First things first: I am pleased to report that I implemented the dream feed technique last night (here’s a quick breakdown; I’ll do a longer explanation in a week or so), and Henry only woke up ONCE all night. Compared to the usual two to four (or five) wake-ups, it was incredible. In-freaking-creible. EVERYONE seems happier this morning.
Anyway…
A few months ago, I wrote a post called Best Sushi in {Your} Town, describing my favorite Charlotte sushi joint and asking you to share your local favorite, too, so readers all over could find great restaurants. Today, I thought it would be fun to do the same thing, but with Thai food.
The best Thai food in all of Charlotte is… Thai Taste. They have three locations, and I’ve been to two of ‘em – the quality is very consistent.
My favorite thing about Thai Taste is the lunch specials! They have an abbreviated lunch menu during the week that is very affordable, and you get a soup, entrée, and spring roll. All for around $8. Kristien had the day off yesterday, and we spent the day running errands as a family of three. Sounds boring but it was actually quite nice to do run of the mill stuff. And break for lunch, of course.
Summer rolls to start off with. LOVE these. Fresh cabbage and carrots all wrapped up – but the secret ingredient is the flavorful leaf of basil.
I also really like the red curry, but today, I got the Pad Thai. Thai Taste has tons of vegan and gluten-free options, which is hard to come by.
I always find it amusing when Kristien and I order the exact… same… meal. Makes it easy for the waiter!
So – where do you live, and what is your favorite Thai restaurant? I predict many of our favorites will be named Thai Taste or Royal Thai or some variation thereof.
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{ 98 comments… read them below or add one }
My favorite is Rice n Spice Thai cuisine . Mmm
Mmm good!
I live in Rhode Island and absolutely love Thai! My favorite place for Thai is Lemongrass in Warwick but I can’t leave out Thai Orchid in Cranston cause they’re awesome too!! I always order nime chow and pad thai at Lemongrass and a spicy noodle dish at Thai Orchid
yum!
Yay for RI recommendations!! I’m closer to Providence, but I’m definitely going to check those places out. I’ve never had Thai food out!
Hahaha! Our favorite Thai place is called Tasty Thai and is less than five minutes from our house. I have a feeling we’ll be ordering from there a LOT over my maternity leave!
Not only is it my fav Thai place, but its my favorite restaurant and I CRAVE IT. Tropical Thai in lovely Sarasota,FL!!! Their egg rolls (all veggie) are the best and they have delicious Panang! I think its more ” American” than most Thai places…. I discovered this when I lived in Atlanta and couldn’t find a Thai place I liked as much as that one… then I realized it was very American! Oh well, still super tasty and everybody loves it! Side note: I visited Melbourne, Australia and went to an upscale Thai place there and had the most amazing Pad Thai… somehow they encased the pad thai in an egg cocoon (think thin like an omelet!), when you cut in all the pad thai was inside! It was crazy!
I too, live in Sarasota, and have to second Tropical Thai so much better than Bangkok!
I live in smaaaaaall town New Hampshire & my go-to Thai place is called Thai Smile. It’s amazing!
I second Thai Smile in Plymouth, NH! SO GOOD.
That looks sooo good. I had the best Thai in SF, at ‘Thai Idea’ (all veg!) http://hippierunner.wordpress.com/2011/11/25/thai-idea-vegetarian-in-san-francisco/
But in LA, I love ‘It’s Thai Hometaurant’ in Echo Park for their veg orange chicken.
thai idea is my absolute favorite!
I live near Jackson, WY, and the best Thai restaurant is Teton Thai. Slightly pricey (in my opinion) due to the location at the base of a ski mountain, but so worth it. They make fantastic cocktails, too.
San Diego – Amarin Thai. I almost always order red curry too! One of the many reasons I love this place b/c their menu includes an entire page of vegetarian (fish paste-free) curries.
Thai Orchid in Lexington, KY. So fresh, they grow a lot of their own vegetables. The owner takes time to know regulars by name. Best Thai food I have ever had.
Pad Thai in Winnipeg, Manitoba! Sooooo delicious!
We’re in Oklahoma so you can imagine the amount of Thai food I’m exposed too. However, we went to a neighboring (larger) town last night and noticed that a Thai place is moving in! I’m so excited and can’t wait to try it. I believe it was called Pad Thai.
