We've ordered take out from Simply Thai a few times now and have been pretty satisfied. The food is of good quality and the portions are generous. I have not been blown away by it, but given the other options in the area for ethnic food, Simply Thai is a great option in Old Hickory. Their Pad Thai with Chicken is surprisingly tasty with a good acidic bite added to the peanut sauce which gave it more depth than I'm used to from that Thai food standard. Their Spicy Basil dish was better and the basil sauce was spicy and not greasy. Tom Kar soup was fine but a little bland. The spring rolls are nothing to get excited about. The dumplings, on the other hand, were amazing and after trying one I was instantly jealous of my wife's ordrer. Next time I'm going all-in on dumplings. I have not dined in, but it appears there may be no AC in the dining room. This summer, each visit I made to pick up my food I felt the dining room was a little stuffy. It doesn't seem to affect the locals much, though, as the restaurant is usually pretty busy. The staff are usually quite friendly and the prices are very reasonable given the quality of the food and the portion size. My neighbors seem to love this place, so that's saying something as well.
(3)
Andrew B.
My family is eaten here several times and the food has always been really good. I didn't get it 5 stars because it's a bit too pricey and I always seem to wait a little longer than what is expected given the crowds. But overall, really good food and it's worth the wait.
(4)
J R.
I was really disappointed in my service today. I come here very often to eat. I dined in and waited 45 minutes for my dish. In the mean time, no one checked on me or refilled my drink. Literally the servers seemed to dance around me and attend everyone else. I was pretty shocked. I finally decided to get my food to go which magically appeared when I decided to leave. Hmmmm
(2)
Bridgette C.
A small unassuming Thai restaurant and takeout place in Old Hickory, Simply Thai isn't the best nor the worst Thai I've ever had. It looks like its operated out of a trailer, but its actually really good and not expensive at all. There's very limited space inside, so I recommend coming in on off hours or getting your food to go. I'm not one to advocate super spicy food since I am not a fan but I can say their chicken fried rice is quite good. I can't speak to the service either as I've only ever had takeout, but again, this is not a bad place for something on the go.
(3)
Miles F.
The food is always very good, but lately the service has been horrible and outwardly rude. They have completely forgotten to place my order twice now when I've called in for a pick up. As I sit here in the waiting area I am looking around observing everyone being neglected by the staff. I've witnessed two different tables have to ask for drink refills. And when I just asked the guy behind the counter about my order he reacted with so much attitude and was just flat out rude. I will not be ordering from here ever again. I would advise to go elsewhere, unless you like to be forgotten.
(1)
Janette C.
A new place to try for dinner when I absolutely didn't feel like cooking and MasterCard offered to take me out for a meal :) I ordered for two......green curry chicken.....beef pad thai.....jasmine rice....dumplings... and egg rolls. Every bite of it was delicious! It was great! I did take mine to go so I can't comment on service or the dinning room but the to go service was quick and easy :)
(4)
Jesse I.
The food is so good. I also experienced a long wait but the food is fresh. The place is clean, the staff is friendly, food is good.
(4)
Nathan W.
Not sure how it got 4 stars. Especially with the meal we had, they must have dump the whole soy source on the things that require stir fry. We took a few bites couldn't continue on with the dishes. I was told they have no complaint before. Looks like one of the places that should be on chef Ramy show.
(2)
Sam K.
Great food! Took wait for our food was a bit long... But totally worth it. Tastes like they make everything fresh!! Here is what I thought about the following: We got the wontons and spring rolls: not much to talk about. Wontons were not the best. The basil leave was my favorite. So much to say that it was one of the best dishes I have had. The pad Thai was good too. The tamarind sauce was tangy and delish. I did have to ask for cilantro on the side.. That's how I like it at least. And ours didn't come with the usual egg stirred along with it. But even without those things we enjoyed it. The pineapple stir fried rice was okay compared to the other stuff. Overall I am coming back!
(4)
Rhonda S.
I went a few weeks ago, to introduce my mother to Thai food. I get my standard Thai fare which is drunken noodles and decided to try their soup. The food honestly was not good. The server was very kind and patient with my mother the Thai newby, but she looked at me and said, meh, I think I'll stick to Chinese. I couldn't blame her.
(2)
Jeff H.
Green curry is best I've ever had. This place is great. Highly recommend! Also wontons and pad Thai are great. Like the drunken noodle dish too. Love love love this plave
(5)
Leah V.
Craving some Asian food and not wanting to succumb to the dreadful, sketchy but sometimes weirdly delicious Chinese Buffett.... The Hubs and I went to Yelp for help. Simply Thai was the highest rated place around hermitage so we grabbed my purse and headed out. Upon entering, I was relieved to find no weird fishy smell that can accompany some smaller Asian restaurants so , Yay, it was clean inside! We were seated right away and our server was very attentive. Decor was pleasantly nice and inviting. The Hubs ordered the Pad Thai which was delicious and perfectly spiced. I ordered the Broccoli Delight with chicken. My chicken was a little bland but the quality of the jasmine rice and vegetables was top notch and fresh. We will definitely be coming back to trek our way through their tasty menu.
(3)
Angie A.
Enjoyed dinner with a group of friends here this past weekend. The beef salad and the green papaya salad....amazing! We shared a green curry with chicken, a red curry with shrimp, some pineapple fried rice and a sweet and sour chicken. Fav was red curry but all the food was wonderful. Service was spot on in the beginning but slowed as the place began to fill up, around 7pm Saturday night. I'll be back. One of the best Thai dinners I've had in the Nashville area.
(4)
Brian S.
After an underwhelming first experience, I gave Simply Thai another shot again this week and am really glad I did. I ordered a pair of lunch entrees, which are $7.50 a piece and come with a spring roll. The portions were reasonable for a lunch menu, so I thought it was a decent value. I tried both the pad kra pao (basil) chicken and the red curry, and both were pretty good. I intended to take leftovers home but instead managed to devour both. I guess this is why I am starting to look a bit like the Michelin man. I also need to commend the service. They checked back with me frequently as I sat there, kept my water glass full, and made sure both of my requests (extra spicy, and no zucchini) were done by the kitchen. What would I improve? 1) There was something just a little off with the pad kra pao. It wasn't bad by any means, but the flavor was different than most Thai places I've been to across the country. It was both a little sweeter and missing that usual "punch." Different recipes have different amounts of sauces like dark soy, light soy, oyster, fish, and so on. 2) Speaking of sauces...I asked for the rack of spices and hot sauces. Theirs was missing prik nam pla (bird chilis in fish sauce), which his pretty much THE ultimate Thai condiment. Overall, these are minor quibbles--although I will actually bump up my star rating if you guys start putting out some prik nam pla!. I'll definitely be back. Simply Thai is a gem for the Old Hickory/Hermitage area.
(3)
Harris R.
One of my most favorite places to eat. Affordable, friendly service, and great tea! I recommend the wonton appetizer.
(5)
David L.
Oops. Wrong place!
(3)
Kymberly S.
Tiny little place that's a little hidden gem. Amazing food. This was my first visit but I will be a regular. Today I'm having Pad Thai Chicken - delicious! And the egg roll that came with it is easily one of the best that I've ever eaten!
(5)
Peter S.
Dinner here last night provided the kind of experience that keeps you trying new restaurants. Chicken larb, spicy beef salad, and spicy fish were on the menu for us. All three were executed as well as I can remember experiencing for quite a while. All were requested at a four out of five spiciness and came in right on the money. Don't be fooled by the out-of-the-way location in suburban Nashville in a rundown mini strip mall. It's not much to look at on the inside either. Pretty small with seating for maybe 40 at most. There's nothing about this place that would lead you to expect the wonderful experience a meal here can be. They have a modest selection of Asian beers and a few common domestics. No wine or spirits. The restaurant was half full and while the waitstaff was attentive the kitchen was a little slow. The dishes came one at a time at a measured pace that left you plenty of time to anticipate the next dish. Perhaps many people would consider the pace just right. I would consider changing my travel plans to try and be able to eat here again.
(5)
Hakan D.
Very good food, reasonably priced. I tried many dishes from the menu. I was never disappointed. I have one complain that they seem to be understaffed every time I went there. I wasn't in a hurry, so I didn't make a big deal out of the service speed. I recommend fresh wraps, pad tai, tom yum soup, and drunken noodle. It is a little out of the way for me but I think the food is worth the trip.
(4)
Katie U.
Simply Thai was fine but nothing amazing. The food was OK - good portions, but no one in the group loved their food or would order it again. The atmosphere was nothing special, and neither was the service. While I wouldn't be opposed to going back, I would never choose it myself.
(2)
Ashley R.
We get takeout from them at least once a week. Their green curry is to die for, and it doesn't hurt that you get huge portions when you take it as carryout. It usually lasts me about 2-3 meals, but my husband will sometimes order 2 green curries just so he can enjoy them all weekend long! I have also gotten their cashew chicken which is equally as delicious. The pad thai isn't personally my favorite, but the green curry more than makes up for it. Great little secret in Old Hickory!
