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Mon-Sat. 11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sun. 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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I had heard from numerous people that Thai Tom was THE place to go for Thai food, even though this area is saturated with Thai restaurants. I was excited when I finally got to go to this restaurant that was so highly praised and recommended to me.
I've been a handful of times and it's always a similar experience: crowded, loud, smoky, and to make those things worth it you're served hot, delicious, and flavorful Thai food.
I'd like to go here more often but it's only convenient if you already happen to be in the U-district. Remember - cash only!
A singularly uncomfortable experience with the ridiculously rude wait staff one step above simply flinging the plates into your lap. Plus you get to freeze in the open doorway, and listen to the cackle of undergrads. (I know, they don't all cackle, but the ones next to us could have been guest starring on the View).
This would be fine if the food was special. It's not. The fresh rolls were so bland I forgot I was eating one while eating it, and the entrees you can get it anywhere in town - but less greasy. Here's what you do: Order at a random Thai restaurant and have chili sauce and peanut oil on hand. Pour those over your dish until they puddle. Voila! You have "Thai Tom'd" it.
This place needs to be shut down.
This place has a major hygiene problem: there are cockroaches everywhere. I don't understand why the Seattle department of health does not shut them down. Seriously people, don't confuse "authenticity" for "dirtiness." Holes in the wall in SE Asia (Malaysia/Thailand, at least) may be cheap looking, but they are seldom "dirty." I will note that I have never seen a Thai person eat in that restaurant. Only white people seem to go there.
The only reason this place is still in business is because undiscriminating undergrads go there because they think it is "cool." Sorry folks, cockroaches are not cool.
The service is awful. I can understand mistakes (our order was lost), but you have to be apologetic about it. The food is honestly not that great. It's pretty "run of the mill" Americanized Thai food.
Krua Thai Family Kitchen on 55th is a much better alternative. That, in my opinion is "authentic." The food is delicious, the service friendly, and the place spotless (even if cheap looking).
Thai Tom is more about the experience than anything else. The menu holds no surprises beyond the fact that it's made of wood, and my cashew chicken was not terribly interesting. However, sitting at the counter during a lunch or dinner rush is a lot of fun. The cooks churn out food with an impressive efficiency, throwing ingredients at fire with reckless abandon yet always managing to survive the ordeal.
I'm sure the food would be better if they had a larger kitchen and less of a need to turn a table every 30 seconds, but then it wouldn't be so exciting to watch. Consider stopping here if you are on your own for a meal and don't have a book to read.
I have always wanted to try Thai Tom because it is always crowded and has many good reviews, so I was excited that my time to try it had finally come today. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to any of my hopes and dreams.
We were seated in the very back at a cramped little table and handed one wooden menu for the two of us. There was no ventilation, so I kept coughing from the smoke and I also didn't have anywhere to put my jacket, but I survived and I ended up ordering the Thai flavored chicken with a Thai iced tea.
The food didn't take too long to arrive, but when it did, the waitress gave my dish to my friend which is kind of waitressing 101, but whatever. The big problem was that my food smelled like a honey bucket. It tasted edible, not very good, but edible, but each time that I got a whiff, it made my stomach churn. Seriously, what is this special Thai sauce? Also, the waitress forgot my Thai iced tea.
When it was time to pay, I asked her to split the check. She said she couldn't do that and she also said it was cash only. I didn't see signs anywhere that said cash only, so I only had $10 when my food was $10.50 so I didn't have any extra cash to give her a tip.
As we were leaving though, the waitress stood in front of us and said rudely that " tip was not included" and demanded that we give her a tip before we leave. I know it's rude not to leave a tip, but it's even ruder to block customers from leaving and demand one when the food tasted like shit, my drink was forgotten and they're cash only in 2009.
It's pretty noisy in here, but I feel I must declare that - at least in my recollection - my handful of meals here rank alongside the Chez Panisse Café and Oleana in Cambridge as my favorite meals. Period.
Granted, I was much younger and a less-decorated pseudo-foodie when I ate here. Granted, it's been 4 years and some seemingly knowledgeable folks say they've got a new chef. But it also seems that a lot of one-star reviews are from the sorts of folks who complain about cash only and throw fits about small spaces, and I guess we have different priorities.
