Top Ten Thai Restaurants
Asian restaurant chefs seem to move around even more than other cuisines' chefs, if that's possible, so the food at a Thai place I loved when I went six months ago may be completely different now. Therefore I particularly appreciate the help of LIVE reviewer Karen Nitkin and the folks who posted suggestions earlier this week.
With that caveat in mind, here's my list of the area's Top Ten Thai Restaurants. Apologies to places like My Thai in Mount Vernon and Pad Thai in Annapolis, which are too new to have been reviewed yet. ...
(John Makely/Sun Photographer)
* Ban Thai in downtown Baltimore. This pleasant and decidedly unhip little place has managed to hang on and even win a couple of "best of" awards. With cooler weather around the corner, the Winter Warm-Ups, signature noodle soups, are a good bet. The red curry is authentic, and the noodle dishes go beyond just pad Thai.
* Lemongrass in Annapolis. It has a contemporary decor, with-it young servers and decent wines that actually go with the cuisine. The food isn't necessarily more interesting than the usual suspects; but it's tasty and inexpensive. Sometimes you just want a little style with your pad Thai.
* Little Spice in Hanover. The two sisters who own it grow most of the herbs they use in their own garden. The food is thoughtfully prepared and prettily presented. And you have to love a place that serves dishes called Happy Calamari and Spicy Crispy Ducky Salads. Relatively new, this little strip mall gem is already developing quite a following.
* Talay Thai in Fells Point. For the most part, the menu is straightforward curries, stir-fries, and noodles; but the house specialties like the Big Three (mussels, shrimp and scallops) excite. The addition of a few American appetizers and entrees to the menu means you can more easily get your S.O. who doesn't want Thai to come when you crave spicy noodles.
*Ten-O-Six in Federal Hill. There is less fusion food and more straight Thai on the menu than there used to be. (But still, think of it as Thai cuisine in the French style.) Sigh. The end of summer means no more Tempura Soft Shell Crab as an appetizer.
* Thai Aroma in Ellicott City. This unassuming restaurant tries to incorporate local ingredients into traditional Thai dishes, often with success. (The jury is still out on the deep-fried coconut crab cake.) Still, give the kitchen points for creativity, and for treating meats and vegetable with care in dishes like the grilled lemongrass beef.
* Thai Arroy in Federal Hill. It may not be breaking new ground, but this sweet little restaurant is a festive neighborhood spot that can get crowded in a good way. The duck dishes are specialties, like pa-nang ped, duck, snow peas, fresh basil and lime leaves in coconut milk sauce.
* Thai One On in Towson. Don't be put off by the fact that both Japanese and Thai dishes are offered here. It's worthy of being included if only for the fried whole fish. Maybe you don't get the variety you would elsewhere because of the joint cuisine, but what you get will be very good.
* Thai Restaurant in Waverly. Once Baltimore didn't have any Thai restaurants. Then along came the Thai. I've had good meals and not-so-great meals there, but I have to give it credit for being the first. It was a revelation to a city that thought Asian food meant Americanized Cantonese Chinese.
Comments
I am amazed that you included Talay Thai on your list. It is without question the worst Thai restaurant I've ever visited, anywhere, and that includes visits to Thailand.
The food at Talay Thai not only lacks authenticity but also is poorly prepared. The waiters I've had (I've only been twice and will never return) knew nothing about Thai food. The fact that the restaurant also serves American food should be a dead give-away that this place has no real interest in providing genuine Thai food. I wonder whether you've actually eaten there.
Here's the URL for my original review: http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/101828,0,5908200.venue
Posted by: louis berney | October 2, 2007 7:27 AM
Talay Thai is the absolutely worst thai restaurant in the tri-state area. It doesn't serve thai cuisine, and it's barely asian in taste. I don't even think the owners are Thai.This article proves that Ms. large is not a foodie, but a writer who happens to be assigned to the restaurant section. Where's the passion for excellent food? Very disappointing: (
Wow. It must have changed hands since I was there to get this violent a reaction. As it happened, when I went I took a Thai-American friend who visits her family regularly in Thailand, and she liked the food. So, whatever you think about my credentials...
