Thong Thai--across from Leaning Tower Y

I have passed by this place for years and never ever thought about venturing in until recently. A neighbor of mine claims that this is the best Thai in the area...even better than Elephant Thai. Of course, I thought he was just a rube and didn't know what he was talking about, so I ignored him. After the 10-ish time he insisted that I give it awhirl--I stopped in today for lunch.

Its small, with a few booths and a handful of tables. Seems like one man works the front of the house as the server...and a man of few words..literally--he said "hello" when we walked in and "white rice?" when taking or order--that's it. I saw glimpses of a woman working in the back and I believe she was by herself.

Anyway, so the food--they had a very limited appetizer section so we started with egg rolls--which I thought were very good. Narrow, sliced into 5 pcs each and served with a sweet/sour/peanut sauce.

The menu selection was fair, but nothing was popping out at me. They didn't seem to have a lot of currys, just 2 on the menu that I saw, which I thought was strange. Mr. CM2772 had a shrimp panang curry dish with citrus leaves. It was not spicy and very flavorful. I couldn't decide so at the last minute I went with #52 on the menu--which was a chicken with mushrooms, ginger and thai spices, and I asked for it spicy. Oh, man, this was good. I like spicy...I can handle spicy...and this one made me sweat, gave me the chills and for a few wee-bit scary minutes there, thought my tongue swelled up...and I *liked* it.

Now, I like Elephant Thai a lot. I love the variety, the emerald noodles, the chive dumplings, the service, the setting. But, I haven't had anything as hot as this at Elephant Thai--and I always ask for spicy. Maybe I just haven't ordered the right dish at Elephant Thai, but Thong's spicy is on a whole 'nother level.

Destination dining? Nah, I don't think so. Looking for a little variety on the NW side for Thai...exactly what the doctor ordered.

6247 W Touhy Ave
Chicago, IL 60646-1106
(773) 763-9918

edited bc I incorrectly stated that it is in Skokie in the title.

Thanks for the review. I think about this place every time I go to that Target but Elephant Thai is so hard to top. As a matter of fact, I'm going to have takeout Elephant Thai tonight.

I haven't been here, but how does it compare to Siam's House on Milwaukee, not too far from this restaurant?

That is Chicago, not Skokie. The north side of Touhy is Niles, the south side is Chicago.

Do they serve whale tail there?

CM2772 wrote:Now, I like Elephant Thai a lot. I love the variety, the emerald noodles, the chive dumplings, the service, the setting. But, I haven't had anything as hot as this at Elephant Thai--and I always ask for spicy. Maybe I just haven't ordered the right dish at Elephant Thai, but Thong's spicy is on a whole 'nother level.

CM,

I've been to Thong Thai 4-5 times, it is one of my 'never go into Costco hungry' stops along with Papa Chris's and 4 Hermanos Too, and never thought it was anything but standard serviceable Thai, certainly not in the league of Elephant Thai, a recent lunch has done nothing to change my opinion.

Tom Kha was uncompromisingly bland, odd as it contained visible lime leaves, galangal and lemon grass, but it was almost as if the soup had been given a flavorectomy. Best thing I can say about Thong's tom kha was the white meat chicken, while flavorless, was not dried out. Basil Chicken requested spicy was anything but, sugar sweet the dominate flavor note.

I have had the same two dishes many times at Elephant Thai and there seems little comparison in execution, care, quality and depth of flavor. Specifically as to the hot comment, I am a fan, and have a somewhat high tolerance for, spicy food and upon request Elephant Thai has brought tears to my eyes, in the very best of ways.

I suggest asking Ann, owner of Elephant Thai, directly to pump up the spicy hot volume, basil chicken or one of the larbs a good place to start.

Enjoy,
Gary

Elephant Thai
5348 W Devon
Chicago, IL
773-467-1168

4 Hermanos Too
6145 W Touhy
Chicago, IL 60646
773-775-2550

Papa Chris' Place
6235 W. Touhy Avenue
Chicago, IL 60646
773-631-4322