Thai Basil
Red Bug Willow Plz,5800 Red Bug Lake Rd, Winter Springs, FL, 32708
Thai Basil Menu
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Appetizers
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Soups
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Salads
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House Specialties From The Sea
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Stir Fried Entrees
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Thai Basil
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Appetizers
-
Soups
-
Salads
-
House Specialties From The Sea
-
Stir Fried Entrees
-
Desserts
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Address :
Red Bug Willow Plz,5800 Red Bug Lake Rd
Winter Springs, FL, 32708 - Phone (407) 699-8889
- Website https://www.thaibasil.org
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
- Mon : 11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jackie N.
The pad Thai is fantastic and the service is great. There's usually a wait because the Oviedoians (?) know what's up when it comes to Thai food. You could always order takeout if you're in a hurry. To be honest, I don't venture very far into Thai menus so I can really only speak for the few things I've tried and the atmosphere. Thai Basil has quickly become a favorite of ours. Order the Thai iced coffee. Yum!
(4)A.J. T.
Showed up at 2:10 and was turned away by the lazy server because 'they close at 2:30'...wtf? Since when does 2:10=2:30? Is this TST? Thai Standard Time? I don't care if Scott Joseph takes his girls on dates here, turning business away is bad!
(1)Courtney Z.
I love this place! My favorite place to get pad Thai , it taste great every time I get it. I usually end up getting the same thing, but friends usually rave about their meals. The service is great too! I would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to get great Thai food.
(4)ReBecca S.
I love Thai and this place has it... Nothing has ever been unsatisfactory! They are always consistent with a great menu, fresh food, and genuine customer service attitude. Never an empty glass, and someone checking on you. The traditional opening curry dish is fantastic and recently I've tried to the duck pad Thai at the recommendation of a friend. And of course it was fantastic as well. The actual restaurant is a little small but there quick with service and a smile delicious food always reasonably priced and if you don't want a way you can always get to go! Absolutely love this place been going for the last six years.
(5)Isabel C.
First timer here, we came about 30-40 min before they closed. Once we walked in, there was no host at all to greet and sit our party of 3, stood there for a good 5 min waiting. We go in our order pretty quick but took a while for the food to come out. Appetizer: papaya salad VERY salty missing the tangy and sweet competent that I'm used to, you can mainly taste just fish sauce. Thumbs down!! Entrée: Panang curry duck: surprisingly very good, duck is tender and the sauce was delicious Beef/tofu pad see ew: also surprisingly good noodles cooked perfect, very flavorful Dessert: mango sticky rice One of my favorite desserts and it was delicious here, it's mango season now so it's exceptionally sweet and delicious accompanied by a warm sweet/savory sticky rice topped with coconut sauce mmmmmm sooo good :) 3 stars because service was not all there. Our pad see ew came out wrong the first time but they fixed it, ordered an extra bowl of rice which they forgot, never refilled our water until the bill came kinda pointless, called our waitress multiple time but just pointed her finger and kept saying 1 minute which turned into the longest minute we ever waited. will definitely try more dishes but maybe for takeout.
(3)Kamin B.
There has never been a bad experience here. At this point since I love their food, I almost want to say to the server that I don't need a menu. Just feed me. Every duck dish is good, hot and sour seafood soup is good too. Everything is good. I just want to say that the last time is I was there I was on an awkward first date and the hospitality of the place was relaxing and the environment was refreshing. The service is friendly and on point. Even if the small place was packed. Thanks guys and keep it up. I will be back for sure. Just keep getting better. -Kamin B.
(4)Sarah F.
I'm glad I found a delicious Thai place near the house. I'm a big fan of panang chicken curry and brown rice(theirs is delicious). The service is fast and the staff are so kind, frequently checking on you. My go to Thai fix.
(4)Sunny G.
I posted a reviews month ago and it got moved to the section for not recommended reviews. I still dont get how I got to go box with water all over in the container and also grease track.
(1)Maren C.
We love getting take out from here. I'm not a Thai expert, but it's delicious. Thai Basil Chicken, Panang, Phad Thai, are delicious. We have to wait sometimes for our pickup but the food is hot and delicious!
(5)Jonathan H.
My favorite restaurant. I've tried every item on the menu and haven't been disappointed. I'm a vegetarian now and they still have great options. The staff is good and friendly (except for one guy) but for the most part it's a great place to eat.
(5)Bridgette D.
This isn't my absolute favorite Thai place but their food is always fresh and moderately portioned with good prices. Do I think they could push the seasoning and flavors a little more and incorporate different dishes? Sure. It's a great spot to go during their slower hours during the week and the service is always consistent. The prawns here are pretty delicious and worth ordering.
(3)Anthony V.
