East Village Thai
“This is the best thai place in the east village and our order last night was delivered in 15 mins!”
“packed with fresh veggies and firm tofu in coconut milk, it was rich, but not sickening and heavy.”
“The Pad Kee Mao is great, but I think my all time favorite is the Pad Kra Prow.”
East Village Thai
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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I passed by this spot on my way home tonight and decided to give it a go. It's definitely a hole in the wall spot and I wouldn't have noticed it if I didn't see two others go in there at the same time. Both their exterior and interior design is reminiscent of a Chinese take-out spot — faded, pale yellow sign awning and a few standby delivery bikes outside, and four small tables inside ,with a bunch of random potted plants in all the open spaces and corners.
I ordered the N5 — Pad Kee Mao, to go (stir-fried rice noodles w/ basil leaves, chili, garlic, egg, bamboo shoot, carrot, onion, chinese broccoli & pepper.) It came out to $10.75 and was ready in about 10 minutes.
The noodles were pretty flavorful with a mild kick, although not better or worse than your average Thai spot. There were only four small shrimps, but a generous amount of veggies, specifically broccoli and bamboo shoots. However, it was all so ridiculously greasy! If I wasn't starving, I would have tossed it. I had to pour out all the oil that drained to the bottom of the container. After that, I transferred the noodles on top of a bowl with two EXTRA STRENGTH bounty towels and it soaked through that as well! ARGH. That is no way to eat. Sorry, will not be back. There are better Thai spots in the area, like Thai Terminal a few blocks up.
My meal was the Tao Hoo Pad Gar Prow which is stir fried tofu w/basil, onion and chili. I am really not on a health diet but figured lets try something different and spicy. The cashier was quite friendly as I asked not too hot since it had that red jalapeno next to it on the menu.
The basil was quite fresh and flavorful which I love when cooked in a dish and you can actually taste the leaves. Overall plenty of carrots, onion, tofu and a side of white rice. Didnt really like the cabbage they added not a big fan.
And the tofu was a bit chewy compared to what I am used too. When I eat tofu bbq or otherwise its creamy and not dry. The tofu here was very dry, would not order that again.
Service was fast and very friendly. Yes and cash only!
My boyfriend and I have ordered from this place a couple times for delivery. They're usually on the slower end of deliveries, but the food is pretty solid and quite spicy. The food is delicious – don't get me wrong, but I feel as though there are cheaper options out there for Thai. However, I've heard from more than one source that if you've been to Thailand, then this is pretty close to the real deal.
I've only had the pad thai here but they make it just like it's made in Thailand, and the only place I've really found that doesn't Americanize the dish (adding whatever it is that makes pad thai reddish). This is my favorite pad thai place in the city.
The place is small and only fits about 10 people, but the "hole in the wall" adds a more authentic vibe to the food.
This is the most charming "divey" restaurant that I remember. The food is excellent and the service is very nice. I'd much rather go here than any of the larger, more flashy restaurants of the East Village.
If I'm looking for Thai food in the East Village, this is where I shall be going from now on!
My friend Rob P and I hit up this joint for a dinner after dodging the throngs of hungry folks on neighboring St. Marks Place. After seeing 4 stars on Yelp I was expecting a bigger, fancier establishment. From the awning outside, you feel like you're stepping back into the 1970s, but maybe that's a good sign that they've been around a while and have nobody to impress.
Speaking of being impressed.. I've never been to a take-out place/tiny restaurant that had a waiter with only 4 tables. I would not recommend a large group come here.
As for the food, I ordered the Pad See Eew with Chicken and I was quite happy with it. My fellow Yelpers did not steer me wrong this time as it was flavorful and a nice size portion. The only odd situation occurred when we had spring rolls arrive at our table that we didn't order. Rob P thought I ordered them, I thought that they were complimentary. He took one, dipped it in the sauce before the waiter realized his error. Instead of letting us keep them, he swooped them away back to the kitchen. If you ordered spring rolls for take out at around 8 PM and notice one was dunked in sauce you know who to thank (just kidding, i hope).
Overall, no frills spot with solid food. I would return if I was in the East Village.
Look carefully or you'll walk right past the restaurant. The place is very, very tiny and can seat no more than 8-10 people. They are cash only! If you are in need of cash, take a 2-minute walk down the street and around the corner to the ATM on your right which will charge you $2.50. By the time I withdrew my cash and returned to the restaurant, I only had to wait another minute for my pork EV noodles to go. There could've been a little less oil and the pork was dry, but the noodles tasted very good and it was exactly what I was in the mood for. I would probably come again for a quick lunch.
Taste | 3.5
Atmosphere | 3
Presentation | 3
Service | 4
OVERALL | 3.5
Definitely hole in the wall kind of place.
The outside decor is uninviting similar to a worn Chinese take-out spot.
Inside space is cramped with table for 8.
That is 4 tables/2 chairs per table if you do the math.
I order the chicken Pad Thai AND the the pork Pad Kra Krow.
The Pad Thai was just okay because I've had better elsewhere.
If I didn't I'd say that it was a little too moist for my liking but it dampened the noodles instead of keeping it fresh.
The pork Pad Kra Krow I didn't particularly like because of the same exact reason as stated above.
Let's talk flavor.
Yes, it was there but nothing that stood out to me as a must try.
One more note on decor.
I'm definitely not feeling the 2 dangling fake plants above the heads of patrons eating their food.
Wrong place, wrong decor.