This place was one of our favorites when we lived in Nob Hill, but being a die hard Yelper I still checked the recent reviews on here before we hit them up for a Sunday lunch last week. I saw the comments on service and quality of food and almost reconsidered going to what had been a favorite haunt less than a year prior! I'm so glad I didn't let a few sour folks dissuade me. Service was punctual, attentive but not overly so, not chatty--just right. The food came out quickly but it did taste a little different than it used to. The Rainforest Fried Rice used to be like crack to us, but now it's just normal good. You won't see me burying my entire face in a plate of it anytime soon. I would go again, but only if I was already in the neighborhood, and even then I'd probably hit up Red Onion instead.
(4)
Kristina K.
The atmosphere here is great, especially if you sit outside in nice weather. The food, however, is sub-par. This is not Thai food. The Pad Thai was a color I've never seen Pad Thai be before. Very orange and very greasy. Ew. Go to Red Onion down the street. MUCH better and more authentic.
(2)
Jason F.
No idea why people are complaining about the service. When i went, the staff were all very nice. Speed was about average. The food was really good. The coconut tofu was probably the highlight of the meal.
(4)
Maureen M.
I would have rated it a 4 but I ordered this teriyaki chicken for my son and it was so bad. The chicken was so dry that if I bought chicken at Costco and microwaved it would still taste better. It tasted Iike it's old meat that's been in the freezer for a long time. I was just in awe that it came from the same kitchen as my noodles did. The noodles however was really good. Sadly that one dish ruined it for me that I probably won't be back.
(3)
K. K.
Really good food! Excellent service by a very nice waiter. We sat outside on the patio a warm evening and really enjoyed ourselves. :)
(4)
Dana K.
Let me start off by saying that I've been To this restaurant a number of times, and I probably would have given it a 4-star rating if it wasn't for tonight's uber disappointment. Though the service was good and the flavors in my dish were pretty good, the vegetables used in cooking my fried rice were literally all out of a cheap frozen mixed vegetable bag, NOTHING was fresh-- you know those bags of frozen veggies you can get for a dollar in the frozen food isle that contain carrots, peas, Lima beans, chopped green beans & corn? That's what the veggies in my rice consisted of. When's the last time you had corn and Lima beans in a thai dish? Seriously so sad & disappointed! Tara Thai definitely lost me as a customer tonight, which is too bad because I live in the neighborhood & eat thai food once or twice a week. If you're looking for fresh & authentic thai food you should definitely try somewhere else, as freshness is not the priority here, regardless of what their slogan claims. I instead suggest on taking your money to a Thai food cart where your order will be less expensive, more authentic & actually contain fresh veggies.
(2)
Tony F.
The BEST Thai I have EVER eaten (and I visited Thailand for a couple weeks)!! The outdoor/patio seating is awesome, and the waiter we had was great! I can't believe this place had a 3 star rating...don't be a sheep...think for yourself!! Drinks are fantastic as well.
(5)
Eduardo O.
Food is alright, felt super rushed by staff though... The lady in the back came up to me and tried to get me to order something else when I wasn't even totally done with my entree.
(3)
Elise M.
Been to this place 4 times and am shocked every time at how rude the owner is. Each time I've gone in she's either closed me out or waited on me and has acted like I was a HUGE inconvenience for her. I figured I just caught her having a bad day the first couple times, but the last time I went I to pick up takeout I thanked her and asked her if I could get some spices also, and she walked away from me before I even finished speaking. I still kindly thanked her and went on my way. Their food asked least that I've had has been pretty good, the calimari I would recommend staying away from though..never had calimari in my life that snapped and hit me in the face when I took a bite lol! I'd if it is just a cheaper version of "calimari" but I was disappointed when I saw there were no legs & only the cut up circular rubbery tube pieces.. Overall: Place has decent food. Staff is not very kind. If that is important to you when spending the money to dine out I would avoid eating here :)
(2)
J D.
Although I live in a diverse city like SF, I don't think we have a single Laotian restaurant. So on my trip to Portland, I was delighted to find a Laotian restaurant! I don't know how their Thai food is but I can def vouch for their Laos menu. It's brief but very solid. Get the #34 lettuce wraps as either a meal or app- it won't disappoint. Ask them to make it spicy! Thai food is everywhere and mostly unspectacular so I'm sure the negative reviews reflect that. But give their Laos menu a try!
(5)
Charmaine S.
We sat outside and it was lovely! Service was good, food was pretty great, and I love the old house they're in! Made for a good experience, discovering a new Thai restaurant. They have their own twists on things as well, my pad Thai was good, but different from other places!
(4)
Lisa G.
Just went there to have a meal on patio - the waiter had such an attitude, I left. Too bad, I love Thai food and new to neighborhood.
(1)
A O.
Excellent food, the prices are right, location and service are incredible. It's towards the end of 23 in terms of commercial joints. Went there on the recommendation of a friend and was not disappointed. They have a surprisingly long menu that goes far beyond the typical pad Thai, pad kee mao, etc. will definitely be returning.
(5)
Whitney H.
Was hoping to dine at this place tonight, as I used to come here all the time back in the 2000s. Was calling just to see if they take reservations on their porch. First call was a pick-up - hang up. So I called back, and a man said "don't call again, I'm too busy to answer right now." And another hangup. Not much else to review after that exchange.
(1)
Annabelle C.
Any Way You Want It Tara's Combo - 3 Choices: $10.95 Try a little of everything! Make your own combo... all combos served with sweet chili sauce and our delectable peanut sauce. Combination plate includes your choice of: 2 BBQ chicken sticks, 2 fried rolls, 2 salad rolls, 3 crab wontons, 4 deep fried tofu or 2 coconut shrimp. Kaeng Paneng Curry served with Brown Rice: $9.25 Fresh Asian pumpkin, tofu, green beans and fresh basil simmered in red curry paste with coconut milk. When anyone walks through Portland's Northwest district, they are overwhelmed with cafes, family-owned restaurants, and bars with local beers on tap. Most of them are adorned with hand painted signs or tables outside, indicating that they are open for business. In the case of Tara Thai, if you aren't sure what you're looking for, you might walk right passed it. This adorable thai restaurant resides inside a blue house with white trim. Designed like a B&B, as you step inside to what you think is a living room, you see the hostess counter. Outside is a dual-level deck surrounded by fences, vines, and the trees that make Portland's patio experiences so fresh. Tara is owned and operated by a family straight out of the heart of Phuket, and their food is hard evidence. Their menu is gigantic, without being overwhelming, and they've made it even easier by providing over a dozen lunch specials during the day. The staff is about as friendly as they come, and are never annoyed by my vegetarian preference or substitutions for brown rice. My Only Warning: I took a couple of my friends last week, one of whom is from the south (as far south as you can consider Tennessee) and prides himself on his craving for a good kick of spice. The "hot" option at Tara (4/5 on the scale) nearly killed him. Order at your own risk. trustmytongue.com/home/t…
(4)
Erin B.
After traveling all day, we came upon this little beauty. It was an AMAZING meal. I had the Pad Kee Mao, it is the best I've ever had! Honestly and Thai food is my favorite!! The servers were so nice and so friendly! I made the mistake of ordering my dish just veggies and I asked if it was too late to add some beef and our server ran in the back and changed it for me! (He was also very attentive to our waters and just making sure we were happy!) the food was amazing. It really really was. I would come all the way back here just for this! And I probably will!
(5)
Haley J.
The royal fried rice looked pretty, but basically was rice in a hollowed out pineapple mixed with cheap frozen vegetables. Extremely slow service, didn't get enough silverware or water cups, and lots of Mosquitos on the patio
(2)
Danna N.
Food isn't all that great but that's not actually my issue... The owner should really choose where he looks at naked pictures of women. I totally walked by while he was on his laptop behind the bar. I really don't want to know what he was doing under the bar. Won't be going back
(2)
Mike W.
Mediocre thai food at best.I have lived in NW for a while now and I find that Tara Thia is really hit or miss. I really enjoy happy hour beer and apetizers in the summer, they have a great little deck but if I wan't good take-out, I'll normally skip this place and drive down to E-San. The yellow curry tastes like curry powder added to coconut milk. There is minimal flavor and has a mutant yellow color to it. It was memorable in a way that I know to never order it again. The Pad Prik Khing is one of my favorit dishes to order at any thai joint and it tasted far better than the curry did. The green beans sitll had some snap to them, there was some nice heat to the soy/ginger sauce. The service is always quick and friendly, they have a small bar area and they show the Blazer games. All in all, Tara Thai is just another run of the mill joints that is convenient if you live in the Alphabet District but would never give you a reason to go out of your way to drive to.
(3)
Susan T.
I eat out exclusively at Thai restaurants. I ordered a tom Khao soup; it was very below standard. It was so poorly made. No flavor, very plain ingredients. I regret coming to this place. I should have read the bad reviews first before coming here to eat. The price is very high when the quality is so awful. Every meal is above $10.00, even for lunch.
(1)
DA Y.
Pricey tourist trap and serving small serving sizes. We had to order pizza after spending $40 since we're still hungry. The server was nice but they were understaffed.
(2)
D T.
Service was attentive and very friendly but food sucked!!! I looove pad see ew and this was awful, I have had better pad see ew from fast food thai places in Seattle malls
(1)
Luke O.
This was phenomenal! I've never eaten Laotian food before, but this makes me want to do it again. Coconut-battered tofu and a dish of lettuce wraps with ground chicken, peanuts, and deep-fried rice was so good and filling. Highly recommend this place!
(5)
Michelle W.
This review was based solely on service because well, we didn't get served. Granted it was a busy night on the patio, but after seating ourselves we had a gentleman talk to us and leave. A server then brought us water and menus. Almost 15 minutes later the server asked us if we had ordered. We said no and asked if she could she take our order. She said no. So we left.
(1)
Rhs D.
This was my first time to Tara Thai and it was a nice and pleasant experience with average to above average food. The spices were great and the beef was tender and tasted of descent quality. I enjoyed their hot and sour soup that came with my lunch entree. The meal didn't blow me away but it was good! Their prices were great in my opinion as well. I'd recommend this place and I'll be back at some point.
(4)
Evelyn S.
After a wonderful day of wine tasting, I was the designated driver, we were exhausted but needed some food. We chose Tara because it was close to where everyone had parked their cars. My meal was satisfying and filling but it was also extremely over salted, I could feel myself blowing up bite by bite. I enjoyed a combination dinner for $15.95, it included a chicken dish with broccoli and green beans with a light green curry, this dish was really good and prepared perfectly. The spring rolls were not great, nor were the crab wontons I sampled. The soup that was served with my meal was really mediocre although oddly I ate it all. I don't think I'll be headed back anytime soon, but if I do I plan to try the lettuce wraps, they looked really good. The decor is shabby, and could really do with some sprucing up. The bathroom was not pleasant. The service was ok, but something was off, I was uncomfortable each time the server approached the table with a plate, he just did not seem to have any finesse about placing the dish on the table, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it was a little disconcerting.
