Bamboo House Express

We eat here when we are shopping inside the Ranch market because of the variety of food they offer. Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese… you can order something basic from here to get your fix and overall it’s pretty good. It’s not the best but does the job, and we will continue to eat here.
The ladies behind the counter are always nice and pleasant. However, customer service wise last time I was there a man working at the cash register (not sure if it was the manager) didn’t give me my change from the cash I paid. He just shut his register and went to taking the next person’s order. Even though it wasn’t much, as a matter of principle, you give your customer their change, even if it is only 11 cents and let THEM decide if they want to put it in the tip jar. The presumptuousness is just poor etiquette.
Like I said, beyond this, we would still eat here again.

The «greeter» was a bit pushy. I ordered the chicken and rice #9. Our «greeter» said I could have beef or pork intead of just the pictured chicken, so I selected the pork. Wife ordered #4 on the recommendation of the“greeter”. I ask for just water and my wife ask for a tea drink and the «greeter» suggested the «best seller» jasmine tea. She asked for boba in her tea. After sitting, the «greeter» came to me and said the pork was still thawing. So I went back to my original choice, the chicken. We got our food but after a few minutes, I had to go back to the counter to ask for our drinks. The girl asked what we ordered, I told her. But the tea came with no boba. When asked, «it is still cooking.» So she put egg custard in it instead.
All in all food, price and speed of service was great. The «greeter» should stay up on what’s available before making recommendations. Also 15% military discount. I will go back.

For whatever reason, my previous review and photos (from opening week) were taken down. Well, back then, I rated it a 3 with potential business growth. Now, a few months later, after visiting again, I had to knock off a star.
Bamboo House Express is a fast casual outlet of Bamboo House, operating out of the same kitchen and accessible through the grocery store side. Most items are typical of Asian fast food restaurants to-​go boxes (noodles, chicken, etc) and there is a small seating area should you choose to dine in.
The first time, I had a one item plate with chicken and noodles, which was okay for what it was. After seeing a customer behind me order a Banh Mi, I decided that in the future I would return for one of their Vietnamese sandwiches instead.
Upon that return, I placed an order for pork Banh Mi, took a seat, and waited. And waited. And waited while staffers milled around tasting food coming out of the kitchen (it was not busy with other customers). I stood up, and the same person who took my order asked me if I needed anything… and realized that my sandwich had been forgotten about. The bread was put in the oven, and neglected for another 10 minutes. When I finally walked out with the order, I was no longer interested in it.
Though Bamboo House Express offers a convenience of quick serve food at the counter, my experience was the opposite. It’s a shame because their sister business and full service restaurant provided not only better food, but service (which I’ll review next).

Dried out orange chicken,
Peanut sauce for spring rolls left to be desired, on top of that, rather expensive
Will not be going back

The express side is comfortable and large but everything was a bit lukewarm, food needs to be hot for safety reasons they need to turn the water temp below the trays way up. The orange chicken was great cause it was not heavily breaded and flavored just right, not heavy on the sauce, the eggplant dish was really tasty. Their chow fun lacked noodles unfortunately, it was all onion. Their sticky rice in banana leaf lacked flavor and their flour wrapped banana leaf was not my type of thing. Still have to try the restaurant side which has DJs!

Do not order sushi here! Brought my parents for a birthday lunch, they love thai and was excited for pineapple fried rice, a little disappointing, no flavor and small portions. Recommend either of the duck dishes and pad Thai is ok. No energy in the restaurant by service and loud music for lunch. This is a rather new establishment so I’m sure they are working on the odds and ends. Reminded a few times it was my Dads birthday (a little uncomfortable feeling). Just a tip: we don’t need a free dessert, just recognize that it is a special day for the individual. Food can be great or mediocre but service usually makes up for lack there of.

I’ve only ever tried the Bahn Mi sandwiches here and the drinks. They are both excellent, the bahn mi is $ 4.99 and about the size of a footlong sandwich, very delicious & filling.
I will update once I try the buffet food.