Best Thai right now - Linda or Mengrai or ?

[Full tummy]

I want to take a friend out for excellent Thai. Have eaten at Mengrai and really enjoyed it, but I gather from some posters that quality has declined lately. Is this so?

Where do those in the know recommend?

[aser]

for the more common street stand or food court (the Asian kind, not our kind) experience, my vote right now is for Sukho Thai.

I liked Mengrai too, but I haven't been in a while. It is a bit expensive for thai food.

[Googs]

Don't forget that Sukho Thai isn't a dine in kind of place plus they've severely cut back on their hours. It's strictly take out and delivery when they're actually open.

I like Mengrai.

[Full tummy]

Gee, thanks, everybody, for your replies. Am not familiar with Thai Shen Inn or Thai Bistro. It's great to have up-to-date feedback.

[Ediblethoughts]

Do you have a link for Sukho Thai (or the name of the street it's on)? I tried to google it and nothing jumps. Just wondering if they'll deliver to Yonge & Eglinton area....

[yoyodyne]

www.sukhothaifood.com although the site is under construction at the moment and the info's pretty sparse.

-----
Sukhothai
274 Parliament St, Toronto, ON M5A, CA

[Ediblethoughts]

Sparse indeed! Thanks for the link though.

[aser]

Well, like I said, it's food court/street stand. You can eat in, I've done it numerous times. They have two tables right by the counter and a stool stand by the wall. Sure, it lacks ambiance, but their friendly service more than makes up for it imo.

Every time I've ate in, they've offered me something to try (free samples) that isn't on the regular menu. I too got to experience the cassava cake as a result of this.

Again, it's only open fri and sat, until 10pm.

[deabot]

Yes Sukho Thai is great for street-food thai in really casual surroundings unless you are getting take out. Friday's have become a mainstay at this homey joint-I reallly do like their version of pad thai and the people there are so friendly. I hope they can go back to operating on weekdays soon.

[Ediblethoughts]

Just curious--what do you mean by "street food"?

[deabot]

Oh sorry that is a bit of misnomer.....Sukho Thai has thai dishes on it's menu however with the buffet set up for diners eating in and the limited menu I think their dishes are less varied and more simple than Mengrai's-where I used to eat before. Oddly I enough I am writing this after another good meal there where I had my usual standby of pad thai, sampled a spring roll and some yummy cassava cake. They seem to be getting busier every weekend-the phone was ringing off the hook on this visit! Note if you do go be prepared for a bit of a wait as there is only 1 cook but she is a fabulous one.

[yoyodyne]

I've only been once but the khao soi noodles they had were fantastic! Totally charming people running the place. Ask them about the pictures of Thailand on the wall: if you've ever been and bring in a picture of Thailand for their photo wall they'll give you a free pad thai. Cute promotion and a really personal way of getting to know their clientele.

[Sadistick]

I have not been to either yet....

As I like to base my Thai experience on thai street food - Tom Yum, Mango (if possible, Papaya) salad, and Pad Thai.

My top 2 at the moment are Thai Shen Inn and Thai Bistro - although stark contrasts to the dishes, both equally tasty. (both run by Thai families)

[peppermint pate]

Thai Bistro is new to me. Where is it? What dishes do you recommend?

[Sadistick]

Thai Bistro is on Yonge south of Finch (2 blocks or so) on the west side.

So far I have tried their Hot and Sour (wasnt great), their Mango Salad (didnt have Papaya) and their shrimp pad thai. Mango Salad was good (not as good as Thai Shen Inn) but the pad thai was quite tasty.

[estufarian]

They are probably the two best places -still.
I have Linda's as #1 and Mengrai as #2.