Mae Sri Comptoir Thai — Restaurant in Montreal

Just went here last night with my husband. The food was delicious but the management needs a bit of work (maybe this was the first time in a while that they had such a large influx of customers).

When we arrived at the restaurant, it was already full and I noticed 2 groups already waiting outside (1 group of 8 and another of 3). I decided to go inside to inquire what the approximate waiting time would be. I spoke to one of the waitresses who told me she wasn’t sure but it would take maybe around 30 minutes and that I could wait outside. She didn’t take my name or anything. So I did what she told me to do and I waited outside behind the 2 other groups ahead of me. As time went on, the line got longer. The 2 groups ahead of me got seated. And then we noticed a table being cleaned, and my husband and I thought it would be our turn to be seated. Surprisingly, another group was seated instead - this group of 3 girls were the third group in line. We were shocked and wondered maybe they had a reservation? At this point, we had been waiting for maybe 45 minutes. I went back inside to inquire what was happening and asked if that group that was just seated had a reservation. The waitress told me that they didn’t. I proceeded to tell her that I was ahead of them and that there was another couple also waiting after me who is also ahead of that group, and that it wasn’t fair that that group was seated before us. I continued to inform her that there’s a huge lineup in front. She told me she had no idea that we were supposed to be next (which I find it hard to believe because we were standing right in front of the main entrance of the restaurant). Anyway, she came outside and apologized for the wait to everyone. She then passed a paper down the line and asked us to write our names, party number and telephone number so that they can call us should we decide to roam around while waiting. She goes back inside and I guess clean some tables. Then comes back out and then asks if any of us were going to walk around or if she needed to call us? Everyone kind of advised her that most of us will be waiting and that if the people who left don’t respond by name or phone to skip them (poor girl didn’t seem to know how to manage the volume of customers). I appreciate that she was apologetic throughout the evening but I hope this helps them improve their management and flow of the restaurant when it comes to the influx of customers. Anyway after waiting almost an hour, we finally made it inside. It’s a small restaurant so if you’re a large group make sure to reserve.

Service was good and quick. You either order at the counter or online via a QR code.

The food was really good. Papaya salad wasn’t anything special - same as any other Thai restaurant I’ve tried. Maybe needs more peanuts for texture. The fried rolls was good. The Thai Hainan fried chicken was delicious. Chicken was crunchy and not dry. The broth it came with was simple but very delicious - the flavour was great and comforting after the brisk wait outside. The Kuai Tiao Tom Yum was also delicious. The broth had a nice flavour and a nice spice to it but won’t blow your top off. The Thai iced tea with milk was nice and refreshing which helps with any spice the food may have - enjoyed it. The mango pudding was also good - not to sweet - we took the dessert to go because we were stuffed.

Overall, we enjoyed the food and the restaurant is quite cute. Will go back if we’re around the area but might go to their larger restaurant on...

Ambience was beautiful and food was delicious. We order Thai milk tea and Thai coffee. Both of which can iced in a beautiful metallic bowl and was delicious.

We ordered a beef and pork platter to share. My husband and our friend both got the Kuai Tiao Tom Yum soup noodle while I had the fried chicken Hainan rice which came with a small bowl of broth and sweet dipping sauce. I love Hainan chicken rice and the fried chicken option was a nice change. I got a taste of the soup from my husband's tom yum. The soup is very flavorful. As for the shared platter it was okay compared to the main dishes.

I also ordered a tapioca pudding which I asked for it to come after the meal which may have been a mistake because it got very busy so we had quite a wait after our meal. It was okay for us because we got to chat but I did feel bad for taking up the table long after we finished eating just because of a dessert that came late, especially since there was a good amount of people waiting for the table to free up. The pudding was okay, it was a mild sweetness typically of most Asian desserts and the coconut topping had the signature lightly salty sweet taste. I do wish I could taste the pandan in the tapioca pearls more.

It also got pretty cold due to the drafts from the double doors being open at the same time when people came in or walked out. Not sure if anything could be done for it since the restaurant is already small. I know some establishments make a curtained area in addition to the double doors but it will just take up more space.

Also about the drinks if you get cold easily you may want to avoid them due to the constant drafts. It will not help despite how delicious they are. I know hot drinks are not typical of Thai cuisine but perhaps less ice during winter? It's not likely to melt as fast here as it would in the hot humidity of Thailand.

Word to the waiters, don't offer the option of bringing dessert after the meal. Bring everything at the same time so that if it gets busy you will not have a table stuck waiting for dessert while you have a lot of people...

[Food review below] This place is a beautiful gem. The decorations inside are elegant and yet heart warming. Their black painted walls are adorned with a beautiful golden lotus chandelier and a gold koi fish mural. The staff is incredibly nice and attentive. The seating area is small and they don’t take reservations. If you’re a large group try to go outside of rush hours. The is food is so exquisite and the flavours just melt in your mouth. It’s also very decently priced (~$10-30 per plate). Here is what I ordered:

some pictures are taken after I started eating

Fried chicken salad 20/10 - my fave dish. Very spicy but in an extremely flavourful way. It’s crunchy, savoury, a bit acidic. Very well balanced. After eating a couple of pieces, your mouth will start burning but super worth it!

Green curry noodles 8/10 Delicious and fatty coconut curry taste, Noodles are a good texture, Meat is juicy but if you’re like me and don’t like boiled chicken then just give it to your friend and just have the curry broth. (Still worth it).

Thai braised beef soup 8/10 Deliciously rich broth with very aromatic flavours, awesome toppings (the pork balls are super soft and delicate in flavour. Spicy for those who can’t handle chilli flakes. Braised beef is tender and good but if you’re like me and don’t like braised beef (think of similar texture in bœuf bourguignon) then order the noodle soup with beef.

Papaya salad 7/10 Good and refreshing. Didn’t blow my mind.

Mae Sri fried rolls 8/10 Good flavour, very crunchy. Nice to eat.

Hibiscus juice 0/10 and 7/10 I was expecting your regular hibiscus juice that’s light, refreshing, with a mildly sweet flavour (think Caribbean hibiscus juice). Boy the Thai version is soooo different. It’s a bit syrupy and salty and sweet. It wasn’t for me (0/10) but my parents found it interesting (7/10). Up to you to decide!

Conclusion: this place has amazing food. Come spoil your loved ones with a taste...