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Having just recently moved to Houston, one of the first things I tried to search for was a good Thai place. As luck would have it Vieng Thai was the closest place from my house I found on Google Maps. It's kind of a hole in the wall on this little strip mall on Long Point Rd. Hands down the best Thai food I've had in Houston so far. Very good selection and there are some unique items on the menu.
Recently tried the Pad Sar-tor for the first time. The menu description says it's a specialty with an "exotic Thai vegetable". In reality it's some sort of Asian bean with a pungent taste and kind of an offensive smell, so it's not for everybody, but I liked them. My Indonesian dining companion was certainly impressed that those "stinky peas" were available on the menu.
I'm knocking off one star (in reality it'd be more like half a star) because the service has been inconsistent. The last time I was there the waiter (an older gentleman) was way too slow with even bringing out water and had an attitude when asked for things.
Oh yea, this place is BYOB which is a total bonus as far as I'm concerned.
Finding a great hole in the wall is almost has good as finding that break out player in fantasy bball. You pay little for it but they out perform their expectations. Vieng Thai does just that.
Still on a quest to find "my spot" for thai food in houston, I tried this place out. When I first saw it was on Long Point, I was optimistic cause Long Point speaks hole in the wall. You could easily drive by this place and not even notice it as its in a small strip center. The decor inside is your typical cheesy asian restaurant look. The service is nothing to speak of as it fits the bill. If anything, its better than your avg hole in the wall service.
So the food... they passed my very crucial and important test by not using american broccoli in my pad see ew!!! The pad see ew was good, not great, as i've had better but might be the best i've had in houston. They need to put on a little more sauce and the portion was kind of small. My friend had the Red Curry which was quite tasty. It had a nice kick to it that forced her to stop eating it but I gladly licked her dish clean. The ingredients tasted fresh and had a home made feel to it. I feel like they went to the local asian market and whipped these dishes up.
I am definitely considering making Vieng Thai a usual spot to satisfy my thai quencher. Prices are cheaper than most thai places and the food taste very home made. So when I went here, I guess I didn't get the memo cause we were the only ones that didn't BYOB. Def another +
I love Vieng Thai. Another one of those places that meets the success criteria of (1) hole on wall, (2) spotty service, (3) awesome food.
It is easy to miss this place. It's off of Long Point in a strip mall sandwiched between a book store and a wheel shop. Just look for the red fluorescent sign over the top of the door.
Sampled dishes:
-- Som Tam - aka papaya salad. AWESOME. Citrusy goodness and thinly sliced pieces of young papaya. Be sure to watch for the red peppers!
-- Masamun - I would have to to say this coconut milk curry with potatoes and onions is not their strongest dish.
-- Pad See Ew - AWESOME. Flad noodles with (meat) and cai lan. It is not too sweet and not too salty AND it's not saturated in sauce.
-- Tom Yum soup - it's a big bowl and it's DEFINITELY got a spicy kick to it. It's good.
-- Gang Pa - it's a red curry with basil, bell peppers, mushroom. SOOO good.
-- Tiger claw is this really tasty beef dish that sort of seems similar to bo luc lac (Vietnamese rock n roll beef)
-- Pad Grapraow - we had the chicken (it was ground) and it's a stir fry with green beans, bell peppers, and basil. AWESOME.
I could write an entire essay of how generally awsome their food is. My most consistent orders when I come here is the Som Tam and the Pad See Ew.
OK, Vieng Thai...we need to chat. I feel like we got set up on a blind date and did not connect the first time. I was willing to chalk that up to a bad night and, since everyone kept saying that you were such a nice girl with such a great personality and and all, I thought, heck, let's go out again and I can give it another chance.
Your restaurant is so remarkably without charm that it lacks even the charm of a dive, dump or hole in the wall. It is like sitting in a garage that has been carpeted, waiting for the neighborhood boys garage band to kick off a BYOB rave. Even being greeted by you with a grunt and a head nod to seat myself, I am ok with your disdain because I know, like all popular girls, you are busy.