(5)
Taylor B.
Best Thai food in Nashville hands down. My family gets takeout from this place at least once a week and we've never had a bad experience. As for the inside, don't judge a book by its cover. The inside is nice and cozy and the staff is great. I love this place!
(5)
Emily M.
We love the peanut sauce with noodles and the pad Thai. Great place with awesome service! Definitely one of the best places to eat in Nashville.
(5)
Andy B.
I really like this place. Their food is good for the most part... their entrees. I have a feeling that the appetizers and desserts are not their focus. I had their fried bananas and they had absolutely no flavor suggesting that they were frozen or a few days old or something. As a cali boy, there's nothing I love more than a freshly cut, wrapped in fresh dough(?), tossed in a fryer, shaped like a finger flicking football fried banana, but this just fell short - tasted like nothing. I'm being hyper critical though as their food (entrees) are fantastic, really, really good, and I can't wait to go back to try their pho. The Musman, Pad Thai, and Panang... oh my goodness their Panang! Again, being hyper critical, if I were them I would thicken the sauce just a tad, but it is delicious.
(4)
Amanda B.
So glad to get to support another local business! This place is great; in fact, I just ordered some to-go for the second time this week. Not embarrassed. I think it's some of the freshest-tasting Thai food I've had in Nashville, comparable to Thai Phooket and The Smiling Elephant. Go there and support them, you won't regret it. And, I'll be happy because they will stay around longer! And just a tip: their spice scale is pretty high in my opinion, I can't even handle the level 1 spice which is more like a 5 to me.
(5)
Don G.
As stated by others, Simply Thai is a bit out of the way for most. If you drive past everyday, it would still be easy to miss. We had the drunken noodles and fresh rolls. Our 6 yr. old had satay and won - ton soup. Ours was very good. I had to get it less spicy since we were sharing, but all was fresh and flavorful. I eat here every other month or so when headed this way and recommend it to anyone who likes a mom and pop style restaurant and is not in a hurry.
(4)
Adam N.
A great little place with with great food!!! The staff was super friendly and answered all my questions( it was my first time having Thai). The green curry, pad Thai, and wontons were all excellent, the spring rolls were also out of this world. Reasonable prices and quick food.
(5)
Crystal J.
This little gem is tucked into the Lakewood area in old hickory tn. This restaurant can be described as being truly authentic as it had THE HOTTEST spice.... No joke! As a friend of mine would say "it's Thai-melt-your-face-off" spiciness when you order your food a 5-thai hot. The pad that is good, I've always ordered a spicy level 5 with it. The two soups are delicious, boasting with fresh cut tomatoes and your choice of protein. The green curry is especially scrumptious, and is served with white rice. I like this place because it is authentic, and they deliver on some days, not all. The times they don't, I don't mind calling in a carryout order. If you decide to dine inside, you won't be disappointed. I have never seen this place empty, there is ALWAYS someone enjoying thai food here.
(5)
Jules F.
I don't know when or why they changed ownership, but when this originally opened I would have rated it at 5 stars. Now, while the food is okay...the food is just okay. It's not bad Thai by any means, but it definitely is not what it used to be. When it opened the place was some really legit Thai. Now it is more of a watered down version of what it used to be. Simply Thai is Simply Not As Good As It Once Was.
(3)
Brandon K.
I love this place!! I own the salon next door so we order from them close to 3 times a week at times and our clients love to eat there also. Everyone that works there is very friendly and the food is always always good!! I tell everyone about this place. I can't say enough good things about the people and the food!
(5)
Joseph P.
I've been 4 times in the past month since moving here in May. I love this place. Red curry is my go to dish with Thai, and this place does not disappoint. I wasn't a big fan of the pad Thai- a bit too sweet for my taste. Pho was awesome. A definite repeat dish for me. I've also tried the basil leave with chicken- was great, and a little bit better the next day for lunch. I've also tried the Musman curry with tofu- had too much cinnamon for me (at least I think it was cinnamon). And you must get the fresh rolls with shrimp.
(5)
Cynthia P.
It IS in a odd-looking building next to used car lot and a hair salon in an area of town called "Lakewood" that few people know actually exists as a town. (To give you a point of reference it is very close to Black Jack Marina off of Old Hickory Blvd. It's an easy drive from East Nashville via Ellington through Madison, or Lebanon Road to Old Hickory from Donelson/Hermitage, etc.) I personally love the quaint log cabin-style interior and the Buddhas and Asian cat statues waving a greeting from a shelf as you enter the front door. Yes, if the place is packed you are going to have to wait. And even if it's not packed you might have to wait because they are preparing your food with fresh ingredients and not just heating it up. If you can embrace this as an experience, you can use this time as an opportunity to try one of their many Asian beers available such as Tiger, Lao Beer, Chang, or Sapporo...or have a nice pot of green tea. And the wait is definitely worth it. The food is excellent! Very flavorful and not sodium-saturated. The dinner entrees easily feed two or provide enough leftovers to to take home. Two of us usually order one entree & split it, an appetizer, and a couple of beers and our tab is under $25. My favorite menu items are the Drunken Noodles, the Fresh Rolls, and the Tom Yum soup. Note: I can handle a fair amount of heat but I only get a "2" level because they are serious about their heat!
(4)
Kelly Ann W.
Little drive by place you wouldn't even notice. But SO worth the stop. We love the drunken noodles and the chilli paste fried rice is better than any Chinese takeout. Odd in a little cabin with asian decorations- so don't come for the ambiance. But if you're hungry and like asian flavors- stop in....you won't b sorry
(4)
Mehgan H.
If you are looking for a place that is quick and delicious in Old Hickory, TN - than Simply Thai is the place to go! I am a huge fan of Pad Thai and love to try this dish and every Thai restaurant I go to. I was not disappointed at all! I also had a spring roll that was delicious. Don't hesitate to walk in, as you may think by the exterior that the food may not be good. Don't let that fool you - several restaurants have been here in the past but I think that this restaurant is here to stay for a while. Make sure you try this, hey - it's not like there are a whole lot of other options in Old Hickory anyways, right?!
(4)
Renee A.
Shhh...We've been cheating on Thai Phooket 2 with Simply Thai. And I definitely prefer their Pad Thai to Thai Phooket's. We've only been here a handful of times, so I haven't explored the menu much. But to be honest, that's not really my style. I stick to what I love and order it again and again and again. The restaurant is located in a nondescript building on Old Hickory Blvd in Old Hickory. The interior of the restaurant looks like a log cabin (was this spot a BBQ joint in a past life?). There usually aren't more than a couple of other diners when we eat between 6-7pm on a weeknight, and that's a shame because the food is really good. In our experience, the service isn't too friendly, but the woman who is always manning the front of house gets the job done. Our water glasses never stay low for long.
(4)
John M.
This is now in my top 3 of best Thai food, and I do a lot of traveling in the US. The interior is polished and comfortable. You feel like you're entering a different world. Staff is courteous. Most importantly, the food is exceptional. Most restaurants, when you ask for a spice level for the dish, make it mild plus when you ask for a 3 or 4 on a 5 pt scale. Here, expect the heat at a 2. They do have a true mild version for the less adventurous ;) When I travel to Nashville for work, this place will become my standby for Thai Food. You'll find the trip very worthwhile.
(5)
Marie C.
Seriously best thai food in hermtiage! Anything we have ever gotten has been sooo delicious. Prices are good for the portions. Best spring rolls I have every had! I have never eaten there but always get take out. Love this place!
(5)
Sara L.
After multiple hours touring the hermitage, our blood sugar crashed and we ended up at simply thai. as others have stated, its small and sort of rustic feeling, like it had a previous life as a pancake palace or something. I thought it added to the charm (mostly because it reminded me of my favorite place, back in CT). we ordered wonton soup, red curry, and yellow curry. For me, I went with hot--next time I would go with native thai--which was too spicy for my dining companions but good for me. I really enjoyed my tofu and vegetables, and the yellow curry I tried was good as well. Also (and importantly) they have sticky rice. It comes in little baskets and I love it. Only one other place I know of serves sticky rice, so it made me super happy. Service was friendly and moved quickly. I'd recommend Simply Thai--my only regret was that its not closer in to where I live.
(4)
Claire B.
I am so happy to have a great restaurant so close to my house, in a neighborhood of fast food burgers, burgers, and more burgers. I used to drive to the Nolensville area for good Thai food, but the wonderful folks at Simply Thai have made that completely unnecessary. I've tried a good variety of things from their menu, both carnivorous and vegetarian, salad, and soup, curry and basil dishes, and fried and healthy. Everything I have had is good. Too many Thai restaurants suffer from an inexplicable need to drown everything in grease (why, when Thai food is so tasty?), but Simply Thai does not. They allow the flavors to speak for themselves. I would recommend especially the beef salad, the spring rolls, the coconut soup, and the eggplant vegetarian dish. Someone mentioned this restaurant is in a "not so good area." I happen to live out here and I would describe us as an under-served area. I am glad that restaurants are taking a bet on opening up here because we really need some good food options. So if you don't live in Old Hickory (or you don't even know where it is), embark on a culinary venture to the northeastern hinterlands of Davidson County and you will be greeted by friendly restaurant owners and fed great (not just good) Thai food.
