Hai Yen: User Reviews

Bad Quality Food
By barend from chicago, January 19, 2009

Overall rating:

My wife and I ate last week at Hai Yen. We immediately got seated and the ambiance is okay. Unfortunately we had to wait for 45 minutes for our main course to come out. I ordered the prawn ( tom cang kho tau). They charge you $13.50 for it, but all I got was one(yes one!) prawn, overcooked and presented in the most boring way possible: some lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Just to say: it looked sad.....
After two bites I was done with my prawn and it left me as hungry as before. Appetizers were okay, but the service, quality of the food and waiting definitely makes me n-e-v-e-r go to this resaturant again.

Ambiance:

Food:

Service:

Value:

So fresh! Very large menu...
By Lynne from Chicago, IL, October 9, 2006

Overall rating:

So fresh! Very large menu with helpful owner re suggestions. As good as any that I've had on the west coast.

Food is always great here....
By johnny midnight from chicago, il, July 19, 2006

Overall rating:

Food is always great here. Very fresh, well prepared. Try to 7 courses of beef for $14. Soups and seafood are excellent as well. Bubble teas are all very fresh as well, and unlike some of the other Argyle spots, the place is always clean.

I'm surprised with the good...
By Hung from Chicago, IL, February 1, 2006

Overall rating:

I'm surprised with the good reviews. The food is only average to below-average, & many items are too bland. Decor is nice, but I come for the food. Portions are small & many of the dishes, especially some from the 7-course beef meal are just way too bland. The sweet/sour soup contains celery & green bell peppers, which are rarely seen in Vietnamese food, & never in that soup. Some of the noodle soups are way too watered down. About the vegetarian Pho, there's no such thing. It's made w/ beef & beef bones. Just because you don't see meat in your bowl, doesn't mean it's vegetarian. Check out similar Pho places around there for better prices. As with most Vietnamese restaurants here, service is a toss up. From my experience, the service has been bad to none. My wife and I have been there twice, but will not go back. Great place for Vietnamese-American food. By the way, the means "Seagull."

Overall: good food, nice atmosphere,...
By DCM from Chicago, IL, July 4, 2005

Overall rating:

Overall: good food, nice atmosphere, mediocre service and really good value.

The food is really great. My advice is to go with something that sounds good, but you have not eaten before. Try the traditional specialities or the stuff that is cooked at your table. Vermicelli noodle dishes were also excellent.

Service was pretty spotty. I highly recommend you be proactive when you want something. If you wait for a waiter to come to you it might be a very long time. If you get up and ask someone at the desk in the back for something they will be very attentive and take care of it quickly.

Prices are very good and I highly recommend the bubble tea and fruit smoothies.