When we ordered our food we also wanted to order the herbal tea and shrimp chips. We were told that they didn't have either. We ordered the green tea instead, but there was no substitute offered for the shrimp chips. Not long after we placed our order, a family came in and sat at the table next to us. They also ordered shrimp chips and were told that of course they have them and they were promptly delivered to the table. It was completely ridiculous. Was the waitress too lazy to bring them to us or what? I really don't know. Shortly after this she abruptly brought us our bill so I brought up the issue of the shrimp chips. She acted as if she had no idea that we had ordered them but then backtracked when she realized we weren't buying her act. I thought it was embarrassing enough that she had to tell us that the were out of 2 of the 4 things that we ordered, but then to find out that she just didn't want to serve one of them to us was unacceptable. She never even apologized. She just walked away. Our food was fine so I would suggest take-out.
(2)
Matt C.
Went here for an early dinner. My wife and I were walking through one of Royal Oak's many festivals and decided it would be a good place to stop for dinner. I ordered the Pla Dook Curry, and it was absolutely amazing! The catfish was moist, and there were plenty vegetables. I would have preferred Asian broccoli and more eggplant, but the dish was delicious nonetheless. My wife's order wasn't as good. She ordered the beef Pad Thai. We've had Pad Thai in may locations, over many years, and this Pad Thai was a little off. The spice level was solid. We will return to Thai Cafe in the future. However, we will be exploring more of the curries, and less of the noodle dishes.
(4)
Jordan D.
This is a VERY small Thai restaurant that serves up some BIG flavor. It was my first time getting take out from this restaurant, And I WILL be returning for more.
(4)
Shane B.
great thai restaurant. It is across the street from the OCC- RO campus which is convenient if you take any classes there. Looks like a family owned place. The Pad se-ew is wonderful
(4)
Paula F.
This place took my Thai-food v-card; my first true love. Let's begin with the spring rolls; Hot, crispy, served with tangy plum sauce. I can't help myself from biting right in even when I know my impatience will be punished with a burnt tongue. It doesn't matter anyway, when you have a smooth, cool sip of Thai iced tea or coffee waiting for you. Pad Thai: My ultimate, quintessential, every-future-Pad-Thai-will-be-compared-to-this dish. Peanuty goodness with a squeeze of fresh lemon and sprinkled with bright, crisp green onions. I can, and I will, eat the whole thing in one sitting. And this is a dish not meant for one. Pad Pak with coconut curry (mild): Vegetables steamed to the perfect firmness. Carrots, baby corn, water chestnuts, cabbage, broccoli. Creamy, dreamy coconut sauce. Use the rest of your rice to soak it up. Eat in or take out. The environment is intimate, with only a few tables, but I've never had to wait more than five minutes or so to be seated. It's my safe place.
(4)
Ryo G.
Delicious! I don't usually eat Thai, but when I do, I eat Thai Cafe. Their 'Tofu with String Beans', eggplant garlic and basil, has to be the best Thai dish I have ever eaten. I will drive out of my way, pass dozens of other Thai restaurants, simply to indulge in this incredible delicacy. The food presentation is welcoming and appealing. The wait staff is friendly and refreshing--and the atmosphere is warm and modern, even though the restaurant is on the small side. To top it off, their Tom Yum soup is phenomenal--packed full of flavor and topped off with fresh cut mushrooms, scallions and tomatoes. The extra care they take to make their food stand out from the hundreds of other Thai restaurants in the area really shines through with every bite. Thai Cafe is also vegan friendly; their menu containing plenty of vegan and vegetarian options throughout. Highly recommended!
(5)
Jared C.
I don't deviate too often from the menu. I would highly recommend the pad se yu for an entree. Also if you get an appetizer try the Chicken Satay with peanut sauce and cucumber sauce. Additionally is their convenient location in the heart of Royal Oak and the faast service.
(4)
Kelli A.
Used to be better...fresher, more consistent. Uninspired, boring, unappealing. The dining room stinks like a dirty restroom. They are ALWAYS out of fresh rolls!! Geez man, take it off the menu already! I get the feeling they've become lazy and/or bored with their establishment. Bummer. Will not return.
Barney: "What should we have for dinner?" Ted: "How about Thai food?" Barney: "Nah, I don't feel like Thai food." Ted: "How about Indian?" Barney: "I just said I don't feel like Thai food." Ted: "I said Indian, not Thai." Barney: "Weird meat, bad music, side of rice... what's the difference?" Ted: "How about Mexican?" Barney: *exhaaaaaales, throws his hands in the air* "I JUST SAID I don't feel like Thai food!" Thai Cafe has some of the best Thai dishes in Royal Oak and one of the best atmospheres of ANY restaurant in the metro Detroit area. It's a quaint little place with small, intimate tables that encourage conversation and interaction. In the summer they put tables outside to enjoy the weather and the foot traffic. Anything with the Coconut Milk is good, the Chicken Curry is delectable (that's right, delectable) and the Pad Thai is probably the best in the area. The rice is good, always tender but firm. Be sure to get a side of the Chili Paste to spice your meal up a bit, it's got a wonderfully hot / tangy flavor that makes you sweat and smile at the same time! I'll tone down my meal a temperature or two so that I can drench it in this great little addition!
(4)
Alexandra K.
Cheap and convenient Thai food. Best in Royal Oak, in my honest opinion. I am not a fan of Thai on Main at all. This place has friendly service, but I prefer to carry-out instead!
(4)
Elizabeth M.
Can't figure out why this place is rated so high. Typical dishes are under seasoned and over priced. Curry noodle, Pad Thai and other traditional dishes are consistently less than stellar. I ordered Curry Noodle about a month ago and my noodles were dry and flavorless. I may as well have been eating plain rice noodles! Finding good Thai food is difficult to come by - if you can muster the strength to drive all the way to Detroit, get your thai food from Sala Thai. You will not be disappointed.
(2)
Jessica S.
Had takeout from here last night. Took about 15 minutes. Came to $20 for two dinner meals. Tofu Pad Thai with steams Tofu. I like that they have that option, cause I didn't want it deep fried. Boyfriend got Chicken Pad Thai. Got them both Spicy, and spicy is what we got. Good stuff.
(4)
Arra J.
Mmmm spic-ay ! I love that when you ask for mild its the equivalent to asian mild. I always get the drunken noodle or their pad thai is pretty good but really all the noodle dishes are good. The portions are very large, so if youre not a big eater I would share with someone or be prepared to get a take a doggy bag. The prices range from 8-13 at its most expensive. They have few traditional thai dishes on there so they tend to be the higher priced items. This place ranks # 2 in my favorite thai places because of portion and pricing. The place is super tiny so thats why I gave it 4 instead of 5. the service is always prompt and nice; Ive never had any mean glares or unhappy service here before. Since theyre next to a college the prices stay competitive and they have a regular clientele. If youre from out of town and just need a small local asian place to have lunch or dinner this place wont break your wallet or leave you hungry.
(4)
Sean G.
I have to update my review of Thai Cafe. While it is still a place I visit every few months I have to say it isn't as good as it once was. The curry noodle has become very thick and the taste is slightly off. I can't even begin to figure out why because Thai cooking is fairly complex, but it's off. The dishes my wife has ordered also seem...different. I just can't place my finger on it. I am wondering if the business was sold or if there was a wholesale change of staff - for years I saw the same staff and now they're all gone. Still go for decent Thai food in the Royal Oak/Ferndale area, but definitely explore other options and let me know if something blows your socks off!
(3)
Des D.
Food was delish and reasonably priced. Disappointed they don't serve alcohol... no wonder it was so quiet on a Saturday night! Also surprising since the center area of the place IS an old bar, or looks like one. Speaking of quiet... could hardly hear the music which made it feel awkward to converse with my husband w/o feeling like everyone could hear it. Service was descent. Food came quickly. Ambiance was boring/uninspired/lackluster/ ___(insert synonyms of "meh" here)___. Would be a great place to order dinner "to go" if you live in the area.
(2)
Mark J.
GREAT FOOD - regardless of the comment below about the girl that works there - she has always been so nice and attentive to us - i highly recommend this place
(5)
natalie r.
I used to spend my tuesdays with my cousin there for lunch, it's too good for words, but since she moved out of state i have to do take out now :( either way you still get a ton of food, and great tasting food at that. after testing out a few places this is the best and only thai place i will go now. their pad thai, drunken noodle and even their chicken fried rice is the besttt.
(5)
Jay D.
I'm looking at a carry out menu from this restaurant right now, in which I have penned notes to myself on certain dishes. For Pad Pak Curry I wrote, "Gross--all cabbage". For Pad Pak (same but a different number, for some reason) I wrote, "Gross--all cabbage". After the third time of going there, I just stopped bothering. Are you picking up a theme here? Gross. All cabbage.
(1)
Haroun K.
I really was pleased by my two experiences here. I think Thai Cafe is the best Thai food in Downtown Royal Oak. Not only was the tofu curry I had for lunch today soooo tasty, it was cheap. Also, the lunch included a gratis vegetarian soup. All of this for less than $7. There is only a little bit of seating, but it is cozy enough, and the service is really great. This will be my go-to place in this area now.
(5)
Scott H.
Preferred Thai in the Royal Oak area. Enough said.
Still my favorite Thai in town. The veggies are always fresh and portions are pretty big. Can always get two meals out of one.
(4)
Lorna H.
A staple for quick meals, pad se'we is my favorite.
(4)
Allen P.
Pretty boring Thai food. We ordered 4 different dishes and they were all basically the same. Some mixed vegetables with some curry and some rice. Now I am eating a carrot, here is a potato, there is some undercooked green peppers. Nothing special, not a lot of taste, small dining room. Could be basic chinese food with curry seasoning. The waitress was nice though and it was cheap, so I guess it wasn't all bad, just trying to find decent Thai in the mitten, so far unsuccessful.
(2)
Rebecca C.
Maybe since moving to Detroit my thai food standards have changed but I thought this place was ok. We did take-out here the other night because we've been craving thai food and needed something quick to get home to our stir crazy puppy. Quick it was. We had our food in less than 10 minutes from the time we walked in the door. I got the pad see eiw and they asked me how spicy I wanted it. That was a little strange since pad see eiw is generally not spicy. It was good nonetheless. I liked the little kick. The broccoli was not overcooked which was nice. The noodles were a little undercooked but edible. They could have been wider. It met my thai food craving. Given the dearth of thai restaurants near where I live, I will probably go back.
(3)
Michael C.
This was my very first experience with Thai! Woo! Having been raised on Korean food, I'm pretty used to spice. The only thing I ever heard from people who were really into Thai was that it was "very very hot!" and I don't know how they came to that. Either I'm so used to it that I need extra spice, or they're all sissies! With this in mind, I went into Thai Cafe's tiny dining room to give it my first shot. I made it extremely clear that I wanted my Tso's "Extra extra hot." Now, I don't know if she thought I was joking, or just forgot, because when my food came out... it was pretty bland. I mean, BLAND, as if there weren't any spices on it at all. I cannot believe that I am so used to spicy food that it was just me. I was really disappointed with it. (especially with how much my mediocre meal cost! I could've just went to Comet Burger...) However, my friend was really happy with her food. I did notice that it took her a minute to order (as in 60 seconds), adding this, deleting that... so maybe that's the trick with this place. I just wish I was in on that trick, because my food came out like oatmeal.
(3)
Elisa R.
Not really "authentic Thai" but I've enjoyed the Chicken Pad Pak and yummy spring rolls for years :) Just wish they'd patch those booths.
(4)
Adam T.
I think I had the Gang Panaang or something like that (tofu, potatos, red and yellow peppers, and carrots, in a spicy sauce. It was very good. I asked for it hot and it had just the right slow burn to it. You can order the spice "extra, extra hot," which I imagine would be pretty tough to swallow without sweating profusely with long gaps into between bites. Not only was the food good, but the service was excellent. They always made sure that my drink was full and called me by name after seeing it on my card. This place is great for vegetarians. Not only can you sub tofu into any dish, but they ask you whether you want the tofu steam or fried. I have had better Thai coffee and the background music was pretty bad, but no complaints. I will enjoy the leftovers (very large portions) and would gladly eat there again.
(4)
Hubert S.
As someone else stated, Thai Cafe is the best in Royal Oak, but that is not saying much. I have had better in other areas like Bangkok Crossing in Detroit and I am just speaking on the Americanized-Thai fare. Surprisingly, there is a lot of competition in the surrounding areas. It is reasonably priced for the portions and they serve brown rice, but it costs more.
(3)
Erin W.
If you're in Royal Oak and you want Thai food, we recommend Thai Cafe. Although the interior is small and rather dark, they have a nice patio for the warmer months. Their noodle and rice dishes are well prepared and the portions are nice and big. Our favorites include pad thai, drunken noodle and pineapple fried rice. They also have Vernors.
(4)
allison g.
I suppose I'm not completely surprised by some of the negative reviews on here because I have had the occasional (once every 10 times maybe?) bad experience, but for the most part Thai Cafe is GREAT. I love the option of being able to get brown rice and my tofu steamed instead of fried. Their vegetables are usually very fresh (occasionally they'll use bagged stuff, i'm assuming its seasonal availability?). My favorite are the curry/rice dishes but their pad thai is phenomenal. I suggest curry pad thai. I love the pad ped. Randomly I've had them dumb down the spice, so I usually add a "plus" to my choice for how spicy the dish is. The Tom Yum Soup (I usually get the tofu version) Is so flavorful and good, with big yummy mushrooms and tofu. Occasionally I'll order my dishes with shrimp or scallops and they are always, fresh, plumped, de-veined (in the case of the shrimp). The atmposphere isn't fancy, there are only maybe 5 or 6 tables inside, but it's worth it, even listening to the cheesy radio station they play. I brought someone here who had only been to thai places around northville that are much more americanized than this, and they couldn't believe the deliciousness. That said, I'm sure there are more "authentic" thai places, but in the Royal Oak area, thai cafe is my favorite. I always think "fresh". Speaking of, their fresh rolls are great as well. You should be able to get at LEAST 2 full meals out of your dinner- sometimes if I get carryout it lasts me 3 meals. go here! mmmm
(4)
David B.
While staying in Southfield, I selected Thai Cafe based on its five 5-star ratings in Google Maps. I don't normally criticize others' reviews, but the food was so disappointing I have to wonder whether the other reviewers have ever eaten reasonably authentic Thai food before. First the good: The location is convenient and the atmosphere is pretty cool - clean, not too many tables, outside/sidewalk seating available (I sat outside). The service was attentive and the cashier/owner seemed genuinely concerned when I told her my meal was just "ok" (I was being generous). Now the bad: I perused the extensive menu for probably 10 minutes and struggled to find something I thought had a significant chance of being reasonably authentic. The menu is chock-full of Americanized Chinese stir fries (neither Thai nor Chinese food uses a lot of water chestnuts, baby corn, or broccoli, people!) posing as Thai food. I selected a yellow curry with squid. The food was delivered reasonably promptly, given the brisk take-out business that this shop does, and was piping hot. The amount of food was substantial, but that turned out to be a mixed blessing. Although the potatoes and white onions (in a yellow curry??) were fresh and nicely cooked, the peas and carrots were obviously poured from a bag of frozen mixed vegetables. I was shocked. The squid was overcooked and cut into the lacerated rectangles normally associated with Chinese cooking rather than the rings that I expected. (They didn't include the tentacles either - my favorite part.) I had asked for "extra hot" only to discover that, at Thai Cafe, this means "dump a lot of crushed red chilli on the dish". I normally order Thai food "Thai spicy" and am usually pleased with the hotness, but this was too much: I couldn't taste anything but the chilli. Really disappointing. Thai Cafe perhaps IS the best Thai food in the area. If so, you'd be well-advised to select a different cuisine.
(2)
Daniel X.
For carryout, the prices are fine, but you really invariably wind up with srsly quality food for the money. It's not like your average thai carryout (with a handful of good stuff, but mixed with a minefield of bad options that are poorly executed, bland, watery, etc.). Literally everything is somewhere between above-average to fantastic. When choosing a spice level, go one up from the one you think you want. They skimp a little, but not much. Recommend the Spicy Beef w. Kaffir Lime Leaves. 10/10. (As of the date of this review, the menu apparently is not 100% up to date. Tried to order the banana cake recently and was told they don't have it.)
(5)
Sylwek G.
I love this restaurant. My favorite food is pad Thai,and I recommend this place to my friends as the best I've had. The inside is not very big, so do not expect them to carter to a large party. Their prices are pretty cheap for the amount of you food and quality you get... I just wish they opened earlier on Saturdays I highly recommend this restaurant. Thanks.
(5)
Julie C.
FREAKING YUM. My boyfriend and I stopped in before a concert at the music theater. The server was incredibly friendly and fast. We got the tofu tom appetizer, I got the vegetable red curry with tofu, and he got the peanut curry. They were very accommodating when we let them know all of our food would be vegan, and they have the veggie meals marked on the menu. The tofu tom was SO perfectly crispy and well-cooked. It would make any tofu skeptic change their mind. The sauce it came with (I believe some type of sweet and sour? maybe?) was delicious with it as well. The red curry may have been the best I've ever had. I get red curry at every thai restaurant I got to and it was just so freaking creamy and flavorful. The peanut curry was also super creamy. I'm not crazy about the peanut flavor, but my boyfriend absolutely loved it. This was definitely the best Thai I've had in a while.
(5)
Patrick N.
By writing my review on this restaurant finishes my tour de Thai in downtown royal oak. I've eaten Thai cafe's food about six times over the past two years and I don't really have any major complaints. The other day we ordered masaman curry and pad Thai, along with some tom yum soup. The food was fast and the price was right. One thing I have to note is they put a bit too many peas in the curry. I'm not sure why so many Thai and Indian places over flood the amount of peas. It's like they've opened a can and don't want to save the remainder for the next order. All in all I've only had positive experiences here, and the staff is super friendly and accommodating. I'll definitely be back.
(3)
Wisdom H.
Not sure why Thai Cafe received such high ratings. I ordered my "go-to" Thai meal of Chicken Pad Thai with added Pineapples, a side of peanut sauce and Crab Rangoon (called something else on their menu). The food was not good or bad. The sauces didn't taste particularly fresh in my opinion. I don't mean they tasted old. I mean they tasted artificial. The meal portion was fine, but I was charged an extra $1.50 for a small ramekin of peanut sauce and another $1.50 for pineapples. The Crab Rangoon was tasty. I did not care for their plum sauce. Overall, Sukhothai is so much better.
(3)
Daniel H.
