and ordering, there's a selection of chips and snacks for you to browse as well. I was initially looking to order Banh Mi but was a bit intimidated by the $17/banh mi price tag. I opted in for an open face Asiago Bagel with Lox for $13 and placed my order. Breakfast orders that are $10+ get a free house coffee as well, so of course I opted in for it! There's a bathroom just around the corner from the ordering kiosk, but while I was making my way over there, the kind staff let me know that they are actually sold out of lox. They offered me a refund or to change what I ordered. I decided to switch to the Asiago Bagel with Ham, Bacon, Egg, and Cheese since it was the same price as the Lox! My coffee came out first, and the person who gave me my coffee also filled up my cup with ice when I asked! The coffee itself had a nice deep & bitter flavor which I look for in a house coffee. The sandwich was STUFFED full. I've never had a bagel breakfast sandwhich where I've quite had to unhinge my jaw like this. My photos did not do the sandwich justice, but I promise it's so much bigger than you'd expect! The eggs were perfectly fluffy and smothered in cheese. The ham and bacon were cooked to my personal liking. If you like crispy bacon, maybe mention that to them, because it was perfectly chewy for me. The bagel, was soft, fluffy, yet so bouncy, and I LOVE that there are poppy seeds mixed into their Asiago bagel. The cost to quantity ratio for the breakfast sandwich was 100% worth it. I'll definitely be back when I need a hearty sandwich. read more

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$20 for a bánh mì is honestly wild. Bánh mì has always been known as an affordable, quick Vietnamese sandwich, and traditionally most spots charge around $8-$15 depending on the ingredients and location. At this price point, there are plenty of other places serving better value and more authentic options. The sandwich was decent, but definitely not worth nearly $20. For that kind of money, customers expect exceptional quality, portion size, or something unique -- and this just didn't justify the cost. read more

The bbq pork banhmi sandwich was decent enough. But the problem is that it's not any kind of sandwich that should cost $20.

Service was fine, could definitely be better. We sat outside on the nice tables they had and it was great. I got the Ube and Thai tea ice cream half-and-half scoop. Overall, the ice cream was good. read more

Tay Tah Cafe - Ube and Thai tea ice cream - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

They should name this place "Overpriced Sandwich Central." Who in the name of the Lord is paying $18, yes I said EIGHTEEN DOLLARS, for a bahn mi sandwich??? Go up the street to Kim's Cafe where you can get one for $11. That's SEVEN DOLLARS LESS -- you can get a boba with the difference! read more

The customer service is amazing . My tea is always made fresh. Very clean and welcoming There's a lot of seating to pick from inside and outside . Big windows that are open all the time for fresh air . The sandwich has great flavors , fresh cucumber, and pickled carrots . Ordering has now updated to an iPad system making it super easy and has improved the speed of receiving orders 10/10 would highly recommend. read more

Tay Tah Cafe - Chicken sandwich - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

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Where do I begin with Tay Tah? I've been going here ever since I was a child. It was the first place that elementary school me ever tried boba, thanks to my friends 15 years ago. Tay Tah was the hot spot for my friends and me to walk to for boba, snacks, and smoothies after elementary and middle school. This is a nostalgia review on my end. I haven't been back since I graduated high school, the reason being that there are many better boba shops. But, my best friend and I chose to meet here for a trip down memory lane. Most things have stayed the same aside from new furniture and the interior rearranged. The menu is practically the same lol. Inside they have high tables and chairs for families plus outdoor dining. We always enjoyed the service here, sweet, memorable, and efficient. So with all this boba talk, I had to get a boba drink. As a child, I loved their boba smoothies and it was an obsession of mine to try each flavor. Nowadays, I can't have the majority of the drinks due to them including dairy. For this visit, I got a Thai Iced Tea with Oat Milk and added Boba. It was standard and tasted typical of what you'd expect. That's the one thing about Tay Tah that I've always found, the food and drinks are reasonably priced but the food isn't the most noteworthy. For those in Albany, chances are you've probably heard of or been to Tay Tah for it being a staple since 2004. Due to quality and taste, I don't crave the food or drinks here anymore but it's nice knowing business is still well! They're easy to spot on the corner of Cornell Ave. with neighborhood and free parking on Solano! read more

Tay Tah Cafe - Thai Iced Tea with Boba (Oat Milk) - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

Incredible chicken banh mi! I'm over here knowing I shouldn't eat the second half, but it's so good that I don't think I can save it for later. It's definitely expensive, but rent on Solano is high, and tariffs make it really hard on small business, so I understand. The portions are very generous. Also, the place has a clean, airy ambiance with great outdoor seating. read more

