Happy In Bag

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Taste Test










My soup was served at room temperature. And my entree was merely good. I coveted the tofu with yellow curry the guy behind me ordered. My first experience with Tasty Thai up north was disappointingly inconclusive. The primary problem was that the single man covering the lunch hour rush yesterday was comically overworked. And it didn't help that the animated film Ratatouille was playing on a big television for a room full of adults. I really like the Thai Place, the Kansas City chain that dominates this market, but I refuse to accept that there's not a superior alternative.

posted by Happy In Bag @ 8:14 AM  

11 Comments:

  • At 12:01 PM, Blogger bgo said…

    Speaking of Ratatouille, a fellow member of our secret society music group, once ate rat at a roadside stand somewhere near the border of Laos and Cambodia. He didn't know it till a native informed him and was suprised that an American would indulge.

    I does loves my Thai food though.

     

  • At 1:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    The "superior alternative" would be Thai Orchid in Mission:

    http://www.thaiorchid.us/

     

  • At 1:40 PM, Blogger Faith said…

    There is...go to Tasty Thai when it's NOT busy. I went there (admittedly it was a few years ago), and enjoyed some of the best damned Thai food I'd had in a long while.

    Thai Place is fake, Americanized Thai food that sucks ass when compared to Thai food served in places like California and Boston. (I can't really compare it to other places in the US because I haven't had Thai food anywhere other than here, CA and MA, unfortunately.)

    And while I somewhat agree with anonymous at 1:09 p.m., Thai Orchid still has it's issues. Service being one of them, and running out of food on a regular basis being another. They do have a screamingly superior Tom Yum soup when compared to Thai Place, though.

    I will also HIGHLY recommend Lulu's Noodle Shop and Satay Bar at 333 Southwest Blvd. Love the decor, the service has always been pleasant and speedy, the Tom Yum is unbeatable (I love a good bowl of Tom Yum, can you tell?)...although they, like Thai Place, prefer to call it "Hot and Sour" for some reason. *sigh* Americanizing at it's best...

     

  • At 3:54 PM, Blogger The DLC said…

    A friend of mine swears by Thai Paradise on Grand by the strip club, but I've never been. To the restaurant I mean.

     

  • At 3:54 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I'd worry about any restaurant showing a movie about a rat working in its kitchen.

     

  • At 9:03 AM, Blogger Happy In Bag said…

    Delish, BGO!

    I swore off Thai Orchid around 2001 when I waited what seemed like two weeks to get my check. The excellent food just wasn't worth the hassle. Maybe that's changed, Anon and Faith.

    I trashed Lulu's in this space a while back, Faith. But the vibe does remind me of those Thai places on Lincoln in Chicago that got me started on Thai food in the first place.

    Thanks for checking in, DLC. Dig your site.

    Definitely an odd choice, Renton...

     

  • At 1:09 PM, Blogger Faith said…

    I only get food to go from the Orchid anymore...that helps with the service issues. And only when in a pinch, because it's the closest Thai to the house that I find acceptable.

    I have to go find what you wrote about Lulu's...

     

  • At 5:16 PM, Blogger Christy said…

    Have you tried Bangkok Pavillion at 97th & Metcalf? Pretty tasty. :-)

     

  • At 9:37 AM, Blogger PlazaJen said…

    Another great option, if you're out south, is Thai House -99th & Holmes.
    And Bangkok Pavilion has an authentic buffet on the weekends...I did reviews of all my Thai faves on Yelp, fwiw. I love the Thai!

     

  • At 10:40 PM, Blogger pom. said…

    I used to always really enjoy Tasty Thai when we lived up north but it sorta went downhill. They didn't have a TV there the last time I went. heh.

    Thai Orchid is down the street and not at all my favorite.

    I f'ing love Thai food and would love to find a great place. The best Thai food I've ever had was at Pok Pok in Portland. heh. It made me realize how crappy the "Thai food" I'd been eating was.

    I'm gonna check out Thai House and Bangkok Pavilion.
    If you discover some amazing Thai food let me know.
    Yum. mm.

     

  • At 8:55 AM, Blogger Happy In Bag said…

    If I'm not mistaken, Bangkok Pavilion was Kansas City's first Thai restaurant. I didn't realize they had a buffet- I'll need to return for that.

    And I have yet to try the place on Holmes, but it's on my list.

    Thanks for your thoughts, ladies.

     

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