Victoria's Tru Thai Asian Cuisine: Victoria

Tonight, I am in the mood for Thai.  Two places pop up, so I decided to go with Victoria's Tru Thai Asian Cuisine.  Located in an older building on Business 59, you walk into a small clean restaurant with the sound of running water and filled with oil paintings of Thai farmers in their rice fields.

The menus are located under the plexiglass on the table, and it is not extensive.  They have a lot of curries which I will have to come back to try.  I had read that their Pad Thai was good, so of course, I move in that direction.    I order vegetarian Pad Thai: pan fried noodles with eggs, peanuts, green onions and bean sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, and carrots!  Your meat options include chicken, beef, or pork. The meal comes with soup and an egg roll, but I passed on this evening.  You can hear the owner's wife back in the kitchen clanging on the pots making your meal to order, so the excitement begins.

The only thing I can say about Victoria's Tru Thai's Pad Thai is that IT IS THE BEST PAD THAI THAT I HAVE EVER HAD!  The vegetables were super fresh.  The Noodles were wider glass noodles filled with seasoning and taste.  The bowl was huge, and it was hard to stop eating this delightful dish.  It was truly bliss.  I did have a funny eureka moment though...I thought the bigger pieces of the sponge like ingredient was tofu, but then I realized that this egg hater was actually eating chunks of egg. 

In the end, my experience was incredible.  I spoke with the owner regarding Thailand and an upcoming trip.  He was extremely friendly and provided great insight to the Country and Culture.  All the while, I could hear his wife banging away in the back for the next lucky food recipient.  When I am back in Victoria, I will definitely return to Victoria's Tru Thai Asian Cuisine, and I encourage you to give it a try too.

Victoria's Tru Thai Asian Cuisine
811 E Rio Grande St (Business 59)
Victoria, TX  77901
361/572-8851

Thai Orchid: Corpus Christi

I’m always on the look out for new Thai restaurants.  Tempted on returning HuDat or Drunkn’ Noodlez, I venture out to a new place in Corpus called Thai Orchid. 

I must emphasize, “DO NOT JUDGE THIS BOOK BY ITS COVER!”  From the outside, the neon lights and the shady strip shopping center, just cries out illegal massage parlor.  But, once you walk inside, you are transported to a immaculately clean, nice restaurant.

Once seated, the service experience has begun.  The wait staff provides the utmost attention beckoning to every need, and taking pride in their accomplishments.  If all establishments were as attentive as Thai Orchid, the world would be a better place.

Having a pot of jasmine hot tea, I order my usual spring rolls and Pad Thai.  The spring rolls come out beautifully presented.  Filled with fresh lettuce, carrots, shrimp and vermicelli, I plunge them into a sweeter than nuttier hoisin sauce.  Overall, thumbs up for these spring rolls.

The Pad Thai arrives.  Thin strips of chicken accompany the bean sprouts, vermicelli, and scallions.  Overall, this was above mediocre.  I prefer my pad thai with more taste, and I get a little weird about the meat in it.  Actually, when I was finished, I had a plate of chicken leftover.  The waitress asked if everything was ok because it seems that I didn’t like the chicken.  She went over and beyond to make sure I was a satisfied customer.  Ultimately, she said that they would be happy to make it with more vegetables if I wanted to go that route in the future.

In the end, I will return to Thai Orchid.  The food was above average, but the service is the real winner here.  In fact, I would return for that alone.  Check out Thai Orchid the next time you are in Corpus Christi because it is truly a happy ending.

Thai Orchid

4501 SPID

Corpus Christi, TX 78411

361/854-5888

Drunkn' Noodlez: Corpus Christi

Tonight, I just happen to run across Drunkn' Noodlez as I was exploring Corpus Christi.  I had already read about this place, and I wanted to try it based on the reviews and of course, its name.  Located in a strip shopping center next to Schlotzsky's and I love Cheesecake, entry into Drunkn' Noodlez seems like you have stepped into another place and time.

