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Thai Tom (University District)

4543 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98127
(206) 548-9548

Categories: Restaurant

Restaurant Details

  • This hole-in-the-wall on the Ave turns out some of Seattle's best Thai food, and you'll wait to get in accordingly. Try to get a seat at the counter, where you can watch the cooking—what seems like 19 crusty woks all going at once, with one superhuman chef doing it all—from so close, you'll feel the heat on your face. Speaking of heat, order more than a couple stars at Thai Tom, and you might not be able to eat it.
  • Features: Cheap Eats
  • Cuisine: Thai
  • Price Range: $

The Stranger's Reviews of Thai Tom

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 3.70000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (24) RSS

Newest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a review of Thai Tom
24

Such shit, what a joke

Service is an elfing joke. And they take your order, then all the employees return back to the 2 back tables to eat their meal? Who takes an order then does that!?

Food quality was absolutly terrible, and they robbed us ("We don't have change, so $27.32 becomes $28")

If Thai food from here can even be close to as good as some of these other comments, then good luck, you'll need it. Or everyone here leaving high marks like abusive relationships.
Posted by I know Good Thai When I Get It on March 11, 2012 at 5:42 PM · Report
commeatus 23

not for everyone

The food is really good, you have to give it that, although not always. my swimming rama was surprisingly bland, while my date's curry was fantastic. that's about all it has going for it. the stereo system is good, though--I know because I couldn't hear my lovely date over the platinum hits of the aughts. it was painfully loud. the server didn't look us in the eye once, and I'm tempted to say it was his last day. if it wasn't, it should have been. he forgot chopsticks and we didn't see him until an hour later, so after a bit I had to track some down myself. it was very dark and very crowded, but I've seen darker and more cramped restaurants. still, I consistently chose veggie veggie over thai thom's before the former closed.
Posted by commeatus on December 25, 2009 at 10:06 PM · Report
22
I realize that it isn't cool to like the things everyone else likes. "_____ is over-rated," be it Ryan Adams, blonds, the color blue, and apparently Thai Thom. This is Seattle ethos at its finest. Behind the popularity, though, is an appeal that should at least be acknowledged.

I will grant you that it isn't the cleanest place. I will grant you that 2 people is unlikely and 4 people is a "never." I will even grant you that standing out on the Ave for an hour waiting for your food as your meter ticks and the spangers descend is unappetizing.

Let me say, though, that after traveling around this country and around Thailand, I have had better Thai food once. ONCE. It was home-cooked by an old woman in a Karen refugee village (and thus arguably not even Thai).
This is the best Thai food in Seattle. It isn't convenient or clean (neither is Thailand, btw) but it's reputation is well deserved.
Posted by The Happiest Coathanger on May 13, 2009 at 1:35 AM · Report
21

Eh...

Food can be hit or miss. Usually miss these days. Tends to be greasy and leave a heavy feeling in the pit of your stomach. The restaurant is ALWAYS crowded, no chance to relax or breathe inside. I guess what I like about Thai food are the clean, bold flavors and freshness, which Thai Tom's doesn't offer. Nevertheless, give it one try as so many seem to be in love with the place--you might be one of them.
Posted by sorry, partisans... on March 26, 2009 at 9:18 PM · Report
20

Gone downhill!

Thai Tom has gone downhill in its quality. The food I ordered today is greasy and overcooked. It is also a small amount compared to the past.

Also, buyer beware: the total cost of a take out meal at lunch (cashew chicken) was $8.70! The prices of the food you order are not posted on their wooden menus.

Thai Tom is no longer an affordable lunch option for me.
Posted by Truely on February 25, 2009 at 12:18 PM · Report
19

My favorite hole in the wall

After a trip to Thailand I fell further in love with Thai food and have always longed for a place that makes me feel like I am back there. Thai Tom is the best Thai food I've had outside of the country it originates from and I feel as though it is one of the more authentic Thai spots in Seattle.

I love watching the chefs cook your food mere feet away from you when you are sitting at the counter. You can feel the flames from underneath the woks! The food is usually very hot and tasty, although it generally takes quite awhile to get served here since there is pretty much only 1 or 2 dishes getting cooked at a time.

It's always worth the wait though, and thanks to a review I read on consupo.com I have to now recommend the deep fried tofu with peanut sauce!! This is the best appetizer I have ever had!! I had always seen it on the menu, and not being much of a tofu guy never gave it a shot, but after reading the consupo review I went for it and now I'll never go a meal without it!!
Posted by sunrye on January 20, 2009 at 3:09 PM · Report
18

"You pay for the show. The food is free."

