Exotic Thai
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
17 Reviews for Exotic Thai
This is my new love apart from Mam's. I feel guilty every time I say that I love this place, as close, or almost as close to Mam's. They are great people and great cooks. Try their steamed dumplings, they are delicious.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Another good review for this delish-us restaurant. I went with Leslie L. on recommendation from Yelp Food Experts Christina R. and Michelle C. Man, oh man, these smart ladiez were right on.
The place is well-lit and clean as others have mentioned. Our waiter was nice, helpful (and also very cute). The Thai Dumpling appetizer was juicy and flavorful with a bit of crunchy fried garlic on top. The Seafood Coconut soup was the best Tom Ka I've had in Austin. It was light and super fresh (didn't taste like it had been sitting around in a pot all day) with mushrooms, green onions, perfectly cooked shrimp and gigantic dried chile peppers. It was hot enough to be satisfying but did not induce tears. The Panang Curry with tofu was tasty, if soupier than what I'm used to. Letting it soak in the jasmine rice for a few minutes before eating really helped the texture and flavor. The Pad Kee Mow (noodles, veggies and meat) was savory & rich (and a huge serving); we had the pork version with sauteed onions, green onions, jalapenos, chile peppers, basil and red and green peppers. My only desire was that it would have included a more acidic flavor like lime juice to balance the hot. We ate for just under $40 and had plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (3)
Being inside Exotic Thai is vaguely like sitting in the set of a futuristic
movie. As of this review, there is alot of empty space and glass.
My experience at Exotic Thai began thusly:
(Hiss of airlock as we enter)
"Welcome to Exotic Thai, Dave."
"Uhh...it's Matt, actually."
"Of course it is. Please, call me Hal."
We are sat immediately, examining the menu and whispering amongst ourselves, careful not to disturb the other patrons, and then motioned to the waiter that we were ready.
Me: "Hello, sir, we're ready to order."
Hal the Waiter, approaching."Affirmative, Dave, I read you."
Me: "What? Uh...we'd like to order?"
Hal the Waiter: "I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that."
Me: "What's the problem?"
Hal the Waiter: "I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do."
Me: "What are you talking about, Hal?
Hal the Waiter: "This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it."
Me: "I don't know what you're talking about, Hal? We're just here to eat some delicious thai food. We've heard good things..."
Hal the Waiter: "I know you and your friend were planning to order something crazy, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen."
Me: "Where the hell'd you get that idea, Hal? We just got here!"
Hal the waiter wanders off, shortly returning with EXACTLY what we were going to order!
Hal the Waiter: "Dave, although you took thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move. Enjoy your food!"
...can you imagine how WEIRD that would be if that really happened?!
Actually, the staff is very nice, despite the antiseptic surroundings (The place is brand new, and there is alot of unused space in there...). And the food? Fantastic. Flavorful and with an excellent balance of spices. Nothing too greasy and all very fresh tasting. I had the much vaunted Panang curry and was exceedingly happy with it, as well as the coconut seafood soup. Creamy with fresh seafood of all types inside...yum.
Give this place a try as soon as you're able. It promises to be an Odyssey.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
If you find this review remarkably similar to the Anna B.'s, it's because we share a brain as well as Thai dishes.
* Big ups to Christina R., queen of all things AZN and delicious for recommending this place to us *
Absolutely perfect and barely sweet coconut-creamy base tempered with just the right amount of heat from the chiles, super fresh veggies (they ain't usin canned mushrooms) and beautifully pink and not overcooked shrimpz up in the Thom Kha soup - best I've had in Austin. I never thought I'd call a soup gorgeous, but...is beautiful!
I knew by the amount of heat they offer that this place is no sell out. They don't cater to non-AZN taste buds. They keeps it real unlike wimpier, lesser Thai places in town - you might sweat a little, but no need to bring a towel with you or anything.
After mercilessly quizzing our good-natured waiter about which dish he would choose, we decided on the Panang Curry. Another nice presentation, but I think we had both been expecting a base that was somewhat thicker. BUT...Anna suggested putting our curry on our jasmine rice and letting it sit there for a minute so the rice could soak up the coconut and curry. It made the rice super soft and creamy and delicious. Note - it's even better the next day if you have leftovers.
Very tasty.
