Very small and usually a line on weekends. They make up for it with excellent food made quickly. They also accept takeout orders, and those are an excellent way to avoid the line.
One of my tests for Thai food is whether or not the curry is basically a soup like it's supposed to be. They half pass this test, and the green curry is excellent.
Their spice scale is just a touch steeper than most places, and they'll try to talk you out of 5 stars, but will do it if you insist.
Kalyanashis Chakraborty
+4.5
"Don't judge a book by cover".. Same implies here.. A small smoky restaurant in University street with delicious taste of food. It's always better to call them and order and pickup the food. We ordered pad thai with fried roll and spicy noodle veg. I can't complain on any item. I want to specially mention the chef he was standing in that smoky place handling 5 stoves with frying pans. Awesome!!
Had the Panang Vegetarian curry over here. Must say the food is too good! I was recommended to this place by a friend and definitely worth the visit and the money. There is not much seating area here but it can be overlooked at with the really tasty food served!
My favorite thai restaurant/cafe in seattle! I tried almost everything on their menu and everything was great! You have to be ready to be seated if you are dining in as this place is small. My favorites in this place are their pad thai, tom yam, fried tofu, swimming rama ,and pad see ew! They have reasonable price too!
Best ever! This Thai place is packed and lively every time I visit Seattle! And it's also my go to Thai place when I visit. It's a quick grab a bite and go place, service is okay but since they do market themselves as street food style, service isn't what I'm looking for anyways. The flavours are great and the food is absolutely amazing!
Tip: parties of more than 4 will be a stretch since the place only seats around 15 people!
And their spicy level starts at a medium and go up to extra hot being a 5. So be sure to gauge how spicy you can eat!
Fresh rolls, Pad Thai, Cashew Chicken and Thai Iced tea = All Great. Great place. Located on "the Ave" or University Way if you are not from Seattle. Thai Toms offers an intimate atmosphere with some high quality and great priced Thai food. The line is always out the door, they don't take reservations, and they are cash only so be sure to bring your green backs. As far as the food is concerned: It's delicious. Made to order fresh and prepared in the same room that you dine in; Thai Toms makes for a fun, cheap, and delicious date if you ever happen to be roaming around the UW area and desire some of the best Thai food Seattle has to offer.
Oh, and a note on the price: Fresh rolls, Pad Thai, Cashew Chicken and Thai Iced tea all for under $30.
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Artistry and passion on display. It was a rainy, chilly December Friday night, and we waited in a line for about 75 minutes. A lady was handing out a simple wooden menu to those in line and taking orders to speed things along. This place is small, probably doesn't seat much more than 15-20 people at a time, but heck, it is WORTH the wait. We got lucky and got a spot at the bar - trust me, it's the best seat in the house. The stage was just a foot off our nose practically, and the chef (of which there was only one) practically bumped into into us while reaching for a shaker behind his back without looking. But we didn't care. What the man did was nothing short of artistry. A dab of this, a dab of that, throw the raw eggs in the ladle, drop them in the pan, scoop them out again, grab the special sauce, a dab here, a dab there, change your mind and go back again for just a smidgen more. I was transfixed and couldn't look away... like watching somebody who is so in the zone, they are not aware of anything outside of what they are doing. The food has this taste unlike another thai place - I eat a lot of thai too - a smoky taste, an amalgamation from all the flavors off those gorgeous cast iron skillets at the hands of the master himself.
