Thai by Thai - Sterling

When we think of Thai food, our minds generally conjure images of Pad Thai (which for the sake of being in a Thai restaurant, I did end up sampling), or Panang Curry, to name a few commercialized items. What co-founders Eed and Matt Landon have done with their Thai by Thai chain is create traditional Thai dishes in a casual, quick service format.To celebrate the opening of their fourth Thai by Thai, I sampled nine dishes that were listed on the not so Secret Street Menu consisting of an appetizer, several noodle soups, and rice-based dishes; off-menu were per-request items such as their hugely popular Kai Rabert or the Exploding Egg Dish known in the vernacular, and their Classic Menu items including Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Fried Pork Ribs (which were amazeee and a very sweet milky Thai Tea to wash it all down--absolute must-have. The Secret Menu is a list of foods patrons would request at the register for items they heard (on the down-low) the restaurant was known to service.Eed explained the dishes that comprise the Secret Menu are recognized among Thai people as comfort food, the kind of staples you would find among street vendors--this is the kind of information I found particularly exciting because I have a trip to Bangkok coming up, so I was  a very willing and studious participant. One notable departure in the way Thai food is produced state-side versus the homeland is in the use of peanuts: Americans love their peanuts...According to Eed, typical Thai fare doesn't incorporate peanuts to the extent that we do here in the US of A, or they at least use it on a smaller scale rather than as a focal point.Now, to the highlights:Kao Tod Nam SodBelieve it or not, this was an appetizer...Like many of the dishes on the menu, I couldn't pronounce the name, but I could convey happiness and delight. The dish was a combination of so many contrasting textures and flavors. The fried rice balls, crunchy on the outside and malleable on the inside, helped to even out the combination of the pickled pork and  Thai sausage, which has a definitive kick.Crispy pork, Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce Kana Mookrob. Crispy pork, Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce.If you like pork belly, this is your thing, and it certainly was mine. The pork belly was a nice change of pace from the varied soup and rice dishes, as the crispness of the salted fatty pork was complemented by the flavorful Chinese broccoli sauteed in oyster sauce.Minced shrimp Thai omelet and fried garlic with Siracha sauce over riceKao Kai Jeaw Goong Sub. Minced shrimp Thai omelet and fried garlic with Siracha sauce over rice.Being allergic to shellfish and all has its downsides. Fortunately, my guest placed this dish in her Top of the dishes tried that night. The comforting fluff of the omelet  holding the shrimp, garlic, and barely noticeable siracha induced nothing but a simple YUM. I'm interpreting this as a THUMBS-Up!Minced chicken, shrimp, bell peppers, Thai basil, and green beanKaprow Thai. Minced chicken, shrimp, bell peppers, Thai basil, and green bean.Again, shellfish allergies were, on a scale of ranked for the night for being  a hindrance. Thankfully, I was able to side-step my allergy problem and sample the chicken and veggies. This dish was very easy on the taste buds, no hugely contrasting flavors. A simple stir-fry concoction made with greens of the run-of-the-mill variety.Tender pork, pork meatballs, Chinese broccoli, bean sprouts and celery in pork cinnamon soup Moo Toon. Tender pork, pork meatballs, Chinese broccoli, bean sprouts and celery in pork cinnamon soup.For the bulk of the night, soups we're a constant. There was the Spicy Beef Soup (beef flank, meatballs,celery, bean sprouts, beef broth), Doo Dee Ma Nao (fish balls, chicken, and lime broth), and Tom Yum Ka Moo (pork leg mushrooms, and lemongrass broth), in addition to the Moo Toon pictured above. Admittedly, while it became difficult to distinguish one flavor from the other as they all maintained a sweet sour theme and a base consistent in all their soups for the most part, the Moo Toon, was probably my favorite as it had a similar structure to the Kana Mookrob, but soup-style. *I would highly recommend using their house-made chili sauce, which helped add some kick to what would be otherwise lackluster broths.Fried eggs, minced chicken, spicy red sauce, rice...What they're known for people!Kai Rabert. Fried eggs, minced chicken, spicy red sauce, rice...What they're known for people!This was a true delight for the senses. The Kai Rabert (silent-T) lived up to expectations a popular dish with customers, and with yours truly, runny yolk is combined with the minced chicken which is similar in texture to ground beef, and set over rice. The yolk unifies and lends a thick coating to the entire meal.From the Classic Menu...A fan favoritePad Thai. Rice noodles, eggs, tofu, bean sprouts, scallions, crushed peanuts, and tamarind sauce.Last, but not least, how could you go wrong with Pad Thai. While the Secret Menu foods were an interesting avenue for exploration, the Pad Thai was very well-done, and one of the tops of the nights...but that could be because of all the peanuts.While the Secret Menu items are billed to be for the more adventurous, I found all the dishes sampled to be easily palatable and not a huge departure from their Classic menu. ENJOY!Thai by Thai: Website Facebook Twitter

Generally, when we think of Thai food, our minds conjure up images of Pad Thai (which, to be in a Thai restaurant, I end up sampling,) or Panang Curry, to name a few commercial items. What co-founders Eed and Matt Landon have done with their Thai by Thai chain is traditional Thai fare in a casual, quick service format. To celebrate the opening of their fourth Thai by Thai, I've tried nine dishes that aren't so popular on the Thai Secret Street Menu consisting of an appetizer, several noodle soups and rice-based dishes; Off-menu were known for per-request items like their huge popular Kai Rabert or the Exploding Egg Dish at the Vernacular, and their Classic...read more

Very consistent. Visited recently with a large group which normally throws kitchens into a frenzy. Not at Thai by Thai the dishes arrived both quickly and together which was amazing since there were 6 of us and we all didn't order together The food was, as always, excellent. I had the green chicken chili which isn't incredibly hot then again, I didn't specify when I ordered which is my fault. However, as the meal continued, the heat level seemed to increase which is always a good thing. The foods may be spicy but the focus here is on flavor, not just heat One word of caution this restaurant's HVAC system is super-sized. The outside temps were in the high 80s but inside, it...read more

Good Thai. I live nearby and found their menu on my door. I keep these things so I can try new places. I'm usually disappointed, but Thai by Thai is a definite exception. The food is good and carefully prepared. I try a new dish every time and have not been disappointed. The prices are very reasonable for the quality and purity of the flavors. As the other reviewer mentions, the menu is easy to decipher. Don't forget to ask about the monthly specials when you call In for the treat is the staff. Every time I leave they always seem happy to see me or someone walking through the door Unlike many local Asian restaurants, the decor is nice and cheerful....read more

Tried this place on a whom and loved it. Easy to understand menu and food was delicious and well priced. Started with the dumpling appetizer and loved the sweet soy sauce The staple pad Thai was delcious and left me full. Giventhisplace a try you won't be disapponted