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Neecha Thai
Category: Restaurants Thai Thai [Edit]
3236 Grand Ave(between Elwood Ave & Lake Park Ave)
Oakland, CA 94610
Neighborhoods: Grand Lake, Lower Hills
(510) 451-9419
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 3 pm
Mon-Fri 5 pm - 10 pm
Sat-Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
James N. said: "A lot of my Oakland resident friends always talk about Champa Garden and how good they are. So when there was a clearance sale for Restaurant dot com. The deal was my foot on the door for this joint. Champa Garden is located in a iffy…" read more »
268 reviews for Neecha Thai
Review Highlights
"...love the giant, fat, flat noodles in the Pad Se-Ew."
(in 12 reviews)
"the grapefruit herb salad is different and amazing."
(in 5 reviews)
"For something different try the corn cakes."
(in 16 reviews)
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268 reviews in English
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Review from Christine K.
Oakland, CA
1/20/2012
I've been here a couple of times now, both times very enjoyable. Great prices, vibrant flavors, beautiful presentation. The first time I had a garlic chili chicken Thai dish, second time beef with green curry. Both oh so satisfying. My bf had this amazing vegetarian flat noodle dish with mushrooms that blew us both away. It was in the most amazingly flavorful gravy/broth. It was so light yet so comforting and hearty all at once. I'm craving it now...think I just might order takeout on this rainy evening!
Service is very attentive, and the interior is classy and quaint. The only drawback is the small space and popularity make it a bit hectic during peak hours. But even with another Thai place right around the corner, the high quality and low prices make Neecha one of the best Thai places in town! -
Review from M. W.
Oakland, CA
1/10/2012
Consistent, quick, good flavor, inexpensive.
The grapefruit salad and som tom are good.
I usually just get veggie khee mow and they keep me happy!
Super fast for take out -
Review from S D.
Dallas, TX
12/29/2011
We were actually on our way to a different Thai restaurant when we parked our car and noticed this was right in front of us.
For our appetizer, we ordered the spring rolls and chicken satay. Both of which were excellent.
For our meals, we ordered the pad thai with chicken, -
Review from Steven B.
Oakland, CA
2/4/2012
Delicious and cheap. I would recommend the pad-see-ew. I haven't ordered anything from the vegetarian side of the menu, which is quite extensive, but has odd items like "barbecued gluten"... Uhhh come on, at least make it sound appetizing!
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Review from Genevieve S.
Oakland, CA
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Good food. Good prices but nothing amazing. Had cashew chicken and pumpkin curry. I'm sure I'll go back.
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Review from Andy D.
Oakland, CA
1/27/2012
Not sure why people gave good reviews for this place. the pad kee mao was bland and most stuff dont really have a kick of spice on them... i mean come on it's thai food we're talking about here!
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Review from Alison R.
Oakland, CA
1/24/2012
Went with a small group, 5 of us on a Sunday.... there was one other group of 4 in the restaurant. Service was slow, waiter wasn't terribly friendly, and food lacked depth and flavor. I ordered the green papaya salad which was really good and the Cashew Chicken which was very bland. It was an average neighborhood restaurant. Nothing I would write home about or highly recommend to friends or family.
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Review from David V.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2012
One of the worst Thai meals I have ever had in my life. I know thai food, I lived in the country before and have eaten countless meals. This food should have been served in a retirement home. I have never tasted anything so bland and flavorless in my entire life. What a major disappointment it was. 1 prawn in the Tom Yum and no flavor. Pumpkin curry where the pumpkin could not even be cut it was still raw and undercooked and one of the blandest curries I have ever eaten. My grandmother might have liked it as she cannot tolerate any spice or flavor. As for anyone else, avoid this place at all cost.
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Review from Melissa P.
Austin, TX
12/12/2011
Let me just begin by saying that I LOVE Thai food. If I frequent a city--I know at least one awesome Thai place to eat while I'm there. It's an obsession, folks, and it's where most of my money goes.
