Esan Thai Restaurant
| Address: | 221 E Kirkwood Ave D, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA |
| Phone: | +1 812-333-8424 |
| Site: | esanthairest.com |
| Rating: | 3.9 |
| Working: | 11AM–9PM Closed 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 63
Reviews 18
A
A Private User
regarding comments about service, if you want western style service, go to a western style restaurant. most diners dont realize that thai food and menus are usually designed to be enjoyed family style rather than one dish per diner. some restaurants manage to meet us somewhere in the middle and provide a dining experience that satisfies westerners and others dont. if your expectations are to dine "thai style" or family style, dishes come out as they are prepared, and its not a big deal. if you expect to have a coursed meal, and it is essential that every diner has their own dish that shall be served at the same time, especially when the place is busy or you are pressed for time, dine elsewhere. in any case the food here is excellent, service is fine, and the dining room is clean and noisy. also, they could charge slightly less and still turn a profit.
A
A Private User
Food is okay, I suppose. But the service is just terrible and I bet the 5 rating reviews below must be from the ppl who own this place. The owners can be as rude as possible and refuse to substitute any ingredient even if you die with allergies. And once I asked the fellow to reduce the Tofu quantity and you know the response I got?! "no, for the price if I reduce the tofu the quantity looks less" !!!! and of course that was the last time I ever looked at this place. And once before that I went there for lunch along with my team and I did not order any complicated food but simple veg fried rice. I got my food right after everyone is done with their food and were waiting for mine to come, I had to take it to-go and it was so awkward.
DR
drdebo Cherry
Esan is authenic Thai food which is different than tex-mex type "american" resturants. My family lived in Asia for a decade and they agree this is the best traditional Thai food they have EVER eaten in the US. It is superb. The Larb and Pad Thai is our favorite but the curries are unreal as well- but be careful with green curry if you are expecting something from a food court resturant because this is for- real and full of Thai eggplant! Their unfried spring rolls are like nothing you have ever eaten. In addition, if you are lucky enough to go when Server, & to go order- taker, John is on duty you will get an extra treat- hes the friendliest guy I ever met and looks like the Asian Brad Pitt!
A
A Private User
Food was OK but if youre going out for dinner with a group of friends, this is NOT the place to head to. Service is atrocious - its not even worth stepping into this place unless youre in the mood for a frustrating evening. The wait staff are clueless and could care less about entrées arriving late (half of our group was served their meal 30 minutes before the rest, 3 were even forgotten). Not one apology or acknowledgement - which is all that was needed to diffuse the situation - was made about their oversight. Seems like complaints about the staff have been echoed here quite a few times - clearly management has done nothing about it. Never again...
RI
Richa K
I eat thai food a lot and cook myself too. Here we ordered several items. Wasnt impressed that much. Blanket shrimp was very oily. Veggie pineapple fried rice was crazy oily, the plate has oil on the bottom, while eating you cant eat anything except oil in your mouth. Cashew nut chicken was okay but mushrooms has very wierd taste in it. The things I really liked were thai iced tea and tom yum soup. Soup had a little less water compared to the amount of vegetables in it but taste was good. Among other entrees chicken and shrimp fried was fine. Curry was okay. Service was good though.
EM
Emily Elizabeth Lunch
Used to be our favorite Thai restaurant, but after todays experience we will try ordering elsewhere. The pad thai was dry and had a bone fragment in it and the crab ragoon/wontons were burnt and mostly inedible. The masman curry was the only thing that was decent. Extremely disappointed for a $50+ order of food (not including the delivery fees).
RY
Ryan Hawn
Dont bother. Odds are you wont get in. The restaurant hours are merely a suggestion. If its an inconvenience for them they wont serve you and close early. Its really an overall hit or miss on the service and quality anyway. Also its rather awful to eat inside anytime its busy as you wont be able to hear yourself think.
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A Private User
Ordered a steak dish medium rare. Came out like a hockey puck. Owner of the restaurant refused to either make a second one or discount my dish (as half of it was not the way I had ordered it). So in retribution, I paid with an American Express card. And I wont be back. Horrible, horrible customer service.
LU
Lucas Lim
Great place, best Thai restaurant in Bloomington. Uses imported authentic ingredients, makes things from scratch and uses locally grown produce when available-- even though the menu doesnt tell you all that. They dont charge enough for what theyre selling. I love their pad ka prow (D26)
A
A Private User
Esan Thai is awesome! The prices are extremely reasonable given the large portion size. The servers are friendly and attentive and its clear that the food is fresh and prepared at the time of order. My roommates and I went there over the weekend for dinner and cant wait to go back!
CA
Caroline D
Went here a few months ago for a friends birthday. Food was good and reasonably priced, and portions were big. Decor was lacking but the people working there were very nice. Great place for a group of college kids looking to eat at a sit-down place on a budget.
RY
Ryan Over
Ive been to Esan Thai a couple times for lunch and dinner. Both times the food was a cut above the other places Ive been to in town. Also, the atmosphere is pleasant and service staff is well trained. Ill definitely recommend Esan Thai to others.
JE
Je Myoung Lee
I had two $10 dish. The server charged me two $12. I asked her to fix it. She fixed only one, and swiped the credit card. I asked her to fix the other one. And she just said "I dont know how to void the transaction." What the heck is that!
AA
Aaron Mobley
Worst service ever waited over an hour for food and then when I ask why is it taking so long she tells me, "What do you want me to do about it!"....and not in a nice way. There is more that was said, but lets just say I will never go back.
DA
David Eggert
When I ask for painfully spicy dishes they oblige my request to the letter. I love their food. Lots of vegetable matter to balance the protein. Well seasoned. Closer to authentic Thai than most places in town.
A
A Private User
I LOVE Thai food, and Esan Thai has been able to deliver pretty good quality. The service has been hit or miss (college girls in gray hoodies chewing gum, etc.), but the food has not been disappointing.
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A Private User
The service isnt the fastest, but they are friendly and the food doesnt take very long. And I would wait much longer for the quality of food they serve. I hope they get their liquor permit soon!
DA
David Beiler
I went to eat here just now 07/04/16 and sat for 20 minutes and they never so much as asked me what Id like to drink...terrible service with a lazy hostess....other than that the place was clean
