A friend and I ate lunch at Monsoons today because of all the great reviews. Not really sure whether these reviewers have ever eaten in a real Thai place, but I was not impressed. You order the food and pay for it and then they bring it to your table. The man who took our order was extremely rude and nasty. He was so busy watching the television that he could barely take our order and when we asked him questions, he barked at us to look at the booklet with the pictures. I almost walked out right then, but since we were there, I held my displeasure in and I thought OK well hopefully the food will be better. I had Pad Thai and my friend had drunken noodles. My Pad Thai was basically noodles with peanut bits in it. Not any type of peanut sauce like it's supposed to have. It was tasteless and disgusting. But the portion was huge. So if people just want a plate full of noodles that have no taste then I guess this is the dish for you My friend who had never eaten Thai food before liked her drunken noodles with broccoli. So I guess if you have never eaten Thai food, you might really like the huge portions they give you. But for those people that have eaten at a Thai restaurant before will know that this is not real Thai food. No spices. No sauce. No taste. Will I ever be back? No, I will not. read more

Love this place! Real homemade Thai food made by a wonderful, genuine, and generous lady! The food is really good, the place is decorated in a cool and funky way. When passing through Butler, this is a must try!!! read more

We stopped here on our cross country road trip and got fresh spring rolls, fried egg rolls, fried rice, spicy glass noodle salad, fried banana dessert and I can't forget about the Thai tea. We can't say thank you enough. Our food was fresh, made to order, it was quick and the people were pleasant. We will forever remember how amazing this food tasted. It was so needed! The place is also cute and quant. Lots of beautiful flowers to look at out front and cool decor inside. read more

Monsoons - Spicy glass noodle salad, spring rolls, egg rolls and fried rice! - Thai Near Me - Butler, Tennessee

I'm giving it 4 stars because it's a nice joint & the people are great. I've been to Thailand and slobbering down some Thai food, many other Asian joints overseas so I'm tainted. Yeah, this was nowhere near Thai or Asian, I'm sorry. If you've never eaten real Thai food or any other Asian then I'm sure it'll be great. My mouth still drewels for the taste of authentic Thai read more

Truly an unassuming joint hidden here in the NE Tn hills. I've had Pad Thai, egg rolls (to die for) Sweet n Sour Chicken and coconut soup. All prepared fresh and deliciously by a very sweet and kind Thailand native named Mel and her son. I love everything this place is, local, unpretentious and very homey feeling. I could go on for days about this place. But I don't want to alot of folks crowding up the cozy place and making me wait when I visit. Cash Only!! read more

After a day of cruising around Cherokee National Forest, my husband and I were looking for a food spot we would both like. I don't eat meat so we had to go beyond the typical southern BBQ spots. We found Monsoons on our driving route back to Johnson City. This was a tiny restaurant with a modest no-frills interior. Upon entering, we were greeted and told to sit wherever we'd like. My husband and I decided to sit at the counter top. It was fascinating to watch everything made from scratch! We opted for egg-rolls and Thai tea to start. I decided on the hot pot/vegetable soup also known as "pho." I watched the cook chop up the vegetables and boil everything right there. Fresh...yum! We chatted up the cook and the waitress and they were both so sweet! Monsoons was like eating at your Mom's kitchen, complete with placemats and fun family conversation. My husband and I had a great meal and we would return again. read more

Monsoons - Thai Near Me - Butler, Tennessee

Amazing Thai food in the heart of a small town. The building is full of family memories. They are cash only and we decided to have a feast. Everything was amazing and fresh and the price was perfect. Everything came out fast and fresh. Def make the stop. read more

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I'm trying to not be too critical because I know that there's not too many Asian restaurants in Butler, TN and I'm glad that Monsoons is bringing diversity and ethnic cuisine to a rural area. I'll do my best to not compare to the abundance of Thai restaurants that we have in California, but the food here just wasn't that good... The spring rolls were the absolute worst I've ever had. It was made up of a random assortment of tomato, pineapple, cucumbers, and iceberg lettuce. But the worst part was the wrapping. I don't know what kind of rice paper wraps they used but it was incredibly sticky and thick. My spring rolls were falling apart as the wrapper stuck to the plate and my fingers. The dipping sauce was meh and overall, my meal was lacking. read more