(3)
Lynn W.
I got there a bit before dinner, so I may have beat their cook to the mark, but my noodles were disappointing and kinda slippery-- and almost indistinguishable from some of the baby bok choy pieces. I took the waiter's recommendation and tried the drunken noodles -- medium spicy, and it was too bland for my taste -- and very lightly salted and seasoned in general. The background oyster sauce flavor was also a little distracting, but that may just be me -- as it is not one of my favorite flavors. All in all, it was a satisfying, if somewhat pale meal.
(3)
Chad C.
I decided to try this place out instead of getting Subway for lunch one day last week. Had pork pad thai - perfect portion size, MASSIVE amount of crazy delicious peanut sauce, and it included a little salad! I would've rated four stars but, man, $10 for lunch? I know this place probably has a crazy expensive lease, but I can get thai food that's equally amazing elsewhere for significantly less - even at dinner.
(3)
Adam D.
Solid food and service, but nothing that blows you away.
(3)
Keith D.
No.
(1)
J J.
This is my go-to spot. I think the food is always fast & good, the staff friendly and the location perfect. There is off street parking in the back. The large patio shaded by a huge tree is the best spot in the summer! Yum.
(5)
Sarah M.
I've eaten and made a lot of Thai food and Tara Thai was phenomenal! It's now my favorite Thai in Portland! The classic Pad Thai was perfectly dressed, not too saucy or not enough, but just right. The combination of sweet, salty, sour and spicy were all there in present. The green curry was also just as delicious! I was honestly blown away by the quality of there dishes in comparison to other Portland Thai restaurants. If you like spice, this is your place!! Also, I'm gluten intolerant and they made the pad Thai without the soy sauce and it was just as good!! So happy to finally have a good GF Thai option!!
(5)
Shannon J.
I can't say much about food. It's just fine. I like it mostly for the beautiful balcony with the old oak on sunny days. It's so neat eating below the 500year old tree. That's my favorite spot on the 23rd.
(4)
Arlyn S.
Best pad Thai I've tasted. Something about it. That extra layer of flavor. We haven't found any better.
(5)
Aimee L.
Spec-tacular pumpkin curry w/ tofu. Perfect. I'd give five stars except the "side salad' was a few pieces of weak iceberg lettuce and a bit of dressing. Hmph. Service was uneventful - nothing amazing. Love the outdoor seating under that big beautiful tree. Again, LOVED the curry - perfect flavor, perfect level of spice. Will be back.
(4)
Nikee W.
Pretty decent little thai place. They had lots of items too choose, some with very silly names. The salad rolls were not my favorite but the rice dishes we tried were good but not great.I had a dish with yellow curry in rice. I would have enjoyed it more had it not had the frozen style veggie merely mixed in. I much would have preferred if it had onions or bell papers mixed in instead.
(3)
Matt S.
My favorite thing about Tara Thai is that it is 'Thai-Laotian' food, which sounds very exotic to my small town ears. Visit #1: I ordered one of the unusual-special sounding dishes that I think qualified as 'Laotian' and it was really good. I was excited to return on a future Portland visit. Visit #2: I was feeling like a more standard Thai dish, so I went with the red curry. (Although it had some funky name like 'The Evil Dragon Arises') The curry was actually pretty disappointing. Tofu wasn't very thoughtfully prepared and the potatoes weren't super either. Partner ordered Kemao and it seemed fairly average. One 4-star visit + One 2-star visit = 3 stars, and I'll probably give another Thai place a shot next time I'm in town.
(3)
M K.
The food I had was awesome. They have a fantastic lunch menu with very reasonable prices. You can order a spring roll or egg roll at luch for $1 more - I got the spring roll & it & the fish sauce serve with it were fantastic - there was a small amount of heat to the sauce which was very nice. The tom yam soup served with it was good, and the brown rice (not your normal brown rice; $1 extra at lunch) was amazing - nutty, great texture. I had the kaeng phet khiao which was superb & I took a good deal of it home with me. I also had to order the mango with sticky rice to go; shared that after dinner & we both loved it. Somehow, this thai food really appealed to me - all the spices & flavors came together just right.
(5)
Grace G.
The food at Tara Thai is great! It is fresh and hot, and it really satisfies my Thai food cravings! The staff is another story. To their benefit, there was a huge outdoor party that was taking up most of their attention, but I felt like an afterthought, even on my own birthday! The food was up quick, but no one came around to refill our glasses, and it took about twenty minutes to pay after the check came. Good food, but they could use a few more staff members
(3)
Carolyn C.
Best Tom Kha soup you will find anywhere. Their pineapple curry is also good (just ask for pineapple with your chicken curry since it isn't on the menu). There is a front porch right on 23rd you can sit on and people-watch from, and there is a side/back porch too. The inside offers a bar/tv area (really nice when you're waiting for takeout) and a regular dining area.
(4)
Courtney D.
Outdoor setting and peanut sauce simply the best Can outdoor seating get any better than sitting on a wrap-around porch under an oak tree staring up the stars? I think not although I might make an argument that the only thing better would be their peanut sauce on some of their yummy Pad Thai in front of you. I know it's boring with all the creative dishes to try here, but I can't help it because I love their chicken Pad Thai that much. The peanut sauce makes it, which is absolutely the best in P-town. You know how some are too sweet, spicy or too heavy on the ginger? This one gets it all right. It's so good that they sell it to go. I've heard that their Larb is also very good, especially if you like your chicken dish spicy. Tip: Order the Thai Ice Tea, especially in the summer out on the porch.
(5)
Liz R.
mango paradise. enough said.
(4)
C M.
My friend and I went here for lunch today after we found out PK thai was closed on Sunday. The food was good. We had the thai pork salad and the pad see ewe. However, the waitress's service was not up to par. She acted like taking our order was putting her out. She also over charged us for the salad by 3 dollars. (it was on the check as $17.95 and it was on the menu as $14.95 -- which is still very pricey for what it was. I have been to plenty of thai places in Portland that have been just as good food wise with way better service and way better prices!
(2)
R R.
Very disappointed in the food. The Tom Yum was horrible. I can't remember what else I ordered, because I didn't even finish it! I've experienced much better Thai food at places in Hawaii, San Francisco, CA and Mt. Vernon, Washington. Also, the owner came in while we were eating and was upset that the back door was locked and was yelling at the kitchen staff. It was very unprofessional with customers there eating. Would not eat here again.
(1)
david h.
Appetizers were great and we were expecting the same for the main course. However, we were very, very, very disappointed. I ordered the "house special noodles" thinking that it would be amazing since it's there "thing." The sauce had zero taste and the noodles were so over cooked, i couldn't pick them up with a fork:( Didn't even come close to finishing the plate. My girlfriend had vegetables in a sauce that was served separated into layers with sludge at the bottom and oil on top (she wrote this) I said she had the same experience. Save your money and tummy by avoiding this place at all cost. Worst thai food ever
(1)
Izzy N.
This is really good thai? yea right. But I'll forgive you since you're from Indiana... where I felt like I was punished to die while attending college and the asian food scene was either non existent or was as "good" and sometimes worse! than panda express. I'm sadly not kidding. (I'd trek to different towns in the state during downtime or for work) So back to my point, I had a business lunch here and I had the pad thai and the other review was right. It was on the sweeter side.. I did not like. Contained lots of carrots, carrots as the garnish, carrots in the noodles. The carrots were undercooked, maybe not at all. I've eaten lotsa pad thai before, it's one of my all time favorite dishes but... ew. Another person at my table had pineapple fried rice, he said it was ok. My party agreed. Very disappointing Thai food. Keep in mind there's a touch of laotian cuisine on the menu.. maybe that's why it sux. Lao's isn't known for their magical cuisine, trust me.. I'm a southeast asian so I can say something. They had a dish which they called banh seo on the menu... Vietnamese has the same exact dish but it's spelled banh xeo... phonetic spelling there? (the x is pronounced like an s in vietnamese.. that's when you can smell a phony) hmmm very interesting, and you call yourself a thai and laos restuarant. Service was nice but that's about it. I would never come back. I know you've been in business for a long time and since then, thousands of other thai places have sprouted up so why not step up your game some, or MUCH MORE! you suck.
(1)
chris m.
it's funny that this place gets such bad reviews. it's really pretty good, and the particular selling point is the weird stuff. they've got a laotian bit on the menu that's full of stuff you won't see anywhere else. sure, the curry is nothing to write home about (though, unlike the other person who had the bad tom kha, i had some pretty darn good tom kha here, and i make the stuff myself at times...er...which should serve to illustrate that i know what i'm talking about? i'm not sure why that's relevant. but i like me some tom kha. how about that?) which is interesting. also, they have the best squid salad in town, and i have tried a few. it's actually meal sized unlike the appetizer-sized portion at the green papaya! and as a cuttlefish connoisseur...mm. the curry is pretty middle-of-the-road, but i've liked all the weird stuff i got here. papaya salad? check. sticky rice? cute little containers and pretty tasty. spring rolls? well, i've never had a freaking awesome spring roll, so i'm not taking off for that, since the peanut sauce was plenny ok. all in all, it's one of the few asian places open on sunday on nw 23rd so i keep going there when sushiplaces, miso happy, and be won are all closed. damnit.
(4)
Marki V.
Not the best but decent. Pad Thai: Not my favorite since it is on the sweeter side. Hoo Mok Talay (#64): Combination seafood from the tank below (darn it, I missed the mussels) cooked with red curry, coconut milk and egg. Not sure why they needed an egg but it didn't ruin anything, but overall it was good. (In case you are wondering whats swimming, it's fish, scallop, shrimp and squid. You figure out which ones which!) _ O "Stop staring" |_|\ "That's my dinner" |. |. | | |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~| | O \ \ | / / | | o , \ \ I / / | | o ___///___ , " " , , ( ) | | /_o) ) ) ) \ / ", \ \ / / ," ," " , \" "/ | | __\ ) ) ) )( i____i ", \ \ / / ," V | | \ ) ) ) ) / \ i ___ i | | ' ' ' ' \\' ' ' ' ' ' '' O | | ,_ _,, _,,,,-""o==----------- \ \ | / / o | | ,-'' `, `, , '' \ \I/ / ____//__ o | | / ,.- ,,----.-=" '' ' ( ) \ / ( ( o_ \ | | ,'````/,, '',, \" "/ )( ( ( \ _ | | ;, , /, ",, V / \ ( ( / | | !,' " '' ' ' '\\' '' ''''' | | //\\ | |_________________________________________________ ____| Coconut Ice cream: Homemade. Good not best (I think Typhoon has better) Tara has great outdoor seating but you gotta wait for summer (remember summer??) Not sure why they have 'Golden Eagle' an Indian beer, but stay away from it. I was going to give 4 stars but one more star off for their smelly carpet, it does over power curry smell sometimes.