(5)
Anthony P.
C'mon, Joel... apparently most of the restaurants in the Nashville area are unsatisfactory for your obviously superior metropolitan tastes... excellent Thai food to be found at Simply Thai! It's location is sort of out of the way in the Old Hickory / Lakewood area... so I hope folks start finding their way here. Yelp says the prices are in the inexpensive price range, but I 'd say that the prices are bordering on the moderate price range when eating dinner. No lunch prices on Saturdays.
(4)
Margaret P.
I went solely based on Yelp reviews. Once again I was not let down by my fellow yelpers... The fresh spring rolls were wonderful. My favorite, red curry tofu, was yummy. Right balance, for me, of spice, flavors and heat. I was surprised that I had to pay extra for fried rice as steamed rice was the standard. I was disappointed that they were out of mango to go with the sticky rice. The only thing I would change is to have the new young man wear more appropriate attire (slacks not shorts, shirt not t-shirt). The food is fabulous. The server should look the same Thank you for opening a yummy Thai food restaurant on my side of town!!!
(4)
Kodie K.
This place ROCKS!! What a treat to have such a great restaurant in our neighborhood!!
(5)
Mallory M.
Awesomeeee! We ordered red curry with chicken, pad Thai and spring rolls. All wonderful! Enjoyed the food and experience very much! Best Thai I've had in Nashville! Will definitely return, luckily it's only 5 miles from my house!
(5)
Ethan O.
Very good. Simply Thai is comparable to any highly rated Nashville Thai restaurant. It may not be the absolute best I've ever had but it was very good and awesome that it's in Old Hickory which is rare to find in that area.
(4)
Holly J.
The Simply Thai building is small and easy to miss, as is the sign, so it is an easy mistake to just drive past and not stop. We made that mistake ourselves many times as we drove through Lakewood. It seemed that every time we noticed and remembered that there was a little restaurant there, it was when we weren't hungry. And yet, every time we craved Thai food, we ended up going to what used to be called Royal Thai. Well, when new ownership changed Royal Thai to the bland and even more overpriced Dusit Thai, we were so unimpressed that we began looking for another alternative. That's when a friend mentioned Simply Thai and we realized, "Oh! That's that little place we've been driving by all this time!" So we finally stopped driving by and actually went inside. Inside, the restaurant is small and cozy with a very relaxed atmosphere. It's not as fancy as some of the other Thai restaurants, but everything is clean, the staff is friendly, and the service is prompt. And the food... The food is incredible. Seriously, it's just incredible. I've eaten at around 10 different Thai restaurants in town over the years, but after one meal at Simply Thai I was hooked. Now we don't eat Thai anywhere else. If Simply Thai is closed, then we just don't eat Thai food. Every dish I've had here is phenomenal. The ingredients are fresh, the portions are generous, and the prices are unbeatable. I've tried several things on the menu, but my favorites are the chicken larb, the green curry with pork, and most recently the drunken noodle. (And if you're in more of a Vietnamese mood, Simply Thai also serves a very delicious Pho). My boyfriend typically gets the Tom Kar soup and the "basil leave" with chicken. Recently we also tried one of the desserts -- something I usually skip when I go out to eat -- but it was equally delicious! Simply Thai doesn't kid around with the spice levels, either. This is another reason I love this restaurant. I'm a spice fiend and love my food to have a real kick to it (but while still keeping flavor). Unfortunately, most restaurants' "Native Thai" or "Extra Spicy" leaves me wondering where the spice actually is. Not Simply Thai. If you ask for your food to be spicy, they will deliver and trust that you can handle it. The spices range from 1 to 5, and then you can also request "Native Thai." I usually order my dishes Native Thai and this is one of the few restaurants that can serve me food that will make my nose run! Yet, even at the hottest spice levels the food is still incredibly flavorful and balanced and is not overwhelmed by empty spiciness. Also, ask about the VIP program. It's free to sign up and you can earn free meals if you eat frequently (and, of course, once you try Simply Thai you'll definitely want to eat here frequently).
(5)
Dagan B.
i just went to my happy place :) because of this meal. get the basil with the meat of your choice or tofu for the vegetarians with egg sunny side up and rice noodles instead of rice.. OMG..... it was good. and the cabbage salad WOW so simple yet so awesome. the waitress said the cucumber salad is great also. this place just got a bump to the top.
(4)
Pickiest Eater A.
Food was great! The food was flavorful and the right amount of spice, would recommend to others!
(4)
Rob M.
Perfect. My mom claims that this is the best that she's had. I always order a little hotter than I would at other Thai spots, so keep that in mind. I haven't had anything that I didn't love. The Musman Curry is wow, as is the beef salad.
(5)
Lyndi G.
Was very, very surprised to find good Thai food right around the corner from my house. I had the Pad Kee Mo (drunken noodles) while my husband had the Ginger Beef. I ordered mine "thai hot"....probably not "Thai hot" but was still good. I actually liked my husband's entree more than mine. Very quaint restaurant with very good service. I will definitely go back to explore other dishes.
(4)
Misty M.
As others have mentioned, this restaurant is easily overlooked. Many restaurants have come and gone in this location (a catering company, a barbecue joint, a mexican restaurant) and I had passed by Simply Thai many times before wising up and checking out the reviews here on Yelp. After two visits, I highly recommend giving this place a try. The building is nothing fancy at all, but the inside is a clean and nicely decorated. Our servers have been very friendly and service was quick both times. So far we've tried the Basil Stir Fry with beef, the Cashew Nut chicken, and the Musman (their spelling) curry with chicken. All dishes were flavorful and I was happy to find that the chicken in the dishes was all white meat. Portions are a good size as well and the dishes are served family style in a large plate or bowl so they are easy to share. The spring rolls are nice and crispy and served with a delicious sauce that has a nice tanginess to it. This is different from what I've seen before at other Thai restaurants who all seem to serve their spring rolls with a sweet sauce. We definitely plan to return to try other dishes on the menu and the fried banana dessert which looked heavenly. Overall, this is definitely a place to try and it's nice to have more than one choice in Thai restaurants in the area. The only other one is Dusit Thai on Old Hickory Blvd (previously Royal Thai), which is great as well. We definitely got out of Simply Thai with a smaller check. I'd say the entrees are about $2 to $3 cheaper than at Dusit Thai.
(4)
Eddy W.
One of the best Thai restaurants around. The food is excellent, large servings and spiced the way we like it
(5)
Kirk M.
Went there for lunch today, and I liked it. I had the red curry, five stars spicey, and found it to be tasty and pushing the limits on heat. The tofu in the curry was good, as well. The people there seemed friendly, and it was a comfortable atmosphere.
(4)
sherri M.
birthday dinner was complete success thanks to finding this gem! it is a small nondescript building between used car places but don't let this deter you. pull in, go in, & be ready for a great meal. it is clean & neat inside. there are booths around the outside & there are tables in the middle which means they can host a larger group/family by putting tables together. our server suggested the shrimp wrapped in noodles then deep fried for an appetizer. thank goodness she did! it was unbelievable, sauce was great with them. for dishes, we chose 3 & had them brought out separately, sharing them. for hot scale, the level 1 was hot enough to be hot, it was perfect for us (couldn't imagine a 5's heat). things with chili & curry, like the drunken noodles (superb) & the chili fried rice (with beef, great) are hotter than the garlic stir fry (with chicken, best dish we chose) for example. all is very affordable, too. with veggies or tofu, dishes are 7-8.95; with chicken or beef, 8.95-10.95; with shrimp or scallops 9.95-11.95. even if you save no room for dessert, get the dessert for 2 & share with the table. it was 5.95 i think. there were 3 of us & it was perfect; the bananas are wrapped like tiny egg rolls & deep fried. the coconut ice cream is like my aunt makes in the summer, but they add honey over it which is amazing. our server decorated the dish with vanilla & strawberry drizzles. it was a work of art! they do serve beer & wine which--when combined with good service & good food--completes the requirements needed for me to be a big fan. please give them a try & let me know how your experience goes!
(5)
Cara P.