Finally a Thai place where the very spicy was very spicy. Other places are so inconsistent and such a letdown, especially when you're in the mood for a kick in your food. The food came out quick, serving was generous, all in all a good place. My go-to for Thai food from now on. The restaurant is pretty small and barebones, but it seems to be the standard fare wherever you go, Detroit or LA. Almost wouldn't feel right if it wasn't haha
(4)
Delina K.
I don't know why they get a higher rating then they should get. We ordered the pad pak - the sauce was like soup and didn't really marinate the veggies. The pad Thai noodle just did not look fresh.
(2)
Julieta D.
This tiny place is a staple in Royal Oak, and not suitable for very large groups. According to my husband, the food was excellent. I disagree. The "chicken pad thai" was nothing special. The pieces of chicken could actually be counted with one hand, and the noodles were flavorless. Staff was courteous, and the place was clean. It has a few tables, but is more of a carry out type of restaurant. I will make it my mission to find a better place to eat Thai food. Follow me on instagram @ julieta155
(2)
Sarah H.
I've been coming to this place for years and love it. Small location with cozy seating but the food is excellent and the staff friendly. You never wait long, I always get the kow pad pak with pineapple. Medium is enough to make my mouth tingle but no fire, which is just how I like it.
(5)
Tom R.
I am a fan. We had multiple different dishes, and all of them we excellent. The heat was just right, and the Pad Thai and Pad Ped were excellent. My only complaint would be the Spring Rolls that were a little greasy. I will be back again.
(4)
William S.
The absolute BEST Thai Restaurant in Metro Detroit!
(5)
Amber R.
It's not disgusting. I love Ahan Thai but went here because the prices looked good online and I can't eat a full order of thai food anyways. They only had their lunch menu online- so it actually was just as expensive as Ahan Thai. The food was okay. Not good though (dry tofu, sauce overly sweet, broccoli just not very tasty). Ordered medium spice and it was very mild. They also used all styrofoam for my glass and food, and gave me a plastic bag, despite my eating there. So not very environmentally friendly.
(2)
Freddie B.
Enjoyed some carry out from Thai Cafe for lunch.. We got the Pad Thai with chicken, the Pad Se Ew, the chicken satay, and the Siam Crispy Rolls.. Everything was pretty good.. Only issue being that we all said that we tasted seafood in our chicken like it was cooked with shrimp or next to it or something!!! I mean.. I still ate every bite. Didn't bug me that bad but my two buddies kind of disagreed. The Pad Se Ew was money (besides the shrimpy flavor).. The Siam Crispy Rolls we kind of bland.. Like mainly chicken and nothing else.. But I still liked them.. Just didn't blow my mind in anyway.. For the money it was good. Again, my friends were complaining a tad but I dug it!!
(3)
Ashley M.
I am obsessed with their drunken noodle with chicken! It is so tasty.. It has the wide noodles and the sauce is so flavorful! I get medium and it's pretty spicy but I like spicy!! Also a perk that staff if friendly and quick! I get carry out here and it's always like 10-15 minutes and it's always ready on time.. I've tried a lot if Thai food in royal oak and this is definitely one of my top favorite places! You won't regret it :)
(5)
Carly F.
Just got carry out for the first time. I got the chicken and veggie pad Thai medium. I live in walking distance and by the time I got home the bag was soaked in the oil from the noodles. It got all over my kitchen table. :( the food was okay, it wasn't spicy at all though. It was meh.
(3)
John P.
Pad Ped Tofu and Pad Thai Chicken. Their spice levels correspond with my completely subjective idea of what "spicy" means, so that was nice. Medium gave me some tingling after a a few mouthfuls. Perfect. The Pad Thai dinner portion was huge (i.e. the sizes reflected in the user pictures are accurate). The dinner sized Pad Ped came in a pint-sized take out box, plus a side of rice. The tofu hot and sour soup and fresh roll was just OK. Pretty unremarkable, really. Nothing to write home about, but inexpensive, all things considered. We had it for takeout, though there are three or four tables in there. It's a very small spot, so don't expect to bring a dozen folks for a feast. All said, I greatly prefer this place to Siam Spicy. It's not as good as Rexy's was before it closed, but what is? Thai Cafe is our RO-area go-to.
(4)
M S.
I did a carry out on drunken noodles with chicken and they were delicious. Phone order process was easy, they were ready in ten minutes, and still piping hot despite the fact that I walked home with them after picking the order up. The restaurant eat-in area isn't terribly inviting but I would definitely order take out from them again!
(4)
Vanette G.
Pad Thai (3 stars) and general review (4): This was my first time at this place and I would come back again. I have yet to find a place as good as Bangkok Cafe in Farmington Hills for my usual veggie pad thai. I've tried many places and one just hasn't compared. This is a very small place with no more than 10 tables. It wasn't busy for a Saturday night. Our waiter was very friendly. I was in the mood for Medium spice and usually order mild plus at my regular place. The medium here was definitely not what I expected... More of a mild. Usually I need a bunch of water with the mild plus and I was totally fine this time. Also, I asked what type of veggies come in the mix and there was no mention of mushrooms. I can't stand mushrooms and unfortunately there were more than a few in my meal. Also, there was only one piece of broccoli. The portion was what I am used to getting for pad thai. One thing I loved about my meal was that the vegetables were all very fresh tasting (not frozen). I am giving the actual restaurant 4 stars. Staff was friendly, never had to wait for water refills, my friend loved her meal (it was good and fresh but tasted like no spice when it was supposed to be mild). All in all, I would come back if I were in the area.
(4)
Shaheda K.
This is my go to thai place because it's near by where I am at usually. As I have left in my tip below, I mentioned how they have the friendliest staff you will ever encounter, well I wasn't lying about it. They are really nice, and make you feel comfortable. I only ever had fried rice and a soup here, but I have ordered noodles for my friend and honestly it always hits the spot. The decor is cozy feeling, although it is small, it is fitting because I imagine there is more take out then there is dine in. ( I dined twice only, and usually pick up). Also they are precise with their time, if they say 10 mins, they will be done before that 10 mins.
(3)
Emily M.
Good stuff. Small place but wasn't busy for lunch. I got broccoli, rice and shrimp in the coconut curry sauce. It wasn't technically on the menu, but was based on a dish on the menu. I'm not giving the fancy name of the dish because I don't know it. The medium spice was perfect for me, pretty spicy but delicious. The broccoli was perfectly cooked and yummy. The fresh spring rolls were tasty and light. Good for lunch! Some seating outside, if you want it.
(4)
Ann B.
i love this place! it's small and not too pricy and they're super friendly. they have the best thai food in the area, hands down.
(5)
Sir Poop A.
Called for carry out. Very efficient on the phone. Quoted me 15 minutes, was ready in 11. Great food, levels of spicy-ness were accurate. Price was great. Tiny place if you want I eat there, so it will be my carry out go to... At that section of royal oak, parking not an issue either.
(5)
Justin S.
Amazing food and service I'm def coming back asap! Had the I was sh!t faced lastnyt noodles and they were pretty on point. The tomyom soup was tomyummy and pop in the can is how I prefer to drink it. I didn't have to run to the bathroom 5 minutes after eating or mid meal so that always a great sign the place is good. Can't wait to take on more items on the menu! I mean it not exactly a 5 star venue but it's a great place to get it done..fill up and bounce. Tables clean, they use metal forks and no foul odors so say what u want I'm easy to pease.
(5)
Gary R.
Actually this place is more of a 2.5 star rating but I rounded up just to be generous. The food the four of us had was ok, not great. I consider myself a Thai food aficionado and this place doesn't meet the standards I have for repeat visits. Its not that the food was bad - it was just so very inconsistent. The Tom Yam Gai soup was a little watery and didn't have that burst of flavor normally found in a good bowl. My princess stir fried pork ordered extra, extra hot came full of red chili flakes to the point of actually interfering with the taste of the food. I ALWAYS order Thai Hot when I get Thai food and can handle the heat. However, this one was over the top with the heat not part of the flavor but rather as an add on. I didn't like that. My wife's dish ordered Hot had the same affliction - too many red pepper flakes and the flavor was lost. Heat should be part of the flavor and infused with the cooking of the dish. My daughter's veggie dish was ordered mild and came out smoking with heat to the point she could barely eat it. Perhaps this was an off night but if not, I'd look for somewhere else to get my Thai fix. Plus if you want to eat inside there is room for maybe 8-10 people total. Really small.
(3)
S F.
Decent Thai, however the service is awful. Drive a little further north to Siam Spicy
(1)
Shannon A.
We often get take out from this tiny Cafe and it's always been delicious! The staff is friendly and the orders are ready fast. I love the Curry Pad Thai and their Tom Yum Soup is really good! All the Thai food classics are available and the spice level is always spot on... They do have a few tables for inside dining but it's small and I've only had take out... Cans of soda are available take out as well. We find ourselves going back to this spot time and time again and it's consistently good!
(4)
Robert C.
Consistently good Thai food with consistently good, fast service. In my experience, fancy Tahi places are never as good as good as cheap, small, humble places, and this is a prime example of the latter. Noodle dishes are always good (and all we ever get!) Atmosphere is cozy, warm, simple. Only a few tables inside. Outdoor seating is available when it is not cold outside, but come 40-degree temps and the tables seem to vanish magically. Good-sized portions; one Pad-see-ew or Pad Thai will easily feed two average, hungry people. Lots of street parking, but it's Royal Oak and so this can be tricky depending on day and time.
(4)
Travis J.
A nice little Thai Cafe with standard Thai fair. Good service, friendly staff. I have only been once but I was happy with the food, portions, and atmosphere.
(4)
Heather J.
A craving for green tea and a bowl of miso hit me hard this Saturday night, possibly the worst possible time of the week in the Royal Oak/Ferndale corridor. All the local haunts, like Inyo and Ronin, get ridiculously busy. For something as simple as that, I couldn't justify driving all the way up to impeccable WOW Sushi and Noble Fish was already closed. Cue the beau to my rescue, wielding his hideous orange Detroit Tigers beanie, with the solution of a place we hadn't tried before. Thai Cafe serves up great Thai food in a cozy cafe in Royal Oak beside the credit union. Normally when we stop by this corner of town, it's first thing in the morning to get weekend banking done, not exactly prime time for Thai cravings. But tonight we found easy parking in front of Oakland Community College -- and you're welcome, fellow parking people, for the extra 45 minutes I plugged in for you -- and trotted across the street to find our relief. We came during a moderately busy wave with a lovely older couple in the corner, and quite a few people taking advantage of carry out. A pair of two-seater tables occupy a corner, a three-set in front of the window, and the rest are larger. For groups of 8 or more, this is not your restaurant without dishing out some advanced notice. I found the minimalist red interior charming. Sadly Thai Cafe didn't serve up miso, and I was only "medium hungry" so no tom yum soup (though it sorely tempted me, for $1.50 for a bowl). Don't let the petite menu avert your sensibilities. They use a lovely model, which is a single price for a list of entrees, like vegetarian, main entrees, and noodles, the fixed price based on the meat. Chicken, tofu, and beef are usually one price, "fancier" choices like shrimp $.50 to $1 more. Seafood and appetizers are priced individually, and beverage are no more than $2, including delicious Thai iced tea (dessert and a drink in a glass). Quality of food is high and preparation is swift. The beau went for his favourite Thai standard, pad thai, while I hemmed and hawed over the Pad Pak with coconut and the seriously tempting drunken noodle. Given my stomach has been lactose/milk sensitive of late, I veered for a mild-plus spicy drunken noodle with shrimp, and enjoyed the mix of noodles, bell peppers, and shrimp. Not disappointing at all. The sauce was a little bit heavy, but the shrimp were fat and well-coated, the veggies crisp, and the whole of it just that level of spice to make your tongue tingle. Definitely specify what you want because they do it hot. The pad thai did not disappoint, with the traditional slice of lemon and pile of gently grated peanuts, a very light sauce, and wonderfully thin noodles that wicked up the sauce well. The beau polished off his plate with a guilty grin that tells me all I need to know. Music from Clear Channel or a radio station plays quietly in the background, nothing at all intrusive. Service here is worth four stars in its own right. The young lady serving us worked all the tables well, refilling drinks, taking orders, and bringing boxes. The smile on her face the entire time was lovely to see, and she offered helpful suggestions when I was torn. Their most popular noodle choices are pad thai, drunken noodle, and curry noodle, and she also recommended V6 (spicy tofu and vegetables), suggesting you can substitute chicken or another meat if you want more. We really enjoyed our dining experience for under $20, drinks and food included. Thai Cafe gets added to the list of reliable Thai places in my neighbourhood, and one we shall definitely revisit again.
(4)
Amber Y.
This is my go-to Thai place in Royal Oak. The pad-see-ew is delicious! It's fast, friendly, and cozy. I've always liked how it's a little quieter than Main street. Parking's a lot easier to get, you can usually get a spot right in front of the restaurant. If anyone asked me, I'd recommend this little joint over the main street place.
(4)
Amy H.
Thai Cafe - you have totally redeemed yourself. We have come back for carryout a few more times and have been very pleased. Our new favorite dish is the Gang Gai curry with fried tofu. I ordered mine extra extra hot last night, and it was intense. Thick curry, and crunchy vegetables. I'm very happy that we gave Thai Cafe another chance.
(4)
Jeff L.
I think this place serves some of the best Thai food around. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Daniel S.
I like this little diner. It has a bit of the college vibe being next door to OCC. The staff is laid back and friendly. They took time answering our questions and swapping out ingredients without the slightest hint of annoyance. The drunken noodle and green curry are standouts on the menu. I'm a stickler for proper green curry paste. These guys use the real stuff. Try the green curry catfish for a change of pace.
(4)
Ryan L.
I like Thai food a lot. I think it's the most flavorful of the different Asian cuisines. I go to Thai Cafe often. It's close, it's convenient and they have good food. It's not the best Thai in Detroit but I like that I don't have to drive too far to get good Thai food. The menu seems to be pretty standard and I have tried several of their dishes and all are pretty good. The dishes all come with choice of meat or tofu and are reasonably priced. In addition, you can get a bowl of hot and sour soup or tom yum soup or a spring roll for only $1.50 which is quite a deal. The only dish I've ever tried that I didn't like was the Long Song. My friend ordered it and it was pretty much broccoli covered in peanut butter. It was not very good. Not that it wasn't prepared well, but it's not what anyone expected. But now we all have something to laugh about when we go here. Thai Cafe has some out door tables in the summer. There are about six tables inside. It can get quite drafty in the winter since there's no airlock. This seems to be more of a take away type restaurant, but I've still had good service whenever I've gone. I know I'll eat there again in the near future. So should you.
(4)
Rue A.
it's allright. nothing outstanding.
(3)
Deborah B.
Been here 2x's in the past week. Very fresh, savory food. Staff understands what it means to be vegan and was extremely accommodating. We ordered the veg rolls, very fresh and yummy, and tom yum soup as starters. For our meal we had the string bean tofu (which also has egg plant in it) and pad pak with peanut sauce. Wonderful flavors in all the items we've. We've also had veggie pad-se-ew, which was also very good. I highly recommend this place...did I mention that the prices were reasonable!
(4)
Zachary H.
Ever since Spice of Thai collapsed from the inside out, Thai Cafe' has been my choice for Thai food in Royal Oak. The food is good and portions are good based on prices. If you are dining in, space is limited. I only gave 4 stars because of the fact that I was not given white rice with my curry dishes on 2 occasions now.
(4)
Brian P.
Good Thai food. We usually go here at least 2 to 3 times a month. The place is small (really small) but the food is good and the staff is super friendly. The only time I'm annoyed is when I can't get a seat. Nice outdoor patio area in the summer also. The Pad Thai with fried tofu is the best!
(4)
Kristin G.
I am no expert on Thai food. All I know is that Thai Cafe is consistently good. It's fast, it's affordable and their food is always tasty. They aren't breaking any new ground in the world of Thai food, they make all the dishes that I've come to love with Thai food and they make them well. That right there is enough for me to keep coming back. My favorite is Pad Pak with fried tofu. I go for spicier...and they don't hold back so be sure if you're spice shy to ask for mild. Lunch at Thai Cafe comes with complementary soup, usually something along the lines of egg drop soup, I believe. I love their green tea as well. The service is always friendly, but the place is small. That's the only downside, although I've never had to wait for a table. All in all, it's a solid choice if you want some delicious thai made fast and for a great price!
(4)
Jordan S.
Thai food is a bit of a mystery in Royal Oak. There are so many options to choose from and they are all pretty tied with each other, but Thai Cafe is growing on me as a favorite (Spring/Summer 2012 - who knows whats going to happen in the next 3 months) Thai Cafe isn't the best, but I would say overall its the most consistant, and its a very consistent 'Decent' The Old Church & Thai on Main both have beaten Thai Cafe, but they have also been way worse too. With Thai Cafe you know you're going to get a nice decent meal. The lady in there is always friendly and they are really fast too. They used to always be out of fresh rolls but they have had them lately and they have been really good too. ==================================================Â============= TRIVIA: They filmed a few episodes of HBO's 'Hung' above Thai Cafe - that's neat!
(4)
Anne B.
I just picked up the masaman curry. It reminded that I have tried this restaurant before.... and had the same experience. This dish should have potatoes and peanuts but there was barely a handful of either. The curry flavor seemed very bland compared to other restaurants I've ordered this from. BUT! If you're looking to eat 1000 peas as a substitute for other ingredients, this is your place!! Two strikes and they're out - I won't try it again.
(2)
Anne B.
I just picked up the masaman curry. It reminded that I have tried this restaurant before.... and had the same experience. This dish should have potatoes and peanuts but there was barely a handful of either. The curry flavor seemed very bland compared to other restaurants I've ordered this from. BUT! If you're looking to eat 1000 peas as a substitute for other ingredients, this is your place!! Two strikes and they're out - I won't try it again.
(2)
B K.
When we ordered our food we also wanted to order the herbal tea and shrimp chips. We were told that they didn't have either. We ordered the green tea instead, but there was no substitute offered for the shrimp chips. Not long after we placed our order, a family came in and sat at the table next to us. They also ordered shrimp chips and were told that of course they have them and they were promptly delivered to the table. It was completely ridiculous. Was the waitress too lazy to bring them to us or what? I really don't know. Shortly after this she abruptly brought us our bill so I brought up the issue of the shrimp chips. She acted as if she had no idea that we had ordered them but then backtracked when she realized we weren't buying her act. I thought it was embarrassing enough that she had to tell us that the were out of 2 of the 4 things that we ordered, but then to find out that she just didn't want to serve one of them to us was unacceptable. She never even apologized. She just walked away. Our food was fine so I would suggest take-out.
(2)
Matt C.