(3)
Drew G.
Anything that shows up that fast can't be good. My curry dish tasted like it had come from a Campbell's soup can. Vegetables were ridiculously overcooked and limp, but the chicken was undercooked. Not a good combination. I guess they earn the one star for the fact that the meal arrived less than 5 minutes after ordering. Must have Panda Express-style warming trays of the various dishes in the back. Just the way mom used to do it! I won't be going back.
(1)
Angela B.
My fave place for Thai in the summertime..amazing outdoor deck that is fenced-in to quiet the street noise on 23rd so you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The food here is always fresh and delicious! I always start with one of the coconut-based soups and everytime I slurp my first bite I ask for a moment of silence because the flavor is So-Damn-Good!!! I love the curry dishes (anything with green curry) and I always order a plate of Pad Thai...delish!!!
(4)
Maura P.
this was okay. ordered the Pad Prik Khing but received some other stir-fry instead. it was good. the green curry was very thin and had little flavor other than the coconut milk. Next time I'm up that way I'll try again to see how other dishes fare.
(3)
Tiffanie S.
Really good thai and the service was good too. Enough left over to take home for later.
(4)
Anne S.
I love Thai. Of course I have my favorites in town (cough, E-San, cough) but I'm always willing to try a new place. I went here tonight with a friend because it was a 90 degree day and we wanted to eat outside. She had suggested it as they have a great outdoor patio (and they do have a great outdoor patio). Things started off great but took a terribly bad turn for the worse...so much so that my husband is still wondering why we stayed. My friend ordered the Papaya Salad as it's one of her favorites. I had never had it but when it arrived she suggested I take some. As I'm getting ready to take my first bite she says, "Oh, this doesn't taste good. I'm not sure you want to eat it." Sure enough, I take a bite and it tastes fishy...not just a little fishy, not just like some fish sauce but like they poured some rotten fish juices over the top of this salad. So, after a few minutes we decide she should let them know and so my friend stops a man who has been busing tables, etc (not our server) to let him know. His instant reply is, "What do you want me to do? Or are you just complaining?" I have never in my life experienced this kind of service, in a restaurant or otherwise. She tries to explain that she's eaten this salad many times, at different places, and it's never been this fishy. He continues to get more and more aggressive, cutting her off and telling her that she can't compare their papaya salad with other restaurants. He is clearly angry and offended. Three different times he comes back to the table, papaya salad plate still in hand, and aggressively confronts my friend who finally says, "Never mind." But, no, he would not let it be. He tells her that there's no fish in it. She tells him to taste it. He tells her he talked to the cooks. She tells him to taste it and states that the menu says there is fish in it. In the end, he begrudgingly "took it off the list" (meaning didn't charge her for it) and came back one last time to inform her there's no fish in it, just shrimp. Uhhhh, last I checked shrimp = fish. Do yourselves a favor...go to Thai anywhere...anywhere but here.
(1)
Esther Y.
Passable, but not great. Definitely WAY better than Typhoon! downtown. I came here to meet a group of friends, and I was the only non-Oregonian...I hail from the San Francisco Bay Area. Being Asian myself and growing up around a lot of great Asian restaurants in California, I think I am a bit more of an Asian food snob now. So read this review with that in mind. My party ordered pad see ew, lat nah (rad na), pad thai, pineapple fried rice, and one more dish I can't remember. I'm not Thai, but I've had enough good authentic Thai food to know that the flavors were slightly off. The pad see ew was probably the only thing that I didn't mind eating more of. I can't comment too much on the prices since I'm still eating my way around Portland and determining my price ladders, but compared to California, this is pretty expensive. But then again, there's no tax, so...maybe it all evens out in the end. The huge Oregon White Oak outside is pretty impressive though (it's a Portland Heritage Tree!). One really nice thing about this restaurant is that it has its own parking lot in the back. That's handy because it's pretty difficult to find street parking...
(3)
Suzanne F.
Lovely deck, most beautiful tree in all of Portland right beside said deck, & best duck curry I've ever had! instead of the old game, 'Duck, Duck, Goose', maybe this review should just be 'Deck, Duck, Deck'. Support this small place - it's really tasty. Not the best Thai food I've ever eaten, but very good. The service isn't fantastic, but they seem to try & are sincere - that counts for something. Seriously, order the Duck Curry. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Mountain T.
Worst Tom yum soup I've ever had. Strange almost Disgusting Singapore noodles. I like Thai food but will never go back again.
(1)
Lauren A.
It was better Thai than what I could have made, but not by much. It was fairly forgettable. They seem to be understaffed too. :-/
(2)
Darrin R.
I went today with my family and dog, we wanted to eat outside and it seemed such a bother for staff, they basically rolled their eyes and could not believe that someone wanted to sit outside. We decided to leave since I was not going to spend money and be treated like that. I did try food here two years ago and it was ok, service was terrible but I thought I would try again. We decided to eat at red onion up the street. Now this is great food, great service, I will continue to stick to my favorite Thai restaurant.
(1)
Lin N.
Service was wonderful. And the fried ice cream...oh the fried ice cream... covered in caramel and chocolate sauce and whip cream. I don't think anything about that is traditional, but it was damn good! The atmosphere was bland and average (like the food). They do have a large outdoor seating area. Some seating at the bar as well.
(3)
erin b.
I love pad kee mao but was disappointed with it here. noodles were over cooked (or maybe over soaked) so they were too soft. lunch entrees come with soup or salad, nice addition. the atmosphere is nice, I was able to sit and read a book for class while I ate. is come back to try a rice curry dish possibly but I wouldn't order my fav thai dish here again. I'm not even excited about taking home the left overs... I hate writing a negative review but I just didn't have anything else to write home about here.
(3)
Hui K.
My thoughts on this place may be skewed based on the fact that I was there with 10 other people. *So a large group disclaimer! **I will rate this a 2/5 only based on that fact, if I were here with lets say two other people and we had this kind of service and wait time, a definite ZERO! Pros: 1. Food was good. 2. Good venue, love the location, you can go shopping before you eat, or have a stroll down the street after you've finished dinner. 3. Good vibe inside, it's quiet and it's located in a large house that was probably transformed into a restaurant. Cons: 1. Took 1 hour for food to come out (Again, I was with a large group, but still, this is far too long, and NO, it was not incredibly busy when we were there, just a moderate amount of people). 2. It's not as if all our food came out at the same time, NO, food would come out for like two people, then 15min later, for someone else, then like 10min later, for the rest, so once it all came out, the first person would have a cold dish... 3. I love Thai food, but it wasn't as if this was out-of-this-world amazing, I could go to another Thai place for about $2 cheaper and without the hour long wait time. I recommend: - Two to three people MAX. No large groups. - Get the Pad See Ew (Food). - Enjoy the surrounding neighborhood (A lot of shops, etc).
(2)
Jane H.
More than anything else, this is a review for our waiter. I believe his name was Bob. What a guy. Attentive, sweet, and efficient. This guy deserves a raise. The food here was good. A large group of us had the Kee Mao, Panang Curry, something called "James Bond Fried Rice", Salad Wraps, and a Beef Salad. It all tasted great. One thing though, and I could be mistaken... I think I sensed some Splenda in the Thai Iced Tea. I am not a fan of this.
(4)
Theresa S.
The food was fresh , it just wasnt special. The server moved us rather than wipe down an outdoor table that had ants on it. He seemed perturbed. He also offered to bring out condements when we asked whether we could get our dished spicy, but he didnt bring them out with the food.
(3)
Ryan A.
This is one of the places we regularly choose between when going and getting Thai food (either to dine-in or take home). As with all of them, they have their good days and their bad, but to stay on the list means not having a truly bad experience. In general, we have really good food from here and it has certainly been on an upswing lately. The parking around here is better than some of our other regular spots, which means it has been one of our more frequented Thai places lately. If you're eating in and it's a nice day, they have a beautiful patio. All in all, I rarely have anything bad to say about Tara Thai. Still not that elusive 5-stars, but pretty gosh darn good.
(4)
DJ G.
Given how stupendous the giant tree outside is, perhaps my hopes were a little skewed from the start. The menu had genuine Thai recipes I hadn't seen anywhere else for a long time...can't remember any of them, but the specialties looked great. All were about $16-$18. After my dinner partner skillfully karate-chopped a glass of water all over the table, we ordered Tom Yum soup, Pad Kee Mao and the mango paradise. All about $10... The Tom Yum soup was rich and tasty. No fish spines to be found, another reason to like soup in the US versus the real place! Drunken noodles, with giant, steroid-grown rice noodles as wide as my hand (or do I have small hands?!), had a good texture. I don't recall being asked how spicy I wanted my food, and it was a little bland. Nothing a bit of hot sauce couldn't fix. The mango paradise was a bit of a let down. The mango was WAY too hard; it felt like eating a green mango. Given, we are in the middle of winter in Oregon and I sound like a total bitch, but I just hate unripe mango! Perhaps I could have forgiven that and chalked it up to winter fruit quality and unreasonable expectations...but THEN the dessert of sticky rice and mango with coconut ice cream came out and the mango was perfect. And so was the ice cream. I almost gave this 4 stars just for this dessert...absolutely delicious. Took 98% of my self-control not to lick the serving plate. Still wish I had... I want to go back and try the specialties one of these days - some places do those really well and the main dishes aren't so hot - but I'm not sold on Tara with One Thai just a quick bike ride from my house. Perhaps a warm evening seated on the deck would be nice followed by a stroll with the Glitterrati on 23rd to follow it up.
(3)
Kieran H.
Great little Thai place with the unique addition of Lao food. Friendly service, easy atmosphere, good prices. I recommend the Miang Kum appetizer, the Tom Kha soup, and the Nem Khao. Their Sa-Teh is excellent as well.
(4)
Jay F.
This place is just great. I've been here at least 30 times, and they have yet to disappoint me. The service is fast, and more importantly the food is spectacular. However, before I start gushing all over the place, I should probably confess something. Despite the high volume of business they've gotten from me, I've only ever had a handful of their dishes. Once or twice the Pad Thai, some chicken Sa-Teh here and there, but mostly just a lot of Larb. And to the unacquainted -- no, I'm not a poor speller that likes to dine on heaping spoonfuls of rendered animal fat. Here's the menu definition of Larb: "A cold dish. Ground chicken mixed in roasted ground rice, dried pepper, lemon grass, shallots, slices of onion, mint leaves, cilantro and light fish sauce." Would you like that with some sticky rice and peanut sauce? Yes please. Can I eat it with my bare hands? By all means. This folks, is the stuff of my dreams. Decadence in simplicity. The location isn't half bad either. It's a little deep in NW, but I still encourage you to travel by foot if at all possible. Parking is severely limited, and trying to get a spot around the weekend dinner rush will leave you walking a few blocks anyway. Once you make it, try to sit outside if weather and space permit. The deck is open and breezy, and gets great shade from one of the coolest trees to behold, at least in town (you'll know what I mean when you see it). I've asked them a few times what it's called, but I can never seem to concentrate on their answer while wrist deep in Larb. Oh well, I suppose there's always next time. Food - 5/5 Atmosphere - 5/5 Tripworthy - 5/5 Average Meal - $20 (A sixer of Sa-Teh, Larb and a drink)
(5)
Wayne R.