That being said...Neecha is hands down one of the best Thai places I've ever come across. The food is fresh, the flavors are vibrant, the menu is varied and exciting. When I first moved to the East Bay I immediately went on Yelp to find a new Thai restaurant. I ended up at Bangkok something or other in Berkeley. The food was greasy, but okay. Mainly, the incredibly cheap lunch special was what attracted me. When i discovered Neecha I quickly realized that cheap does not compare to fresh and flavorful. I'd eat at Neecha if the prices were even higher. Speaking of prices, Neecha is totally reasonable. I've eaten dinner there with my boyfriend about 4 times and we haven't had anything but rave reviews each time and usually spend around 22-25 bucks total. The prices hover around 7.95-8-95 per dish.
The boyfriend likes his food spicy, so his favorites are the Pad Kee Mow & the Gai Gra Pow. I like the noodle soup with pork & tofu. I've also had their Pad Thai, which was delicious, but Pad Thai is a pretty played out dish for my palate.
Eat at Neecha. You won't regret it. -
Review from Nick S.
Let's go w/ three adjectives - cheap, tasty and spicy!
Two people can have lunch for under $20 easy, or maybe $25 if you both spring for Thai iced tea. :-)
The Nua Pad Prik (stir-fried beef w/ veggies in chili sauce over rice) is delicious, but I was almost worried by how much it was causing me to sweat at the end. -
Review from Samira A.
San Jose, CA
10/4/2011
Last night my boyfriend and I dined at Neecha Thai. First, I love this area of Oakland, Grand Avenue. Our table was right by the window which I do enjoy. It's a small dimmed restaurant and I enjoyed the atmosphere. Now, to the good part, the food was really good. I LOVE Thai food and I love it when it's as authentic as possible. We ordered a few things to share;
Vegeterian Fried Rice w/Salad
Chicken Pad Thai
Green Curry (Chicken) w/Rice
Dessert: FBI = Fried Banana w/Coconut Ice Cream (YUM!) = )
Overall, we had a nice quiet dinner and left with full belly's, also, the service is fast and good.
Enjoy! -
Review from Chicken W.
Oakland, CA
1/10/2012
Over the years I've had my fair share of unpleasant dining experiences. My experience at Neecha Thai was by far the worst I have ever had. There were several unacceptable, horrible things that happened at this one particular visit. But to save time and energy, let's just stick with the worst. After reading that, the rest wont really matter. My girlfriend and I ordered several dishes, one of which was the fried spring rolls. She takes a bite, gasps, then announces that there's ROPE in her spring roll. I think that surely she's mistaken, and tell her that it's probably just a thick piece of fried silver noodles. She tells me that I'm wrong, pulls a huge hunk of something out of her mouth, and hands it to me. I look at it closely because it's kind of dark in there, and see that indeed, it's rope. What she bit into was a piece of wadded up, twisted, thick twine that if completely unraveled, would have been at least 10-12 inches long. I was totally shocked and disgusted. I waved down our server, and once he slowly made his way over to our table, I calmly and politely told him what we had found. I guess I was expecting him to be surprised. Perhaps even shocked and/or apologetic. Instead he seemed amused and yelled something over his shoulder to the cooks in the kitchen in his native language. He removed the plate from the table and told us he wouldn't charge us for the spring rolls (duh). Then he asked us if we wanted a replacement and we said yes (we were starving). We finished our dinner without incident, other than the fact that the server continued to be rude and never came back to see how the food was, refill our water, etc. My girlfriend and I tried to think how something like that could have happened. How the cook didn't notice what he/she had rolled up before frying. It seemed impossible. We finished our dinner and asked for the bill. I immediately noticed that we had been charged for the spring rolls. By this point I'm totally irritated. I bring it to his attention thinking that surely it was a mistake. He immediately cops a major attitude and says, "Of course we charged you. You said you wanted a replacement." I attempted to tell both him and a manager how unfair this was. And told them that the least they could do was offer a sincere apology. I got nothing but a blank stare. And the more I tried to talk to them, the worse it got. Bottom line: don't eat there. They don't deserve your business.
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Review from Pamela G.