The sign out front says "Thai & Lao" food. Not sure what, exactly, the Lao part is; the menu is mostly what I recognize as Thai. Maybe it's the execution? Anyway--this is on that stretch of OHB in Lakewood that's mostly auto shops, liquor stores, and discount tobacco stores. So I figure it really needs a yelp or no one will know it's there! The decor is very simple; the log cabin paneling is probably left over from a prior incarnation. A few animal prints, and a tv playing Thai karaoke (which is visually interesting, actually). The food is really nice. They specify on the menu that they don't make any dish hot, and ask that if you want it spicy, you indicate how much with a one to ten star rating--or "native Thai". We neglected to mention a spice level, and got what for Thai food is mild; just a bit of heat. And that was ok, because it allowed the other flavors to shine through. Husband & I each had a salad & soup, just because that's what we were in the mood for. Husband had yum nuar (beef salad) and a cup of tom kar soup (coconut milk soup); I had the yum woon sen (noodle salad) and a cup of tom yum (hot & sour). His tom kar was a thin broth, not thicker as I've seen coconut milk soups before; this was good b/c the coconut milk didn't mug all the other flavors. Both soups, as well as my salad, had chicken in them (ok, they get a minor hit for that b/c I asked for shrimp in my soup); and it was white meat. This is a plus for me; I have a thing about meat gristle, and often avoid ordering chicken in restaurants because I cannot take the "icky bits". But I didn't have to worry here. The soups were both pretty simple; just chicken, onion, and mushrooms. They didn't need lots of ingredients, they had flavorful broths. The salads both had the same spicy lime dressing, and both were very good; I think mine wins, because it had goodies like bean sprouts, mint and cilantro leaves in it. But it was definitely a case of mine was the greater of the two goods. The service is good, the staff are very nice. And it's a good Thai restaurant in an area that doesn't have many restaurants, period. Please, folks, eat here; I'd hate for them to go out of business!
(4)
David L.
We always order take out and the food is pretty good and reasonable. If I had any complaint is that the staff eats their lunch behind the counter right at the front door. Maybe they have no room in back, but that seems tacky to me. Also, the restaurant seating seems dated with a tired, old aquarium that could use some attention. Other than those insignificant things, they have places to park and I'm usually in and out in a few minutes. Good food, think I'll order lunch today.
(4)
Ceile G.
Fantastic food. You can BYOB. Lovely Koi in aquarium. The spring rolls are better than PF Chang's to me. Little hole-in-the-wall place, easy to miss, but don't!!! Charming place, quiet and comfy.
(5)
Jackson M.
Not as great as people are saying. Food is as good as Dusit Thai but service is lousy. Phone skills and courtesy need some improvement. When we went to pick up the food they had made it wrong and said we could wait 10 minutes to have it remade. There was no offer to take money off the total like restaurants that care about their customers would do.
(3)
Jerry R.
My wife and I are not hot and heavy fans of Thai food but we DO like it on occasion for the variety of taste, texture and flavor of the food. When we went in, the hostess/manager greeted us very warmly, seated us and showed us the menus. She then proceeded to ask if we were familiar with the items, which we weren't, so she asked questions about what we like and patiently explained various dishes that we would like. She also mentioned that we could ask for our dishes to be spicy on a scale of 1 to 10 since they add the spices as they cook the meals individually. We chose a level of 4. Throughout the whole ordering and serving process, we were treated just great! My wife and I each got spring rolls and our own dishes, then shared the red curry dish. Everything was absolutely excellent. This place is absolutely excellent for vegetarians as the vegetables and tofu options are available for almost each dish they have. Would we return? Most definitely yes! The food, the service, the ambience, hospitality - all of it was most excellent.
(5)
Clay G.
Everytime I go to a thai restaurant for the first time I always order Pad Thai. It is the signature dish of Thailand after all. Is it made with Tamarind, do they put bean sprouts on it, do they put peanuts on it, is the meat or typically for me the seafood cooked properly, are there other extra veggies like fresh carrots or daikon radish along with the been sprouts, and is the noodle the right size? I haven't found perfect Pad Thai in Nashville, but Simply Thai would be probably in 6th or 7th place at best for me.
(3)
Dustin A.
Ate here about a week ago. I've been wanting to try it out as I'm a recent transplant to this side of nashville. I got the panang with chicken. The heat scale is in stars from 1 to 10. I asked for painfully hot and he gave me 15 stars. Needless to say it was damn hot. The food was good even with the extreme burn. All the usual veggies made an appearance as well as some really potent Thai basil. All in all it was a great dish and I'm looking forward to trying something else from there. I just got the food to go so I didn't soak up the atmosphere enough to comment on it. I enjoyed the meal and would go again. Hopefully next time I can bring a crowd with me. The staff was friendly and they deserve some business. I'll post an update when i go back.
(4)
Mark S.
I've been eating here weekly for over two years. The ownership has changed but the food has gotten even better. It was great with the original owner and the menu is about the same but it's much more consistent now. The original owners struggled to keep up with a busy night but the new ones have more help. It's a small place and occasionally a big table can slow things down but that's the cost of going to a small family restaurant where everything is made from scratch.
(5)
Bryan K.
This restaurant is not in the best location, but the quality of the food and the friendliness of the staff more than make up for that. I would strongly suggest that anyone within a reasonable drive give this place a try. I tried the tom yum soup with shrimp. It had a nice flavorful broth that was comfortably spicy and served very hot. My entree was basil leaf chicken ordered with a spice level of 4 out of 5. It was spicy enough to satisfy but not cause pain ... just right for me. My wife tried the pad thai and ordered hers at a spice level of 5 out of 5. Being that she is Vietnamese and accustomed to spicy food, she said "I've had spicier," but that was not an insult to the food ... just an observation. All of our dishes were freshly prepared with quality ingredients, packed with flavor, color, texture, and aroma, and presented neatly on the serving dishes. What more could you ask for? Stay away from "jumbo buffets" and try Simply Thai!
(5)
Joel M.
This review is based on two dining experiences at this establishment; there were several months between experiences. The first time I visited Simply Thai I ordered the Tom Kha Gai, fresh rolls, and Red Curry with Chicken. I ordered the soup and curry at the native Thai spice level. Neither was what I would consider a "native Thai" spice level. The second time (last week) I visited the establishment, I ordered Tom Yum Gai, fresh rolls, and Pad Grapow Gai -- with the soup and the stirfry ordered at the native Thai level. Again neither is what I would call "Thai Hot". I was especially disappointed with the Tom Yum Gai. The recipe calls for either water or chicken stock and the broth is usually clear when served. Their Tom Yum Gai was brown when it was served (not clear like at Thai Taste in Antioch). The soup was also mysteriously missing the Thai bird Chile, which gives the soup it's desired spice level. Unfortunately, I suppose that the chef added the crushed chili condiment to make it spicy (which also turns the soup a brown color). The additional problem with adding the crushed chiles is that they drown out the balance of flavors for which Thai food is known. The one reason I order the Tom Kha Gai is because of the lemongrass and Kaffir; if those flavors are drowned out, the balance is gone and the point of ordering is lost. If they would just add a sliced Thai bird chile, it would solve the issues with this soup. Additionally, the Pad Grapow Gai was horrific. It was not spicy nor were the flavors balanced. I could taste the wonderful Thai "holy basil" but none of the fragrant Kaffir; there were no Thai chiles in this dish either (of which some recipes suggest using five to ten chiles). If you consider yourself knowledgable about how Thai food is meant to be prepared, you may not like Simply Thai. Their cuisine seems "dumbed down" for the Southern palate, which does a disservice to the lovely Thai cuisine. I probably will not be back for a third visit.
(1)
Zeb M.
This dinner went from simply Thai to simply complicated. My best friend lives just down the street from here and goes here pretty regularly. That, coupled with the rave reviews I've read on both here and Urbanspoon, was enough reason for me to check it out. First, my server was kind of... I don't want to say unprofessional, but she seemed super nervous and timid. I asked for fried tofu as an appetizer and we didn't get it. When our entrees were brought out, there were completely different from what we ordered. Apparently she switched our orders with the couple sitting behind us. However, I didn't know that until later and being SUPER hungry, I went ahead and continued eating my plate. I didn't care, I was famished. When my friend got her correct entree, it was too spicy. She told our server twice she did not want any spiciness. I asked for a 2 on a level of 1-5, she asked for "zero." I took a bite of hers and strangely enough, it was actually hotter than mine. When we bought it up to a different server (our original one disappeared after screwing up the order), she tried to tell us it wasn't spicy - but you could clearly see the red pepper flakes on everything. Another entree later and they finally got it right. When we went to pay our bill, it took them a while to figure out what we actually ordered compared to what we had originally, etc., etc. There was a discrepancy on our bill and the cashier said, "Oh, it's just a few dollars." Hold up just a second. If it is a "just a few dollars," then maybe they should pay the difference because it was an error of theirs. Am I wrong here? At first I was going to give this place four stars in my head, but the rating kept diminishing. The food, when we got it, was good, but in no way does it compare to the Smiling Elephant in Nashville (which is probably the best Thai in town). Whereas good Thai food has a wonderful blend of spices, here I just tasted "hotness," if that makes sense. Overall, I can't recommend this place based on my visit. I can certainly excuse mistakes, but when you don't even try to rectify them, I just remember there are plenty of other places that would.
(2)
Eddie W.
Go here. Do not ever go to Dusit Thai. Read my review of why.
(5)
Lisa M.
omg, so good! I usually go to Thai Phooket in rivergate because it is closer. I love both places, but Simply Thai is a tiny bit better, in my opinion.