Hey! If you go to Norman, check out PadThai on campus corner! It’s amazing!
Thanks, Kristina! I’ll actually be that way in a few months for a conference!
I live in Austin, Texas and I have two that are soooo close! I really couldn’t choose the better, though we eat at Muanghthai more often because it’s closer to us. The food is super fresh, and the staff is so friendly to my kid. Titaya’s is further away but has the most amazing beef noodle soup I have ever tried. Really–whatever your problem is, it’ll fix you right up.
I live in the Charlotte area – I’m with you – Thai Taste is my favorite; both Matthews and East Blvd. are great; Monsoon on South Blvd. is pretty delicious, too. Thinking about Thai always reminds me of my favorite Vietnamese – Lang Van on Shamrock – the absolute best !
Nidda Thai is the best in Houston! I love everything I’ve tried there. They do tofu very well and the service is amazing.
While I am up in Mooresville, I am always in search of great Thai food and have yet to find anything exceptional in the greater area. I can’t wait to check this place out- Thanks SO VERY much for sharing!
Have you tried Chopstix? It is out of Statesville, but they just built a new location at Perth & 150!
I think Thai food is my favourite! The best Thai place in Manchester, UK is Chaophraya – it is incredible.
I moved to Pittsburgh last year, and am now fortunate to live in Highland Park about 3 blocks from what I think is some of the best thai around, Smiling Banana Leaf! Did you ever eat here when you were at Pitt? Nicky’s Thai Kitchen on the Northside is also amazing.
Love your blog! Hope you & the fam have a lovely weekend!
No! But I do like the Thai place on Walnut if it’s still there.
Sara – You must try Thai Gourmet in Bloomfield! It’s super down-to-earth and homey and the food is amazing
Caitlin – Thai Place is still there and still delicious!
That Pad Thai looks awesome!! Much more veggie filled than those that I usually get.
My favorite Thai place in Madison is Sai Bai Thong – although it really only beats Ha Long Bay because it has a more convenient location for us .
We don’t have any thai places in my town but I’m amazed you order the same things! My bf and i have a rule that we can’t order the same things so we can try more of the menu.
I’ve been to Thailand so I compare everything I eat here to the real food there.
The best Thai food in my area is at Green Mango in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Super authentic and delicious.
Haha. I live in Columbus, Ohio and I like Thai Taste the best (not to be confused with Taste of Thai)!
I just moved to Columbus and was hoping someone would post a good rec. thanks!
Portland, Or- Pok Pok. So freaking delicious they had to open one in NYC .
Seattle, WA- A long wait and definitely not a fancy dining atmosphere, but Thai Tom in the U District is AMAZING.
i wasnt too impressed with thai tom. i know everyone absolutely raves about it, but i didn’t think it was worth the hype. maybe i went on an off day? id definitely like to try it again. i think thai 65 – right down the street from thai tom – is much, much better! plus they have pumpkin curry, my absolute fav thai dish
I live in Peru s of a week ago, but I was a Thai Tom devotee during my time at UW. Since then Thai Ginger is my favorite. No Thai food so far in Peru…
I live in Arlington Heights, IL (suburb of Chicago) and the best Thai restaurant in my neighborhood is Gumrai Thai. It’s amazing!
In Minneapolis, MN the place to go for amazing thai is True Thai! It’s always super busy, but it is so worth it! They have awesome curry and these yummy purple sweet potato dumplings.
I agree, Allie! I’m from Minneapolis too! Great pick!
Also check out Sen Yai Sen Lek in MSP!! Super fresh, flavorful Thai and the owners use a lot of local ingredients.
Smile Cafe in Philly. And it’s byob!
SW suburbs of Portland, OR – Thai Basil in Lake Oswego. In particular, Oswego noodles, their variation on pad see ew. I have it every. single. time. But everything else is good too!
Eastside suburbs of Portland, OR – Frog Thai Cuisine in Milwaukie. It shares a parking lot with a bar, so it looks a little sketchy outside, but inside it’s nice and very good food.
We only have one Thai restaurant in my town – Macon ga and its lemongrass Thai bistro. It’s good but pricey. And not at all baby friendly so I haven’t been since LO was born 7.5 months ago.