This place is interesting. At first impressions it is authentic Thai food. The place is clean, neat and comfortable...and the service is quite good for what is a country café. The owner is Thai, and this alone is special for Thai restaurants in Tennessee as most owners seem to be either from Laos or China. So, to the food. The wonton soup is excellent. The wontons are made in house as each bowl of soup is ordered. My wife ordered red curry which was nice but, oddly, didn't seem to actually have curry in it. I had a stir fry which was very nice. We also had egg rolls which were good, but not great. The food is primarily Thai but is tailored for a local clientele. The tropical stir fry looked authentic, but the addition of pineapple was strange even though it was quite nice. While it was lacking in authenticity, it must be said that it was delicious. And, if there was any negative comment it would be that they are a little heavy handed with the fish sauce. We visited this restaurant twice in three days and will definitely return in the future. read more

This is a wonderful authentic Thai restaurant, unimaginably located between Butler and mountain City. A strange combination of cultures but it all fits just beautifully and the food is quite good you can't go wrong. Pad Thai ya'll. read more

The best Thai in East Tennessee and Western , NC. The family owned and operated restaurant for over 22 years gets 5 plus stars in all categories. Everything is made fresh and there is never a problem asking for modifications to the menu. The only negative comment that I ever heard was it's CASH only. Personally knowing many of the area locals I would not take a check from them either. You won't be disappointed, many people regularly make an hour's drive to dine on the best. I go there at least once a week when I'm in town. read more

Wow! The food here is beyond amazing! I ordered the Red Curry and my wife ordered the Tropical Stir Fry. Both meals were incredible and substantial. My only complaint would be that I feel the meals were a little pricey. Heck, I see these prices in Fort Lauderdale at fairly nice restaurants. But...I've gotta admit, I quickly forgot the sting once I took my first bite! read more

Monsoons - We ate outside on an unusually warm day.. - Thai Near Me - Butler, Tennessee

Hours of business change summer to winter, but they "close the grill" an hour before the restaurant closes, which means many of the menu items are not available. Knowing this I always call to place my order before the grill is turned off, tonight I was placed on hold for 6-7 minutes as other orders were taken and totaled, when my turn to order came around it was 7:01 & I was advised "that the grill is off"--wth??? I have been a customer for 16-17 years, since the food truck days. I have never been disappointed with the food, but this level of service is lacking. I will continue to patronize this business (I love the food), but I felt the need to let others know of this practice as it is not noted on their website or Facebook. read more

I was blown away by the amazing delicious food at Monsoon! I loved the noodle soup so much I'll order it every time! Same for egg rolls. We also really enjoyed the cucumber salad. And we enjoyed Thai tea for the first time as well! We will be regulars now at Monsoon! read more

"Tomorrow hopes we have learned something from yesterday." - John Wayne Real Thai Food way out in the sticks of TN is so hard to believe. I had to check it out. The legitimacy of Thai Food in our hometown of Asheville,, NC is something all boast about, but few achieve. Monsoon was worth the journey. When yoU feel lost, there it is. It looks like restaurants in the 3rd world. But actually, tin and and board construction are how they roll up there. Entering the quaint restaurant, one is greeted with a "Protected by 2nd Amendment" sticker on the door. The owner and staff are all very kind. The array of cutlery on the wall makes one feel quite at home. Large dining area to the left. A beautiful display of Thai Family Memorabilia intermingles with a proud MAGA presence, backed by John Wayne. One cannot fictional a life something of this sort. Amazing! Ok the food. What I had was better than any "legit Thai" in Asheville. I had a simple bowl of coconut soup, egg rolls, and fried potstickers. They were e awesome but I had my dog and left in a hurry. I drove 20 minutes to the Appalachian Trail by Watauga Lake to run the dog. My soup was still steamIng aNd all fried items were crispy and delicious. All items obviously were curated with a living hand of a knowledgeable and dedicated Thai Chef. We arrived back at the car a couple hours later. The fried I items were still crispy! Unheard of by this guy. The soup had also cooked into a delicious stew if mushrooms, radish, and other Thai veggies. Monsoons is worth the drIve from Asheville for non-pretentious , legitimate Thai delicacies. When I go back I will not forget CASH. Cash only. Closed Sunday and Wednesday. Yelp says 7 days, but that is her Asian Market in Kingsport. Have fun and keep epicurean on! read more