After dining out once a week with my mother at Royal Thai for the last 15 years (yes years), I brought my mother to Thai Basil hoping to find a new Thai place we can dine out once a week. The reason we are looking is a whole other story. Our server greeted us promptly, however she stood far from the table and looked away when talking to us. It seemed she was uncomfortable serving us but I attributed this to nerves. I asked the server if Drunken Noodles are on the menu. She told me that the Thai Basil Noodles are actually Drunken Noodles. Since Drunken Noodles are my mother's favorite dish I ordered the Thai Basil Noodles with Shrimp dish and the Thai Basil with Beef dish. The Thai Basil with Beef comes with green and red peppers and onions, so I told the server to remove those vegetables from the Thai Basil Noodles with Shrimp entree and substitute mushrooms instead. Our food arrived promptly. However the Jasmine rice was cold and stiff and I struggled to remove a portion with my fork. The Thai Basil with Beef was covered with red and green peers and chunks of unsliced onions and surrounded just a few small pieces of beef. It is a shame because the beef tasted very good and should be the centerpiece of the dish. The sauce was watery and cold and took away from the dish. The Thai Basil Noodles with Shrimp did not taste like Drunken Noodles. It had too much garlic and I believe also included soy sauce. The traditional chillies included in Drunken Noodles was missing. The top of the dish was heavily seasoned but the bottom of the dish tasted bland. Obviously it was not mixed well. The shrimp was an extra $3.00 charge. Unfortunately the shrimp were very small and not seasoned. I was expecting a lot of mushrooms since they were substituted for three vegetables. However I actually could not find any when I first looked at the dish. I stirred up the dish and noticed maybe eight tiny and very thin pieces of sliced mushroom. Each piece was drenched with oil. Very disappointing. We did not eat any of the mushrooms. Our server quickly came by once while we were eating and filled our water but did not stop to ask us anything. We ate some of the food and stacked up the dishes. The server stopped by with the bill. I told her my thoughts about the food as described above. She responded by stating that we probably did not want any take home containers. I asked for a couple of containers. She brought us the containers and one of them had hot rice steaming from it. Figures. We probably will not come back to Thai Basil but honestly we may give it another chance. When Thai Basil first opened we came here a few times and admired the original owner whom always came by to greet us and worked along side her employees. I was really hoping this would become our new place because it is only a couple of miles from home. We will continue our search for a new Thai restaurant next week. My review will be on Yelp. Wish us luck.
(2)Nano P.
The star goes for the great chef. But the -4 stars goes to the two incompetent waitress who had the luck to "serve" me. Not only they did not offer my companion or myself a glass after serving our beers but rushed us as if they had a place to be (other than the kitchen). Not a single glass of water was served during our dinner. Yes, I could had asked for one but that would defeat the purpose of having a competent server. They were more concerned in getting back to their exclusive table to comb their hair and talk. There were two other servers that actually knew what they where doing (bus boy and host). I will continue going to Thai Villa, Thai Orchid and Napasorn Thai since they do staff great servers.
(1)Ali G.
I've been here many, many times and it's always good. Friendly staff that gets to know you and your order preferences when you go a lot. My favorite dish is the Thai basil with beef. My previous go-to was the angel hair egg noodles with chicken. The kitchen is great with special orders, such as leaving out the sugar from the sauce. Wonderful jasmine rice. They also have brown rice if you prefer. Decor is rich and inviting. Small dining room with limited seating, but I don't usually have to wait more than 5 min. for a table. Great for take-out also. Parking limited near the restaurant due to spaces reserved for Papa Johns delivery drivers, spaces reserved for Taco Bell, and a Carrabba's nearby. However, there's plenty of parking if you are willing to walk a bit (not too far - it's still in the same shopping plaza).
(5)Mike D.
We travel 20 minutes passing 3 other Thai restaurants just to get here. Best Thai in east Orlando. My wife and I really enjoy the yellow curry fried rice, it has a lot of flavor. The Panang curry dish is also well made. I highly recommend. The only other Thai restaurant that compares to this one is Thai Thani on international drive.
(5)Steve N.
Very happy about this place ! Yes ! Another hit in Oviedo for a quick bite that will not disappoint ... I say quick because services was fast, and even faster the way we devour this delicious food! We ordered ... Ok I don't remember the names, mine was a sweet and sour tasting chicken with rice, my daughter got the Thai basil noodles, my husband a mix of chicken and meat in peanut sauce... All big portions and good tasting ... The rice is the only thing is not that good, not bad tho, I am just a rice snob lol so ... You can call me crazy too. Anyway, liked the service and attention also, small place, got filled very quick. Oh ... We also had the mango and sticky rice ... It was a nice thing to discover. Try it .... And if you are Venezuelan, this will remind you of "Venezuelan style Chinese food" as it is very different from the one offered here in the US. Spent less than $50 + tip.
(4)Amy B.
This is by far the best place to eat in the area. My favorite is the Pad Thai, the flavors are amazing. I love that they have the chicken on a stick for the kids.
(5)Joe H.
Was excited to try it out but was not impressed. Wait staff and host were cleaning peas/beans in dining room while not wearing gloves or washing hands after touching many surfaces including cash/cards at register. Same song "No Right Turn" (I Shazamed it) played at least 8 times in a row. I ordered dishes with tofu and I could tell by the texture that it was not pressed to remove water before cooking making it far too soft. Wait staff never asked if we wanted drink refill until they brought the check. I was glad I ordered my green curry hot because it was flavorless otherwise.
(2)Sarah M.
With so many amazing other Thai Restaurants nearby save your money and go elsewhere....Service was blah and the restaurant was very dirty, even the tables...disappointing.
(2)Charles D.
I have frequented this place many times and normally I would give a high rating. Recently the past 2 times has been pretty bad. Quality has gone down hill.
(3)Steve M.
Thai Basil serves its purpose of avoiding a trip to Doc Phillips for Thai. The whole snapper filet and kra prow are prepared pretty well. Red curry is too sweet. Tom Yum lacks depth beyond the heat. Kitchen is usually quick when they're not getting pummeled by takeout, which is often due to strip mallando granting Thai Basil room for 16 tops. Venture away from happy meal Thai and you'll find a few good dishes. I drive cross town for Thai as often as I go here, they don't quench the crave.
(2)Kristen H.
Overall, the food was fantastic. We had the shrimp pad Thai, the garlic beef, spicy red chicken curry, Thai basil crispy duck, & the Thai basil fried rice, as well as the curry puffs, steamed dumplings, & spring rolls for appetizers. Service was okay but the food came out very fast. I love the decoration and the ambience. However, while everything was pretty great, I've had much better pad Thai & crispy duck. Everything else I highly recommend though.
(4)Margaret K.
Best Thai food I've had since moving to Orlando area!! It's quite small so you're best to arrive early, but the menu, staff and ambience absolutely make up for any wait you have!!
(5)Cori G.