This cramped U-District spot is sui generis, and it would be unfair to try to directly compare it to my other favorite dining experiences, but hot damn if having tofu and noodles practically thrown at you from the pan doesn't add something to the flavor. I was young and inexperienced, and the times may have changed, but I'm keeping it five stars and telling the world: I love Thai Tom.
Why does this have five star reviews? There are a lot of thai places that are equal or better, and the service not only stinks, but the staff is rude.
Apparently, now if you choose not to tip based on bad service, the waitstaff either chase you down or block you from leaving the establishment? That's not just bad service - holding someone in the restaurant is known as 'unlawful detention'.
This restaurant has been shut down in the past - perhaps they should be for good.
I'm not going to give Thai Tom a hipster-cred discount for being small and cramped. Half of the time I want to go there, it's a 20-minute wait. Oh sure, it's all "local color" to sit at the counter and feel the wok flames singeing your brows. But I'd trade local color for leg room any day.
This place is too good to be a mere hole-in-the-wall. I have never been disappointed with the food. Their Phad Thai is the gold standard against which I measure other, roomier Thai restaurants. The Panang Curry and Swimming Rama are also top-notch; it's hard to slow down and eat these dishes, as opposed to inhaling them.
Service is prompt, though usually curt and sullen. No joke - this is the Soup Nazi of Thai restaurants. I wouldn't be surprised to find the owner has a strict "no eye contact" rule for wait staff. BUT! One of the last times I was there, I was in a vegan phase, and the waiter insisted I couldn't order the phad thai without egg. (I know it's made with a fish sauce. Indulge me.) I insisted, and got my way - much to his chagrin. 15 minutes later, after an argument with the owner, the waiter threw his pad halfway across the restaurant - which doesn't take much arm strength - and stormed out. So I'm wagering that service has improved.
My recommendation: call in and order take-out. At least until this dirty jewel moves into someplace larger than a shoebox.
I've been here twice and got the pad thai both times. This was mostly because I didn't notice the weird menus had a back side (they are written on boards that kind of look like paddles...) and that's where all the curries are. Pad thai was great! Lots of interesting veggies that I sometimes miss from other places that serve just the noodles. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked noodles. I can't stop ordering it, even though I'm curious about their other offerings.
The place itself was ridiculously crowded. Like, crazy. It is apparently popular, but it seats about 15 people. It is cramped and you have to put your name down to be seated often (even on a generic weekday night). The first time I came here, I lucked out and got a seat at the bar, where I got to watch the fast-acting cooks do some crazy stuff with tons of pans operating at once. They have 1 pan on the stove per order, so that means a lot of shuffling around. This doesn't seem to be the most efficient way to do things, but who am I to question them? They make good food.
The second time I came, I was seated at the FAR back at a tiny wobbly table next to the entrance to the kitchen and the bathrooms. We were wedged next to the table next to us, and it was kind of awkward. The biggest problem about this place is the space.
The cash-only thing caught me by surprise, though. I had to use the ATM next door, and they were nice enough to let me leave ID so I could go get cash when I realized I couldn't pay with the $1 in my wallet.
Let's be clear: Thai Tom has among the best Thai food in Seattle. They do have a really aggressive cooking style, which lends all their dishes a slightly charred character that I love. The chef and staff are entertaining to watch and the food is a fabulous deal. That being said, Thai Tom is not for those seeking an elegant or easy dining experience. It's likely to be crowded and the place is really small. Generally, Asian pop music is blaring loudly enough to make conversation somewhat strained. The place isn't the cleanest, either. However, these are small concerns in the face of their food, which is stellar.
the waiting line is suck, the place is small and hot , the food is just ok, but somehow i just like it.
To me is just like a street food and i feel like somewhere in crowded of Bangkok .
One of those cult Thai restaurants located in a tiny little spot on the Ave where if you blink, you'll miss it.
I always order the phad thai. It is delicious and i enjoy the smaller than normal rice noodles and how it is not a saucy, runny phad thai.
Sitting at the counter is always fun and great to see how quickly their chef can turn around the orders. I've also done takeout, which is fine, but i think you get a little less. Hmm.
