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    Cafe La Vie

    4.5 (99 reviews)
    Closed • 6:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Cafe La Vie Photos

    Business Info

    CAFE LA VIE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Cafe La Vie

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    Bun bo hue
    Vi N.

    This spot is definitely a mom & pop shop! This is more of a home cooked meal feel. So if that's what you're looking for, this is your spot. I really enjoyed the bun Bo hue here. The flavors of it were perfect. These were the only two items I've tried. The meat in the rice plate however isn't the juicy type of cut meat though, on the more dried side which isn't my preference but my partner enjoys it like that. I'd definitely come back and give it a try if you're in the area. But like I said, it's as if you're going home to your parents cooking so don't expect high end dining or anything extravagant. The inside of the restaurant is filled with the uncles and aunties so it really fulfills the mom and pop vibes.

    Susan P.

    Came from out of state and had to try the banh mi sandwich after hearing so many great reviews! The place was already pretty packed when I arrived, which says a lot for a smaller restaurant. Parking is limited--you'll likely need to find a spot along the street--but it's manageable. Customer service was a bit on the slower side, probably due to how busy it was, but everyone was friendly once we got seated. The food definitely lived up to the hype--fresh, flavorful, and worth the wait. Overall, a nice and decent spot that's worth checking out if you're in the area!

    Bahn mi

    I went here for a bahn mi and it was one of the worst things I've ever bit into. I got no lemongrass taste, only what I thought was liver pâté and bad breath. I asked for extra meat and there was tofu and this weird pickled pork. Super sad I went here. I'm gonna have bahn mi trust issues forever now. The service was fine and the space was clean enough.

    Bun Bo hue
    Debra W.

    My friend and coworker had been telling me about this place for a couple of years now so it's been on my radar for a while. I drove down to Tacoma to run an errand and since I was close I decided to stop by. It's everything you imagine from a local mom & pop style restaurant. The tables were filled with people and families. Chatter amongst all the guests. Uncles outside gathered together smoking their cigarettes after a nice satisfying meal. I walked in and was immediately greeted. After a quick assessment that there was no where to sit, I was told I could sit anywhere outside. Before I went to my table I ordered at the cashier. I ordered a bun Bo hue and a banh mi to go. The bun Bo hue was delicious and authentic. The broth was light yet bold. The noodles were cooked perfectly and the meat was fresh. My greedy ass just wish there had been a few more slices. I added lots of chili oil bc I like mine spicy. The banh mi bread was super fresh. Nice chew but tender and a nice crust. Definitely good eats and if in the area, I'd come back!

    Bun Oc. Escargot Noodle
    Jimmy B.

    Solid family owned spot. Been coming here since 2012 and it's always consistent. Will stop in to grab a Banh Mi and Vietnamese coffee Togo and when I have time I sit down for the Bun Oc and Bun Bo Hue. This place is a gem in Tacoma

    Mark H.

    If you need a quick breakfast, you can go here. If you miss the coffee shop vibe in vietnam, you can go here.

    Brenda T.

    This place is a small mom & pop shop with a couple tables. best bun bo hue I've had in a minute! It has everything a BBH should have. I ordered takeout and was blown away by the flavor of the soup. The guy that cashed me out up front was very nice as well. Definitely going to come back to try the sandwiches and drinks!

    Spicy Pho ;)
    Ben C.

    Where else can you buy pho and lotto tickets?! Walking in, the rough signage boasts this location has produced multiple $10k winners. Of course, you gotta buy one. Or two lol. This is as divey as it gets. The front counter is a mesmerizing mess of mess. Bathroom do not go in. Sticky tables. Pho came out hot but a bit on the oily side. Average Bahn Mi. Street residental parking is very limited and so narrow you wonder if your car will be safe from a side swipe. Our tickets were not winners. Oh well, c'est la vie Cafe La Vie.

    Bbq banh mi
    Hopii T.

    The banh mi and meatball soup was bombbbb!!! The customer service was very nice and helpful. The vibe here is so cozy and homey. I love it

    Amazing tofu bahn mi sandwich. Hands down the best. I remember eating this when I was a kid 30yrs ago. They use to be located on China town
    Dethsak K.

    So good. Ate here since I was a kid when they had a little shop on 38th st. Tofu bahn mi sandwich is the best in Tacoma

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    5 months ago

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    6 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 months ago

    The beef stew pho is the truth. Tender, rich and delicious. Great price for the amount of food

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    The sandwich was spectacular and the service was amazing. I absolutely love finding places like this. Also, you have to play the lottery .

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Got the pork banh mi, meatball soup, and Vietnamese coffee. Always delish and quick service

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    2 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    My favorite place to go on a cold day! Everything here taste like your grandma cooked for you.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Quaint little place. Very local. Food is totally authentic. It really felt like this place is at the core of the community.