For starters, I try their Spring Wraps.  These wraps, instead of rolls, are huge and a meal in itself.  They are filled with chicken, shrimp, fresh veggies, herbs, and noodles.  They come with a great spicy Red Chile sauce with peanuts, but it isn't the traditional peanut sauce.  Awesome- this is definitely a must! 

For my main meal, I order Pahd Thai.  I like that they offer to spice it up.  Of course, I do, so I go with 3 peppers: Adventuresome! 

The Pahd Thai was good, but it wasn't the best that I have had.  It was filled with chicken, noodles, and vegetables, but I was still thinking about the Spring Wraps.  I think I could have gone up to 5 on the spicy level because I couldn't even taste the heat of 3.

Overall, I LOVE Drunkn' Noodlez.  This place has such a great vibe.  It's just a little funky.  Everyone is super friendly.  Service is great!  If you get a chance, definitely check it out.  I will return.

Drunkn' Noodlez
(361) 992-1400  
4214 S Alameda St
Corpus Christi, TX 78412



 

Lil Thai House: Longview

Lil Thai House is tucked away in downtown Longview.  I am so glad that I found it because it is a nice diversion in East Texas.  Get there early as the place is tiny, and they run out of things like Spring Rolls.  The kitchen is right there in front of you, and your stomach will grumble while you wait for your food.

I started out with 2 Chicken Spring Rolls.

Chicken Spring Rolls: Vermicelli, chicken, cilantro, basil, lettuce, bean sprouts, and carrots wrapped in a rice paper.  They were excellent.  They are served with 2 unknown sauces: One was a little too salty; the Other was spicy yet sweet- very good!  These were definitely the Star of my Lunch.  Next,  Chicken Pad Thai.

Their Pad Thai has vermicelli, bean sprouts, chicken, tofu, egg, green onions; it's good, but I would love some fresh lime juice to squeeze on top of it.  Huge portions, so a to go box is a must. 

Though I thought it was a little pricey, people kept piling in.  Like I mentioned, get there early because it does fill up quickly.  It was hard to wait for my order because of all of the amazing smells- I was starving by the time it came!  Oh yah, they have a sign up that says "this is not fast food."   And, it is sure worth the wait!

Lil Thai House
212 N Fredonia St
Longview, TX
(903) 236-0155
www.lilthaihouse.com

Chaba Thai Cuisine: Beaumont, Texas

You definitely cannot judge this place by the exterior.  The tiny glass structure is kinda scary, but DO NOT let it deter you from eating at this Southeast Texas gem.

I got to Chaba  as soon as it opened on Sunday.  Upon choosing my table, I was greeted with extremely prompt and friendly service.  I ordered hot tea with the choice of jasmine or green.  I ordered Chicken Satay as an appetizer.  And, the sounds of the woks sizzling away were teasing me until it arrived!

The Chicken Satay rocked.  Skewers of moist chicken marinated in green curry accompanied with Peanut sauce.  The sauce is incredible, super fresh with just an amazing taste- not too heavy and not too light.  Cucumber-red onion relish was nice- slightly sweet yet slightly vinegary.

As Chaba's started to fill up table by table, I can't wait for my Pad Thai.  The staff kindly accommodated my substitution for chicken instead of shrimp.

Cellophane noodles lightly dressed with a peanut sauce, carrots, scallions, eggs, chicken, and tofu.  Sides of peanuts, lime and red pepper were present.  The Pad Thai was extremely good.  The noodles just kept you coming back for more and more and more!
Overall, I am so happy that I tried Chaba Thai Cuisine.  All of the reviews lived up to the anticipation.  I can't wait to go back and try something else.  The portions are huge, so make sure you take an appetite.  Chaba Thai Cuisine is definitely worth the stop!

Chaba Thai Cuisine

4340 E Lucas Dr (off of Hwy 69/96N)
Beaumont, TX 77708

409/899-4500