The first time, I ordered a standard selection of food. The promise of rich intense spicy curries must have been second base action, and, you, being a proper girl, did not put out. It was ho-hum as we sipped our waters and teas trying to make light conversation while avoiding the bigger questions: Why don't I love you like everyone else. So we part and go our separate ways, our disasterous first date slowly receeding in the past.
Our paths cross again when I keep hearing how wonderful you are and that I need to make your acquaintence. Ah ha, I think! I still have her number and, since I never said "I will call you in the morning", I have been a man of honor; I know you will take my call....I want to sample your Som Yum papaya salad and your famed Boat Noodles. And I wonder if we can finally kiss enough that you will make my lips and tongue tingle.
The Papaya Salad was brought out immediately, indicating that it had been pre made and sitting for some time. There was a pool of juice that had drained from the salad in the bottom of the container and even the additions of peanuts and cilantro had become soggy and wilted. Flavor was oh-so-salty with fish sauce and not so spicy with chilis. And speaking of those chilis, when I asked for the condiments, a caddy with fish sauce and thai chilis, crushed chilis and chili/garlic paste was delivered; I felt like getting a bottle of ketchep that had been refilled over and over and over again. The Fish Sauce had 4 pieces of small thai chilis; the chili paste had been watered and was thin like Campbell's Tomato Soup (after cooking, not the glop in the can). The air of failure was all over this date.
The boat noodles came out. Ordered "northern style" with rice noodles, this soup was a deep intense broth topped with a few herbs and green onions. It had a congealed mass of rice noodles in the bottom and 6 pieces of paper thin pork and some miniature golf balls of pork inside. The broth itself was covered with a layer of oil
So, Vieng Thai, our dates have left us knowing one another better. Yet, we have not connected. I dispair of that, but instead of being bitter, I would just like to part friends and say that you are the kind of girl I would always be polite to and hold the door when you pass. I will even be polite if we meet because my friends love you. But I will not be your good friend who goes out of my way to say hello. I am just going to assume that we are not a match.
And, for this, I would have to say to you, Veing Thai, it's not me; it's you.
I love Thai food... once my favorite place for authentic Thai, over the past year it has been increasingly disappointing.
They had great curry when I first started going there a year and a half ago, but then the last 4 times I've been there (I still keep going back hoping I'll be able to rekindle that first spark) the food has just been extremely MEDIOCRE.
Plus the Thai waitress and the older Thai man are rude, all the time.
I've been to here once before, about 7 years ago, back when it was a store and the dining area was tucked in the back, literally a hole-in-a-wall. It was a cold rainy day, and I was so happy to see Tom Yum noodle soup on the menu. Finally, a Thai restaurant that serves my favorite noddle soup!! Last time I had it was in Asia, I can't believe it's so hard to find this dish in Houston. Anyway, back to my noodle soup. It was perfect for the weather, it was spicy, and I can taste all the authentic seasonings in it. It was also drenched in MSG (sigh! minus 1 star for that).
Fast forward 7 years later, there's been no reason why I never went back. Well, there is. It's the location. It's not the most convenient part of town for me. But, lately I've been working in this area so yay!!
I was surprised when I walked in. The place is no longer a store rather it's a full service restaurant now. And the menu, fancy!! Back then it was just this one-piece paper menu thing. Vieng Thai has come a long way.
I ordered the Boat Noodle soup, again one of my favorites! It was perfect. A little tangy, a little spicy, lots of flavor and unfortunately, lots of MSG. I guess some things don't change with time.
The 'Boat Noodle' is the best noodle dish you will ever have! It's spicy, it's sweet, its tangy and the ingredients they use are so fresh! It's an orgasm in your mouth people.
It's definitely a hole in the wall place and would have never even bothered to step in if it wasn't for my boyfriend who is Thai, and yes, he is SPICY! haha okay.. bad joke! Looks are definitely deceiving with this place, but I don't care! The food is DEEEELISH!
