Pad Thai Restaurant
8460 Meadowbridge Rd, Mechanicsville, VA, 23116
Pad Thai Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Mechanicsville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Mechanicsville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Mechanicsville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
8460 Meadowbridge Rd
Mechanicsville, VA, 23116 - Phone (804) 559-0062
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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John C.
Outstanding. My wife and I went here for lunch today and were extremely pleased. I agree that the outside is a little misleading however the food was great and the inside decor was very authentic Thai. They do grow their own hot peppers and there are banana trees growing outside which is kind of cool. The bathrooms were exceptionally clean. The tom yum soup was about as authentic as you can get in the States. This is definitely a return location and we highly recommend.
(5)Michael L.
Very solid showing. Stopped here on the way to Virginia Beach. They don't have anything that is explicitly vegetarian but will make just about anything with only vegetables. One thing to watch out for (like at all thai restaurants) is that they use fish sauce. Some of the items have it already in the dish and others can be made without. Just ask, and the owner was very knowledgeable and quick to look for a solution if you chose an option that doesn't work. We had the drunken noodles and green curry. A tip though. Unless you really like spicy order medium. I ordered hot and it was actually hot. (And trust me I eat hot things) error on the side of mild and toss chillies on it if it is too mild for you. There was a group here and they didn't want to split the check. Know that going in!
(4)David J.
How do you begin to rate a place that is as basic as it is awesome? The owner grows his own hot peppers, herbs, etc. At the store. You can see it when you park. Great value. Phenomenally executed Thai food. An overall win! (Disclaimer-Have only gone there several times for lunch).
(4)MrHappiness1st ..
I can give 3 stars to food but their service was terrible so i have to give 1 star! Family operating business but you still have to train your waitress better than that!!! The waitress shows bias to different customers too.
(1)Avneet M.
This is a solid no frills thai restaurant. The food was delicious and service was quick. We tried the fried rice, drunken noodles, panang curry and red duck curry. Everything was great and will definitely be back.
(4)Tom C.
I have not had these flavors outside of Thailand. There are a lot of good Thai restaurants in Richmond but none as authentic as Pad Thai. It is worth the drive from the city. For those that have been to Thailand try both the Pad Thai and Tom Yum soup and tell me if there is anything better in Richmond. Their other dishes are equally flavorful.
(5)Lauren C.
We arrived at 8:15. They started to seat us then as we were sitting down told us the kitchen was closing at 8:30. We asked if we could put in our order right then to which they said no, so we got up from the table and left. So really their kitchen closed prior to 8:15 and they close well before the 9pm on the sign. Fail on their part.
(1)Jessica H.
Not real sure what all the hype is. The food was mediocre and the service was actually rather appalling. Yes it was super scary fast (which makes me question its freshness). But our waitress just seemed annoyed the entire time we were there. The hot tea was more luke-warm and wouldn't seep. The fried dumplings had no filling. The lettuce in the salad was brown and wilting. No one ever refilled my water (I actually self served). And one of the meals came out w/o rice and there was never another opportunity to ask for it, bc we never saw a waitress again. I would never go back. Nor would I recommend anyone else to go. And there's better thai food elsewhere. Had anyone else in our party of 4 actually enjoyed the experience I might be willing to try it again. But not so much.
(2)Jennifer S.
Excellent flavor in the vegetable red curry and in the the coconut lemongrass soup (tom kha gai) and perfectly cooked crispy fried flounder with garlic. Very fresh vegetables. Fun location near the train tracks. Planning on going back repeatedly to try everything else.
(5)Kim K.
This is really a 2.5 star rating. So I finally tried Pad Thai after several recommendations from friends who know how much I love Thai. We ordered the spring rolls, Tom yum goong soup, Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles and sticky rice with mango. Rolls-didn't have much taste without the dipping sauce Soup-a little too heavy on the lemongrass for my taste, but shrimp were large, plump & perfectly cooked. Pad Thai-my daughter felt it was too sweet for her taste Drunken Noodles-good flavor but a bit greasy Sticky rice- I must say this was the biggest disappointment of the meal. The mango was clearly not ripe and the rice was not only sticky but overcooked. Seriously , it was chewy as if it was heated/prepared in the microwave. The service was friendly and efficient. Prices were reasonable. Not the worst Thai I've had and certainly not the best. I don't think I need to drive from Glen Allen to enjoy again; I much prefer to Thai at Chadar Thai or Thai Diner.
(3)Yaofu Z.
Little rundown on the outside, but interesting interior decor and excellent food. Very flavorful, all the right flavor notes are there. Recommendation to the owner, put a better sign out.
(5)Khalilah L.
I ordered the drunken noodles. It was ok .... the portions were small , taste wise mediocre nothing to distinguish from the other Thai restaurants in Richmond. Meh...not worth coming all the way out to mechanicsville for average thai food. Game over :/
(3)Iv C.
This is my first time dining here and I am not quite sure why this place has so many 5 star ratings! First of all, my 5 year old son squeezed his nose and yelled out "this place smells bad!!" We thought it was true because there was a foul stench in the air, but we were embarrassed because the waitress was staring at us when he said that. We think that that was probably when she started to not like us because she stared at me like she was annoyed when I asked her if she could bring one water in a to go cup! I even explained to her that my son spills his drinks all the time. Afterwards, we ordered a bunch of stuff including 2 drunken noodles and pad thai (which is our family favorite) but when I tried to order a tofu appetizer dish that I have never tried before with its own thai name (you know how Asian menus always have 2 names for 1 dish; one is in their own language, but written in English so that we can pronounce it and the other name is an English description of the food) I wanted to make sure I was pronouncing it right by looking at our waitress and she said "TOFU" so I repeated the name of the dish in the thai name again, but before I even finished talking, she said "TOFU" again and again and again. It seemed as if she was saying to stop struggling if you don't know how to pronounce it because it's tofu!!! Wow, she really pissed me off there and you should have seen her face!! Like she was so annoyed...what did I do wrong? Is being friendly such a bad thing? And the funny thing is that when I mentioned this situation to the manager/owner, he kept defending her by saying "She's not Thai and she can't speak English at all!" WOW we all heard her speaking perfect English with all the customers and do you even have to be Thai to just help pronounce foods you're selling I. your restaurant? What the heck?! I was even more upset after talking to him. And I'm not even finished yet! The food wasn't that bad compared to their service but that doesn't mean it was great! Their fresh roll wraps were so mushy, so it had no chewiness and the wrap stuck onto our fingers and clothes. The drunken noodles were broken into way smaller pieces compared to all the Thai restaurants we tried, so I didn't like it that much. Unfortunately, we were so hungry because we just came from three hours of swimming, but I am most definitely sure that we are not going to go back there! There are plenty of better Thai restaurants in Richmond! Oh, and I almost forgot to say that he told me the restaurant operates as a family business and maybe that's why he was only trying to protect the waitress and not try to fix her problems because I read several other's complaints about the waitress too.
(1)Cassidy F.
The food was very good. Reasonably priced. This place was packed and now know why, the food was great. Had shrimp and broccoli stir fry in a ginger sauce and it was delicious. Went with two friends and they both loved their food as well. Service was sub par, but that's the only negative. Definitely recommend!
(4)Canon H.
If you've never been to Pad Thai it's totally worth the drive. It's a hole in the wall for sure, but I'd put the food up against any other Thai in Richmond. We both got the red curry lunch portion and we both licked our plates clean. The only negatives I'd say is that the apps didn't seem to get the same attention as the main, and it really does take a while to get there unless you live in Mechanicsville. Otherwise, we left happy and full.
(4)Trami N.
Tried this place out because of the high ratings on yelp however I was very disappointed. I ordered Pad Thai and my friend ordered drunken noodle. The dinner portions were small and this is coming from a girl who almost never finishes her plate. The pad Thai sauce was overwhelming and the drunken noodle was just okay. Unfortunately I didn't care for the Thai tea either because it tasted bland. Also the waitresses were not attentive at all. Sorry but I will not be coming back.
(2)Blue B.
Great food! Drunken noodle was my favorite. The service was mediocre. They forgot our appetizer and the waitress looked annoyed the entire time.
(4)Ivy C.
After reading reviews of this place, I wanted to try it as I was traveling to Rihmond on business. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed. I ordered the thai iced tea, drunken noodles, and tom yum goong. I received all my food and drink within 2 minutes of ordering. This is no joke. I was very surprised it came out so quickly. That is why I do not think they make their food fresh but pre-make it, then heat it up. The thai iced tea was more half and half than red tea. The server noticed I wasn't drinking it and asked if I liked it so I told her that it tastes more of half and half than the normal thai iced tea so she nicely said she would take it away. Therefore, I thought she would take it off my bill but she didn't. The drunken noodles was decent. The tom yum goong was watered down but had lots of veggies and plentiful of shrimp. The flavor of tom yum goong is what I look forward to and sadly, the broth was sub-par. The server was friendly for the most part. I don't think she wanted to be working tonight though. There's a lot of Thai restaurants in the Richmond area. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(2)Anil P.
Very disappointed. Decided to try them out because of some good reviews. Ordered from dinner menu the red curry and Bangkok chicken. Red curry was salty and the chicken was rubbery. Bangkok chicken tasted like it was fried in old oil and very greasy. I will not be back.
(1)Candis J.
The food is good but I hate to see a strong business go down by irrational decision making from the younger generation. I had to deal with a young gentleman who was stress that I had five separate orders. I assume he's the only one upholding this rule. He expressed how much of an inconvenience it was for him because it takes to much time to scan different credit cards. I think its inconvenient for our office to make orders with Pad Thai restaurant. I do understand that the office can plan ahead and get cash out of ATM or one person can pay for everyone....... That's inconvenient as well. As he's ringing me up, he says " see how long this takes ?". "See how much of a hassle this is; especially to the customers waiting behind you."......I was thinking " wow, are you really trying to scold me like a child as your taking the money?" Great customer service.... The solution for Pad Thai is let someone with patience, work the front counter. Or get a new merchant service; something quicker than there old credit card machine. The service that connects with iPad works great and is not that expensive. The business make enough money to afford it. Manipulating the way a customer pays is not the answer. It money.... Money for the business.
(1)Nate B.
Don't go here. It's the best Thai in Richmond and I don't want to wait for a table next time I go.
(5)Vic P.
Yes it really is the best thai food on the east coast!! I've been to over 20 thai restaurants and no one can come close to Pad Thai.Don't judge a book by its cover because it does look run down on the outside.Friendly staff and the food is amazing! I could eat here everyday. My favorite is the pad num prik pow with beef, extra hot(not thai hot because that's too much). Spring rolls and fried rice are good too!! Try the beef salad or fish cakes. It doesn't matter what you eat you won't be disappointed. They just started opening on Sunday from 4-8pm for takeout only.
(5)James B.
I have tried all the Thai food places in the Richmond area and this is the best. I did have a seafood soup once that wasn't great and the pork cuts can have some gristle periodically. However, I like to eat here a few times each month it is so good. Try the crispy, spicy duck.
(5)Susan C.
My boyfriend and I have eaten here almost every Friday night for the past year and a half. Love the food and the service. We had the best waitress. .. always cheerful, helpful. "No worries! ". Highly recommend this gem.
(5)Jennifer M.
We've been here half a dozen times at least and have always been pleased. The crispy duck dish is fantastic!! The pad see ew is our go-to and has always been perfect. Mango sticky rice is a must-try if you haven't had it...delicious!
(5)Monique M.
The food here is delicious! It is truly worth your while to give it a try if you are in the area. The staff is nice. The atmosphere is comfortable.
(5)L. L.
I live in Los Angeles and was in town visiting my sister last week when we decided to get some Thai food. This place is AMAZING!!! I have been to several Thai restaurants in the LA area and they were great- this place is right up there on my list. I got the garlic chicken (which was perfect in every way) and the Bangkok chicken, which is also to die for!! It reminds me of the tempura chicken my sister and I used to get from our favorite Chinese restaurant in Florida when we were kids. We ate here last Tuesday and today (in Los Angeles), I've been looking around to find tempura chicken and nobody has it!!!! I'm definitely going to be eating here next time I'm out in Mechanicsville!!!!! DELICIOUS!!!
(5)Tara R.
This place is SUCH a gem! I got drunken noodle and it was delish. My husband got panang curry and we both agreed it was the best we had ever had. I didn't worry about the spice level of each dish. We each got medium and had no complaint. Service was okay. Took a few minutes to get water refills but food came quickly. This place is worth a try. The outside is deceiving but this is definitely worth your money!!!!
(4)Will H.
I've only been here once, and it's really unfortunate that I don't live in Richmond and rarely find myself in the area, because I may never make it to Pad Thai again. I stopped in right before they closed after their lunch hours, and I'm soooooo glad I wasn't 10 minutes later. At first, I wasn't sure what to think. I didn't even see the entrance when pulling into the lot. It just looked like an old, vacant building with a simple sign on it. My apprehension quickly disappeared as I walked towards the door, and saw all of the fresh herbs and peppers growing. It was a harvest that I'm actually quite envious of, as we're always running out of Thai basil, etc. at home. Once you walk in, you're greeted by a relaxed atmosphere and nice staff. It's has a lot nice, bright vibe that you wouldn't expect when looking from the outside. Anyway, by the time I got there, the lunch crowd was gone, and there was only one other table sat. I was there by myself, and the staff was really nice. I could tell everyone was eager to get ready for dinner, but they didn't make me feel rushed, which was awesome. The lunch menu isn't too large, and I figured the best thing to order at a place called "Pad Thai Restaurant" was the pad Thai, so that's what I went with. You really can't beat the lunch deal. You also get a side with your meal, so I got the fried wontons. The wontons were okay, but nothing spectacular. The pad Thai on the other hand? AWESOME! It was as good as some of my favorite Thai spots that I frequent in Pittsburgh (yes, a city with a reputations drenched in ethnically-diverse cuisine, I know. Ha). It was really good. Sweet. Sour. Savory. Perfect. The added bonus? The price. It's hard to go out and eat a lunch for the cost. I'm seriously bummed that I can't go back and try more of the menu, but I'll definitely be there again IF I'm in the Richmond area again. And, yeah...maybe 5 stars is a bit much to give based on a single meal, but the food and service left a 5-star impression on me! Hopefully it does for you, as well!