The Pad Kee Mow had more heat than the soup thanks to some slivers of jalapeno hiding like little snipers amongst the noodles and bell peppers. A little sweet, a little spicy and carbs-a-plenty! Atkins? What?? Gimme noodles and rice, yo! It's the food I grew up on and I ain't givin it up never.
The place is new and super clean (no sticky menus here - yuckers) which is a plus and a minus for them - I'm sure over time as the collective energy builds up in this space, it will develop more character and maybe a little dirt. But if your AZN you know - a little dirt makes it taste even better.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
I'm going to do the same disclaimer for all my Thai reviews...
Disclaimer: I am half Lao. Why does this matter? Thai and Lao cuisine are like kissing cousins, so I know what these items should taste like. However, I think I am much more critical when it comes to cuisine that resembles what I eat at home.
With that said, I really like Exotic Thai. Exotic Thai is located in what I deem Chinatown #2. It's in the second phase off Lamar and Braker. The place itself is fairly new albeit the interior feels very sterile. But, this isn't about the ambiance - it's all about the grub.
Whenever I dine at an Asian restaurant - I always have to eat family style. I mean really what's the point in only enjoying one entree, right? The only bad thing is that I never regulate myself, so I always end up with a cramped table and huge bill. Heh.
I traditionally order the same entrees whenever I try out a new Thai place. You know, to test the waters. They are: pad kee mow (drunken noodles), yum neau (beef salad), pad kra pao (stir-fry with choice of meat, basil and usually bell peppers) and tom ka gai (a soup with chicken, coconut, lemongrass)
I mean comparatively to all the other Thai places in town (that everyone else seems to rave about and I end up disappointed) - Exotic Thai passes the test. Again, not like super rock star food. But you probably won't find better authenticity, quality nor price at all the other Austin favorites. It's sort of sad that I always have to say "comparatively" in all my reviews. Asian food in Austin just isn't great suffice to say.
Nevertheless, I'm going on Wednesday night with some peeps. I'll do an update.
People thought this was:
Useful (9)
Funny (2)
Cool (4)
Really impressed with this restaurant. The curries are subtle and flavorful, the pad thai is probably one of the best I've had, and the pineapple fried rice is a kid treat. Definitely a keeper and well worth trying if you're looking for good thai in the N Austin area.
One of the best Fried Rice in town. Seasoning is just right, never greasy, It almost feels as though the rice evaporates with flavor in your mouth. Chicken satay sticks never taste previously frozen and service is always off the hook. They tend to your every need and more. Its the and more that always matters. The only thing that gets me is the way the rest room area is connected to the back of the kitchen and the smell that restroom area always has.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Well, first, if you like Madam Mams, and you live up north, you should give this place a try.
I was surprised (im a regular at Madam Mams) to see a Mams employee working. Seems that he broke off from Mams and opened this place up. However, the menu is a bit smaller, and has some nice unique stuff.
I had some red curry with duck, and it was pretty tasty (although a tad soupy). The portion was smaller than mams, but plenty filling.
If you live near this place its definitely worth checking out. The place is new and super clean and was fairly calm when I was there. I eat a ton of thai food and this is one of the better places in town.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
One of the categories in which I think Austin food is sadly lacking is great Thai. We do have a few places that are decent - just nothing that consistently makes me say, "THAT'S what I'm talking about!"
While I'm not sure Exotic Thai rises to that level in all of its offerings, it does have a few that I think are outstandingly good. The chicken larb (ground chicken mixed with mint and lime - and by the way, it is strangely satisfying to pretend you're a pirate when you're referring to this dish and call it "larrrrrrrrrrrrb!") is insanely delicious, as are the green curry on the curry section of their menu (the one with the eggplant in it) and their Gatee Tom Yum Gai soup (although they call it something more generic like "coconut chicken soup" - despite their name, I guess they didn't want to sound TOO exotic). I also tried the shrimp Thai fried rice (good, but not wow), their pad thai (better than average for restaurant pad thai, but not fabulous - however, I'm a total pad thai snob), and their red curry with coconut milk (very very good, but not as rich and flavorful as the red curry at Thai Kitchen, IMO).
Prices seem to be a little on the lower end as far as Thai food goes - most entrees are between $6.50-$7.50, IIRC, although there are a few in the "food" portion of their menu (yes, you read that correctly) that range up to around $10. However, the portions are more or less individual portions (albeit generous ones) - I wouldn't say they are quite as large as some of the more "family style" portions you sometimes find at Thai restaurants.