We hit this up on a Saturday night hoping the drive would be worth it. Boy was it. We ordered 5 dishes and they were all great. If I remember properly we did, 'Fish Balls w/ Basil, Chili', 'Boat Noodle', 'Paenang Curry', Pad Thai w/ Tofu, and the esarn sausage.
All were very good, though my partner in crimed asked if we could have medium spice on 4 of the 5 dishes. I think he screwed us. I ordered one dish phet mak (very spicy) and it was so so. I like to bead up with sweat and feel it from the inside out. It seems to me that thai restaurants always curtail to the western palette. It just wasn't that spicy. Next time I'll do the ordering, none of this medium business..
Other than the spice, my only complaint, the food was great. Not as westernized as other thai restaurants in town. They seemed super busy that night and it looked like a bunch of regulars made their way in. Most of the other tables had a bottle of wine with them, and they offered us glasses and ice for our whiskey.
I'll be back when I'm out that way, even if the neighborhood is sketchy.
Vieng talk thai... Vieng talk thai good.
So let me start with the negatives... This area is kind of ghetto at night. The place is not much to look at. The ceiling on the interior looks like it may fall down and the service was painfully slow.
Even after all of that I still loved it!
The food was bursting with flavor. We tried the papaya salad and it reinvented the way I think about salads. Cold and spicy with a strong citrus flavor yet sweet as well.
We also tried a green curry with chicken. Mmm.. creamy spicy goodness. The spice level was on the verge of almost being too much for me... it got the nose running, but it never over powered the flavors.
Let's just say I'll be heading back soon... and by soon I mean today.
My 100th review!!!
Loved it! I'm a Thai fanatic and am always glad to find authentic Thai places around the city. The location isn't convenient because there's not much else around there to do (except maybe the Marquee center) but it's not too far outside the loop.
It's a little hole in the wall place that serves great and cheap food. We had soft spring rolls as our appetizer ($2.99 for 2) and I loved the peanut sauce that it came with. It's similar to Vietnamese style peanut sauce but more peanut flavor. When I go to any Thai place for the first time, I always have to get pad thai because 1) I love it, and 2) it allows me to compare to other Thai restaurants. For $5.99, they give you a generous portion that's not too greasy and full of that balanced sweet and salty flavor. My boyfriend had a chicken stir fry dish (M8 on the menu for $7.99... can't recall the name) and it was fresh, flavorful, and not overly greasy. What I really liked about this place is that they give you a big bowl of rice for the table to share (like a Chinese or Viet restaurant would do). Most Thai places around Houston only give you an individual rice portion and you have to pay extra if you want more.
The owner was very nice and friendly and was happy when we told him we found the restaurant through Yelp. He let us know that his restaurant is also BYOB with no corking/bottle fee! So for having the cheapest and very authentic Thai food in Houston and being able to bring my own drinks, I'll definitely be back.
The service is pretty typical "Asian". In other words, they seat you, give you your drink, take your order, bring you your food, and that's it. You won't really get the customary "Hey, how's everything tasting?" or even a drink refill that you typically see at American restaurants. I can look past this since the food was so good and well priced.
I wouldn't say that I'm a frequent customer, but I've been coming here for several years now. Even back when it used to be a restaurant/video rental/grocery store.
The food here is great. I have to admit that the...I'm not sure what it's called on the menu, but in a rough Thai to English translation...Boat Noodle Soup is the best!
Its a shame I only make a trip to the place once in a blue moon.
You have to love some of the iPhone apps without it I would have never came across this place! (too bad the iPhone isn't mine so really I have to give credit to my coworker)
Driving down Antoine towards Longpoint, my coworkers begin to converse and ask, "Where is this place?" According to the iPhone it shouldn't be too far. Finally I spot it! It's in a small shopping strip that cause my coworkers to be a bit weary. They didn't want to go in because well a bit on the sketchy side. I reminded them that some of the best places are where you least expect it. This is a place that proves not to judge a book by its cover!
