If the first impression of Royal Thai isn’t damaged by the restaurant’s uninspiring façade, many would be attracted to such a rarity in the SMU area. Royal Thai is located off Greenville Avenue and Lovers Lane directly across from Plucker’s. Its strip-center location provides little room to be original in exterior impact.
The restaurant is shoved in the back of the shopping center, making it extremely difficult to see, especially in such a crowded and chaotic intersection. Parking availability depends on the neighboring stores’ business, making it unreliable and annoying. Valet parking is not offered and usually not necessary in the expansive lot.
Any customer would be stunned upon entering the restaurant for the first time. Rich, cherry-stained wood covers the entire space, while geometric designed panels hang from the ceiling.
Twenty-two tables grace the room, each adorned with four comfortable and decorative chairs, tropical flowers and native plates with metallic napkin holders. The lighting in Royal Thai is perfect, allowing the dining areas to be well lit and still provide a certain mood and romance.
Unique and memorable Thai accents grace the restaurant, proving its legitimacy and giving it an authentic base. Even the wait staff is adorned with traditional Thai costumes and classic apparel. The only thing that negatively affects the atmosphere of Royal Thai is the random music. Tunes date back to the American 1960s. However, the poor choice in music is easily overlooked because of the location’s numerous artifacts and eye-drawing objects.
Royal Thai has been in existence since 1992. The owners were born and raised in Thailand and have shaped their restaurant around their experiences and heritage. The husband and wife also run the kitchen, controlling every element the restaurant offers. Its previous location was in the same shopping center, where Michael’s is today.
Around seven years ago, the corporation bought out the site and forced all stores to evacuate to find different homes. Royal Thai chose to stay in the same general area and has been successful in its present space ever since. The restaurant does not cater, but compensates by taking to-go orders for larger parties. Royal Thai does not take reservations, but encountering a wait to be seated would be unusual. Rentals are also not available at the restaurant.
The menu consists of many choices in numerical order. Although it is easy to order, you can never be sure of what you are ordering because the descriptions are sometimes short and misleading. My party’s order consisted of Satay Beef for an appetizer, Tom Kha Gai and Tom Yahm Goong for soups and Pla Goong salad. I chose Pad See-Lew for the main dish. The Satay Beef with the peanut sauce entices the taste buds with new and interesting flavors. Unfortunately, the appetizer was the highlight of the meal.
The soups gave an original flavor, but were ruined by an ingredient that is not supposed to be eaten, even though the soup was littered with it. The salad did not stand up to the hype and consisted of many inedible elements as well. The main dish, the recommended Pad See-Lew, was an adequate dish, which was only hindered by the overcooked beef in the delicious noodles. Although the food was not dazzling, the atmosphere is enough to draw anyone to the restaurant.
With the original Thai flavor and awe-inspiring interior, I recommend that Royal Thai as must see, but not a must try.