My guests have been here before and loved the place upon first bite. So when visiting Seattle for the day, we made a point to have lunch here. At 4pm there was a line and a wait requiring 50 minutes. 50 minutes we spent loitering around the University District. Apparently this is a common occurrence, to see lines and people standing by outside. Though most are here to get their meal taken out. A great way to avoid the wait, and having to dine in their cramped and less than modern setting. The restaurant was a dark narrow space. An older building that felt less than clean with its dingy corners, dusty fixtures, and edges filled with grout. The brown patchy walls and photos faded with age didn’t help either. The traditional Thai elements lent their authenticity to the place and gave a distraction from the above. These included framed art of Thai deities, a large tapestry of gold figures sailing in boats, an elephant’s bust with trunk extended and tusks out, and lamps of wicker and wooden
Right in the heart of the Ave you will find one of the best Thai food places in Seattle, Thai Tom. Back in college I really didn’t get a chance to come here too often because the place is always so busy. Things have not changed too much in the last six years other than these guys are a lot busier then it was back in the day. The wait here used to be 20 minutes wait max but my last trip here I waited about 45 minutes for a to go order. So if you have the time and patience to come here you will be handsomely rewarded. The place is typically filled with college kids looking for good cheap food. But even with five other Thai places just down the street it continues to be very busy. In addition to the place just being very popular it is also very very small. It seats 20 max and you will be stuffed in there right next to your neighbors. Getting food to go is the best choice for sure.
Worth the wait in line (for the place only has a few tables!), the rock-star-type chef is the star of the show, creating Thai masterpieces for your delectable enjoyment. The waitresses weave their way deftly through this small place without dropping any of the culinary gems. More, please! YUM! - See more at: http://www.wanderingeducators.com/food/restaurant-reviews/foodie-finds-7-best-places-eat-seattle.html#.dpuf
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Cheap, delicious Thai food!. Thai Tom has all of the indications and first impressions of a good cafe. For one they have over 1,000 reviews on Yelp and have a four star average! But it goes further than that. When you go to the place there is almost always a line going out the door. This is a daily occurrence and the staff here have a perfected art of getting people in and out as fast as they can. For example if you are waiting outside the small cafe the waitresses will hand you a menu so you can decide what you want. If the wait is a bit longer then he or she will come and take your order while you wait. So by the time you sit down your food is served to you in no time at all. The cooks work at a super fast pace and their motions are also an art almost. Just the slightest gesture and other kitchen staff takes the dirty pots out of the chef's hands and on he goes to the next order. It is kind of dizzying.
I ordered the Phad Thai and it was delicious! It had a different flavor than what I have had in other Phad Thais. Perhaps that means it is authentic?
Thai Tom is very inexpensive and therefore is in an excellent location as it brings in many students that attend school in the U-District. Dining here is fun! The people watching is great!
I will be back but will also keep in mind not to be in a hurry to be somewhere else right away as the wait could be long. You can also call ahead for a to go order too I suppose.
Thai Tom only accepts cash.
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The best of the best of the best. You know that odd hole in the wall Thai joint with magical food you've always wanted to find? Well look no further. The food here is better than any Thai. Including Thailand. Trust me, I know. I've visited Thailand, dated a Thai girl, made my own Thai food, and I've easily dined at 100 American Thai restaurants. This one is without a doubt the best. It's like Tom is from another planet.
The joint is small. And hot. And you'll almost certainly have to wait for a tiny table or spot at the bar. But it will be worth it.
Ordering to go is decent, but not quiet the same experience. Sitting at the bar and watching Tom work his magic is part of the experience. You can't miss him. He's the skinny middle aged bad ass Thai dude working the grill who looks like he wants to stab you. He works the grills with a mix of anger, artistry and finesse that is unrivaled. He's often playing music at a level that says "I love music, and I hate people" which to me makes the place all that more enjoyable. Beware that food tends to run on the spicy side here. So a two star is a three or four at other places.
The menu is flawless. Not overstuffed with 1,000 dishes. A great mix of classic Thai dishes with a few less common one's mixed in.
If you're visiting the U-District try to hit this place at 11:45 to beat the lunch rush. Otherwise wait until after 1:00. Same goes for dinner. Get there early, or late to avoid standing out in the rain for 20 minutes.
This place is magic. Eat the food before you die.
Thai Tom was a great experience! Really great small restaurant atmosphere, great price and super good food. Service was at times a little so-so but when the food is that good who cares.
