I am glad that Star of Siam is the first entry in the Eating In Harm’s Way blog. This is a great Thai food restaurant in Richardson TX owned by Mark & Ann. Their story is what makes this my kind of place. Mark and Ann met at this restaurant on a blind date. They dated long distance for a season when Ann went back to Thailand. After her return to Texas they married. They wanted to get into the restaurant business and bought Star of Siam. Isn’t that great, meet on a blind date, get married and buy the restaurant you met in. Mark joked with us at the table that he was glad they did not meet at Trump TowerJ. They have been the owners for over 10 years. Mark & Ann, thank you for sharing your story with us! Now that is a 5 page story. I will rank every story by giving it 1 to 5 pages. Five pages being the most unique and 1 page being the least unique.
The décor is simple, comfortable and definitely reflects Ann’s interest in Thai royalty. There are several framed pictures of Thai royalty, framed drawings of Thai royalty and even some snapshots when Ann met Thai royalty. In addition, there are some fans, elephant carvings and a few more knick knacks. At the entrance you are greeted by a couple of statues of native Thai women that warmly greet you.
Outside there is a big sign that simply says “Thai Food”. Star of Siam delivers. Check out the extensive menu on their website. Today I visited with Hooman, MT and Bob. We had Thai Tea, which was very good. The big decision at the table is how hot to get our food: 1 star ‘good warm spice’, 2 stars ‘will bring a sweat’, 3 stars ‘native thai’, 4 stars ‘burn your tongue’ or 5 stars ‘eat at your own risk’ (more on 5 stars to come). I ordered the Siam Big Noodle with just 2 stars (I had previously ordered the 3 stars and it was pretty spicy). Hooman had the Fried Chicken with Cashews also 2 stars, MT had the chicken Thai fried rice with 1 star and Bob had the pork chow-mein with 1 star. Each person said their entrée was very tasty and they really liked it, Hooman commented on the fact that Thai food is very aromatic. The quantity of food is perfect for lunch. We all enjoyed it very much.
I especially like the soup and salad you can have with your lunch order. They are at a table near the entrance and it is self-serve. The soup is a nice coconut soup served in a crock pot and the salad is quite simple (lettuce, tomato, green pepper) with a peanut sauce for salad dressing. Very nice.
As far as the hole in the wall factor, it only receives 3 out of 5 holes. It has 11 booths and 5 tables and each table has nice table clothes under the glass covered tables. These are too many tables to receive the coveted 5 holes in the wall. However, it is in a non-descriptive strip mall with a big Thai Food sign outside. It is very charming and the friendly and prompt service you receive is exceptional. Hooman, Bob & MT what do you think? Should we give it a 3 or 4 hole in the wall rating?
One great unique aspect is the 5 Star wall of fire bulletin board. When you order a meal with 5 stars, ‘eat at your own risk’, they take a picture of you and place it on the bulletin board aptly named wall of fire. They have filled up two bulletin boards and are working on a third. I will give you an update once my picture is on the wall. It is ineluctable (word of the day).
Star of Siam is my kind of place!
7 responses so far ↓
Christy // October 11, 2006 at 3:49 pm |
Yeah! I’m glad you got this going! Great job!
Allen Arnn // October 11, 2006 at 4:09 pm |
Sounds like a great place… if you like Thai food! Love the 5 star wall of fire…
Hooman // October 12, 2006 at 11:49 pm |
For me, The Star of Siam is indeed a nice place to have started eating in Harms way. Since it is also the first place to get rated with holes in the wall, it is critical to do this with outmost care!
I suggest Mark that you declare it the norm (3) by which others will be judged about their “holiness”(no pun intended Mark, just bad english
thank you Mark. Can’t wait for the next review.
M.T. Tran // October 16, 2006 at 7:24 pm |
Sa-wa DEE Krab is ‘Hello’ in Thai from a male’s descent, and sa-wa DEE kah from a female’s. A little Thai lesson for you guys and gals. ;O)
I’ve really enjoyed the lunch here at this restaurant. I’ve had the Chicken Thai Fried Rice, and enjoyed it tremendously. It was very tasty, and had a nice garlic flavoring in addition to the other exotic spices which made it such a tasty dish. I, personally, LOVE Garlic so that throws it over the ‘tastiness’ factor for me!
I think that a ‘3′ would be appropriate for the ‘hole in the wall’ aspect since I did not see any holes in the wall. ;OP j/k.
Mark, you may have to come up with a definition of ‘Hole in the wall’, and what makes it one.
Cheers, and I would love to join you on the next Eating in Harms way adventure!
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Mark // October 19, 2006 at 12:22 am |
MT welcome to the blog. I do need to keep refining the ‘Hole in the wall’ rating. Hopefully after more reviews it will become clearer.
Mark // October 19, 2006 at 12:22 am |
Hooman, right you are. The hole in the wall rating must be approached with utmost care. So far 3 seems to be a favorite rating. I can’t wait to do Lee’s Catfish and El Fuego. They will receive a higher hitw rating.
Aaron // January 12, 2008 at 12:43 am |
Discovered this place last year, under my nose all the time but you’d drive right by if you’re only looking for the glitzy chain drive-up apeal of the corporate restaurants.
Between a car audio shop and a gas station, with only a few parking spots, non-descript sign.
Ahhh, but when you walk in…you’re home. No fancy waiters. One of the owners or their daughter usually take your order. The food is consistently good.