Posted by: nestee | October 2, 2007 8:32 AM
Sorry to nitpick, but Ban Thai is in actually in downtown Baltimore, not Mt. Vernon. Mt. Vernon begins at Mulberry Street, which is 1.5 blocks north of Ban Thai's location.
Good to know. I'll change it. Thanks.
Posted by: Sean | October 2, 2007 9:09 AM
Thai Aroma in Howard County is one of the best places in the region Bancock Garden in Columbia is very good as well, annd hopefully got some consideration.
Yes, I'm thinking I should have put Bangkok Garden on the list in place of Talay after a couple of readers recommended it so highly, but neither of us two Sun critics had reviewed it, so I was hesitant. But it's definitely on our list now!
Posted by: Matt Unuck | October 2, 2007 10:27 AM
I believe that Annapolis-based Lemongrass is opening a new location here in town along Central Avenue.
Posted by: Butters | October 2, 2007 1:00 PM
Gosh, you're taking quite a beating today, aren't you? For what it's worth, my husband and I love reading your reviews and trying places you recommend ... you've never steered us wrong! One of my favorite workday lunch spots is Thai Heaven on Frederick Rd in Catonsville ... it's small and there's not much in the way of atmosphere, but the food + service are good. It's worth checking out.
Well, at least nobody said my mother wears combat boots :-)
Posted by: Kate | October 2, 2007 1:12 PM
I believe that Matt was probably referring to Bangkok Delight (on Center Park Drive), not Bangkok Garden. It is definitely a wonderful restaurant, and one of the best I've visited (and I've been to Thailand, twice!). But if Bangkok Garden is elsewhere, please let me know where so I can visit. The new My Thai (in the old Minato location) is also worth considering - good food.
Thanks!
Posted by: ColumbiaBill | October 2, 2007 1:53 PM
poppycock.
Talay Thai is great. It is actually quite authentic and well-prepared food. The service is much better than it once was (when they first opened it was comically bad), but I can't understand why anyone wouldn't like the excellent, flavorful thai food they serve.
Posted by: fellspointosfan | October 2, 2007 4:07 PM
I'm continually amazed at how poor the Thai food in Baltimore is compared to most other cities. I'm hoping the new Lemongrass location on Central Ave. will be good.
Posted by: Patrick | October 2, 2007 5:06 PM
Sorry people feel the need to make personal attacks. I do, however, agree that Talay Thai is a disappointment. My wife and I live within walking distance, and we have tried the place several times, hoping against hope that we will like the experience. It consistently fails to meet expectations. But, I do think your blog and columns are great! We just happen to disagree about this restaurant.
That's why I'm happy to get other opinions posted here. As you can see from my review, I ate there two years ago. I know how much things can change in two years. These lists are fun only if people keep in mind that they are starting points for discussion.
Posted by: Bob | October 2, 2007 5:15 PM
There is a very good Thai restaurant in Owings Mills called Crystal Thai. It is in the back of the Valley Village strip mall at the corner of Reisterstown Road and McDonogh.
The food is excellent. The owner changed recently but the food is very mucht the same and the restaurant is run more professionally. It is very much worth a try! Since it is hidden at the rear of the strip mall it doesn't get much foot traffic, but it is acquiring a loyal following.
Posted by: Charles Spira | October 2, 2007 10:01 PM
Here's a vote for Thai Orient on Reisterstown Road. I've gotten take-out from there regularly over the past 5-6 years. Never been disappointed. Their green curry dishes are delicious.
