Thai-Lao Orchid — Restaurant in Bulverde

My husband and I frequently ate here before Covid and went back a few weeks ago for lunch. We were so very disappointed in the meal we had on this occasion. As we expected, the prices had gone up substantially, which we didn’t really have a problem with because we believe that anyone who has been to a grocery store knows how much food costs now and if they are not willing to pay more, should simply stay home.

What we were unprepared for was the change in both quality and quantity. We ordered Drunken noodles with Pork which was always our go to choice in the past, so we were stunned when our plates were delivered and not only did they contain less than half the normal portion, it didn’t even look like Drunken Noodles. First, there was no more than a half cup of noodles topped with about a third cup of partially cooked assorted vegetables and about three tiny bites of pork. It didn’t look like or taste like any Drunken Noodles we had ever ordered anywhere.

When we paid our check and left, we decided that we would never return. I didn’t really think about it again until my daughter and I had dinner last night at Roberts By the Lake on FM 306. We both ordered pasta dishes that were priced no more than a couple of dollars higher than I had paid for Thai-Lao’s Drunken Noodles. When they brought our meals, the portion was huge (I took over half home with me) the presentation exceptional, and it was delicious. It made me think and wonder why one restaurant can still provide an excellent meal while still making a profit and another can’t, or doesn’t respect or value their customers enough to do so.

In essence, when a restaurant not only increases their prices and at the same time delivers food of much smaller portions and inferior quality, they are going to...

Today, my husband and I visited Thai-Lao Orchid for lunch. Upon arrival, we noticed that the restaurant was quite crowded, a testament to its popularity. The interior was inviting, and we were intrigued to find an Indian restaurant adjacent to the Thai establishment. This was our first visit, and we were excited to try the cuisine. We started with Thai crispy egg rolls, which were a delightful introduction to our meal. One of the standout dishes was the Neum, a crispy rice with minced chicken, seasoned beautifully with ginger, peanuts, lime juice, cilantro, and scallions. It was freshly made and absolutely delicious. We also enjoyed fried sushi. Yumm..yumm!! The butter chicken was exceptionally flavorful and well-prepared.The garlic naan was the best we have had in San Antonio. The service was impressively fast despite the lunchtime rush. The flavors of our meals were outstanding, and we each thoroughly enjoyed our selections. The portions of all the dishes were generous. A highlight of our experience was when the owner came to our table to inquire about our meal, which added a personal touch. Our server was prompt, professional, and knowledgeable, recommending several delicious dishes and making us feel welcome. She even prepared a mango boba tea for us, which was a delightful end to our meal. This was our first visit to Thai Lao Orchid, but it certainly won't be our last. We highly recommend it for its delicious food, excellent service, and...

I was so excited to have a Thai place near our new community, but after my visit, we'll be driving to the northside of San Antonio for Thai food.

Expectations were pretty low when we walked in and it was part of an Indian restaurant. (The two restaurants are separated by an opening between the two.) Another clue that it wasn't going to be great was the lack of customers during lunchtime on a Saturday.

The service was absolutely terrible. The server(?) looked confused after finally acknowledging my arrival. The service was slow and sparse. But when it came to giving us the bill and processing it, they were quick on their feet.

Speaking of feet . . . when I got up to go to the bathroom, the owner(?) or manager(?) was lounging in the Indian half of the restaurant with his bare feet on a chair talking loudly on the phone.

We ordered fried spring rolls. The photo on the menu gave the impression that we would get 2 fat fried spring rolls. Nope. What we got were 2 teeny. tiny rolls that were about the thickness of a finger and about 4 inches long. At $12.99, I expected more . . . The drunken noodles were, as the kids say "mid" at best. The noodles felt old and the sauce was unremarkable. We had the pleasure of paying $15.99 for that plate of disappointment.

Unfortunately, the experience and price points were not great and we will...