(5)Henry J.
The best thai in town. If you go you HAVE to get the Crispy spicy duck. I am so cereal guys. The best thing on the menu and that is saying a lot.
(5)Brian R.
I found this place from yelp. I was trying to find something close to my work and was surprised to find this place since I drive by it every day and had never seen it. Don't let the outside fool you. I followed other reviews' suggestions and had the drunken noddles and pad Thai lunch specials. Both were equally amazing! I ordered them with medium spice and I will admit they were a bit spicier than I expected but in a good way. I admit I love hot food. We finished with some sticky rice with fresh mango which was perfectly sweet and tasty.
(4)Keta B.
Great Thai food in such an unexpected location! I usually order the Pad Thai and it's consistently good each time. It is a really small location and looks like a dive from the outside, but the quaintness of the atmosphere and service makes up for it.
(4)Han V.
This place is a bit of a drive and there is not much else besides the raceway in the area-- but it will totally be worth the trip! As you pull up to the restaurant, you will notice all the large Thai pepper bushes and vine of bitter melon overgrowing all over the front. I have even seen the workers come out to pluck some extra peppers for a dish. So you know that the food is definitely fresh. This place literally feels like someone's home and the cozy interior of the restaurant compliment this as well. As you walk in, the walls are decorated with posters of Thailand and they even play Thai music sometimes. The owner is so friendly here and always greets you with a big smile. Aside from the owner, the servers can be a hit or a miss. Some of them take forever and disappear in the middle of the meal. The food can take a while to come out during busy times as well. Their drunken noodles are really tasty and pack a lot of flavor-- I like to squeeze lime juice over the noodles to brighten up the dish. I also really like their curries, in particular the red curry which is very creamy and spicy. If you want to try something different, try the red curry with duck! It is a delicious combination. Their Pad Thai is way too sweet for me and I think the flavors could be better balanced-- it is the only dish that I don't like there. Compared to other Thai places in the Richmond area, this place is the shining star. Pad Thai offers authentic, fresh, delicious food. Food: 4 Value: 4 Service: 2.5 Overall: 3.5
(4)Thuy V.
Very Very good Thai food. Really is a gem in the middle of nowhere it seems. Have tried masuman curry, pineapple dish, drunken noodles, tofu dishes, crispy duck and some other dishes. None of the food is a miss and most is great. Also is cool that it seems that a lot of the ingredients are grown right in front of the restaurant. The thing that kind of brings it down for me is service. One of the waitresses is very enthusiastic but the one busker is so apathetic. They also get busy sometimes with little staff that you don't get that much needed water refill for a while. Would that stop me from going? No, but makes the experience a little less than stellar.
(4)Faye B.
Wow what an interesting place is the first thing I said. You pull up into this gravel parking lot in the middle of what seems like no where. Then, it is like this old looking building! The price was reasonable and the food was pretty good!!
(4)Donald P.
My wife was craving Pad Thai as we were driving up I-295 from Myrtle Beach. This place was a little hard to find partly because it doesn't look like your typical restaurant from the outside nor is it located where you think it'd be. Initially we drove right past it. When we double back, it was interesting to see little red peppers plants growing all over outside. That's kind of neat. We didn't stick around to eat inside, but the food was alright. Won't rehash what everyone else said but I agree it was spiiiiiicy!
(3)Jeff H.
Great food! Don't be afraid to order thai hot... :) Good curries, pad thai.... It's a bit of a divey spot in some old grain warehouse buildings next to the train tracks, and the trains can rumble by, shaking the building while you eat. All said, a nice family run spot, I eat there once a month or so.
(4)Ryan L.
After hearing many good things about this place, my girlfriend and I decided to try it out. When we went, the place was packed which was a good sign. BUT, there is nowhere to wait (unless you wait outside in the cold and risk losing your place in line to be seated) so we were left waiting awkwardly in the front, standing right next to other people eating their meals at the tables. It took about 15 minutes for us to even be acknowledged by a girl that worked there, who told us we would be sitting at the next available table. Once we were seated, we ordered a curry dish with beef and potatoes which neither of us liked, even though my girlfriend is a big fan of curry. We also ordered the Pad Thai, which was mediocre at best. When we were finished we had to pay at the front after waiting in a long line. One good thing I will say though is that the prices are very reasonable, but we definitely won't be back.
(2)Nathan W.
This place really does love up to the reputation is great! This place is hidden out in the middle of nowhere and had the best thai food in Richmond. I have had several things of course the pad thai and is all been delicious.
(5)Chris N.
Pad Thai Restaurant in Mechanicsville, Va has become my favorite Thai restaurant. (Recently edging out a long time favorite, The Thai Room Restaurant located on the beach road in the Outer Banks of North Carolina). I have to admit that it took my wife about a year to convince me to try the restaurant. I was hesitant due to its inconspicuous, unassuming and, frankly, "dive" looking exterior. Obviously, what is offered inside is not a reflection of this view from the outside. I am most grateful to my wife for her persistence. The specialty of Pad Thai Restaurant, obviously, is their delicious Pad Thai offerings. Authentic, full of flavor and served as spicy as you desire. My favorite dishes on the menu are the appetizer Yum Talay. This cold salad type dish is a perfect blend of shrimp, calamari, bay scallops, and fresh red onions, carrots and cilantro in a sweet, tangy, rice wine vinegar based marinade. The dish that I crave, though, is Crispy Duck. This dish is indescribably unique and delicious. The duck is sliced thin, cooked a number of times but lastly deep fried to crispy perfection. The dish is actually quite simple as the only other ingredient besides the small, but perfect amount of dark rich oily sauce is thinly sliced red peppers. Served with jasmine rice once you try this dish you will judge all other Thai food against it. I am sure there are other delicious offerings at Pad Thai, as I have seen them at other tables. Unfortunately, I can't get beyond the few things I traditionally order as they represent perfection in my food world.
(5)Dave T.
A small hidden gem that's kind of out in the middle of nowhere but well worth visiting. Their Pad Thai is excellent, both flavorful and full of large jumbo shrimp. Plus they give you a portion that'll definitely fill you up!
(4)Shar C.
I'd like to start off by saying that sometimes the best restaurants...are the hole-in-the-wall kinds of restaurants. This restaurant is no different. Came in last minute for dinner a few minutes before closing, but since we knew what we wanted to order already service was quick. We ordered the Garden Rolls and Calamari Tempura. The rolls were okay, a little on the small side for rolls, but the peanut sauce was pretty good. The Calamari was good as well, but I wish there wasn't so much breading. We ordered three entrees: Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, and Drunken Noodles. What I loved about the food is that there's so much flavor! A word of advice: this is one of those places where the actually offer "thai hot" as a choice, meaning they know their spiciness. What's impressive is that they grow their own peppers and spices...right outside. There's four choice: mild, medium, hot, and thai hot. For those with sensitive palates, medium can be pretty spicy, so stick with mild if you're not a big fan of too much spice. The only thing I didn't appreciate was the fact that the dishes tended to be overly greasy, especially my Drunken Noodles. What overruled that was the great balance of spicy and flavor. Parking is pretty small and looks like it wouldn't be a good idea during busy hours. Wouldn't mind coming here again, especially if it's for a quick lunch.
(3)Stuart H.
The quirky off the beaten path location is well worth the trip but we do take out more than eat in because of the so, so service & limited beer selection. The soft spring rolls & all of the soups are amazing & have a fresh taste that you will crave. The curry dishes & pad thai with your choice of meat are amazing but on a couple of occasions have been under spiced. If you ask for hot be ready to sweat! I usually go with medium heat & this still packs plenty of heat. The fresh peppers & herbs growing around the building add to the unique & authentic feel of the place. If you love Thai food this is a must try restaurant!
(4)Peter B.
Absolutely delicious and legitimately authentic, this Thai place is great. Reminds me of the food in Pattaya and Bangkok.
(5)Mark S.
Looks like an old gas station and closes at 8:30 at least on Monday, but food was good. Pad Keo Mau used the fat, wide noodle instead of egg noodles like a lot do. Curries were very tasty too. Will definitely stop in again the next time I'm in the area....
(4)Trey M.
Yelp plugged me on to this place. I was on the way back to DC from a work trip in VA Beach. It's a mile and a half off of I-295 on the right. Don't walk in the first set of doors as you're coming from the parking lot - that's the kitchen. It smelled great, infused with spices and herbs, but it's worth avoiding the awkward stares because you went in the wrong door. I ordered the shrimp potpourri and went for the extra hot option. The food was tasty but not mind blowing. I came for the food but will be back just for the hostess. Incredibly nice and she matched my food option - extra hot.
(4)Mickie D.
Good!
(4)Alida H.
After reading the raving reviews and actually paying the place a visit for myself, I was a bit disappointed. The food here was tasty, but not very impressive. I ordered the beef drunken noodles at the hot spiciness level, and it was intense (their dishes come in mild, medium, hot and extra hot). This is coming from a girl that can handle buffalo wild wing's mango habenero and wild sauces without breaking a sweat. They take their spices very seriously here, so if you even have the slightest doubt, go with a lower spiciness level and add spice to your liking with the spice tray. I was sweating bullets with just the hot spicy level. Another thing to note here is that their drunken noodles were VERY greasy. Too greasy for my liking, which may have been the reason why my stomach felt a bit uneasy at the end of the trip. I also tried their red duck curry. It was okay. The curry was lacking because it had more curry sauce than veggies or duck meat. The duck meat was also a bit on the hard side, which I am not used to when eating duck. The flavor of the curry itself could have also had a bit more of a punch in it as well. I was also able to have a taste of the pad thai. The pad thai was the sweetest pad thai I have ever tasted. This can be a good or bad thing depending on your preference. We also ordered thai iced teas. I was happy that they were only $2 a glass, but a bit disappointed when they came out. The tea seemed watered down, or as if they did not leave the tea leaves steeping for long enough. Nonetheless, the things I enjoyed about this restaurant are the friendly (more so the owner and not so much our waitress) and quick service, the cheap prices, pretty good portion sizes, authentic taste of the food and the fact that they don't rob their customers by charging $1.50 per bowl of rice (their rice is free). Not bad, but not the best.
(3)Amber G.
The food was ok. I've definitely had better. But I can only compare to Thai places I've eaten at in the west end. The service was not good at all.
(3)Renée G.
Hands down the best Thai I have found in the Richmond area. Forget the crappy, overpriced places in Carytown and make the ten-minute drive out here - it's absolutely worth it. The exterior is nothing special and the service is hit or miss (some super friendly young women and some extraordinarily cranky ones), but the food is no joke. They grow their own Thai basil and chilies right outside the door! Try the duck curry, spicy seafood special, clay pot shrimp, drunken noodles, or the perfectly prepared pad Thai. Make sure you get a guava candy from the bowl by the cash register on your way out. ^_^
(5)Jonathan T.
By far the best drunken noodles i have ever had! i make a point to order them at every new thai restaurant i go to and this place was on point! will be sure to stop by the next time i make it out from the city.
(5)Timmy T.
I heard good things about this particular Thai restaurant from my cousins and they have awesome reviews on here and on UrbanSpoon so me and my friend thought we'd give it a try. Like several of the reviews say, it's really easy to miss and what do you think happened to us? By the time we passed it we realized that that was the restaurant and had to turn back around. Parking is limited to maybe about 10-15 spots max so it can get pretty cramped quickly. The atmosphere in the restaurant was pretty nice and had paintings/pictures/statues of traditional Thai culture which gave it a little more authenticity that these guys knew how to make good Thai food. I have had Thai food NUMEROUS times including eating at: Thai Flavor, Elephant Thai, Thai Diner and Ginger Thai (both in Carytown), Chadar Thai and Tara Thai. Needless to say, I like Thai food a lot and I have tried a handful of places. The only place I didn't really like is Thai Diner; portions are small, a bit pricey, and the atmosphere is very dingy and sometimes had a weird odor to it. As for all the other places I have been, it's been pretty good! There isn't one that really stands out from the rest, it's allll good Thai food to me! Nothing spectacular, but still pretty good food at all those places. Now on to my review of this place!! I got the drunken noodles with a medium spicy. I think my tolerance level for spiciness is a little above average, but their medium here was definitely a lot spicier than what I was accustomed to!! About two mouthfuls in I was already tearing up!! It was really good, just a bit too spicy for my taste buds. I would def. come back again if it wasn't too far from where I live. Noodles were cooked perfectly and a good amount amount of shrimp on my plate as well. Just be careful of those Thai Spices, they'll getcha!
(4)K J.
Please don't leave Richmond, Pad Thai. Your food makes me happy. SPICY! My husband had tears in his eyes eating your curry. Good tears. My kids inhaled your stir fry. And I ate all my pad thai. YES. That place in cary town doesn't hold a candle to you.
(5)Dave P.