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Family Favorite for More than 10 Years. I realize that I am simply adding another review to the many that may not even get noticed. However, with the consideration that my family and added significant others, ex-significant others along the way, and spouses have been frequenting this place for more than 10 years. Yes, the place is small and cramped. Yes the waitstaff can be rude, but they are not rude, they are simply attempting to provide service to the individuals eating this meals at the restaurant, taking take out orders, and watching the often long wait line outside. Really, when was the last time you provided someone with your undivided attention with that much going on? With that aside, their food is just damn good. Both my husband and I travel a lot and have gone to many Thai places in many different states, this is still by far the best Thai food. The food is soo good, that we are both willing to fly into Seattle simply to visit this restaurant. What do we get? The deep fried tofu, Tom Ka Ghai, and two orders of Phad Thai 5 star. As for the questionable review from the Stranger...... I have taken Thai cooking classes for many years, Tom does not use Ketchup.
So Good, It's Ridiculous. Thai Tom consistently serves some of the best Thai food I have ever had. The restaurant is tiny, so expect a long wait if you arrive during peak meal periods, and don't expect seating for parties larger than two. That being said, the food is so damn good it's almost unbelievable. I usually get the swimming rama, but I've had almost everything on their menu, and nothing has disappointed. The restaurant is configured in a way that you can see all the cooking action right in front of you, and there is zero wait between when your food is ready, and when it gets to you. It literally comes out of the wok, lands in the dish, and gets thrown in front of you. As such, it is always as hot and fresh as you can possibly imagine. FYI - Thai Tom is cash only, and the service is very curt and bare bones. Come for the food, not the service..
Best Pad Thai in Seattle. Hands down, best Pad Thai I have EVER had. Thai Tom's isn't the best Thai restaurant in town, but if you love Pad Thai specifically.....you MUST have it from Thai Tom's. For an overall best thai restaurant, check out Jamjuree on 15th Ave on Capitol Hill.
Amanda Mahoney-Fernandes
+4.5
A solid consistant Thai restaurant is hard to find. Flavorful and spicy!!!!! Although the place is a lattle dirty and the cooks don't wear gloves or hairnets.... If you can stomach the unsanitary atmosphere and enjoy Thai you will love this place!!!!
Fantastic meal. I knew I was in the right place the minute I stepped in the door. This place seats 12 people I'm guessing. The three of us sat at the counter and the only way we could have been closer to the cook is if we had been standing next to him. It was fascinating to watch. They have things down to a science. One person cooks and he's very busy. A prep guy chops vegetables and anticipates the cook's needs. When one of the three woks is dirty, the prep guy hands it off to the dishwasher. It's a finely tuned machine.
But I loved the food. I ordered the yellow curry and, being an out-of-towner, wasn't sure what to say when the waitress wanted to know how spicy I wanted the dish. I replied, "Average spicy." This seemed like a safe answer to me. The dish was spiced perfectly. Just enough to get the sinuses going but not too hot. Mild by my standards. And delicious!
I loved the menus, decoupaged on old boards. This was my kind of place.
Outrageously good!. By far the best Thai food I've ever had!
Thai Tom Yum. Absolutely delicious.
Great food, opt for take-out. I'm not gonna lie - thai tom is prob one of my fav thai restaurants in seattle (thai bistro in shoreline, and thai river cuisine in greenlake being the others). love the pad kee mao and cashew chicken here... and you can't complain about the low price!
but i would opt to take-out from here for the following reasons: (1) it is literally a hole in a wall with cramped seating, (2) they play their music LOUD (trust me when I say this), (3) the waiter is rude there, (4) if seated in front of the kitchen (which can be fun), you'll feel the heat from the stove and have dishes prepared in your counterspace.
def a place to try - but opt for take-out.
This is a Must go to place at least once to witness the kungfu cooking skills of George. I have had plenty of damn good food here.