I am very disappointed with the banh mi sandwich. This definitely not Vietnamese authentic banh mi, it's more like American subway sandwich with so much veggies (sweet and sour carrots). Wasting $20 for fcken sandwich, I could get two authentic Vietnamese banh mi from San Jose (buy two get one free) with cheaper price and taste very delicious. This will be my first and last to try a fake banh mi. Not sure if the owner is actually Vietnamese or other races but your banh mi tastes like shit. I have never and ever taste an unauthentic banh mi before. Your restaurant tastes like shit. Extremely disappointed. If you all want authentic Vietnamese sandwich banh mi try one on sand Pablo across from Burger King on sand Pablo Ave next to Thai Larb. read more

I stumbled upon this place after attending an event at a pizza place across the street. Wow, I am so glad I did! This is a clean and cute little place that sells drinks, Boba, banh mi, sandwiches and snacks. I had a mocha Frappuccino and I will have to say it is the best one I have ever had! It was thick and creamy and tasted like it was made from real ingredients rather than just powder. I will come back and get another one whenever I am in the area ! read more

Tay Tah Cafe - Mmmmmm. The best mocha frappe I have ever had! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

I really don't want to write a bad review for Tay Tah because it's a local favorite, woman owned, and my kids and I have been going there for years, BUT yesterday I saw for myself what my kids have been telling me for a while. First, they charge an unreasonable amount for a boba drink. It was $8.10 (with tax) for a normal sized, nothing special jasmine tea boba. When we got the boba yesterday, the person making it left a lot of the cup empty. I think it's a 16 oz cup and maybe 3 of those ounces were left empty. They make it in a blender and I could see that there was still slushie in the blender. Not cool. My kids said that they do that when you don't tip. I told them I did tip. And they asked me, did the person look over their shoulder at the tip screen before they put the drink in the cup? " And they did, in fact, do that. "Then you didn't tip as much as they wanted you to. That's how they tell you." Whether the tipping bit is true or not, I don't know. It's still problematic that it's the perception. What bothers me the most is that the clientele here is almost all kids coming after school from all the schools in Albany, and are probably not going to complain about service or product in a business like an adult would. To be clear: not filling a cup all the way is a problem. And yes, I could have gone back in and asked for the person to make it right, but since this is something my daughters have claimed for a while has been happening, I think it is fair to write a review that states it. Anyway, do better, Tay Tah. read more

Tay Tah Cafe - The $8.10 drink we got. Lots of empty space in the top. - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

Came on July 4th. I've lived in Albany for 11 years, how have I never been here before, we ordered a bunch of sandwiches and mango smoothies with a cookie. All tasted good. Service was friendly. The indoor and outdoor space is vibrant. Appreciate supporting a local business. I'll be back for the ube ice cream. read more

Tay Tah Cafe - Smoothie - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

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Solid sandwiches here! It's taken me so long to try this place and I'm glad I did on a not so busy weekend :) we got the chicken banh mi and egg/cheese sandwich on sliced sourdough. So good! Definitely hit the spot. read more

Tay Tah Cafe - Egg and cheese sandwich - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

Love, love their drinks so much and now the ice cream!!! The owner and staff are super nice and amazing! I drive over 30 minutes just to come and have their 50/fifty, Thai tea, smoothies or ice cream!!! ( not all at the same time ). read more

Tay Tah Cafe - 59/fifty, espresso ice cream and Thai tea with boba! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

Can't believe they charge $18 for a banh mi Sandwish that's ridiculous no chicken at all nothing but carrots and relish ... I ask for avocado $1.50 $19.50 they put 1 piece of avocado only.... DO NOT COME HERE WASTE YOUR MONEY..... Banh mi sandwich should be more than only $10-$12... by the time I paid $22.85 for a small sandwish!!! No meat at all... read more

I tried this place for the first time recently and won't return, as the price for a banh mi sandwich was almost $20 with tax. I was shocked. If this was a restaurant or at least a cafe that offered side dishes as part of the sandwich purchase that would be one thing, but I did not appreciate paying double the price I should have for an average-sized chicken sandwich. read more

The worst part was the unfriendly service. Also, the tofu banh mi was overpriced and not very good.