You will drive by the place first then contemplate going in as the exterior looks like a garage. One you are in its fantastic. Very authentic and the food is fresh. Service was good too and the food comes out quick. Looked in the kitchen and they had a very clean prep area and various people preparing food. Place is a Gem and would return.
(4)Dave A.
Great little place tucked away in what used to be Ellerson Station. Not a lot of quality choices this close to home so we were thrilled to find it. They grow their own spices in season right outside the entryway and they are serious about their spices so I recommend you get them on the side (even if you like things really spicy). Love the drunken noodles, pad thai and the yum ped (cold crispy duck and veggies appetizer)!
(5)Jessica L.
Word of advice: when they say EXTRA hot, they mean it!! I absolutely loved the food here, but my boyfriend and I had a hard time handling how spicy this joint's "extra hot" really was! We usually love turning up the spice, but Pad Thai's "extra hot" was a little too much for us to handle. Even so, the flavor behind that spice was delicious. We learned our lesson from the first experience and decided to tone it down to medium hot the next two times we came back :P Here's a breakdown of what we've ordered those times we've been: Larb Gai - This was good, I loved the amount of onions in it, but there was a little too much citrus Fried Calamari - Nothing extraordinary, but satisfactory Chicken Satay - So juicy!! Most Thai places serve very dry chicken satay, but these skewers were quite the opposite! Very tender and very good. Drunken Noodles - We got it with beef our first time and with tofu the next time and loved both. Basil Duck - This was good at the restaurant but not good as leftovers the next day (too oily). Red Duck Curry - I think this was one of my favorite dishes here! I am a big fan of duck so this was a perfect twist on curry for me! Definitely a must visit! Just make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the location, it can easily be missed!!
(4)Jeremy B.
This is simply the best thai in the area. I stop by at least twice a week for their awesome food and service.
(5)Mitul P.
Best place too eat... ive had everything on the manue n loved it all... the drunkan noodles r to killl for... I really love going there in the summer bc they use the ingredients growns right around the restaurant and u can teast the difference... ohh and try the mango rice for desert.
(5)Joe P.
This is a great little hole in the wall located between Richmond and Mechanicsville. You know that the food is going to be good when they grow their own herbs and spices in an outside garden. Its out of the way if you live in Richmond but is well worth the drive for some of the best Thai in the area. The food is always delicious, but you have to be specific about the spice level you want. They don't use the Thai vs. American hot scale. Typically medium is the equivalent of American hot and so on. On rare occasions the food isn't spicy enough and you will have to ask for a little more heat. I highly recommend trying the Thai Iced Tea. Overall, I have nothing negative to say about the food here. The service is a different story. You are typically waited on fairly quickly by a staff that obviously wants to be somewhere else and blames you for bothering them at work. The looks of pure loathing the wait staff gives you will cut you to your soul and make you believe that you are guilty of mortal sin. In my experience, the food more than makes up for the evil inside your server.
(4)Nina H.
Wonderful hole in the wall Thai place in mechanicsville! The food is always fresh and delicious, spicy when you want it and great options for vegetarians. I've eaten in and I love the fact that when you walk up, you can see the fresh peppers and herbs growing that are used in the food! They also do a great catering service, but don't offer delivery...
(4)Adam R.
I'll definitely be back because I am thrilled to have a Thai restaurant in Mechanicsville and because of the reputation (many locals say it is one of Mechanicsville's saving graces, people driv eup from Richmond to eat here) but my first visit was good but not great. Prices are very reasoanble and portions are big. The staff was friendly. My waitress did disappear for a long time when I needed something but I flagged down the owner who helped me. My gripe was this: all the reviews go on about how spicy the food is and to be careful how hot you order it, that even medium was ho tby western standards, so my wife and daughter both ordered mild. I ordered beef drunken noodles at "medium" and received a dish with no spice in it at all. I think they simply made a mistake and prepared everything mild. When I said to the owner that my medium dish had no spice, I thought he would remake the order, but instead he just reacted like "Oh would you like more spice?" and he brought over the tray with various dry and wet peppers on it to adjust the spiciness. Now to be fair, once I adjusted the dish it was fantastic, but I'm left not knowing if I should order it up a notch next time, and alsoI don;t know if a beeef drunken noodeld prepared to medium would tast the same as the mild one that I adjusted at the table. That's why I HAVE to go back.
(3)Jess H.
After coming down a long back-country-looking road, almost getting clocked in the windshield by an owl, and completely blowing past the restaurant, we finally made it here. The owner (?) is very friendly. The waitress not so much. She was kind of surly. We kept waiting for her to come back around to our table so we could order dessert and/or ask for a box for leftovers, but we were handily ignored for the rest of the night. We ordered some thai tea, which was made more milky than we've had before. The chicken satay appetizer we got was really juicy and tender, and it comes with two kinds of dipping sauces. Usually when you get chicken satay, it's like...overly crispy pieces of chicken that have shriveled up a bit and look kind of sparse. But their satay is HUGE. Big, flat, single strip pieces of chicken. Yum! For my entree I got the chicken pad see ew, because I am a creature of habit and I can be really annoying that way. It tasted pretty good - lots of soy sauce, clearly, and lots of egg pieces. The Chinese broccoli tasted slightly bitter? But I liked it. The train passing by and shaking the ENTIRE restaurant was a little jarring, but fun. Like I said, I REALLY wanted to order dessert today, but nobody bothered to come ask, so...oh well. I did like how even though they close at 8:30, they were still seating customers straggling through the door at 8:25. That's pretty nice. It's an okay Thai restaurant, but much too out of the way for me to come back.
(3)Shannon G.
The most amazing Thai in the area. But you must be forgiving of the lackluster service
(5)Judith L.
I'm going to be "that guy (actually, girl)"... People seem to rate this place pretty high. The food was decent, but I really wasn't impressed with this place. I was in the area because of work so I picked up a carry out order. Had the crispy spring rolls: fine. The pad thai, while I liked the fact that they had the bean curd in it (not many thai places that I've been to in the Richmond area put that in) it was lackluster compared to some of the other places that I've been. Maybe I'm just biased. I tried a red curry, too. It was good, but swimming in a very watery sauce. Not quite what I'm used to, or prefer. Anyway, it was the only Thai place I could find in Mechanicsville. So I guess if I'm in the area and craving it, this is where I have to go.
(3)Chau S.
Excellent spot for Thai food in the area. They are not bs'ing when they warn you "Are you *sure* you want it very hot?" This is a perfect divey getaway in the Richmond area. Get a Thai Iced Tea and a few savory curries and this is a great way to start the weekend.
(4)Sally O.
Even though there was a hair in my water and a piece of metal in my food, I loved it. Their drunken noodles are delicious and spicy. The Mango and Sticky Rice dish is amazing. I gave it 2 stars only because of the opportunities for improvement I mentioned above. I plan on returning and hopefully finding no foreign objects in my food.
(2)Robbie A.
It's hard to top what everyone else has already said, but I had to jump on board and say how much I enjoyed my Massaman curry from here. SO MUCH FLAVOR. I wasn't bored for a second while eating it, so the entire thing had to be eaten in one sitting. I was pretty disappointed that they were out of Thai coffee at the time that I went, but hopefully they'll have some next time I go, which is a definite! I can't wait to try their noodle dishes...
(4)Nick P.
No question the best Thai in the area! I easily come here at least once a week, maybe more. Food is all fresh and you can determine your own level of heat (spicy). Staff is extremely friendly and personable. A definite must!
(5)Sharon P.
Amazing! I love Thai food and know what good Thai food is. This is definitely the real thing. I was in the area for business and I decided to give it a try for lunch. It was so amazing, that I decided to go back the same day for dinner. It will definitely be my place to go when I am back in the area. Like some said, don't be fooled by the outside structure.
(5)Leni K.
I am addicted to the Pad See Ew. I've tried other Thai places all over Richmond, Northern Virginia, and DC and no one comes close to Pad Thai. Don't let the service and appearance of the building deter you
(5)Jennifer R.
I had high hopes for this place after some colleagues recommend it to me as some of the best curry ever. I am all for trying out curry! Unfortunately.. no. I don't know if it was just a bad day for curry or what - but my red curry was overwhelmingly salty. I actually grimaced quite a few times because it was just too much salt. I think if it weren't for that, it'd be good. I like my curry just a bit sweeter, as well, so maybe I'm biased there . The veggies in it were good, though.. just a slight crunch to them, which was nice. My husband had the pad thai and thought it was good, if not a bit small of a portion for lunch... would've been enough for me, though. Their appetizers and soup prices are a bit much... I wanted to try the wonton soup but it was almost $6 or so and that's just... too much for soup. And to wrap it up, the service was just meh. Didn't get a drink refill until I was done with my meal, didn't ask if we needed anything. I usually like to ask for more rice when I get curry but that didn't happen here. I think I'll stick with my regular thai restaurant in the future.
(2)Kari W.
Best Thai food I've ever had!!! They even sell Thai pepper plants when they are in season! A great hole-in-the-wall find!
(5)Christopher R.
Best Thai in Richmond!! They're beef drunken noodles are addictive
(4)Matt C.
Pad Thai holds a special place in my heart. Given that some of my clients are situated in the Mechanicsville area, my dining options are slim and dismal. So when my stomach feels as if it can handle some 'Thai hot' heat, we head right out to my favorite Thai restaurant-in-an-old-train-depot spot. Who knows what the original building is, but I like to think of it this way. I have to say, I love the whole equation of this place. It has very limited seating, even worse parking, a very hurried waitstaff and a one-page menu... yes, I'm in love - it's a dive. Their spring rolls are fantastic; crunchy, flavorful, greasy. And what do you think I order there (every time)? Pad Thai, of course. And it's great. When you're feeling like some completely un-American style spices and a healthy dose of heat, head out to Pad Thai. Feel free to roll in around the middle of the lunch hour, that way I'll be sure to have gotten a seat in their diminutive dining room.
(5)Kitchen Sales C.
We wanted to stop for lunch somewhere different as we were driving to DC and this was only 2 miles off the freeway. A full parking lot is always a good sign and we had to wait for aspace to open up at this out of the way spot. The green entryway with the tropical plants sets the tone Of Thailand and the delicious fresh food inside. We agree with other reviews that the service is quick and efficient and the food is delicious. The red curry is some of the best i've ever tasted, but watch for the chef's heavy hand with the spiciness. This was a great option for a great price - the lunch specials are very reasonable and include spring rolls or fried wontons.
(4)Kerry B.
This is the freshest Thai food in Richmond. I've eaten at two other Thai places, but the food here is beyond excellent. This is a family run business, so they care a lot about the quality of their food and their customers. My husband and I have only eaten here four times in the last six months, but the owner already recognizes us and teases us about ordering our dishes super hot with a side of hot chilies. This is the kind of place you love going to because you know the food will be amazing, but you also like the owners and the staff. If we lived closer, my husband and I would probably eat here weekly. It's that good. Some of the top items on the menu include the Crispy Duck Chef's Special, the Drunken noodles, and the Chicken with eggplant. Friends have ordered the Panang Curry, Masman Curry, and Pad Thai -- all were excellent. Honestly what sets this restaurant apart is their use of super fresh ingredients. They don't skimp on the fresh basil - it is everywhere. Their skill in the kitchen also shows with their use of chilies - hot, but but it does not mask the flavors of the dish. I would also suggest asking the waiter what they recommend that evening; they will point you to the best offerings of the evening. I love this restaurant and wished it was closer, but the drive out to Mechanicsville is a small sacrifice for such great food. This is some of the best Thai food I have ever had!
(5)Charlene H.
I went with the expectation of ordering drunken noodles but instead ordered the pad thai. And most comments are accurate i.e. I never would have seen this place had I not been looking and even then almost passed it with GPS on. The dish was medium in portion. Unlike others medium spicy really wasn't that hot and I found myself adding there peppers in the dish. This is a neat little space and the food is flavorful. I like that they grow their own peppers and there are literally so many plants you can see them. While there I saw the chef come out and pick them and one of the waiters watering the plants. I like this place and when I return to Richmond, Va. I hope to make this one of my stops.
(4)Rachel W.
I had the pad Thai and it was DELICIOUS! It was the perfect spice as well! I believe I got medium, it was the 2nd lowest. I will be going here again! Plus it's less than a mile from my house! Only complaint is it took me 10 minutes to get thru on the phone(take out).
(4)Ann Marie S.
Sizzlingly fabulous! Small, intimate, informal. If you enjoy spicy food, this is for you. And if you don't, there are other options. I was thrilled to see the peppers and squash growing along the entrance... Can't get much fresher. I'll definitely make the drive back from Williamsburg to try something else on the tempting menu.
(5)Robin L.
Wow, make sure you look at the pic to find the place :) It doesn't exactly stand out but it is worth looking for! We stopped in close to closing but that did not impact their service or quality. Service - Very fast and friendly. Decor - Clean with bright colors and a vague smell of cleaning solutions. Food - Outstanding. Came out fast and hot!! Value - Appropriate Chicken Pad Thai - Great flavor and on par with what you would expect when ordering Pad Thai. Yellow Curry Pork - served with rice. wow, Wow, WOW!!! The sauce was so delicious!! It was a thin consistency like that of a soup but the flavor was so spot on. The curry, coconut milk and I think cilantro was rich and bold while not being overbearing :)
(4)Bert D.
Who would think you would find really good Thai food in an off-the-beaten path little strip in Hanover. A hidden gem in my neck of the woods. I had the Basil with chicken- very very good. The drunken noodles were just right at the medium level. I was a little hesitant to go hotter than that. Oh yeah, they also have two Thai beers on the menu as well. I'll be back...
(4)Lisa N.