Went here for an early dinner. My wife and I were walking through one of Royal Oak's many festivals and decided it would be a good place to stop for dinner. I ordered the Pla Dook Curry, and it was absolutely amazing! The catfish was moist, and there were plenty vegetables. I would have preferred Asian broccoli and more eggplant, but the dish was delicious nonetheless. My wife's order wasn't as good. She ordered the beef Pad Thai. We've had Pad Thai in may locations, over many years, and this Pad Thai was a little off. The spice level was solid. We will return to Thai Cafe in the future. However, we will be exploring more of the curries, and less of the noodle dishes.
(4)
Jordan D.
This is a VERY small Thai restaurant that serves up some BIG flavor. It was my first time getting take out from this restaurant, And I WILL be returning for more.
(4)
Shane B.
great thai restaurant. It is across the street from the OCC- RO campus which is convenient if you take any classes there. Looks like a family owned place. The Pad se-ew is wonderful
(4)
Haroun K.
I really was pleased by my two experiences here. I think Thai Cafe is the best Thai food in Downtown Royal Oak. Not only was the tofu curry I had for lunch today soooo tasty, it was cheap. Also, the lunch included a gratis vegetarian soup. All of this for less than $7. There is only a little bit of seating, but it is cozy enough, and the service is really great. This will be my go-to place in this area now.
(5)
Scott H.
Preferred Thai in the Royal Oak area. Enough said.
(3)
Paula F.
This place took my Thai-food v-card; my first true love. Let's begin with the spring rolls; Hot, crispy, served with tangy plum sauce. I can't help myself from biting right in even when I know my impatience will be punished with a burnt tongue. It doesn't matter anyway, when you have a smooth, cool sip of Thai iced tea or coffee waiting for you. Pad Thai: My ultimate, quintessential, every-future-Pad-Thai-will-be-compared-to-this dish. Peanuty goodness with a squeeze of fresh lemon and sprinkled with bright, crisp green onions. I can, and I will, eat the whole thing in one sitting. And this is a dish not meant for one. Pad Pak with coconut curry (mild): Vegetables steamed to the perfect firmness. Carrots, baby corn, water chestnuts, cabbage, broccoli. Creamy, dreamy coconut sauce. Use the rest of your rice to soak it up. Eat in or take out. The environment is intimate, with only a few tables, but I've never had to wait more than five minutes or so to be seated. It's my safe place.
(4)
Ryo G.
Delicious! I don't usually eat Thai, but when I do, I eat Thai Cafe. Their 'Tofu with String Beans', eggplant garlic and basil, has to be the best Thai dish I have ever eaten. I will drive out of my way, pass dozens of other Thai restaurants, simply to indulge in this incredible delicacy. The food presentation is welcoming and appealing. The wait staff is friendly and refreshing--and the atmosphere is warm and modern, even though the restaurant is on the small side. To top it off, their Tom Yum soup is phenomenal--packed full of flavor and topped off with fresh cut mushrooms, scallions and tomatoes. The extra care they take to make their food stand out from the hundreds of other Thai restaurants in the area really shines through with every bite. Thai Cafe is also vegan friendly; their menu containing plenty of vegan and vegetarian options throughout. Highly recommended!
(5)
Jared C.
I don't deviate too often from the menu. I would highly recommend the pad se yu for an entree. Also if you get an appetizer try the Chicken Satay with peanut sauce and cucumber sauce. Additionally is their convenient location in the heart of Royal Oak and the faast service.
(4)
Kelli A.
Used to be better...fresher, more consistent. Uninspired, boring, unappealing. The dining room stinks like a dirty restroom. They are ALWAYS out of fresh rolls!! Geez man, take it off the menu already! I get the feeling they've become lazy and/or bored with their establishment. Bummer. Will not return.
(2)
Jessica S.
Had takeout from here last night. Took about 15 minutes. Came to $20 for two dinner meals. Tofu Pad Thai with steams Tofu. I like that they have that option, cause I didn't want it deep fried. Boyfriend got Chicken Pad Thai. Got them both Spicy, and spicy is what we got. Good stuff.
(4)
Arra J.
Mmmm spic-ay ! I love that when you ask for mild its the equivalent to asian mild. I always get the drunken noodle or their pad thai is pretty good but really all the noodle dishes are good. The portions are very large, so if youre not a big eater I would share with someone or be prepared to get a take a doggy bag. The prices range from 8-13 at its most expensive. They have few traditional thai dishes on there so they tend to be the higher priced items. This place ranks # 2 in my favorite thai places because of portion and pricing. The place is super tiny so thats why I gave it 4 instead of 5. the service is always prompt and nice; Ive never had any mean glares or unhappy service here before. Since theyre next to a college the prices stay competitive and they have a regular clientele. If youre from out of town and just need a small local asian place to have lunch or dinner this place wont break your wallet or leave you hungry.
(4)
Sean G.
I have to update my review of Thai Cafe. While it is still a place I visit every few months I have to say it isn't as good as it once was. The curry noodle has become very thick and the taste is slightly off. I can't even begin to figure out why because Thai cooking is fairly complex, but it's off. The dishes my wife has ordered also seem...different. I just can't place my finger on it. I am wondering if the business was sold or if there was a wholesale change of staff - for years I saw the same staff and now they're all gone. Still go for decent Thai food in the Royal Oak/Ferndale area, but definitely explore other options and let me know if something blows your socks off!
(3)
Des D.
Food was delish and reasonably priced. Disappointed they don't serve alcohol... no wonder it was so quiet on a Saturday night! Also surprising since the center area of the place IS an old bar, or looks like one. Speaking of quiet... could hardly hear the music which made it feel awkward to converse with my husband w/o feeling like everyone could hear it. Service was descent. Food came quickly. Ambiance was boring/uninspired/lackluster/ ___(insert synonyms of "meh" here)___. Would be a great place to order dinner "to go" if you live in the area.
(2)
Mark J.
GREAT FOOD - regardless of the comment below about the girl that works there - she has always been so nice and attentive to us - i highly recommend this place
(5)
natalie r.
I used to spend my tuesdays with my cousin there for lunch, it's too good for words, but since she moved out of state i have to do take out now :( either way you still get a ton of food, and great tasting food at that. after testing out a few places this is the best and only thai place i will go now. their pad thai, drunken noodle and even their chicken fried rice is the besttt.
(5)
Jay D.
I'm looking at a carry out menu from this restaurant right now, in which I have penned notes to myself on certain dishes. For Pad Pak Curry I wrote, "Gross--all cabbage". For Pad Pak (same but a different number, for some reason) I wrote, "Gross--all cabbage". After the third time of going there, I just stopped bothering. Are you picking up a theme here? Gross. All cabbage.
Barney: "What should we have for dinner?" Ted: "How about Thai food?" Barney: "Nah, I don't feel like Thai food." Ted: "How about Indian?" Barney: "I just said I don't feel like Thai food." Ted: "I said Indian, not Thai." Barney: "Weird meat, bad music, side of rice... what's the difference?" Ted: "How about Mexican?" Barney: *exhaaaaaales, throws his hands in the air* "I JUST SAID I don't feel like Thai food!" Thai Cafe has some of the best Thai dishes in Royal Oak and one of the best atmospheres of ANY restaurant in the metro Detroit area. It's a quaint little place with small, intimate tables that encourage conversation and interaction. In the summer they put tables outside to enjoy the weather and the foot traffic. Anything with the Coconut Milk is good, the Chicken Curry is delectable (that's right, delectable) and the Pad Thai is probably the best in the area. The rice is good, always tender but firm. Be sure to get a side of the Chili Paste to spice your meal up a bit, it's got a wonderfully hot / tangy flavor that makes you sweat and smile at the same time! I'll tone down my meal a temperature or two so that I can drench it in this great little addition!
(4)
Alexandra K.
Cheap and convenient Thai food. Best in Royal Oak, in my honest opinion. I am not a fan of Thai on Main at all. This place has friendly service, but I prefer to carry-out instead!
(4)
Elizabeth M.
Can't figure out why this place is rated so high. Typical dishes are under seasoned and over priced. Curry noodle, Pad Thai and other traditional dishes are consistently less than stellar. I ordered Curry Noodle about a month ago and my noodles were dry and flavorless. I may as well have been eating plain rice noodles! Finding good Thai food is difficult to come by - if you can muster the strength to drive all the way to Detroit, get your thai food from Sala Thai. You will not be disappointed.
Still my favorite Thai in town. The veggies are always fresh and portions are pretty big. Can always get two meals out of one.
(4)
Lorna H.
A staple for quick meals, pad se'we is my favorite.
(4)
Allen P.
Pretty boring Thai food. We ordered 4 different dishes and they were all basically the same. Some mixed vegetables with some curry and some rice. Now I am eating a carrot, here is a potato, there is some undercooked green peppers. Nothing special, not a lot of taste, small dining room. Could be basic chinese food with curry seasoning. The waitress was nice though and it was cheap, so I guess it wasn't all bad, just trying to find decent Thai in the mitten, so far unsuccessful.
(2)
Rebecca C.
Maybe since moving to Detroit my thai food standards have changed but I thought this place was ok. We did take-out here the other night because we've been craving thai food and needed something quick to get home to our stir crazy puppy. Quick it was. We had our food in less than 10 minutes from the time we walked in the door. I got the pad see eiw and they asked me how spicy I wanted it. That was a little strange since pad see eiw is generally not spicy. It was good nonetheless. I liked the little kick. The broccoli was not overcooked which was nice. The noodles were a little undercooked but edible. They could have been wider. It met my thai food craving. Given the dearth of thai restaurants near where I live, I will probably go back.
(3)
Michael C.
This was my very first experience with Thai! Woo! Having been raised on Korean food, I'm pretty used to spice. The only thing I ever heard from people who were really into Thai was that it was "very very hot!" and I don't know how they came to that. Either I'm so used to it that I need extra spice, or they're all sissies! With this in mind, I went into Thai Cafe's tiny dining room to give it my first shot. I made it extremely clear that I wanted my Tso's "Extra extra hot." Now, I don't know if she thought I was joking, or just forgot, because when my food came out... it was pretty bland. I mean, BLAND, as if there weren't any spices on it at all. I cannot believe that I am so used to spicy food that it was just me. I was really disappointed with it. (especially with how much my mediocre meal cost! I could've just went to Comet Burger...) However, my friend was really happy with her food. I did notice that it took her a minute to order (as in 60 seconds), adding this, deleting that... so maybe that's the trick with this place. I just wish I was in on that trick, because my food came out like oatmeal.
(3)
Elisa R.
Not really "authentic Thai" but I've enjoyed the Chicken Pad Pak and yummy spring rolls for years :) Just wish they'd patch those booths.
(4)
Adam T.
I think I had the Gang Panaang or something like that (tofu, potatos, red and yellow peppers, and carrots, in a spicy sauce. It was very good. I asked for it hot and it had just the right slow burn to it. You can order the spice "extra, extra hot," which I imagine would be pretty tough to swallow without sweating profusely with long gaps into between bites. Not only was the food good, but the service was excellent. They always made sure that my drink was full and called me by name after seeing it on my card. This place is great for vegetarians. Not only can you sub tofu into any dish, but they ask you whether you want the tofu steam or fried. I have had better Thai coffee and the background music was pretty bad, but no complaints. I will enjoy the leftovers (very large portions) and would gladly eat there again.
(4)
Hubert S.
As someone else stated, Thai Cafe is the best in Royal Oak, but that is not saying much. I have had better in other areas like Bangkok Crossing in Detroit and I am just speaking on the Americanized-Thai fare. Surprisingly, there is a lot of competition in the surrounding areas. It is reasonably priced for the portions and they serve brown rice, but it costs more.
(3)
Erin W.
If you're in Royal Oak and you want Thai food, we recommend Thai Cafe. Although the interior is small and rather dark, they have a nice patio for the warmer months. Their noodle and rice dishes are well prepared and the portions are nice and big. Our favorites include pad thai, drunken noodle and pineapple fried rice. They also have Vernors.
(4)
allison g.
I suppose I'm not completely surprised by some of the negative reviews on here because I have had the occasional (once every 10 times maybe?) bad experience, but for the most part Thai Cafe is GREAT. I love the option of being able to get brown rice and my tofu steamed instead of fried. Their vegetables are usually very fresh (occasionally they'll use bagged stuff, i'm assuming its seasonal availability?). My favorite are the curry/rice dishes but their pad thai is phenomenal. I suggest curry pad thai. I love the pad ped. Randomly I've had them dumb down the spice, so I usually add a "plus" to my choice for how spicy the dish is. The Tom Yum Soup (I usually get the tofu version) Is so flavorful and good, with big yummy mushrooms and tofu. Occasionally I'll order my dishes with shrimp or scallops and they are always, fresh, plumped, de-veined (in the case of the shrimp). The atmposphere isn't fancy, there are only maybe 5 or 6 tables inside, but it's worth it, even listening to the cheesy radio station they play. I brought someone here who had only been to thai places around northville that are much more americanized than this, and they couldn't believe the deliciousness. That said, I'm sure there are more "authentic" thai places, but in the Royal Oak area, thai cafe is my favorite. I always think "fresh". Speaking of, their fresh rolls are great as well. You should be able to get at LEAST 2 full meals out of your dinner- sometimes if I get carryout it lasts me 3 meals. go here! mmmm
(4)
David B.
While staying in Southfield, I selected Thai Cafe based on its five 5-star ratings in Google Maps. I don't normally criticize others' reviews, but the food was so disappointing I have to wonder whether the other reviewers have ever eaten reasonably authentic Thai food before. First the good: The location is convenient and the atmosphere is pretty cool - clean, not too many tables, outside/sidewalk seating available (I sat outside). The service was attentive and the cashier/owner seemed genuinely concerned when I told her my meal was just "ok" (I was being generous). Now the bad: I perused the extensive menu for probably 10 minutes and struggled to find something I thought had a significant chance of being reasonably authentic. The menu is chock-full of Americanized Chinese stir fries (neither Thai nor Chinese food uses a lot of water chestnuts, baby corn, or broccoli, people!) posing as Thai food. I selected a yellow curry with squid. The food was delivered reasonably promptly, given the brisk take-out business that this shop does, and was piping hot. The amount of food was substantial, but that turned out to be a mixed blessing. Although the potatoes and white onions (in a yellow curry??) were fresh and nicely cooked, the peas and carrots were obviously poured from a bag of frozen mixed vegetables. I was shocked. The squid was overcooked and cut into the lacerated rectangles normally associated with Chinese cooking rather than the rings that I expected. (They didn't include the tentacles either - my favorite part.) I had asked for "extra hot" only to discover that, at Thai Cafe, this means "dump a lot of crushed red chilli on the dish". I normally order Thai food "Thai spicy" and am usually pleased with the hotness, but this was too much: I couldn't taste anything but the chilli. Really disappointing. Thai Cafe perhaps IS the best Thai food in the area. If so, you'd be well-advised to select a different cuisine.
(2)
Sylwek G.
I love this restaurant. My favorite food is pad Thai,and I recommend this place to my friends as the best I've had. The inside is not very big, so do not expect them to carter to a large party. Their prices are pretty cheap for the amount of you food and quality you get... I just wish they opened earlier on Saturdays I highly recommend this restaurant. Thanks.
(5)
Julie C.
FREAKING YUM. My boyfriend and I stopped in before a concert at the music theater. The server was incredibly friendly and fast. We got the tofu tom appetizer, I got the vegetable red curry with tofu, and he got the peanut curry. They were very accommodating when we let them know all of our food would be vegan, and they have the veggie meals marked on the menu. The tofu tom was SO perfectly crispy and well-cooked. It would make any tofu skeptic change their mind. The sauce it came with (I believe some type of sweet and sour? maybe?) was delicious with it as well. The red curry may have been the best I've ever had. I get red curry at every thai restaurant I got to and it was just so freaking creamy and flavorful. The peanut curry was also super creamy. I'm not crazy about the peanut flavor, but my boyfriend absolutely loved it. This was definitely the best Thai I've had in a while.
(5)
Patrick N.
By writing my review on this restaurant finishes my tour de Thai in downtown royal oak. I've eaten Thai cafe's food about six times over the past two years and I don't really have any major complaints. The other day we ordered masaman curry and pad Thai, along with some tom yum soup. The food was fast and the price was right. One thing I have to note is they put a bit too many peas in the curry. I'm not sure why so many Thai and Indian places over flood the amount of peas. It's like they've opened a can and don't want to save the remainder for the next order. All in all I've only had positive experiences here, and the staff is super friendly and accommodating. I'll definitely be back.
(3)
Wisdom H.
Not sure why Thai Cafe received such high ratings. I ordered my "go-to" Thai meal of Chicken Pad Thai with added Pineapples, a side of peanut sauce and Crab Rangoon (called something else on their menu). The food was not good or bad. The sauces didn't taste particularly fresh in my opinion. I don't mean they tasted old. I mean they tasted artificial. The meal portion was fine, but I was charged an extra $1.50 for a small ramekin of peanut sauce and another $1.50 for pineapples. The Crab Rangoon was tasty. I did not care for their plum sauce. Overall, Sukhothai is so much better.
(3)
Daniel H.
Finally a Thai place where the very spicy was very spicy. Other places are so inconsistent and such a letdown, especially when you're in the mood for a kick in your food. The food came out quick, serving was generous, all in all a good place. My go-to for Thai food from now on. The restaurant is pretty small and barebones, but it seems to be the standard fare wherever you go, Detroit or LA. Almost wouldn't feel right if it wasn't haha
(4)
Delina K.
I don't know why they get a higher rating then they should get. We ordered the pad pak - the sauce was like soup and didn't really marinate the veggies. The pad Thai noodle just did not look fresh.
(2)
Tom R.
I am a fan. We had multiple different dishes, and all of them we excellent. The heat was just right, and the Pad Thai and Pad Ped were excellent. My only complaint would be the Spring Rolls that were a little greasy. I will be back again.
(4)
Amber R.
It's not disgusting. I love Ahan Thai but went here because the prices looked good online and I can't eat a full order of thai food anyways. They only had their lunch menu online- so it actually was just as expensive as Ahan Thai. The food was okay. Not good though (dry tofu, sauce overly sweet, broccoli just not very tasty). Ordered medium spice and it was very mild. They also used all styrofoam for my glass and food, and gave me a plastic bag, despite my eating there. So not very environmentally friendly.
(2)
Freddie B.
Enjoyed some carry out from Thai Cafe for lunch.. We got the Pad Thai with chicken, the Pad Se Ew, the chicken satay, and the Siam Crispy Rolls.. Everything was pretty good.. Only issue being that we all said that we tasted seafood in our chicken like it was cooked with shrimp or next to it or something!!! I mean.. I still ate every bite. Didn't bug me that bad but my two buddies kind of disagreed. The Pad Se Ew was money (besides the shrimpy flavor).. The Siam Crispy Rolls we kind of bland.. Like mainly chicken and nothing else.. But I still liked them.. Just didn't blow my mind in anyway.. For the money it was good. Again, my friends were complaining a tad but I dug it!!
