restaurants.

Little Thai Express

The Open View

Thai Tom in Seattle is a three star Thai restaurant. Located in the University neighborhood, this restaurant is very affordable. This restaurant features lunch.

Expert Reviews of Little Thai Express

Citysearch | Rock-bottom prices and stellar food keep this U-District hangout hopping.

Extremely small and dark, you might not notice that the space is pretty, with gold walls, painted bamboo lampshades and Thai art. A few tables line one wall and the open kitchen with surrounding counter lines...
citysearch.com - expert review - 04/09/2004
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User Reviews of Little Thai Express

Yelp.com Review - by Gloss E.

1.0 of 5 stars. I heard a friend of a friend found a roach in her food. I almost cried. I decided to check out the health department report. Sad news, from 2007 up until the last report in April 2008 they've been…
yelp.com - user review - 09/22/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Alexis P.

2.0 of 5 stars. overrated.. I would've tolerated the wait if the food actually lived up to its reputation..
yelp.com - user review - 09/17/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sue S.

1.0 of 5 stars. Granted I have not been there in a few years, but I remember it too vividly not to warn people off this place. I'm Thai, so I know what I'm talking about, this place is terrible. It's dirty and…
yelp.com - user review - 09/10/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Paco G.

5.0 of 5 stars. This is my favorite place to eat Thai food on a rainy evening. Reason being is because it's so warm, cozy and packed with people. I've never had a problem with their service. I'm fully aware that the…
yelp.com - user review - 09/07/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by aaron g.

5.0 of 5 stars. The best in Seattle and potentially the world. I highly recommend only eating when George is cooking - he is a genius of Thai Food.
yelp.com - user review - 09/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sarah S.

5.0 of 5 stars. Wow. Wowee-wow-wow. Amazing. Although the place is teeny-tiny, it cannot be beat. I totally recommend doing takeout rather than trying to get a table in this smoky, loud joint. I got the coconut…
yelp.com - user review - 09/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by lily C.

1.0 of 5 stars. The service is HORRIBLE HORRIBLE. Last time when we were there, I found the chair wobble and would like to change for another one. But I was refused and what I got was only a glare. We waited forever…
yelp.com - user review - 09/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Fritz P.

2.0 of 5 stars. I was really excited about this place after hearing all the rave reviews. The service was, as other's mentioned, great.
yelp.com - user review - 09/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by hilary M.

3.0 of 5 stars. I absolutely love Thai Tom, especially the chef. He's super friendly, works like a machine, and makes fantastic food. But that f(*&^ b*&^ch that answers the phone needs to be fired.
yelp.com - user review - 09/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Paul L.

5.0 of 5 stars. Ambience: 3 Food: 5
yelp.com - user review - 08/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Nick W.

5.0 of 5 stars. Most amazing Thai food in Seattle hands down.... Every time.. I love it to death....
yelp.com - user review - 08/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by patricia r.

2.0 of 5 stars. I had heard so much hype of this place that finally my BF and I went. We got our orders to go, np, the staff was very nice, everything was great. Till we got home and ate. Iiiii had the swimming…
yelp.com - user review - 08/24/2008
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I've never had it so good

The place is small. The carry-out may be cooked in your lap if you sit too...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 08/22/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Monte C.

4.0 of 5 stars. Assault on your taste buds, initially it's heavenly until the end. So much flavor it's overwhelming. Service = good, cash joint
yelp.com - user review - 08/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by S C.

4.0 of 5 stars. Not too sweet, not too salty, just right. I really really like the food here, but their spice level is never consistent. I was ok with having my dish slightly milder or hotter until one time my…
yelp.com - user review - 08/13/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Olivia J.

2.0 of 5 stars. Eating here made me realize that I do not like authentic Thai food. First one star for the cool menu and another star for the cool cook...he's awesome - you need to watch his every move...he does not…
yelp.com - user review - 08/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Kristin C.

5.0 of 5 stars. Let's be honest - the service is terrible, but that's not the reason you go here. The food is great (eggplant ginger chicken, spicy broccoli and tofu w/ peanut sauce!) and it's worth the wait.
yelp.com - user review - 08/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by James L.

