Like good Thai food? Live in Boise’s east end? Enjoy eating outside the box? I’ll share a little secret with you. Pat’s Thai Kitchen is a modest establishment tucked into the troubled strip mall anchored by The Ram. Businesses have come and gone here like the tides, but Pat’s defies the currents. The plucky little diner has been in this location for about six years. I surmise that the lunch bunch from Washington Group International across the street provides a stable clientele. The restaurant is owned-opporated and the food is owner-cooked. Many of the recipes originated with Pat’s grandmother in rural Thailand. Pat’s wife Yee brought her family’s ages-old curry paste expertise across the ocean with her.
Evenings at Pat’s are quiet and laid back. On a recent visit, my partner and I shared a small side of cucumber salad. Chopped cucs and red onions basked in a sweet rice vinegar dressing. It was a tiny exclamation point for a mere $1.50. I ordered the chef’s special—at $18, the most expensive item on the menu. Grilled Coho Salmon lounged dramatically across steamed asparagus spears. The salmon was dressed in a decadent gown of red curry paste with sautéed orange and yellow peppers. I like to live on the wild side so I bumped the spice level to four stars on a scale of one to six. The spice was just right, the curry seasoning to die for, and the salmon was moist and flaky. Steamed rice accompanied the dish.
Why would a person who doesn’t really care for peanut sauce order a dish with peanut sauce? Well, my friend sheepishly admitted that what he really craved was everything else that comes with the sizzling beef. In other words, he wanted beef, broccoli, cabbage, onion, cucumber, and cashews. And that’s what he got. And yes, the sizzle mocked your ordinary Mexican fajitas and the peanut gravy bubbled like a magic cauldron. As expected, he liked everything about the dish except the sauce. I tasted his meal, too. But after the exquisite flavors of my curry, it seemed unfair to compare the two dishes. This I know, I’ve never had one of Pat’s specials that wasn’t really outstanding and made with top drawer fresh ingredients.
The ambiance at Pat’s is understated warmth. In the evening, I think they could stand to bring down the overhead lights just a tad for a bit more atmosphere. The restaurant is small enough for one energetic waiter in the evenings. On this occasion our young waiter seemed a bit tentative about traditional Thai foods and their proper descriptions. But he was attentive, eager to please, and learning.
Don’t arrive hankering fresh spring rolls. Mysteriously those are missing from the menu. Other than that, the menu appears to encompass everything you would expect from a Thai restaurant. A select assortment of wines and beers are available. As expected, vegetarian dishes abound. Our server informed us that all items except the egg roll and fried wonton are gluten-free. Take-out orders are welcome.
Pat’s Thai Kitchen www.ThaiKitchenBoise.com 577 E Park Blvd. C110 Boise ID 83712 Phone 208-345-0026 Fax 208 345-0027 Hours Lunch: Mon-Fri 11am – 2pm Dinner: Mon – Th 5pm – 9pm Fri – Sat 5pm – 9:30pm
Pingback: Indian Dinner for Two or Four at Fishtail Kitchen in South Weymouth (Up to 63% Off) » Get your daily Groupon deals
Nel said:
I love Thai food! And I usually don’t order spring rolls when I go to one.
Another reason to visit Boise! =)
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
Wouldn’t that be cool? Isn’t it fascinating to think that through our blogs we travel the world in spirit and that should we have the opportunity to travel in reality, we’d have friends in so many places? I think you’d love Idaho. You’d love the open spaces, the outdoor recreation, the friendly people.
The down sides are a lack of diversity…I call it a white bread city….but it’s getting better…. the other down side is the Idaho politics, don’t get me started. And during the winter the city is sometimes blanketed by a thick layer of crud thanks to our location in a valley near a mountain range which leads to temperature inversions. yuk.
LikeLike
Nel said:
I have to agree with you, RW. Blogging has certainly expanded my view of the world and has allowed me to meet people of diverse cultures, ideas, and interests. I think I would enjoy what Idaho has to offer.
I don’t care much for politics; as long as I don’t get mugged for being Asian, then I’d be fine. I’m pretty open-minded about the beliefs of other people and I find that it’s important to respect them. Respect is given where it is due.
Oh, inversions in a valley. Interesting. I’ve never experienced this but I’ve learned about them in passing in a class I sat-in once. Sounds like it’s unpleasant in reality.
LikeLike
Jim said:
How lucky are you to have this gem of a restaurant so handy! We love Thai food too but aren’t as brave as you….a #2 would be all we could handle.
I remember having ‘blackened fish’ for my first ever Thai dish a few years back. It was so hot I burned my lips!! I thought they were kidding…….lol
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
Jim, I used to think Asian food meant traditional Chinese American fare which is just horrible. Then I learned about Thai food and fell passionately in love with the cuisine. I also love Indian food. While we have serveral really wonderful Thai restaurants, we have only 3 Indian restaurants, only one of which is particularly good. It surprises me that you had blackened fish at a Thai place. I thought “blackened” was a typical Cajun style of cooking. I admit, I’ve never enjoyed anything blackened.
LikeLike
Priya said:
Egg rolls! I’d love that. I like Thai food, too. Boise has all the things that make a wonderful place, Linda. Lucky you.
LikeLike
souldipper said:
In a small city at the end of a ferry ride, we also have an exquisite Thai restaurant. This gentleman-owner is committed to keeping the quality up and prices down. He also uses family recipes and tricks. He has people dining day and night. I just love everything I’ve ordered.
The spaciousness in your photo is luxurious compared to the crowdedness of our wee restaurant. I marvel over the agility of the wait staff.
LikeLike
rangewriter said:
Gems are often tucked into tiny packages.
LikeLike