(3)
Ashley M.
I am obsessed with their drunken noodle with chicken! It is so tasty.. It has the wide noodles and the sauce is so flavorful! I get medium and it's pretty spicy but I like spicy!! Also a perk that staff if friendly and quick! I get carry out here and it's always like 10-15 minutes and it's always ready on time.. I've tried a lot if Thai food in royal oak and this is definitely one of my top favorite places! You won't regret it :)
(5)
Carly F.
Just got carry out for the first time. I got the chicken and veggie pad Thai medium. I live in walking distance and by the time I got home the bag was soaked in the oil from the noodles. It got all over my kitchen table. :( the food was okay, it wasn't spicy at all though. It was meh.
(3)
Emily M.
Good stuff. Small place but wasn't busy for lunch. I got broccoli, rice and shrimp in the coconut curry sauce. It wasn't technically on the menu, but was based on a dish on the menu. I'm not giving the fancy name of the dish because I don't know it. The medium spice was perfect for me, pretty spicy but delicious. The broccoli was perfectly cooked and yummy. The fresh spring rolls were tasty and light. Good for lunch! Some seating outside, if you want it.
(4)
Ann B.
i love this place! it's small and not too pricy and they're super friendly. they have the best thai food in the area, hands down.
(5)
Sir Poop A.
Called for carry out. Very efficient on the phone. Quoted me 15 minutes, was ready in 11. Great food, levels of spicy-ness were accurate. Price was great. Tiny place if you want I eat there, so it will be my carry out go to... At that section of royal oak, parking not an issue either.
(5)
John P.
Pad Ped Tofu and Pad Thai Chicken. Their spice levels correspond with my completely subjective idea of what "spicy" means, so that was nice. Medium gave me some tingling after a a few mouthfuls. Perfect. The Pad Thai dinner portion was huge (i.e. the sizes reflected in the user pictures are accurate). The dinner sized Pad Ped came in a pint-sized take out box, plus a side of rice. The tofu hot and sour soup and fresh roll was just OK. Pretty unremarkable, really. Nothing to write home about, but inexpensive, all things considered. We had it for takeout, though there are three or four tables in there. It's a very small spot, so don't expect to bring a dozen folks for a feast. All said, I greatly prefer this place to Siam Spicy. It's not as good as Rexy's was before it closed, but what is? Thai Cafe is our RO-area go-to.
(4)
M S.
I did a carry out on drunken noodles with chicken and they were delicious. Phone order process was easy, they were ready in ten minutes, and still piping hot despite the fact that I walked home with them after picking the order up. The restaurant eat-in area isn't terribly inviting but I would definitely order take out from them again!
(4)
Vanette G.
Pad Thai (3 stars) and general review (4): This was my first time at this place and I would come back again. I have yet to find a place as good as Bangkok Cafe in Farmington Hills for my usual veggie pad thai. I've tried many places and one just hasn't compared. This is a very small place with no more than 10 tables. It wasn't busy for a Saturday night. Our waiter was very friendly. I was in the mood for Medium spice and usually order mild plus at my regular place. The medium here was definitely not what I expected... More of a mild. Usually I need a bunch of water with the mild plus and I was totally fine this time. Also, I asked what type of veggies come in the mix and there was no mention of mushrooms. I can't stand mushrooms and unfortunately there were more than a few in my meal. Also, there was only one piece of broccoli. The portion was what I am used to getting for pad thai. One thing I loved about my meal was that the vegetables were all very fresh tasting (not frozen). I am giving the actual restaurant 4 stars. Staff was friendly, never had to wait for water refills, my friend loved her meal (it was good and fresh but tasted like no spice when it was supposed to be mild). All in all, I would come back if I were in the area.
(4)
Shaheda K.
This is my go to thai place because it's near by where I am at usually. As I have left in my tip below, I mentioned how they have the friendliest staff you will ever encounter, well I wasn't lying about it. They are really nice, and make you feel comfortable. I only ever had fried rice and a soup here, but I have ordered noodles for my friend and honestly it always hits the spot. The decor is cozy feeling, although it is small, it is fitting because I imagine there is more take out then there is dine in. ( I dined twice only, and usually pick up). Also they are precise with their time, if they say 10 mins, they will be done before that 10 mins.
(3)
Justin S.
Amazing food and service I'm def coming back asap! Had the I was sh!t faced lastnyt noodles and they were pretty on point. The tomyom soup was tomyummy and pop in the can is how I prefer to drink it. I didn't have to run to the bathroom 5 minutes after eating or mid meal so that always a great sign the place is good. Can't wait to take on more items on the menu! I mean it not exactly a 5 star venue but it's a great place to get it done..fill up and bounce. Tables clean, they use metal forks and no foul odors so say what u want I'm easy to pease.
(5)
William S.
The absolute BEST Thai Restaurant in Metro Detroit!
(5)
Gary R.
Actually this place is more of a 2.5 star rating but I rounded up just to be generous. The food the four of us had was ok, not great. I consider myself a Thai food aficionado and this place doesn't meet the standards I have for repeat visits. Its not that the food was bad - it was just so very inconsistent. The Tom Yam Gai soup was a little watery and didn't have that burst of flavor normally found in a good bowl. My princess stir fried pork ordered extra, extra hot came full of red chili flakes to the point of actually interfering with the taste of the food. I ALWAYS order Thai Hot when I get Thai food and can handle the heat. However, this one was over the top with the heat not part of the flavor but rather as an add on. I didn't like that. My wife's dish ordered Hot had the same affliction - too many red pepper flakes and the flavor was lost. Heat should be part of the flavor and infused with the cooking of the dish. My daughter's veggie dish was ordered mild and came out smoking with heat to the point she could barely eat it. Perhaps this was an off night but if not, I'd look for somewhere else to get my Thai fix. Plus if you want to eat inside there is room for maybe 8-10 people total. Really small.
(3)
S F.
Decent Thai, however the service is awful. Drive a little further north to Siam Spicy
(1)
Shannon A.
We often get take out from this tiny Cafe and it's always been delicious! The staff is friendly and the orders are ready fast. I love the Curry Pad Thai and their Tom Yum Soup is really good! All the Thai food classics are available and the spice level is always spot on... They do have a few tables for inside dining but it's small and I've only had take out... Cans of soda are available take out as well. We find ourselves going back to this spot time and time again and it's consistently good!
(4)
Robert C.
Consistently good Thai food with consistently good, fast service. In my experience, fancy Tahi places are never as good as good as cheap, small, humble places, and this is a prime example of the latter. Noodle dishes are always good (and all we ever get!) Atmosphere is cozy, warm, simple. Only a few tables inside. Outdoor seating is available when it is not cold outside, but come 40-degree temps and the tables seem to vanish magically. Good-sized portions; one Pad-see-ew or Pad Thai will easily feed two average, hungry people. Lots of street parking, but it's Royal Oak and so this can be tricky depending on day and time.
(4)
Daniel X.
For carryout, the prices are fine, but you really invariably wind up with srsly quality food for the money. It's not like your average thai carryout (with a handful of good stuff, but mixed with a minefield of bad options that are poorly executed, bland, watery, etc.). Literally everything is somewhere between above-average to fantastic. When choosing a spice level, go one up from the one you think you want. They skimp a little, but not much. Recommend the Spicy Beef w. Kaffir Lime Leaves. 10/10. (As of the date of this review, the menu apparently is not 100% up to date. Tried to order the banana cake recently and was told they don't have it.)
(5)
Julieta D.
This tiny place is a staple in Royal Oak, and not suitable for very large groups. According to my husband, the food was excellent. I disagree. The "chicken pad thai" was nothing special. The pieces of chicken could actually be counted with one hand, and the noodles were flavorless. Staff was courteous, and the place was clean. It has a few tables, but is more of a carry out type of restaurant. I will make it my mission to find a better place to eat Thai food. Follow me on instagram @ julieta155
(2)
Sarah H.
I've been coming to this place for years and love it. Small location with cozy seating but the food is excellent and the staff friendly. You never wait long, I always get the kow pad pak with pineapple. Medium is enough to make my mouth tingle but no fire, which is just how I like it.
(5)
Heather J.
A craving for green tea and a bowl of miso hit me hard this Saturday night, possibly the worst possible time of the week in the Royal Oak/Ferndale corridor. All the local haunts, like Inyo and Ronin, get ridiculously busy. For something as simple as that, I couldn't justify driving all the way up to impeccable WOW Sushi and Noble Fish was already closed. Cue the beau to my rescue, wielding his hideous orange Detroit Tigers beanie, with the solution of a place we hadn't tried before. Thai Cafe serves up great Thai food in a cozy cafe in Royal Oak beside the credit union. Normally when we stop by this corner of town, it's first thing in the morning to get weekend banking done, not exactly prime time for Thai cravings. But tonight we found easy parking in front of Oakland Community College -- and you're welcome, fellow parking people, for the extra 45 minutes I plugged in for you -- and trotted across the street to find our relief. We came during a moderately busy wave with a lovely older couple in the corner, and quite a few people taking advantage of carry out. A pair of two-seater tables occupy a corner, a three-set in front of the window, and the rest are larger. For groups of 8 or more, this is not your restaurant without dishing out some advanced notice. I found the minimalist red interior charming. Sadly Thai Cafe didn't serve up miso, and I was only "medium hungry" so no tom yum soup (though it sorely tempted me, for $1.50 for a bowl). Don't let the petite menu avert your sensibilities. They use a lovely model, which is a single price for a list of entrees, like vegetarian, main entrees, and noodles, the fixed price based on the meat. Chicken, tofu, and beef are usually one price, "fancier" choices like shrimp $.50 to $1 more. Seafood and appetizers are priced individually, and beverage are no more than $2, including delicious Thai iced tea (dessert and a drink in a glass). Quality of food is high and preparation is swift. The beau went for his favourite Thai standard, pad thai, while I hemmed and hawed over the Pad Pak with coconut and the seriously tempting drunken noodle. Given my stomach has been lactose/milk sensitive of late, I veered for a mild-plus spicy drunken noodle with shrimp, and enjoyed the mix of noodles, bell peppers, and shrimp. Not disappointing at all. The sauce was a little bit heavy, but the shrimp were fat and well-coated, the veggies crisp, and the whole of it just that level of spice to make your tongue tingle. Definitely specify what you want because they do it hot. The pad thai did not disappoint, with the traditional slice of lemon and pile of gently grated peanuts, a very light sauce, and wonderfully thin noodles that wicked up the sauce well. The beau polished off his plate with a guilty grin that tells me all I need to know. Music from Clear Channel or a radio station plays quietly in the background, nothing at all intrusive. Service here is worth four stars in its own right. The young lady serving us worked all the tables well, refilling drinks, taking orders, and bringing boxes. The smile on her face the entire time was lovely to see, and she offered helpful suggestions when I was torn. Their most popular noodle choices are pad thai, drunken noodle, and curry noodle, and she also recommended V6 (spicy tofu and vegetables), suggesting you can substitute chicken or another meat if you want more. We really enjoyed our dining experience for under $20, drinks and food included. Thai Cafe gets added to the list of reliable Thai places in my neighbourhood, and one we shall definitely revisit again.
(4)
Travis J.
A nice little Thai Cafe with standard Thai fair. Good service, friendly staff. I have only been once but I was happy with the food, portions, and atmosphere.
(4)
Amber Y.
This is my go-to Thai place in Royal Oak. The pad-see-ew is delicious! It's fast, friendly, and cozy. I've always liked how it's a little quieter than Main street. Parking's a lot easier to get, you can usually get a spot right in front of the restaurant. If anyone asked me, I'd recommend this little joint over the main street place.
(4)
Amy H.
Thai Cafe - you have totally redeemed yourself. We have come back for carryout a few more times and have been very pleased. Our new favorite dish is the Gang Gai curry with fried tofu. I ordered mine extra extra hot last night, and it was intense. Thick curry, and crunchy vegetables. I'm very happy that we gave Thai Cafe another chance.
(4)
Jeff L.
I think this place serves some of the best Thai food around. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Daniel S.
I like this little diner. It has a bit of the college vibe being next door to OCC. The staff is laid back and friendly. They took time answering our questions and swapping out ingredients without the slightest hint of annoyance. The drunken noodle and green curry are standouts on the menu. I'm a stickler for proper green curry paste. These guys use the real stuff. Try the green curry catfish for a change of pace.
(4)
Ryan L.
I like Thai food a lot. I think it's the most flavorful of the different Asian cuisines. I go to Thai Cafe often. It's close, it's convenient and they have good food. It's not the best Thai in Detroit but I like that I don't have to drive too far to get good Thai food. The menu seems to be pretty standard and I have tried several of their dishes and all are pretty good. The dishes all come with choice of meat or tofu and are reasonably priced. In addition, you can get a bowl of hot and sour soup or tom yum soup or a spring roll for only $1.50 which is quite a deal. The only dish I've ever tried that I didn't like was the Long Song. My friend ordered it and it was pretty much broccoli covered in peanut butter. It was not very good. Not that it wasn't prepared well, but it's not what anyone expected. But now we all have something to laugh about when we go here. Thai Cafe has some out door tables in the summer. There are about six tables inside. It can get quite drafty in the winter since there's no airlock. This seems to be more of a take away type restaurant, but I've still had good service whenever I've gone. I know I'll eat there again in the near future. So should you.
(4)
Rue A.
it's allright. nothing outstanding.
(3)
Deborah B.
Been here 2x's in the past week. Very fresh, savory food. Staff understands what it means to be vegan and was extremely accommodating. We ordered the veg rolls, very fresh and yummy, and tom yum soup as starters. For our meal we had the string bean tofu (which also has egg plant in it) and pad pak with peanut sauce. Wonderful flavors in all the items we've. We've also had veggie pad-se-ew, which was also very good. I highly recommend this place...did I mention that the prices were reasonable!
(4)
Zachary H.
Ever since Spice of Thai collapsed from the inside out, Thai Cafe' has been my choice for Thai food in Royal Oak. The food is good and portions are good based on prices. If you are dining in, space is limited. I only gave 4 stars because of the fact that I was not given white rice with my curry dishes on 2 occasions now.
(4)
Brian P.
Good Thai food. We usually go here at least 2 to 3 times a month. The place is small (really small) but the food is good and the staff is super friendly. The only time I'm annoyed is when I can't get a seat. Nice outdoor patio area in the summer also. The Pad Thai with fried tofu is the best!
(4)
Kristin G.
I am no expert on Thai food. All I know is that Thai Cafe is consistently good. It's fast, it's affordable and their food is always tasty. They aren't breaking any new ground in the world of Thai food, they make all the dishes that I've come to love with Thai food and they make them well. That right there is enough for me to keep coming back. My favorite is Pad Pak with fried tofu. I go for spicier...and they don't hold back so be sure if you're spice shy to ask for mild. Lunch at Thai Cafe comes with complementary soup, usually something along the lines of egg drop soup, I believe. I love their green tea as well. The service is always friendly, but the place is small. That's the only downside, although I've never had to wait for a table. All in all, it's a solid choice if you want some delicious thai made fast and for a great price!
(4)
Jordan S.
Thai food is a bit of a mystery in Royal Oak. There are so many options to choose from and they are all pretty tied with each other, but Thai Cafe is growing on me as a favorite (Spring/Summer 2012 - who knows whats going to happen in the next 3 months) Thai Cafe isn't the best, but I would say overall its the most consistant, and its a very consistent 'Decent' The Old Church & Thai on Main both have beaten Thai Cafe, but they have also been way worse too. With Thai Cafe you know you're going to get a nice decent meal. The lady in there is always friendly and they are really fast too. They used to always be out of fresh rolls but they have had them lately and they have been really good too. ==================================================Â============= TRIVIA: They filmed a few episodes of HBO's 'Hung' above Thai Cafe - that's neat!
(4)
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Address :732 S Washington Ave
Royal Oak, MI, 48067
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
B K.
When we ordered our food we also wanted to order the herbal tea and shrimp chips. We were told that they didn't have either. We ordered the green tea instead, but there was no substitute offered for the shrimp chips. Not long after we placed our order, a family came in and sat at the table next to us. They also ordered shrimp chips and were told that of course they have them and they were promptly delivered to the table. It was completely ridiculous. Was the waitress too lazy to bring them to us or what? I really don't know. Shortly after this she abruptly brought us our bill so I brought up the issue of the shrimp chips. She acted as if she had no idea that we had ordered them but then backtracked when she realized we weren't buying her act. I thought it was embarrassing enough that she had to tell us that the were out of 2 of the 4 things that we ordered, but then to find out that she just didn't want to serve one of them to us was unacceptable. She never even apologized. She just walked away. Our food was fine so I would suggest take-out.
(2)Matt C.
Went here for an early dinner. My wife and I were walking through one of Royal Oak's many festivals and decided it would be a good place to stop for dinner. I ordered the Pla Dook Curry, and it was absolutely amazing! The catfish was moist, and there were plenty vegetables. I would have preferred Asian broccoli and more eggplant, but the dish was delicious nonetheless. My wife's order wasn't as good. She ordered the beef Pad Thai. We've had Pad Thai in may locations, over many years, and this Pad Thai was a little off. The spice level was solid. We will return to Thai Cafe in the future. However, we will be exploring more of the curries, and less of the noodle dishes.
(4)Jordan D.
This is a VERY small Thai restaurant that serves up some BIG flavor. It was my first time getting take out from this restaurant, And I WILL be returning for more.
(4)Shane B.
great thai restaurant. It is across the street from the OCC- RO campus which is convenient if you take any classes there. Looks like a family owned place. The Pad se-ew is wonderful
(4)Paula F.
This place took my Thai-food v-card; my first true love. Let's begin with the spring rolls; Hot, crispy, served with tangy plum sauce. I can't help myself from biting right in even when I know my impatience will be punished with a burnt tongue. It doesn't matter anyway, when you have a smooth, cool sip of Thai iced tea or coffee waiting for you. Pad Thai: My ultimate, quintessential, every-future-Pad-Thai-will-be-compared-to-this dish. Peanuty goodness with a squeeze of fresh lemon and sprinkled with bright, crisp green onions. I can, and I will, eat the whole thing in one sitting. And this is a dish not meant for one. Pad Pak with coconut curry (mild): Vegetables steamed to the perfect firmness. Carrots, baby corn, water chestnuts, cabbage, broccoli. Creamy, dreamy coconut sauce. Use the rest of your rice to soak it up. Eat in or take out. The environment is intimate, with only a few tables, but I've never had to wait more than five minutes or so to be seated. It's my safe place.
