We live a block away from Mecca (New Haven) and have eaten at the restaurant & ordered food to go many times over the past 2.5 years; the food is consistently fantastic — but I can no longer in good conscience, continue to patronize this restaurant. The service and management attitude has always been hit or miss (read occasionally great but mostly indifferent; you’ll find lots of reviews chronicling this trend on the various review sites) but over the past six months, it's become unspeakably awful. Over these past six months, we’ve placed many online, to-go orders for pick-up; you arrive to pick up - they may have your order -- or may not. It may be ready, or maybe not. Just don't even try to ask any of the hosts - they don't want to be bothered. Tonight, tried to order online but their website wasn't working. No problem - we called the restaurant to place the order. Nope. They tell you they don't take phone orders -- that we should use the website; we tell them the website isn't working; they say, "Oh yeah, it's backed-up” and just hang up. So abrupt and gruff that it could only be a mistake. Call back, no, not a mistake - apparently, I’m the idiot. Again, good food -- just not worth the hassle and definitely not worth encouraging awful service.
jfriedla2017
I love the food (like everyone else). HOWEVER - I HATE THE SUPER LOUD MUSIC!!! They won't turn it down when I've asked. I hope, in their newly renovated space, they have some area where it's not so noisy. I'm not 18 years old and like to hear what my partner has to say!!!!!!
Jkerntravels
Went here with my wife and college age son. Walking past on a cold day and thought we would try it. Great decision! We had some edamame (best we ever had) that was seasoned and grilled. My son had the pork ramen and my wife and split wonton soup (giant bowl). It was all very good. We ate during lunch on a Saturday and there was actually a little wait. The three three of us ate for about $30. The staff was friendly and quick to replace napkins or water. I recommend!
Jim A
Came here for dinner one evening and found a new fave! Started off with the spicy beef dumplings and they were sublime! Nice kick off to my dinner which was the Pho Tai. Probably the best I have ever had! The lady bartending was our server as well and she knocked it out of the park. A true 5-star establishment with a great modern vibe. Love it and will be back!
Katie C
Enjoyed this spot for dinner with a work group. The overwhelming opinion of the table was that the ramen was great, but the edamame was not to be missed - absolutely delicious!!
BixUS
I've been itching to try this place for years but COVID pushed things back. Nice decor and very open - front windows were wide open and the music was great. Sat on the sidewalk and had a ramen and the kimchi fried rice. Started w/ Korean Fried Chicken bao...with great daikon/carrot slaw. Ramen had a great broth - very thin noodles. A whole soft boiled egg. The charshu was clearly pork belly - cut thick. It had corn but nori was extra. No sign of bamboo shoots. I did grab the togarashi hot oil which was not overwhelming and provided a great kick. Gotta come back at night and hit the bar.
DrLiz
We had it exactly 40 minutes before our show at the Shubert started when we entered this crowded location but the hostess reassured us she’d have us in and out, full and happy, on time for the show. She delivered in spades. Our snappy attendant Louis stepped right up the minute we sat down in the open air intimate seating dining area. We needed some education regarding some of the offerings and he was only too happy to help out and make suggestions. Extremely friendly and a pleasure to deal with. We both opted for a Pho offering, with minor meat variation between our choices— we were both blown away by the incredible flavors, the tender meat and delicious noodles and lots of it, easily enough for two or three meals each, at about $12 A bowl. A virtual steal! We also had an order of the pan fried red oil dumplings, a pork/shrimp/beef mixture held in place with a crispy Paperthin crunchy coating— The taste was so impressive, the dipping sauce wasn’t required. I stuck to water but my daughter opted for the papaya/pineapple Boba drink which was as flavorful as it was unique to us. Just marvelous. Sat, orders taken, meals served, meal eaten, out the door all in about 30 minutes. Bonus, it was terrific! Would highly recommend
U3620ECandyc
I took my 4 kids here after going to an escape room and they were a little unsure since they have not eaten Vietnamese before, but the staff was great, and everyone had a delicious meal. Food was very good, and the menu explained what each meal was along with recommendations. Looking forward to coming back next time we are in town
aragle12
Being new to the New Haven are and visiting for the next 3 months, I made it a point to visit some of the areas go to food stops. Mecha, popular Asian comfort food restaurant was recommended and it did not disappoint!! Being downtown parking is either street parking or the garage. I was able to score a spot on the street a block away. Upon arrival the place was small but very modern. The staff wears masks and were very personable. My waiter, Louis?, walked me through the menu and offer drink suggestions based on my preferences. I went with the Pho Ga, chicken pho and added greens and the Lotus Flower Bomb Sangria, both were AMAZING!! The food came out super quick and the noodles and flavor were very robust. They had 3 sauces on the table that you could add for flavor, I went with the sweet, and it was very tasty. The broth was full of flavor and noodles for days! The chicken was nicely cooked as well and the added greens rounded it out. Since it's no secret that portions are huge, I was able to eat half and take the other have home with me. They provide you with a container for the broth and container for the contents to keep separate which I thought was nice. My waiter even packaged it up for me. The star of the show was the sangria!! I drink sangria almost everywhere I go and the Lotus Flower Bomb Sangria was probably one of the best I've had. I would 100000% come back just for that. It was very smooth and sweet, full of flavor and I could taste each of the components. Mecha had several other items on the menu that I would've loved to try and I'll will definitely be back. Monday-Friday from 3-6 is happy hour and they seemed to have a good turn out on the Friday I was there. If you're looking for some great Asian inspired comfort food and a modern/trendy atmosphere this is your must visit place! I can't wait to go back!