Absolutely the best in town.! I love their Tom Yum Gum Soup, MY FAVORITE PLACE to have it is thai basil!!!
(5)Nancy F.
Beginning to think this is one of the best Thai restaurants around. Crispy rice and pork salad. Garlic Passion with (abundant) mixed seafood - out of this world ! We ate too fast to take a photo .Sorry!
(5)Joyce D.
Thai Basil is awesome. Had green curry takeout tonight. Irene & staff are excellent.
(5)Nick M.
I've had my fair share of Thai food over the years. It's hit or miss sometimes. Thai basil does it all great. Their food is fresh and authentic rest. Family-owned and great service. I've eaten in and taking out and they do a great job with both.
(5)Tony B.
The pad Thai is always fantastic. This is my favorite Thai restaurant in the Orlando area. It is a small place and almost always has a crowd. I would certainly recommend this place!
(5)Stacy V.
Thai Basil is located next to the Carrabba's on Red Bug and Tuskawilla in Winter Springs. Parking in the plaza can be a pain on weekends, so you may want to drop your date off so they can reserve a table while you go find parking. The place inside is super tiny, but they manage to pack everyone in the place just fine. I've eaten here three times, and the food was decent each time (except for the Pad Broccoli which was watery). The spring roll appetizers are crispy and a good option for something to much on while you're waiting for your food without overdoing it. The service here is hit or miss.
(3)Kris E.
I'm not sure why people fall all over themselves talking about this restaurant. I would classify it as mediocre at best. The ambiance is cramped and strange. It's pretty good if you only have two or three people but any more than that and you'll be cramped. The entire place is pretty small, take-out might be a good option. The food is O.K. Many of the appetizers (Spring rolls and Crab Rangoon) seem like they are homemade as opposed to the standard from-a-bag stuff you see at many Asian restaurants. I've had the Curry and the Pad-Thai. Nothing bad about the food but nothing that sends me running back either. Note: If you like hot Thai food let them know. Every dish comes out of the kitchen very mild. I routinely have to ask for extra chili powder with my food.
(3)Sydney K.
Oh, Thai Basil. You used to be a solid 4 in my book, but then things just started to go awry within the past year or so. First off, the good things. The interior is unique and very pretty, in my opinion, it's been my favorite thing about this place since I first went. The curries are all good, and I really like both the Massaman and the Panang. Recently though the curries have been more watery and have had more visible oil, which is disappointing. They were thick and creamy before but something's changed since then. Another disappointment is how it costs $2 extra to get brown rice instead of jasmine (white rice). I understand paying more for brown rice, but $2 seems excessive. They also give you less brown rice than white rice. Also, sometimes with the rice I've had a server offer to bring me some rice in a to go box when I have some leftover curry, but recently that practice has stopped as well. At least, I haven't been asked. I wonder if there's something financial going on, new management, something. I'm not sure, but things have definitely changed since it opened a few years ago. It's a good place to get take out from, and I think they may even give you more food when you order it to go instead of eating in. Whatever the case, I will still go when someone else suggests it, but it isn't my favorite thing in Orlando by any means. For Oviedo/Winter Springs though I think it's lovely to have.
(3)Stefano C.
Service was wicked slow. A group of 5 of us went and first two dishes came out, then two more and then the fifth. Hmmm, very odd. The overall feel Of the restaurant is a bit retro and small. It feels cramped. Food was ok. I ordered the param, peanut sauce, and it was good. I would order it again but it didnt knock my socks off. Not sure if i would go back. Maybe in a last resort if nothing else was available.
(3)Ashley H.
This place is so good. I love the pad Thai. I've never dined inside the restaurant... It is small and pretty cramped. I always do take-out. Take-out order has never been wrong, it's usually still hot by the time I get it home, and it is so yummy. I would definitely recommend Thai Basil.
(5)Dana N.
The Tom Kai Gai was REALLY good. Loved the herbs used in that soup, thought there would be a strong coconut flavor due to its appearance but I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered the Pad Thai due to some recommendations from here- too sweet. It looked kind of creamy which was surprising, and the sweetness tasted a bit like coconut. I wouldnt order it again, managed to finish it somehow. I tried my friends green curry and that was good. If I could, I would give this 3.5 starts instead of just 3, the pad thai really did it for me but I definitely recommend the curries and tom kai gai.
(3)Doug W.
Ok thai food. I'm not a fan of how they do their tom kha gai soup; too runny and too many different vegetables. I had their panang curry and it had an overly sweet taste to it. The wife had phad thai and it was pretty good actually. Service was a little slow but overall it was a decent experience. There are definitely better places for thai food though.
(3)David M.
I am no expert on Thai food, so I can't comment on whether it's "authentic" or not, but I can say they have some tasty dishes. I usually have the Panang when I go, and it is very good. The Calamari is excellent as well as an appetizer and the sauce to dip it in is very good. My reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is often times the smell inside the restaurant is less than appetizing. It's not like a bad food smell...it's just a bad smell, and I wonder if others are ignoring it or perhaps my nose is too sensitive. Aside from that, others I have been with have tried the noodle dishes and green curry to good reviews. Parking can be difficult to find, but it is a nice change of pace from the other foods nearby and worth a try if you are in the area.
(4)Jessica B.
1.5, First visit and last visit. Our party of 6 arrived while there was only another table of diners. Our food didn't come out at the same time. When two of us did get our Yellow Chicken Curry (Medium), we were told our rice would be right out. Another order was supposed to be squid - but they gave us shrimp instead. After tracking down a server and asking for rice - we finally got it. My dish was not flavorful at all - the chicken, potatoes, onion, and carrots all tasted the same - had the same consistency and texture. We had to ask for chili paste to add heat to the dish. The servers also served everything to our party across and over myself and to each person by handing it to them - not placing the dishes down on the table. Someone at another table ordered a dish that they serve over a Sterno. In a small restaurant a burning Sterno isn't a great idea. We were all sniffling and sneezing during the burn time - an open door or more ventilation is needed. After giving the credit card to the waitress, we waited and waited for it's return. They gave our card to another group dining. And the verdict is still out on what the white stuff was all over the woodwork on the walls...candle wax maybe? One can hope. I'm not sick after eating there - so I bumped the rating up to 2 stars - but I won't ever return for any reason.