Cute, little shop with great food, boba, coffee and a friendly, helpful owner. Also, great ice cream

I may have found my new favorite cafe. Tucked away on Solano Ave this cafe is very charming and quaint. They have a variety of drinks including teas, boba, and smoothies. The cafe itself has a lot of natural lighting and they have inside and outside dining. The young ladies working here are always very friendly and polite. I don't come here as often because they are a bit pricey but when I do come I always enjoy myself. I'm able to relax and take in the calm energy this spot has. The location is on Solano Ave so parking isn't the best. They have 90 minute free parking and also residential parking if you get lucky and find a spot. read more

Tay Tah Cafe - a mural on the side of a building - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

I love this place. Their chai is one of my favorites. (Shout out to Rose Damascus in Oakland for my #1 chai spot.) Tay Tah has Thai teas, in addition to the usual coffee shop drinks, as well. Their salads are crispy crunchy and FRESH! I live that they have Bah Mi salad and Bah Mi sandwich options for vegetarians, with hearty portions of avocado and cashews for protein, generous amounts of pickled carrots, daikon, and Bah Mi dressing. So so great. Perhaps my favorite spot on Solano! I often need to spend time while my child does classes nearby. This is a healthy, fair priced option, with a lot of seating and a clean bathroom for customers. they have ice cream too, though I haven't had it. But for adults who meed a pick-me- up, with littles in tow, this is perfect. Caffeine, and healthy options to combat hunger melt-downs, it is a great stop. read more

Waited 20+ minutes for a boba, at which point they informed us they were out of the flavor we ordered. Employee gruffly gesticulated that we would need to go to the end of the line for a refund and "this will take a while." Do better, Tay Tah. read more

I have driven by this place many times. Finally gave it a try today as my usual banh mi place, Banh Mi Ba Le is closed on Sundays. Ordered the combo, $17.17 after taxes. Doubled the price as a traditional banh mi. I was expecting for something equivalent or maybe better? It came out to be a non-traditional Banh mi with a soggy, chewy baguette, bacons that were extremely salty and hard like pieces of rocks. There was no pate nor cilantro and came with too much daikons and carrots. Quality and price is quite disappointed in this neighborhood store. read more

Maybe I ordered the wrong thing, but my Bánh mì was nasty. I'd rather have a lunchable. Low quality deli meat and soggy bread. No sauce. My husband's chicken wasn't good either. Won't be repeating this place :( read more

We came here for a couple banh mi's and we were left kind of disappointed to be honest. The banh mi came in an untraditional bun that was wide and short and packed with a lot of pickled carrots. For the banh mi's we got, it would have been fine if they weren't so expensive - at $15 a piece, they seemed really overpriced. read more

Tay Tah Cafe - banh mi - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

** The following review reflects my takeout experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** I've been unfair to Tay Tah. I've passed by it for quite a while, and just because I usually see a gaggle of kids standing on the sidewalk, I just assumed it was a boba hangout and of no interest to a codger like me because in the "West Side Story" of my life, I am no longer a Jet or a Shark but Doc, the exhausted drugstore owner who bellows, "You kids make this world lousy." Well, I was coming out of the post office across the street and took a longer than usual pause in front of their window. That was when I finally noticed that they offer Vietnamese fast food as well, meaning a banh mi, a bowl of soup, and three salads. I decided to get a couple of the $9.50 BBQ Chicken Vietnamese Salads for Jamie W. and me. Considering how long my walk back home was, they survived nicely intact. They featured plenty of charred and tender poultry, pickled carrot, pickled daikon, cucumber slices, cilantro, sliced jalapeños, lettuce, and cashew nuts with their house vinaigrette on the side (photo: https://bit.ly/2Y87R31). Delicious and no boba required. FOOD - 4 stars...nice surprise that their salad was so satisfying AMBIANCE - n/a...still looks like a boba spot to me but I was in and out quickly SERVICE - 4 stars...nice and efficient TOTAL - 4 stars...you can actually have food to go here and it's good RELATED - Hungry for Vietnamese fare? Here's a collection of places I've tried and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2R8pQ7k read more

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I've been past this place so many times over the past few years but finally stopped by here today after seeing that they had milk tea. I ordered a milk tea smoothie and it was absolutely delicious and got the spot. Pros: -fast, friendly service -delicious milk tea smoothie -free 90 min parking in front Cons: -n/a Other: -currently only 3 people in the store at a time. -you wait for your order outside while they prepare it for you read more

Tay Tah Cafe - Milk tea smoothie - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

Slightly pricey for vietnamese food--boba drink & banmi sandwich. But it has good location and food are tasty read more

Fantastic family run cafe with great smoothies, breakfast and banh no sandwiches, ice cream and nice outdoor and indoor seating.

