Chelsea Thai

05/16/07

Unspectacular, Considering Its Surroundings

by robert_h_goretsky

When I started working in the Chelsea Market building last year, my boss warned my that I would probably gain 10 pounds from all of the great food availble here. In general, he was right (both about the weight gain and the good food). The Lobster Place has incredible fish, Ruthy's is an above-average deli, and the hidden sandwich place in the kitchen supply store is incredible.

With that said, it's disappointing how mediocre this Thai restaurant is. While it is nice to watch your food being prepared through the glass window and see the fresh ingredients being used, it just seems the food is missing a bit of flavor. Furthermore, the proteins used (beef, chicken, shrimp) seem to be of rather low quality. On the plus side, the prices are fairly cheap for the area.

If you're visiting Chelsea Market, you'd be better off eating anywhere else here. If you work in the area, and are looking for a cheap lunch, this is not a bad option.

Robert H. Goretsky

Hoboken, NJ

• Pros: Fair prices
• Cons: Low quality proteins used, bland flavor

01/11/07

greasy, greasy, greasy.

by vivzan

I go to this place often, so often that I run through their "Buy 10 get a Meal Free" cards. When they changed cooks last year, I noticed that the quality of the food changed for the worst, with the cooks leaving out the garlic and spices on most occasions, but I hung in there figuring they'd get better with practice.

They haven't got better. The food got greasy. They have this big window where you can see the cooks prepare the food and I watch them cook and I see all three cooks consitently ladle up a huge amount of oil into their woks. I can see the food drowning in the oil. It's unnecessary, disgusting and leaves the food a slick mess that slides onto your plate and into your mouth. Just imagine the amount of fat and calories you're getting in addition to the food!

Today was the last straw. Brought my container of Pad See Ew back to the office and the container had a small hole in the bottom. The bag was brimming with oil.

I'm not going back there again for lunch until I hear that they have new cooks.

• Pros: close to work, good vegetarian options
• Cons: greasy; high turnover in cooks results in inconsistent food

10/28/06

Don't bother

by rpn

All the food tastes the same and the ingredients are very low quality. We were once served what tasted like week-old shrimp, just short of totally off, and when my wife complained the owner disowned any responsibility. What they are producing is so basic and could easily be great - all the raw materials they need are just steps away in the market - but the owners are buying cheap supplies and just slopping it out for office lunches. This restaurant simply doesn't belong in Chelsea Market.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Cheap ingredients poorly prepared

10/13/06

Found an insect in my Pad Thai....

by unity24

I have been to this eatery several times with no complaints because the food is delicious. However this afternoon I ordered Chicken Pad Thai and I'm eating it at my office..when I look at my tray and i find a (Blatta orientalis insect ro**h...I can't say the regular name we all know this insect for because this website won't allow me to write i.) stuck on the side of the tray. Needless to say I was gagging cuz at this point I was half way done eating the damn thing. I called but whoever picked up the phone once I told them my complaint actually had the nerve to say then why am I calling....so I had to get nasty and that was when she became apologetic. However I brought the food back to them and got my money returned...but the apology was insincere...hence me writing this review. The food is good but it's not worth the disgust or the chance you run of finding an insect in your food.

08/26/06

The BEST Thai food in Chelsea!

by spacenuke

Love the food here. The menu has a wide selection of authentic Thai dishes that come in generous portions. The Thai iced tea here is to die for. And to top it off, you get to experience the great Thai hospitality here from the very friendly staff. Will head over there any day without second thoughts!

• Pros: The cheap but authentic Thai food
• Cons: The long line during lunch on weekdays