My favorite thai place in seattle. The food is always good, the wait to get in is justified when you taste the pad thai. the price is reasonable and service fast.
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Everything you need to know about Thai Tom. Synopsis of things you should know (culled from the other reviews):
1. Best thai food in seattle. The pad thai is delicious, authentic, and not sweet
2. Spicier than anticipated for some (if in doubt, order mild or medium)
3. Tiny and crowded. Often a wait, but waitresses encourage turnover of tables so wait goes quickly.
4. Because of #3 (and other reasons) some people have experienced "poor customer service." Others, such as myself, are willing to overlook this for the privilege of eating here. Don't go here for a relaxing meal.
5. Sit at the bar to watch the chefs cook.
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My review:
My favorite dish:
The swimming rama. Normally swimming rama is too peanut-y for me (that is, lacking in other flavors) but Thai Tom's swimming rama is a beautiful blend of smooth and rich garlicy deliciousness.
The ginger eggplant chicken is also very good. Veggie's can just hold the chicken and have extra eggplant. It's perfect. And, of course, the pad thai.
Also, the best thai iced tea in town. Not too heavy.
Warning: the bathroom has the most ungodly smell. The food is so good however, that even if the whole restaurant smelled like this, I would still eat here (probably get take-out though)
Regarding the complaints about customer service: I've never had a problem here. It's incredibly tiny and incredibly crowded so the waitresses have to do a bit of crowd control (please, oblivious customer, don't stand in the doorway to wait for your pick-up order, etc.). I have always been polite to them and they have always been accommodating to me. Not to belittle the real negative experiences people have had, but those "little ladies" are up against crushing waves of impatient, oblivious, and inconsiderate customers. I would snap sometimes too.
Scrumptious!. Thai Tom is the best Thai food that I have yet to find in Seattle...or elsewhere yet. Their pad thai actually tastes like it is suppose to, not sweet or like ketchup. If you sit at the bar (which I recommend) you get to see the chef cook your meal right in front of you. There are 3 things that you should know when going here: 1. don't expect excellent wait service 2. they are a little spicier than most thai places, so i usually go a star down 3. there is always a wait, but it usually goes quickly and it is worth it!
BEST THAI IN TOWN!. You often see this title plastered on other reviews, but they're all lying to you! Thai Tom is by FAR the best Thai food you will find in Seattle! There is usually a line so be prepared but you will be rewarded with the most amazing food! If you a lucky enough to get a seat at the bar you can feel the heat from the stove as you watch the chef prepare 15 dishes at once! It's really lunch/dinner and a show! You can always call ahead and order to-go if you just can't wait to sit down. Their spices are right on par.. if you want a medium dish order a 3.. if you want spicy.. beware of the 4 star!!
NOTE! THEY ONLY ACCEPT CASH if I remember correctly!
I've never had it so good. The place is small. The carry-out may be cooked in your lap if you sit too near the counter, the cook may take a thirty minute break before cooking your food -- but if you have any taste buds at all, you will feel thankful for the opportunity. Just amazing and I liked Thai food before I ate there but now I love Thai food. Too bad I live in Michigan. I recommend it to anyone who is in the area. There isn't a line outside of this place for naught.
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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 for dreadful customer service. I can see the (twisted) logic therein. The more the service becomes renowned for its surliness, the more people will want to know why most of us keep going back. Remember the Soup Nazi? Well this is the Thai Nazi.
Everyone has a least one story of Thai Tom's disregard for customer dignity. I have a couple. I recall once going there for dinner, and afterwards, asking for change to make a tip, and after a troublesome process of getting that request through their heads, I placed the tip on the table and started heading out, only to feel a push. Yes! A push! The insolent little trollop of a waitress shoved me out the door. Strangely I kept coming back.
