As the other reviewers suggested the decor is depressing and for those not familiar with Belco's Churches Building (the really really ugly one attached to the Westfields by a sky-walk), this place is almost impossible to find because it is smack-dab in the middle of the building.
But it's worth the exploration.
The good (actually great): Really, really great, flavorful, spiced-as-hot-or-mild-as-you-ask, interesting Thai street food. This is a takeaway place, ask the owner, and it should not be judged on its ambiance in my opinion (and I'd much rather have interesting food and bad ambiance than interesting ambiance and bad food). Perfect for a quick takeaway on the nights it's open: with 30 min parking-lot parking off of Benjamin way in the Church's building parking lot and free two-hour parking lot just off of the building (from skywalk) to the Westfields. The Thai fried chicken, fried fish, and the basil chicken, are all EXCEPTIONAL, and they have some good asian canned drinks my kids love, especially the lychee one. The staff is very friendly, and ask any Thai resident of the ACT about good Thai here and they will mention this place because it is so much better than almost any other place in the ACT (excepting Thai Herb off of Yerrabi Pond in Gunghalin). Thip's Thai specializes in fast street food and it is a 5 out of 5 at that.
The bad: Hard to find for a takeaway place coupled with the need to check the hours and opening days makes this less convenient than takeaway should be.
And the larb was a bit chewy, with more sinew than I like (though still super tasty). "Cash Only" almost burned me once (but the owner let me come back and pay her the next day, how amazing is that!?!?!). Sometimes a hassle: at certain times of day such as with afternoon traffic and poorly-timed lights in Belco, and the afternoon shopping rush of Westfields, I sometimes crave the food here but give it a miss because of the effort to park because under those conditions it's a hassle to get in and out of there. But only sometimes...... usually since I'm literally craving that fried chicken/fish I end up toughing it out!
The ugly: Definitely the ambiance, but again, this is a takeaway place focused on Thai street food so that is irrelevant to me. I wish it was easier to find and easier to get in and out of at certain times of day. Think of it as a geocache and good luck finding: Address: 15 Benjamin Way, Belconnen 2617. And I wish they weren't so coy about their inconsistent hours (if you can even find them) and random days off. Always call ahead:
Phone: (02) 6251 5555
And remember: CA$H ONLY. read more