Ugh, worst Pad Thai in Portland, possibly the US. How do you mess that up? I've tried it twice, then switched to a couple of other items. (lunch friends keep dragging me) Mostly uninspired fare that looks like regular noodles with a frozen veggie medley thrown in. Despite the fact they have one of the nicest outdoor seating areas in the NW I will not be going back. AVOID.
(1)
Kody L.
You have to know how to maneuver Tara Thai's menu. There are a ton of options and many of them you won't see on other menus -- appreciate this as Thai restaurant pop up all over the city just acting as different versions of each other. The Thai staple of Pad Thai is surprisingly awful here. I don't know how you mess it up or if I'm just ignorant and their version is from a certain region and I should expect the flavor. Whatever region that is, I don't like their version. Everything else is good. I love the James Bond Fried Rice, their curries and Pad Se Ew. The staff is really friendly. One waitress in particular remembers me and is friendly, jokes around and is very sweet. I like supporting this family-owned business. This place gets an extra star just for the location and possibly the best outdoor seating in the NW 23rd area. It's huge, not over-seated and has just the right shade and sun mixture. Just don't choose to sit in the room to the left of the entrance: it's so uncomfortable and feels like you're having a conversation with everyone else in that room. The room to the right has a lot of light and overlooks the outdoor patio area.
(4)
Nikki K.
Tara Thai has great food. I love visiting here when it's nice out. Sitting outside on their patio under that gorgeous huge Oak tree has a nice peaceful feel to it. I have cravings on a regular basis for their Tom Yum Soup w/ Chicken. The flavors are so perfectly balanced. I also really like the Yellow Curry Chicken dish w/ sticky rice. The sauce is great, a little sweet, a little spicy if you order it medium spice level, and all the veggies have the perfect crunch to them, never overdone. And the portions are a really decent size, so you feel like you are getting your money's worth. Now, I have to agree completely with Kody L. about the Pad Thai, it is surprisingly awful. Not sure how that can be but it is. Everything else on the menu that I have tried is great, but the Pad Thai is definitely not the best I have ever had. Good thing the menu is rather large with lots to choose from.
(4)
Catherine F.
Tara Thai is usually a place I visit in summer... something about a warm golden afternoon makes me think of sitting under the Overton Oak, eating spicy, noodly things, watching the business of the NW neighborhood unfold around me while indulging in a sense of protected, voyeuristic invisibility. The reviews of this place are really highly variable. It interests me; I've been here 3 or 4 times, and have always had courteous, prompt and friendly attention, have always been happy with what I ordered, and have even had the staff be completely understanding and helpful with special orders (eg "I also want to order this dish, but want it to arrive with the bill at the end of the meal, because I'm taking it as a to-go order to a sick friend..."). So, the dishes I usually order involve spicy and noodles, and I've only ever been there for lunch. There are several selections that meet these criteria; all that I have sampled have completely satisfied the cravings that drew me there, at a pretty reasonable price (especially for the trendy NW). The Laotian chicken soup has got to be one of my favorite things ever -- it's their specialty, according to the sweet middle-aged woman who usually ends up talking to me. My husband usually orders spicy yellow curries, which I've sampled and enjoyed as well. (The salad that gets served before a lunch special is not worth the bother -- get the soup!) I'm also pretty well addicted to Thai iced tea (although I usually regret that second glass when I'm thrashing around at 3 a.m. wishing I could sleep), which is consistently tasty. So while I will freely admit that I don't regularly need Thai to survive (there are other ethnic foods that do fit that description), I do have a fairly discerning palate with regard to the quality of what I am served (I'm a foodie; can you doubt me?), and having had bad Thai food a few times before, can assure you I have never eaten any bad things here.
(4)
Petra L.
Terrible. Quite possibly the worst Thai food I've ever had, accentuated by some of the worst service. My dining partner and I sat for upwards of 10 minutes before anyone bothered to stop by our table. We ordered the tofu larb salad and the Pook Sa (?) - a dish of (as they described it) "vegetables mixed with a spicy ginger paste and topped with sesame seeds and fresh mint." The salad came out within six minutes or so, but my dish was nowhere to be found. I sort of wish it had stayed that way. The dish, when it finally arrived, was awful. Overcooked vegetables in a bland, watery sauce that barely tasted of ginger. Nothing could salvage it. 80% of it is sitting in my fridge right now until I can figure out how in the world to make it palatable. Never, ever again.
(1)
Leann P.
If you're in the mood for some Tom Yum soup and a lunch special... this is the place for you. Tara Thai is one of the 5 places I frequent for lunch. Outdoor seating is great, obviously when the weather is nice. I like how they give you a pitcher of water. Nothing beats eating spicy Thai food and NOT having your water refilled. I personally know the family that owns this restaurant. I enjoy their Pad Kee Mao & Kaeng Dang.
(3)
Lyn T.
I wholeheartedly give Tara Thai 5 stars! This place is quickly becoming my new comfort food haven. I've been impressed by the food quality, which appears to be a solid notch above the average Thai place. I love the Pad Thai, and every restaurant does it different. The Mango Paradise might actually be my Prozac. The Say-Teh is well seasoned and flavorful, so there is actually something to compliment the peanut sauce. We've enjoyed one of their soups, which won out on the basis of flavorful simplicity. My dining companion is now hooked on their fried ice cream though, which doesn't really do much for me. The heritage Oak that shades that patio lends a certain tranquility- steps from 23rd. I love that they don't pack in too many tables either. No rubbing elbows or sharing too much conversation with the table next to us! When they're busy, service slows down a little bit, but not exceptionally. How dare you not wait on me exclusively!?!?! Bwhahahaha! All joking aside, I have yet to feel neglected by the staff. I've found all of the pricing to be perfectly reasonable. After 3 visits, I have yet to encounter anything that wasn't up to standard or less than delicious.
(5)
Raquel S.
Love the location in the Northwest area. It has an outdoor patio in the front of the restaurant and on the side which makes it great for big parties. I like the food portions but I do think that the staff could have been friendlier by coming to check on me but that could be that I only saw one waiter. Giving them the benefit of the doubt.
(3)
F. B.
Decent. With Portland stuffed with as many Thai places as it is, Tara Thai doesn't stand out. That said, it wasn't as bad as many of the previous reviews make it out to be. Had the "khao pad ga prau" with tofu ("Spicy fried rice. Stir-fried rice with egg, pork, onion , mixed vegetables, with house Ga Prau paste and fresh basil.") -- which was pleasantly hot but had what seemed like pre-processed frozen veggies in it. Also tried the pad thai, which was fairly sweet and unusually red-tinted. I liked it, but my companion thought it could of stood to be a bit more peanutty. Bit expensive for what it was. I'd variously recommend Baan Thai, Sawasdee (cart), Iyara Thai, or PeemKaew instead.
(3)
Sung L.
This is an interesting little restaurant because it features both Thai and Laotian dishes. We've ordered the Pad Woon Sen and Pad Prik King (both Thai) and enjoyed them both. On a different visit, we ordered the Nem Khao and Dancing Mermaid (both Laotian) and had mixed reviews. The Nem Khao, which is a lettuce wrap with crispy spicy rice mixed with ground chicken, cilantro and mint leaves was terrific. The Dancing Mermaid, which is boiled sliced salmon mixed in fresh lime juice and fish sauce was too salty for my taste. We admittedly know nothing about Laotian cuisine so perhaps it tastes exactly how it should. The service is friendly, the dining area is comfortable, so we would be happy to go back and try some more items.
(4)
Gabriel G.
Portland's best Thai Food! Also, one of Portland's best dining values. I have been eating at Tara Thai since they were at their previous location in Beaverton. This is another great family owned business.
(5)
April B.
Mediocre. Bland. Boring. Watered-down. Waste of Money. Boo.
(1)
Maryam D.
Tasty food, friendly service and great menu. Only had take-out so I can't tell you how the service in the dining area is but anyone I've dealt with here as been very pleasant. I love trying different things here - never disappointed!
(4)
Troy P.
Tara Thai is far back down 23rd that most casual visitors will never see it. But for those who venture past the gelaterias (and the hospital), a delightful meal awaits! I can highly recommend the yellow curry, the pad thai and the thai fried rice. If the weather is nice, don't miss sitting on the lovely deck, under the shade of an amazing white oak tree, one of Portland's officially-designated heritage trees! The lunch special prices are another incentive!
(4)
Y. P.
We love this place and tend to visit it frequently with our 4 y/o daughter. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and the patio during the warm weather is a very special place. Staff is friendly and attentive. My husband and I absolutely love their spicy seafood soup. The outdoor sitting is great for the small as well as for the large groups of people. Kids friendly.
(5)
Eric C.
I am amazed that this place has gotten such good ratings in the past, I must have gone on a day that a new cook started. We started the meal with a vegetable Tom Ka Gahi soup - the worst I have ever had. I should have realized this would be the case when it showed up 3 minutes after ordering it. None of the vegatbales were even partially cooked. It consisted of raw green onions, mushrooms (large slices - might as well have been a salad), carrots and broccoli. A good soup usually has a bite to it from the lemon grass but the broth was bland and watery. The only close to average part of the meal was the noodle dish (I forget which one exactly as my friend picked it out, and it was not pad thai or pad see ew). Unfortunately hot sauce was required to make this a decent dish, as it was the dish was a bit soupy with the sauce. Oh I forgot the Thai Iced tea that I ordered - it came in about a 16oz glass and it was stuffed with ice, about 6 pulls on the straw and it was empty. Seriously though, I am still surprised how bad it was.
(1)
Kati P.
It took one year to make it down to Portland from Seattle and we craved the Pumpkin Curry at Tara Thai all 12 months! The service is wonderful and the food is fresh and plentiful. The appetizer platter was awesome with four choices and two dipping sauces. This place is a gem of a restaurant on 23rd in Nob Hill.
(5)
Nickole C.
Pretty good Thai if your on Trendy Third...I like it better then Beau Thai on 21st but that might be because the outside setting in the summer is great and if you go on and off time you can sit and socialize with a fairy good size group of chums for a while. Every meal starts with soup which is a nice touch...Yum Tom I believe...not too spicy which I like but if your into the spice you will need to ask then to kick it up for you.
(3)
Shane M.
Hands down the best Thai food in Portland!! You got to go if you're in the mood for some Thai and in the Portland area. You'll thank me later...
