My good friend (since 3rd grade) Marlene called me from work one dreary Friday afternoon and suggested going for Thai food. Hmm…Roland was out of town…why not? I had never had Thai food before…why not!
She picked me up and we drove in all the rush hour and rain to Thai Town, 574 Randall Road in South Elgin, located in the strip mall between Super Target and Caputo’s.
The moment we walked in, we felt the peace and serenity of being in a “different” place. The restaurant was packed with diners and it was only a little after 5:30. There was one table left for us in this very compact, cozy little treasure. We noticed when we entered that there were two large tables already reserved for groups.
We were greeted immediately by our server and checked out the large menu. Appetizers included pot stickers and crab Rangoon (both came in eight pieces), which we shared. The crab Rangoon was so thin that it almost melted in your mouth. The pot stickers were delicately cooked and tasty. They offer six different kinds of soup and seven salads, including squid salad! Each has distinct ingredients, and each could keep a foodie like me busy for many visits.
Next on the menu were duck dishes, fried rice, curry and noodle dishes. Entrees came next with half being marked “spicy” and seafood selections that looked divine. Yes, we were looking at what other diners were being served!
We finally decided on two dishes. Marlene chose pad eggplant, which came with a bowl of jasmine rice on the side. The dish was very tasty, but the eggplant had not been peeled before cooking, and the skin was difficult to chew. I chose Pad See Eiw with wide noodles and delectable pieces of thin-sliced beef along with broccoli and carrots in light brown gravy. Servings were not large and we were thankful because of our overindulgence in sharing the appetizers.
Thai Town serves an incredible value lunch on weekdays between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. They offer eight different specials, which are served with soup and appetizer of the day for $6.95. Pad Thai noodles tops the list and includes ground chicken basil leaves and cashew nut.
Time for dessert! We chose the dish we kept hearing other diners order. Fried banana with coconut ice cream. I am a confirmed chocoholic, and while this dish contained not one drop of my favorite delight, it was so delicious I almost didn’t notice that chocolate was missing. Give it a try. It was scrumptious!
While we sipped our bottomless pot of hot tea, we enjoyed looking at the bright orange walls that contained many pictures and decorations of Thailand. There is even a small aquarium of koi fish to watch. Ladies, you must check out the restroom with its decorative shell sink. Very unique!
As we were finishing our visit to Thailand, the two large reserved tables were occupied and guests were beginning to take their flavorful journey through food as they discovered the tastes and quiet, calming atmosphere of Thai Town. Have yourself an adventure too! And yes, they do deliver!
