Review 2: Da Won Restaurant - Waterloo

Dawon: don't get me wrong, it's a good restaurant, but the wait was a little long.

Hey, The Bouffe publishes nothing but the truth and the truth is... I'm picky. Dawon is a Korean/Japanese restaurant located at 160 University Avenue W., Waterloo. When I first got there I didn't expect anything decent. I mean it's a University Plaza restaurant... At first glance, the place seems big and roomy. It even has a big screen television, too bad the waitress sat us in front of the support beam which blocked the view of Narnia, Prince Caspian. She handed us the menu, which was thinner than our elementary school math assignment (1 page!). My date dressed to impress, but she seemed self-conscious of her smell. It wasn't her though, it was the sticky table that smelled something undistinguishable.

The orders were taken by us once again. It should have forshadowed the slow service from the (shy? lazy? annoyed?) waitresses. Newcomers watch each other's example to learn what to do about the tea: should we just drink one cup or should we invite ourselves to an all-you-can-drink buffet at the counter where the tea container was? The latter became an instant custom. As mentioned, the wait was somewhat lengthy, especially with Narnia far from sight. We expected some side dish prior to the main course, but they only came with the meals themselves.

The meals were big and satisfactory, but I couldn't stop ourselves from getting addicted to the thrill of greed when we asked for multiple refills of anything I can think of: kimchi, rice, and things that I still don't know what they were! The table behind us did the YMCA to get some attention from the staff but the servers kept their eyes down and avoided greedy eaters. My plate of BBQ ribs was pretty decent however some ribs did feel like dollarama rubber balls when chewed on.

Ratings:
Food: 3/5
Service: 2/5
Atmosphere: 2.5/5
Value: 3.5/5
Going back? Yes, no car not far

The Bottom Line
Although Dawon has slow service and they take out your money from your bank account under a different name (Miju Restaurant?!), the food is good for hungry university students. Don't be shy, do the YMCA if you even want the waitresses to look at you and go get your well deserved cups of tea by yourself. Food safety inspection report here.

Review 1: Pho Vinh Tin - Waterloo

Pho Vinh Tin is a restaurant in University Plaza (170 University Avenue, Waterloo, Ontario - near the University of Waterloo/Wilfrid Laurier University). I go there occasionally for a quick afternoon snack (usually 005, 109 X-Large, 116 Large). This restaurant has a particular way of welcoming patrons: starting with a fake door, pungeant smell of gas leaks and dirty looks. Once settled at table 12, I plug my laptop to the secret socket behind the plant. Further dirty looks are given as the owner throws me a dried up pen, a greasy duotang and corner of lined paper. At this point don't worry, you didn't do anything wrong to deserve cold tea and more dirty looks.

I used to get a grimy metallic teapot of cold tea, but maybe they saw me disinfect my utensils with it? Either way, I am not served tea anymore. So, I use 5 to 10 napkins instead. I order the usual and bring the order on a piece of paper back to the counter where I can hear the microwave hard at work. Usually, the food is decent when you're hungry but don't count on the bean sprouts with your pho. You could, however, expect little surprises in your dish; mine came in the form of a clear plastic pellet. The food is usually cold and as you go more and more often, the quantity of food served seems to decrease.

When it's time to pay, gather up your pennies if you will and throw it all away... as tip. Do not look back as you leave.

Ratings:
Food 2.5/5
Service 1/5
Atmosphere 1.5/5
Going back? Yes, no other alternatives

The Bottom Line
Good place to go when you're hungry, however avoid eye contact with the restaurants personnel and don't look around too much, that place makes you feel wrong. And don't forget to clean the utensils, they smell like bleach. Here's the Official Food Inspection Report, you might want to check it out.