Pad Thai @ Tom Tom Asian Grill
If I told you that the city’s best pad thai doesn’t come from a small, authentic, family-owned and semi-unpronounceable restaurant, you’d probably be really surprised. If I went even further and told you that it’s made in some trendy West Village joint, you’d be shocked. Well, get ready. As potentially controversial as it is to throw around the term “best”, I feel pretty confidant when I declare that Tom Tom Asian Grill’s pad thai is the best in Dallas.
I love pad thai. It’s a dish that I’ll order anywhere that serves it. I’ve had it pretty great at some places (Asian Mint) and even good at fast-eating places (Pei Wei). I’ve eaten it in weird strip malls, little asian marts, and even out of a box. I have to say though that no one I’ve come across does it as good as Tom Tom does. The base of noodles tossed in spicy sauce has a fantastic flavor. I order mine with tofu which is always firm and browned around the edges. The vegetables (finely-shaved carrots and bean sprouts) are served fresh, not sauteed, which I think is one of the reasons why this pad thai excels. The crisp veggies make it fresh and add a lovely texture. On top lies delicate ribbons of egg, crumbled peanuts, chili slices, and the traditional wedge or two of lime. I actually feel sad as I get full when I’m eating this because I don’t want my meal to end. My only (and I really mean only) complaint is the heat. It can be so inconsistent. Sometimes, it can be really, really spicy. This particular occasion, it was child’s play. If they could work out some sort of medium between the two, it’s perfection.
My hairstylist came here from Thailand and while he was cutting my hair, I thought it’d be a great time to ask him where to find some good authentic pad thai. Expecting to hear about some hole-in-the-wall (as described in the beginning of this post), I was surprised when he laughed and said that believe it or not, it’s around the corner at Tom Tom. So affirmed by his answer, I can still trust my taste buds for now because it seems they’re leading me in the right direction…
If you can think of a pad thai that can rival it, please let me know! Either I’m right, or I’m wrong and have a new favorite dish. Either way, I win!
Price: $10.95
Tom Tom Asian Grill
West Village
3699 McKinney Ave. | Dallas, TX 75204
214.522.9866
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ahhh it really is the best!
you know the only thing we disagree about in this is tofu v. chicken… either way it’s making me hungry just thinking about it
fantastic photos too.
ginger beef.
i’ve had pad thai from asian mint before and thought it…well not sucked, but it wasn’t great either. was totally boring. my favorite that i’ve had in town is definitely from jasmine (spring creek & custer). the noodles were maybe a bit thicker than what is normal but i’m not a pad thai expert. jasmine is easily my favorite thai place and maybe my favorite restaurant in town. if you like it spicy, make sure to ask for it spicy…otherwise it probably won’t be. i’ve also tried zenna (not bad) and thai pan in mckinney (pretty blah). can’t comment on jasmine’s tofu as i get chicken.
Hey, you’ve finally mentioned a place I’ve actually been to! The bits I had were pretty good, but I can’t allow myself to think it’s any better than that since I can’t exactly just drive down there should the urge hit.
You know… like how you try to delude yourself into thinking Whataburger is even in the same league as In-N-Out as a way of coping with your Double-Double-free life.
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