We all walked in and to all of our surprise the restaurant was already filled with people. We were seated and looked through the menu. So many options, what to get? I opted for the the egg rolls to start and Pad Thai as my lunch of choice. All of the orders came out and it all looked so good, which means I need to come back here to try it ALL!!!
Everyone ate their plates clean, definitely a sign that the food was good.
There is a $10 minimum if you want to use your credit card, so plan accordingly.
I found this place thanks to the iPhone Yelp app. We had the papaya salad, green curry and the Thai omelette. All were excellent.
The neighborhood is not very fancy, but we never felt unsafe for ourselves or our property, so don't let that stop you from enjoying this delicious food!
The restaurant does not serve alcohol but you can BYOB (Yelp needs a category for this).
Being Thai, I get questioned all the time on where to eat Thai food in Houston. Out of all the restaurants I've visited in H-town, which I believe is quite a bit, I think Vieng Thai is the closest you'll get to authentic Thai cuisine.
I usually go there for the Pork Tom Yum noodle soup, as it is quite flavorful. I'm really nit-picky when it comes to authentic Thai dishes, and although Vieng Thai comes close to mimicking the flavors and textures of the originals, it falls a bit short. The Pad See Ew or stir-fried noodles, for example, lacks the seared goodness that is so characteristic of the dish, so the noodles come a bit moist. It's the little details like these that annoy the heck out of me when I come to Thai restaurants in America, but it's to be expected. Nonetheless, do try dishes from the north-eastern ("E-sarn") part of Thailand, like the papaya salad, as I heard the owner is from that region of the country.
The menu is well-rounded for those who want to sample a bit of everything Thai. The location isn't in the prettiest side of town, and the overall atmosphere isn't great. Anyhow, give it a shot if you're craving some good Thai food.
I just came here with a couple friends and wowee, I really like this place!
I have to admit that I'm not thai and I'm not even a huge fan of this cuisine just cause I think its a bit pricey and I haven't had anything that really knocks my socks off.
Well, I've had something that knocks my socks off (and it is cheap).
We got the Paneang Curry, Green Curry, Pad Thai, and some noodles. The plates were all cleaned up by the time we finished. I don't know exactly how to describe it, but the food here has a certain richness and complexity of flavor that you really don't get elsewhere.
I'm not a spicey fan, but I'm not a hater either, so be warned that this place definitely has a kick to its food -- and the ambience and location is pretty scruffy -- but man, I'm gonna be back.
Very good - and kid friendly satay and spring rolls. I wish I knew what more dishes were so I could try them. I saw several great looking thing on other tables.
Upon further review, you don't get enough for your money at Vieng Thai. I still think it is among the best in Houston, but wish they would give you more food. Personally, if my wife and I spend $30+ on Thai food, I think we should have some left-overs.
This is undoubtedly one of the top Thai restaurants in Houston. I took my wife there on our first… Read more »
Very good food, very rude waitstaff. This is another review where I feel compelled to point out that I chase flavor above all else, and this place certainly delivers the flavor without much else.
I had the Pad Graw Pow and the Red Curry and loved both. Outstanding flavor. Almost my favorite thai place ever, and certainly my favorite in Houston.
Ambiance kind of sucks, the waiters are rude, but the flavor is exceptional.
Vieng Thai "Party People in the House" recipe: Mix one part gritty neighborhood, one part tatty decor, one part cheap prices, with two parts of delectable food.
Sprinkle heavy dose of gruff attitude for garnish. Serve food hot and attitude sizzling! Refreshingly delightful!
Started with the A2: Soft Springs Rolls ($2.99), which came two to the order with peanut sauce. A little on the dry side. Van Loc and Kim Son have better versions. Skip it or try another appetizer.