(5)
David M.
The yellow curry is very good. Nice vegetarian options. The tofu is a bit soft, however.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Anne M.
This place was one of our favorites when we lived in Nob Hill, but being a die hard Yelper I still checked the recent reviews on here before we hit them up for a Sunday lunch last week. I saw the comments on service and quality of food and almost reconsidered going to what had been a favorite haunt less than a year prior! I'm so glad I didn't let a few sour folks dissuade me. Service was punctual, attentive but not overly so, not chatty--just right. The food came out quickly but it did taste a little different than it used to. The Rainforest Fried Rice used to be like crack to us, but now it's just normal good. You won't see me burying my entire face in a plate of it anytime soon. I would go again, but only if I was already in the neighborhood, and even then I'd probably hit up Red Onion instead.
(4)Kristina K.
The atmosphere here is great, especially if you sit outside in nice weather. The food, however, is sub-par. This is not Thai food. The Pad Thai was a color I've never seen Pad Thai be before. Very orange and very greasy. Ew. Go to Red Onion down the street. MUCH better and more authentic.
(2)Jason F.
No idea why people are complaining about the service. When i went, the staff were all very nice. Speed was about average. The food was really good. The coconut tofu was probably the highlight of the meal.
(4)Maureen M.
I would have rated it a 4 but I ordered this teriyaki chicken for my son and it was so bad. The chicken was so dry that if I bought chicken at Costco and microwaved it would still taste better. It tasted Iike it's old meat that's been in the freezer for a long time. I was just in awe that it came from the same kitchen as my noodles did. The noodles however was really good. Sadly that one dish ruined it for me that I probably won't be back.
(3)K. K.
Really good food! Excellent service by a very nice waiter. We sat outside on the patio a warm evening and really enjoyed ourselves. :)
(4)Dana K.
Let me start off by saying that I've been To this restaurant a number of times, and I probably would have given it a 4-star rating if it wasn't for tonight's uber disappointment. Though the service was good and the flavors in my dish were pretty good, the vegetables used in cooking my fried rice were literally all out of a cheap frozen mixed vegetable bag, NOTHING was fresh-- you know those bags of frozen veggies you can get for a dollar in the frozen food isle that contain carrots, peas, Lima beans, chopped green beans & corn? That's what the veggies in my rice consisted of. When's the last time you had corn and Lima beans in a thai dish? Seriously so sad & disappointed! Tara Thai definitely lost me as a customer tonight, which is too bad because I live in the neighborhood & eat thai food once or twice a week. If you're looking for fresh & authentic thai food you should definitely try somewhere else, as freshness is not the priority here, regardless of what their slogan claims. I instead suggest on taking your money to a Thai food cart where your order will be less expensive, more authentic & actually contain fresh veggies.
(2)Tony F.
The BEST Thai I have EVER eaten (and I visited Thailand for a couple weeks)!! The outdoor/patio seating is awesome, and the waiter we had was great! I can't believe this place had a 3 star rating...don't be a sheep...think for yourself!! Drinks are fantastic as well.
(5)Eduardo O.
Food is alright, felt super rushed by staff though... The lady in the back came up to me and tried to get me to order something else when I wasn't even totally done with my entree.
(3)Elise M.
Been to this place 4 times and am shocked every time at how rude the owner is. Each time I've gone in she's either closed me out or waited on me and has acted like I was a HUGE inconvenience for her. I figured I just caught her having a bad day the first couple times, but the last time I went I to pick up takeout I thanked her and asked her if I could get some spices also, and she walked away from me before I even finished speaking. I still kindly thanked her and went on my way. Their food asked least that I've had has been pretty good, the calimari I would recommend staying away from though..never had calimari in my life that snapped and hit me in the face when I took a bite lol! I'd if it is just a cheaper version of "calimari" but I was disappointed when I saw there were no legs & only the cut up circular rubbery tube pieces.. Overall: Place has decent food. Staff is not very kind. If that is important to you when spending the money to dine out I would avoid eating here :)
(2)J D.
Although I live in a diverse city like SF, I don't think we have a single Laotian restaurant. So on my trip to Portland, I was delighted to find a Laotian restaurant! I don't know how their Thai food is but I can def vouch for their Laos menu. It's brief but very solid. Get the #34 lettuce wraps as either a meal or app- it won't disappoint. Ask them to make it spicy! Thai food is everywhere and mostly unspectacular so I'm sure the negative reviews reflect that. But give their Laos menu a try!
(5)Charmaine S.
We sat outside and it was lovely! Service was good, food was pretty great, and I love the old house they're in! Made for a good experience, discovering a new Thai restaurant. They have their own twists on things as well, my pad Thai was good, but different from other places!
(4)Lisa G.
Just went there to have a meal on patio - the waiter had such an attitude, I left. Too bad, I love Thai food and new to neighborhood.
(1)A O.
Excellent food, the prices are right, location and service are incredible. It's towards the end of 23 in terms of commercial joints. Went there on the recommendation of a friend and was not disappointed. They have a surprisingly long menu that goes far beyond the typical pad Thai, pad kee mao, etc. will definitely be returning.
(5)Whitney H.
Was hoping to dine at this place tonight, as I used to come here all the time back in the 2000s. Was calling just to see if they take reservations on their porch. First call was a pick-up - hang up. So I called back, and a man said "don't call again, I'm too busy to answer right now." And another hangup. Not much else to review after that exchange.
(1)Annabelle C.
Any Way You Want It Tara's Combo - 3 Choices: $10.95 Try a little of everything! Make your own combo... all combos served with sweet chili sauce and our delectable peanut sauce. Combination plate includes your choice of: 2 BBQ chicken sticks, 2 fried rolls, 2 salad rolls, 3 crab wontons, 4 deep fried tofu or 2 coconut shrimp. Kaeng Paneng Curry served with Brown Rice: $9.25 Fresh Asian pumpkin, tofu, green beans and fresh basil simmered in red curry paste with coconut milk. When anyone walks through Portland's Northwest district, they are overwhelmed with cafes, family-owned restaurants, and bars with local beers on tap. Most of them are adorned with hand painted signs or tables outside, indicating that they are open for business. In the case of Tara Thai, if you aren't sure what you're looking for, you might walk right passed it. This adorable thai restaurant resides inside a blue house with white trim. Designed like a B&B, as you step inside to what you think is a living room, you see the hostess counter. Outside is a dual-level deck surrounded by fences, vines, and the trees that make Portland's patio experiences so fresh. Tara is owned and operated by a family straight out of the heart of Phuket, and their food is hard evidence. Their menu is gigantic, without being overwhelming, and they've made it even easier by providing over a dozen lunch specials during the day. The staff is about as friendly as they come, and are never annoyed by my vegetarian preference or substitutions for brown rice. My Only Warning: I took a couple of my friends last week, one of whom is from the south (as far south as you can consider Tennessee) and prides himself on his craving for a good kick of spice. The "hot" option at Tara (4/5 on the scale) nearly killed him. Order at your own risk. trustmytongue.com/home/t…
(4)Erin B.
After traveling all day, we came upon this little beauty. It was an AMAZING meal. I had the Pad Kee Mao, it is the best I've ever had! Honestly and Thai food is my favorite!! The servers were so nice and so friendly! I made the mistake of ordering my dish just veggies and I asked if it was too late to add some beef and our server ran in the back and changed it for me! (He was also very attentive to our waters and just making sure we were happy!) the food was amazing. It really really was. I would come all the way back here just for this! And I probably will!
(5)Haley J.
The royal fried rice looked pretty, but basically was rice in a hollowed out pineapple mixed with cheap frozen vegetables. Extremely slow service, didn't get enough silverware or water cups, and lots of Mosquitos on the patio
(2)Danna N.
Food isn't all that great but that's not actually my issue... The owner should really choose where he looks at naked pictures of women. I totally walked by while he was on his laptop behind the bar. I really don't want to know what he was doing under the bar. Won't be going back
(2)Mike W.
Mediocre thai food at best.I have lived in NW for a while now and I find that Tara Thia is really hit or miss. I really enjoy happy hour beer and apetizers in the summer, they have a great little deck but if I wan't good take-out, I'll normally skip this place and drive down to E-San. The yellow curry tastes like curry powder added to coconut milk. There is minimal flavor and has a mutant yellow color to it. It was memorable in a way that I know to never order it again. The Pad Prik Khing is one of my favorit dishes to order at any thai joint and it tasted far better than the curry did. The green beans sitll had some snap to them, there was some nice heat to the soy/ginger sauce. The service is always quick and friendly, they have a small bar area and they show the Blazer games. All in all, Tara Thai is just another run of the mill joints that is convenient if you live in the Alphabet District but would never give you a reason to go out of your way to drive to.
(3)Susan T.
I eat out exclusively at Thai restaurants. I ordered a tom Khao soup; it was very below standard. It was so poorly made. No flavor, very plain ingredients. I regret coming to this place. I should have read the bad reviews first before coming here to eat. The price is very high when the quality is so awful. Every meal is above $10.00, even for lunch.
(1)DA Y.
Pricey tourist trap and serving small serving sizes. We had to order pizza after spending $40 since we're still hungry. The server was nice but they were understaffed.
(2)D T.
Service was attentive and very friendly but food sucked!!! I looove pad see ew and this was awful, I have had better pad see ew from fast food thai places in Seattle malls
(1)Luke O.
This was phenomenal! I've never eaten Laotian food before, but this makes me want to do it again. Coconut-battered tofu and a dish of lettuce wraps with ground chicken, peanuts, and deep-fried rice was so good and filling. Highly recommend this place!
(5)Michelle W.
This review was based solely on service because well, we didn't get served. Granted it was a busy night on the patio, but after seating ourselves we had a gentleman talk to us and leave. A server then brought us water and menus. Almost 15 minutes later the server asked us if we had ordered. We said no and asked if she could she take our order. She said no. So we left.
(1)Rhs D.
This was my first time to Tara Thai and it was a nice and pleasant experience with average to above average food. The spices were great and the beef was tender and tasted of descent quality. I enjoyed their hot and sour soup that came with my lunch entree. The meal didn't blow me away but it was good! Their prices were great in my opinion as well. I'd recommend this place and I'll be back at some point.
(4)Evelyn S.
After a wonderful day of wine tasting, I was the designated driver, we were exhausted but needed some food. We chose Tara because it was close to where everyone had parked their cars. My meal was satisfying and filling but it was also extremely over salted, I could feel myself blowing up bite by bite. I enjoyed a combination dinner for $15.95, it included a chicken dish with broccoli and green beans with a light green curry, this dish was really good and prepared perfectly. The spring rolls were not great, nor were the crab wontons I sampled. The soup that was served with my meal was really mediocre although oddly I ate it all. I don't think I'll be headed back anytime soon, but if I do I plan to try the lettuce wraps, they looked really good. The decor is shabby, and could really do with some sprucing up. The bathroom was not pleasant. The service was ok, but something was off, I was uncomfortable each time the server approached the table with a plate, he just did not seem to have any finesse about placing the dish on the table, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it was a little disconcerting.
