Years ago I would eat at the Phoenix now Chloe's (which I have to try). I care about the Chinese peoples and really enjoy delicious affordable foods. I am eating chicken fried rice & water. ~Cheers

I love Tam's. They are my go-to when I am sick. They make the best comfort brown gravy tofu, buddha vegetables, vegetable chow mein noodles, eggplant with tofu. The only time I was ever disappointed was last time I didn't get quite enough curry on my Singapore noodles. It's usually lovely though, and they are always generous if you type what you like in the ask for box. Tam's is my (Asian) mom. <3. Plus, I love their delivery, very fast, and cannot complain at free price. Thank you Tam's!

I really love this place and feel that it is very underrated. Clean, friendly service, consistently good food, great prices (especially lunch specials). Great hot and sour soup, orange chicken. WAY less greasy then everywhere else and great flavor in every dish. You really can't go wrong here.

We love Tam’s food. We order on line and pick up and it’s always hot and fresh. Great service! It’s our go to in west Santa Cruz!

Good food, good prices, and free delivery with a minimum order. If you want it spicy, make sure to order "extra spicy". I got the kung pao chicken a few times, and didn't think "spicy" was spicy enough, but extra spicy was fine. Also, the fried rice with yellow curry sauce and pineapple was awesome! I ordered it by accident once, and now I get it every time.

Came here for chow mien, and I loved it! I literally went the next day for the same food. I think the put Crack in their chow mein. I love it!

Classic American style Chinese food at a great price. I got the Mongolian beef lunch special and it was exactly what I wanted: delicious and an excellent value. The staff were friendly and the overall vibe was chill.

Been coming here since I was a student and it’s a MUST to stop by every single time I visit. It’s delicious, savory and my favorite Chinese food place. I always recommend all my family to go to when they come visit and it has become everyone’s new favorite place as well!

Last I knew there was only one place in town for Dan Dan noodles and it was the Chinese place across from the Red room under the previous ownership. I hadn't seen it anywhere since(granted I didn't spend a lot of time looking. Other places may have it but they're not along my travel route). To my surprise I saw it available at tams. I gave it a shot and it was good. Can't speak to the rest of the menu. The decor inside is rather stark and cold and not for me, thus the one star. Others may feel differently about the dinning environment. I liked my dish and wouldn't let that influence my decision to return because I get it to go anyways.

Very delicious. This place is a local landmark for families and loyal customers who've been coming here for years. Eat in and take out at this classic cozy Chinese spot . All the favorites done well and some nice specials. Orange chicken is spicy and just right! Best kept secret is this restaurant. My kid grew up on this place and it's a very friendly atmosphere. Online ordering is easy as a bonus. Enjoy!

Tam is a Westside Chinese food institution! It has been there for a long time . Quality ingredients and great cooks . Family oriented old school environment plus a fabulous outdoors patio. Give it a try

Omg! Some of THE BEST CHINESE FOOD IVE EVER HAD! So much flavor in everything! PERFECTLY COOKED fried shrimp. Not at all fishy either. We walked in 20 min before closing and they were still very kind and accommodating and, again, BEST CHINESE FOOD IVE HAD! Now that my daughter goes to school at ucsc I will b visiting here EVERY TIME! Thank you so much❣️

Yanin Vaca

Been coming here since I was a student and it’s a MUST to stop by every single time I visit. It’s delicious, savory and my favorite Chinese food place. I always recommend all my family to go to when they come visit and it has become everyone’s new favorite place as well!

Nick Runtsch

Classic American style Chinese food at a great price. I got the Mongolian beef lunch special and it was exactly what I wanted: delicious and an excellent value. The staff were friendly and the overall vibe was chill.

William Bramscher

Years ago I would eat at the Phoenix now Chloe's (which I have to try). I care about the Chinese peoples and really enjoy delicious affordable foods. I am eating chicken fried rice & water. ~Cheers

Farid Hamidieh

Tam is a Westside Chinese food institution! It has been there for a long time . Quality ingredients and great cooks . Family oriented old school environment plus a fabulous outdoors patio. Give it a try

Scm Gunner

Last I knew there was only one place in town for Dan Dan noodles and it was the Chinese place across from the Red room under the previous ownership. I hadn't seen it anywhere since(granted I didn't spend a lot of time looking. Other places may have it but they're not along my travel route). To my surprise I saw it available at tams. I gave it a shot and it was good. Can't speak to the rest of the menu. The decor inside is rather stark and cold and not for me, thus the one star. Others may feel differently about the dinning environment. I liked my dish and wouldn't let that influence my decision to return because I get it to go anyways.