Check this place out!
The following account details a real or a really imagined conversation between the user and her food. This should not be considered an endorsement of talking to one's food, particularly if one's food is in a bag and you are on a bus and haven't showered for at least two days.
ME: La la la. I am so great. Yay, me. My birthday was fun, my friends are the tits, and now I am in Seattle and it is quite lovely. Life can be hard, but someone's got to power through it. And my friends told me to try . . . a Thai restaurant? As if my hometown doesn't have as many Thai restaurants as it does trustafarians. Why would they do this?
THAI TOM: Trust them. Oh, the hell with them. Trust me.
ME: Um, I don't know if you've noticed, Thai Tom? But I'm kind of a big deal and I have places to be that have beers with my name on them. You're going to tell me that this tiny, steamy hole in the wall is going to open my eyes to uncharted frontiers in the area of Thai food consumption?
THAI TOM: That is what I'm telling you. I know what I'm talking about. Plus, I think you'll find that as soon as you drop by, watch the flames soar upwards from the stove as the chef yanks a pot from the burner and pours its contents into a leaf-shaped plate, all in one fluid motion, you'll agree with me. You'll agree with all of them.
ME: I think I know what I think, Thai Tom. But if you insist, I don't want to be rude.
*One spicy noodle helping later*
ME: I. Oh. My. I kind of think I should smoke a cigarette now.
THAI TOM: Told you. Consider the humble pie a freebie, compliments of the chefs.
ME: I can't decide if my tongue is still on fire or if all the tastebuds on it are asleep for the night.
THAI TOM: Yeah, I hear that a lot. So who's the tits now?
ME: Well. I will let you know after you pencil me in for panang curry tomorrow night.
It's been a long since I've patronized Thai Tom's, and today we decided to pay them a visit for lunch.
The space: It's loud, it's small, it's hot.
The servers did a good job. I don't think I'll ever understand how someone can run around a tiny/hot/loud space all day and still retain some sanity. So... props to them.
The food was quite good. The Thai Salad w/ peanut sauce had lettuce, spinach, and POTATO CHIPS in it. I was a bit bummed about the lack of of tomatoes or cucumbers or anything else, but I thought the potato chips were a nice surprise and added a very interesting texture to the salad. The Thom Kha soup was tasty and had plenty of vegetables and tofu in it.
I don't think I'll ever get take-out from here (last time I tried the food was pretty bad) and apparently I've done a great job avoiding the cockroaches (mentioned in various reviews), so.... as long as I keep that up... this place is worth four stars (to me).
Note: This is a CASH ONLY joint. (Thankfully there's a BoA, Chase, BECU, WSECU and Wells Fargo within several blocks so you can hopefully avoid those pesky ATM fees.)
The first time I ate there it was way too loud and super hard to talk to my friends, but at least… Read more »
This place has gone downhill over the years. I'm pretty sure they lost a cook and the new guy ain't that great.
The pad thai isn't authentic. They use a non traditional noodle and they add a bunch of extra stuff like brocolli.
I like music, but the music is soo loud here you can't even think
Their fried tofu is so dry it tastes like little dried sponges.
They just scored 132 on their health safety inspection...120 means they are forced to close their doors. Go to this page and search for thai tom to see the results in detail
http://www.decadeonlin...
I won't be back.
They don't use Styrofoam anymore. This is possibly the world's greatest diner.
#11 Veggies in peanut sauce, $7.49 plus tax and tip = $10.
The stool to the right as you walk in, directly next to the chef, is the most entertaining seat in… Read more »
Food - A
Atmosphere - D
Service - F
They have some of the best thai food around, but they are so rude and the restaurant is small, dirty, hot and they play very loud music. Oh, and they have cockroaches! They also force you to tip. So I have opted for to go orders. My favorite dishes there are pad thai, and yellow curry.
The best Thai food in Seattle, hands down. For all the nay-sayers: go to some chain or other relatively mediocre place with nice decorations and pay with your credit card so I don't have to wait so long to eat! The teeny little place and rushed service reminds me of being in Thailand, it's rushed, crowded, hot and the air is filled with chili powder and tamarind. I am always disappointed when I step outside and remember that I'm in the U district and not Bangkok.