My favorite Thai restaurant in the Richmond area! The food is very authentic, the spices are fresh (I've seen the peppers growing outside the restaurant), and the owner is very friendly. I suggest the beef drunken noodles in medium (extra hot made my friends cry/throw up but they still loved it) and the duck red curry (which is like a spicy panang curry with bits of fatty duck inside). My only complaints are the long waits (during the weekend at dinner-time), the slow service (when it's busy), and the location (which is basically in the middle of nowhere).
(4)Kristi V.
I travel a lot, most times I would like to find a local place. You yelper has helped me at the past. You did it one more time! I was not sure when I step out the car because the restaurant is in the middle of no where. But... I'm glad I walked in anyway. I'm very pleased with this place. It's a very authentic Thai food. I can't rememer the name but it's the green beans with chicken. I chose hot because I was not sure how spicy it will be. Yup it was real Thai hot, I should have picked medium but it's so yummy that I can't stop eating them. So if you like to venture local place, Pad Thai should be on your list!
(4)Kim K.
AMAZINGGG!!! The best Thai place ever. I come here at every possible chance. My favorite is lad nah and pad Thai but drunken noodles and crisp duck are also delicious! Make sure you get mango sticky rice for dessert. The owners are so nice and friendly. The person who wrote the bad review below is absolutely crazy!
(5)Muhammad R.
So after reviewing the reviews and narrowing it down between two restaurants to take my girlfriend on a nice contemporary date on a Friday night. We chose Pad Thai, again based on the reviews. We arrived at about 7:45 and the restaurant was busy, as expected... Firstly, no one greeted us at the door. Very untypical for a Thai place Oh well, I shrugged it off, no big deal. Walked up the desk where "To-go" orders are placed and spoke with an older asian man who I'm guessing is the owner. All he said was "Yes?" and I said we wanted to sit down, he said "Ok" and walked around and brought two menus. The waiter then wiped the table, slapped the two menus on the table and walked away...NOT A WORD SAID. Now I'm starting to get annoyed.... So a different waiter comes back, she seems much more friendly, askes us for drinks then takes off before asking if we had any questions or if we'd been here before, etc. I had to snatch her back telling her we were ready to order appetizers. So we order, the food arrrives about 5-10minutes later. BLAND appearance, Hardly any flavor and poor presentation. Whatever, can't wait to try the amazing Drunken Noodles, and the Pad Thai that this place is named after.. Our entree comes out - It looks appetizing, and it smelled lovely, The portion size was small for $10/plate. The Pad Thai was bland and looked boring - had little flavor to it. The Drunken Noodles were wayyyyyyyyyy over spiced so much that it was almost unbearable to eat. There was very little chicken added to it, very little noodles, mostly just bamboo shoots and greens. I would have been better off eating the weeds on the patio outfront, probably would have been cheaper too. So we finish our meal, ask for the tab and get ready to leave. We walk by our waiter who DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING, not even a "have a good night." Needless to say, this place is garbage. A poor excuse for a Thai Restaurant. I thought it looked shady and low-class from the outside and was expecting different on the inside. I was very wrong. I won't ever go back, nor will I encourage anyone to go to a place with mediocre food and even worse service. What an awful experience!!!!!
(1)Megan M.
When you drive to this place, you may second guess your decision, but just go in. It's out a winding road in Mechanicsville of all places. You park in a gravel lot and the outside of the building isn't exactly beautiful. All that aside, this may be the best Thai food in Richmond! I've been twice for lunch, which is super cheap. The lunch specials are all $6.95 and they come with your choice of crispy roll, fried tofu or Thai salad. I usually go crispy roll because I just can't resist the freshly fried Asian goodness. The drunken noodles are amazing. They are spicy, full of great flavor, steaming hot and delicious. The red curry was spicy, coconut-y, perfectly balanced and amazing. I was sooo tempted to drink the bowl of sauce once my tofu and veggies were gone. You can't beat the quality for the price. Service is always friendly. It is a family-run place. I'm definitely hoping to head back soon for dinner. The place is small with tables tucked in at every angle, and it gets crowded at lunch. If you go, go early.
(5)Gianetta B.
The first time I ever tried Thai, it was at Pad Thai Restaurant. I wasn't dissappointed either. In fact, now when I eat Thai elsewhere it never lives up to this place. The only way I can get something even close is to make it myself at home, but who needs to do that when I can go here! Great food!
(5)Les H.
Found this through Yelp and it lived up to the reviewers' hype. Friendly wait-staff and a nice family atmosphere. The Drunken Noodles were awesome. Very spicy -- medium was just right for me and I normally like spicy food. We went on a Friday night. While the dining room is a bit small, we didn't have to wait for a table at 6:30 p.m. Loved all the pepper plants growing around the resturant.
(5)Kathleen K.
I can't remember when my boyfriend and I started eating at Pad Thai, but ever since the delicious entrees keep us coming back at least twice a week! This is the best thai food I have ever had, including places in NYC and D.C., hands down. The service is fast and friendly and the prices are just right. Extra chicken is only $1 and the portions are large. Top suggestions include the spicy eggplant, sweet-n-sour chicken, #24 (curry/chicken/etc), and of course the pad thai. Apparently the drunken noodles are also on point.
(5)Matina S.
As someone has stated its not the ideal place to have a restaurant location is a little odd but they make it work! It is a hole in the wall but all the best places are! I went for lunch & you cant beat it $6.95 which includes an eggroll,salad, or tofu. It ranges from basic rice dishes to noodle dishes. I had the drunken noodle with shrimp & it was spicy!!! & a friend of mine had the sweet & sour chicken which was good as well. Food awesome only thing I would complain about is the service. I'm not expecting a 5 star service but still! The server didnt take our order till 10 mins after we arrive, didn't give us utensils I had to ask for it, server didn't refill our drinks, & she was also was vacuuming while we were eating I thought it was rude. Overall AWESOME FOOD! but, not so great service!
(4)Dorothea H.
Everything about this place is amazing! The food is the best Thai food in Richmond, hands down. Don't be dismayed by the descriptions of the building. It's in a rough hideaway (formerly known as the Ellerson Train Station) in an unexpected part of town. But the building is surrounded by the peppers, basil, lemons and limes etc that the owner grows himself for his incredible dishes. The colorful tables the owner also hand made himself, and the walls are adorned with travel pictures from Thailand that are charming in their authenticity. There are very few places to eat in Mechanicsville that are not chains and are not in strip malls. Pad Thai is Mechanicsville's saving grace as it strives to be as neighborly as it is delicious and not perfectly ornamented from Thai 'inspired' art form Pier 1. Go, enjoy. You won't be disappointed. PS. They now sell I Love Pad Thai t-shirts! Only $10!!!
(5)Bryce C.
This is definitely one of those hole in the wall places that most would drive by and not really notice. Don't let looks fool you though. The food is great and price is very reasonable.
(4)Martita M.
Absolutely the best Thai food I have ever had!!! What a find!! Wish it was closer to me in Short Pump, but always stop there when coming back from the airport. It is close to I295. They use the best basil and lots of it in the spring rolls. Also love the coconut soup, pad see ew beef.
(5)Kristel P.
Thai food is one of my favorites and I always order Pad Thai because I think it is the best way to judge a good thai restaurant. I had been used to every other mediocre thai restaurant in Richmond when a friend took me here and promised it would be amazing. You can imagine my surprise when it WAS amazing! The Pad Thai with Tofu (you can choose your own spiciness, I usually go with Medium and get extra hot flakes on the side) is to die for! Very authentic, freshly prepared, and not a terrible wait. We now always start with the Tom Yum Goong which is phenominal (we order it Extra Hot, but unless you are used to spicy thai that makes you cry, I'd go with a Medium) and then we order Pad Thai. Portions are generous and they serve it up with just the right combination of peanuts, sprouts, and noodles. They have some of the BEST fried tofu and the family that owns and operates the restaurant is very, very kind! This is BY FAR my favorite restaurant in the Richmond area! Go!
(5)Jen M.
Delicious Thai food in the most unexpected place. Right on the train tracks in the middle of nowhere (near Bon Secours hospital in Mechanicsville, for reference), it's really easy to drive past and never know it was there. Excellent food served quickly and with a friendly manner. We haven't had a "miss" with any of the menu items! Definitely worth tracking this restaurant down and giving it a try.
(5)Quang N.
Best Thai food in the Richmond area. While a little bit out there, the drive is well worth it. Their herbs are grown right outside the restaurant, and the freshness definitely shines through. The pad thai, yellow curry, and tom yum are must haves. Every time I go, however, I have to get the crispy basil duck! It never disappoints and I devour it every time it comes out. They offer all this at prices that beat most places in Richmond. Beware that they are carry out only on Sundays.
(5)Mark C.
fantastic food, friendly owners
(5)Tricia A.
I really love Thai food but, it can be hard to find GOOD Thai. At Pad Thai everything smells and tastes fresh, the lunch portions were good sized and a good value at $6.99. There are peppers, basil and other ingredients growing right in front of the place. My husband had a dish featuring ginger and the amount and freshness of the ginger was awesome. Service was a bit slow and some people had to wait to get in for lunch but, it was worth it. Come early, there were less people before noon.
(5)Doug F.
In my opinion, the most authentic Thai in Richmond. Yes, it's a dive. It's in an old gas station right up on the railroad tracks, it's tiny, it's family owned & staffed (I think there is one waitress there now who is not a member of the immediate family). That being said, the food is great. As you walk in, look at the big planters that surround the door - they grow their own Thai peppers (if you go early in the spring, he'll sell you some seedlings & you can grow our own). I have not had a dish here that I didn't like. My kids (1.5 and 3) love the Rama Chicken. I love the Pad See Ew. Beware - if you order anything Thai hot, it will be truly Thai hot. ( i usually get "spicy" at most places, and pretty much always get "medium" here)
(5)L R.
I went to this place because of the reviews and boy it did not disappoint. Who cares about the decor, it's the food and it was so yummy! I had the drunkin noodle but will definitely try other entrees. The restaurant was extremely busy for lunch but the food came out timely and attention to service was spot on. The crispy spring roll was also very delicious. If you are new to thai food, I would recommend Pad Thai. I'll be definitely coming back, over and over again! A must try!
(5)Paige S.
This restaurant is where my husband introduced me to Thai food, and nothing has compared since. Admittedly I stick to a few favorites, Pad thai being one of them, and I also enjoy the Crispy Duck and the Tom Yung Goong (a spicy soup with Shrimp). Also, on the appetizer front, the Num Tok is a great start to the meal. I have to get mild or medium everything, while my husband opts for Thai hot - but whatever your preference, you'll be happy to make a trip out here.
(5)Emily W.
Yum! Fresh peppers growing in the outside garden. Owner was friendly and came over to check on us frequently. Best pad thai ever eaten!
(5)Ruby S.
delicious. had the massaman curry, grilled mixed seafood special, tom yum and pad thai. all very good. a little out of the way if you live in downtown richmond, but not really not that bad of a drive. hot peppers are for real and grown all around the front of the restaurant. awesome. they also have a small beer and wine selection, family owned. the real deal. go there. you'll be happy
(5)Adam R.
an absolute GEM!! drunken noodles, soooo yummy!! the minute it touches your tongue, boom, instant gratification!!! and the soups, for the LOVE!!! fives across the board for taste, 2 for atmosphere. a bit shoddy and dull. but seriously, who gives two flying focks when you're grubbing on tantalizing thai cuisine!
(4)Dave M.
The Pad Thai Restaurant is a fantastic local place. Family-run, in a converted gas service station on a country road off the beaten path. Service is excellent and attentive, with the owner (native Thai, with a decent command of English) appreciative of your visit and business. Most of the family works evening hours and Fridays and Saturdays can get busy with locals out for a meal. Very family and kid friendly. The food is excellent and very fresh. Pad Thai noodles are very good, as is the ginger beef and many of their stir fry dishes. We also love having the fried bananas for desert. Price is very reasonable (comparable to a moderate chain restaurant) and a very good value. Highly, highly recommended local native Thai restaurant.
(5)Stephanie M.
I have been wanting to try this place for a long time. For one, I have never had Thai food. For two, if I am going to try it, this place gets the best ratings. Add the fact that it is literally 5 minutes from my house and well you get the picture. Friend and I finally went tonight to get some take out. I could tell she was apprehensive because it is a sort of run down building beside some train tracks. As we approached the door, the smell coming from the place was pretty great. It is a pretty small place but the decor is kind of cute. Pretty authentic looking. We sat at a table to look at menus because we had no idea what to order. We decided to get Bankok Chicken, Pad Pak with Beef, Chicken satay and crispy wontons. The food smelled so good we debated pulling over and eating it on the way home. (joking!) The Wontons, I would not order again. There just wasn't much going on with them. The chicken satay was really good. I loved the Pad Pak, a nice mixture of vegetables and beef in a flavorful brown sauce. We ordered it medium and I cannot imagine what spicy would be! It was perfect but definitely had some kick! The Bankok chicken was pretty good also. I thought the prices were really reasonable. You get a good amount of food. I will be going back. I can't wait to try different things here.
(5)Martin S.
The food is excellent. I love the Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, Pad See Ew. The restaurant is tiny and seating is limited. The staff is attentive and friendly, and they've done an amazing job in creating a nice little establishment out of whatever it was before. I've only tried one other Thai restaurant in Richmond, somewhere on the west end, but this place definitely blows that other one out of the water.
(4)Guy S.
I know you will second guess your decision to dine at this little hole in the wall at first site but trust me, it doesn't get much better than this! Traditional Thai food... fresh and as spicy as you can take it. Fantastic menu variety and the family owners/operators are just so nice and friendly.
