2020-07-14. Phuket Thai. Chesterfield, MI.
Looking to support small businesses during these unprecedented times, I was actually just trolling through google maps looking for places to eat. Searching for Thai places, this one popped up and it was not one I recognized so I decided to give it a try.
The place is located in the same plaza as the MJR Theater on west side of Gratoit just south of 23 Mile Rd. When we got there there, there was plenty of free parking in the plaza and it turns out to be in the exact same location as the former Bangkok Cuisine. There was a huge sign indicating that the place was under new management with the temporary name of Phuket Thai.
To get the COVID questions out of the way:
They're open without modified hours.
They are enforcing masks while inside and ordering.
They do not provide face masks.
They do provide hand sanitizer.
Employees are wearing masks.
Employees are wearing gloves if handling food.
Social distancing is enforced. Only one group inside at a time.
The dining room is closed. Take away only for walk in's.
Curbside contactless pick up available.
They do deliver via Door Dash and Grub Hub.
They offer contactless payment via debit/credit card transactions.
Being our first time, we went with our favorites to see how well they stack up to our tastebuds. An order of the classic Chicken Pad Thai, Shrimp Pad Thai, Chicken Curry, and Tom Yum Soup. As luck would have it, they were carrying a special. $5 Pad Thai (except seafood) all day on Tuesdays, so one of our Pad Thai's got a bit of a break, bonus!
Before I go on, I need to preface that there is a lot of variation of Pad Thai, even in Thailand. But the basic, original, classic Pad Thai to me is slightly sweet, with hints of tamarind and fish sauce. Ingredients include rice noodles, shallots, garlic, dried baby shrimps, tofu, eggs, bean sprouts, chili flakes, and peanuts. Lime is served with it on the side and applied yourself. And of course, the dish is completed with your choice of protein.
Now onto the dish, the pad thai came somewhat deconstructed, so you have to mix all the ingredients yourself. I actually prefer this as you can see all the work they put into it. The portion seemed small based on the container it was put it, but turned out to be a good size portion for me. The flavors of the pad thai surprised me and taste buds were firing on all cylinders! Well balanced, the noodle wasn't too wet, the bean sprouts nice and crunchy, and the peanuts not stale! They did provide lemon instead of lime, which I didn't use because it totally changes the flavor, but even without it, it was very impressive. 4,5 stars.
Note: Classic Pad Thai is not "orange" in color. If it's orange in color, look for shrimp tomalley as an ingredient. If it's not there, chances are they're using ketchup or paprika to give it color, and sadly, this gives Pad Thai a bad name...
Tom Yum Soup (aka Thai Hot and Sour Soup). Tom Yum is a simple, but flavorful, soup made with fresh lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, fish sauce, chiles, and a protein, usually shrimp (Tom Yum Goong). Again, as with all foods, there are always variations based on locality. Here they added cilantro, but it worked for me. The soup was bold and perky and it gave a nice subtle pop of spice at the end, very nice... 4,5 stars.
Chicken Curry. Thai curry is best known as Panang (red curry), but there is also a Green Curry, and a Yellow Curry (Indian Curry). The curries vary in flavor and intensity. Here I wasn't able to discern the differences for some reason. It lacked the strong distinct flavors of yellow curry, and the color was neither red nor green. Green curry is a milder curry, and this definitely didn't have the subtle flavours. So my conclusion is that it's a tamed version of the red curry (I asked for medium spice). There was definitely some heat coming off it and the dish contained all the right ingredients; Bamboo Shoots, Basil, Kaffir Lime leaves, onions, peppers, garlic, and coconut milk. I'm a fan... 4,5 stars.
Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised at Phuket Thai, their signage indicates that it's authentic Thai food, and I agree! Add their $5 all-day Pad Thai deal on Tuesday's and it's definitely a winner in my books. A solid 4,5 star performer on all dishes I've tried this visit, It's the best I've had so far, thus earning the "As Good As it Gets" designation from me along with 5 stars! my 19th such designation for restaurants, congratulations Phuket Thai!
If You would like to experience more, come dine-with-me.yelp.com I'd love to have your company... Bon Appétit! read more