Oakland, CA
8/19/2011
I love this place - it is especially great for vegetarians. Their vegetarian menu is so extensive - and yummy!
I would try tricking your meat eating friends with the BBQ Gluten - the skewers or the main dish are fantastic.
I go there all the time - very friendly staff, especially on the weekends. -
Review from Eric A.
8/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
What: Muk Krob (Calamari), Kang Faktong (Red Curry w/ Squash), and Banana Leaf Salmon
When: Dinner
Food: 4 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Price: 4 stars
Note: Service was super slow so if you're hungry, you may get irritated! Regarding the Food, the Calamari was okay, it was really sweet for me. The Red Curry w/ Squash was good and I shared it but honestly I didn't want to because It was tasty. The Banana Leaf Salmon was the interesting thing as I've never been to a Thai restaurant and had something like this. I would have given this place 3 stars, but because of the Banana Leaf Salmon I pushed this restaurant up a star for uniqueness -
Review from Maureen M.
Hayward, CA
8/25/2011
I really enjoy coming here! my second time around I got to try more appetizers. I really suggest the corn fritters and calamari. This calamari is not your usual calamari either, super fresh, tender and the batter and sauce is like sweet and salty. and don't be afraid of corn fritters, because it has corn, it will surprise you. I actually could have eaten the corn fritters by myself.
i totally dig the short ribs plate, but eating short ribs requires you to get down and dirty and not be ashamed to use your hands to eat either. the kao pad and cashew chicken are all tasty as well. we were already stuffed so we didn't have enough room for dessert but i was definitely eyeing the fried banana fritters with ice cream.
service is ok. they were accommodating to use three ladies plus my son who was sleeping in the stroller ;) but any time I am around the lake and feening for some thai food I will definitely be coming here. -
Review from Yoko K.
Oakland, CA
8/6/2011
There are so many Thai restaurants that it's hard to stand out, but it's definitely one of my favorite Thai food, considering I just got back from Thailand. Actually they have very interesting starter menu, we had a grapefruit herbal salad and the deep fried spring rolls, both very flavorful. Then we just shared Pad Thai and mango stick rice dessert. They were all very tasty. I'd definitely try different starters as well as entree.
We actually walked from my new place and walked back, nice half an hour walk each way. -
Review from Chris T.
Oakland, CA
7/6/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've passed by this place a lot and now i'm sad i haven't eaten there more. I normally hit up the other thai place around the corner (chao thai).
I was very pleased to see quite a different menu at this place than at my regular. It was all still thai food just different stuff. I ordered the grilled pork dish which came with a huge piece of pork which was immaculately cooked. Great fast and friendly service too. So now depending on the kind of thai food I want, I've got options. -
Review from Jay R.
Oakland, CA
8/14/2011
Ok I've eaten here several times lately and it's been great every time. Not just ok, but really good. The kitchen is pretty fast too.
The green, red, yellow curries are all delicious. The pad see ew will kill any hangover dead. Curry noodles are also fantastic. Eat it up! -
Review from Linda T.
Oakland, CA
7/12/2011
This place is okay.
The pad thai was delicious, albeit a little bit too salty for my palate. My buddy's pad see ew was a little too salty too. Maybe it's just overly flavorized to match the culture on Grand. I don't know.
I won't make any more of a snap judgment yet. I'm going back to try their curry. -
Review from Tamara F.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2011
I think this is the type of place where the price and quality of the food doesn't quite match the atmosphere. Yes, the portions don't seem to quite match the price, but if this place had white tablecloths and a fancy wine list, you probably wouldn't mind, and would feel special for paying so much.
Because the food is really good. Sort of more delicate and thoughtful, and probably one of the few Thai places where a vegetarian can dine and be confident about no fish sauce. Also, I appreciate the salad-esque dishes for those of us that would rather load up on fresh veggies than rice.
One downside, I think the gluten fake meat they use, though tasty, does not agree with my stomach. I've had very minor stomach grumbles after the two times eating there.