5.0 of 5 stars. Hot, small and Asian with tight seating and decent service. Good, comfortable feelings, no-nonsense, sweet but with lots of spice. And after you leave, you long to return as soon as possible. Now…
yelp.com - user review - 08/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Chau T.

4.0 of 5 stars. I love this damn place. I've eaten at numerous Thai restaurants but this is one of the best Thai restaurants in Seattle. Warning for people who are not used to spicy food, do not, and I repeat, do not…
yelp.com - user review - 08/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by drew d.

4.0 of 5 stars. Today i celebrated my ex-girlfriends birthday at Thai Tom. She was one of the ones! At that time the love of my life. We ate thai food about once even twice a week. She's married and living in India…
yelp.com - user review - 08/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by the X.

5.0 of 5 stars. One day I'm going to get a group of UW students together to build rickshas and parade down the Ave to Thai Tom. I've seen this place go from muppet-style hole in the wall shop to dive with great food…
yelp.com - user review - 08/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by WNSPTWO S.

4.0 of 5 stars. pretty decent food
yelp.com - user review - 08/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Seth W.

5.0 of 5 stars. I have been to Thailand and I have to say this food is exactly the same or even better! The spicy scale (1-5) leans to the hot side. I would consider 2 to be "medium" for the average person. The…
yelp.com - user review - 07/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Alyssa F.

2.0 of 5 stars. I just don't get it. Many people have suggested I try this place so I did. I don't think I have ever left an entire dish at any establishment before. I had the Swimming Rama. More like swimming…
yelp.com - user review - 07/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Alyssa F.

2.0 of 5 stars. I just don't get it. Many people have suggested I try this place so alas I did. I don't think I have ever left an entire dish at any establishment before. I had the Simming Rama. More like swimming…
yelp.com - user review - 07/25/2008
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It's everything you expect, for better or worse.

Ya know, at this point, I'm beginning to think Thai Tom enjoys its reputation...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 07/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Annie L.

5.0 of 5 stars. You can't get better Thai anywhere else, especially for their price. Trust me, I worked in a Thai restaurant for two years. Straight up honesty:
yelp.com - user review - 07/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Dante M.

3.0 of 5 stars. The food was tasty. I ordered the Panang Curry with 4/5 stars for spiciness and it was pretty damn spicy! Probably would've been a 5 anywhere else. A couple gripes: I didn't get enough white rice with…
yelp.com - user review - 07/22/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Rossana Y.

5.0 of 5 stars. If you are going to try finding this place on the ave for the first time, don't be surprised to miss it because it's really small! It is pretty cramped inside and we waited quite a bit for our food to…
yelp.com - user review - 07/18/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by terry M.

5.0 of 5 stars. This has always been my favorite Thai Place in the City. It is the standard that all others are measured. It's well worth the wait. The Cashew Nut and Wide Rice Noodle in Thai sauce are my favorites.…
yelp.com - user review - 07/11/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Aly M.

4.0 of 5 stars. The boyfriend and I went once, and next time we already decided we would get take-out. The food is great, but the setting is not. It's hectic, a little dirty feeling, dark, loud, and hard to carry…
yelp.com - user review - 07/08/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Kammy M.

4.0 of 5 stars. Thai Tom is quite possibly my favorite hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant in Seattle! It's difficult to be disappointed with anything you order on the menu. My favorite is the yellow curry with chicken…
yelp.com - user review - 07/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Valerie L.

4.0 of 5 stars. I have to agree with the rave reviews. Coming from SF, one of my favorite Thai places used to be Osha Thai, and there hasn't been something comparable until now. A different ambiance but the food is…
yelp.com - user review - 07/01/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jerry S.

5.0 of 5 stars. A nice "hole in the wall" of a place with some of the best Thai food I have had outside of Thailand.
yelp.com - user review - 07/01/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Angie Q.

4.0 of 5 stars. I've always gotten take-out via my roommate from here. I've never eaten inside nor have I actually seen the location but I hear it is teeny. Being someone who unfortunately cannot handle much spice,…
yelp.com - user review - 06/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by skrabbles s.

