Vieng Thai - GREAT Thai in Houston

If any of you find yourself in houston you need to try Vieng Thai on Longpoint on Houstons west side. The street itself is one of Houstons finest streets to dine on with 2 great mex places, two very good taquerias, two good to great thai joints, several korean and a few others. But we are here to talk thai. This place staks up to Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas and Spoon thai and tac in chicago. I have now been 3 times and can't wait to find some others to join me again. here is a review today from Robb Walsh who is one hell of a food writer IMO.
http://www.houstonpress.com/Issues/2005 ... /cafe.html

jscarbor wrote:If any of you find yourself in houston you need to try Vieng Thai on Longpoint on Houstons west side.
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here is a review today from Robb Walsh who is one hell of a food writer

Jscarbor,

Rob Walsh, who I agree is a hell of a writer, and your comparison to Spoon and TAC, I've not been to LOS as I have not been to Las V in decades, makes me wish my next visit to Houston wasn't a couple of months out.

Enjoy,
Gary

Long Point Road is also the home to Otilia's authentic Mexican. I don't know that I've ever had anything better than their cream of poblano soup.

http://houston.citysearch.com/profile/9 ... urant.html

Not only is Otillias on Long Point but so is el Hildeguence which serves really nice barbacoa goat and cabrito.
Down the street is a very good taco stand called El Tacanazo selling only carne asado tacos with an ethereal green sauce. Then another taco joint called panchos that has all kinds of goodies like tacos, tortas, gorditas and chili rellenos.
Then further down the street you have a few good Korean places like Korea Garden and Seoul something.
The near the end of the street is a little thai place that is pretty simple but pretty good.

Next time you folks are in town hit Vieng Thai for sure and if possible do yourself a favor and get tamales at this little place on the SW part of town called Dona Tere. They are the best tamales I have ever had.
It would be best to post on egullet before you come to Houston though, I post there more often.

jscarbor wrote:If any of you find yourself in houston you need to try Vieng Thai on Longpoint on Houstons west side.

LTH,

Though I've been to Houston a few times since Jscarbor's 2005 post I finally, 4-years later, made it to Vieng Thai and am happy as a clam at high tide I did.

Set inauspiciously in a strip mall, though I believe JeffB has a Calvin Trillin like theory about strip malls and Asian restaurants, walking into the restaurant is a bit disorienting as floor to ceiling mirrors make Vieng Thai appear much (much) larger than its two storefronts.

Vieng Thai



Our Houston based friends Jan and John had been a few times, but had not explored the spicier/funkier aspects, though were willing to delve a little deeper. That said we started with spring rolls, a herbaly fresh tasty version, flavor impaired by a pedestrian version of peanut sauce.

Fresh Spring Rolls



E-Sarn Sausage was a different version than I've had, texture dense, ferment tang more in tune with Genoa salami than Thai. Vieng Thai also had Nheam (Thai style stick sausage) which I will try next time there.

E-Sarn Sausage



Chicken larb was terrific, served warm, they hit the heat level perfectly for all four of us, verging on too hot for Jan and John, just right for Ellen and slightly mild for me. Fragrant, herbal, textural interest from ground toasted rice, a very good larb.

Larb



Panaeng Curry w/shrimp was a compromise dish, though the rich complex flavors pleased everyone at the table.

Panaeng Curry w/shrimp



Kee Mao, "(drunken noodles) was a Robb Walsh pick from his 2005 Vieng Thai review and I liked the mild mix of noodles, chicken, garlic and onions with chile and basil, though it's not something I need to order again anytime soon.

Kee Mao



I very much enjoyed Vieng Thai, fresh distinct clean flavored, interesting menu, friendly service and reasonable prices. I would not put it in league with my other recent out of town Thai experience, Jitlada, but am happy to have Vieng Thai as an arrow in my Houston dining quiver.

Enjoy,
Gary

Vieng Thai
6929 Long Point Rd
Houston, TX 77055
713-688-9910