In contrast to other reviews, the service has always been quick for me, maybe because it's never been particularly busy when I've visited. -
Review from Michelle S.
Oakland, CA
7/14/2011
After returning from exile on the Central Coast, I was in need of a good Thai Food fix. This neighborhood gem is great, and I'm so happy it's a couple of blocks away!
For something different try the corn cakes. Fresh kernel corn with basil and lime, lightly battered and fried. Yummy! The pad thai is excellent. Cashew and grapefruit salad is awesome, and don't forget to order the Lychee Iced Tea. WOW! I could drink this all day long. -
Review from Victor G.
Oakland, CA
6/18/2011
Neecha Thai is a pretty small eatery with 10ish tables and a counter. didn't feel like paying for parking so just got food to go.
sampling:
- curry noodle(8.95)
- pad thai (8.95?)
leftovers:
-friendly fast service.
-remembered rich flavors. servings adequate for lunch.
this was over a year ago so details sketchy.
-would repeat but believed prices have evolved. saw lamb (19.95).... -
Review from Serene S.
Oakland, CA
5/8/2011
This is a great Grand Lake neighborhood place, where we've been eating about twice a month for two years. I would give a fifth star, but the menu is a little limited once you get to know it as well as we do.
Solid options are pad thai, pad se ew (the vegetarian version is fantastic), and pra ram. They make THE ABSOLUTE BEST PAPAYA SALAD I have ever had. They serve a small green salad with entrees and you can substitute quinoa for rice. My husband loves the bbq chicken and orders it almost every time. Chicken satay appetizer is good too. I have to say, the soups are not a highlight here.
The portions are generous and the service is quick. I love it when you find a place where you don't have to wait for a table, yet the food is reliably good. It's not romantic but works just fine for a casual date. -
Review from Leslie K.
3/1/2011
Met friends here for dinner this past Friday night. I found it via Yelp and was thrilled to see so many vegetarian options on the menu. I did a cursory read of the reviews and maybe some people mentioned the ambiance but I missed it. Though the food was good I don't think it's conducive to a weekend evening with friends and conversation unless you like having to speak loudly in a brightly lit place.
I enjoyed my soup noodle dish. The others seemed to enjoy their dishes as well. We split an appetizer of spring rolls. Food is definitely good.
If I return it will be for a lunch visit. It just didn't feel like a nice dining kind of place. But hey, that's me. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Oakland, CA
10/6/2011
this is definitely one of the best thai food restaurants I have been to over the past 20 years. It is always fresh, delicious, includes some a-typical - as far as thai restaurants go - items on their menu but all of them are incredible that i've tried so far. the calamari appetizer is completely unexpected with fried basil and an incredible flavor. so glad they're in my neighborhood!!
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Review from Veggie D Lit e.
Oakland, CA
6/28/2011
Every time I have been here I have been very impressed, satisfied, and eager to return. Everything I have had has been fabulous. They have a whole vegetarian menu with plenty of great options. The waitress offered the "spicy tray" even though we are white! :) That was a major plus for me cause I looove it spicy!! They are well-staffed and attentive and the results are wonderful food and service. The atmosphere is relaxing and intimate and it is the BEST Thai food I have had in the bay area. They don't just follow the regular formula of hum-drum Thai food that can be found at other acceptable if unremarkable Thai places around the bay. They have a really good menu. Keep up the good work, Neecha Thai! I'll be back!
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Review from Winnie C.
Oakland, CA
9/21/2010
I am rather disappointed by Neecha Thai, but I'm a relatively traditional girl when it comes to my thai food.
Long story short, this place is more expensive than a lot of places in East Oakland (Such as Vientian Cafe and Champa Garden) and its taste is inferior to them also.
I took my family here for a nicer lunch as it's right by the lake and in a nicer part of town, however my mother repeatedly told me she would rather be at Vientian on their small tables and uncomfortable chairs because the food is so much better.
The food here is not that spicy and while everything looked nicer, there was not a single dish that I would order again. The curry noodles were stuck to each other and did not have a memorable taste. The seafood dish was rather bland.
