I've visited Thai Kitchen a handful of times now and have had very good experiences during each. I initially searched Yelp for alternatives to delis and pizza shops in the area and found these guys. The location is in the corner lot of a shopping center, so you can't see it from the road. As such, I never would have found this place if I wasn't looking for it, but I'm glad I did. Once inside, I was astonished to find a very ornately decorated restaurant with all types of Eastern flair. It's a pretty big space with plenty of seating, even for large parties. I have gone with several colleagues each time and we haven't had a problem with seating, although it's a popular place. The proprietors and servers are all very friendly and helpful, which is also a plus.
I know that authenticity can be a sticking point for some diners, and I respect that. I am not from Asia and sadly have never visited, so it is not such a big deal to me if this place is genuine or not. Having said that, I think I have a pretty well-informed palate and I can differentiate between the good and the bad. This place is good; relatively speaking, probably even very good. Do they serve authentic Thai food? Can't really say. The menu seems pretty legit to me and most if not all of the usual suspects are available. I've tried a lot of different things and have been pleased with everything. Their noodle dishes are particularly good, and they have a number of rotating specials that are always worth a look (the crispy duck buns app comes to mind). Lastly, they have this cute and novel (at least to me) spice indicator scale. Next to the spicy items, you will see an elephant on the menu. The intensity ranges from 1-5 elephants, and I've made it to 4 so far. QC is somewhat variable (I think the phrase is "mileage may vary?"), but in general, when they say spicy, they mean it. I like that.
Prices are fair, with most lunch dishes ranging from $8-$10, and the portions are ample. If you're familiar with the myriad by-the-numbers Thai places in NYC, these guys could easily run neck and neck with them and actually be a standout. I'm happy to have found Thai Kitchen and plan to return. I think there are a few locations in this part of NJ, under the same ownership, so definitely check them out if you're near one. read more