(2)Kim W.
This is a great place for Thai. The restaurant is very nice, but not overly fancy. They also have a great staff working there. My only gripe is with the location. Since it's in the same plaza as Carrabas, the parking sucks on Friday and Saturday nights. Now for the good stuff - the food! My absolute favorite dish is the Param (if you love peanut sauce, then you will love it also). I also recommend the spring rolls and, of course, Pad Thai. One word of caution, if you like your food hot, you should ask for at least medium heat with extra chili powder on the side. I've noticed a couple of times that they accidently gave me mild and there was no spiciness at all.
(4)Alicia W.
I love Thai Basil. $2.00 extra for brown rice is lame, but the curries are authentic and outstanding. I go there whenever I'm in that neighborhood. Their take-out is fresh off the grill too.
(4)Tammy D.
Don't bother! First time here and it will be my last. My combo rice dish had no flavor at all.
(1)Jeff S.
Soups are so great and the chicken panang is wonderful! Good service, very friendly and the takeout is fast! Thanks so much!
(5)Zuzanna W.
I love Thai Basil! I've been trying to branch out and try other Thai places in town, but I always wish I had just gone here. Their Tom Kha Gai is so delicious, I crave it constantly. If you get it medium, they add just enough spice that really brings out the tartness in the soup...delicious!! Oh, and the Massaman curry is the best I've had in town. I'm salivating just writing about it.
(5)Benjina D.
Came here with the fam over the weekend, and must say that this place was just ok. We ordered a tom yum soup, family style. Panang curry with chicken, tofu pad thai, thai fried rice, and an order of chicken curry puffs. The tom yum soup was the least favorite. Everyone agreed that they'd had better, and we were all surprised to see whole strings of onions in it. It was bland and watery. It went pretty untouched. The Panang Curry was ordered thai hot, and came out medium. Same with the pad thai. I like my noodles a little "wet", so I asked for it that way. The noodles were sitting on top of a sea of watery sauce. Eew. The thai fried rice looked good, but tasted bland. Chicken curry puffs were not really puffs, but were made like crab rangoons, just with curry flavored chicken and potatoes. The filling was good, but the each piece was soaked in oil, like they didn't drain them after frying. All in all, nothing to write home about. Don't think we'll be going here again. Pretty sad, considering the restaurant was pretty busy, and the reviews here are great.
(2)Dirk F.
Never knew Thai spicy came "Sweet Mild " till I ate here ..Ordered thai spicy Red curry beef, tom yum, & basil beef .... this is was a disappointment because expectations were high from the reviews ..Place was well filled for lunch. Service was splendid... Very far from authentic ..closer to a McThai.
(2)Chuck O.
I'm glad I didn't get sick. Unfortunately for this place, I've had really excellent Thai food with traditional flavors. Some of the more popular dishes, such as Pad Thai and Tom Yum Koon were flavorless and missing some key fresh ingredients. Thank goodness I was only visiting. One of the worse Thai food places I've eaten. The service was friendly and was trying hard to keep up. They did mess up one order, but it was minor compared to how the food lacked taste and flavor.
(2)Mark C.
Been here twice. Both times for lunch. Both times were very good. The food is tasty and the vegetables are firm, flavorful and not over cooked. I like that. Seems to me that is the way they are supposed to be. I also actually like tofu and here it is just right. All in all, just a slight ding for being slow to refill my iced tea. Small point but the robust heat (I ordered it spicy) made me thirsty. If you like Thai, this place is great. It's quality, made-to-order food.
(4)Mary H.
I really enjoyed eating at Thai Basil. My pad thai with chicken was delicious. The service was also great. We will be back again soon. We are also planning on ordering take-out here as well, because it seems that many people came in to pick up take out. The restaurant is nice on the inside, although smaller than I expected. Highly recommended.
(5)Dave R.
Came for lunch to a nearly full room. It's small, with about 15 tables. Food was very good, and came out reasonably fast. Stars are off for being severely understaffed. There were 2 staff for the whole place, and as hard as they worked, were buried. Get some help, we'll come back, otherwise the service was lacking enough to go elsewhere (for lunch anyways)
(3)Ha C.
I am a regular client there. I love their food. Everything on the menus taste great. You can never go wrong at Thai basil. I love my usual basil noodles. The service is just ok. Very busy for just two server out on the floor. They not only have to take and serve food. They also have to answer the phone and cashier too. I think the boss need to hire more.
(4)Frank L.
I have to say, I have had better.. I was in the mood for Thai, and exhausted all the places near my office, so I decided to venture out a bit.. Thai Basil had over 4 stars on Yelp..no brainer..right? Upon arriving at 12:30 we had to wait 15 minutes before we ordered. There were two people working, one taking orders the other "running" food. Well since it wasn't that busy you would think that the "runner" could take oreders..not the case... After finally ordering my staple This Dish "Chicken Red Curry", we received the order approx 30 mins later..first bite COLD! Seriously? I asked that it be reheated..and they did, but no apology..nothing.. OK, second bite..the food was pretty good, now that it was hot, but not nearly Thai Hot as I ordered...well Then I had to spice it up a bit, and we all know that it is just not the same if you put hot pepper on after the meal is cooked vs while its cooked. Overall, it was good, but i was not really impressed.
(3)Iryna S.
It was just OK. Service was a bit slow, but servers were really nice. My red curry wasn't the best I've had, but still really good. The interior of the restaurant was the main draw back for me. It felt tight and unwelcoming. Probably wouldn't come back again.