(5)
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Address :3418 Old Hickory Blvd,Ste A2
Old Hickory, TN, 37138
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : 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 : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Anthony S.
We've ordered take out from Simply Thai a few times now and have been pretty satisfied. The food is of good quality and the portions are generous. I have not been blown away by it, but given the other options in the area for ethnic food, Simply Thai is a great option in Old Hickory. Their Pad Thai with Chicken is surprisingly tasty with a good acidic bite added to the peanut sauce which gave it more depth than I'm used to from that Thai food standard. Their Spicy Basil dish was better and the basil sauce was spicy and not greasy. Tom Kar soup was fine but a little bland. The spring rolls are nothing to get excited about. The dumplings, on the other hand, were amazing and after trying one I was instantly jealous of my wife's ordrer. Next time I'm going all-in on dumplings. I have not dined in, but it appears there may be no AC in the dining room. This summer, each visit I made to pick up my food I felt the dining room was a little stuffy. It doesn't seem to affect the locals much, though, as the restaurant is usually pretty busy. The staff are usually quite friendly and the prices are very reasonable given the quality of the food and the portion size. My neighbors seem to love this place, so that's saying something as well.
(3)Andrew B.
My family is eaten here several times and the food has always been really good. I didn't get it 5 stars because it's a bit too pricey and I always seem to wait a little longer than what is expected given the crowds. But overall, really good food and it's worth the wait.
(4)J R.
I was really disappointed in my service today. I come here very often to eat. I dined in and waited 45 minutes for my dish. In the mean time, no one checked on me or refilled my drink. Literally the servers seemed to dance around me and attend everyone else. I was pretty shocked. I finally decided to get my food to go which magically appeared when I decided to leave. Hmmmm
(2)Bridgette C.
A small unassuming Thai restaurant and takeout place in Old Hickory, Simply Thai isn't the best nor the worst Thai I've ever had. It looks like its operated out of a trailer, but its actually really good and not expensive at all. There's very limited space inside, so I recommend coming in on off hours or getting your food to go. I'm not one to advocate super spicy food since I am not a fan but I can say their chicken fried rice is quite good. I can't speak to the service either as I've only ever had takeout, but again, this is not a bad place for something on the go.
(3)Miles F.
The food is always very good, but lately the service has been horrible and outwardly rude. They have completely forgotten to place my order twice now when I've called in for a pick up. As I sit here in the waiting area I am looking around observing everyone being neglected by the staff. I've witnessed two different tables have to ask for drink refills. And when I just asked the guy behind the counter about my order he reacted with so much attitude and was just flat out rude. I will not be ordering from here ever again. I would advise to go elsewhere, unless you like to be forgotten.
(1)Janette C.
A new place to try for dinner when I absolutely didn't feel like cooking and MasterCard offered to take me out for a meal :) I ordered for two......green curry chicken.....beef pad thai.....jasmine rice....dumplings... and egg rolls. Every bite of it was delicious! It was great! I did take mine to go so I can't comment on service or the dinning room but the to go service was quick and easy :)
(4)Jesse I.
The food is so good. I also experienced a long wait but the food is fresh. The place is clean, the staff is friendly, food is good.
(4)Nathan W.
Not sure how it got 4 stars. Especially with the meal we had, they must have dump the whole soy source on the things that require stir fry. We took a few bites couldn't continue on with the dishes. I was told they have no complaint before. Looks like one of the places that should be on chef Ramy show.
(2)Sam K.
Great food! Took wait for our food was a bit long... But totally worth it. Tastes like they make everything fresh!! Here is what I thought about the following: We got the wontons and spring rolls: not much to talk about. Wontons were not the best. The basil leave was my favorite. So much to say that it was one of the best dishes I have had. The pad Thai was good too. The tamarind sauce was tangy and delish. I did have to ask for cilantro on the side.. That's how I like it at least. And ours didn't come with the usual egg stirred along with it. But even without those things we enjoyed it. The pineapple stir fried rice was okay compared to the other stuff. Overall I am coming back!
(4)Rhonda S.
I went a few weeks ago, to introduce my mother to Thai food. I get my standard Thai fare which is drunken noodles and decided to try their soup. The food honestly was not good. The server was very kind and patient with my mother the Thai newby, but she looked at me and said, meh, I think I'll stick to Chinese. I couldn't blame her.
(2)Jeff H.
Green curry is best I've ever had. This place is great. Highly recommend! Also wontons and pad Thai are great. Like the drunken noodle dish too. Love love love this plave
(5)Leah V.
Craving some Asian food and not wanting to succumb to the dreadful, sketchy but sometimes weirdly delicious Chinese Buffett.... The Hubs and I went to Yelp for help. Simply Thai was the highest rated place around hermitage so we grabbed my purse and headed out. Upon entering, I was relieved to find no weird fishy smell that can accompany some smaller Asian restaurants so , Yay, it was clean inside! We were seated right away and our server was very attentive. Decor was pleasantly nice and inviting. The Hubs ordered the Pad Thai which was delicious and perfectly spiced. I ordered the Broccoli Delight with chicken. My chicken was a little bland but the quality of the jasmine rice and vegetables was top notch and fresh. We will definitely be coming back to trek our way through their tasty menu.
(3)Angie A.
Enjoyed dinner with a group of friends here this past weekend. The beef salad and the green papaya salad....amazing! We shared a green curry with chicken, a red curry with shrimp, some pineapple fried rice and a sweet and sour chicken. Fav was red curry but all the food was wonderful. Service was spot on in the beginning but slowed as the place began to fill up, around 7pm Saturday night. I'll be back. One of the best Thai dinners I've had in the Nashville area.
(4)Brian S.
After an underwhelming first experience, I gave Simply Thai another shot again this week and am really glad I did. I ordered a pair of lunch entrees, which are $7.50 a piece and come with a spring roll. The portions were reasonable for a lunch menu, so I thought it was a decent value. I tried both the pad kra pao (basil) chicken and the red curry, and both were pretty good. I intended to take leftovers home but instead managed to devour both. I guess this is why I am starting to look a bit like the Michelin man. I also need to commend the service. They checked back with me frequently as I sat there, kept my water glass full, and made sure both of my requests (extra spicy, and no zucchini) were done by the kitchen. What would I improve? 1) There was something just a little off with the pad kra pao. It wasn't bad by any means, but the flavor was different than most Thai places I've been to across the country. It was both a little sweeter and missing that usual "punch." Different recipes have different amounts of sauces like dark soy, light soy, oyster, fish, and so on. 2) Speaking of sauces...I asked for the rack of spices and hot sauces. Theirs was missing prik nam pla (bird chilis in fish sauce), which his pretty much THE ultimate Thai condiment. Overall, these are minor quibbles--although I will actually bump up my star rating if you guys start putting out some prik nam pla!. I'll definitely be back. Simply Thai is a gem for the Old Hickory/Hermitage area.
(3)Harris R.
One of my most favorite places to eat. Affordable, friendly service, and great tea! I recommend the wonton appetizer.
(5)David L.
Oops. Wrong place!
(3)Kymberly S.
Tiny little place that's a little hidden gem. Amazing food. This was my first visit but I will be a regular. Today I'm having Pad Thai Chicken - delicious! And the egg roll that came with it is easily one of the best that I've ever eaten!
(5)Peter S.
Dinner here last night provided the kind of experience that keeps you trying new restaurants. Chicken larb, spicy beef salad, and spicy fish were on the menu for us. All three were executed as well as I can remember experiencing for quite a while. All were requested at a four out of five spiciness and came in right on the money. Don't be fooled by the out-of-the-way location in suburban Nashville in a rundown mini strip mall. It's not much to look at on the inside either. Pretty small with seating for maybe 40 at most. There's nothing about this place that would lead you to expect the wonderful experience a meal here can be. They have a modest selection of Asian beers and a few common domestics. No wine or spirits. The restaurant was half full and while the waitstaff was attentive the kitchen was a little slow. The dishes came one at a time at a measured pace that left you plenty of time to anticipate the next dish. Perhaps many people would consider the pace just right. I would consider changing my travel plans to try and be able to eat here again.
(5)Hakan D.
Very good food, reasonably priced. I tried many dishes from the menu. I was never disappointed. I have one complain that they seem to be understaffed every time I went there. I wasn't in a hurry, so I didn't make a big deal out of the service speed. I recommend fresh wraps, pad tai, tom yum soup, and drunken noodle. It is a little out of the way for me but I think the food is worth the trip.
(4)Katie U.
Simply Thai was fine but nothing amazing. The food was OK - good portions, but no one in the group loved their food or would order it again. The atmosphere was nothing special, and neither was the service. While I wouldn't be opposed to going back, I would never choose it myself.
(2)Ashley R.
We get takeout from them at least once a week. Their green curry is to die for, and it doesn't hurt that you get huge portions when you take it as carryout. It usually lasts me about 2-3 meals, but my husband will sometimes order 2 green curries just so he can enjoy them all weekend long! I have also gotten their cashew chicken which is equally as delicious. The pad thai isn't personally my favorite, but the green curry more than makes up for it. Great little secret in Old Hickory!