With 5 small tables and 10 counter seats, you can watch and be mesmerized by the chef's dance as he navigates the obligatory collection of Thai sauces, noodles, veggies and meat between woks on the 5 hot burners with grace and speed. The tango between the cook and the assistant handing ingredients and dirty woks back and forth without missing a step is equally impressive.
My favorite dish is the steamed mixed vegetables with tofu and peanut sauce, 3 stars! Pad Thai is also amazing. They don't mess around with the spice here so watch out, I've seen the glowing red of a 5 star pad Thai, it's not for the faint of heart.
It's dangerous to sit at the counter if you're too hungry as they plate each dish right there in front of you. I've been tempted more than once to grab a piece of broccoli off newly plated dish when the cook turns his head to check the order on the ticket.
Oh, and don't even try to figure out when your dish is served onto one of those cute banana leaf plates. They prepare about as many dining-in plates as they prepare take-out dishes. Just when you think it HA S to be your turn, a to-go order with six dishes gets served up.
Truly a gem on the Seattle Thai food scene. If you're lucky enough to get Tom at the stove, prepare your taste buds to have each of their little minds blown!
This place offers some pretty tasty Thai food.
However, this place is not a comfortable place to eat, especially if they seat you at the bar next to a wall crawling with roaches. Note the plurality of the last word in the preceding sentence.
I ate all of my food, while maintaining close eye contact with creepy crawlies to my right. I was unable to move much to my left because someone was sitting uncomfortably close to me on my left.
I imagine this place would be more comfortable if you order a table in lieu of the wall seat I possessed. However, I think I can find some Thai food of similar quality without the detriments I have previously mentioned.
Not sure i really am adding anything by being review #354 but this place rocks! Fantastic portions, sublime taste and quick service. What more could you ask for?
Be prepared to get squeezed into a small (probably the smallest restaurant you've been in!) space with no elbow room. Most of the times I've been here, my order was taken on the curb while we were still waiting to be seated!
But focus people! You're here for the food! And boy does the food at this place rock! Do not leave Seattle without checking in here.
Don't go to Thai Tom. I chose one star because no star was not an option.
Their food is not good. I got stomach ache after we went there. My friend came back with a mild headache. The Cook is very unhygienic. He uses the same hand that he handled eggs to scoop rice. The table was very dirty.
The waitress is very rude.
The worse Thai Restaurant in the US.
I'm probably the only person I know who's ever not had to wait to be seated here, so just be warned, you will have to wait.
There are a ton oh Thai restaurants on the Ave, from middling to bad quality, so I didn't really have my hopes up when I walked into this little hole in the wall. I thought it was novel to watch the food being prepared like at a Benihana with less juggling, but the real treat came when my plate hit the table.
This is the best Thai food on the Ave, bar none.
Went here for the first time today
we were there about 10 minutes before they were supposed to open, but we waited 20 minutes at least as they didn't open on time as the people working here had to eat and have a Cigarette before they could open
that is not acceptable in my eyes, you have posted your hours of business then open on time and allow your self time to prep and have a smoke break, I spent 6 years in the kitchen as a cook so I understand but you get your food and breaks when you can, not as you see fit your customers are paying your bills
also I had to listen to my partner bitch as you didn't open on time, but by the crowds we saw you really don't care you will get the business you need.
that is why I won't be back any time soon, there are places that appreciate the business they get, not take it for granted
on to the food, the food was wonderful I got the Pad Thai 3 stars and it was perfect in every way, the serving size was just right nothing left over, even after having Fried Tofu to start off with (3 stars here is like 4 stars at most other places)
they don't tame the food down for American pallets they make the food the way it should be, once we got our food the service was great and our water glass never got empty
I can take that it is small and even wait for a seat, but you could turn the music down also it really doesn't need to be that loud
if they opened on time they would of gotten a solid 5 stars as it was the best Thai food I have had in Seattle
Best thia food in Seattle!
Somtimes you have to wait a bit but that's what happens when you have the best thia food in the smallest place. So suck it up it's well worth the wait.
