Yum Thai

The measure of a good Thai restaurant is not necessarily from their Pad Thai… but for some reason it’s the first thing I order when trying a place out.  And, when I say “That Thai restaurant is great” it’s usually because I liked their Pad Thai.  It’s sort of silly, but it’s something people do all the time.  You recommend a place, based on what you like (and always order)- not necessarily taking into account what the person you’re telling, likes to order.

For some it’s the curries, or spring rolls, for me, it’s usually the Pad Thai.  Don’t get me wrong, I like a good green curry or Pad Si Ew, just as much as the next guy.  But Pad Thai is what I start with.  The go to guy.  If you can’t do Pad Thai… I’m probably not going back.

When I started this blog, I got a lot of comments urging me to go to Yum Thai, and I have to say I was not disappointed.  A small, hole in the wall place- it’s the kind of place you walk by 100 times, not sure if you want to try it out.  It looks sort of dirty from the outside, and they’ve got pictures of food in the window (never a good sign).  All you need is that one recommendation to get you to try it out.  Well, consider this your recommendation.

You order at a counter, and then can sit down at one of their 10 or so tables or you can take it to go.  They cook the food right behind the counter, just a few feet from the tables, so it can get kind of hot in there- especially during the summer.  So, taking the food to go might be the way to do it.

The +/- and a picture of my Pad Thai, after the jump…

Despite some pretty good looking other options, I went for the Pad Thai on my first visit.  Cooked fresh to order, it came out really quick- and piping hot, with everything I like to see on a good plate of Pad Thai.  Scallions sauteed in it, bean sprouts on top, and a wedge of lime to tie the whole thing together.

Pad Thai can come in various different ways (dry vs wet, sweet vs less sweet, and sometimes spicy).  This Pad Thai was a little on the wet and sticky side (although there was a woman eating a Pad Thai next to me that looked a little dryer then mine- so it might be different every time).  It wasn’t too sweet, but it was defintely on the sweet side- and no spicyness.  But it came with a little cup of Nam Prik Kiga (Thai spicy red chili sauce) if you like your dish spicy.  All in all it was good, and not too expensive for $7.50.

I will definetely be back… and hopefully I’ll be able to bring myself to order something other then the Pad Thai.  Pad Si Ew… I’m looking in your general direction! (If you’ve eaten here, and want to recommend a dish for my second visit- feel free to comment below)

THE +

  • Good, cheap and quick Thai Food
  • Good Pad Thai.
  • You can take out… but it also has tables if you want to eat in.  No waiters, so you don’t have to tip, keeping the price down.
  • Made to order, so it’s real fresh.

THE –

  • There are tables, but this is not a sit down meal kind of place.  It’s small, and bare bones.  The atmosphere leaves alot to be desired
  • Like most places in Midtown- this is not the best Thai food you are ever going to have in NYC… but it’s pretty darn good for the area, price and convenience.

Yum Thai, 129 44th St. (btw. 6th Ave. & B’way), 212-819-0554

30 Comments

  • Great beef coconut curry. ample servings and no fuss service. i like the atmosphere: its is sufficiently grungy to conjure up South East Asia without actually being unhygienic. I shall return often.

  • Two tasty thai places on the outer reaches of Midtown – had noodles, fish and some other things at both. Flavors were great, nothing was too greasy.

    Aura
    462 9th Ave Btwn 35th & 36th St

    Oleng
    644 10th Ave Btwn 45th & 46th St

  • Yum Thai closed by the Board of Health as of 10/30/07.

  • Why did the Board Of Health drop the hammer?
    What was REALLY in my Beef Basil?!?!

  • Answered my own question:

    Sanitary Violations
    1.) Minimum final rinse temperature of 170°F or proper chemical and temperature levels not maintained in manual utensil washing operation.
    2.) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained.
    3.) Facility not vermin proof. Harborage or conditions conducive to vermin exist.
    4.) Food not
    StillStandingStillStrong says:
    protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
    5.) Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.
    6.) Evidence of flying insects or live flying insects present in
    StillStandingStillStrong says:
    facility’s food and/or non-food areas.
    7.) Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility’s food and/or non-food areas.

  • It still was good! Is it a bad sign that I would go back there today if it was open!

  • Today, I went to Yum Tai, and it turned out to be closed. Maybe under construction or out of business.

  • I am soooo sad to see this restaurant go away. The food was AMAZINGLY delicious and the people were so nice and sweet! If anyone knows if they are reopening ANYWHERE please post that info. THANKS

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