Da Mistanista (Manista)

Very delicious. This place is a local landmark for families and loyal customers who've been coming here for years. Eat in and take out at this classic cozy Chinese spot . All the favorites done well and some nice specials. Orange chicken is spicy and just right! Best kept secret is this restaurant. My kid grew up on this place and it's a very friendly atmosphere. Online ordering is easy as a bonus. Enjoy!

Still happy with the service and food after 22 years! Just had a big family dinner and since I work 6 days a week now I didn't want to cook Everyone was so happy that I didn't.. and that is rare!! Yummy food.

Amazing food, not the best service. If you want some cheap and good food with outstanding taste. Takeout is also a great option from this place.

Nice family owned restaurant. We tried some new things there. We liked the fried sesame balls and the sizzling vegetables.

We had Kung pow and garlic chicken. Tasty nice mix of vegetables and meat with pork, fried rice and hot tea Service was good. Food was fresh. Not super high-end but good day in day out Chinese food. Thank you

Marwan

I recently ordered from Tam's for delivery and overall, it was a satisfying experience. The food arrived promptly, and the packaging was secure. While the portions were decent. I'd give it four stars - because there is definitely room for improvement.

Sam Huynh

Pretty good Cantonese style food. They have free delivery within a 3 mile radius. Huge parking lot in the back. We mostly order delivery but sometimes we go to the restaurant. They have outdoor seating. Friendly staff and fast service.

Arturo Reyna

It's a good local Chinese food restaurant. They also have some vegan options.

It's a good local Chinese food restaurant. They also have some vegan options.

Pretty good Cantonese style food. They have free delivery within a 3 mile radius. Huge parking lot in the back. We mostly order delivery but sometimes we go to the restaurant. They have outdoor seating. Friendly staff and fast service.

I recently ordered from Tam's for delivery and overall, it was a satisfying experience. The food arrived promptly, and the packaging was secure. While the portions were decent. I'd give it four stars - because there is definitely room for improvement.

The food was great! I usually order meat dishes as a main item, but I went for the tofu instead. My only complaint was, that I like the firm tofu, and theirs was soft. Otherwise, it was great basic Chinese. You can go honky style, or more authentic, the menu covers both.

Extensive menu. Tried the appetizer platter, beef with pineapple, and the combination chow main. The appetizers were ok. The paper-wrapped chicken didn't have the juiciness we are used to. The beef was very juicy and flavorful. The noodles were a surprise. We were expecting the soft noodles, and for the proteins to be stirred into the noodles. We got the hard noodles with everything on top. So none of it was mixed together. The sauce was too mild and bland. The chicken, flavorless. The shrimp was good. Service was decent. Not particularly friendly.

Eva Rosenberg

Extensive menu. Tried the appetizer platter, beef with pineapple, and the combination chow main. The appetizers were ok. The paper-wrapped chicken didn't have the juiciness we are used to. The beef was very juicy and flavorful. The noodles were a surprise. We were expecting the soft noodles, and for the proteins to be stirred into the noodles. We got the hard noodles with everything on top. So none of it was mixed together. The sauce was too mild and bland. The chicken, flavorless. The shrimp was good. Service was decent. Not particularly friendly.

Greg Webster

The food was great! I usually order meat dishes as a main item, but I went for the tofu instead. My only complaint was, that I like the firm tofu, and theirs was soft. Otherwise, it was great basic Chinese. You can go honky style, or more authentic, the menu covers both.

This is a super mediocre place. If I’m looking for tasty fresh food this is not the place I go to. To be honest, tam’s has some good dishes. And I give 3 star because of those dishes. But most of their dish is watery for no reason, the seasoning is also very pointless.

Just OK Chinese food. Service is best described as cold. There's a lot better Chinese food in Santa Cruz. 2019 Update: Well, there used to be, but I can't currently think of a place I'd take my wife for dinner. If I want any Chinese cuisine, we've got to head to Silicon Valley or SF. Santa Cruz is a Chinese food desert.

