Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.
A time-honored tradition in most neighborhoods in Sun City is the monthly or bi-monthly ladies luncheon. One person is chosen as a scout to scour the countryside for a restaurant to descend upon. They make their choice, they send out the invitations, wait for the responses, and then let the games begin.
Bangkok Thai & Sushi
4077 W. Algonquin Road
Algonquin 60102
(224) 569-3999
atbangkokthaisushi.com
Directions: Take Route 47 North to Algonquin Road East to restaurant.
Estimated Travel Time: 17 minutes
This group of marauding post-menopausal women attack a restaurant armed with every coupon known to mankind, insist on individual checks, and to top it off, demand a senior discount! The siege lasts approximately three hours and the waitress is required to take the obligatory group photo for the neighborhood newsletter. At the end of the festivities, she is then run over by the stampede of women trying to find their cars in the parking lot. It was at Nancy’s last ladies luncheon that she discovered Bankok Thai and Sushi in Algonquin. She decided it would be a good place for us to review.
Our restaurants are back to being in strip malls and this place has 12 booths, four large tables that can be separated, and a sushi bar in the rear. It is an immaculate, cozy venue that has just recently come “Under New Management.”
Nancy and I couldn’t make a decision on what appetizer to order today since they all looked so good, so we decided on the Bankok Sampler ($9.95). This is the Thai version of the ever popular, but politically incorrect, Poo-Poo Platter. It consisted of crab rangoons (3), egg rolls (2), potstickers (3), and tofu (4) and served with 3 delicious sauces. Everything on the platter was delicious, but we are not very good judges of tofu. It probably was as delicious as tofu can be, but we can’t wrap our heads around eating “coagulated soy milk” that has absolutely no taste. It was deep fried however, so for a split second I was tempted to try it. Nancy wanted no part of it whatsoever.
Jim never had Thai and wanted to try something new so he went with the Drunken Noodles with Shrimp ($11.95). This was stir-fried thick noodles with basil, bamboo shoots, onion, broccoli, baby corn, egg, and bell peppers in a spicy sauce. Jim gave it about a two on his “sweat head meter.” The flavor combination was out of this world and the abundant shrimp were huge.
Nancy wanted to try the Pineapple Fried Rice ($13.95), which comes with jumbo shrimp even though the menu doesn’t say so. This was fresh pineapple, white and green onions, carrots, eggs, and green peas. When it arrived at the table, it was a sight to behold! It was served in a hollowed out half of a fresh pineapple and the rice overflowed on her platter. This was absolutely delicious and different with the pineapple chunks adding a little freshness.
FYI: All entrees are served with a small salad with ginger dressing and this restaurant is handicap accessible.
Between the platter of appetizers, our entrees, and the doggie bags we took home, we couldn’t even think about dessert, sorry…
This became a keeper in our arsenal of restaurants. Jim and I both won today, since we both loved our meals and the appetizers, with the exception of the tofu. We will be going back to try some more appetizers and entrees that caught our attention. As Buddha would say, “So much food, so little time…”
The price for our fantasy trip to Thailand was $44.02.
Jim’s take: I couldn’t figure out what gave my meal such a delicious flavor. Believe it or not, it was the basil. I never heard of basil in Asian foods, but it works!
Nancy’s take: Tofu is like Miso Soup, tasteless! All kidding aside, my meal was superb! It would be hard for me to order anything else when I go there.
Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com