I am not going to pay ANY attention to the reviews mentioning rodents - ALL restaurants have them. Even fine dining. Haters keep hatin.
Anyway, I don't care. This place is SOOOOO GOOOOD. Best Thai food I have ever had.
Quick in and out - they really rush you through so it's not a place to linger. Order level 3 or 4 hotness. Yum!
I think the cook's name is George - skinny little dude moving about a mile a minute, cooking everything himself (usually about 6 dishes at once). Guy deserves a Michelin Star.
Best Thai place on the ave! it's a very small place and a bit crowded but the food is great and is served up pretty fast, i recommend the eggplant ginger with chicken. you get to watch them cook it right in front of you and they are always playing really strange but awesome music!
This place probably don't know any more reviews with the number it has gotten. It has always been a favorite place to go eat thai food and totally a hole in the wall atmosphere. It's set up like a bar except on the other side of the Bar is the kitchen. May have been a bar in it's past. So having said that you can sit on the bar and see your food
Being cooked in lightening speed with hand off of used and clean woks that seemed so smooth and efficent that it looks like an Olympic sport. You should really see it. I was enteretained ;) as for the food the reviews should speak for itself. If I had to recommend something it would be the swimming rama. :) It's a dish of chicken, spinach, and peanut sauce!!! No place does it like Thai Tom.
Themselves. Just awesome and a nice cheap college price. The menu is steady and I don't think has changed in the 10 or so years since I've been introduced there. Love it and recommend it if it's your first trial of thai or wanna try good thai
First of all, from reading the other reviews, we apparently got extremely lucky as far as the wait was concerned. We showed up at a few minutes after twelve on a Saturday, and we were pointed to one of two empty tables right away. I guess that's very much not the norm, and you can see why the second you walk into the place: there's just no space here. Do NOT try and come here with more than a couple of friends; three, maybe four people can be fit at a table if you squeeze, but if you go over that, you may be in trouble.
As far as the food was concerned... this place deserves every accolade it's gotten on Yelp. It's easily the best Thai food I've ever had. The peanut sauce was incredible, the spicy noodles dish was really good as well, heck, even the rice tasted delicious. But be warned: SPICY MEANS SPICY here. I love spicy food and have a pretty high tolerance, so I ordered a four, and it was just right for me... which means way over what most people will enjoy. Honestly, if you're thinking you want your food good and spicy, you should probably stick with the three (which won't disappoint), and upgrade on subsequent visits if that's not enough for you.
As far as service is concerned, we didn't have a particularly bad experience, though we were asked to change tables about five minutes after we sat down to make room for a group of three that had just shown up. Still, the water glasses were (blessedly!) kept full and the food got to us at a pretty good pace, so it's certainly not going to cost this place a star.
Overall, definitely a place you should visit if you like Thai food, and worth the trip out to UW campus, even if you're just planning on eating and heading back home.
Phad Thai was *super* hot! I'm pretty sure we ordered a 3 star for spicy but it felt more like a 6! Yowza!
Cramped quarters. Service was perfunctory.
I wasn't impressed.
This place is way too small... its got great spicy thai food, sure... but the wait is just too long and not really worth it for me. Its does have a great energy about it and the food is no doubt good. Please note: if you order the spicy noodles and want 3 stars, you'll get a 5. Holy smokes it was hot! Service was typical, they are very busy but are able to tend to everyone. Its been around forever and when you go, you can tell thats the case which adds to the charm. Overall, good, but just way too busy here.
Walked in to the warmth and blaze of fire masterly manipulated by Tom, as he threw in sprouts and carrots into one of many woks within plain sight. We sat down right away on a Saturday night (miracle, I know!) at the bar and had a solid wooden menu plopped down in front of us. My date, who has been to Thai Tom's for 10 years, ordered the swimming rama, which was delicious. He also advised me to get a thai iced tea to quench the burn. Very smart. The stars tend to range on the spicy side so be fore-warned. Totally amazing though. The tight quarters only add to the effect as you can appreciate the source of your supper-delight.