All in all, I would not plan on heading over to Neecha Thai again. It is not worth the money. -
Review from amy l.
Oakland, CA
10/28/2010
I really enjoyed my lunch here. This is slightly shocking cause thai food usually gives me wicked acid reflux and stingring. But not at neecha thai! Lovely quiet clean environment with fresh tasty food. I've recently gone vegetarian, so I absolutely love the two menus for meat eaters and vegetarians, including tom yum and tom kha soups. I really enjoyed my seasonal kabocha squash/thai basil/red curry on quinoa. Yum yum. They also have white and brown rice. The tea was that really yummy vanilla thai tea.
Upsides: not heavy, not greasy, very fresh.
Ever so slight downside: not cheap. -
Review from Eric B.
6/22/2010
Last Sunday, I wanted to see Toy Story 3 (in 3D) and thought that the Grand Lake would be a cool Theater choice. Maybe my son thinks that he's too old for animation or toys, as I basically had to bribe him with a trip to Target first. However, instant gratification wears out quickly, and by the time we had parked the car, he was in full "I'm Not Going" mode. He was also hungry and impatient with my TrueBurger directions mistake (Uptown), and my Grand/Lakeshore exploration mode. Finally and for the sake of Shalom Bayit, I took his recommendation that we have lunch at Neecha Thai.
After walking in, my son immediately noted that Neecha Thai reminded him of his beloved Banana Blossom on Park. Both feature handsome interiors, with subdued lighting, earth tones, and a peaceful vibe. The tiled tables were also a nice touch.
My son had his usual Chicken Satay and Thai Iced Tea, and added a tasty dish of Pad Se-Ew (with Chicken) to the mix. I had Cashew Chicken and a beer. The dishes had good colour balance and I especially enjoyed the added fresh carrots and green beans. And for those of the vegetarian persuasion, there are lots of options. Service was friendly enough, and their particular technique of serving each dish separately with a certain humble flair was was a nice touch.
After the meal, the kid went into the Grand Lake and actually enjoyed the movie. And although my Thai lunch didn't pack enough punch to bring tears to my eyes, Toy Story 3 certainly did at the end. -
Review from Stacy B.
Oakland, CA
3/6/2011
Neecha is yummy. There are a handful of Thai restaurants within a 1 mie radius and we have tried them all. We have been going here alot because my husband likes their yellow curry more than some of the other spots. I'm a fan of the pineapple fried rice.
The service is good and fast. No frills. Good neighborhood spot. -
Review from Susan D.
Visiting my daughter who works just up the road, we popped in for a quick lunch. No wait, quick service and lots to choose from on the menu.
I had a Curry Chicken and vegetable served with rice, just the perfect amount of spicy zing in the creamy coconut milky curry sauce...oh so delicious I ate every bite! My daughter had some vegetable and chicken thing with the peanut sauce that looked equally amazing ( I guess I should have tried a bite but I was so mesmerized with my own plate I forgot to ask) My cousin had some veggie and basil dish also stellar looking too. Very enjoyable meal and all for $31.00 including my daughter's ice tea. Nice server and we were in and out all within the hour, I will so bring my husband back here he'd love this place. Well worth a visit again! (will share pics tomorrow) -
Review from Mathieu S.
San Francisco, CA
12/26/2010
No thanks.
Although the coconut chicken soup was rather good, everything else was way too average to spend anymore occasions going to that particular spot: Their are way too many Thai restaurants to waste going back to that one. Like I said, thanks but No thanks.
2* -
Review from Gabrielle T.
Oakland, CA
9/3/2010
Neecha Thai is an excellent Thai restaurant with many flavorful options to choose from. I usually get the veggie Pad Se-Ew but recently tried the Prik King and was more than satisfied.
If you can save room for dessert, they have a great fried bananas with baby coconut dish drizzled with just a little honey and garnished with crushed peanuts. Delicious! -
Review from Caitlin S.