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    2 years ago

    This is without question the best bánh mì in the south Sound--and better than much of what you'll find in Seattle.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Wonderful Vietnamese breakfast: French baguette (banh mi), soups ( Chao, hu tieu, bun bo hue)

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    This is my favorite spot for soup in all of the Puget Sound region . Period end of review

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Mosa Sandwich Makers

    Mosa Sandwich Makers

    4.5(94 reviews)
    4.3 mi

    Had lunch today for the first time.... First…read moreobservation...NO ADA entrance, only stairs, ramp needs to be installed; after a yr in business they should have already figured that out. The staff are very attentive and friendly, the store itself could use some tweaking; more details in a minute. My 9" Veggie was very good, real Deli feel, and two slices of cheese with all the trimmings, but they forgot my tomato slices, which they quickly remedied, and the bread was a bit chewy but still good. Also, when you advertise "avocado" one would expect fresh slices, avocado spread is not a vegetable; I suggest real sliced avocado for the best veggie hoagie, or maybe an option? My husband had the Ruben, he wanted a 9" but also wanted Rye Bread so they said they would make the inside 9" on the 6" Rye, that was nice of them to offer. There was a lot of meat and plenty of dressing, hubby said very tasty,too - however, the meat was cold on the inside and it was a Dark Rye instead of Marble Rye, and the bread slices were very small and thin; suggest getting a larger slice Marble Rye and make it as a 9" sandwich. Drinks and chips are offered at a seperate price. Parking is very limited, and The building needs some work. The eating area is small but okay, the tables were mainly a waiting area for take out, but for those of us who did eat in, the tables were not wiped down once while we were there, and the floor needed a desperate sweep. The wait was a bit long but they were very busy (a very good sign) take out orders are many, and for the most part only 1 person dedicated to making sandwiches. Suggestions: You're busy! Hire more people to make sandwiches and Dedicate someone to the register and taking care of the lobby area, clearing tables, sweeping etc. Honestly, the concept is ideal, and the food is great and can only get better with time. The one thing that I would add for continued success would be a womans ingenuity and touch, just sayin' All in all.... We had great experience. The food was good! And, We will definitely be back. Thanks

    Wonderful sandwiches, I think they make the best sandwiches with a friendly smile and good…read moreconversation. These people got it right. They make it your way. My favorite is the big bite. Thank you for opening the sandwich shop.

    Photos
    Mosa Sandwich Makers - Seating

    Seating

    Mosa Sandwich Makers - Dipster looking @ U

    Dipster looking @ U

    Mosa Sandwich Makers - The Dipster

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    The Dipster

    Sandwich Starr

    Sandwich Starr

    4.1(34 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    We were going to Poquitos on Division but looks like that place fell prey to the Tacoma curse. A…read morelot of places don't hang around too long and that spot in particular has seemed hard to keep in business. But then we looked cross the street on 1st, where there used to be an Anthem, and even though it was already 6pm, this sandwich shop was still open and...there was a BINGO game happening. Whaddya know? So we took a peak in and they were not only serving sandwiches but they also had a cooler full of microbrews and kombuchas, beer on tap, wine, and a whole list of cocktails made from prosecco and other non-hard liquors like Amaro. Truly something for everyone. So we gave our order to the sweet human at the counter and took our seats I'm not kidding, my Amaro sour was one of the best cocktails I've had in a while in Tacoma and so were the pretzel sticks. I want my cocktails cold, tart, and refreshing with a little kick of funk or herbs and I want my pretzels salty. You wouldn't think that's such a high bar to clear but you'd be surprised. Sandwich Starr nailed it. Our Zatan sandwich was tasty but even though the bread felt a little stale. Otherwise the decor is kinda '90s coffee house and they've got bingo! Overall, this is an odd spot but the drinks are really good and it's got heart and it's the heart that makes it Tacoma.

    Food was pretty good, but the sandwiches weren't really that big. The atmosphere is pretty inviting…read more and they have lots of games to play.prices are a little high for the size of the sandwich. I did enjoy the pickle. It seemed home made.

    Photos
    Sandwich Starr
    Sandwich Starr - The Serenity, with salami, pepperoni, bacon, pepperjack, tomato, gochujang, and lettuce.

    The Serenity, with salami, pepperoni, bacon, pepperjack, tomato, gochujang, and lettuce.

    Sandwich Starr - The Starrk, with roast beef, salami, brie, tomato, red onion, and sweet chili mayo

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    The Starrk, with roast beef, salami, brie, tomato, red onion, and sweet chili mayo