However, we went to a Vietnamese place last night thy was cheap, veg friendly, and yummy. It’s called pho Saigon. Not the same as Thai but I liked it.
I was born in Macon!
I go to school in Ottawa, ON – best Thai (we have a LOT of places) is Siam Kitchen!!! I used to live a 3 minute walk away
It’s obviously not super authentic, but the Spring Rolls chain in Southwestern Ontario (and maybe elsewhere?) is DELICIOUS. Already planning a trip when I’m home in Waterloo for Thanksgiving!
Hey, I go to uOttawa. Thanks for the tip, I’ll have to try that out!
I’m from Woodstock, Ontario, home of the Banana Leaf: the best Thai food EVER! You’ll have to try it if you’re ever nearby
I live in Bristol – UK. My favourite Thai place is called Thai Classic (http://www.thaiclassic.co.uk). Their pad thai is absolutely outstanding!!
All time fave is Jitlada in Thai Town (of Los Angeles). Their Southern menu is unmatchable. A blogger has been going through the entire Southern menu and I think she’s either finished or close to being done (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mylastbite/sets/72157623582893788/). My fave meal there of all time (when I eat meat) is the Khua Kling Phat Tha Lung with beef (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mylastbite/4417243993/), otherwise their Green Curry with Fish Balls (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mylastbite/3430233121/). I went there once on my birthday and Jazz (one of the owners) brought out a special dessert for me that they only started putting on the menu after serving to me
Otherwise, the second runner up is Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas. Only been once but they’re great for Northern Thai – a TOTALLY different taste than Jitlada but probably more familiar to others.
This is funny because we are planning on going out for Thai tonight. Anyhow, if you ever find yourself in Wilmington, NC – Indochine is the best restaurant for Thai food.
I live in Wilmington and judging by the parking lot on weekends Indochine must be amazing! Can’t wait to try it! (And so surprised someone posted an ILM rec! What’s your pic for chinese??)
Hah! We do the same thing as Katie, we never order the same thing! I was gasping that they order the same thing. Lol. I won’t order what I wanted if my husband wants it. I’ll try something else. Often, we kind of decide what “we” will eat rather than individuals.
Vancouver, BC Canada – I have several favourites depending on what I want to order and whether we want fast or dine in. Mali Thai is my favourite quick Thai and take put. Sawasdee Thai is my favourite sit down Thai food. My REAL favourites both closed down.
Funny you mention Thai today, I’ve got one hell of a craving for red curry with pumpkin. Thai is ALWAYS a favourite. I can eat it anytime of any day. Without fail.
I’m crazy about Thai food. Best Thai in Chicago, hands down, is Sticky Rice. It has all the classics but also lots of authentic northern Thai dishes that most people would’ve never heard of before…and it’s all phenomenal!
You speak the truth
I don’t think I’ve ever been to a Thai restaurant here in Chicago but I bet there are a ton!
I live in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, but only for the past 2 weeks. I have noticed a TON of Thai restaurants here, so there’s definitely a lot I’ll have to try. We tried a hole-in-the-wall sort of place called Viet-Thai on our first night here, and it was amazing. The food was good, had large portions and was affordable. We’ll definitely be going back!
Hooray for Henry sleeping better! Motherhood is such an experiment, isn’t it? It seems like there are no universal answers, but it sure is nice when you find something that works for you!
Lincoln, Nebraska – Blue Orchid
Local place-Bamboo. Largest crab rangoon I’ve ever seen!
San Francisco — T2J Thai on Polk Street at Broadway. And they deliver!
But hands down the best Thai food I have ever had is my best friend’s homemade Thai food. Her mom is Thai and she was born in Thailand . . . we were roommates in grad school so that’s how I became addicted to Thai food. She lives in Honolulu now, or I’d be begging her to cook for me/us every night!
I live in Santa Barbara. We have a few great Thai places, but my favorite is called Your Choice.
I haven’t found a local thai place in my town yet (so maybe this will be helpful!) but in the neighborhood I just moved from (Culver City, CA), I really liked NatalieThai. It was my go-to when friends and I wanted Thai.