4.0 of 5 stars. The atmosphere at this place is great, if you can get a seat... you feel like you have really stumbled upon some place special. Food is a bit greasy but sometimes that is what the body orders... I…
yelp.com - user review - 06/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jennifer S.

5.0 of 5 stars. Yes, there is limited seating. Yes, sometimes there is a wait. Yes, they take cash only. But most importantly, yes, their food is worth getting past all that. If you've never been here then you…
yelp.com - user review - 06/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Michelle G.

5.0 of 5 stars. Thai Tom is everyone's favorite hole in the wall. If you don't want to wait in line for 30 minutes, come early or kill time shopping. The college kids are on that place like white on rice. Cash only.…
yelp.com - user review - 06/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Amy G.

4.0 of 5 stars. While this definitely is not the best restaurant for groups or a leisurely meal, it is good for an authentic thai experience similar to getting street food or going to one of the many hole in the wall…
yelp.com - user review - 06/21/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Michelley W.

4.0 of 5 stars. This is definitely worth the experience for the Thai food lover. I always like to see the chef do his choreographed movements of ticket-taking, seasoning, grilling, frying, boiling, stirring, mixing…
yelp.com - user review - 06/21/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Bimo S.

1.0 of 5 stars. WOW i still can't believe it !!! a lot of people actually likes this HORRIBLE Thai restaurant! ok! to be honest I've been there 2 times in the past and had enough of it. this restaurant. The place is…
yelp.com - user review - 06/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Alaura M.

1.0 of 5 stars. I am a concierge for a nearby hotel, and was absolutely appalled by the lack of customer service Thai Tom's offers. There are hundreds of Thai restaurants in Seattle. Don't bother with this one.
yelp.com - user review - 06/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Alexandro B.

5.0 of 5 stars. One of the few spots in Seattle where you can have an authentic and delicious meal in a joint with a TON of character. It is essentially street food.... so if you get pinched up about waiting in line…
yelp.com - user review - 06/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by jay j.

4.0 of 5 stars. What more can I say? I love their Swimming Rama, no other place prepares like they do.
yelp.com - user review - 06/16/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jane a.

4.0 of 5 stars. BEST THAI SPOT ON THE AVE. SMACK DOWN ON THE PALATE!
yelp.com - user review - 06/11/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Anthony P.

3.0 of 5 stars. Meh. This place is ok. Its definately not my type of Thai restuarant, I usually like to go to a place with a group of people and order like 5 different plates. But hot damn, if you like spicey Thai…
yelp.com - user review - 06/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by K. T.

4.0 of 5 stars. I have been to Thai Tom's several times in the past few years, but I have finally decided to write a review on it after my visit this week. First of all, you have to be careful with the spicyness in…
yelp.com - user review - 06/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Melissa S.

5.0 of 5 stars. Thai Tom is sooooooo efffffffing gooooooooooood. I knew it was TRUE LOVE when my bf flew with an order of pad thai from Seattle to San Francisco so that I could enjoy Thai Tom even though I didn't…
yelp.com - user review - 06/01/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jeff W.

5.0 of 5 stars. 5 stars. Both the rating, and how spicy you should get your dish! Bring cash. Super busy. Super awesome. - It's really busy in the evenings, try going for lunch sometime.
yelp.com - user review - 05/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Aaron F.

4.0 of 5 stars. Okay, this place is special, but you have to know what you're getting yourself into. You have to be someone that is into the experience of eating, someone who would travel across the world to have…
yelp.com - user review - 05/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Curtis H.

1.0 of 5 stars. They charge you extra if you get togo.
yelp.com - user review - 05/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Peter K.

5.0 of 5 stars. Thai Tom's is easily my favorite Thai place. The food is excellent and atmosphere is great. The only issues are it is nearly always packed, so there is waiting, and parking can be a pain. Other…
yelp.com - user review - 05/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Danika M.