Definitely one of my favorite restaurants. amazing food and service. Very clean with great airflow.

Come here all the time! The Bahn Mi is the best, plus they have great smoothies. Owners are friendly too!

Super cute Vietnamese cafe with sandwiches and boba. I was so impressed with the taro milk tea! Not too sweet and great flavor. The tofu banh mi is also excellent. The music playing was also really good! read more

Tay Tah Cafe - Taro boba, banh mi, and chips included with banh mi - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

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I like this place, the boba and ice cream in particular. loved that they had mitchell's ice cream in unique flavors -- we tried macapuno (coconut imported from the Philippines) and halo halo. Delish! I've gotten the Vietnamese chicken with salad and it was fine, but I don't plan to order again. Not worth $13.50 in my opinion. Banh Mi was also good, but I'd head up to Kim's for a better value. read more

Tay Tah Cafe - vietnamese salad with bbq chicken - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

Best bahn m sandwichi I've had in a long time. And the boba was perfect, not over coked

Cute cafe and I really enjoyed my lunch. The food was great and the people were nice and welcoming :) I will be coming back one day to order the same thing or even try other items on the menu, perhaps the more affordable ones. Dropped it down to 4 stars because it was very pricey. read more

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A cute little family-run cafe. Nothing fancy, but a great value cafe for grab and go sandwiches and snacks. I've been coming here since late 2020 (so, only during pandemic-times) and they've been a lunchtime staple. Note: Don't come here right after school lets out on weekdays 2-3. You'll be standing in line with a bunch of elementary schoolers waiting to get their boba and snacks. My favorite here is their sandwiches. Big, simple, wholesome sandwiches for $8 (or $4.50 for a half) - I really like their tuna sandwich, and their chicken salad sandwich is a surprisingly good hit too. The Vietnamese sandwiches are also quite good, if not quite a traditional banh mi. They've got choices like BBQ chicken, avocado, and tofu. My SO really likes their bagel breakfast sandwiches, which are arguably an even better value for the price. They are huge and stuffed with egg, cheese, and breakfasty goodness. Unfortunately the drinks are a bit of a miss for me (Maybe enough to make it a 4.5 star, but we'll round up because I love their sandwiches). The Thai iced tea is pretty good, but the espresso drinks (latte, mocha, etc.) have a bit of a thin pre-made taste to them that's not quite worth the $5 they cost. The boba / pearl milk tea drinks are similar - a bit Quickly's/Tapioca Express tasting, but a fair attempt. Do get the sandwiches here though. They're a tasty value in an expensive area. read more

When I search on Yelp for a Banh Mi sandwich, Tay Tah Cafe doesn't even come up. That's strange because they make one the best Banh Mi sandwiches I've ever tasted, and I've been to Vietnam and lived in San Jose for over 20 years. If you know San Jose, they have the largest Vietnamese community in the US, and I don't remember having a Banh Mi that tasty there. I had the BBQ chicken Banh Mi, and everything from the bread to the amount of ingredients was perfect. Even if it wasn't closer than my go-to place in Berkeley (and it is), I would still choose Tay Tah first. Happy to have Tay Tah in my hood BB read more

$16.50 for one slice of ham and one slice of turkey the banmi is really bad don't order the combo read more

Tay Tah Cafe - half a slice in half a sandwich - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

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I just have to start off by saying I LOVE that they mark which drinks are caffeinated and not on their menu. As someone who is caffeine intolerant, I appreciate it so much. I tried their taro latte and it was really good! It's a simple taro drink that's lightly sweetened. I added boba as well, which was cooked well. Unlike most other boba places, their boba is not sweetened, but the sweetness of the drink was enough for me. My boyfriend had the blueberry blast smoothie, which was also really good! It was super refreshing and hit the spot. Both drinks were great and we'll definitely be coming back! Their service was good and they made our drinks pretty fast as well. We might try some of their food options next time we come - they have some Vietnamese sandwiches and salads as well. read more

I am a big fan. The food desserts, drinks, and service is easy, breezy and tastes the same. Bahn mi sandos are not usually this price, but that is because theirs are twice the size and PACKED with the goods. I think I'll ask for more cilantro and jalapeño. I bet they have created a formula According to customer feedback. I love that whole block of solano honestly! read more

Tay Tah Cafe - Bbq chicken Bahn mi xxl! - Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Near Me - Albany, California

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Lovely owner, long time staple, great food, and my kid's favorite bubble tea/Boba tea/Pearl milk tea.