(4)Ryo G.
Delicious! I don't usually eat Thai, but when I do, I eat Thai Cafe. Their 'Tofu with String Beans', eggplant garlic and basil, has to be the best Thai dish I have ever eaten. I will drive out of my way, pass dozens of other Thai restaurants, simply to indulge in this incredible delicacy. The food presentation is welcoming and appealing. The wait staff is friendly and refreshing--and the atmosphere is warm and modern, even though the restaurant is on the small side. To top it off, their Tom Yum soup is phenomenal--packed full of flavor and topped off with fresh cut mushrooms, scallions and tomatoes. The extra care they take to make their food stand out from the hundreds of other Thai restaurants in the area really shines through with every bite. Thai Cafe is also vegan friendly; their menu containing plenty of vegan and vegetarian options throughout. Highly recommended!
(5)Jared C.
I don't deviate too often from the menu. I would highly recommend the pad se yu for an entree. Also if you get an appetizer try the Chicken Satay with peanut sauce and cucumber sauce. Additionally is their convenient location in the heart of Royal Oak and the faast service.
(4)Kelli A.
Used to be better...fresher, more consistent. Uninspired, boring, unappealing. The dining room stinks like a dirty restroom. They are ALWAYS out of fresh rolls!! Geez man, take it off the menu already! I get the feeling they've become lazy and/or bored with their establishment. Bummer. Will not return.
(2)Melanie J.
Who knew peas and Thai food would be such a glorious combination!?! I had never seen a dish with peas in it until I came to Thai Café. I have lived in RO for over 3 years now and had never tried Thai Café. I think I will have to make up for lost time... Thai Café is pretty tiny, but it has a cuteness about it. We dined on Friday night around 7pm and there were a few other tables seated as well. The service was great. The waiter answered all of our questions and was patient, even when I asked him to describe what each type of curry tastes like (yellow is mustard-y, red is peppery and green is garlicky). Our food came pretty quickly; a generous portion size and very tasty! I am now obsessed with peas in my Thai food. I ordered a green curry and coconut milk dish with tofu and veggies and my fiance ordered a red curry seafood dish. I was very pleased with my meal and had more then enough to wrap up for lunch the following day. I ordered mine mild and am so glad that I did because I found the mild to be very spicy. Sometimes I'm in the mood for medium spice, but I would definitely only order mild when I go there. I like spicy foods, but I don't like when I can no longer feel my mouth! I really enjoyed Thai Café and it was nice to come to a Thai restaurant that offered up some more unique options then our usual places. The real test will be their pad thai, which I will try next time I'm there.
(4)Matthew D.
Barney: "What should we have for dinner?" Ted: "How about Thai food?" Barney: "Nah, I don't feel like Thai food." Ted: "How about Indian?" Barney: "I just said I don't feel like Thai food." Ted: "I said Indian, not Thai." Barney: "Weird meat, bad music, side of rice... what's the difference?" Ted: "How about Mexican?" Barney: *exhaaaaaales, throws his hands in the air* "I JUST SAID I don't feel like Thai food!" Thai Cafe has some of the best Thai dishes in Royal Oak and one of the best atmospheres of ANY restaurant in the metro Detroit area. It's a quaint little place with small, intimate tables that encourage conversation and interaction. In the summer they put tables outside to enjoy the weather and the foot traffic. Anything with the Coconut Milk is good, the Chicken Curry is delectable (that's right, delectable) and the Pad Thai is probably the best in the area. The rice is good, always tender but firm. Be sure to get a side of the Chili Paste to spice your meal up a bit, it's got a wonderfully hot / tangy flavor that makes you sweat and smile at the same time! I'll tone down my meal a temperature or two so that I can drench it in this great little addition!
(4)Alexandra K.
Cheap and convenient Thai food. Best in Royal Oak, in my honest opinion. I am not a fan of Thai on Main at all. This place has friendly service, but I prefer to carry-out instead!
(4)Elizabeth M.
Can't figure out why this place is rated so high. Typical dishes are under seasoned and over priced. Curry noodle, Pad Thai and other traditional dishes are consistently less than stellar. I ordered Curry Noodle about a month ago and my noodles were dry and flavorless. I may as well have been eating plain rice noodles! Finding good Thai food is difficult to come by - if you can muster the strength to drive all the way to Detroit, get your thai food from Sala Thai. You will not be disappointed.
(2)Jessica S.
Had takeout from here last night. Took about 15 minutes. Came to $20 for two dinner meals. Tofu Pad Thai with steams Tofu. I like that they have that option, cause I didn't want it deep fried. Boyfriend got Chicken Pad Thai. Got them both Spicy, and spicy is what we got. Good stuff.
(4)Arra J.
Mmmm spic-ay ! I love that when you ask for mild its the equivalent to asian mild. I always get the drunken noodle or their pad thai is pretty good but really all the noodle dishes are good. The portions are very large, so if youre not a big eater I would share with someone or be prepared to get a take a doggy bag. The prices range from 8-13 at its most expensive. They have few traditional thai dishes on there so they tend to be the higher priced items. This place ranks # 2 in my favorite thai places because of portion and pricing. The place is super tiny so thats why I gave it 4 instead of 5. the service is always prompt and nice; Ive never had any mean glares or unhappy service here before. Since theyre next to a college the prices stay competitive and they have a regular clientele. If youre from out of town and just need a small local asian place to have lunch or dinner this place wont break your wallet or leave you hungry.
(4)Sean G.
I have to update my review of Thai Cafe. While it is still a place I visit every few months I have to say it isn't as good as it once was. The curry noodle has become very thick and the taste is slightly off. I can't even begin to figure out why because Thai cooking is fairly complex, but it's off. The dishes my wife has ordered also seem...different. I just can't place my finger on it. I am wondering if the business was sold or if there was a wholesale change of staff - for years I saw the same staff and now they're all gone. Still go for decent Thai food in the Royal Oak/Ferndale area, but definitely explore other options and let me know if something blows your socks off!
(3)Des D.
Food was delish and reasonably priced. Disappointed they don't serve alcohol... no wonder it was so quiet on a Saturday night! Also surprising since the center area of the place IS an old bar, or looks like one. Speaking of quiet... could hardly hear the music which made it feel awkward to converse with my husband w/o feeling like everyone could hear it. Service was descent. Food came quickly. Ambiance was boring/uninspired/lackluster/ ___(insert synonyms of "meh" here)___. Would be a great place to order dinner "to go" if you live in the area.
(2)Mark J.
GREAT FOOD - regardless of the comment below about the girl that works there - she has always been so nice and attentive to us - i highly recommend this place
(5)natalie r.
I used to spend my tuesdays with my cousin there for lunch, it's too good for words, but since she moved out of state i have to do take out now :( either way you still get a ton of food, and great tasting food at that. after testing out a few places this is the best and only thai place i will go now. their pad thai, drunken noodle and even their chicken fried rice is the besttt.
(5)Jay D.
I'm looking at a carry out menu from this restaurant right now, in which I have penned notes to myself on certain dishes. For Pad Pak Curry I wrote, "Gross--all cabbage". For Pad Pak (same but a different number, for some reason) I wrote, "Gross--all cabbage". After the third time of going there, I just stopped bothering. Are you picking up a theme here? Gross. All cabbage.
(1)Haroun K.
I really was pleased by my two experiences here. I think Thai Cafe is the best Thai food in Downtown Royal Oak. Not only was the tofu curry I had for lunch today soooo tasty, it was cheap. Also, the lunch included a gratis vegetarian soup. All of this for less than $7. There is only a little bit of seating, but it is cozy enough, and the service is really great. This will be my go-to place in this area now.
(5)Scott H.
Preferred Thai in the Royal Oak area. Enough said.
(3)Jeffrey B.
Since I have now written two other Thai reviews and have mentioned TC in both I figured I should actually write a review for them too! Thai Café is right in the heart of down town Royal Oak. It's not so large so it would be easy to miss, but I hope that at some point you take notice and give it a go. The restaurant does a lot of takeout but one can dine inside. There are maybe seven tables? And in the Spring/Summer there is outside dining available. The food is great. I have loved everything I have tasted except the Long Song. Ryan referenced this and he was completely right. . . it was broccoli with peanut butter. I don't understand. Maybe I never will? But I have seen the same dish on other restaurants' menus. What I will highly suggest is the Curry Noodle (it's not too shampoo-y), Jub Chai, or Tofu with String Beans. Their Pad Thai also has a really great lemon flavor which is amazing. I like that when you order tofu you have the option for fried or steamed too. Other protein options include: Chicken, Beef, Shrimp, and Vegetables. As an accompaniment, order a Spring Roll for $1.50 or a bowl of soup! I favor the hot and sour with your choice of protein (mine is tofu--go figure). Portions are more than generous, oftentimes enough for a second meal or light snack later. Spiciness levels are pretty fair and if you're not certain about a full commitment to a level, order a plus, i.e. mild plus! Or medium plus! Because sometimes a girl needs a half--er, a plus. Ambiance is okay with bold colors on the wall. Expect to hear Channel 95.5 or another radio station of that ilk in the background, because nothing screams Thai like Rhianna. Disturbia! Also if dining in the winter, be prepared for cold drafts from the front door. If taking out, bring money for the meter. Thai Café is my choice for Thai in Royal Oak and Thai takeout in the area.
(4)Melanie H.
Still my favorite Thai in town. The veggies are always fresh and portions are pretty big. Can always get two meals out of one.
(4)Lorna H.
A staple for quick meals, pad se'we is my favorite.
(4)Allen P.
Pretty boring Thai food. We ordered 4 different dishes and they were all basically the same. Some mixed vegetables with some curry and some rice. Now I am eating a carrot, here is a potato, there is some undercooked green peppers. Nothing special, not a lot of taste, small dining room. Could be basic chinese food with curry seasoning. The waitress was nice though and it was cheap, so I guess it wasn't all bad, just trying to find decent Thai in the mitten, so far unsuccessful.
(2)Rebecca C.
Maybe since moving to Detroit my thai food standards have changed but I thought this place was ok. We did take-out here the other night because we've been craving thai food and needed something quick to get home to our stir crazy puppy. Quick it was. We had our food in less than 10 minutes from the time we walked in the door. I got the pad see eiw and they asked me how spicy I wanted it. That was a little strange since pad see eiw is generally not spicy. It was good nonetheless. I liked the little kick. The broccoli was not overcooked which was nice. The noodles were a little undercooked but edible. They could have been wider. It met my thai food craving. Given the dearth of thai restaurants near where I live, I will probably go back.
(3)Michael C.
This was my very first experience with Thai! Woo! Having been raised on Korean food, I'm pretty used to spice. The only thing I ever heard from people who were really into Thai was that it was "very very hot!" and I don't know how they came to that. Either I'm so used to it that I need extra spice, or they're all sissies! With this in mind, I went into Thai Cafe's tiny dining room to give it my first shot. I made it extremely clear that I wanted my Tso's "Extra extra hot." Now, I don't know if she thought I was joking, or just forgot, because when my food came out... it was pretty bland. I mean, BLAND, as if there weren't any spices on it at all. I cannot believe that I am so used to spicy food that it was just me. I was really disappointed with it. (especially with how much my mediocre meal cost! I could've just went to Comet Burger...) However, my friend was really happy with her food. I did notice that it took her a minute to order (as in 60 seconds), adding this, deleting that... so maybe that's the trick with this place. I just wish I was in on that trick, because my food came out like oatmeal.
(3)Elisa R.
Not really "authentic Thai" but I've enjoyed the Chicken Pad Pak and yummy spring rolls for years :) Just wish they'd patch those booths.
(4)Adam T.
I think I had the Gang Panaang or something like that (tofu, potatos, red and yellow peppers, and carrots, in a spicy sauce. It was very good. I asked for it hot and it had just the right slow burn to it. You can order the spice "extra, extra hot," which I imagine would be pretty tough to swallow without sweating profusely with long gaps into between bites. Not only was the food good, but the service was excellent. They always made sure that my drink was full and called me by name after seeing it on my card. This place is great for vegetarians. Not only can you sub tofu into any dish, but they ask you whether you want the tofu steam or fried. I have had better Thai coffee and the background music was pretty bad, but no complaints. I will enjoy the leftovers (very large portions) and would gladly eat there again.
(4)Hubert S.
As someone else stated, Thai Cafe is the best in Royal Oak, but that is not saying much. I have had better in other areas like Bangkok Crossing in Detroit and I am just speaking on the Americanized-Thai fare. Surprisingly, there is a lot of competition in the surrounding areas. It is reasonably priced for the portions and they serve brown rice, but it costs more.
(3)Erin W.
If you're in Royal Oak and you want Thai food, we recommend Thai Cafe. Although the interior is small and rather dark, they have a nice patio for the warmer months. Their noodle and rice dishes are well prepared and the portions are nice and big. Our favorites include pad thai, drunken noodle and pineapple fried rice. They also have Vernors.
(4)allison g.
I suppose I'm not completely surprised by some of the negative reviews on here because I have had the occasional (once every 10 times maybe?) bad experience, but for the most part Thai Cafe is GREAT. I love the option of being able to get brown rice and my tofu steamed instead of fried. Their vegetables are usually very fresh (occasionally they'll use bagged stuff, i'm assuming its seasonal availability?). My favorite are the curry/rice dishes but their pad thai is phenomenal. I suggest curry pad thai. I love the pad ped. Randomly I've had them dumb down the spice, so I usually add a "plus" to my choice for how spicy the dish is. The Tom Yum Soup (I usually get the tofu version) Is so flavorful and good, with big yummy mushrooms and tofu. Occasionally I'll order my dishes with shrimp or scallops and they are always, fresh, plumped, de-veined (in the case of the shrimp). The atmposphere isn't fancy, there are only maybe 5 or 6 tables inside, but it's worth it, even listening to the cheesy radio station they play. I brought someone here who had only been to thai places around northville that are much more americanized than this, and they couldn't believe the deliciousness. That said, I'm sure there are more "authentic" thai places, but in the Royal Oak area, thai cafe is my favorite. I always think "fresh". Speaking of, their fresh rolls are great as well. You should be able to get at LEAST 2 full meals out of your dinner- sometimes if I get carryout it lasts me 3 meals. go here! mmmm
(4)David B.
While staying in Southfield, I selected Thai Cafe based on its five 5-star ratings in Google Maps. I don't normally criticize others' reviews, but the food was so disappointing I have to wonder whether the other reviewers have ever eaten reasonably authentic Thai food before. First the good: The location is convenient and the atmosphere is pretty cool - clean, not too many tables, outside/sidewalk seating available (I sat outside). The service was attentive and the cashier/owner seemed genuinely concerned when I told her my meal was just "ok" (I was being generous). Now the bad: I perused the extensive menu for probably 10 minutes and struggled to find something I thought had a significant chance of being reasonably authentic. The menu is chock-full of Americanized Chinese stir fries (neither Thai nor Chinese food uses a lot of water chestnuts, baby corn, or broccoli, people!) posing as Thai food. I selected a yellow curry with squid. The food was delivered reasonably promptly, given the brisk take-out business that this shop does, and was piping hot. The amount of food was substantial, but that turned out to be a mixed blessing. Although the potatoes and white onions (in a yellow curry??) were fresh and nicely cooked, the peas and carrots were obviously poured from a bag of frozen mixed vegetables. I was shocked. The squid was overcooked and cut into the lacerated rectangles normally associated with Chinese cooking rather than the rings that I expected. (They didn't include the tentacles either - my favorite part.) I had asked for "extra hot" only to discover that, at Thai Cafe, this means "dump a lot of crushed red chilli on the dish". I normally order Thai food "Thai spicy" and am usually pleased with the hotness, but this was too much: I couldn't taste anything but the chilli. Really disappointing. Thai Cafe perhaps IS the best Thai food in the area. If so, you'd be well-advised to select a different cuisine.
(2)Daniel X.
For carryout, the prices are fine, but you really invariably wind up with srsly quality food for the money. It's not like your average thai carryout (with a handful of good stuff, but mixed with a minefield of bad options that are poorly executed, bland, watery, etc.). Literally everything is somewhere between above-average to fantastic. When choosing a spice level, go one up from the one you think you want. They skimp a little, but not much. Recommend the Spicy Beef w. Kaffir Lime Leaves. 10/10. (As of the date of this review, the menu apparently is not 100% up to date. Tried to order the banana cake recently and was told they don't have it.)
(5)Sylwek G.
I love this restaurant. My favorite food is pad Thai,and I recommend this place to my friends as the best I've had. The inside is not very big, so do not expect them to carter to a large party. Their prices are pretty cheap for the amount of you food and quality you get... I just wish they opened earlier on Saturdays I highly recommend this restaurant. Thanks.
(5)Julie C.
FREAKING YUM. My boyfriend and I stopped in before a concert at the music theater. The server was incredibly friendly and fast. We got the tofu tom appetizer, I got the vegetable red curry with tofu, and he got the peanut curry. They were very accommodating when we let them know all of our food would be vegan, and they have the veggie meals marked on the menu. The tofu tom was SO perfectly crispy and well-cooked. It would make any tofu skeptic change their mind. The sauce it came with (I believe some type of sweet and sour? maybe?) was delicious with it as well. The red curry may have been the best I've ever had. I get red curry at every thai restaurant I got to and it was just so freaking creamy and flavorful. The peanut curry was also super creamy. I'm not crazy about the peanut flavor, but my boyfriend absolutely loved it. This was definitely the best Thai I've had in a while.
(5)Patrick N.
By writing my review on this restaurant finishes my tour de Thai in downtown royal oak. I've eaten Thai cafe's food about six times over the past two years and I don't really have any major complaints. The other day we ordered masaman curry and pad Thai, along with some tom yum soup. The food was fast and the price was right. One thing I have to note is they put a bit too many peas in the curry. I'm not sure why so many Thai and Indian places over flood the amount of peas. It's like they've opened a can and don't want to save the remainder for the next order. All in all I've only had positive experiences here, and the staff is super friendly and accommodating. I'll definitely be back.
(3)Wisdom H.
Not sure why Thai Cafe received such high ratings. I ordered my "go-to" Thai meal of Chicken Pad Thai with added Pineapples, a side of peanut sauce and Crab Rangoon (called something else on their menu). The food was not good or bad. The sauces didn't taste particularly fresh in my opinion. I don't mean they tasted old. I mean they tasted artificial. The meal portion was fine, but I was charged an extra $1.50 for a small ramekin of peanut sauce and another $1.50 for pineapples. The Crab Rangoon was tasty. I did not care for their plum sauce. Overall, Sukhothai is so much better.
(3)Daniel H.