I dig everything about this place. It's small, the food is outstanding, and the prices are insanely reasonable. If you're lucky enough to sit within arms reach of the cook and witness the making of every meal, you too would be amazed. This place is so tight you can almost feel the flame from the stove slightly singing your eyebrows. Sit at the bar to get the full aroma of ginger, onion, and garlic, as they hit the blistering wok. It's a smell I could detect from our hotel 2 blocks away. Thai Tom, you're calling my name and you're one of my top Thai dinning experiences thus far. I measure the rest to you.
-Coconut Milk Soup: Sucker punch yo mama good!
-#16 Panang Curry, Sucker punch yo self good!
I've eaten more Thai food than I think is healthy or normal, so when a friend proclaimed that I "absolutely HAVE to try this place...it's a-mazing", I was a litlte ambivalent. I mean, how good could it possibly be? And more importantly, how is this hole-in-the-wall Thai place any different from the thousands of other Thai restaurants out there? Regardless, I obliged her and went.
First of all, I'd like to emphasize that it truly is TINY. They can't physically handle more than 15-20 diners at a time, so obviously there was a wait. I got there around 6:30pm on a Friday evening, so the crowd of people gathered outside was expected. A waitress was going around and getting names and pretty much telling everyone that the wait was 15-20 minutes. Yeah, right.
Turns out, she was right on the money. 20 minutes later, I heard my name being shouted down the sidewalk and she handed me a wooden menu to inspect as they readied our spots. The menu (which was half faded away as it was written by paint on a slab of wood) was simple and pretty much standard Thai fare. All entrees are $7.49+tax, regardless of what it is. I went safe with Pad Thai with tofu and veggies (I am after all, vegetarian), as I tend to judge new Thai places based on this staple. We were then led inside and seated at the bar-type area next to the cooking station. Flames were shooting in every which direction, sizzling hot pots flung around and sauces squirted from what seemed like one end of the room to the other. Dinner and a show? I was in love already.
The food finally came and although I had ordered a 3 (out of 5), it was quite spicy. Granted I'm Indian and my spice-tolerance level is pretty high, but I was definitely feeling it after a few bites. That's what the dollop of white rice they served with it and the thai iced tea was for, right? I worked and sweated (since we were next to the flaming grills) through it and it was heaven in my mouth. Yes, definitely live up to the hype. Best part was that it was the most unique version of pad thai I'd ever had; thinner noodles, slightly different spice combo, etc.
Overall, I'd say I loved it. Yes the service was a bit iffy as everyone was completely frazzled, and they tried to rush us a bit as the line outside grew longer, but the food was so amazing that I guess it didn't matter. And it's a cash-only joint, so be prepared. I'll definitely be back at this place.
Thai Tom rightfully deserves its place above all others. It is small, cramped, hot, and usually loud - and the food is consistently wonderful.
Compared to other places around Seattle Thai Tom is good because everything is precisely balanced. They get everything right: texture, spiciness, sweetness, salt, sour, and it isn't even too oily. Their peanut sauce is amazing, the fried tofu is perfect.
It does take a while to get a table, and I've never been a fan of lukewarm takeout, so stick it out and wait. Service is fine, if not a bit harried. They are cash only!
Don't miss the Thai iced tea, it has a great strong flavor.
You can get 10 stars if you really want something spicy!
I love me some Thai food, and Thai Tom's is a great little hole in the wall place in the U-District. Their dishes have great flavor and and always super spicy. Sometimes too spicy for my taste. The past few times I've ordered a 2 star dish with it being the hottest mother effin' thing I've eaten. Almost hotter than most food I had in Thailand. Order 1 star below what you think you can handle! Or be prepared to breath fire for the next 2 days.
The wait can be insane, so order take-out if you can.. Though you won't necessarily get it when they tell you to come by.
I'm torn here. I've loved Thai Tom for an awfully long time, and the food has always been very good. Here's the problem: on our most recent visit, we took my in-laws and on the way out, my very quiet, demure mother-in-law says, "The food was great, but the cockroach was a bit off-putting." Sure enough, on her plate was a thoroughly cooked, thoroughly sauced, large, dead cockroach. Ewwww! My in-laws didn't want to make a fuss, so we continued to exit the restaurant without saying anything to the wait staff.
The most disturbing part was how easy it would have been to miss the cockroach until it was already in your mouth - which is a really repulsive thought. When it's covered in sauce and mixed in with everything else, it's actually pretty hard to notice.