Mr.Rickey Titus III

My sesame chicken was great but could use a bit more sesame seeds, and I really didn’t like the fact that I had to pay for rice on the side but it was still good and the outside seating is super cool and chill I came to celebrate my first job in Santa Cruz

My sesame chicken was great but could use a bit more sesame seeds, and I really didn’t like the fact that I had to pay for rice on the side but it was still good and the outside seating is super cool and chill I came to celebrate my first job in Santa Cruz

I used to eat at Tam’s all the time and it was pretty good, but last night was a huge disappointment. It was very bland. I ordered what I always order: kung pao ($13.95). There were no chilis in it! When I asked the wait person about it, they said there are no chilis in kung pao? The vegetables looked tired, the mini corn was almost unrecognizable and brown. I also ordered salt & pepper prawns ($18.95) and they were okay, light on the jalapeños, though. Giggle… and tonight I have terrible farts. I will think twice before I spend $40 here again.

The pork fried rice was really good. The hot and sour soup was not as good as other places. The sweet and sour pork was middle of the road. I was thankful that the food was ready when they projected it would be.

Jeff Parker

The pork fried rice was really good. The hot and sour soup was not as good as other places. The sweet and sour pork was middle of the road. I was thankful that the food was ready when they projected it would be.

Whitney W

I used to eat at Tam’s all the time and it was pretty good, but last night was a huge disappointment. It was very bland. I ordered what I always order: kung pao ($13.95). There were no chilis in it! When I asked the wait person about it, they said there are no chilis in kung pao? The vegetables looked tired, the mini corn was almost unrecognizable and brown. I also ordered salt & pepper prawns ($18.95) and they were okay, light on the jalapeños, though. Giggle… and tonight I have terrible farts. I will think twice before I spend $40 here again.

Food is okay no complaints no raves. The delivery is no longer free there’s a “regulatory fee” and a “service fee” along with the 3.99 delivery fee added up to extra &20

Do not order takeout using Yelp or the Eat24 app. Tam's probably won't read any instructions that you give them. It's sad, I've eaten here 16 times and they have botched the order in one way or another about ¼ of the time. If you need a slight variation due to dietary restriction it can be a challenge. In my case I'm vegan and I asked in the notes on Eat24/Yelp in-app ordering, in very large type, please make sure that this is vegan/vegetarian with no egg and no animal products whatsoever. The dish that I came home with had egg and pork and I'm guessing beef or something. Cooked animal muscle is sad and disgusting. it's frustrating that they can't get this right. It's not the first time this is come through with egg and meat product in it. We order takeout to save time. Having to return a meat laden dish both wastes the food and wastes time. I wish we had a vegetarian restaurant on the west side.

Rebekah C

Food is mediocre- not the best, but good for the price in Santa cruz. Biggest issue was their deceptive sales and packaging practices for their more expensive items: ordered a container of honey shrimp for 20$ and chicken for 13$... they came in the same size container, but half of the shrimp container was filled with tasteless, styrofoam- textured dry noodles while the chicken container was full- I paid twice the price and got half the amount of shrimp with no prior indication that the serving size would be so dramatically different. The shrimp wasn't that good either- skip their seafood, but their noodles and chicken are ok.

Food is mediocre- not the best, but good for the price in Santa cruz. Biggest issue was their deceptive sales and packaging practices for their more expensive items: ordered a container of honey shrimp for 20$ and chicken for 13$... they came in the same size container, but half of the shrimp container was filled with tasteless, styrofoam- textured dry noodles while the chicken container was full- I paid twice the price and got half the amount of shrimp with no prior indication that the serving size would be so dramatically different. The shrimp wasn't that good either- skip their seafood, but their noodles and chicken are ok.

The price was relatively low and the quantity was okay but the quality is not good. The food doesn't taste very good. I know this is in Santa Cruz but they really can't compete with restaurants in the Bay Area. I'd actually go to panda before this place even though I'd rather support small local businesses.

the combination fried rice barely comes with any meat. for 15 dollars I'm just paying for rice with soy sauce in it. so skimpy.