Finally a Thai place where the very spicy was very spicy. Other places are so inconsistent and such a letdown, especially when you're in the mood for a kick in your food. The food came out quick, serving was generous, all in all a good place. My go-to for Thai food from now on. The restaurant is pretty small and barebones, but it seems to be the standard fare wherever you go, Detroit or LA. Almost wouldn't feel right if it wasn't haha
(4)Delina K.
I don't know why they get a higher rating then they should get. We ordered the pad pak - the sauce was like soup and didn't really marinate the veggies. The pad Thai noodle just did not look fresh.
(2)Julieta D.
This tiny place is a staple in Royal Oak, and not suitable for very large groups. According to my husband, the food was excellent. I disagree. The "chicken pad thai" was nothing special. The pieces of chicken could actually be counted with one hand, and the noodles were flavorless. Staff was courteous, and the place was clean. It has a few tables, but is more of a carry out type of restaurant. I will make it my mission to find a better place to eat Thai food. Follow me on instagram @ julieta155
(2)Sarah H.
I've been coming to this place for years and love it. Small location with cozy seating but the food is excellent and the staff friendly. You never wait long, I always get the kow pad pak with pineapple. Medium is enough to make my mouth tingle but no fire, which is just how I like it.
(5)Tom R.
I am a fan. We had multiple different dishes, and all of them we excellent. The heat was just right, and the Pad Thai and Pad Ped were excellent. My only complaint would be the Spring Rolls that were a little greasy. I will be back again.
(4)William S.
The absolute BEST Thai Restaurant in Metro Detroit!
(5)Amber R.
It's not disgusting. I love Ahan Thai but went here because the prices looked good online and I can't eat a full order of thai food anyways. They only had their lunch menu online- so it actually was just as expensive as Ahan Thai. The food was okay. Not good though (dry tofu, sauce overly sweet, broccoli just not very tasty). Ordered medium spice and it was very mild. They also used all styrofoam for my glass and food, and gave me a plastic bag, despite my eating there. So not very environmentally friendly.
(2)Freddie B.
Enjoyed some carry out from Thai Cafe for lunch.. We got the Pad Thai with chicken, the Pad Se Ew, the chicken satay, and the Siam Crispy Rolls.. Everything was pretty good.. Only issue being that we all said that we tasted seafood in our chicken like it was cooked with shrimp or next to it or something!!! I mean.. I still ate every bite. Didn't bug me that bad but my two buddies kind of disagreed. The Pad Se Ew was money (besides the shrimpy flavor).. The Siam Crispy Rolls we kind of bland.. Like mainly chicken and nothing else.. But I still liked them.. Just didn't blow my mind in anyway.. For the money it was good. Again, my friends were complaining a tad but I dug it!!
(3)Ashley M.
I am obsessed with their drunken noodle with chicken! It is so tasty.. It has the wide noodles and the sauce is so flavorful! I get medium and it's pretty spicy but I like spicy!! Also a perk that staff if friendly and quick! I get carry out here and it's always like 10-15 minutes and it's always ready on time.. I've tried a lot if Thai food in royal oak and this is definitely one of my top favorite places! You won't regret it :)
(5)Carly F.
Just got carry out for the first time. I got the chicken and veggie pad Thai medium. I live in walking distance and by the time I got home the bag was soaked in the oil from the noodles. It got all over my kitchen table. :( the food was okay, it wasn't spicy at all though. It was meh.
(3)John P.
Pad Ped Tofu and Pad Thai Chicken. Their spice levels correspond with my completely subjective idea of what "spicy" means, so that was nice. Medium gave me some tingling after a a few mouthfuls. Perfect. The Pad Thai dinner portion was huge (i.e. the sizes reflected in the user pictures are accurate). The dinner sized Pad Ped came in a pint-sized take out box, plus a side of rice. The tofu hot and sour soup and fresh roll was just OK. Pretty unremarkable, really. Nothing to write home about, but inexpensive, all things considered. We had it for takeout, though there are three or four tables in there. It's a very small spot, so don't expect to bring a dozen folks for a feast. All said, I greatly prefer this place to Siam Spicy. It's not as good as Rexy's was before it closed, but what is? Thai Cafe is our RO-area go-to.
(4)M S.
I did a carry out on drunken noodles with chicken and they were delicious. Phone order process was easy, they were ready in ten minutes, and still piping hot despite the fact that I walked home with them after picking the order up. The restaurant eat-in area isn't terribly inviting but I would definitely order take out from them again!
(4)Vanette G.
Pad Thai (3 stars) and general review (4): This was my first time at this place and I would come back again. I have yet to find a place as good as Bangkok Cafe in Farmington Hills for my usual veggie pad thai. I've tried many places and one just hasn't compared. This is a very small place with no more than 10 tables. It wasn't busy for a Saturday night. Our waiter was very friendly. I was in the mood for Medium spice and usually order mild plus at my regular place. The medium here was definitely not what I expected... More of a mild. Usually I need a bunch of water with the mild plus and I was totally fine this time. Also, I asked what type of veggies come in the mix and there was no mention of mushrooms. I can't stand mushrooms and unfortunately there were more than a few in my meal. Also, there was only one piece of broccoli. The portion was what I am used to getting for pad thai. One thing I loved about my meal was that the vegetables were all very fresh tasting (not frozen). I am giving the actual restaurant 4 stars. Staff was friendly, never had to wait for water refills, my friend loved her meal (it was good and fresh but tasted like no spice when it was supposed to be mild). All in all, I would come back if I were in the area.
(4)Shaheda K.
This is my go to thai place because it's near by where I am at usually. As I have left in my tip below, I mentioned how they have the friendliest staff you will ever encounter, well I wasn't lying about it. They are really nice, and make you feel comfortable. I only ever had fried rice and a soup here, but I have ordered noodles for my friend and honestly it always hits the spot. The decor is cozy feeling, although it is small, it is fitting because I imagine there is more take out then there is dine in. ( I dined twice only, and usually pick up). Also they are precise with their time, if they say 10 mins, they will be done before that 10 mins.
(3)Emily M.
Good stuff. Small place but wasn't busy for lunch. I got broccoli, rice and shrimp in the coconut curry sauce. It wasn't technically on the menu, but was based on a dish on the menu. I'm not giving the fancy name of the dish because I don't know it. The medium spice was perfect for me, pretty spicy but delicious. The broccoli was perfectly cooked and yummy. The fresh spring rolls were tasty and light. Good for lunch! Some seating outside, if you want it.
(4)Ann B.
i love this place! it's small and not too pricy and they're super friendly. they have the best thai food in the area, hands down.
(5)Sir Poop A.
Called for carry out. Very efficient on the phone. Quoted me 15 minutes, was ready in 11. Great food, levels of spicy-ness were accurate. Price was great. Tiny place if you want I eat there, so it will be my carry out go to... At that section of royal oak, parking not an issue either.
(5)Justin S.
Amazing food and service I'm def coming back asap! Had the I was sh!t faced lastnyt noodles and they were pretty on point. The tomyom soup was tomyummy and pop in the can is how I prefer to drink it. I didn't have to run to the bathroom 5 minutes after eating or mid meal so that always a great sign the place is good. Can't wait to take on more items on the menu! I mean it not exactly a 5 star venue but it's a great place to get it done..fill up and bounce. Tables clean, they use metal forks and no foul odors so say what u want I'm easy to pease.
(5)Gary R.
Actually this place is more of a 2.5 star rating but I rounded up just to be generous. The food the four of us had was ok, not great. I consider myself a Thai food aficionado and this place doesn't meet the standards I have for repeat visits. Its not that the food was bad - it was just so very inconsistent. The Tom Yam Gai soup was a little watery and didn't have that burst of flavor normally found in a good bowl. My princess stir fried pork ordered extra, extra hot came full of red chili flakes to the point of actually interfering with the taste of the food. I ALWAYS order Thai Hot when I get Thai food and can handle the heat. However, this one was over the top with the heat not part of the flavor but rather as an add on. I didn't like that. My wife's dish ordered Hot had the same affliction - too many red pepper flakes and the flavor was lost. Heat should be part of the flavor and infused with the cooking of the dish. My daughter's veggie dish was ordered mild and came out smoking with heat to the point she could barely eat it. Perhaps this was an off night but if not, I'd look for somewhere else to get my Thai fix. Plus if you want to eat inside there is room for maybe 8-10 people total. Really small.
(3)S F.
Decent Thai, however the service is awful. Drive a little further north to Siam Spicy
(1)Shannon A.
We often get take out from this tiny Cafe and it's always been delicious! The staff is friendly and the orders are ready fast. I love the Curry Pad Thai and their Tom Yum Soup is really good! All the Thai food classics are available and the spice level is always spot on... They do have a few tables for inside dining but it's small and I've only had take out... Cans of soda are available take out as well. We find ourselves going back to this spot time and time again and it's consistently good!
(4)Robert C.
Consistently good Thai food with consistently good, fast service. In my experience, fancy Tahi places are never as good as good as cheap, small, humble places, and this is a prime example of the latter. Noodle dishes are always good (and all we ever get!) Atmosphere is cozy, warm, simple. Only a few tables inside. Outdoor seating is available when it is not cold outside, but come 40-degree temps and the tables seem to vanish magically. Good-sized portions; one Pad-see-ew or Pad Thai will easily feed two average, hungry people. Lots of street parking, but it's Royal Oak and so this can be tricky depending on day and time.
(4)Travis J.
A nice little Thai Cafe with standard Thai fair. Good service, friendly staff. I have only been once but I was happy with the food, portions, and atmosphere.
(4)Heather J.
A craving for green tea and a bowl of miso hit me hard this Saturday night, possibly the worst possible time of the week in the Royal Oak/Ferndale corridor. All the local haunts, like Inyo and Ronin, get ridiculously busy. For something as simple as that, I couldn't justify driving all the way up to impeccable WOW Sushi and Noble Fish was already closed. Cue the beau to my rescue, wielding his hideous orange Detroit Tigers beanie, with the solution of a place we hadn't tried before. Thai Cafe serves up great Thai food in a cozy cafe in Royal Oak beside the credit union. Normally when we stop by this corner of town, it's first thing in the morning to get weekend banking done, not exactly prime time for Thai cravings. But tonight we found easy parking in front of Oakland Community College -- and you're welcome, fellow parking people, for the extra 45 minutes I plugged in for you -- and trotted across the street to find our relief. We came during a moderately busy wave with a lovely older couple in the corner, and quite a few people taking advantage of carry out. A pair of two-seater tables occupy a corner, a three-set in front of the window, and the rest are larger. For groups of 8 or more, this is not your restaurant without dishing out some advanced notice. I found the minimalist red interior charming. Sadly Thai Cafe didn't serve up miso, and I was only "medium hungry" so no tom yum soup (though it sorely tempted me, for $1.50 for a bowl). Don't let the petite menu avert your sensibilities. They use a lovely model, which is a single price for a list of entrees, like vegetarian, main entrees, and noodles, the fixed price based on the meat. Chicken, tofu, and beef are usually one price, "fancier" choices like shrimp $.50 to $1 more. Seafood and appetizers are priced individually, and beverage are no more than $2, including delicious Thai iced tea (dessert and a drink in a glass). Quality of food is high and preparation is swift. The beau went for his favourite Thai standard, pad thai, while I hemmed and hawed over the Pad Pak with coconut and the seriously tempting drunken noodle. Given my stomach has been lactose/milk sensitive of late, I veered for a mild-plus spicy drunken noodle with shrimp, and enjoyed the mix of noodles, bell peppers, and shrimp. Not disappointing at all. The sauce was a little bit heavy, but the shrimp were fat and well-coated, the veggies crisp, and the whole of it just that level of spice to make your tongue tingle. Definitely specify what you want because they do it hot. The pad thai did not disappoint, with the traditional slice of lemon and pile of gently grated peanuts, a very light sauce, and wonderfully thin noodles that wicked up the sauce well. The beau polished off his plate with a guilty grin that tells me all I need to know. Music from Clear Channel or a radio station plays quietly in the background, nothing at all intrusive. Service here is worth four stars in its own right. The young lady serving us worked all the tables well, refilling drinks, taking orders, and bringing boxes. The smile on her face the entire time was lovely to see, and she offered helpful suggestions when I was torn. Their most popular noodle choices are pad thai, drunken noodle, and curry noodle, and she also recommended V6 (spicy tofu and vegetables), suggesting you can substitute chicken or another meat if you want more. We really enjoyed our dining experience for under $20, drinks and food included. Thai Cafe gets added to the list of reliable Thai places in my neighbourhood, and one we shall definitely revisit again.
(4)Amber Y.
This is my go-to Thai place in Royal Oak. The pad-see-ew is delicious! It's fast, friendly, and cozy. I've always liked how it's a little quieter than Main street. Parking's a lot easier to get, you can usually get a spot right in front of the restaurant. If anyone asked me, I'd recommend this little joint over the main street place.
(4)Amy H.
Thai Cafe - you have totally redeemed yourself. We have come back for carryout a few more times and have been very pleased. Our new favorite dish is the Gang Gai curry with fried tofu. I ordered mine extra extra hot last night, and it was intense. Thick curry, and crunchy vegetables. I'm very happy that we gave Thai Cafe another chance.
(4)Jeff L.
I think this place serves some of the best Thai food around. I highly recommend it.
(5)Daniel S.
I like this little diner. It has a bit of the college vibe being next door to OCC. The staff is laid back and friendly. They took time answering our questions and swapping out ingredients without the slightest hint of annoyance. The drunken noodle and green curry are standouts on the menu. I'm a stickler for proper green curry paste. These guys use the real stuff. Try the green curry catfish for a change of pace.
(4)Ryan L.
I like Thai food a lot. I think it's the most flavorful of the different Asian cuisines. I go to Thai Cafe often. It's close, it's convenient and they have good food. It's not the best Thai in Detroit but I like that I don't have to drive too far to get good Thai food. The menu seems to be pretty standard and I have tried several of their dishes and all are pretty good. The dishes all come with choice of meat or tofu and are reasonably priced. In addition, you can get a bowl of hot and sour soup or tom yum soup or a spring roll for only $1.50 which is quite a deal. The only dish I've ever tried that I didn't like was the Long Song. My friend ordered it and it was pretty much broccoli covered in peanut butter. It was not very good. Not that it wasn't prepared well, but it's not what anyone expected. But now we all have something to laugh about when we go here. Thai Cafe has some out door tables in the summer. There are about six tables inside. It can get quite drafty in the winter since there's no airlock. This seems to be more of a take away type restaurant, but I've still had good service whenever I've gone. I know I'll eat there again in the near future. So should you.
(4)Rue A.
it's allright. nothing outstanding.
(3)Deborah B.
Been here 2x's in the past week. Very fresh, savory food. Staff understands what it means to be vegan and was extremely accommodating. We ordered the veg rolls, very fresh and yummy, and tom yum soup as starters. For our meal we had the string bean tofu (which also has egg plant in it) and pad pak with peanut sauce. Wonderful flavors in all the items we've. We've also had veggie pad-se-ew, which was also very good. I highly recommend this place...did I mention that the prices were reasonable!
(4)Zachary H.
Ever since Spice of Thai collapsed from the inside out, Thai Cafe' has been my choice for Thai food in Royal Oak. The food is good and portions are good based on prices. If you are dining in, space is limited. I only gave 4 stars because of the fact that I was not given white rice with my curry dishes on 2 occasions now.
(4)Brian P.
Good Thai food. We usually go here at least 2 to 3 times a month. The place is small (really small) but the food is good and the staff is super friendly. The only time I'm annoyed is when I can't get a seat. Nice outdoor patio area in the summer also. The Pad Thai with fried tofu is the best!
(4)Kristin G.
I am no expert on Thai food. All I know is that Thai Cafe is consistently good. It's fast, it's affordable and their food is always tasty. They aren't breaking any new ground in the world of Thai food, they make all the dishes that I've come to love with Thai food and they make them well. That right there is enough for me to keep coming back. My favorite is Pad Pak with fried tofu. I go for spicier...and they don't hold back so be sure if you're spice shy to ask for mild. Lunch at Thai Cafe comes with complementary soup, usually something along the lines of egg drop soup, I believe. I love their green tea as well. The service is always friendly, but the place is small. That's the only downside, although I've never had to wait for a table. All in all, it's a solid choice if you want some delicious thai made fast and for a great price!
(4)Jordan S.
Thai food is a bit of a mystery in Royal Oak. There are so many options to choose from and they are all pretty tied with each other, but Thai Cafe is growing on me as a favorite (Spring/Summer 2012 - who knows whats going to happen in the next 3 months) Thai Cafe isn't the best, but I would say overall its the most consistant, and its a very consistent 'Decent' The Old Church & Thai on Main both have beaten Thai Cafe, but they have also been way worse too. With Thai Cafe you know you're going to get a nice decent meal. The lady in there is always friendly and they are really fast too. They used to always be out of fresh rolls but they have had them lately and they have been really good too. ==================================================Â============= TRIVIA: They filmed a few episodes of HBO's 'Hung' above Thai Cafe - that's neat!
(4)Anne B.
I just picked up the masaman curry. It reminded that I have tried this restaurant before.... and had the same experience. This dish should have potatoes and peanuts but there was barely a handful of either. The curry flavor seemed very bland compared to other restaurants I've ordered this from. BUT! If you're looking to eat 1000 peas as a substitute for other ingredients, this is your place!! Two strikes and they're out - I won't try it again.
(2)Anne B.
I just picked up the masaman curry. It reminded that I have tried this restaurant before.... and had the same experience. This dish should have potatoes and peanuts but there was barely a handful of either. The curry flavor seemed very bland compared to other restaurants I've ordered this from. BUT! If you're looking to eat 1000 peas as a substitute for other ingredients, this is your place!! Two strikes and they're out - I won't try it again.
(2)B K.
When we ordered our food we also wanted to order the herbal tea and shrimp chips. We were told that they didn't have either. We ordered the green tea instead, but there was no substitute offered for the shrimp chips. Not long after we placed our order, a family came in and sat at the table next to us. They also ordered shrimp chips and were told that of course they have them and they were promptly delivered to the table. It was completely ridiculous. Was the waitress too lazy to bring them to us or what? I really don't know. Shortly after this she abruptly brought us our bill so I brought up the issue of the shrimp chips. She acted as if she had no idea that we had ordered them but then backtracked when she realized we weren't buying her act. I thought it was embarrassing enough that she had to tell us that the were out of 2 of the 4 things that we ordered, but then to find out that she just didn't want to serve one of them to us was unacceptable. She never even apologized. She just walked away. Our food was fine so I would suggest take-out.
(2)Matt C.