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I am a big time lover of Thai food. I'm a chef, and Pad Thai May be my favorite dish of all time, certainly one that causes me more intense cravings than any other. I have had a hole in my heart since the one passable Thai restaurant in my town closed down, and I have been unable to get my Pad Thai fix. Then a friend told me about a hole in the wall Thai place called "Monsoons" in Doeville, TN about 30 miles from my house. I just went and got drive thru Thai, a first for me, but I was not disappointed. It was remarkably hard to get them on the phone to place my order, but my persistence was rewarded. The Pad Thai is balanced, fresh, authentic, and a good size. Could use some heat, but the sambal from my fridge helped, and having seen reviews of their legendary "Ralph sauce" I'll have to get a side next time. I'll be back. Monsoons, you have a new regular. read more

So, a Thai restaurant in the middle of a rural community. You really wouldn't expect much, but the food there is really good! I've been a couple of times now and have never been disappointed in the least. Great prices and if you want your food to have a little more or less "heat", they will oblige. Small room, more like a diner with 4 tables and LOTS of John Wayne pictures. Highly recommend. read more

This is a great Thai place to eat. I love to eat here. Mel and her daughters are very good cooks. The food is cooked after you order it. The food is so good. I like to go there and sit around with everyone to eat and be treated like family. My fav is the egg rolls. No the fried rice is a fav but then the curry pork on a stick is a fav too. If you go I don't think you'll go away dissapointed. Its a big thumbs up. read more

Ate lunch there for my first time visit. Had the special, due to MeiLynn's recommendation. Pork loin with rice and egg rolls. Very good but not traditional Thai. Everyone's meal looked great, looking forward to next visit soon. Egg rolls are made in store and very good. read more

The food is amazing, well priced, and large servings. The egg rolls are truly the best, cooked fresh and served hot. All food is cooked from scratch, including the astonishingly hot 'Ralph sauce' 100% recommended, a must visit if you're in the area. read more

Monsoons - Thai Near Me - Butler, Tennessee

This is a fantastic place to grab something to eat. The people are very friendly and are very customer oriented. It's great to walk into a restaurant and greeted with a smile and just a good vibe. The food is all made from scratch, so it takes a little time. I would definitely come back again and recommend anyone to try it. read more

Overpriced and under-flavored. Terrible customer service. Would not recommend and will never visit again. Seafood is small and skimpy with imitation crab meat, Tofu is not cooked or flavored in the slightest, chicken was found in a seafood dish. All around unimpressed. Be sure to bring exact cash or you're out of luck, but frankly you're better off not going at all! read more

I am a Thai junkie, especially when it comes to green curry. My local friends have been pushing Monsoons on me for years but till recently it has hard for the wife and I to make the trek to Johnson County (technically Doeville). We finally made it up here tonight and... Folks, I have never been to Thailand, but I have had Thai food in every major city I have ever visited, usually prepared by Thai or Cambodian immigrants. I tell you without a shred of exaggeration that this is the best Thai food I have ever eaten. EVER. At the outset I note that like Red Chili in Elizabethton and some other small-town establishments, Monsoons is right now a victim of Yelp's algorithm which emphasizes long, negative reviews over shorter positive ones. Note that including this one and three hidden reviews it's total rating should be about a 4.5/5. To address some of the reviews below, Monsoons decor is nothing fancy. If you have ever looked for ethnic Asian cuisine anywhere BUT a hole in the wall then you are doing it wrong. The owner Mel and her daughter were the only staff around when we were there, and they share cooking and serving duties, so the service was not fancy but was friendly and responsive. The menu is posted on a poster board above the open kitchen but guests are provided with a couple of pictorial menus in binders. No, it is not professional food photography, but I have no idea why you would expect that at a small town restaurant. The secret behind the amazing flavored of the food is in plain sight right out front. Mel grows her own peppers, herbs, spices, and veggies right there in the property. This is literal garden-to-table fresh. Very few American Thai places can offer that, especially not in urban areas. We started with an order of egg rolls, which have near-mythical local status. The cabbage and other fillings were fresh and flavorful but not overpowering. The Monsoon Sauce was a welcome kick in the teeth, bursting with complexity and a fiery but not overwhelming blast of spice. The waitress misheard my green curry order the first time and brought red, so I got the pleasure of sampling the fried rice straight-up while we waited. WOW. It was so packed with flavor I could have eaten it straight. Then came the green curry chicken. The portion was just right--if you expect leftovers look elsewhere. The flavor hit every note I have come to expect and then some: a tart beginning with amazing sweetness and a perfectly warm finish. It got nicely spicy as I kept going. I was in culinary Heaven. I cannot WAIT to go back and sample more of Mel's wares. EDIT: We've gotten takeout from here many times, and the quality is every bit as amazing every time. My initial reaction has been well justified. read more