8michaely
Most of the dishes we got were great. Loved the sichuan cucumbers. The ramen was outstanding. The pho was OK. Service was very friendly. Can be very busy with long waits. Parking garage right next door.
Mecha ALWAYS delivers. My partner and I come here a few times a month. We can't get enough of the ramen and the steamed pork belly baos. They have seasonal specials that are usually fantastic. They've got some good beers on tap, great cocktails, and sake flights. It's a perfect spot for a date night or getting together with friends. If you're looking for a quick and delicious dinner - go here! If you get seated right away, you can be in and out the door in 45 minutes - with a full and happy tummy!
404majar
Oh my goodness! So good! The staff were so kind and patient. This is just down the way from Yale surgery. Great place to wile away the time. Great social distancing setup!
nik_chelli
Great vibe. Even better food, super tasty! Staff was also very friendly. Will definitely go back again for more!
Michael Patrick Labonte
“Michael Labonte is Marketing Inc” recommends GotMeals. What do I recommend about GotMeals?
We live a block away from Mecca (New Haven) and have eaten at the restaurant & ordered food to go many times over the past 2.5 years; the food is consistently fantastic — but I can no longer in good conscience, continue to patronize this restaurant. The service and management attitude has always been hit or miss (read occasionally great but mostly indifferent; you’ll find lots of reviews chronicling this trend on the various review sites) but over the past six months, it's become unspeakably awful. Over these past six months, we’ve placed many online, to-go orders for pick-up; you arrive to pick up - they may have your order -- or may not. It may be ready, or maybe not. Just don't even try to ask any of the hosts - they don't want to be bothered. Tonight, tried to order online but their website wasn't working. No problem - we called the restaurant to place the order. Nope. They tell you they don't take phone orders -- that we should use the website; we tell them the website isn't working; they say, "Oh yeah, it's backed-up” and just hang up. So abrupt and gruff that it could only be a mistake. Call back, no, not a mistake - apparently, I’m the idiot. Again, good food -- just not worth the hassle and definitely not worth encouraging awful service.
I love the food (like everyone else). HOWEVER - I HATE THE SUPER LOUD MUSIC!!! They won't turn it down when I've asked. I hope, in their newly renovated space, they have some area where it's not so noisy. I'm not 18 years old and like to hear what my partner has to say!!!!!!
Went here with my wife and college age son. Walking past on a cold day and thought we would try it. Great decision! We had some edamame (best we ever had) that was seasoned and grilled. My son had the pork ramen and my wife and split wonton soup (giant bowl). It was all very good. We ate during lunch on a Saturday and there was actually a little wait. The three three of us ate for about $30. The staff was friendly and quick to replace napkins or water. I recommend!
Came here for dinner one evening and found a new fave! Started off with the spicy beef dumplings and they were sublime! Nice kick off to my dinner which was the Pho Tai. Probably the best I have ever had! The lady bartending was our server as well and she knocked it out of the park. A true 5-star establishment with a great modern vibe. Love it and will be back!
Enjoyed this spot for dinner with a work group. The overwhelming opinion of the table was that the ramen was great, but the edamame was not to be missed - absolutely delicious!!