3.0 of 5 stars. Too busy. If Tom is not cooking, forget it. George is okay, but not worth the wait. Get tom kha (soup in a coconut) because it is divine here. But only if Tom makes it. He is rarely there, as…
yelp.com - user review - 05/22/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by B C.

1.0 of 5 stars. Lets get the good stuff out of the way first. It is good good food and good portions. Love the fact that you can see the chef in action. Ok, the bad news. The service sucks. We waited for a long…
yelp.com - user review - 05/19/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Chris H.

4.0 of 5 stars. I love everything about Thai Tom, from the food right down to the atmosphere. I think half the experience of eating here is being able to watch Tom work like a crazy man as he pumps out dish after…
yelp.com - user review - 05/16/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Chrysti H.

3.0 of 5 stars. I've been here several times and have always had really great food. The only complaint I have is that I can't figure out a good time to go, it seems like it's always packed with a line of people out…
yelp.com - user review - 05/14/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Julius C.

5.0 of 5 stars. What a food they serve here! Quick service, great food, great atmosphere. The only problem is the impoliteness of the servers. They are so rude to the customers. But unfortunate to us customers, the…
yelp.com - user review - 05/11/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jody N.

3.0 of 5 stars. The food is very hit or miss here...I have had some of the best and worst thai meals here...I guess that is why I keep going back, never sure if this will be the best or worst meal of my life.…
yelp.com - user review - 05/07/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Kathy F.

1.0 of 5 stars. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE service, by far my WORST dining experience ever. I've been to Thai Tom 5-6 times in the past, and always liked their food. But I am not going there ever again due to the service I…
yelp.com - user review - 05/04/2008
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Bittersweet Experience

I went to Thai Tom last night with two of my girlfriends. We were told the wait would be 20 minutes,...
judysbook.com - user review - 04/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Samantha t.

5.0 of 5 stars. BEST Thai food in town! It is rather small and there is typically a wait, but one well worth it! The yellow curry is the best. It is spicy though, beware. If you can't handle the spice I recommend…
yelp.com - user review - 04/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tracy L.

3.0 of 5 stars. After hearing all of the raves about this place, I decided that I'll give it a shot and ordered the food to-go. The place is indeed crowded with little place to sit, but I didn't have to bother with…
yelp.com - user review - 04/21/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Christine L.

4.0 of 5 stars. A place with character - I love how the menu is painted onto a slab of wood. The cooks put on a show without even trying, tossing in veggies over a searing hot flame. The pad thai was delicious,…
yelp.com - user review - 04/17/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Hopeless Coffee A.

4.0 of 5 stars. Geez, just read all of the other reviews its all be covered already. Its not fancy but good is coming out of this closet sized restaurant.
yelp.com - user review - 04/14/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Anna A.

3.0 of 5 stars. I havent been to Tom's for a while so I should propably go back soon. Their food is good. Its cool for being tiny and the chefs right there infront of you preraring your dish. That said it is TINY. Its…
yelp.com - user review - 04/09/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tom E.

5.0 of 5 stars. Fabulous. Always quick (despite the perpetual line-up) and delicious. If you're lucky enough to sit close to the cook you can almost touch the stove and watch incredibly deft and talented culinary…
yelp.com - user review - 04/09/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jason C.

4.0 of 5 stars. It's tiny, holds about ten skinny people and eight and a half not so skinny people. It's got terrible lighting, the stove and the dish washer are so close that some times you'll get sprayed in the…
yelp.com - user review - 04/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by phil r.

4.0 of 5 stars. I have no idea if the food at thai tom is authentic. I could see a how a few dishes come out of those overworked woks with more than the daily reccomended dose of oil.
yelp.com - user review - 04/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Rassamee H.

3.0 of 5 stars. I really love the food at Thai Tom. Now this is AUTHENTIC and REAL Thai. I love the crazy cook who stir fries quickly, with pizzazz, under extremely scorching conditions. I love the menus which remind…
yelp.com - user review - 04/01/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Nicholas A.

5.0 of 5 stars. Thai Tom's is the only Thai place I know of that has created a gaggle of certifiable Thai food junkies loitering by the door, waiting for the chance to eat. I view the flaws of this place like…
yelp.com - user review - 03/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Ashley L.