Our first time here food is outstanding. Wish we would have come sooner drunken noodles a must with the hot sauce. Puts Mexican hot sauce to shame. Bravo Monsoon! read more

We love this place. We are close by and found this to be a WONDERFUL spot. We usually get take out... and .. WOW.. the Thai soups are DELICIOUS!! Really authentic food, so DELICIOUS, and we love everything we have ever gotten here. We are so fortunate to live close by!!! read more

My first impressions are: "Where's the menu?"I was told of this place by our lovely innkeeper. I was also told the chef will make whatever we want... However I was told we were restricted to what's in the binder of pictures of "Thai" dishes when we finally got there. No indication of what's in the food and the pics are a bit fuzzy.. Maybe it's the greasy feel of the plastic? I've had authentic Thai food before and this isn't really authentic. At the end of our visit the owner gave us a real menu which included dishes that weren't in the binder. My steak and peppers dish was spicy but I received like a dollop of it, so it wasn't very filling. I got a ton of rice which was doused in soy sauce. The highlight of my meal were the egg rolls. They were homemade and the accompanying sauce was cool, but I've had better. For a local "treasure" it's not worth trying and I recommend stopping in Elizabethton for something better before it gets dark and you have to bear the winding roads. read more

Yummy! Very nice staff too. Just place your order at the drive thru and when your food is ready they'll bring it out to you in the parking lot. read more

Amazing little local gem, don't go in a hurry but do go with an open mind! Amazing egg rolls and spring rolls and soups. The red curry chicken was delicious and the atmosphere eclectic and homey. Loved all the western memorabilia and family run feel! read more

I've never liked Thai food before. My uncle loved it and had me try it quite a few times. Still was never impressed. I finally decided to give Thai food a second chance! I don't regret that decision! Monsoons was GREAT, and so was the service! It was spicy but I expected no less. The shrimp sauce (I'm guessing that's what you would call it) is some of the best I've ever had with a kick! I would recommend anyone at least give it a try if you want something different. The prices are really fair for how much you get :) read more

Amazing food and worth the wait. Bring cash you will not be disappointed. The chicken fried rice, pad thai, and egg rolls are my personal favorite. The red curry is great. Let's face it, it's all good! read more

Thai Food..the best Thai food, bar none, I have ever had. It is a little hole in the wall. The owner makes the food right after you order, from scratch!. down to grading the carrots for the egg rolls. Mel (the owner) is from Thailand, been here for 29yrs. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend it. The Pad Thai was fabulous! read more

Monsoon Thai is simply delicious. It's not your typical restaurant experience as the walls are littered with John Wayne posters and the menus are essentially binders of 8x10 photos of different dishes. But don't let the homey vibe of this place fool you... Start your meal off the right way with an appetizer order of egg rolls or wontons, or both if you dine with us; as they are freshly rolled and prepared to order. Make sure you try the Monsoon sauce. It's a spicy party in your mouth that should not be neglected. I'm pretty sure I've tried every item on the menu and it's all worthy due to the fresh ingredients they use- many of which they grow in the garden out back. Don't mind the lime tree in the dining area, because the leaves are used in many of the dishes. The standouts there are the curries. Both the red curry chicken and the green curry beef are exceptional. Also, if you really want a treat, make sure you ask if they have any specials. More often than not they can whip up some tasty departure from the regular menu items and I've yet to be disappointed in their recommendations. We have taken countless members of our friends and family to eat here and we are always happy with our experience. This place should be on your must-try list! read more

Monsoons - Red Curry Chicken - Thai Near Me - Butler, Tennessee

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We love to stop by this humble little gem when we drive over the mountain. Family ran, the food is delicious, fresh and served by what may be one of the best personalities ( depending if she's in town) ever. read more