(5)Taylor B.
Best Thai food in Nashville hands down. My family gets takeout from this place at least once a week and we've never had a bad experience. As for the inside, don't judge a book by its cover. The inside is nice and cozy and the staff is great. I love this place!
(5)Emily M.
We love the peanut sauce with noodles and the pad Thai. Great place with awesome service! Definitely one of the best places to eat in Nashville.
(5)Andy B.
I really like this place. Their food is good for the most part... their entrees. I have a feeling that the appetizers and desserts are not their focus. I had their fried bananas and they had absolutely no flavor suggesting that they were frozen or a few days old or something. As a cali boy, there's nothing I love more than a freshly cut, wrapped in fresh dough(?), tossed in a fryer, shaped like a finger flicking football fried banana, but this just fell short - tasted like nothing. I'm being hyper critical though as their food (entrees) are fantastic, really, really good, and I can't wait to go back to try their pho. The Musman, Pad Thai, and Panang... oh my goodness their Panang! Again, being hyper critical, if I were them I would thicken the sauce just a tad, but it is delicious.
(4)Amanda B.
So glad to get to support another local business! This place is great; in fact, I just ordered some to-go for the second time this week. Not embarrassed. I think it's some of the freshest-tasting Thai food I've had in Nashville, comparable to Thai Phooket and The Smiling Elephant. Go there and support them, you won't regret it. And, I'll be happy because they will stay around longer! And just a tip: their spice scale is pretty high in my opinion, I can't even handle the level 1 spice which is more like a 5 to me.
(5)Don G.
As stated by others, Simply Thai is a bit out of the way for most. If you drive past everyday, it would still be easy to miss. We had the drunken noodles and fresh rolls. Our 6 yr. old had satay and won - ton soup. Ours was very good. I had to get it less spicy since we were sharing, but all was fresh and flavorful. I eat here every other month or so when headed this way and recommend it to anyone who likes a mom and pop style restaurant and is not in a hurry.
(4)Adam N.
A great little place with with great food!!! The staff was super friendly and answered all my questions( it was my first time having Thai). The green curry, pad Thai, and wontons were all excellent, the spring rolls were also out of this world. Reasonable prices and quick food.
(5)Crystal J.
This little gem is tucked into the Lakewood area in old hickory tn. This restaurant can be described as being truly authentic as it had THE HOTTEST spice.... No joke! As a friend of mine would say "it's Thai-melt-your-face-off" spiciness when you order your food a 5-thai hot. The pad that is good, I've always ordered a spicy level 5 with it. The two soups are delicious, boasting with fresh cut tomatoes and your choice of protein. The green curry is especially scrumptious, and is served with white rice. I like this place because it is authentic, and they deliver on some days, not all. The times they don't, I don't mind calling in a carryout order. If you decide to dine inside, you won't be disappointed. I have never seen this place empty, there is ALWAYS someone enjoying thai food here.
(5)Jules F.
I don't know when or why they changed ownership, but when this originally opened I would have rated it at 5 stars. Now, while the food is okay...the food is just okay. It's not bad Thai by any means, but it definitely is not what it used to be. When it opened the place was some really legit Thai. Now it is more of a watered down version of what it used to be. Simply Thai is Simply Not As Good As It Once Was.
(3)Brandon K.
I love this place!! I own the salon next door so we order from them close to 3 times a week at times and our clients love to eat there also. Everyone that works there is very friendly and the food is always always good!! I tell everyone about this place. I can't say enough good things about the people and the food!
(5)Joseph P.
I've been 4 times in the past month since moving here in May. I love this place. Red curry is my go to dish with Thai, and this place does not disappoint. I wasn't a big fan of the pad Thai- a bit too sweet for my taste. Pho was awesome. A definite repeat dish for me. I've also tried the basil leave with chicken- was great, and a little bit better the next day for lunch. I've also tried the Musman curry with tofu- had too much cinnamon for me (at least I think it was cinnamon). And you must get the fresh rolls with shrimp.
(5)Cynthia P.
It IS in a odd-looking building next to used car lot and a hair salon in an area of town called "Lakewood" that few people know actually exists as a town. (To give you a point of reference it is very close to Black Jack Marina off of Old Hickory Blvd. It's an easy drive from East Nashville via Ellington through Madison, or Lebanon Road to Old Hickory from Donelson/Hermitage, etc.) I personally love the quaint log cabin-style interior and the Buddhas and Asian cat statues waving a greeting from a shelf as you enter the front door. Yes, if the place is packed you are going to have to wait. And even if it's not packed you might have to wait because they are preparing your food with fresh ingredients and not just heating it up. If you can embrace this as an experience, you can use this time as an opportunity to try one of their many Asian beers available such as Tiger, Lao Beer, Chang, or Sapporo...or have a nice pot of green tea. And the wait is definitely worth it. The food is excellent! Very flavorful and not sodium-saturated. The dinner entrees easily feed two or provide enough leftovers to to take home. Two of us usually order one entree & split it, an appetizer, and a couple of beers and our tab is under $25. My favorite menu items are the Drunken Noodles, the Fresh Rolls, and the Tom Yum soup. Note: I can handle a fair amount of heat but I only get a "2" level because they are serious about their heat!
(4)Kelly Ann W.
Little drive by place you wouldn't even notice. But SO worth the stop. We love the drunken noodles and the chilli paste fried rice is better than any Chinese takeout. Odd in a little cabin with asian decorations- so don't come for the ambiance. But if you're hungry and like asian flavors- stop in....you won't b sorry
(4)Mehgan H.
If you are looking for a place that is quick and delicious in Old Hickory, TN - than Simply Thai is the place to go! I am a huge fan of Pad Thai and love to try this dish and every Thai restaurant I go to. I was not disappointed at all! I also had a spring roll that was delicious. Don't hesitate to walk in, as you may think by the exterior that the food may not be good. Don't let that fool you - several restaurants have been here in the past but I think that this restaurant is here to stay for a while. Make sure you try this, hey - it's not like there are a whole lot of other options in Old Hickory anyways, right?!
(4)Renee A.
Shhh...We've been cheating on Thai Phooket 2 with Simply Thai. And I definitely prefer their Pad Thai to Thai Phooket's. We've only been here a handful of times, so I haven't explored the menu much. But to be honest, that's not really my style. I stick to what I love and order it again and again and again. The restaurant is located in a nondescript building on Old Hickory Blvd in Old Hickory. The interior of the restaurant looks like a log cabin (was this spot a BBQ joint in a past life?). There usually aren't more than a couple of other diners when we eat between 6-7pm on a weeknight, and that's a shame because the food is really good. In our experience, the service isn't too friendly, but the woman who is always manning the front of house gets the job done. Our water glasses never stay low for long.
(4)John M.
This is now in my top 3 of best Thai food, and I do a lot of traveling in the US. The interior is polished and comfortable. You feel like you're entering a different world. Staff is courteous. Most importantly, the food is exceptional. Most restaurants, when you ask for a spice level for the dish, make it mild plus when you ask for a 3 or 4 on a 5 pt scale. Here, expect the heat at a 2. They do have a true mild version for the less adventurous ;) When I travel to Nashville for work, this place will become my standby for Thai Food. You'll find the trip very worthwhile.
(5)Marie C.
Seriously best thai food in hermtiage! Anything we have ever gotten has been sooo delicious. Prices are good for the portions. Best spring rolls I have every had! I have never eaten there but always get take out. Love this place!
(5)Sara L.
After multiple hours touring the hermitage, our blood sugar crashed and we ended up at simply thai. as others have stated, its small and sort of rustic feeling, like it had a previous life as a pancake palace or something. I thought it added to the charm (mostly because it reminded me of my favorite place, back in CT). we ordered wonton soup, red curry, and yellow curry. For me, I went with hot--next time I would go with native thai--which was too spicy for my dining companions but good for me. I really enjoyed my tofu and vegetables, and the yellow curry I tried was good as well. Also (and importantly) they have sticky rice. It comes in little baskets and I love it. Only one other place I know of serves sticky rice, so it made me super happy. Service was friendly and moved quickly. I'd recommend Simply Thai--my only regret was that its not closer in to where I live.
(4)Claire B.
I am so happy to have a great restaurant so close to my house, in a neighborhood of fast food burgers, burgers, and more burgers. I used to drive to the Nolensville area for good Thai food, but the wonderful folks at Simply Thai have made that completely unnecessary. I've tried a good variety of things from their menu, both carnivorous and vegetarian, salad, and soup, curry and basil dishes, and fried and healthy. Everything I have had is good. Too many Thai restaurants suffer from an inexplicable need to drown everything in grease (why, when Thai food is so tasty?), but Simply Thai does not. They allow the flavors to speak for themselves. I would recommend especially the beef salad, the spring rolls, the coconut soup, and the eggplant vegetarian dish. Someone mentioned this restaurant is in a "not so good area." I happen to live out here and I would describe us as an under-served area. I am glad that restaurants are taking a bet on opening up here because we really need some good food options. So if you don't live in Old Hickory (or you don't even know where it is), embark on a culinary venture to the northeastern hinterlands of Davidson County and you will be greeted by friendly restaurant owners and fed great (not just good) Thai food.
