(Took Out 10/31/18 WE @ 5:00pm): The Thai food in this hole-in-the-walk was tasty...and affordable!
I've driven by Thai Taste Restaurant countless times over the years and always thought about stopping, but it finally took a Groupon+ 25% cashback offer that incentived me on a Halloween night as I was chillaxing and working at home. I loved Thai food...I loved food discounts...I didn't want to eat my leftovers, so it seemed like a perfect storm. Would this mom & pop prove to be something I've been missing this whole time!?
PURCHASE
Tom Kah Koong With Shrimp Hot Pot ($11.00): A rich coconut milk soup prepared with lemongrass, galangels, herbs, mushrooms, and chili, I've been craving a hot pot lately and this price was one of the cheapest around. The soup was so aromatic and creamy as the mushroom floated to the top while a slew of peeled shrimp fell to the bottom. Be sure to stir it thoroughly to capture all the chil and spices that settled at the bottom. My roommate and I were practicularly from simply eat all of this goodness - success https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=_Cs-ImpqACXhvmvipFgjbw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
Stir Fried Ginger With Vegetables ($9.00): Prepared with green onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, chili, and an assortment of vegetables, this was a nice much-needed "healthy" dish based on all the crap I've been eating lately. As much as I liked it, it really warranted something meatier https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=RPdYwNH6fsESjGHwYpy20Q&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Spicy Noodles With Pork ($9.00): a collection of stir fried flat noodles with egg, chili, bean sprouts, oyster sauce, and my protein choice of pork, this was yummy in my tummy! The flat noodles may've been slightly overcooked as they seemed limp, but there was plenty of pork pieces, and once you let the food settle the bottom part was hella spicy - oink oink https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=6tdEFOF2QNsjT-mP3_-zVw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
Spicy Catfish ($11.00): Prepared with chli, bell peppers, and deboned (YES...deboned!) pieces of catfish, this for me was the dish of the night! Wherever I order this dish the bones were always left in which was freaking annoying. The spiciness slowly grew with intensity but still manageable https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Q_WGzd98iwDKp4LNGgf1Tg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
Steamed White Rice (Included): Fluffy and went well with the catfish juices; it's rice for goodness sake https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=W7-xMv-hnxZIaAs7375i2w&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
SERVICE
I was ready for when they reopened at 5:00pm, so I rushed the door and placed my order with a young woman whom I figured was the daughter of the older man who cooked in the kitchen and the granddaughter of the elder gentleman who sat in the back corner and prepared table settings and such. In just under 15 minutes, my complete order was ready, packed in a plastic bag, and hot as can possibly be - hells yeah!
PARKING (FREE)
They shared a small parking lot with several businesses in a tiny rundown strip mall. However, I parked on an adjacent street and walk the few steps. Otherwise, there was plenty of free, metered, and timed parking along the main drag of Fletcher Dr. and all surrounding streets (read all posted signs carefully). Be aware that this corner was a high trafficked nightmare and could take you awhile to get out.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A slight upgrade from a hole-in the-wall because it had a relaxing water fountain inside and wasn't as dingy as I expected based on the exterior, this was a small simple layout with several tables and chairs, a tiny order counter, some framed pictures on the walls, and a couple plants. Some natural lighting came through the front glass window and door while electric track ceiling lights filled in the rest https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=pvxnKy0AoUgn3oYEds9zvg&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. There were no TVs while Trance music played in the background.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Thanks to Groupon+ who finally got me to try Thai Taste Restaurant and would return for more. In my Silver Lake hipsterhood, it was hard to find "street" Thai places which I preferred to "clean" ones. The prices and portions were right, the food tasted good (it could've been spicier), and the service was lightning fast with my takeout order. They also had an extensive menu...but no boba! The location sucks, and be aware that they close between 3pm-5pm https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=KJBQkA1IODMZu7OA1ju57A&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $44.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And although I used a different credit card to take advantage of a promotion, they accepted mine of choice...AMEX! 4.0 STARS read more