4.0 of 5 stars. So, for three days after I ate here I was terrified I was going to come down with food poisoning. I didn't, and it was way worth the risk. I ordered the pad thai and my roomie had the yellow curry and…
yelp.com - user review - 03/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by drew c.

5.0 of 5 stars. Thai Tom I love love love you. Is someone who works here named Tom? I hope so cause when I think of mens Thai names, I think Tom. The food here is very good. It's cool to sit at the counter and watch…
yelp.com - user review - 03/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Koriann B.

1.0 of 5 stars. Oily. Spicy. Terrible. I ate here because everyone recommended it. I hated it.
yelp.com - user review - 03/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Izzy H.

4.0 of 5 stars. Boooo!!! I don't understand why so many people hate this place!! When you come in here you HAVE to realize that you shouldn't be expecting service from a high-class restaurant. You also HAVE to…
yelp.com - user review - 03/22/2008
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alright thai, strong flavors, awful awful service and dirty

The food was alright, but that mostly came from the strong spices and sauces they used, which is too much after a while. The service however is horrible, not only did we get none, but while waiting about 45...
citysearch.com - user review - 03/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Brian K.

4.0 of 5 stars. My boss told me that I had to eat here. "It's the best Thai food you'll EVER have," she said, "just don't get scared when you walk in." Now, I appreciate that she warned me for a couple reasons. One,…
yelp.com - user review - 03/19/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Amanda R.

5.0 of 5 stars. I love this place and was more than impressed. The food is excellent perhaps the best I have tasted and I am an affecionado for sure. Thai is my favorite food and I eat it all the time probably 6…
yelp.com - user review - 03/15/2008
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Bad food, bad service, unclean = bad experience

I have been going to this restaurant since it was with the original owner. The restaurant recently sold and the new "owner" is running the business very poorly. Tonight, we got there, the food was not prepared...
citysearch.com - user review - 03/13/2008
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simply the best thai in Seattle

I love the food but I wish they'd turn down the music. The place is small...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 03/12/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jessica J.

4.0 of 5 stars. So my and my friend Naomi wanted to get lunch at Squid and Ink last week, when we decided we were far too lazy to take the bus down to SODO. Another great vegan option Naomi suggested ; Tom Thai. I…
yelp.com - user review - 03/10/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sarah K.

4.0 of 5 stars. This place makes me happy! I have turned some friends on to this tini-tiny Thai place because it's really yummy! The chicken and cashews is my dish. But, I have tried many, many of their dishes and…
yelp.com - user review - 03/06/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tai T.

5.0 of 5 stars. The Ave sucks for parking. I usually wait at least 15 minutes in the rain to get a table. The place is cramp, so expect the occasional elbow or knee while you're eating. That said the food is…
yelp.com - user review - 02/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Val R.

3.0 of 5 stars. Dear tasteless Americans (those folks who've never ventured outside of Seattle), I wanna tell you something. I am Thai and know what good Thai tastes like. Thai Tom is good, but not the greatest…
yelp.com - user review - 02/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by chris d.

4.0 of 5 stars. The good: they should get 5 or more stars. This is absolutely the best Thai I have ever had. The bad: Cramped, unless you catch them during the off peak hours you are going to wait.
yelp.com - user review - 02/26/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jennilee B.

4.0 of 5 stars. I'd give it a 5, but I'm really not a fan of waiting, and waiting, annnnnnd waiting. One time, I waited 30 minutes for them to open, but definitely worth it. I always order their spicy noodles with…
yelp.com - user review - 02/21/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Will H.

4.0 of 5 stars. Best take-out on the ave, just know that this is not a place for a sit down... and be sure and call your order in if you're getting take-out in the evening around 6-7 because the line is insane...
yelp.com - user review - 02/19/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Kawin K.

3.0 of 5 stars. Let me first introduce this review by saying that I grew up in Thailand for almost all my life, and Im Thai, to put it that way - I know what Thai food taste like. I've been to Thai Tom a few times,…
yelp.com - user review - 02/10/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Michele O.