Again, the food is great, but will I be able to enjoy it after the cockroach experience? Probably not. :(
Let's be honest - the service is terrible, but that's not the reason you go here. The food is great… Read more »
I got take-out. I was tired that day, and just didn't want to tolerate the hot, small restaurant - rather preferring to have a dish I normally like at home, in peace.
Well, I have NO IDEA WHATSOEVER why everyone and their mother loves this place. Am I missing something? There are a thousand other Thai places in Seattle that are better than this. The food wasn't good at all. I got sweet and sour chicken, which was overcooked - and the sauce wasn't at all sweet and sour - just something resembling it. I thought it was maybe just orange colored oil??? It had some saggy veggies there too.
Besides the terrible food: the service was pretty awful. There is no place to sit down to wait for the take-out - so you have to hang out on the street (and it wasn't that fast, so the wait was substantial). It's CASH only, remember. So I trekked to the nearby B of A, and when I brought cash back and paid... then I was asked to pay again by another waitress. They appeared confused about who had already paid and who hasn't, while waiting for take-out. Granted, I didn't have to pay twice but... they seemed completely put out by having to serve people (the nerve of customers to desire something!), and basically were unpleasant to interact with.
I looked around while I waited for food. The place is the smallest hole in the wall I'd ever seen, and completely full - and it seems you have to wait for freaking ever to get seated.
Again... why why why suffer for this overrated food?? You can just go literally two steps down the block to find another Thai place that I'm sure doesn't treat their customers like bodies to be served and thrown out as soon as they finished eating. I'm never coming back.
Pros: delicious, cheap, spicy food; hole-in-the-wall feel; great, fast service; if you sit at the bar you get to watch the chef in action. That guy is a machine.
Cons: tiny; long lines during peak hours; loud music; a bit on the warm side (being summer, small, full of people, and with open flames on the stove).
Overall I'd say it was a good experience--I enjoyed the fried tofu appetizer (there was SO MUCH of it) and the pad thai with tofu (it came with white rice on the side, which I appreciated; I love rice. Extra bonus: the PT was cooked in its own skillet, as is everything, so I know that no chicken sneaked in by accident). My water glass was never empty (and as the whole kitchen, including the water jug, was within arm's reach, even if the service hadn't been that great, I could have refilled my own water glass). And it was cheap--$21 + tax and tip for two entrees and an appetizer. Win.
The restaurant was just a bit warm and loud for my taste. Also, sitting at the bar there was nowhere to put my purse. Alas.
This place is friggen awesome. A one man cook (with an assistant for the appetizers), I am glad I waited with my group of 5 for a seat. You watch the chef at work (literally in front of you) and it can be a little too hot for comfort.
This place probably sits 20 at best? Good value, especially for Thai food. I had enough leftovers for dinner and then some, for under 10 bucks with tax/tip.
A different experience in itself, feels like it belongs in Austin, Texas!
Please?
On my journey to find amazing places, this place has been a staple since I first tasted their firey dishes during my undergraduate years at UW. Even though it was far up the Ave, it was well worth the trip to get the food. Their blistering stir-fry and hot and fast cooking technique turns out some of the most unique and flavorful thai food on the Ave.
The food here, has no other equal. The taste is very unique and definitely GOOD. Or else there wouldn't always be people waiting outside for either a table or take-out. Everything from their pad thai, to swimming rama, to panang curry... is delectable enough for you to finish every last drop of food on your plate! I'm salivating already...
The only real disadvantage of this place, is the crowd it always draws during meal-times. It's almost impossible to get a table during regular meal times, so a lot of times I usually end up ordering take-out.
With the right portions and prices, this place is a smash hit in terms of hole-in-the-wall places. I don't even think I should give the place 5 stars just so that all of you new foodies don't go there! =P j/k this place is awesome and is definitely has a place on my fav thai place list.
Neighborhood: University District
Category: Thai
Neighborhood: University District
Category: Vegetarian
Neighborhood: University District
Category: Middle Eastern
Neighborhood: University District
Category: Thai
Neighborhood: University District
Category: Indian
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