Went here for an early dinner. My wife and I were walking through one of Royal Oak's many festivals and decided it would be a good place to stop for dinner. I ordered the Pla Dook Curry, and it was absolutely amazing! The catfish was moist, and there were plenty vegetables. I would have preferred Asian broccoli and more eggplant, but the dish was delicious nonetheless. My wife's order wasn't as good. She ordered the beef Pad Thai. We've had Pad Thai in may locations, over many years, and this Pad Thai was a little off. The spice level was solid. We will return to Thai Cafe in the future. However, we will be exploring more of the curries, and less of the noodle dishes.
(4)Jordan D.
This is a VERY small Thai restaurant that serves up some BIG flavor. It was my first time getting take out from this restaurant, And I WILL be returning for more.
(4)Shane B.
great thai restaurant. It is across the street from the OCC- RO campus which is convenient if you take any classes there. Looks like a family owned place. The Pad se-ew is wonderful
(4)Haroun K.
I really was pleased by my two experiences here. I think Thai Cafe is the best Thai food in Downtown Royal Oak. Not only was the tofu curry I had for lunch today soooo tasty, it was cheap. Also, the lunch included a gratis vegetarian soup. All of this for less than $7. There is only a little bit of seating, but it is cozy enough, and the service is really great. This will be my go-to place in this area now.
(5)Scott H.
Preferred Thai in the Royal Oak area. Enough said.
(3)Paula F.
This place took my Thai-food v-card; my first true love. Let's begin with the spring rolls; Hot, crispy, served with tangy plum sauce. I can't help myself from biting right in even when I know my impatience will be punished with a burnt tongue. It doesn't matter anyway, when you have a smooth, cool sip of Thai iced tea or coffee waiting for you. Pad Thai: My ultimate, quintessential, every-future-Pad-Thai-will-be-compared-to-this dish. Peanuty goodness with a squeeze of fresh lemon and sprinkled with bright, crisp green onions. I can, and I will, eat the whole thing in one sitting. And this is a dish not meant for one. Pad Pak with coconut curry (mild): Vegetables steamed to the perfect firmness. Carrots, baby corn, water chestnuts, cabbage, broccoli. Creamy, dreamy coconut sauce. Use the rest of your rice to soak it up. Eat in or take out. The environment is intimate, with only a few tables, but I've never had to wait more than five minutes or so to be seated. It's my safe place.
(4)Ryo G.
Delicious! I don't usually eat Thai, but when I do, I eat Thai Cafe. Their 'Tofu with String Beans', eggplant garlic and basil, has to be the best Thai dish I have ever eaten. I will drive out of my way, pass dozens of other Thai restaurants, simply to indulge in this incredible delicacy. The food presentation is welcoming and appealing. The wait staff is friendly and refreshing--and the atmosphere is warm and modern, even though the restaurant is on the small side. To top it off, their Tom Yum soup is phenomenal--packed full of flavor and topped off with fresh cut mushrooms, scallions and tomatoes. The extra care they take to make their food stand out from the hundreds of other Thai restaurants in the area really shines through with every bite. Thai Cafe is also vegan friendly; their menu containing plenty of vegan and vegetarian options throughout. Highly recommended!
(5)Jared C.
I don't deviate too often from the menu. I would highly recommend the pad se yu for an entree. Also if you get an appetizer try the Chicken Satay with peanut sauce and cucumber sauce. Additionally is their convenient location in the heart of Royal Oak and the faast service.
(4)Kelli A.
Used to be better...fresher, more consistent. Uninspired, boring, unappealing. The dining room stinks like a dirty restroom. They are ALWAYS out of fresh rolls!! Geez man, take it off the menu already! I get the feeling they've become lazy and/or bored with their establishment. Bummer. Will not return.
(2)Jessica S.
Had takeout from here last night. Took about 15 minutes. Came to $20 for two dinner meals. Tofu Pad Thai with steams Tofu. I like that they have that option, cause I didn't want it deep fried. Boyfriend got Chicken Pad Thai. Got them both Spicy, and spicy is what we got. Good stuff.
(4)Arra J.
Mmmm spic-ay ! I love that when you ask for mild its the equivalent to asian mild. I always get the drunken noodle or their pad thai is pretty good but really all the noodle dishes are good. The portions are very large, so if youre not a big eater I would share with someone or be prepared to get a take a doggy bag. The prices range from 8-13 at its most expensive. They have few traditional thai dishes on there so they tend to be the higher priced items. This place ranks # 2 in my favorite thai places because of portion and pricing. The place is super tiny so thats why I gave it 4 instead of 5. the service is always prompt and nice; Ive never had any mean glares or unhappy service here before. Since theyre next to a college the prices stay competitive and they have a regular clientele. If youre from out of town and just need a small local asian place to have lunch or dinner this place wont break your wallet or leave you hungry.
(4)Sean G.
I have to update my review of Thai Cafe. While it is still a place I visit every few months I have to say it isn't as good as it once was. The curry noodle has become very thick and the taste is slightly off. I can't even begin to figure out why because Thai cooking is fairly complex, but it's off. The dishes my wife has ordered also seem...different. I just can't place my finger on it. I am wondering if the business was sold or if there was a wholesale change of staff - for years I saw the same staff and now they're all gone. Still go for decent Thai food in the Royal Oak/Ferndale area, but definitely explore other options and let me know if something blows your socks off!
(3)Des D.
Food was delish and reasonably priced. Disappointed they don't serve alcohol... no wonder it was so quiet on a Saturday night! Also surprising since the center area of the place IS an old bar, or looks like one. Speaking of quiet... could hardly hear the music which made it feel awkward to converse with my husband w/o feeling like everyone could hear it. Service was descent. Food came quickly. Ambiance was boring/uninspired/lackluster/ ___(insert synonyms of "meh" here)___. Would be a great place to order dinner "to go" if you live in the area.
(2)Mark J.
GREAT FOOD - regardless of the comment below about the girl that works there - she has always been so nice and attentive to us - i highly recommend this place
(5)natalie r.
I used to spend my tuesdays with my cousin there for lunch, it's too good for words, but since she moved out of state i have to do take out now :( either way you still get a ton of food, and great tasting food at that. after testing out a few places this is the best and only thai place i will go now. their pad thai, drunken noodle and even their chicken fried rice is the besttt.
(5)Jay D.
I'm looking at a carry out menu from this restaurant right now, in which I have penned notes to myself on certain dishes. For Pad Pak Curry I wrote, "Gross--all cabbage". For Pad Pak (same but a different number, for some reason) I wrote, "Gross--all cabbage". After the third time of going there, I just stopped bothering. Are you picking up a theme here? Gross. All cabbage.
(1)Melanie J.
Who knew peas and Thai food would be such a glorious combination!?! I had never seen a dish with peas in it until I came to Thai Café. I have lived in RO for over 3 years now and had never tried Thai Café. I think I will have to make up for lost time... Thai Café is pretty tiny, but it has a cuteness about it. We dined on Friday night around 7pm and there were a few other tables seated as well. The service was great. The waiter answered all of our questions and was patient, even when I asked him to describe what each type of curry tastes like (yellow is mustard-y, red is peppery and green is garlicky). Our food came pretty quickly; a generous portion size and very tasty! I am now obsessed with peas in my Thai food. I ordered a green curry and coconut milk dish with tofu and veggies and my fiance ordered a red curry seafood dish. I was very pleased with my meal and had more then enough to wrap up for lunch the following day. I ordered mine mild and am so glad that I did because I found the mild to be very spicy. Sometimes I'm in the mood for medium spice, but I would definitely only order mild when I go there. I like spicy foods, but I don't like when I can no longer feel my mouth! I really enjoyed Thai Café and it was nice to come to a Thai restaurant that offered up some more unique options then our usual places. The real test will be their pad thai, which I will try next time I'm there.
(4)Matthew D.
Barney: "What should we have for dinner?" Ted: "How about Thai food?" Barney: "Nah, I don't feel like Thai food." Ted: "How about Indian?" Barney: "I just said I don't feel like Thai food." Ted: "I said Indian, not Thai." Barney: "Weird meat, bad music, side of rice... what's the difference?" Ted: "How about Mexican?" Barney: *exhaaaaaales, throws his hands in the air* "I JUST SAID I don't feel like Thai food!" Thai Cafe has some of the best Thai dishes in Royal Oak and one of the best atmospheres of ANY restaurant in the metro Detroit area. It's a quaint little place with small, intimate tables that encourage conversation and interaction. In the summer they put tables outside to enjoy the weather and the foot traffic. Anything with the Coconut Milk is good, the Chicken Curry is delectable (that's right, delectable) and the Pad Thai is probably the best in the area. The rice is good, always tender but firm. Be sure to get a side of the Chili Paste to spice your meal up a bit, it's got a wonderfully hot / tangy flavor that makes you sweat and smile at the same time! I'll tone down my meal a temperature or two so that I can drench it in this great little addition!
(4)Alexandra K.
Cheap and convenient Thai food. Best in Royal Oak, in my honest opinion. I am not a fan of Thai on Main at all. This place has friendly service, but I prefer to carry-out instead!
(4)Elizabeth M.
Can't figure out why this place is rated so high. Typical dishes are under seasoned and over priced. Curry noodle, Pad Thai and other traditional dishes are consistently less than stellar. I ordered Curry Noodle about a month ago and my noodles were dry and flavorless. I may as well have been eating plain rice noodles! Finding good Thai food is difficult to come by - if you can muster the strength to drive all the way to Detroit, get your thai food from Sala Thai. You will not be disappointed.
(2)Jeffrey B.
Since I have now written two other Thai reviews and have mentioned TC in both I figured I should actually write a review for them too! Thai Café is right in the heart of down town Royal Oak. It's not so large so it would be easy to miss, but I hope that at some point you take notice and give it a go. The restaurant does a lot of takeout but one can dine inside. There are maybe seven tables? And in the Spring/Summer there is outside dining available. The food is great. I have loved everything I have tasted except the Long Song. Ryan referenced this and he was completely right. . . it was broccoli with peanut butter. I don't understand. Maybe I never will? But I have seen the same dish on other restaurants' menus. What I will highly suggest is the Curry Noodle (it's not too shampoo-y), Jub Chai, or Tofu with String Beans. Their Pad Thai also has a really great lemon flavor which is amazing. I like that when you order tofu you have the option for fried or steamed too. Other protein options include: Chicken, Beef, Shrimp, and Vegetables. As an accompaniment, order a Spring Roll for $1.50 or a bowl of soup! I favor the hot and sour with your choice of protein (mine is tofu--go figure). Portions are more than generous, oftentimes enough for a second meal or light snack later. Spiciness levels are pretty fair and if you're not certain about a full commitment to a level, order a plus, i.e. mild plus! Or medium plus! Because sometimes a girl needs a half--er, a plus. Ambiance is okay with bold colors on the wall. Expect to hear Channel 95.5 or another radio station of that ilk in the background, because nothing screams Thai like Rhianna. Disturbia! Also if dining in the winter, be prepared for cold drafts from the front door. If taking out, bring money for the meter. Thai Café is my choice for Thai in Royal Oak and Thai takeout in the area.
(4)Melanie H.
Still my favorite Thai in town. The veggies are always fresh and portions are pretty big. Can always get two meals out of one.
(4)Lorna H.
A staple for quick meals, pad se'we is my favorite.
(4)Allen P.
Pretty boring Thai food. We ordered 4 different dishes and they were all basically the same. Some mixed vegetables with some curry and some rice. Now I am eating a carrot, here is a potato, there is some undercooked green peppers. Nothing special, not a lot of taste, small dining room. Could be basic chinese food with curry seasoning. The waitress was nice though and it was cheap, so I guess it wasn't all bad, just trying to find decent Thai in the mitten, so far unsuccessful.
(2)Rebecca C.
Maybe since moving to Detroit my thai food standards have changed but I thought this place was ok. We did take-out here the other night because we've been craving thai food and needed something quick to get home to our stir crazy puppy. Quick it was. We had our food in less than 10 minutes from the time we walked in the door. I got the pad see eiw and they asked me how spicy I wanted it. That was a little strange since pad see eiw is generally not spicy. It was good nonetheless. I liked the little kick. The broccoli was not overcooked which was nice. The noodles were a little undercooked but edible. They could have been wider. It met my thai food craving. Given the dearth of thai restaurants near where I live, I will probably go back.
(3)Michael C.
This was my very first experience with Thai! Woo! Having been raised on Korean food, I'm pretty used to spice. The only thing I ever heard from people who were really into Thai was that it was "very very hot!" and I don't know how they came to that. Either I'm so used to it that I need extra spice, or they're all sissies! With this in mind, I went into Thai Cafe's tiny dining room to give it my first shot. I made it extremely clear that I wanted my Tso's "Extra extra hot." Now, I don't know if she thought I was joking, or just forgot, because when my food came out... it was pretty bland. I mean, BLAND, as if there weren't any spices on it at all. I cannot believe that I am so used to spicy food that it was just me. I was really disappointed with it. (especially with how much my mediocre meal cost! I could've just went to Comet Burger...) However, my friend was really happy with her food. I did notice that it took her a minute to order (as in 60 seconds), adding this, deleting that... so maybe that's the trick with this place. I just wish I was in on that trick, because my food came out like oatmeal.
(3)Elisa R.
Not really "authentic Thai" but I've enjoyed the Chicken Pad Pak and yummy spring rolls for years :) Just wish they'd patch those booths.
(4)Adam T.
I think I had the Gang Panaang or something like that (tofu, potatos, red and yellow peppers, and carrots, in a spicy sauce. It was very good. I asked for it hot and it had just the right slow burn to it. You can order the spice "extra, extra hot," which I imagine would be pretty tough to swallow without sweating profusely with long gaps into between bites. Not only was the food good, but the service was excellent. They always made sure that my drink was full and called me by name after seeing it on my card. This place is great for vegetarians. Not only can you sub tofu into any dish, but they ask you whether you want the tofu steam or fried. I have had better Thai coffee and the background music was pretty bad, but no complaints. I will enjoy the leftovers (very large portions) and would gladly eat there again.
(4)Hubert S.
As someone else stated, Thai Cafe is the best in Royal Oak, but that is not saying much. I have had better in other areas like Bangkok Crossing in Detroit and I am just speaking on the Americanized-Thai fare. Surprisingly, there is a lot of competition in the surrounding areas. It is reasonably priced for the portions and they serve brown rice, but it costs more.
(3)Erin W.
If you're in Royal Oak and you want Thai food, we recommend Thai Cafe. Although the interior is small and rather dark, they have a nice patio for the warmer months. Their noodle and rice dishes are well prepared and the portions are nice and big. Our favorites include pad thai, drunken noodle and pineapple fried rice. They also have Vernors.
(4)allison g.
I suppose I'm not completely surprised by some of the negative reviews on here because I have had the occasional (once every 10 times maybe?) bad experience, but for the most part Thai Cafe is GREAT. I love the option of being able to get brown rice and my tofu steamed instead of fried. Their vegetables are usually very fresh (occasionally they'll use bagged stuff, i'm assuming its seasonal availability?). My favorite are the curry/rice dishes but their pad thai is phenomenal. I suggest curry pad thai. I love the pad ped. Randomly I've had them dumb down the spice, so I usually add a "plus" to my choice for how spicy the dish is. The Tom Yum Soup (I usually get the tofu version) Is so flavorful and good, with big yummy mushrooms and tofu. Occasionally I'll order my dishes with shrimp or scallops and they are always, fresh, plumped, de-veined (in the case of the shrimp). The atmposphere isn't fancy, there are only maybe 5 or 6 tables inside, but it's worth it, even listening to the cheesy radio station they play. I brought someone here who had only been to thai places around northville that are much more americanized than this, and they couldn't believe the deliciousness. That said, I'm sure there are more "authentic" thai places, but in the Royal Oak area, thai cafe is my favorite. I always think "fresh". Speaking of, their fresh rolls are great as well. You should be able to get at LEAST 2 full meals out of your dinner- sometimes if I get carryout it lasts me 3 meals. go here! mmmm
(4)David B.
While staying in Southfield, I selected Thai Cafe based on its five 5-star ratings in Google Maps. I don't normally criticize others' reviews, but the food was so disappointing I have to wonder whether the other reviewers have ever eaten reasonably authentic Thai food before. First the good: The location is convenient and the atmosphere is pretty cool - clean, not too many tables, outside/sidewalk seating available (I sat outside). The service was attentive and the cashier/owner seemed genuinely concerned when I told her my meal was just "ok" (I was being generous). Now the bad: I perused the extensive menu for probably 10 minutes and struggled to find something I thought had a significant chance of being reasonably authentic. The menu is chock-full of Americanized Chinese stir fries (neither Thai nor Chinese food uses a lot of water chestnuts, baby corn, or broccoli, people!) posing as Thai food. I selected a yellow curry with squid. The food was delivered reasonably promptly, given the brisk take-out business that this shop does, and was piping hot. The amount of food was substantial, but that turned out to be a mixed blessing. Although the potatoes and white onions (in a yellow curry??) were fresh and nicely cooked, the peas and carrots were obviously poured from a bag of frozen mixed vegetables. I was shocked. The squid was overcooked and cut into the lacerated rectangles normally associated with Chinese cooking rather than the rings that I expected. (They didn't include the tentacles either - my favorite part.) I had asked for "extra hot" only to discover that, at Thai Cafe, this means "dump a lot of crushed red chilli on the dish". I normally order Thai food "Thai spicy" and am usually pleased with the hotness, but this was too much: I couldn't taste anything but the chilli. Really disappointing. Thai Cafe perhaps IS the best Thai food in the area. If so, you'd be well-advised to select a different cuisine.
(2)Sylwek G.
I love this restaurant. My favorite food is pad Thai,and I recommend this place to my friends as the best I've had. The inside is not very big, so do not expect them to carter to a large party. Their prices are pretty cheap for the amount of you food and quality you get... I just wish they opened earlier on Saturdays I highly recommend this restaurant. Thanks.
(5)Julie C.
FREAKING YUM. My boyfriend and I stopped in before a concert at the music theater. The server was incredibly friendly and fast. We got the tofu tom appetizer, I got the vegetable red curry with tofu, and he got the peanut curry. They were very accommodating when we let them know all of our food would be vegan, and they have the veggie meals marked on the menu. The tofu tom was SO perfectly crispy and well-cooked. It would make any tofu skeptic change their mind. The sauce it came with (I believe some type of sweet and sour? maybe?) was delicious with it as well. The red curry may have been the best I've ever had. I get red curry at every thai restaurant I got to and it was just so freaking creamy and flavorful. The peanut curry was also super creamy. I'm not crazy about the peanut flavor, but my boyfriend absolutely loved it. This was definitely the best Thai I've had in a while.
(5)Patrick N.