(3)Lynn W.
I got there a bit before dinner, so I may have beat their cook to the mark, but my noodles were disappointing and kinda slippery-- and almost indistinguishable from some of the baby bok choy pieces. I took the waiter's recommendation and tried the drunken noodles -- medium spicy, and it was too bland for my taste -- and very lightly salted and seasoned in general. The background oyster sauce flavor was also a little distracting, but that may just be me -- as it is not one of my favorite flavors. All in all, it was a satisfying, if somewhat pale meal.
(3)Chad C.
I decided to try this place out instead of getting Subway for lunch one day last week. Had pork pad thai - perfect portion size, MASSIVE amount of crazy delicious peanut sauce, and it included a little salad! I would've rated four stars but, man, $10 for lunch? I know this place probably has a crazy expensive lease, but I can get thai food that's equally amazing elsewhere for significantly less - even at dinner.
(3)Adam D.
Solid food and service, but nothing that blows you away.
(3)Keith D.
No.
(1)J J.
This is my go-to spot. I think the food is always fast & good, the staff friendly and the location perfect. There is off street parking in the back. The large patio shaded by a huge tree is the best spot in the summer! Yum.
(5)Sarah M.
I've eaten and made a lot of Thai food and Tara Thai was phenomenal! It's now my favorite Thai in Portland! The classic Pad Thai was perfectly dressed, not too saucy or not enough, but just right. The combination of sweet, salty, sour and spicy were all there in present. The green curry was also just as delicious! I was honestly blown away by the quality of there dishes in comparison to other Portland Thai restaurants. If you like spice, this is your place!! Also, I'm gluten intolerant and they made the pad Thai without the soy sauce and it was just as good!! So happy to finally have a good GF Thai option!!
(5)Shannon J.
I can't say much about food. It's just fine. I like it mostly for the beautiful balcony with the old oak on sunny days. It's so neat eating below the 500year old tree. That's my favorite spot on the 23rd.
(4)Arlyn S.
Best pad Thai I've tasted. Something about it. That extra layer of flavor. We haven't found any better.
(5)Aimee L.
Spec-tacular pumpkin curry w/ tofu. Perfect. I'd give five stars except the "side salad' was a few pieces of weak iceberg lettuce and a bit of dressing. Hmph. Service was uneventful - nothing amazing. Love the outdoor seating under that big beautiful tree. Again, LOVED the curry - perfect flavor, perfect level of spice. Will be back.
(4)Nikee W.
Pretty decent little thai place. They had lots of items too choose, some with very silly names. The salad rolls were not my favorite but the rice dishes we tried were good but not great.I had a dish with yellow curry in rice. I would have enjoyed it more had it not had the frozen style veggie merely mixed in. I much would have preferred if it had onions or bell papers mixed in instead.
(3)Matt S.
My favorite thing about Tara Thai is that it is 'Thai-Laotian' food, which sounds very exotic to my small town ears. Visit #1: I ordered one of the unusual-special sounding dishes that I think qualified as 'Laotian' and it was really good. I was excited to return on a future Portland visit. Visit #2: I was feeling like a more standard Thai dish, so I went with the red curry. (Although it had some funky name like 'The Evil Dragon Arises') The curry was actually pretty disappointing. Tofu wasn't very thoughtfully prepared and the potatoes weren't super either. Partner ordered Kemao and it seemed fairly average. One 4-star visit + One 2-star visit = 3 stars, and I'll probably give another Thai place a shot next time I'm in town.
(3)M K.
The food I had was awesome. They have a fantastic lunch menu with very reasonable prices. You can order a spring roll or egg roll at luch for $1 more - I got the spring roll & it & the fish sauce serve with it were fantastic - there was a small amount of heat to the sauce which was very nice. The tom yam soup served with it was good, and the brown rice (not your normal brown rice; $1 extra at lunch) was amazing - nutty, great texture. I had the kaeng phet khiao which was superb & I took a good deal of it home with me. I also had to order the mango with sticky rice to go; shared that after dinner & we both loved it. Somehow, this thai food really appealed to me - all the spices & flavors came together just right.
(5)Grace G.
The food at Tara Thai is great! It is fresh and hot, and it really satisfies my Thai food cravings! The staff is another story. To their benefit, there was a huge outdoor party that was taking up most of their attention, but I felt like an afterthought, even on my own birthday! The food was up quick, but no one came around to refill our glasses, and it took about twenty minutes to pay after the check came. Good food, but they could use a few more staff members
(3)Carolyn C.
Best Tom Kha soup you will find anywhere. Their pineapple curry is also good (just ask for pineapple with your chicken curry since it isn't on the menu). There is a front porch right on 23rd you can sit on and people-watch from, and there is a side/back porch too. The inside offers a bar/tv area (really nice when you're waiting for takeout) and a regular dining area.
(4)Courtney D.
Outdoor setting and peanut sauce simply the best Can outdoor seating get any better than sitting on a wrap-around porch under an oak tree staring up the stars? I think not although I might make an argument that the only thing better would be their peanut sauce on some of their yummy Pad Thai in front of you. I know it's boring with all the creative dishes to try here, but I can't help it because I love their chicken Pad Thai that much. The peanut sauce makes it, which is absolutely the best in P-town. You know how some are too sweet, spicy or too heavy on the ginger? This one gets it all right. It's so good that they sell it to go. I've heard that their Larb is also very good, especially if you like your chicken dish spicy. Tip: Order the Thai Ice Tea, especially in the summer out on the porch.
(5)Liz R.
mango paradise. enough said.
(4)C M.
My friend and I went here for lunch today after we found out PK thai was closed on Sunday. The food was good. We had the thai pork salad and the pad see ewe. However, the waitress's service was not up to par. She acted like taking our order was putting her out. She also over charged us for the salad by 3 dollars. (it was on the check as $17.95 and it was on the menu as $14.95 -- which is still very pricey for what it was. I have been to plenty of thai places in Portland that have been just as good food wise with way better service and way better prices!
(2)R R.
Very disappointed in the food. The Tom Yum was horrible. I can't remember what else I ordered, because I didn't even finish it! I've experienced much better Thai food at places in Hawaii, San Francisco, CA and Mt. Vernon, Washington. Also, the owner came in while we were eating and was upset that the back door was locked and was yelling at the kitchen staff. It was very unprofessional with customers there eating. Would not eat here again.
(1)david h.
Appetizers were great and we were expecting the same for the main course. However, we were very, very, very disappointed. I ordered the "house special noodles" thinking that it would be amazing since it's there "thing." The sauce had zero taste and the noodles were so over cooked, i couldn't pick them up with a fork:( Didn't even come close to finishing the plate. My girlfriend had vegetables in a sauce that was served separated into layers with sludge at the bottom and oil on top (she wrote this) I said she had the same experience. Save your money and tummy by avoiding this place at all cost. Worst thai food ever
(1)Izzy N.
This is really good thai? yea right. But I'll forgive you since you're from Indiana... where I felt like I was punished to die while attending college and the asian food scene was either non existent or was as "good" and sometimes worse! than panda express. I'm sadly not kidding. (I'd trek to different towns in the state during downtime or for work) So back to my point, I had a business lunch here and I had the pad thai and the other review was right. It was on the sweeter side.. I did not like. Contained lots of carrots, carrots as the garnish, carrots in the noodles. The carrots were undercooked, maybe not at all. I've eaten lotsa pad thai before, it's one of my all time favorite dishes but... ew. Another person at my table had pineapple fried rice, he said it was ok. My party agreed. Very disappointing Thai food. Keep in mind there's a touch of laotian cuisine on the menu.. maybe that's why it sux. Lao's isn't known for their magical cuisine, trust me.. I'm a southeast asian so I can say something. They had a dish which they called banh seo on the menu... Vietnamese has the same exact dish but it's spelled banh xeo... phonetic spelling there? (the x is pronounced like an s in vietnamese.. that's when you can smell a phony) hmmm very interesting, and you call yourself a thai and laos restuarant. Service was nice but that's about it. I would never come back. I know you've been in business for a long time and since then, thousands of other thai places have sprouted up so why not step up your game some, or MUCH MORE! you suck.
(1)chris m.
it's funny that this place gets such bad reviews. it's really pretty good, and the particular selling point is the weird stuff. they've got a laotian bit on the menu that's full of stuff you won't see anywhere else. sure, the curry is nothing to write home about (though, unlike the other person who had the bad tom kha, i had some pretty darn good tom kha here, and i make the stuff myself at times...er...which should serve to illustrate that i know what i'm talking about? i'm not sure why that's relevant. but i like me some tom kha. how about that?) which is interesting. also, they have the best squid salad in town, and i have tried a few. it's actually meal sized unlike the appetizer-sized portion at the green papaya! and as a cuttlefish connoisseur...mm. the curry is pretty middle-of-the-road, but i've liked all the weird stuff i got here. papaya salad? check. sticky rice? cute little containers and pretty tasty. spring rolls? well, i've never had a freaking awesome spring roll, so i'm not taking off for that, since the peanut sauce was plenny ok. all in all, it's one of the few asian places open on sunday on nw 23rd so i keep going there when sushiplaces, miso happy, and be won are all closed. damnit.
(4)Marki V.
Not the best but decent. Pad Thai: Not my favorite since it is on the sweeter side. Hoo Mok Talay (#64): Combination seafood from the tank below (darn it, I missed the mussels) cooked with red curry, coconut milk and egg. Not sure why they needed an egg but it didn't ruin anything, but overall it was good. (In case you are wondering whats swimming, it's fish, scallop, shrimp and squid. You figure out which ones which!) _ O "Stop staring" |_|\ "That's my dinner" |. |. | | |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~| | O \ \ | / / | | o , \ \ I / / | | o ___///___ , " " , , ( ) | | /_o) ) ) ) \ / ", \ \ / / ," ," " , \" "/ | | __\ ) ) ) )( i____i ", \ \ / / ," V | | \ ) ) ) ) / \ i ___ i | | ' ' ' ' \\' ' ' ' ' ' '' O | | ,_ _,, _,,,,-""o==----------- \ \ | / / o | | ,-'' `, `, , '' \ \I/ / ____//__ o | | / ,.- ,,----.-=" '' ' ( ) \ / ( ( o_ \ | | ,'````/,, '',, \" "/ )( ( ( \ _ | | ;, , /, ",, V / \ ( ( / | | !,' " '' ' ' '\\' '' ''''' | | //\\ | |_________________________________________________ ____| Coconut Ice cream: Homemade. Good not best (I think Typhoon has better) Tara has great outdoor seating but you gotta wait for summer (remember summer??) Not sure why they have 'Golden Eagle' an Indian beer, but stay away from it. I was going to give 4 stars but one more star off for their smelly carpet, it does over power curry smell sometimes.