(5)Anthony P.
C'mon, Joel... apparently most of the restaurants in the Nashville area are unsatisfactory for your obviously superior metropolitan tastes... excellent Thai food to be found at Simply Thai! It's location is sort of out of the way in the Old Hickory / Lakewood area... so I hope folks start finding their way here. Yelp says the prices are in the inexpensive price range, but I 'd say that the prices are bordering on the moderate price range when eating dinner. No lunch prices on Saturdays.
(4)Margaret P.
I went solely based on Yelp reviews. Once again I was not let down by my fellow yelpers... The fresh spring rolls were wonderful. My favorite, red curry tofu, was yummy. Right balance, for me, of spice, flavors and heat. I was surprised that I had to pay extra for fried rice as steamed rice was the standard. I was disappointed that they were out of mango to go with the sticky rice. The only thing I would change is to have the new young man wear more appropriate attire (slacks not shorts, shirt not t-shirt). The food is fabulous. The server should look the same Thank you for opening a yummy Thai food restaurant on my side of town!!!
(4)Kodie K.
This place ROCKS!! What a treat to have such a great restaurant in our neighborhood!!
(5)Mallory M.
Awesomeeee! We ordered red curry with chicken, pad Thai and spring rolls. All wonderful! Enjoyed the food and experience very much! Best Thai I've had in Nashville! Will definitely return, luckily it's only 5 miles from my house!
(5)Ethan O.
Very good. Simply Thai is comparable to any highly rated Nashville Thai restaurant. It may not be the absolute best I've ever had but it was very good and awesome that it's in Old Hickory which is rare to find in that area.
(4)Holly J.
The Simply Thai building is small and easy to miss, as is the sign, so it is an easy mistake to just drive past and not stop. We made that mistake ourselves many times as we drove through Lakewood. It seemed that every time we noticed and remembered that there was a little restaurant there, it was when we weren't hungry. And yet, every time we craved Thai food, we ended up going to what used to be called Royal Thai. Well, when new ownership changed Royal Thai to the bland and even more overpriced Dusit Thai, we were so unimpressed that we began looking for another alternative. That's when a friend mentioned Simply Thai and we realized, "Oh! That's that little place we've been driving by all this time!" So we finally stopped driving by and actually went inside. Inside, the restaurant is small and cozy with a very relaxed atmosphere. It's not as fancy as some of the other Thai restaurants, but everything is clean, the staff is friendly, and the service is prompt. And the food... The food is incredible. Seriously, it's just incredible. I've eaten at around 10 different Thai restaurants in town over the years, but after one meal at Simply Thai I was hooked. Now we don't eat Thai anywhere else. If Simply Thai is closed, then we just don't eat Thai food. Every dish I've had here is phenomenal. The ingredients are fresh, the portions are generous, and the prices are unbeatable. I've tried several things on the menu, but my favorites are the chicken larb, the green curry with pork, and most recently the drunken noodle. (And if you're in more of a Vietnamese mood, Simply Thai also serves a very delicious Pho). My boyfriend typically gets the Tom Kar soup and the "basil leave" with chicken. Recently we also tried one of the desserts -- something I usually skip when I go out to eat -- but it was equally delicious! Simply Thai doesn't kid around with the spice levels, either. This is another reason I love this restaurant. I'm a spice fiend and love my food to have a real kick to it (but while still keeping flavor). Unfortunately, most restaurants' "Native Thai" or "Extra Spicy" leaves me wondering where the spice actually is. Not Simply Thai. If you ask for your food to be spicy, they will deliver and trust that you can handle it. The spices range from 1 to 5, and then you can also request "Native Thai." I usually order my dishes Native Thai and this is one of the few restaurants that can serve me food that will make my nose run! Yet, even at the hottest spice levels the food is still incredibly flavorful and balanced and is not overwhelmed by empty spiciness. Also, ask about the VIP program. It's free to sign up and you can earn free meals if you eat frequently (and, of course, once you try Simply Thai you'll definitely want to eat here frequently).
(5)Dagan B.
i just went to my happy place :) because of this meal. get the basil with the meat of your choice or tofu for the vegetarians with egg sunny side up and rice noodles instead of rice.. OMG..... it was good. and the cabbage salad WOW so simple yet so awesome. the waitress said the cucumber salad is great also. this place just got a bump to the top.
(4)Pickiest Eater A.
Food was great! The food was flavorful and the right amount of spice, would recommend to others!
(4)Rob M.
Perfect. My mom claims that this is the best that she's had. I always order a little hotter than I would at other Thai spots, so keep that in mind. I haven't had anything that I didn't love. The Musman Curry is wow, as is the beef salad.
(5)Lyndi G.
Was very, very surprised to find good Thai food right around the corner from my house. I had the Pad Kee Mo (drunken noodles) while my husband had the Ginger Beef. I ordered mine "thai hot"....probably not "Thai hot" but was still good. I actually liked my husband's entree more than mine. Very quaint restaurant with very good service. I will definitely go back to explore other dishes.
(4)Misty M.
As others have mentioned, this restaurant is easily overlooked. Many restaurants have come and gone in this location (a catering company, a barbecue joint, a mexican restaurant) and I had passed by Simply Thai many times before wising up and checking out the reviews here on Yelp. After two visits, I highly recommend giving this place a try. The building is nothing fancy at all, but the inside is a clean and nicely decorated. Our servers have been very friendly and service was quick both times. So far we've tried the Basil Stir Fry with beef, the Cashew Nut chicken, and the Musman (their spelling) curry with chicken. All dishes were flavorful and I was happy to find that the chicken in the dishes was all white meat. Portions are a good size as well and the dishes are served family style in a large plate or bowl so they are easy to share. The spring rolls are nice and crispy and served with a delicious sauce that has a nice tanginess to it. This is different from what I've seen before at other Thai restaurants who all seem to serve their spring rolls with a sweet sauce. We definitely plan to return to try other dishes on the menu and the fried banana dessert which looked heavenly. Overall, this is definitely a place to try and it's nice to have more than one choice in Thai restaurants in the area. The only other one is Dusit Thai on Old Hickory Blvd (previously Royal Thai), which is great as well. We definitely got out of Simply Thai with a smaller check. I'd say the entrees are about $2 to $3 cheaper than at Dusit Thai.
(4)Eddy W.
One of the best Thai restaurants around. The food is excellent, large servings and spiced the way we like it
(5)Kirk M.
Went there for lunch today, and I liked it. I had the red curry, five stars spicey, and found it to be tasty and pushing the limits on heat. The tofu in the curry was good, as well. The people there seemed friendly, and it was a comfortable atmosphere.
(4)sherri M.
birthday dinner was complete success thanks to finding this gem! it is a small nondescript building between used car places but don't let this deter you. pull in, go in, & be ready for a great meal. it is clean & neat inside. there are booths around the outside & there are tables in the middle which means they can host a larger group/family by putting tables together. our server suggested the shrimp wrapped in noodles then deep fried for an appetizer. thank goodness she did! it was unbelievable, sauce was great with them. for dishes, we chose 3 & had them brought out separately, sharing them. for hot scale, the level 1 was hot enough to be hot, it was perfect for us (couldn't imagine a 5's heat). things with chili & curry, like the drunken noodles (superb) & the chili fried rice (with beef, great) are hotter than the garlic stir fry (with chicken, best dish we chose) for example. all is very affordable, too. with veggies or tofu, dishes are 7-8.95; with chicken or beef, 8.95-10.95; with shrimp or scallops 9.95-11.95. even if you save no room for dessert, get the dessert for 2 & share with the table. it was 5.95 i think. there were 3 of us & it was perfect; the bananas are wrapped like tiny egg rolls & deep fried. the coconut ice cream is like my aunt makes in the summer, but they add honey over it which is amazing. our server decorated the dish with vanilla & strawberry drizzles. it was a work of art! they do serve beer & wine which--when combined with good service & good food--completes the requirements needed for me to be a big fan. please give them a try & let me know how your experience goes!
(5)Cara P.
