8 replies to this topic

[Abbylovi]

We also noticed a new Thai place down the block from Minangasli. It was called Chao Thai -- anyone try it yet? Elmhurst is really fertile chow-ground.

[porkwah]

We also noticed a new Thai place down the block from Minangasli. It was called Chao Thai -- anyone try it yet? Elmhurst is really fertile chow-ground.

Went to Chao Thai tonight.

It is in fact very good. Not Ameri-Thai.

To compare with other Thai options nearby: Sripraphai I think is still better. I wasn't blown away by Zabb, but I'll try it again. Takrai can be good as well.

And it's cozy and the waitresses are nice. They seemed actually to care that we liked the food.

And I sat near the kitchen and saw all the food coming out; it was all beautiful. Visually this is my favorite thai place in NY.

I'll be going back there again, for sure.

(We had deep fried tofu (tofu and taro, but they were out of taro) -- well executed crispy pork with green beans -- good sauce, well executed; deep fried whole fish in ginger -- pretty good.)

[omnivorette]

Yowza.

[Abbylovi]

It took me a very long time to order. Why? Well it is true that it isn't Ameri-Thai but the menu just wasn't very interesting to me. I guess I'm comparing it to Sripraphai and Zabb where there are so many unusual and delicious-sounding things I want to order.

Anyway, I finally settled on a squid salad and a sautéed flat noodle with chicken. The salad was indeed beautifully presented and spicy as I requested. But...eh. The noodles were fine enough. With Sri and Zabb as closer (and better) options, I don't see myself returning.

[Abbylovi]

The New York Times liked it.

BEST DISHES Som tum; larb; mixed seafood stir-fry.

[porkwah]

I'll go back. I got the feeling that the place might change for the better, or worse, at some point, and even if it didn't, it was good.

I wish someone would open up a good thai restaurant closer to me or closer to where I play. But there's no reason for anyone to do that, is there?

[porkwah]

went tonight with a couple friends. this place has in fact improved. we had:

appetizer: hoi joh (deep fried bean curd skin stuffed with crab meat). these were fun.
mains: crispy pork in basil sauce: quite nice. pad kee mao chicken: beautiful and slimy and tasty. catfish pla kra prow (special): spicy and not as good as sripraphai's version, not as tasty. panang curry: ok.

i'd say that this is now a credible good thai option. still not as good as sripraphai.

i'm not a big fan of zabb, so i won't bother with the comparison.

[Abbylovi]

I returned for a post-Target meal and I'd have to agree with porkwah.
I had the pork larb and crispy pork with chinese broccoli. Both were actually on-par with Sripraphai but I think what consistently brings me back to Sri are the huge menu offerings. Well that and the excellent food.

[StephanieL]

Not quite as good as Ayada but still a pretty decent option. They don't dumb the spicing down, that's for sure--even the "medium" shrimp salad had a lot of heat. I accidentally bit into one of the little orange peppers and was incapacitated for a few minutes; the burning yet cooling sensation in my throat was something I'd never experienced before with spicy food.