Sawasdee Authentic Thai & Noodle House — Restaurant in Georgia

I’m so disappointed in the experience we had at this restaurant today. We thought we would give it a try since we were in the area and the reviews looked okay. First the good part. We were seated right away by the waitstaff. They checked on us frequently while we decided what we wanted. It took less than 5 minutes to get our fried spring roll appetizer then we ordered our dinner choices at that point. The rolls were marginal. Just raw cabbage and carrot to be fair it’s exactly what the menu description said. The dinner came out in about 5 minutes which is a little alarming thinking about this now considering one was a stir fry dish with chicken. To start the cashew chicken had literally one tablespoon of actual chicken bits in it and 2 slivers of green peppers. There were a few onion pieces and some canned water chestnuts in an oily sauce and a cup of rice for 16.00. The other dish was the real issue. It was yum soon sen, bean thread salad of which I have eaten dozens and dozens of times all over the country. When it arrived the smell of sour spoiled fish permeated the area. I love GOOD fish sauce and this wasn’t that. It was bad and I mean spoiled. The salad was a cup and a half of noodles onions a few pieces of tomatoes and some pork bits. The pork bits were dry like jerky and hard and tasted like spoiled meat and refrigerator air. I got the waitstaff’s attention and politely told her the meat was spoiled and I wasn’t going to eat it and didn’t want anything else. We asked for the check and when it arrived we were told only 50% was taken off for the 16.00 dish that was inedible and that was policy. I told them that I didn’t agree to pay for something inedible and could I speak to the manager. A woman came out with fire in her eyes. She told me we had to pay for what we ordered. I told her it was not edible and I didn’t want to pay for spoiled food. She was argumentative and very upset and insisting that we pay that the food was fine and that I ate it. I told her I tasted a couple of small bites and couldn’t eat any more than that it was rotten. She argued loudly with us making up things we said in front of the other guests over a cup and a half of literal scraps. The sad lack of respect and customer service was just completely upsetting and then she added we could never come back ! Did she honestly think we would step back in this place with service like this? Save your time and money and go elsewhere. *Edited to add the restaurant put a very lengthy response with excuses for everything but didn’t mention the main reason for this review which was the terrible treatment by the angry owner. I stand by...

SHORT VERSION: amazing service, amazing food, completely reasonable and normal prices for this kind of food and completely standard portions (larger than average portions for the curry).

Long version: I don't know what food court level Thai places these other reviewers are going to, or where to start dispelling the things I read. I almost didn't eat here based on some of the reviews. Here's my experience:

I, a white guy, ordered the Som Tum, which is a traditionally really spicy dish, and I asked for it authentically Thai spicy, the way the cooks would make it for themselves. This got the the eyebrow it always gets, so I explained what I always do, which is that I've had this many times, I know what I'm asking for, and I won't ask for a refund. I also got the coconut soup, which was fantastic.

The som tum was great! And really spicy, just like I asked for. The server, who was super nice, asked how the spice level was, and I truthfully said I've had hotter but it's really good. She offered to take it back and add more spice! I only said no because my nose was about to be running, and that's uncomfortable in a restaurant. But super nice of her to offer! I want to be clear: it wasn't just hot for the sake of being hot. It was also just made well and really flavorful.

Edit: I just remembered the review saying "the papaya (som tum) was bland." I have to assume they ordered it mild, which is not what that dish is supposed to be.

I also ordered a certain curry, which she warned me isn't generally made very spicy. Catering to what her customers appear to like! I'm highlighting that because I read something about bad service, which is bananas. I asked her to kick it up just a little bit in heat, and substituted duck and squid for the protein. She warned me that would be $8 more, which is not only clearly stated on their menu, but pretty much exactly what every Thai place charges extra for those two proteins.

Then the curry came out and was roughly 4 times more food than I was expecting, given the reviewers on here. Do you guys get your Thai food from cheesecake factory? Where the portion sizes make up for the below average food? By the way, the curry was also great.

Look, if you're looking to gain weight on a budget, your first thought shouldn't be Thai food. If you like Thai food for what it actually is, you...

They really go out if their way to include the lease possible amount of protein in their dishes to save on cost. Few pieces of chicken drowning in sauce dish or three shrimps in the whole shrimp soup. Kind of cheap if you ask me.

Response to owner: I did not come in on a busy day. I came in midday when there was no one In The restaurant. I don’t think it matters how busy it is if you choose not to put enough protein in the dishes. Some places put more, others (like yours) put less. Its just frustrating ordering chicken massaman curry and getting soup with very few pieces of chicken and potatoes. That’s just my observation and I have ordered at your restaurant several times.

UPDATE: I honestly don't know how this restaurant puts Authentic in their name and claims the food is "just like in Bangkok" when what they serve honestly tastes just like a saltier and spicier version of Chinese food. Yes that is my opinion. However, it's one thing when customers differ in tastes and in opinions on certain dishes, but it's a whole other thing when a restaurant claims they are authentic when they don't even follow authentic recipes! Throwing a bunch of salt in your entrees and sugar in your Thai tea and calling it authentic doesn't cut it for those people who are used to good, Thai food. I would not have posted this last review of my last visit to this restaurant if the owner had not been rude and defensive of her "Thai" tea. I love Thai people and their amazing and flavorful food, this restaurant is just not...