Madam Mam’s

 
Madam Mam’s Thai restaurants take the fine art of collaboration to the extreme. The owner, Mr. Sap Apisaksari, an Austin foodie, traveled back to his native Thailand and married Chatfuang Mam, a chef and food writer and also his high school sweetheart from the old country. He brought her back to Texas and started a new restaurant after named after her. The first Madam Mam’s on Guadalupe hit the ground running and has found a loyal audience, not only with the UT crowd but from lovers of Thai food across the city. Sap has subsequently expanded to stores on Anderson lane and Westgate where we are today.

Thai food is one of my favorite cuisines. And Madam Mam’s is an indulgence in Thai excess. I don’t know why really, but I can’t begin a meal here without some deep fried Spring Rolls with bean thread noodles and green cabbage. And the Tod Mun Chicken with a boat load of engaging peanut flavors will prime your pump.

The textures and tastes of the cuisine at Mam’s are very engaging and tantalizing to the palate. Among my favorites is the Panang Curry. This classic dish blends red curry with shredded magroot and Thai basil. If your fiery taste quotient tends to be, a scale of 10-1, less than a 3, better pass on this dish. But I love it.

Another favorite is the Pad-Sea-Eew. This is a stir-fry dish with noodles, Chinese broccoli, and egg. There is a very mellow taste buzz from this dish and a lovely texture as well.

Also love the Pad Spaghetti Kee-Mao. This is stir-fried linguini with mushrooms, Thai basil and an assortment of spices. This is a very, seriously tasty dish. On a side note, ever wonder why so many Thai dishes begin with the word “Pad.” Well, that means “stir fry” in Thai.

Now that we’ve cleared that up for you: The Thai Beef Salad is another classic with wonderful flavors and almost perfect balance. And the Tom-Yum Soup, a hot and sour lemongrass delight, will purse have you involuntarily pursing your lips. But that’s a good thing.

I am a big fan of Pad Cha Catfish as well. This is at the megaton level of nuclear fire power and it rocks. And the Amazing green beans stir fried with tofu in a very spicy hot sauce are as billed: amazing! This dish works as so many different taste levels that I can’t recount them all. And the Napa Soup with Cod Fish coaxes more flavor out of one soup than I would have thought possible. The cabbage soaks in the flavor and the celery and green onions complement.

Mick Vann, the Thai specialist for the Chronicle says this is his favorite Thai place in central Texas. I can’t and won’t argue with that assessment.The service could ramp up a bit but if food is your drug of profile, Madam Mam’s is the mother load.