(5)Alida H.
After reading the raving reviews and actually paying the place a visit for myself, I was a bit disappointed. The food here was tasty, but not very impressive. I ordered the beef drunken noodles at the hot spiciness level, and it was intense (their dishes come in mild, medium, hot and extra hot). This is coming from a girl that can handle buffalo wild wing's mango habenero and wild sauces without breaking a sweat. They take their spices very seriously here, so if you even have the slightest doubt, go with a lower spiciness level and add spice to your liking with the spice tray. I was sweating bullets with just the hot spicy level. Another thing to note here is that their drunken noodles were VERY greasy. Too greasy for my liking, which may have been the reason why my stomach felt a bit uneasy at the end of the trip. I also tried their red duck curry. It was okay. The curry was lacking because it had more curry sauce than veggies or duck meat. The duck meat was also a bit on the hard side, which I am not used to when eating duck. The flavor of the curry itself could have also had a bit more of a punch in it as well. I was also able to have a taste of the pad thai. The pad thai was the sweetest pad thai I have ever tasted. This can be a good or bad thing depending on your preference. We also ordered thai iced teas. I was happy that they were only $2 a glass, but a bit disappointed when they came out. The tea seemed watered down, or as if they did not leave the tea leaves steeping for long enough. Nonetheless, the things I enjoyed about this restaurant are the friendly (more so the owner and not so much our waitress) and quick service, the cheap prices, pretty good portion sizes, authentic taste of the food and the fact that they don't rob their customers by charging $1.50 per bowl of rice (their rice is free). Not bad, but not the best.
(3)Amber G.
The food was ok. I've definitely had better. But I can only compare to Thai places I've eaten at in the west end. The service was not good at all.
(3)Renée G.
Hands down the best Thai I have found in the Richmond area. Forget the crappy, overpriced places in Carytown and make the ten-minute drive out here - it's absolutely worth it. The exterior is nothing special and the service is hit or miss (some super friendly young women and some extraordinarily cranky ones), but the food is no joke. They grow their own Thai basil and chilies right outside the door! Try the duck curry, spicy seafood special, clay pot shrimp, drunken noodles, or the perfectly prepared pad Thai. Make sure you get a guava candy from the bowl by the cash register on your way out. ^_^
(5)Jonathan T.
By far the best drunken noodles i have ever had! i make a point to order them at every new thai restaurant i go to and this place was on point! will be sure to stop by the next time i make it out from the city.
(5)Timmy T.
I heard good things about this particular Thai restaurant from my cousins and they have awesome reviews on here and on UrbanSpoon so me and my friend thought we'd give it a try. Like several of the reviews say, it's really easy to miss and what do you think happened to us? By the time we passed it we realized that that was the restaurant and had to turn back around. Parking is limited to maybe about 10-15 spots max so it can get pretty cramped quickly. The atmosphere in the restaurant was pretty nice and had paintings/pictures/statues of traditional Thai culture which gave it a little more authenticity that these guys knew how to make good Thai food. I have had Thai food NUMEROUS times including eating at: Thai Flavor, Elephant Thai, Thai Diner and Ginger Thai (both in Carytown), Chadar Thai and Tara Thai. Needless to say, I like Thai food a lot and I have tried a handful of places. The only place I didn't really like is Thai Diner; portions are small, a bit pricey, and the atmosphere is very dingy and sometimes had a weird odor to it. As for all the other places I have been, it's been pretty good! There isn't one that really stands out from the rest, it's allll good Thai food to me! Nothing spectacular, but still pretty good food at all those places. Now on to my review of this place!! I got the drunken noodles with a medium spicy. I think my tolerance level for spiciness is a little above average, but their medium here was definitely a lot spicier than what I was accustomed to!! About two mouthfuls in I was already tearing up!! It was really good, just a bit too spicy for my taste buds. I would def. come back again if it wasn't too far from where I live. Noodles were cooked perfectly and a good amount amount of shrimp on my plate as well. Just be careful of those Thai Spices, they'll getcha!
(4)K J.
Please don't leave Richmond, Pad Thai. Your food makes me happy. SPICY! My husband had tears in his eyes eating your curry. Good tears. My kids inhaled your stir fry. And I ate all my pad thai. YES. That place in cary town doesn't hold a candle to you.
(5)Dave P.
You will drive by the place first then contemplate going in as the exterior looks like a garage. One you are in its fantastic. Very authentic and the food is fresh. Service was good too and the food comes out quick. Looked in the kitchen and they had a very clean prep area and various people preparing food. Place is a Gem and would return.
(4)Dave A.
Great little place tucked away in what used to be Ellerson Station. Not a lot of quality choices this close to home so we were thrilled to find it. They grow their own spices in season right outside the entryway and they are serious about their spices so I recommend you get them on the side (even if you like things really spicy). Love the drunken noodles, pad thai and the yum ped (cold crispy duck and veggies appetizer)!
(5)Jessica L.
Word of advice: when they say EXTRA hot, they mean it!! I absolutely loved the food here, but my boyfriend and I had a hard time handling how spicy this joint's "extra hot" really was! We usually love turning up the spice, but Pad Thai's "extra hot" was a little too much for us to handle. Even so, the flavor behind that spice was delicious. We learned our lesson from the first experience and decided to tone it down to medium hot the next two times we came back :P Here's a breakdown of what we've ordered those times we've been: Larb Gai - This was good, I loved the amount of onions in it, but there was a little too much citrus Fried Calamari - Nothing extraordinary, but satisfactory Chicken Satay - So juicy!! Most Thai places serve very dry chicken satay, but these skewers were quite the opposite! Very tender and very good. Drunken Noodles - We got it with beef our first time and with tofu the next time and loved both. Basil Duck - This was good at the restaurant but not good as leftovers the next day (too oily). Red Duck Curry - I think this was one of my favorite dishes here! I am a big fan of duck so this was a perfect twist on curry for me! Definitely a must visit! Just make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the location, it can easily be missed!!
(4)Jeremy B.
This is simply the best thai in the area. I stop by at least twice a week for their awesome food and service.
(5)Mitul P.
Best place too eat... ive had everything on the manue n loved it all... the drunkan noodles r to killl for... I really love going there in the summer bc they use the ingredients growns right around the restaurant and u can teast the difference... ohh and try the mango rice for desert.
(5)Joe P.
This is a great little hole in the wall located between Richmond and Mechanicsville. You know that the food is going to be good when they grow their own herbs and spices in an outside garden. Its out of the way if you live in Richmond but is well worth the drive for some of the best Thai in the area. The food is always delicious, but you have to be specific about the spice level you want. They don't use the Thai vs. American hot scale. Typically medium is the equivalent of American hot and so on. On rare occasions the food isn't spicy enough and you will have to ask for a little more heat. I highly recommend trying the Thai Iced Tea. Overall, I have nothing negative to say about the food here. The service is a different story. You are typically waited on fairly quickly by a staff that obviously wants to be somewhere else and blames you for bothering them at work. The looks of pure loathing the wait staff gives you will cut you to your soul and make you believe that you are guilty of mortal sin. In my experience, the food more than makes up for the evil inside your server.
(4)Nina H.
Wonderful hole in the wall Thai place in mechanicsville! The food is always fresh and delicious, spicy when you want it and great options for vegetarians. I've eaten in and I love the fact that when you walk up, you can see the fresh peppers and herbs growing that are used in the food! They also do a great catering service, but don't offer delivery...
(4)Adam R.
I'll definitely be back because I am thrilled to have a Thai restaurant in Mechanicsville and because of the reputation (many locals say it is one of Mechanicsville's saving graces, people driv eup from Richmond to eat here) but my first visit was good but not great. Prices are very reasoanble and portions are big. The staff was friendly. My waitress did disappear for a long time when I needed something but I flagged down the owner who helped me. My gripe was this: all the reviews go on about how spicy the food is and to be careful how hot you order it, that even medium was ho tby western standards, so my wife and daughter both ordered mild. I ordered beef drunken noodles at "medium" and received a dish with no spice in it at all. I think they simply made a mistake and prepared everything mild. When I said to the owner that my medium dish had no spice, I thought he would remake the order, but instead he just reacted like "Oh would you like more spice?" and he brought over the tray with various dry and wet peppers on it to adjust the spiciness. Now to be fair, once I adjusted the dish it was fantastic, but I'm left not knowing if I should order it up a notch next time, and alsoI don;t know if a beeef drunken noodeld prepared to medium would tast the same as the mild one that I adjusted at the table. That's why I HAVE to go back.
(3)Jess H.
After coming down a long back-country-looking road, almost getting clocked in the windshield by an owl, and completely blowing past the restaurant, we finally made it here. The owner (?) is very friendly. The waitress not so much. She was kind of surly. We kept waiting for her to come back around to our table so we could order dessert and/or ask for a box for leftovers, but we were handily ignored for the rest of the night. We ordered some thai tea, which was made more milky than we've had before. The chicken satay appetizer we got was really juicy and tender, and it comes with two kinds of dipping sauces. Usually when you get chicken satay, it's like...overly crispy pieces of chicken that have shriveled up a bit and look kind of sparse. But their satay is HUGE. Big, flat, single strip pieces of chicken. Yum! For my entree I got the chicken pad see ew, because I am a creature of habit and I can be really annoying that way. It tasted pretty good - lots of soy sauce, clearly, and lots of egg pieces. The Chinese broccoli tasted slightly bitter? But I liked it. The train passing by and shaking the ENTIRE restaurant was a little jarring, but fun. Like I said, I REALLY wanted to order dessert today, but nobody bothered to come ask, so...oh well. I did like how even though they close at 8:30, they were still seating customers straggling through the door at 8:25. That's pretty nice. It's an okay Thai restaurant, but much too out of the way for me to come back.
(3)Shannon G.
The most amazing Thai in the area. But you must be forgiving of the lackluster service
(5)Judith L.
I'm going to be "that guy (actually, girl)"... People seem to rate this place pretty high. The food was decent, but I really wasn't impressed with this place. I was in the area because of work so I picked up a carry out order. Had the crispy spring rolls: fine. The pad thai, while I liked the fact that they had the bean curd in it (not many thai places that I've been to in the Richmond area put that in) it was lackluster compared to some of the other places that I've been. Maybe I'm just biased. I tried a red curry, too. It was good, but swimming in a very watery sauce. Not quite what I'm used to, or prefer. Anyway, it was the only Thai place I could find in Mechanicsville. So I guess if I'm in the area and craving it, this is where I have to go.
(3)Chau S.
Excellent spot for Thai food in the area. They are not bs'ing when they warn you "Are you *sure* you want it very hot?" This is a perfect divey getaway in the Richmond area. Get a Thai Iced Tea and a few savory curries and this is a great way to start the weekend.
(4)Sally O.
Even though there was a hair in my water and a piece of metal in my food, I loved it. Their drunken noodles are delicious and spicy. The Mango and Sticky Rice dish is amazing. I gave it 2 stars only because of the opportunities for improvement I mentioned above. I plan on returning and hopefully finding no foreign objects in my food.
(2)Robbie A.
It's hard to top what everyone else has already said, but I had to jump on board and say how much I enjoyed my Massaman curry from here. SO MUCH FLAVOR. I wasn't bored for a second while eating it, so the entire thing had to be eaten in one sitting. I was pretty disappointed that they were out of Thai coffee at the time that I went, but hopefully they'll have some next time I go, which is a definite! I can't wait to try their noodle dishes...
(4)Nick P.
No question the best Thai in the area! I easily come here at least once a week, maybe more. Food is all fresh and you can determine your own level of heat (spicy). Staff is extremely friendly and personable. A definite must!
(5)Sharon P.
Amazing! I love Thai food and know what good Thai food is. This is definitely the real thing. I was in the area for business and I decided to give it a try for lunch. It was so amazing, that I decided to go back the same day for dinner. It will definitely be my place to go when I am back in the area. Like some said, don't be fooled by the outside structure.
(5)Leni K.
I am addicted to the Pad See Ew. I've tried other Thai places all over Richmond, Northern Virginia, and DC and no one comes close to Pad Thai. Don't let the service and appearance of the building deter you
(5)Kim K.
AMAZINGGG!!! The best Thai place ever. I come here at every possible chance. My favorite is lad nah and pad Thai but drunken noodles and crisp duck are also delicious! Make sure you get mango sticky rice for dessert. The owners are so nice and friendly. The person who wrote the bad review below is absolutely crazy!
(5)Muhammad R.
So after reviewing the reviews and narrowing it down between two restaurants to take my girlfriend on a nice contemporary date on a Friday night. We chose Pad Thai, again based on the reviews. We arrived at about 7:45 and the restaurant was busy, as expected... Firstly, no one greeted us at the door. Very untypical for a Thai place Oh well, I shrugged it off, no big deal. Walked up the desk where "To-go" orders are placed and spoke with an older asian man who I'm guessing is the owner. All he said was "Yes?" and I said we wanted to sit down, he said "Ok" and walked around and brought two menus. The waiter then wiped the table, slapped the two menus on the table and walked away...NOT A WORD SAID. Now I'm starting to get annoyed.... So a different waiter comes back, she seems much more friendly, askes us for drinks then takes off before asking if we had any questions or if we'd been here before, etc. I had to snatch her back telling her we were ready to order appetizers. So we order, the food arrrives about 5-10minutes later. BLAND appearance, Hardly any flavor and poor presentation. Whatever, can't wait to try the amazing Drunken Noodles, and the Pad Thai that this place is named after.. Our entree comes out - It looks appetizing, and it smelled lovely, The portion size was small for $10/plate. The Pad Thai was bland and looked boring - had little flavor to it. The Drunken Noodles were wayyyyyyyyyy over spiced so much that it was almost unbearable to eat. There was very little chicken added to it, very little noodles, mostly just bamboo shoots and greens. I would have been better off eating the weeds on the patio outfront, probably would have been cheaper too. So we finish our meal, ask for the tab and get ready to leave. We walk by our waiter who DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING, not even a "have a good night." Needless to say, this place is garbage. A poor excuse for a Thai Restaurant. I thought it looked shady and low-class from the outside and was expecting different on the inside. I was very wrong. I won't ever go back, nor will I encourage anyone to go to a place with mediocre food and even worse service. What an awful experience!!!!!
