Spring Break
Restaurant review: Pad Thai
Specializing in Thai food and ambiance
Cassandra Golburg
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: Scene
The first thing I noticed about Pad Thai was the decorations. Beautiful fans lined the walls - all with images of Thailand - and their bright colors lit up what would otherwise be a slightly dim room.
There was also an impressive display case, filled with porcelain dishes and dolls in traditional Thai dress.
My roommate and I were quickly shown to one of the seven tables and given menus. The front cover of the menu had a graphic explaining that the number of chile peppers shown next to a dish indicated how spicy the meal was. We did not see anything that had fewer than four chile peppers, which meant the dish was very hot.
As someone who only buys 'mild' salsa at the grocery store, I got a little nervous. We ordered a dish called Lahb anyway.
Lahb is a mixture of cilantro, onion, lime and either chicken or beef on a bed of lettuce greens. It also comes with a serving of rice for free. Another serving was $1 more.
Our plate, which we ordered with chicken, came quite quickly, and I prepared myself for the inevitable burn of the spicy chicken. I took a bite and ... nothing. Not even the burn that I was used to from the mild salsa. I have to say, after all the anticipation, I was a little disappointed.
Although we were at one of the two occupied tables, our food was not that hot. I did not expect to get cold food when there was hardly anyone else in the restaurant. Of course, we were there only about an hour before the restaurant closed, so that might have had something to do with it.
One thing that I did notice was the wide variety of food dishes on the menu. People can order anything from garlic ginger chicken to red curry. For appetizers, tofu squares and egg rolls are available, and as for beverages, there are a variety of teas to enjoy, including jasmine or green. I was intrigued by the coconut milk, since I have never seen it on a menu before - I'm allergic to coconut, so I'm not sure where the intrigue came from. To top the meal off, desserts such as sweet rice with mango and fried bananas are offered.
The prices at Pad Thai are pretty reasonable. A plate of Lahb costs only $4.95. Most of the other dishes were around the same price. Only the seafood dishes were more expensive, and even those were only about $8 to 10.
Pad Thai is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. The restaurant opens an hour later on Saturday and is closed on Sundays.
I was disappointed with my overall experience at Pad Thai. I felt the advertising of spice was somewhat false and definitely misleading, and the cold food did not help the situation.
However, if you are looking for something different, cheap and pretty close to campus, then Pad Thai might be the place for you.
There was also an impressive display case, filled with porcelain dishes and dolls in traditional Thai dress.
My roommate and I were quickly shown to one of the seven tables and given menus. The front cover of the menu had a graphic explaining that the number of chile peppers shown next to a dish indicated how spicy the meal was. We did not see anything that had fewer than four chile peppers, which meant the dish was very hot.
As someone who only buys 'mild' salsa at the grocery store, I got a little nervous. We ordered a dish called Lahb anyway.
Lahb is a mixture of cilantro, onion, lime and either chicken or beef on a bed of lettuce greens. It also comes with a serving of rice for free. Another serving was $1 more.
Our plate, which we ordered with chicken, came quite quickly, and I prepared myself for the inevitable burn of the spicy chicken. I took a bite and ... nothing. Not even the burn that I was used to from the mild salsa. I have to say, after all the anticipation, I was a little disappointed.
Although we were at one of the two occupied tables, our food was not that hot. I did not expect to get cold food when there was hardly anyone else in the restaurant. Of course, we were there only about an hour before the restaurant closed, so that might have had something to do with it.
One thing that I did notice was the wide variety of food dishes on the menu. People can order anything from garlic ginger chicken to red curry. For appetizers, tofu squares and egg rolls are available, and as for beverages, there are a variety of teas to enjoy, including jasmine or green. I was intrigued by the coconut milk, since I have never seen it on a menu before - I'm allergic to coconut, so I'm not sure where the intrigue came from. To top the meal off, desserts such as sweet rice with mango and fried bananas are offered.
The prices at Pad Thai are pretty reasonable. A plate of Lahb costs only $4.95. Most of the other dishes were around the same price. Only the seafood dishes were more expensive, and even those were only about $8 to 10.
Pad Thai is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. The restaurant opens an hour later on Saturday and is closed on Sundays.
I was disappointed with my overall experience at Pad Thai. I felt the advertising of spice was somewhat false and definitely misleading, and the cold food did not help the situation.
However, if you are looking for something different, cheap and pretty close to campus, then Pad Thai might be the place for you.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Elysia
posted 4/26/07 @ 10:20 AM CST
Ok, I eat at Pad Thai about once a week, and it does have its weaknesses, mainly poor decor and not that great of customer service, but the food is awesome. (Continued…)
Chris Nelson
posted 4/26/07 @ 3:10 PM CST
But WHERE is this restaurant located? You neglected to give us an address.
Dana
posted 5/03/07 @ 10:35 AM CST
I am disappointed in your review of Pad Thai. From my interpretation of your article you let the aesthetics of the restaurant determine how you viewed the food. (Continued…)
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