Monsoons Thai & Exotic Food is a tiny (four or five tables) Americanized version of a Thai restaurant located in a pole barn. There are tons of family photos, Thai chotskies, and license plates adorning the metal walls and wooden beams. A giant TV blaring the local news dominates the cluttered dining space and gives the impression that you're dining in someone's crowded family room. This restaurant is a fixture in the community frequented by locals and full of charm in its own peculiar way. My husband and I were directed to Monsoons by a local who claimed that when the restaurant closed due to roof damage in recent hail storms the community banded together to raise money for repairs so that they could once again get their Thai cravings satisfied. I make a point to seek out restaurants frequented by locals when traveling and a sweet story is always encouraging, but in this particular instance such a glowing recommendation was more than a bit deceiving. I have never actually been to Thailand and I'm certain that I have enjoyed any number of less than authentic Asian meals claiming to be one particular ethnic cuisine or the other, but Monsoons is an entity unto itself. The menu is composed of a greasy binder filled with less than appetizing photos and many dishes that are really just American style Chinese food. There's also little indication of what ingredients are contained in each dish and we were given the impression that despite what you may order the meal you receive will be whatever the owner puts together for you. That was certainly the case with our order because although I was reassured that all items I requested were vegetarian and fish sauce free the noodles with cabbage (just cabbage no other vegetables) tasted strongly of fish. My husband ordered the same entree I requested, but with chicken added and his dish actually contained more veggies, but was topped with some sort of thick spicy sauce with an unpleasant aftertaste. The only portion of our meal that was enjoyable at all was the crazy spicy, yet flavorful, Ralph's sauce that accompanied our spring rolls. The spring rolls themselves were ridiculous portions composed of rough chopped romaine lettuce, a disk of cucumber, and 1/4 of a tomato ripping through the rice paper roll. It was an odd experience in general and none of the menu items were similar to any of the tasty, complex flavors, and spicy curries I would associate with Thai food. If I were to judge this restaurant based solely on the food and service provided as I typically do I would definitely give Monsoons a 2 or perhaps a 1, but honestly if I ever found myself in Butler, TN I'd probably go there again. There just isn't anything else open in the off season and it's something of an interesting experience just to be in this restaurant. read more

Monsoons - Not too much to look at, but it is a Thai restaurant in a tiny Smokey Mountain town. - Thai Near Me - Butler, Tennessee

This is authentic Thai food...not in the sense of having every Thai dish you ever dreamed of available or even necessarily the option of requesting your favorite...but authentic in the sense of if you went to Thailand and stopped in a small three table eatery in the country where one little Thai lady served her versions of local cuisine. If you're super particular and some kind of foodie, this place might disappoint you. But, if you're into local family operations serving good localized homemade fare, then this place is it. There are only four tables and the locals love it, so go early. Look at all the menus, because they have different items. The portions are decently sized, but I'm a hungry guy and I liked the Pad Thai immensely, so I was overly satisfied with two orders. We go out of our way to go to this place. It's not the best I've had, but for Mountain City TN you could do a whole lot worse. read more

This is a very pleasant find. My family and I recently moved to the Butler/Mountain City area of Tennessee and Monsoons more than satisfies our desire for Thai food. The food is prepared as ordered. The egg rolls and fried rice are made in-house. No frozen food here! My wife cannot live without the Pork Pad Thai and the Thai Tea is wonderful. read more

Mel's egg rolls are THE BEST! Once you've eaten at Monsoon, you'll become a regular...just like the locals! Not the fanciest building, but the friendliest. Come and join the regulars 5 days a week - closed Sunday for church and Wednesday to restock Authentic Thai food - using local ingredients that Mel grows in her garden, friends bring the streams and spices to make it hot or cool - whatever you want Check out her facebook page read more

The good is spectacular and the service is tolerable, not my favorite but would deffinatly recommend

I live in nashville, but make sure to go out of my way to go to monsoon whenever I'm in the eastern part of Tennessee. Everything here is made from scratch pretty much in front of you by a lovely Thai lady and her daughter. The egg rolls are incredible, Try them with the Ralph sauce if you dare. I'm also a big fan of the red curry but I've never had a bad dish. I've read a few less than favorable reviews and it's clear to me that these people just don't get the beauty of this place. If you're looking for fine dining, this isn't your spot, actually if you're looking for fine dining you should probably venture out of butler tn. But if you are looking for a laid back spot, with loads of character, run by great people with great food, check out monsoon. Side note don't come here if you're in a rush, you'll want to savor the experience. read more

monsoon is on the lineup any time we make our way to Tennessee. we first learned of this hidden gem about 10 years ago when my husband's mother and husband stumbled upon it will fly fishing in East TN. fortunately we now have dear friends that live close enough to take us anytime we are in town. the egg rolls are to die for. you can't eat just one. I also suggest the wontons or maybe that delicious coconut soup. as for the entree, you can't go wrong with anything you get. just flip through the binder of pics until you see something tasty. the food is cooked with love and that is my favorite part. the owner and her daughter are always smiling and want to make sure you are satisfied. you up for spice? don't miss out on the Ralph sauce. if you're lucky, you may get to buy a jar for home! read more