(1)Megan M.
When you drive to this place, you may second guess your decision, but just go in. It's out a winding road in Mechanicsville of all places. You park in a gravel lot and the outside of the building isn't exactly beautiful. All that aside, this may be the best Thai food in Richmond! I've been twice for lunch, which is super cheap. The lunch specials are all $6.95 and they come with your choice of crispy roll, fried tofu or Thai salad. I usually go crispy roll because I just can't resist the freshly fried Asian goodness. The drunken noodles are amazing. They are spicy, full of great flavor, steaming hot and delicious. The red curry was spicy, coconut-y, perfectly balanced and amazing. I was sooo tempted to drink the bowl of sauce once my tofu and veggies were gone. You can't beat the quality for the price. Service is always friendly. It is a family-run place. I'm definitely hoping to head back soon for dinner. The place is small with tables tucked in at every angle, and it gets crowded at lunch. If you go, go early.
(5)Gianetta B.
The first time I ever tried Thai, it was at Pad Thai Restaurant. I wasn't dissappointed either. In fact, now when I eat Thai elsewhere it never lives up to this place. The only way I can get something even close is to make it myself at home, but who needs to do that when I can go here! Great food!
(5)Les H.
Found this through Yelp and it lived up to the reviewers' hype. Friendly wait-staff and a nice family atmosphere. The Drunken Noodles were awesome. Very spicy -- medium was just right for me and I normally like spicy food. We went on a Friday night. While the dining room is a bit small, we didn't have to wait for a table at 6:30 p.m. Loved all the pepper plants growing around the resturant.
(5)Kathleen K.
I can't remember when my boyfriend and I started eating at Pad Thai, but ever since the delicious entrees keep us coming back at least twice a week! This is the best thai food I have ever had, including places in NYC and D.C., hands down. The service is fast and friendly and the prices are just right. Extra chicken is only $1 and the portions are large. Top suggestions include the spicy eggplant, sweet-n-sour chicken, #24 (curry/chicken/etc), and of course the pad thai. Apparently the drunken noodles are also on point.
(5)Matina S.
As someone has stated its not the ideal place to have a restaurant location is a little odd but they make it work! It is a hole in the wall but all the best places are! I went for lunch & you cant beat it $6.95 which includes an eggroll,salad, or tofu. It ranges from basic rice dishes to noodle dishes. I had the drunken noodle with shrimp & it was spicy!!! & a friend of mine had the sweet & sour chicken which was good as well. Food awesome only thing I would complain about is the service. I'm not expecting a 5 star service but still! The server didnt take our order till 10 mins after we arrive, didn't give us utensils I had to ask for it, server didn't refill our drinks, & she was also was vacuuming while we were eating I thought it was rude. Overall AWESOME FOOD! but, not so great service!
(4)Dorothea H.
Everything about this place is amazing! The food is the best Thai food in Richmond, hands down. Don't be dismayed by the descriptions of the building. It's in a rough hideaway (formerly known as the Ellerson Train Station) in an unexpected part of town. But the building is surrounded by the peppers, basil, lemons and limes etc that the owner grows himself for his incredible dishes. The colorful tables the owner also hand made himself, and the walls are adorned with travel pictures from Thailand that are charming in their authenticity. There are very few places to eat in Mechanicsville that are not chains and are not in strip malls. Pad Thai is Mechanicsville's saving grace as it strives to be as neighborly as it is delicious and not perfectly ornamented from Thai 'inspired' art form Pier 1. Go, enjoy. You won't be disappointed. PS. They now sell I Love Pad Thai t-shirts! Only $10!!!
(5)Bryce C.
This is definitely one of those hole in the wall places that most would drive by and not really notice. Don't let looks fool you though. The food is great and price is very reasonable.
(4)Martita M.
Absolutely the best Thai food I have ever had!!! What a find!! Wish it was closer to me in Short Pump, but always stop there when coming back from the airport. It is close to I295. They use the best basil and lots of it in the spring rolls. Also love the coconut soup, pad see ew beef.
(5)Kristel P.
Thai food is one of my favorites and I always order Pad Thai because I think it is the best way to judge a good thai restaurant. I had been used to every other mediocre thai restaurant in Richmond when a friend took me here and promised it would be amazing. You can imagine my surprise when it WAS amazing! The Pad Thai with Tofu (you can choose your own spiciness, I usually go with Medium and get extra hot flakes on the side) is to die for! Very authentic, freshly prepared, and not a terrible wait. We now always start with the Tom Yum Goong which is phenominal (we order it Extra Hot, but unless you are used to spicy thai that makes you cry, I'd go with a Medium) and then we order Pad Thai. Portions are generous and they serve it up with just the right combination of peanuts, sprouts, and noodles. They have some of the BEST fried tofu and the family that owns and operates the restaurant is very, very kind! This is BY FAR my favorite restaurant in the Richmond area! Go!
(5)Jen M.
Delicious Thai food in the most unexpected place. Right on the train tracks in the middle of nowhere (near Bon Secours hospital in Mechanicsville, for reference), it's really easy to drive past and never know it was there. Excellent food served quickly and with a friendly manner. We haven't had a "miss" with any of the menu items! Definitely worth tracking this restaurant down and giving it a try.
(5)Quang N.
Best Thai food in the Richmond area. While a little bit out there, the drive is well worth it. Their herbs are grown right outside the restaurant, and the freshness definitely shines through. The pad thai, yellow curry, and tom yum are must haves. Every time I go, however, I have to get the crispy basil duck! It never disappoints and I devour it every time it comes out. They offer all this at prices that beat most places in Richmond. Beware that they are carry out only on Sundays.
(5)Mark C.
fantastic food, friendly owners
(5)Tricia A.
I really love Thai food but, it can be hard to find GOOD Thai. At Pad Thai everything smells and tastes fresh, the lunch portions were good sized and a good value at $6.99. There are peppers, basil and other ingredients growing right in front of the place. My husband had a dish featuring ginger and the amount and freshness of the ginger was awesome. Service was a bit slow and some people had to wait to get in for lunch but, it was worth it. Come early, there were less people before noon.
(5)Doug F.
In my opinion, the most authentic Thai in Richmond. Yes, it's a dive. It's in an old gas station right up on the railroad tracks, it's tiny, it's family owned & staffed (I think there is one waitress there now who is not a member of the immediate family). That being said, the food is great. As you walk in, look at the big planters that surround the door - they grow their own Thai peppers (if you go early in the spring, he'll sell you some seedlings & you can grow our own). I have not had a dish here that I didn't like. My kids (1.5 and 3) love the Rama Chicken. I love the Pad See Ew. Beware - if you order anything Thai hot, it will be truly Thai hot. ( i usually get "spicy" at most places, and pretty much always get "medium" here)
(5)L R.
I went to this place because of the reviews and boy it did not disappoint. Who cares about the decor, it's the food and it was so yummy! I had the drunkin noodle but will definitely try other entrees. The restaurant was extremely busy for lunch but the food came out timely and attention to service was spot on. The crispy spring roll was also very delicious. If you are new to thai food, I would recommend Pad Thai. I'll be definitely coming back, over and over again! A must try!
(5)Paige S.
This restaurant is where my husband introduced me to Thai food, and nothing has compared since. Admittedly I stick to a few favorites, Pad thai being one of them, and I also enjoy the Crispy Duck and the Tom Yung Goong (a spicy soup with Shrimp). Also, on the appetizer front, the Num Tok is a great start to the meal. I have to get mild or medium everything, while my husband opts for Thai hot - but whatever your preference, you'll be happy to make a trip out here.
(5)Emily W.
Yum! Fresh peppers growing in the outside garden. Owner was friendly and came over to check on us frequently. Best pad thai ever eaten!
(5)Ruby S.
delicious. had the massaman curry, grilled mixed seafood special, tom yum and pad thai. all very good. a little out of the way if you live in downtown richmond, but not really not that bad of a drive. hot peppers are for real and grown all around the front of the restaurant. awesome. they also have a small beer and wine selection, family owned. the real deal. go there. you'll be happy
(5)Adam R.
an absolute GEM!! drunken noodles, soooo yummy!! the minute it touches your tongue, boom, instant gratification!!! and the soups, for the LOVE!!! fives across the board for taste, 2 for atmosphere. a bit shoddy and dull. but seriously, who gives two flying focks when you're grubbing on tantalizing thai cuisine!
(4)Dave M.
The Pad Thai Restaurant is a fantastic local place. Family-run, in a converted gas service station on a country road off the beaten path. Service is excellent and attentive, with the owner (native Thai, with a decent command of English) appreciative of your visit and business. Most of the family works evening hours and Fridays and Saturdays can get busy with locals out for a meal. Very family and kid friendly. The food is excellent and very fresh. Pad Thai noodles are very good, as is the ginger beef and many of their stir fry dishes. We also love having the fried bananas for desert. Price is very reasonable (comparable to a moderate chain restaurant) and a very good value. Highly, highly recommended local native Thai restaurant.
(5)Stephanie M.
I have been wanting to try this place for a long time. For one, I have never had Thai food. For two, if I am going to try it, this place gets the best ratings. Add the fact that it is literally 5 minutes from my house and well you get the picture. Friend and I finally went tonight to get some take out. I could tell she was apprehensive because it is a sort of run down building beside some train tracks. As we approached the door, the smell coming from the place was pretty great. It is a pretty small place but the decor is kind of cute. Pretty authentic looking. We sat at a table to look at menus because we had no idea what to order. We decided to get Bankok Chicken, Pad Pak with Beef, Chicken satay and crispy wontons. The food smelled so good we debated pulling over and eating it on the way home. (joking!) The Wontons, I would not order again. There just wasn't much going on with them. The chicken satay was really good. I loved the Pad Pak, a nice mixture of vegetables and beef in a flavorful brown sauce. We ordered it medium and I cannot imagine what spicy would be! It was perfect but definitely had some kick! The Bankok chicken was pretty good also. I thought the prices were really reasonable. You get a good amount of food. I will be going back. I can't wait to try different things here.
(5)Martin S.
The food is excellent. I love the Pad Thai, Tom Yum Goong, Pad See Ew. The restaurant is tiny and seating is limited. The staff is attentive and friendly, and they've done an amazing job in creating a nice little establishment out of whatever it was before. I've only tried one other Thai restaurant in Richmond, somewhere on the west end, but this place definitely blows that other one out of the water.
(4)Guy S.
I know you will second guess your decision to dine at this little hole in the wall at first site but trust me, it doesn't get much better than this! Traditional Thai food... fresh and as spicy as you can take it. Fantastic menu variety and the family owners/operators are just so nice and friendly.
(5)Jennifer R.
I had high hopes for this place after some colleagues recommend it to me as some of the best curry ever. I am all for trying out curry! Unfortunately.. no. I don't know if it was just a bad day for curry or what - but my red curry was overwhelmingly salty. I actually grimaced quite a few times because it was just too much salt. I think if it weren't for that, it'd be good. I like my curry just a bit sweeter, as well, so maybe I'm biased there . The veggies in it were good, though.. just a slight crunch to them, which was nice. My husband had the pad thai and thought it was good, if not a bit small of a portion for lunch... would've been enough for me, though. Their appetizers and soup prices are a bit much... I wanted to try the wonton soup but it was almost $6 or so and that's just... too much for soup. And to wrap it up, the service was just meh. Didn't get a drink refill until I was done with my meal, didn't ask if we needed anything. I usually like to ask for more rice when I get curry but that didn't happen here. I think I'll stick with my regular thai restaurant in the future.
(2)Kari W.
Best Thai food I've ever had!!! They even sell Thai pepper plants when they are in season! A great hole-in-the-wall find!
(5)Christopher R.
Best Thai in Richmond!! They're beef drunken noodles are addictive
(4)Matt C.
Pad Thai holds a special place in my heart. Given that some of my clients are situated in the Mechanicsville area, my dining options are slim and dismal. So when my stomach feels as if it can handle some 'Thai hot' heat, we head right out to my favorite Thai restaurant-in-an-old-train-depot spot. Who knows what the original building is, but I like to think of it this way. I have to say, I love the whole equation of this place. It has very limited seating, even worse parking, a very hurried waitstaff and a one-page menu... yes, I'm in love - it's a dive. Their spring rolls are fantastic; crunchy, flavorful, greasy. And what do you think I order there (every time)? Pad Thai, of course. And it's great. When you're feeling like some completely un-American style spices and a healthy dose of heat, head out to Pad Thai. Feel free to roll in around the middle of the lunch hour, that way I'll be sure to have gotten a seat in their diminutive dining room.
(5)Kitchen Sales C.