Christian Ortiz

the combination fried rice barely comes with any meat. for 15 dollars I'm just paying for rice with soy sauce in it. so skimpy.

Alex Lin

The price was relatively low and the quantity was okay but the quality is not good. The food doesn't taste very good. I know this is in Santa Cruz but they really can't compete with restaurants in the Bay Area. I'd actually go to panda before this place even though I'd rather support small local businesses.

rude staff. rip off prices. wanted to charge me extra to change one part of a combo dish since i don’t eat chicken, yet when i opted to go for another combo i wasn’t allowed to change anything from it since it wouldn’t have ripped me off as much. save ur time, money & patience and go somewhere else.

Food was bad. Came with a friend, I opted for this place and really regretted it. Ate because we were hecka hungry after a very long bike ride. But left half of the food there. I've eaten here before but not sure if they changed management or Cooks or whatever but will not go back. By the way service is terrible.

I ordered and paid on 3-22-25. Site took my credit card.went to pick up and was closed!

War wonton had 2 small pieces of meat. A picture shows! Could not upload a pic. Broth had no flavor, I asked if I could change the soup for anything else. No! I was told to add salt. Maybe the fact that the place was empty should have been a clue. WILL NEVER RETURN!

Ordered delivery, was delivered on time. The quantity of food is absurd, meal deal for three is several pounds of food, probably enough for 5-6.. if only it was edible. The food wasn't good: Sweet and sour pork was cold and chewy, beef & broccoli tasted like sea food. Loads of food left over and no one wants to eat it here, just not good. Skip this one, we're throwing this stuff out and looking for something else for dinner. $44 bucks down the drain!

I just completely wasted $37. What’s the deal with this place? 3 spareribs for almost $9? Not even a full container of extremely bland shrimp for almost $13? Total rip off. You can’t even choose what size you want to order of the items, and none of the items on the menu have a description. I will not be ordering from here again, that’s for sure.

I ordered uber eats from here, deep fried tofu and walnut shrimp, tofu was really gross and dry, no flavor at all.... The sauce was the only thing that made it edible, then the walnut shrimp was just GROSS, had to toss it out because I didn't want to throw up....... I am normally not one to put out 1 star reviews but I am disappointed. Paid too much for this order and the portion size was really tiny considering how pricey the items were... not recommended.

Deceptive pricing when ordering online for pick up and small portions. I rarely leave a negative review, especially when you love supporting local restaurants and shops. When I brought my pricing concerns to the lady at the front, she didn’t care at all. Awful experience and I felt ripped off. Never again with this place and lesson learned for me. As for the taste of the food, it as overly salty for my taste. But maybe I already had a bad taste in my mouth due to my experience.

I live in SF but work in Santa Cruz 3 days/week and usually stay at the Hampton Inn across the street from the restaurant. The first two times that I ordered take out from Tam's was ok. Generally, what I would call generic gweilo Chinese-American food. Nothing wrong with that. The last time I ordered take out, I ended up puking/etc. all night long. The food tasted fine but well.... Do not recommend. Will not return. Ever.

David Teter

I live in SF but work in Santa Cruz 3 days/week and usually stay at the Hampton Inn across the street from the restaurant. The first two times that I ordered take out from Tam's was ok. Generally, what I would call generic gweilo Chinese-American food. Nothing wrong with that. The last time I ordered take out, I ended up puking/etc. all night long. The food tasted fine but well.... Do not recommend. Will not return. Ever.

Bri B

Deceptive pricing when ordering online for pick up and small portions. I rarely leave a negative review, especially when you love supporting local restaurants and shops. When I brought my pricing concerns to the lady at the front, she didn’t care at all. Awful experience and I felt ripped off. Never again with this place and lesson learned for me. As for the taste of the food, it as overly salty for my taste. But maybe I already had a bad taste in my mouth due to my experience.

Jay Isaacs

I ordered uber eats from here, deep fried tofu and walnut shrimp, tofu was really gross and dry, no flavor at all.... The sauce was the only thing that made it edible, then the walnut shrimp was just GROSS, had to toss it out because I didn't want to throw up....... I am normally not one to put out 1 star reviews but I am disappointed. Paid too much for this order and the portion size was really tiny considering how pricey the items were... not recommended.