Tin Drum Asia Cafe

09/28/2008 Posted by bryanjh

Maybe I was spoiled by the fact that there were eight pho restaurants within walking distance of my undergrad university, but I am very unhappy with my Pho experience at Tin Drum. The broth was fine, although the extra garnishes were not on the side; lime, sprouts, bay leaves, etc. were already in the soup. For some of my fellow pho fans, who hate any one of those, this may have been a deal breaker, but it didn't bother me. I just removed the lime and began my meal. Service was fast, but Pho is always fast to make. There were no "Asian broth spoons" (just extremely shallow western spoons) or hoisin sauce, but at least there was sriracha, which goes great with the soup. What really ruined the meal for me, was the choice of meat in the Pho. The menu said roast beef, but I had hoped that they just used that term for those unfamiliar with eye round steak. My worst fears came true, the meat was just roast beef from a pack of presliced lunch meat. It did not absorb any of the flavors of the soup and just did not fit with the broth. Thinking of the resulting taste actually makes me naseous. Since the meat is such a key part of the soup, the Pho was ruined. I actually wish I would have asked for a refund, but I'm too non-confrontational. I was excited at the prospect of having a restaurant close to campus with Pho, but I guess I expected too much. I hate to write off a restaurant after one bad meal. but this was so egregious that I don't think I will ever go there again.

Pros: Fast Service

Cons: Disgusting Pho, overpriced for portions

09/03/2008 Posted by VaHiLocal

I work downtown and am thrilled about Tin Drum's new location opening on Broad Street. It's a great place to grab lunch. The food is absolutely wonderful, and the service was great - with one exception: the cashier at the front has a major attitude problem. It's almost humorous how rude she is! It's apparent she hates her job and people in general, so be prepared. I really love this place, so hopefully the ownership will replace her soon.

Pros: Great lunch spot

Cons: Rude cashier

04/12/2008 Posted by alexmahyar

As I walked in, I noticed the kitchen staff laughing and giggling, playing jokes on each other, and when I got close to the counter to order my food, no one said hello, welcome, a little smile.....but that is all fine as long as everything else is ok. Beintg my first time there, I had no idea what to order, but the person taking my order wasn't interested in any of that. He couldn't wait to get rid of me so he could continue having a good time with his buddies in the kitchen. As I sat down in the main dining area at a table, suddenly the back door opened, and here comes in the produce guy with a hand cart full of products stacked on top of each other on a cart, and zooms by my food...... A few minutes later, I saw one kitchen staff, who was picking his nose earlier, come to the main dining room, and pour himself some soda at the fountain. A few seconds later, the waitress went to the soda fountain and poured herself a drink and started drinking it right there 5 feet away from where I was sitting in the dining area. The food came out.......A bowl of white sicky white rice, and a stew peanut sauce based with chicken. No body came to ask if I am dead or alive.........anyway, this is a kind of place that the employees throw a party for themselves and guess what...we are not invited.....a total dissapointment to the lunch break I was looking forward to all day.....Save yourself a trip and go to a place that receives you well with a warm welcome, and don't waist your time or money in this place. I already have done it for all of us. So far, The cheeseburger place has been the best out of all the ones I have tried in this shopping center, oh and ofcourse, Lamadeline across the street. All the best....

Pros: I can not think of anything positive to say about it other than it being a learning experience and that I will never go back....EVER......

Cons: Bad attitude, dirty, unorganized, nothing special about the food itself, poor management.

04/18/2007 Posted by mrmarvjr

I work across the street from Tin Drum and I go there at least one a week for lunch. I love the Pad Soo Won, it is my favorite. The only thing i don't like about Tin Drum is the seating layout, and it is always very crowded. Other than that, I highly recommend Tin Drum.

Pros: Great Food, Cheap!

Cons: Long Wait Times, Bad Seating

11/29/2006 Posted by lalababy

A small restaurant I was first introduced while at Georgia Tech... This is a place where you order, then sit. The food is brought out to you quickly. The food is cheap for college kids. A place where you run into your friends, roommates, classmates, and even professors possibly. When I say asian food, I mean... pan asian. Americanized !

Pros: cheap, good food

Cons: too far from my actual home

10/01/2006 Posted by pedrochan

I eat here at least once a week. The food is always awesome, the service is great too. I recommend the Massaman curry, basil fried rice, or the Tin Drum....although all their dishes are pretty awesome. The prices are decent, and I always have leftovers! The place looks cool, and is usually always clean.

09/24/2006 Posted by mparks

I eat here several times per week. I can't get enough of the hot and sour soup with tofu added. My wife and I always get the Singapore Noodles (with Tofu). Staff are always very courteous and service is good. The food is really tasty and inexpensive. I wish there were more places like this to eat at Tech Square (healthy and cheap and quick).

Pros: healthy, tasty, and inexpensive food

Cons: nothing I can think of

06/06/2006 Posted by r3z

I ordered chicken lo mein and a vegetable spring roll. The Lo mein was mediocre at best and hardly had ANY chicken in it. The spring roll was excellent other than the slight burning on one end.

Pros: Close to GT.

Cons: Mediocre Food.

03/19/2006 Posted by owlatrice

Tin Drum has some really tasty menu items. But in the past year the quality of some of the items has become highly variable. Sometimes the dishes have pleanty of sauce, other times they are dry and lacking in flavor. Also service is hit or miss...sometimes you can spend 20 minutes waiting for food after you oder, not to mention the very slow moving line at lunch. I think the old manager left and the new guy isn't as good.

Pros: Interesting menu, Cheap entrees

Cons: Variable quality, Slow service, Long line at lunch

05/24/2005 Posted by tmcmylf

The management is very arrogant. Since the business is good, I guess they don't give a rat's patoot about it.