Taste of Thai Express, located on 209 S Meadow Street, is described by Google as a “low-key destination for familiar soups, curries, rice dishes & pad Thai, with outdoor seating.” I agree with this description 100 percent; in fact, this is exactly how I would describe it, mainly because of the “low-key” part—I prefer Taste of Thai Express to the Taste of Thai on the Commons because of how chill its vibe is. Express and the original restaurant are very similar, but Express has much quicker service (hence the name), is slightly cheaper, and gives bigger portions. It also always has fresh flowers, and at around five o’clock, they bring out candles for each table. This creates a relaxing, enjoyable ambiance in the restaurant. If you are driving, Taste of Thai Express is a lot more accessible than the restaurant on the Commons because it has a parking lot right next to it. The service is excellent as well; the waiters are courteous and are willing to get you anything you would like.
Express has a wide selection of appetizers, soups, and salads to choose from. Their Thai veggie spring rolls are great, coming with a sweet peanut sauce and served refreshingly cold. They also serve a great tom kha, which is a spicy hot and sour soup made with coconut milk. One of their most popular dishes is their delicious pad Thai; however the curries are the most appealing to me. With each curry, you can choose a protein and whether you would like brown or white rice. My favorite is the green curry—I get it practically every time! The menu has an indicator for almost every entree that tells the customer how spicy a particular dish is. This helps the customer know what they are in for when the dish comes. The moderately spicy green curry is served in a bowl with your choice of rice on the side. As a hot dish, it’s a delightful mix of spicy and sweet perfect for a cold winter evening. The waiter also offers chopsticks and a spice rack, a nice touch for those who wish to give their dish an extra kick.
Taste of Thai Express is a simple, fun, and casual restaurant that leaves the customers feeling satisfied and relaxed. The food is delicious and there are many options to choose from on the menu. One could go many times without ever getting bored of the food. I recommend it to anyone who wants a little “taste of Thai” in Ithaca.