(3)Drew G.
Anything that shows up that fast can't be good. My curry dish tasted like it had come from a Campbell's soup can. Vegetables were ridiculously overcooked and limp, but the chicken was undercooked. Not a good combination. I guess they earn the one star for the fact that the meal arrived less than 5 minutes after ordering. Must have Panda Express-style warming trays of the various dishes in the back. Just the way mom used to do it! I won't be going back.
(1)Angela B.
My fave place for Thai in the summertime..amazing outdoor deck that is fenced-in to quiet the street noise on 23rd so you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The food here is always fresh and delicious! I always start with one of the coconut-based soups and everytime I slurp my first bite I ask for a moment of silence because the flavor is So-Damn-Good!!! I love the curry dishes (anything with green curry) and I always order a plate of Pad Thai...delish!!!
(4)Maura P.
this was okay. ordered the Pad Prik Khing but received some other stir-fry instead. it was good. the green curry was very thin and had little flavor other than the coconut milk. Next time I'm up that way I'll try again to see how other dishes fare.
(3)Tiffanie S.
Really good thai and the service was good too. Enough left over to take home for later.
(4)Anne S.
I love Thai. Of course I have my favorites in town (cough, E-San, cough) but I'm always willing to try a new place. I went here tonight with a friend because it was a 90 degree day and we wanted to eat outside. She had suggested it as they have a great outdoor patio (and they do have a great outdoor patio). Things started off great but took a terribly bad turn for the worse...so much so that my husband is still wondering why we stayed. My friend ordered the Papaya Salad as it's one of her favorites. I had never had it but when it arrived she suggested I take some. As I'm getting ready to take my first bite she says, "Oh, this doesn't taste good. I'm not sure you want to eat it." Sure enough, I take a bite and it tastes fishy...not just a little fishy, not just like some fish sauce but like they poured some rotten fish juices over the top of this salad. So, after a few minutes we decide she should let them know and so my friend stops a man who has been busing tables, etc (not our server) to let him know. His instant reply is, "What do you want me to do? Or are you just complaining?" I have never in my life experienced this kind of service, in a restaurant or otherwise. She tries to explain that she's eaten this salad many times, at different places, and it's never been this fishy. He continues to get more and more aggressive, cutting her off and telling her that she can't compare their papaya salad with other restaurants. He is clearly angry and offended. Three different times he comes back to the table, papaya salad plate still in hand, and aggressively confronts my friend who finally says, "Never mind." But, no, he would not let it be. He tells her that there's no fish in it. She tells him to taste it. He tells her he talked to the cooks. She tells him to taste it and states that the menu says there is fish in it. In the end, he begrudgingly "took it off the list" (meaning didn't charge her for it) and came back one last time to inform her there's no fish in it, just shrimp. Uhhhh, last I checked shrimp = fish. Do yourselves a favor...go to Thai anywhere...anywhere but here.
(1)Esther Y.
Passable, but not great. Definitely WAY better than Typhoon! downtown. I came here to meet a group of friends, and I was the only non-Oregonian...I hail from the San Francisco Bay Area. Being Asian myself and growing up around a lot of great Asian restaurants in California, I think I am a bit more of an Asian food snob now. So read this review with that in mind. My party ordered pad see ew, lat nah (rad na), pad thai, pineapple fried rice, and one more dish I can't remember. I'm not Thai, but I've had enough good authentic Thai food to know that the flavors were slightly off. The pad see ew was probably the only thing that I didn't mind eating more of. I can't comment too much on the prices since I'm still eating my way around Portland and determining my price ladders, but compared to California, this is pretty expensive. But then again, there's no tax, so...maybe it all evens out in the end. The huge Oregon White Oak outside is pretty impressive though (it's a Portland Heritage Tree!). One really nice thing about this restaurant is that it has its own parking lot in the back. That's handy because it's pretty difficult to find street parking...
(3)Suzanne F.
Lovely deck, most beautiful tree in all of Portland right beside said deck, & best duck curry I've ever had! instead of the old game, 'Duck, Duck, Goose', maybe this review should just be 'Deck, Duck, Deck'. Support this small place - it's really tasty. Not the best Thai food I've ever eaten, but very good. The service isn't fantastic, but they seem to try & are sincere - that counts for something. Seriously, order the Duck Curry. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Mountain T.
Worst Tom yum soup I've ever had. Strange almost Disgusting Singapore noodles. I like Thai food but will never go back again.
(1)Lauren A.
It was better Thai than what I could have made, but not by much. It was fairly forgettable. They seem to be understaffed too. :-/
(2)Darrin R.
I went today with my family and dog, we wanted to eat outside and it seemed such a bother for staff, they basically rolled their eyes and could not believe that someone wanted to sit outside. We decided to leave since I was not going to spend money and be treated like that. I did try food here two years ago and it was ok, service was terrible but I thought I would try again. We decided to eat at red onion up the street. Now this is great food, great service, I will continue to stick to my favorite Thai restaurant.
(1)Lin N.
Service was wonderful. And the fried ice cream...oh the fried ice cream... covered in caramel and chocolate sauce and whip cream. I don't think anything about that is traditional, but it was damn good! The atmosphere was bland and average (like the food). They do have a large outdoor seating area. Some seating at the bar as well.
(3)erin b.
I love pad kee mao but was disappointed with it here. noodles were over cooked (or maybe over soaked) so they were too soft. lunch entrees come with soup or salad, nice addition. the atmosphere is nice, I was able to sit and read a book for class while I ate. is come back to try a rice curry dish possibly but I wouldn't order my fav thai dish here again. I'm not even excited about taking home the left overs... I hate writing a negative review but I just didn't have anything else to write home about here.
(3)Hui K.
My thoughts on this place may be skewed based on the fact that I was there with 10 other people. *So a large group disclaimer! **I will rate this a 2/5 only based on that fact, if I were here with lets say two other people and we had this kind of service and wait time, a definite ZERO! Pros: 1. Food was good. 2. Good venue, love the location, you can go shopping before you eat, or have a stroll down the street after you've finished dinner. 3. Good vibe inside, it's quiet and it's located in a large house that was probably transformed into a restaurant. Cons: 1. Took 1 hour for food to come out (Again, I was with a large group, but still, this is far too long, and NO, it was not incredibly busy when we were there, just a moderate amount of people). 2. It's not as if all our food came out at the same time, NO, food would come out for like two people, then 15min later, for someone else, then like 10min later, for the rest, so once it all came out, the first person would have a cold dish... 3. I love Thai food, but it wasn't as if this was out-of-this-world amazing, I could go to another Thai place for about $2 cheaper and without the hour long wait time. I recommend: - Two to three people MAX. No large groups. - Get the Pad See Ew (Food). - Enjoy the surrounding neighborhood (A lot of shops, etc).
(2)Jane H.
More than anything else, this is a review for our waiter. I believe his name was Bob. What a guy. Attentive, sweet, and efficient. This guy deserves a raise. The food here was good. A large group of us had the Kee Mao, Panang Curry, something called "James Bond Fried Rice", Salad Wraps, and a Beef Salad. It all tasted great. One thing though, and I could be mistaken... I think I sensed some Splenda in the Thai Iced Tea. I am not a fan of this.
(4)Theresa S.
The food was fresh , it just wasnt special. The server moved us rather than wipe down an outdoor table that had ants on it. He seemed perturbed. He also offered to bring out condements when we asked whether we could get our dished spicy, but he didnt bring them out with the food.
(3)Ryan A.
This is one of the places we regularly choose between when going and getting Thai food (either to dine-in or take home). As with all of them, they have their good days and their bad, but to stay on the list means not having a truly bad experience. In general, we have really good food from here and it has certainly been on an upswing lately. The parking around here is better than some of our other regular spots, which means it has been one of our more frequented Thai places lately. If you're eating in and it's a nice day, they have a beautiful patio. All in all, I rarely have anything bad to say about Tara Thai. Still not that elusive 5-stars, but pretty gosh darn good.
(4)DJ G.
Given how stupendous the giant tree outside is, perhaps my hopes were a little skewed from the start. The menu had genuine Thai recipes I hadn't seen anywhere else for a long time...can't remember any of them, but the specialties looked great. All were about $16-$18. After my dinner partner skillfully karate-chopped a glass of water all over the table, we ordered Tom Yum soup, Pad Kee Mao and the mango paradise. All about $10... The Tom Yum soup was rich and tasty. No fish spines to be found, another reason to like soup in the US versus the real place! Drunken noodles, with giant, steroid-grown rice noodles as wide as my hand (or do I have small hands?!), had a good texture. I don't recall being asked how spicy I wanted my food, and it was a little bland. Nothing a bit of hot sauce couldn't fix. The mango paradise was a bit of a let down. The mango was WAY too hard; it felt like eating a green mango. Given, we are in the middle of winter in Oregon and I sound like a total bitch, but I just hate unripe mango! Perhaps I could have forgiven that and chalked it up to winter fruit quality and unreasonable expectations...but THEN the dessert of sticky rice and mango with coconut ice cream came out and the mango was perfect. And so was the ice cream. I almost gave this 4 stars just for this dessert...absolutely delicious. Took 98% of my self-control not to lick the serving plate. Still wish I had... I want to go back and try the specialties one of these days - some places do those really well and the main dishes aren't so hot - but I'm not sold on Tara with One Thai just a quick bike ride from my house. Perhaps a warm evening seated on the deck would be nice followed by a stroll with the Glitterrati on 23rd to follow it up.
(3)Kieran H.
Great little Thai place with the unique addition of Lao food. Friendly service, easy atmosphere, good prices. I recommend the Miang Kum appetizer, the Tom Kha soup, and the Nem Khao. Their Sa-Teh is excellent as well.
(4)Jay F.
This place is just great. I've been here at least 30 times, and they have yet to disappoint me. The service is fast, and more importantly the food is spectacular. However, before I start gushing all over the place, I should probably confess something. Despite the high volume of business they've gotten from me, I've only ever had a handful of their dishes. Once or twice the Pad Thai, some chicken Sa-Teh here and there, but mostly just a lot of Larb. And to the unacquainted -- no, I'm not a poor speller that likes to dine on heaping spoonfuls of rendered animal fat. Here's the menu definition of Larb: "A cold dish. Ground chicken mixed in roasted ground rice, dried pepper, lemon grass, shallots, slices of onion, mint leaves, cilantro and light fish sauce." Would you like that with some sticky rice and peanut sauce? Yes please. Can I eat it with my bare hands? By all means. This folks, is the stuff of my dreams. Decadence in simplicity. The location isn't half bad either. It's a little deep in NW, but I still encourage you to travel by foot if at all possible. Parking is severely limited, and trying to get a spot around the weekend dinner rush will leave you walking a few blocks anyway. Once you make it, try to sit outside if weather and space permit. The deck is open and breezy, and gets great shade from one of the coolest trees to behold, at least in town (you'll know what I mean when you see it). I've asked them a few times what it's called, but I can never seem to concentrate on their answer while wrist deep in Larb. Oh well, I suppose there's always next time. Food - 5/5 Atmosphere - 5/5 Tripworthy - 5/5 Average Meal - $20 (A sixer of Sa-Teh, Larb and a drink)
(5)Wayne R.
