FOOD AND HOW TO EAT IT: REVIEW: Tong's Thai Restaurant

When I used to work in the Austin Highway area in the late 90s, eating at Tong's Thai was a weekly experience where eating just the combination fried rice was a meal in itself. And although this restaurant is still pretty much in my neighborhood, for some reason have not been here in quite a while.

Always I gravitate to the Pad Wun Sen on a Thai menu. Off the lunch menu: glass noodles sautéed with chicken, green onions, celery and carrots and bean sprouts in a garlic/ginger soy sauce. This was pretty good but I could taste the thickening agent for the sauce. Whether it was flour or corn starch or something else, there was a hint of something that didn't quite belong. Something almost raw tasting. But this didn't stop me from cleaning off my plate.

Potato soup was delicious. Wish the bowl was bigger because my bowl was quickly emptied.

I let the waiter pick my bubble tea for the ride home. It was called Tiger something or another with a combination of mango and other tropical fruits I quickly forgot. Sprinkled on top w/ peanuts which I learned sank to the bottom and were only sucked up through the wide straw when I was almost finished w/ my drink. The tapioca pearls were tasty and plentiful.

All in all it was nice to be back at Tong's Thai for some good food. The interior had been remodeled since last I was here and it appears to have picked up a hip; eclectic crowd. Was I really the oldest one in the room??? You should try it again too.

Sent from my iPhone
Michael Saiz

See and download the full gallery on posterous