That's what the guy next to me said the first time I ever went to Thai Tom, which was in 2002. How do I remember the year? Well, I separated from my then-wife in the summer of 2002 and decided I was going to eat as much Thai food as I felt like eating. So I'd head to Thai Tom several times a week, sit by myself at the counter, and forget my problems for an hour.

I must say that "the show" used to be better. Tom doesn't cook much anymore, but watching him cook and hearing his bracelets and jewelry jingle and jangle as he scooted the pan back and forth across the flame was a true marvel. I swear it was hypnotic. We'd all just stare amazed and look at each other with big smiles. The cooks these days don't have the soul or the flare or the intensity. Sort of like growing up watching Michelangelo paint and then having him replaced with somebody taking a class at the local community college.

I used to be such a regular that Tom and George would give me free appetizers and make my order before other people who had been waiting a long time. It was a nice touch for someone whose life was slamming him to the pavement repeatedly.

I suggest the garlic pepper chicken. And the yellow curry.

And bring a book. You'll be waiting a while.
Posted by ThaiTomRocks on September 14, 2008 at 1:21 AM · Report
17

Shut up and eat

Thai Tom is the only restaurant where the chef will cook carry-outs inches away from your face, take a thirty minute break to eat food you can't even order off the menu before cooking your food and then still make food so good you'll send anyone who will listen to have the same. Don't go in a hurry or expecting someone to kiss your ass. Go if you want the best Thai food you'll ever get without needing a passport. I live in Michigan and Thai Tom is in my cellphone. lol.
Posted by Seanmg on August 22, 2008 at 4:49 PM · Report
16

I shit you not, check for yourself....

I shit you not. There is a little hole in the cealing at Thai Tom's. Its to the left of the hood over the range, sort of above the fridge. If you watch it long enough (not really that long at all), you will see a rat climb out of that hole, scamper down that pipe/wire thing grab a bite to eat and then head back up to the hole. If this were anywhere else I wouldn't go back. To me this is equivilent to finding shit in the food. However, Thai Tom is so good that I will return, and wait 45 fucking mineuts for take-out. The food is great and cheap. It is not clean or polite.
Posted by Tastey Frank on April 7, 2008 at 3:16 PM · Report
15

Love Tom

I don't live in Seattle anymore, but I sure do miss Thai Tom! Delicious food, I always tried to go early for a late lunch and avoid the rush. To see Tom himself cook is a treat--his cooking IS dancing--but regardless of who is at the helm it is great stuff. Worth it even with a wait, even with occasional attitude, so good.
Posted by Avery on February 5, 2008 at 6:27 PM · Report
14

Severely overrated!

I was disappointed by my experience here. Masaman curry was sickeningly sweet and the spring rolls were bland. Many other great Thai restaurants in town w/out the outrageous wait.
Posted by hatejmls on January 29, 2008 at 3:03 PM · Report
13

hate to burst bubbles..

I loved Thai Tom for years. In fact, I loved it so much that I would frequent the place on a twice-weekly basis..but one day, I think Skinny Cook lost it. He always cooked his dishes with much vigor and enthusiasm, but this one fateful night he seemed really pissed. Skinny Cook was so angry that he was literally scraping the metal off the bottom of the pan and into my delicious spicy noodles. When I got served my noodles there were little to medium-sized black specks everywhere, and I couldn't consume a single bite without chewing and having to spit out metal. The next time I went there I got a take out order...same situation with my spicy noodles. :( I loved you Thai Tom-- but I will never go back until you lose the attitudes.
Posted by disappointed regular on October 30, 2007 at 11:47 AM · Report
12

Let me put it this way

I have a peanut allergy. To me, peanuts are as appetizing as a stomachful of dirty motor oil. At Thai Tom's, there are peanuts on everything. EVERYTHING. Even if I were to get a dish and pick out every last little crumbled nut, my food is sure to be coated in enough of the buttery taint to give me a fetal position inducing cramp - BUT I STILL LOVE IT. The food is so fucking good. You have no excuse to not frequent this place.
Posted by originalusername on August 21, 2007 at 8:55 PM · Report
11

Worth the wait

Yes that's right. Stand in line and people watch on the Ave for a half an hour or so. Then hopefully you'll get to sit at the bar, where you'll watch the cook work so quickly that you'll never complain about sitting in front of you computer again. The food also kicks ass. It's so good, I even order the phad Thai, which disappoints me at so many other restaurants after eating the real s!*t in Thailand. The service is good and the music's even better. You owe it to yourself to try this place at least once.
Posted by skykomishsunrise on August 18, 2007 at 10:38 PM · Report
10

the best...period

I had never had thai food before I came to Seattle but have become an absolute addict. I have frequent quite a few in town and have a couple of favorites but Thai Tom's food is the best. I haven't had phad thai anywhere that can even compare. Prices are good, portions are large. My only complaints would be that its so small that you often have to wait and often the music is really freakin loud.
Posted by Peterparker on August 16, 2007 at 11:04 PM · Report
9

OH YEAH!!