We wanted to stop for lunch somewhere different as we were driving to DC and this was only 2 miles off the freeway. A full parking lot is always a good sign and we had to wait for aspace to open up at this out of the way spot. The green entryway with the tropical plants sets the tone Of Thailand and the delicious fresh food inside. We agree with other reviews that the service is quick and efficient and the food is delicious. The red curry is some of the best i've ever tasted, but watch for the chef's heavy hand with the spiciness. This was a great option for a great price - the lunch specials are very reasonable and include spring rolls or fried wontons.
(4)Brian R.
I found this place from yelp. I was trying to find something close to my work and was surprised to find this place since I drive by it every day and had never seen it. Don't let the outside fool you. I followed other reviews' suggestions and had the drunken noddles and pad Thai lunch specials. Both were equally amazing! I ordered them with medium spice and I will admit they were a bit spicier than I expected but in a good way. I admit I love hot food. We finished with some sticky rice with fresh mango which was perfectly sweet and tasty.
(4)Keta B.
Great Thai food in such an unexpected location! I usually order the Pad Thai and it's consistently good each time. It is a really small location and looks like a dive from the outside, but the quaintness of the atmosphere and service makes up for it.
(4)Kerry B.
This is the freshest Thai food in Richmond. I've eaten at two other Thai places, but the food here is beyond excellent. This is a family run business, so they care a lot about the quality of their food and their customers. My husband and I have only eaten here four times in the last six months, but the owner already recognizes us and teases us about ordering our dishes super hot with a side of hot chilies. This is the kind of place you love going to because you know the food will be amazing, but you also like the owners and the staff. If we lived closer, my husband and I would probably eat here weekly. It's that good. Some of the top items on the menu include the Crispy Duck Chef's Special, the Drunken noodles, and the Chicken with eggplant. Friends have ordered the Panang Curry, Masman Curry, and Pad Thai -- all were excellent. Honestly what sets this restaurant apart is their use of super fresh ingredients. They don't skimp on the fresh basil - it is everywhere. Their skill in the kitchen also shows with their use of chilies - hot, but but it does not mask the flavors of the dish. I would also suggest asking the waiter what they recommend that evening; they will point you to the best offerings of the evening. I love this restaurant and wished it was closer, but the drive out to Mechanicsville is a small sacrifice for such great food. This is some of the best Thai food I have ever had!
(5)Charlene H.
I went with the expectation of ordering drunken noodles but instead ordered the pad thai. And most comments are accurate i.e. I never would have seen this place had I not been looking and even then almost passed it with GPS on. The dish was medium in portion. Unlike others medium spicy really wasn't that hot and I found myself adding there peppers in the dish. This is a neat little space and the food is flavorful. I like that they grow their own peppers and there are literally so many plants you can see them. While there I saw the chef come out and pick them and one of the waiters watering the plants. I like this place and when I return to Richmond, Va. I hope to make this one of my stops.
(4)Rachel W.
I had the pad Thai and it was DELICIOUS! It was the perfect spice as well! I believe I got medium, it was the 2nd lowest. I will be going here again! Plus it's less than a mile from my house! Only complaint is it took me 10 minutes to get thru on the phone(take out).
(4)Ann Marie S.
Sizzlingly fabulous! Small, intimate, informal. If you enjoy spicy food, this is for you. And if you don't, there are other options. I was thrilled to see the peppers and squash growing along the entrance... Can't get much fresher. I'll definitely make the drive back from Williamsburg to try something else on the tempting menu.
(5)Robin L.
Wow, make sure you look at the pic to find the place :) It doesn't exactly stand out but it is worth looking for! We stopped in close to closing but that did not impact their service or quality. Service - Very fast and friendly. Decor - Clean with bright colors and a vague smell of cleaning solutions. Food - Outstanding. Came out fast and hot!! Value - Appropriate Chicken Pad Thai - Great flavor and on par with what you would expect when ordering Pad Thai. Yellow Curry Pork - served with rice. wow, Wow, WOW!!! The sauce was so delicious!! It was a thin consistency like that of a soup but the flavor was so spot on. The curry, coconut milk and I think cilantro was rich and bold while not being overbearing :)
(4)Bert D.
Who would think you would find really good Thai food in an off-the-beaten path little strip in Hanover. A hidden gem in my neck of the woods. I had the Basil with chicken- very very good. The drunken noodles were just right at the medium level. I was a little hesitant to go hotter than that. Oh yeah, they also have two Thai beers on the menu as well. I'll be back...
(4)Lisa N.
My favorite Thai restaurant in the Richmond area! The food is very authentic, the spices are fresh (I've seen the peppers growing outside the restaurant), and the owner is very friendly. I suggest the beef drunken noodles in medium (extra hot made my friends cry/throw up but they still loved it) and the duck red curry (which is like a spicy panang curry with bits of fatty duck inside). My only complaints are the long waits (during the weekend at dinner-time), the slow service (when it's busy), and the location (which is basically in the middle of nowhere).
(4)Kristi V.
I travel a lot, most times I would like to find a local place. You yelper has helped me at the past. You did it one more time! I was not sure when I step out the car because the restaurant is in the middle of no where. But... I'm glad I walked in anyway. I'm very pleased with this place. It's a very authentic Thai food. I can't rememer the name but it's the green beans with chicken. I chose hot because I was not sure how spicy it will be. Yup it was real Thai hot, I should have picked medium but it's so yummy that I can't stop eating them. So if you like to venture local place, Pad Thai should be on your list!
(4)John C.
Outstanding. My wife and I went here for lunch today and were extremely pleased. I agree that the outside is a little misleading however the food was great and the inside decor was very authentic Thai. They do grow their own hot peppers and there are banana trees growing outside which is kind of cool. The bathrooms were exceptionally clean. The tom yum soup was about as authentic as you can get in the States. This is definitely a return location and we highly recommend.
(5)Michael L.
Very solid showing. Stopped here on the way to Virginia Beach. They don't have anything that is explicitly vegetarian but will make just about anything with only vegetables. One thing to watch out for (like at all thai restaurants) is that they use fish sauce. Some of the items have it already in the dish and others can be made without. Just ask, and the owner was very knowledgeable and quick to look for a solution if you chose an option that doesn't work. We had the drunken noodles and green curry. A tip though. Unless you really like spicy order medium. I ordered hot and it was actually hot. (And trust me I eat hot things) error on the side of mild and toss chillies on it if it is too mild for you. There was a group here and they didn't want to split the check. Know that going in!
(4)David J.
How do you begin to rate a place that is as basic as it is awesome? The owner grows his own hot peppers, herbs, etc. At the store. You can see it when you park. Great value. Phenomenally executed Thai food. An overall win! (Disclaimer-Have only gone there several times for lunch).
(4)MrHappiness1st ..
I can give 3 stars to food but their service was terrible so i have to give 1 star! Family operating business but you still have to train your waitress better than that!!! The waitress shows bias to different customers too.
(1)Avneet M.
This is a solid no frills thai restaurant. The food was delicious and service was quick. We tried the fried rice, drunken noodles, panang curry and red duck curry. Everything was great and will definitely be back.
(4)Tom C.
I have not had these flavors outside of Thailand. There are a lot of good Thai restaurants in Richmond but none as authentic as Pad Thai. It is worth the drive from the city. For those that have been to Thailand try both the Pad Thai and Tom Yum soup and tell me if there is anything better in Richmond. Their other dishes are equally flavorful.
(5)Lauren C.
We arrived at 8:15. They started to seat us then as we were sitting down told us the kitchen was closing at 8:30. We asked if we could put in our order right then to which they said no, so we got up from the table and left. So really their kitchen closed prior to 8:15 and they close well before the 9pm on the sign. Fail on their part.
(1)Jessica H.
Not real sure what all the hype is. The food was mediocre and the service was actually rather appalling. Yes it was super scary fast (which makes me question its freshness). But our waitress just seemed annoyed the entire time we were there. The hot tea was more luke-warm and wouldn't seep. The fried dumplings had no filling. The lettuce in the salad was brown and wilting. No one ever refilled my water (I actually self served). And one of the meals came out w/o rice and there was never another opportunity to ask for it, bc we never saw a waitress again. I would never go back. Nor would I recommend anyone else to go. And there's better thai food elsewhere. Had anyone else in our party of 4 actually enjoyed the experience I might be willing to try it again. But not so much.
(2)Jennifer S.
Excellent flavor in the vegetable red curry and in the the coconut lemongrass soup (tom kha gai) and perfectly cooked crispy fried flounder with garlic. Very fresh vegetables. Fun location near the train tracks. Planning on going back repeatedly to try everything else.
(5)Kim K.
This is really a 2.5 star rating. So I finally tried Pad Thai after several recommendations from friends who know how much I love Thai. We ordered the spring rolls, Tom yum goong soup, Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles and sticky rice with mango. Rolls-didn't have much taste without the dipping sauce Soup-a little too heavy on the lemongrass for my taste, but shrimp were large, plump & perfectly cooked. Pad Thai-my daughter felt it was too sweet for her taste Drunken Noodles-good flavor but a bit greasy Sticky rice- I must say this was the biggest disappointment of the meal. The mango was clearly not ripe and the rice was not only sticky but overcooked. Seriously , it was chewy as if it was heated/prepared in the microwave. The service was friendly and efficient. Prices were reasonable. Not the worst Thai I've had and certainly not the best. I don't think I need to drive from Glen Allen to enjoy again; I much prefer to Thai at Chadar Thai or Thai Diner.
(3)Yaofu Z.
Little rundown on the outside, but interesting interior decor and excellent food. Very flavorful, all the right flavor notes are there. Recommendation to the owner, put a better sign out.
(5)Khalilah L.
I ordered the drunken noodles. It was ok .... the portions were small , taste wise mediocre nothing to distinguish from the other Thai restaurants in Richmond. Meh...not worth coming all the way out to mechanicsville for average thai food. Game over :/
(3)Trami N.
Tried this place out because of the high ratings on yelp however I was very disappointed. I ordered Pad Thai and my friend ordered drunken noodle. The dinner portions were small and this is coming from a girl who almost never finishes her plate. The pad Thai sauce was overwhelming and the drunken noodle was just okay. Unfortunately I didn't care for the Thai tea either because it tasted bland. Also the waitresses were not attentive at all. Sorry but I will not be coming back.
(2)Blue B.
Great food! Drunken noodle was my favorite. The service was mediocre. They forgot our appetizer and the waitress looked annoyed the entire time.
(4)James B.
I have tried all the Thai food places in the Richmond area and this is the best. I did have a seafood soup once that wasn't great and the pork cuts can have some gristle periodically. However, I like to eat here a few times each month it is so good. Try the crispy, spicy duck.
(5)Susan C.
My boyfriend and I have eaten here almost every Friday night for the past year and a half. Love the food and the service. We had the best waitress. .. always cheerful, helpful. "No worries! ". Highly recommend this gem.
(5)Iv C.
This is my first time dining here and I am not quite sure why this place has so many 5 star ratings! First of all, my 5 year old son squeezed his nose and yelled out "this place smells bad!!" We thought it was true because there was a foul stench in the air, but we were embarrassed because the waitress was staring at us when he said that. We think that that was probably when she started to not like us because she stared at me like she was annoyed when I asked her if she could bring one water in a to go cup! I even explained to her that my son spills his drinks all the time. Afterwards, we ordered a bunch of stuff including 2 drunken noodles and pad thai (which is our family favorite) but when I tried to order a tofu appetizer dish that I have never tried before with its own thai name (you know how Asian menus always have 2 names for 1 dish; one is in their own language, but written in English so that we can pronounce it and the other name is an English description of the food) I wanted to make sure I was pronouncing it right by looking at our waitress and she said "TOFU" so I repeated the name of the dish in the thai name again, but before I even finished talking, she said "TOFU" again and again and again. It seemed as if she was saying to stop struggling if you don't know how to pronounce it because it's tofu!!! Wow, she really pissed me off there and you should have seen her face!! Like she was so annoyed...what did I do wrong? Is being friendly such a bad thing? And the funny thing is that when I mentioned this situation to the manager/owner, he kept defending her by saying "She's not Thai and she can't speak English at all!" WOW we all heard her speaking perfect English with all the customers and do you even have to be Thai to just help pronounce foods you're selling I. your restaurant? What the heck?! I was even more upset after talking to him. And I'm not even finished yet! The food wasn't that bad compared to their service but that doesn't mean it was great! Their fresh roll wraps were so mushy, so it had no chewiness and the wrap stuck onto our fingers and clothes. The drunken noodles were broken into way smaller pieces compared to all the Thai restaurants we tried, so I didn't like it that much. Unfortunately, we were so hungry because we just came from three hours of swimming, but I am most definitely sure that we are not going to go back there! There are plenty of better Thai restaurants in Richmond! Oh, and I almost forgot to say that he told me the restaurant operates as a family business and maybe that's why he was only trying to protect the waitress and not try to fix her problems because I read several other's complaints about the waitress too.
(1)Cassidy F.
The food was very good. Reasonably priced. This place was packed and now know why, the food was great. Had shrimp and broccoli stir fry in a ginger sauce and it was delicious. Went with two friends and they both loved their food as well. Service was sub par, but that's the only negative. Definitely recommend!
(4)Canon H.
If you've never been to Pad Thai it's totally worth the drive. It's a hole in the wall for sure, but I'd put the food up against any other Thai in Richmond. We both got the red curry lunch portion and we both licked our plates clean. The only negatives I'd say is that the apps didn't seem to get the same attention as the main, and it really does take a while to get there unless you live in Mechanicsville. Otherwise, we left happy and full.
(4)Ivy C.