(4)Loanne O.
Visiting from CA. With all the wonderful reviews, I thought this place would be a great dining experience. Came on a weeknight for dinner and the place became pretty packed. I ordered a medium Yellow Curry, Tom Yum Goong, and tasted the Papaya Salad and Chicken Pad Thai that my daughter ordered. Probably after 20 minutes, our dishes arrived but the rice was the last thing to be served and by the time we got it (after requesting it because they forgot), my yellow curry was getting cold. The spice level for the Yellow Curry was absolutely zero. I was really disappointed and had to ask the waitress to bring the spice tray to add some kind of heat but it didn't even help as it altered the taste of the dish. There were only 2 small chunks of potatoes and carrots but a good portion of chicken. The taste was "meh." The Tom Yum was missing an ingredient, perhaps thai basil leaf as it tasted "off." There were no tomatoes or chopped green onions or cilantro in my soup, although there were plenty of chili paste swimming around. The mushrooms were different. They didn't use the straw mushrooms as I was expecting and there were just too many onions. Again, the taste is "meh." The Papaya salad tasted old as it was limp and soggy. It didn't taste fresh and made to order. It tasted as if they cut it up 2 days ago and just stuck it in the fridge. Again, the main ingredient of fish sauce was lacking. The Pad Thai noodles were too thin but al dente. There were hardly any veggies to give it a nice appeal or taste to it. They definitely cut back on that dept. Because I'm spoiled with the authentic taste of Thai Food from California, I couldn't believe that this restaurant would be given such a high score for such "meh" tasting food. The service was "okay." We had PLENTY of left-overs but decided not to get doggy bags as it would just end up in the trash. The only thing I'm glad that I didn't get out of this dining experience is a trip to the ER.
(1)Rachel S.
If you want authentic Thai food, this is the place to go. They have phenomenal Thai tea, which I have to get every time that I go. Their spring rolls are simply the best and their summer rolls aren't far behind. They make a great peanut sauce too. I usually order the Pad Thai and change up what kind of meat I get but beef is my favourite. The serving sizes are pretty big, so I usually take more than half of it home. Very affordable.
(5)Jocelyn L.
Orlando is Clearly lacking knowledge in Thai food if they're ranking this place 4.5 stars. The Pad See Ew tasted like plain (but over-salted) fried flat noodles served at Panda Express at best. It wasn't Close to tasting anything like Thai-styled Pad See Ew. The Spring rolls were right out of a frozen package; they were definitely NOT freshly made here at the restaurant; the ones from Trader Joe's are tons better than what they served here. I don't want to be condescending...but it's places like these that give Asian food a bad rep and confuses Americans. They would be laughed out of the West Coast/SF if they ever operated there. Service was good + polite and prices reasonable...that's about it. I was extremely underwhelmed by everything else
(2)Mike S.
seeing all the good reviews I decided to place a pick-up order for some drunken noodle....it was flavorfull yet had absolutely no heat to it......I mean not a touch..... who makes drunken noodle w/o the FIRE ????? I do like the fact that they use the wider rice noodles.. I will b back to give the place another chance. just gotta tell um I wanna sweat tonight n tomorrow .........bungholio
(2)Stephan B.
One of the best Thai places in town. i highly recommend it
(5)Debbi M.
This place is fantastic and has beautiful interior, with detailed silk cloth table runners, candles, comfortable chairs and is extremely clean. I have had most dishes there and all of them are fantastic. If you don't like a particular ingredient in a dish just say so, if you want to add any ingredient ..say cucumbers just ask. Love the place, I drive 30 minutes one way just to go there. Lunch or dinner. I have taken it to go as well and items are perfectly packed to make its journey. It is a smaller restaurant so for little ones not ideal, as the tables are cozy.
(5)Steven H.
Thai Basil is kind of small or at least seems small when they are packed during their lunch rush. The lunch is a good deal with many dishes under $8. We got a calamari appetizer which had well developed flavors but was poorly cooked. The Red Curry was decent but the Pad Thai had undercooked noodles. The Pad Thai was much better the second time after I sent it back except for the dry and small amount of meat. While I understand lunch rushes are hectic, they were understaffed and should and have no excuse for not being able to deal with a full house.
(3)Philip R.
We have been going to Thai Basil since moving into the area in'94. I finally decided to sit down and actually write a review because even though it's been an incredible experience in the past, the new Chef in the kitchen has surpassed my culinary expectation of any Thai food any where. This is a tiny intimate restaurant, soft candle lights, soft calm quiet music in the background. This time I tried the Panang duck. The chef took the curry to another level. The sauce exhibited a delicate silky texture with subtle nuances of flavors that was able to come through even with the heat of the seasonings. The service was the subtle quiet classic Thai service but everyone help us and made sure that we were happy.
(5)Alexa P.
Delicious Pad-Thai, great Tom Kai Gai, and comfortable ambiance. Would definitely recommend it. I make sure to come at least once a month.
(4)Raquelle R.
I ordered the steamed dumplings appetizer and the panang curry beef entree. The dumplings were okay, nothing special. The panang curry was very bland. Worst panang I've had in a long time. My friend ordered the basil eggplant and it was much better than my plate but I still don't want to go back.
(2)Joy D.
