Brandeis students looking for a combination of tasty Thai food with large portions and inexpensive prices should make Baan Thai, located on the corner of Main and Moody streets, a regular outing into town.
Although delivery is on-time, the flavor of the pad-thai is not quite the same as in the restaurant. For the real experience, make sure you make the trip down the road. For starters, it offers the best sushi in Waltham. For less than $6, you can get 10 pieces of California roll. There are also several other delicious starters, including fresh rolls and scallion pancakes.
Tom Kha Gai soup, a coconut milk soup with a bit of a kick presents an unusual burst of flavor. At times, it can be overwhelming but it’s definitely worth trying. Small tomatoes add a nice twist to balance out the unique coconut flavor.
The best part, however, is the entrée. Depending on your taste, either the pad thai or pad see ew will leave you full and satisfied. The pad thai blends peanut sauce with a salty flavor over mixed veggies, soft noodles and your choice of chicken or shrimp.
If you prefer thicker noodles, pad see ew is the best choice. It packs the same sweet flavor but with a different presentation. For the best Baan Thai experience, I’d recommend mixing it up and experimenting. If you’ve never tried pad see ew, don’t let the different name fool you. It’s just as delicious as pad thai.
For dessert, green tea ice cream is a perfect way to end a meal. After a meal full of salt, green tea ice cream is the perfect soothing remedy. If you need a refreshing break during the meal, the mango smoothie is a top choice.
But the fun at Baan Thai is due to more than just the food. The atmosphere at the restaurant is perfect for students. It provides a nice break from the dining halls but is still informal enough to make college kids feel at home.
Service is generally quick at Baan Thai and a full dining experience may only take an hour. Another great plus is that there’s hardly ever a wait. Even on Friday and Saturday nights, there are always tables open and they are accommodating to large parties, even parties of more than 10 people.
Many of today’s restaurants continue to increase prices, but with a 10 percent Brandeis student discount, Baan Thai provides the perfect meal for the right price. If you haven’t been, try it. You might turn into a regular there.