After reading reviews of this place, I wanted to try it as I was traveling to Rihmond on business. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed. I ordered the thai iced tea, drunken noodles, and tom yum goong. I received all my food and drink within 2 minutes of ordering. This is no joke. I was very surprised it came out so quickly. That is why I do not think they make their food fresh but pre-make it, then heat it up. The thai iced tea was more half and half than red tea. The server noticed I wasn't drinking it and asked if I liked it so I told her that it tastes more of half and half than the normal thai iced tea so she nicely said she would take it away. Therefore, I thought she would take it off my bill but she didn't. The drunken noodles was decent. The tom yum goong was watered down but had lots of veggies and plentiful of shrimp. The flavor of tom yum goong is what I look forward to and sadly, the broth was sub-par. The server was friendly for the most part. I don't think she wanted to be working tonight though. There's a lot of Thai restaurants in the Richmond area. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(2)Anil P.
Very disappointed. Decided to try them out because of some good reviews. Ordered from dinner menu the red curry and Bangkok chicken. Red curry was salty and the chicken was rubbery. Bangkok chicken tasted like it was fried in old oil and very greasy. I will not be back.
(1)Candis J.
The food is good but I hate to see a strong business go down by irrational decision making from the younger generation. I had to deal with a young gentleman who was stress that I had five separate orders. I assume he's the only one upholding this rule. He expressed how much of an inconvenience it was for him because it takes to much time to scan different credit cards. I think its inconvenient for our office to make orders with Pad Thai restaurant. I do understand that the office can plan ahead and get cash out of ATM or one person can pay for everyone....... That's inconvenient as well. As he's ringing me up, he says " see how long this takes ?". "See how much of a hassle this is; especially to the customers waiting behind you."......I was thinking " wow, are you really trying to scold me like a child as your taking the money?" Great customer service.... The solution for Pad Thai is let someone with patience, work the front counter. Or get a new merchant service; something quicker than there old credit card machine. The service that connects with iPad works great and is not that expensive. The business make enough money to afford it. Manipulating the way a customer pays is not the answer. It money.... Money for the business.
(1)Nate B.
Don't go here. It's the best Thai in Richmond and I don't want to wait for a table next time I go.
(5)Vic P.
Yes it really is the best thai food on the east coast!! I've been to over 20 thai restaurants and no one can come close to Pad Thai.Don't judge a book by its cover because it does look run down on the outside.Friendly staff and the food is amazing! I could eat here everyday. My favorite is the pad num prik pow with beef, extra hot(not thai hot because that's too much). Spring rolls and fried rice are good too!! Try the beef salad or fish cakes. It doesn't matter what you eat you won't be disappointed. They just started opening on Sunday from 4-8pm for takeout only.
(5)Jennifer M.
We've been here half a dozen times at least and have always been pleased. The crispy duck dish is fantastic!! The pad see ew is our go-to and has always been perfect. Mango sticky rice is a must-try if you haven't had it...delicious!
(5)Monique M.
The food here is delicious! It is truly worth your while to give it a try if you are in the area. The staff is nice. The atmosphere is comfortable.
(5)L. L.
I live in Los Angeles and was in town visiting my sister last week when we decided to get some Thai food. This place is AMAZING!!! I have been to several Thai restaurants in the LA area and they were great- this place is right up there on my list. I got the garlic chicken (which was perfect in every way) and the Bangkok chicken, which is also to die for!! It reminds me of the tempura chicken my sister and I used to get from our favorite Chinese restaurant in Florida when we were kids. We ate here last Tuesday and today (in Los Angeles), I've been looking around to find tempura chicken and nobody has it!!!! I'm definitely going to be eating here next time I'm out in Mechanicsville!!!!! DELICIOUS!!!
(5)Will H.
I've only been here once, and it's really unfortunate that I don't live in Richmond and rarely find myself in the area, because I may never make it to Pad Thai again. I stopped in right before they closed after their lunch hours, and I'm soooooo glad I wasn't 10 minutes later. At first, I wasn't sure what to think. I didn't even see the entrance when pulling into the lot. It just looked like an old, vacant building with a simple sign on it. My apprehension quickly disappeared as I walked towards the door, and saw all of the fresh herbs and peppers growing. It was a harvest that I'm actually quite envious of, as we're always running out of Thai basil, etc. at home. Once you walk in, you're greeted by a relaxed atmosphere and nice staff. It's has a lot nice, bright vibe that you wouldn't expect when looking from the outside. Anyway, by the time I got there, the lunch crowd was gone, and there was only one other table sat. I was there by myself, and the staff was really nice. I could tell everyone was eager to get ready for dinner, but they didn't make me feel rushed, which was awesome. The lunch menu isn't too large, and I figured the best thing to order at a place called "Pad Thai Restaurant" was the pad Thai, so that's what I went with. You really can't beat the lunch deal. You also get a side with your meal, so I got the fried wontons. The wontons were okay, but nothing spectacular. The pad Thai on the other hand? AWESOME! It was as good as some of my favorite Thai spots that I frequent in Pittsburgh (yes, a city with a reputations drenched in ethnically-diverse cuisine, I know. Ha). It was really good. Sweet. Sour. Savory. Perfect. The added bonus? The price. It's hard to go out and eat a lunch for the cost. I'm seriously bummed that I can't go back and try more of the menu, but I'll definitely be there again IF I'm in the Richmond area again. And, yeah...maybe 5 stars is a bit much to give based on a single meal, but the food and service left a 5-star impression on me! Hopefully it does for you, as well!
(5)Henry J.
The best thai in town. If you go you HAVE to get the Crispy spicy duck. I am so cereal guys. The best thing on the menu and that is saying a lot.
(5)Han V.
This place is a bit of a drive and there is not much else besides the raceway in the area-- but it will totally be worth the trip! As you pull up to the restaurant, you will notice all the large Thai pepper bushes and vine of bitter melon overgrowing all over the front. I have even seen the workers come out to pluck some extra peppers for a dish. So you know that the food is definitely fresh. This place literally feels like someone's home and the cozy interior of the restaurant compliment this as well. As you walk in, the walls are decorated with posters of Thailand and they even play Thai music sometimes. The owner is so friendly here and always greets you with a big smile. Aside from the owner, the servers can be a hit or a miss. Some of them take forever and disappear in the middle of the meal. The food can take a while to come out during busy times as well. Their drunken noodles are really tasty and pack a lot of flavor-- I like to squeeze lime juice over the noodles to brighten up the dish. I also really like their curries, in particular the red curry which is very creamy and spicy. If you want to try something different, try the red curry with duck! It is a delicious combination. Their Pad Thai is way too sweet for me and I think the flavors could be better balanced-- it is the only dish that I don't like there. Compared to other Thai places in the Richmond area, this place is the shining star. Pad Thai offers authentic, fresh, delicious food. Food: 4 Value: 4 Service: 2.5 Overall: 3.5
(4)Thuy V.
Very Very good Thai food. Really is a gem in the middle of nowhere it seems. Have tried masuman curry, pineapple dish, drunken noodles, tofu dishes, crispy duck and some other dishes. None of the food is a miss and most is great. Also is cool that it seems that a lot of the ingredients are grown right in front of the restaurant. The thing that kind of brings it down for me is service. One of the waitresses is very enthusiastic but the one busker is so apathetic. They also get busy sometimes with little staff that you don't get that much needed water refill for a while. Would that stop me from going? No, but makes the experience a little less than stellar.
(4)Faye B.
Wow what an interesting place is the first thing I said. You pull up into this gravel parking lot in the middle of what seems like no where. Then, it is like this old looking building! The price was reasonable and the food was pretty good!!
(4)Donald P.
My wife was craving Pad Thai as we were driving up I-295 from Myrtle Beach. This place was a little hard to find partly because it doesn't look like your typical restaurant from the outside nor is it located where you think it'd be. Initially we drove right past it. When we double back, it was interesting to see little red peppers plants growing all over outside. That's kind of neat. We didn't stick around to eat inside, but the food was alright. Won't rehash what everyone else said but I agree it was spiiiiiicy!
(3)Jeff H.
Great food! Don't be afraid to order thai hot... :) Good curries, pad thai.... It's a bit of a divey spot in some old grain warehouse buildings next to the train tracks, and the trains can rumble by, shaking the building while you eat. All said, a nice family run spot, I eat there once a month or so.
(4)Tara R.
This place is SUCH a gem! I got drunken noodle and it was delish. My husband got panang curry and we both agreed it was the best we had ever had. I didn't worry about the spice level of each dish. We each got medium and had no complaint. Service was okay. Took a few minutes to get water refills but food came quickly. This place is worth a try. The outside is deceiving but this is definitely worth your money!!!!
(4)Ryan L.
After hearing many good things about this place, my girlfriend and I decided to try it out. When we went, the place was packed which was a good sign. BUT, there is nowhere to wait (unless you wait outside in the cold and risk losing your place in line to be seated) so we were left waiting awkwardly in the front, standing right next to other people eating their meals at the tables. It took about 15 minutes for us to even be acknowledged by a girl that worked there, who told us we would be sitting at the next available table. Once we were seated, we ordered a curry dish with beef and potatoes which neither of us liked, even though my girlfriend is a big fan of curry. We also ordered the Pad Thai, which was mediocre at best. When we were finished we had to pay at the front after waiting in a long line. One good thing I will say though is that the prices are very reasonable, but we definitely won't be back.
(2)Nathan W.
This place really does love up to the reputation is great! This place is hidden out in the middle of nowhere and had the best thai food in Richmond. I have had several things of course the pad thai and is all been delicious.
(5)Chris N.
Pad Thai Restaurant in Mechanicsville, Va has become my favorite Thai restaurant. (Recently edging out a long time favorite, The Thai Room Restaurant located on the beach road in the Outer Banks of North Carolina). I have to admit that it took my wife about a year to convince me to try the restaurant. I was hesitant due to its inconspicuous, unassuming and, frankly, "dive" looking exterior. Obviously, what is offered inside is not a reflection of this view from the outside. I am most grateful to my wife for her persistence. The specialty of Pad Thai Restaurant, obviously, is their delicious Pad Thai offerings. Authentic, full of flavor and served as spicy as you desire. My favorite dishes on the menu are the appetizer Yum Talay. This cold salad type dish is a perfect blend of shrimp, calamari, bay scallops, and fresh red onions, carrots and cilantro in a sweet, tangy, rice wine vinegar based marinade. The dish that I crave, though, is Crispy Duck. This dish is indescribably unique and delicious. The duck is sliced thin, cooked a number of times but lastly deep fried to crispy perfection. The dish is actually quite simple as the only other ingredient besides the small, but perfect amount of dark rich oily sauce is thinly sliced red peppers. Served with jasmine rice once you try this dish you will judge all other Thai food against it. I am sure there are other delicious offerings at Pad Thai, as I have seen them at other tables. Unfortunately, I can't get beyond the few things I traditionally order as they represent perfection in my food world.
(5)Dave T.
A small hidden gem that's kind of out in the middle of nowhere but well worth visiting. Their Pad Thai is excellent, both flavorful and full of large jumbo shrimp. Plus they give you a portion that'll definitely fill you up!
(4)Shar C.
I'd like to start off by saying that sometimes the best restaurants...are the hole-in-the-wall kinds of restaurants. This restaurant is no different. Came in last minute for dinner a few minutes before closing, but since we knew what we wanted to order already service was quick. We ordered the Garden Rolls and Calamari Tempura. The rolls were okay, a little on the small side for rolls, but the peanut sauce was pretty good. The Calamari was good as well, but I wish there wasn't so much breading. We ordered three entrees: Pad Thai, Pad See Ew, and Drunken Noodles. What I loved about the food is that there's so much flavor! A word of advice: this is one of those places where the actually offer "thai hot" as a choice, meaning they know their spiciness. What's impressive is that they grow their own peppers and spices...right outside. There's four choice: mild, medium, hot, and thai hot. For those with sensitive palates, medium can be pretty spicy, so stick with mild if you're not a big fan of too much spice. The only thing I didn't appreciate was the fact that the dishes tended to be overly greasy, especially my Drunken Noodles. What overruled that was the great balance of spicy and flavor. Parking is pretty small and looks like it wouldn't be a good idea during busy hours. Wouldn't mind coming here again, especially if it's for a quick lunch.
(3)Stuart H.
The quirky off the beaten path location is well worth the trip but we do take out more than eat in because of the so, so service & limited beer selection. The soft spring rolls & all of the soups are amazing & have a fresh taste that you will crave. The curry dishes & pad thai with your choice of meat are amazing but on a couple of occasions have been under spiced. If you ask for hot be ready to sweat! I usually go with medium heat & this still packs plenty of heat. The fresh peppers & herbs growing around the building add to the unique & authentic feel of the place. If you love Thai food this is a must try restaurant!
(4)Peter B.
Absolutely delicious and legitimately authentic, this Thai place is great. Reminds me of the food in Pattaya and Bangkok.
(5)Mark S.
Looks like an old gas station and closes at 8:30 at least on Monday, but food was good. Pad Keo Mau used the fat, wide noodle instead of egg noodles like a lot do. Curries were very tasty too. Will definitely stop in again the next time I'm in the area....
(4)Trey M.
Yelp plugged me on to this place. I was on the way back to DC from a work trip in VA Beach. It's a mile and a half off of I-295 on the right. Don't walk in the first set of doors as you're coming from the parking lot - that's the kitchen. It smelled great, infused with spices and herbs, but it's worth avoiding the awkward stares because you went in the wrong door. I ordered the shrimp potpourri and went for the extra hot option. The food was tasty but not mind blowing. I came for the food but will be back just for the hostess. Incredibly nice and she matched my food option - extra hot.
(4)Mickie D.
Good!
(4)