I have been a regular since my daughter found this place when she was at UW. Always good and entertaining to watch the cooking. I was in late-July and Tom was training a new cook. I've got the number on speed-dial so I can order ahead for take-out on the way to the ferry...
Posted by PT hippie on August 8, 2007 at 5:18 PM · Report
8

thai tom time bomb

yes, the thai tom time bomb. i will never eat their deep-fried profoundly fried tofu again. but their swimming rama minus this fateful ingredient swims like michael phelps and the experience of watching again at close proximity these madmen prepare food is worth past gastrointestinal missteps.
Posted by josh on August 3, 2007 at 9:26 AM · Report
7

Go get your Thai on!

I find myself sometimes having random, intense cravings for peanut sauce. Luckily I live in the U-District and Thai Tom’s is only a few blocks away. Still, even when I relocate to another Seattle neighborhood, I know I will make at least a weekly trek back to the Ave to satisfy my craving for Thai food, because now that I’ve eaten there, I don’t just crave peanut sauce, but I crave Thai Tom’s peanut sauce. This dive is like a little piece of Thai heaven. Order your food to go, or be prepared to wait – but believe me, it’s worth it. This isn’t the type of place you want to take a date since it’s tiny and loud, but if you’re a fan of Thai food, you can’t pass it up.
Posted by CyberVixen on July 20, 2007 at 1:42 PM · Report
6

Thai "F%&#ing" Tom

Bring an umbrella! You will be standing outside waiting for a table to open up for as long as 45 minutes. Bring your patience! You will be sitting at your table waiting for your main course for as long as half an hour. What the hell have you been waiting for all this time? The best Thai food in Seattle. No hyperbole. No Bulls#%t. Tom has the ability to combine flavors in such as way that each ingredient is evident yet in buddistic harmony with each and every other ingredient. I like it spicy and in most Thai places that just means more chili pepper but not at Thai Tom. Here the balance is always maintained. Be assured that your nose will run and your brow will perspire but your taste buds will dance the Fawn Thai (look it up).
Posted by heavymoe on July 11, 2007 at 8:54 AM · Report
5

shite

service sucks--dude said he took our name down, assured us we would be up soon, then when we politely pointed out that people who came after us were getting seated, he looked into it and said our name wasn't on the list. no apology or anything--in fact, he gave us attitude. and the food was totally unremarkable. sure, it's cute in a hole-in-the-wall way, and everyone can pat themselves on the back for finding such an 'authentic' little dive restaurant on the ave, but this place is a house of cards.
Posted by dh on June 27, 2007 at 1:29 PM · Report
4

Fire and Thai food.

Love watching the focused energy of the cook behind the counter. How does one not loose it in such a small cooking space? I do not comprehend. All the elements of true stir fry are here. The food comes to your table immediately with the heat from a well worn spider top stove. A bit crammed with people but the food is worth it. You can always do take out. Cash only. Bring cash!
Posted by biggie j on May 30, 2007 at 7:39 AM · Report
3

DAMN GOOD

The best thai food in Seattle. Make sure to sit at the counter to soak up all the action. This place is more fast food than gourmet, but the food is damn good at any price. Whatever you do, do not miss out on the Panang Curry.
Posted by Mark on May 29, 2007 at 1:46 PM · Report
2

BOMB ASS FOOD

HAVE NOT FOuND A BETTER PEANuT SAuCE ANYWHERE EVER
Posted by hurrrk on May 29, 2007 at 12:47 PM · Report
1

Best Thai in Seattle

Get your ass on the 49 or one of the 70s and make your way to this Thai food mecca. The pilgrimage is worth it. I lived across the street from Thai Tom's for awhile and got spoiled... NOTHING compares to Swimming Rama or Paneng Curry from this amazing, tiny hole in the wall. I prefer to take-out, since it IS a tiny hole in the wall.
Posted by Katelyn on May 19, 2007 at 7:02 PM · Report

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