Philadelphia, PA
7/31/2011
Stopped in for dinner on a local's recommendation and left happy. We were thrilled to see Thai corn cakes on the menu, as we've only found them at one other place ever, and adore them. Delicious! I had the yellow curry with chicken and potatoes, which was rich, creamy, and sweet. I know it said it's their mildest curry, but I would've liked a bit more spice; that being said, I all but licked my plate clean. I also tasted my friends' dishes: pad Thai, basil chicken, and the peanut sauce chicken. All were tasty. Unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert. Next time we're in the bay area :)
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Review from Drea S.
Oakland, CA
5/4/2010
I LOVE this place. I've eaten here several times the last few months.
They have a fantastic array of vegan-friendly dishes, and things are freshly made and always yummy. I am a stickler for ambiance as well, and though this place is cozy, it's very pleasant to dine in.
I've recently been diagnosed with Celiac disease, meaning I can't have anything with wheat gluten (no soy sauce and most fake meats.) This makes it really hard to go out to eat.
So I nicely asked our waitress to modify my dish, and she did, with no problems. We had the amazing fresh veggie spring rolls, and they gave me a special soy free peanut sauce with my veggies, tofu, and quinoa (btw- I LOVE that they serve quinoa!). My boyfriend had a yummy looking curry dish, and at the end of the night we were fat and happy.
(For the Celiacs out there reading this- I didn't feel sick later, they must have a very clean, contaminate-free kitchen.)
I was so happy to be able to eat out in a restaurant again! Thanks Neecha, be back soon!Listed in: Gluten Free Vegan!
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Review from Gwen K.
Oakland, CA
8/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The staff here is always very friendly. The food is A-OK. Good in a pinch. Wouldn't go out of my way to eat here.
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Review from Ete A.
Oakland, CA
6/17/2011
Very decent menu. Not too many items, just right! It can be overwhelming to pick through a lengthy menu but you can bet that anything you select here will be delicious. Everything is very fresh and seasoned perfectly. This is one of my favorite Thai spots!
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Review from Lauren G W.
Oakland, CA
4/7/2010
this place is wonderful!
I came in here with a friend a few years ago for the first time, and while I don't get out to Neecha as often as I would like, my love is pure and true. for my money, I recommend the sweet and tangy pungent fried squid. Seriously, it is like dreamy creamy tender, with a crisp fried crust and tangy sweet glaze. Heaven! the Tom kah kai (chicken lemongrass coconut soup) is perfection, and I have had that damn soup at every. single. Thai restaurant. ever. it is pure spicy coconutty tangy chcken heaven, and when I die, I want to be interred in a vat of Neecha's version.Listed in: I'll om your nom-nom!
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Review from S v.
Berkeley, CA
6/7/2011
Love the original in SF! The fake meat satay is to die for!
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Review from Pamela D.
11/10/2008
Here, I'll tell ya what....I don't really have a problem with small spaces. Sometimes I'm crammed into a small hotel room with five guys, a camera, and some handcuffs. But at least I get PAID for that.
Why is it that every time I come to this place, it isn't busy, yet they insist upon seating myself and my company in the middle of a giant fucking clusterfuck? What the fuck?
Guy behind me shoots douchebaggery in our general direction as I sit and accidentally elbow him in the back. I said sorry, fuck. I'm not a fucking savage.
Waiter didn't make eye contact, which I guess is okay. Maybe we smelled. Probably, we did.
I ordered something I couldn't pronounce all that well. Nua Pad Prik. Sorry, sir. I laughed a little bit when I said "Prik." It's a funny word.
Should I have been weirded out that as more people entered the restaurant they were seated in a less crowded area? What did we do to deserve this? Is it okay that our food was brought out in less than 10 minutes. Did you cook my Prik all the way? I only eat well-done Prik.
Nua Pad Prik is a beef dish. I rarely eat beef, but my recent penchant for gin has made me want to publicly proclaim that I am a BEEFEATER. It was okay. It wasn't bad. I wanted it to be spicy. I like hot Prik.
By the time we were finished with our meal, we'd succeeded in clearing out all the other clientele in our general area. Maybe they didn't like my jokes about Prik.
