(From June 2011) One might not expect to find an authentic Thai restaurant in Longview, but lo and behold we nearly tripped on this diamond in the rough near downtown. The immaculate kitchen is in full view, and everyone is efficient and cheerful. We enjoyed the sweet and spicy pad Thai with chicken, and a friend was equally happy with her basil chicken, served with (according to the cook) local veg-gies. Count on a wait during the lunch rush. Beer & wine.

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(From May 2012)

Bánh mì seem to be the cultural equivalent of the American hamburger; in any event, these little sandwiches are mighty addictive. We chose tiny pork meatballs for our crispy French bun instead of the usual chicken or beef; the green papaya salad with candied bacon, peanuts, and chile-lime vinaigrette was just as winning as the sandwich. We’re going back for the brunch-time French toast with flambéed bananas. There’s a pleasant street-side patio and a clever cocktail list. Bar.

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(From February 2012)

This neighborly Thai restaurant and sushi bar goes beyond what you’d expect, considering its strip center locale. Rock San puts fresh and spicy dishes on every plate, from fusion tacos to curries, like a red panang that layers spice and just a bit of heat. But what people really seem to love are the lettuce wraps, one with crispy rice and either tofu or chicken and another with crunchy spring rolls and vermicelli. The pad thai is fine, too, with its acidic and sweet-hot notes in rare harmony. Service can be sketchy, but the food makes us hope they’ll fix the deficits. Beer, wine, & sake.

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(From January 2012)

Fresh orchids on the table and elegant red-and-gold decor create a pleasant ambienceat this small Thai spot. An appetizer of Tulip dumplings, six steamed purses of shrimp, pork, and water chestnuts, were perfect for sharing. Our E-Sarn Classic (a reference to the northeast area of Thailand) was grilled flank steak (chewy but tasty) with sticky rice and a green papaya salad. Five plump nuggets of tempura banana, prettily flecked with coconut, were just enough to satisfy our craving for dessert. Beer & wine.

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(From February 2012)

Americanized, maybe, but what’s the quibble when the panang curry tastes this good? Said curry is a bowl of decadence, rich with coconut milk and chock-full of tender chicken, peppers, and peas (they’ll even adjust the spice level to your liking). And chicken wings? Heck yeah, crispy-skinned with a salty-sweet glaze spiked with chile and garlic. The real star, though, is the complimentary chicken egg drop soup, a cup of comfort with a crispy wonton. Count yourself lucky if there’s a Cottage in your hood. Beer & wine.

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(From May 2012)

With its gracious service and artfully presented food, this may be the best Thai restaurant in southeast Texas. Our ped yum dang blended tender duck and crunchy vegetables in a delicate sauce, which balanced adroitly with the delectably assertive red curry in our scallops chu chee. Beer & wine.  

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(From May 2012)

Chef Pennee and host Paul Chanyaman give new meaning to the phrase “work ethic,” running what is essentially a mom-and-pop operation seven days a week while continuing to make improvements all around, from the decor to the menu. Service can be a bit slow, and entrées don’t always arrive together, so there’s good reason to share an appetizer, like the crispy tofu or the “hog wings,” a fork-tender pork shank in a mild peanut curry. And any wait is rewarded with tasty, nicely plated dishes, like pad thai—clear rice noodles scattered with tender chunks of chicken, crushed peanuts, and bean sprouts—and a mild chicken and beef curry served in a coconut shell. If your appetite permits, consider the sweet rice pudding. Beer & wine.

Sunday, April 29th, 2012, 1:31 pm
Patrick says:
We ate there in December. This is a great place. The hostess/waitress/chef seated us and was very pleasant, making excellent suggestions. It is expensive, good service and very good food. I had mussels in a spicy sauce with Thai basil...very spicy and I loved it. On a weeknight we were the only people in the restaurant until we were about to leave and a group of 6 came in.

Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 8:29 am
Diego says:
The restaurant is currently closed waiting for their inspection by the City.

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(From January 2012)

With many new and stimulating restaurants in San Antonio, it is perhaps too easy to forget old standards like Tong’s, where the Thai food has an authentic yet hefty character. The unusual, such as a green papaya salad with garlic, tomatoes, and shrimp, dressed with a peanut and lime juice dressing, contrasts with the more common, such as the pad woon sen (noodles with chicken and vegetables). Honey pecan shrimp featured adroitly cooked shrimp but suggested China more than Thailand. As for dessert, the coconut ice cream is a dream, but the lemongrass version inspired one member of our party to exclaim, “It reminds me of Lemon Pledge!"

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