Lai Thai
Tampa, FL 33612-3713
Phone: (813) 977-9065
- Price:
- $
Editorial Review for Lai Thai – by Sara Kennedy
By day
Every day at 11am, when the Lai Thai's big lunch buffet begins, cars sporting USF decals and parking stickers begin to arrive. The rush continues until the last morsel is snapped up at 2pm. It's no mystery why spoiled USFers like the place: good food at a value.
By Night
At night, it's a nice place to bring a spouse or a date--somewhat formal, with pretty pink tablecloths and napkins, shiny goblets and real china. The lighting is low, the music soft and the waterfall in the lobby contributes relaxing brook noises.
What to Order
Please don't skip the appetizers, which are very good. Favorites include "kaeow grob," crispy dumplings stuffed with seasoned, minced pork and served with a spicy sauce. Or try crab rangoon, wontons stuffed with crab meat and a blend of imported cheeses. For entrees, the ambitious menu includes such offerings as panang duck (duck flavored with panang curry and coconut milk, and served with mixed veggies), and whole red snapper topped with ginger, ground pork, mushrooms, onions and scallions.
For dessert, try Lai Thai's homemade coconut ice cream, or crunchy banana coins, deep fried banana wrapped in wonton wrapper and topped with honey.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
User Reviews for Lai Thai
09/09/2008 Posted by GeorgePR
I love Thai food, generally (except frozen), but I was terribly disappointed with both the service and the food at Lai Thai on E. Fletcher in Tampa. It does not even look like a restaurant from the outside, but I was following the first editorial review only on this website, by Sara Kennedy. It really looks like a closed down building. The buffet price on the website was outdated by a buck, then after awhile of forcing down some cold and nasty tasting food, I decided that I would have to grab a water glass off another table and fill it myself. After emptying my glass and giving up on the food, a waiter came by and filled up my water as I was leaving. Let me see if I can clearly explain what I mean by nasty tasting. The sticky rice was good, but had to use it to smoother down the Panang Chicken which looked and tasted more like Indian cooking (which I generally love too) than Thai, but it was too creamy with little substance and had real bad old tastes in it, here and there. The other chicken dish and the vegetable Pad Thai also had those real bad old tastes in them here and there, as if they were frozen for two years, then micro-waved. The spring rolls were just cold, gooey and useless tasting. Nothing was even spicy the way many Thai dishes should be. All dishes were cooler than average room temperature (within the noon to one hour), so luckily at least, so were the watermelon slices. I've never written a restaurant review before, so I hope this system doesn't force me to put in at least one Star, as Lai Thai doesn't deserve one at all (OK, I see that means "Not Recommended" - but is there a rating for "Avoid at all Costs"?). I'm going for my second piece of gum now to try and get the flavor out, and I'll deter from Sara's editorials going forward, because she's Lai-er!
Pros: Thumbs down
Cons: See my review
05/21/2008 Posted by Plmille2
I love Tai food but was horribly disappointed with both the service and the food received at this restaurant. Not only did it take forever for the waiter to approach our table for the drink and food orders, but the place looks like a rundown hardware/craft store from the outside. It looks like the type of place that should have a little happy panda on the sign and fast food prices. The dinners are not good deals for the $12+ you pay for them, and the service is not worth tipping (and trust me, I have been a server and tip very well, but I also know how to please visitors). I have heard great reviews about this place but after giving Lai Tai three chances for a good visit , not once did they deliver quality food or service. During lunch buffet the buffet is hardly ever refilled; so you are stuck with cold spring roles and egg noodles at a price far from worth it. I recommend using the extra gas for good Tai food at a better price on Dale Mabry.
Pros: Target is right across the street!
Cons: Bad neighborhood, bad food, bad price, bad service.
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