We had the M14: Chicken with Cashew Nuts ($8.99) and M4: Pad Prik King ($8.99), which is pork sauteed in curry paste with green beans and kaffir lime leaves. Asked for it on a medium spice level.
The chicken with cashews dish held its own spice level with red chili pods peppered in it. The Pad Prik King was excellent at the medium level, combining heat with the base lime flavor and textually tempered with the crisp green beans. Definitely winning items since nothing was left.
A couple of Thai patrons came in and conversed with the owner/staff, which we took for a good sign of authencity. He was quite chatty with them but quite gruff and to-the-point with us and the other non-Thai tables.
He may be jonesing to win the "Thai Nazi" crown from the current title holder [Kanomwan, if you need a hint]. In my opinion, he is a strong contender for that "prize" since the prior champ seems to be mellowing.
Recipe for guest success: Come here for the scrumptious affordable food, and not for the untrendy neighborhood, lackadaisical decor, and taciturn service and you'll leave delighted.
Without a doubt, the best Thai food I've ever had in Houston!
I never really liked Thai food... but I always thought it was the types of ingredients or spices that they used. After a 2-week visit to Thailand, I realized it was because of the Americanization the Thai restaurants in Houston put in their food, and not the actual Thai dishes that I was disliking.
After getting addicted to som tam in Thailand, I was discouraged by the not-so-Thai restaurants in Houston until I went to Vieng Thai with a friend. AWESOME. Everything's delicious... even better than I remembered! Pat see yoo, Kee maw and Veggie Delight(?) are my favs!
To keep the review honest, it's in a kinda ghetto location, decor is 80's-cheap-Asian and service isn't that great. But what else do you really expect from a hole-in-the-wall Asian restaurant? To be treated like a king/queen?
Don't let the ghetto location or outside fool you. The food is AWESOME. Definitely try the Kee Mai… Read more »
My boyfriend and I were going to try Asia Market for a quick Thai dinner, but since it apparently closes at 7, we ended up here instead, mostly so I could update my previous review (ha!). And this time, I made sure to remember what we ordered.
Bf ordered the boat noodle, which is the most popular noodle soup in Thailand, according to the description on the menu. This noodle soup is not for the faint of heart!! I got a kick out of watching the sweat drip down my bf's face. It's super spicy even for me! (My mom was a refugee in Thailand for 4 years and always cooks Thai food, so I grew up on spicy.) But man, this is my kind of food! The soup base is so flavorful it makes you want to slurp it up. Then, you are quickly reminded of the spice factor... To my surprise, bf was a trooper and finished his meal because it was so good!
I got the panaeng curry with chicken, which was phenomenal. The chicken wasn't swimming in curry, but there was just enough curry to drizzle over my rice. Oh, and the rice...they give you so much! It comes in a big bowl, so I didn't even have to ask for more. When they brought out my plate of curry, I was disappointed by the size. Bf got a huge bowl of noodle soup, while I got a dinky boat plate. I quickly learned that a little bit of curry goes a long way. There was enough to fill me up plus a little bit to take home.
Based on today's experience, I have upgraded Vieng Thai to 5 stars.
Finally, a Thai restaurant that doesn't charge extra for rice!! My brother's girlfriend's dad (I… Read more »
My favorite Thai food in Houston! My favorites are the e sarn sausage with peanuts and fried chiles, the tom kha gai, the som tum, the pad gra prow, and the pad prik king. For curry, I like the panang.
Last time we went, I was sick and so I asked our waiter to make everything extra spicy. That is when I found out that I also like their Thai tea, which is extremely rich with coconut milk -- and soothing to a tongue on fire.
The restaurant itself is fine, not the nicest, but who cares when the food is so good? For those who find the service rude, I have never had a problem with it -- they may be a little curt but still competent.
