Thai Spice

On January 13th, 2025, around 12:46 p.m., I visited my favorite neighborhood restaurant, Thai Spice, after a two-year hiatus. The parking lot was full, so I had to park my Tesla in the back for the first time. No big deal, though, because I was determined to get my favorite dish, Yum Nua.

Upon entering the restaurant and informing the host that I wanted to sit outside, I wish I’d thought twice. It seems like when you sit outside, they either forget you exist or blame you for their busyness. That’s exactly what happened next. I sat there for about 8 minutes without water or being greeted. My server, Nahuel, finally came outside. I was already hangry and a bit disappointed that it took so long to get greeted or offered water. But I let it go because my mind was still set on my favorite dish. It was also my first time dining there early and seeing Nahuel. I usually sit at the bar and am served by Ray, or his wife. I’m known to be a very generous tipper. I’ve enjoyed every experience being bartended by Ray, and my order and time there have never been anything less than great until yesterday.

So, when Nahuel came outside, I heard him let out a long sigh. Then, he approached my table. Instead of greeting me and apologizing for the delay, he said, “I was dealing with hot food inside.” And then, he took my order. I didn’t look at him because I was extremely hungry, a little upset, and just wanted my food to come out good.

I always get the same thing. My order never changes! I always order the beef salad medium well, medium hot, or Thai hot with a side of Jasmine rice with red wine. I had a rather unpleasant experience at your restaurant. The ordering process felt rushed, and I wasn’t even asked about my preferred temperature for the filet. This is quite surprising, as I’ve noticed that every server, bartender, and door host I’ve encountered has always asked about my preferred cooking temperature. It’s frustrating when they assume I like my meat medium, as I don’t and have never ordered it that way. The texture of the filet was slimy, and there was a noticeable difference in taste. I always order the same dish, so I’m confident that I can detect any changes in quality. The amount of lime juice in the dish was also quite low, and I had specifically asked for limes. Instead, I received the driest limes I’ve ever had. Those didn’t work, so I asked the server to bring out the chili boat with all the Thai spices. As he was showing me each sauce, there was a long piece of light brown hair sticking out of the sauce. He immediately took it back after my disgust. After eating half of my beef salad because I was starving, I asked him why he hadn’t asked me about my preferred temperature. I explained that the texture was slimy and that I never order my steak medium. He then told me quote for quote “My Manager said that’s not a question we ask.” Oh it isn’t? Then how have I been asked by every other excellent server or worker in that building. Someone is lying, and I don’t appreciate that. I asked Nahuel how long he’d been serving there, and he said 6 months. It made sense, but it didn’t quite add up. He seemed extremely rude and flustered while insisting that his manager come outside to talk to me instead of apologizing for forgetting to ask a paying customer what temperature they’d like the steak THE GUEST is paying for. I wasn’t feeling the vibe, so I even held off on ordering the red wine I usually get. I then asked for the check, and he handed me an iPad so quickly and rudely that I felt uncomfortable signing while being stared at to see IF I’m tipping. Even if the service is bad, it’s not in my character to not tip. I gave him 20% instead of what I normally give. I hope you don’t make any other guests feel uncomfortable in this establishment that they’ve been dining in longer than the servers have worked there, and I hope the managers are better at leading their new servers to being the best at resolving problems and not making the guests feel unwelcomed.