My own kitchen! I live in a little town without a Thai restaurant so I make my own Pad Thai. The basic sauce has 3 ingredients that, all the rest are optional. It is so delicious :O)
I LOVE Thai. My favorite place is in Roseville, California called Khobkoon Thai Cuisine. It’s sooo good.
I’m interested in hearing more about the dream feeds.. I have an 8 weeks old. I’d like to try it but I am afraid of waking him up too much and having to do a ton of soothing to get hm to go back to sleep. Right now he is going to bed between 8-9 (Im in the process of pushing ti back to an earlier time between 7-8), wakes up for a feed anywhere between 12/1230-2am, and then depending on what time he woke up before, waking between 3-4 am and 5-6 am for another feed. It isn’t too bad, but I’d much rather he wake up at 2am or later every night
Near Atlanta, GA, in Douglasville–best Thai I’ve ever had–Taste of Thai. They have great lunch specials too, with coconut lemongrass soup included
Before my husband and I moved to Chicago proper, our favorite Thai place in Forest Park, IL was called Yum Thai and it was FANTASTIC! In Champaign, Illinois the best place is Nitaya. It’s one of the places my husband and I went on one of our first dates and the first place I ever had Thai food.
Still finding the best place near our apartment in the city!
There are lots of yummy Thai places in San Francisco. I just ordered in Thai last night but I think that your Pad Thai looks better – love that they put snap peas in it! I also love anything Thai with peanut sauce yum!
Must. Get. Thai. Now!!!
Any Milwaukee readers out there… Recommendations?
Sea Thai in Orlando, FL.
My favorite thing is the lemongrass soup with any of the thais they offer. mmmm!
My palate cannot put up with spicy food. Slight spice will leave me gulping tons of water to get rid of the hotness lingering at my tongue. Clearly, Thai food is not my thing.
So glad to hear that the sleep training is working! Nice work!
In Austin, TX (Lake Travis area specifically), Thai Spice is awesome! Love their Massaman Curry.
In Denver, CO, our favorite place is Phat Thai in Cherry Creek. It’s definitely more fusion, with a bit of twist on traditional dishes, but is just so great. My husband doesn’t really care for Thai food, but he loves this place.
For Seattle, Jai Thai (they have two locations that I’m aware of- on Broadway a few blocks down from the Harvard Exit, and in Fremont). For the greater Seattle area, Thai Cottage in Edmonds is fantastic. If you do seafood, apparently their Crystal Prawns are to die for, but I’ve only ever eaten there as a vegetarian and I love it to pieces.
Metro Boston has a lot of Thai places, but I LOVE Coconut Cafe in Newton or Wellesley. They know me by now because I go there so often. Delicious!
I live in Boston – thanks for the recommendation Dana!
I hear that “Brown sugar” is supposed to be good – have you been there?
We are in the North End and frequent Siam Bistro near South station; very good
I live in the Boston area too- Newton actually! LOVE Coconut Thai… used to live within walking distance to the Wellesley location! Also love Jamjuli here in Newton. In town, I do like Brown Sugar, as well as Thaitation (Fenway) and Chili Duck (Back Bay)…. Sooo many good Thai places around here, but just as many not so good unfortunately! I’ll have to check out Siam Bistro!
Thai is my absolute favorite!!!
I’m from Atlanta and Lemongrass is my favorite for more legit Thai food, but because I have to drive out a bit to get there we often go to Curry Curry in Smyrna which makes some awesome drunk Thai food. I’ll typically get a red or a green curry and sometimes mix it up with a spicy basil dish always with tofu and extra veg’s.
Yay for only one night wake up!! That’s awesome!
We’re in sugarland, tx (Sw Houston) and Thai Cottage is our fav!!
Indianapolis IN — The absolute best Thai in town is from Sawasdee on West 86th Street (right behind the new Dunkin Donuts)….it’s the best in the city!
Sawasdee is my second favorite – Jasmine Thai is the best for my household!
I live in a suburb outside St Louis. The best Thai is Thai Gourmet Kitchen in Ofallon, Mo. SO yummy!