Around that same time, a friend had told me I could order more than five stars; they'd make my food as hot as I wanted. So I, being the macho, one-upper that I am, promptly returned and ordered ten stars for my pad thai. It was fantastic! Strangely though, each subsequent time I returned, I would order ten stars and ten stars began to feel hotter and hotter. I'm quite certain Thai Tom was trying to up the stakes each time until I backed down. I think I got up to 15 stars (officially 10) by the time I had enough and retreated to 5. Strangely I kept coming back.
Why do I keep coming back like a battered housewife? Because every other Thai joint serves up weak, bland, Americanized fodder. Thai Tom's bold, crispy pad thai is unlike anything else available in a city with dozens of Thai restaurants. Dishes such as white pepper chicken come covered in vibrant, flavorful sauces with fresh vegetables and perhaps not enough meat. And for the creative diner, ordering chicken curry fried rice with a side of their distinctive, sweet and gingery peanut sauce, then dumping the sauce on the rice is a dish that will leave one satisfied well through the next mealtime.
Never mind that the staff wants so badly to get customers in and out that they use physical force. And certainly never mind the way they will look at you as though you have a penis for a nose when you ask for a fork for fried rice. Just sit at the counter and watch the pyrotechnics as the chefs, one of whom looks suspiciously like a samurai, perform a seemingly choreographed routine to turn raw ingredients into excellent Thai food in a matter of minutes. Soon you'll be eating it and you won't care one whit about the hostile wait staff.
Good cheap Thai food. Hard to get in to this place as it is very small...but it is worth it. Make sure to sit at the counter and "watch the show" ...The smells will make you even hungrier and when the food comes you'll be happy. I've had better but this is definatly one of my fav's.
Phad Thai with fresh tofu.... Is my favorite dish here. Its hot, tasty, and delicious.
This is a must try. First time I came here, I was amazed at how close I was to the rising flames of the cook, whisking briskly my food which was followed by spoon slaps of added sauce and finished in minutes, my food steaming on the plate as it was directly served in front of me. This is a small intimate place that gives off such a unique vibe. Flavors are wonderful. As you finish, they was and clean your plate as soon as possible, ready for the next dish. It’s a slick process they have in there. Only downside is it is cash only. I would have come here SO MUCH MORE if they accepted credit card. Parking is a little challenging but this is expected on the Ave. Love this place. Pad Thai and fried rice are delicious.
This place was awesome. It was a cozy little bar which could only fit a few people at a time. You could see the food being cooked and felt like you were immersed in the restaurant. The service was great and the menus were really cool, being wooden blocks. The food was really good and fairly priced. I saved some for leftovers and loved it.
This place is not to be underestimated. It’s a tiny spot that fits less than a dozen people and they are a cash only business. The pad see ewe is utter perfection. The incredible char on the wide rice noodles and their distinct techniques make every dish here an absolute treasure. It’s a small menu, but everything is prepared with heart and soul.
The first time I came here was nearly 8 years ago and I was nervous to come back after so long. I’m happy to say that the quality of the food is still far above any Thai restaurant I’ve been to in the US. You aren’t going to get overly friendly service from this place, but the people there are working very hard and moving quickly to get you your food quickly. There are no fake smiles here and they don’t need them with food this good.
If you’re looking for an alternate option after the disappointing 1.5hr wait time at Kin Len, then I highly recommend Thai Tom. It’s a small but mighty hole-in-the-wall place where you’ll see a chef working up to six beautiful items at once.
I loved that I could see my dish being made fresh and served immediately.
We got the pad Thai with Tofu, chicken yellow curry and curry chicken noodles. All meals were delicious and reminded me of the street food of Phuket.
Service was also with a smile. On busy nights be prepared to wait up to 30 mins for a seat and another 20 mins for your food. But it’s worth it for the freshness, flavour and price!
Food cooked in front of you & ingredients looks fresh and the sauce is strong. Clean environment. One thing would not recommend is drinking their Thai iced tea at night, because might not be able to fall asleep.
Enjoyed the unique experience here, you can observe the master chef doing his job.