Ugh, worst Pad Thai in Portland, possibly the US. How do you mess that up? I've tried it twice, then switched to a couple of other items. (lunch friends keep dragging me) Mostly uninspired fare that looks like regular noodles with a frozen veggie medley thrown in. Despite the fact they have one of the nicest outdoor seating areas in the NW I will not be going back. AVOID.
(1)Kody L.
You have to know how to maneuver Tara Thai's menu. There are a ton of options and many of them you won't see on other menus -- appreciate this as Thai restaurant pop up all over the city just acting as different versions of each other. The Thai staple of Pad Thai is surprisingly awful here. I don't know how you mess it up or if I'm just ignorant and their version is from a certain region and I should expect the flavor. Whatever region that is, I don't like their version. Everything else is good. I love the James Bond Fried Rice, their curries and Pad Se Ew. The staff is really friendly. One waitress in particular remembers me and is friendly, jokes around and is very sweet. I like supporting this family-owned business. This place gets an extra star just for the location and possibly the best outdoor seating in the NW 23rd area. It's huge, not over-seated and has just the right shade and sun mixture. Just don't choose to sit in the room to the left of the entrance: it's so uncomfortable and feels like you're having a conversation with everyone else in that room. The room to the right has a lot of light and overlooks the outdoor patio area.
(4)Nikki K.
Tara Thai has great food. I love visiting here when it's nice out. Sitting outside on their patio under that gorgeous huge Oak tree has a nice peaceful feel to it. I have cravings on a regular basis for their Tom Yum Soup w/ Chicken. The flavors are so perfectly balanced. I also really like the Yellow Curry Chicken dish w/ sticky rice. The sauce is great, a little sweet, a little spicy if you order it medium spice level, and all the veggies have the perfect crunch to them, never overdone. And the portions are a really decent size, so you feel like you are getting your money's worth. Now, I have to agree completely with Kody L. about the Pad Thai, it is surprisingly awful. Not sure how that can be but it is. Everything else on the menu that I have tried is great, but the Pad Thai is definitely not the best I have ever had. Good thing the menu is rather large with lots to choose from.
(4)Catherine F.
Tara Thai is usually a place I visit in summer... something about a warm golden afternoon makes me think of sitting under the Overton Oak, eating spicy, noodly things, watching the business of the NW neighborhood unfold around me while indulging in a sense of protected, voyeuristic invisibility. The reviews of this place are really highly variable. It interests me; I've been here 3 or 4 times, and have always had courteous, prompt and friendly attention, have always been happy with what I ordered, and have even had the staff be completely understanding and helpful with special orders (eg "I also want to order this dish, but want it to arrive with the bill at the end of the meal, because I'm taking it as a to-go order to a sick friend..."). So, the dishes I usually order involve spicy and noodles, and I've only ever been there for lunch. There are several selections that meet these criteria; all that I have sampled have completely satisfied the cravings that drew me there, at a pretty reasonable price (especially for the trendy NW). The Laotian chicken soup has got to be one of my favorite things ever -- it's their specialty, according to the sweet middle-aged woman who usually ends up talking to me. My husband usually orders spicy yellow curries, which I've sampled and enjoyed as well. (The salad that gets served before a lunch special is not worth the bother -- get the soup!) I'm also pretty well addicted to Thai iced tea (although I usually regret that second glass when I'm thrashing around at 3 a.m. wishing I could sleep), which is consistently tasty. So while I will freely admit that I don't regularly need Thai to survive (there are other ethnic foods that do fit that description), I do have a fairly discerning palate with regard to the quality of what I am served (I'm a foodie; can you doubt me?), and having had bad Thai food a few times before, can assure you I have never eaten any bad things here.
(4)Petra L.
Terrible. Quite possibly the worst Thai food I've ever had, accentuated by some of the worst service. My dining partner and I sat for upwards of 10 minutes before anyone bothered to stop by our table. We ordered the tofu larb salad and the Pook Sa (?) - a dish of (as they described it) "vegetables mixed with a spicy ginger paste and topped with sesame seeds and fresh mint." The salad came out within six minutes or so, but my dish was nowhere to be found. I sort of wish it had stayed that way. The dish, when it finally arrived, was awful. Overcooked vegetables in a bland, watery sauce that barely tasted of ginger. Nothing could salvage it. 80% of it is sitting in my fridge right now until I can figure out how in the world to make it palatable. Never, ever again.
(1)Leann P.
If you're in the mood for some Tom Yum soup and a lunch special... this is the place for you. Tara Thai is one of the 5 places I frequent for lunch. Outdoor seating is great, obviously when the weather is nice. I like how they give you a pitcher of water. Nothing beats eating spicy Thai food and NOT having your water refilled. I personally know the family that owns this restaurant. I enjoy their Pad Kee Mao & Kaeng Dang.
(3)Lyn T.
I wholeheartedly give Tara Thai 5 stars! This place is quickly becoming my new comfort food haven. I've been impressed by the food quality, which appears to be a solid notch above the average Thai place. I love the Pad Thai, and every restaurant does it different. The Mango Paradise might actually be my Prozac. The Say-Teh is well seasoned and flavorful, so there is actually something to compliment the peanut sauce. We've enjoyed one of their soups, which won out on the basis of flavorful simplicity. My dining companion is now hooked on their fried ice cream though, which doesn't really do much for me. The heritage Oak that shades that patio lends a certain tranquility- steps from 23rd. I love that they don't pack in too many tables either. No rubbing elbows or sharing too much conversation with the table next to us! When they're busy, service slows down a little bit, but not exceptionally. How dare you not wait on me exclusively!?!?! Bwhahahaha! All joking aside, I have yet to feel neglected by the staff. I've found all of the pricing to be perfectly reasonable. After 3 visits, I have yet to encounter anything that wasn't up to standard or less than delicious.
(5)Raquel S.
Love the location in the Northwest area. It has an outdoor patio in the front of the restaurant and on the side which makes it great for big parties. I like the food portions but I do think that the staff could have been friendlier by coming to check on me but that could be that I only saw one waiter. Giving them the benefit of the doubt.
(3)F. B.
Decent. With Portland stuffed with as many Thai places as it is, Tara Thai doesn't stand out. That said, it wasn't as bad as many of the previous reviews make it out to be. Had the "khao pad ga prau" with tofu ("Spicy fried rice. Stir-fried rice with egg, pork, onion , mixed vegetables, with house Ga Prau paste and fresh basil.") -- which was pleasantly hot but had what seemed like pre-processed frozen veggies in it. Also tried the pad thai, which was fairly sweet and unusually red-tinted. I liked it, but my companion thought it could of stood to be a bit more peanutty. Bit expensive for what it was. I'd variously recommend Baan Thai, Sawasdee (cart), Iyara Thai, or PeemKaew instead.
(3)Sung L.
This is an interesting little restaurant because it features both Thai and Laotian dishes. We've ordered the Pad Woon Sen and Pad Prik King (both Thai) and enjoyed them both. On a different visit, we ordered the Nem Khao and Dancing Mermaid (both Laotian) and had mixed reviews. The Nem Khao, which is a lettuce wrap with crispy spicy rice mixed with ground chicken, cilantro and mint leaves was terrific. The Dancing Mermaid, which is boiled sliced salmon mixed in fresh lime juice and fish sauce was too salty for my taste. We admittedly know nothing about Laotian cuisine so perhaps it tastes exactly how it should. The service is friendly, the dining area is comfortable, so we would be happy to go back and try some more items.
(4)Gabriel G.
Portland's best Thai Food! Also, one of Portland's best dining values. I have been eating at Tara Thai since they were at their previous location in Beaverton. This is another great family owned business.
(5)April B.
Mediocre. Bland. Boring. Watered-down. Waste of Money. Boo.
(1)Maryam D.
Tasty food, friendly service and great menu. Only had take-out so I can't tell you how the service in the dining area is but anyone I've dealt with here as been very pleasant. I love trying different things here - never disappointed!
(4)Troy P.
Tara Thai is far back down 23rd that most casual visitors will never see it. But for those who venture past the gelaterias (and the hospital), a delightful meal awaits! I can highly recommend the yellow curry, the pad thai and the thai fried rice. If the weather is nice, don't miss sitting on the lovely deck, under the shade of an amazing white oak tree, one of Portland's officially-designated heritage trees! The lunch special prices are another incentive!
(4)Y. P.
We love this place and tend to visit it frequently with our 4 y/o daughter. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and the patio during the warm weather is a very special place. Staff is friendly and attentive. My husband and I absolutely love their spicy seafood soup. The outdoor sitting is great for the small as well as for the large groups of people. Kids friendly.
(5)Eric C.
I am amazed that this place has gotten such good ratings in the past, I must have gone on a day that a new cook started. We started the meal with a vegetable Tom Ka Gahi soup - the worst I have ever had. I should have realized this would be the case when it showed up 3 minutes after ordering it. None of the vegatbales were even partially cooked. It consisted of raw green onions, mushrooms (large slices - might as well have been a salad), carrots and broccoli. A good soup usually has a bite to it from the lemon grass but the broth was bland and watery. The only close to average part of the meal was the noodle dish (I forget which one exactly as my friend picked it out, and it was not pad thai or pad see ew). Unfortunately hot sauce was required to make this a decent dish, as it was the dish was a bit soupy with the sauce. Oh I forgot the Thai Iced tea that I ordered - it came in about a 16oz glass and it was stuffed with ice, about 6 pulls on the straw and it was empty. Seriously though, I am still surprised how bad it was.
(1)Kati P.
It took one year to make it down to Portland from Seattle and we craved the Pumpkin Curry at Tara Thai all 12 months! The service is wonderful and the food is fresh and plentiful. The appetizer platter was awesome with four choices and two dipping sauces. This place is a gem of a restaurant on 23rd in Nob Hill.
(5)Nickole C.
Pretty good Thai if your on Trendy Third...I like it better then Beau Thai on 21st but that might be because the outside setting in the summer is great and if you go on and off time you can sit and socialize with a fairy good size group of chums for a while. Every meal starts with soup which is a nice touch...Yum Tom I believe...not too spicy which I like but if your into the spice you will need to ask then to kick it up for you.
(3)Shane M.
Hands down the best Thai food in Portland!! You got to go if you're in the mood for some Thai and in the Portland area. You'll thank me later...
(5)David M.
The yellow curry is very good. Nice vegetarian options. The tofu is a bit soft, however.
(4)