As others have mentioned, the atmosphere is a little on the sterile/generic side. You wouldn't expect them to be turning fantastic, authentic Thai food out of this kitchen. But it's surprisingly good given the surroundings. If you're in the area, I definitely recommend that you give it a try; it may even be worth a special trip for that larb or the green curry. I know I'll be back.
People thought this was:
Useful (8)
Funny (1)
Cool (4)
Exotic Thai had been teasing me for months with its red sign beckoning long before construction finished. It's located in that slick new strip mall at the southwest corner of Braker and Lamar with entirely glass store fronts that also houses Pho Danh and a Chinese bank. Another Vietnamese superstore (Hong Duc) is set to open next to Exotic Thai, too. (This alone is exciting for anyone who's visited Houston and walked through its large Asian grocery stores. For Austin to have TWO Vietnamese grocery stores? We've come a long way, baby!)
Now, about Exotic Thai. My old high school friend and I chose to eat there for our reunion dinner. We like places with odd names, and considering this one hints at a joint that offers barefoot backwalking rather than legit food, and considering the fact that we were craving Thai grub, this place was the obvious choice.
I first noticed not the black granite tabletops or the sparse feel of the place. No, I noticed the yin and yang salt and pepper shakers on the table. That's because I have my own set on my own table at home. Overall, I'm a little baffled by this strip center in general because most local Asian food joints here seem to have a kitschy feel, so the high-end modern-minimalist thing is a bit of shocker.
We chose to go around 4 p.m. on a Sunday -- the first surprise was that they were actually open, as I thought they might close between lunch and dinner every day. Our greeter was also our server and also the cashier, but this wasn't an issue since there were only about four tables occupied. He was super friendly and attentive throughout the meal, which often colors my opinion of whether I'd return. Passing grade on the service card.
I ordered my three baseline items that also help determine whether I'll return: Thai iced tea, tom ka soup and pad thai. If you can't get those right, it makes me wonder if you'll get the other stuff wrong.
First, I was shocked by the prices. Most items were under $10. For Thai eats, that made me want to jump on the fancypants table and do a dance of joy. Second, the food took no time at all to arrive at the table. I wasn't even close to done with my soup by the time our entrees arrived (but I guess that could've been because I was doing a lot of catching up with my bud).
Regardless ...
The tea was nummy nummy -- as good as the thumbs-up Thai iced teas I've had elsewhere. The soup was a chicken, mushroom, galanga mix in a spicy coconut milk broth. Muy tasty. Just the right amount of spice to bite your tongue, then disappear by the next slurp. I asked for the chicken pad thai to be a bit spicy. It came out not spicy at all, and I was surprised there was no lime on the side for squeezing. I love my limes, and I almost asked for one, but I tasted a hint of it on the noodles, so I passed this time.
Presentation was nice but not overwhelming. I think a large part of the budget was spent on the granite tabletops and sleek lighting -- none of which really matter when you're shoving good eats down your piehole, you know? But back to the food ...
The pad thai was very good. Not the best, but for under $7, it was pretty damn good. I ate most of it (I was hungry!). The plate wasn't heaped overwhelmingly high, but it definitely was more than enough for one person, but not near enough for two.
My friend ordered some spicy chicken noodles (sorry -- can't remember exactly what they were), and he was on fire. The menu noted they were spicy, so I guess they mean business when they put that chili icon next to the menu listing.
I fully intend to return to this place again and again. Good service, good food, good location for those north of the river.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Cool (5)
Wow! I was pleasantly surprised. I have to admit I went in with low expectations. Its a brand new place in a slick, sterile, glass and limestone strip mall with overly high ceilings and very little atmosphere, but the FOOD! Oh, the food was delicious, the menu extensive and the PRICES very reasonable.
We had the egg roll appetizer as our litmus test, comparing them to our all time favorite at Thai Passion downtown. They were crunchy and fresh, not overcooked, but missing that particular spice that set Thai Passion's rolls apart from the others. Very nice, nonetheless.
I had the duck curry, mostly because I was impressed to see not one but several duck dishes on the menu, all priced under $10. It was not as spicy as I was hoping, but excellent just the same. My man had the chicken with cashews. Again, not as spicy as we would have liked, but nice fresh veggies and tender chicken pieces in a light sauce.
I wanted to give this place 3.5 stars, but rounded up because its an excellent addition to my North Austin neighborhood and I want to encourage their business.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
I should be giving this place 3.5 stars, but I had to round down.