By writing my review on this restaurant finishes my tour de Thai in downtown royal oak. I've eaten Thai cafe's food about six times over the past two years and I don't really have any major complaints. The other day we ordered masaman curry and pad Thai, along with some tom yum soup. The food was fast and the price was right. One thing I have to note is they put a bit too many peas in the curry. I'm not sure why so many Thai and Indian places over flood the amount of peas. It's like they've opened a can and don't want to save the remainder for the next order. All in all I've only had positive experiences here, and the staff is super friendly and accommodating. I'll definitely be back.
(3)Wisdom H.
Not sure why Thai Cafe received such high ratings. I ordered my "go-to" Thai meal of Chicken Pad Thai with added Pineapples, a side of peanut sauce and Crab Rangoon (called something else on their menu). The food was not good or bad. The sauces didn't taste particularly fresh in my opinion. I don't mean they tasted old. I mean they tasted artificial. The meal portion was fine, but I was charged an extra $1.50 for a small ramekin of peanut sauce and another $1.50 for pineapples. The Crab Rangoon was tasty. I did not care for their plum sauce. Overall, Sukhothai is so much better.
(3)Daniel H.
Finally a Thai place where the very spicy was very spicy. Other places are so inconsistent and such a letdown, especially when you're in the mood for a kick in your food. The food came out quick, serving was generous, all in all a good place. My go-to for Thai food from now on. The restaurant is pretty small and barebones, but it seems to be the standard fare wherever you go, Detroit or LA. Almost wouldn't feel right if it wasn't haha
(4)Delina K.
I don't know why they get a higher rating then they should get. We ordered the pad pak - the sauce was like soup and didn't really marinate the veggies. The pad Thai noodle just did not look fresh.
(2)Tom R.
I am a fan. We had multiple different dishes, and all of them we excellent. The heat was just right, and the Pad Thai and Pad Ped were excellent. My only complaint would be the Spring Rolls that were a little greasy. I will be back again.
(4)Amber R.
It's not disgusting. I love Ahan Thai but went here because the prices looked good online and I can't eat a full order of thai food anyways. They only had their lunch menu online- so it actually was just as expensive as Ahan Thai. The food was okay. Not good though (dry tofu, sauce overly sweet, broccoli just not very tasty). Ordered medium spice and it was very mild. They also used all styrofoam for my glass and food, and gave me a plastic bag, despite my eating there. So not very environmentally friendly.
(2)Freddie B.
Enjoyed some carry out from Thai Cafe for lunch.. We got the Pad Thai with chicken, the Pad Se Ew, the chicken satay, and the Siam Crispy Rolls.. Everything was pretty good.. Only issue being that we all said that we tasted seafood in our chicken like it was cooked with shrimp or next to it or something!!! I mean.. I still ate every bite. Didn't bug me that bad but my two buddies kind of disagreed. The Pad Se Ew was money (besides the shrimpy flavor).. The Siam Crispy Rolls we kind of bland.. Like mainly chicken and nothing else.. But I still liked them.. Just didn't blow my mind in anyway.. For the money it was good. Again, my friends were complaining a tad but I dug it!!
(3)Ashley M.
I am obsessed with their drunken noodle with chicken! It is so tasty.. It has the wide noodles and the sauce is so flavorful! I get medium and it's pretty spicy but I like spicy!! Also a perk that staff if friendly and quick! I get carry out here and it's always like 10-15 minutes and it's always ready on time.. I've tried a lot if Thai food in royal oak and this is definitely one of my top favorite places! You won't regret it :)
(5)Carly F.
Just got carry out for the first time. I got the chicken and veggie pad Thai medium. I live in walking distance and by the time I got home the bag was soaked in the oil from the noodles. It got all over my kitchen table. :( the food was okay, it wasn't spicy at all though. It was meh.
(3)Emily M.
Good stuff. Small place but wasn't busy for lunch. I got broccoli, rice and shrimp in the coconut curry sauce. It wasn't technically on the menu, but was based on a dish on the menu. I'm not giving the fancy name of the dish because I don't know it. The medium spice was perfect for me, pretty spicy but delicious. The broccoli was perfectly cooked and yummy. The fresh spring rolls were tasty and light. Good for lunch! Some seating outside, if you want it.
(4)Ann B.
i love this place! it's small and not too pricy and they're super friendly. they have the best thai food in the area, hands down.
(5)Sir Poop A.
Called for carry out. Very efficient on the phone. Quoted me 15 minutes, was ready in 11. Great food, levels of spicy-ness were accurate. Price was great. Tiny place if you want I eat there, so it will be my carry out go to... At that section of royal oak, parking not an issue either.
(5)John P.
Pad Ped Tofu and Pad Thai Chicken. Their spice levels correspond with my completely subjective idea of what "spicy" means, so that was nice. Medium gave me some tingling after a a few mouthfuls. Perfect. The Pad Thai dinner portion was huge (i.e. the sizes reflected in the user pictures are accurate). The dinner sized Pad Ped came in a pint-sized take out box, plus a side of rice. The tofu hot and sour soup and fresh roll was just OK. Pretty unremarkable, really. Nothing to write home about, but inexpensive, all things considered. We had it for takeout, though there are three or four tables in there. It's a very small spot, so don't expect to bring a dozen folks for a feast. All said, I greatly prefer this place to Siam Spicy. It's not as good as Rexy's was before it closed, but what is? Thai Cafe is our RO-area go-to.
(4)M S.
I did a carry out on drunken noodles with chicken and they were delicious. Phone order process was easy, they were ready in ten minutes, and still piping hot despite the fact that I walked home with them after picking the order up. The restaurant eat-in area isn't terribly inviting but I would definitely order take out from them again!
(4)Vanette G.
Pad Thai (3 stars) and general review (4): This was my first time at this place and I would come back again. I have yet to find a place as good as Bangkok Cafe in Farmington Hills for my usual veggie pad thai. I've tried many places and one just hasn't compared. This is a very small place with no more than 10 tables. It wasn't busy for a Saturday night. Our waiter was very friendly. I was in the mood for Medium spice and usually order mild plus at my regular place. The medium here was definitely not what I expected... More of a mild. Usually I need a bunch of water with the mild plus and I was totally fine this time. Also, I asked what type of veggies come in the mix and there was no mention of mushrooms. I can't stand mushrooms and unfortunately there were more than a few in my meal. Also, there was only one piece of broccoli. The portion was what I am used to getting for pad thai. One thing I loved about my meal was that the vegetables were all very fresh tasting (not frozen). I am giving the actual restaurant 4 stars. Staff was friendly, never had to wait for water refills, my friend loved her meal (it was good and fresh but tasted like no spice when it was supposed to be mild). All in all, I would come back if I were in the area.
(4)Shaheda K.
This is my go to thai place because it's near by where I am at usually. As I have left in my tip below, I mentioned how they have the friendliest staff you will ever encounter, well I wasn't lying about it. They are really nice, and make you feel comfortable. I only ever had fried rice and a soup here, but I have ordered noodles for my friend and honestly it always hits the spot. The decor is cozy feeling, although it is small, it is fitting because I imagine there is more take out then there is dine in. ( I dined twice only, and usually pick up). Also they are precise with their time, if they say 10 mins, they will be done before that 10 mins.
(3)Justin S.
Amazing food and service I'm def coming back asap! Had the I was sh!t faced lastnyt noodles and they were pretty on point. The tomyom soup was tomyummy and pop in the can is how I prefer to drink it. I didn't have to run to the bathroom 5 minutes after eating or mid meal so that always a great sign the place is good. Can't wait to take on more items on the menu! I mean it not exactly a 5 star venue but it's a great place to get it done..fill up and bounce. Tables clean, they use metal forks and no foul odors so say what u want I'm easy to pease.
(5)William S.
The absolute BEST Thai Restaurant in Metro Detroit!
(5)Gary R.
Actually this place is more of a 2.5 star rating but I rounded up just to be generous. The food the four of us had was ok, not great. I consider myself a Thai food aficionado and this place doesn't meet the standards I have for repeat visits. Its not that the food was bad - it was just so very inconsistent. The Tom Yam Gai soup was a little watery and didn't have that burst of flavor normally found in a good bowl. My princess stir fried pork ordered extra, extra hot came full of red chili flakes to the point of actually interfering with the taste of the food. I ALWAYS order Thai Hot when I get Thai food and can handle the heat. However, this one was over the top with the heat not part of the flavor but rather as an add on. I didn't like that. My wife's dish ordered Hot had the same affliction - too many red pepper flakes and the flavor was lost. Heat should be part of the flavor and infused with the cooking of the dish. My daughter's veggie dish was ordered mild and came out smoking with heat to the point she could barely eat it. Perhaps this was an off night but if not, I'd look for somewhere else to get my Thai fix. Plus if you want to eat inside there is room for maybe 8-10 people total. Really small.
(3)S F.
Decent Thai, however the service is awful. Drive a little further north to Siam Spicy
(1)Shannon A.
We often get take out from this tiny Cafe and it's always been delicious! The staff is friendly and the orders are ready fast. I love the Curry Pad Thai and their Tom Yum Soup is really good! All the Thai food classics are available and the spice level is always spot on... They do have a few tables for inside dining but it's small and I've only had take out... Cans of soda are available take out as well. We find ourselves going back to this spot time and time again and it's consistently good!
(4)Robert C.
Consistently good Thai food with consistently good, fast service. In my experience, fancy Tahi places are never as good as good as cheap, small, humble places, and this is a prime example of the latter. Noodle dishes are always good (and all we ever get!) Atmosphere is cozy, warm, simple. Only a few tables inside. Outdoor seating is available when it is not cold outside, but come 40-degree temps and the tables seem to vanish magically. Good-sized portions; one Pad-see-ew or Pad Thai will easily feed two average, hungry people. Lots of street parking, but it's Royal Oak and so this can be tricky depending on day and time.
(4)Daniel X.
For carryout, the prices are fine, but you really invariably wind up with srsly quality food for the money. It's not like your average thai carryout (with a handful of good stuff, but mixed with a minefield of bad options that are poorly executed, bland, watery, etc.). Literally everything is somewhere between above-average to fantastic. When choosing a spice level, go one up from the one you think you want. They skimp a little, but not much. Recommend the Spicy Beef w. Kaffir Lime Leaves. 10/10. (As of the date of this review, the menu apparently is not 100% up to date. Tried to order the banana cake recently and was told they don't have it.)
(5)Julieta D.
This tiny place is a staple in Royal Oak, and not suitable for very large groups. According to my husband, the food was excellent. I disagree. The "chicken pad thai" was nothing special. The pieces of chicken could actually be counted with one hand, and the noodles were flavorless. Staff was courteous, and the place was clean. It has a few tables, but is more of a carry out type of restaurant. I will make it my mission to find a better place to eat Thai food. Follow me on instagram @ julieta155
(2)Sarah H.
I've been coming to this place for years and love it. Small location with cozy seating but the food is excellent and the staff friendly. You never wait long, I always get the kow pad pak with pineapple. Medium is enough to make my mouth tingle but no fire, which is just how I like it.
(5)Heather J.
A craving for green tea and a bowl of miso hit me hard this Saturday night, possibly the worst possible time of the week in the Royal Oak/Ferndale corridor. All the local haunts, like Inyo and Ronin, get ridiculously busy. For something as simple as that, I couldn't justify driving all the way up to impeccable WOW Sushi and Noble Fish was already closed. Cue the beau to my rescue, wielding his hideous orange Detroit Tigers beanie, with the solution of a place we hadn't tried before. Thai Cafe serves up great Thai food in a cozy cafe in Royal Oak beside the credit union. Normally when we stop by this corner of town, it's first thing in the morning to get weekend banking done, not exactly prime time for Thai cravings. But tonight we found easy parking in front of Oakland Community College -- and you're welcome, fellow parking people, for the extra 45 minutes I plugged in for you -- and trotted across the street to find our relief. We came during a moderately busy wave with a lovely older couple in the corner, and quite a few people taking advantage of carry out. A pair of two-seater tables occupy a corner, a three-set in front of the window, and the rest are larger. For groups of 8 or more, this is not your restaurant without dishing out some advanced notice. I found the minimalist red interior charming. Sadly Thai Cafe didn't serve up miso, and I was only "medium hungry" so no tom yum soup (though it sorely tempted me, for $1.50 for a bowl). Don't let the petite menu avert your sensibilities. They use a lovely model, which is a single price for a list of entrees, like vegetarian, main entrees, and noodles, the fixed price based on the meat. Chicken, tofu, and beef are usually one price, "fancier" choices like shrimp $.50 to $1 more. Seafood and appetizers are priced individually, and beverage are no more than $2, including delicious Thai iced tea (dessert and a drink in a glass). Quality of food is high and preparation is swift. The beau went for his favourite Thai standard, pad thai, while I hemmed and hawed over the Pad Pak with coconut and the seriously tempting drunken noodle. Given my stomach has been lactose/milk sensitive of late, I veered for a mild-plus spicy drunken noodle with shrimp, and enjoyed the mix of noodles, bell peppers, and shrimp. Not disappointing at all. The sauce was a little bit heavy, but the shrimp were fat and well-coated, the veggies crisp, and the whole of it just that level of spice to make your tongue tingle. Definitely specify what you want because they do it hot. The pad thai did not disappoint, with the traditional slice of lemon and pile of gently grated peanuts, a very light sauce, and wonderfully thin noodles that wicked up the sauce well. The beau polished off his plate with a guilty grin that tells me all I need to know. Music from Clear Channel or a radio station plays quietly in the background, nothing at all intrusive. Service here is worth four stars in its own right. The young lady serving us worked all the tables well, refilling drinks, taking orders, and bringing boxes. The smile on her face the entire time was lovely to see, and she offered helpful suggestions when I was torn. Their most popular noodle choices are pad thai, drunken noodle, and curry noodle, and she also recommended V6 (spicy tofu and vegetables), suggesting you can substitute chicken or another meat if you want more. We really enjoyed our dining experience for under $20, drinks and food included. Thai Cafe gets added to the list of reliable Thai places in my neighbourhood, and one we shall definitely revisit again.
(4)Travis J.
A nice little Thai Cafe with standard Thai fair. Good service, friendly staff. I have only been once but I was happy with the food, portions, and atmosphere.
(4)Amber Y.
This is my go-to Thai place in Royal Oak. The pad-see-ew is delicious! It's fast, friendly, and cozy. I've always liked how it's a little quieter than Main street. Parking's a lot easier to get, you can usually get a spot right in front of the restaurant. If anyone asked me, I'd recommend this little joint over the main street place.
(4)Amy H.
Thai Cafe - you have totally redeemed yourself. We have come back for carryout a few more times and have been very pleased. Our new favorite dish is the Gang Gai curry with fried tofu. I ordered mine extra extra hot last night, and it was intense. Thick curry, and crunchy vegetables. I'm very happy that we gave Thai Cafe another chance.
(4)Jeff L.
I think this place serves some of the best Thai food around. I highly recommend it.
(5)Daniel S.
I like this little diner. It has a bit of the college vibe being next door to OCC. The staff is laid back and friendly. They took time answering our questions and swapping out ingredients without the slightest hint of annoyance. The drunken noodle and green curry are standouts on the menu. I'm a stickler for proper green curry paste. These guys use the real stuff. Try the green curry catfish for a change of pace.
(4)Ryan L.
I like Thai food a lot. I think it's the most flavorful of the different Asian cuisines. I go to Thai Cafe often. It's close, it's convenient and they have good food. It's not the best Thai in Detroit but I like that I don't have to drive too far to get good Thai food. The menu seems to be pretty standard and I have tried several of their dishes and all are pretty good. The dishes all come with choice of meat or tofu and are reasonably priced. In addition, you can get a bowl of hot and sour soup or tom yum soup or a spring roll for only $1.50 which is quite a deal. The only dish I've ever tried that I didn't like was the Long Song. My friend ordered it and it was pretty much broccoli covered in peanut butter. It was not very good. Not that it wasn't prepared well, but it's not what anyone expected. But now we all have something to laugh about when we go here. Thai Cafe has some out door tables in the summer. There are about six tables inside. It can get quite drafty in the winter since there's no airlock. This seems to be more of a take away type restaurant, but I've still had good service whenever I've gone. I know I'll eat there again in the near future. So should you.
(4)Rue A.
it's allright. nothing outstanding.
(3)Deborah B.
Been here 2x's in the past week. Very fresh, savory food. Staff understands what it means to be vegan and was extremely accommodating. We ordered the veg rolls, very fresh and yummy, and tom yum soup as starters. For our meal we had the string bean tofu (which also has egg plant in it) and pad pak with peanut sauce. Wonderful flavors in all the items we've. We've also had veggie pad-se-ew, which was also very good. I highly recommend this place...did I mention that the prices were reasonable!
(4)Zachary H.
Ever since Spice of Thai collapsed from the inside out, Thai Cafe' has been my choice for Thai food in Royal Oak. The food is good and portions are good based on prices. If you are dining in, space is limited. I only gave 4 stars because of the fact that I was not given white rice with my curry dishes on 2 occasions now.
(4)Brian P.
Good Thai food. We usually go here at least 2 to 3 times a month. The place is small (really small) but the food is good and the staff is super friendly. The only time I'm annoyed is when I can't get a seat. Nice outdoor patio area in the summer also. The Pad Thai with fried tofu is the best!
(4)Kristin G.
I am no expert on Thai food. All I know is that Thai Cafe is consistently good. It's fast, it's affordable and their food is always tasty. They aren't breaking any new ground in the world of Thai food, they make all the dishes that I've come to love with Thai food and they make them well. That right there is enough for me to keep coming back. My favorite is Pad Pak with fried tofu. I go for spicier...and they don't hold back so be sure if you're spice shy to ask for mild. Lunch at Thai Cafe comes with complementary soup, usually something along the lines of egg drop soup, I believe. I love their green tea as well. The service is always friendly, but the place is small. That's the only downside, although I've never had to wait for a table. All in all, it's a solid choice if you want some delicious thai made fast and for a great price!
(4)Jordan S.
Thai food is a bit of a mystery in Royal Oak. There are so many options to choose from and they are all pretty tied with each other, but Thai Cafe is growing on me as a favorite (Spring/Summer 2012 - who knows whats going to happen in the next 3 months) Thai Cafe isn't the best, but I would say overall its the most consistant, and its a very consistent 'Decent' The Old Church & Thai on Main both have beaten Thai Cafe, but they have also been way worse too. With Thai Cafe you know you're going to get a nice decent meal. The lady in there is always friendly and they are really fast too. They used to always be out of fresh rolls but they have had them lately and they have been really good too. ==================================================Â============= TRIVIA: They filmed a few episodes of HBO's 'Hung' above Thai Cafe - that's neat!
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