Atlanta – little Bangkok, surin of Thailand or top spice
I’m a Thai food snob from living in Thailand for a year:) I live in Hawaii now and the best Thai food in all of Oahu is hands down Opal’s! It’s all the way on the North Shore so I can only get Thai on the weekends, because I haven’t even found a mediocre Thai restaurant in Honolulu or Waikiki (and if anyone suggests Phuket Thai in Honolulu I’ll gag! AWFUL!!!)
i’m in chicago and love cozy noodles- i get the chicken cashew with no chicken and no cashews! haha. the spicy sauce is delish! penny’s is also really good.
In San Francisco, I’m a big fan of Osha. Many locations (6? 7?) but my favorite is on Valencia – love the Special Clay Pot. The one on Geary is solid. Just found Osha to Go on Sutter and, like your Thai spot, you can have a cheap meal from a limited menu.
They give you a huge bowl and they serve up from a buffet-like counter. Any combination you want, as many items as you want, and just $9! That’s what’s always so hard for me with Thai (or Chinese, too) is that I want little bits of lots of things – and the cost adds up. Not at Osha to Go!
That Thai Taste in Matthews is 5 minutes from my mom’s house! I might have to convince her to take me there next time I go home. I love reading a blogger from Charlotte who likes to eat. Keep the restaurant suggestions comin!
(Might I suggest telling us your fave Vietnamese restaurant in Charlotte?) In Winston-Salem, I like Sushi Thai for sushi so much that I haven’t had the Thai food. The Thai place I love here is called Cha Da Thai. It’s a white table cloth spot. Thai basil is one of the most awesome things in all the world! I have a lot of friends who love Thai Sawatdee, located inside a Harris Teeter. They call it TajMaTeeter. LOL I didn’t like it that much tho. Unfortunate since it’s at my fave Teet. Very convenient.
I’ve never been to a Vietnamese restaurant!!
Vietnamese is very good! “A Saigon Cafe” is one of my favorite restaurants on Maui. The servers are funny, especially one guy, and the food rocks. The portions are good, and so are the prices. I recommend the Clay Pot or Hot and Sour soup.
I work in Boston, and Thai Basil on Newbury is my fave, hands down. I crave their Pad Thai like it’s nobody’s business.
I’ve never been , but many friends have also recommended Noodle Street in the Allston/Brighton area. It’s on my list of places to try.
St. Paul, MN – Sawatdee is our favorite! They have a few locations around the Twin Cities and they are awesome. Best Spicy Noodles ever! Now I’m totally craving it…mmm!
ShabaShabu in Raleigh is my favorite!
Absolute best Thai food I have ever had is here in Louisville, KY – Simply Thai! I have tried many other places but nothing else measures up
Sala Thai in downtown Bethesda, MD! I love love love the drunken noodles and Thai fried rice (basically drunken noodles with rice instead of noodles). They’re spicy and delicious! But really, everything is so good there.
I live in Saskatchewan and my favourite Thai restaurant is Siam. My favourite Thai restaurant on vacation is Lotus of Siam in Vegas.
I went to Thailand earlier this year but never tried the mango sticky rice on the desert menu as I didn’t think it sounded like much of a desert. A few months after returning, I went out for Thai food with a friend that suggested we must get the Mango Sticky rice. OMG…so good, you must try it if you haven’t!
Cincinnati! Teak in Mt. Adams and Asiana by Rookwood are my favorites.
In Boston, we have an ALL VEGAN Asian restaurant in Chinatown that makes amazing Thai food! It’s called My Thai vegan cafe and it is very authentic!
Bangkok Thai in downtown Fredericksburg, VA is so unbelievably delicious!
I like the place here on Maui called “Bagkock Thai.” How funny that the message above mine also mentions a place of the same name in VA. “Thailand Cuisine” is also quite good, but something there bothers my stomach and I haven’t been able to figure out what. It’s just my stomach, everyone else is fine. Bangkok Thai has a very family, small business feel. The owner and his family are often chilling in the dining room, doing homework, relaxing, etc. The food is always good, and so is the service. It’s quick, it’s tasty, and it’s my favorite.
I live in Bangkok, so I’m spoiled! But I’ll have to remember this post so I know where to get my fix once we move back to the US! Thanks for all the great suggestions.
Better late than never – Cleveland area best Thai is Peppermint. Excellent food and excellent service!