I've been itching to try this place for years but COVID pushed things back. Nice decor and very open - front windows were wide open and the music was great. Sat on the sidewalk and had a ramen and the kimchi fried rice. Started w/ Korean Fried Chicken bao...with great daikon/carrot slaw. Ramen had a great broth - very thin noodles. A whole soft boiled egg. The charshu was clearly pork belly - cut thick. It had corn but nori was extra. No sign of bamboo shoots. I did grab the togarashi hot oil which was not overwhelming and provided a great kick. Gotta come back at night and hit the bar.
We had it exactly 40 minutes before our show at the Shubert started when we entered this crowded location but the hostess reassured us she’d have us in and out, full and happy, on time for the show. She delivered in spades. Our snappy attendant Louis stepped right up the minute we sat down in the open air intimate seating dining area. We needed some education regarding some of the offerings and he was only too happy to help out and make suggestions. Extremely friendly and a pleasure to deal with. We both opted for a Pho offering, with minor meat variation between our choices— we were both blown away by the incredible flavors, the tender meat and delicious noodles and lots of it, easily enough for two or three meals each, at about $12 A bowl. A virtual steal! We also had an order of the pan fried red oil dumplings, a pork/shrimp/beef mixture held in place with a crispy Paperthin crunchy coating— The taste was so impressive, the dipping sauce wasn’t required. I stuck to water but my daughter opted for the papaya/pineapple Boba drink which was as flavorful as it was unique to us. Just marvelous. Sat, orders taken, meals served, meal eaten, out the door all in about 30 minutes. Bonus, it was terrific! Would highly recommend
I took my 4 kids here after going to an escape room and they were a little unsure since they have not eaten Vietnamese before, but the staff was great, and everyone had a delicious meal. Food was very good, and the menu explained what each meal was along with recommendations. Looking forward to coming back next time we are in town
Being new to the New Haven are and visiting for the next 3 months, I made it a point to visit some of the areas go to food stops. Mecha, popular Asian comfort food restaurant was recommended and it did not disappoint!! Being downtown parking is either street parking or the garage. I was able to score a spot on the street a block away. Upon arrival the place was small but very modern. The staff wears masks and were very personable. My waiter, Louis?, walked me through the menu and offer drink suggestions based on my preferences. I went with the Pho Ga, chicken pho and added greens and the Lotus Flower Bomb Sangria, both were AMAZING!! The food came out super quick and the noodles and flavor were very robust. They had 3 sauces on the table that you could add for flavor, I went with the sweet, and it was very tasty. The broth was full of flavor and noodles for days! The chicken was nicely cooked as well and the added greens rounded it out. Since it's no secret that portions are huge, I was able to eat half and take the other have home with me. They provide you with a container for the broth and container for the contents to keep separate which I thought was nice. My waiter even packaged it up for me. The star of the show was the sangria!! I drink sangria almost everywhere I go and the Lotus Flower Bomb Sangria was probably one of the best I've had. I would 100000% come back just for that. It was very smooth and sweet, full of flavor and I could taste each of the components. Mecha had several other items on the menu that I would've loved to try and I'll will definitely be back. Monday-Friday from 3-6 is happy hour and they seemed to have a good turn out on the Friday I was there. If you're looking for some great Asian inspired comfort food and a modern/trendy atmosphere this is your must visit place! I can't wait to go back!
Most of the dishes we got were great. Loved the sichuan cucumbers. The ramen was outstanding. The pho was OK. Service was very friendly. Can be very busy with long waits. Parking garage right next door.
Restaurantji Recommends
Mecha ALWAYS delivers. My partner and I come here a few times a month. We can't get enough of the ramen and the steamed pork belly baos. They have seasonal specials that are usually fantastic. They've got some good beers on tap, great cocktails, and sake flights. It's a perfect spot for a date night or getting together with friends. If you're looking for a quick and delicious dinner - go here! If you get seated right away, you can be in and out the door in 45 minutes - with a full and happy tummy!
Oh my goodness! So good! The staff were so kind and patient. This is just down the way from Yale surgery. Great place to wile away the time. Great social distancing setup!
Great vibe. Even better food, super tasty! Staff was also very friendly. Will definitely go back again for more!
“Michael Labonte is Marketing Inc” recommends GotMeals. What do I recommend about GotMeals?
Great food that is healthy and delicious!