The sign out front says "Thai & Lao" food. Not sure what, exactly, the Lao part is; the menu is mostly what I recognize as Thai. Maybe it's the execution? Anyway--this is on that stretch of OHB in Lakewood that's mostly auto shops, liquor stores, and discount tobacco stores. So I figure it really needs a yelp or no one will know it's there! The decor is very simple; the log cabin paneling is probably left over from a prior incarnation. A few animal prints, and a tv playing Thai karaoke (which is visually interesting, actually). The food is really nice. They specify on the menu that they don't make any dish hot, and ask that if you want it spicy, you indicate how much with a one to ten star rating--or "native Thai". We neglected to mention a spice level, and got what for Thai food is mild; just a bit of heat. And that was ok, because it allowed the other flavors to shine through. Husband & I each had a salad & soup, just because that's what we were in the mood for. Husband had yum nuar (beef salad) and a cup of tom kar soup (coconut milk soup); I had the yum woon sen (noodle salad) and a cup of tom yum (hot & sour). His tom kar was a thin broth, not thicker as I've seen coconut milk soups before; this was good b/c the coconut milk didn't mug all the other flavors. Both soups, as well as my salad, had chicken in them (ok, they get a minor hit for that b/c I asked for shrimp in my soup); and it was white meat. This is a plus for me; I have a thing about meat gristle, and often avoid ordering chicken in restaurants because I cannot take the "icky bits". But I didn't have to worry here. The soups were both pretty simple; just chicken, onion, and mushrooms. They didn't need lots of ingredients, they had flavorful broths. The salads both had the same spicy lime dressing, and both were very good; I think mine wins, because it had goodies like bean sprouts, mint and cilantro leaves in it. But it was definitely a case of mine was the greater of the two goods. The service is good, the staff are very nice. And it's a good Thai restaurant in an area that doesn't have many restaurants, period. Please, folks, eat here; I'd hate for them to go out of business!
(4)David L.
We always order take out and the food is pretty good and reasonable. If I had any complaint is that the staff eats their lunch behind the counter right at the front door. Maybe they have no room in back, but that seems tacky to me. Also, the restaurant seating seems dated with a tired, old aquarium that could use some attention. Other than those insignificant things, they have places to park and I'm usually in and out in a few minutes. Good food, think I'll order lunch today.
(4)Ceile G.
Fantastic food. You can BYOB. Lovely Koi in aquarium. The spring rolls are better than PF Chang's to me. Little hole-in-the-wall place, easy to miss, but don't!!! Charming place, quiet and comfy.
(5)Jackson M.
Not as great as people are saying. Food is as good as Dusit Thai but service is lousy. Phone skills and courtesy need some improvement. When we went to pick up the food they had made it wrong and said we could wait 10 minutes to have it remade. There was no offer to take money off the total like restaurants that care about their customers would do.
(3)Jerry R.
My wife and I are not hot and heavy fans of Thai food but we DO like it on occasion for the variety of taste, texture and flavor of the food. When we went in, the hostess/manager greeted us very warmly, seated us and showed us the menus. She then proceeded to ask if we were familiar with the items, which we weren't, so she asked questions about what we like and patiently explained various dishes that we would like. She also mentioned that we could ask for our dishes to be spicy on a scale of 1 to 10 since they add the spices as they cook the meals individually. We chose a level of 4. Throughout the whole ordering and serving process, we were treated just great! My wife and I each got spring rolls and our own dishes, then shared the red curry dish. Everything was absolutely excellent. This place is absolutely excellent for vegetarians as the vegetables and tofu options are available for almost each dish they have. Would we return? Most definitely yes! The food, the service, the ambience, hospitality - all of it was most excellent.
(5)Clay G.
Everytime I go to a thai restaurant for the first time I always order Pad Thai. It is the signature dish of Thailand after all. Is it made with Tamarind, do they put bean sprouts on it, do they put peanuts on it, is the meat or typically for me the seafood cooked properly, are there other extra veggies like fresh carrots or daikon radish along with the been sprouts, and is the noodle the right size? I haven't found perfect Pad Thai in Nashville, but Simply Thai would be probably in 6th or 7th place at best for me.
(3)Dustin A.
Ate here about a week ago. I've been wanting to try it out as I'm a recent transplant to this side of nashville. I got the panang with chicken. The heat scale is in stars from 1 to 10. I asked for painfully hot and he gave me 15 stars. Needless to say it was damn hot. The food was good even with the extreme burn. All the usual veggies made an appearance as well as some really potent Thai basil. All in all it was a great dish and I'm looking forward to trying something else from there. I just got the food to go so I didn't soak up the atmosphere enough to comment on it. I enjoyed the meal and would go again. Hopefully next time I can bring a crowd with me. The staff was friendly and they deserve some business. I'll post an update when i go back.
(4)Mark S.
I've been eating here weekly for over two years. The ownership has changed but the food has gotten even better. It was great with the original owner and the menu is about the same but it's much more consistent now. The original owners struggled to keep up with a busy night but the new ones have more help. It's a small place and occasionally a big table can slow things down but that's the cost of going to a small family restaurant where everything is made from scratch.
(5)Bryan K.
This restaurant is not in the best location, but the quality of the food and the friendliness of the staff more than make up for that. I would strongly suggest that anyone within a reasonable drive give this place a try. I tried the tom yum soup with shrimp. It had a nice flavorful broth that was comfortably spicy and served very hot. My entree was basil leaf chicken ordered with a spice level of 4 out of 5. It was spicy enough to satisfy but not cause pain ... just right for me. My wife tried the pad thai and ordered hers at a spice level of 5 out of 5. Being that she is Vietnamese and accustomed to spicy food, she said "I've had spicier," but that was not an insult to the food ... just an observation. All of our dishes were freshly prepared with quality ingredients, packed with flavor, color, texture, and aroma, and presented neatly on the serving dishes. What more could you ask for? Stay away from "jumbo buffets" and try Simply Thai!
(5)Joel M.
This review is based on two dining experiences at this establishment; there were several months between experiences. The first time I visited Simply Thai I ordered the Tom Kha Gai, fresh rolls, and Red Curry with Chicken. I ordered the soup and curry at the native Thai spice level. Neither was what I would consider a "native Thai" spice level. The second time (last week) I visited the establishment, I ordered Tom Yum Gai, fresh rolls, and Pad Grapow Gai -- with the soup and the stirfry ordered at the native Thai level. Again neither is what I would call "Thai Hot". I was especially disappointed with the Tom Yum Gai. The recipe calls for either water or chicken stock and the broth is usually clear when served. Their Tom Yum Gai was brown when it was served (not clear like at Thai Taste in Antioch). The soup was also mysteriously missing the Thai bird Chile, which gives the soup it's desired spice level. Unfortunately, I suppose that the chef added the crushed chili condiment to make it spicy (which also turns the soup a brown color). The additional problem with adding the crushed chiles is that they drown out the balance of flavors for which Thai food is known. The one reason I order the Tom Kha Gai is because of the lemongrass and Kaffir; if those flavors are drowned out, the balance is gone and the point of ordering is lost. If they would just add a sliced Thai bird chile, it would solve the issues with this soup. Additionally, the Pad Grapow Gai was horrific. It was not spicy nor were the flavors balanced. I could taste the wonderful Thai "holy basil" but none of the fragrant Kaffir; there were no Thai chiles in this dish either (of which some recipes suggest using five to ten chiles). If you consider yourself knowledgable about how Thai food is meant to be prepared, you may not like Simply Thai. Their cuisine seems "dumbed down" for the Southern palate, which does a disservice to the lovely Thai cuisine. I probably will not be back for a third visit.
(1)Zeb M.
This dinner went from simply Thai to simply complicated. My best friend lives just down the street from here and goes here pretty regularly. That, coupled with the rave reviews I've read on both here and Urbanspoon, was enough reason for me to check it out. First, my server was kind of... I don't want to say unprofessional, but she seemed super nervous and timid. I asked for fried tofu as an appetizer and we didn't get it. When our entrees were brought out, there were completely different from what we ordered. Apparently she switched our orders with the couple sitting behind us. However, I didn't know that until later and being SUPER hungry, I went ahead and continued eating my plate. I didn't care, I was famished. When my friend got her correct entree, it was too spicy. She told our server twice she did not want any spiciness. I asked for a 2 on a level of 1-5, she asked for "zero." I took a bite of hers and strangely enough, it was actually hotter than mine. When we bought it up to a different server (our original one disappeared after screwing up the order), she tried to tell us it wasn't spicy - but you could clearly see the red pepper flakes on everything. Another entree later and they finally got it right. When we went to pay our bill, it took them a while to figure out what we actually ordered compared to what we had originally, etc., etc. There was a discrepancy on our bill and the cashier said, "Oh, it's just a few dollars." Hold up just a second. If it is a "just a few dollars," then maybe they should pay the difference because it was an error of theirs. Am I wrong here? At first I was going to give this place four stars in my head, but the rating kept diminishing. The food, when we got it, was good, but in no way does it compare to the Smiling Elephant in Nashville (which is probably the best Thai in town). Whereas good Thai food has a wonderful blend of spices, here I just tasted "hotness," if that makes sense. Overall, I can't recommend this place based on my visit. I can certainly excuse mistakes, but when you don't even try to rectify them, I just remember there are plenty of other places that would.
(2)Eddie W.
Go here. Do not ever go to Dusit Thai. Read my review of why.
(5)Lisa M.
omg, so good! I usually go to Thai Phooket in rivergate because it is closer. I love both places, but Simply Thai is a tiny bit better, in my opinion.
(5)