My husband had never tried Thai food, and I wanted it to be good, so I looked up reviews of Thai restaurants in our area and found this place. I am very glad that I did! We went on a weeknight when the dinner crowd was smaller, and we got the table all the way at the back of the restaurant. When looking over the menu, I was a little disappointed that there were no kid menu options because my kids can be a tad picky about trying new things. The waiter came over to take our order, and although he wasn't very friendly, he was helpful. He informed me that most kids order the satay off the appetizer menu in lieu of a regular meal since they had no kid-friendly options. What he didn't tell me was that the satay comes with a fire bowl that allows them to grill their (already cooked) meats at the table like you can in a Chinese restaurant when you order the pu pu platter. That was an instant hit with my kids! My husband picked a shrimp curry dish, and although I didn't have any, it looked good and he thought it was great. I had the shrimp pad thai, and although the flavor was different from what I am used to, it wasn't different in a bad way. I think there was a lot of coconut milk in it which made a subtle change. The only thing I didn't like about the shrimp dishes is that the tails were left on the shrimp. If you are preparing a meal where the meat is intertwined with noodles or submerged in a soup, you should really shell the tails before you serve the dish. We weren't deterred by this minor issue, however. In fact, my husband liked his meal so much we ended up there the following Friday for a repeat performance. BTW, the roast duck is AWESOME! Overall, the food is good and reasonably priced. The bathrooms were clean and although the interior could use a little "freshening up", it was still very lovely (I loved the votives on stained wood blocks on the back wall of the restaurant; very pretty touch to the decor!). The only recommendation is for the gentleman who served us: I know you're young, and I know that working in the restaurant is the last way you'd like to spend your evenings, but if you have to be there, you have to be there, so try being friendly! Smile at your customers! People are more likely to leave larger tips to servers who are helpful AND courteous. You have the helpful down. Now, time to work on the courteous part :)
(4)laura h.
I still love the food at this place but the service has gone down hill. The last few times I have been here it has almost been impossible to get a refill on my water cause the waitress is no where to be found or runs by so fast you don't even have a chance to ask. Everyone who works there is really nice, i just wish they would be more attentive.
(3)Irina N.
The flavors are very mild, for some people that may be a good thing, but as a frequent visitor to Thai restaurants (have also been to Thailand) the flavors all seemed watered down. Service was poor. The servers saw us ready to order and didn't come over for quite a while, they never asked us if we want refills on our drinks and they didn't seem to really care about our dining experience. We Had the Panang curry and Tom yum soup. Satisfying but smaller portions and prices ranging around an average of $12 an entree. It's not bad, but I'd rather drive 10 more minutes to go to Thai Villa where the food is more authentic and better priced.
(2)Brian K.
Good. Portion sizes aren't very big though
(4)Ricky L.
Day to day, I am always on the lookout for a place to go for lunch especially if there aren't any leftovers from last night's dinner. One of the most reliably tasty places that I have been to is Thai Basil. I've actually been here a couple times for lunch before and they have never disappointed. Thai Basil sits behind Carrabba's in a plaza on the corner of Tuscawilla Road and Red Bug Lake Road in Winter Springs, FL. Its menu features dishes such as the traditional pad thai, duck noodle soup, green curry fried rice all for under $7.50. Inside, the restaurant has a elegant, magical feeling to it: huge framed mirrors line the walls creating infinite reflections of the dining area and long, sweeping purping curtains adorn the front end, and artifacts and paintings of scenes from Thailand are scattered throughout the restaurant. The service here is always attentive and friendly. One of the young women who worked there was actually off the day I was there but charmingly told me she loved Thai Basil so much that she couldn't stay away, so she had come to have lunch with the rest of the crew there. Thai cuisine, much like the food of all peoples around the world, is a reflection of Thai culture: a belief in an intricate balance of the senses and tastes, sweet, salty, spicy and sour that all interplay in the Thai palate. For my lunch, I ordered the pad see ew with beef ($7.25), hot (no, not thai hot this time). The pad see ew is made of wide rice noodles stir fried with a garlic see ew dum (a thick sweet soy sauce) and nam play (a very aromatic and strong tasting fish sauce) with brocolli, carrots, eggs and black pepper. The amber-colored pad see ew is aromatic and delicious. The beef is tantalizing, tender and flavorful. All the titilating tastes of sweet, sour, spicy, salty all came together as one on my plate and satisfied my hunger for Thailand tastychomps.blogspot.com…
(5)S H.
I grew up in Winter Springs, moved away and recently moved back about a year ago. Needless to say, I've driven by this place MANY times, and it never really crossed my mind to try it. Winter Springs may be a nice area to live but it definitely lacks GOOD restaurants. I usually have to venture to Orlando for good eats however my friend recently raved about this place, so I took my daughter and friend for an early dinner here this past weekend. I'm glad I did! The place is tiny, (think fire code violation) but even so, the service from the moment we entered was warm and friendly. We ordered the chicken satay as an appetizer. They served it in one of those little mini grills to keep it warm. My daughter was fascinated with that. As a main course, I ordered the Eggplant Basil. It was very flavorful and the portion size was enough for two. My friend ordered the pepper steak which I did not try but he said it was tasty. My Thai ice tea was just right. My only regret is that I did not stop to try this place sooner because I love Thai food. However, I must warn that this place is slightly Americanized and they played it safe with the flavors but it was still all very delicious. Can't wait to try some other items on the menu. Also, go early. We arrived at 5:30 and there were still a few tables left but by 6pm the place was full and there was a line outside.
(4)Dan O.
I thought Thai Basil was very average for Thai food in the area. The food was comparable other Thai restaurants in the area, but the price was higher. Not so much higher that I was turned away, but high enough that it just isn't worth it to go back in the future. Regarding my actual experience there, I really liked their fried tofu. Definitely the best that I've had in a long time. I got to share entrees and both were pretty good but not great. The service was kind of awful, but not in a really unpleasant way. We were waited on by three different people who weren't communicating with each other, so all sorts of things about our order got messed up. They were all gracious about the mistakes so it wasn't more of an annoyance than a problem . The restaurant itself is a little claustrophobic. It's a small space and I feel like they tried to pack too many seats in, but the place was full so it was understandable and the atmosphere was pleasant enough that I had no problem with it. All in all, I feel like Thai Basil is just ok.
(3)Stacy P.
