Craving Thai? Check Out Rob’s Favorites

When I first tried Thai food, I was living in Southern California and teaching at Cal St. Long Beach. My restaurant reviewing days were far ahead of me. But from that very first bit of Pad Thai at a place in Newport Beach, I was hooked.

Thai food is about searing flavors, huge spices, and wonderful sauces and curries. It’s healthy, laden with meats, seafood, and vegetables. And prepared by the right chefs, it can leave you with taste experiences that are second to none.

And we are blessed here in Austin with an abundance of excellent Thai favorites. Here, in no particular order, are some of my favorites.

Satay. Founded by the inimitable Dr. Foo Swasdee, Satay is a marvelous restaurant. Best Pad Prik King I’ve had anywhere. Foo’s husband also concocts wonderful “Chocolate”desserts made from soy.

Thai Tara. Yupa Rushing is a disciple of Dr. Foo’s. Her little 6th St. restaurant is a gem. I can’t get enought of her Panang Curry nor her Pad Kee Mao. Busy a lunch but dinners are slow. Take advantage.

Chon Som. Chon Som means spoon and fork in Thai (typical cutlery used by Thai people). Nat and Alicia make both Thai and Sushi work in an intriguing and harmonious manner. Only open at year on Wells Branch Parkway, it is rapidly taking its place among the really tasty restaurants in the city. The Drunken Noodles, awash in a garlic-basil sauce are to die for.

Madam Mam’s. The collaboration of Sap Apisksari and Chatfuang Mam will leave you breathless. With two locations on the drag and out at Westgate Dr. near Central Market, Madam Mam’s. The Pad Cha Catfish truly will leave you breathless as it’s a bit firey. But oh soo good.

Ka Prow. Chef Opart is one of the good guys. Not only can he cook great Thai food, he cares about his fellow restaurateurs. He’s donated proceeds from sales to help with the rebuild of Mother’s Cafe. He can also whip up a mean Pad Ka Prow with tangy beef that will blow you away. And the Duck Curry is without peer.

Thai Passion. On Congress, Lots of interesting and palatable dishes here including the Koong Pla which is griled shrimp flavored with lemon grass, lime and thai pepper. Open late for the downtown crowd. And that makes sense. I can see digging into some Tod Mun at 12:30am!

Thai Spice. Vicky and Tut Visha have these two little restaurants in Lakeway and at the Albertson’s Shopping Ctr. in Westlake that just are hard to resist. I love the Royal Dumplings and the Garlic Shrimp. Chef Opart of KaProw is an alumnus of Thai Spice also.