MMMM I love this little Thai place. Cheap, fresh, and seriously tasty. My favorite dishes are the Kee Mao (drunken noodles) and the Gang Massaman with beef. Their Thai style papaya salad is also not to be missed. You can bring your own alcohol and there is no corkage fee. We read a lot of reviews on this place before visiting and many folks thought the service was poor. I would definitely disagree. The service has always been helpful and attentive the half dozen times I have been there.
Its located in a sketchy looking section of Long Point but there is plenty of parking by the door and the surrounding neighborhood is not as rough as it looks at first glance.
Definitely not to be missed!
Pad sator + pad see ewe + yum plaa grop + steam rice & thai ice tea = heaven ;)
Vieng Thai is situated in a less desirable area of town, in a beat-up shopping center that wouldn't attract attention if not for its popularity. Don't count on service either, cos' there's virtually none. But who cares... we're there for the food... and for the no corkage BYOB policy!
This becomes our favorite place to hang out on Friday/Saturday nights with friends. We can stay there for hours without interruption, or feeling guilty about occupying the restaurant's tables cos' the restaurant is cool about having patrons stay as long as they want. We usually pop 4-5 bottles between the 8 of us while enjoying the yummy food the restaurant has to offer.
What's good there? Hmmm.... everything!! The dishes are crafted in perfect harmony with well balanced flavors between the curries and spices. Favorites among our group includes the som tum (green papaya salad); plaa pad ped (crispy catfish in curry paste with basil) and tom kha gai (hot and spicy coconut milk soup with chicken).
This restaurant gets my vote for the most authentic, and best Thai food in town!
Most Thai food in Texas is an excercise in your personal knowledge of curries that can be found in most good supermarkets and your tolerance for spice. It is the rare restaurant that can add layers of unctuous flavors to each and every dish, some making you squeem most making you gush with approval.
This is Vieng Thai, start with plain surroundings in a suspect neighborhood add ubelievable food and sprinkle in BYOB and what you have is a perfect foodie shrine. Serve on Vieng Thai we solute you!
How could it have taken me so long to go here? The food is the most authentic Thai food I have eaten in Houston. It is a little dark and dingy there and the neighborhood a little scruffy looking, but that didn't really bother me. When you walk in they have the ubiquitous picture of the King and Queen of Thailand in the corner. Seeing that immediately brighten my anticipation that the food was going to be as good as the reviews have been.
I decided do takeout rather then eat there. The waiter was very friendly after I said thank you in Thai. I ordered the Thai Papaya Salad, Glass Noodles and Red Curry with beef, medium Thai hot (which IMHO was really Thai mild.) Everything was fresh tasting and flavorful. I will not repeat the positive descriptions of these dishes found elsewhere on this page. Suffice to say, I can't wait to go back and try more dishes.
BTW, they also had almost two pages of vegetarian dishes for those of you who do not eat meat or eat very little of it.
Hells yes. Don't mess with other Thai restaurants--this is it. I had some red curry and my sinus problem is cured. Also had a Thai tea with cream, . . perfect! My sister had some chicken thing. .. should have noted the name. It was good, I had a few bites of it.
The place itself is a little dumpy (not so much dumpy, . it needs a facelift--the decor is stuck in the 80s) and the service is meh, but the food more than makes up for it.
I am on a Thai kick lately! I felt like I'd be cheating Thai Pepper if I didn't review it before this place considering it was my favorite Thai restaurant for a while..until now. I asked my Thai friend which Thai restaurant was his favorite in town, and he never could remember the name of the restaurant but always pointed to this general vicinity. Well another friend of mine finally invited me to dinner at this little dive of a restaurant and upon arrival I realized why my Thai friend never remembered the name. It is in an unassuming shopping strip with a plain white sign with the red letters "THAI FOOD" labeling the establishment. I think the name of the restaurant was displayed on a neon sign below that.
I love "hole in the wall" places, so I immediately slightly salivated in my mouth and walked in. I saw the entertainment system next to the tv and light fixtures along the back ceiling and could immediately tell wild private parties are thrown here when you're turned away....
