Baitong Restaurant — Restaurant in Ko Samui

I discovered this wonderful restaurant entirely by accident. The name of this restaurant "Baitong" isn't written or visible anywhere on the outside of the restaurant. As I was driving past the P&B Bratwurst Hut, which was closed because it was after 7:00 p.m., I noticed this little place just about 50 m down the road on the same side of the road. If you blink you'll miss it. I just happened to see what looked like a completely Thai style Mom and Pop outdoor restaurant, that had very basic tables, with all of the signage written in Thai . I assumed it was just Thai food, but then I noticed some westerners sitting at the table along with a few Thai people. Curious, I parked my motorbike and walked in and was greeted by a smiling woman who politely gestured for me to have a seat at a table. I obliged, and picked up the heavy menu and began looking through it. I noticed that the couple seated at an adjacent table were presented with what looked to me like a very delicious pizza. Upon perusing the menu, I realized that they had several varieties of pizza that you would only see in a western restaurant or pizza place. The prices were astonishingly affordable, between 159 baht to 185 baht! I ordered the salami Pizza which was 175 baht, and I have to admit my expectations were low. I ordered a can of Coca-Cola, but she brought with a big glass full of ice. In about 10 minutes or less, she brought out what looked like a delicious pizza on a wooden cutting board. She then set a wooden condiment box that included olive oil, Tabasco sauce, and some kind of sauce that was in a Thai labeled bottle that I could not read, but upon tasting that mysterious sauce, I realized it was wonderful! The crust of the pizza was obviously handmade, crispy on the bottom and just perfectly baked. The sauce was incredible, and it wasn't your typical too sweet tomato sauce that is commonly used here in Thailand. In other words, it tasted like a perfectly balanced pizza sauce the straight out of Chicago. There was plenty of real mozzarella cheese that was gooey and delicious. There was lots of salami on top of it all. I have to tell you that this pizza was absolutely stellar, and I've gone back twice since my first visit. It's across the street from a place where they change tires on cars. There's also a fresh vegetable market across the street which is always buzzing with customers. Like I say, this is a tiny unpretentious place that has knockout Pizza at less than $6 for a whole pizza. They also serve hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and all kinds of stuff which I'm sure is all very delicious. I'm surprised that they even have beef steak! I highly recommend this place because it is a wonderful experience in a very unpretentious setting. Their beverage prices are also about the lowest I've seen anywhere on the island. Hopefully I will attach some pictures...

Highly recommended and so far, so good! This is a no-frills Thai & Western restaurant, and the staff really know what they’re doing.

The huge range of food is sure to please everybody.

I tried the delicious bruschetta and my friend had the sweet & sour prawns, which was said to be excellent.

I will certainly be trying many more of the dishes listed as the price is very reasonable!

UPDATE: I came back and ordered spaghetti aglioi (which wasn’t on the menu) and they were only too happy to oblige. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the flavour...

An expat friend of mine told me that this is one of those special places that looks like all the other roadside restaurants but serves really really good food. His Canadian parents said the lasagna was the best they had ever tasted. We order the veggie pizza (which came with a salad in the middle of the pizza!) And asked for extra olives and garlic. Best pizza I've had in a long long time. This is my new go to spot for Italian. So glad...