Like the other reviewers, I found the atmosphere to be sterile. In their defense, the place is new, so they just probably haven't found their groove yet.
Anyhoo, a quick review:
Rock-solid tom kha gai in a hot pot; fantastic chicken larb-- really really wonderful. I ordered the chicken pad thai as a litmus test, and it was also quite tasty (be sure to order extra limes on the side).
I was bummed that our server assumed we didn't want dessert by handing us the check; I wanted to try their mango and sticky rice. Oh well, next time. (This is what made me round down to 3 stars, instead of rounding up to 4.)
Note to self: no sum tom on the menu (yet?), and the liquor license is on the way.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
The atmosphere is a little strange.. like a car showroom with high ceilings, white walls, very little decoration on the walls. If you have ever been to Thai Passion North, it is like the polar opposite. The food was pretty good, no complaints there. We had the Duck Curry and the Tom Yum soup. The funny thing was that they didn't call it Tom Yum, the gave it a Western name like "sour and spicy soup" to appeal to the white faces.. Service was good and the prices were reasonable.. I rounded down to 3 stars because of the sterile atmosphere, but it is worth eating there if you are nearby. If I was in the neighborhood again I would still probably drive farther south and eat at Titaya.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
If, like me, you live in North East / Central Austin and love Asian cuisine, you have no doubt been dismayed by the lack of Thai restaurants in the area, despite a large number of Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian options. Exotic Thai, which is located in the new strip center on the west side of Lamar and Braker, is a welcome addition. Don't be put off by the fact that it sounds like a shady massage parlor: they offer an extensive, not-overly-Westernized menu at very reasonable prices, are open fairly late, and the service is friendly and attentive. The food itself, from what I tried, was quite good, obviously prepared with care from fresh ingredients and served with the typical Thai flair for presentation. While not the best Thai I've ever had, it's worth trying again for sure. The location is clean (being brand new), but a bit drab. I will be back here soon.
Edit: Try the Panang Curry!
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (1)
Great Authenticate Thai Food; Home Style. The atmosphere is great, vs other comments. It is upscale in its interior, and the menu offering is great. It is in English and Thai. My wife is Thai and has fallen in love with their menu and food selection. If you are a Novice or Americanized Thai food consumer give it a try to actually see how real Thai food taste. Might not be for some, but for others they will feel like they are getting food straight from Thailand. This restaurant will be in our circulation for years to come.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I give the Tom Yum soup 4 stars... i like mine spicy with chili oil, lots of lemon grass, red ginger, and cilantro - and grilled scallion to boot. the shrimp was clean though i would have preferred more shrimp, bigger, and fattier shrimp. As for the rest 2.5 stars - i'm being nice and rounding up to 3. I ordered a red curry with shrimp and pineapple - it was a bit too watery for me - maybe to give the impression that the portion was bigger than it was but when you removed the curry all you got was a few shrimp, pineapple, and green bell pepper... a big negative the rice - tasted kind of cold and it wasn't the fragrant thai rice - maybe microwaved day old rice. Interior was pretty minimalist - granite or faux granite tables - lots of people kept spilling there water glasses... if it weren't for the runny curry or the piss ass - minute made/uncle ben's style rice - i'd probably would have liked it better.
People thought this was:
Useful (7)
Funny (4)
Cool (3)
Oh how I want to like this place, but I can't commit to it yet.
I've been twice so far and some of the food has been very good (pad thai) and some has been very bland (crab fried rice with next to no crab). But my main issue with Exotic Thai has been their service.
The last time I went for lunch they had one guy greeting, taking phone orders, and waitering for the whole place which proved to just not be enough.
My plan from now on is to do takeout orders only. The menu is extensive and does seem closer to what I've had in other cities, so I hope they can stay in business.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Where I Chomp
I eat at home mostly, but when I do go out, it… -
Top Restaurants
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the… -
To Wong Foo from…
Amid the gloom of the world food situation… -
Northeast Austin Quisine
Northeast/North Austin, despite its reputation as…
Hot and New
- Green Pastures Restaurant
17 reviews
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
- Lift Cafe
8 reviews
Austin, TX
- Cafe Josie
25 reviews
Austin, TX
- Starlite
39 reviews
Neighborhood: Downtown
- The Jackalope
71 reviews
Neighborhood: Downtown