OK on to the food!! I only tried two dishes, and they have left me craving more and definitely wanting to try every dish there. We split the Pad See Ewe with beef and the Gang Massaman with chicken. I've never had the Pad See Ewe, but my friend told me that it was a Thai local dish that she frequently had when she was in Thailand. The taste was wonderful, and I personally love it when eggs are added to accent a dish which did not disappoint on this occasion as well. The beef was not dry, yet juicy, tender and plentiful. The curry was aaaamaaazing. The potatoes are cut into a cute little shape, and the curry is soaked into the taste. I am craving the curry now that I'm talking about it again. I wish I would've asked for it to be a tad spicier, but everything about it was delicious. Both dishes were abundant in portions, and I left with a take out menu and a promise to take Husband to try it as well. Prices are awesome, and with tip you'll probably go over $10, but meh.
P.S. My Thai friend said this place was the best in town. Who better to judge than a Thai native??
This is the best Thai food in Houston, without a doubt. After returning from Thailand, I have been feverishly looking for good Thai food (especially my favorite, Som Tum). Vieng Thai definitely had the best Som Tum that I have had since returning from Thailand, however I would caution anyone ordering it that it is extremely spicy if order it "Thai Style". I wish that I had brought more of an appetite, however I know that I will definitely be coming back to try more (if not all) of the menu.
On another note, after reading the Yelp reviews I was expecting this to be in a REALLY bad neighborhood, however I did not find that at all. It was not the nicest area of town, but I definitely didn't feel like my life was in jeopardy. This is definitely a hidden gem in Houston, everyone should make a trip.
This unassuming restaurant serves tasty food! It's our new favorite stop for moderately priced delicious Thai food. The curries are wonderfully filling and flavorful, And the rice keeps coming!
We also have enjoyed the beautiful Thai textiles such as the tablecloths. A beautiful touch that enriches the cultural dimension of the restaurant.
A must go to spot for top Thai food in Houston!
Easily one one of the best Thai restaurants in town. Must try: Thai omelette, papaya salad.
Definitely my favorite around NW Houston. The neighborhood is somewhat shitty, esp at night.
Hands down, the best Thai food in town. Vieng Thai has completely made me rethink how I could have ever liked places like Nit Noi or other mainstream, Americanized Thai restaurants in the first place. If you want delicious, authentic Thai food, this is the place to get it.
Although it's in a more downmarket area of town (alright, it's pretty rough), don't let that deter you. You'll love the kitschy, welcoming interior as soon as you walk in. The service can be a little distant, but if you inquire about the dishes and show an interest in more than just Pad Thai you'll see them perk right up, offering recommendations and advice.
Pad Thai, being the national dish of Thailand, is immensely popular and Vieng Thai's is the best I've ever tasted. But if you limit yourself only to that dish, you're missing out. Order the papaya salad to start, which is spicy, salty and refreshing and the perfect opening to your meal. If you happen to be dining alone, you can grab one of the many magazines the restaurant stocks (ranging from golf to travel to fashion) while you wait for your entree. I found this to be a nice, if odd, touch.
For your main course, the Pad See Ew cannot be missed. Vieng Thai is the only -- the ONLY -- Thai restaurant in Houston that makes Pad See Ew correctly, with Chinese broccoli and delicate, sweet bean sauce that perfectly accompanies the flat noodles and egg. Also fantastic are their curries, especially the Massamun curry, as another reviewer noted.
The staff won't hurry you out, so it's tempting to while away an afternoon in their dining room sipping hot jasmine tea and watching the pan-Asian news channel on the big screen TV. One thing to note, however, is that their hours are tempermental and apt to change without notice. I've showed up at 6pm on a Friday evening only to be asked to leave; private party, I was told. This has also happened on a Saturday afternoon and a Sunday afternoon. Somehow, though, this only seems to add to the charm of Vieng Thai, as if it's a secret garden with tempermental guardians but exquisite food if you'll only come back another day.
