Maenam Lao & Thai Strathfield — Restaurant in Sydney

This is the 3rd time I've been to this restaurant and can confirm that I will never go again. After ordering a couple drinks off the menu, and requesting for the bill - the staff kept insisting that we were unable to only purchase drinks and insisted that we have to purchase other items from the menu also. There were no 'disclosures' stating that we can only purchase drinks along with food only. Personally I thought as a paying customer we were able to choose whatever we wanted from the menu in return for money (as basic as it comes). So after being hassled by the staff to make additional purchases from the menu - we reluctantly ordered roti just to satisfy them.To add the staff bought in a frozen reheated roti that was undercooked and rubbery. In addition no cutlery or plates were provided as if we were expected to hover over the one communal plate. After requesting for additional plates to actually eat the meal forcefully ordered along with cutlery - they hesitated and questioned why we needed cutlery and plates and stated that we would need to order more off the menu. I mean, as a customer i thought I can choose to purchase what I want from the provided menu and pay for it but apparently not. After arguing and asking the staff if plates will cost extra - they ignored us and walked away bringing some plates in later. Long story short- even though the frozen reheat situation was poor form, the customer service is the worst I've ever received from any restaurant. This is just my experience- but don't think I'll be keen on returning...

28/3/25 - 3.5 stars

Very much a neighbourhood joint with a friendly and welcoming staff and casual ambience. Decor is pretty vibrant and the local crowd does make it quite bustling. Food is overall ok in flavour with decent value, but, I don't think it's enough for me to make a trip back.

Ox tongue Flavour: S+, 8.5/10. No added nonsense just straight beefy flavour. Quite good Texture: SS, 9/10. Surprisingly tender. Very easy to cook ox tongue badly so good job here Value: A, 7/10. $20 is ok

Lard na Flavour: S, 8/10. Very reminiscent of Cantonese dishes. Solid Texture: A, 7/10. I prefer dry noodles with gravy but that's just me. Value: A, 7/10. $21 is just alright.

Crying Tiger Flavour: A, 7/10. It does taste like beef, barely Texture: C, 5/10. Cooked well done?? Not to the point it's like cardboard but this was terrible Value: B, 6/10. $19. Crying customer...

Lao sausages Flavour: S, 8/10. Enjoyed how herby it was but was expecting more spice and umami Texture: A, 7/10. Might be a different style or homemade but was a bit fluffy and dry. Would have liked a bit of juiciness and bite Value: A, 7/10. $16 is not bad

Quail Flavour: A, 7/10. Not my favourite meat as it's a bit gamey Texture: S, 8/10. Crisp outside and tender inside though not a lot of meat Value: A, 7/10. $15

Bbq octopus: B, 6/10. $18 for a handful of fairly rubbery octopus. Not impressed

Raw beef salad: S, 8/10. $16 for a pretty fragrant, spicy and umami salad. Solid

Papaya salad: A, 7/10. $15 but overall not that impressed. Could find this quality at any...

Check out my blog for photos

Maenam Lao and Thai is highly rated by Strathfield food lovers at a 94% like rate. It's tough because you have high expectations when you see a high rating.

With so many options on the menu and lots of people buzzing in and out of the restaurant, I felt a bit overwhelmed. Pictured below is the the flat rice noodle with chicken, egg, cashews and vegetables at $14.50. I love thick rice noodles that are perfectly flavoured in a cashew and chilli jam sauce. It was a solid dish.

The waitress tells me that typically the pad thai, pad see ew and pad kee mao are the most popular dishes but there are enough dishes on the menu to inspire more adventurous patrons.

The red curry with beef ($14.50) looked more yellow than red but nevertheless was still delicious. Overall I'd recommend trying out Maenam Lao and Thai! It's a tasty restaurant but I suspect you'll have to come back a few times to try out their extensive menu.

I'm not sure it quite tops your green pepper corn, home thai or chat thai but it is very tasty. Check out my other thai reviews here. Happy Eating!

Prices: $20 per head

Location: 31 the boulevard, Strathfield. Roughly 3 minute walk...