The best curry I've had in town, plus the portion sizes were very reasonable. A little more expensive than other Thai places for lunch, but so very good. I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 due to the staff - the servers did not check on us once, we had to flag them down to refill our drinks (twice), request an update on the Thai Iced Tea (it finally came after the appetizers), and ask for boxes for our leftovers. The servers were too busy cleaning other tables to wait on their paying customers, which was disappointing. The food makes up for the inattentive service, though. YUM!
(4)David G.
Had a terrific dinner there last night. They were busy and parking was a little bit of a challenge, but the wait was less than 10 mins. For apps, we had a very good Yum Woonsen, Crispy Fried Rice Salad was a treat and the Friday's only special appetizer Summer rolls are what I usually associate as Viet style cold rolls. Then sprung for the whole Red Snapper, fried with Ginger and Garlic sauce $29.95. Great preparation!! Jasmine rice was perfect Phad Thai and Tofu and veggies were enjoyed by all. On my last visit, I had had the Panang Duck, which is my favorite go-to dish in Thai restaurants and they do a great version. They do milder preparations than some Thai, and I have not quite figured out the code to get it hot, but not Thai hot.... just can't take Thai hot anymore ;-/ Service was excellent and like the way they confirm your order to make sure they got it right. Restaurant atmosphere is tasteful and shows pride in their place and very clean. Wonderful evening and looking forward to my next visit!
(4)Patricia R.
Went there to take home once and eat in on another occasion. The restaurant is small but very neat, clean and gives a relaxing atmosphere. One the time I ordered lunch to go, it was the beef laab, which I ordered in mild since I had an spicy experience in another restaurant, and the beef panang. Quite good. Second visit, I stayed in and again ordered the panang. The veggies were crisp, there was a good amount of rice and the flavor of the red curry was very tasty. I'd truly recommend them.
(5)Jose D.
The best Thai in town!!!!! Phad Som Lote is just awesome.....
(5)Kevin K.
This restaurant is located in a strip mall off Tuscawilla and Red Bug. It's a very small space but the decor is tasteful and it doesn't feel too closed in. My one complaint is the front door faces West so every time a customer comes in during sunset it really interrupts the ambience as the restaurant lighting is dim. Nothing they can do about this though. The hostess and waiting services was excellent and exceedingly polite. We started off with the Thai spring rolls and plum sauce. It was nothing special. I agree with a previous reviewer that they may have be pre-packaged spring rolls. They didn't pop with flavor. The Thai Tea is very good. I had the Garlic Passion: Fresh scallops on a bed of steamed vegetables and garlic sauce with jasmine rice. It was delicious and the scallops tasted fresh, not frozen, and just cooked enough to be very soft. The vegetables were fresh and steamed just enough so they were still firm. My fiance had the Param: Chicken smothered in peanut sauce on a bed of steamed vegetables with jasmine rice. It was excellent - the peanut sauce is homemade. We finished dinner with dessert. We tried the Thai Fruit, which you should avoid. They are lychees and ranbuttans over ice with a syrup. This was a rip off as they essentially opened a can, drained the syrup, and put the fruit over ice. For $5? I don't think so. Asian markets sell whole cans of this for half that. All in all, I'm adding Thai Basil to my list of asian restaurants I plan to frequent in the Winter Springs / Oviedo area. UPDATE 2/8/11: I had to lower the rating to 2/5 stars because of subsequent visits to this establishment. After four visits I've come to the conclusion that they are very hit or miss. Two other dishes I had were very underseasoned and the sauce had not been thickened enough. Also, during busy nights, the small confines become annoying as every conversation reverberates throughout. If you find a good dish, stick with it. Experimenting is risky. Also, the new servers are inexperienced. FINAL UPDATE (because I won't be going back) 1/7/12: I've lowered my final rating to 1/5 stars. My wife was craving something healthy and wanted to give Thai Basil another chance. We ordered the Mee Grob and it looked promising until we realized it was a mountain of crispy rice vermicelli (airy noodles) hiding 3 small shrimp on a large plate, drenched in sugary sweet syrup, for $7. We questioned the 14 yr old waittress if this is normal, she said it was because "it's an appetizer" and asked if I wanted a box for the vermicelli which we discarded in disgust. I ordered the Tiger Shrimp special ($20) which was supposed to be shrimp on a bed of vegetables with sweet/sour tamarind sauce. The shimp was decent, but the "bed" of vegetables consisted of a small amount of FROZEN and CANNED vegetables absolutely drenched in a sugary syrup that had the sweetness and consistency of corn syrup. The poor baby corn sagged, as if apologizing to me for being canned and flavorless. My wife ordered the Param again, chicken over a "bed" of vegetables with peanut sauce, only this time the vegetables were again, "fresh" from a freezer, and the sauce watered down to a weak sauce. It took almost a year to forget that I was not to return to this westernized hoax of a Thai restaurant. I think I'll stick with Phat Thai in Altamonte Springs where I can actually get Thai food that resembles what I've had in Bangkok. We won't be back.
(1)Rob G.
Best thai in Florida. It's worth our hour drive.
(5)Kelly S.
I visit this restaurant regularly, ever since they opened. The food is always fresh and amazing! The lunch prices are a great!!! The staff is very friendly. The place is packed on Thu, Fri, and Sat nights. It's best to get there early (before 7pm) if you don't want to wait for a table.
(5)Shannon J.
Love Thai and love that this place is in Winter Springs
(5)Kate C.
Best thai food I've ever had. Every dish has been delicious, no need to drive further when this is right around the corner.
(5)carrie s.
Awesome food. Service can be spasmodic but the food makes up for it.
(5)Chuck C.