Vieng Thai is without a doubt the best Thai restaurant in Houston. It's a mom and pop run hole in the wall in a God-forsaken part of Houston, but you'll find yourself coming back again and again.
Do yourself a favor and skip the Pad Thai, you've had it a hundred times already so live a little. There are things on this menu you'll not find in any other Thai restaurant in Houston like the Papaya salad Laotian style or the pork bellies. For more familiar dishes, try the Kee Mao noodles, the larb, or the Massaman curry. The galangal and coconut milk soup is so good you'll not just order enough for a second bowl, but enough to take home and bathe in.
Call in your order for take out or grab a six pack of Singha and enjoy some Thai TV with your dinner! BYOB
vieng thai is the best thai restaurant in houston, hands down. i really can't believe i haven't reviewed this place yet as it's one of my favorite ethnic spots to eat in the city. yes, the service is shoddy. yes, the restaurant is outside the loop in a questionable part of town. they don't always even bring me what i order, but all of this is sacrifice well taken in my opinion. the food is absolutely authentic and amazing and i've never had a dud dish here.
i am also reviewing this place having eaten at lotus of siam in vegas which is considered to be the top thai restaurant in the country, and jitlada (southern thai) in LA's thai town, considered to be one of LA's best if not THE best authentic thai by jonathan gold, pulitzer prize winning food critic. vieng thai easily competes with these restaurants.
this is my go-to place for a thai dinner when i'm in town. it's BYOB and i try to round up at least a table of 3 or 4 to enjoy multiple dishes. you may have already read my review of asia market inside the loop. asia market has the best pad kee mao i've ever had and the tom kha gai rivals vieng thai's, but everything else is better here including the variety.
get the som tum (papaya salad). amazing stuff and very memorable. get a soup: i prefer tom kha w/ coconut milk over tom yum, but both are very good and well balanced. plaa pad ped- crispy catfish in curry paste with basil is a must have. then pick a curry. i like the panang or massamum more than the green curry (gang keaw whan). if you want more, pick a veggie. the chinese broccoli is better here than at any chinese or dim sum restaurant, no joke. pad grapraow crispy pork is also wonderful.
if you find yourself here by yourself for lunch, try one of the noodle soups. the boat noodle soup is fantastic. they claim it is the most popular noodle soup in thailand. you'll also notice that that is what the thai diners are slurping on.
Possibly only reviewed before by the landlord, owner or those that get to eat there for free... Sorry but my M7 and M14 - Chicken and Basil and Pork and Shirmp were close to TV dinner quality. Perhaps this is a spot that is better for lunch than for dinner. I would say the decor and the food were on equal footing. Yes you can bring your own BYOB and in my estimation - it will be a great place to eat when you can bring your own Thai food from somewhere else. I would not suggest this as a place for Thai - but that is just me.
Yes, its smack dab in the middle of "THE HOOD" but don't let that deter you from this place my friend for you will be greatly rewarded. A true gem in Houston in a category that is fraught with mediocrity, VT stands heads and shoulders above the competition. The low rent seems to keep this place affordable. Although, my last visit, I did notice they didn't give me as much gravy in my penang beef curry as I'm used to but the flavor was still right on. Also, their Pad Thai isn't the best in town but without reservation this is my favorite thai restaurant. Hands Down!!!!
If you like good thai food, then Vieng Thai is worth trying. The location, the decor, and the service all suck, but the food is pretty good.
In the middle of nowhere, Vieng Thai is a surprise and a delight. Arguably one of the best thai restaurants in North America, Vieng Thai is both authentic and welcoming. Call ahead, make sure they are open, and take yourself down here when you are in Houston. So good, so worth it!
Neighborhood: Lazy Brook/Timbergrove
Category: Local Flavor
Neighborhood: Spring Branch
Category: Korean
Houston, TX
Category: Indian
Neighborhood: The Heights
Category: Ethnic Food
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Chinese
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