    Jersey Mike's Subs

    Jersey Mike's Subs

    2.9(23 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    I'm writing about an experience at the Jersey Mike's in Issaquah, Washington, and what appears to…read morebe an issue with how gluten-free hot orders affect grill production and promised pickup times. I ordered a regular cheesesteak at 5:49 PM. Nothing in my order was gluten-free. The ordering system gave me a promised pickup time of 6:04 PM. I ultimately walked out with my sandwich at approximately 6:25 PM -- 36 minutes after ordering and about 21 minutes after the promised pickup time. The employees explained that the delay occurred because a gluten-free hot sub had been ordered. They told me that when this happens, stopping normal grill production and cleaning the grill is standard procedure before preparing the gluten-free order. I want to be clear: I have no problem with accommodating customers who need gluten-free food, and I don't fault the employees for following the procedures they've been given. My concern is with the process. If stopping and cleaning the grill whenever a gluten-free hot sandwich is ordered is Jersey Mike's standard procedure, then this is a known and predictable reduction in grill capacity. The ordering system already knows that a gluten-free hot sandwich has entered the queue. Why doesn't it account for the additional procedure when calculating promised pickup times for the other hot orders? My order was accepted at 5:49 PM and promised for 6:04 PM. If the restaurant's required procedure meant that the grill could not realistically produce my sandwich until approximately 6:25 PM, the system should not have promised 6:04 PM. I would also appreciate clarification of the gluten cross-contact procedure itself. Jersey Mike's acknowledges that cross-contact can occur in its restaurants. I understand why physically cleaning a shared grill can reduce gluten cross-contact; gluten is a protein, so simply heating the grill does not eliminate it. However, this raises a reasonable question: If a gluten-free hot sandwich requires stopping production and cleaning the entire grill, why doesn't a gluten-free cold sandwich require stopping production and cleaning the entire cold-sub preparation station? I understand that clean gloves, clean utensils, paper barriers and other procedures can reduce cross-contact for cold sandwiches without shutting down the entire station. I would like to understand why localized cross-contact controls are considered appropriate for a gluten-free cold sandwich while, according to the Issaquah employees, an entire grill shutdown and cleaning is required for a gluten-free hot sandwich. I am not suggesting that Jersey Mike's eliminate reasonable gluten-free precautions. If cleaning the entire grill is the procedure Jersey Mike's has determined is appropriate, then employees should certainly follow it. But the operational consequences of that procedure should be incorporated into the ordering system. For reference: Ordered: 5:49 PM Promised: 6:04 PM Received/departed: approximately 6:25 PM Delay beyond promised time: approximately 21 minutes My concern is not with the gluten-free customer or with the Issaquah employees. It is with a system that apparently does not account for a standard procedure that can temporarily stop normal grill production, yet continues to provide customers with pickup times the restaurant cannot meet. I would appreciate clarification on two points: 1. Is stopping normal grill production and cleaning the entire grill for every gluten-free hot sandwich actually Jersey Mike's corporate procedure, as I was told at the Issaquah location? 2. If it is, why isn't the resulting reduction in grill capacity reflected in the promised pickup times generated by the ordering system? Thank you. I would appreciate a response explaining both the food-preparation policy and how Jersey Mike's intends its stores to manage the resulting impact on customer wait times.

    Yumm. Staff really upbeat today. Came in for my double points deal today. We ordered a large Big…read moreKahuna ( Philly Chz steak) and split it. It's cheaper that way if u both want the same! Soooo good and hot as snot boy with the melty cheese!! Hit the spot. Lots of folks coming in and getting to go orders. And it's really cold in here! Had hubby get my jacket out of vehicle and bring back in.

    Photos
    Jersey Mike's Subs
    Jersey Mike's Subs
    Jersey Mike's Subs

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    Marlene's Market and Deli Natural Foods - Produce

    Marlene's Market and Deli Natural Foods

    3.9(223 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    •$$

    My first introduction to Marlene's Natural Foods & Deli Market was about five years ago. My friend…read morebought me one of their delicious vegan field roast Reuben sandwiches. After that I would only visit sparingly, looking for things that were either limited or out of stock at the closest Whole Foods. As of this year, I've made it a staple spot for my vegan and vegetarian options. I've been told that they have mostly organic and fresh produce, which I'm looking forward to checking out in the near future. On my most recent trip, I connected with their deli and hot bar, which is small but not lacking in options. The salad bar has a very well-seasoned balsamic tofu, which is my favorite. I've also purchased some of their Seitan options in the frozen food area that's decent. Overall, I truly love this place. It comes equipped with a decent-sized deli dining area / small shop complete with WiFi services in the back. There you can hang out, eat, or indulge in friendly conversations. The customers, deli, produce, and cashier clerks all come together to create a uniquely neighborhood, friendly atmosphere.

    What happened to the cake. The chocolate cake was lumpy and not as good as it used to be…read more And the bulk peanut butter continues being a problem, the peanut grinder dont grind the peanuts smooth as it should; if they would service it properly or get a new machine. Several times the machine has been broken down, I drive a ways for the peanut butter it would be nice to get it grinded smooth instead of chunky... it's most appreciated if someone can accommodate customers. Thank you!

    Photos
    Marlene's Market and Deli Natural Foods - Veg

    Veg

    Marlene's Market and Deli Natural Foods - Basket

    Basket

    Marlene's Market and Deli Natural Foods

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    Cafe La Vie - coffee - Updated October 2026

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