One of the 3 best Thai restaurants in Orlando. My wife is from Thailand, and I lived there for 4 years, so you could say we know Thai food. Thai Basil is very authentic. The dishes which are traditionally not done well by American Thai restaurants are all excellent here. The prices here are higher than at our other 2 favorite Thai places, but the atmosphere is better (great for a special night out) and it's in Oviedo, where dining choices are more limited than in Orlando.
(4)Nathan A.
I was dissappointed as I'd heard really good things. The Phad Thai with pork was somewhat bland and too salty. The Tom Yum Goong and Thai Wonton were both really good. More Wontons and Shrimp please! Nicely spiced but not too much. The Rangoons were light, flaky with a silky sweet center. Servers were busy and inconsistent...probably because they were busy. One server was very helpful and polite while the other was a bit unattentive.
(3)Jay C.
Good food. One caveat, one of the waitresses a bit rude other than that good eats.
(3)Sherry m.
This is now my family's go to Friday dinner out. I have a 2 year old daughter and they are so nice to children. The staff will come up and say hi to her and a few times they gave her a steamed vegetable plate free. The spring rolls there are so sweet and salty (even the 2 year old likes them). I always get the Pad Se-ew and I recommend it to everyone who hasn't tried Thai food before and they always love it. The wait here is never long and the plates are so big that my husband and I usually share a plate. I always ask for the spice rack and then just add some chili powder to my food since my husband prefers mild.
(5)Meenakshi B.
It's a small place and always crowded but serves very good Thai Food.. I wish they would expand the restaurant. Love their green and red curries and soups. If you are a fan of lychees, you must order their frozen lychee dessert in raspberry syrup.. Perfect ending to a good meal. One should not miss this place..
(4)Tammy B.
consistently excellent food.
(5)Laura S.
I've only ordered takeout from here and I've ordered the Shrimp Pad Thai every time. So good!! This is the only Thai place I go to and I'm scared to try anywhere else. The portions are huge and the shrimp and vegetables are very fresh! I always order a side of Jasmine Rice too, cooked to perfection! On the occasions where I don't have the chance to call in my order ahead of time, my food is ready while I wait in less than 10 minutes. I also like the different levels of heat you can choose to completely switch up the flavor of the same dish. But beware, the Thai hot is HOT and I'm a fan of heat so I don't say that often! I also think it's cute they give you tiny to-go containers with extra chopped peanuts for your order. Love Thai Basil!
(4)Rachael J.
I have been to probably about 12 Thai places in this area, from downtown Orlando to Lake Mary. This is by far my favorite place. All ingredients are sooo fresh. Phad Thai, Angel Hair Egg Noodles, Cucumber Salad, and Thai Basil fried rice are all awesome. So is the Panang. Try the Thai Iced Tea. YUM. They also have great lunch specials if you work in the area. Plus the owner is often working at the front of the store, and she is very nice. Last, don't let the strip mall location fool you, the inside is upscale.
(5)David K.
Love this place. I try to go once a month. Excellent prices. Excellent appettizers. Excellent yellow curry dishes. If you like Thai you will like here.
(5)Liz D.
Love this place. We've moved farther away recently but still manage to get there every couple of weeks. The green curry with chicken is awesome, perfect level of heat. Also love the chili cashew nuts. Everything is fresh tasting. Nice staff, once left my phone there and they had it for me the next day so bonus points for honesty. It can get very crowded so we usually just opt for take out. Many things on the lunch specials but can get a little pricy for dinner. The few desserts I've tried have been so-so at best so recommend skipping those. If your in the mood for Thai this is the place to go.
(5)Stephanie S.
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVEIT!! Need I say more!!!!??? Awesome!
(5)Rich M.
Great food. I love Thai food and this place does not disappoint. My only complaint is that it is a small restaurant and as such you have to wait when it gets packed...which happens a lot. Food is great; people are great.
(4)Tony S.
Consistently Great! Better than your average Thai joint and the service compares to that of one of the chains. I have been eating here for years and can say I have never had a bad experience.
(5)Michelle T.
Amazingly good!! I'm used to GOOD food from the New England. Having a really hard time finding good restaurants in Florida. We chose take out so I can't comment on the service but the lady was very nice on the phone & when we picked up the food. We ordered the Pad Thai w/Tofu - yummy but no sauce like we're used to - only draw back, Yellow Curry w/ Scallops - so delicious & cooked perfectly & fried tofu appetizer with a yummy peanut sauce. Total price about $30. Well worth your time & money!
(5)Sara W.
I can't believe no one has reviewed this place. This is my favorite Thai restaurant EVER. Best springs rolls in the country, I'm serious. With the best plum dipping sauce. The little curry potato puffs? Perfect. Willing to overgarlic to please my mother's need for it in everything she eats? Check. The staff is really nice. When you eat there, food comes out to your quickly. Great ambiance...you get a really great feeling eating here. Everything feels casual, but really special. The food is really fresh. I only have one complaint, and it's minor. The potatoes in the curry dish I ordered had very little flavor...if they were just browned slightly before tossed in the sauce it would have been perfect. In general, everything is perfectly prepared. If you want it fried, it's crisp and has a minimal greasiness factor. The curries are good. The stir fried dishes, wonderful. Want them to tweak your entree a bit? Done. And all for reasonable prices. They don't charge for the rice, it's free with each meal. And if you want extra sauce on something, that's complementary, too. This place makes me miss Winter Springs!
(5)Brian T.
I have eaten lunch there and taken out a bunch of times and everything I have had so far has been excellent. Tom Kha Gai Soup is as good as anywhere I've had it. Pad Thai is done very well. They have received excellent reviews from the Orlando food critics also. Friends turned me on to it .. it is one of their favs .. now one of mine too.
(5)Randy D.
Very good Thai restaurant. Hidden between Taco Bell and Carabas in the strip mall. It is small but stylish, and the owner is very nice as well. When I worked in Oviedo we used to eat here weekly. The beef panang is very good. Give it a shot, you won't be sad.
(5)