Thai Passion
620 Congress, 472-1244 Daily, 11am-10pm
A sunlit atrium setting complemented by fresh flowers contributes to the lovely ambience of Thai Passion, creating just the right atmosphere in which to enjoy their light, fresh rendering of the cuisine of northeastern Thailand. Thai Passion’s classy atmosphere makes it a good option for a moderately priced special occasion, and its convenient Congress Avenue location puts it within walking distance of all the major Downtown hotels and the entertainment district.
Thai Noodles, Etc., House
2602 Guadalupe, 494-1011 Daily, 11am-10pm
This cozy campus-area joint is a popular spot with the financially challenged college crowd looking for a healthy, filling meal on a student budget. The fare here is a good selection of Thai street foods including Thai noodle soups, dry noodle bowls, and stir-fry noodles and they do a brisk takeout business.
Thai Kitchen
801 E. Wm. Cannon, 445-4844Daily, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-9:45pm
3437 Bee Caves Rd., 328-3538
Monday-Saturday, 11:30am-2:30pm,
5-9:30pm
3009 Guadalupe, 474-2575
Daily, 11:30am-9:45pm
Thai Kitchen regulars tell us that the food quality tends to vary depending on where, or if, founding chef/owner Toy happens to be cooking at the moment, but this family of restaurants remains a perennial favorite among Thai-food lovers. We prefer either of the suburban locations for dinner and find the outlet just north of UT on Guadalupe to be a great spot for healthy, inexpensive lunches, where we’re joined by hordes of hungry students.
Thai Spice Cafe
1310 RR 620 S., 263-2221Lunch: Monday-Friday, 11am-2:30pm;
Dinner: Monday-Thursday, 5-9:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 5-10pm; Sunday, 5-9pm
Thai Spice Cafe owner Vicky Vicha and her staff took over the former Lemongrass Asian Bistro location in July 2002, adding a third restaurant to its family. The menu offers fresh, fast, reliable versions of traditional Thai dishes.
Madam Mam’s Noodles & More
2514 Guadalupe, 472-8306Daily, 11am-9:30pm
Longtime Austinite “Sap” Apisaksiri married his Bangkok high school sweetheart, a food and restaurant columnist and acknowledged master chef, and brought her back to Austin to open a restaurant in 2001, providing Austin Thai-food lovers with a world-class dining experience. All the authentic Thai home-style dishes served in this very popular campus-area spot are “Mam”‘s family recipes. The food is divine and very affordable. Try the restorative Tom Khah, coconut soup with chicken, the definitive Thai Beef Salad, and the fiery, sinus-clearing Pad Cha Catfish, and you’ll be hooked.
This article appears in March 28 • 2003.