Posted by: James | October 2, 2007 11:21 PM
ColumbiaBill - Bangkok Garden is a separate creature, in the Oakland Mills Village Center, and it's fantastic. Not a whole lot of ambiance (judging by the exterior it used to be a Wendy's) but the food is great. I would highly recommend a visit to you, Elizabeth, and anyone else willing to trek south.
Apparently the owners helped open the first Thai restaurant in Washington, and then opened the well-regarded Bangkok Garden in Bethesda, which this is an offshoot of. I was surprised to find the Sun had never reviewed it.
Posted by: JLA | October 2, 2007 11:29 PM
Thai Arroy is far and away the best Thai restaurant in the area. Ingredients are fresh and delicious. The ladies who work there are fast and friendly. As a side note, they also serve some Thai tasty finger foods at the Farmer's Market.
The same, however, can't be said for Ban Thai and Thai Landing. Both taste as though they "cheat," making most of their sauces from canned paste. Would an Italian restaurant be listed as a best if they used bottled Ragu? Talay Thai, as others have said, is a very poor restaurant both in quality and service.
Posted by: mike | October 3, 2007 9:06 AM
I am a big fan of Thai Arroy- even with its BYOB policies. Glad to see it made your list. Since I live in Fed hill, it serves as a standard go to for carry-out- one serving is PLENTY for two!
Posted by: Mather | October 3, 2007 9:21 AM
Thai Jai Dee in Canton is also quite good. It often gets overlooked because it is smaller, and also because it shares a locations with San Sushi. The Thai menu is extensive, and is authentic.
Posted by: Simone | October 3, 2007 10:50 AM
Big ups! to Ms. Large for her Official Disclaimer regarding her Top 10 Tuesdays. It is rare for any journalist to offer the sort of mea culpa reflected in the Disclaimer. And I truly appreciate it.
As for the little group that provides recommendations for the Top 10, I would getting rid of that person who recommended Talay Thai: His/her tastebuds are poison. Ms. Large should not let her otherwise impeccable reputation be tainted by such a pedestrian palette.
Posted by: nestee | October 4, 2007 2:37 PM
I know this is a late edition but it looks as if Chokchai Thai Food on Harford Rd has closed. The sign on the building said it was for rent.
Posted by: Mike A | December 19, 2007 7:33 PM
You have never been in the Buffalo Bill Steak House Bangsaen.
There was a cockroach in my salad and they did not give me the money back.
They said they would bring me a new salad, but I must pay anyway.
Sure this was my last visit...
Posted by: Frank | March 18, 2009 3:26 AM
SPAM!!!
All gone. EL
Posted by: RayRay | July 23, 2009 3:58 PM
AFTER SPENDING 8 YEARS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND 4 YEARS IN THAILAND I NOT AGREE WITH YOUR TOP TEN LIST. UNLES YOU ONLY CONCERN WITH THAI-AMERICAN FOOF AS OPPOSED TO REAL THAI FOOD. THE ONLY REAL THAI FOOD IS SERVED IN BAN THAI ON CHARLES ST.
Posted by: CARL CLARK | September 7, 2009 2:12 PM
Sigh ... there is no Thai in Harford County.
Posted by: The Canon | September 7, 2009 6:46 PM
Mr. Clark, we would take you a lot more seriously if you'd use your indoor voice in here!
Posted by: Joyce W. | September 7, 2009 6:49 PM
I must tell you that - yes - Talay Thai Grille is Thai owned; in fact, it's owned by the same family of Thai Restaurant on Greenmount Ave. The Chef of Thai Restaurant is Mrs. Mettawiparree and her brother is the chef of Talay Thai Grille. To say, in your own opinion, that the food is subpar is your prerogative, but to question the authenticity is another because there is no opinion that can change someone's heritage.
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Posted by: hmpstd | March 28, 2010 7:09 AM
I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOUR TOP TEN LIST.
Talay Thai on your list is without question the worst Thai restauant.
Posted by: Anton the Thai Fisherman guy | August 1, 2010 2:55 PM
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