The Thai foods are pretty good, tried the TomYum soup, love it the most.
Two Notes:
- They only accept cash
- The food in a plate not the much as regularly, so you might need to order 2 portions in different flavor.
In the University district this IS the Thai restaurant you go to! The location is only a dozen seats, and it can get hot in there. On summer days take out is best. Any other time you must sit at the bar and take in cooking. It really feels like you are in another country. The menu is simple and they run out of stuff all the time so you know it's fresh. The curry and the pad Thai are classics and so good. To top it off they make a killer Thai iced coffee!
Unique amazing place- every visit to Seattle includes a stop here. Some of the best Tom Ka ever! The cook makes it fresh in front of you- he has been the same cook for at least 12 years! I love this place- kind people too- warning- this is a small place and authentic
my son loves 21., peanut spinach
Went to Thai Yom for the third time. Still, super delicious and very fresh! The fun part is that the chef actually cooks it in front of you! Very very fun 🤩 to see! Super friendly customer service and very delicious 🤤!! Highly recommended! Love love love it 😍
Probably the best Pad Thai I've had in Seattle. This place only accepts cash, so make sure you have before you go. I sat right next to the chef and saw them cook my meal. Well worth the experience, I'd go again in a heartbeat.
The food here is amazing! We drove up from olympia once a month,
Plus side -
cool atmosphere, fresh fresh food ! prices not bad
Dislikes - Very tight seating, and im a big guy. They will not seat your party until all there, even if the food is paid for in advance. also refils on anything take a little while. but overall, it is a good place to eat.
also usually a decent wait time often and CASH ONLY.
The restaurant itself was a bit dim and almost sketchy looking on the outside lol
But the food was great! Would recommend the fried rice with shrimp.
The waiter though seems a bit impatience, and they take CASH ONLY.
(PS: Not spacious if you’re coming with a large group)
Overall was pretty good
Really delicious food. The Thai Fried rice is so good. The house Salad is amazing for just $2. Eggplant ginger had a good taste as well. The tofu here is pretty good. I didn't like the seating though. It has an open kitchen which is good to see but with a lot of fried cooking the smoke was a bother at times. I'll try to get a table closer to the door the next time but I'd definitely come here again many times. The staff was friendly and inviting which is always nice. It's a cash only place so be mindful of that. There's a chase bank/ATM at the end of the block. Again, the food was fantastic. Easy 5 stars.
I can't say enough good things about Thai Tom. This was probably the first restaurant I had real food after a lifetime of of what seemed like bland nonsense. This restaurant sent me on a mission to travel and find the best of everything I could throughout the entire world. I've been yelled at by the staff, I've been chased down the street for leaving too small of a tip and I have been abandoned by all the staff inside the restaurant while they took a smoke break.
I took a photo of the Pad Thai. You've had it before but you haven't had this. It's dry spiced and has a smokey char like you'd expect from a street stall.
Best Thai food in Seattle.
I was visiting Seattle from Chicago on 8/19. I was searching for a good Thai place to eat. After reading the reviews, I decided to check out Thai Tom. I was not disappointed. I sat at the counter watching the chef work his magic. The food was delicious!
I had the chicken Pad Thai. It was plenty. I had leftovers. The service was great.
It's a small place, and they only take cash.
I would suggest checking it out.
This cash only no-frills spot gives one access to a show and some of the best Thai food in town. What's more is the location in the U-District, which provides one with easy access! I had the tom yum soup which was stand-out! Staff immediately prepared it, and the coconut milk broth was excellent! I had it at a four spicy level which could have honestly been spicier! Their Thai tea was also delicious and reasonably priced. As for the atmosphere, seating is tight, but it adds to the grungy atmosphere. I'll be back.
Wow! What amazing food! Located in a little area popular with Asian food, Thai Tom stands out! The place is small so if you have a larger group than 2 people, I recommend ordering takeout. Very friendly staff and they know how to cook Thai food right.
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